JP7200419B2 - PRINTING DEVICE AND ITS CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device, its control method, and a program.

In an office environment, a plurality of users input (send) print jobs to a printer from their respective host computers using a printer driver or the like, and the printer executes printing of the input print jobs. When a printer installed in such an office environment encounters a specific factor (interruption factor) that interferes with printing, such as a paper jam or lack of toner, the accepted print job is not printed, and the interrupt factor is resolved. wait for When this interruption cause is resolved, the printer executes printing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-201001 discloses a printing apparatus that automatically cancels printing of print jobs that have been accepted up to that point in time when a set period of time elapses without canceling an interruption factor.

JP 2017-87591 A

In Patent Document 1, a new print job received after the print job is automatically canceled as the set time elapses is automatically canceled after the set time elapses again if the cause of the interruption has not yet been resolved. Canceled. On the other hand, if the interruption factor is resolved before the set time elapses again, printing of the new print job is automatically executed.

However, in some cases, it may be desirable to cancel a print job that has been newly received in a state in which the cause of interruption has not been resolved, in the same way as the previously submitted and canceled print job. Therefore, when a new print job is accepted after the print job is automatically canceled according to the elapse of the set time, if the cause of the interruption has not yet been resolved, a function is required to immediately cancel the print job before the set time elapses again. .

Also, when implementing such a function in a printing device, it is necessary to ensure that the current state of the printing device is such that when a new print job is submitted, the print job is automatically canceled immediately by this function. It is desirable to inform the user.

The present invention is a printing apparatus comprising: a notification unit for notifying a user of information; a reception unit for receiving a print job; an execution unit for executing the print job received by the reception unit; storage means capable of holding a job; stopping means for stopping the print job based on occurrence of a predetermined stop factor during execution of the print job; a canceling means for canceling the print job and all print jobs waiting for execution and canceling a new print job accepted by the accepting means; and a notifying means for notifying cancellation of the print job by the canceling means. It is characterized by

According to the present invention, it is possible to inform the user that the current state of the printing apparatus is such that when a print job is newly submitted, the print job is automatically canceled immediately by this function.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software module configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a setting screen for automatic cancellation of a print job; 8 is a flowchart showing execution control processing for automatic cancellation of a print job; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing processing for setting an automatic cancel state to an execution state; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing for setting an automatic cancel state to a non-execution state; It is an example of a main menu screen displayed on the operation unit. It is an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the operation unit. It is an example of a warning screen displayed on the operation unit. FIG. 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit when a print job is canceled by an automatic print job cancellation function; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a printing apparatus that integrates a plurality of functions such as a scanning function and a printing function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller unit 100 that controls the entire apparatus, a scanner 113, a printer 114, and an operation section . A scanner 113 is an image input device that optically reads an image on a set document. The printer 114 is an image output device that prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper based on image data.

The operation unit 106 includes hard keys such as a ten-key pad and a touch sensor for accepting input of instructions such as job execution from the user, and also provides device information, job progress information, etc. to the user, or information that the image forming apparatus 1 executes. It includes a display panel that displays setting screens for possible functions. The operation unit 106 of the present embodiment is a user interface including a touch screen. The touch screen displays (notifies) the user information such as the state information of the image forming apparatus 1 and setting screens, and allows the user to operate the displayed screen. accept.

A scanner 113 and a printer 114 are connected to a scanner processing section 111 and a printer processing section 112 included in the controller unit 100, respectively. The operation unit 106 is connected to an operation unit interface (I/F) included in the controller unit 100 . With such a configuration, the scanner 113 , the printer 114 , and the operation section 106 are controlled by the controller unit 100 to operate.

The controller unit 100 includes a CPU 101 that centrally controls each block of the controller unit 100 . CPU 101 is connected to RAM 102 , ROM 103 , hardware disk drive (HDD) 104 , operation unit I/F 105 and network I/F 107 via system bus 108 . A RAM 102 is a general-purpose RAM and is a memory for providing a work area for the CPU 101 . The RAM 102 is also used as a memory for temporarily storing parameters, setting values, and the like, and as an image memory for storing image data in predetermined units such as pages. The RAM 102 also stores image data (information) read by the scanner 113 as a print job to be printed by the printer 114, and also stores image data (information) received by the network I/F 107 as a print job to be printed by the printer 114. Store as a job. In the present embodiment, deleting the print job from the RAM 102 is called canceling the print job or canceling printing of the print job. A ROM 103 is a general-purpose ROM, and stores a system boot program as a boot ROM, for example. The HDD 104 stores system software programs, history data, image data, tables, and the like. The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 103 to the RAM 102 and executing the program.

