JP6146498B2 - Print control apparatus, image formation control program, and print control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image formation command device and an image formation control program.

  Conventionally, as an image formation command device, when a paper that does not correspond to the selected ink is set in a printer that performs printing while being selected from two types of black ink of photo black and matte black, the paper There has been proposed a printer that automatically performs ink switching according to settings and performs printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, if a paper that does not correspond to the selected ink is set when the print setting screen is displayed, it is not intended by switching the paper setting to one corresponding to the ink and then displaying the print setting screen. The occurrence of ink switching can be suppressed.

JP 2008-234313 A

  By the way, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1 described above, by displaying the paper type corresponding to the selected ink at the top, it is possible to easily select the paper corresponding to the selected ink. Of these, a lower-order sheet was arbitrarily selected. In such a case, since switching of the colorant may occur, further suppression of unintentional switching of the colorant has been further demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in the case where an image is formed on an image forming medium using a colorant that is alternatively selected from a plurality of colorants, unintended colorant switching is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image formation command device and an image formation control program that can be further suppressed.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The image formation command device of the present invention is
An image formation command device that issues an image formation command to an image forming device that forms an image on an image forming medium using a colorant selected from a plurality of colorants,
Storage means for storing correspondence information that associates the type of the image forming medium with the type of the colorant that forms an image on the image forming medium;
Medium acquisition means for acquiring the type of the image forming medium selected for image formation;
Information acquisition means for acquiring information on the type of colorant selected in the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
The acquired colorant type corresponding to the acquired image forming medium type for image formation is acquired based on the correspondence information, and the acquired colorant type and the color selected by the image forming apparatus An informing means for informing warning information when the type of the agent is different.

  In this image formation command device, when an image formation command is issued to an image formation device that forms an image on an image forming medium with a colorant selected from a plurality of colorants, the image formation command device is selected for image formation. The type of the image forming medium is acquired, the information of the type of the colorant selected by the image forming apparatus is acquired from the image forming apparatus, and the colorant corresponding to the acquired type of the image forming medium for image formation is acquired. Is acquired based on the correspondence information, and warning information is notified when the acquired colorant type is different from the colorant type selected by the image forming apparatus. As described above, when the colorant is switched when the type of the image forming medium is changed, the warning information is notified. Therefore, unintended switching of the colorant can be further suppressed. Here, the “type of colorant selected by the image forming apparatus” may be the type of colorant used in the previous image forming process.

  In the image formation commanding apparatus of the present invention, the notification unit may include a display control unit that notifies the warning information by displaying the warning information on a display unit that displays an image. By doing so, it is possible to further suppress the unintentional switching of the colorant. At this time, the display control means may display characters, figures or images on the display means as the warning information. The notification means may include sound output means for notifying warning information by sound, or may include print output means for notifying the warning information by print output.

  In the image formation commanding apparatus of the present invention, the display control means has a setting screen in which an image forming medium selection column for selecting the type of the image forming medium and a colorant selection column for selecting the type of the colorant are arranged. May be displayed on the display means, and after the type of the image forming medium is selected in the image forming medium selection field, the warning information may be displayed next to the colorant selection field. In this way, warning information is displayed next to the column for selecting a colorant, so that unintended switching of the colorant can be more reliably suppressed. At this time, the medium acquisition unit may acquire the type of the image forming medium selected in the image forming medium selection column as the type of the image forming medium for image formation.

  In the image formation commanding apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit has a setting screen in which an image forming medium selection field for displaying a list of a plurality of types of the image forming medium when the image forming medium is selected. When the image is displayed on the display unit and the list is displayed in the image forming medium selection field, the image to be imaged is different from the type of colorant selected in the image forming apparatus when selected. The list may be displayed in such a manner that the formation media can be distinguished. In this way, since it is possible to grasp that the colorant is switched before selecting the image forming medium, it is possible to more reliably suppress unintended colorant switching. At this time, the medium acquisition unit may acquire the type of the image forming medium selected in the image forming medium selection column as the type of the image forming medium for image formation. Further, the display control means may display the display by changing the character color or arranging the warning image as the distinguishable mode.

  In the image formation command device of the present invention, the display control unit may display a setting screen in which a warning display column for displaying the warning is arranged on the display unit, and display the warning information in the warning display column. Good. By so doing, unintended switching of the colorant can be further suppressed by displaying the warning display column.

