JPH10315501A - Print controller, print control, method and recording medium recorded with print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller for executing print processing of a print data as much as possible even when the residual quantity of ink is reduced. SOLUTION: At first, the residual quantity of ink available for printing is detected and the quantity of ink required for printing a bit map data is calculated for every bit map data (S5). If the residual quantity of ink thus detected is lower than a specified quantity, printing order is changed for a plurality of bit map data to start printing from a bit map data other than the bit map data where the required quantity of ink exceeds the residual quantity of ink (step S7) and then printing is performed according to the changed order (step S8).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a printing control apparatus for performing printing control in a printing apparatus using ink, such as an ink jet system or an ink ribbon system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when color printing of print data is performed by an ink jet method, usually, printing is continuously performed in an order specified by a user who performs printing.

At this time, the remaining amount of ink of a part of the color decreases due to the use of the ink in the previous color printing, and the ink remaining for the color may occur during the printing of the page on which the color printing is to be performed. In general, even when the amount has been reached, printing is continued in the order specified by the user.

[0004]

However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, when the ink runs out for some of the colors during printing of one page, the print data after the page where the ink runs out becomes Even if the print data does not use out-of-ink color ink (that is, print data that can be printed without using the out-of-ink color ink), printing is stopped at the out-of-ink page. For example, an error display or the like is performed to prompt replenishment of ink.

[0005] Therefore, the printing is interrupted even though printable print data remains, and there is a problem that printing processing for more print data cannot be performed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to execute print processing for as much print data as possible even when the remaining amount of ink is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device, a print control method, and a recording medium on which a print control program is recorded.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing. Remaining amount detecting means, calculating means such as a CPU for calculating a required ink amount, which is an amount of the ink required when printing a plurality of print data to be printed, for each of the print data,
Detecting means such as a CPU for detecting that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required ink amount in the first print data which is the print data to be printed first thereafter; When the required ink amount in the data is less than the required ink amount, replacement of a CPU or the like for changing the printing order in a plurality of the print data so as to start printing from the print data other than the print data in which the required ink amount is larger than the remaining amount. And printing means, such as a printing unit, for printing each of the print data using the ink in accordance with the exchanged printing order.

According to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, the ink remaining amount detecting means detects the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing.

On the other hand, the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each print data.

Thus, the detecting means detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data.

[0011] When the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, the replacing means performs a plurality of printing operations to start printing from print data other than the print data in which the required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount. Change the printing order in the data.

Finally, the printing means prints the respective print data using ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

Therefore, when the required amount of ink corresponding to the first print data is larger than the remaining amount, the printing order is changed to start printing from print data other than the print data having the required amount of ink larger than the remaining amount. Therefore, print processing can be performed on more print data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be subjected to color printing. The ink remaining amount detecting means,
The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when each of the color print data is printed, and the calculating unit calculates the required ink amount for each of the color print data and each of the colors. The detecting means detects, for each of the colors, that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required ink amount of each of the colors in the head print data, and further comprises the replacing means for each of the detected colors. When the remaining amount of ink of at least one color is less than the required ink amount of the one color in the head print data, the required ink amount corresponding to the one color Is configured to switch the printing order in a plurality of the color print data so as to start printing from the color print data other than the color print data that is larger than the remaining amount.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, the plurality of print data is color print data, and the ink remaining amount detecting means includes the color remaining data. The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of ink used when printing the print data.

On the other hand, the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color.

Thus, the detecting means detects, for each color, that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of each color in the first print data.

[0018] Then, the replacement means is provided when the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is less than the required amount of ink of the one color in the first print data. Then, the printing order in the plurality of color print data is switched so as to start printing from color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is larger than the remaining amount.

Therefore, even when the print data is color print data, it is possible to perform print processing on more color print data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink remaining amount detecting unit such as an ink remaining amount measuring unit for detecting a remaining amount of ink usable for printing; Calculation means such as a CPU for calculating a required ink amount, which is an amount of the ink required when printing a plurality of print data to be printed, for each of the print data, and a remaining amount of the ink are set in advance. A detection unit such as a CPU for detecting that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined reference amount; and when the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference amount, printing is performed in order from the print data having the smaller necessary amount of ink. Switching means such as a CPU for changing the printing order of the plurality of print data, and printing means such as a printing unit for printing each of the print data using the ink according to the changed printing order. Equipped with a.

According to the operation of the third aspect of the invention, the remaining ink amount detecting means detects the remaining amount of ink which can be used for printing.

On the other hand, the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each print data.

Further, the detecting means detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined reference remaining amount.

With this, when the remaining amount of ink becomes less than the reference remaining amount, the replacing unit changes the printing order of the plurality of print data so as to print in order from the print data having the smaller required ink amount.

The printing means prints the respective print data using ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

Accordingly, the printing process can be continued without using the ink whose remaining amount is less than the reference remaining amount as much as possible.
Print processing can be performed for more print data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be subjected to color printing. The ink remaining amount detecting means,
The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when each of the color print data is printed, and the calculating unit calculates the required ink amount for each of the color print data and each of the colors. The detecting means detects, for each of the colors, that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the reference remaining amount. When the remaining amount of the ink of at least one color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color, a plurality of prints are performed in order from the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is small. In the color print data.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 3, the plurality of print data are color print data, and the ink remaining amount detecting means includes the color remaining data. The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of ink used when printing the print data.

On the other hand, the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color.

Further, the detecting means detects, for each color, that the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference remaining amount.

[0031] With this, when the remaining amount of the ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of the ink of each color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color,
The printing order of the plurality of color print data is changed so as to print in order from the color print data with the smaller required ink amount corresponding to the one color.

