Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To efficiently carry out halftone processing with using a limited capacity of a memory.SOLUTION: A print control unit carries out a step of acquiring a copy of a print queue stored in a RAM and a management table of a halftone processing setting information, a step of acquiring one record from the head of the management table of the halftone processing setting information to extract an identifier X1 included therein, a step of acquiring one print processing start command from the head of the copied print queue to extract an identifier X2 included therein. The print control unit compares the identifier X1 and the identifier X2 to determine, if the identifier X1 and the identifier X2 are matched with each other, that the identifier X1 is set to a target for deletion. If the identifier X1 and the identifier X2 are not matched with each other, the print control unit acquires the next print processing start command from the copied print queue to extract the identifier X2, and thus repeats similar comparison between the identifier X1 and the identifier X2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing technique in a print processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of commercial printing, the diversification of output materials has led to an increasing number of cases where printing jobs consisting of multiple pages are printed on different recording media of different sizes and types. For example, a printer may specify cardboard recording media for the cover and final page only, coated paper for pages where photographs are to be inserted, and plain paper for the remaining pages.

[0003] When processing a print job that involves specifying different recording media for each page, it is common to generate setting information for optimizing halftoning for each recording medium and then perform halftoning based on the setting information appropriate for the recording medium in order to improve print quality. For example, for recording media that do not absorb ink well, it is desirable to perform halftoning that reduces the overall amount of ink applied compared to plain paper.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses that, in order to further improve print quality, halftone processing is performed based on setting information that reflects density correction values, non-discharge nozzle information, etc. Applying such density correction and non-discharge compensation to setting information for halftone processing takes time. Therefore, in order to perform halftone processing efficiently, it is desirable to generate setting information for halftone processing in advance and store it in the memory of the printing device.

[0005] However, when the number of recording media specified in a print job increases, it may become impossible to store all of the setting information for halftone processing corresponding to the specified recording media in memory. In such cases, it has been common practice to delete the oldest setting information stored in memory in order of use, and then generate setting information corresponding to the recording media specified for the pages to be printed next and store it in the memory of the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-096424 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in conventional technology, if cardboard is specified only for the cover and final page and the setting information for halftone processing is deleted starting with the oldest, the setting information for cardboard will be deleted when the final page is printed and will need to be regenerated, resulting in reduced printing efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is an information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring unprocessed process start commands among process start commands that are generated based on a print job involving multiple pages input to a printing device and that instruct the start of printing process by associating printing condition information and print image data for each page, and management information that indicates setting information for halftone processing on the print image data stored in a storage device; and a management means for managing the setting information stored in the storage device based on the unprocessed process start commands and the management information acquired by the acquisition means. and when deleting the setting information stored in the storage device, the management unit deletes the setting information from the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information that is not associated with the unprocessed processing start command. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to perform printing efficiently using limited memory. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Examples of printing devices to which the present invention is applied [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information processing device for controlling a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Example of a user interface that accepts printing condition registration instructions and tray setting instructions [Figure 4] Example of a user interface that accepts print job setting instructions [Figure 5] Example of a management table for print queue and halftoning setting information [Figure 6] 1 is a table summarizing instructions, commands, requests, information contained therein, and processing units transmitted and received in embodiment 1. [Figure 7] Flowchart of halftone processing setting information generation / deletion process [Figure 8] Flowchart of the process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted [Figure 9] User interface for printing condition registration and tray registration in embodiment 2 [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a management table for print queues and halftone processing setting information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Before starting a printing process, a user loads paper into one of three paper feed trays 110 in a paper feed unit 101. FIG. 1 shows an example in which three paper feed units 101 are installed. When a print job is submitted and printing begins, the paper specified for the print job is selected, and the paper is taken from the tray where the paper is loaded and transported along a transport path 111. The printing unit 102 includes a print head 113 that prints on print paper transported along the outbound path (upper portion) of the transport path 111. The print head 113 can be configured to eject ink directly onto the paper or transfer toner attached to a photosensitive drum onto the paper, but the printing method and manner are not limited in this embodiment. A flipping mechanism 114 for flipping the print paper is provided along the return path (lower portion) of the transport path 111. A roller 112 rotates to move a print belt, thereby transporting the paper. As shown in the configuration diagram, multiple rollers 112 are located within each unit. The transport destination switching points 115 have claws for switching the transport path. In this embodiment, transport destination switching points 115 are located at all points where the transport path 111 branches from one path to another. The fixing unit 103 dries ink, toner, or other adhering matter printed on the print paper and applies pressure to fix it to the print paper. When double-sided printing is specified, the conversion unit 104 can switch the transport path downward after printing the front side to print the back side. The inspection unit 105 can perform an inspection process by scanning the transported print with a scanner 116 and comparing it with an inspection reference image. The paper insertion unit 106 can insert paper to be sandwiched between prints at a user-specified timing. The discharge unit 107 can switch between discharging the print to the discharge outlet 118 or sending it to a subsequent unit. The discharge outlet 118 is specified as the destination for the print for each print job when the print job is generated. It is also possible to specify an outlet 118 as an escape destination for only those items that are determined to be "abnormal" (NG) as a result of the inspection process. The large-volume discharge unit 108 can switch between discharging printed materials to the outlet 119 or sending them to a subsequent unit.The discharge outlet 119 can hold a larger volume of printed matter than the discharge outlet 118. The multi-outlet discharge unit 109 can allocate printed matter to the discharge outlets 120, 121, 122, and 123.

