Patent Abstract:
To provide a control method of an image processing apparatus capable of showing a user that a printing designation by the user exceeds the tolerance of an image processing apparatus before printing and therefore, capable of preventing unnecessary printing. When the printing designation performed by the user clearly deviates from the tolerance of the processor, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus for confirming whether to execute printing to the user even if the printing designation exceeds the tolerance before starting the printing, and a control method of the image processing apparatus.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a control method of the image processing apparatus.  
         [0003]     2. Related Background Art  
         [0004]     A digital camera has been suddenly spread in recent years. The recognition that the digital camera is a peripheral device of a personal computer has been strong. However, the digital camera is used for a home having no personal computer and thus, the sales of digital cameras have been increased. Therefore, the demand for directly printing digital camera data by a domestic-use printer not through a personal computer has been raised particularly in recent years.  
         [0005]     The data photographed by a digital camera is stored in a memory card such as SD card or compact flash (registered trademark) memory. When a personal computer is present in a home, it is possible to capture image data into the personal computer and print the data by a recorder such as a printer.  
         [0006]     A user having no personal computer uses a method for printing a photo in accordance with an operation performed through an operation section of a recorder by directly inserting a medium for storing a digital image such as a memory card into the recorder as a direct printing method not through personal computer. Therefore, the requests for photo printing in homes is increased and the demand for printing in homes is increased.  
         [0007]     As described above, because the demand for printing in homes is increased, the demand for printing is increased also for low-end complex machines and printers. Therefore, the number of prints of digital images by a complex machine or printer is increased and the ink consumption by users is being increased. Particularly, because the capacity of a memory card increases, it is possible to store a lot of images of digital cameras. Therefore, the demand for printing many images at the same time is raised.  
         [0008]     However, in the case of a machine such as domestic-use low end, because an ink quantity is small, it is impossible to execute much printing as expected. Particularly, when executing much printing at the same time, printing in which the tolerance of ink of the printer is already exceeded may be designated. In this case, there is a problem that it is difficult to correctly execute printing to the end. To solve the problem, the following method has been used so far.  
         [0009]     For example, one method is known in which when setting a restriction to the number of sheets to be printed by a printer and executing printing by exceeding the restriction, printing is stopped (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-272207).  
         [0010]     Moreover, another method is known in which when running-out of ink is detected while printing is executed by a printer, the job is cancelled at this point of time, it is determined whether to start output again or erase data from a memory and printing is executed after replacing ink when subsequent printing is necessary (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H09-069920).  
         [0011]     However, the above conventional method is a method for executing printing and stopping the printing during the printing. Therefore, this method has a problem that because printing is executed while the printing quantity designated by a user is unknown at the start of printing, it is impossible to know whether the printing quantity is proper until the printing is completed.  
         [0012]     Moreover, another conventional method is known in which a restricted number of printed sheets is set every user of a printer and printing can be made within the restriction (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.H11-095937). However, in the case of this conventional example, the restricted number of sheets is only set every user but it is not related to the allowable number of printed sheets of the whole printer.  
         [0013]     Therefore, when a user executes the printing designation in which the number of printed sheets is not clear, it is necessary that the user can execute printing within the tolerance of a printer by communicating the number of printed sheets to the user before printing is started.  
         [0014]     In the case of the above conventional example, when a user designates printing while the number of printed sheets is unknown, there is a problem that printing is started even if the user does not know a designation clearly exceeding the tolerance of the printing quantity of an image processing apparatus.  
         [0015]     That is, in the case of the above conventional example, there is a problem that it is impossible to show the user that the printing designation by the user exceeds the tolerance of an image processing apparatus and therefore, it is impossible to prevent unnecessary printing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of an image processing apparatus capable of showing a user that the printing designation by the user exceeds the tolerance of an image processing apparatus before printing and thereby, preventing unnecessary printing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus  100  constituting an image processing system which is embodiment 1 of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an illustration showing a specific example of an operation/display unit  108  set to the image processing apparatus  100 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  is an illustration showing a flowchart showing a reconfirmation operation, and  FIG. 3B  is an illustration showing a display example of a LCD  201  when the number of printed sheets exceeds a restriction when starting printing in the above embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a reconfirmation operation when printing is started and the number of printed sheets exceeds a restriction in embodiment 2 of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a reconfirmation operation when printing is started and the number of printed sheets exceeds a restricted number of printed sheets in embodiment 3 of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a reconfirmation operation when printing is started and the number of printed sheets exceeds a restricted number of printed sheets in embodiment 4 of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an example in which number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means calculates the number of printed sheets in each of the above embodiments. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     Best modes for embodying the present invention are the following embodiments.  
