JP2007080090A - Image recording system, setting method and setting program for image recording device, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a load of setting for image output intended by a user to reduce a setting error, in the setting of a recording device. <P>SOLUTION: In this image recording system, the kind of a recording medium acquired from the recording device is transmitted to a host device, a setting screen is displayed in a first (or foreground) screen of a monitor of the host device according to the kind to prompt the user to set a parameter, and print data are generated on the basis of the set parameter, to be outputted to a printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for setting image recording conditions on a recording medium in an image recording system.

  When outputting a recorded image from a host apparatus using an image recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus), it is necessary to set parameters for many items. Items include recording medium type, recording quality, color adjustment, recording medium size, printing direction, bordered / none, printing order, stamp, background, special settings (monochromatic, vividness, noise reduction, smoothing, etc. Processing setting). In particular, in an ink jet printer capable of recording on various types of recording media, it is important to perform recording settings correctly because ink permeation and fixing characteristics on the recording surface of the recording medium differ from recording medium to recording medium.

  The parameters are set by the user using a keyboard, mouse, or the like using a setting screen displayed on the display unit of the host device by software (printer driver) installed in the host device that generates print data to be input to the recording device. Done. Since the items that need to be set are various as described above, for example, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, there is a user interface in which a setting screen is divided for each function classification of setting contents and can be switched by a tab or the like. Used.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a setting screen on the “basic setting” tab. In the “basic setting” tab, “paper type (recording medium type)” and “print quality” are set. As “paper type”, for example, plain paper or photographic paper is prepared as an option, and as “print quality”, a plurality of options (“standard”, “fast”, etc.) depending on use / non-use of multi-pass recording are prepared. Has been. FIG. 15 shows a setting screen for “color adjustment”, which is used to set color balance adjustment and color matching method during recording. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a setting screen in the “page setting” tab. In the “page setting” tab, “paper size”, “printing type”, and “number of copies” are set. The “print type” is an item for designating a print type, such as “same size print”, “fit page print”, “enlarged / reduced print”, and “assignment print”. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a setting screen on the “stamp / background” tab. In the “Stamp / Background” tab, characters such as “confidential” used as a background of printing paper, a logo mark, and the like are designated. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a setting screen in the “special effect” tab. The “special effect” tab is an item for designating the presence / absence of image processing such as “single color effect” for recording an image as a monochromatic color such as sepia and “Vivid photo” for setting vividness.

  For example, when printing document data treated as confidential, the user designates plain paper in “basic settings” and designates the size of the recording medium in “page settings”. Furthermore, layout printing (Nup printing) and the number of copies are designated, and characters such as confidential are designated as stamps in “stamp / background”. That is, it is necessary to select and set three tabs in order. On the other hand, when printing photographic image data by a digital still camera (DSC), the user designates photographic paper in “basic settings” and performs color adjustment settings. Further, the “page setting” specifies the size of the recording medium, the full borderless printing, and the number of recording copies, and the “special effect” sets whether to perform various image processing. That is, it is necessary to select and set three tabs in order. In order to achieve better color balance and the like, a detailed screen for color adjustment is displayed and set. That is, in any case, the user needs to make settings on a plurality of setting screens.

  Conventionally, since a user who is used to using a personal computer (PC) has been a main user of the recording apparatus, the above setting operation can be performed without any problem. However, with the recent spread of PCs and higher image quality and lower prices of recording devices, the number of novice users who are unfamiliar with the handling of PCs is increasing. When such a novice user performs an operation, there is a possibility that an erroneous recording setting is performed, and as a result, the image recording intended by the user cannot be performed. In addition, since there are many setting items and it is necessary to perform setting over a plurality of screens, the burden is increased for the conventional user because the setting is performed.