Therefore, even when the print data is color print data, print processing can be performed on more color print data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the reference remaining amount is determined based on the print data to be printed first thereafter. The required ink amount is configured.

According to the operation of the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of the third or fourth aspect, the reference remaining amount is a necessary ink amount in print data to be printed first thereafter. Therefore, the replacement process of the print data is not started until the remaining amount of ink becomes the necessary amount of ink of the print data to be printed first thereafter, so that the unnecessary replacement process is not performed, and the printing process is performed. There is little confusion with the user who executes.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: an ink remaining amount detecting step for detecting a remaining amount of ink usable for printing; Calculating the required ink amount, which is the amount of the ink required when printing, for each of the print data, and the remaining amount of the ink is the first print data that is the print data to be printed first thereafter. A detection step of detecting that the required ink amount is less than the required ink amount, and when the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required ink amount in the first print data, the print data in which the required ink amount is larger than the remaining amount. Exchanging a print order in a plurality of the print data so as to start printing from the print data other than the print data; Data and a printing step of printing using the ink.

According to the operation of the present invention, in the ink remaining amount detecting step, the remaining amount of ink usable for printing is detected.

On the other hand, in the calculation step, the required ink amount is calculated for each print data.

Thus, in the detecting step, it is detected that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data.

In the replacement process, when the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, a plurality of printing operations are performed to start printing from print data other than the print data whose required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount. Change the printing order in the data.

Finally, in the printing step, each print data is printed using ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

Therefore, when the required ink amount corresponding to the first print data is larger than the remaining amount, the printing order is changed so as to start printing from print data other than the print data having the required ink amount larger than the remaining amount. Therefore, print processing can be performed on more print data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method according to the sixth aspect, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color. In the ink remaining amount detecting step, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when printing the color print data, and in the calculating step, the color printing data and the color Calculating the required amount of ink for each color, and detecting in the detection step that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink for each color in the head print data for each of the colors. In the above, the remaining amount of ink of at least one color among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is the required ink amount of the one color in the head print data. When the amount is less than the amount, the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is changed from a printing order in a plurality of the color print data to start printing from the color print data other than the color print data larger than the remaining amount. It is configured to be swapped.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 6, the plurality of print data are color print data, and the plurality of print data are included in the ink remaining amount detection step. The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of ink used when printing the print data.

On the other hand, in the calculation step, the required ink amount is calculated for each color print data and for each color.

Thus, in the detecting step, it is detected for each color that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of each color in the first print data.

In the replacement step, when the remaining amount of the ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of the inks of the respective colors is less than the required amount of the one color in the first print data. Then, the printing order in the plurality of color print data is switched so as to start printing from color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is larger than the remaining amount.

Therefore, even when the print data is color print data, print processing can be performed on more color print data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink detecting apparatus for detecting a remaining amount of ink which can be used for printing, and a method for detecting a plurality of print data to be printed. Calculating a required ink amount, which is an amount of the ink required for printing, for each of the print data; and that the remaining amount of the ink is less than a predetermined reference remaining amount. And a replacement step of, when the remaining amount of the ink becomes less than the reference remaining amount, changing a printing order in a plurality of the print data so as to perform printing in order from the print data having the smaller required ink amount. And printing the respective print data using the ink in accordance with the exchanged printing order.

According to the operation of the present invention, in the ink remaining amount detecting step, the remaining amount of ink usable for printing is detected.

On the other hand, in the calculation step, the required ink amount is calculated for each print data.

Further, in the detecting step, it is detected that the remaining amount of ink has become less than a predetermined reference remaining amount.

Thus, in the replacement process, when the remaining amount of ink becomes less than the reference remaining amount, the printing order of a plurality of print data is changed so that printing is performed in order from the print data having the smaller required ink amount.

In the printing step, each print data is printed using ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

Therefore, the printing process can be continued without using the ink whose remaining amount is less than the reference remaining amount as much as possible.
Print processing can be performed for more print data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method according to the ninth aspect, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color. In the ink remaining amount detecting step, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when printing the color print data, and in the calculating step, the color printing data and the color Calculating the required amount of ink for each color, detecting in the detection step that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the reference remaining amount for each of the colors, and further, in the replacing step, for each of the detected colors. When the remaining amount of the ink of at least one color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color among the remaining amounts of the respective inks, the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is small. Composed of serial color print data to replace the print order in a plurality of the color print data to perform printing in this order.

According to the operation of the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the eighth aspect, the plurality of print data are color print data, and the plurality of print data are used in the ink remaining amount detection step. The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of ink used when printing the print data.

On the other hand, in the calculation step, the required ink amount is calculated for each color print data and for each color.

Further, in the detection step, it is detected for each color that the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference remaining amount.

Thus, in the replacement step, when the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color becomes smaller than the reference remaining amount of the one color, the one The printing order of a plurality of color print data is changed so that printing is performed in order from the color print data having a smaller necessary ink amount corresponding to the color.

Therefore, even when the print data is color print data, the print processing can be performed on more color print data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is applied to claim 10
In the print control method according to the present invention, the reference remaining amount is the required ink amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter.

According to the function of the invention described in claim 10,
10. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 8, the reference remaining amount is a necessary amount of ink in the print data to be printed first thereafter, so that the remaining amount of ink is the print data to be printed first thereafter. The print data replacement process is not started until the required remaining ink amount is reached, so that unnecessary replacement process is not performed, and the user who executes the print process is less likely to be confused.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is applied to claim 11
According to the invention described in (1), a computer included in the print control apparatus is provided with an ink remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing, and a computer that is required when printing a plurality of print data to be printed. Calculating means for calculating the required ink amount, which is the amount of ink, for each of the print data, the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required ink amount in the first print data, which is the print data to be printed first thereafter; Detecting means that, when the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, starts printing from the print data other than the print data in which the required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount Replacement means for changing the printing order in a plurality of the print data to
And a printing control program for functioning as printing control means for controlling printing of each piece of the printing data using the ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

According to the operation of the eleventh aspect,
A computer functioning as an ink remaining amount detecting unit detects the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing.

