JP6177211B2 - Print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management apparatus, a print management method, and a print management program, and more particularly to a printing condition optimization technique.

  In a printing apparatus, image quality defects such as streaks may occur in a printed material in a print job, and the requirements for the quality of the printed material may not be satisfied. When the requirement for the quality of the printed matter is not satisfied, the requirement for the quality of the printed matter may be satisfied by changing the printing condition.

  Further, a method has been proposed in which quality, cost, and productivity are taken into consideration when determining printing conditions in a printing apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 describes a failure diagnosis system that analyzes a defect in an output image by comparing an inspection image obtained by optically reading the output image with a reference image for inspection and identifies the cause of the failure. Yes. The output image in this document corresponds to the printed material in this specification.

  Patent Document 2 describes a printer selection method, a printer selection device, and the like that select an optimal printer from the viewpoint of output image quality, printing time, and printing cost from a plurality of printer groups.

  The terms “printer”, “output image quality”, “printing time”, and “printing cost” in this document correspond to the terms “printing apparatus”, “quality”, “productivity”, and “cost” in this specification, respectively.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 calculates a printer determination value that is a numerical value of viewpoints such as print processing quality, print processing speed, and print processing cost, and compares the printer determination value with a reference value to determine an output printer candidate. Is described.

  The terms “printer”, “print processing quality”, “print processing speed”, and “print processing cost” in this document respectively correspond to the terms “printing apparatus”, “quality”, “productivity”, and “cost” in this specification.

  Patent Document 4 describes a method for predicting cost and image quality by changing image processing parameters for a color original image, and determining a print job parameter for selecting a parameter based on the prediction result.

  The terms of image quality and parameters in the document correspond to the terms of quality and printing conditions in this specification, respectively.

JP 2007-74290 A JP 2001-134399 A JP 2005-70861 A JP 2000-3263 A

  However, when the printing conditions are changed based on the knowledge of the operator of the printing apparatus, the burden on the operator is large. In addition, if diagnostic measures are taken by stopping the printing apparatus without changing the printing conditions, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost or productivity. Furthermore, what controls the printing device without stopping the printing device only manages a part of the quality such as the solid density, and the cost or production required for the overall quality management and the quality control of the printed matter. Optimum printing conditions that take account of performance are not obtained.

  In the failure diagnosis system described in Patent Document 1, when an image quality defect is discovered, the printing apparatus is stopped without considering the balance of quality, cost, and productivity, and diagnosis and countermeasures are performed. It is difficult to balance cost and productivity, which may be disadvantageous in terms of cost and productivity. In addition, it is difficult to cope with fluctuations in the performance of the printing apparatus during printing that does not correspond to a failure.

The printer selection method described in Patent Document 2 and the data processing apparatus described in Patent Document 3 are difficult to cope with a change in the quality of printed matter in a print job due to printer performance fluctuations. It is intended to select a printer for printing from among a plurality of printers connected to the network, but not to select the optimum printing conditions for each printer.

  The method for determining print job parameters described in Patent Document 4 cannot cope with a change in the quality of a printed matter in a print job due to a change in a printing apparatus. In addition, it is necessary for an operator to select a print parameter, which places a heavy burden on the operator.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a print management apparatus, a print management method, and a print management program that can change printing conditions in response to performance fluctuations of the printing apparatus during execution of a print job. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect is print management information of a printed matter printed in an ongoing print job, and represents first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and an index of the printed matter different from the first information. A print management information acquisition unit that acquires print management information including the second information during a print job that is being executed, a print management request acquisition unit that acquires request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job, and Based on the print management information, the request evaluation unit that evaluates the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information of the printed matter printed in the print job, and the evaluation result by the request evaluation unit, A print condition deriving unit for deriving a print condition of a print job being executed that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information , It provides a printing condition changing executing unit to implement the change in the print conditions in a print job during execution of the derived print condition, a print management device including a.

  According to the first aspect, it is possible to quickly cope with a change in a printing situation by deriving a printing condition that increases a degree of satisfaction with a request regarding print management of a printed matter to be printed in a print job that is being executed, and changing the printing condition. Can do.

  According to a second aspect, in the print management apparatus according to the first aspect, the print management information acquisition unit includes, as the second information, information indicating the quality of a printed matter having a trade-off relationship with the first information, the first information and the non-trade. At least one of information representing the quality of the printed material having the off relationship, information representing the cost of the printed material, and information representing the productivity of the printed material is acquired.

  According to the second aspect, the printed matter in the print job is evaluated based on a plurality of evaluation indexes in quality, an evaluation index of quality and cost, an evaluation index of quality and productivity, or an evaluation index of quality, cost, and productivity. It is possible to perform optimal printing based on multifaceted evaluation from a plurality of viewpoints.

  In the second aspect, it is possible to acquire print management information including a plurality of pieces of information about quality. Further, it is possible to acquire print management information including a plurality of information regarding productivity. Furthermore, it is possible to acquire print management information including a plurality of information regarding productivity.

  According to a third aspect, in the print management apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for the printed matter.

  According to the third aspect, it is possible to change to a printing condition that increases the evaluation of a printed matter to be printed in a print job that is being executed, and it is possible to minimize the change of the printing condition, and to change the printing condition. It is possible to suppress fluctuations in the printing status due to the printing.

  According to a fourth aspect, in the print management device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a display unit is provided for displaying the printing conditions derived by the printing condition deriving unit.

  According to the fourth aspect, the operator can confirm the changed printing conditions.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the print condition deriving unit derives the changed print condition with reference to a predetermined print condition change rule. A printing condition change rule reference unit is provided.

  According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to derive the printing condition adapted to the request regarding the printing management information with reference to the printing condition change rule.

  In the fifth aspect, an aspect including a printing condition change rule storage unit in which the printing condition change rule is stored is preferable.

  A sixth aspect is the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the print condition deriving unit changes the print management information in the post-change print condition with respect to the print management information in the pre-change print condition. Is provided with a print management information predicting unit.

  According to the sixth aspect, when the changed printing condition is derived, the change in the printing management information in the printing condition after the change with respect to the printing management information in the printing condition before the change is predicted. Satisfactory printing conditions can be derived.

  In the change prediction of the print management information in the sixth aspect, it is possible to apply a function having the image data applied to the printed matter in the print job as a variable. Further, it is possible to correct a function used for predicting a change in print management information based on the print management information.

  According to a seventh aspect, in the print management apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the print management information prediction unit uses information included in the print management information as variable priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information. A prediction curve representing an evaluation value when the printing condition is changed is derived using the evaluation function to be used, and the changed printing condition is derived using the maximum value or the maximum value of the derived prediction curve.

  According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to change to the optimum printing condition based on the change prediction of the print management information.

  According to an eighth aspect, in the print management device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the print management request acquisition unit print information as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information. The request evaluation unit obtains an evaluation function using information contained in the variable as a variable, and the request evaluation unit prints the print job according to whether an evaluation value that improves the evaluation of the printed matter printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function. The degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information of the printed matter is evaluated.

  According to the eighth aspect, based on the evaluation value derived from the evaluation function, it is possible to evaluate the degree of satisfaction of the printed matter printed in the print job with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the request information.

  A ninth aspect is the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the print management request acquisition unit acquires request information including one or more evaluation criteria, and the request evaluation unit acquires Based on the obtained print management information, the degree of satisfaction of the printed matter printed in the print job with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the obtained request information is evaluated using one or more obtained evaluation criteria.

  As an example of the evaluation criterion in the ninth aspect, there is a threshold value of the evaluation function.

  According to a tenth aspect, in the print management information according to the ninth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit uses information included in the print management information as a priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information as a variable. The evaluation function obtains a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion, and the request evaluation unit compares the evaluation value of the printed matter printed in the print job derived by the evaluation function with the threshold value. The degree of satisfaction of the printed matter printed in the print job with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information is evaluated.

  According to the tenth aspect, evaluating the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information of the printed matter printed in the print job based on the comparison result between the evaluation function and the threshold value for the evaluation function. Can do.

  The eleventh aspect is the print management apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the eighth aspect, or the tenth aspect, wherein the print management request acquisition unit uses the first information as a variable as priority information, and the second information as a variable. An evaluation function represented by a polynomial including the term

  According to the eleventh aspect, the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the first information and the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the second information can be comprehensively evaluated.

  According to a twelfth aspect, in the print management apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the print management request acquisition unit is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable. Has a trade-off relationship with the first information, the sign of the term having the second information as a variable is different from the sign having the variable as the first information, and the second information is not traded off with the first information. If there is a relationship, an evaluation function is acquired in which the sign of the term having the second information as a variable is the same sign as the term having the first information as a variable.

  According to the twelfth aspect, in any case where the relationship between the first information and the second information has a trade-off relationship or a non-trade-off relationship, the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the first information, And the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the second information can be comprehensively evaluated.

  You may acquire the priority information expressed with the evaluation function which makes quality, cost, and productivity a variable.

  A thirteenth aspect is print management information of a printed matter that has been printed in a print job that is being executed, and includes first information that represents the quality of the printed matter, and second information that represents an index of the printed matter that is different from the first information. Print management information acquisition step for acquiring print request, print management request acquisition step for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job, and printed matter printed in the print job based on the acquired print management information The request evaluation process that evaluates the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information using one or more evaluation criteria, and the print indicated by the acquired request information based on the evaluation result of the request evaluation process A printing condition deriving process for deriving a printing condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with the management request, and the execution of the derived printing condition To provide a printing control method comprising a printing condition change implementation process for implementing the change in printing conditions in the printing job, the.

  In the thirteenth aspect, an aspect including a display step of displaying the printing condition derived by the printing condition deriving step is preferable.

  The printing condition deriving step includes a printing condition change rule reference step for examining the changed printing condition with reference to a predetermined printing condition changing rule, or after a change to the print management information in the printing condition before the change A mode including a print management information prediction step for predicting a change in the print management information under the printing conditions is preferable.

  In the thirteenth aspect, the print management information obtaining step includes information representing the quality of a printed material having a trade-off relationship with the first information as the second information, and information representing the quality of the printed material having a non-trade-off relationship with the first information. It is preferable that at least one of information representing the cost of the printed material and information representing the productivity of the printed material be acquired.

  In the thirteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition step acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for the printed matter.

  In the thirteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition step acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information. Depending on whether or not an evaluation value that improves the evaluation of the printed material printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function, the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information of the printed material printed in the print job is determined. The aspect to evaluate is preferable.

  In a thirteenth aspect, the print management request obtaining step obtains request information including one or more evaluation criteria, and the request evaluation step is performed based on the obtained print management information for a printed matter printed in the print job. It is preferable that the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information is evaluated using one or more acquired evaluation criteria.

  In the thirteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition step acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information, and evaluates it as an evaluation criterion. A threshold value for the function is obtained, and the request evaluation step includes the printed matter printed in the print job based on the comparison result of comparing the threshold value with the evaluation value of the printed matter printed in the print job derived by the evaluation function. It is preferable that the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information is evaluated.

  In a thirteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request obtaining step obtains an evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having first information as a variable and a second information having a variable as priority information.

  In the thirteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition step is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. In this case, the sign of the term having the second information as a variable is different from the sign having the first information as a variable. If the second information has a non-trade-off relationship with the first information, the sign of the second information is a variable. It is preferable that the sign of the term to be obtained is an evaluation function having the same sign as the term having the first information as a variable.

  The fourteenth aspect is print management information of a printed matter printed in a print job being executed by the computer, and includes first information representing the quality of the printed matter and second information representing an index of the printed matter different from the first information. Print management information acquisition means for acquiring print management information, print management request acquisition means for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in a print job, and printing based on the acquired print management information The request evaluation means for evaluating the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the request information from which the printed matter is acquired, and the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information is based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation means. A print condition deriving means for deriving the print condition to be Providing print management program to function as a printing condition changing means for executing a change in the printing conditions.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the computer function as a display unit that displays the printing condition derived by the printing condition deriving unit.

