Patent ID: 7722149

Claim:
A print control apparatus for supplying a signal to a printer and controlling the printer, wherein the printer is operable to print in a state that all types of ink-jet cartridges that the printer can mount are mounted or in a state that at least one of all the types of ink-jet cartridges is mounted, the apparatus comprising: a designation unit configured to designate a maintenance operation of the printer; a determination unit configured to determine whether bidirectional communication with the printer is possible; an obtaining unit configured to obtain information of attachment/detachment of all the types of ink-jet cartridges and a type of each ink-jet cartridge mounted on the printer, from the printer, in response to a designation by said designation unit, if said determination unit determines that bidirectional communication with the printer is possible; a selection unit configured to cause a user to select a type of each ink-jet cartridge mounted on the printer among all the types of ink-jet cartridges that the printer can mount, if said determination unit determines that bidirectional communication with the printer is not possible; a data generation unit configured to generate test data based on the information obtained by said obtaining unit, or information of attachment/detachment of all the types of ink-jet cartridges based on the selection by said selection unit, wherein the test data is used to determine whether it is necessary or not to adjust the printer and to cause the printer to print a test pattern using only the type of each ink-jet cartridge mounted on the printer; and a transmission unit to transmit the test data generated by said data generation unit to the printer.