JPH1199670A - Print controller and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent interruption of the print operation, occurrence of missing in the way of operation or output of a print medium on which an image of totally different tone is formed when deficiency in the residual quantity of printing agent is detected in the way of print operation. SOLUTION: The method for preparing a data suitable for the print operation of a dot printer from a data to be printed comprises a step (S16) for determining a quantity of printing agent required for printing that data, a step (S17) for acquiring the residual quantity information of printing agent from a printer, and a step (S19) for regulating the data such that formation of dot using the printing agent is controlled by decimating the data, for example, when the residual quantity is deficient.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control apparatus and method for a printing apparatus for performing printing by applying a printing agent such as ink or toner to a printing medium, and a printing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a printing apparatus runs out of a printing agent (ink, toner, ink ribbon, etc.) during a printing operation, the printing apparatus continues the printing operation or interrupts the printing operation. It is controlled so as to notify the user of the fact and wait for the replenishment of the printing agent. Also, when the printing operation is started, there is a remaining amount of the printing agent, but if it is detected that the amount is equal to or less than the specified value, control is performed so that the printing operation is not started until the printing agent is replenished. Some were done.

[0003]

However, in these conventional examples, when the printing operation is continued without the printing agent, a printing medium on which no printing is performed or a printing medium in which an image is partially missing is not printed. In a printing device that outputs a medium or performs color recording, a print medium on which an image completely different from the original color is formed is output from the middle, and as a result, the print medium becomes useless. The problem arises.

When the remaining amount of the printing agent falls below a specified value, the printer waits for replenishment. If the amount of printing corresponding to the remaining amount is sufficient or the print quality is determined. Even if it does not exist, the operator is forced to replenish, and if the replenishing printing agent cannot be prepared immediately, the standby state cannot be released and the printing operation cannot be continued. There is also the problem of getting lost.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and for that purpose, a print control apparatus or method according to the present invention uses a printing apparatus for performing printing by forming dots. Means for preparing data suitable for the printing apparatus to perform a printing operation from data to be printed, and means for obtaining remaining amount information of a printing agent for performing the printing operation from the printing apparatus or Step, means or step for determining the amount of printing agent required to print the data to be printed, and comparing the amount and the remaining amount,
Means for adjusting the data so that the formation of the dots using the printing agent is controlled when the remaining amount is insufficient.

Here, the print control apparatus or method includes:
The data and the remaining amount information may be exchanged with the printing apparatus via communication means.

Further, when the shortage of the printing agent is detected, a means or a step for notifying the detection can be provided.

The means or step for determining the amount of the printing agent may include a means or step for estimating the amount by determining the number of dots formed based on the data to be printed.

Here, the estimating means or step may include means or steps for estimating the total number of dots corresponding to the entirety from the number of dots corresponding to a part of the print target data.

[0010] In the above, the data adjusting means or step can perform adjustment so that the number of dots formed by using the insufficient printing agent is reduced.

Alternatively, for a printing apparatus capable of performing printing using a plurality of printing agents having different color tones, the data adjustment means or step should be formed using the insufficient printing agent. Adjustments can be made so that the dots are formed using other alternative printing agents.

Alternatively, for a printing apparatus capable of performing printing using a plurality of printing agents having different color tones, the data adjusting means or the step comprises the steps of: forming a dot formed by using the insufficient printing agent; It is possible to make adjustments so that the number of dots is reduced, and to make adjustments so that the dots to be formed using the insufficient printing agent are formed using another printing agent that can be replaced. it can.

Further, in the above, the adjusting means or the step can perform the adjustment when the preparing means or the step prepares the printing operation adaptation data from the print target data.

Alternatively, the adjusting means or step can perform the adjustment after the preparing means or step prepares the print operation adaptation data from the print target data.

[0015] In addition, in the above, the adjustment means or step can perform the adjustment within a range in which the print quality does not deteriorate.

[0016] In addition, the adjusting means or step determines a priority order of dots to be adjusted,
Adjustments can be made accordingly.