[0012] Each of the above units is also equipped with a controller 124 that controls each unit. The controller is made up of a CPU, RAM (volatile memory), auxiliary storage device, and external communication device, and is capable of exchanging information with other units and performing calculations using these devices.

[0013] The print job control unit 125 has a user interface including a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and can receive print instructions and print settings from the user.

[0014] Each control board transmits and receives data to and from other control boards via a network cable 126 or a network hub 127 .

[0015] In this embodiment, a control board is attached to each unit, but in the present invention, the control board may be located anywhere, and one control board may control multiple units.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an information processing device for controlling a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each functional block is implemented as part of the software on the control board of each unit shown in Fig. 1.

[0017] The print job control unit 201 and halftone processing unit 203 are mounted on the control board of the print job control unit 125. The print control unit 202 and print head unit 204 are mounted on the control board of the print unit 102. Note that in this embodiment, it has been described above which unit's control board each functional block is mounted on, but in the present invention, it does not matter which control board each functional block is mounted on. Also, Figure 6 shows a table summarizing the instructions, commands, and requests sent and received between the user and each functional block, as well as the information and processing units contained therein. Numbers prefixed with "ID6-" that appear in this embodiment refer to IDs in the table in Figure 6.

[0018] The print job control unit 201 receives a print condition registration instruction (ID6-1), a tray setting instruction (ID6-2), a print job setting instruction (ID6-3), and a print job start instruction (ID6-4) from the user via a user interface such as a mouse and keyboard.

[0019] The printing condition registration instruction (ID6-1) is an instruction to the print job control unit 201 to register information related to the printing process (printing condition information). The printing condition information can specify the paper size, basis weight, paper name, ink amount, and non-discharge compensation method. When the print job control unit 201 receives the printing condition registration instruction (ID6-1), it generates an identifier X that can uniquely identify the printing condition information and stores the printing condition information and identifier X in RAM. Note that instead of receiving the printing condition registration instruction from the user, pre-registered printing condition information may be used. For example, the print job control unit 201 may store default setting values for each recording medium, and use the default printing condition information if there is no printing condition registration instruction from the user.