       Embodiment 1  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus  100  constituting the image processing system which is embodiment 1 of the present invention.  
         [0026]     The image processing apparatus  100  has a CPU  101 , a ROM  102 , a RAM  103 , an image memory  104 , a data converter  105 , a read controller  106 , a reader unit  107 , an operation/display unit  108 , a communication control unit  109 , a resolution conversion processing unit  110 , a CODEC  111 , a record controller  112 , a USB host controller  113 , a recorder unit  114 , a PCMCIA I/F controller  115 , a data storage  116 , a digital camera  117 , a memory card  118 , a recorder cover  120  and a CPU bus  121 .  
         [0027]     The CPU  101  is a system control unit to control the whole of the image processing apparatus  100 .  
         [0028]     The ROM  102  stores a control program to be executed by the CPU  101  and a built-in operating system (OS) program. In the case of the above embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM  102  executes software control such as scheduling or task switching under the control by the built-in OS stored in the ROM  102 .  
         [0029]     The RAM  103  is constituted by an SRAM (static RAM) or the like and stores a program control variable, a setting value entried by an operator, and a management data of the image processing apparatus  100 , in which various work buffer regions are formed.  
         [0030]     The image memory  104  is constituted by a DRAM (dynamic RAM) or the like to store image data.  
         [0031]     The data converter  105  executes conversion of image data such as analysis of a page description language (PDL) or the like and CG (computer graphics) development of character data.  
         [0032]     The read controller  106  applies various image processings such as binalization and half-tone processing to an image signal acquired when the reader unit  107  optically reads an original by a CIS image sensor (close-contact image sensor) and converts it into electrical image data, through a not-illustrated image processing controller, and outputs high-accuracy image data. In the case of the above embodiment 1, the read controller  106  corresponds to both control systems such as a sheet read control system for executing read while carrying a manuscript and a book read control system for scanning a manuscript on a manuscript table.  
         [0033]     The operation/display unit  108  is constituted by (1) an operation unit provided with numeral input keys, character input keys, one-touch telephone-number keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, in which a user performs decision of image transmitting destination data, entry of entered value setting data and setting of energy-saving mode, various keys, LED (Light Emitting Diode) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and (2) a display unit for displaying various input operations by an operator and an operation state and status of the image processing apparatus  100 .  
         [0034]     The communication control unit  109  is constituted by a MODEM (modulator demodulator) and an NCU (network control unit). In the case of the above embodiment, the communication control unit  109  is connected to an analog communication line (PSTN)  131  to perform communication control with T30 protocol and line control such as an outgoing call and incoming call to a communication line.  
         [0035]     The resolution conversion processing unit  110  executes resolution conversion control such as mille-inch resolution conversion of image data or the like. In the case of the resolution conversion processing unit  110 , it is also possible to expand and contract image data.  
         [0036]     The CODEC  111  codes and decodes or expands and contracts the image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG and JPEG) handled by the image processing apparatus  100 .  
         [0037]     The record controller  112  applies various image processings such as smoothing, recording density correction and color correction to image data to be printed, through a not-illustrated image processing controller, converts the image data into high-accuracy image data, and outputs the image data to the USB host controller  113  (to be described later). Moreover, by controlling the USB host controller  113 , the record controller  112  regularly acquires the status information data for the recorder unit  114 .  
         [0038]     The recorder unit  114  is a printer constituted by a laser beam printer or ink-jet printer to print color image data or monochrome image data on a printing member. The recorder unit  114  communicates with the USB host controller  113  in accordance with a protocol specified in the USB communication standard and particularly has a function.  