  The image formation command device of the present invention includes a colorant acquisition unit that acquires a type of the colorant selected for image formation, and the notification unit includes the acquired type of the colorant for image formation and When the type of colorant selected in the image forming apparatus is different, the warning information may be notified. If it carries out like this, since it will alert | report that a coloring agent will switch when the selection content of a coloring agent is changed, the switching of the coloring agent which is not intended can be suppressed more.

  In the image formation commanding apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus shares a nozzle group with the plurality of colorants, and switches the colorant filled in the colorant flow path when the colorant is switched. It is good also as what is an apparatus refilled with a coloring agent. In this way, unintended switching of the colorant can be further suppressed in the image forming apparatus sharing the nozzle group. Further, it is possible to further suppress the discard amount of the colorant generated when the colorant is switched.

  In the image forming command apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is an apparatus in which a cartridge that stores the colorant and supplies the colorant to a print head that discharges the colorant is mounted on a main body side. It is good. If there is a cartridge on the main body side farther from the print head, the amount of the colorant to be discarded may increase when the colorant is switched. Therefore, the significance of applying the present invention is higher.

  In the image formation command device of the present invention, the plurality of colorants may be a plurality of types of achromatic ink. Since there are a plurality of achromatic inks depending on the application, the significance of applying the present invention is high. This achromatic ink may be, for example, black ink, white ink, or gray ink. At this time, the achromatic ink may include a photo black ink and a matte black ink.

The image formation control program of the present invention
An image forming command is issued to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the image forming medium with a colorant selected from a plurality of colorants, and the type of image forming medium and the image on the image forming medium are displayed. An image formation control program executed by a computer using correspondence information that associates the type of colorant to be formed,
(A) obtaining a type of the image forming medium selected for image formation;
(B) obtaining information on the type of the colorant selected by the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
(C) acquiring the type of the colorant corresponding to the acquired type of image forming medium for image formation based on the correspondence information, and selecting the acquired type of colorant and the image forming apparatus; When the type of the colorant is different, the step of notifying the warning information;
Is included.

  Similar to the image formation command device described above, this image formation control program notifies warning information when the colorant is switched when the type of the image forming medium is changed. If this program is executed by one computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same operation and effect as this image formation command device can be obtained. That is, unintended switching of the colorant can be further suppressed. In this image formation control program, various aspects of the above-described image formation command device may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described image formation command device may be added. .

The image formation command method of the present invention includes:
An image forming command is issued to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the image forming medium with a colorant selected from a plurality of colorants, and the type of image forming medium and the image on the image forming medium are displayed. An image formation control method using correspondence information that associates types of colorants to be formed,
(A) obtaining a type of the image forming medium selected for image formation;
(B) obtaining information on the type of the colorant selected by the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
(C) acquiring the type of the colorant corresponding to the acquired type of image forming medium for image formation based on the correspondence information, and selecting the acquired type of colorant and the image forming apparatus; When the type of the colorant is different, the step of notifying the warning information;
Is included.

  In this image formation control method, as in the case of the image formation command device described above, when the colorant is switched when the type of the image forming medium is changed, warning information is notified, and thus an unintended colorant Can be further suppressed. In this image formation control method, various aspects of the above-described image formation command device may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described image formation command device may be added. .

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printer system 10. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the medium ink color corresponding | compatible information 55. FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the display 48. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print setting processing routine. The flowchart which shows an example of a setting change process routine. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a print execution command input screen 70. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when changing the paper type on the printer setting screen. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when changing the ink type on the printer setting screen. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a paper list display field 90 displayed on a printer setting screen 80. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a paper list display field 92 displayed on a printer setting screen 80.

  Next, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a printer system 10 according to the present embodiment. The printer system 10 of this embodiment includes a printer 20 as an image forming apparatus of the present invention, and a personal computer (PC) 40 that is connected to the printer 20 and performs a print command or the like. The printer 20 includes a controller 21 that controls the entire printer 20 and a printing mechanism 25 that forms an image on a printing medium (image forming medium) such as printing paper using ink (colorant). In addition, the printer 20 includes an interface (I / F) (not shown) for exchanging information with an external device, an operation panel for displaying various information, and receiving input from the user. In the printer 20, the controller 21, the printing mechanism 25, the I / F, the operation panel, and the like are electrically connected by a bus (not shown).

