Print control device, control method for print control device, and program

Abstract

To shorten printing time in a more preferable manner.SOLUTION: An optical sensor 155 performs measurement processing of measuring physical properties of a first type of print medium. A CPU 128 determines parameters to be set when printing using the first type of print medium on the basis of the measurement results of the physical properties by the optical sensor 155. The CPU 128 registers, as registration information, information on the physical property measured by the optical sensor 155 and the determined parameters in association with the first type of print medium. The CPU 128 performs control so as to transmit the physical property information measured by the optical sensor 155 to an external device. A host I / F 127 receives, from the external device, physical property information regarding an unregistered second type of print medium. The CPU 128 determines parameters to be set when printing using the second type of print medium on the basis of the received physical property information regarding the second type of print medium without performing at least part of the measurement processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a print control device, a control method for a print control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, print control devices that control printing on print media such as paper have been known to measure physical property information of the print medium and automatically adjust printing parameters due to individual differences in the device itself in order to perform good printing on the print medium when an unknown print medium is set. Examples of measured physical property information of the print medium include ink penetration, wetting and spreading properties, and shrinkage when heated. Examples of automatic adjustment of printing parameters include adjustment of head position and paper feed amount. Some of these controls determine parameters based on both individual differences in the device itself and physical property information of the print medium. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a print control device associates and saves physical property information of the print medium with printing parameters, enabling automatic selection of appropriate print settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-104266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the physical property information of the print medium is measured and the print parameters are automatically adjusted every time a print job is submitted, it may take a long time to print.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce the time required for printing in a more suitable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing control device of the present invention is characterized by having a measurement means for performing a measurement process to measure the physical properties of a first type of printing medium; a first determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of printing medium based on the measurement results of the measurement means; a registration means for registering information about the physical properties measured by the measurement means and the parameters determined by the first determination means as registered information in association with the first type of printing medium; a transmission control means for controlling the transmission of the physical property information measured by the measurement means to an external device; a receiving means for receiving physical property information about an unregistered second type of printing medium from the external device; and a second determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means, without performing at least a part of the measurement process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for printing in a more suitable manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a print control device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a print control device; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print medium selection screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table managed by the print control device. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a print control device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a print control device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a print control device. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a printing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the relative arrangement of each component of the device used in the embodiments, the device shape, etc. are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] An example of a schematic configuration of a print control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The print control device corresponds to an electronic device and is a type of so-called information processing device. The print control device according to this embodiment can be realized as, for example, a printer into which print media such as paper can be set. 1, the print control apparatus 100 includes a printer controller 120, a printer engine 150, a hard disk drive (HDD) 161, and an input / output device 162. The print control apparatus 100 is connectable to a host computer 190 via a network 191.

[0011] The printer controller 120 has an HDD interface (I / F) 121, an input / output device I / F 122, a ROM (Read Only Memory) I / F 125, and a memory controller 126. The printer controller 120 also has a host I / F 127, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 128, a controller engine interface 129, and an image processing unit 130. These components are connected via a system bus 132 so as to be able to send and receive data to and from each other. The printer controller 120 also has a flash ROM 123 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 124, which are connected to the system bus 132 via the ROM I / F 125 and the memory controller 126, respectively.

[0012] The CPU 128 is a central processing unit such as a microprocessor (microcomputer) and controls the overall operation of the print control device 100 by executing programs and activating hardware. The flash ROM 123 is a storage area that stores programs executed by the CPU 128 and various data (for example, images, data used for various operations, etc.). The RAM 124 is used as a work area for the CPU 128 and as a temporary storage area for various received data. The RAM 124 may also be used as a storage area for holding various setting data. The host I / F 127 is an interface for connecting the print control device 100 (printer controller 120) to the network 191. Various data is transmitted and received between the print control device 100 and external devices via the network 191 via the host I / F 127. The controller engine interface 129 is an interface for connecting the printer engine 150 to the printer controller 120. The operation of the printer engine 150 is controlled via the controller engine interface 129.