         [0039]     The USB host controller  113  is a controller for performing communication in accordance with a protocol specified in the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard capable of performing bidirectional data communication at a high speed, which allows a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) to be connected with one host (master). The USB host controller  113  has a function of a host in USB communication.  
         [0040]     The PCMCIA I/F controller  115  performs the communication control of a USB interface, performs protocol control in accordance with the USB communication standard, converts the data from a USB control task to be executed by the CPU  101  into a packet, transmits a USB packet to an external information processing terminal and converts a USB packet from an external information processing terminal into data and transmits the data to the CPU  101 .  
         [0041]     A data storage  116  is a portion in which data is stored. Because the DRAM of the image memory  104  does not prepare a data-backup region, the embodiment 1 prepares a data storage region as a data storage. Moreover, the data storage  116  may be shared with the image memory  104  and may back up data. Though the embodiment 1 uses a DRAM, it is also allowed to use a hard disk or volatile memory instead of the DRAM.  
         [0042]     The digital camera  117  is a camera for storing an image photographed by a lens as digital data. The camera  117  can be connected with the USB host controller  113  and makes it possible to exchange data between the digital camera  117  and the image processing apparatus  100  by performing communication.  
         [0043]     The memory card  118  is a data recording medium which can be connected to the image processing apparatus  100 . In the case of the embodiment 1, the memory card  118  is connected by the interface of a PCMCIA but it is not restricted to the interface. It is also allowed to make image data or other electronic data access the data in the memory card through the PCMCIA I/F controller  115 .  
         [0044]     In the case of the embodiment 1, the USB communication of the recording function uses one-to-one connection conformation.  
         [0045]     The above components  101  to  106  and  108  to  113  are connected each other through the CPU bus  121  controlled by the CPU  101 .  
         [0046]     The recorder unit  114  is an example of printing means for printing photos and characters.  
         [0047]     The CPU  101  and ROM  102  are respectively an example of the number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means for acquiring the data for the number of printed sheets before printing is started.  
         [0048]     The RAM  103  is an example of the restricted-number-of-printed-sheets data holding means for holding the restricted-number-of-printed-sheet data showing the restricted number of printed sheets.  
         [0049]     The operation/display unit  108  is an example of operation means for starting or setting printing.  
         [0050]     The operation/display unit  108  is an example of display means for displaying the information on an image processing apparatus.  
         [0051]     The CPU  101  and ROM  102  are respectively an example of display control means for making the display means perform the display for prompting a user to reconfirm start of printing when a printing designation is obtained through the operation means, the number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means acquires the number-of-printed-sheet data and the number of printed sheets shown by the acquired number-of-printed-sheet data exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets.  
         [0052]     In the above embodiment, an image data storing medium is constituted by the PCMCIA I/F controller  115  and memory card  118 . The memory card  118  is an example of an external storing medium.  
         [0053]      FIG. 2  is an illustration showing a specific example of the operation/display unit  108  set to the image processing apparatus  100 .  
         [0054]     The operation/display unit  108  has an LCD  201 , a power supply key  202 , a copy mode key  203 , a fax mode key  204 , a scan mode key  205 , a photo mode key  206 , a menu key  207 , a user setting key  208 , a photo index sheet key  209 , a minus key  210 , a plus key  211 , a setting key  212 , a telephone book key  213 , a redialing key  214 , a ten key  215 , a stop key  216 , a monochrome start key  217  and a color start key  218 .  
         [0055]     The LCD display  201  is a display for displaying a message, operation prompt and various informations.  
         [0056]     The power supply key  202  is a key for turning on/off the power supply of the image processing apparatus.  
         [0057]     The copy mode key  203  is a key for bringing the image processing apparatus  100  into a state ready for copying. By pressing the copy mode key  203 , the image processing apparatus  100  is brought into a copy mode.  
         [0058]     The fax mode key  204  is a key for brining the image processing apparatus  100  into a state ready for faxing. By pressing the fax mode key  204 , the image processing apparatus  100  is brought into a fax mode.  
         [0059]     The scan mode key  205  is a key for brining the image processing apparatus  100  into a state ready for scanning. By pressing the scan mode key  205 , the image processing apparatus  100  is brought into a scan mode.  