  The controller 21 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 22, and includes a flash memory 23 that stores various processing programs and can rewrite data, a RAM 24 that temporarily stores data and stores data, It has. The controller 21 controls the printing mechanism 25 to execute the printing process. Further, the controller 21 transmits information related to the printer 20 to the PC 40 and receives information set by the PC 40.

  The printing mechanism 25 includes a carriage 26 that reciprocates in the left-right direction as the main scanning direction along a guide by a carriage belt and a carriage motor, a cartridge 28 that is mounted on the main body and individually stores ink of each color, The printer includes a print head 27 that is disposed on the lower surface side and applies pressure to each color ink supplied from each cartridge 28 to eject the ink, and a capping device 29 that seals and cleans the print head 27. The print head 27 ejects ink of each color from the nozzles by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. The mechanism for applying pressure to the ink may be based on the generation of bubbles due to the heat of the heater. The print head 27 includes nozzles in which a plurality of nozzles 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K that discharge ink of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K: Mk, Pk) are arranged. Nozzle rows 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K are provided as a group.

  The cartridge 28 is used as a colorant such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), matte black (Mk), and photo black (Pk) containing a dye or pigment as a colorant in water as a solvent. The cartridges 28C, 28M, 28Y, 28Mk, and 28Pk are respectively stored in the apparatus main body so as to be detachable. The cartridge 28 and the print head 27 are connected by a flexible tube 35, and ink of each color is supplied to the nozzles 32 formed in the print head 27 through the flexible tube 35. In the printing mechanism 25, the mat black ink accommodated in the cartridge 28Mk and the photo black ink accommodated in the cartridge 28Pk are selectively switched by the ink switching mechanism 34 disposed in the carriage 26, and the nozzle array 33K It is configured as a mechanism for discharging. Thus, in the printing mechanism 25, the nozzle row 33K is shared by a plurality of inks of matte black ink and photo black ink. When these black inks are switched, it is set to perform a process of refilling with black ink for switching the black ink filled in the ink flow path of the print head 27. The printing mechanism 25 is configured as a so-called off-carriage type mechanism in which the cartridge 28 is mounted on the main body side instead of the carriage 26. It should be noted that when collectively described, the nozzle 32, the nozzle row 33, and the cartridge 28 are referred to.

  The capping device 29 is used when sealing the nozzles 32 in order to prevent the nozzles 32 from drying during a printing pause or the like. The capping device 29 is operated so as to cover the nozzle forming surface of the print head 27 when the print head 27 moves to the home position together with the carriage 26. The capping device 29 is connected to a suction pump (not shown). For example, when an ink clogging of the nozzle 32 is detected, or when black ink is switched (at the time of refilling), a suction pump is provided on the nozzle formation surface of the print head 27 sealed by the capping device 29 as necessary. The ink is sucked and discharged from the print head 27 through the nozzle 32. Note that the waste ink discharged and collected is stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown).

  The PC 40 is a personal computer configured as an image formation command device used by a user. The PC 40 is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, and a controller 41 that includes a CPU 42 that performs various controls, a flash memory 43 that stores various control programs, a RAM 44 that temporarily stores data, and the like. An HDD 45 and an interface (I / F) 46 for communicating with an external device such as the printer 20 are provided. The HDD 45 stores a print driver 50 that performs print settings and print execution, and an application program 59 (for example, a document editing program) that is an execution program.

  The PC 40 also includes an input device 47 such as a keyboard and a mouse for a user to input various commands, a display 48 for displaying various information on the screen, and the like. The PC 40 has a function of executing an operation corresponding to the input operation when the user inputs the cursor or the like displayed on the display 48 via the input device 47. The controller 41, the HDD 45, the I / F 46, the input device 47, and the display 48 are electrically connected by a bus 49 so that various control signals and data can be exchanged. The PC 40 instructs the printer 20 to perform printing processing or acquires and displays information about the printer 20 according to the installed program.