An operation unit I/F 105 is an interface for inputting/outputting information with the operation unit 106 . Operation unit I/F 105 outputs display data to operation unit 106 according to instructions from CPU 101 , and transmits information input by the user on operation unit 106 to CPU 101 .

A network I/F 107 is connected to a LAN (local area network) 115 of wired or wireless media, and enables input/output of information between the image forming apparatus 1 and devices on the LAN 115 . The network I/F 107 has a configuration compatible with the LAN 115 and, for example, may have a configuration compatible with Near Field Communication with a wireless distance of about several tens of centimeters. In that case, mutual communication is performed with the portable radio terminal.

The image processing unit 109 is a hardware module that executes general-purpose image processing, such as enlargement/reduction, rotation, conversion, and the like, on image data externally acquired via the LAN 115, for example. Further, the image processing unit 109 executes processing for developing a PDL code received via the LAN 115 into a bitmap image. The image processing unit 109 converts the image data compressed/encoded and stored in the HDD 104 into a format that can be processed by the printer processing unit 112 when the image data is output by the printer 114 via the printer processing unit 112 . process. A device I/F 110 is connected to a scanner 113 and a printer 114 via a scanner processing unit 111 and a printer processing unit 112, and transmits synchronous/asynchronous conversion of image data, setting values, adjustment values, and the like. Device I/F 110 also transmits status information of scanner 113 and printer 114 to CPU 101 . The status information includes, for example, error information such as jams (paper jams) occurring in the scanner 113 or printer 114, toner (developer) used in printing by the printer 114 being used up, and the like.

The scanner processing unit 111 performs various types of processing corresponding to the scanning function, such as correction, processing, image area separation, scaling, and binarization, on read data (image data) read and input by the scanner 113 . It is a hardware module. The scanner 113 includes an automatic continuous document feeder and a pressure plate reader (not shown), and is capable of reading a document placed on a document glass table and reading both sides of a plurality of documents. Further, the scanner 113 is provided with a sensor (not shown) for opening and closing a document cover, presence/absence of a document, detection of a document size, and the like. Detection signals of these sensors and status information of the scanner 113 are transmitted to the CPU 101 via the scanner processing unit 111 and the device I/F 110, and the CPU 101 recognizes the status of error occurrence and error resolution in the scanner 113. FIG.

The printer processing unit 112 is a hardware module that performs processing corresponding to the print function, such as output correction corresponding to the output characteristics of the printer 114, resolution conversion, and image print position adjustment, on image data to be printed out. . Printer 114 includes at least one paper cassette for storing print paper. The printer 114 is provided with a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of paper in each paper feed cassette, the presence or absence of toner, paper jams on the paper transport path, and the like. A detection signal from the sensor and status information of the printer 114 are sent to the CPU 101 via the printer processing unit 112 and the device I/F 110 , and the CPU 101 recognizes the status of error occurrence and error resolution in the printer 114 . That is, the CPU 101 detects the occurrence and resolution of specific factors that hinder printing of the print job (for example, paper shortage, toner shortage, paper jam, etc.) based on information from the sensor, and executes printing according to the detection. control whether or not In the following description, a specific factor that prevents printing of a print job will be referred to as an error. Note that in the present embodiment, the paper shortage error is an error associated with the print job, and is resolved by canceling the print job that caused the paper shortage or replenishing the paper. Further, the toner shortage error is an error associated with the image forming apparatus 1, and is resolved by replenishing the toner, but is not resolved even if the print job causing the toner shortage is cancelled. A paper jam error is an error associated with the image forming apparatus 1, and is resolved when the paper jam is resolved, but is not resolved even if the print job causing the paper jam is cancelled.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the software module configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. Each module in FIG. 2 is implemented by the CPU 101 executing a program. A job control processing unit 201 controls other modules and comprehensively controls execution of each job generated in the image forming apparatus 1 such as copy, print, scan, and user interface (UI) processing.

A UI processing unit 202 performs processing related to the operation unit 106 and the operation unit I/F 105 . The UI processing unit 202 transmits information on operations performed by the user on the operation unit 106 to the job control processing unit 201, and displays a display screen on the operation unit 106 according to instructions from the job control processing unit 201. . The UI processing unit 202 receives a copy instruction from the user to read image data with the scanner 113 and print it with the printer 114 , and transmits the copy instruction to the job control processing unit 201 . The UI processing unit 202 also edits drawing data to be displayed on the operation unit 106 .

A network processing unit 203 performs communication processing with a device (for example, a host computer) on the LAN 115 via the network I/F 107 . When the network processing unit 203 receives control commands and data (for example, print data and image data described in a page description language) from devices on the LAN 115 , the network processing unit 203 transmits the information to the job control processing unit 201 . That is, the network processing unit 203 receives image data (information) and a print instruction for printing the image data by the printer 114 from an external device on the LAN 115 , and transmits the instruction and image data to the job control processing unit 201 . Also, the network processing unit 203 transmits control commands and data to devices on the LAN 115 according to instructions from the job control processing unit 201 .