         [0060]     The photo mode key  206  is a key for bringing the image processing apparatus  100  into a state ready for direct printing from a digital photo card or camera. By pressing the photo mode key  206 , it is possible to bring the image processing apparatus  100  into a photo mode.  
         [0061]     The menu key  207  is a key for displaying an item for setting a set-value when direct printing from a copy, fax or card or is executed. By pressing the menu key  207 , it is possible to display a setting item for execution on the LCD  201  and set the item by selecting the item with a the plus key  211  or minus key  210  and setting the item with the setting key  212 .  
         [0062]     The user setting key  208  is a key for displaying a screen for a user to enter a set value to be set to the image processing apparatus  100 . By pressing the user setting key  208 , it is possible to display user setting items on the LCD  201  and set the item with setting key  212  by selecting the item with the plus key  211  or minus key  210 .  
         [0063]     The photo index sheet key  209  is a key for changing the present screen to a screen for printing or reading a photo index sheet. By pressing the photo index sheet key  209  while the memory card  118  is inserted into the image processing apparatus  100 , the present screen is changed to a screen for designating printing or reading of the photo index sheet. It is possible to select reading or printing with the plus key  211  or minus key  210  and set reading or printing through the setting key  212 . The photo index sheet is described in the description for  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in detail.  
         [0064]     The minus key  210  and plus key  211  are keys used for a user to select a menu or user entry from a plurality of options. Minus and plus are reverse order or normal order.  
         [0065]     The setting key  212  is a key for deciding a selected item. The telephone book key  213  is a key for calling a telephone number entered in a telephone book. The redialing key  214  is a key for redialing the lastly dialed destination party by pressing it.  
         [0066]     The ten key  215  is a key group used for entry of a telephone number, facsimile number or destination party name, the number of copies and dialing. The stop key  216  is a key for stopping facsimile transmission/reception, copying or other operation.  
         [0067]     The monochrome start key  217  is a key for starting monochrome facsimile transmission or monochrome copying. The color start key  218  is a key for starting color facsimile transmission, color copying or color photo printing.  
         [0068]      FIG. 3A  is a flowchart showing the reconfirmation operation when printing is started and the number of printed sheets exceeds a restriction in the above embodiment, and  FIG. 3B  is an illustration showing a display example of the LCD  201 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 3A  is a flowchart showing the reconfirmation operation when the number of printed sheets exceeds a restriction when starting printing in the above embodiment.  
         [0070]     First, in step  301 , it is recognized that start of printing is designated by a user. In step S 302 , the number of printed sheets is acquired for the printing designation. Particularly, operations of the number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means when the printing in this case is the printing of a plurality of image data values will be described later.  
         [0071]     Then, in step  303 , the acquired number of printed sheets is compared with the restricted number of printed sheets (e.g. 100 printed sheets). If the acquired number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets in step  302 , step  304  is started.  
         [0072]     In step  303 , when the number of printed sheets does not exceed the restricted number of printed sheets, step  306  is started. In step, 304 , whether to actually start printing is displayed on the LCD  201  of the operation/display unit  108 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 3B  is an illustration showing an example of the display for inquiring a user whether to start printing (display for prompting the user to reconfirm start of printing) in step  304 .  
         [0074]     In this case, the number of printed sheets acquired in step  302  is displayed on the operation/display unit  108 . Then, in step  305 , a designation whether to start printing performed by a user through the operation/display unit  108  is waited in accordance with the prompt in step  304  (display for prompting the user to reconfirm start of printing). When the user designates start of printing, step  306  is started to execute printing. However, when the user does not designate start of printing, the operation is completed without executing printing.  
         [0075]     Therefore, according to the embodiment 1, it is possible to reconfirm start of printing to a user in accordance with the number of printed sheets.  
         [0076]     That is, the embodiment 1 is an image processing apparatus having printing means for printing photos and characters, number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means for acquiring the number-of-printed-sheet data showing the number of printed sheets before printing is started, restricted-number-of-printed-sheet data holding means for holding the restricted-number-of-printed-sheet data showing the restricted number of printed sheets, operation means for starting or setting printing, display means for displaying the information on the image processing apparatus and display control means for making the display means perform the display for prompting a user to reconfirm start of printing when the number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means acquires the data for the number of printed sheets when printing is designated through the operation means and the number of printed sheets shown by the acquired-number-of-printed-sheet data exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets.  