Therefore, in order to reduce the burden as described above, there is a recording apparatus in which an input unit for inputting print setting information is provided on the recording apparatus side and the setting information of the input unit is transmitted to a host device. At the same time, on the host device side, a technology is disclosed in which print data corresponding to the setting information is generated and transferred to a recording device for printing (Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a recording apparatus having a memory for holding environment setting values corresponding to the special paper designation process. In this recording apparatus, a technique is disclosed in which when a user designates a special sheet on the recording apparatus side, the recording apparatus side automatically sets an optimum environment for the designated special sheet (Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-159962 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-193748

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, print setting information input means is provided in the recording apparatus main body, and only the main body setting value is automatically reflected in software (printer driver) on the host apparatus side. Therefore, although the user's input load can be reduced, when changing an item that is not in the print setting information input means of the recording apparatus main body, the target setting item is searched from the setting items over a plurality of screens and the setting is changed as in the past. There is a need. In other words, there is a problem that the burden is almost the same as in the past.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a special paper is designated by a special paper designating unit provided in the host device or the recording device, an in-table setting value indicating unit provided in the printer. Thus, only the environment setting value for the special paper is instructed. In other words, for items that cannot be satisfied by special paper settings alone (for example, recording quality, paper size, special settings, etc.), it is necessary to find the target setting item from multiple setting items and change the setting, as described above. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing a setting load for performing image output intended by a user and setting errors in setting a recording apparatus. It is said.

  An image recording system comprising an image recording device and a host device for generating print data used for recording in the image recording device, the image recording device comprising: an input means for inputting print data from the host device; A discriminating unit for discriminating a type of a recording medium to be used; a transmitting unit for transmitting type information to the host device; the host device receiving the type information from the transmitting unit; and the recording medium Display means for displaying various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data according to the type of the recording medium, and a recording medium used for recording based on the type information from the various setting screens Display control means for controlling the setting screen corresponding to the type of display to be displayed at the beginning or foreground of the display screen, and instructions for receiving instructions from the user for setting parameters An input means, and having an output means for outputting the generated print data to the print data on the basis of the set parameters based on the instruction accepted by the instruction input unit in the recording apparatus.

  The discriminating means includes a switch for selectively setting the type of the recording medium by the user.

  Alternatively, the determining means includes a sensor that automatically determines the type of the recording medium set in the image recording apparatus.

  Alternatively, the image recording apparatus further includes a plurality of paper feed ports corresponding to each of a plurality of types of recording media, and the determination unit determines the type of the image recording medium according to the paper feed port on which the recording medium is set. To do.

  Further, the image recording apparatus mounts a cassette in which a specific type of recording medium among a plurality of types of recording media is set in a specific paper feeding port among the plurality of paper feeding ports, and the determination unit determines mounting of the cassette. It is characterized by.

  The cassette is provided with a manual switch for instructing the image recording apparatus to select a paper feed port to be used.

  In particular, the image recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus.

  A setting method in which a host device that generates print data used by an image recording apparatus that performs recording on a selected recording medium sets parameters used when generating print data, and is transmitted from the image recording apparatus The host device displays various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data corresponding to the type of the recording medium and the receiving process for receiving the selected recording medium type information A display process for displaying on the screen, and a display control process for controlling the setting screen corresponding to the type of the recording medium used for recording based on the type information from various setting screens to be displayed at the beginning or foreground of the display screen; An instruction input process for receiving an instruction from the user for parameter setting, and a parameter set based on the instruction received in the instruction input process. There to generate print data, and wherein the print data to an output step for outputting to said image recording apparatus.

  A host computer that generates print data used by an image recording apparatus that records on a selected recording medium is a setting program for setting parameters used when generating print data, and is transmitted from the image recording apparatus Program code for executing the receiving process for receiving the selected recording medium type information, and various parameters for setting the print data corresponding to the recording medium type. Program code for executing the display process for displaying the setting screen on the display screen of the host device, and the setting screen corresponding to the type of recording medium used for recording based on the type information from the various setting screens Program code for executing the display control process for controlling to display the first or foreground, and the user for setting parameters Output for generating print data based on a program code for executing an instruction input process for receiving an instruction and parameters set based on the instruction received in the instruction input process, and outputting the print data to the image recording apparatus And a program code for executing the process.

  The present invention also provides a setting method for setting parameters used when generating the print data in an image recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium in accordance with the print data, the selection for selecting the type of recording medium to be recorded And a display step for displaying various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data, wherein the display step is a predetermined type of recording medium in the selection step. The setting screen to be displayed is different depending on whether or not is selected and when another type of recording medium is selected.

