JP2003266813A - Printer, print control method, print control program, and medium recording print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that insignificant printing may be effected when a reset switch is operated. <P>SOLUTION: Print job data constituting a print job is received from a connected host computer and stored in a receiving buffer 23a (specified storage area), print data for performing printing is generated by interpreting a command in the print job data and then printing is performed on a print medium. Further, cancel status information is generated upon receiving cancel request of print job data and when the cancel status information is generated, printing up to the end point of the print job data being stored in the receiving buffer 23a is stopped. Consequently, the print job can be canceled so that insignificant printing is not performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that receives print job data from a connected host computer and executes printing, a print control method, a print control program, and a medium recording the print control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a print job is input from a host computer, a printing apparatus such as a laser printer acquires print job data including a command such as a page description language and temporarily stores it in a reception buffer. Printing is executed by interpreting commands in the data, generating print data representing a print image, and sending the print data to the print engine. FIG. 14 schematically shows a state of print job data temporarily stored in the reception buffer when a personal computer (PC) which is a host computer is connected to the laser printer. It should be noted that, in the figure, a portion where print job data exists is indicated by diagonal lines. As shown on the left side of the figure, when the PC sequentially transmits the print job data, the laser printer receives the print job data and sequentially stores the print job data in the reception buffer (timing t1). Here, a reset switch for resetting (erasing) a print job is provided on the operation panel of the laser printer, and when the reset switch is operated, the print job data J1 stored in the reception buffer is deleted. At the same time, the print data not sent to the print engine is also deleted (timing t2).

[0003]

In the conventional printing apparatus described above, if the reset switch is operated while the host computer is transmitting the print job data, at this stage the print job data received is received. Since only the data (corresponding to J1 in the figure) is deleted, the remaining print job data (corresponding to J2 in the figure) is received and temporarily stored in the reception buffer (timing t3). Then, the print job data J2 from the middle received thereafter
Will be printed based on. In such a case, since the command in the print job data is not correctly interpreted, meaningless printing such as so-called dust printing is performed. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and recorded a printing apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a print control program capable of canceling a print job so that meaningless printing is not performed. The purpose is to provide a medium.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a predetermined storage area,
A job receiving unit that receives print job data forming a print job from a connected host computer and stores the print job data in the storage area, and interprets a command in the print job data stored in the storage area to execute printing. Print data generating means for generating print data, a printing means for acquiring the generated print data and executing printing on a print medium, and accepting an input of a cancel request for the print job data, A status generation unit that generates cancellation status information that means that the processing status of the print job data is a cancellation status when the cancellation request is input, and the storage area when the cancellation status information is generated. A mark to stop printing up to the end of the print job data stored in It is constituted comprising a stop means.

That is, the printing apparatus can be connected to a host computer, and the job receiving means receives print job data forming a print job from the host computer and stores it in a predetermined storage area. Then, the print data generation unit interprets the command in the print job data stored in the storage area, and generates print data for executing printing. The generated print data is acquired by the printing unit, and printing on the print medium is executed based on the print data.

Here, the status generation means can accept the input of the cancel request of the print job data. Then, when the input of the cancel request of the print job data is accepted, the cancel status information indicating that the processing status of the print job data is the cancel status is generated. When the cancel status information is generated, the print canceling unit cancels the printing up to the end point of the print job data stored in the storage area of the job receiving unit. Then, even if the host computer inputs a cancel request to the printing device while transmitting the print job data, the printing up to the end portion of the print job data stored in the storage area is stopped, which is meaningless. Printing is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to cancel the print job so that meaningless printing is not performed.

The print job data may be any data having a command for executing a print job, and is data before being converted into bitmap data or the like by command interpretation. Of course, the command can take various forms. Various storage areas can be adopted for storing print job data, and may be, for example, a RAM or a hard disk.