On the other hand, the computer functioning as the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each print data.

Thus, the computer functioning as the detecting means detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data.

When the remaining amount of ink becomes less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, the computer functioning as the replacing means starts printing from print data other than the print data having the required amount of ink larger than the remaining amount. In order to change the printing order of a plurality of print data, the printing order is changed.

Finally, the computer functioning as the print control means controls the printing of the respective print data using the ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

Accordingly, when the required ink amount corresponding to the first print data is larger than the remaining amount, the printing order is changed so as to start printing from print data other than the print data having the required ink amount larger than the remaining amount. Therefore, print processing can be performed on more print data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a twelfth aspect is provided.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 11 is recorded, a plurality of the print data are color print data to be printed in color, and function as the ink remaining amount detecting means. The computer detects the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used when each of the color print data is printed, and the computer functioning as the calculating unit is configured to detect the color print data and the color. Calculating the required ink amount, the computer functioning as the detection means,
The computer that functions as the replacement unit detects, for each color, that the remaining amount of the ink has become less than the required amount of ink for each color in the top print data, When the remaining amount of the ink of at least one color of the remaining amount is less than the required amount of the one color in the leading print data, the required amount of the ink corresponding to the one color is reduced to the remaining amount. In order to start printing from the color print data other than the color print data that is larger than the amount, the printing order of the plurality of color print data is switched.

According to the operation of the twelfth aspect,
In addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 11, the plurality of print data is color print data, and the computer functioning as an ink remaining amount detecting unit is configured to use the ink used when printing the color print data. The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color.

On the other hand, the computer functioning as the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color.

Thus, the computer functioning as the detecting means detects, for each color, that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of each color in the first print data.

Then, the computer functioning as the replacement means determines that the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink of each color is less than the required amount of ink of the one color in the first print data. Is satisfied, the printing order of the plurality of color print data is switched to start printing from color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is larger than the remaining amount.

Therefore, even when the print data is color print data, the print processing can be performed on more color print data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to claim 13.
According to the invention described in (1), a computer included in the print control apparatus is provided with an ink remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing, and a computer that is required when printing a plurality of print data to be printed. Calculating means for calculating the required ink amount, which is the amount of ink, for each print data; detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined reference remaining amount; When the remaining amount of the print data is less than the reference remaining amount, a switching unit that changes the print order in a plurality of the print data so as to perform printing in order from the print data with the smaller required ink amount,
A print control program for functioning as print control means for controlling printing of each piece of the print data using the ink in accordance with the exchanged print order is recorded and configured.

According to the operation of the thirteenth aspect,
A computer functioning as an ink remaining amount detecting unit detects the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing.

On the other hand, the computer functioning as the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each print data.

Further, the computer functioning as the detecting means detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined reference remaining amount.

Thus, when the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference remaining amount, the computer functioning as a replacement unit switches the printing order of a plurality of print data in order to print in order from the print data having the smaller required ink amount. .

Then, the computer functioning as the print control means controls the printing of the respective print data using the ink in accordance with the changed printing order.

Accordingly, the printing process can be continued without using the ink whose remaining amount is less than the reference remaining amount as much as possible.
Print processing can be performed for more print data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention relates to claim 14.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storing the print control program according to the thirteenth aspect, the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color, and function as the ink remaining amount detecting means. The computer detects the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used when each of the color print data is printed, and the computer functioning as the calculating unit is configured to detect the color print data and the color. Calculating the required ink amount, the computer functioning as the detection means,
The computer that functions as the replacement unit detects that the remaining amount of the ink has become less than the reference remaining amount, and further determines at least one of the detected remaining amounts of the ink for each color. When the remaining amount of ink of one color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color, the plurality of colors are printed in order from the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is small. It is configured to change the printing order in the print data.

According to the operation of the fourteenth aspect,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 13, the plurality of print data are color print data, and the computer functioning as an ink remaining amount detecting unit is configured to print out the ink used when each of the color print data is printed. The remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color.

On the other hand, the computer functioning as the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color.

Further, the computer functioning as detecting means detects, for each color, that the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference remaining amount.

Thus, the computer functioning as a replacement means can be used when the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink of each color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color. Then, the printing order of the plurality of color print data is changed so as to perform printing in order from the color print data having a smaller required ink amount corresponding to the one color.

Therefore, even when the print data is color print data, print processing can be performed on more color print data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention relates to claim 15.
According to another aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 13 or 14 is recorded, the reference remaining amount is the required ink amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter. Is done.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 15,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 13 or 14, since the reference remaining amount is a required amount of ink in the print data to be printed first thereafter, the remaining amount of ink is the print data to be printed first thereafter. The print data replacement process is not started until the required remaining ink amount is reached, so that unnecessary replacement process is not performed, and the user who executes the print process is less likely to be confused.

[0091]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is directed to a printing system that includes a computer that generates print data to be printed, and a printer that is connected to the computer and that executes an actual print process on the generated print data. This is an embodiment when the present invention is applied.

(I) Configuration and Overall Operation First, the configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system S according to the embodiment includes a computer 4 that generates print data such as a document or an image to be printed by using a printer 1 and a print paper such as a predetermined recording paper. And a printer 1 for printing on the printer.

In this configuration, the printer 1
Is composed of a control unit 2 that controls the entire printer 1 and a printing unit 3 that actually executes a printing operation, for example, as an inkjet printing unit.

