Patent Description:
When images having high-definition quality are printed by printing apparatuses, printing is performed using control parameters corresponding to a print media type. In a technique discussed in <CIT>, a plurality of characteristic values of a print medium on which printing is to be performed is measured and a print media type is determined to use appropriate control parameters in printing.

As prior art there may be mentioned <CIT>, which discloses a control method for a recording device comprising respectively acquiring characteristic values for a plurality of characteristics of a recording medium of a recording object and determining whether or not any of the plurality of acquired characteristic values are included in a predetermined available range of the recording medium, wherein if any are determined to be included, the recording device identifies control parameters corresponding to the predetermined recording medium, and then controls recording operation to the recording medium of the recording object using the identified control parameters, <CIT>, which discloses an image processing apparatus including a color converting unit; a registration list that registers a plurality of paper profiles associated with a plurality of registered papers; a parameter managing unit that includes a function of extracting a registered paper capable of approximating color reproduction characteristics of a user's paper sheet from among the registered papers registered in the registration list, based on a feature amount calculated from spectral reflectance characteristics of the user's paper sheet set in an image forming apparatus; and a user interface for receiving a user operation that instructs the parameter managing unit to extract a registered paper capable of approximating the color reproduction characteristics of the user's paper sheet, and for presenting the registered paper extracted by the parameter managing unit to the user, and <CIT>, which discloses a paper type determining process unit that determines whether or not a mismatch occurs between the type of paper set on a printer and paper set by a print setting process unit.

<CIT> is another background art disclosing an image processing apparatus configured to enable a user to select a type of paper in an interface for a print job, wherein the paper type may be selected manually (menu <NUM>) or automatically (check box <NUM>) by measuring the fed paper with a sensor having a low accuracy and comparing the measurement with data of a reference table, and wherein the media type selection frequency in a usage log may further be used as a priority criteria to discriminate the kind of recording media from raw groups of paper types.

Some print media of different types have characteristic values similar to each other. The technique discussed in <CIT> therefore sometimes fails to correctly determine a print media type due to measurement errors or the like. The failure can impair user convenience.

The present invention has been made in view of the above described issue and is directed to improvement in determination of a print media type to enhance user convenience.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>, a method of obtaining a print type according to claims <NUM> to <NUM>, a program according to claim <NUM> and a computer readable medium according to claim <NUM>.

<FIG> are perspective views illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. <FIG> illustrates an outer appearance of the entire printing apparatus. <FIG> illustrates an internal structure of the printing apparatus with an upper cover opened and with a casing omitted from the illustration. The printing apparatus <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment employs an ink jet printing method and performs printing by discharging ink droplets as a printing agent on a print medium. The print medium is conveyed in a Y direction which is a conveyance direction. Description will be given of an ink jet printing apparatus including what is called a serial print head. In printing using the serial print head, a carriage <NUM> on which a print head <NUM> used as printing means is mounted reciprocally moves in an X direction intersecting the Y direction. Alternatively, an ink jet printing apparatus including what is called a line printing head may be used. In the line printing head, a row of nozzles is disposed across a printing width intersecting the print medium conveyance direction. A multifunction peripheral (MFP) may also be used. In the MFP, a scanning function, a facsimile function, a transmission function, and the like are combined together with a printing function. In the present exemplary embodiment, the function of the information processing apparatus for print medium determination processing for determining a print medium to be used is installed in the printing apparatus <NUM>. The print medium determination processing is described below.

An input/output unit <NUM> is disposed on an upper part of the printing apparatus <NUM>. The input/output unit <NUM> is an operation panel and displays a remaining ink amount and a candidate or candidates of a print media type on a display device, and a user can select a print medium and input settings for printing using keys.

The carriage <NUM> includes an optical sensor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the print head <NUM> on which a discharge port surface having discharge ports through which ink is discharged. The carriage <NUM> can reciprocally move in the X direction (a moving direction of the carriage <NUM>) along a shaft <NUM> by driving force transmitted from a carriage motor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> via a conveyance belt <NUM> used as conveyance means. In the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus <NUM> can acquire a diffused reflection characteristic value and a specular reflection characteristic value on a surface of the print medium <NUM> and measure a distance between the carriage <NUM> and the print medium <NUM> using the optical sensor <NUM>.