The scan processing unit 204 controls the scanner 113 and the scanner processing unit 111 according to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201 to read the document placed on the scanner 113 . The scan processing unit 204 controls the scanner processing unit 111 to execute image processing on the read image data. The scan processing unit 204 also acquires status information (such as error information indicating whether or not there is an error) of the scanner processing unit 111 and the scanner 113 and transmits the acquired information to the job control processing unit 201 .

The print processing unit 205 controls the image processing unit 109, the printer processing unit 112, and the printer 114 according to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201 to execute print processing of the print job. The print processing unit 205 receives information such as image data to be printed, image information (image data size, color mode, resolution, etc.), and output paper information (size, printing direction, etc.) from the job control processing unit 201 . do. The print processing unit 205 controls the image processing unit 109 and the printer processing unit 112 to perform appropriate image processing on the image data, and controls the printer processing unit 112 and the printer 114 to print the image data. Executes print processing on printing paper (sheet). Also, the print processing unit 205 acquires status information of the printer processing unit 112 and the printer 114 (for example, error information indicating whether or not an error such as paper shortage, toner shortage, or paper jam has occurred) and transmits the information to the job control processing unit 201 . do.

The job control processing unit 201 receives information transmitted from the UI processing unit 202 and network processing unit 203 as a print job, and registers the print job in a job list managed on the RAM 102 . That is, when the job control processing unit 201 receives print data from an external device via the network I/F 107 or receives a copy instruction from the user via the operation unit 106 and the operation unit I/F 105, the job control processing unit 201 executes the print job. Accept. Then, the print job is stored in RAM 102 . As will be described later, the job control processing unit 201 cancels printing of the print job by deleting the print job from the RAM 102 . Further, the job control processing unit 201 changes the print job to the print standby state on the job list without deleting the print job from the RAM 102, so that the printing is not automatically executed even if the interruption cause is resolved. can. It also gives instructions for job processing to each module. Further, the job control processing unit 201 defines an automatic cancel state having at least two states, an execution state and a non-execution state, as a state related to the automatic job cancel function performed by the image forming apparatus 1, and stores the current automatic cancel state in the RAM 102. memorize to As will be described later, the execution state means that when the image forming apparatus 1 accepts a print job after a set period of time has passed without the error being resolved, the print job is automatically canceled before the set period of time elapses. is in a state to The non-execution state is a state in which the print job is held in the image forming apparatus 1 without being automatically canceled. In the non-execution state, the print job is canceled according to the user's cancellation instruction. The job control processing unit 201 causes the UI processing unit 202 to display a screen corresponding to the current automatic cancellation state on the operation unit 106 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting screen relating to automatic cancellation of a job when print processing is interrupted due to the occurrence of an error in this embodiment. A setting item 301 is an item for accepting a setting as to whether or not to enable a function of automatically canceling an interrupted job when a set time elapses after an error occurs. A suspended job is a print job that has been prevented from printing by an error. When "ON" is specified by the user, the interrupted job is canceled when a predetermined time has passed after the occurrence of an error. If the user designates "OFF", the interrupted job is not cancelled. Automatically canceling a job means that the job is canceled even if the user does not issue a cancel instruction after receiving the job.

A setting item 302 is an item for receiving from the user a designation of a time until execution of automatic cancellation of an interrupted job, and setting the designated time as a set time. This setting item 302 is settable when "ON" is specified in the setting item 301, and is grayed out so as not to be set when "OFF" is specified. The set time can be specified in minutes from 0 minutes to 999 minutes. In FIG. 3, the user can adjust the set time from the default displayed value of "5 minutes" using the plus and minus buttons. When the user presses the confirm button, the setting contents accepted on the setting screen in FIG. When the user presses the cancel button, the setting contents received on the setting screen of FIG. 3 are canceled. If the user sets 0 minutes as the time until automatic cancellation, all print jobs registered in the job list at the time an error occurs are immediately canceled in this embodiment. be done. On the other hand, if a time other than 0 minutes is set, the print job registered in the job list will not be canceled during the set time after the error occurs. However, if the set time or more elapses without the error being resolved, all the print jobs registered in the job list at that time are canceled in this embodiment. However, as will be described later, if a print job is accepted in a state where the error has not been resolved for more than the set time (the error continues for more than the set time), the print job will be processed immediately. Canceled. That is, the new print job is canceled before the set time elapses after the new print job is registered in the job list. Note that, in the present embodiment, only a user who has administrator authority of the image forming apparatus 1 can set the setting items 301 and 302 . Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 has a function of authenticating the administrator, and the user inputs the administrator's ID and password into the operation unit 106. If the ID and password are correct, the image forming apparatus 1 is authenticated. authenticates the user as a user with administrator privileges.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing execution control processing for job cancellation. In the present embodiment, there is a function for automatically canceling all print jobs registered in the job list at that point in time after the time set in the setting item 302 has elapsed for jobs for which printing has not been completed due to an error. executed. This function corresponds to the processing of S406 YES to S408, which will be described later. There is also a function that automatically cancels a print job that is newly received after the set time has passed without the error being resolved before the set time has passed since the time the print job was accepted. executed. This function corresponds to the processing of S409 YES, S405 NO, and S406 YES to S408, which will be described later.

