Image forming apparatus and image forming system

An image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a useless printing from causing are provided. In the image forming system and an image forming apparatus, a printing condition registering section registers printing conditions each containing plural condition elements corresponding to action states concerning with printing; a state detecting and obtaining section detects a change of the action states and obtains a state detection information corresponding the change when received a requirement from a host PC to use one of the printing condition; and a printing condition abstracting section judges each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section is whether valid or invalid and generates a invalid presenting information on the basis of the state detection information, and at least sends the valid print conditions and the invalid presenting information to the host PC.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as printer, facsimile machine, copying machine and the like, and relates to an image forming system in which the image forming apparatus is connected with a host computer or the like serving as an upper apparatus.

2. Related Background Art

In recent years, a network printing system serving as an image forming system is spreading. In which, one or plural host PC (personal computer) used by respective users are connecting with a printer via network and uses in common the printer. In such printing system, because user must set printing condition in every printing, so it is possible to spend a lot of time and easily produce an setting error. Thus, a mistake output can be caused.

In order to prevent such matter, a system is applied, in which, each printing condition set on host PC side is kept on printer side such as storing. For example, in the printing apparatus of Japanese patent publication number 9-131948, all different printing conditions set by respective users are stored. When the printing apparatus is used by next user, the next user can uses one of the stored printing conditions by selecting, then the selected printing condition is again used to perform a print.

However, in the above-mentioned printing apparatus of Japanese patent publication number 9-131948, there is a problem. That is, due to some reasons, for example, some states (for example, printing sheet with a predetermined size has no more) are changed in the printing apparatus, some printing conditions stored in the printing apparatus changed to be impossibly used so that they became invalid. Thus, when user selects one from the all printing conditions being stored in the printing apparatus, if the one is a invalid condition, it is possible to cause a useless printing, for example, a printing sheet that has a un-expectative size may be used. Thereby, not only printing sheet and toner are wasted, but also time is spent for resetting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to solve the foregoing problems, to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of preventing useless printing from happening by making user only select valid printing conditions.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which performs a printing based on printing condition, comprising:

a printing condition registering section for registering a plurality of printing conditions each corresponding to printing action states;

a state obtaining section for obtaining the printing action states;

a printing condition judging section for judging each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section on the basis of the printing action states;

a printing condition outputting section for outputting information in connection with the printing conditions on the basis of a judgement result obtained by the printing condition judging section.

In the image forming apparatus, the printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section is made up of a group of condition elements corresponding the printing action states.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the printing condition judging section may judge printable printing conditions with respect to all the printing conditions registered in the printing condition registering section.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the printing condition judging section may judge non-printable printing conditions with respect to all the printing conditions registered in the printing condition registering section. Then, the image forming apparatus may further comprise a deleting section, the deleting section may delete the non-printable printing conditions from the printing condition registering section.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an image forming apparatus which registers printing condition pre-used by user and is connected with at least one host computer that displays the printing condition for making user to use, comprising:

a printing condition registering section for registering the printing conditions each containing plural condition elements corresponding to action states concerning with printing,

a state detecting and obtaining section which, when received a requirement from the host computer to use one of the printing condition, detects a change of the action states and obtains a state detection information corresponding the change;

a printing condition abstracting section which judges each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section is whether valid or invalid and generates a invalid presenting information on the basis of the state detection information, and at least sends the valid print conditions and the invalid presenting information.

The image forming apparatus may further comprise a deleting section which deletes the invalid printing conditions from the printing condition registering section.

In the image forming apparatus, the condition elements may be sheet size, sheet providing method, printing mode, sheet thickness and layout type.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the action states may indicate whether printing sheet exists, whether sheet providing method is automatic, whether duplex printing can be executed, whether the thickness of sheet is usual, and whether layout can be set.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming system which includes an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus to print printing data output from the information processing apparatus on the basis of a printing condition, comprising:

a condition element inputting section for inputting condition elements to correspond to printing action states;

a printing condition registering section for registering a plurality of printing conditions each made up of a group of the condition elements that are related each other;

a state obtaining section for obtaining the printing action states;

a printing condition judging section for judging each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section on the basis of the printing action states;

a printing condition outputting section for outputting information in connection with the printing conditions on the basis of a judgement result obtained by the printing condition judging section;

a printing condition selecting section for selecting one of the printing conditions output from the printing condition outputting section,

wherein the printing data is printed based on the selected printing condition.