The print medium <NUM>, such as roll paper, is conveyed on a platen <NUM> in the Y direction by conveyance rollers not illustrated. Ink droplets discharged from the print head <NUM> while the carriage <NUM> moves in the X direction on the print medium <NUM> conveyed on the platen <NUM> by the conveyance rollers so that printing is performed. When the carriage <NUM> reaches an edge of a print area on the print medium <NUM>, the conveyance rollers convey the print medium <NUM> by a predetermined amount to move an area of the print medium <NUM> on which subsequent scan for printing is performed to a position where the print head <NUM> can perform printing. An image is printed through repetition of the above operation.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the carriage <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> includes a translator <NUM> and a head holder <NUM>. The head holder <NUM> includes print heads <NUM> and an optical sensor <NUM> that is a reflective sensor. As illustrated in <FIG>, the bottom face of the optical sensor <NUM> is arranged at the same level as or higher than the bottom faces of the print heads <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional schematic view illustrating the configuration of the optical sensor <NUM>. The optical sensor <NUM> includes a first light-emitting diode (LED) <NUM>, a second LED <NUM>, a third LED <NUM>, a first photodiode <NUM>, a second photodiode <NUM>, and a third photodiode <NUM> as optical elements. The first LED <NUM> is a light source having an irradiation angle of the normal line (<NUM>°) with respect to a surface (measured surface) of the print medium <NUM>. The first photodiode <NUM> receives light projected from the first LED <NUM> and reflected from the print medium <NUM> at an angle of <NUM>° in a Z direction. More specifically, the optical sensor <NUM> includes an optical system that detects what is called a diffused reflection component of light reflected from the print medium <NUM>.

The second LED <NUM> is a light source having an irradiation angle of <NUM>° in the Z direction with respect to the surface (measured surface) of the print medium <NUM>. The first photodiode <NUM> receives light projected from the second LED <NUM> and reflected from the print medium <NUM> at an angle of <NUM>° in the Z direction. More specifically, with the angle of light emission and the angle of light reception equal to each other, the optical sensor <NUM> is configured to have an optical system that detects what is called a specular reflection component of light reflected from the print medium <NUM>.

The third LED <NUM> is a light source having an irradiation angle of the normal line (<NUM>°) with respect to the surface (measured surface) of the print medium <NUM>. The second photodiode <NUM> and the third photodiode <NUM> receive light projected from the third LED <NUM> and reflected from the print medium <NUM>. The amount of light received by the second photodiode <NUM> and the amount of light received by the third photodiode <NUM> are different from each other depending on a distance between the optical sensor <NUM> and the print medium <NUM>, whereby the second photodiode <NUM> and the third photodiode <NUM> serve as range sensors that measure the distance between the optical sensor <NUM> and the print medium <NUM>. Since the distance between the optical sensor <NUM> and the platen <NUM> is predetermined, the "paper thickness" of the print medium <NUM> can be acquired by measuring the distance between the optical sensor <NUM> and the print medium <NUM>.

While the optical sensor <NUM> is mounted on the carriage <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment, a different configuration may be employed. For example, an optical sensor may be fixed on a printing apparatus. Yet alternatively, an optical sensor may be provided as a measurement device separately from a printing apparatus. The measurement device measures characteristic values of diffused reflection, specular reflection, and the like of a print medium, and transmits characteristic values measured by the measurement device to the printing apparatus.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a control system of the printing apparatus <NUM>. A read-only memory (ROM) <NUM> is a non-volatile memory and stores therein a control program for controlling the printing apparatus <NUM> and a computer program for implementing operation according to the present exemplary embodiment, for example. The operation according to the present exemplary embodiment is implemented, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> reading out the computer program onto a random access memory (RAM) <NUM> and executing a computer program stored in the ROM <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> used as storage means is used also as a working memory for the CPU <NUM>. Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) <NUM> stores therein data that needs to be kept after the printing apparatus <NUM> is powered off. The EEPROM <NUM> includes EEPROM 404a and EEPROM 404b. Using the CPU <NUM> and ROM <NUM>, at least functions of the information processing apparatus for performing the print medium determination processing described below are implemented. In the present exemplary embodiment, the EEPROM 404a stores therein history of types of print media that have been fed. Information stored therein is handled as history information. The EEPROM 404b stores therein preset characteristic values for various print media types and categories of various print media. The categories broadly classified into types of print media that are five categories in the present exemplary embodiment, namely, glossy paper, plain paper, coated paper, film sheet, and special paper. For example, a print medium that is standard glossy paper is classified into the glossy paper category, and a print medium that is premium plain paper is classified into the plain paper category. While print media include those that are not paper medium, the term "sheet" is used in notification to a user in the present exemplary embodiment. The history information and characteristic values for various print media may be stored in a host computer or a server instead of a storage medium in a printing apparatus.