       Embodiment 2  
       [0077]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the reconfirmation operation when the number of printed sheets exceeds a restriction while starting the printing which is embodiment 2 of the present invention.  
         [0078]     The embodiment 2 is an embodiment for starting printing when a time-out occurs while confirmation of restart of printing is requested for a user.  
         [0079]     First, in step  401 , it is recognized that a user designates start of printing. In step  402 , the number of printed sheets is acquired for the printing designation. Particularly, the operation to be performed by the number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means when the printing in this case is the printing of a plurality of image data will be described later.  
         [0080]     Then, in step  403 , the acquired number of printed sheets is compared with a restricted number of printed sheets (e.g. 100 printed sheets). If the acquired number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets in step  402 , step  404  is started.  
         [0081]     Moreover, when the number of printed sheets does not exceed the restricted number of printed sheets in step  403 , step  406  is started. In step  404 , whether to actually start printing is displayed on the operation/display unit  108 . In this case, the number of printed sheets acquired in step  402  is displayed on the operation/display unit  108  and step  405  is started.  
         [0082]     In step  405 , a designation whether to start printing by a user in the operation/display unit  108  is waited in accordance with the display for inquiring the user about whether to start printing in step  404  (display for prompting the user to reconfirm start of printing) in step  404 . If the user designates start of printing, step  406  is started to execute printing.  
         [0083]     However, when a timeout occurs in step  405 , the present step is changed to step  406 . Moreover, when the user does not designate printing, printing is not executed but the operation is terminated.  
         [0084]     According to the embodiment 2, it is possible to reconfirm start of printing to a user in accordance with the number of printed sheets. However, even if the user does not notice the display, printing is correctly executed.  
         [0085]     That is, the embodiment 2 is an image processing apparatus having printing means for printing photos and characters, number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means for acquiring the number-of-printed-sheet data showing the number of printed sheets before printing is started, restricted-number-of-printed-sheet-data holding means for holding the data for the restricted number of printed sheets showing the restricted number of printed sheets, operation means for starting or setting printing, display means for displaying the information on an image processing apparatus, clocking means for measuring time and control means for making the display means to perform the display for prompting a user to reconfirm start of printing when the number of printed sheets shown by the number-of-printed-sheet data acquired by the number-of-printed-sheet data acquiring means exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets and executing a predetermined operation when a predetermined time passes while the user does not reconfirm the start of printing when printing is designated through the operation means.  
       Embodiment 3  
       [0086]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the reconfirmation operation when the number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets at the start of the printing which is embodiment 3 of the present invention.  
         [0087]     The embodiment 3 is an embodiment which does not start printing if a timeout occurs when inquiring a user about restart of printing.  
         [0088]     First, in step  501 , it is recognized that the user designates start of printing. Then, in step  502 , the number of printed sheets is acquired for the printing designation. Particularly, the operation to be executed by the number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means when the printing in this case is the printing of the data for a plurality of images will be described later.  
         [0089]     Moreover, in step  503 , the number of printed sheets acquired in step  502  is compared with the restricted number of printed sheets (e.g. 100 printed sheets). When the number of printed sheets acquired in step  502  exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets, step  504  is started.  
         [0090]     Furthermore, when the number of printed sheets does not exceed the restricted number of printed sheets in step  503 , step  506  is started. In step  504 , the display for inquiring a user about whether to start printing (display for prompting a user to reconfirm start of printing) is performed.  
         [0091]     In this case, the number of printed sheets acquired in step  502  is displayed on the operation/display unit  108 . Then, in step  505 , based on inquiring in step  504  the designation on whether to start printing performed by a user through the operation/display unit  108  is waited. When the user designates start of printing, step  506  is started to execute printing. However, when the user does not designate printing, printing is not executed. When a timeout occurs in step  505 , the operation is terminated without executing printing.  
         [0092]     According to the embodiment 3, it is possible to reconfirm start of printing to a user in accordance with the number of printed sheets and perform control so as not to start printing when the user does not notice the display.  
