Printing system, printed object production method, and program

Abstract

To improve convenience of a printer.SOLUTION: A printing system includes: a first ink receiving unit; a second ink receiving unit; a first identifier acquisition unit which acquires a first identifier indicating a type of a first ink set in the first ink receiving unit; a second identifier acquisition unit which acquires a second identifier indicating a type of a second ink set in the second ink receiving unit; a storage unit which stores control data corresponding to a combination of the first identifier and the second identifier; an authorization determination unit which determines whether or not a user has authorization corresponding to the combination; an image data acquisition unit which acquires image data; and a printing unit which performs printing corresponding to the image data, using the first ink and the second ink, in accordance with the control data when the user has the authorization and does not supply the first ink and the second ink when the user does not have the authorization.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printed matter production method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, printers that perform printing with a plurality of colors of ink are known. Also, when print data for printing in three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow is output to a printer that performs printing with four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, printing cannot be performed normally. In response to such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for converting input print data into data corresponding to the types of ink provided in a printing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, since the types of ink that can be used in one printing system are fixed, it has been necessary to manufacture a printing system according to the types of ink.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a printing system, comprising: a first ink receiving part; a second ink receiving part; a first identifier acquisition part for acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of a first ink set in the first ink receiving part; a second identifier acquisition part for acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of a second ink set in the second ink receiving part; a storage part for storing control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier; an authority determination part for determining whether a user has the authority corresponding to the combination; an image data acquisition part for acquiring image data; and a printing part for performing printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data when the user has the authority, and not supplying the first ink and the second ink when the user does not have the authority.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a printed matter production method, comprising: a first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of a first ink set in a first ink receiving part; a second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of a second ink set in a second ink receiving part; an authority determination step of determining whether a user has the authority corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier; an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data; and a printing process step of producing a printed matter by performing printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier when the user has the authority, and not performing the supply of the first ink and the second ink when the user does not have the authority.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to perform a first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving portion, a second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving portion, an authority determination step of determining whether a user has an authority corresponding to a combination of the first identifier and the second identifier, an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data, and, when the user has the authority, performing printing corresponding to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier, and, when the user does not have the authority, performing a printing process step of controlling not to supply the first ink and the second ink.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 includes an inkjet printer 100, a computer 200, a display 260, a keyboard 270, and a printing server 300. The printer 100 is an example of a printing device.

[0010] The printer 100 is connected to the printing server 300 via a network. Various information is stored in the printing server 300.

[0011] Printer 100 is connected to computer 200 via a USB cable. Note that printer 100 may also be connected to computer 200 using a communication cable of another standard capable of data transmission and reception, or may transmit and receive data wirelessly with computer 200 through wireless communication such as Wi-Fi. Printer 100 can perform monochrome printing or color printing by ejecting one or more colors of ink onto a printing medium such as paper based on the print data generated on computer 200.

[0012] A printer driver for controlling the operation of printer 100 is installed on computer 200, and generates print data for causing printer 100 to print print targets such as characters and images specified by the user.

[0013] Display 260 is connected to computer 200 and displays various information based on display data sent from a video driver (not shown) of computer 200. For example, when the user selects a plurality of candidate images by operating keyboard 270 or mouse 280 to specify the above print target, display 260 displays those images. Further, display 260 may display information such as the print settings of printer 100.

[0014] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of printer 100. Printer 100 includes a processor 110, a non-volatile memory 120, a display unit 130, an operation unit 140, an interface (I / F) 150, a media conveyance mechanism 160, a carriage motor 170, and a carriage 180. Further, a plurality (four in this example) of cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184 are provided on carriage 180.

[0015] Then, four ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 for storing ink are set in these four cartridge holders 181, 182, 183, 184 respectively. The cartridge holders 181 to 184 are an example of an ink receiving part. These numbers may be one or more.

[0016] These ink cartridges 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 each have a non-volatile ROM 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924. Here, the ROMs 1921 to 1924 are an example of an external recording medium. In the ROMs 1921 to 1924, ink identifiers for identifying the types of ink stored in the ink cartridges are stored. The printer can communicate with these ROMs to read out ink identifiers, remaining amount information, and the like.