  Here, the print driver 50 stored in the HDD 35 will be described. The print driver 50 is used for print setting and print execution of the printer 20. The print driver 50 includes a medium ink color acquisition module 51, a printer information acquisition module 52, a display control module 53, medium ink color correspondence information 55, a UI resource 56, and the like. The medium ink color acquisition module 51 has a function of executing processing for acquiring the type of print medium and black ink selected by the user. The printer information acquisition module 52 receives information about the printer 20 from the printer 20, such as information on the remaining amount of ink, information on the type of print medium set in the printer 20, and information on the type of black ink selected on the printer 20. It has a function of executing processing acquired through communication. The display control module 53 has a function of creating a screen to be displayed on the display 48 and executing a process for displaying the screen on the display 48. For example, the display control module 53 executes a process of displaying predetermined warning information on the screen when a black ink switching process occurs. The medium ink color correspondence information 55 is information in which the type of print medium is associated with the type of ink that can form an image on the print medium. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the medium ink color correspondence information 55. The medium ink color correspondence information 55 empirically associates the type of the print medium with the type of the black ink so that the quality of the print image is maintained at a certain level or more based on the characteristics of the print medium and the characteristics of the black ink. Information. Here, for example, only matte black can be used for mat paper, both can be used for enhanced matte paper and super fine paper, and only photoblack can be used for photo paper. The print driver 50 is configured to be able to select only black ink that is associated with a print medium. The UI resource 56 is configured as a database that stores display images such as character strings, icons, and screens, for example.

  Next, the operation of the PC 40 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when the printing condition is set for the image data created by the application program 59 and the printing process is described will be described. Here, a case where the previous printing is performed using photo black and the ink flow path of the print head 27 is filled with photo black ink will be mainly described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the display 48. The display 48 shows a screen in a state where an application screen 60 for performing image editing, a print execution command input screen 70 for inputting a print command, and a printer setting screen 80 for setting the printer 20 are displayed. Yes. First, the user performs data processing using the application program 59 to create image data (for example, a photographic image), and clicks the print icon 62 arranged on the application screen 60 with the cursor 61. Then, the CPU 42 executes a print setting process routine stored in the HDD 45. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a print setting process routine executed by the CPU 42 of the controller 41. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the setting change processing routine. In the print setting processing routine and the setting change processing routine, the CPU 42 performs the functions of the medium ink color acquisition module 51, the printer information acquisition module 52, the display control module 53, the medium ink color correspondence information 55, and the UI resource 56 of the print driver 50. A print condition setting process is performed using data or the like.

  When the print setting process routine of FIG. 4 is started, the CPU 42 first determines the remaining ink amount, the type of print medium set in the printer 20 (set paper), and the type of selected black ink (selected ink). Information about the printer such as information is acquired from the printer 20 by communication (step S100). It is assumed that the remaining amount of ink is stored in the flash memory 23 by the process of integrating the ink discharge amount from the time of ink replacement. Further, it is assumed that the setting paper stores information in the flash memory 23 that is input by the user on the operation panel of the printer 20 for the type of print medium loaded in the printer 20. The input of the setting sheet is an arbitrary operation. In addition, as for the selected ink, it is assumed that the black ink data used in the previous printing is stored in the flash memory 23 and is updated to the black ink type after switching when the black ink is switched. Here, it is assumed that processing for acquiring these pieces of information from the flash memory 23 is performed.

  Next, the CPU 42 acquires the setting value in the print driver 50 from the previous setting content (step S110). Here, for example, information on the selected printer type, the type of the selected print medium, information on the selected print layout, and the like are acquired. Next, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the ink remaining amount is low based on the information acquired in step S100 (step S120), and executes the ink remaining amount warning process when the ink remaining amount is low (step S130). . Here, processing for selecting a warning message, selecting a warning icon, and processing for setting the arrangement position are performed. After step S130 or when the remaining amount of ink is not low in step S120, it is determined whether the set paper set in the printer 20 is different from the print medium selected by the print driver 50 (step S140). This determination is made based on whether or not the type of print medium selected by the print driver 50 matches the type of print medium set by the printer 20. When the set sheets are different, a sheet warning process is executed (step S150). Here, processing for selecting a warning message, selecting a warning icon, and processing for setting the arrangement position are performed. After step S150 or when the set sheets match in step S140, it is determined whether or not a setting change input has been made (step S160). If no setting change input has been made, a print execution command input screen 70 is created. Is displayed on the display 48 (step S180).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the print execution command input screen 70. As shown in FIG. 6, the print execution command input screen 70 includes a printer setting display unit 71 that displays printer settings, a layout setting display unit 75 that displays print layout information, and a page that displays page setting information. A setting display section 76, a warning display column 77 for displaying various warning character strings and the like, and a print execution key 78 that is pressed when printing execution is instructed are arranged. The printer setting display section 71 includes a selected content display section 72 that displays the selected paper type and black ink type, a setting change key 73 that is pressed when changing the paper type and black ink type, and print quality. A print quality input field 74 for inputting "." In the ink remaining amount warning process and the paper warning process described above, a warning icon 65 that can visually recognize that a warning has been made (including “!”, For example) is arranged next to the selected content display unit 72, and the warning is performed. A warning icon 65 is arranged in the display field 77 and a setting for displaying a warning text is made. In step S180, a print execution command input screen 70 is created based on the set contents and displayed on the display 48.

