Print control system, and printer and computer readable medium therefor

A print control system includes a computer configured to perform data processing, a printer, which is connected with the computer, configured to execute a print job transmitted by the computer so as to print an image on a recording medium, a print control unit configured to control the printer to execute the print job based on print settings, and a setting change unit configured to accept a setting change of the print settings regarding the print job in execution and update the print settings based on the accepted setting change while the print job is being executed. When the setting change unit updates the print settings, the print control unit controls the printer to execute the print job based on the updated print settings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-019630 filed on Jan. 30, 2007. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The following description relates to one or more print control systems, and printers and computer readable media therefor.

2. Related Art

For example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2001-255785 (hereinafter, referred to as '785 Publication) discloses a printer configured such that, after a user selects a printing mode from a plurality of kinds of printing modes such as a high-quality image printing mode for performing high-definition image printing and a fast printing mode in which a higher priority is put on a fast print processing speed, a printing operation is performed in the selected mode.

SUMMARY

However, there is the following problem in the printer disclosed in '785 Publication. After the user selects either of the printing modes, the printing operation is performed in the selected mode. After the printing operation is once started, until the printing operation is completed or forcibly terminated on the way, the user cannot change the printing mode to a mode other than the currently-selected mode.

Therefore, in the printer disclosed in '785 Publication, for example, in the case where the user wrongly selects the fast printing mode instead of the high-quality image printing mode which the user actually desires, after the printing operation is once started in the fast mode, as long as the printing operation is completed or forcibly terminated on the way, the user cannot change the printing mode from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode. Accordingly, the printer disclosed in '785 Publication is not necessarily regarded as a user-friendly printer.

Aspects of the present invention are advantageous in that there can be provided one or more improved print control systems, and printers and computer readable media therefor that can make the printer more user-friendly and convenient.

According to aspects of the present invention, there is provided a print control system, which includes a computer configured to perform data processing, a printer, which is connected with the computer, configured to execute a print job transmitted by the computer so as to print an image on a recording medium, a print control unit configured to control the printer to execute the print job based on print settings, and a setting change unit configured to accept a setting change of the print settings regarding the print job in execution and update the print settings based on the accepted setting change while the print job is being executed. When the setting change unit updates the print settings, the print control unit controls the printer to execute the print job based on the updated print settings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer configured to be connectable with a computer and to execute a print job transmitted by the computer to print an image on a recording medium, the printer including a print control unit configured to control the printer to execute the print job based on print settings, and a setting change unit configured to accept a setting change of the print settings regarding the print job in execution and update the print settings based on the accepted setting change while the print job is being executed. When the setting change unit updates the print settings, the print control unit controls the printer to execute the print job based on the updated print settings.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which cause a computer connectable with an external printing device that executes a print job transmitted by the computer to print an image on a recording medium to perform steps of controlling the external printing device to execute the print job based on print settings, accepting a setting change of the print settings regarding the print job in execution, updating the print settings based on the accepted setting change while the print job is being executed, and controlling the external printing device to execute the print job based on the updated print settings.

In some aspects of the present invention, even though a print command is issued and the print job is being executed, the print settings can be updated on the way of a printing operation in execution. Therefore, the printer can be made more user-friendly and convenient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects of the invention may be implemented in computer software as programs storable on computer-readable media including but not limited to RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporary storage, hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to aspects of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1. Overview of Print Control System

FIG. 1schematically shows a print control system according to aspects of the present invention, which is configured with a computer10and printer20. Hereinafter, based onFIG. 1, the print control system according to aspects of the invention will be explained.

A computer10(hereinafter, referred to as “PC10”) is an information processing device configured with a display unit11, operating unit12, CPU13, storing units such as a ROM14, RAM15, and HDD16, and printer port interface17via which the PC10is connected with the printer20. The display unit11is configured with an LCD or CRT that displays images and/or characters thereon. The operating unit12is configured with a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown) that moves a pointer (not shown) indicating a specific position on the display unit11and a keyboard (not shown).

In addition, the printer20is configured with operating keys21for selecting functions to be provided to the printer20, a display panel22that displays a kind and/or working status of a currently-implemented operation, a printing unit23that prints characters and/or images on a recording medium such as a printing paper, CPU24, ROM25, RAM26, and HDD27.

Incidentally, the RAM28is a non-volatile memory that can hold recorded data thereon even though electric power supply is blocked. In addition, the printer port interface29can directly connect the printer20to the PC10without connecting them via LAN.