The processing of this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading a program stored in the HDD 104 into the RAM 102 and executing the program. The flowchart starts when the job control processing unit 201 registers in the job list. Hereinafter, the term "job" refers to a print job. The registration of the job received by the image forming apparatus 1 in the job list is performed in parallel with the processing of this flowchart.

The job control processing unit 201 confirms whether or not a job is registered in the job list in step S401. If the job is registered, the process proceeds to S402. If the job is not registered in the job list, the process returns to S401.

In S402, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether an error has occurred. The job control processing unit 201 receives error information from the scan processing unit 204 or print processing unit 205 . If the content of this error information indicates that a specific factor that hinders the execution (continuation) of printing has occurred, it is determined that the error has occurred. Based on the occurrence of this error, the job control processing unit 201 starts time measurement by a timer, which will be described later.

Errors caused by the printer 114 (specific factors that hinder printing, interruption factors) include the following. For example, there is a shortage of paper when the paper cassette runs out of paper, a paper mismatch when there is no specified paper in the paper cassette, a paper jam on the paper transport path (paper jam), toner shortage, and the like. When the print processing unit 205 notifies the job control processing unit 201 of the error information, the job control processing unit 201 registers in the job list that the target job is an interrupted job. The job control processing unit 201 then instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to stop printing the job.

Errors caused by the scanner 115 include, for example, a paper jam in an automatic continuous document feeder (not shown). When the scan processing unit 204 notifies the job control processing unit 201 of the error information, the job control processing unit 201 registers in the job list that the target job is an interrupted job. The job control processing unit 201 then instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to stop printing the job.

If it is determined in S402 that an error has occurred, the job control processing unit 201 causes the UI processing unit 202 to display a screen (error screen) indicating that an error has occurred on the operation unit 106, and the process proceeds to S403. If it is determined that no error has occurred, the process proceeds to S411.

In S403, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the setting item 301 in FIG. 3 is ON. If it is determined that the setting item 301 is ON, the process proceeds to S404, and if it is determined that the setting item 301 is not ON, the process proceeds to S411.

In step S404, the job control processing unit 201 sets the time until the automatic cancellation accepted in the setting item 302 in FIG. do. The timer in this embodiment is a countdown timer, and when the job control processing unit 201 starts the timer, it counts down the set time. This countdown timer counts down time in units of a predetermined time (for example, in units of one minute). For example, if "5 minutes" is set as the set time, the job control processing unit 201 counts down the countdown timer from "5 (minutes)" by "1" each time one minute elapses.

In S405, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether or not the error has been resolved (the cause of interruption has been resolved). Specifically, the job control processing unit 201 receives error information from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205 . If the content of this error information is information indicating that a specific error has not occurred, it is determined that the error has been resolved. If it is determined that the error has been resolved, the process proceeds to S410, and if it is determined that the error has not been resolved, the process proceeds to S406.

In S406, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the timer time set in S404 has expired. That is, it is determined whether or not the set time or more has passed without the error being resolved. Here, if the countdown timer is 0 (zero), it is determined that the timer time has expired. If it is determined that the timer has expired, the process advances to step S407 to automatically cancel the job. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer time has not expired, the process returns to S405. Since the countdown timer remains 0 even after the timer time expires, the process proceeds to S407 even when it is determined again in S406 whether or not the timer time has expired. Note that the job control processing unit 201 may change (set) the automatic cancel state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the non-execution state to the execution state when the countdown timer reaches zero. In this case, in S406, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether or not the current automatic cancellation state of the image forming apparatus 1 is the execution state. You may do so.

Next, in a loop of processing from S407 to S409, printing of all print jobs registered in the job list is canceled when the timer time expires. Specific processing is as follows.

In step S407, when the job control processing unit 201 detects that the time until automatic cancellation (timer time) has expired, it acquires a list (job list) of jobs that have been received up to the present time (that is, until the timer expires). . Then, the job control processing unit 201 selects the top job in the job list.