In the image forming apparatus, the printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section is made up of a group of condition elements corresponding the printing action states.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the information processing section may have the condition elements inputting section and the printing condition selecting section.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the information processing section may have a data obtainment requiring section to perform a data obtainment requirement before the printing data is sent; the printing condition outputting section, after the data obtainment requirement is received, outputs the information in connection with the printing conditions; then the information processing apparatus perform a display on the basis of the information in connection with the printing conditions by using a displaying section.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the printing condition judging section may judge printable printing conditions with respect to all the printing conditions registered in the printing condition registering section.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the printing condition judging section may judge non-printable printing conditions with respect to all the printing conditions registered in the printing condition registering section. Then, the image forming apparatus may further comprise a deleting section which deletes the non-printable printing conditions from the printing condition registering section.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an image forming system, comprising:

a image forming apparatus which registers printing condition pre-used by user; and

at least one host computer that displays the printing condition for making user to use, comprising:

wherein the host computer sends a requirement to use one of the printing condition;

wherein the image forming apparatus includes a printing condition registering section for registering the printing conditions each containing plural condition elements corresponding to action states concerning with printing,

a state detecting and obtaining section which detects a change of the action states on the basis of the requirement and obtains a state detection information corresponding the change;

a printing condition abstracting section which judges each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section is whether valid or invalid and generates a invalid presenting information on the basis of the state detection information, and at least sends the valid print conditions and the invalid presenting information to the host computer.

In the image forming system, the image forming apparatus may more include a deleting section which deletes the invalid printing conditions from the printing condition registering section.

In the image forming system, the image forming apparatus may more include a deleting section; the host computer may more include a deletion controlling section,

wherein the printing condition abstracting section further sends the invalid printing conditions to the host computer for making user to judge whether to delete any of the invalid printing conditions; the deletion controlling section sends a deletion information based on the judgement of user; and the deleting section deletes the invalid printing conditions judged by user from the printing condition registering section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a function block drawing to show the construction of a printing system in first embodiment of the present invention. A printing system100of the present invention, as an image forming system, comprises at least one host PC (personal computer)1as a upper apparatus, and a printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus20which is connecting with the host PC1.

The host PC may be an information processing apparatus. The connection of the host PC1and the printing apparatus20may use USB (Universal Serial Bus), Parallel, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like.

The host PC1includes a printing driver2, an application section3, an image data section4, a displaying section7and a selecting and setting section8.

The displaying section7and the selecting and setting section8are used for displaying information and make user perform a selection or/and a setting with respect to the displayed information, they may be made from touch panel.

The displayed information may be preexistent printing condition. In this case, user may perform a selection to select one of the preexistent printing conditions. For example, a condition selecting picture can be used to display such information.

FIG. 2is an explanatory diagram for explaining a condition selecting picture displayed on a displaying section of the host PC in first embodiment of the present invention.

The condition selecting picture9includes a condition list portion9afor showing printing condition received from the printing apparatus20; a selecting portion9bcontaining two selecting buttons; a deciding button9cand a cancel button9d.

By using the condition selecting picture9, user can perform a selection.

Also, the displayed information may be item information. In this case, user may perform a setting to set a new printing condition. For example, a condition setting picture can be used to display such information.

FIG. 12is an explanatory diagram for explaining a condition setting picture displayed on a displaying section of the host PC in first embodiment of the present invention.

The condition setting picture30includes three portions30a,30band30c. In these portions, item information such as sheet size, sheet providing method, sheet thickness, duplex printing and the like are shown.

To correspond to these item information, user can perform a setting to set a new printing condition.