Further, the control unit 2 includes a CPU 21 as a calculation unit, a detection unit and a replacement unit, an input interface 22, a bus 23, and a ROM (Read
Only Memory 24 and RAM (Random Access Memor)
y) 25 and an output interface 26.

Further, the printing unit 3 includes an ink remaining amount measuring unit 31 as a remaining ink amount detecting unit.

The RAM 25 includes a data storage area 25a and a work area 25b.

Next, the general operation of each section will be described.

The computer 4 generates print data such as a document or an image to be printed using the printer 1 by a predetermined application program included in the computer 4 and outputs a corresponding print data signal Sd to the printer 1.
Output to In the following description, it is assumed that the print data is color print data for printing the document or image in color.

The input interface 22 included in the printer 1 performs a so-called interface operation on the input print data signal Sd, and stores the print data signal Sd in the RAM 25 via the bus 23.

On the other hand, the CPU 21 controls the printing process according to the present invention using each program stored in the ROM 24 described later.

At this time, the ROM 24 stores a data conversion program 24a, an ink required amount calculation program 24b, an ink remaining amount determination program 24c, and a data rearrangement program 2 to execute a printing process according to the present invention described later.
4d is stored in advance and output to the CPU 21 via the bus 23 as necessary, and the CPU 21 executes processing based on each program. In addition, the ROM 24
A general control program for controlling the printer 1 is also stored in advance, and processing corresponding to the control program is executed by the CPU 21 as necessary.

Next, the RAM 25 is a memory for temporarily storing data necessary for the processing of the CPU 21. More specifically, a bit corresponding to a plurality of pages generated by data conversion processing described later is stored in the RAM 25. Map data BM
Is stored in the data storage area 25a, and other necessary data and the like are temporarily stored in the work area 25b.

The output interface 26 outputs a bitmap data signal corresponding to the bitmap data to be printed (corresponding to the print data generated by the computer 4) generated by the control unit 2 by the processing described later. An interface operation is performed on Sbm, and output to the printing unit 3.

Thereafter, in the printing unit 3 to which the bitmap data signal Sbm has been input, a printing process corresponding to the bitmap data signal Sbm is executed using a printer head (not shown). At this time, since the original print data is color print data, in this case, for example, four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are used, and a printer head provided separately for each color is used. Color printing is performed.

In parallel with this, the remaining ink amount measuring section 31
Always detects the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing processing in the printing unit 3 and outputs a detection signal Sc to the control unit 2. When performing color printing, the ink remaining amount measuring unit 31 constantly measures and monitors the remaining amount of each of the four colors, and outputs a detection signal Sc.

More specifically, the method of measuring the remaining amount of ink in the remaining ink amount measuring section 31 is, specifically, in the case of the ink jet system, a method of directly measuring the remaining amount of ink and an indirect method of calculating the remaining amount of ink. There is a method of estimating the amount. For example, a method of directly measuring the remaining amount of ink uses a light projecting unit that irradiates the ink container with light, and an optical sensor that detects reflected light or transmitted light of the light, and calculates the remaining amount of ink. A method of measuring the remaining amount of ink based on the reflectance or transmittance of the light that changes depending on the change (in detail,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 8-132624) and a pair of electrodes provided in an ink container, and the remaining amount of ink is determined based on a change in capacitance or resistance between the electrodes that changes depending on a change in the remaining amount of ink. There is a method of measuring, or a method of directly measuring the weight and measuring the remaining amount of ink. On the other hand, as an indirect measurement method, a method of calculating the amount of ink consumption from the number of drive pulses of the printer head and subtracting the calculated amount of ink consumption from the amount of unused ink to measure the amount of remaining ink ( For details, a known method such as that described in JP-A-6-320751 can be used.

(II) Detailed Operation Next, the detailed operation of the printing process according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the printing process, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the concept of bitmap data BM generated in the printing process.

(I) Operation of Data Input Processing In the printing processing of the present invention, first, print data to be printed is taken in from the computer 4 and converted into data for printing, and data input for temporarily storing the data is performed. The processing is executed.

That is, first, a print data signal Sd (color print data) over a plurality of pages output from the computer 4 is input to the printer 1 via the input interface 22.
(Step S1), and is converted into bitmap data BM for each page for print processing using the data conversion program 24a stored in the ROM 24 (step S2).

Here, the bitmap data BM generated by the processing in step S2 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the bitmap data BM shown in FIG. 3 is bitmap data including all print data for one page to be printed on one sheet of recording paper.

In step S2, the print data for one page (print data signal Sd) input from the computer 4 is first, as shown in FIG. 3, for each dot (also referred to as a pixel) which is a basic unit in printing. Is decomposed into In this embodiment, since the print data is color print data, one dot is drawn by combining the above four colors for each dot. That is, for one dot, dot data Dc corresponding to the above four colors
(Corresponding to cyan ink), Dm (corresponding to magenta ink), Dy (corresponding to yellow ink) and Dk (corresponding to black ink) are set, and the dot is drawn. In this case, each dot data corresponding to a required color is set to “1” to form bitmap data BM. For the dot data set to “1”, dots are formed on the recording paper by the printer head of the corresponding color, and the dots of the color corresponding to the print data are superimposed on each other for each color. Is drawn.

More specifically, for example, in the bitmap data BM shown in FIG. 3, when cyan ink is used for drawing the upper left dot, the dot data Dc corresponding to the upper left dot is used.
(“C ₁₁ ”) is set to “1”, and when the magenta ink is not used when drawing the upper left dot, the dot data Dm (“M ₁₁ ”) corresponding to the upper left dot is set to “0”. Is done. By repeating this process, bitmap data BM corresponding to all dots is formed. Then, dots are formed on recording paper for each color by the printer head of a color corresponding to the dot data set to "1", and one image to be printed is formed.