[0013] The image processing unit 130 performs various image processing operations on the target data. As a specific example, the image processing unit 130 performs processing to convert print data (e.g., data expressed in a page description language) handled by the print control device 100 into image data (bitmap image data), as well as other image processing operations. The image processing unit 130 may also perform processing to convert the color space (e.g., YCbCr) of the image data included in the input print data into a standard RGB color space (e.g., sRGB). The image processing unit 130 also performs various image processing operations on the image data as needed, such as resolution conversion to an effective number of pixels (i.e., a number that can be printed by the print control device 100), image analysis, and image correction. The image data obtained by these image processing operations is stored, for example, in the RAM 124 or the HDD 161.

[0014] The printer engine 150 is a printing unit that forms an image. The printer engine 150 includes an inkjet head 151, a cutter unit 152, a conveyance motor 153, an interface 154 with the printer controller 120, and an optical sensor 155. These components are connected via a system bus 156. The printer engine 150 is also connected to the controller engine interface 129 of the printer controller 120 via the interface 154.

[0015] The inkjet head 151 is a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet (print medium) based on image data. The inkjet head 151, for example, holds multiple print heads for multiple colors and forms an image on the sheet by ejecting ink from the print heads in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet. Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the print control device is realized as an inkjet printer that uses ink as a recording material, but this is not intended to limit the configuration of the print control device according to this embodiment. The technology disclosed herein is applicable to printing devices using various printing methods, such as thermal printers (dye-sublimation, thermal transfer, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and other electrophotographic printers.

[0016] The cutter unit 152 is a mechanism that cuts roll paper, which is used as a recording medium (print medium) for printing in this embodiment. The cutter unit 152 cuts the roll paper to a predetermined length after an image is printed on it. For paper types that scatter paper dust when cut by the cutter unit 152, a setting for drawing a cutting dust reduction line at the cutting position to prevent paper dust from scattering during cutting can be stored in the Flash ROM 123. Furthermore, independent of the cutting dust reduction line setting, it is also possible to store an operation setting for the cutter unit 152 for each paper type in the Flash ROM 123. For paper types that cannot be cut using the cutter unit 152, a setting (user cut) that does not move the cutter unit 152 so that the user can cut with scissors can be stored in the Flash ROM 123. For paper types that require the user to hold the roll paper while cutting in order to create a curved cut, a setting (eject cut) that moves the cutter unit 152 when operated by the user can be stored in the Flash ROM 123. In the case of a paper type for which neither user cut nor eject cut is set, a setting (auto cut) for automatic cutting by the cutter unit 152 is stored in the flash ROM 123.

[0017] The transport motor 153 is a motor for driving a transport roller that transports the roll paper, and is controlled by the CPU 128 . The optical sensor 155 is a measuring means for measuring attribute values ​​of a recording medium, and is a reflective optical sensor including an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light emitting element, a specular reflection light receiving element, a diffused light receiving element, etc. The print control device 100 uses the optical sensor 155 to measure attribute values ​​such as the intensity of specular reflection light and diffuse reflection light from paper placed on a platen, and the thickness of the paper. The input / output device 162 includes an input unit such as a hard key or a panel for receiving various operations from the user, and a display unit (display) for displaying (notifying) various information to the user. The input / output device 162 may also present information to the user by outputting sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on acoustic information from a sound generator. The input / output device 162 is connected to the system bus 132 via the input / output device I / F 122. When feeding paper, the print control device 100 allows the user to select the paper type via the input / output device 162, and the correct paper type is transmitted, making it possible to carry out the transport set for each paper type.

[0018] The HDD 161 is a non-volatile storage area that can store and read programs executed by the CPU 128, print data, and setting information applied to various operations of the print control device 100. The HDD 161 is connected to the system bus 132 via the HDD I / F 121. Note that instead of the HDD 161, other large-capacity storage devices such as flash memory may be used.

[0019] In this embodiment, an example in which the input / output device 162 is present inside the print control device 100 has been shown, but the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, a component equivalent to the input / output device 162 may be connected as an external configuration via the network 191. Also, the host computer 190 may also function as the input / output device 162. Furthermore, in addition to the input / output device 162, the print control device may be capable of connecting other input / output devices via the network 191 or the like.

