JP4430871B2 - Color printer system and printer toner save printing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color printer system and a printer toner save printing method, and more particularly to a color printer for printing with a reduced amount of printer toner in a color laser printer and a toner save printing method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technology of this type, in a laser printer, printing is performed with a printer toner at an adhesion rate of 100%. However, in such a technique, printing is performed with a printer toner adhesion rate of 100%, and therefore, when a large amount of printing is performed, the number of days of use of the printer toner is shortened. For example, if the printer toner usage period is assumed to be 50 days, the printer toner usage period (hour ) Is also shortened, and the printer toner may not be used until the expected date.
[0003]
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the density is adjusted so that the toner adhesion amount is reduced before the bitmap image is formed, and high-quality output is obtained while saving toner. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a color image forming apparatus that can easily maintain toner replenishment timing for each color by matching the toner consumption of each color more effectively and uniformly so that the toner replenishment timing can be matched more accurately. Has been.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-219626 A [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2001-194855 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When managing a plurality of color laser printers, from the viewpoint of facilitating maintenance, it is desirable that the replacement times of all the color toners are aligned on a preset date (time) while maintaining the printing quality of the printer. . However, even those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, it is difficult to use the toner of each color of the printer toner until a preset date (time).
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a color printer control device and a printer toner save printing method that can use toner of each color while maintaining printing quality until a preset date (time).
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is characterized in that a color printer system including a personal computer that transmits print data created by a printer driver to a color printer and a color printer that performs color printing using the received print data. The personal computer includes means for selecting a normal print mode or a toner save print mode as a print mode of the color printer, and the color printer has means for presetting the expiration date of the printer toner and the toner save print mode. means when it is selected to determine the usable amount of each color toner of the day from the expiration dates及beauty printer toner remaining amount, the daily consumption amount of toner for each color toner of the daily reconfigure reduce toner usage of the day when it exceeds the prescribed value for the usable capacity amount From the stage, and the means for performing the toner save printing based on toner usage rate of the day that has been re-set, the next day of the day, the remaining days and on the day of the amount of toner remaining until expiration date, 1 day and means for resetting to calculate the usable toner amount per is to print based on the usable toner amount of the daily that has been reconfigured.
[0008]
Another feature of the present invention transmits the print data generated in printer driver to a printer, said that the color printing method for color printing in the printer, and set the expiration dates of the previously printer toner was set from expiration dates and printer toner remaining amount of printer toner determines the usable amount of each color toner of the day, the specified value consumed toner amount of 1 day for the usable amount of each color toner of the day the toner usage of the day and re-set to reduce in the case of beyond, the next day of the day, the remaining days and the day of the toner remaining Toka Luo until expiration date, the available amount of toner per day calculated reconfigure, in printer toner save printing method characterized in that printing on the basis of usable toner amount of the daily that has been reconfigured.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the printer toner usage days (hours) are set in the printer in advance, and the printer toner usage for one day (hours) determined from the set days (hours) and the printer toner at the time of actual printing. For toners of colors that have consumed a specified value of the daily usage amount, for example, 50% or more from the usage amount, the toner for each color of the printer is then printed by reducing the toner adhesion rate to set the number of days (hours). ).
[0010]
To describe the present invention more specifically, first, the printer toner usage days (hours) are set on the printer control device side. From the set number of days (hours) and the amount of printer toner, the amount of printer toner used for each day, for example, RGB, is determined. When printing, the printer toner usage amount per day (hours) is a specified value of the usage amount per day (hours), for example, 50% or less, and printing is performed with the printer toner adhesion rate being 100%. . When the usage amount of the printer toner per day (time) becomes 50% or more of the usage amount per day (time), the adhesion rate of the printer toner is determined from the remaining amount of printer toner that can be used per day. The printer keeps the adhesion rate of the printer toner. However, the minimum limit of the printer toner adhesion rate is 50%. When printing with the printer toner adhesion rate lowered during printing, the toner save message and the printer toner adhesion rate held on the printer panel are displayed. As a result, the user can be notified of the printing status and the current usage status of the printer toner.