  The printing condition change examination unit is a mode in which the computer functions as a printing condition change rule reference unit that examines the changed printing condition with reference to a predetermined printing condition change rule, or the computer prints before the change. It is preferable that the print management information prediction unit function as a print management information prediction unit that predicts a change in the print management information in the print condition after the change to the print management information in the condition.

  In the fourteenth aspect, the print management information acquisition means includes, as the second information, information indicating the quality of the printed material having a trade-off relationship with the first information, and information indicating the quality of the printed material having a non-trade-off relationship with the first information. It is preferable that at least one of information representing the cost of the printed material and information representing the productivity of the printed material be acquired.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition unit acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for the printed matter.

  In a fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition unit acquires request information including priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information.

  In a fourteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information. Depending on whether or not an evaluation value that improves the evaluation of the printed material printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function, the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information of the printed material printed in the print job is determined. The aspect to evaluate is preferable.

  In a fourteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires request information including one or more evaluation criteria, and the request evaluation unit determines whether the printed matter printed in the print job is based on the acquired print management information. It is preferable that the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information is evaluated using one or more acquired evaluation criteria.

  In a fourteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information, and evaluates it as an evaluation criterion. The threshold value for the function is acquired, and the request evaluation unit prints the printed material printed in the print job based on the comparison result of comparing the threshold value with the evaluation value of the printed material printed in the print job derived by the evaluation function. It is preferable that the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information is evaluated.

  In a fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having first information as a variable and a second information having a variable as priority information.

  In the fourteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition means is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. In this case, the sign of the term having the second information as a variable is different from the sign having the first information as a variable. If the second information has a non-trade-off relationship with the first information, the sign of the second information is a variable. It is preferable that the sign of the term to be obtained is an evaluation function having the same sign as the term having the first information as a variable.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to derive a printing condition that increases the degree of satisfaction with a request regarding print management of a printed matter to be printed in a print job that is being executed, and to quickly respond to a change in printing status by changing the printing condition. it can.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the print information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of request information. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second specific example of print management information change prediction. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of priority setting. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of priority setting. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a setting confirmation screen. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another example of priority setting. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the streak image quality evaluation and the granular image quality evaluation applied to the print management information. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the number of screen lines and granular image quality, and the relationship between the number of screen lines and moire image quality. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the evaluation of granular image quality and the evaluation of moire image quality when the number of screen lines is changed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between cost evaluation and moire image quality evaluation. FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of a print information management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the print information management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of print management information change prediction. FIG. 17 is an overall configuration diagram of the printing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment: Overall Configuration of Print Information Management System]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The print information management system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a print management information acquisition unit 12, a print management request acquisition unit 14, a request evaluation unit 16, and a print condition change determination unit 18.

  The print management information acquisition unit 12 is information obtained from a print product being printed, which is a print product printed during the print job being executed, and print management information representing an evaluation index of the print product is displayed as the print job being executed. Get in. The print management information acquisition unit 12 acquires at least two pieces of print management information, and acquires print management information representing different evaluation indexes.

  The print job in this specification means that a quantity of printed matter requested from the client or the like is printed based on the image data requested to be printed by the client or the like. A print job includes what is called a print lot.

  The print management information includes at least first information and second information. The first information is print management information that represents an evaluation index of the quality of the printed material. The second information is print management information that represents an evaluation index of a printed matter different from the first information. The second information may be quality print management information that represents an evaluation of the quality of the printed material, cost print management information that represents an evaluation of the cost of the printed material, or productivity print management information that represents an evaluation of the productivity of the printed material. .

  The first information and the second information may have a trade-off relationship with each other, may have a non-trade-off relationship, or discretely have a trade-off relationship and a non-trade-off relationship. The relationship may change.

  The number of print management information acquisitions is not limited to two. It is possible to appropriately add third information, fourth information, and the like representing an evaluation index different from the first information and the second information. Details of the print management information will be described later.

  The print management request acquisition unit 14 acquires request information for a print job. The request information is a request for print management of the printed matter. Examples of print management requirements include quality requirements, cost requirements, and productivity requirements.

  The request information includes priority information indicating the priority of the print management information applied to the evaluation of the degree of satisfaction of the printed material using the print management information, and threshold information for the print management of the printed material. The threshold value for the print management of the printed material functions as an evaluation criterion applied to the evaluation of the satisfaction level of the printed material using the print management information.

  Examples of priorities include an aspect that prioritizes quality, an aspect that prioritizes part of quality, an aspect that prioritizes cost, and an aspect that prioritizes productivity. A mode in which the priority can be changed is also possible.

  Based on the priority indicated by the acquired priority information and the evaluation criteria, it is possible to confirm whether or not the printing condition needs to be changed. Details of the request information will be described later.

  Based on one or more evaluation criteria, the request evaluation unit 16 evaluates the degree of satisfaction of the printed matter being printed with respect to the request regarding print management indicated by the request information. The evaluation in the requirement evaluation unit 16 may be performed in two stages using one standard, or may be performed in stages using two or more evaluation standards.

  That is, the request evaluation unit 16 evaluates the printed material being printed based on the print management information obtained from the printed material being printed. Then, by comparing the evaluation of the printed matter being printed with the evaluation criteria, it is determined whether or not the printed matter being printed satisfies the evaluation criteria.

  The printing condition change determination unit 18 determines whether to change the printing condition or stop printing when the request evaluation unit 16 determines that the evaluation of the printed material being printed does not satisfy the evaluation criteria.

  Further, when it is determined that the evaluation of the printed material being printed satisfies the evaluation criteria, the printing condition change determining unit 18 determines whether or not the evaluation of the printed material being printed is expected to be improved.

  The printing condition change execution unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 changes the printing conditions based on the determination result of the printing condition change determination unit 18. The print stop unit 22 stops printing based on the determination result of the print condition change determination unit 18. The determination result of the printing condition change determination unit 18 is displayed on the display unit 24.

  A display example of the determination result on the display unit 24 includes a mode in which character information representing the determination result is displayed on the screen of the display device. It is also possible to use voice information instead of text information.

  The change of the printing condition by the printing condition change execution unit 20 includes at least one of the change of the print parameter and the change of the image data. The print parameters include parameters that function as operation parameters of the printing apparatus, such as ink amount, color separation parameter, halftone parameter, nozzle parameter, drive voltage waveform, printing speed, and conveyance speed.

  The print information management system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a print condition change review unit 26. The printing condition change examination unit 26 examines the changed printing condition when the printing condition is changed. The printing condition adapted to the request relating to the print management information is examined, and based on the examination result, the printing condition adapted to the request relating to the print management information can be changed.

The printing condition change examination unit 26 includes a printing management information prediction unit 28 that predicts a change in printing management information under the changed printing conditions. Print management information prediction unit 28, when it is determined that Ru is expected to improve the evaluation of printed matter during printing by changing the printing conditions also predicts the change in the print management information in the print-condition after the change.

  The print condition change rule reference unit 30 refers to a predetermined print condition change rule when changing the print condition. By referring to the print condition change rule, it is possible to examine the print condition adapted to the request regarding the print management information.

  The printing condition change rule defines the relationship between the printing parameters constituting the printing conditions and the printing management information. The printing condition change rule is created by simulation or the like and stored in a database that functions as a printing condition change rule storage unit.

  The random changing unit 32 examines the printing conditions using a technique other than the examination of the printing conditions using the change prediction of the printing management information and the examination of the printing conditions with reference to the printing condition changing rule.

  The printing condition change examination unit 26 examines the optimum printing condition, the printing condition that can be changed immediately, and the like from the prediction result of the change in the print management information. By predicting a change in print management information when examining print conditions, it is possible to examine print conditions that satisfy the requirements for print management.

  The printing condition derived based on the examination result is provided to the printing condition change execution unit 20. The print condition change review unit 26, the print management information prediction unit 28, the print condition change rule reference unit 30, and the random change unit 32 function as a print condition change determination unit that determines the changed print condition.

  The print parameter acquisition unit 34 acquires print parameters from the printing apparatus. The acquired printing parameters are provided to the printing condition change review unit 26. The print parameters provided to the print condition change review unit 26 are used for predicting changes in the print management information. The printing apparatus is shown in FIG.

  The image data acquisition unit 36 acquires image data from the printing apparatus. The acquired image data is provided to the printing condition change review unit 26. The image data provided to the print condition change review unit 26 is used for predicting a change in print management information. The details of the print management information change prediction and the optimum print condition examination in the print condition change examination unit 26 will be described later.

  The image data change processing unit 38 generates changed image data when the image data is changed in changing the printing conditions. The changed image data is provided to the printing apparatus.

[Description of print information management method]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the print information management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the control of the print management method is started in the start step S10, the print management information is acquired in the print management information acquisition step S12, and the request information is acquired in the print management request acquisition step S14. The print management information acquisition step S12 and the print management request acquisition step S14 shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the print management information acquisition unit 12 and the print management request acquisition unit 14 shown in FIG.

  When the print management information and the request information are acquired, the degree of satisfaction of the printed material being printed with respect to the print management request indicated by the request information is evaluated based on one or more evaluation criteria in the request evaluation step S16 of FIG. .

  That is, in the request evaluation step S16, the printed matter being printed is evaluated from the acquired print management information, and the evaluation of the printed matter being printed and the evaluation criteria are compared, and whether the printed matter being printed satisfies the evaluation criteria. Is judged. The request evaluation step S16 corresponds to the request evaluation unit 16 and the print condition change determination unit 18 illustrated in FIG.

  If the printed matter that is being printed does not satisfy the evaluation criteria, which is NO in the requirement evaluation step S16 of FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the printing condition change determination step S18.

  In the printing condition change determination step S18, it is determined whether to change the printing conditions or stop printing. If it is determined that the printing condition is changed, which is YES in the printing condition change determining step S18, the process proceeds to the printing condition examining step S20. The printing condition change determination step S18 corresponds to the printing condition change determination unit 18 in FIG.

  In the printing condition examination step S20 in FIG. 2, the changed printing conditions are examined. For the examination of printing conditions, any one of prediction of change in printing management information, reference to a predetermined printing condition change rule, and random change can be applied. The printing condition examination step S20 corresponds to the printing condition change examination unit 26 in FIG.

  In the printing condition changing execution step S22 of FIG. 2, the printing conditions are changed. The change of the printing condition includes at least one of the change of the printing parameter and the change of the image data.

  If the print condition is not changed in the print condition change determining step S18 and the print condition is not changed, the process proceeds to the print stop step S28 and printing is stopped. When printing is stopped, the process proceeds to the display step S24. The print stop step S28 corresponds to the print stop unit 22 in FIG.

  When it is displayed in the display step S24 that printing has been stopped, the process proceeds to an end step S26, and the control of the print information management method is ended in the end step S26. The display step S24 corresponds to the display unit 24 in FIG.

  When the printed matter being printed satisfies the evaluation criteria, which is determined as YES in the requirement evaluation step S16 of FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the evaluation improvement determination step S30. In the evaluation improvement determination step S30, it is determined whether or not an improvement in evaluation is expected for the printed matter being printed. The evaluation improvement determination step S30 corresponds to the printing condition change determination unit 18 in FIG.

  If the NO improvement in the evaluation improvement determination step S30 is not expected to improve the evaluation for the print management request, the process proceeds to the display step S24. If it is determined YES in the evaluation improvement determination step S30 and an improvement in evaluation regarding the print management request is expected, the process proceeds to the printing condition examination step S20, and further proceeds to the printing condition change execution step S22.

  The processing in the printing condition examination step S20 and the printing condition change execution step S22 is the same as the case where the process proceeds to the printing condition examination step S20 and the printing condition change execution step S22 by YES determination in the printing condition change judgment step S18. The description in is omitted.