[0017] Also, the carriage 180 has a print head 185 provided with ink nozzles for discharging the ink stored in the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 onto a printing medium such as paper. This print head is an example of a printing mechanism.

[0018] For example, the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 store cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks respectively. As a result, the printer 100 can support four colors (CMYK). Note that the printer 100 of this embodiment can perform printing with other combinations of inks. For example, black ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 can be set in all the cartridge holders 181 to 184 to perform single-color printing. Also, the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 can store three colors of inks, CMK, to perform three-color printing. It is also possible to perform printing with inks such as RGB, white, metallic, and clear. It is also possible to set cartridges each containing four colors of edible inks CMYK and print on an edible sheet. Thus, in the printer 100 according to this embodiment, the types of inks set in the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 are not fixed, and various inks can be set. Such inks include third-party inks. As a result, the printer 100 can perform printing in a plurality of different color spaces.

[0019] The I / F can be a connector for wired connection or an antenna for wireless connection. The processor 110 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and can execute programs recorded in the ROM and the non-volatile memory 120 to control each part of the printer 100. Note that the processor 110 may be composed of a single chip or a plurality of chips. Also, for example, an ASIC may be adopted instead of the CPU, or a configuration in which the CPU and the ASIC cooperate may be used. Programs, data, etc. that the processor 110 executes are recorded in the non-volatile memory 120.

[0020] The processor 110 reads the control data stored in the non-volatile memory 120. Then, based on the control data and the image data transmitted from the computer 200, scanner, USB memory, etc. via the I / F 150, the processor 110 controls the operations of the media conveyance mechanism 160, carriage motor 170, and print head 185. With respect to the printing medium by the printer 100, the print head 185 reciprocates in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 180 by driving the carriage motor 170. On the other hand, the printing medium is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the media conveyance mechanism 160. Then, one or more types of ink are ejected from the ink nozzles of the print head 185 onto the printing medium, thereby printing the image to be printed. The media conveyance mechanism 160, carriage motor 170, and carriage 180 constitute the printing unit.

[0021] The display unit 130 is provided on the housing of the printer 100 and displays various information. The operation unit 140 receives user operations. The operation unit 140 may be provided integrally with the display unit 130 as a touch panel.

[0022] As described above, when the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 are set, the printer 100 of the present embodiment can perform printing according to the types of ink stored in the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914. As a functional configuration therefor, the processor 110 includes a reception unit 111, display processing unit 112, image data acquisition unit 113, identifier acquisition unit 114, control data acquisition unit 115, warning determination unit 116, conformity determination unit 117, authority determination unit 118, and print processing unit.

[0023] The functions of the reception unit 111, the display processing unit 112, the image data acquisition unit 113, the identifier acquisition unit 114, the control data acquisition unit 115, the warning determination unit 116, the conformity determination unit 117, the authority determination unit 118, and the printing processing unit are realized by the processor 110 reading out and executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 120. That is, hereinafter, the processing described as being executed by the reception unit 111, the display processing unit 112, the image data acquisition unit 113, the identifier acquisition unit 114, the control data acquisition unit 115, the warning determination unit 116, the conformity determination unit 117, the authority determination unit 118, and the printing processing unit is the processing executed by the processor 110.

[0024] The reception unit 111 receives information input in response to a user operation on the operation unit 140. The display processing unit 112 controls the display on the display unit 130. The image data acquisition unit 113 acquires image data from the computer 200 via the I / F 150. The identifier acquisition unit 114 acquires ink identifiers from the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914. The control data acquisition unit 115 acquires print control data from the print server 300 or the ROMs 1921 to 1924 and stores it in a storage unit such as the non-volatile memory 120.