An I/F (interface) circuit <NUM> connects the printing apparatus <NUM> to an external network, such as a local area network (LAN). The printing apparatus <NUM> transmits and receives various jobs and various kinds of data via the I/F circuit <NUM> to and from an external apparatus, such as a host computer.

The input/output unit <NUM> includes an input unit and an output unit. The input unit receives a power-on instruction, a print execution instruction, and instructions about settings for the various functions from a user. The output unit displays various kinds of apparatus information such as a power saving mode and also displays screens about settings for the various functions that can be executed by the printing apparatus <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the input/output unit <NUM> is an operation panel on the printing apparatus <NUM>, and the input/output unit <NUM> used as notification means is connected to a system bus <NUM> via an input/output control circuit <NUM> used as notification control means to transmit and receive data from and to the system bus <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU <NUM> controls information notification from the output unit.

The input unit may be a keyboard of an external host computer, and may receive user instructions from the external host computer. The output unit may be an LED display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display device, or a display device connected to a host apparatus. In a case where the input/output unit <NUM> is a touch panel, user instructions using software keys can be received. The input/output unit <NUM> may also be a speaker and a microphone and receive speech input from a user and provide audio output to a user.

An information processing apparatus that includes a CPU and a ROM that have the same functions as the CPU <NUM> and ROM <NUM> and is externally connected to the printing apparatus <NUM> may perform the print medium determination processing described below to determine a print media type to be used in the printing apparatus <NUM>.

When the optical sensor <NUM> used as measurement means performs the measurement, the CPU <NUM> controls driving of an LED control circuit <NUM> to turn on a predetermined LED in the optical sensor <NUM>. Each of the photodiodes <NUM> to <NUM> in the optical sensor <NUM> outputs signals based on received light. The signals are converted into digital signals by the analog-digital (A/D) conversion circuit <NUM> and are temporarily stored in the RAM <NUM>. Data that is stored after power-off of the printing apparatus <NUM> is stored in the EEPROM 404b.

A print head control circuit <NUM> supplies drive signals according to print data to a nozzle driving circuit mounted on the print head <NUM> and including a selector and a switch, whereby the printing operation of the print head <NUM> such as a drive sequence of nozzles is controlled. For example, when data to be printed is transmitted from the outside to the I/F circuit <NUM>, the data to be printed is temporarily stored in the RAM <NUM>. The print head control circuit <NUM> then drives the print head <NUM> based on print data to be used for printing into which the data to be printed is converted. In the processing, a line feed (LF) motor driving circuit <NUM> drives a LF motor <NUM> based on the bandwidth of the print data and the like, whereby the conveyance rollers coupled to the LF motor <NUM> rotates and consequently conveys a print medium. A carriage (CR) motor driving circuit <NUM> drives a CR motor <NUM>, whereby the carriage <NUM> performs scanning via the conveyance belt <NUM>.

Data transmitted from the I/F circuit <NUM> includes data to be printed and also data on specific settings set in a printer driver. The data to be printed may be stored in a storage unit after reception from the outside via the I/F circuit <NUM> or may have been stored in advance in a storage unit, such as a hard disk. The CPU <NUM> controls an image processing circuit <NUM> to read image data from a storage unit and convert (binarize) the image data into print data for the print head <NUM>. The image processing circuit <NUM> executes binarization of the image data and also various kinds of image processing, such as color space conversion, horizontal-to-vertical (HV) conversion, gamma correction, and image rotation.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating the print medium determination processing. In the print medium determination processing, characteristics of the print medium <NUM> on which printing is to be performed are measured to obtain measurement results, the input/output unit <NUM> is notified of candidates for a print media type based on print media type history information to determine a print media type. Based on a determined print media type, parameters such as the maximum ink usage, the heights of the print heads, the suction force to be applied to a print medium on platen <NUM>, and the degree of correction to the conveyance amount of a print medium are set. Any other control parameters that have effects on characteristics of the print medium may also be used. Processing in steps S101 to S111 in <FIG> is implemented, for example, by the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> reading out the computer program onto the RAM <NUM> and executing a computer program stored in the ROM <NUM>. Alternatively, the print medium determination processing may be executed using software on a host apparatus. In the present exemplary embodiment, since the input/output unit <NUM> serves as an operation panel disposed on the printing apparatus <NUM>, notification of candidates for a print media type is provided by displaying names of print media types on the operation panel. The input/output unit <NUM> may be a display device connected to a host apparatus and the host apparatus. Alternatively, in a case where the input/output unit <NUM> is a speaker capable of receiving speech input and providing audio output using a microphone function, candidates for a print media type is notified via the speaker, and selection of a print media type is performed by a user voice input inputting a name of a print media type or a corresponding reference numeral to a microphone.