[0020] The host computer 190 corresponds to, for example, an external device that serves as a supply source of print data, and has a printer driver installed. The host computer 190 is an information processing device with a communication function, and can be realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet device, or the like. The print control device 100 may be provided with a data providing device that serves as a print data supply source, such as an image reader, a digital camera, or a smartphone, instead of the host computer 190. The connection between each device and the print control device 100 is not limited to via the network 191, and may be directly connected, for example, by wireless communication.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a print control device 100 according to this embodiment, showing in particular an example of the configuration of a portion related to the transport of roll paper. The print control device 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a paper feed unit in which roll paper can be installed. The example shown in Figure 2 shows the positional relationship within the print control device 100 where roll paper 204 is transported from paper feed unit 201 along a transport path by transport rollers 205 and where measurements are taken by optical sensor 155 located opposite the platen. The inkjet head 151 ejects ink onto the roll paper 204 transported from the paper feed unit 201. This prints an image on the roll paper 204. When feeding paper, the print control device 100 transports the roll paper 204 placed in the paper feed unit 201 onto a platen using a transport roller 205. At this time, the optical sensor 155 measures the specular reflection light intensity, diffuse reflection light intensity, and roll paper thickness of the roll paper 204, as well as the roll paper width. After printing, the roll paper is cut to the length desired by the user by a cutter unit 152.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows an example of a print medium selection screen 301 that the print control device 100 presents to the user via the input / output device 162 when it is detected that the user has set a print medium in the print control device 100. 3, the print medium selection screen 301 displays a group of options 302 of print media preset in the print control device 100, and a print medium option 303 including information that the print control device 100 received from an external device before the print medium was set. In addition, the print medium selection screen 301 displays an option 304 of a print medium that does not fall into either the group of options 302 or the option 303. Note that if the print control device 100 has no history of receiving print medium information from an external device, the option 303 is not displayed on the print medium selection screen 301.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data table managed by the print control apparatus 100. In the data table shown in Fig. 4, physical property information of the print medium and print parameters are associated and stored. The expansion / contraction ratio is the amount of change in size of the printing medium before and after heat is applied to the printing medium by the print control device 100. The wettability is the degree to which ink ejected by the inkjet head 151 spreads when it lands on the surface of the printing medium. The head position adjustment value is a value used to correct tolerances such as those involved in assembling and installing the inkjet head 151. The paper feed amount correction value is a value used to correct deviations in conveyance caused by eccentricity of the conveyance roller 205, the thickness and hardness of the printing medium, and the like. The color calibration value is a numerical value used to correct the color of the printed matter that arises from the tolerance of the optical characteristics of the optical sensor 155, the color and gloss of the surface of the printing medium, and the like. The physical property information and printing parameters of the printing medium shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and different physical property information and printing parameters of the printing medium may be used depending on the embodiment.

[0024] 4, for some types of printing media, physical property information is stored (registered) as a preset at the time of shipment from the factory. In addition, control may be applied in which the printing control device 100 communicates with a server or the like to acquire physical property information of the printing medium or the printing medium provided by the vendor of the printing control device 100 and store (register) it as a preset. For a preset type of print medium, all physical property information items are recorded, but some or all print parameter items are left unregistered (NULL). Unregistered print parameter items for a preset type of print medium are determined and registered by an adjustment process (specifically, the process of S704, described below) when that type of print medium is actually set. This type of control is applied on the assumption that, due to individual differences in the print control device 100, the parameters to be registered will differ for each individual device.

[0025] Information about new, non-preset printing media can also be registered in the data table shown in Fig. 4. For new printing media, for example, the measurement results of the physical properties of the target printing medium in the process of S707 (described later) are stored (registered) as physical property information, and the parameters determined in the process of S708 (described later) are stored (registered) as values ​​for each item of printing parameters. It is also possible to store (register) physical property information measured by another device in the data table using the process described later with reference to Fig. 6. The information registered in the data table corresponds to an example of registered information in which information on the physical properties of the print medium and print parameters are registered in association with the print medium.

