JP2015121982A - Information processor, printer, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually display, when the residual amount of ink decreases to cause shortage thereof, to what degree the shortage affects printed matter.SOLUTION: Before requiring a printer for printing print data whose printing has been required to print print data, an information processor communicably connected to the printer estimates the consumption of ink consumed for printing the print data whose printing is to be required, extracts the residual amount of the ink of the printer, receives from the printer a print preview display image which the information processor has instructed the printer to generate, and displays the image, estimates the shortage of the ink when the print data is printed by the printer on the basis of the consumption and the residual amount of the ink, and instructs the printer to generate a print preview display image obtained by reducing a hue whose ink is estimated to be short by the shortage of the ink estimated, from the print preview display image of the print data whose printing is to be required of the printer.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program technique.

  When printing a large amount of materials such as handouts, it may be printed in a different color from the expected color from the middle page due to insufficient ink. Also, there are cases where printing is performed with a color different from an expected color when printing is performed in a state where the ink remaining amount is low.

  As described above, when the remaining amount of ink is insufficient, even if there is a possibility of printing with a color different from the expected color, the user cannot accurately confirm the color in advance. Therefore, when the amount of remaining ink is small, the user cannot arbitrarily adjust the color of the printed matter based on the remaining amount of ink when printing is desired even if the color is not the expected color.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses that each color used for forming color image data with respect to color image data when the remaining amount of toner detected by each remaining amount of toner satisfies a predetermined condition. Discloses a technique of an image forming apparatus having preview image display means for generating and displaying a plurality of preview images representing images obtained by adjusting the toner density in different modes.

JP 2010-117648 A

However, in the prior art, it is only necessary to generate a plurality of preview images divided into a plurality of stages at a predetermined level using the remaining ink amount, and visually display them side by side so that the user can easily select them. It is not a visual indication of how much ink is currently in short, so the user can see how much color is deteriorated when printing at the current time compared to when there is enough ink. As can be seen, it cannot be reproduced and displayed relatively accurately.
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of visually displaying how much the shortage affects printed matter when the remaining amount of ink decreases.

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a printing apparatus that prints print data requested to be printed, and consumes ink consumed by the print data requested to be printed before the printing apparatus is requested to print. Consumption estimation means for approximating the amount, extraction means for extracting the remaining ink amount of the printing apparatus, and preview display means for receiving and displaying a print preview display image instructed to be generated by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus A shortage amount calculating means for calculating a shortage amount of ink when the print data is printed by the printing device according to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount; and print data for requesting the printing device to print According to the calculated ink shortage amount, the hue calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit of the print preview display image related to the ink shortage amount is calculated. A generation instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to generate a frequency decrease print preview display image, characterized in that it comprises a.

  Also, a copy number setting accepting unit that accepts a setting of a plurality of copies for which the print data is requested to be printed, and when the setting of the plurality of copies is accepted, the print preview display image is generated for the accepted number of copies. And a first plurality of copies generation instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to generate a print preview display image in which the number of copies corresponding to the calculated amount of ink shortage is reduced. The preview display means further displays the print preview display image generated for the plurality of copies.

  Also, a copy number setting accepting unit that accepts a setting of a plurality of copies for which the print data is requested to print, and a print in which the hue corresponding to the calculated ink shortage amount is reduced when the setting of the plurality of copies is accepted. A second plurality of copies generation instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to generate the plurality of received images for preview display, wherein the preview display means further generates the plurality of copies. An image for use is displayed.

  In addition, after the preview display means displays the print preview display images generated for the number of copies, the print execution instruction acceptance means for accepting a print execution instruction, and the printing apparatus receives the print execution instruction when the print execution instruction is accepted. Print request transmission means for requesting printing as print data for printing the plurality of copies of the print preview display images generated for the number of copies.