The print canceling means can cancel the printing up to the end position of the print job data by various configurations. As an example, the invention according to claim 2 is
When the cancel status information is generated, the print canceling unit interprets the command in the print job data stored in the storage area up to the end position of the print job data, and sends the same to the print data generating unit. The configuration is such that generation of the print data corresponding to the end portion of the print job data is stopped. That is, when the cancellation status information is generated, the command in the print job data is interpreted up to the end point of the same print job data, but the print data generation means generates the print data corresponding to the end point of the same print job data. Stop the generation. Therefore, even if the cancel request is input to the printing apparatus while the host computer is transmitting the print job data, the printing up to the end portion of the print job data stored in the storage area is stopped.

In the invention according to claim 3, the print canceling means deletes the print data corresponding to the end portion of the print job data when the cancel status information is generated. That is, when the cancel status information is generated, the print data corresponding to the end position of the print job data is deleted. Therefore, even if the cancel request is input to the printing apparatus while the host computer is transmitting the print job data, the printing up to the end portion of the print job data stored in the storage area is stopped.

The status generation means has operation input means capable of inputting an operation for the cancellation request, and generates the cancellation status information when the operation input means receives the operation input of the cancellation request. Good. That is, the user can cancel the print job by operating and inputting a print job data cancel request using the operation input means.
Here, the operation input unit may be a switch provided on an operation panel capable of inputting various settings of the printing apparatus. That is, the cancel status information can be generated by using the switch on the operation panel.

The status generation means has status display means capable of displaying the cancellation status information, and the operation input means and the status display means are:
The configuration may be provided on the same operation panel on which various settings of the printing apparatus can be input. That is, when the user performs an operation of canceling a print job, the user can know on the spot whether or not the print job is in the canceled state by the status display means, which improves convenience.

Of course, the print job may be canceled from the host computer. As an example thereof, in the invention according to claim 7, the cancel request can be included in the command in the print job data, and the status generation unit can interpret the command interpreted by the print data generation unit. Is a cancel request, the cancel status information is generated. That is, if the host computer includes a cancel request command in the print job data, cancel status information is generated when the command in the print job data is interpreted, and printing up to the end point of the print job data is canceled. To be done.

When print job data based on a plurality of print jobs is received and stored in the storage area, it is preferable that a print job to be canceled can be selected. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 8, the job receiving unit adds different identification data to each received print job data,
Identification information that associates the identification data with the print job data is generated and stored in the storage area, and the status generation unit is capable of accepting an input of a cancellation request of any of the plurality of print job data. The print canceling unit refers to the identification information from the storage area, specifies the print job data corresponding to the cancel request input by the status generating unit, and ends the specified print job data. The configuration is such that printing up to a portion is stopped. That is, different identification data is added to the print job data, and identification information that associates the identification data with the print job data is stored in the storage area. When a cancel request for any of the plurality of print job data is input, the print job data corresponding to the cancel request can be easily specified by referring to the identification information, and the specified print job data ends. It is possible to stop printing up to the location.

The host computer is connected to the printing apparatus via a network, acquires MIB information of the printing apparatus, and stores the MIB information in the storage area corresponding to the transmitted print job data based on the MIB information. It is possible to specify the specified print job data, receive an input of a request to cancel the specified print job data, and send a command meaning a request to cancel the specified print job data. The generation unit is capable of receiving the command indicating the cancel request, and when receiving the command indicating the cancel request, generates the cancel status information indicating the cancellation of the specified print job data and prints the print status. Canceling means cancels the specified print job data. When the cancel status information refers to is generated, it may be configured to abort the printing to the printing medium based on the print job data the identified.

That is, the MIB is transmitted through the network.
It is possible to prevent the print job data specified from the information from being printed. Here, the MIB information can include information for identifying the print job data. According to the MIB information, the print job data that can be easily canceled by the host computer can be grasped. There are various conceivable modes of connection between the printing apparatus and the host computer, such as USB and IEEE1.
There are connections based on the 394 standard, connections via a parallel port, and the like.