[0026] An example of processing of the print control device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The series of processing shown in Fig. 5 is realized, for example, by loading a program recorded in Flash ROM 123 into RAM 124 and executing it by CPU 128. The series of processing shown in Fig. 5 starts when the power of the print control device 100 is on and the print control device 100 is ready to accept user operations.

[0027] In S501, CPU 128 determines whether print medium information has been received from an external device. When a measurement process is performed on a new type of print medium in another print control device separate from print control device 100, physical property information based on the measurement results is distributed from the other print control device. That is, the process of S709 in FIG. 7 (described later) is executed in the other print control device, thereby determining whether print medium information has been received in print control device 100. New print medium information may also be received not only from another print control device, but also from a server system on a network such as the Internet. In this case, too, it is determined in S501 that print medium information has been received from an external device. If CPU 128 determines in S501 that print medium information has been received, it proceeds to S502; otherwise, it proceeds to S503. In S502, the CPU 128 executes a process when print medium information is received. Details of the process when print medium information is received shown as S502 will be described separately later with reference to FIG.

[0028] In S503, CPU 128 determines whether an operation to load a print medium into the paper feed unit has been performed. If CPU 128 determines that an operation to load a print medium into the paper feed unit has been performed, it proceeds to S504; otherwise, it proceeds to S505. In S504, the CPU 128 executes a process when a printing medium is set. Details of the process when a printing medium is set shown as S504 will be described separately later with reference to FIG.

[0029] In S505, the CPU 128 determines whether or not another event has been detected. If the CPU 128 determines that another event has been detected, the process proceeds to S506, and if not, the process proceeds to S507. In S506, CPU 128 performs processing according to the other detected events. For example, when CPU 128 receives a print job including print data from host computer 190, it prints based on the print data on a print medium loaded in a paper feed unit. In this print processing, printing is performed using print parameters registered in association with the type of print medium set in the processing described below with reference to FIG. 7 (print parameters for the type of print medium set in the processing shown in FIG. 7, out of the print parameters shown in FIG. 4).

[0030] In S507, the CPU 128 determines whether an end event has been detected. An example of an end event is an operation to turn off the power of the print control device 100. If the CPU 128 determines that an end event has not been detected, it proceeds to S501 and executes the processes from S501 onwards again. If the CPU 128 determines that an end event has been detected, it ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] An example of the process when receiving print medium information shown as the process of S502 in Fig. 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The series of processes shown in Fig. 6 is realized, for example, by a program recorded in Flash ROM 123 being loaded into RAM 124 and executed by CPU 128.

[0032] In S601, the CPU 128 compares the print medium information received in S501 of FIG. 5 with the print medium information already registered in the data table described with reference to FIG. In S602, CPU 128 determines whether information that can be considered to be the same type of print medium as the type of print medium indicated by the print medium information received in S501 of Fig. 5 has already been registered. Specifically, CPU 128 determines whether the already registered print medium information contains information that completely matches, or differs only within an allowable error range, the physical property information contained in the print medium information received in S501 in all physical property information items. If matching information is found, CPU 128 determines that information for the same type of print medium has already been registered. If CPU 128 determines that the same type of print medium has already been registered, it proceeds to S603. If not, i.e., if the received print medium type information can be considered to be unregistered, it proceeds to S604. The print medium indicated by the print medium information received in S501 of FIG. 5 corresponds to an example of the second type of print medium.

[0033] In S603, CPU 128 discards the received information about the print medium without registering it in the data table described with reference to Fig. 4. In other words, in this case, CPU 128 does not register the information about the print medium as information about a new type of print medium.