  The present invention is a printing apparatus that prints print data requested to be printed, a consumption amount approximating means for estimating an ink consumption amount consumed by the print data requested for printing before printing is executed, and a remaining ink amount. And a display means for displaying the generated print preview display image, and an ink shortage amount when the print data is printed is calculated according to the ink consumption amount and the ink remaining amount. The hue calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit and the shortage amount calculation unit of the print preview display image relating to the print data requested to be printed is divided according to the calculated shortage amount of ink. Generating means for generating a reduced print preview display image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism capable of visually displaying how much the shortage affects printed matter when the remaining amount of ink decreases.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transition displayed by a system configuration diagram and information processing apparatus of a printing system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware block diagram of the printing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block which the information processing apparatus of this invention, a printer driver, and a printing apparatus comprise. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition (at the time of print setting) displayed by the printing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which the information processing apparatus of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which the information processing apparatus of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the classification | category of the various data which the information processing apparatus of this invention memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition (at the time of a preview display) displayed by the printing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition (during density fine adjustment) displayed by the printing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware block diagram of the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which the information processing apparatus, printer driver, and printing apparatus of this invention perform. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which the information processing apparatus, printer driver, and printing apparatus of this invention perform.

Referring to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a rear view and a screen of the present invention.

When the information processing apparatus 100 determines that the ink remaining amount is insufficient when printing to the printing apparatus 101, the information processing apparatus 100 performs a print result preview. Reference numeral 102 denotes an example of a print result preview. Two patterns of previews are displayed: a normal preview (displayed in an abnormal color due to ink shortage in the middle) and an automatic adjustment preview (displayed in a color that averages the remaining amount of ink on all pages). Processing regarding the print result preview will be described later with reference to a transition of the operation screen and a flowchart.
The information processing apparatus 100 that implements the present invention may be an information processing apparatus used as a client terminal or may be posted on the printing apparatus 101.
The information processing apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 101 are communicably connected.
FIG. 2 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printing apparatus (inkjet printer) 101.
The printing apparatus prints print data requested for printing.

  A control unit 10 that controls the entire printing apparatus 101 is provided, and the control unit 10 is connected to a host computer 100 (hereinafter referred to as a host) via a cable 12. From the host 100, print data, the type of mode related to printing, various commands, and the like are transmitted to the control unit 10 via the cable 12. In addition, the structure which interfaces infrared rays and a radio wave instead of the cable 12 may be sufficient.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 13, a user I / F 14 that transmits / receives information to / from the host, a ROM 15 that contains control software, a RAM 16 that is temporarily used when operating the control software, and a drive source for the recording apparatus. An output (I / O) 17 is used.

  The head drive source 18, the recovery motor 19, and the supply drive motor 20 are operated by the input / output (I / O) 17 from the control unit 10, and the operation of the recovery unit 300 such as ejection and suction from the head, The supply channel can be opened and closed by the valve member 137.

Further, each ink remaining amount can be detected by the ink remaining amount detection sensor 21 that detects the ink remaining amount in the sub tank 131 and / or the main tank 130. Further, the main tank mounting presence sensor 22 can detect the mounting of the main tank 130.
FIG. 3 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration diagram of the present invention.
The information processing apparatus 100 includes an application 301 and a printer driver 308.
Functions in the application 301 will be described.
The remaining ink level acquisition unit 302 acquires the remaining ink level of the printer from the printer driver 308.
The ink usage amount prediction unit 303 predicts the ink usage amount of the document to be printed.

  The ink use amount adjustment unit 304 automatically adjusts the ink use amount of the document to be printed or manages the user's arbitrary adjustment amount when the printer is short of ink.

The print result preview image acquisition unit 305 acquires from the printer driver 308 a print result preview image with an ink usage fee based on the calculation results of the ink usage amount prediction unit and the ink usage fee adjustment unit.
The print result preview unit 306 displays the print result preview image acquired by the print result preview image acquisition unit.
The print request unit 307 makes a print request to the printer driver 308.
Functions in the printer driver 308 will be described.
The application 301 obtains the remaining amount of ink and a print result preview image from the printer via the driver and makes a print request to the printer.

  In the remaining ink amount acquisition unit 309, the request is received from the remaining ink amount acquisition unit 302 of the application, the remaining ink amount of the printer is acquired from the printer 311, and returned to the application.

The print result preview image acquisition unit 310 receives the request from the print result preview image acquisition unit 305 of the application, acquires the print result preview image from the printer 101, and returns it to the application.
The print request unit 311 receives the request from the print request unit 307 of the application and makes a print request to the printer.
Functions in the printer 101 will be described.
The remaining ink amount calculation unit 313 calculates the remaining ink amount of the printer. The remaining ink level acquisition unit 309 of the driver receives this remaining ink level from the printer.