[0020] The tray setting instruction (ID6-2) is an instruction to assign the printing condition information registered in the printing condition registration instruction (ID6-1) to the paper feed tray 110. If there are multiple paper feed trays, printing condition information is assigned to each paper feed tray. When the print job control unit 201 receives the tray setting instruction (ID6-2), it associates the tray number of the paper feed tray 110 with the printing condition information and stores them in RAM. The tray number is sent to the print job control unit 125 as information that can uniquely identify each paper feed tray when the paper feed unit 101 is installed. Note that in this embodiment, in order to assign printing condition information to the paper feed tray 110, it is necessary to load a recording medium corresponding to that printing condition information into the paper feed tray 110 in advance.

[0021] 3 shows an example of a user interface that accepts a print condition registration instruction (ID6-1) and a tray setting instruction (ID6-2) according to this embodiment. The print condition registration dialog displays registered print conditions, which can be edited by pressing the edit button. The tray setting dialog displays the relationship between the tray number and the actual position of the paper feed tray.

[0022] The print job setting instruction (ID6-3) specifies the print job (for example, specifying a PDF file) and the detailed settings of the print job. The detailed settings of the print job can include the page range, number of copies, print condition information specified in the print condition registration instruction, resolution, etc. If different print conditions are to be specified for each page of a print job, select "mix" for "print conditions." When the print job control unit 201 receives the print job setting instruction (ID6-3), it stores the print job and the detailed settings of the print job in RAM.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows an example of a user interface that accepts a print job setting instruction (ID6-3) according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the user interface when "mix" is selected for "Printing Condition" in the detailed settings dialog. If a registered printing condition other than "mix" is specified for "Printing Condition," the mix printing condition setting dialog will not be displayed. Furthermore, in the mix printing condition setting dialog, printing conditions can be specified individually for each page. The tray number displayed in the print job setting and mix printing condition setting dialogs is the tray number displayed if the printing condition name displayed in the column to the left was assigned to a tray number when the paper tray was set. If the selected printing condition is not assigned to any tray number, nothing is displayed.

[0024] The print job start instruction (ID6-4) commands the start of processing the print job specified in the print job setting instruction. Upon receiving the print job start instruction (ID6-4), the print job control unit 201 checks the print job and detailed print job settings stored in RAM. The print job control unit 201 performs RIP processing on each page of the print job to generate multi-valued print image data and stores the print image data in RAM along with an identifier Y that uniquely identifies the print image data. If the print job specifies printing conditions not assigned to a tray number, the print job control unit 201 displays an error message on the monitor. Furthermore, the print job control unit 201 calculates the print time at which each sheet passes under the print head 113 based on the paper size and the conveyance speed information preset in the printing device. The print time is measured relative to the time since the printing device was started, measured in microseconds. The print job control unit 201 sends the identifier X of the printing condition information, the identifier Y of the print image data, and the print time to the print control unit 202, starting with the sheet with the earliest printing time, along with a print processing start command (ID6-5). The print process start command is issued for each sheet. If the print control unit 202 does not receive the print process start command (ID6-5), the print job control unit 201 resends the print process start command (ID6-5) after a certain period of time, three seconds in this embodiment.

[0025] The print control unit 202 will now be described. When the print control unit 202 receives a print process start command (ID6-5) from the print job control unit 201, it registers it in the print queue stored in RAM as an "unprocessed" print process start command. In this embodiment, the size of the print queue is set to 100, and no print process start commands greater than this size will be accepted. Note that the print process start command registered in the print queue is deleted from the print queue once the print process is executed and the command becomes "processed."

[0026] FIG. 5A shows an example of a print queue in which an unprocessed print process start command is registered. Each print process start command registered in the print queue is associated with an identifier X, an identifier Y, and a print time. The print control unit 202 retrieves the print process start command from the top of the print queue, executes a halftone processing setting information generation / deletion process, and determines whether to generate new halftone processing setting information, delete existing halftone processing setting information, or do nothing. If the print control unit 202 determines to generate halftone processing setting information, it sends identifier X to the halftone processing unit 203 as a halftone processing setting information generation command. The halftone processing unit 203 generates halftone processing unit setting information based on identifier X received as the halftone processing setting information generation command. Details of the halftone processing setting information generation / deletion process will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. The halftone processing setting information to be generated and deleted is managed using management information for managing halftone processing setting information stored in RAM, which in this embodiment is a management table.