In FIG. 3, "raster" means
This is a generic term for dot data forming one row in the bitmap data BM.

In step S2, when the bitmap data BM corresponding to the print data is formed for a plurality of pages, the amount of ink required for printing the image corresponding to the bitmap data BM on the recording paper is next determined. It is calculated for each page and for each page (step S3). The process in step S3 is executed using the required ink amount calculation program 24b stored in the ROM 24, and details thereof will be described later.

When the amount of ink required for printing is calculated (step S3), the formed bitmap data BM can be printed by the printing unit 3 for each page in the order input from the computer 4. Data storage area 25
a is temporarily stored (step S4), and the data input process ends.

Here, the process of calculating the required amount of ink in step S3 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the required ink amount calculation processing in step S3, first, among the dot data Dc corresponding to cyan in the bitmap data BM for one page, "1" is set.
The required amount of cyan ink is calculated from the total sum of the dot data Dc (step S31). More specifically, when the dot corresponding to one dot data Dc is formed on a recording sheet using cyan ink, the amount of cyan ink required for forming the dot data Dc is “1”.
Is multiplied by the sum of the above, the required amount of the entire cyan ink is calculated and stored in the work area 25b.

Next, of the dot data Dm corresponding to magenta in the bit map data BM for one page,
The required amount of magenta ink is calculated from the sum of the dot data Dm set to "1" (step S32). More specifically, as in the case of cyan ink, the amount of magenta ink required to form a dot corresponding to one piece of dot data Dm is multiplied by the total sum of dot data Dm set to "1". Thus, the required amount of the entire magenta ink is calculated and stored in the work area 25b.

Next, of the dot data Dy corresponding to yellow in the bitmap data BM for one page,
The required amount of yellow ink is calculated from the sum of the dot data Dy set to "1" (step S33). More specifically, similar to the case of cyan ink or the like, the total amount of dot data Dy set to “1” is the yellow ink amount necessary for forming a dot corresponding to one dot data Dy. By multiplying, the required amount of the entire yellow ink is calculated and stored in the work area 25b.

Finally, one page of bitmap data BM
Of the dot data Dk corresponding to black in
The required amount of black ink is calculated from the total sum of the dot data Dk set to "1" (step S34). More specifically, similarly to the case of cyan ink or the like, the sum of the dot data Dk set to “1” is the black ink amount necessary for forming a dot corresponding to one dot data Dk. By multiplying, the required amount of the entire black ink is calculated and stored in the work area 25b.

Then, when the required amount of the entire ink of each color is calculated, the flow shifts to step S4.

(Ii) Operation of Printing Process Next, the operation of printing the bitmap data BM stored in the data storage area 25a by executing the above data input process will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the printing process,
First, the remaining amount of ink is measured for each color by the detection signal Sc from the remaining ink amount measuring unit 31 (step S5).

Then, it is determined whether or not the measured remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount remaining for each color (step S6). If the amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the remaining amount is stored in the data storage area 25a as it is. The printing unit 3 prints out the bitmap data BM for a plurality of pages for each page in the stored order (step S8). At this time, the comparison between the remaining ink amount and the predetermined remaining amount in step S6 is executed using the remaining ink amount determination program 24c stored in the ROM 24.

Here, the predetermined remaining amount to be compared in step S6 is, specifically, an average amount of ink used when printing one page of bitmap data BM, and is determined in advance by experiment for each color. And stored in the ROM 24 or the like.

Although the accuracy is lower than the above, the set value of the predetermined remaining amount for each color may be simply set to the same value for all colors.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the measured remaining amount of ink is not equal to or larger than the predetermined remaining amount, the bitmap data BM for a plurality of pages stored in the data storage area 25a is output for each page. A rearrangement process for rearranging the order is performed (step S7).

Then, the print unit 3 prints out each page in the order rearranged by the rearrangement process (step S8), and then prints the bitmap data BM of all pages in the data storage area 25a. Is completed (step S9). If not completed (step S9; no), the process returns to step S5 and repeats the above-described operation. If printing has been completed for all pages (step S9). S9; yes) The process ends as it is.

Next, the data rearrangement processing in step S7 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The data rearrangement process is executed by using a data rearrangement program 24d stored in the ROM 24.

In the data rearrangement process, first,
Based on the detection signal Sc, a color X having the smallest remaining ink amount is detected for each color ink (step S71). Next, for the color X detected in step S71, among the bitmap data BM of a plurality of pages stored in the data storage area 25a, the bitmap data BM that requires the least amount of ink for the color X (“ Data Y ") is detected based on the required ink amount for each color stored in the work area 25b (step S72).
Then, the bitmap data BM having the smallest required ink amount of the detected color X is stored in the data storage area 25a at the head position (the bitmap data B stored there).
M is moved to the top position where the printout is first made (step S73), the rearrangement process is completed, and step S73 is performed.
Move to 8.

As described above, according to the printing process of the embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when printing the bitmap data BM.
The required amount of ink is calculated for each bitmap data BM and for each color, and the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink of each color is smaller than the reference remaining amount of the one color. Then, the printing order in the plurality of bitmap data BM is changed so that printing is performed in order from the bitmap data BM having a smaller necessary ink amount corresponding to the one color, so that the printing process is performed for more print data. It can be carried out.

If the predetermined remaining amount is set differently for each color, and the specific remaining amount of the specific color is set low in an application in which the specific color is hardly used, the predetermined remaining amount can be reduced. For a specific color, the rearrangement process (step S7) is performed only when the remaining amount becomes small, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary execution of the rearrangement process.