  When a setting change input is made in step S160, for example, when the setting change key 73 is pressed, the CPU 42 executes a setting change process shown in FIG. 5 (step S170), and in step S180, the setting change is performed. A print execution command input screen 70 is created on the basis of the contents thus displayed and displayed on the display 48. The setting change processing routine is stored in the HDD 45. When this routine is executed, the CPU 42 first acquires the current setting information (step S300) and displays the printer setting screen 80 (step S310). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the paper type is changed on the printer setting screen 80, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when the ink type is changed on the printer setting screen 80. The printer setting screen 80 includes a paper width input field 81 for inputting the paper width, a paper type selection field 82 for selecting the type of print medium used for printing, and a black ink type selection field for selecting the type of black ink used for printing. 83, a warning display field 84 in which various warning contents are displayed, and an execution key 88 that is pressed when selection is completed are arranged. In the paper width input field 81, the paper type selection field 82, and the black ink type selection field 83, choices are displayed in a pull-down list, and any of the displayed options can be selected, and the input device 47 can directly input characters. It is configured as a so-called combo box. The medium ink color acquisition module 51 acquires the information input in the paper type selection field 82 and the black ink type selection field 83 as the paper type selected for printing and the black ink type selected for printing. To do. In the printer setting screen 80, a warning icon 65 is set next to a column requiring a warning. The warning display field 84 is set so that a warning message is displayed together with the warning icon 65.

  When the printer setting screen 80 is displayed in step S310, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the paper width has been changed based on the input to the paper width input field 81 (step S320). Is reflected (step S330). After step S330 or when the paper width has not been changed in step S320, it is determined whether or not the paper type has been changed based on the input to the paper type selection field 82 (step S340). Here, when the paper type is changed, although omitted in the flowchart, it is determined whether or not the paper type set in the printer 20 matches the paper type selected in the paper type selection field 82. When the types do not match, processing for displaying a warning to that effect in the warning display field 84 is performed. When the paper type is changed, the black ink type corresponding to the selected paper type is acquired based on the medium ink color correspondence information 55 (step S350), and it is determined whether the black ink needs to be switched. (Step S360). Here, the black ink type corresponding to the paper type selected on the printer setting screen 80 is acquired based on the medium ink color correspondence information 55, and the acquired black ink type and the black ink selected on the printer 20 are acquired. When the type of ink is different, it is determined that the black ink needs to be switched. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the photo paper is changed to the matte paper, the available black ink is changed from the photo black to the matte black (see FIG. 2), so that the black ink needs to be switched. Determined. On the other hand, when the mat paper is changed to super fine paper that can use both black inks, it is determined that the black ink does not need to be switched.

  When it is not necessary to switch ink in step S360, or when the paper type is not changed in step S340, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the black ink type has been changed based on the input to the black ink type selection column 83. (Step S370). When the black ink type is changed, it is determined whether or not black ink switching is required (step S380). Here, when the type of black ink selected on the printer setting screen 80 and the type of black ink selected on the printer 20 are different, it is determined that it is necessary to switch the black ink. When black ink switching is required in step 360 or step S380, an ink switching warning process is executed (step S390). In the ink switching warning process, a process for selecting a warning message, selecting a warning icon, and a process for setting the arrangement position are performed. Here, a warning icon 65 is arranged next to the head of the black ink type selection column 83, and the warning icon 65 and a warning message “switch black ink during printing” are displayed in the warning display column 84. To do. Subsequently, after step S390, when the ink type is not changed in step S370, or when ink switching is not required in step S380, the printer setting screen 80 is displayed based on the changed content ( Step S400).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the photo paper is changed to the matte paper, the available black ink is changed from the photo black to the matte black (see FIG. 2). A warning icon 65 is arranged next to the head, and a warning message is displayed in the warning display field 84. In the black ink type selection field 83, mat black that corresponds only to mat paper is automatically input as a prohibition process. Then, for example, when this change is confirmed, the print execution command input screen 70 is shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 from the state in which photographic paper and photo black are selected in the selected content display part 72 shown in the upper part of FIG. A transition is made to the state in which matte paper and matte black are selected in the selected content display portion 72, a warning icon 65 is arranged next to the black ink display column of the selected content display portion 72, and a warning is displayed in the warning display column 77. A warning message with an icon 65 is displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the black ink type is changed from photo black to matte black in the black ink type selection field 83, a warning icon 65 is arranged next to the head of the black ink type selection field 83. Then, a warning message is displayed in the warning display field 84. By viewing such display content, the user can know that unintended black ink switching is executed.