Either preexistent or new, a printing condition may contain plural condition elements respectively corresponding to such item informations, that is, corresponding to the above-mentioned printing sheet size (for example, A3 standard), sheet providing method (for example, automatic), printing mode (for example, duplex printing), sheet thickness (for example, usual thickness), and the like.

Then, when user performs a selection or a setting, the selecting and setting section8outputs corresponding information to the printing condition setting section5.

The printing driver2uses application in the application section3to analyze image data in the image data section4, such as document or figure made by user, then to change the image data into printable bit-map data and send the bit-map data serving as printing use data to the printing apparatus20.

The printing driver2contains a printing condition setting section5and a printing command generating section6. The printing condition setting section5is used to process the image data and to process setting information output from the selecting and setting section8for setting printing condition with respect to the image data. The printing command generating section6is used to generate and send printing command information including the printing condition and the printing use data to the printing apparatus20.

The printing apparatus20includes a printing condition registering section21, a printing data generating section22, a printing section23, a printing condition abstracting section24and a current state detecting and obtaining section25.

The printing data generating section22is used to generate printing data based on the printing command information output from the host PC1; the printing section23is used to perform a printing based on the print data generated by the printing data generating section22.

The printing condition registering section21is used to register printing condition output from the host PC1; the current state detecting and obtaining section25is used to detect every action state concerning with printing so as to obtain every state detection information.

The action state may indicate whether printing sheet (for example, sheet of A3 standard) exists, whether sheet providing method is automatic, whether duplex printing can be executed, whether the thickness of sheet is usual, or the like. Therefor, every state detection information is used to check whether the corresponding condition element in one printing condition can be executed, so as to judge whether the one printing condition holds.

Then the printing condition abstracting section24is used to judge whether each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section21is valid on the basis of the corresponding state detection information; then to divide the valid and invalid and abstract valid printing conditions; further to generate a invalid presenting information. The abstracted valid printing condition and the invalid presenting information are sent to the host PC1by controlling section, for example, CPU that is not shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3is a function block drawing to concretely show the construction of a host PC in the first embodiment of the present invention.

InFIG. 3, a CPU10, a RAM11, a hard disk unit12, a hard disk unit I/F (interface)13, a keyboard14, a mouse15, a input unit I/F16, a monitor17, a monitor I/F18and a printing apparatus I/F19are respectively shown to be connected with via a bus B. Not only they constructed these above-mentioned printing driver2, application section3, image data section4, displaying section7and selecting and setting section8inFIG. 1and make them have respective functions; but also they include some other function, for example, controlling function and the like.

The hard disk unit12stores operating program, controlling program, application program, all kinds of data such as image data, and the like, the CPU10execute these program and process the data together with using the RAM11so as to perform an entire control. Therefore, the CPU10, the RAM11, the hard disk unit12, the hard disk unit I/F (interface)13and the printing apparatus I/F19constructed the printing driver2, application section3, image data section4. Further, the CPU, the monitor17and the monitor I/F18constructed the displaying section7and the selecting and setting section8.

FIG. 4is a function block drawing to concretely show the construction of a printing apparatus in first embodiment of the present invention.

In theFIG. 4, a CPU31, a RAM32, a program ROM33, a NV-RAM34, a driving section35, a driving section I/F36, a operating panel37, a panel I/F38and a host I/F39are shown to connected with a printer bus40. Not only they constructed these above-mentioned printing condition registering section21, printing data generating section22, printing section23, printing condition abstracting section24and current state detecting and obtaining section25inFIG. 1; but also they include some other function, for example, controlling function and the like.

The ROM33stores all kinds of programs and data, the CPU31execute the program and process the data together with using the RAM32and the like so as to perform an entire control. Therefore, the CPU31, the RAM32, the program ROM33, the NV-RAM34and the like constructed the printing condition registering section21; the CPU31, the RAM32, the program ROM33and the like constructed the printing data generating section22and the printing condition abstracting section24; the driving section35and the like constructed the printing section23; and the driving section35, the driving section I/F36and the like constructed the current state detecting and obtaining section25.