[0027] An example of a management table for halftone processing setting information is shown in Fig. 5(b). The management table stores an identifier X, a timestamp indicating the time when the halftone processing setting information was created, and usage information, in association with each other. Each row is called a record.

[0028] The print control unit 202 sends a halftone processing execution command (ID6-8) to the halftone processing unit 203 along with an identifier X of the printing condition information and an identifier Y of the print image data T seconds before the printing time. If this T seconds is too long, it will take longer to print and the amount of halftone image data stored in RAM will increase, so it is desirable to make it as short as possible depending on the processing speed of the halftone processing. In this embodiment, T=5 (seconds). Furthermore, the usage status information for each record in the management table is set to "InUse" until halftone processing is complete, and then changed to "NotInUse" after halftone processing is complete.

[0029] The print control unit 202 also transmits the identifier Y as a print command (ID6-9) to the print head unit 204 immediately before the print time. After transmitting the print command, the print control unit 202 deletes the print process start command (ID6-5) in the print queue that is associated with the identifier Y transmitted as the print command.

[0030] Next, the halftone processing unit 203 will be described. When the halftone processing unit 203 receives an identifier X as a halftone processing setting information generation command (ID6-6) from the print control unit 202, it transmits the received identifier X to the print job control unit 201 as a printing condition information transmission request (ID6-11). The halftone processing unit 203 then receives printing condition information corresponding to the identifier X transmitted from the print job control unit 201 as a response to the printing condition information transmission request. The halftone processing unit 203 generates halftone processing setting information to be used in halftone processing from the received printing condition information, and stores the generated halftone processing setting information together with the identifier X of the printing condition information in RAM. When the halftone processing unit 203 receives an identifier X as a halftone processing setting information deletion command (ID6-7) from the print control unit 202, it deletes the halftone processing setting information associated with the received identifier X from RAM. When the halftone processing unit 203 receives the identifier X and the identifier Y as a halftone processing execution command (ID6-8) from the print control unit 202, it transmits the received identifier Y as a print image data transmission request (ID6-10) to the print job control unit 201. The halftone processing unit 203 then receives print image data from the print job control unit 201 as a response to the print image data transmission request. The halftone processing unit 203 performs halftone processing on the received print image data based on the halftone processing setting information associated with the identifier X stored in RAM, and generates halftone image data. The halftone processing unit 203 then transmits the generated halftone image data together with the identifier Y to the print head unit 204 as a halftone image data transmission command (ID6-12).

[0031] When the print head unit 204 receives the identifier Y and halftone image data as a halftone image data transmission command (ID6-12) from the halftone processing unit 203, it associates them and stores them in RAM. Then, when the print head unit 204 receives the identifier Y as a print command (ID6-9) from the print control unit 202, it reads the halftone image data associated with the received identifier Y from RAM and executes printing processing using the print head 113.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for explaining halftone processing setting information generation and deletion processing in the print control unit 202 according to this embodiment.

[0033] In S701, the print control unit 202 extracts the identifier X from the received print process start command (ID6-5).

[0034] In S702, the print control unit 202 acquires a management table for halftone processing setting information and checks whether halftone processing setting information corresponding to the identifier X extracted in S701 is stored in RAM. If a record including the extracted identifier X exists, the process proceeds to S709; if a record including the extracted identifier X does not exist, the process proceeds to S703.

[0035] In S703, the print control unit 202 checks whether the number of records included in the management table is equal to or greater than a predetermined number A. A is determined in advance based on the RAM size on the print job control unit 125 where the halftone processing unit 203 operates, the size of the halftone processing setting information, and the RAM size used for other processing. In this embodiment, the RAM size on the print job control unit 125 is 32 GB, the size of the halftone processing setting information is 1.5 GB, and the RAM size used for other processing is 23 GB, and A=6 is calculated by (32-23) / 1.5. If the number of records included in the management table is equal to or greater than A, the process proceeds to S704; if the number of records is less than A, the process proceeds to S707.