In S408, the job control processing unit 201 cancels the job selected in S407. That is, printing of the selected print job is canceled. As a specific example, the job control processing unit 201 deletes the information of the selected print job from the job list (that is, the RAM 102) so that the selected print job will not be printed in the future. At this time, the job control processing unit 201 also deletes the print data of the print job. As a result, the print job is not automatically printed even if the interruption factor is resolved after the timer time has elapsed. In S408, the job control processing unit 201 records information (message or identification number) indicating that the print job was canceled because the error was not resolved for a certain period of time as history information of the print job that was canceled in S408. may This information can later be referenced by the user.

Note that when printing of the print job is canceled in S408, the job control processing unit 201 causes the UI processing unit 202 to display the screen illustrated in FIG. A display screen 1101 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes, for example, information indicating that the print job has been cancelled. Further, for example, the display screen 1101 includes information indicating that "the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is a state in which printing of a newly received print job is automatically canceled". The display screen 1101 also includes an OK button 1104 , and when the user presses the OK button 1104 , the UI processing unit 202 displays the screen that was displayed immediately before the display screen 1101 was displayed.

In S408, the job control processing unit 201 sets the automatic cancel state stored in the RAM 102 to the execution state. When the automatic cancel state is set to the “execution state”, the UI processing unit 202 causes the operation unit 106 to display information as illustrated in FIGS. That is, the operation unit 106 notifies the user that "the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is a state in which printing of a newly accepted print job is automatically canceled". Details of this process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Note that the following process may be performed instead of the cancel process of S408. That is, the job control processing unit 201 does not delete the print job selected in step S407 from the RAM 102 (that is, does not cancel the print job), and changes the print job to the print instruction waiting state. As a result, since the print job is waiting for a print instruction from the user, the print job will not be automatically printed even if the cause of interruption is resolved after the timer has elapsed. After the cause of interruption has been resolved, the print job waiting for the print instruction is printed by the user issuing a print instruction for the print job via an unprinted job list (not shown).

In step S409, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether or not the last job in the job list, that is, the latest job in the job list has been scanned. If it is determined that the last job in the job list has not been scanned, the job control processing unit 201 selects the next job in the job list in S407, and cancels the job in S408. On the other hand, if it is determined in S409 that the last job in the job list has been scanned, the process returns to S405.

One of the features of this embodiment is that the process returns to S405 after the process of S409. That is, since the process returns to S405 without canceling the timer after the process of S409, if the error is still not resolved, the timer remains expired. executed. As a result, a print job that is newly registered in the job list after the timer time has expired and before the error is resolved can be processed immediately without waiting for the timer time to elapse. canceled to Note that instead of the canceling process here, a process of changing the print job to a print instruction waiting state may be executed. A print job waiting for a print instruction is held in the image forming apparatus 1 without being printed until the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print instruction from the user.

If it is determined in S405 that the error has been resolved, in S410 the job control processing unit 201 cancels the timer set in S404. The job control processing unit 201 causes the UI processing unit 202 to erase the error screen displayed on the operation unit 106 and return to the normal screen (standby screen). Alternatively, after erasing the error screen, the normal screen (standby screen) is displayed after displaying a screen indicating that the error has been resolved on the operation unit 106 for a predetermined period of time. Then, the job control processing unit 201 causes the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to automatically resume print processing of the interrupted print job. This printing restart is executed without any additional printing instruction from the user after the error resolution operation. In this way, if the interruption factor (error) occurs and the interruption factor is resolved before the grace period (set time) elapses, the interrupted print job and subsequent print jobs are automatically processed. will be resumed. After the processing of S410, the process returns to S402.

Also, in S410, the job control processing unit 201 sets the automatic cancel state stored in the RAM 102 to the non-execution state. When the automatic cancel state is set to the "non-execution state", the operation unit 106 stops displaying information as illustrated in FIG. That is, the operation unit 106 stops displaying information that informs the user that "the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is a state in which printing of a newly received print job is automatically canceled". The details of this process will be described with reference to FIG.

If it is determined in S402 that no error has occurred, or if it is determined in S403 that the setting item 301 is not ON, in S411 the job control processing unit 201 checks whether the job is registered in the job list. determine whether or not there is If it is determined that the job is registered in the job list, the process returns to S402. If it is determined that the job is not registered in the job list, the processing of this flow ends. This flow ends when printing of the job is completed. After this flow ends, when a new job is registered in the accepted job list, this flow starts again.

Although the countdown timer is used in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and any means that can measure the time during which an error continues to occur (that is, the elapsed time during which the error remains unsolved) may be used. For example, in S404, the job control processing unit 201 may start the count-up timer from 0 (zero), and in S406, the job control processing unit 201 may determine whether the count-up timer has reached the set time.

