Ink jet printing apparatus, image processing method and ink jet printing method

An image processing method for processing print data used to print an image on a print medium by using a print head, wherein the print head can eject ink supplied from an ink tank, the image processing method comprising:

• an ink consumption detection step for detecting an amount of ink consumed in the ink tank;
• an ejection number detection step for detecting the number of ink ejections from the print head;
• an ink droplet volume calculation step for calculating an ink droplet volume based on the number of ink ejections from the print head detected by the ejection number detection step and the ink consumption detected by the ink consumption detection step;
• and
• a change step for changing image processing performed on the print data according to the ink droplet volume calculated by the ink droplet volume calculation step.

An ink jet printing method for printing an image on a print medium by using a print head, wherein the print head can eject ink supplied from an ink tank, the ink jet printing method comprising:

• an ink consumption detection step for detecting an amount of ink consumed in the ink tank;
• an ejection number detection step for detecting the number of ink ejections from the print head;
• an ink droplet volume calculation step for calculating an ink droplet volume based on the number of ink ejections from the print head detected by the ejection number detection step and the ink consumption detected by the ink consumption detection step;
• and
• a change step for changing processing associated with a printing operation according to the ink droplet volume calculated by the ink droplet volume calculation step.

An ink jet printing apparatus for printing an image on a print medium by using a print head, wherein the print head can eject ink supplied from an ink tank, the ink jet printing apparatus comprising:

• ink consumption information obtaining means for obtaining information corresponding to an amount of ink consumed in the ink tank;
• ejection number information obtaining means for obtaining information corresponding to the number of ink ejections from the print head;
• ink droplet volume information obtaining means for obtaining information corresponding to an ink droplet volume based on the ink ejection number information obtained by the ejection number obtaining means and the ink consumption information obtained by the ink consumption information obtaining means;
• and
• control means for changing processing associated with a printing operation according to the ink droplet volume information obtained by the ink droplet volume information obtaining means.

An image processing method for processing print data used to print an image on a print medium by using a print head, wherein the print head can eject ink supplied from an ink tank, the image processing method comprising:

• an ink consumption information obtaining step for obtaining information corresponding to an amount of ink consumed in the ink tank;
• an ejection number information obtaining step for obtaining information corresponding to the number of ink ejections from the print head;
• an ink droplet volume information obtaining step for obtaining information corresponding to an ink droplet volume based on the ink ejection number information obtained by the ejection number obtaining step and the ink consumption information obtained by the ink consumption information obtaining step;
• and
• a change step for changing image processing performed on the print data according to the ink droplet volume information obtained by the ink droplet volume information obtaining step.