[0036] In step S704, the print control unit 202 executes a process for determining the halftone processing setting information to be deleted, which determines an identifier X associated with the halftone processing setting information to be deleted. Details of the process for determining the halftone processing setting information to be deleted will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0037] In S705, the print control unit 202 transmits the identifier X determined in S704 to the halftone processing unit 203 as a halftone processing setting information deletion command (ID6-7).

[0038] In S706, the halftone processing unit 203 deletes the record of the identifier X to be deleted from the management table of halftone processing setting information, and deletes the halftone processing setting information corresponding to the deleted identifier X from the RAM.

[0039] Returning now to S703, a case will be described where the number of records included in the management table of halftone processing setting information is less than A (NO in S703) and the process proceeds to S707.

[0040] In S707, the print control unit 202 transmits the identifier X to the halftone processing unit 203 as a halftone processing setting information generation command (ID6-6).

[0041] In S708, the halftone processing unit 203 generates halftone processing information based on the received identifier X, and adds a record corresponding to the generated halftone processing setting information to the management table.

[0042] In S709, the halftone processing unit 203 sets the usage status information of the record added in S708 to "InUse."

[0043] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for explaining the deletion target determination process for halftone processing setting information in the print control unit 202 according to this embodiment.

[0044] In S801, the print control unit 202 acquires a copy of the print queue stored in RAM. The reason for acquiring a copy of the print queue here is to enable other processes to read and write to the print queue.

[0045] In S802, the print control unit 202 acquires the management table of halftone processing setting information stored in the RAM.

[0046] In S803, the print control unit 202 acquires one record from the top of the management table of halftone processing setting information.

[0047] In S804, the print control unit 202 extracts the identifier X1 included in the record acquired in S803.

[0048] In S805, the print control unit 202 acquires one print process start command from the top of the print queue copied in S801.

[0049] In S806, the print control unit 202 extracts the identifier X2 included in the print process start command acquired in S805.

[0050] In S807, the print control unit 202 compares the identifier X1 with the identifier X2, and if the identifier X1 and the identifier X2 are different, proceeds to S808; if the identifier X1 and the identifier X2 are the same, the print control unit 202 determines that the identifier X1 is to be deleted and proceeds to S810.

[0051] In S808, the print control unit 202 acquires the next print process start command from the copied print queue and proceeds to S806. Also, if all print process start commands contained in the print queue have been extracted, it is determined that there is no print process start command using halftone process setting information based on the same printing condition information in the print queue (i.e., in the subsequent print process).

[0052] In S809, the halftone processing unit 203 selects the identifier X1 of the record acquired from the management table as the deletion target. That is, the halftone processing setting information stored in the RAM that corresponds to the identifier X1 is selected as the deletion target.

[0053] In S810, if the processing target of the halftone processing setting information has been determined or all records included in the management table have been extracted, the halftone processing unit 203 proceeds to S811.

[0054] In S811, the halftone processing unit 203 checks whether the deletion target of the halftone processing setting information has been determined, and if not, the process proceeds to S812, and if determined, the process ends.

[0055] In S812, the halftone processing unit 203 selects the halftone processing setting information corresponding to the record with the oldest timestamp and whose usage status information is "NotInUse" from among the records included in the management table as the target for deletion.

[0056] In this manner, in this embodiment, halftone processing setting information that includes printing condition information that is not included in the print processing start command registered in the print queue is deleted first, which allows halftone processing setting information that is likely to be used again to remain instead of being deleted, thereby suppressing the regeneration of halftone processing setting information and enabling halftone processing to be performed efficiently.