Further, the adjusting means or step can perform the adjustment gradually toward the rear of the data to be printed after the shortage is detected.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is applicable to any one of the above-described print control apparatuses or print control methods, and includes means for detecting the remaining amount of printing agent and means for notifying the remaining amount. I can.

Here, the printing apparatus may be in the form of an ink jet printing apparatus using ink as a printing agent, and furthermore, film energy may be applied to the ink as energy used for discharging the ink. And a print head having an electrothermal conversion element for generating thermal energy.

Further, a print system according to the present invention includes a print control device and a print device according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Example) FIGS. 1 and 2 show, respectively,
1A and 1B are an external view and a system configuration diagram schematically illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. Here, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer serving as a host device that supplies image data relating to printing to the printing device 2 and controls the operation thereof.
U101, ROM 103, RAM 105, external storage device 107 such as a hard disk, printer port 109, C
It has display means 111 such as RT and LCD, and input means 113 such as a keyboard and a pointing device.
The processing procedure described later with reference to FIG. 5 and other application programs are executed.

The printing apparatus 2 controlled by a processing procedure (printer driver) described later with reference to FIG. 5 can be, for example, a serial print type inkjet printer capable of monochrome or color recording.

The host computer 1 and the printing apparatus 2 are connected via a communication cable 3, and commands and print data for controlling the printing apparatus 2 are sent from the host computer 1, while the printing apparatus 2 receives its own operation status. The print processing is executed while the contents of the error and the error are exchanged.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a serial printing type color ink jet printer as an example of the printing apparatus 2 applicable to the system of this embodiment.

In the figure, an ink cartridge 20 containing inks of appropriate colors such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), respectively.
2a, 202b, 202c and 202d are guide shafts 203
Is removably mounted on a carriage 204 that can move in the axial direction. The carriage 204 is connected to a timing belt 223 stretched between pulleys 222 to transmit the driving force from the pulse motor M.
Reciprocate in the direction.

On the other hand, the carriage 204 has print heads 200a, 200b, 200c, and 20 having discharge ports for discharging the respective color inks onto the print medium.
0d is mounted with the surface on which the discharge port is formed facing the print medium P. By driving the pulse motor M to move the carriage 4 in the direction of arrow A, ink is ejected from the print head in accordance with an ejection signal given at a predetermined timing.
A print image is obtained.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 215, 216 and 217, 218 denote transport rollers extending parallel to the guide shaft 203 on the far side and the near side in the drawing of the scanning area of the carriage 204, which are not shown. Driven by the sub-scanning motor, the print medium P is nipped and conveyed. 3
Reference numeral 00 denotes a cap unit provided for each of the print heads, and seals the ejection port forming surface of the print head when the apparatus is not used or when the apparatus is in a recovery operation. 4
01 and 402 are wiping members for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the print head, 403 is a member for cleaning the wiping member 401, and 500 is a cap unit 300 through which ink or the like is ejected from the ejection port of the print head and its vicinity. It is a pump unit for sucking.

Further, the printer 2 has a control unit (not shown) for controlling each unit of the printing apparatus at the time of a printing process, a recovery process, etc., and a detection process for detecting information relating to the ink cartridge 202 described with reference to FIG. And a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving various information to / from the host device 1. The control unit is a main control unit C
In addition to the PU, the CPU including drive processing of each unit, conversion or expansion processing of print data, and transmission / reception processing with the host device 1
May have a ROM storing programs corresponding to various processing procedures executed by the CPU, a RAM provided with a required data development area, a work area, and the like.

In this embodiment, the print heads 200a to 200a
In 200d, in order to discharge ink from a plurality of discharge ports provided in a row, an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy when an applied voltage is supplied is disposed corresponding to the discharge ports. Use something. Then, by applying a drive signal, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer to cause film boiling, and bubbles are formed in a liquid path inside the discharge port, and ink grows from the discharge port due to the growth of the bubble. Discharged.

Further, these print heads may be formed integrally with the ink cartridge (which may be separated from each other) and detachably attached to the carriage 204 at the same time, or may be formed separately and become independent. It may be one that enables detachment. Further, the print head itself may be fixed to the carriage and does not need to be attached or detached.