Additionally, the printer20(printing unit23) according to aspects of the invention is a color-electrophotography-type image forming device (color laser printer) configured to form a colored image by transferring a plurality of kinds of toners such as Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (B) onto the recording medium.

2. Operation of Print Control Program (Print Control System)

A print control program (printer driver) according to aspects of the invention controls the print control system with being installed in the PC10. In the present embodiment, Windows (trademark registered) is employed as an OS (Operating System) of the PC10. Hereinafter, terms not specifically defined will be used as general meanings in Windows.

FIG. 2is an example of a print setting screen300displayed on the display unit11while a control process (hereinafter, referred to as “main control process”) as features of a print control program according to aspects of the invention is being run.FIG. 3is a flowchart showing a procedure of the main control process.

2.1. Print Setting Screen Image (SeeFIG. 2)

The print setting screen300keeps being displayed until a print job is completed after a printing command is issued to the printer20via application software such as a word processor.

In the print setting screen300, there are displayed first to third setting change buttons304to306for accepting a change in the print settings for an active print job and performing a print job based on print settings updated with the accepted change.

It is noted that the change in the print settings is accepted with the user's operation of moving the pointer with the pointing device such as the mouse and selecting (clicking) an intended setting change button304or check box301.

First check boxes301are means for accepting a selection regarding in which mode the print job is to be performed between a color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode. Second check boxes302are means for accepting a selection regarding in which mode the print job is to be performed between a high-quality image printing mode and a fast printing mode.

It is noted that the fast printing mode is a mode in which a higher priority is put on a processing speed for the print job (hereinafter, simply referred to as “processing mode”) rather than the quality of a printed image. The high-quality image printing mode is a mode in which a higher priority is put on the quality of the printed image rather than the processing speed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a processing speed in the high-quality image printing mode is lower than that in the fast printing mode. In other words, a processing speed in the fast printing mode is higher than that in the high-quality image printing mode.

In addition, a data amount of printed objects in the color printing mode is larger than that in the monochrome printing mode. Hence, a processing speed in the color printing mode is lower than that in the monochrome printing mode, while a processing speed in the monochrome printing mode is higher than that in the color printing mode.

The processing speed represents a processing speed for performing a computing process (steps S212to S217inFIG. 3) for creating data dedicated to printing (e.g., PDL data) that are acceptable by the printer20based on printed object data created by the application software. For this reason, as the processing speed is higher, a time period for creating the data dedicated to printing is shorter.

The third check box303is a means for accepting a selection of whether to implement the print job in a toner saving mode in which an amount of a toner to be used in the printing operation is more saved than usual. When the third check box303is selected and set ON, the print job is carried out with the toner being less consumed than an OFF state.

In a state where any of the first to third check boxes301to303is selected by the user, when any of first to third setting change buttons304to306is selected by the user, the print job is performed based on print settings updated in response to the selected setting change button.

Specifically, the first setting change button304is a means for implementing the print job with the updated print settings from a next page to a page being printed when the first setting change button304is selected, that is, the changes of the print settings is accepted. The second setting change button305is a means for re-executing the print job in execution from the beginning.

The third setting change button306is a means for implementing the print job with the updated print settings from a page number inputted in a page input portion307. The page input portion307is a means for accepting a setting of a page number to which the updated print settings are applied.

It is noted that, in the page input portion307according to aspects of the invention, a page number “1” is inputted as a default. Therefore, when the third setting change button306is selected without anew inputting a page number into the page input portion307, the print job in execution is re-executed from the beginning (first page).

In addition, the first and third setting change buttons304and306is always displayed in an active state where the buttons304and306are selectable while the print setting screen300is being displayed. On the contrary, the second setting change button305is displayed in an active state where the button305is selectable in at least one of a case where the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode, a case where the toner saving mode is changed from the ON state from the OFF state, and a case where the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode.

Namely, in the present embodiment, the first and third setting change buttons304and306are always selectable, while it is not until there is made such a change that the printing quality is improved that the second setting change button305is selectable.

Further, on the print setting screen300, there are displayed print information308that includes parameters308A representing average consumed amounts of the respective toners of Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K), and information308B related to an amount of the toner consumed from a moment when the print job has been begun.

It is noted that each of the parameters308A representing the average consumed amounts of the respective toners gives a greater value for a larger consumed amount. There is displayed beneath the parameters308A, an average consumed toner cost for each page that is calculated based on the average consumed amounts of the respective toners.