The print result preview image generation unit 314 generates a print result preview image. The print result preview image acquisition unit 310 of the driver acquires this print result preview image from the printer.
The printing unit 315 actually outputs a printed matter to a printing medium (printing paper, postcard, etc.).
FIG. 4 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an operation screen when processing a print preview displayed by an application (document creation software, drawing creation software, New Year's card creation software, poster creation software, etc.) software installed in advance in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed the transition.
When the user starts a document printing operation in the application, a print setting screen 400 is displayed first.

The print setting screen 400 includes a simple preview 401 on the monitor for confirming the selected document, a copy number input field 402, and a print button 403. The copy number input column 402 is an operation example for inputting a desired number of print copies. The user can check various settings such as the number of copies on the print setting screen.
The application accepts a setting of a plurality of copies (for example, 10 sheets) for which print data is requested to be printed from the copy number input field 402 (copy setting reception means).

  When the print button 403 is selected, the application acquires the ink remaining amount of the printer from the printer. Then, an ink usage amount corresponding to the number of copies of the document input in the copy number input field 402 is calculated. If it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is insufficient based on the information, a warning screen 404 is displayed. If it is not determined that the ink is insufficient, normal printing is executed.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given of a case where the user selects an image document as displayed in the simple preview 401 and starts printing under a setting in which 10 is input in the copy number input field 402.

  On the warning screen 404, a warning message 405 “There is a possibility that all pages may not be printed in normal colors due to insufficient ink remaining” is displayed. Also, an all page preview button 406 and a print button 407 are displayed. The user can select whether to confirm the print result in a preview before printing, or to ignore the warning and execute printing. When the all page preview button 405 is selected, a preview selection screen 408 is displayed. When the print button 407 is selected, normal printing is executed.

  The print button 407 is a button for accepting a print execution instruction after displaying the print preview display images generated by the preview display means for the number of copies (print execution instruction acceptance means).

  When a print execution instruction is received by the print button 407, a print request is made as print data for printing a plurality of copies of print preview display images generated by the printing apparatus (print request transmission unit).

On the preview selection screen 408, a normal preview button 409 and an automatic adjustment preview button 410 are displayed. The user can either display a normal preview that is displayed in an abnormal color due to ink shortage from a halfway page, or a preview that is automatically adjusted by the information processing device and that has the same color for all pages (a color that averages the remaining ink amount). Can be selected. When the normal preview button 409 is pressed, a normal preview screen 411 is displayed. When the automatic adjustment preview is displayed, an automatic adjustment preview screen 421 is displayed.
FIG. 5 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main process for executing a prediction result preview process when the ink remaining amount is insufficient to represent the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S501, the information processing apparatus 100 starts the prediction result preview main process when the ink remaining amount is insufficient.

In step S502, the information processing apparatus 100 displays a print setting screen. The print setting screen is a screen for setting print information such as the number of copies. If the user presses the print button 403 as it is, print processing is started.
In step S503, the information processing apparatus 100 requests the execution of printing by the user pressing the print button.

Subsequently, before the information processing apparatus 100 makes a print request to the printing apparatus, the ink consumption consumed by the print data requested to be printed is roughly estimated for each ink color (B, C, Y, M) of the printing apparatus. (Consumption estimation means)
Further, the information processing apparatus 100 extracts the ink remaining amount (B, C, Y, M) for each ink color of the printing apparatus (extraction means).

  In step S504, the information processing apparatus 100 generates a device context (print data that does not reflect the ink shortage amount) based on the information of the print document. A device context created from the information of the original print document is set as a device context_default 701. The device context is a mechanism introduced to virtualize display devices such as display devices and printer devices.

In step S <b> 503 using the device context_default 701, the ink remaining amount is acquired via the printer driver before printing. Then, the information processing apparatus 100 calculates whether the remaining amount of ink is insufficient.
In step S505, the information processing apparatus 100

  Further, the information processing apparatus 100 calculates an ink shortage amount when the print data is printed by the printing apparatus according to the ink consumption amount estimated in S503 and the ink remaining amount extracted in S503 (shortage amount calculation). means).

  If the B (black) ink consumption of the print data is 10 cc and the latest ink remaining amount of B (black) is 9 cc, it can be calculated that the B (black) ink shortage is 1 cc (10% shortage).

  Further, when printing 10 copies of this print data, if the ink consumption is 10 times 100 cc and the latest ink remaining amount of B (black) is 9 cc, the B (black) ink shortage is 91 cc (91% shortage). Can be calculated.