FIG. 5is a function block drawing to show the construction of a driving section of the printing apparatus in first embodiment of the present invention.

The driving section35includes a sheet providing unit35a; a sheet conveying unit35b; a toner providing unit35c; an exposing unit35d; a transferring unit35e; a fixing unit35f; a duplex printing detection controlling portion35g; a duplex printing I/F35hand a plurality of sheet detection sensors50.

The plurality of sheet detection sensors50are used for detecting sheet size, sheet thickness and the like in respective sheet trays, as the above-mentioned action states; the duplex printing detection controlling portion35gis used for detecting the possibility of duplex printing, as the above-mentioned action state). That is, they all are used to realize a self-check of the printing apparatus20, so as to obtain the above-mentioned state detection information. Moreover, some detection controlling means are not shown in the Figs., but they can be used to detect some other printing functions, with respect to the above-mentioned sheet providing method, the possibility of layout and the like.

FIG. 6is a function block drawing to show the construction of a current-state detecting and obtaining section of the printing apparatus in first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown by theFIG. 6, the current state detecting and obtaining section25contains the plurality of sheet detection sensors50; the duplex printing detection controlling portion35g; the duplex printing I/F35hand the driving section I/F36. The current state detecting and obtaining section25uses these sheet detection sensors50, the duplex printing detection controlling portion35g; the duplex printing I/F35h, the driving section I/F36and the above-mentioned some detection controlling means to check every action state with respect to printing; then to obtain every state detection information corresponding to respective action states; further to send the state detection information to the printer bus40shown inFIG. 4.

The printing condition abstracting section24receives the state detection information. Moreover, the printing condition abstracting section24may has a state detection information table, and may update the state detection information table when received the state detection information.

FIG. 7is a structure diagram showing a state detection information table in first embodiment of the present invention.

In the state detection information table, corresponding to each tray or feeder, five items are shown. The five items respectively are Size, Providing method, Thickness, Layout state and Duplex printing state. Then, the item data, for example, “A3”, “Empty”, “Automatic”, “Usual”, “On” or “Off”, corresponds to one of state detection informations, to indicate an action state with respective to printing.

As mentioned above, all of the state detection informations are used to judge whether each printing condition registered in the printing condition registering section21is valid, therefore, on the basis of these item data i.e. condition elements, each printing condition can be judged.

FIG. 8is a structure diagram showing a printing condition table in first embodiment of the present invention.

The printing condition table is provided in the printing condition registering section21. In the printing condition table, there are five items, the five items respectively are Size, Providing method, Thickness, Layout type and Printing form, and they constructed each printing condition. That is, each record constructed by the five items indicates one printing condition, each item data indicates a condition element mentioned above. For example, Record No.1includes item data “A4”, “Automatic”, “Usual”, “Usual” and “Simplex”, they indicated such a printing condition to use sheet with A4 size and with usual thickness; to use usual layout type; to use automatic providing method; and to use simplex printing form.

Next, to explain the operations of the first embodiment by referring to flowcharts.

FIG. 9is a first part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the first embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 10is a second part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In host PC side, after user inputs a command to print, the CPU starts to control displaying section7and the others (Step1).

Then, the displaying section7displays a use selecting picture (Step2) in order to make user perform a selection to confirm whether to use preexistent printing condition registered in the printing apparatus20(Step3).

FIG. 11is an explanatory diagram for explaining a use selecting picture displayed on a displaying section of the host PC in first embodiment of the present invention;

In the use selecting picture51, buttons “Yes”51aand “No”51bare provided.

If user selects the “No” button51b, Step17will be performed.

If user selects the “Yes” button51a, after the printing driver2sent a corresponding information as a requirement to the printing apparatus20on the basis of the selection, the current state detecting and obtaining section25detects every action state as mentioned above so as to confirm whether there is change in these action states (Step4). The change means that one action state become impossible i.e. inaction.

If there is not any change, the printing apparatus20sends the all printing conditions registered in the printing condition table shown byFIG. 8to the host PC1(Step5); then the host PC1uses the condition selecting picture9to display these printing condition (Step6) so as to make user select one of these printing condition (Step14).