  In the display step S24, a display indicating that the printing conditions are changed or a display indicating that the printing conditions are not changed is displayed. In the display step S24, when the display indicating that the printing conditions are changed is displayed, the changed printing conditions may be displayed. In the end step S26, the end processing of the control of the print information management method is executed.

[Description of print management information]
The print management information will be described in detail. The print management information is roughly classified into three types: quality print management information representing a quality evaluation index, cost print management information representing a cost evaluation index, and productivity print management information representing a productivity evaluation index.

  Quality print management information, cost print management information, and productivity print management information are Q information, C information, and D information using the acronyms of Quality, Cost, and Delivery representing quality, cost, and productivity, respectively. Sometimes called. Quality, cost, and productivity are sometimes collectively referred to as QCD. Q information, C information, and D information may be collectively referred to as QCD information.

<Quality printing management information>
Examples of the quality print management information include basic image quality quantitative values, image quality defect quantitative values, and quality quantitative values other than image quality. Preferably, the basic image quality quantitative value, the image quality defect quantitative value, and the quality quantitative value other than the image quality can be used as variables of the same function.

  Examples of basic image quality quantitative values include values obtained by quantifying color reproduction, gradation, granularity, resolution, rapidity, text, sharpness, or gloss. The quality evaluation indexes that are the targets of the basic image quality quantitative values are not limited to those listed here, but are indexes that can be acquired from the printed material being printed, or indexes that can be acquired from the printing device, and are indexes that can be quantified. I just need it.

  As the basic image quality quantitative value, an absolute value may be applied, or a value obtained by quantifying the distribution on the printing surface may be applied. As the basic image quality quantification value, a value quantified by applying a known quantification method such as a value quantified based on the provisions of ISO 13660 can be applied.

  The binary monochrome hard copy image quality attribute measurement standard ISO 13660 is a hard copy image quality measurement standard that assumes a scanner as a measuring instrument and does not require a test chart. ISO is an abbreviation for International Organization for Standardization.

  As an example of the image quality defect quantification value, a value obtained by quantifying image quality defects such as streaks, unevenness, and spots can be cited. The streaks are streaky density unevenness due to missing dots or overlapping arrangement of dots. Unevenness is periodic density unevenness due to variations in ejection characteristics of each nozzle. The spots are dot-like density unevenness.

  As a technique for quantifying streaks, a technique for evaluating unevenness based on a difference value between a sample image and a target image and quantifying the unevenness can be applied. Also, image quality defects other than streaks such as unevenness and spots can be quantified using a known quantification method.

  The quality evaluation index that is the target of the image quality defect quantitative value is not limited to those listed here, and may be any index that can be acquired from the printed material being printed or an index that can be acquired from the printing apparatus.

  Examples of the quality quantitative values other than the image quality include values obtained by quantifying the state of the print medium, such as stacker blocking, paper passing property, and cockle. Stacker blocking is a state in which printed products are stuck to an upper or lower printed product when they are stacked, and the ease of separation when the printed products are stacked is quantified.

  The paper passing property is quantified as to whether the print medium easily passes through without being in contact with structures arranged around the conveyance path. The degree of deformation of the print surface of the print medium in a state where ink penetrates the print medium is quantified. A known quantification method can also be applied to the state of the print medium.

<Acquisition of quality print management information>
As an example of a method for obtaining quality print management information, there is an aspect in which a client area of a printed material is measured and a measurement result is quantified. The client area of the printed material is an area corresponding to the final product that is the final product of the printed material.

  When acquiring the basic image quality quantitative value, as a method of measuring color reproduction, gradation, graininess, etc. when acquiring the image quality defect quantitative value, the client area is read using an imaging device such as a scanner device, and the read data An embodiment in which an evaluation value is generated and quantified is exemplified. As the quantitative value, a value quantified in accordance with the image quality attribute measurement method defined in ISO 13660 can be used.

  Further, the measurement value obtained using a measuring instrument that measures the evaluation index that is the target of the basic image quality quantitative value and the evaluation index that is the target of the image quality defect quantitative value may be quantified.

  When acquiring a quality quantitative value other than image quality, it is possible to observe the degree of rubbing of the image printed in the client area, etc., and to quantify the observation result to obtain a stacker blocking or paper passing quantitative value. .

  It is also possible to measure the amount of deformation of the client area with respect to a flat print medium in which no cockle is generated, and obtain the quantitative value of the cockle by quantifying the measured value.

<Other Examples of Quality Print Management Information Acquisition Method>
As another example of the method for acquiring the quality print management information, there is an aspect in which a blank area other than the client area of the printed material is measured, the quality of the printed material is evaluated based on the measurement result, and a quantitative value of the evaluation is acquired.

  For example, the quality of an image formed in the client area can be evaluated by forming a nozzle check pattern in the blank area and measuring the nozzle check pattern. The method for acquiring the quality print management information is not limited to the methods listed here, and various methods can be applied.

<Cost printing management information>
The cost printing management information is preferably used as a variable of the same function as the quality printing management information and the productivity printing management information.

  Examples of the cost printing management information include values obtained by quantifying the variable cost of the printing device, the fixed cost of the printing device, the labor cost of the operator, and the like. The variable cost of the printing apparatus includes ink cost, printing medium cost, power cost of the apparatus, and the like. Examples of the fixed cost of the printing apparatus include a purchase cost of the printing apparatus, a maintenance cost of the printing apparatus, and the like.

  The cost print management information may be calculated from the ink cost, the print medium cost, the power cost of the apparatus, or the like, or may be given from the outside.

<Productivity print management information>
It is preferable that the productivity print management information can be used as a variable of the same function as the quality print management information and the cost print management information.

  As an example of the productivity print management information, a value obtained by quantifying the delivery deadline of the printed matter can be given. The productivity print management information may be calculated from conditions such as the printing speed or may be given from the outside. The printing speed may be the number of printed sheets per unit time.

[Explanation of request information and print condition change judgment]
The request information acquired by the print management request acquisition unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. In the following description, an example in which the priority of print management information and a threshold value are acquired as request information will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of request information. In addition, the numerical value shown in FIG. 3 is an arbitrary numerical value used for convenience of explanation, and does not limit the invention according to the present embodiment. The same applies to other figures.

  The priority of print management information acquired as request information is expressed by an evaluation function F shown in Expression (1).

F (q, c, d) = W q × logq-W c × logc-W d × logd ... (1)
W _q , W _c , and W _d of the evaluation function F are constants of quality, cost, and productivity, respectively, and represent the weight of each term in the evaluation function F. W _q , W _c , and W _d of the evaluation function F are determined by a request for print management. q is a variable into which a quantitative value of quality print management information is input. c is a variable into which a quantitative value of the expense print management information is input. d is a variable to which a quantitative value of productivity print management information is input. The variables q, c, and d are determined by physical phenomena in printing.

  The evaluation function (q, c, d) includes a term having the quantitative value q of the quality printing management information as a variable, a term having the quantitative value c of the cost printing management information as a variable, and a quantitative value d of the productivity printing management information. It is expressed by a polynomial as a variable. The first term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) represents an evaluation value related to quality. The second term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) represents an evaluation value related to cost. The third term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) represents an evaluation value related to productivity.

  That is, the evaluation function F (q, c, d) calculates an evaluation value representing the value of the printed material being printed as a numerical value based on the print management information obtained from the printed material being printed. The evaluation function F (q, c, d) calculates an evaluation value that comprehensively evaluates the quality, cost, and productivity corresponding to each term.

  When the quality evaluation value calculated by the first term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) becomes relatively large, the value of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) becomes relatively large, and Evaluation goes up. On the other hand, the cost evaluation value calculated by the second term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) and the productivity evaluation value calculated by the third term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) are When the value becomes relatively small, the value of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) becomes relatively large, and the evaluation of the printed matter increases.

  Thus, even when evaluation indexes having a trade-off relationship with each other are included, an evaluation value in which both are balanced can be calculated.

The negative sign of the constant W _c of the second term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) has a trade-off relationship between the quality that is the variable of the first term and the cost that is the variable of the second term. It represents that. Similarly, the negative sign of the constant W _{d in} the third term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d) is a trade-off relationship between the quality that is the variable of the first term and the productivity that is the variable of the third term. It represents that it has.

By appropriately adjusting the constant W _q , the constant W _c , and the constant W _d of each term of the evaluation function F (q, c, d), the relative relationship between the terms in the evaluation function F (q, c, d) Weights can be changed, and the priority of each term can be set as appropriate. That is, the evaluation function is represented by a polynomial in which a constant representing the weight of each term is included in each term.

  The evaluation function 60 shown in FIG. 3 is an evaluation function F (q, c) in which the variable d of the third term in the evaluation function F (q, c, d) of Expression (1) is fixed. The q axis in FIG. 3 is a quantitative value of the quality printing management information, and the larger the numerical value, the higher the quality. The c-axis in FIG. 3 is a quantitative value of the cost printing management information. The larger the value, the higher the cost and the lower the cost evaluation.

  The F axis in FIG. 3 indicates the evaluation value of the printed material being printed, which is the value of the evaluation function. The larger the numerical value of the F axis, the higher the evaluation of the printed material being printed.

  In the following description, for convenience of explanation and illustration, F (q, c) in which the variable d of the third term in the evaluation function F (q, c, d) of Expression (1) is fixed is used. And

The threshold value 62 shown in FIG. 3 is a threshold value for the evaluation function 60. When the threshold 62 is F _t , F = F _t is expressed.

Value F ₁ of the evaluation function 60, labeled 64 in FIG. 3 is obtained quantitative value q ₁ is a quality print management information, as an expense print management information of the printed matter during printing when the quantitative value c ₁ is acquired It is an evaluation value. The evaluation value F ₁ is expressed as F ₁ = F (q ₁ , c ₁ ).

The value F ₂ of the evaluation function 60 denoted by reference numeral 66 in FIG. 3 is a printed material being printed when the quantitative value q ₂ is acquired as the quality print management information and the quantitative value c ₂ is acquired as the cost print management information. Is the evaluation value. The evaluation value F ₂ is expressed as F ₂ = F (q ₂ , c ₂ ).

Evaluation value _{F 1} is a value less than the threshold _{F t.} That is, the evaluation function F (q, c) the evaluation value F and the threshold value F _t of the printed matter is the value of the case has a relation of F <F _t, printed matter during printing a request for print management It can be judged that it does not satisfy.

On the other hand, the evaluation value _{F 2} is greater than or equal to the threshold _{F t.} That is, when the evaluation value F of the printed material being printed, which is the value of the evaluation function F (q, c), and the threshold value F _t have a relationship of F ≧ F _t , the printed material being printed is printed. It can be judged that the request about is satisfied.

In the present embodiment, the case where the variable d of the third term of the evaluation function F in Expression (1) is fixed has been described. However, by setting an appropriate threshold value F _t in the evaluation function F, Expression (1) similar to the case of fixing the variable d of the third term of the evaluation function F, the evaluation function F (q, c, d) and printed matter in printing print management based on the comparison result obtained by comparing the threshold value F _t It can be determined whether or not the request is satisfied.

Further, using a single threshold F _t in the present embodiment, although a printed matter during printing has been described manner to determine whether they meet the requirements for print management, the plurality of thresholds F _t1, F _t2 , F _t3 ,... _May be evaluated step by step to the extent that the printed matter being printed satisfies the requirements.

  In this way, when determining whether the printed matter that is being printed meets the requirements for print management, the density is lowered by determining whether it is the best overall in terms of quality, cost, and productivity. It is possible to select an appropriate response that meets the requirements for print management, as compared to a response that increases the amount of ink and a response that stops printing when an image quality defect occurs.