[0034] In S604, the CPU 128 determines whether a print medium of a type similar to the type of print medium indicated by the print medium information received in S501 of FIG. 5 has already been registered. One example of a method for determining similarity is to compare each item of physical property information for two print media one by one and determine whether the average similarity exceeds a given threshold. As a specific example, if the thickness of the print medium in the received information is 0.089 mm and the thickness of the print medium in the registered information is 0.092 mm, the similarity in thickness is approximately 97%. Similarity is calculated for information on other print media in the same way, and similarity is determined based on whether the average similarity exceeds a threshold. Another example is a method of calculating the correlation coefficient between the information of two print media and determining the similarity based on whether the correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold.Furthermore, when comparing one specific item or multiple items included in the physical property information, similarity may be determined if they match or have a difference within a threshold. If CPU 128 determines that a similar type of printing medium has already been registered, it proceeds to S606; otherwise, if it determines that a similar type of printing medium has not been registered, it proceeds to S605.

[0035] In S605, the CPU 128 newly registers (records, stores) the values ​​of each item of physical property information included in the information on the printing medium received in S501 of Fig. 5 as information on the new type of printing medium in the data table shown in Fig. 4. Note that the printing parameters are not registered when the processing of S605 is executed, because they are actually adjusted and registered by the printing control device 100 in consideration of individual differences between devices.

[0036] In S606, CPU 128 newly registers (records, stores) the values ​​of each item of physical property information included in the information of the printing medium received in S501 of Fig. 5 in the data table shown in Fig. 4 as information for the new model of printing medium. Furthermore, CPU 128 registers, as information for the type of newly registered printing medium, parameters that are the same as the printing parameters of the registered type of printing medium that is the comparison target and that has been determined to be similar for at least some (some or all) of the printing parameter items. The registered printing parameter items are items that have been previously associated as being correlated with the physical property information that has been determined to be similar in S604. For example, the expansion / contraction ratio and thickness are assumed to be correlated in advance with the head position adjustment value and the paper feed correction value. In this case, the information about medium X is newly registered (a new row is added) as the received print medium information in the data table shown in Figure 4, and the information contained in the received print medium information is registered as physical property information. Furthermore, it is assumed that a comparison of the received physical property information of the print medium with the registered physical property information of medium A determines that the expansion / contraction rates are similar and the thicknesses match. In this case, among the printing parameters for medium X, the head position adjustment value and paper feed correction value are registered (recorded) as the same parameters as those registered for medium A. In other words, the parameters registered for medium A are reused. On the other hand, since there is no correlation between the expansion / contraction rate and thickness, the color calibration value is not reused and the color calibration value of medium X is recorded as null. The color calibration value of medium X is actually adjusted and registered by the print control device 100 in the subsequent process, specifically in the process of S704 shown in Fig. 7, taking into account individual differences between devices. The part of the process in S606 that relates to determining the print parameters corresponds to an example of a second determination process that determines the parameters to be set when printing using a second type of print medium.

[0037] An example of the process when setting the print medium shown as the process of S504 in Fig. 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The series of processes shown in Fig. 7 is realized, for example, by a program recorded in Flash ROM 123 being loaded into RAM 124 and executed by CPU 128.

[0038] In S701, the CPU 128 displays the print medium selection screen 301, exemplified with reference to Fig. 3, on the display of the input / output device 162. Note that in S701, the target on which the CPU 128 displays the print medium selection screen 301 may be the host computer 190. Note that the host computer 190 in this case corresponds to an example of an external client terminal. In S702, CPU 128 determines whether or not an option (option 303) corresponding to the print medium received from the external device has been selected on the print medium selection screen. If CPU 128 determines that an option (option 303) corresponding to the print medium received from the external device has been selected, it proceeds to S703; otherwise, it proceeds to S705. The option (option 303) corresponding to the print medium received from the external device corresponds to the option corresponding to the type of print medium registered in the processing of S605 or S606 shown in FIG. 6.

[0039] In S703, CPU 128 determines whether the type of print medium selected on the print medium selection screen and corresponding to the print medium received from an external device is a type of print medium that has been used in the target print control device 100. Specifically, CPU 128 determines whether values ​​for all print parameter items are registered in association with the selected type of print medium in the data table shown in FIG. 4. CPU 128 then determines that the type has been used if values ​​for all print parameter items are registered, and determines that the type has not been used if values ​​for at least some print parameter items are not registered. If CPU 128 determines that the type of print medium has been used, it proceeds to S710; otherwise, it proceeds to S704.