[0025] The warning determination unit 116 determines whether the combination of inks (current inks) set in the printer 100 satisfies the warning conditions, and issues a warning to the user if the warning conditions are satisfied. The warning conditions are stored, for example, in the ROM of the cartridge as to which identification number cartridges to warn when used simultaneously. The warning conditions are set to issue a warning when a combination of inks is set such that the printable color gamut becomes narrower than a preset standard color gamut, and not to issue a warning when a combination of inks is set that is the same as or includes the standard color gamut. The standard color gamut is the color gamut printable by a combination of inks preset as the inks to be set in the printer 100. For example, when the color gamut realized by CMYK inks is set as the standard color gamut, if only K ink is set, the color gamut becomes narrower. Therefore, in this case, the warning determination unit 116 determines that the warning conditions are satisfied. Conversely, when the color gamut realized by K ink is set as the standard color gamut, if CMYK inks are set, the color gamut becomes wider than the standard color gamut. Therefore, the warning determination unit 116 determines that the warning conditions are not satisfied.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen 400 displayed on the display unit 130 by the display processing unit 112 as a warning to the user when the warning conditions are satisfied. On the warning screen 400, an image image 410 of an image assumed as a print result by a plurality of current inks set at the time of processing (current) is displayed. Also, an OK button 421 and a cancel button 422 are displayed. The user checks the image image 410 and selects the OK button 421 if it does not differ from the finished image expected by the user. In this case, printing is performed with the combination of the current inks. The user selects the cancel button 422 if the image image 410 is different from the finished image. In this case, printing is canceled.

[0027] The compatibility determination unit 117 determines, in the cartridge holders 181 to 184, whether the ink that was set in the past and supplied with ink and the ink that was set later satisfy the compatibility conditions when the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 are replaced. The compatibility conditions are conditions under which it is determined that the past ink set in the past and the current ink set later are compatible. When the past ink and the current ink can use the same control data as the same color, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are satisfied. On the other hand, when it is necessary to use different control data, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are not satisfied. Or when the past ink and the current ink are of types that cannot be mixed, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are not satisfied. For example, when the past ink is non-edible ink and the current ink is edible ink, it is determined that the compatibility conditions are not satisfied. The compatibility determination unit 117 determines that the compatibility conditions are satisfied when the ink identifier (past identifier) of the past ink matches the ink identifier of the current ink. Also, it reads out the compatibility conditions stored in the ROM and determines whether the conditions are satisfied. Note that the ink identifier of the past ink is stored in the non-volatile memory 120.

[0028] The authority determination unit 118 determines whether the user is a paid member who can use the ink when any one or combination of the inks set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184 is for paid members. That is, the authority determination unit 118 determines whether the user has the authority to use the ink for paid members. Specifically, the information of paid members is managed in the print server 300, and the authority determination unit 118 determines the presence or absence of authority by inquiring the print server 300. The print processing unit 119 controls the printing unit to execute printing.

[0029] The printing server 300 stores the user identification information of paid members with permissions, and the user identification information is appropriately updated according to the acquisition and cancellation of paid membership qualifications. Also, the printing server 300 stores the ink identifiers of inks that require permissions. For example, when a paid member uses ink, instead of purchasing the ink, it is assumed that the member makes a payment according to the printing for the printed matter obtained by using the ink obtained for free. Alternatively, in order to print in a color gamut different from the standard color gamut, it is necessary to pay an additional fee to become a paid member.

[0030] The printing server 300 is equipped with a database that stores the control data of the printer 100 for each combination of inks. The control data is information used for controlling the printer 100 during printing. For example, the color conversion data for converting the color space of the image data from the RGB color space to the color space of the ink color set in the printer 100 is control data. The waveform data for ejecting the ink set in the printer 100 is also control data. Also, the data (LUT: Look-Up Table) used for data conversion of image data such as color conversion and plate making, and data such as the operation interval of cleaning are also control data. Also, the UI data displayed on the display unit 130 is included in the control data. The printing server may have all of these control data, or may have only a part of them, and the printer may use the data that the printer has in advance for the remaining control data. The printing server 300 further stores the member identifiers of paid members who can use paid ink. The printing server 300 is an example of an external server.