The information308B according to aspects of the invention a message regarding an amount of a saved cost that is displayed when the toner saving mode is in the OFF state. The information308B contains a specific money amount of a savable average consumed toner cost in the toner saving mode with respect to a current average consumed toner cost.

The main control process is executed by the CPU13of the PC10when the printing command is issued to the printer20via the application software, that is, when a print button (not shown) of the application software or “Print” of a file menu is selected.

When the main control process is started up, as shown inFIG. 3, firstly, an initial value (in the present embodiment, “0”) is inputted into the parameter representing the total consumed amount of each toner (S201). Then, an initial value (in the present embodiment, “0”) is inputted into each of the parameters308A (seeFIG. 2) that represents an average consumed amount of each toner (S202). Thereafter, an initial value (0) is inputted into a parameter i representing a print page number (S203).

It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the total consumed amount parameter and average consumed amount parameter of each toner and the parameter i are stored in the RAM15of the PC10. Next, the print setting screen300is displayed on the display unit11(S204), and then it is judged whether there is any page for which the printing operation is not completed in the print job executed based on the issued printing command (S205). It is noted that, in S204, a subroutine (seeFIG. 4) for displaying a below-mentioned print setting screen300is performed. When the parameter i is “0”, a fresh print setting screen300is displayed. When the parameter i is equal to or more than “1,” the print setting screen300is displayed with updated contents displayed thereon.

When it is judged that there is no page for which the printing operation is not completed, namely, when the print job is completed (S205: No), image data stored in the RAM15are deleted (S221), and thereafter the print setting screen300is closed (S222), terminating the main control process.

Meanwhile, when it is judged that there is a page for which the printing operation is not completed (S205: Yes), the parameter i is incremented by one (S206), and thereafter the print settings of the printer20are updated with the settings accepted on the print setting screen300(S207). Incidentally, at this time, supposing that the print settings accepted on the print setting screen300are the same as those previously accepted, the print settings will be configured again with the same settings as accepted. It is noted that details about S207will be described later.

Next, a drawing operation is performed in accordance with a drawing command for controlling a Graphic Device Interface (GDI) of an OS to create image data (S211). Then, the created image data are stored in the RAM15(S212).

In the present embodiment, since the image data are created based on an RGB format, when the print settings are set in the color printing mode, the RGB format image data are color-converted into CMYK format data. Meanwhile, when the print settings are set in the monochrome printing mode, the RGB format image data are color-converted to be drawn only with Black (K) (S213). It is noted that, when the toner saving mode is set ON, the RGB format image data are color-converted such that a further consumed amount of each toner is saved.

Subsequently, the color-converted data are dithered (S214), and then an amount of each toner to be consumed is calculated (S215). Here, the dithering means that the data are converted into points (1) to which the toner is to be transferred and points (0) to which the toner is not to be transferred. In the present embodiment, the consumed amount of the toner is calculated by counting the number of the points to which the toner is to be transferred.

Incidentally, a color, which is formed with a higher density of the points to which the toner is to be transferred, is darker. Meanwhile, a color, which is formed with a lower density of the points to which the toner is to be transferred, is lighter. Therefore, the density of the points to which the toner is transferred in the case where the toner saving mode is set ON is lower than that in the case where the toner saving mode is set OFF.

Then, a compressing operation is executed for the dithered data (S216). Thereafter, the compressed data are converted into data described in a language (PDL) for operating the printer20(S217), and transmitted to the printer20(S218). Further, the printer20that has received the PDL data forms an image on the recording medium in accordance with the received data.

Next, the toner amounts calculated in S215are added to the respective total consumed amounts of the toners that have already been stored in the RAM15(S219). Then, a value obtained by dividing each of the summed toner amounts by the parameter i is substituted into each of the average consumed toner amounts308A for each page (S220). Thereafter, the print setting screen300is updated (S204).

2.3. Display Control Process of Print Setting Screen Image (SeeFIG. 4)

FIG. 4is a flowchart exemplifying a display control process (S204) of the print setting screen. In the control process, firstly, it is judged whether the color printing mode is selected as the color mode (seeFIG. 2), namely, which is selected as the color mode between the color printing mode and monochrome printing mode (S401).

When it is judged that the color printing mode is selected (S401: Yes), there are displayed as the print information308, the average consumed amount308A of each of the toners Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K) (S402). Meanwhile, when it is not judged that the color printing mode is selected, namely, when it is judged that the monochrome printing mode is selected (S401: No), the average consumed amount308A of the toner of Black (K) is displayed (S403).