[Description of changing printing conditions]
If the printed material being printed does not satisfy the request for print management, it is determined whether to change the printing conditions or stop printing. The change of the printing condition is performed by at least one of a change of print parameters and a change of image data.

  Examples of printing parameters include ink amount, color separation parameter, halftone parameter, nozzle parameter, drive voltage waveform, printing speed, and the like.

  The ink amount is a printing parameter representing the ink amount for each pixel determined from the gradation value for each pixel.

  The separation parameter defines the separation condition in the separation process. The color separation parameter is a print parameter used for color separation processing for determining ink amount data for each color.

  The halftone parameter is a print parameter that defines processing conditions for halftone processing in the printing apparatus. An example of a halftone parameter is a halftone pattern.

  The nozzle parameter is a printing parameter in which characteristics for each nozzle are defined. Examples of nozzle parameters include a gamma correction coefficient and a density unevenness correction coefficient.

  The driving voltage waveform is a printing parameter that defines the ejection conditions when ejecting ink by operating the head.

  The printing speed is a printing parameter that defines the relative conveyance speed between the printing medium and the head.

  The printing parameters are not limited to those listed here. It can be added depending on the performance of the printing apparatus.

  For changing the printing parameters, some of the printing parameters set for the printing being executed may be selectively changed, or all the printing parameters may be changed.

  As an example of changing the image data, if streaks or unevenness occurs due to the presence of nozzles whose ejection characteristics have changed, the image position where the printing position of the nozzle whose ejection characteristics have changed is the non-printing position Movement.

  As another modification example of the image data, if a defect similar to the defect appearing in the printed matter due to the printing apparatus is grasped and the image data includes a component similar to the defect appearing in the printed matter, the printing apparatus For example, the image data may be changed by subtracting a component similar to the defect appearing in the printed matter due to the image data.

  The change of the print parameter and the change of the image data are not limited to the above example. It is possible to apply print parameter changes and image data changes that can be handled by the printing apparatus. The changed printing parameter and the changed image data are sent to the printing apparatus.

[Explanation of expected change in print management information]
When it is determined that the printing condition is changed in the printing condition change determination unit 18 shown in FIG. 1 and the printing condition change determination step S18 shown in FIG. 2, the change in the printing management information in the changed printing condition is changed. is expected.

  By predicting a change in the print management information under the changed printing condition, it is possible to obtain an appropriate printing condition. A specific example of print management information change prediction is shown below.

<First Specific Example of Predicting Change in Print Management Information>
In the change prediction of the print management information according to the first specific example, the print management information is defined by a function having the print parameters and the image data as variables, and the print management information is predicted.

  With respect to the quantitative value q of the quality print management information, the quantitative value c of the cost print management information, and the quantitative value d of the productivity print management information, the arbitrary print parameters x, y, and z are used as variables, and the image data u is A function q (u, x, y, z), a function c (u, x, y, z), and a function d (u, x, y, z) are created as variables.

  Note that the number of print parameters applied to the variables of the function q (u, x, y, z), the function c (u, x, y, z), and the function d (u, x, y, z) is 3. It is not limited. The number of print parameters applied to the variables of the function q (u, x, y, z), the function c (u, x, y, z), and the function d (u, x, y, z) may be 2 or less. And it may be 4 or more.

  In addition, the function c (u, x, y, z) corresponding to the cost print management information and the function d (u, x, y, z) corresponding to the productivity print management information are printed by the contribution of the image data u. If the contribution of the parameters x, y and z is sufficiently small, the contribution of the image data u can be ignored, or the image data u can be treated as a constant, the image data u is excluded from the variables. May be.

Printing parameters x and ink amount P _v, the print parameters y and printing speed P _s, the print parameters z and separation parameters P _e. Also, a function Q _m (u) with the image data u as a variable is defined.

  The function q (u, x, y, z), the function c (u, x, y, z), and the function d (u, x, y, z) are expressed by the equations (2), (3), and ( 4).

_{q (Q m, P v,} P s, P e) = (Q v × P v + Q s / P s + Q e / P e) × Q m (u) ... (2)
c (P _e ) = C _e / P _e (3)
d (P _s ) = D _s × P _s (4)
Q _v , Q _s , Q _e in equation (2), C _e in equation (3), and D _e in equation (4) are constants determined from the performance of the printing apparatus.

  A function q (u, x, y, z) corresponding to quality print management information, a function c (u, x, y, z) corresponding to cost print management information, and a function d () corresponding to productivity print management information By defining (u, x, y, z), it is possible to predict print management information that is a function value when a print parameter that is a variable is changed.

  Further, since the function used for predicting the change of the print management information uses the image data as a variable, it is possible to predict the change of the print management information when the image data is changed.

  A function q (u, x, y, z) corresponding to quality print management information, a function c (u, x, y, z) corresponding to cost print management information, and a function d () corresponding to productivity print management information By preparing a plurality of functions for each of u, x, y, z) in the database, it becomes possible to select a function suitable for the printing conditions during printing from the plurality of functions in the database. .

  As an example of selecting a function, there is a mode in which a print job and a function are associated with each other and a function of a similar print job is selected.

The constants Q _v , Q _s , Q _e in equation (2), the constant C _e in equation (3), and the constant D _s in equation (4) can be modified based on the current print management information. . The current print management information is the latest print management information acquired.

Hereinafter, an example in which the constant Q _v , the constant Q _s , and the constant Q _e in Expression (2) are corrected based on the current quality print management information will be described.

The value of q (Q _m11 , P _v11 , P _s11 , P _e11 ) by substituting the ink amount P _v11 , printing speed P _s11 , _{color separation} parameter P _e11 , and image data Q _m11 in the current printing apparatus into equation (2). Is calculated.

The value of q (Q _m11 , P _v11 , P _s11 , P _e11 ) is _assumed to be q ₁₁ . Quantitative values _{q 10} of current quality print management information by subtracting the _{q 11,} calculates a difference value _q A _{= q} 10 _{-q 11.} Difference value q _A is the difference between the quality of the actually obtained print quality and theoretical printed matter.

The difference value _{q A,} constant _{Q v,} partitioned constant _{Q s,} and constant _{Q e.} For example, a value q _A / 3 obtained by dividing the difference value q _A by 3 is equally distributed to the constant Q _v , the constant Q _s , and the constant Q _e . The difference value Q _A by the appropriate weighting may be distributed.

The changed constant Q _v12 , constant Q _s12 , and constant Q _e12 are expressed by Expression (5), Expression (6), and Expression (7), respectively.

_{Q v12 = (q 10 -q A} ) / (3 × Q m11 × P v11) ... (5)
Q _s12 = (q ₁₀ −q _A ) × P _s11 / (3 × Q _m11 ) (6)
Q _e12 = (q ₁₀ −q _A ) × P _e11 / (3 × Q _m11 ) (7)
In this way, the constants of the function applied to the prediction of the print management information after the change of the print condition is corrected according to the print condition after the change to cope with the change in the print performance of the printing apparatus. The prediction accuracy of the print management information is maintained.

<Second Specific Example of Predicting Change in Print Management Information>
As a second specific example of the print management information change prediction, an example using the evaluation function shown in Expression (1) will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second specific example of print management information change prediction. 4, the same or similar parts in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  A curve denoted by reference numeral 70 in FIG. 4 is a range that the value of the evaluation function 60 can take when the print parameter of the print management information applied to the calculation of the evaluation value 64 is changed. That is, the curve denoted by reference numeral 70 is a prediction curve of the evaluation function 60.

  Similar to the first specific example, a function q (x, y, z) corresponding to quality print management information having arbitrary print parameters x, y, and z as variables, and a function c (x) corresponding to cost print management information. , Y, z), a function d (x, y, z) corresponding to the productivity print management information. In FIG. 4, illustration of the function d (x, y, z) corresponding to the productivity print management information is omitted.

  By changing the print parameter of the print management information applied to the calculation of the evaluation value 64, the value of q (x, y, z), the value of c (x, y, z), and d for a plurality of print parameters (X, y, z) is calculated.

  Furthermore, a plurality of q (x, y, z) values, a c (x, y, z) value, and a plurality of F (q, c, d) values corresponding to d (x, y, z). Is calculated. In this way, the prediction curve 70 including the evaluation value 64 shown in FIG. 3 is calculated.

Then, the value F _o = F (q _o , c _o ) = F (q (x _o , y _o , z _o ), c () of the evaluation function F (q, c) corresponding to the local maximum 72 of the prediction curve 70 x _o , y _o , z _o )) and print corresponding to the calculated F _o = F (q (x _o , y _o , z _o ), c (x _o , y _o , z _o ))) Parameters x _o , y _o , and z _o are calculated.

In the evaluation function F (q, c, d), d (x _o , _yo , z _o ) is taken into account when calculating the print parameters x _o , _yo , and z _o .

The calculated print parameter x _o , print parameter y _o , and print parameter z _o can be applied to the print conditions after the change.

FIG. 4 illustrates the case where the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 that is equal to or greater than the threshold value F _t is illustrated, but the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 may be less than the threshold value F _t. . Even when the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 is less than the threshold value F _t , the print condition during printing is evaluated by temporarily changing the printing conditions based on the printing parameters corresponding to the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70. Improvement is expected.

Then, by repeating a plurality of times to change the printing conditions, it is expected that the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 equal to or greater than a threshold value F _t is calculated. On the other hand, leave defining change in the print conditions, when be implemented to change the printing conditions specified number maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 becomes less than the threshold value F _t is is possible to stop the printing preferable.

  The printing conditions calculated in this way are sent to the printing apparatus. When the printing apparatus acquires a new printing condition, the printing apparatus applies the new printing condition and continues printing being executed.

In this example, the evaluation function F (q, c) with respect to the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 from value has been calculated print the changed parameter, prediction curve 70 and the intersection 74 with threshold value F _t, or prediction curve 70 from a value of the evaluation function F (q, c) at the intersection 76 with threshold value F _t, may calculate the print parameters after the change.

That is, the threshold value F _t is the minimum requirement allowed for the printed material being printed. By calculating the print parameters under the changed printing conditions from the minimum requirements allowed for the printed material being printed, it is possible to minimize the change in the printing conditions, and the printing caused by the change in the printing conditions Variations can be suppressed.

In the change prediction of the print management information described above, the case of the two-variable function in which −W _d × logd in the third term in Expression (1) is omitted has been described. By using the threshold value considering the three terms, the above-described change prediction of the print management information can also be applied to the three-variable function of Expression (1).

In the print management information change prediction described above, the case where one threshold value F _t is used has been described. However, a printed matter being printed using a plurality of threshold values F _t1 , F _t2 , F _t3 ,. Even when the degree of satisfaction regarding the print management is determined step by step, the above-described change prediction of the print management information can be applied.

[Printer]
FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 manages print management information of printed matter using the print information management system 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates an inkjet recording apparatus including an inkjet head 112 as a printing apparatus.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes an image data input unit 102, a color conversion processing unit 104, a halftone processing unit 106, a nozzle assignment processing unit 108, a head control unit 110, and a head 112.

  The image data input unit 102 acquires image data to be printed. When the image data is changed based on the print management information of the printed matter being printed, the image data input unit 102 applies the image change parameter corresponding to the changed image data.

  An example of the image data is RGB 8-bit color data and image data having a resolution of 350 dots per inch. RGB is an acronym for the terms Red, Green, and Blue for the three primary colors red, green, and blue in additive color representation.

  When the image data is changed based on the print management information of the printed material being printed, the changed image data is applied and printing is performed. 1 and 5 exemplify an aspect in which the print information management system 10 includes the image data change processing unit 38, the image data change processing unit 38 may be included in the printing apparatus 100.

  The color conversion processing unit 104 executes color conversion processing for converting color representation expressed in RGB into CMYK ink colors, color separation processing for generating ink amount data for each color, and resolution conversion processing for converting resolution. . In the color separation process, a color separation parameter which is an aspect of the printing parameter is applied. CMYK is a term that takes the terms Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and black acronyms representing ink colors applied to the printing apparatus 100.