The CPU <NUM> starts feeding the print medium <NUM> upon receiving a user instruction to start feeding a sheet via the operation panel included in the input/output unit <NUM>. <FIG> is an example of display on the operation panel for receiving input of the instruction to start feeding a sheet. The operation panel includes a display device, two buttons to be operated by the user to move a selecting item up and down, and a select button with which the user can determine the selection.

After start of sheet feeding, the print medium <NUM> is conveyed by the conveyance rollers to a position on the platen <NUM> where the optical sensor <NUM> can perform detection. In step S101, the carriage <NUM> moves over the print medium <NUM> in the X direction to acquire a diffused reflection value, a specular reflection value, and a value for the thickness (hereinafter, paper thickness) of the print medium <NUM> () as measurement values for characteristics of the print medium <NUM>. A diffused reflection value corresponds to the whiteness of a print medium, a specular reflection value corresponds to the glossiness of a print medium. As a characteristic of a print medium, the width of the print medium in the X direction may be used to perform the print medium determination processing. The characteristics measurement of a print medium may be performed at one position on the print medium or may be performed at a plurality of positions to have an average of measurement results. The characteristics measurement may be performed while the optical sensor <NUM> is stopped or may be performed while the optical sensor <NUM> moves. Measurement values are temporarily stored in a memory, such as the RAM <NUM>.

In step S102, the CPU <NUM> then reads out the acquired measurement values from the memory and compares the measurement values with the characteristic values of the various print media types that are previously determined and stored in the EEPROM 404b. In this processing, a print media type that has characteristics corresponding to characteristics indicated by the measurement values is extracted. Details are as described below. <FIG> is a table illustrating characteristic values of various print media types that have been stored in the EEPROM 404b. A diffused reflection value and a specular reflection value are values obtained by A/D <NUM>-bit conversion performed on output voltage from the optical sensor <NUM> receiving light. In step S103, the CPU <NUM> extracts a print media type having a paper thicknesses difference of <NUM> or less from the acquired paper thickness from among the print media types stored in the EEPROM 404b.

In step S104, the CPU <NUM> then determines whether a print media type is extracted.

In a case where no print media type is extracted (NO in step S104), which means that there is no applicable print media type, the processing proceeds to step S109. In step S109, all of the categories are displayed on the operation panel as illustrated in <FIG>. The categories are displayed in predetermined order. In a case where input of a category selected by the user is received in the display of the categories, print media types that belong to the selected category are displayed as illustrated in <FIG>. Input of a print media type selected from among the displayed print media types is then received. In <FIG>, an item "ALL" is displayed in the lowest part under the categories of print media types. Upon selection of the item "ALL", all of the print media types are displayed in predetermined order. The print media types may be displayed in chronological order with the one used latest listed on the top.

In a case where there is a print medium extracted in step S104 (YES in step S104), the processing proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the CPU <NUM> extracts a print media type having a value difference of <NUM> or less from the acquired diffused reflection value and the acquired specular reflection value from among the print media types stored in the EEPROM 404b. In step S106, the CPU <NUM> determines whether a print media type is extracted. In a case where no print media type is extracted (NO in step S106), the processing proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the categories are displayed on the operation panel as illustrated in <FIG>.

In a case where a print medium is extracted in step S106 (YES in step S106), the processing proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the CPU <NUM> determines whether there is a usage history for the extracted print media type based on the history information stored in the EEPROM 404a. As illustrated in <FIG>, the EEPROM 404a stores therein the history information in association with information indicating how recently each of the print media types has been used in the printing apparatus <NUM>. For the print media type that has been used a plurality of times, information on the last usage is stored in the history. <FIG> indicate that the print media type that has been used more recently has a smaller number in the "ORDER IN HISTORY" field.