Next, by multiplying the average consumed amount of each toner by a predetermined coefficient, the average consumed toner cost for each page is calculated (S404). Then, the calculated cost is displayed in the print information308(S405), and thereafter it is judged whether the toner saving mode is in the OFF state (S406).

When it is judged that the toner saving mode is in the OFF state (S406: Yes), the savable average consumed toner cost (possible cost reduction amount)308B is determined (S407), and the determined cost reduction amount308B is displayed in the print information308.

In the present embodiment, the cost reduction amount308B is determined by multiplying the average consumed toner amount by the predetermined coefficient. Specifically, in the toner saving mode, for instance, when the printing operation is executed with 70% of the toner amount in a non-toner-saving mode, a value obtained by multiplying the average consumed toner cost calculated in S404by 0.3 is given as the cost reduction amount308B.

Subsequently, it is judged whether such a setting change that the print quality is improved is made, in other words, (a) whether the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode, (b) whether the toner saving mode is changed from the ON state to the OFF state, or (c) whether the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode (S409).

When it is judged that such a setting change that the print quality is improved is made to satisfy at least one of the conditions (a) to (c) (S409: Yes), the second setting change button305comes to be selectable (S410). Meanwhile, when it is not judged that such a setting change that the print quality is improved is made, namely, when it is judged that none of the conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied (S409: No), the second setting change button305comes to be non-selectable (S411).

FIG. 5is a flowchart exemplifying a control process for changing the print settings in S207. When the control process shown inFIG. 5is started up, firstly, it is judged whether the first setting change button304is selected (S501). When it is judged that the first setting change button304is selected (S501: Yes), the print settings stored in the HDD16of the PC10are updated with the settings currently displayed on the print setting screen300(S504). Thereafter, the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

At this time, when the current parameter i is “1,” since the print data are not transmitted to the printer20, the print job is performed with the updated print settings from a page number of “1.” Meanwhile, when the current parameter i is equal to or more than “2,” since the print data of (i−1) pages have already been transmitted to the printer20, the print job is performed with the updated print settings from a next page to the (i−1)-th page, namely, from the i-th page.

In other words, when the current parameter i is equal to or more than “2,” and the first setting change button304is selected, the print job is performed with the updated print settings from a subsequent page of a page for which the printing operation is executed at a moment when the print setting change is accepted, or from a page following the subsequent page.

In the meantime, when it is not judged that the first setting change button304is selected (S501: No), it is judged whether the third setting change button306is selected (S502). When it is judged that the third setting change button306is selected (S502: Yes), it is judged whether the current parameter i is equal to or more than the page number (hereinafter, referred to as a “specified page”) inputted into the page input portion307(S503).

When it is judged that the current parameter i is equal to or more than the specified page (S503: Yes), the print settings stored in the HDD16of the PC10are updated with the settings currently displayed on the print setting screen300(S504). Thereafter, the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

At this time, since the current parameter i is equal to or more than the specified page, the print data of the specified page to the (i−1)-th page have already been sent to the printer20. Therefore, the print job cannot be implemented with the updated print settings from the specified page.

In the present embodiment, when the third setting change button306is selected, and the current parameter i is equal to or more than the specified page, in the same manner as the case where the first setting change button304is selected, the print job may be implemented with the updated print settings from a subsequent page of a page for which the printing operation is performed at a moment when the print setting change is accepted, or from a page following the subsequent page, and the user may be notified of it. Incidentally, the notification is performed with a message or a sound via the display unit11or the display panel22of the printer20.

Meanwhile, when it is not judged that the current parameter i is equal to or more than the specified page (S503: No), the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process. It is noted that, when the present process goes back to the main control process, the parameter i is sequentially incremented. When the parameter i is equal to or more than the specified page, the print job is performed with the updated print settings from the specified page in S504.

Further, when it is not judged in S502that the third setting change button306is selected (S502: No), it is judged whether the second setting change button305is selected (S505). When it is judged that the second setting change button305is selected (S505: Yes), a print re-executing process (seeFIG. 6) for re-executing the print job from the beginning is executed (S506).