By the way, the above-described printing apparatus may be carried out independently, or may be carried out together with another method in a state of being incorporated in a certain device. It is included and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, it is natural that the method for performing the print control described above has an invention in the procedure at the base of the process in order to proceed the processing in accordance with a predetermined procedure. Therefore, the present invention can be applied as a print control method, and the invention according to claim 10 has basically the same operation.

When attempting to carry out the present invention, a printing apparatus may execute a predetermined program. Therefore, it can be applied as a print control program, and the invention according to claim 11 has basically the same operation. Further, when implementing the present invention, it is conceivable that a medium in which the above program is recorded is distributed and the program is appropriately read from the recording medium into a computer. Therefore, it can be applied as a medium in which the program is recorded, and the invention according to claim 12 basically has the same operation. Of course, it goes without saying that the configurations described in claims 2 to 9 can be applied to the method, the program, or the medium recording the program. Here, the recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium, and any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in exactly the same manner. Further, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, the idea of the present invention does not differ at all, and a part of the software is recorded on a recording medium and is appropriately changed as necessary. It also includes a read form. Furthermore, the duplication stage of the primary duplication product, the secondary duplication product, and the like is absolutely the same.

[0018]

As described above, claim 1 and claim 1
According to the invention of claim 0 to claim 12, a printing apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a medium recording the print control program, which can cancel a print job so that meaningless printing is not performed. Can be provided. Further, according to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a configuration example of the print canceling means, and it is possible to reliably cancel the print job so that meaningless printing is not performed. Further, according to the inventions according to claims 4 and 5, it is possible to provide a configuration example in which the input of the cancel request of the print job data is accepted, so that meaningless printing is not performed with a simple configuration. You can cancel the print job.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6,
Since it is possible to know whether or not the print job is in the canceled state on the spot where the operation for canceling the print job is performed, it is possible to improve convenience. Further, according to the invention of claim 7, the print job can be canceled from the host computer.
It is possible to improve convenience. Further, according to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to select a print job to be canceled, so that convenience can be improved. Further, according to the invention of claim 9, a desired print job can be canceled by using the network, so that convenience can be improved.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order. (1) Configuration of laser printer: (2) Configuration of various means of the present invention: (3) Processing performed by printing device: (4) Second embodiment: (5) Third embodiment:

(1) Configuration of laser printer: FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a laser printer 10 which is a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 is a personal computer (P
C) 100 can be connected. Of course, one host computer may be connected without using the network. The PC 100 manages various print targets such as documents and images as print jobs, and transmits print job data forming a print job via a network. The laser printer 10 that receives the print job data roughly includes a control unit 20 that performs various data processing, a hard disk drive (HDD) 30 that stores various data, and a laser beam irradiation or toner adhesion onto a printing paper. The printer includes a print engine 40 for executing the printing of the, and an operation panel 50 which is an operation input unit.

The control unit 20 acquires print job data, generates print data that can be printed by the print engine 40, and executes processing such as managing the print execution order. Therefore, the control unit 20 controls the CP
U21, memory controller 22, RAM23, ROM
24, communication I / F 25, video I / F 26, IDEI /
Equipped with F27. That is, the CPU 21 and the RAM 2
3, a ROM 24, and a memory controller 22 are provided as a program execution environment, and various programs can be executed by appropriately loading the programs stored in the ROM 24 into the RAM 23. The memory controller 22 accesses the respective units 21, 23 to 27 and controls transmission / reception of various data. The memory controller 22 is a communication I /
The print job data is received from the PC 100 via F25 and stored in the RAM 23. Of course, the memory controller 22 may access the IDE I / F 27 and spool the received print job data in the HDD 30 as it is.

When the print job data is stored, the CPU
The program execution environment including 21 and the like makes it possible to take in the commands in the print job data, and interprets the commands and creates the print queue as appropriate. When the command is interpreted, the print job data is converted into print data. The print data is data of an image printed on each page of print paper (print medium), and is data including bitmap data. When the print data and the print queue are generated, the memory controller 22 appropriately sends the print data to the video I / F 26 according to the print queue. When print data is sent from the video I / F 26 to the print engine 40, the print engine 40 is driven and printing is executed based on the print data.