         [0093]     That is, the embodiment 3 is an image processing apparatus having printing means for printing photos and characters, number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means for acquiring the number-of-printed-sheet data showing the number of printed sheets before printing is started, restricted-number-of-printed-sheet-data holding means for holding the restricted-number-of-printed-sheet data showing the restricted number of printed sheets, operation means for starting or setting printing, display means for displaying the information on the image processing apparatus, clocking means for measuring time and control means for acquiring the number-of-printed-sheet data acquired by the number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means when printing is designated through the operation means and not executing printing when the number of printed sheets shown by the acquired data for the number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets.  
       Embodiment 4  
       [0094]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the reconfirmation operation when the number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets when starting the printing which is embodiment 4 of the present invention.  
         [0095]     The embodiment 4 is an embodiment for not starting printing when a timeout occurs while prompting a user to decide whether to restart printing.  
         [0096]     First, in step  601 , it is recognized that a user designates start of printing. Then, in step  602 , the number of printed sheets is acquired for the printing designation. Particularly, the operation to be performed by the number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means when the printing in this case is the printing of the data for a plurality of images will be described later.  
         [0097]     Then, in step  603 , the number of printed sheets acquired in step.  602  is compared with the restricted number of printed sheets (e.g. 100 printed sheets). When the number of printed sheets acquired in step  602  does not exceed the restricted number of printed sheets, step  604  is started to execute printing.  
         [0098]     Moreover, when the number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets in step  603 , step  605  is started. However, because the number of printed sheets exceeds the tolerance of a printer, it is shown to the operation/display unit  108  that the number of printed sheets exceeds the tolerance of an image processing apparatus and the operation is completed without executing printing.  
         [0099]     According to the embodiment 4, it is possible to perform control so as not to start printing when the number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets correspondingly to the number of printed sheets.  
         [0100]     In the case of the embodiment 4, the number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means calculates the number of printed sheets according to the number of images in a memory card. However, it is also allowed to acquire the total number of printed sheets by another method.  
         [0101]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an example for the number-of-printed-sheet-data acquiring means to calculate the number of printed sheets in each of the above embodiment.  
         [0102]     First, in step  701 , the number of images is confirmed. Image data for an image designated by a user is confirmed through the operation/display unit  108 . This image data is the data for an image in a memory card or a memory of an image processing apparatus.  
         [0103]     Then, the number of images of the image data confirmed in step  701  is counted in step  702  and a printing method is determined in step  703  when the printing method is photo printing, one image is regarded as one sheet for photo printing in the case of the embodiments 1 to 4.  
         [0104]     Therefore, in step  704 , the number of printed sheets is regarded as the same number of printed images. Moreover, in step  703 , when the printing method is determined as index printing, the information on what number of images will be printed on indexes is acquired in step  705 . Then, in step  707 , the number of printed sheets is decided. The number of printed indexes is equal to the answer of dividing the printed images by the number of images to be printed on indexes plus 1.  
         [0105]     Moreover, when it is determined in step  703  that the printing method is poster printing, what method is the poster printing is acquired. The “poster printing” in this case is a method for printing one image so as to form one image over a plurality of pages. What number of pages is necessary for one image is acquired in step  706  and the number of printed sheets is regarded as the product between printed images and printed pages for one image in step  708 .  
         [0106]     As described above, the number of sheets to be printed is acquired for a printing request performed by a user.  
         [0107]     In the case of the example shown in  FIG. 7 , the printing method is divided into photo printing, index printing and poster printing. However, as long as it is possible to determine what number of images is used every printing, it is allowed to use another method for printing an image.  
         [0108]     According to each of the above embodiments, when the number of printed sheets exceeds the restricted number of printed sheets at the time of printing, it is possible to prompt a user to re-output printing.  
         [0109]     According to the present invention, when a user performs a printing designation exceeding the tolerance of an image processing apparatus, it is possible to show the user that the printing designation by the user exceeds the tolerance of the image processing apparatus because printing is confirmed to the user before printing and therefore, an advantage can be obtained that it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing.  
         [0110]     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-332507 filed Sep. 24, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6