In step S107, in a case where the CPU <NUM> determines that there is no usage history for the extracted print media type (NO in step S <NUM>), the processing proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the CPU <NUM> displays the categories as illustrated in <FIG>. Alternatively, in a case where there is no usage history for the extracted print media type (NO in step S107), the extracted print media types may be displayed in order of addresses in which the print media types are stored in the EEPROM 404b. In a case where the CPU <NUM> determines that there is a usage history for the extracted print media type (YES in step S107), the processing proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the CPU <NUM> displays the extracted print media types in a sheet ranking in which the print media type that has been extracted a plurality of times is treated as one type, as illustrated <FIG>. In <FIG>, the CPU <NUM> assigns higher priority to the print media type used more recently, and displays names of the print media types in higher priority order from top of the list. With a name of "SHEET RANKING", the user can easily recognize that the names of print media types are displayed in order of precedence of selection, that is, in order of priority. In the present exemplary embodiment, while three print media types having higher priority can be displayed in "SHEET RANKING", <FIG> illustrates an example in which only two print media types are displayed since the history information contains two types of the extracted print media types. In the third field from the top, a message "NO SELECTION HISTORY AVAILABLE" is displayed in faint color to be less noticeable than the two print media types, whereby the user is notified that the history information does not contain the third candidate. For example, when the background color on the operation panel is black, the two print media types are displayed in white while the message "NO SELECTION HISTORY AVAILABLE" is displayed in gray having lower brightness than white. Below the message "NO SELECTION HISTORY AVAILABLE", the sheet categories are displayed. When a print media type desired by the user is not found among the print media types displayed on the input/output unit <NUM>, the user can select a print medium of another print media type. <FIG> illustrate a method for displaying candidates for a print media type in another form of the input/output unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, candidates at lower rankings may be displayed by a scrolling operation when there is a candidate for a print media type that cannot be displayed on the operation panel at one time. The candidates may be displayed not in order of ranking in a case where the user can recognize the order of priority among the candidates. The order of priority may be represented by displaying the name of the print media type having the highest priority at the center of the operation panel or, as illustrated in <FIG>, by using relatively large and bold characters for displaying the names of print media types having higher priority. Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, the input/output unit <NUM> may be a touch panel on which selection can be performed by a touch operation without buttons for moving a cursor. In <FIG>, the candidates are displayed with reference numerals <NUM> to <NUM> assigned to print media types to indicate the respective rankings. In the example in <FIG>, the standard semi-glossy paper with a number <NUM> is ranked highest. The reference numerals are used for user's recognition of the ranking, and therefore any sign or mark can be used instead of the reference numerals. Additionally, while the categories are displayed below an indication "SHEET CATEGORY", the categories may be displayed without the indication "SHEET CATEGORY". Instead of the categories, print media types may be displayed in chronological order below the candidates for the print media type.

Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, only the print media type having the highest priority may be displayed. <FIG> is an example in which the candidate is displayed on a touch panel. On the display, "SELECT" is selected to determine the displayed print media type as the type of the print medium <NUM>. In the example in <FIG>, the user can select an item indicating "STANDARD SEMI-GLOSSY PAPER" when selecting another print media type that has been extracted and found in the history. After the selection, the display is shifted to the display illustrated in <FIG>, on which another print media type can be selected.

In step S110, in a case where the user has selected a print media type using the input/output unit <NUM> (YES in step S110), the processing proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the CPU <NUM> updates the chronological order in the history stored in the EEPROM 404a based on the print media type selected in step S110. The print medium determination processing ends upon completion of step S110.

Upon completion of preparation for printing after completion of the print medium determination processing, the CPU <NUM> shifts to a waiting state to receive a printing job from the user. The CPU <NUM> then starts printing upon receiving a printing job. The updating of the chronological order in the history in step S111 may be performed when a printing job is transmitted from a host computer. The CPU <NUM> may not to update the history information stored in the EEPROM 404a when a print media type selected and input by the user using the input/output unit <NUM> is different from a print media type in the job transmitted from the host computer to the printing apparatus <NUM>.

In the print medium determination processing in <FIG>, a print media type having an applicable paper thickness is extracted in step S103, and a print media type having an applicable diffused reflection value and an applicable specular reflection value is extracted in step S105. The extraction sequence is not limited to this example, and a print media type having an applicable diffused reflection value may be extracted in the first place, for example.

In a case where the optical sensor <NUM> is included in a measurement device provided separately from the printing apparatus, the characteristic values of a print medium set on the measurement device are acquired by the measurement device and transmitted to the printing apparatus <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> in the printing apparatus <NUM> may extract a print media type based on the transmitted characteristic values and notify the input/output unit <NUM> of a candidate.