Further, for example, in S404 the job control processing unit 201 acquires and stores the current time from the RTC, and in S406 the job control processing unit 201 acquires the current time from the RTC. Then, the job control processing unit 201 may determine whether the difference time between the acquired time and the time stored in S404 has reached the set time.

FIG. 5 is a processing flow for displaying, on the operation unit 106, information for notifying the user that the image forming apparatus is in a state of executing automatic job cancellation according to the automatic cancellation state. This flow is performed by the UI processing unit 202 .

In step S501, the UI processing unit 202 refers to the automatic cancel state stored in the RAM 102 and determines whether or not it is in the "execution state". If so, the process proceeds to S502, otherwise the process of S501 is executed again after a predetermined time (for example, 100 milliseconds).

In step S<b>502 , the UI processing unit 202 displays information on the operation unit 106 to inform the user that the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is to automatically cancel printing of the newly received print job. . This information is, for example, the information in the status display portion 904 of FIG. 8 (a message indicating that automatic job cancellation is being executed). The information in the status display area 904 in FIG. 8 indicates that the timer has expired without the error being resolved (YES in S406), so printing of the newly accepted print job is automatically canceled. is shown.

This information is, for example, the information of the pop-up display 1002 in FIG. The information of this pop-up display 1002 is displayed when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to execute copying, and indicates that the copy print job will be automatically canceled unless the error is resolved.

Note that the display of S502 may be performed when the operation unit 106 displays a specific screen such as a main menu screen or a copy setting screen on the operation unit 106 .

FIG. 6 is a processing flow for stopping display on the operation unit 106 of information informing the user that the state of the image forming apparatus is a state in which automatic job cancellation is to be executed, according to the automatic cancellation state. This flow is performed by the UI processing unit 202 .

In step S601, the UI processing unit 202 refers to the automatic cancel state stored in the RAM 102 and determines whether or not it is in the "non-execution state". If so, the process proceeds to S602, otherwise the process of S601 is executed again after a predetermined time (for example, 100 milliseconds).

In step S602, the UI processing unit 202 stops the display displayed on the operation unit 106 by the process of S502. By stopping the display, for example, the main menu screen becomes as shown in FIG. 7, and the copy setting screen is in a state where the information of the status display section 904 of FIG. 8 is not displayed.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a main menu screen 701 of a UI display screen displayed on the operation unit 106 by the UI processing unit 202 . The main menu screen is a screen displayed on the operation unit 106 immediately after the image forming apparatus 1 is started, and is a screen for the user to select various functions.

The operation icon group 703 is displayed according to the user's purpose of operation. Eight operation icons are displayed in FIG. 7, including a "menu" icon for menu settings, a "copy" icon for executing copying, and a "secure print" icon for setting a password and executing printing. be. The content displayed on the status display section 702 is changed by the UI processing section 202 according to the setting state of the automatic cancel state. For example, when an error has occurred and the automatic cancel state is set to "non-execution state", information indicating the content of the error is displayed. In the example of FIG. 7, the content of the error is a shortage of A4 size plain paper. If no error has occurred, the content of the error also indicates that the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is executing automatic job cancellation (the state of the image forming apparatus is automatically canceling printing of a newly received print job). status) is not displayed either. When the automatic cancel state is set to the "execution state", information indicating error details and information indicating that the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is executing automatic job cancellation are alternately displayed. .

FIG. 8 shows a copy setting screen displayed on the operation unit 106 when the user presses the "COPY" icon shown in FIG. is an example of This is an example of a display screen when the copy setting screen 901 illustrated in FIG. 8 is displayed. A status display portion 904 displays information corresponding to the current automatic cancellation state. The UI processing unit 202 receives a user's operation on the operation unit 106 and transmits the received information to the job control processing unit 201 . For example, the UI processing unit 202 receives pressing of the copy setting button 902 by the user. That is, as copy settings, the UI processing unit 202 sets whether to read only one side (front side) or both sides (front and back sides) of a document, and prints the read document image on only one side (front side) of a sheet. or to print on both sides (front side and back side). Then, the UI processing unit 202 receives pressing of the copy execution button 903 by the user. Acceptance of pressing the button 903 corresponds to acceptance of an instruction to execute printing of a copy (print job). If no error has occurred here, the job control processing unit 201 prints a copy (print job) based on the received settings. On the other hand, if the automatic cancel state of the image forming apparatus 1 is set to "execution state", the job control processing unit 20 causes the UI processing unit 202 to display a warning screen 1001 illustrated in FIG.