In this embodiment, for example, the current state detecting and obtaining section25detects a change that sheet with A4 size and usual thickness now has no more with respect to all trays for providing sheets (Step4). In this case, as a change of an action state, the current state detecting and obtaining section25obtains a state detection information containing “Empty” data and corresponding to the change.

Then, the current state detecting and obtaining section25sends the state detection information and corresponding information toward the printing condition abstracting section24(Step7).

After received the state detection information containing “Empty” data, the printing condition abstracting section24, on the basis of the state detection information, updates the state detection information table (Step8). Thereby, the item data “A4” is changed into “Empty” (referring toFIG. 7, to correspond to “Tray2nd”).

Further, the printing condition abstracting section24, on the basis of the state detection information, judges whether each printing condition registered in the printing condition table contains the corresponding action state i.e. corresponding condition elements so as to judge whether the printing condition is valid or not (Step9). That is, if one printing condition is judged having the corresponding condition elements, the printing condition becomes invalid.

In the printing condition table (FIG. 8) of the embodiment, the printing conditions No.1and No.5(i.e. record1and5) contain the corresponding condition elements “A4” (corresponding to the Size Item) and “Usual” (corresponding to the Thickness Item), however, now sheet with A4 size and usual thickness has no more, so they have not been able to use, so that they are invalid.

Then, on the basis of such judgement result, the printing condition abstracting section24divides the valid and the invalid printing conditions by, for example, appending a invalid mark “*” to the invalid printing conditions (Step10).

FIG. 13is an explanatory diagram of the printing condition table for showing the divided valid and invalid conditions.

As shown by theFIG. 13, the printing conditions No.1and No.5are invalid and are respectively appended a invalid mark “*”.

Further, the printing condition abstracting section24only abstracts the valid printing conditions and generates an invalid presenting information on the basis of the state detection information (Step11).

In the embodiment, the printing conditions No.2, No.3, No.4and No.6are abstracted; and the invalid presenting information may be “Please note: now sheet with A4 size and usual thickness has no more”. Then, these valid printing conditions and the invalid presenting information are sent to the host PC1by the printing condition abstracting section24(Step12).

After received the valid printing conditions and the invalid presenting information, the host PC1uses the condition selecting picture9shown byFIG. 3to display these printing conditions No.2, No.3, No.4and No.6and the invalid presenting information “Please note: now sheet with A4 size and usual thickness has no more” on the displaying section7(Step13).

FIG. 14is an explanatory diagram of a condition selecting picture for showing the valid printing conditions and the valid presenting information.

As shown by theFIG. 14, the displaying section7displays a condition selecting picture9′ which not only contains the condition list portion9afor showing the valid printing conditions, but also contains a invalid information presenting portion9efor showing the invalid presenting information, so as to make user perform a selection based on the valid printing conditions and the invalid presenting information (Step14).

On the one hand, if user selects one of the displayed printing conditions, as mentioned the above, the printing driver2sends the selected printing condition together with printing use data serving as printing command information to the printing apparatus20(Step15).

After received the printing condition and the printing use data, the printing apparatus performs a printing (Step16).

On the other hand, if user cancels to select any displayed printing condition, the displaying section7continuously displays the condition setting picture30shown byFIG. 12(Step17). At this time, user may perform all kinds of settings to make a new printing condition in accordance with him/her own demand (Step18).

Moreover, in this embodiment, because sheet with A4 size and usual thickness now has no more, if user must want to use sheet with A4 size, he/she may use such sheet with A4 size and thicker thickness (referring to “Tray4th” inFIG. 7).

When a new printing condition is set, the displaying section7further displays a registration deciding picture (Step19) so as to make user decide whether to register the new printing condition to the printing apparatus20(Step20).

FIG. 15is an explanatory diagram for explaining a registration deciding picture displayed on a displaying section of the host PC in first embodiment of the present invention;As shown byFIG. 15, user may uses the registration deciding picture to decide whether the new printing condition should be registered.