[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart when the printer 100 is powered on or a new ink cartridge is set by the processor 110. In this flowchart, the identifier acquisition unit 114 of the processor 110 first acquires the ink identifiers stored in the ROMs 1921 to 1924 of all the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 (step S100).

[0032] Next, based on the ink identifiers obtained from ROMs 1921 to 1924, the processor 110 checks whether the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set at the time of processing (current) are the ink cartridges that have been set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184 for the first time. Note that the ink identifiers of the ink cartridges set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184 in the past are stored in a storage unit such as the non-volatile memory 120, and a judgment is made by referring to this.

[0033] If all are the first-time sets (Y in step S102), the processor 110 advances the process to step S110. If not (N in step S102), the processor 110 advances the process to step S104. In step S104, the processor 110 determines whether the ink identifiers of the currently set ink cartridges match the ink identifiers of the previously set ink cartridges (past identifiers) to satisfy the conformity condition.

[0034] If the conformity condition is satisfied (Y in step S104), the printing processing unit 119 sets to enable printing using the ink of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set at the time of processing. (Step S106). Note that although the control data is stored in the non-volatile memory 120, the processor 110 may obtain new control data and use this. Thereby, the printer 100 can use the latest control data. Specifically, the control data acquisition unit 115 acquires, from the print server 300, the control data corresponding to the combination of the ink identifiers of the currently set ink, and newly stores this in the non-volatile memory 120.

[0035] Also, as another example, the processor 110 may determine whether to acquire new control data according to an instruction from the user. In this case, when the control data acquisition unit 115 acquires new control data, it stores this in the non-volatile memory 120. However, when it does not acquire new control data, it does not store it in the non-volatile memory 120. In this way, the printer 100 can determine whether to use new control data according to the user's wishes.

[0036] When the compatibility conditions are met, the ink set in the past and the ink currently set are a combination of inks that can be mixed without problems. Therefore, when the compatibility conditions are met in this way, normal printing is executed.

[0037] On the other hand, when the processor 110 does not meet the compatibility conditions (N in step S104), it notifies the user of an error that the currently set ink cartridge cannot be used (step S108). Specifically, the display processing unit 112 displays an error screen for notifying the error on the display unit 130. When the compatibility conditions are not met, the ink set in the past and the ink currently set are a combination of inks that must not be mixed. Therefore, in this case, the processor 110 notifies the error without supplying or printing the ink in the currently set ink cartridge.

[0038] In step S110, the control data acquisition unit 115 of the processor 110 requests the printing server 300 for control data corresponding to the combination of ink identifiers currently set. The printing server 300 transmits the control data corresponding to the combination of ink identifiers as a response to this request. When the control data acquisition unit 115 receives the control data transmitted from the printing server 300 and is able to acquire the control data (Y in step S110), it stores the control data in the non-volatile memory 120 and advances the process to step S114. When the control data acquisition unit 115 is unable to acquire the control data (N in step S110), it advances the process to step S112. The case where the control data cannot be acquired means that the printing server 300 does not store the control data corresponding to the target combination of inks. For example, when the target combination of inks includes third-party inks, the printing server 300 may not store the control data.

[0039] In step S112, the control data acquisition unit 115 of the processor 110 acquires control data from the ROMs 1921 - 1924 of the ink cartridges 1911 - 1914. When the processor 110 is able to acquire the control data (Y in step S112), it stores the control data in the non-volatile memory 120 and advances the process to step S114. When the processor 110 is unable to acquire the control data (N in step S112), it advances the process to step S108. That is, in this case, the processor 110 issues an error notification and ends the process without performing printing. The case where the control data cannot be acquired means that none of the ROMs 1921 - 1924 stores the control data corresponding to the target combination of inks.

[0040] In step S114, the authority determination unit 118 of the processor 110 checks whether authority is required for the currently set ink combination by querying the print server 300. If the authority determination unit 118 determines that authority is required (Y in step S114), the process proceeds to step S116. If the authority determination unit 118 determines that authority is not required (N in step S114), the process proceeds to step S124.