  When processed by the color conversion processing unit 104, RGB 8-bit color data and image data with a resolution of 350 dots per inch is 8-bit data for each color and image data having a resolution of 1200 dots per inch. Is converted to

  The halftone processing unit 106 converts the number of gradations represented by 8 bits into a gradation number of less than 8 bits. An example of image data after halftone conversion is dot data represented by 2 bits for each color. The dot data represented by 2 bits is image data in which gradation is expressed by three types of dots, a large size dot, a medium size dot, a small size dot, and no dot.

  The halftone process can be applied to a dither method, an error diffusion method, a density pattern method, or the like. For the halftone process, a halftone parameter which is an aspect of the print parameter is applied. In FIG. 5, the halftone parameter is referred to as an HT parameter.

  The nozzle assignment processing unit 108 defines a correspondence relationship between the image data after the halftone process and a plurality of nozzles provided in the head 112. Nozzle parameters, which are an aspect of printing parameters, are applied to the nozzle assignment process.

  The head controller 110 generates a drive voltage waveform to be supplied to the head 112 based on the image data to which nozzle assignment has been made and the drive waveform. When the drive voltage waveform is supplied to the head, ink is ejected from the nozzles provided in the head 112, and a color image is printed on the print medium. The head controller 110 is applied with a drive voltage waveform that is an aspect of a print parameter.

  As the head 112, a full-line head in which nozzles are arranged over a length exceeding the total length of the print medium in a direction orthogonal to the relative conveyance direction between the print medium and the head 112 can be applied.

  The printing apparatus 100 including the full-line type head 112 performs single-pass printing in which printing is performed on the entire client area of the print medium by relatively moving the head 112 and the print medium in one direction. Can be implemented.

  The head 112 may be a serial head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the relative conveyance direction between the print medium and the head. The printing apparatus 100 including a serial type head scans in a direction orthogonal to the relative conveyance direction between the print medium and the head, performs printing for one line, and sequentially sets the print position in the relative conveyance direction between the print medium and the head. By moving and performing printing on and after the next line, it is possible to perform serial printing in which printing is performed on the entire client area of the print medium.

  As the nozzle arrangement of the head 112, one line arrangement, two lines zigzag arrangement, and matrix arrangement can be applied. As a driving method of the head 112, a piezoelectric method, a thermal method, an electrostatic method, or the like can be applied.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes a conveyance system 114 and a conveyance control unit 116. The conveyance system 114 relatively moves the print medium and the head 112. As an example of the conveyance system 114, an aspect including an impression cylinder that conveys the print medium in a fixed manner, a conveyance member such as a conveyance belt, a motor that serves as a drive source of the conveyance member, an actuator, and the like can be given.

  The conveyance control unit 116 controls operations of a motor, an actuator, and the like that are driving sources of the conveyance member, and controls the start, stop, and conveyance speed of the print medium. The conveyance control unit 116 applies a printing speed and a conveyance speed that are one mode of the printing parameters.

  The print parameter storage unit 118 stores print parameters applied to the printing apparatus 100. The print parameters stored in the print parameter storage unit 118 are read by the print parameter acquisition unit 34 of the print information management system 10.

  The print management information storage unit 120 stores print management information of the printing apparatus 100. Expense print management information and productivity print management information are applied as print management information stored in the print management information storage unit 120. The print management information stored in the print management information storage unit 120 is read by the print management information acquisition unit 12 of the print information management system 10.

  The printing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 may include a system control unit that controls each unit of the apparatus.

  Quality print management information is extracted from the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus 100. As an example of extracting quality print management information, a printed matter is read using a reading device such as a scanner device, and quality print management information is extracted from the read result. The extracted quality print management information is sent to the print management information acquisition unit 12 of the print information management system 10.

  When the printing conditions are changed, it is preferable to notify the printing apparatus that the printing conditions are changed at a timing when the printing conditions are found to be changed. The printing apparatus can adjust the printing interval and the printing speed at a timing when it is understood that the printing conditions are changed with respect to the printing apparatus, and can reflect the changed printing conditions in printing as early as possible.

  The printing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be configured integrally with the print information management system 10. That is, it is possible to configure a printing apparatus or printing system that includes the functions of the printing information management system 10 and the functions of the printing apparatus 100.

  The printing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 may include a reading device that reads a printed material. In particular, by arranging the reader at a position where the printed material can be read immediately after the printed material is printed, the print information management system 10 can obtain the print management information from the printed material being printed after the print management information is acquired from the printed material being printed. The period until the print management information is acquired can be shortened.

  According to the print management apparatus and the print management method configured as described above, whether two or more pieces of print management information including one or more quality print management information are acquired, and whether the printed matter that is being printed satisfies the request for print management Since it is determined whether or not it is necessary to change the printing conditions of the printed material being printed based on the determination result, printing adapted to the request for print management of the printed material being printed is performed.

  In the present embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus is illustrated as an example of a printing apparatus, but the invention according to the present embodiment is applicable to a printing apparatus to which another printing method is applied, such as an electrophotographic image recording apparatus. .

  Further, it is possible to configure a print management program corresponding to the print management apparatus and the print management method shown in the present embodiment. That is, the computer includes a print management information acquisition unit corresponding to the print management information acquisition unit 12, a print management request acquisition unit corresponding to the print management request acquisition unit 14, a request evaluation unit corresponding to the request evaluation unit 16, and a print condition change determination. It is possible to configure a print management program that realizes the function of the printing condition change determination unit corresponding to the unit 18.

  In addition, the computer is connected to the print condition change execution unit 20 corresponding to the print condition change execution unit 20, the print stop unit corresponding to the print stop unit 22, the display unit corresponding to the display unit 24, and the print corresponding to the print condition change review unit 26. Functions of a condition change review unit, a print management information prediction unit corresponding to the print management information prediction unit 28, a print condition change rule reference unit corresponding to the print condition change rule reference unit 30, and a random change unit corresponding to the random change unit 32. It is possible to configure a print management program to be realized.

[Explanation of priority setting]
The setting of the priority of the acquired print management information will be described. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of priority setting. The case where the quality print management information and the evaluation function are adjusted under the condition where variables other than the quality print management information are fixed in the evaluation function 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described below. In this example, color reproduction is illustrated as quality control information.

  The evaluation function 502 displayed on the priority setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by fixing the cost print management information of the evaluation function 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to 1.0. FIG. 7 shows a surface 61 whose cost printing management information is 1.0 in the evaluation function 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and an evaluation function 502 on the surface 61. The numerical value 1.0 of the cost printing management information is an example for explanation, and does not limit the invention according to the present embodiment.

  The horizontal series in FIG. 6 shows color reproduction. The vertical series in the figure shows the evaluation function. When the value of the evaluation function 502 denoted by reference numeral 504 is increased, the evaluation function 502 is adjusted to the evaluation function 506 illustrated by a broken line. When the value of the evaluation function 502 denoted by reference numeral 504 is lowered, the evaluation function 502 is adjusted to the evaluation function 508 illustrated by a broken line.

  Thus, the priority can be selectively set by adjusting the evaluation function of Expression (1).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a setting confirmation screen. The setting confirmation screen 510 shown in FIG. 8 displays the value of the evaluation function 502 and the value of the variable of the evaluation function 502 shown in FIG. The setting confirmation screen 510 shown in FIG. 8 changes the display form of the color reproduction value and the evaluation function value, which are variables of interest, from the original display form.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the adjusted evaluation function 502 value and the evaluation function variable value can be displayed on the priority setting screen 500. Note that the variables of the evaluation function shown in FIG. 8 are examples, and do not limit the invention according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another example of priority setting. FIG. 9 shows a selection screen 520 for selecting two variables from a plurality of variables of the evaluation function F of Expression (1). In the selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 9, color reproduction and cost are selected.

  Thus, by selecting two variables from the variables of the evaluation function F of the expression (1), the evaluation function 60 shown in FIG. 3 can be displayed, and the value of the evaluation function 60 is confirmed. Can do.

  FIG. 9 shows a selection screen 520 for selecting two variables from among a plurality of variables of the evaluation function F of the expression (1) for convenience of explanation and convenience of illustration. One or three or more. Further, the quality print management information shown in FIGS. 9 and 9 is merely an example, and does not limit the invention according to the present embodiment.

[Description of other examples of print management information]
Next, another example of the print management information will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the streak image quality evaluation and the granular image quality evaluation applied to the quality print management information.

  The horizontal series in FIG. 10 represents the evaluation of the streak image quality. As the line moves to the right, the streak is less noticeable and the evaluation of the streak image quality is higher, that is, the evaluation of the streak image quality is better. As the line moves to the left in the figure, streaks are more conspicuous and the evaluation of streak image quality is lower, that is, the evaluation of streak image quality is inferior.

  The vertical series in FIG. 10 represents the evaluation of granular image quality. As it goes up, the granularity is not noticeable and the evaluation of the granular image quality is high, that is, the evaluation of the granular image quality is good. The lower the figure is, the more noticeable the graininess is, and the lower the evaluation of granular image quality, that is, the lower the evaluation of granular image quality.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the streak is not conspicuous, the granularity is easily noticeable, and when the granularity is not conspicuous, the streak is conspicuous. As described above, when two evaluation indices having a trade-off relationship are included in the quality print management information, Expression (8) obtained by modifying the evaluation function F (q, c, d) of Expression (1) is applied. The

F (q, c, d) = W q × (logq 1 -logq 2) -W c × logc-W d × logd ... (8)
When Expression (8) includes three or more variables as quality print management information, the first term of Expression (8) may be modified as W _q × (logq ₁ -logq ₂ + logq ₃ +...). . The sign of the first term is based on any one of a plurality of variables, and the sign of the variable representing the evaluation index having a trade-off relationship with respect to the evaluation index represented by the reference variable is negative, The sign of the variable representing the evaluation index having a non-trade-off relationship is positive with respect to the evaluation index represented by the reference variable.

Numeral 600 in FIG. 11 is a relationship between the evaluation of the screen ruling and the particulate quality schematically shown, reference numeral 602 shows the relationship between the evaluation of the number of screen lines and moire image quality schematically. The number of screen lines is the number of lines per unit length, and the unit is inches per line. The screen line number is a quality evaluation index similar to the resolution mentioned as the quality print management information.

  The horizontal series in FIG. 11 indicates the number of screen lines. The vertical series in the figure shows evaluation of granular image quality or evaluation of moire image quality. As it goes up in the figure, the granularity or moire does not stand out, and the evaluation of the granular image quality or the evaluation of the moire image quality is high, that is, the evaluation of the granular image quality or the evaluation of the moire image quality is good. The lower the figure is, the more noticeable the granularity or moire, and the lower the evaluation of granular image quality or the evaluation of moire image quality, that is, the lower the evaluation of granular image quality or the evaluation of moire image quality.

  When the number of screen lines is increased, the quality evaluation is increased as in the case of increasing the resolution. On the other hand, when the number of screen lines is reduced, the quality evaluation is lowered. Regarding the relationship between the number of screen lines and the granular image quality, when the number of screen lines is increased, the granularity becomes difficult to be visually recognized, and the evaluation of the granular image quality is increased. If the number of screen lines is reduced, the granularity is easily seen and the evaluation of the granular image quality is lowered.

As described above, there are cases where two quality evaluation indexes applied as quality print management information have a non-trade-off relationship. In such a case, the first term of Equation (8) is transformed to W _q × (logq ₁ + logq ₂ ).

  In the evaluation of the moiré image quality, the high quality or the low quality is discrete with respect to the number of screen lines. In such a case, the value of the screen line number is divided, and the first term of Expression (8) is modified for each division.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, q ₁ a screen ruling of formula (8), when the q ₂ and moire image quality, if the number of screen lines is less than 100 lines per inch to 120 lines per inch, the formula (8) The first term is transformed as W _q × (logq ₁ + logq ₂ ).