[0057] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the information managed as printing condition information in the first embodiment is divided into recording medium information (paper size, weight, etc.) and image processing information (ink application amount, non-discharge compensation method, etc.) and managed separately. The image processing information is information extracted from the printing condition information of the first embodiment that is related to output quality, and more specifically, information related to application amount, non-discharge compensation method, etc. The recording medium information is information extracted from the printing condition information of the first embodiment without the image processing information.

[0058] The user interface for registering printing conditions and trays is shown in Figure 9. Image processing information can be defined independently of recording medium information, and by managing them independently, the same image processing information can be set for different recording medium information.

[0059] In this embodiment, the identifier X, which can uniquely identify printing condition information defined in the first embodiment, is a combination of an identifier XA, which can uniquely identify recording medium information, and an identifier XB, which can uniquely identify image processing information. When the print job control unit 201 receives a printing condition registration instruction, it generates the identifier XA and the identifier XB. Therefore, by replacing the identifier X with "the combination of the identifier XA and the identifier XB," Figures 6 and 7 of the first embodiment become flowcharts that explain the instruction, command, and request table and the halftone processing setting information generation and deletion process in the second embodiment.

[0060] 10 shows a management table for print queues and halftone processing setting information used in this embodiment. In the management table for print queues and halftone processing setting information in this embodiment, identifiers XA and XB are treated as separate elements.

[0061] 11 shows a flowchart illustrating the process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted, which is used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the purpose is to determine that halftone processing setting information of the same recording medium information is likely to be used, and to exclude it from the list of information to be deleted. Note that S1101 to S1103, S1105, S1108, and S1110 to S1112 are the same as S801 to S803, S805, S808, and S810 to S812 in the first embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

[0062] In S1104 and S1106, the identifier XA of the recording medium information is obtained, and in S1107 the identifier XA of the recording medium information is compared. In S1109, the halftone processing setting information corresponding to the identifier XA1 of the record obtained from the management table is targeted for deletion. Note that if there is a print processing start command with the same identifier XA1 in the print queue, even if the identifier XB is different, it is considered to have a high possibility of being used in the future and is therefore excluded from the list of deletion targets (S1107, S1110).

[0063] (Embodiment 3) The third embodiment is an embodiment in which halftone processing setting information to be deleted is determined using image processing information, and is the same as the second embodiment except for the process of determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted.

[0064] The process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the purpose is to determine that halftone processing setting information with the same image processing information is likely to be used (the print quality of successive print processing start commands is often the same), and to exclude it from the list of information to be deleted. Furthermore, if no information to be deleted is found, the method described in the first and second embodiments is used to determine the information to be deleted. Note that steps S1201 to S1203, S1205, S1208, S1210, and S1211 are the same as steps S801 to S803, S805, S808, S810, and S811 in the first embodiment, and therefore their description will be omitted. In steps S1204 and S1206, the image processing information identifier XB is acquired, and in step S1207, the paper information identifier XB is compared. In step S1209, the halftone processing setting information corresponding to the record identifier XB1 acquired from the management table is designated as the information to be deleted. If the print queue contains a print process start command with the same identifier XB, it is considered likely to be used in the future even if the identifier XA is different, and is therefore excluded from deletion targets (S1207, S1210).

[0065] In S1212, another process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted is performed. Specifically, this process is the process for determining halftone processing setting information to be deleted shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 in the first and second embodiments, but other methods may also be used.