[0011]
In addition, when printing with the printer driver converting RGB color data to CMYK color data, the printer toner adhesion rate held on the printer side is acquired on the personal computer side, and the acquired printer toner adhesion rate is calculated. Originally, the print data is processed, and printing is performed using the processed print data (this process can also be performed on the printer side). At this time, a message for toner save printing and a printer toner adhesion rate are displayed in a dialog on the screen of the personal computer. Further, when the amount of printer toner used per day (hours) is less (or greater) than the amount of printer toner used per day (hours) when one day (time) has elapsed, the amount of printer toner used per day Calculate again. This recalculation is repeated until the set due date when the amount of printer toner used per day (time) differs from the amount of printer toner used per day (time) when one day (time) elapses. By performing such processing and printing at a reduced printer toner adhesion rate, the amount of printer toner used can be reduced and the printer toner can be used until the set date.
[0012]
Even when printing with toner save as described above, if there is data to be printed with a printer toner adhesion rate of 100%, a check box is provided on the printer driver and the check box is set to ON for printing. Thus, even when the toner save printing mode is set, data is created with an adhesion rate of 100%, and printing can be performed with an adhesion rate of 100% by transmitting the data.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printer system includes a personal computer 10 having a printer driver 110 and a color printer 15 having a color printer control device. The color printer 15 is connected to a use time setting unit 16 as an input unit for the color printer control apparatus, and is connected to a print engine unit 17 as an output unit.
[0014]
The printer driver 110 as a setting unit of the printing modes that can be selected either "normal print mode" or "toner saving printing mode", respectively "normal print mode" setting means 111 and the "toner saving printing mode" setting means 112 I have. When “normal printing mode” is selected, the normal image data generation unit 114 generates data corresponding to printing of the normal image. On the other hand, when the “toner save printing mode” is selected, the toner adhesion amount acquisition unit 113 acquires toner adhesion amount data from the printer, and the toner save image generation unit 115 performs toner save printing with a predetermined toner adhesion rate. Image data is generated. The personal computer 10 also has display means 120 for displaying toner save printing.
[0015]
On the other hand, the color printer control device 15 of the color printer includes a used toner amount calculation unit 150, a toner remaining amount calculation unit 151, a used toner amount calculation unit 152 per day, a print control unit 153, and a toner save print display unit 154. is there.
[0016]
The color printer of this embodiment is a printer that uses four color toners of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK). Based on the expiration date input from the usage time setting unit 16, the number of use days of the toner is set, and the used toner amount calculation unit 150, the remaining toner amount calculation unit 151, and the used toner amount calculation unit 152 determine the set number of days and the toner amount. The amount of toner used per day is calculated.
[0017]
Whether to perform toner save printing can be set on the printer driver 110 at the time of printing. When toner save printing is not performed, data corresponding to normal image printing is generated by the normal image data generation unit 114, and image data is generated and printed with a normal toner adhesion amount. When printing with toner save, the printer toner adhesion amount data stored in the toner adhesion amount acquisition unit 113 is acquired, and image data saved in the printer from the adhesion amount data is generated. Transfer to and print. At this time, a toner save status message and printer toner adhesion rate are displayed on the toner save print display section 154 of the printer panel. In addition, when printing with toner save, the display of toner save printing is displayed in a dialog box on the screen of the display means 120 on the personal computer side.