In addition, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus in which four ink cartridges and four print heads are provided, and which can perform full-color printing by discharging, for example, four colors of ink of yellow, magenta, cyan and black. It goes without saying that the number and form of the ink colors, the ink cartridges, and the print heads are not limited to these.

FIG. 4 is an upper cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge for explaining an example in which an optical means is used as a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge 202. .

In the ink storage section 93 of the ink cartridge 202, an ink remaining amount detection section 96 having two inclined portions 94 and 95 is integrated with the ink storage section 93 to be nearly transparent and to have a very high refractive index with the ink 91. It is made of similar material such as polypropylene,
The main body includes a detector 99 having a light emitting section 97 and a light receiving section 98.
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3A, ink 91 is provided at a position facing the detector 99, and two slope portions 94 and 95 are provided.
When the ink 91 is full around the inside, the refractive index of the ink 91 and the refractive index of the material of the ink remaining amount detecting unit 96 are very close, so that the light emitting unit 97 irradiates the inclined surface 94. There is substantially no light reflection, and the irradiation light travels in the direction indicated by arrow h. Further, as the ink consumption progresses, the two slope portions 9 are formed.
When the ink 91 is no longer present around the inner sides of the ink tanks 4 and 95, the refractive index of air and the refractive index of the material of the ink remaining amount detecting unit 96 are different as shown in FIG. The light radiated from the portion 97 to the slope portion 94 is reflected here and travels in the direction of arrow i. After being reflected by the slope portion 95, it travels in the direction of arrow j and reaches the light receiving portion 98. Then, by converting the difference in the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 98 into an electric signal by a known photoelectric conversion method, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the ink 91 at the detector installation site.

Accordingly, the remaining amount detecting section 96 is extended in an appropriate range in the vertical direction of the ink cartridge 202, and an appropriate number of the detectors 99 are provided along the range, or the detectors 99 are set in the range. By making it possible to scan along the line, or by forming the detector 99 in the form of a line sensor, it is possible to continuously detect the remaining amount of ink, and to notify the host computer 1 of this.

As an arrangement for detecting the remaining amount of ink, it is needless to say that an appropriate system such as a float system or a capacitance system can be used in addition to the optical system as shown in FIG. No.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the printer driver in the system of this embodiment.

To start printing, first, an initialization command and a printing start command are transmitted to the printer 2 (steps S11 and S12). As a result, if the printer 2 does not notify the printer 2 of error information such as the off-line state or the absence of the print medium, the image data for printing is changed by a predetermined amount (for example, for one band or one line in the head main scanning direction). While supplying the image data to the printer 2, the printing operation is executed until the image data is completed (step S13).

In the printing operation, first, for example, 8-bit color image data for each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is received from the application program which has started the printing process in a predetermined printing unit (step). S14) The approximate amount of ink used when forming an image with the color ink of the printer 2 is estimated (step S15). The approximate value of the ink usage is calculated by extracting several areas from a predetermined printing unit and performing an operation based on the value of each pixel included therein.

For example, an area a (10 × 1
0 = 100 pixels), the ink usage amount (Ya, Ma, Ca) of each color ink Y, M, C, K of the printer 2
, Ka) can be approximated by the following equation:

[0042]

Y = 100− (ΔB) / 255, m = 100− (ΔG) / 255, c = 100− (ΔR) / 255 Ka = min (y, m, c), Ya = y−Ka, Ma = m-Ka, Ca = c-Ka Similarly, Y, M,
The number of C and K ink dots can be roughly estimated, and the results can be used to estimate the number of each color dot in the entire predetermined unit.
When the number of dots can be estimated in this way, by multiplying this by the amount of ink per dot, an approximate value of the amount of ink used for each color in the predetermined unit can be obtained. Further, the average use amount q of each color ink of the unit printed up to that time is calculated.

When the amount of ink used is obtained, the printer driver inquires the printer 2 about the remaining amount of each color ink, and obtains a response (step S16). And
Assuming that each of the obtained ink remaining amounts is Q, and if there are r unprinted areas of the page related to the print in print units, the Q is compared with q × r (step S17). For example, if Q ≧ q × r, normal binarization processing without any restriction is performed (step S20).