  According to the present invention, in the setting of the recording apparatus, it is possible to reduce a setting load for performing image output intended by the user, and to reduce setting mistakes.

  In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

<Overview>
In this embodiment, a system including an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) capable of recording on a plurality of types of recording media and a host apparatus for generating image data input to the recording apparatus is used. explain. Based on the recording medium type information acquired from the recording apparatus main body, the host apparatus displays a setting screen prepared for each recording medium type. By doing so, the user can complete the setting on a single setting screen, and the burden on the user is reduced.

<Internal structure of inkjet recording apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. The chassis 104 housed in the exterior member of the recording apparatus is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having a predetermined rigidity and constitutes the skeleton of the recording apparatus, and holds the following recording operation mechanisms. To do. The automatic feeding unit 105 automatically feeds paper (recording medium) into the apparatus main body. The transport unit 106 guides the sheets sent from the automatic feeding unit 105 one by one to a predetermined recording position, and guides the sheet from the recording position to the discharge unit 107. An arrow Y is the paper transport direction (sub-scanning direction). A desired recording is performed on the sheet conveyed to the recording position by the recording unit. Recovery processing is performed on the recording unit by the recovery unit 115. 101 is a paper interval adjusting lever, and 103 is a bearing of the LF roller 102.

  In the recording unit, the carriage 111 is supported by the carriage shaft 114 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow X (main scanning direction). An ink jet recording head 201 (see FIG. 2) capable of ejecting ink is detachably mounted on the carriage 111.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording head cartridge used in the recording apparatus of FIG.

  The recording head 201 of this embodiment forms a recording head cartridge 200 together with an ink tank 202 that stores ink. As the ink tank 202, for example, an independent ink tank containing black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks is prepared in order to enable photographic-tone high-quality color recording. . Each of these ink tanks 202 is detachable from the recording head 201.

  The recording head 201 may use thermal energy generated from the electrothermal converter as energy for ejecting ink. In that case, film boiling occurs in the ink due to the heat generated by the electrothermal transducer, and the ink is ejected from the ink ejection port by the foaming energy at that time.

  The recovery unit 115 includes a cap (not shown) that caps the ink discharge port formation surface of the recording head 201. A suction pump capable of introducing a negative pressure into the cap may be connected to the cap. In that case, a negative pressure is introduced into the cap covering the ink discharge port of the recording head 201, and the ink is sucked and discharged from the ink discharge port to maintain a good ink discharge state of the recording head 201. Recovery processing (also referred to as “suction recovery processing”) can be performed. Further, a recovery process (also referred to as “ejection recovery process”) is performed in order to maintain a good ink discharge state of the recording head 201 by discharging ink that does not contribute to image recording from the ink discharge port toward the inside of the cap. can do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 111 is provided with a carriage cover 112 for guiding the recording head 201 to a predetermined mounting position on the carriage 111. Further, the carriage 111 is provided with a head set lever 113 that engages with a tank holder of the recording head 201 to set the recording head 201 at a predetermined mounting position. The head set lever 113 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to a head set lever shaft located at the upper part of the carriage 111, and a spring-biased head set plate is provided at an engaging portion that engages with the recording head 201. (Not shown) is provided. With the spring force, the head set lever 113 is mounted on the carriage 111 while pressing the recording head 201.

  When recording, first, the print data sent from the external I / F is temporarily stored in the print buffer. Then, while the recording head 201 is moved in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 111 by a carriage (CR) motor, recording is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head 201 based on the print data. At the same time, a line feed (LF) motor performs a transport operation for transporting a predetermined amount of paper (also referred to as a recording medium or medium) in a direction (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the main scanning direction. By repeating the recording scan in the main scanning direction of the carriage and the conveying operation in the sub-scanning direction of the paper, images are sequentially recorded on the paper. At this time, when importance is attached to the recording speed, one raster is recorded by one scan with the line feed amount as much as the recording width of the recording head (this is referred to as “one-pass recording”). To improve image quality at the expense of printing speed, the line feed amount is set to approximately 1 / N (N: integer greater than or equal to 2) of the recording width of the recording head, and one raster is divided into a plurality of scans. (This is called “multi-pass printing”).

  FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the recording apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 300 includes a ROM 302 that stores an MPU 301, a program corresponding to a control sequence to be described later, a required table, and other fixed data. In addition, the controller 300 includes a special application integrated circuit (ASIC) 303 that generates control signals for controlling the carriage motor 341, the transport motor 343, and the recording head 201. Further, the system includes a RAM 304, an MPU 301, an ASIC 303, and a RAM 304 that are provided with an image data development area, a work area for program execution, and the like, and a system bus 305 that exchanges data. In addition, it has an A / D converter 306 that inputs analog signals from the sensor group described below, performs A / D conversion, and supplies digital signals to the MPU 301.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a PC (or a reader for image reading, a digital camera, or the like) serving as a supply source of image data, and is collectively referred to as a host device 310. Image data, commands, status signals, and the like are transmitted and received between the host apparatus 310 and the controller 300 of the recording apparatus via an interface (I / F) 311.

  Further, reference numeral 320 denotes a switch group, which includes switches for receiving a command input from the user. For example, there are a power switch 321 and a print cancel switch 322 for instructing print cancel. Further, a recovery switch 323 for instructing start of processing (recovery processing) for maintaining the ink ejection performance of the recording head 201 in a good state, and a recording medium selection switch 324 for setting a recording medium type on the main body. There is. When the user sets the recording medium in the recording apparatus main body, the user sets the paper type with the recording medium selection switch 324 on the main body. The recording medium selection switch 324 may be realized by software such that the user selects the type of the recording medium by operating the cross button while looking at the small liquid crystal screen.

  In the following, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the recording medium selection switch 324 will be described as having a configuration for switching and specifying two types of plain paper and photographic paper. Of course, it may be configured to select one of a plurality of options such as plain paper, photo paper, glossy paper, and matte paper.

  Reference numeral 330 denotes a sensor group for detecting the apparatus state, a position sensor 331 such as a photocoupler for detecting the home position, and a temperature sensor provided at an appropriate position of the recording apparatus for detecting the environmental temperature. 332 and the like.

  Further, reference numeral 340 denotes a carriage motor driver that drives a carriage motor 341 for reciprocally scanning the carriage 111 along the guide rail 114, and reference numeral 342 denotes a conveyance motor driver that drives a conveyance motor 343 for conveying a recording medium.

  The ASIC 303 transfers drive data (DATA) of the printing element (ejection heater) to the printing head while directly accessing the storage area of the RAM 302 during printing scanning by the printing head 201.

<Internal Configuration of Host Device 310>
FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the host apparatus 310 according to the first embodiment.

  In the following description, the host device 310 is a PC, but it may be a small electronic device such as a PDA (personal digital assistance) or DSC (digital still camera).

  When the host device 310 is turned on, the CPU 401 loads and starts an operating system (OS) from the external storage device 405 such as an HDD to the RAM 403 in accordance with a boot program stored in the ROM 402 connected to the bus 407. After the OS is started, various menus of the OS are displayed on a monitor 409 (CRT or LCD) connected to the I / F 406, and information from the input device 408 including a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse is displayed in the I / F. An instruction is received via F404. When the user gives an instruction using the input device 408, various application programs stored in the external storage device 405 are executed.

  In addition, when the application program is activated, various editing processes are performed by an interactive operation by displaying on the monitor 409 and inputting an instruction from the input device 408. When a print instruction is issued, a print-related program and a printer driver are activated, print data is generated, and is output to the recording device via the I / F 406. The communication between the recording device and the host device 310 may be any I / F. Typical examples include parallel I / F, USB, and network connection (whether wired or wireless).

<Recording condition setting screen>
In this embodiment, as setting screens displayed on the monitor 409 of the host device 310, a plurality of setting screens divided for each recording medium to be used are used instead of a plurality of setting screens divided for each function as in the prior art. Is used. Furthermore, by switching the setting screen that is displayed first (or in the foreground) as the setting screen according to the type of the recording medium acquired from the recording device, the complexity associated with the setting operation is reduced. Hereinafter, it explains in detail using a drawing.

  FIG. 5 shows a setting screen when plain paper is used as the recording medium.