[0018]
The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this embodiment, the usage time setting unit 16 on the printer control device 15 side sets the number of days (hours) of use of the printer toner, that is, the due date that becomes the expiration date (S210). The color printer control device 15 determines the printer toner usage amount for each day (hour) from the set number of days (hours) and printer toner amount (S212). Whether to perform toner save printing is designated on the printer driver 110 at the time of printing (S214). When printing with toner saving, the printer toner adhesion amount data held in the toner adhesion amount acquisition unit 113 is acquired (S216). That is, when the printer performs printing in the toner save state, the printer driver 110 first obtains the amount of printer toner adhering from the printer in order to issue a print instruction. Then, the printer driver 110 generates image data in which toner is saved in the printer from the adhesion amount data (S218). For example, data obtained by reducing the print data by 10% from the acquired printer toner adhesion amount is created and transmitted to the printer. Then, display toner save printing is displayed in a dialog box on the screen of the display means 120 on the personal computer side (S220). Further, toner save printing is displayed on the toner save print display unit 154 of the printer panel (S222). The toner-saved image data is transferred to the printer driver 110 and printed (S224). When toner save printing is not performed, the normal image data generation unit 114 generates data corresponding to normal image printing (S226), and generates and prints image data with a normal toner adhesion amount (S224).
[0019]
In the case of toner save printing, the used toner amount calculation unit 150, the remaining toner amount calculation unit 151, and the used toner amount calculation unit 152 calculate the toner usage amount for one day from the set number of days and the toner amount. In toner save printing, the daily toner usage is calculated and set separately from the CMYK color toners.
[0020]
When calculating the amount of toner used for one day, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the amount of toner used by the printer is 100 g and the number of days used for the printer toner is set to 10 days on the printer side, this number of days used From 10 days and the amount of printer toner 100 g, the amount of printer toner used per day is determined to be 10 g.
[0021]
On the other hand, in the toner adhesion amount acquisition unit 113, when the printer toner usage amount per day (hour) becomes a specified value of the usage amount per day (hour), for example, 50% or more, the printer toner usage amount that can be used per day The adhesion rate of the printer toner is determined from the remaining amount, and this adhesion rate is held by the printer. The printer toner adhesion rate is further reduced to 80% and 70% as the remaining amount of printer toner decreases. However, the minimum limit of printer toner adhesion is 50%.
[0022]
FIG. 4 shows a case where printing is performed, and when the remaining amount of printer toner per day falls below a predetermined value of 50% (5 g), the toner adhesion rate is set to 90% and toner save printing is performed. It is an example of printing when
[0023]
Further, when the amount of printer toner used per day (hours) is less (or greater) than the amount of printer toner used per day (hours) when one day (time) has elapsed, the amount of printer toner used per day Calculate again. This recalculation is repeated until the set date. By performing such processing and printing while reducing the amount of printer toner attached, the amount of printer toner used can be reduced, and the printer toner can be used until the set date.
[0024]
When the printer performs printing in the toner save state, when the printer driver 110 issues a print instruction from the personal computer 10 side, the printer toner adhesion amount is acquired from the printer. When toner save printing is performed with the printer toner adhesion rate set to 90%, the printer driver 110 creates data obtained by subtracting 10% of the print data from the printer toner adhesion amount acquired and transmits it to the printer.
[0025]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a message indicating that printing is being performed with toner save and printer toner adhesion rate of 90% is displayed on the screen of the personal computer.
[0026]
A printer that has received data with a printer toner adhesion rate of 90% created from the printer driver from a personal computer prints the printer toner with an adhesion rate of 90%. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, a message during printing is displayed on the printer panel with toner save and printer toner adhesion rate of 90%.
[0027]
The toner usage amount is calculated and set for the daily toner usage amount separately from the CMYK toners. Regarding black toner (K), the same date as other color toners CMY may be set and managed together. Only black toner (K) is set and managed in consideration of consumption. You may do it.
[0028]
FIG. 7 shows an example of black toner usage control. When one day has passed after 100 g of black toner is newly installed, if the amount of printer toner used per day is 1 g, the remaining amount of printer toner is 99 g. From this and the remaining number of printer toner usage days, printing is performed with the printer toner usage amount for each remaining nine days being reset to 11 g. The above processing flow is repeated until the set date.
[0029]
Even when printing with toner save, if there is data that you want to print with a printer toner adhesion rate of 100%, set a check box on the printer driver, set the check box to ON, and print. Even in the toner save printing mode, data is created with an adhesion rate of 100%, and printing is performed with an adhesion rate of 100% by transmitting the data to the printer.