  Similarly, if the ink consumption of C (cyan) of the print data is 10 cc and the latest ink remaining amount of C (cyan) is 9 cc, the ink shortage of C (cyan) is 1 cc (10% shortage). ) Can also be calculated.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the remaining amount of ink is insufficient or not. If it is insufficient (when there is an ink shortage amount), the process proceeds to step S506. If it is not short (when there is no ink shortage amount), the process proceeds to S509, and print execution processing is performed.

  In step S506, the information processing apparatus 100 displays a warning screen. The warning screen is a screen that presents the user with the possibility that all pages cannot be printed in normal colors if printed as it is. By pressing the all page preview button, the user can display the preview selection screen and check the prediction result without printing as it is. By pressing the print button, it is possible to continue normal printing with the current document.

  In step S507, the information processing apparatus 100 is a branch of whether the user has pressed the all page preview button or the print button on the warning screen. If the all page preview display instruction button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S508. If the print execution instruction button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S508, the information processing apparatus 100 displays a preview selection screen and a preview screen display process (FIG. 6). Details of the preview screen display process (FIG. 6) will be described later.

In step S509, the information processing apparatus 100 performs print execution processing (output instruction) with the setting of device context_default 701 (print data that does not reflect the ink shortage amount).
In step S510, the information processing apparatus 100 completes the prediction result preview main process when the ink remaining amount is insufficient.
FIG. 6 will be described.
The preview selection screen and the preview screen display process shown in FIG. 6 are executed in step S508 of the prediction result preview main process shown in FIG.

In step S601, the information processing apparatus 100 starts a preview selection screen and a preview screen display process. The preview selection screen is a screen on which a normal preview or an automatic adjustment preview can be selected.
In step S602, the information processing apparatus 100 displays a preview selection screen.

In step S603, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the normal preview is selected on the preview selection screen or whether the automatic adjustment preview is selected. In the case of normal preview, the process proceeds to S604. In the case of automatic adjustment preview, the process proceeds to step S610.
In step S604, the information processing apparatus 100 performs a PNG_normal prediction acquisition process (FIG. 11). For details, refer to the description after step S8701.
In step S605, the information processing apparatus 100 generates a device context_normal prediction and creates print information using a PNG image corresponding to each page.
In step S606, the information processing apparatus 100 displays a normal preview screen.

When the user presses the normal print preview button (409 in FIG. 4), the information processing apparatus 100 receives the print preview display image (PNG_normal prediction) instructed to be generated by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus 101. Display (preview display means).
If setting of a plurality of copies is accepted, the print preview display image (PNG_normal prediction) generated for the plurality of copies is displayed.
Furthermore, on the normal preview screen, it is possible to select whether to perform fine adjustment or to print using information displayed in the preview of device context_normal prediction.

  In step S607, the information processing apparatus 100 reflects the setting information in the device context_normal prediction when the user performs a fine adjustment by pressing the fine adjustment button in step S606.

In step S608, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether printing has been executed on the normal preview screen. If the print button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S609. If it is terminated without pressing the print button, the process proceeds to step S616.
In step S609, the information processing apparatus 100 performs print processing with the setting of device context_normal prediction.
In step S610, the information processing apparatus 100 performs a PNG_automatic adjustment prediction acquisition process (FIG. 12). For details, refer to the description after step S801.

In step S <b> 611, the information processing apparatus 100 generates device context_automatic adjustment prediction, and creates print information using a PNG image corresponding to each page.
In step S612, the information processing apparatus 100 displays an automatic adjustment preview screen.

When the user presses the automatic adjustment print preview button (410 in FIG. 4), the information processing apparatus 100 receives from the printing apparatus 101 a print preview display image (PNG_automatic adjustment prediction) instructed to be generated by the printing apparatus. (Preview display means).
If the setting of a plurality of copies is accepted, print preview display images (PNG_automatic adjustment prediction) generated for the plurality of copies are displayed.
Further, on the automatic adjustment preview screen, it is possible to select whether fine adjustment is performed or printing is performed using information displayed in the preview of device context_automatic adjustment prediction.

  In step S613, the information processing apparatus 100 presses the fine adjustment button in step S612, and when the user performs fine adjustment, the setting information is reflected in the device context_automatic adjustment prediction.