[0066] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0067] The present disclosure includes the following configurations and methods. [Configuration 1] an acquisition means for acquiring unprocessed process start commands among process start commands that are generated based on a print job including multiple pages input to a printing device and that instruct the start of printing process by associating printing condition information and print image data for each page, and management information that indicates setting information for halftone processing of the print image data stored in a storage device; a management unit that manages the setting information stored in the storage device based on the unprocessed process start command and the management information acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with When deleting the setting information stored in the storage device, the management unit deletes the setting information from the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information that is not associated with the unprocessed process start command. 1. An information processing device comprising: [Configuration 2] The setting information is generated based on the printing condition information. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1, [Configuration 3] the management information includes an identifier of the setting information; 3. The information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2. [Configuration 4] the management information includes usage status information indicating whether the setting information is being used or not; 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3. [Configuration 5] the management means includes the storage device, acquires the setting information, and stores it in the storage device; 5. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. [Configuration 6] a halftone processing unit that reads out the setting information corresponding to the print image data from the storage device and performs halftone processing on the print image data based on the read setting information; 6. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, further comprising: [Configuration 7] the halftone processing means generates the setting information and the management information based on the printing condition information; the acquiring means acquires the management information from the halftone processing means. 7. The information processing device according to configuration 6. [Configuration 8] The printing condition information includes recording medium information regarding a recording medium to be used for printing and image processing information regarding image processing to be performed on the print image data. 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. [Configuration 9] the management means deletes from the setting information corresponding to the image processing information that is not associated in the processing start command acquired by the acquisition means. 9. The information processing device according to configuration 8. [Configuration 10] the management unit deletes from the setting information, in the process start command acquired by the acquisition unit, information corresponding to the recording medium information that is not associated in the process start command acquired by the acquisition unit. 10. The information processing device according to configuration 9. [Configuration 11] the setting information includes generation time information of the setting information, the management unit deletes the setting information with the oldest generation time from among the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information not associated in the process start command based on the generation time information. 11. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Configuration 12] a step of acquiring unprocessed process start commands among process start commands that are generated based on a print job including multiple pages input to a printing device and that instruct the start of printing process by associating printing condition information and print image data for each page, and management information that indicates setting information for halftone processing of the print image data stored in a storage device; managing the setting information stored in the storage device based on the unprocessed process start command and the management information acquired in the acquiring step; Equipped with When deleting the setting information stored in the storage device, the managing step deletes the setting information from the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information that is not associated with the unprocessed process start command. 1. An information processing method comprising: [Configuration 13] 12. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11.

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring unprocessed process start commands among process start commands that are generated based on a print job including multiple pages input to a printing device and that instruct the start of printing process by associating printing condition information and print image data for each page, and management information that indicates setting information for halftone processing of the print image data stored in a storage device; a management unit that manages the setting information stored in the storage device based on the unprocessed process start command and the management information acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with When deleting the setting information stored in the storage device, the management unit deletes the setting information from the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information that is not associated with the unprocessed process start command.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The setting information is generated based on the printing condition information.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. the management information includes an identifier of the setting information; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

4. the management information includes usage status information indicating whether the setting information is being used or not; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,

5. the management means includes the storage device, acquires the setting information, and stores it in the storage device; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

6. a halftone processing means for reading the setting information corresponding to the print image data from the storage device and performing halftone processing on the print image data based on the read setting information; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. the halftone processing means generates the setting information and the management information based on the printing condition information; the acquiring means acquires the management information from the halftone processing means.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

8. The printing condition information includes recording medium information regarding a recording medium to be used for printing and image processing information regarding image processing to be performed on the print image data.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

9. the management means deletes from the setting information corresponding to the image processing information that is not associated in the processing start command acquired by the acquisition means.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,

10. the management unit deletes from the setting information, in the process start command acquired by the acquisition unit, information corresponding to the recording medium information that is not associated in the process start command acquired by the acquisition unit.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9,

11. the setting information includes generation time information of the setting information, the management unit deletes the setting information with the oldest generation time from among the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information not associated in the process start command based on the generation time information.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

12. a step of acquiring unprocessed process start commands among process start commands that are generated based on a print job including multiple pages input to a printing device and that instruct the start of printing process by associating printing condition information and print image data for each page, and management information that indicates setting information for halftone processing of the print image data stored in a storage device; managing the setting information stored in the storage device based on the unprocessed process start command and the management information acquired in the acquiring step; Equipped with When deleting the setting information stored in the storage device, the managing step deletes the setting information from the setting information corresponding to the printing condition information that is not associated with the unprocessed process start command. An information processing method comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images