The print medium determination processing is described below using a specific example. When the characteristics of the print medium <NUM> acquired in step S101 are (diffused reflection value, specular reflection value, paper thickness) = (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a range of paper thicknesses of print media types to be extracted is <NUM> to <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In step S103, the standard glossy paper, the standard semi-glossy paper, and the premium glossy paper, which have paper thicknesses in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, are extracted. Since at least one print media type is extracted, the determination in step S104 results in YES, whereby the processing proceeds to step S105.

Ranges of diffused reflection values and specular reflection values of print media types to be extracted in step S105 are <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. From among the three print media types extracted in step S103, the standard glossy paper and the standard semi-glossy paper, which have characteristic values within these ranges are extracted.

When the chronological order in the history in the history information stored in the EEPROM 404a is as illustrated in <FIG>, the standard semi-glossy paper is used more recently out of the two extracted print media types. Accordingly, the standard semi-glossy paper is displayed at the top, followed by the standard glossy paper, on the input/output unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. When the standard glossy paper is selected by the user, the chronological order in the history is updated as illustrated in <FIG>.

For example, when the characteristics of the print medium <NUM> acquired in step S101 are (diffused reflection value, specular reflection value, paper thickness) = (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a range of paper thicknesses of print media types to be extracted is <NUM> to <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In step S103, the standard plain paper and the premium plain paper, which have paper thicknesses in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, are extracted. Since at least one print media type is extracted, the determination in step S104 results in YES, whereby the processing proceeds to step S105.

Ranges of diffused reflection values and specular reflection values of print media types to be extracted in step S105 are <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. Neither of the three print media types extracted in step S103 is not a print media type having characteristic values in these ranges. The processing therefore proceeds to step S109, the categories are displayed on the input/output unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, characteristic values of a print medium that has been fed are acquired, and a print media type used more recently are displayed with a higher rank among the candidates for a print media type. With the configuration, the user can be notified of a print media type more likely to be used by the user in a prioritized manner and whereby a workload of the user for selecting a print media type desired by the user can be reduced.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the chronological order of the print media types recently used is stored as the history information. However, the history information is not limited to this example. As the history information, the number of times of each of the print media types having been used may be stored. In the print medium determination processing, when print media types are extracted, the user is notified of the names of the print media types in descending order of the numbers of times of the print media types having been used.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the user is notified of the names of print media types stored in the history information among the print media types extracted in step S105 that are in the history information. In a second exemplary embodiment, a print media type that is not in the history information is also notified by the input/output unit <NUM> if the print medium has been extracted. In the below description, the same parts as those in the first exemplary embodiment is omitted.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating print medium determination processing according to the second exemplary embodiment. In steps S201 to S206, S211, and S212, the same processing as that in S101 to S106, S110, and S111 in <FIG> in the first exemplary embodiment is performed.

In step S201, the CPU <NUM> acquires the diffused reflection value, the specular reflection value, and the paper thickness of the print medium <NUM> using the optical sensor <NUM>. In step S202, the CPU <NUM> then reads out the acquired measurement values from the memory and compares these measurement values with the characteristic values of the print media types that have been previously determined and stored in the EEPROM 404b. The CPU <NUM> then extracts a print media type having characteristics corresponding to characteristics indicated by the acquired measurement values. In step S203, the CPU <NUM> extracts a print media type stored in the EEPROM 404b having a paper thickness difference of <NUM> or less from the acquired paper thickness. In step S204, the CPU <NUM> determines whether any print media type is extracted. In a case where no print media type is extracted (NO in step S204), which means that no print media type has been determined to be applicable, the processing proceeds to step S214. In step S214, the categories are displayed on the operation panel as illustrated in <FIG>.

In a case where any print media type is extracted in step S204 (YES in step S204), the processing proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the CPU <NUM> extracts a print media type stored in the EEPROM 404b having a value difference of <NUM> or less in the diffused reflection value and the specular reflection value from the acquired diffused reflection value and specular reflection value. In step S206, the CPU <NUM> then determines whether any print media type is extracted. In a case where no print media type is extracted (NO in step S206), the processing proceeds to step S214. In step S214, the categories are displayed on the operation panel as illustrated in <FIG>.