In step S614, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether printing has been executed on the automatic adjustment preview screen. If the print button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S615. If it is terminated without pressing the print button, the process proceeds to step S616.
In step S615, the information processing apparatus 100 performs print processing with the setting of device context_automatic adjustment prediction.
In step S616, the information processing apparatus 100 ends the preview selection screen and the preview screen display process.
FIG. 7 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of the prediction result preview display function when the ink remaining amount is insufficient. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a transition of an operation screen during processing displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
Reference numeral 701 denotes an example of a table showing a data structure of a prediction result preview display function when the ink remaining amount is insufficient.

  702 is an example regarding the device context_default. In the device context at the time of the first printing, printing information composed of the primary colors of the printed matter is stored.

  703 is an example regarding PNG_normal prediction. An image created by predicting the result of printing with the current ink level. Save as 1 page 1 PNG image. It is an example of the screen to perform.

  704 is an example regarding PNG_automatic adjustment prediction. An image created assuming printing using an averaging algorithm that finds colors that are insufficient with the current remaining ink amount and is evenly distributed so that it can be displayed to the end even if it is thin. Save as 1 page 1 PNG image.

705 is an example regarding device context_normal prediction. Device context created using PNG_normal prediction for each page. Usually used for preview screen display and printing.
As described above, reference numeral 705 also serves as print data for printing a plurality of copies of print preview display images (PNG_normal prediction) generated for the number of copies.

706 is an example regarding device context_automatic adjustment prediction. Device context created using PNG_auto-adjust prediction for each page. Used to display and print the automatic adjustment preview screen.
As described above, the reference numeral 706 also serves as print data for printing a plurality of copies of print preview display images (PNG_automatic adjustment prediction) generated for the number of copies.
FIG. 8 will be described.

  The screen configurations of the normal preview screen 411 and the automatic adjustment preview screen 421 are the same. The print result preview 412 for each page, the page position 412 being displayed, the previous button 414 and the next button 415 for sending pages. A fine adjustment button 416 and a print button 417 are displayed. The user can check the print result preview of all pages while sending images for each page.

For example, if pages are turned on the normal preview screen 411, the same print result preview is displayed from the first page to the seventh page as 413, but when the eighth page is sent, the state becomes 418, due to insufficient ink remaining. A print result preview with a different color than expected is displayed. Further, on the ninth page, the state becomes 419, and the print result preview is displayed in a color worse than that on the eighth page due to insufficient remaining ink. Furthermore, the 10th page is displayed with no ink.
Note that the printing apparatus may be a monochrome ink jet printer. In this case, the shortage of black (B) ink may be reflected in the print result preview image.
In addition, when the printing apparatus is a full-color ink jet printer, the remaining amount of black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ink is calculated individually, and each color is calculated. Insufficient ink remaining amount may be independently reflected in the print result preview image.

  As described above, when a setting of a plurality of copies (for example, 10 pages) is received, the printing apparatus 101 instructs the printing apparatus to generate a print preview display image corresponding to a plurality of copies (for example, all 10 pages). (First multiple copies generation instruction means).

  In this case, when it is calculated that 30% ink is insufficient, 70% of paper is output as it is, and it is expected that 30% of paper is output with lighter ink.

  The print preview display image (from the first page to the seventh page: 70%) does not reduce the number of copies corresponding to the calculated ink shortage amount. In this manner, the state (output image) in which ink is still sufficient for the first to seventh pages output earlier is reproduced.

  The print preview display image (from the 8th page to the 10th page: 30%) is reduced in the number of copies corresponding to the calculated ink shortage amount. In this way, the 8th to 10th pages to be output later reproduce a state (output image) in which the ink of a specific color is gradually thinned or nothing is printed.

  Next, when the page is turned on the automatic adjustment preview screen 412, the colors that are initially expected from the first page to the tenth page are displayed in equal colors with the colors optimized by the automatic adjustment. The Accordingly, when the page 8 is sent, the result is 422, but the same print result preview as the first page is displayed, and the state 423 of the ninth page and the state 424 of the tenth page are the same.

  As described above, when a setting of a plurality of copies (for example, 10 pages) is accepted, a print preview display image in which the color corresponding to the calculated ink shortage amount is similarly reduced to all 10 pages, for example, is accepted. The printing apparatus is instructed to generate a plurality of copies (for example, all 10 pages) (second plurality of copies generation instruction means).