On the other hand, when Q <q × r, s / r
(S: Insufficient amount of ink) is set as a reduction target per printing unit, and the generation of dots is suppressed during binarization to suppress ink consumption (step S18). At this time, if only the dot thinning for the insufficient ink is performed, the color tone of the entire image may be changed. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately perform the thinning process for the inks of other colors. Also,
If thinning and binarization are performed immediately after the detection of the ink shortage, and it is considered that a change in tint or color density may be conspicuous at the boundary between the previous and next printing units, the direction toward the rear end of the image is considered. It is only necessary to add restrictions gradually.

Further, for example, an image 31 as shown in FIG.
In the case of printing, the first candidate to be thinned out is shown in FIG.
The non-edge portion 33 of the image shown in FIG.
May be binarized without being thinned. Here, the non-edge portion 33 refers to a pixel in which pixels vertically and horizontally adjacent to each other have the same color. If the remaining amount of ink is still insufficient even if all the non-edge portions 33 are thinned out, binarization may be performed by appropriately thinning out the inside of the edge portion that is continuous vertically and horizontally. According to such processing,
In particular, it is possible to prevent the thinning from making it difficult to distinguish characters and the like.

In particular, in the case of ink jet printing, since the dots spread due to the permeation of ink into paper or the like as a print medium, even if the non-edge portion 33 is thinned out, a decrease in image quality is less noticeable and is advantageous.
In addition, since the spread of the dots depends on the type of the print medium and the like, the information can be used to appropriately thin out the dots.

When the binarization in a predetermined unit is completed as described above, the binarized data is converted into a raster command that can be printed by the printer 2 (step S19).
This is transmitted to the printer 2 (step S22).

Then, in step S1 until it is determined in step S13 that there is no more data to be printed.
The processing after step 4 is repeated, and if the determination is made, a print end command is transmitted to the printer 2 (step S22). Subsequently, the shortage of the remaining ink amount is determined in step S1.
7 to determine whether or not it has been detected (step S2).
3) If detected, the operator is informed that the remaining amount of ink is exhausted by displaying on the display means 11 or generating a warning sound (step S24), and a series of processing is ended.

That is, when the operator does not perform ink replenishment, printing is performed while adjusting the amount of use of the remaining ink. In this case, the print image gradually becomes thinner. However, the operator can know the necessity of ink replenishment from the notification in step S24 and the thinness of the print, so that the ink is completely lost, an image is missing from the middle, or the color tone is completely different from the original color. The inconvenience of outputting a print medium on which an image is formed can be prevented beforehand.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if it is detected that the remaining amount of ink becomes small during the printing operation, the printing is continued without interruption and the data is Printing is performed while adjusting the ink consumption by properly thinning out the print media, so that the print media on which an image completely different from the original color is formed is not output, and the print media is wasted. The inconvenience of becoming complicated can be prevented. Further, the inconvenience that the error cannot be canceled and no printing can be performed despite the ink remaining amount can be solved. Further, in the case where the print quality is not limited, the operator can be allowed to use the ink tank or the ink cartridge in which the remaining amount of the ink is small, for example, to perform the test printing.

(Second Example) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, the same system configuration (FIGS. 1 to 4) as in the first example can be adopted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the printer driver in the system of this embodiment.
Steps S41 to S4 basically similar to steps S11 to S17 and steps S19 to S24 in FIG.
7 and a procedure including steps S49 to S54, while step S18 in FIG. 5 in which dot thinning is performed is replaced by step S48 that performs the following processing.

In other words, in the first example, ink dots that are insufficient are thinned out, but in this example, dots that require the insufficient ink are formed using ink instead of the insufficient ink. For example, a color ink jet printer generally uses four color inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). The dot formation is performed by overlapping the C ink.

At this time, as in the case of the first example, the replacement of the ink is performed gradually, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the replacement is preferentially performed from the non-edge portion 33 of the image. Controls the valuation process. At this time, binarization control is performed in consideration of the remaining amount of ink to be substituted, and when substitution becomes difficult, thinning-out binarization processing similar to the first example can be performed. Alternatively, some of the dots may be supplemented by substitution after thinning out first.