In a case where a print media type is extracted in step S206 (YES in step S206), the processing proceeds to step S207. In step S207, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the history information stored in the EEPROM 404a contains the extracted print media type. As illustrated in <FIG>, the EEPROM 404a has the history information in association with information indicating how recently each of the print media types has been used in the printing apparatus <NUM>. For the print media type that has been used a plurality of times, the information on the latest usage is stored in the history. In the case illustrated in <FIG>, three print media types have been used and stored as the history information in the EEPROM 404a.

In a case where none of the extracted print media types are in the history information in step S207 (NO in step S207), the processing proceeds to step S213. In step S213, the CPU <NUM> displays the extracted print media types in order of determination of how close the characteristic values of each of the extracted print media types are to the characteristic values of the print medium <NUM> that have been acquired in step S201.

In a case where the extracted print media type is in the history information in step S207 (YES in step S207), the processing proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the CPU <NUM> determines whether any field in which a print media type is to be displayed is still available if the names of the extracted print media types that are in the history information are displayed on the operation panel. In a case where a field is not available (NO in step S208), the processing proceeds to step S215. In step S215, the CPU <NUM> displays the names of all of the extracted print media types that are in the history information on the operation panel in chronological order in the history.

In a case where a field is available (YES in step S208), the processing proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the print media types extracted in step S205 include a print media type that is not in the history information. In a case where the extracted print media types do not include a print media type that is not in the history information (NO in step S209), the processing proceeds to step S215. In step S215, the CPU <NUM> displays the names of the extracted print media types that are in the history information on the operation panel in chronological order in the history. In a case where the extracted print media types include a print media type that is not in the history information (NO in step S209), the processing proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the CPU <NUM> displays the names of the extracted print media types that are in the history information in chronological order in the history from the top of the list. Further, below the names of the extracted print media types that are in the history information, the CPU <NUM> displays the names of the extracted print media types that are not in the history information in order of determination of how close the characteristic values of each of the print media types are to the characteristic values of the print medium <NUM> that have been acquired in step S210.

In step S211, in a case where user selection of a print media type is received via the operation panel which is the input/output unit <NUM> (YES in step S211), the selection is input to the CPU <NUM>. In step S212, the CPU <NUM> updates the chronological order in the history stored in the EEPROM 404a based on the print media type selected in step S211. The print medium determination ends upon completion of step S212.

Description using a specific example is given below. In the example, the characteristics of the print medium <NUM> acquired in step S201 have the same values as those in the example described in the first exemplary embodiment, which are (diffused reflection value, specular reflection value, paper thickness) = (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when the EEPROM 404a has the history information as illustrated in <FIG>. In steps S201 to S206, the same processing as that in steps S101 to S106 in the first exemplary embodiment is performed. Accordingly, the print media types extracted in the processing in step S205 are the standard glossy paper and the standard semi-glossy paper, which means that there is at least one print media type extracted, and the processing proceeds to step S207. Information indicating the standard semi-glossy paper is found in the history information illustrated in <FIG> in step S207 (YES in step S207), and a field in which a print media type is to be displayed is still available because only one print media type has been determined to be displayed while up to three print media types can be displayed (YES in step S208). The processing therefore proceeds to step S210 since there is a print media type that is not in the history information but has been extracted. In step S210, as illustrated in <FIG>, the extracted print media types are displayed with the standard semi-glossy paper (a print media type stored in the history information) at the top followed by the standard glossy paper (a print media type that is not in the history information but has been extracted).

With the above described configuration, a print media type not in the history information is also displayed, whereby a workload of the user for selecting a print media type desired by the user can be reduced even when a desired print media type has not been used.

In the first and the second exemplary embodiments, the user is notified of candidates with print media types in the history information ranked higher that have been used. In a third exemplary embodiment, weights are assigned to characteristic values and the history information with respect to each print media type, and the user is notified of candidates with a print media type ranked higher that has a larger weighting index value. Description of the same parts as those in the first and the second exemplary embodiments is omitted.

In the present exemplary embodiment, in addition to the chronological order of usage, information as the history information on how recently each print media type has been used and also information on how long it has passed up to the current execution of print medium determination since the last usage of each print media type are stored in the EEPROM 404a, in association with the corresponding print media type.

When print medium determination processing is executed, weighting index values are assigned to print mediums stored in the EEPROM 404a in accordance with how recently each print media type has been used. In this assignment, a larger weighting index value is assigned to a print media type if a shorter period of time has passed since the last usage. The weighting index values are assigned by the CPU <NUM> and temporarily stored in the RAM <NUM>.