[0041] In step S116, the authority determination unit 118 checks whether the user has authority. Specifically, the authority determination unit 118 transmits the user identification information input by the user to the print server 300. The print server 300 determines that the user has authority if the user identification information registered as a paid member matches the user identification information received from the printer 100, and determines that the user does not have authority if they do not match. Then, the print server notifies the printer of the determination result. If the authority determination unit 118 receives a notification that the user has authority (Y in step S116), the process proceeds to step S118. If the authority determination unit 118 receives a notification that the user does not have authority (N in step S116), the process proceeds to step S108. That is, if the user does not have authority, an error notification is issued and the process ends without performing printing.

[0042] In step S118, the warning determination unit 116 determines whether the current ink combination satisfies the warning conditions. If the warning determination unit 116 determines that the current ink combination does not satisfy the warning conditions (N in step S118), the process proceeds to step S124. If the warning determination unit 116 determines that the current ink combination satisfies the warning conditions (Y in step S118), the process proceeds to step S120.

[0043] In step S120, the display processing unit 112 displays the warning screen 400 on the display unit 130. Next, the reception unit 111 receives a continuation instruction or a cancellation instruction. When the OK button 421 is selected on the warning screen 400, the reception unit 111 receives a continuation instruction, and when the cancellation button 422 is selected, the reception unit 111 receives a cancellation instruction. When the processor 110 receives a continuation instruction (continuation instruction in step S122), the process proceeds to step S124. When the processor 110 receives a cancellation instruction (cancellation instruction in step S122), the process proceeds to step S108. That is, in this case, the processor 110 issues an error notification and ends the process without performing printing.

[0044] In step S124, the control data acquisition unit 115 stores the control data corresponding to the combination of the ink identifiers of the current inks in the non-volatile memory 120. Next, in step S106, the printing processing unit 119 sets to enable printing using the inks of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set at the time of processing. Thereby, a printer suitable for the combination of the ink cartridges is produced. After that, when a printing instruction is received from the user, the image data is printed. Specifically, by controlling the medium conveyance mechanism 160, the carriage motor 170, and the carriage 180, printing is performed using the inks of the ink cartridges 1911 to 1914 set in the cartridge holders 181 to 184. Thereby, a printed matter using the set combination of the ink cartridges is produced. In printing, the control data stored in the non-volatile memory 120 is referred to, and the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 113 is used.

[0045] As described above, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, by acquiring control data corresponding to the current ink combination, printing corresponding to the current ink combination can be performed. As a result, instead of manufacturing different printer models for each ink combination, a common printer model can be manufactured, thus reducing the manufacturing cost. Further, when the current ink combination satisfies the warning condition, the printing system 1 can issue a warning to the user. Therefore, when receiving the warning, the user can check whether there is any problem with printing using the current ink before printing.

[0046] In addition, when ink supply has not been performed in the past, the printing system 1 enables printing, while when ink supply has been performed in the past, printing is restricted according to the ink used in the past. Specifically, when the combination of the past ink and the current ink satisfies the compatibility condition, the printing system 1 performs printing, while when the compatibility condition is not satisfied, ink supply is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent incompatible inks from being mixed. Further, the printing system 1 checks the user authority before printing. Therefore, it is possible to manage so that printing by a user without authority is not performed.

[0047] The above-described embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted.

[0048] As such a first modification, an ink tank may be set in the printer 100 instead of an ink cartridge. In this case, ink is injected into the ink tank from an ink bottle. And in this case, the printer 100 includes a reading unit (not shown), and the reading unit reads an ink identifier via a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on the label of the ink bottle or the outer packaging of the packing box. Then, the identifier acquisition unit 114 acquires the ink identifier read by the reading unit. Thus, the mechanism for acquiring the identifier is not limited to the embodiment. Further, the present invention may be applied to a laser printer that performs printing using toner ink.

[0049] As a second modification example, the printing server 300 may store a plurality of control data for the same combination of ink identifiers. Further, in this case, the display processing unit 112 displays the plurality of control data, and when the desired control data is selected by the user, the reception unit 111 receives the designation of the control data selected by the user. Then, the control data acquisition unit 115 acquires the control data selected by the user. Thereby, when a plurality of control data are prepared, the user can perform printing with the desired control data.