[0040] In S704, CPU 128 performs a print parameter adjustment process for print parameter items for which values ​​are not recorded for the selected type of print medium. This process is performed based on (using) the values ​​of each item of physical property information registered for the selected type of print medium, and is performed so as to adjust the parameter values ​​to appropriate values ​​for each individual print control device 100. Furthermore, if there are any print parameter items for which values ​​are recorded, this process results in a process that has a shorter processing time (a process with a reduced processing volume) than the process of S708 by the amount that the adjustment process for that item is omitted. Furthermore, if it is determined in S702 that the option (option 303) corresponding to the print medium received from the external device has been selected and the process proceeds to S704, the processes corresponding to S706, S707, and S709 are not executed. In particular, with regard to physical property information, since the information measured by the external device has already been registered, it is possible to omit the execution of the process related to the physical property measurement on the local device (print control device 100). That is, the processing time and processing load can be reduced by the amount of processing that has been omitted, compared to when new information is registered.

[0041] In S705, CPU 128 determines whether an option (option 304) for registering a new print medium has been selected on the print medium selection screen. If CPU 128 determines that an option (option 304) for registering a new print medium has been selected, it proceeds to S706. On the other hand, if CPU 128 determines that option 304 has not been selected, that is, if it determines that an option corresponding to one of the preset print media (one of the options in option group 302) has been selected, it proceeds to S703.

[0042] In S706, the CPU 128 newly registers a record (row) for the new print medium type in the data table described with reference to FIG. In S707, CPU 128 uses various sensors including optical sensor 155 to perform measurement processing of various physical properties of the print medium loaded in the paper feed unit. As a specific example, CPU 128 measures thickness, expansion / contraction rate, wettability, etc. CPU 128 records (registers) the various measured physical property information in the corresponding items of the record added in S706. Note that the print medium whose physical properties are to be measured in the processing of S707 corresponds to an example of a first type of print medium.

[0043] In S708, CPU 128 uses the physical property information measured in S707 to adjust the values ​​of each item of the printing parameters used when printing on the printing medium set (Loaded) in the paper feed unit. For example, CPU 128 performs head position adjustment to determine a head position adjustment value. CPU 128 also adjusts the paper feed amount to determine a paper feed amount correction value. CPU 128 also performs color calibration adjustment processing to determine a color calibration value. CPU 128 records (registers) the determined values ​​of each item of the printing parameters in the corresponding item of the record added in S706. The processing of S708 corresponds to an example of a first determination processing for determining parameters to be set when printing using a first type of printing medium.

[0044] In S709, CPU 128 controls the transmission of the physical property information measured in S707 to an external device. Examples of external devices include other print control devices and servers that collect, store, and distribute physical property information measured by one or more print control devices. CPU 128 may also accept input from a user of a name (identification information) for the type of print medium to be newly registered, or automatically assign the name (identification information), and associate the name (identification information) with the physical property information before transmitting it to the external device. Furthermore, CPU 128 may transmit the received physical property information in association with identification information (e.g., MAC address, serial number, etc.) of the device that is the sender. In this case, the external device may manage the received physical property information in association with identification information indicating the device that is the sender. This makes it possible, for example, even if the type of print medium corresponding to the target physical property information is specified in the external device, to switch whether or not to determine printing parameters based on the physical property information, depending on the device indicated by the identification information associated with the physical property information. As a more specific example, if the difference in characteristics related to printing control exceeds an allowable range, such as when the external device and the sender device are different models, control may be applied such that the physical property information transmitted from the device is excluded from application when determining printing parameters.

[0045] In S710, the CPU 128 sets (registers) the type of print medium selected on the print medium selection screen as the type loaded in the paper feed unit, and records the type of print medium in the Flash ROM 123.

[0046] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a printing system to which a print control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In the system shown in FIG. 8, print control devices 100a, 100b, and 100c are each connected to a host computer 190 and a server system 803 via a network 802 so that data can be transmitted and received between them. The host computer 190 can transmit a print job to any one of the print control devices 100a, 100b, and 100c via the network 802.