Another example of such a substitution is as follows:
In addition to Y, M, C, K, R (red), G (green),
In a printer with B (blue) ink, Y + M instead of R, C + Y instead of G, M + instead of B
The dot formation can be performed using the C ink. Also, in a printer having two or more types of dark and light inks of the same color but different densities, overprinting of light ink is used together when dark ink is insufficient, and dark ink dots are mixed when light ink is insufficient. By doing so, it is possible to cope with a shortage of the remaining amount of ink.

In this embodiment, if a shortage of ink is detected, the fact is presented to the operator (step S5).
4) If the operator does not perform ink replenishment, printing is performed while adjusting the amount of use of the remaining ink, but in the case of this example, even if the ink is completely consumed, However, if the substitute ink exists, printing can be continued without deteriorating the image quality.

In the above two examples, dots are reduced or replaced when the print data is converted into a data string that can be printed by a printing device such as an ink-jet printer. After conversion into a row, dot reduction or replacement may be performed.

(Others) The present invention is not limited to the above-described ink jet printing apparatus using ink as a printing agent, but can be applied to various apparatuses such as a printing apparatus using an ink ribbon and a printing apparatus using toner. is there.

Although there are various types of ink jet recording (printing) apparatuses, means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ink ejection is used. The present invention provides an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to a so-called on-demand type. In particular, it corresponds to recording information on an electrothermal transducer disposed in correspondence with a sheet holding a liquid (ink) or a liquid path. Generating heat energy in the electrothermal transducer by applying at least one drive signal that provides a rapid temperature rise above nucleate boiling;
This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. The driving signal in the form of a pulse is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,434.
Those described in US Pat. No. 5,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection to the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is mounted on the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus applicable to the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Pre-heating means for heating using a capping means, a cleaning means, a pressure or suction means, an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof for the recording head, and recording Pre-discharge means for performing another discharge can be given.

Regarding the type and number of print heads to be mounted, for example, only one print head is provided corresponding to a single color ink, and a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities are provided as described above. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention is not limited to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as a computer.
A copying machine combined with a reader or the like, or a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function may be used.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if it is detected that the remaining amount of the printing agent is low during the printing operation, the printing is continued without interruption, and in the printing, the dot formation is appropriately controlled to reduce the ink consumption. Since printing is performed while adjusting, there is no inconvenience that the print medium is wasted without dropping out of the way or output of a print medium on which an image completely different from the original color is formed. Can be prevented. Further, the inconvenience that the error cannot be canceled and no printing can be performed despite the remaining amount of the printing agent can be solved. Further, in the case where the print quality does not matter, the operator can accept a usage such as performing a test print using a printing agent having a small remaining amount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view schematically showing one embodiment of a print system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram schematically illustrating an embodiment of the print system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an inkjet printing apparatus applicable to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of an ink remaining amount detection unit applicable to the printing apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a printer driver according to an embodiment of the print system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a dot configuration of an image related to printing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining an aspect of dot thinning for the image data of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a printer driver according to another embodiment of the print system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Printing apparatus 3 Communication cable 31 Image 32 Image edge part 33 Image non-edge part 91 Ink 93 Ink storage part 99 Ink detector 101 CPU 109 Printer port 200 Print head 202 Ink cartridge 204 Carriage

Claims (30)