  In the print preview display image (from the first page to the tenth page: 100%), the hue of the number of copies corresponding to the calculated amount of ink shortage is reduced by 30%. In this way, the output from the first page to the tenth page reproduces the situation (output image) in which the ink of the specific color is actually thinned by about 30%.

Further, the user can further adjust the color of the print result preview by pressing a fine adjustment button 416 on each preview screen. When the fine adjustment button 416 is selected, a fine adjustment screen (425 in FIG. 9) is displayed.
When the print button 417 on each preview screen is selected, printing for all pages is executed based on the print result preview being displayed.
FIG. 9 will be described.

  On the fine adjustment screen 425, a print result preview 426, a controller 427 for performing fine adjustment, and a button 428 for returning to the preview screen are displayed. In the initial state when the fine adjustment screen is displayed, the print result preview 426 is the same as the print result preview of the page displayed on the preview screen when the fine adjustment button is pressed.

  The user can adjust the shading and the thinning interval for each ink color by the controller 427 for fine adjustment. The adjustment result is reflected in the print result preview 426. The user can make fine adjustments while checking the adjustment result in the print result preview. The minimum value of the fine adjustment controller is 0, and the maximum value is the value at the first preview display.

In the case of the normal preview, for example, the user can finely adjust a portion that may have a color different from the expected color due to a shortage of remaining ink, and change it to a natural color as much as possible.
In the case of the automatic adjustment preview, for example, when the user is not satisfied with the automatic adjustment result by the application, the user can arbitrarily adjust the color.

When the button 426 for returning to the preview screen is selected, the screen returns to the preview screen when the button for fine adjustment is pressed. When returning to the preview screen, the result adjusted on the fine adjustment screen 425 is also reflected in the print result preview on the preview screen.
FIG. 10 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a CPU, which comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 1004. In addition, the ROM 1002 or the external memory 1011 is necessary for realizing a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a control program of the CPU 1001 and a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1001. The CPU 1001 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 1002 or the external memory 1011 into the RAM 1003 and executing the loaded program.

  The display unit 1010 may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed. Further, the display unit may include a touch panel function in which the user specifies a target position in the display screen with a finger, a pen, or the like.

  Reference numeral 1007 denotes a memory controller, which is connected via an adapter to a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 411 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory.

  Reference numeral 1008 denotes a communication I / F controller that is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (communication line), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

Note that the CPU 1001 can perform display on the display unit 1010 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 1003, for example.
FIG. 11 will be described.
The PNG_normal prediction acquisition process in FIG. 11 is executed in step S604, which is a flowchart of the preview selection screen and preview screen display process in FIG.

In step S701, the information processing apparatus 100 starts a PNG_normal prediction acquisition process. In the case of an N-page document, PNG_normal prediction acquisition processing requests 1 to N normal prediction PNG images corresponding to each page to the printer via the printer driver, and the prediction result is sent from the printer to the printer driver. It is a process to get via.
In step S <b> 702, the information processing apparatus 100 requests the printer driver 308 to generate a PNG_normal prediction.
In step S703, the printer driver 308 requests the printer 101 to generate a PNG_normal prediction.

  In other words, the printer driver 308 calculates the color corresponding to the ink color calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit of the print preview display image regarding the print data requested to be printed to the printing apparatus 101 by the shortage amount calculation unit. The printing apparatus 101 is instructed to newly generate a print preview display image (PNG_normal prediction) reduced by an amount corresponding to the shortage (generation instruction unit).

The color tone means color adjustment and color condition, and the image processing unit of the printing apparatus includes ink value adjustment for determining whether the color balance is good or bad, and whether the color is light or dark.
In step S704, the printer 101 generates a print preview display image (PNG_normal prediction) using an installed image processing unit (not shown).
In step S <b> 705, the printer driver 308 acquires (receives) PNG_normal prediction from the printer 100.
In step S706, the information processing apparatus 100 acquires PNG_normal prediction from the printer driver 308.
In step S707, the information processing apparatus 100 ends the PNG_normal prediction acquisition process.
FIG. 12 will be described.

  In FIG. 12, the PNG_automatic adjustment prediction acquisition process is executed in the PNG_automatic adjustment prediction acquisition process in step S610 which is a flowchart of the preview selection screen and the preview screen display process in FIG.