  After displaying the printer setting screen 80 in step S400, the CPU 42 determines whether the setting change is completed based on whether the execution key 88 is pressed (step S410), and the setting change is not completed. Sometimes, the processing after step S320 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the setting change is finished in step S410, this routine is finished as it is. In this way, the paper type or black ink is selected while displaying a warning.

  Now, the description returns to the print setting processing routine of FIG. After displaying the print execution command input screen 70 in step S180, the CPU 42 determines whether or not a print instruction has been issued based on whether or not the print execution key 78 has been pressed (step S190). It is determined whether or not all the processes are completed based on whether or not the print execution command input screen 70 is closed (step S200). When the process is not finished, the processes after step S100 are repeatedly executed. When the process is finished, this routine is finished as it is. On the other hand, when a print instruction is issued in step S190, a print process is executed under the selected print condition (step S200), and this routine is terminated.

  Here, in the printing process, when it is not necessary to switch the black ink, the CPU 42 converts the image data to create print data, and transmits the created print data to the printer 20 as a print job. Receiving this, the printer 20 executes print processing based on the selected print condition. Note that the printer 20 gives priority to the setting contents set by the user, and executes the printing process with the contents set in the printing conditions even when the warning information is displayed. On the other hand, when the black ink needs to be switched in the printing process, the CPU 42 transmits a black ink switching command to the printer 20. In response to this, the CPU 22 of the printer 20 moves the carriage 26 to the capping device 29, switches the black ink supplied by the ink switching mechanism 34, then sets the capping device 29 to a negative pressure, and enters the ink flow path of the print head 27. A process of discharging the filled black ink and refilling the ink channel with the black ink after switching is performed. When the black ink switching process ends, the CPU 42 transmits the created print data to the printer 20 as a print job, and the printer 20 that receives the print data executes the print process based on the selected printing condition.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The HDD 45 of this embodiment corresponds to a storage unit, the CPU 42 and the medium ink color acquisition module 51 correspond to a medium acquisition unit and a colorant acquisition unit, the CPU 42 and the printer information acquisition module 52 correspond to an information acquisition unit, and the CPU 42 and The display control module 53 corresponds to notification means and display control means, and the display 48 corresponds to display means. The medium ink color correspondence information 55 corresponds to correspondence information, the paper type selection field 82 corresponds to an image forming medium selection field, the black ink type selection field 83 corresponds to a colorant selection field, and the printer setting screen 80. Corresponds to the setting screen. In the present embodiment, the image formation control program of the present invention is explained by the print driver 50, and the operation of the PC 40 is explained to clarify an example of the image formation control method of the present invention.