A warning pop-up display 1002 illustrated in FIG. 9 is displayed when the user presses the copy execution button 903 in a state in which the automatic cancel state of the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the “execution state” as shown in FIG. 8, for example. Is displayed. This display notifies the user in advance that the copy print job will be automatically canceled immediately if the user instructs the execution of copying without resolving the error.

This warning pop-up display 1002 includes a return button 1003 and an OK button 1004, both of which can be pressed by the user. When the return button 1003 is pressed, the screen transitions to the previous screen (eg, FIG. 8) without executing the copy print job. When the OK button 1004 is pressed, a new copy print job is accepted. If the error has been resolved before the new copy print job is accepted, the job control processing unit 201 performs the process shown in FIG. Execute from processing. Before a new copy print job is received, that is, the period during which the warning screen 1001 in FIG. 9 is displayed. On the other hand, if the error has not been resolved, the job control processing unit 201 executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 from the processing of S407 on the newly accepted print job. That is, the job control processing unit 201 automatically cancels this new print job immediately. When the new print job is immediately canceled in this way, the UI processing unit 202 displays the screen illustrated in FIG.

According to the present embodiment described above, the user can understand that the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is a state in which new print jobs are automatically canceled as soon as they are accepted. Therefore, by inputting the print job to the image forming apparatus 1 after resolving the error, the user can easily avoid a situation in which the new print job is immediately canceled after being input.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, by displaying the screens of FIGS. It was notified that the printing was automatically canceled immediately. However, the present invention is not limited only to these screen displays. That is, the current state of the image forming apparatus 1 is to automatically cancel printing of a newly received print job immediately, by voice using a buzzer (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The user of the image forming apparatus may be notified. Further, instead of the screen display, the user of the image forming apparatus may be notified of the current state of the image forming apparatus by a lighting or blinking pattern of an LED (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 .

In the above embodiment, the operation unit 106 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the user in front of the image forming apparatus 1 of the current state of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the error has not been resolved. rice field. However, the invention is not limited to this. That is, the current state of the image forming apparatus 1 immediately and automatically cancels printing of a newly received print job for an external apparatus capable of transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network I/F 107. The state may be notified (transmitted). By notifying the external device in this way, the user of the external device can know that the printing of the print data will be automatically canceled immediately after the print data is sent. That is, according to the present disclosure, the image forming apparatus at least notifies the user that the current state of the image forming apparatus is a state in which newly received print jobs are automatically canceled immediately. Alternatively, an external device that communicates with the image forming apparatus is notified.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, after the timer time expires, screen displays such as those shown in FIGS. was automatically canceled immediately. However, the present invention does not limit the notification timing to this. That is, the above notification may be made before the timer time starts to expire (while the processes of S405 and S406 are repeatedly looped), such as when an error occurs.

In the above-described embodiment, the UI processing unit 202 displays the copy execution button 903 in a state that can be pressed even when the automatic cancellation state is set to "execution state". However, as a modification, the UI processing unit 202 may display a state in which the copy execution button 903 cannot be pressed when the automatic cancel state is set to "executable".

In the above-described embodiment, when it is detected that the timer has expired, the jobs from the beginning to the end of the list of jobs accepted up to the current time (until the expiration of the timer) are continuously canceled. That is, when the timer time expired, all print jobs in the list were cancelled. However, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which it is confirmed whether or not an error has been resolved after canceling one job. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process of S409 may be omitted and the process may proceed from S408 to S405. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the process of S511 may be omitted and the process proceeds from S510 to S512. Since the print job is canceled in S408 in this manner, for example, if the print job that caused the paper shortage is canceled, the error is resolved, and the process advances to S410 based on the determination in S405. Then, the next print job is started with the error resolved and the timer canceled, so if an error occurs during printing of this print job, the countdown timer runs again. If the set time or longer elapses without the error being resolved, the printing of the print job is cancelled.

In the above embodiment, all jobs are subject to cancellation, but some jobs may be excluded from being subject to cancellation depending on the type of job. For example, a job such as a facsimile, for which it is difficult to specify a sender and is difficult to resubmit, may be excluded from cancellation targets. Jobs may be stored in a memory, and jobs requiring user operation for printing (stored print, facsimile memory reception) may be excluded from cancellation targets.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the timer time elapses, the print jobs that have been received up to that point and the print jobs that have been received after that are canceled. However, as described above, instead of canceling, the print job may be prevented from being automatically executed after the interruption factor is resolved. For example, the print job may be held in the printing apparatus so that it will be executed according to an instruction from the user after the interruption cause is resolved.