  In “Basic settings (plain paper)”, “paper type”, “print quality”, “paper size”, “output paper size”, “number of copies”, “print orientation”, “page layout”, and “stamp” are arranged as setting items. .

  FIG. 6 shows a setting screen when photographic paper is used as the recording medium.

  In “Basic Settings (Photo Paper)”, “Paper Type”, “Print Quality”, “Paper Size”, “Output Paper Size”, “Number of Copies”, “Print Direction”, “Full Borderless Printing”, “Color Adjustment”, “Special” "Effect" is arranged.

  In other words, the setting screen for each recording medium is a collection of items that are frequently set in each recording medium. Note that the functions related to the respective setting items are the same as those described in the background art, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When recording on plain paper, for example, when printing confidential document data, the user can see that the desired setting can be completed with only one setting screen (FIG. 5). On the other hand, when printing on photographic paper, for example, when printing photographic image data by a digital still camera (DSC), the user may be able to complete desired settings on only one screen of the setting screen (FIG. 6). I understand. Note that setting items that are not arranged on the setting screen in the figure may be configured to be settable on a detailed setting screen (not shown) that appears when the detailed button is pressed.

  In this way, various setting items for recording on the recording medium used for the setting screen displayed at the beginning (or the foreground) are gathered together and the list is high, so not only the setting work is saved. This contributes to a reduction in printing errors due to missing settings. As a result, not only wasteful recording medium and ink consumption can be suppressed, but also setting according to the user's intention is facilitated, so that user satisfaction can be kept high.

  In the above description, the setting screen having the setting content items shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has been described. However, as the setting item, a setting item having a high use frequency can be arbitrarily selected as the setting of the corresponding recording medium. The setting item arrangement information on each setting screen may be incorporated in the printer driver software in advance, or may be set so that the user can configure the setting screen configuration.

  When a plurality of recording devices are connected to one host device, the recording device used for recording is selected on the first screen, and the recording medium of this embodiment is selected after selecting the recording device. It is good also as a structure which displays the setting screen according to.

<Setting flow>
Here, description will be made on the assumption that the host apparatus 310 and the recording apparatus are powered on and are in a standby state (idle state).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the recording operation in this embodiment.

  In step S701, the user sets a recording medium in the automatic feeding unit 105 of the recording apparatus, and sets the recording medium type set by the recording medium selection switch 324.

  In step S <b> 702, for example, a signal for inquiring about the state of the recording medium selection switch 324 is transmitted from the host device 310 to the recording device, triggered by a print instruction in an arbitrary application running on the host device 310 by the user. To do.

  In step S703, the recording apparatus receives the signal transmitted from the host apparatus 310 in step S702, and reads the setting state of the recording medium selection switch 324. Further, the type information of the recording medium is transmitted to the host device 310 from the read setting state.

  In step S704, the host device 310 reads the type information of the recording medium transmitted from the recording device in step S703. Then, the setting screen of either “basic setting (plain paper)” or “basic setting (photo paper)” described above is displayed on the monitor 409 according to the type of the recording medium.

  In step S <b> 705, the host device 310 receives a setting input from the user via the input device 408. When the user finishes setting input and starts printing, the user presses an “OK” button to end the setting. On the other hand, to cancel printing or setting input, press the “Cancel” button. In addition, when pressing of the “Cancel” button is detected, the set parameters are discarded.

  In step S706, when the host apparatus 310 detects that the “OK” button is pressed, the host apparatus 310 generates print data according to the set parameters, and starts output to the recording apparatus.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the setting screen is displayed on the first (or foreground) screen of the monitor of the host device 310 according to the type of the recording medium acquired from the recording device, and the user is prompted to set. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the complexity of setting for performing image output intended by the user in the setting of the recording apparatus, and to reduce setting mistakes.

  In this embodiment, the recording apparatus main body is provided with a recording medium selection switch that can be manually set by the user. However, a recording medium sensor may be provided to automatically determine the recording medium type. In this case, it is possible to save the user from making a selection, and the convenience is further improved. Further, instead of providing a recording medium selection switch in the recording apparatus main body, the user may select a recording medium type with a printer driver of the host apparatus. In this case, information other than the recording medium type can be set by changing the setting screen (FIG. 5 or 6) displayed on the host device according to the recording medium type selected by the user using the printer driver. .