  According to the printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the paper selected for printing when issuing a print command to the printer 20 that forms an image on the print medium with black ink that is alternatively selected from a plurality. Acquires the type, acquires information on the type of black ink selected by this apparatus from the printer 20, and acquires the type of black ink corresponding to the acquired printing paper type based on the medium ink color correspondence information 55. When the obtained black ink type is different from the black ink type selected by the printer 20, warning information is displayed. As described above, when the black ink is switched when the paper type is changed, the warning information is displayed. Therefore, unintended black ink switching can be further suppressed. Further, since the warning information is displayed as a warning icon 65 or a message, it is possible to further suppress the unintended switching of the colorant. Further, a printer setting screen 80 in which a paper type selection field 82 and a black ink type selection field 83 are arranged is displayed. After a paper type is selected in the paper type selection field 82, a warning icon is displayed next to the black ink type selection field 83. Since 65 is displayed, unintended switching of black ink can be more reliably suppressed. Furthermore, since the printer setting screen 80 in which the warning display field 84 for displaying warning information is arranged is displayed, unintentional colorant switching can be further suppressed by displaying the warning display field. Then, when the black ink selection content is changed in the black ink type selection field 83, it is notified that the black ink is switched by the warning icon 65 or the warning message, so that the unintended switching of the colorant is further suppressed. Can do. Further, the printer 20 shares the nozzle row 33K with a plurality of black inks, and in order to refill the black ink filled in the ink flow path with the black ink to be switched when switching the black ink, Unintended switching of black ink can be further suppressed in the shared printing apparatus. In addition, it is possible to further reduce the amount of ink discarded when black ink is switched. Further, since the cartridge 28 is located on the main body side away from the print head 27, the black ink discard amount may increase when the black ink is switched. It can be suppressed more. Moreover, the replacement of the waste liquid tank can be further reduced. Furthermore, since there are a plurality of achromatic inks (black inks) depending on the application, it is highly meaningful to apply the present invention.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the warning icon 65 is arranged next to the black ink type selection field 83, but the arrangement position is not particularly limited as long as it is on a visually recognizable screen. Further, the warning icon 65 and the ink switching warning sentences 66 and 86 are displayed as the warning information. However, the information is not particularly limited as long as the ink switching can be understood. In addition, at least one of the warning icon 65 and the ink switching warning sentences 66 and 86 may be omitted, and either of them may be omitted. Alternatively, the warning display column 77 may be omitted or the warning display column 84 may be omitted. Further, the warning information may be displayed as a pop-up. Even in this case, unintended switching of black ink can be further suppressed by the displayed warning information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the warning information is the warning icon 65 and the ink switching warning texts 66 and 86. However, the warning information is not limited to this as long as it is possible to warn that the ink switching occurs. May be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer setting screen 80 in which the paper type selection field 82 and the black ink type selection field 83 are arranged is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The paper type selection field 82 and the black ink type selection field 83 are combo boxes, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as the paper type and ink type can be input.

  In the embodiment described above, warning information is displayed in the black ink type selection field 83 and the warning display field 84 of the printer setting screen 80. However, as shown in FIGS. Warning information may be displayed. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a paper list display field 90 displayed on the printer setting screen 80, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a paper list display field 92 displayed on the printer setting screen 80. For example, when the printer setting screen 80 on which a paper list display field for displaying a list of a plurality of paper types is arranged is displayed on the display 48 and selected on the printer setting screen 80, the printer 20 selects it. The paper list display field may be displayed in a manner that is different from the type of black ink that is present, that is, in a manner in which the paper type that causes ink switching can be distinguished. In this way, since it is possible to grasp that ink switching occurs before selecting a print medium, it is possible to more reliably suppress unintended ink switching. For example, as shown in the paper list display field 90 of FIG. 9, a warning icon 65 is displayed next to a paper type that is selected from among the paper types displayed in the paper list display field 90 and that causes ink switching. It is good. Alternatively, as shown in the paper list display field 92 of FIG. 10, among the paper types listed in the paper list display field 92, the font change of the character or the italic type is made for the paper type that is switched when ink is selected. It is also possible to display one or more different mode displays 67, which are either change or character color change. As described above, as a distinguishable aspect, any one of the change of the character decoration and the arrangement of the warning image may be adopted.

  In the above-described embodiment, display is output on the display 48. However, the notification is not particularly limited as long as warning information is notified, and a sound output device that notifies warning information by sound may be included. It is also possible to include a print output device that notifies warning information by print output. The warning information may be output in a combination of one or more of display output, sound output, and print output.

  In the above-described embodiment, the black ink is selected as the alternative ink. However, the ink is not particularly limited to this, and may be an achromatic ink. As the achromatic ink, for example, black ink, white ink, and gray ink may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the photo black ink and the matte black ink are switched and used. However, the type of the black ink is not particularly limited to this. Alternatively, the ink that is alternatively selected is not limited to the black ink, and may be, for example, a color ink, for example, any one of C, M, and Y, or red (R), green (G), and blue ( B), purple (P), orange (O), light magenta (Lm), light cyan (Lc), or the like may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cartridge 28 is the so-called off-carriage type printing mechanism 25 mounted on the main body side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the so-called on-carriage type printing mechanism in which the cartridge is mounted on the carriage 26. It is good. In the off-carriage type, the ink flow path at the time of ink switching becomes longer. However, since the ink to be switched is refilled even in the on-carriage type, the amount of ink discarded due to the ink switching can be further suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the black ink to be alternatively selected has been described as being switched and used in the shared nozzle row 33K. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, provided with the nozzle rows 33Mk and 33Pk. When ink is ejected from one nozzle row, black ink may be alternatively selected and used by switching not to eject ink from the other nozzle row. Alternatively, printing may be performed by selectively switching between the color nozzle and the black nozzle. Even in this case, since the warning information is notified when the ink is switched, unintended switching of the black ink can be further suppressed.