When the number of screen lines exceeds 180 lines per inch and is less than 200 lines per inch, the first term of Equation (8) is transformed to W _q × (logq ₁ -logq ₂ ). When the number of screen lines is more than 120 lines per inch and less than 180 lines per inch, the first term of equation (8) is modified with −logq ₂ as a constant.

  In this way, the expression (8) is appropriately modified according to the correlation between the plurality of quality print management information, which is a plurality of variables in the expression (8), thereby corresponding to any combination of quality print management information. be able to. An evaluation function corresponding to any combination of quality print management information can be prepared in advance.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the evaluation of granular image quality and the evaluation of moire image quality when the number of screen lines is changed. The horizontal series in FIG. 12 is an evaluation of granular image quality, and the further to the right in the figure, the more noticeable the granularity is and the higher the evaluation of the granular image quality, that is, the better the evaluation of the granular image quality is. As it goes to the left in the figure, the granularity is more conspicuous and the evaluation of the granular image quality is lower, that is, the evaluation of the granular image quality is inferior.

  The vertical series in FIG. 12 is an evaluation of moire image quality, and the higher the figure is, the less moire is noticeable and the higher the evaluation of moire image quality, that is, the better the evaluation of moire image quality is. The lower the figure is, the more moire is more conspicuous and the lower the evaluation of the moire image quality, that is, the lower the evaluation of the moire image quality.

  The evaluation of granular image quality and the evaluation of moire image quality have periodicity that depends on the number of screen lines. Also in such a case, the screen line number and the granular image quality evaluation are divided, and the equation (8) is modified for each division. The changing procedure of the equation (8) is the same as that in the case of evaluating the number of screen lines and the moire image quality, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between cost evaluation and moire image quality evaluation. The horizontal series in FIG. 13 is the cost evaluation, and the cost evaluation becomes higher as it goes to the right in the figure, that is, the cost evaluation becomes lower. This shows that the cost evaluation becomes lower as the position goes to the right in the figure, that is, the cost evaluation becomes higher.

  Since there may be a non-trade-off relationship between the quality print management information and the expense print management information, the sign of the second term in Expression (1) and the sign of the second term in Expression (1) However, in the relationship with the first term, the sign is negative when there is a trade-off relationship, and the sign is positive when there is a non-trade-off relationship.

Further, when a plurality of expense print management information is included as the expense print management information, the second term of the equation (1) is transformed to W _c × (logc ₁ + logc ₂ +...). The positive and negative signs are appropriately set based on the correlation of the cost printing management information.

Similarly, when a plurality of productivity print management information is included as the productivity print management information, the third term of the formula (1) is transformed to W _d × (logd ₁ + logd ₂ +...). The positive and negative signs are appropriately set based on the correlation of the productivity print management information.

  In summary, equation (1) can be transformed into equation (9).

F (q, c, d) = W _q × (logq ₁ + logq ₂ + ...) + W _c × (logc ₁ + logc ₂ + ...) + W _d × (logd ₁ + logd ₂ + ...) (9)
Furthermore, if the weight is changed for each variable of each term and the constants W _q , W _c , and W _d of the equation (9) are changed for each variable, the equation (9) can be transformed into the equation (10). it can.

F (q, c, d) = (W _q1 × logq ₁ + W _q2 logq ₂ + ...) + (W _c1 × logc ₁ + W _c2 logc ₂ + ...) + (W _d1 × logd ₁ + W _d2 logd ₂ + ...) (10)
The sign of each term is positive or non-tradeoff when there is a trade-off relationship based on any one of the print management information of the plurality of print management information in Equation (9) and Equation (10). Is negative.

  That is, in the evaluation functions shown in Expression (1), Expression (8), Expression (9), and Expression (10), different symbols are used for the terms of variables having a trade-off relationship with each other. In the evaluation function such as Expression (1), the same sign is used for the terms of variables having a non-tradeoff relationship with each other.

  When the relationship of variables applied to the evaluation function has a trade-off relationship or a non-trade-off relationship, the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the first information and the printed matter based on the second information The evaluation value can be comprehensively evaluated.

Equation (8), in equation (9), and equation (10), the variable q, c, in consideration of the fact that d is not all existent may become zero, the evaluation function F is a type using a natural logarithm However, the evaluation functions shown in Expression (8), Expression (9), and Expression (10) are merely examples, and various types of evaluation functions using q, c, and d as variables can be applied. .

  By using Expression (9) and Expression (10), it is possible to evaluate print management information using the evaluation function F (q, c, d) for various combinations of print management information. That is, based on a plurality of evaluation indexes in quality, evaluation indexes of quality and cost, evaluation indexes of quality and productivity, or evaluation indexes of quality, cost, and productivity, the printed matter being printed can be evaluated, It is possible to perform optimum printing based on multi-faceted evaluation from a plurality of viewpoints.

  The print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program described above can be changed, added, and deleted as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Second Embodiment: Overall Configuration of Print Management Apparatus]
Next, a print management apparatus, a print management method, and a print management program according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in the description of the second embodiment described below, the same or similar parts as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of a print information management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The print information management system 200 shown in the figure includes a print management information acquisition unit 12, a print management request acquisition unit 14, a request evaluation unit 16, and a print condition derivation unit 218.

  The print management information acquisition unit 12 acquires print management information. The print management information acquisition unit 12 is the same as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The request information acquired by the print management request acquisition unit 14 includes priority information indicating the priority of the print management information used in the evaluation of the printed matter using the print management information. As the priority of the print management information, the evaluation function expressed by the expression (1) or the evaluation function expressed by the expression (10) can be applied. One or more threshold values may be acquired as the request information.

  The request evaluation unit 16 evaluates the degree of satisfaction of the printed material being printed based on the print management information acquired by the print management information acquisition unit 12 and the request information acquired by the print management request acquisition unit 14. .

  The print condition deriving unit 218 derives a print condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation of the printed matter being printed by the request evaluation unit 16.

  That is, the print management apparatus according to the present embodiment responds to a request related to print management indicated by the request information for the printed matter being printed from the viewpoint of whether or not it is possible to derive a printing condition that further improves the evaluation of the printed matter being printed. Satisfaction is assessed.

  When acquiring one or more threshold values as request information, the print management indicated by the request information for the printed matter being printed from the viewpoint of whether or not it is possible to derive a printing condition with an evaluation value equal to or greater than the threshold value. Satisfaction with the requirements for is evaluated.

  The printing condition change execution unit 20 changes the printing conditions based on the printing conditions derived by the printing condition derivation unit 218. When the printing condition is changed, the display unit 24 displays that the printing condition has been changed. The changed printing conditions may be displayed on the display unit 24.

  The print stop unit 22 stops printing. As a case where printing is stopped, there is a case where the printing condition deriving unit 218 is unable to derive a printing condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the printing management indicated by the request information, and the printing condition is not derived. Can be mentioned. As another case where printing is stopped, there is a case where there is an instruction to stop printing. When printing is stopped, the display unit 24 may display that printing has been stopped.

  If the printing condition is not derived, printing may be continued without changing the printing condition. That is, when the printing condition is not derived, the printing condition before the change can be handled as the printing condition after the change. When printing is continued without changing the printing conditions, it may be displayed on the display unit 24 that printing is continued without changing the printing conditions.

  The print condition deriving unit 218 has a function as a print condition derivability determination unit that determines whether to stop printing or continue printing without changing the print condition when the print condition is not derived. You may do it.

  The print condition derivation unit 218 includes a print management information prediction unit 28, a print condition change rule reference unit 30, and a random change unit 32. When the print condition is changed, the print management information prediction unit 28 predicts a change in the print management information in the print condition after the change with respect to the print management information in the print condition before the change. Details of the print management information change prediction will be described later.

  When the printing condition is changed, the printing condition change rule reference unit 30 refers to a predetermined printing condition change rule and derives the changed printing condition.

  When the printing condition is changed, the random changing unit 32 examines the printing condition using a method other than the examination of the printing condition using the prediction of the change of the printing management information and the examination of the printing condition with reference to the printing condition changing rule. To do.

  The configurations and functions of the print parameter acquisition unit 34, the image data acquisition unit 36, and the image data change processing unit 38 illustrated in FIG. 14 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[Description of print information management method]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the print information management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, description of steps similar to those in the print information management method according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2 will be omitted as appropriate.

  The start process S10 and the print management information acquisition process S12 are the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The print management request acquisition step S14 acquires request information. The request information includes priority information indicating the priority of the print management information used in the evaluation of the printed matter using the print management information. In the request evaluation step S16, the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the request information of the printed matter being printed is evaluated.

In the request evaluation step S16, the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the request information, which is determined as YES, is evaluated. . In the printing condition deriving step S32, a printing condition for relatively increasing the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the printing management indicated by the request information is derived, and the process proceeds to the printing condition examining step S20.

  In the printing condition examination step S20, a change in the printing management information under the derived printing conditions is predicted, and the process proceeds to the printing condition change execution step S22.

  In the printing condition changing execution step S22, the printing condition derived in the printing condition deriving step S32 is changed. When the printing condition is changed, the process proceeds to the end step S26 through the display step S24, and the end processing of the control of the print information management method is executed.

In demand estimation step S16, if the printing conditions not derived as a NO determination, printing continues, the stopping step S34, whether to stop printing, or any process or to continue printing the print conditions without changing Is executed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to the end step S26 through the display step S24, and the control end process of the print information management method is executed.

[Explanation of expected change in print management information]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of print management information change prediction. In FIG. 16, the same or similar parts as those in FIG. 3 or FIG.

  When the prediction curve 70 is predicted by the print management information prediction unit 28 shown in FIG. 14, the maximum value 72 of the prediction curve 70 is calculated, and the printing parameter corresponding to the maximum value is calculated from the maximum value 72.

  The prediction curve 70 shown in FIG. 16 can be predicted using the same method and procedure as the prediction curve 70 shown in FIG. Further, the method described above can be applied to the method of calculating the print parameter corresponding to the maximum value from the maximum value 72.

  Depending on the combination of print management information, a prediction curve having no maximum value may be predicted. When the maximum value cannot be calculated from the prediction curve, such as when a prediction curve that does not have a maximum value is predicted, the maximum value of the transition prediction function is calculated, and the print corresponding to the maximum value from the maximum value is printed. Parameters can be calculated.

  Also in the present embodiment, the print parameter corresponding to the minimum requirement allowed for the printed material being printed may be calculated. The minimum request in the present embodiment is a minimum request that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the request information. For example, in the prediction curve 70 in FIG. 16, there is a request to relatively reduce the difference between the evaluation value and the maximum value.

As another example of the minimum requirement, when a printed matter being printed is evaluated using a threshold value, the requirement that the evaluation value of the printed matter is equal to or greater than the threshold value is the minimum requirement. When a printed matter is evaluated using a plurality of threshold values, there is a request that is equal to or greater than the threshold value that minimizes the difference from the evaluation value. Evaluation of prints using the threshold value F _t is schematically illustrated in Figure 4.

In the embodiment prints by using the threshold value F _t is evaluated, if the evaluation of the printed matter is not less than the threshold value, further whether or not it is possible to improve the evaluation of the printed matter to predict changes in the print management information May be judged. This aspect corresponds to the requirement evaluation step S16 and the evaluation improvement determination step S30 in FIG.

  The printing parameters calculated in this way are immediately applied to the printing parameters of the printing apparatus.

  That is, if it is possible to relatively increase the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the request information without determining whether or not it is necessary to change the print condition, the print condition that immediately increases the evaluation of the printed material being printed. By changing the printing conditions, it is possible to respond quickly to changes in the printing status. In addition, it is possible to minimize the influence of fluctuations in the printing status.