[0047] As a specific example, consider the case where a user loads a print medium on the print control device 100a, then loads the same type of print medium on the print control devices 100b and 100c, and selects option 304 on the screen displayed on the print control devices 100b and 100c. The user selects option 304 because he or she knows that the same type of print medium as the print medium loaded on the print control device 100a has also been loaded on the print control devices 100b and 100c. In this case, the print control device 100a operates as the primary. The primary corresponds to the print control device that transmits print medium information to an external device in the process of S709 shown in FIG. 7. In this case, each of the print control devices 100b and 100c operates as a secondary. The secondary corresponds to the print control device that receives print medium information from an external device in the process of S502 shown in FIG. 5. The primary may transmit print medium information to the server system 803. Similarly, the secondary may receive print medium information sent by the server system 803.

[0048] The various controls described above as being performed by CPU 128 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing. Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a print control device, but this is not limited to this example and can be applied to any device that controls operations related to printing on a print medium based on print data. That is, the present invention can be applied to devices that have their own printing functions and control their own printing operations, such as MFPs (multifunction peripherals) and printers. As another example, the present invention can also be applied to a server (e.g., a print server) that is connected via a network to a device with a printing function, such as an MFP or printer, and externally controls the printing operations of the device.

[0049] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program code. In this case, the program and the storage media storing the program constitute the present invention.

[0050] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following configuration, method, program, and recording medium. (Configuration 1) A print control device characterized by having: a measurement means for performing a measurement process to measure the physical properties of a first type of printing medium; a first determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of printing medium based on the measurement results of the measurement means; a registration means for registering information about the physical properties measured by the measurement means and the parameters determined by the first determination means as registered information in association with the first type of printing medium; a transmission control means for controlling the transmission of the physical property information measured by the measurement means to an external device; a receiving means for receiving physical property information about an unregistered second type of printing medium from the external device; and a second determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means without performing at least a part of the measurement process. (Configuration 2) A print control device according to configuration 1, characterized in that it has a display control means for controlling the display of a selection screen for accepting the user's specification of the type of print medium set, on which the types of print medium registered as registration information by the registration means are included as options. (Configuration 3) The printing control device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that the registration means associates the physical property information regarding the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means with the second type of printing medium and registers it as registration information, and the second determination means determines the parameters when an option corresponding to the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means is selected on the selection screen. (Configuration 4) The print control device according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the display control means displays the selection screen in a display area of ​​an external client terminal. (Configuration 5) A printing control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that it has a comparison means for comparing the physical property information regarding the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means with the physical property information of the printing medium that has been registered as registration information by the registration means, and a discarding means for discarding the physical property information of the second type of printing medium when the comparison means determines that the physical property information of the second type of printing medium and the physical property information of the registered printing medium match or the difference is within an allowable error range. (Configuration 6) A printing control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the registration means links information about the external device that sent the information to the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means, and the second determination means determines the parameters when the information about the external device linked to the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means satisfies predetermined conditions. (Method 1) A control method for a print control device, comprising: a measurement step for performing a measurement process to measure the physical properties of a first type of printing medium; a first determination step for determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of printing medium based on the measurement results of the measurement step; a registration step for registering information about the physical properties measured in the measurement step and the parameters determined in the first determination step as registered information in association with the first type of printing medium; a transmission control step for controlling the transmission of the physical property information measured in the measurement step to an external device; a receiving step for receiving physical property information about an unregistered second type of printing medium from the external device; and a second determination step for determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received in the receiving step, without performing at least a part of the measurement process. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Recording Medium 1) A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 7) A print control device comprising: a measurement means for performing a measurement process to measure the physical properties of a first type of printing medium; a first determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of printing medium based on the measurement results of the measurement means; a registration means for registering information about the physical properties measured by the measurement means and the parameters determined by the first determination means as registered information in association with the first type of printing medium; and a transmission control means for controlling the transmission of the physical property information measured by the measurement means to an external device, wherein the external device receives the physical property information about the unregistered first type of printing medium and determines the parameters to be set when printing using the first type of printing medium based on the received physical property information about the first type of printing medium without performing at least a part of the measurement process. (Configuration 8) A print control device comprising: a receiving means for receiving physical property information relating to an unregistered second type of printing medium from an external device; and a second determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information relating to the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means without performing at least a part of the measurement process, wherein the physical property information relating to the second type of unregistered printing medium is information based on the results of a measurement process that measures the physical properties of the printing medium by the external device, and is information associated with the second type of printing medium and registered in the external device as registration information, together with the parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium determined based on the results of the measurement process, and is transmitted from the external device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 100 Printing control device 127 Host I / F 128 CPU 155 Optical Sensor