  In the embodiment described above, a single printer capable of executing printing has been described as the image forming apparatus of the present invention, but it may be a multi-function printer capable of executing printing, scanning and copying, or may be a FAX. The printing mechanism 25 is an inkjet method, but is not particularly limited as long as the image is formed by selectively switching the colorant, and may be an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer method, or a dot impact method. Further, although the PC 40 has been described as being the image formation command device of the present invention, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and may be an image formation command device built in the printer 20 or the like. Further, although the present invention has been described as the PC 40, it may be an aspect of an image formation control method or a program aspect of this method.

  10 Printer System, 20 Printer, 21 Controller, 22 CPU, 23 Flash Memory, 24 RAM, 25 Printing Mechanism, 26 Carriage, 27 27 Print Head, 28, 28C, 28M, 28Y, 28Mk, 28Pk Cartridge, 29 Capping Device, 32 , 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K nozzle, 33, 33C, 33M, 33Y, 33K nozzle row, 34 ink switching mechanism, 35 flexible tube, 40 personal computer (PC), 41 controller, 42 CPU, 43 flash memory, 44 RAM, 45 HDD, 46 interface (I / F), 47 input device, 48 display, 49 bus, 50 print driver, 51 media ink color acquisition module, 52 printer information acquisition Module, 53 display control module, 55 media ink color correspondence information, 56 UI resource, 59 application program, 60 application screen, 61 cursor, 62 print icon, 65 warning icon, 66 ink switching warning sentence, 67 different display, 70 print Execution command input screen, 71 Printer setting display section, 72 Selected content display section, 73 Setting change key, 74 Print quality input field, 75 Layout setting display section, 76 page setting display section, 77 Warning display section, 78 Print execution key , 80 Printer setting screen, 81 Paper width input field, 82 Paper type selection field, 83 Black ink type selection field, 84 Warning display field, 86 Ink switching warning text, 88 Execution key, 90, 92 Paper list display field.

Claims (8)

A colorant selection information acquisition unit for acquiring colorant selection information for selecting a colorant type to be used for printing from a plurality of colorants;
A print setting medium information acquisition unit for acquiring a medium type from the print setting;
A determination unit that determines whether to change the type of the selected colorant from the type of the medium and the colorant selection information;
When the determination unit determines to change the type of the colorant, a notification unit that notifies warning information before a print process is instructed;
A printing control apparatus. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display control unit that performs notification by displaying the warning information on a display unit.   The display control unit causes the display unit to display a setting screen in which a medium selection field for selecting the medium type and a colorant selection field for selecting the colorant type are arranged, and the medium selection field displays the medium in the medium selection field. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the warning information is displayed next to the colorant selection field after selecting the type of the colorant. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a setting screen in which a medium selection field for displaying a list of a plurality of types of the medium when the medium is selected, and the colorant selection information on the list. The print control apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a medium having a different type of colorant to be used is displayed in a manner distinguishable from a medium that is not different . The print control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the distinguishable mode is any one of a change of a character color and an arrangement of a warning image. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays a warning display field on the display unit, and displays warning information in the warning display field. Collect colorant selection information for selecting the type of colorant to be used for printing from multiple colorants.
Obtaining colorant selection information obtaining step;
  A print setting medium information acquisition step for acquiring a medium type from the print setting;
  Determining whether to change the type of the selected colorant from the type of the medium and the colorant selection information;
  When the determination unit determines to change the type of the colorant, a notification step of notifying warning information before instructing a printing process;
  An image forming control program for causing a computer to execute processing including: and transmitting an image forming command to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium with a colorant selected from a plurality of colorants. A colorant selection information acquisition step for acquiring colorant selection information for selecting a type of colorant to be used for printing from among a plurality of colorants;
A print setting medium information acquisition step for acquiring a medium type from the print setting;
A determination step of determining whether to change the colorant type from the medium type information and the colorant selection information;
An informing step of informing warning information before instructing a printing process when it is determined to change the type of the colorant;
A printing control method comprising:

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