  Although description here is omitted, the change prediction of the print management information described in the first embodiment can be applied to the present embodiment. That is, the first specific example of the change prediction of the print management information may be applied as the change prediction of the print management information in the present embodiment, or the second specific example of the change prediction of the print management information may be applied. .

[Printer]
FIG. 17 is an overall configuration diagram of the printing apparatus. 17, parts that are the same as or similar to those in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. 17 can apply the configuration of the printing apparatus 100 of FIG.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 17 can be configured integrally with the print information management system 200.

  As a means corresponding to each part of the print information management system shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, a print information management program for causing a computer to function can be configured. For example, the computer includes a print management information acquisition unit corresponding to the print management information acquisition unit 12, a print management request acquisition unit corresponding to the print management request acquisition unit 14, a request evaluation unit corresponding to the request evaluation unit 16, and a print condition derivation unit. A program that functions as a printing condition deriving unit that functions as 218 can be configured.

  The print management information applied to the print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program according to the second embodiment is the print management condition applied to the print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program according to the first embodiment. Can be applied.

  The print management information applied to the print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program according to the second embodiment includes the print conditions applied to the print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program according to the first embodiment, Printing parameters, image data, and changes thereof can be applied.

[Invention disclosed in this specification]
This specification discloses the following invention.

<Invention 1>
The print management information of the printed matter printed in the print job being executed, the print management information including the first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and the second information indicating the evaluation index of the printed matter different from the first information is being executed. A print management information acquisition unit that is acquired during a print job, a print management request acquisition unit that acquires request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job, and a print job based on the acquired print management information. A request evaluation unit that evaluates the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information using one or more evaluation criteria, and an ongoing execution based on an evaluation result by the request evaluation unit A print management apparatus comprising: a print condition change determination unit that determines whether or not a print condition needs to be changed in a print job.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, print management information including at least first information indicating quality and including second information indicating an evaluation index of a printed material different from the first information is acquired during a print job being executed. Since the printed matter is evaluated based on the acquired print management information and the necessity of changing the print condition in the print job being executed is determined based on the evaluation result, the optimum print condition adapted to the request for print management Changes to can be made.

<Invention 2>
The print management apparatus according to the first aspect includes a print condition change execution unit that changes the print condition in the print job being executed when the print condition change determination unit determines that the print condition needs to be changed. .

  According to the second aspect, when it is determined that the printing condition needs to be changed, the printing condition can be changed. As the change of the printing conditions, the image data input to the printing apparatus may be changed.

<Invention 3>
The print management apparatus according to the first aspect includes a print stop unit that stops printing when the print condition change determination unit determines that the print condition needs to be changed.

  According to the third aspect, when it is determined that the printing condition needs to be changed, the printing apparatus can be diagnosed, and the printing apparatus can be maintained based on the diagnosis result.

<Invention 4>
The print management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects includes a display unit that displays a determination result of the print condition change determination unit.

  According to the fourth aspect, the operator can confirm the determination result, and the operator can grasp the printing state.

<Invention 5>
In the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the print condition change determining unit determines that the print condition in the print job being executed needs to be changed, the changed print condition is examined. A printing condition change review section is provided.

  According to the fifth aspect, the printing condition adapted to the request relating to the print management information is examined, and based on the examination result, the printing condition adapted to the request relating to the print management information can be changed.

<Invention 6>
In the print management apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the printing condition change review unit includes a printing condition change rule reference unit that examines the changed printing condition with reference to a predetermined printing condition change rule.

  According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to examine the print condition adapted to the request regarding the print management information with reference to the print condition change rule.

  In the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the printing condition change rule storage unit stores the print condition change rule.

<Invention 7>
In the print management apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the print condition change examination unit includes a print management information prediction unit that predicts a change in the print management information in the print condition after the change with respect to the print management information in the print condition before the change. .

  According to the seventh aspect, by predicting a change in the print management information when the print condition is examined, it is possible to examine the print condition that satisfies the request regarding the print management.

  In the print management information change prediction according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to apply a function having the image data applied to the printed matter in the print job as a variable. Further, it is possible to correct a function used for predicting a change in print management information based on the print management information.

<Invention 8>
In the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention, the print management information acquisition unit includes, as the second information, information indicating the quality of the printed matter having a trade-off relationship with the first information, the first information and the non-trade. At least one of information representing the quality of the printed material having the off relationship, information representing the cost of the printed material, and information representing the productivity of the printed material is acquired.

  According to the eighth aspect, the printed matter in the print job is evaluated based on the plurality of evaluation indices in quality, the evaluation index of quality and cost, the evaluation index of quality and productivity, or the evaluation index of quality, cost, and productivity. It is possible to perform optimum printing based on multi-faceted evaluation from a plurality of viewpoints.

  In the invention 8, it is possible to acquire print management information including a plurality of pieces of information about quality. Further, it is possible to acquire print management information including a plurality of information regarding productivity. Furthermore, it is possible to acquire print management information including a plurality of information regarding productivity.

<Invention 9>
In the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the print management request acquisition unit acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for the printed matter.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change to a printing condition that satisfies a request for print management of a printed matter in a print job, and it is possible to minimize the change of the printing condition, and printing caused by the change of the printing condition The fluctuation of the situation can be suppressed.

<Invention 10>
In the print management apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the print management request acquisition unit includes priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information, and an evaluation criterion applied to the request evaluation unit. Get request information including.

  According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to confirm whether or not the printing condition has been changed based on the priority indicated by the acquired priority information and the evaluation criteria.

<Invention 11>
In the print management apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information, and acquires a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion. The request evaluation unit determines whether the acquired request information of the printed matter printed in the print job is based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the evaluation value of the printed matter printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value. Evaluate the degree of satisfaction with the indicated print management requirements.

  According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to evaluate the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information of the printed matter printed in the print job based on the comparison result between the evaluation function and the threshold value for the evaluation function. it can.

<Invention 12>
In the print management apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable as priority information. To do.

  According to the twelfth aspect, the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the first information and the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the second information can be comprehensively evaluated.

<Invention 13>
In the print management apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information trades with the first information. If there is an off relationship, the sign of the term that uses the second information as a variable is different from the sign that uses the first information as a variable, and if the second information has a non-tradeoff relationship with the first information, An evaluation function having the same sign as that of the term having the first information as a variable is acquired as the sign of the term having the two information as a variable.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, in any case where the relationship between the first information and the second information has a trade-off relationship or a non-trade-off relationship, the evaluation value of the printed matter based on the first information, and The evaluation value of the printed material based on the second information can be comprehensively evaluated.

<Invention 14>
The print management information of the printed matter printed in the print job being executed, the print management information including the first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and the second information indicating the evaluation index of the printed matter different from the first information is being executed. A print management information acquisition step acquired during the print job, a print management request acquisition step for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job, and a print job based on the acquired print management information. Based on the requirements evaluation process that evaluates the degree of satisfaction with the requirements regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information using one or more evaluation criteria, and the evaluation results of the requirements evaluation process. And a print condition change determining step for determining whether or not it is necessary to change the print condition in the print job.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the printing condition change determining step includes a printing condition changing execution step of changing the printing condition in the print job being executed when it is determined that the printing condition needs to be changed.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the printing condition change determination process includes a printing stop process that stops printing when it is determined that the printing condition needs to be changed.

  In the invention 14, an aspect including a display step of displaying a determination result of the printing condition change determination step is preferable.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the printing condition change determination step includes a printing condition change examination step for examining the changed printing condition when it is determined that the printing condition in the print job being executed needs to be changed.

  The printing condition change examination step includes a printing condition change rule reference step for examining the changed printing condition with reference to a predetermined printing condition change rule, or a change in printing management information in the changed printing condition. An aspect including a printing management information prediction step for predicting the printing is preferable.

  In invention 14, the print management information acquisition step includes, as the second information, information indicating the quality of the printed material having a trade-off relationship with the first information, information indicating the quality of the printed material having a non-trade-off relationship with the first information, A mode in which at least one of information representing the cost of printed material and information representing productivity of the printed material is acquired is preferable.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition step acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for the printed matter.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition step acquires request information including priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information and an evaluation criterion applied to the request evaluation step.

  In the invention 14, the print management request acquisition step acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as priority information as a variable, acquires a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion, and the request evaluation step includes: Based on the comparison result obtained by comparing the evaluation value of the printed material printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value, the print management request for the printed material printed in the print job is indicated by the acquired request information. A mode in which the degree of satisfaction is evaluated is preferable.

  In the fourteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request obtaining step obtains an evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable as priority information.

  In the invention 14, the print management request acquisition step is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. The sign of the term that uses the second information as a variable is different from the sign that uses the first information as a variable, and if the second information has a non-tradeoff relationship with the first information, the second information is a variable. It is preferable that the sign of the term obtains an evaluation function having the same sign as the term having the first information as a variable.

<Invention 15>
Print management information of a printed matter printed in a print job being executed by the computer, including first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and second information indicating an evaluation index of the printed matter different from the first information. Print management information acquisition means acquired during an ongoing print job, print management request acquisition means for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in a print job, and a print job based on the acquired print management information The request evaluation means for evaluating the degree of satisfaction with respect to the print management request indicated by the acquired request information using one or more evaluation criteria, based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation means. A print management program that functions as a print condition change determination unit that determines whether or not a print condition needs to be changed in a print job.

  In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the computer function as a printing condition change execution unit that changes the printing condition in the print job being executed when the printing condition change determination unit determines that the printing condition needs to be changed.

  In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the computer function as a print stopping unit that stops printing when the printing condition change determining unit determines that the printing condition needs to be changed.

  In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the computer function as display means for displaying the determination result of the printing condition change determination means.

  In the fifteenth aspect, when the printing condition change determining unit determines that the printing condition in the print job being executed needs to be changed, the computer functions as a printing condition change examining unit that examines the changed printing condition. Is preferred.

  The printing condition change examination means is a mode in which the computer functions as a printing condition change rule reference means for examining the changed printing condition by referring to a predetermined printing condition change rule, or the computer is changed to print It is preferable that the print management information predicting unit predicts a change in the print management information under the condition.

  In the fifteenth aspect, the print management information acquisition means includes, as the second information, information indicating the quality of the printed material having a trade-off relationship with the first information, information indicating the quality of the printed material having a non-trade-off relationship with the first information, A mode in which at least one of information representing the cost of printed material and information representing productivity of the printed material is acquired is preferable.

  In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition unit acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for the printed matter.

  In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request acquisition unit acquires request information including priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information, and an evaluation criterion applied to the request evaluation unit.

  In the fifteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as priority information as a variable, acquires a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion, and the request evaluation unit includes: Based on the comparison result obtained by comparing the evaluation value of the printed material printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value, the print management request for the printed material printed in the print job is indicated by the acquired request information. A mode in which the degree of satisfaction is evaluated is preferable.

  In the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the print management request obtaining unit obtains an evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having first information as a variable and a term having second information as a variable as priority information.

  In the fifteenth aspect, the print management request acquisition unit is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. The sign of the term that uses the second information as a variable is different from the sign that uses the first information as a variable, and if the second information has a non-tradeoff relationship with the first information, the second information is a variable. It is preferable that the sign of the term obtains an evaluation function having the same sign as the term having the first information as a variable.