The present invention is not limited to color printing.
Even in the case of performing so-called single-color printing in which printing is performed using only a predetermined color, the present invention can be applied by comparing the remaining amount of the color and the required ink amount.

(III) Modification of Data Rearrangement Processing Next, a modification of the data rearrangement processing in step S7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as a first modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, when detecting the color X, the color of the ink having the smallest absolute amount of the remaining ink amount is changed to the color as in step S71 of the embodiment. In addition to X, a color having the smallest ratio of the remaining ink amount to the predetermined remaining amount of the color may be set as the color X (step S74). In this case, when the predetermined remaining amount is set differently for each color, the rearrangement process is executed more appropriately than when the color X having the smallest absolute value of the ink remaining amount is used as the color X. can do.

As a second modification, the processing can be performed as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, first, all the bitmap data BM in the data storage area 25a are listed up (step S75), and then the required amount of the cyan ink is calculated based on the remaining amount of the cyan ink. More bitmap data BM is deleted from the list (step S7).
6).

Next, the bitmap data BM in which the required amount of the magenta ink is larger than the remaining amount of the magenta ink is deleted from the list (step S77).

Further, the bit map data BM in which the required amount of the yellow ink is larger than the remaining amount of the yellow ink is deleted from the list (step S78).

Then, the bitmap data BM in which the required amount of the black ink is larger than the remaining amount of the black ink is deleted from the list (step S79).

Thereafter, of the bitmap data BM remaining in the list, the first bitmap data B
The data is sequentially moved from M to the head position of the data storage area 25a (step S80), and the process proceeds to step S8 to start printing from the bitmap data BM moved to the head position.

With this configuration, the printable bitmap data BM is printed in the order in which it is stored in the data storage area 25a, so that unnecessary replacement processing is not performed and printing is performed. The user who executes the processing is less confused.

Further, each time one unit of bitmap data BM is printed, the predetermined remaining amount is reset to a value equal to the required ink amount in the bitmap data BM in the order to be printed next. You may do so.

According to this structure, since the predetermined remaining amount is the required amount of ink in the bitmap data BM to be printed first thereafter, the remaining amount of ink is determined by the amount of the bitmap data BM to be printed first thereafter. The replacement process of the bitmap data BM is not started until the required amount of ink is reached, so that unnecessary replacement process is not performed, and the user who executes the printing process is extremely unlikely to be confused.

In the above embodiment, the ink jet printer 1 has been described. In addition to this, the present invention is applied to an ink ribbon printer, for example, and the remaining amount of the ink ribbon is detected. Alternatively, it may be configured to perform data rearrangement processing.

Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a printer using solid ink or toner ink.

In the above embodiment, the case where color printing is performed using four-color inks has been described.
In addition, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the case where the bitmap data BM is color-printed using three or less colors of ink, the case of color printing using five or more colors of ink, or the case of single-color printing. Obtainable.

Further, when each dot in the bitmap data BM has a gradation, the relationship between the level of the gradation and the consumption of ink used for drawing the dot should be obtained and stored in advance. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied by obtaining the required ink amount in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

Further, regarding the conversion of the print data, it is possible to calculate the required amount of ink and then convert it into a print format. At this time, the data may be converted before or after the data is stored in the data storage area 25a.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and each of the modifications, the rearrangement is executed in units of each bitmap data BM. In addition, a series of continuous print data generated by the computer 4 (generally, (Referred to as a print job).

Each program corresponding to the operation described in the above embodiment is stored in the ROM 25 in advance, or is stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, and is read out as necessary. It can also be configured as follows.

Further, as in the embodiment, the computer 4
The present invention can be applied not only to a printing system in which the printer 1 and the printer 1 correspond one-to-one, but also to a case where one computer is shared by a plurality of computers. In this case, the bitmap data formed after the data input processing (see FIG. 2) based on the print data input from each computer is temporarily stored in the data storage area 25a, and at a predetermined timing. The printing process (see FIG. 5) is executed for each print data from each computer.

[0154]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing is detected, and the required amount of ink is calculated for each print data. Detects that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, and when the required amount of ink corresponding to the first print data is larger than the above remaining amount, other than the print data in which the required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount Since the print order is changed to start printing from the print data of
Print processing can be performed for more print data.

Therefore, even when the remaining amount of ink is low, the printing process can be executed for more print data and the print result can be confirmed.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of ink used when printing the color print data, and the required ink amount is calculated for each color print data and each color And when the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is less than the required amount of ink of the one color in the leading print data, Since the printing order of a plurality of color print data is changed in order to start printing from color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount is larger than the remaining amount, even if the print data is color print data, Printing processing can be performed on color print data.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of ink usable for printing is detected, the required amount of ink is calculated for each print data, and the remaining amount of ink is set to the reference remaining amount. When the amount of ink is less than the required amount, the printing order of a plurality of print data is changed and printing is performed in order to print in order from the print data with the smaller required ink amount. Processing can be continued, and print processing can be performed on more print data.

Therefore, even when the remaining amount of ink is low, the printing process can be executed for more print data and the print result can be confirmed.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, according to claim 3,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when printing the color print data, and the required ink amount is calculated for each color print data and each color At the same time, when the remaining amount of ink of at least one color among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color, the necessary ink amount corresponding to the one color is reduced. Since the printing order of the plurality of color print data is changed so that printing is performed in order from the smallest color print data, even when the print data is the color print data, the print processing can be performed for more color print data.

According to the invention described in claim 5, according to claim 3,
Or, in addition to the effect of the invention described in 4, since the reference remaining amount is the necessary ink amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter, the remaining ink amount is the necessary ink remaining amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter. The process of exchanging print data is not started until the volume becomes sufficient, so that unnecessary exchanging process is not performed, and the user who executes the printing process is less likely to be confused.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing is detected, the required amount of ink is calculated for each print data, and the remaining amount of ink is set to the first print data. When the required ink amount corresponding to the leading print data is larger than the remaining amount, the printing is started from print data other than the print data having the required ink amount larger than the remaining amount. Since the printing is performed with the printing order changed as much as possible, printing processing can be performed on more print data.