In step S801, the information processing apparatus 100 starts a PNG_automatic adjustment prediction acquisition process. In the case of an N-page document, PNG_automatic adjustment prediction acquisition processing requests 1 to N normal prediction PNG images corresponding to each page to the printer via a printer driver, and the prediction result is sent from the printer to the printer. This process is acquired via the driver 308.
In step S <b> 802, the information processing apparatus 100 requests the printer driver 308 to generate a PNG_automatic adjustment prediction.
In step S803, the printer driver 308 requests the printer 101 to generate a PNG_automatic adjustment prediction.

  In other words, the printer driver 308 calculates the color corresponding to the ink color calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit of the print preview display image regarding the print data requested to be printed to the printing apparatus 101 by the shortage amount calculation unit. The printing apparatus 101 is instructed to newly generate a print preview display image (PNG_automatic adjustment prediction) reduced by an amount corresponding to the shortage (generation instruction means).

In step S804, the printer 101 generates a print preview display image (PNG_automatic adjustment prediction) by using an installed image processing unit (not shown).
In step S <b> 805, the printer driver 308 acquires (receives) PNG_automatic adjustment prediction from the printer 101.
In step S806, the information processing apparatus 100 acquires PNG_automatic adjustment prediction from the printer driver 308.
In step S807, the information processing apparatus 100 ends the PNG_automatic adjustment prediction acquisition process.

  In this way, even when there is a possibility that the ink will become lighter when the remaining amount of ink becomes low, it is possible to recognize in advance in advance the portion where the ink will be lightened and printed relatively accurately. it can. Also, you can make adjustments and print after confirming with the print preview, so you have to notice that the ink will be lightened before you see the printed material, and you will have to fail and reprint it. In addition, the user's troublesomeness and the amount of ink and paper that are wasted because they are different from the expected printed matter are reduced, leading to cost reduction for the user.

In particular, when printing a large amount of the same items such as New Year's card printing or poster printing, it is possible to reproduce the possibility that the ink will be thinned in advance, so you can reprint until you see the actual printed matter The risk of failed printing when the ink that had to be printed becomes thin can be known relatively accurately and in advance.
(Other embodiments)
In addition, by configuring a large screen operation monitor unit in addition to the printing device that prints the print data requested for printing,
Before executing printing as in S503, the ink consumption consumed by the print data requested for printing is estimated for each ink color of the printing apparatus (consumption estimation means).
Extracting the remaining amount of ink for each ink color (extraction means),
Display the generated print preview display image as in S606 and S612 (display means),
According to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount, the ink shortage amount when the print data is printed is calculated (shortage amount calculating means),

For print preview display of the print preview display image for the print data requested to be printed, the hue corresponding to the ink color calculated by the shortage calculation means is reduced by the calculated ink shortage Generating an image (generating means),
Can be realized even with the printing apparatus 101 alone.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that allows the CPU 1001 to execute the processing methods of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 11, and 12, and the storage medium according to the present invention is a program that allows the CPU 1001 to execute the processing method. Is stored in the ROM 1002 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  In other embodiments, the program according to the present invention is a program that allows the CPU 13 to execute the processing methods of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 11, and 12. The storage medium of the present invention uses the processing method as the CPU 13. Is stored in the ROM 15 of the printing apparatus 101 as an executable program.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the CPU 1001, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instructions of the program is actually used. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.
In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 Printing apparatus 308 Printer driver 1001 CPU
1002 ROM
1003 RAM (storage unit)
1011 External memory (storage unit)