Meanwhile, when it is not judged that the second setting change button305is selected (S505: No), the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

FIG. 6is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a print re-executing process (S506). When the print re-executing process is started up, firstly, an initial value (in the present embodiment, “0”) is inputted into the parameter representing total consumed amount of each toner (S601). Then, an initial value (in the present embodiment, “0”) is inputted into each of the parameters308A (seeFIG. 2) that represents an average consumed amount of each toner (S602). Thereafter, an initial value (0) is inputted into a parameter i representing a print page number (S603).

Next, the print setting screen300is displayed on the display unit11(S604), and thereafter it is judged whether the parameter i is equal to or less than the number of pages (hereinafter, referred to as “the number of stored pages”) of the image data stored in the RAM15(S605). When it is not judged that the parameter i is equal to or less than the number of stored pages (S605: No), the print re-executing process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process. It is noted that S604is the same process as S204, and therefore detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, when it is judged that the parameter i is equal to or less than the number of stored pages (S605: Yes), the PDL data to be sent to the printer20can be created through reading out the image data that have already been created in S211and saved in S212. In this case, the parameter i is then incremented by one (S606), and thereafter the print settings of the printer20are updated with the settings accepted on the print setting screen300(S607). It is noted that a process in S607is the same as that in S207, and thus detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Subsequently, the image data stored in the RAM15are read out (S611). Then, the read-out image data are color-converted in the same manner as S213(S613). Thereafter, the color-converted data are dithered in the same manner as S214(S614), and an amount of each toner to be consumed is calculated (S615).

Then, the compressing operation is executed for the dithered data (S616). Thereafter, the compressed data are converted into data described in a language (PDL) for operating the printer20(S617), and transmitted to the printer20(S618).

Next, the toner amounts calculated in S615are added to the respective total consumed amounts of the toners that have already been stored in the RAM15(S619). Then, a value obtained by dividing each of the summed toner amounts by the parameter i is substituted into each of the average consumed toner amounts308A for each page (S620). Thereafter, the print setting screen300is updated (S604).

3. Features of Print Control System according to Aspects of the Invention

In the present embodiment, even though a print start command is issued, and the print job is in execution, the print settings can be changed on the way of the printing operation by selecting either of the first to third setting change buttons304to306. Therefore, the printer20can be made more user-friendly and convenient.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the second setting change button305is selected, the print job in execution can be re-executed from the beginning. Therefore, since the user is not required to re-execute the printing operation, the printer20can be made further user-friendly and convenient.

In the present embodiment, after the image data are created in the main control process (S211), the created image data are stored in the RAM15. Thereby, when the second setting change button305is selected, the print job can be re-executed from the beginning based on the image data stored in the RAM15. Hence, the image data are not required to be re-created. Thus, the processing speed, and the user-friendliness and convenience of the printer20can be further improved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the print job in execution is completed, the image data stored in the RAM15are deleted (S221). Thus, the RAM15can efficiently be used.

In the meantime, supposing that the user changes the print settings into settings for a high-quality image on the way of the printing operation, all images to be printed are desired to be printed with the print settings for the high-quality image.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, when such a setting change that the print quality is improved is made, the second setting change button305comes to be selectable. Hence, the printer20can be made further user-friendly and convenient.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, the user can input a page number from which the print job is to be executed with the updated print settings. Therefore, the printer20can be made further user-friendly and convenient. In addition, it can be prevented that the recording medium such as a printing paper is wastefully consumed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the print setting screen300keeps being displayed until the print job in execution is completed. Hence, since the print settings can be changed any number of times at any time in the printing operation, the printer20can be made further user-friendly and convenient.

Further, in the present invention, the information related to the toner amount consumed after the print job has been started is displayed for the user. Therefore, the user can easily grasp a state of the consumed toner.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the information (in the present embodiment, the savable average consumed toner cost) obtained by comparing the consumed toner amounts before and after the print settings have been changed is displayed. Based on the information, the user can easily acquire information for selecting appropriate print settings.

In the aforementioned embodiment, when (at which timing) the updated print settings are to be reflected on the print job in execution is entrusted to the user's operations of the first to third setting change button304to306. However, in a second embodiment, when (at which timing) the updated print settings are to be reflected on the print job in execution is automatically judged and applied depending on the settings.

FIG. 7is an example of a print setting screen300in the present embodiment.FIG. 8is a flowchart (which corresponds to the flowchart shown inFIG. 4in the first embodiment) showing a display control process for the print setting screen in the present embodiment.FIG. 9is a flowchart (which corresponds to the flowchart shown inFIG. 5in the first embodiment) showing a print setting control process in the present embodiment. It is noted that, since a main control process in the present embodiment is the same as the main control process (seeFIG. 3) in the first embodiment, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

1.1. Print Setting Screen Image (SeeFIG. 7)

In the print setting screen300in the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, the first to third setting change buttons304to306are eliminated. Instead, a “OK” button309is provided. The “OK” button309is a means for updating the print settings stored in the HDD16of the PC10with the settings currently displayed on the print setting screen300.