  In the above description, the recording apparatus notifies the set recording medium type information to the host apparatus 310 in accordance with the inquiry from the host apparatus 310, but the recording apparatus autonomously notifies the recording apparatus type information to the host apparatus 310. You may comprise so that it may carry out.

  Further, in this embodiment, the explanation is made when plain paper and photographic paper are used as the recording medium, but of course, the present invention can also be applied when other recording media (such as OHP) are used. Further, the present invention can be applied to an electrophotographic recording apparatus in addition to the ink jet system.

<Overview>
In this embodiment, a system comprising a recording apparatus having a plurality of paper feed openings corresponding to each of a plurality of types of recording media and a host apparatus 310 for generating image data input to the recording apparatus is used. Give an explanation. Based on the paper feed slot information acquired from the recording apparatus main body, the host device 310 determines the type of the recording medium, and displays a setting screen based on the determined recording medium. By doing so, the user can complete the setting on a single setting screen, reducing the complexity of the setting operation.

<Configuration of recording apparatus>
In the first embodiment described above, the type of the recording medium set by the user in the single sheet feeding port is set by the user using the recording medium selection switch 324. In this embodiment, a recording apparatus having two sheet feeding ports, a plain paper feeding port and a photographic paper feeding port, selects a paper feeding port on which a recording medium is set. An example in which the type of recording medium to be used can be determined via the selection switch 1027 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a recording medium feeding port of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment. The user places the recording medium 801 in the paper feed cassette 802 and then attaches it to the recording apparatus main body. The paper feed cassette 802 is provided with a paper feed port selection switch 1027 for using (feeding) one of the recording medium 801 stored in the paper feed cassette 802 and the recording medium set directly on the recording apparatus main body. It has been.

  Note that the recording apparatus main body has a physical contact or an electrical contact at a portion where the paper feed cassette 802 is installed. Using the physical contact or the electrical contact, the recording apparatus main body can read the setting state of the paper feed port selection switch 1027 of the paper feed cassette 802.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another form of paper feed port. The figure shows an example in which a U-turn paper feed cassette 902 dedicated to plain paper is provided on the front surface of the main body. When recording on the recording medium 901 stored in the U-turn paper feeding cassette 902, the fed recording medium 901 is conveyed to the recording unit so as to make a U-turn in the recording apparatus, and an image is formed. .

  The user places the recording medium 901 in the paper feed cassette 902 and then attaches it to the recording apparatus main body. The recording apparatus main body has a physical contact and an electrical contact at a portion where the paper feed cassette 902 is mounted, and this contact plays the same role as the paper feed port selection switch 1027. The recording apparatus main body can detect the attachment / detachment state of the paper feed cassette 902 by using a physical contact or an electrical contact.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

  This configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 3), but has a paper feed port selection switch 1027 for selecting a paper feed port to be used instead of the recording medium selection switch for selecting a recording medium. The point is different. Note that, as described above, the paper feed port selection switch 1027 may be disposed on a paper feed cassette having a separate structure from the recording apparatus main body, or may be disposed on the recording apparatus main body. Further, the paper feed port selection switch 1027 may not be set directly by the user. That is, the paper feed port selection switch 1027 may detect whether or not a paper feed cassette is attached using a physical contact or an electrical contact.

<Setting flow>
Here, description will be made on the assumption that the host apparatus 310 and the recording apparatus are powered on and are in a standby state (idle state). Here, the recording apparatus will be described as having a plurality of paper feed ports as shown in FIG. That is, a paper feed port provided by the paper feed cassette 802 and a paper feed port provided in the recording apparatus main body are provided. Further, it is assumed that the external storage device 405 of the host device 310 stores in advance the relationship information between each paper feed port and the type of recording medium.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the recording operation in this embodiment.

  In step S1101, the user sets a recording medium in the paper feeding port of the recording apparatus main body, and further mounts a paper feeding cassette 802 containing the recording medium 801 in the recording apparatus main body. In addition, the user sets a paper feed port to be used for printing by using the paper feed port selection switch 1027.