If user decides to register, the printing driver2sends the new printing condition and corresponding printing use data together with a registration deciding information to the printing apparatus20(Step21).

Then, in the printing apparatus20, on the basis of the registration deciding information, the printing condition registering section21registers the new printing condition (Step22); further, a printing is performed (Step16).

However, if user does not decide to register, the printing driver2sends the new printing condition and corresponding printing use data together with a non-registration deciding information to the printing apparatus20(Step23).

Then, after received these information and data, the printing apparatus20performs a printing (Step16).

In the embodiment, as described above, when user hopes to use preexistent printing condition but at least one action state regarding printing becomes inaction, only valid printing conditions are shown together with a invalid presenting information at the host PC1side. Thus, not only to select an invalid printing condition became impossible, but also to make user previously be advised what setting for a new printing condition will be invalid. As a result, it is possible to prevent a useless printing from causing.

Moreover, to replace some mentioned above, with respect to all new printing conditions set by user, they may be registered in the printing condition table without using the registration deciding picture.

Further, when two or more action states become inaction, for example, sheet with A4 and usual thickness has no more and duplex printing become impossible, the printing condition abstracting section24will perform judging and abstracting on the basis of the two or more action states. Moreover, the printing condition abstracting section24may use the item data in state detection information table to check each printing condition in the printing condition table.

Further, the condition selecting picture9or9′ or the like also can be displayed at the printing apparatus20side.

In the second embodiment, the same composition as stated in first embodiment will be given a same symbol and will be omitted to explain.

FIG. 16is a function block drawing to show the construction of a printing system in second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown by theFIG. 16, a printing system110comprises the host PC1in first embodiment and a printing apparatus111.

The printing apparatus111, not only includes the printing condition registering section21, the printing data generating section22, the printing section23, the printing condition abstracting section24and the current state detecting and obtaining section25in first embodiment, but also includes a deleting section112.

The deleting section112is connected with the printing condition registering section21and the printing condition abstracting section24. In order to make the printing condition registering section21to register more new printing conditions later set by user, when the valid and the invalid printing conditions are divided by the printing condition abstracting section24, the deleting section112deletes the invalid printing conditions from the printing condition registering section21.

Next, to explain the operations of the second embodiment by referring to flowcharts. In the embodiment, the same operations as stated in first embodiment will be omitted to explain.

FIG. 17is a first part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the second embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 18is a second part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown by theFIGS. 17 and 18, the steps1-10and12-23are the same operations as that in first embodiment, with respect to their explanation, here to be omitted.

In the second embodiment, after the printing condition abstracting section24divides the valid and the invalid printing conditions by, for example, appending a invalid mark “*” to the invalid printing conditions (Step10), a step11′ is performed.

In the step11′, on the one hand, the deleting section112, on the basis of a deleting information output from the printing condition abstracting section24, for example, the invalid mark information, deletes the invalid printing conditions from the printing condition table; on the other hand, the printing condition abstracting section24abstracts (i.e. reads out) the valid printing conditions and generates an invalid presenting information on the basis of the state detection information. That is, the printing conditions No.1and No.5are deleted and the printing conditions No.2, No.3, No.4and No.6are read out (referring toFIG. 13).

FIG. 19is a structure diagram showing a printing condition table after invalid printing condition is deleted in second embodiment of the present invention;

As shown byFIG. 19, only four printing conditions (corresponding to the original printing conditions No.2, No.3, No.4and No.6) are registered in the printing condition table.

Then, the printing condition abstracting section24sends the valid printing conditions and the invalid presenting information toward the host PC1(Step12).

As described above, in the second embodiment, because the invalid printing condition is deleted, the ineffectual use of the printing condition table can be restrained. Thus, it is possible to secure new printing condition later set by user, to be registered.

In the third embodiment, the same composition as stated in first or second embodiment will be given a same symbol and will be omitted to explain.

FIG. 20is a function block drawing to show the construction of a printing system in third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown by theFIG. 18, a printing system120of the present invention comprises at least one host PC121and a printing apparatus122connected with the host PC121. In theFIG. 18, CPUs respectively used for entirely controlling the host PC121and the printing apparatus122are omitted to show.