  The print management apparatus, print management method, and print management program described above can be changed, added, and deleted as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Moreover, it is also possible to combine each embodiment mentioned above suitably.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Print information management system, 12 ... Print management information acquisition part, 14 ... Print management request acquisition part, 16 ... Request evaluation part, 20 ... Print condition change implementation part, 22 ... Print stop part, 24 ... Display part, 26 ... Print condition review unit, 28 ... print management information prediction unit, 30 ... print condition change rule reference unit, 218 ... print condition derivation unit

Claims (28)

The print management information of the printed matter printed in the print job being executed, the print management information including the first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and the second information indicating the index of the printed matter different from the first information. A print management information acquisition unit acquired during a print job
A print management request acquisition unit for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in a print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job based on the acquired print management information;
A print condition deriving unit for deriving a print condition of the print job in progress, which relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation unit;
A printing condition change execution unit for changing a printing condition in a print job being executed to the derived printing condition;
Equipped with a,
The print condition deriving unit includes a print condition change rule reference unit for deriving a changed print condition with reference to a predetermined print condition change rule .   The print management information acquisition unit, as the second information, information indicating the quality of a printed material having a trade-off relationship with the first information, information indicating the quality of a printed material having a non-trade-off relationship with the first information, The printing management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of information representing a cost of printed material and information representing productivity of the printed material is acquired.   The print management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print management request acquisition unit acquires a request indicating a minimum request allowed for a printed matter.   The print management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a display unit that displays the print condition derived by the print condition deriving unit. The printing condition deriving unit, the print management information any one of the prediction unit from claim 1 having a 4 to predict the change in the print management information in the print condition after changes to the print management information in the print-condition before change The printing management apparatus described. The print management information of the printed matter printed in the print job being executed, the print management information including the first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and the second information indicating the index of the printed matter different from the first information. A print management information acquisition unit acquired during a print job
A print management request acquisition unit for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in a print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job based on the acquired print management information;
A print condition deriving unit for deriving a print condition of the print job in progress, which relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation unit;
A printing condition change execution unit for changing a printing condition in a print job being executed to the derived printing condition;
With
The print condition deriving unit includes a print management information prediction unit that predicts a change in print management information in a print condition after change with respect to print management information in a print condition before change. When the print management information prediction unit changes a print condition using an evaluation function having information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information The print management apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a prediction curve representing the evaluation value is derived, and the changed printing condition is derived using a maximum value or a maximum value of the derived prediction curve. The print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information;
The request evaluation unit determines whether the acquired request information of the printed material printed in the print job is based on whether an evaluation value that improves evaluation of the printed material printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function. The print management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print management apparatus evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management. The print management information of the printed matter printed in the print job being executed, the print management information including the first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and the second information indicating the index of the printed matter different from the first information. A print management information acquisition unit acquired during a print job
A print management request acquisition unit for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in a print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job based on the acquired print management information;
A print condition deriving unit for deriving a print condition of the print job in progress, which relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation unit;
A printing condition change execution unit for changing a printing condition in a print job being executed to the derived printing condition;
With
The print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information;
The request evaluation unit determines whether the acquired request information of the printed material printed in the print job is based on whether an evaluation value that improves evaluation of the printed material printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function. A print management apparatus that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a print management request. The print management request acquisition unit acquires request information including one or more evaluation criteria,
The request evaluation unit determines, based on the acquired print management information, a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job. The print management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein evaluation is performed using the above evaluation criteria. The print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information, and uses the evaluation function as the evaluation criterion. Get the threshold for the evaluation function
The request evaluation unit, based on a comparison result obtained by comparing an evaluation value of a printed matter printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value, of the printed matter printed in the print job, The print management apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request relating to print management indicated by the acquired request information is evaluated. The print management information of the printed matter printed in the print job being executed, the print management information including the first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and the second information indicating the index of the printed matter different from the first information. A print management information acquisition unit acquired during a print job
A print management request acquisition unit for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in a print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job based on the acquired print management information;
A print condition deriving unit for deriving a print condition of the print job in progress, which relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation unit;
A printing condition change execution unit for changing a printing condition in a print job being executed to the derived printing condition;
With
The print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information, and one or more Request information including a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion of
The request evaluation unit determines, based on the acquired print management information, a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job. When evaluation is performed using the above evaluation criteria, printing is performed in the print job based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the evaluation value of the printed matter printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value. A print management apparatus that evaluates a degree of satisfaction of a printed matter for a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information. The print management request acquisition unit acquires the evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable as the priority information . The print management apparatus according to any one of 8, 9, 11, and 12. The print management request acquisition unit is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. In this case, the sign of the term that uses the second information as a variable is different from the sign that uses the first information as a variable, and the second information has a non-tradeoff relationship with the first information. The print management apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the evaluation function is acquired in which a sign of a term having two information as a variable is the same sign as a term having the first information as a variable. Print that is print management information of a printed matter that has been printed in a print job that is being executed, and that includes first information that represents the quality of the printed matter and second information that represents an index of the printed matter that is different from the first information. Management information acquisition process;
A print management request acquisition step for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in the print job;
Based on the acquired print management information, a request evaluation step for evaluating a printed matter printed in the print job using a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information;
A printing condition derivation step for deriving a printing condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to a request for print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result of the request evaluation step;
A printing condition change execution step for changing a printing condition in a print job in progress to the derived printing condition;
Only including,
The printing condition derivation process, with reference to the predetermined printing condition change rule, the printing condition changing rules see step method including printing management for deriving the printing condition after the change. Print that is print management information of a printed matter that has been printed in a print job that is being executed, and that includes first information that represents the quality of the printed matter and second information that represents an index of the printed matter that is different from the first information. Management information acquisition process;
A print management request acquisition step for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in the print job;
Based on the acquired print management information, a request evaluation step for evaluating a printed matter printed in the print job using a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information;
A printing condition derivation step for deriving a printing condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to a request for print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result of the request evaluation step;
A printing condition change execution step for changing a printing condition in a print job in progress to the derived printing condition;
Including
The printing management derivation step includes a printing management information prediction step that predicts a change in printing management information in the printing conditions after the change to the printing management information in the printing conditions before the change. When the printing management information prediction step changes the printing conditions using an evaluation function using information included in the printing management information as a variable as priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information. The print management method according to claim 16, wherein a prediction curve representing the evaluation value is derived, and the changed printing condition is derived using a maximum value or a maximum value of the derived prediction curve. Print that is print management information of a printed matter that has been printed in a print job that is being executed, and that includes first information that represents the quality of the printed matter and second information that represents an index of the printed matter that is different from the first information. Management information acquisition process;
A print management request acquisition step for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in the print job;
Based on the acquired print management information, a request evaluation step for evaluating a printed matter printed in the print job using a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information;
A printing condition derivation step for deriving a printing condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to a request for print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result of the request evaluation step;
A printing condition change execution step for changing a printing condition in a print job in progress to the derived printing condition;
Including
The print management request acquisition step acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information;
In the request evaluation step, the acquired request information of the printed matter printed in the print job is determined depending on whether or not an evaluation value for improving the evaluation of the printed matter printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function. A print management method for evaluating a degree of satisfaction with respect to a print management request. Print that is print management information of a printed matter that has been printed in a print job that is being executed, and that includes first information that represents the quality of the printed matter and second information that represents an index of the printed matter that is different from the first information. Management information acquisition process;
A print management request acquisition step for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of a printed matter in the print job;
Based on the acquired print management information, a request evaluation step for evaluating a printed matter printed in the print job using a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information;
A printing condition derivation step for deriving a printing condition that relatively increases the degree of satisfaction with respect to a request for print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the evaluation result of the request evaluation step;
A printing condition change execution step for changing a printing condition in a print job in progress to the derived printing condition;
Including
The print management request acquisition step acquires an evaluation function having information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information, and one or more Request information including a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion of
In the request evaluation step, based on the acquired print management information, a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job is calculated based on the acquired one. When evaluation is performed using the above evaluation criteria, printing is performed in the print job based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the evaluation value of the printed matter printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value. A print management method for evaluating a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter. The print management request acquisition step acquires the evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable as the priority information. The print management method according to claim 19. The print management request acquisition step is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. In this case, the sign of the term that uses the second information as a variable is different from the sign that uses the first information as a variable, and the second information has a non-tradeoff relationship with the first information. 21. The print management method according to claim 20, wherein the evaluation function is acquired in which a sign of a term having two information as a variable is the same sign as a sign having the first information as a variable. Print management information of a printed matter printed in a print job being executed by the computer, including first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and second information indicating an index of the printed matter different from the first information. Print management information acquisition means to acquire,
Print management request acquisition means for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the acquired print management information;
Based on the evaluation result by the request evaluation unit, a print condition deriving unit for deriving a print condition for relatively increasing the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information , and for the derived print condition A print management program that functions as a printing condition change execution unit that changes a printing condition in a print job that is being executed .
The printing condition deriving unit is a print management program that causes a computer to function as a printing condition change rule reference unit that derives a changed printing condition by referring to a predetermined printing condition changing rule. Print management information of a printed matter printed in a print job being executed by the computer, including first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and second information indicating an index of the printed matter different from the first information. Print management information acquisition means to acquire,
Print management request acquisition means for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the acquired print management information;
A printing condition deriving unit for deriving a printing condition for relatively increasing the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information based on the evaluation result by the request evaluating unit;
A print management program that functions as a printing condition change execution unit that changes a printing condition in a print job that is being executed to the derived printing condition;
The print condition deriving unit causes the computer to function as a print management information predicting unit that predicts a change in the print management information in the post-change print condition with respect to the print management information in the pre-change print condition. When the print management information predicting unit changes the printing condition using an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating the priority between the first information and the second information. 24. The print management program according to claim 23, wherein a prediction curve representing the evaluation value is derived, and the changed printing condition is derived using a maximum value or a maximum value of the derived prediction curve . Print management information of a printed matter printed in a print job being executed by the computer, including first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and second information indicating an index of the printed matter different from the first information. Print management information acquisition means to acquire,
Print management request acquisition means for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the acquired print management information;
A printing condition deriving unit for deriving a printing condition for relatively increasing the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information based on the evaluation result by the request evaluating unit;
A print management program that functions as a printing condition change execution unit that changes a printing condition in a print job that is being executed to the derived printing condition;
The print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information,
The request evaluation unit determines whether the acquired request information of the printed material printed in the print job is based on whether an evaluation value that improves evaluation of the printed material printed in the print job is derived by the evaluation function. A print management program for evaluating a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request for print management to be indicated. Print management information of a printed matter printed in a print job being executed by the computer, including first information indicating the quality of the printed matter and second information indicating an index of the printed matter different from the first information. Print management information acquisition means to acquire,
Print management request acquisition means for acquiring request information indicating a request for print management of printed matter in the print job;
A request evaluation unit that evaluates a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information, based on the acquired print management information;
A printing condition deriving unit for deriving a printing condition for relatively increasing the degree of satisfaction with respect to the request regarding the print management indicated by the acquired request information based on the evaluation result by the request evaluating unit;
A print management program that functions as a printing condition change execution unit that changes a printing condition in a print job that is being executed to the derived printing condition;
The print management request acquisition unit acquires an evaluation function using information included in the print management information as a variable as priority information indicating a priority between the first information and the second information, and one or more Request information including a threshold value for the evaluation function as an evaluation criterion of
The request evaluation unit is configured to determine, based on the acquired print management information, a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request regarding print management indicated by the acquired request information of a printed matter printed in the print job. When evaluation is performed using the above evaluation criteria, printing is performed in the print job based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the evaluation value of the printed matter printed in the print job derived from the evaluation function with the threshold value. A print management program for evaluating a degree of satisfaction with respect to a request related to print management indicated by the acquired request information of the printed matter. 25. The print management request acquisition unit acquires the evaluation function represented by a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable as the priority information. 26. The print management program according to any one of 26. The print management request acquisition unit is a polynomial including a term having the first information as a variable and a term having the second information as a variable, and the second information has a trade-off relationship with the first information. In this case, the sign of the term that uses the second information as a variable is different from the sign that uses the first information as a variable, and the second information has a non-tradeoff relationship with the first information. 28. The print management program according to claim 27, wherein the evaluation function is acquired such that a sign of a term having two information as a variable has the same sign as a sign having the first information as a variable.