  In step S1102, for example, a signal for inquiring about the state of the paper feed port selection switch 1027 from the host apparatus 310 to the recording apparatus is triggered by a print instruction in an arbitrary application running on the host apparatus 310 by the user. Send.

  In step S1103, the recording apparatus receives the signal transmitted from the host apparatus 310 in step S702, and reads the setting state of the paper feed port selection switch 1027. Further, the information on the paper feed port selected from the read setting state is transmitted to the host device 310.

  In step S1104, the host device 310 reads the information on the paper feed port transmitted from the recording device in step S703, and uses the relationship information between the paper feed port and the type of the recording medium stored in the external storage device 405. The type of the recording medium is determined. Thereafter, a setting screen corresponding to the type of the recording medium is displayed.

  For example, it is assumed that the paper feed cassette 409 is associated with photographic paper, and the paper feed port of the recording apparatus main body is associated with plain paper. In this case, when the paper feeding port of the recording apparatus main body is selected as the paper feeding port, “basic setting (plain paper)” is displayed on the monitor 409, and the paper feeding cassette 802 is set as the paper feeding port. Displays “basic settings (photo paper)” on the monitor 409. Note that the user may arbitrarily set the relationship information between each paper feed port and the recording medium.

  In step S <b> 1105, the host device 310 receives a setting input from the user via the input device 408. When the user finishes setting input and starts printing, the user presses an “OK” button to end the setting. On the other hand, to cancel printing or setting input, press the “Cancel” button. In addition, when pressing of the “Cancel” button is detected, the set parameters are discarded.

  In step S1106, when the host apparatus 310 detects that the “OK” button is pressed, the host apparatus 310 generates print data according to the set parameters, and starts output to the recording apparatus.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the setting screen corresponding to the type of the recording medium determined based on the information of the selected paper feed port acquired from the recording apparatus is displayed on the monitor of the host apparatus 310, and the setting is made to the user. Prompt. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the complexity of setting for performing image output intended by the user in the setting of the recording apparatus, and to reduce setting mistakes.

<Overview>
In this embodiment, a system including an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) capable of recording on a plurality of types of recording media and a host apparatus for generating image data input to the recording apparatus is used. explain. In particular, a setting screen in the host apparatus when performing CD-R printing in the recording apparatus will be described. By doing so, even when printing on a CD-R which is a special recording medium, the user can complete the setting on a single setting screen, and the burden on the user is reduced.

<Configuration of recording apparatus>
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a CD-R tray of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The recording apparatus automatically detects that the CD-R tray 1202 in which the CD-R 1201 as the recording medium is set is set in the CD-R tray guide 1203 attached to the recording apparatus main body. ing. The recording apparatus main body has a physical contact or an electrical contact at a portion where the CD-R tray guide 1203 is mounted. Further, the recording apparatus main body has a physical contact or an electrical contact at a portion where the CD-R tray 1202 is inserted. These physical contacts and electrical contacts also correspond to the paper feed port selection switch 1027. However, the recording apparatus main body is different in that it can automatically recognize that CD-R is selected as the recording medium. Since the other components are substantially the same as those in the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Recording condition setting screen>
FIG. 13 shows a setting screen when a CD-R is used as a recording medium.

  In the “CD-R” setting screen, “paper type”, “print quality”, “paper size”, “output paper size”, “density”, “color adjustment”, and “special effect” are arranged as setting items. In particular, in the “output paper size”, the recording target area of the CD-R that is a recording medium can be set in detail by specifying the outer diameter and inner diameter of the CD-R.

  Note that the setting flow of the recording apparatus in this embodiment is almost the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, a setting screen suitable for CD-R printing is displayed on the monitor of the host device 310 on the basis of the recording medium information (CD-R) acquired from the recording device, and is displayed to the user. Prompt for setting. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the complexity of setting for performing image output intended by the user in the setting of the recording apparatus, and to reduce setting mistakes.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  The present invention is also achieved by supplying a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. The Accordingly, the program code itself installed in the computer in order to realize the functional processing of the present invention by the computer is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, and magnetic tape. Further, there are non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, DVDs (DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs) and the like.