Therefore, even when the remaining amount of ink becomes small, the printing process can be executed for more print data and the print result can be confirmed.

According to the invention described in claim 7, according to claim 6,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of ink used when printing the color print data, and the required ink amount is calculated for each color print data and each color And when the remaining amount of ink of at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is less than the required amount of ink of the one color in the leading print data, Since the printing order of a plurality of color print data is changed in order to start printing from color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount is larger than the remaining amount, even if the print data is color print data, Printing processing can be performed on color print data.

According to the present invention, the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing is detected, the required amount of ink is calculated for each print data, and the remaining amount of ink is set to the reference remaining amount. When the amount of ink is less than the required amount, the printing order of a plurality of print data is changed and printing is performed in order to print in order from the print data with the smaller required ink amount. Processing can be continued, and print processing can be performed on more print data.

Therefore, even when the remaining amount of the ink becomes small, the printing process can be executed for more print data, and the print result can be confirmed.

According to the invention of claim 9, according to claim 8,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the remaining amount of the ink is detected for each color of the ink used when printing the color print data, and the required ink amount is calculated for each color print data and each color At the same time, when the remaining amount of ink of at least one color among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color, the necessary ink amount corresponding to the one color is reduced. Since the printing order of the plurality of color print data is changed so that printing is performed in order from the smallest color print data, even when the print data is the color print data, the print processing can be performed for more color print data.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the eighth or ninth aspect, the reference remaining amount is the required amount of ink in the print data to be printed first thereafter. The print data exchange process is not started until the remaining amount of the print data reaches the required ink amount of the print data to be printed first, so that the unnecessary exchange process is not performed and the print process is executed. People are less confused.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing is detected, the required amount of ink is calculated for each print data, and the remaining amount of ink is set to the first print data. When the required ink amount corresponding to the leading print data is larger than the remaining amount, the printing is started from print data other than the print data having the required ink amount larger than the remaining amount. Since the printing is performed with the printing order changed as much as possible, printing processing can be performed on more print data.

Therefore, even when the remaining amount of ink becomes small, it is possible to execute the printing process for more print data and check the print result.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the eleventh aspect, the remaining amount of the ink for each color of ink used when printing the color print data is provided. And calculates the required amount of ink for each color print data and for each color, and among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color, the remaining amount of ink of at least one color is determined by the one in the top print data. When the required ink amount for one color is less than the required ink amount, the printing order in the plurality of color print data is changed so that printing is started from color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount for the one color is larger than the remaining amount. Since the exchange is performed, even when the print data is the color print data, the print processing can be performed on more color print data.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing is detected, the required amount of ink is calculated for each print data, and the remaining amount of ink is set to the reference remaining amount. When the amount of ink is less than the required amount, the printing order of a plurality of print data is changed and printing is performed in order to print in order from the print data with the smaller required ink amount. Processing can be continued, and print processing can be performed on more print data.

Therefore, even when the remaining amount of the ink becomes small, the printing process can be executed for more print data and the print result can be confirmed.

According to the fourteenth aspect, in addition to the effects of the thirteenth aspect, the remaining amount of the ink is determined for each color of ink used when printing color print data. Detecting and calculating the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color, and among the detected ink remaining amounts for each color, the remaining ink amount of at least one color is the reference remaining amount of the one color. When the print data is less than the required amount of ink corresponding to the one color, the printing order in the plurality of color print data is changed so as to perform printing in order from the smaller color print data, so even if the print data is color print data, Printing processing can be performed for more color print data.

According to the fifteenth aspect, in addition to the effects of the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, the reference remaining amount is the required amount of ink in the print data to be printed first thereafter. The print data exchange process is not started until the remaining amount of the print data reaches the required ink amount of the print data to be printed first, so that the unnecessary exchange process is not performed and the print process is executed. People are less confused.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of a data input process.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of bitmap data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a required ink amount calculation process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of a printing process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a data rearrangement process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a first modification of the data rearranging process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a second modification of the data rearrangement process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 2 ... Control part 3 ... Printing part 4 ... Computer 21 ... CPU 22 ... Input interface 23 ... Bus 24 ... ROM 24a ... Data conversion program 24b ... Ink required amount calculation program 24c ... Ink remaining amount determination program 24d ... Data re- Layout program 25 RAM 25a Data storage area 25b Work area 26 Output interface 31 Ink remaining amount measuring section S Printing system Sd Print data signal Sbm Bitmap data signal Sc Detection signal