[Claims] A means for preparing data suitable for the printing apparatus to perform a printing operation from printing target data for a printing apparatus that performs printing by forming dots; and performing the printing operation from the printing apparatus. Means for obtaining remaining amount information of the printing agent to be performed; means for obtaining the amount of printing agent required for printing the print target data; comparing the amount with the remaining amount; And a means for adjusting the data so that the formation of the dots using the printing agent is controlled. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus is connected to the print apparatus via a communication unit to exchange the data and the remaining amount information. 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for notifying when the shortage of the printing agent is detected. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for calculating the amount of the printing agent includes means for estimating the amount by obtaining the number of dots formed based on the print target data. The print control device according to any one of the above. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said estimating means has means for estimating the total number of dots corresponding to the entirety from the number of dots corresponding to a part of the print target data.
3. The print control device according to claim 1. 6. The data adjustment unit according to claim 1, wherein the data adjustment unit performs adjustment so that the number of dots formed by using the insufficient printing agent is reduced. Print control device. 7. In a printing apparatus capable of performing printing using a plurality of printing agents having different color tones, the data adjustment unit determines that dots to be formed by using the insufficient printing agent. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment is performed so that the print control is performed by using another print agent that can be replaced. 8. In a printing apparatus capable of performing printing using a plurality of printing agents having different color tones, the data adjustment unit determines the number of dots formed using the insufficient printing agent. And making adjustments so that the dots to be formed using the insufficient printing agent are formed using other alternative printing agents. Claim 1
6. The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 9. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit performs the adjustment before the preparation unit prepares the print operation matching data from the print target data. Control device. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit performs the adjustment after the preparation unit prepares the print operation matching data from the print target data.
9. The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 11. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit performs the adjustment within a range in which print quality does not deteriorate. 12. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit determines a priority order of dots to be adjusted, and performs the adjustment according to the priority order. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means performs the adjustment gradually toward the rear of the data to be printed after the shortage is detected.
The print control device according to any one of the above. 14. A printing apparatus for printing by forming dots, a step of preparing data suitable for the printing apparatus to perform a printing operation from data to be printed, and performing the printing operation from the printing apparatus. Obtaining the remaining amount information of the printing agent to be performed; obtaining the amount of the printing agent required to print the print target data; comparing the amount with the remaining amount; Adjusting the data so that the formation of the dots using the printing agent is controlled. 15. The print control method according to claim 14, wherein the data and the remaining amount information are exchanged with the printing device via a communication unit. 16. The print control method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of notifying when the shortage of the printing agent is detected. 17. The step of determining the amount of the printing agent,
17. The print control method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of estimating the amount by obtaining the number of dots formed based on the print target data. 18. The print control method according to claim 17, wherein the estimating step includes a step of estimating the total number of dots corresponding to the entirety from the number of dots corresponding to a part of the print target data. . 19. The data adjustment step according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment is performed such that the number of dots formed using the insufficient printing agent is reduced. Print control method. 20. A printing apparatus capable of printing using a plurality of printing agents having different color tones.
15. The data adjustment step according to claim 14, wherein the dots to be formed using the insufficient printing agent are adjusted so as to be formed using another printing agent that can be replaced. 19. The print control method according to any one of items 18. 21. A printing apparatus capable of printing using a plurality of printing agents having different color tones.
In the data adjustment step, adjustment is performed so that the number of dots formed using the insufficient printing agent is reduced, and dots to be formed using the insufficient printing agent are replaced. 19. The print control method according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment is performed so as to be formed using another possible printing agent. 22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting step performs the adjustment before the preparing step prepares the print operation matching data from the print target data.
22. The print control method according to any one of 4 to 21. 23. The adjustment step according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment is performed after the preparation step prepares the print operation matching data from the print target data.
22. The print control method according to any one of 4 to 21. 24. The print control method according to claim 14, wherein in the adjustment step, the adjustment is performed within a range where print quality does not deteriorate. 25. The print control method according to claim 14, wherein in the adjusting step, a priority order of dots to be adjusted is determined, and the adjustment is performed in accordance with the priority order. 26. The method according to claim 14, wherein, in the adjusting step, after the shortage is detected, the adjustment is performed gradually toward the rear of data to be printed.
6. The print control method according to any one of 5. 27. A printing apparatus applicable to the print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or the print control method according to any one of claims 14 to 26, wherein the remaining amount of the printing agent is determined. A printing apparatus comprising: means for detecting; and means for notifying the remaining amount. 28. The printing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the printing apparatus has a form of an ink jet printing apparatus using ink as a printing agent. 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein a print head having an electrothermal conversion element for generating thermal energy for causing film boiling of the ink is used as energy used for discharging the ink. Printing device. 30. A printing system comprising: the printing control device according to claim 1; and the printing device according to claim 27.