Claims

1. a measuring means for performing a measurement process for measuring physical properties of a first type of printing medium; a first determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of print medium based on the measurement results of the measurement means; a registration means for registering information on the physical properties measured by the measurement means and the parameters determined by the first determination means as registration information in association with the first type of print medium; a transmission control means for controlling the physical property information measured by the measuring means to be transmitted to an external device; a receiving means for receiving physical property information relating to an unregistered second type of print medium from an external device; a second determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means, without performing at least a part of the measurement process; and A print control device comprising:

2. 2. The printing control device according to claim 1, further comprising a display control means for controlling the display of a selection screen for accepting the user's specification of the type of printing medium set, the selection screen including the types of printing medium registered as registration information by the registration means as options.

3. the registration means registers the physical property information regarding the second type of print medium received by the receiving means as registration information in association with the second type of print medium; The parameter is determined by the second determination means when an option corresponding to the second type of print medium received by the receiving means is selected on the selection screen.

3. The print control device according to claim 2.

4. 3. The print control device according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays the selection screen in a display area of ​​an external client terminal.

5. a comparison means for comparing the physical property information relating to the second type of print medium received by the receiving means with the physical property information of the print medium already registered as registration information by the registration means; a discarding means for discarding the physical property information of the second type of print medium when the comparing means determines that the physical property information of the second type of print medium and the physical property information of the registered print medium match or that the difference is within an allowable error range; The print control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

6. The registration unit associates information about the external device that is a sender with the physical property information about the second type of print medium received by the receiving unit, The second determination means determines the parameters when the information of the external device associated with the physical property information about the second type of print medium received by the receiving means satisfies a predetermined condition.

2. The print control device according to claim 1.

7. A control method for a print control device, comprising: a measurement step of performing a measurement process to measure physical properties of the first type of print medium; a first determination step of determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of print medium based on the measurement results from the measurement step; a registration step of registering information about the physical properties measured in the measurement step and the parameters determined in the first determination step as registration information in association with the first type of printing medium; a transmission control step of controlling the physical property information measured in the measuring step to be transmitted to an external device; a receiving step of receiving physical property information relating to an unregistered second type of print medium from an external device; a second determination step of determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received in the receiving step, without performing at least a part of the measurement process; and A control method for a print control device, comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. 7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to claim 1.

10. a measuring means for performing a measurement process for measuring physical properties of a first type of printing medium; a first determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of print medium based on the measurement results of the measurement means; a registration means for registering information on the physical properties measured by the measurement means and the parameters determined by the first determination means as registration information in association with the first type of printing medium; a transmission control means for controlling the physical property information measured by the measuring means to be transmitted to an external device; and The external device is receiving the physical property information relating to the unregistered first type of print medium; determining parameters to be set when printing using the first type of printing medium based on the received physical property information about the first type of printing medium without performing at least a part of the measurement process; A print control device characterized by:

11. a receiving means for receiving physical property information relating to an unregistered second type of print medium from an external device; a second determination means for determining parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium based on the physical property information about the second type of printing medium received by the receiving means, without performing at least a part of the measurement process for measuring the physical properties of the printing medium; and and The physical property information regarding the second type of new printing medium is: The information is based on the results of a measurement process performed by the external device to measure the physical properties of the printing medium, information that is associated with the second type of printing medium and registered in the external device as registration information, together with parameters to be set when printing using the second type of printing medium, determined based on the results of the measurement process; transmitted from the external device A print control device characterized by:

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