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of ink which can be used for printing, and a necessary ink amount which is an amount of the ink necessary when printing a plurality of print data to be printed. Calculating means for calculating for each of the print data, detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required ink amount in the first print data which is the print data to be printed first thereafter, When the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required amount of ink in the head print data, a plurality of the print data are set to start printing from the print data other than the print data in which the required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount. Replacing means for changing the printing order in, printing means for printing each of the print data using the ink, according to the changed printing order, Print control apparatus, characterized in that it comprises. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color, and the ink remaining amount detecting unit prints the color print data respectively. Detecting the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used at the time, the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each of the color print data and for each of the colors, It is detected for each of the colors that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink for each color in the top print data. Further, the replacement unit includes, among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color, At least one color ink remaining
When the required ink amount of the one color in the top print data is less than the required ink amount, printing is performed from the color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is larger than the remaining amount. A printing control apparatus wherein the printing order in a plurality of the color print data is changed to start. 3. An ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of ink which can be used for printing, and a required ink amount which is an amount of the ink necessary when printing a plurality of print data to be printed. Calculating means for calculating for each of the print data; detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of ink is smaller than a predetermined reference remaining amount; and setting the remaining amount of ink to the reference remaining amount. When the amount becomes less than the required amount, the required ink amount is replaced by a smaller number of the print data in order to perform printing in a plurality of the print data in order to replace the printing order, according to the replaced printing order, the respective printing data, A printing control device comprising: printing means for printing using the ink. 4. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color, and the ink remaining amount detecting unit prints the color print data respectively. Detecting the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used at the time, the calculating means calculates the required ink amount for each of the color print data and for each of the colors, Detecting, for each of the colors, that the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference remaining amount; and furthermore, the replacement unit determines whether or not at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink for each of the colors is ink. When the remaining amount is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color, the plurality of color printing data are sequentially printed from the color printing data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is small. Print control apparatus characterized by interchanging the print order that. 5. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the reference remaining amount is the required ink amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter. 6. An ink remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of ink usable for printing, and a required ink amount which is an amount of the ink necessary when printing a plurality of print data to be printed. A calculation step of calculating for each of the print data, and a detection step of detecting that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required ink amount in the first print data that is the print data to be printed first thereafter, When the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required amount of ink in the head print data, a plurality of the print data are set to start printing from the print data other than the print data in which the required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount. A replacing step of replacing the printing order in, according to the replaced printing order, a printing step of printing each of the print data using the ink, Printing control method, characterized in that it comprises. 7. The print control method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color, and the color print data is printed in the ink remaining amount detecting step. Detecting the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used at the time, calculating the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color in the calculating step, It is detected for each color that the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink of each color in the top print data. Further, in the replacement step, among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color, When the remaining amount of the ink of at least one color is less than the required ink amount of the one color in the head print data, the amount corresponding to the one color Print control method main ink amount is equal to or to replace the print order in a plurality of the color print data so as to start printing from the color print data other than large the color print data from the remaining amount. 8. An ink remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of ink that can be used for printing, and a required ink amount that is an amount of the ink necessary when printing a plurality of print data to be printed. Calculating for each of the print data; a detecting step for detecting that the remaining amount of the ink is less than a predetermined reference remaining amount; When the amount is less than the required amount, the required ink amount is replaced with a smaller number of the print data in order to perform the printing order in a plurality of the print data, and according to the replaced print order, according to the replaced print order, the respective print data A printing step for printing using the ink. 9. The print control method according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be subjected to color printing, and each of the plurality of print data is printed in the ink remaining amount detecting step. Detecting the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used at the time, calculating the required ink amount for each color print data and for each color in the calculating step, Detecting, for each of the colors, that the remaining amount of ink is less than the reference remaining amount, and furthermore, in the replacing step, at least one of the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color is used for the ink of at least one color. When the remaining amount is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color, a plurality of printing is performed in order from the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is small. Printing control method characterized by switching the printing order of the serial color print data. 10. The print control method according to claim 8, wherein the reference remaining amount is the required ink amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter. 11. An ink remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of ink usable for printing by using a computer included in the print control device; Calculating means for calculating the required amount of ink, which is the amount of ink, for each of the print data; the remaining amount of ink being less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, which is the print data to be printed first thereafter; Detecting means for detecting, when the remaining amount of ink is less than the required amount of ink in the first print data, printing is started from the print data other than the print data in which the required amount of ink is larger than the remaining amount. Replacing means for changing the print order in a plurality of the print data, and according to the changed print order, Recording medium print control means for controlling printing using the serial ink, print control program for functioning as is characterized in that it is recorded. 12. A computer-readable recording medium storing the print control program according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color, and a computer functioning as the remaining ink amount detecting means. Detects the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used when printing the color print data, and the computer functioning as the calculating means, for each of the color print data and for each of the colors Calculating the required ink amount, the computer functioning as the detecting unit detects, for each of the colors, that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the required ink amount of each color in the head print data, The computer functioning as a replacement unit is a computer that has at least one color ink among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color. When the remaining amount, becomes the required amount of ink less than the one color in the top print data,
A printing method, wherein the printing order in a plurality of the color print data is changed to start printing from the color print data other than the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is larger than the remaining amount. A recording medium on which a control program is recorded. 13. A computer included in a print control device, comprising: an ink remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of ink usable for printing; Calculating means for calculating a required ink amount, which is an amount of ink, for each of the print data; detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined reference remaining amount set in advance; When the remaining amount is less than the reference remaining amount, a switching unit that switches a printing order in a plurality of the printing data so as to perform printing in order from the printing data in which the required ink amount is small, and according to the changed printing order. A printing control program for functioning as printing control means for controlling printing of each piece of the printing data using the ink. Recording medium 14. A recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 13 is recorded, wherein the plurality of print data are color print data to be printed in color, and a computer functioning as the remaining ink amount detecting means. Detects the remaining amount of the ink for each color of the ink used when each of the color print data is printed, and the computer functioning as the calculating means is configured for each of the color print data and each of the colors. The computer that functions as the detecting means calculates the required ink amount, detects that the remaining amount of the ink is less than the reference remaining amount for each of the colors, and further includes a computer that functions as the replacing means. Among the detected remaining amounts of ink for each color, the remaining amount of ink of at least one color is less than the reference remaining amount of the one color. A print control program is recorded, wherein the printing order in a plurality of the color print data is changed so as to perform printing in order from the color print data in which the required ink amount corresponding to the one color is small. Recording medium. 15. A recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 13 is recorded, wherein the reference remaining amount is the required ink amount in the print data to be printed first thereafter. Recording medium on which a print control program to be executed is recorded.