1.2. Display Control Process of Print Setting Screen Image (SeeFIG. 7)

A procedure of a display control process for the print setting screen in the present embodiment is, as shown inFIG. 8, equivalent to a procedure of the display control process for the print setting screen in the first embodiment with S406and the steps following S406being eliminated.

1.3. Details about S207in the Present Embodiment (SeeFIG. 9)

FIG. 9is a flowchart showing a control process for changing the print settings in S207in the present embodiment. When the control process shown inFIG. 9is started, firstly, it is judged whether the “OK” button309is selected (S700). When it is not judged that the “OK” button309is selected (S700: No), the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

Meanwhile, when it is judged that the “OK” button309is selected (S700: Yes), it is judged whether the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode (S705). When it is judged that the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode (S705: Yes), the same print re-executing process as S506(seeFIGS. 5 and 6) is executed (S725). Then, the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

Thereby, when the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode, the print job is automatically re-executed from an initial page.

In addition, when it is not judged that the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode (S705: No), it is judged whether the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode (S710). When it is judged that the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode (S710: Yes), the same print re-executing process as S506(seeFIGS. 5 and 6) is executed (S725). Then, the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

Thereby, when the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode, the print job is automatically re-executed from the initial page.

Meanwhile, when it is not judged that the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode (S710: No), it is judged whether the color mode is changed from the color printing mode to the monochrome printing mode (S715). When it is judged that the color mode is changed from the color printing mode to the monochrome printing mode (S715: Yes), the print settings are changed in the same manner as S504(seeFIG. 5) (S730). Thereafter, the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

Thereby, when the color mode is changed from the color printing mode to the monochrome printing mode, the print job is automatically executed with the updated print settings from a subsequent page of a page for which the printing operation is executed at a moment when the print setting change has been accepted, or from a page following the subsequent page.

In addition, when it is not judged that the color mode is changed from the color printing mode to the monochrome printing mode (S715: No), it is judged whether the printing mode is changed from the high-quality image printing mode to the fast printing mode (S720). When it is judged that the printing mode is changed from the high-quality image printing mode to the fast printing mode (S720: Yes), the print settings are changed in the same manner as S504(seeFIG. 5) (S730). Then, the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

Thereby, when the printing mode is changed from the high-quality image printing mode to the fast printing mode, the print job is automatically executed with the updated print settings from a subsequent page of a page for which the printing operation is executed at a moment when the print setting change has been accepted, or from a page following the subsequent page.

Meanwhile, when it is not judged that the printing mode is changed from the high-quality image printing mode to the fast printing mode (S720: No), the control process is terminated, and the present process goes back to the main control process.

2. Features of Print Control System in the Present Embodiment

In the present embodiment, when the color mode is changed from the monochrome printing mode to the color printing mode, or when the printing mode is changed from the fast printing mode to the high-quality image printing mode, the print job in execution is automatically executed from the beginning. Hence, the user is not required to re-execute the printing operation, and therefore the printer20can be made further user-friendly and convenient.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the color mode is changed from the color printing mode to the monochrome printing mode, or when the printing mode is changed from the high-quality image printing mode to the fast printing mode, the print job in execution is automatically implemented with the updated print settings from a subsequent page of a page for which the printing operation is executed at a moment when the print setting change is accepted, or from a page following the subsequent page. Thus, the user is not required to perform an operation for issuing the printing command, and therefore the printer20can be made further user-friendly and convenient. In addition, it can be prevented that the recording medium such as a printing paper is wastefully consumed.

In the aforementioned embodiments, all the features according to aspects of the invention are attained by the printer driver (print control program). However, the invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the printer20may be provided with a means for attaining the features according to aspects of the invention. In this case, in order to execute the print re-executing process shown inFIG. 6, the image data may be stored in an internal memory of the printer20such as the RAM26and the HDD27. In addition, a print request command transmitted via the printer driver booted in the PC10may be stored in the internal memory, and the stored print request command may be interpreted to create the image data in the print re-executing process. In the latter case, it is possible to save the internal memory of the printer20.