The host PC121includes a printing driver123, the application section3, the image data section4, a displaying section124and a selecting and setting section125.

The displaying section124and the selecting and setting section125are made from touch panel, are used to display all kinds of information and to process selecting and setting information.

The printing driver123contains the printing condition setting section5, the printing command generating section6and a deletion controlling section126.

When the displaying section124displays information, for example, invalid printing condition, and the selecting and setting section125obtains a input data indicating user requests to delete the invalid printing condition registered in the printing apparatus122and outputs a deletion requiring information, the deletion controlling section126performs a control for the deletion process on the basis of the deletion requiring information and sends a deletion information to the printing apparatus122.

The printing apparatus122includes the printing condition registering section21, the printing data generating section22, the printing section23, the current state detecting and obtaining section25, a printing condition abstracting section127and a deleting section128.

The printing condition abstracting section127contains such function as the printing condition abstracting section24stated in first and second embodiments, further contains a function to abstract and send the invalid printing condition toward the printing apparatus122.

The deleting section127, after the printing apparatus122received the deletion information from the host PC121by using CPU (not shown), perform a deleting operation on the basis of the deletion information.

Next, to explain the operations of the third embodiment by referring to flowcharts. In the embodiment, the same operations as stated in first or second embodiment will be omitted to explain.

FIG. 21is a first part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the second embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 22is a second part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the second embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 23is a third part of a flowchart diagram for explaining operations of the second embodiment of the present invention

As shown by theFIGS. 21,22and23, the steps1-10,13-16and18-23are the same operations as that in first embodiment, with respect to their explanation, here to be omitted.

In the third embodiment, after the printing condition abstracting section127divides the valid and the invalid printing conditions by, for example, appending a invalid mark “*” to the invalid printing conditions (Step10), the printing condition abstracting section127respectively abstracts (i.e. reads out) the valid and the invalid printing conditions and generates an invalid presenting information on the basis of the state detection information (Step30).

Then, the printing condition abstracting section127sends the valid and invalid printing conditions and the invalid presenting information toward the host PC121(Step31).

With respect to the valid printing conditions and the invalid presenting information, they are shown on the displaying section124(Step13). Then if one of the valid printing conditions is selected, a printing will be executed (Steps13-16); if any one is not selected, a step32will be executed.

In the step32, displaying section124displays a picture to make user to select whether to perform a new setting or to perform a deletion with respect to the invalid printing condition (Step32).

If user selects to perform a new setting, the steps18-23will be executed.

If user selects to perform a deletion with respect to the invalid printing condition, the displaying section124will display a deletion judging picture (Step33).

FIG. 24is an explanatory diagram for explaining a deletion judging picture displayed on a displaying section of the host PC in the third embodiment of the present invention.

As show byFIG. 24, on the deletion judging picture, the invalid conditions No.1and No.5(referring toFIG. 13) are shown (Step33).

By using the deletion judging picture, user may selects one or two more or all of the invalid printing conditions to be deleted (Step34). Then, the selecting and setting section125generates a deletion requiring information based on the selection of user (Step35).

Further, the deletion controlling section126, on the basis of the deletion requiring information, generates a deletion information and send it to the printing apparatus122(Step36).

The deleting section128controlled by a CPU (not shown), on the basis of the deletion information, deletes the one or two more or all of the invalid printing conditions selected by user (step37).

As described above, in the third embodiment, because the invalid printing condition to be deleted is selected by user, it is possible to keep the printing condition often used by users in the printing condition table. Thus, when an action state is changed to action from inaction, because the invalid printing condition is changed to valid, user can be use it at once without setting.

Moreover, in the third embodiment, the invalid printing conditions are displayed at the host121side. To replace it, the invalid printing conditions can be displayed at the printing apparatus122side. In the case, the printing apparatus may display them one by one so as to make user to judge one by one, then, the deleting section128may delete one by one.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possible on the basis of the spirit of the present invention and they are not excluded from the scope of the invention.