[0030]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to maintain a relatively high-quality output until the expiration date while saving the toner for color printing up to the preset use days (hours). In addition, toner management becomes easy.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, when the toner save printing is selected and the daily printer toner consumption amount is 50% or more, which is the prescribed value of the usage amount, the printer toner adhesion amount is reduced and the color is reduced. Printing is done, but in consideration of maintaining the quality of color printing and maintainability, the specified amount of use is another value, for example 60% or 40%, and when the specified value is reached, the printer toner adheres to it. It may be switched to perform color printing by decreasing the amount.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the printer toner usage days are set in the printer, when the printer toner consumption amount per day reaches a specified value, the printer toner adhesion amount is reduced and color printing is performed. If the amount of printer toner used per day is less than (or greater than) the amount of printer toner used per day, printing can be maintained by resetting the printer toner amount per day and performing printing. However, the printer toner can be used until a preset date. This makes it possible to achieve both color printing quality maintenance and maintainability.
[0033]
In addition, when printing with toner save, a dialog box is displayed on the PC screen when printing on the PC side, and the message of toner save status and printer toner adhesion rate are displayed on the printer panel. It is possible to grasp the printing status of the printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the amount of printer toner used per day in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of printer toner adhesion rates of 100% and 90% according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on a personal computer screen in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the printer panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow when resetting the usage amount of the printer toner for each day in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Personal computer, 15 ... Color printer control apparatus, 16 ... Usage time setting part, 17 ... Print engine part, 110 ... Printer driver, 111 ... "Normal printing mode" setting means, 112 ... "Toner save printing mode" setting means, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 113 ... Toner adhesion amount acquisition part, 114 ... Normal image data generation part, 115 ... Toner save image generation part, 120 ... Display means, 150 ... Used toner amount calculation part, 151 ... Toner remaining amount calculation part, 152 ... Per day Used toner amount calculation unit, 153... Print control unit, 154.

Claims (5)

In a color printer system comprising a personal computer that transmits print data created by a printer driver to a color printer and a color printer that performs color printing using the received print data,
The personal computer includes means for selecting a normal print mode or a toner save print mode as a print mode of the color printer,
The color printer has means for setting the expiration date of the printer toner in advance;
It means for determining a usable amount of each color toner of the day from the expiration dates及beauty printer toner remaining amount in the case where the toner saving printing mode is selected,
Means for toner consumption daily reconfigure reduce toner usage of the day when it exceeds the prescribed value for the usable capacity of each color toner of the day,
Means for performing toner saving printing based on the toner usage of the day that has been re-set,
Means for calculating and resetting the usable amount of toner per day from the remaining days until the expiration date and the remaining amount of toner on the current day,
Color printer system, characterized by printing on the basis of usable toner amount of the daily that has been reconfigured.   2. A color printer system according to claim 1, wherein said printer driver comprises means for processing color print data based on a printer toner adhesion rate acquired from said printer side in said toner save printing mode. . 3. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein the color printer has display means for displaying information on the toner save print mode and printer toner adhesion rate at that time in the toner save print mode. Color printer system. In a color printing method for sending print data created by a printer driver to a printer and performing color printing on the printer side,
Set expiration days beforehand printer toner, determines the usable amount of each color toner of the day from the expiration dates and printer toner remaining amount of the printer toner is set, the toner consumption amount per day the resetting reduces the toner usage of the day when it exceeds the prescribed value for the usable amount of each color toner of the day,
Said the next day of the day, the remaining days and the day of the toner remaining Toka Luo until expiration date, the available amount of toner per day to re-set calculation, re-set the available per day A printer toner save printing method, wherein printing is performed based on a toner amount. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the printer driver acquires printer toner adhesion rate information from the printer side and performs processing for converting RGB color data into CMYK color data, the printer driver performs color processing based on the printer toner adhesion rate. printer toner save printing method characterized by processing the print data, to print using the color print data pressurized Engineering.

Images