[0050] As a third modification example, the authority determination unit 118 may periodically determine whether or not it has authority regardless of the printing timing. Thereby, the processor 110 can accurately determine the presence or absence of authority even for a user who was once determined to have authority but then lost the authority. Specifically, the processor 110 shall control so as not to perform printing when a user who was once determined to have authority loses the authority thereafter. Thereby, appropriate printing according to the user authority can be managed.

[0051] As a fourth modification example, the warning determination unit 116 may present a sample of the printing result as a warning to the user. For example, samples related to preset printing settings such as paper selection such as plain paper or photo paper, and paper size may be presented. Here, the printing settings may be initial settings or favorite settings set by the user.

[0052] As a fifth modification example, the warning condition may be any condition under which a warning is issued when there is a possibility that the printing result intended by the user cannot be obtained, and the content of the condition is not limited to the embodiments. The warning condition may be, for example, in the printer 100, that it is a combination other than the preset ink combination. An ink combination using different control data may also satisfy the conformity condition. In this case, it is made to proceed from step S104 to step S110. Also, the determination of the conformity condition, the determination of the authority, and the determination of the warning condition may not be performed.

[0053] The above embodiments are examples for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can also be adopted. For example, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, such as applying a modification example of one embodiment to another embodiment.

[0054] Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable as a program or method executed by a computer. Also, it may be realized as a single device as described above, or may be realized by using components provided in a plurality of devices, and includes various aspects. Also, it can be appropriately changed, such as part being software and part being hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any recording medium developed in the future, and can be considered in exactly the same way. It is also conceivable to apply the present invention as a printer driver or an application that executes part or all of the above flowchart.

Explanation of Signs

[0055] 1... Printing system, 100... Printer, 110... Processor, 111... Reception unit, 112... Display processing unit, 113... Image data acquisition unit, 114... Identifier acquisition unit, 115... Control data acquisition unit, 116... Warning judgment unit, 117... Compatibility judgment unit, 118... Authority judgment unit, 119... Printing processing unit, 120... Non-volatile memory, 130... Display unit, 140... Operation unit, 180... Carriage, 181 - 184... Cartridge holder, 185... Print head, 300... Print server, 1911 - 1914... Ink cartridge, 1921 - 1924... ROM

Claims

1. a first ink receiving part, a second ink receiving part, a first identifier acquisition part that acquires a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving part, a second identifier acquisition part that acquires a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving part, a storage part that stores control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier, an authority determination part that determines whether a user has an authority corresponding to the combination, an image data acquisition part that acquires image data, and a printing part that, when the user has the authority, performs printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data, and does not supply the first ink and the second ink when the user does not have the authority. A printing system comprising the above components.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the authority determination part determines whether the user has the authority by making an inquiry to an external server.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage part stores the control data acquired from an external server.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the authority determination part periodically determines whether the user has the authority.

5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing part does not perform printing using the first ink and the second ink when it is determined by the authority determination part that the user has lost the authority.

6. a first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving part, a second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving part, an authority determination step of determining whether a user has an authority corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier, an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data, and a printing process step of producing a printed matter by performing printing according to the image data using the first ink and the second ink according to the control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier when the user has the authority, and not supplying the first ink and the second ink when the user does not have the authority. A printed matter production method including the above steps.

7. On a computer, A first identifier acquisition step of acquiring a first identifier indicating the type of the first ink set in the first ink receiving portion; A second identifier acquisition step of acquiring a second identifier indicating the type of the second ink set in the second ink receiving portion; An authority determination step of determining whether the user has an authority corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier; An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data; When the user has the authority, according to the control data corresponding to the combination of the first identifier and the second identifier, using the first ink and the second ink, execute printing according to the image data, and when the user does not have the authority, control so as not to supply the first ink and the second ink. A printing process step; A program for causing the above to be executed.

Images