When the print medium <NUM> is fed, the optical sensor <NUM> acquires the characteristic values of the print medium <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> compares the acquired characteristic values of the print medium <NUM> with the characteristic values of each of the print media types stored in the EEPROM 404b and extracts print media types that have characteristics corresponding to characteristics indicated by measurement values. A weighting index value that indicates how close the characteristic values of each of the extracted print media types are to the characteristic values of the print medium <NUM> is assigned to the corresponding print media type and temporarily stored in the RAM <NUM>.

The weighting index values assigned to each of the extracted print media types based on the history information of the extracted print media types and the weighting index values assigned based on the characteristic values are summed, and the user is notified of the extracted print media types using the input/output unit <NUM> in descending order of the summation results.

Each of the methods discussed in the above-described exemplary embodiments is a method for selecting a print media type in the "user determination mode" that includes notifying the input/output unit <NUM> of a plurality of print media types, notifying a user of candidates, and then prompting the user to determine a print media type. In a fourth present exemplary embodiment, an "automatic determination mode" is executed. In the "automatic determination mode", if the user does not make a selection within certain period of time after being notified of a plurality of print media types, the print media type ranked the highest is determined to be a selection. Description of the same parts as those in the above-described exemplary embodiments is omitted.

The same processing as that in steps S101 to S109 in the print medium determination processing in <FIG> according to the first exemplary embodiment is performed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the names of candidate print media types are displayed on an operation panel that is the input/output unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> in step S108. The names are displayed for a certain period of time and, if the user does not start any operation within the certain period of time, a print media type to which the highest priority has been given, which is the standard semi-glossy paper in the example illustrated in <FIG>, is determined to be the selection, and the print medium determination is ended. While the names are displayed for the certain period of time, messages that an automatic selection is to be made and that the user can make a manual selection are presented at the same time as illustrated in <FIG>. If the user starts an operation within the certain period of time, the displaying in <FIG> is continued after the certain period of time and is continued until the user selects a print medium. In a case where the categories are displayed as in step S109, the print media type is determined when the user selects a print media type as in the case of the first exemplary embodiment.

The same processing as that in steps S201 to S210 and S213 to S215 in the print medium determination processing in <FIG> according to the second exemplary embodiment may be performed. In a case where the names of a plurality of print media types are displayed on the input/output unit <NUM> (steps S210, S213, and S215), a print media type ranked highest is determined to be the selection if the user does not start any operation within the certain period of time.

Among the automatic determination mode and the user determination mode, a mode may be selected and set by the user using the input/output unit <NUM>. The automatic determination may be performed when a print media type having characteristic values that are closest to measurement values is ranked highest, and the automatic determination may be not performed when such a print media type is ranked second highest or lower. With this configuration, the automatic determination is performed when the reliability of detection of a print medium is high, whereby user convenience is enhanced.

As described above, the names of a plurality of print media types are displayed and a print media type ranked highest is selected if the user does not start any operation within the certain period of time, whereby a workload of the user for selecting a print media type can be further reduced.

While the printing apparatus according to the above-described exemplary embodiments is an ink jet printing apparatus that discharges ink as a printing agent, an electrophotographic printing apparatus that uses powder toner as a printing agent may be used.

According to the above described exemplary embodiments, user convenience in print medium determination can be improved.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus comprising:
acquisition means (<NUM>) configured to acquire a measurement result obtained by measurement means (<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) that is configured to measure a characteristic of a print medium (<NUM>) to be used in a printing apparatus (<NUM>);
notification control means (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to cause notification means (<NUM>) to provide notification of information indicating print media types; and
characteristics storage means (<NUM>) configured to store information on predetermined characteristic values of each of a plurality of print media types,
characterized in that the information processing apparatus further comprises:
usage history storage means (<NUM>) configured to store usage history information on print media types that have been used in the printing apparatus (<NUM>); and
determination means configured to determine print media types to be notified by the notification control means,
wherein, the determination means extracts candidates for print media types that correspond to characteristic values indicated in the measurement result from the plurality of print media types by comparing the measurement result acquired by the acquisition means (<NUM>) and the information stored in the characteristics storage means, and, in a case where the determination means extracts candidates for print media types, determines a chronological notification order of extracted candidates for print media types based on the usage history information stored in the usage history storage means, and wherein the notification control means (<NUM>, <NUM>) causes the notification means (<NUM>) to provide notification of information indicating candidates for print media types according to the notification order determined by the determination means.