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus communicably connected to a printing apparatus that prints print data requested to be printed,
Consumption estimation means for estimating the amount of ink consumed by the print data requested to be printed before requesting printing to the printing apparatus;
Extracting means for extracting the remaining amount of ink of the printing apparatus;
Preview display means for receiving and displaying a print preview display image instructed to be generated by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;
A deficient amount calculating means for calculating a deficient amount of ink when the print data is printed by the printing apparatus according to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount;
Printing of the print preview display image relating to the print data requested to be printed to the printing apparatus by reducing the hue calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit by the shortage amount calculation unit by an amount corresponding to the calculated shortage amount of ink. Generation instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to generate a preview display image;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A copy number setting receiving means for receiving a setting of a plurality of copies for which the print data is requested to be printed;
When the setting of the plurality of copies is received, the print preview display image is generated for the received plurality of copies and the number of copies corresponding to the calculated ink shortage amount is reduced. A first plurality of copies generation instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to generate a print preview display image;
Further comprising
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview display unit further displays print preview display images generated for the plurality of copies. A copy number setting receiving means for receiving a setting of a plurality of copies for which the print data is requested to be printed;
When the setting of the plurality of copies is received, the printing apparatus is instructed to generate print preview display images corresponding to the calculated amount of ink shortage by reducing the color corresponding to the calculated plurality of copies. 2 multiple copies generation instruction means;
Further comprising
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview display unit further displays print preview display images generated for the plurality of copies. A print execution instruction receiving means for receiving a print execution instruction after the preview display means displays the print preview display images generated for the number of copies;
A print request transmitting means for requesting printing as print data for printing the plurality of copies of the print preview display image generated by the printing device when the printing apparatus receives the print execution instruction;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: A printing device that prints print data requested to be printed,
Consumption estimation means for estimating the ink consumption consumed by the print data requested to be printed before printing is executed;
Extraction means for extracting the remaining amount of ink;
Display means for displaying the generated print preview display image;
A deficient amount calculating means for calculating a deficient amount of ink when the print data is printed according to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount;
For the print preview display of the print preview display image relating to the print data requested to be printed, the hue calculated by the shortage amount calculation means by the shortage amount of ink is reduced by an amount corresponding to the calculated shortage amount of ink. Generating means for generating an image;
A printing apparatus comprising: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a printing apparatus that prints print data requested to be printed,
A consumption estimation step for estimating the amount of ink consumed by the print data requested for printing before the consumption estimation unit of the information processing apparatus makes a print request to the printing apparatus;
An extraction step in which the extraction means of the information processing apparatus extracts the remaining amount of ink in the printing apparatus;
A preview display step in which the preview display means of the information processing apparatus receives and displays a print preview display image instructed to be generated by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;
A shortage amount calculating step of calculating a shortage amount of ink when the print data is printed by the printing device in accordance with the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount;
The generation instructing unit of the information processing apparatus calculates the hue of the print preview display image relating to the print data requested to be printed to the printing apparatus, which is calculated by the insufficient amount calculation step as having the insufficient amount of ink. A generation instruction step for instructing the printing apparatus to generate a print preview display image reduced by an amount of ink shortage;
The control method characterized by including. A control method of a printing apparatus for printing print data requested to be printed,
A consumption estimation step for estimating the amount of ink consumed by the print data requested for printing before the consumption estimation unit of the printing apparatus executes printing;
An extraction step in which the extraction means of the printing apparatus extracts the remaining amount of ink;
A display step in which the display unit of the printing apparatus displays the generated print preview display image;
A deficient amount calculating step in which the deficient amount calculating means of the printing apparatus calculates an ink deficient amount when the print data is printed according to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount;
According to the calculated ink shortage amount, the generation unit of the printing apparatus calculates the hue calculated by the shortage amount calculating step of the print preview display image related to the print data requested to be printed as the ink shortage amount. A generation process for generating a print preview display image reduced by an amount,
The control method characterized by including. A program that can be read and executed by an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a printing apparatus that prints print data requested to be printed;
The information processing apparatus;
Consumption estimation means for estimating the amount of ink consumed by the print data requested to be printed before requesting printing to the printing apparatus;
Extracting means for extracting the remaining amount of ink of the printing apparatus;
Preview display means for receiving and displaying a print preview display image instructed to be generated by the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;
A deficient amount calculating means for calculating a deficient amount of ink when the print data is printed by the printing apparatus according to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount;
Printing of the print preview display image relating to the print data requested to be printed to the printing apparatus by reducing the hue calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit by the shortage amount calculation unit by an amount corresponding to the calculated shortage amount of ink. Generation instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to generate a preview display image;
A program characterized by making it function. A program that can be read and executed by a printing apparatus that prints print data requested to be printed,
The printing device;
Consumption estimation means for estimating the ink consumption consumed by the print data requested to be printed before printing is executed;
Extraction means for extracting the remaining amount of ink;
Display means for displaying the generated print preview display image;
A deficient amount calculating means for calculating a deficient amount of ink when the print data is printed according to the ink consumption amount and the remaining ink amount;
For the print preview display of the print preview display image relating to the print data requested to be printed, the hue calculated by the shortage amount calculation means by the shortage amount of ink is reduced by an amount corresponding to the calculated shortage amount of ink. Generating means for generating an image;
A program characterized by making it function.

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