  As a program supply method, the program can be supplied by connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the computer program itself of the present invention from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Further, the program can be supplied not by the computer program itself but by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted and stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed to users. Here, the user who clears the predetermined condition may be configured to download key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Based on the instruction of the written program, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording head cartridge used in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the recording apparatus in FIG. 1. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a host device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. This is a setting screen when plain paper is used as the recording medium. It is a setting screen when using photographic paper as a recording medium. 3 is a flowchart of a recording operation in the image recording system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding port of a recording medium of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another form of a sheet feeding port of a recording medium. 6 is an internal block diagram of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a recording operation in the image recording system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding port of a recording medium of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. It is a setting screen when using a CD-R as a recording medium. It is a figure which shows the setting screen in the conventional "basic setting" tab. It is a figure which shows the setting screen for the conventional "color adjustment". It is a figure which shows the setting screen in the conventional "page setting" tab. It is a figure which shows the setting screen in the conventional "stamp / background" tab. It is a figure which shows the setting item in the conventional "special effect" tab.

Claims (11)

An image recording system comprising an image recording device and a host device that generates print data used for recording in the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus includes:
Input means for inputting the print data from the host device;
A discriminating means for discriminating the type of recording medium used for recording;
Transmission means for transmitting the type information to the host device,
The host device is
Receiving means for receiving the type information from the transmitting means;
Display means for displaying various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data according to the type of the recording medium;
Display control means for controlling the setting screen corresponding to the type of the recording medium used for recording from the various setting screens to display the first or forefront of the display screen;
An instruction input means for receiving an instruction from a user for setting the parameter;
Output means for generating print data based on the parameters set based on the instruction received by the instruction input means, and outputting the print data to the recording device;
An image recording system comprising: The discrimination means includes
The image recording system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for selectively setting a type of the recording medium by a user. The discrimination means includes
The image recording system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor that automatically determines a type of a recording medium set in the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus further includes a plurality of paper feed ports corresponding to a plurality of types of recording media,
The image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the type of the image recording medium according to a paper feed port on which the recording medium is set. The image recording apparatus mounts a cassette in which a specific type of recording medium among the plurality of types of recording media is set in a specific paper feeding port among the plurality of paper feeding ports,
5. The image recording system according to claim 4, wherein the discriminating unit discriminates mounting of the cassette.   6. The image recording system according to claim 5, wherein the cassette includes a manual switch for instructing the image recording apparatus to select a paper feed port to be used.   The image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is an inkjet recording apparatus. A host apparatus that generates print data to be used by an image recording apparatus that records on a selected recording medium is a setting method for setting parameters used when generating the print data,
A receiving step of receiving information of the type of the selected recording medium transmitted from the image recording device;
A display step of displaying on the display screen of the host device various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data corresponding to the type of the recording medium;
From the various setting screens, based on the type information, a display control step for controlling the setting screen corresponding to the type of the recording medium used for recording to be displayed at the beginning or foreground of the display screen;
An instruction input step for receiving an instruction from a user for setting the parameter;
An output step for generating print data based on the parameters set based on the instruction received in the instruction input step, and outputting the print data to the image recording device;
The setting method characterized by having. A host device that generates print data used by an image recording apparatus that records on a selected recording medium is a setting program that sets parameters used when generating the print data,
A program code for executing a receiving step of receiving information on the type of the selected recording medium transmitted from the image recording device;
A program code for executing a display step of displaying various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data according to the type of the recording medium on the display screen of the host device;
From the various setting screens, based on the type information, a display control step is performed for controlling the setting screen corresponding to the type of the recording medium used for recording to be displayed at the beginning or foreground of the display screen. Program code for
A program code for executing an instruction input step for receiving an instruction from a user for setting the parameter;
Program code for generating print data based on the parameters set based on the instruction received in the instruction input step, and executing an output step for outputting the print data to the image recording device;
The setting program characterized by having.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 9. A setting method for setting parameters used when generating the print data in an image recording apparatus that records on a recording medium according to the print data,
A selection step for selecting the type of recording medium for recording;
Displaying various setting screens for setting parameters used when generating the print data, and
The setting method characterized in that the display step changes a setting screen displayed when a predetermined type of recording medium is selected in the selection step and when another type of recording medium is selected.

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