The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Claims (25)

A printing device,
a notification means for notifying a user of information;
receiving means for receiving a print job;
execution means for executing the print job received by the reception means;
a storage unit capable of holding a print job waiting for execution by the execution unit;
stopping means for stopping the print job based on occurrence of a predetermined stop factor during execution of the print job;
canceling the stopped print job and all the print jobs waiting for execution and canceling the new print job accepted by the accepting means when a predetermined time elapses without the cause of the stop being resolved; having means and
The printing apparatus, wherein the notifying means notifies that the print job is canceled by the canceling means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when said reception unit receives a new print job, said notification unit notifies cancellation of the received new print job. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when said receiving unit receives a new print job, said notification unit notifies that the received new print job is being canceled. 4. The printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notifying unit notifies cancellation of the print job by the canceling unit when a predetermined period of time elapses without the cause of the stoppage being resolved. Device. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting said predetermined time. Having a reading means for reading a document,
6. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reading unit does not read the document after the notifying unit notifies that the canceling unit has canceled the print job. A system comprising an information processing device and a printing device capable of communicating with the information processing device,
The printing device
receiving means for receiving a print job;
execution means for executing the print job received by the reception means;
a storage unit capable of holding a print job waiting for execution by the execution unit;
stopping means for stopping the print job based on occurrence of a predetermined stop factor during execution of the print job;
canceling the stopped print job and all the print jobs waiting for execution and canceling the new print job accepted by the accepting means when a predetermined time elapses without the cause of the stop being resolved; having means and
The information processing device is
having notification means for notifying the user of information;
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said notification means notifies said printer that said printer is in an error state after a predetermined period of time has passed without said stop cause being resolved in said printer. A control method for a printing device, comprising:
a receiving process for receiving a print job;
an executing step of executing the print job accepted by the accepting step;
a storage step capable of holding print jobs waiting to be executed by the execution step;
a stopping step of stopping the print job based on occurrence of a predetermined stop factor during execution of the print job;
Cancellation of canceling the stopped print job and all the print jobs waiting for execution and canceling the new print job received by the receiving process when a predetermined period of time elapses without the cause of the stop being resolved. and
and a notification step of notifying that the print job is canceled by the canceling step. 9. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when said receiving step receives a new print job, said notification step notifies cancellation of the received new print job. 10. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when said receiving step receives a new print job, said notification step notifies that the received new print job is being canceled. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the notifying step notifies cancellation of the print job received by the receiving step by the canceling step after a predetermined period of time has passed without the cause of the stoppage being resolved. 2. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to item 1. 12. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a setting step of setting the predetermined time. Having a reading process for reading the original,
13. The control of the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein after the notifying step notifies that the print job is canceled by the canceling step, the reading step does not read the document. Method. A printing device,
a notification means for notifying a user of information;
receiving means for receiving a print job;
execution means for executing the print job received by the reception means;
a storage unit capable of holding a print job waiting for execution by the execution unit;
stopping means for stopping the print job based on occurrence of a predetermined stop factor during execution of the print job;
Deletion for canceling the stopped print job and all the print jobs waiting for execution and deleting the new print job accepted by the accepting means when a predetermined time elapses without the cause of the stop being resolved. having means and
The printing apparatus, wherein the notifying means notifies that the print job is deleted by the deleting means. 15. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, when said reception unit receives a new print job, said notification unit notifies deletion of the received new print job. 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, when said receiving unit receives a new print job, said notification unit notifies that deletion of the received new print job is being executed. 17. The printing method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the notifying unit notifies deletion of the print job by the deleting unit when a predetermined period of time elapses without resolving the cause of the stoppage. Device. 18. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising setting means for setting said predetermined time. Having a reading means for reading a document,
19. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the reading unit does not read the document after the notifying unit notifies that the print job has been deleted by the deleting unit. A control method for a printing device, comprising:
a receiving process for receiving a print job;
an executing step of executing the print job accepted by the accepting step;
a storage step capable of holding print jobs waiting to be executed by the execution step;
a stopping step of stopping the print job based on occurrence of a predetermined stop factor during execution of the print job;
Deletion for deleting the stopped print job and all the print jobs waiting for execution and deleting the new print job received by the receiving process when a predetermined period of time elapses without the cause of the stop being resolved. and
and a notification step of notifying deletion of the print job by the deletion step. 21. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, when said receiving step receives a new print job, said notification step notifies deletion of the received new print job. 22. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, when said accepting step accepts a new print job, said notifying step notifies that deletion of the accepted new print job is being executed. 23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the notifying step notifies deletion of the print job received by the receiving step by the deleting step when a predetermined period of time elapses without the cause of the stoppage being resolved. 2. A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to item 1. 24. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 23, further comprising a setting step of setting the predetermined time. Having a reading process for reading the original,
25. The control of the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein after the notifying step notifies deletion of the print job by the deleting step, the reading step does not read the document. Method.

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