The operation panel 50 is operable to input various settings of the printer 10 under the control of the CPU 21. As shown in FIG. 2, on the operation panel 50, a liquid crystal display 51 that can display status information and the like indicating the operating state of the printer 10, a cancel switch 52 that can be operated to input a print job data cancel request, and the printer 10 can be used. There are provided various operation switches 53 capable of inputting operations for various settings, various lamps 54 capable of lighting and displaying a predetermined operation state, and the like.
The liquid crystal display 51 displays the input character data on a predetermined display surface. The cancel switch 52 and various operation switches 53 are pressing switches, and when pressed, a predetermined contact is brought into conduction so that the pressing operation is detected. Therefore, the user can cancel (cancel) the print job by pressing the cancel switch 52. In addition,
The cancel switch 52 is provided in place of the conventional reset switch, and prevents the printing based on the print job data from being executed even while the print job data is being received and stored in the RAM 23. To do.

(2) Configuration of various means of the present invention: CPU2
The program execution environment including 1 and the like includes a print control program P having various modules M1 to M7 shown in FIG. 3, and the modules M1 to M7 cooperate with each other to realize the function as the print control program. Also,
ROM 24 and HDD 3 storing modules M1 to M7
0 is a medium in which the print control program according to the present invention is recorded. It should be noted that some of the lines between the modules are omitted for the sake of clarity. Therefore, various types of information can be exchanged even between modules that are not connected by a line. Of course, such a module configuration is merely an example, and various module configurations can be adopted. By realizing the functions of the modules M1 to M7, the various units U1 to U5 shown in FIG.
In the PC 100, various documents and images can be created by various application programs (APL) 110. When the execution of printing is instructed by the APL, the printer driver 121 incorporated in the operating system (OS) 120 is activated to generate a print job including print job data for printing the document or image created by the APL 110. To do. The OS 120 sends the print job data to the printer 1 via the communication I / F 130.
Send to 0.

In the printer 10, the memory controller 2
2 receives the print job data via the communication I / F 25, and temporarily stores the print job data in the reception buffer 23a, which is a predetermined storage area in the RAM 23. In this sense, the control unit 20 having the memory controller 22 has the job receiving unit U.
It becomes 1. The print job data has a predetermined PDL (Page D
A command described in escription Language) is included, and is a set of commands including a command name, a data length, data, and a delimiter code, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The PDL module M1 sequentially interprets the print job data temporarily stored in the reception buffer 23a and interprets the print data for executing printing as RA.
Generated in M23. In addition, the PDL module M1
A process of adding an end flag indicating the end of the print job to the print page data for each page that constitutes the print data is also executed, and the end flag “1” is set for the print data corresponding to the last page of the print job. Attached, and the end flag for print pages other than the last page ”
It is designed to be attached with 0 ".

Since the job judgment module M2 judges whether the processing is started or ended for each print job, the PDL module M1 is the job judgment module M2.
When it is determined that the print job processing is started, the command interpretation of the corresponding print job data is started. The print data generation unit U2 that interprets the command in the print job data stored in the reception buffer to create the print data is realized by the functions of the modules M1 and M2.

The print queue management module M3 manages the print queue with reference to the judgment result of the job judgment module M2, and generates the print queue so that the printing is executed in the order in which the print job data is received. Here, the print queue is composed of a current queue and a next queue, printing is executed for print data that is the current queue, and print data that is the next queue is for executing print data printing in the current queue. It will wait for the start of printing until it is completed. The print queue management module M3 performs a process of moving the print data of the print job arranged at the top of the next queue to the current queue when the printing of the print data in the current queue is completed.

The engine management module M4 performs a process of inquiring the print queue management module M3 as to whether print data exists in the current queue, acquires print data, and passes it to the print engine 40. Since the print queue management module M3 executes the queue management as described above, the engine management module M4 inquires whether or not the print data exists in the current queue, and when the print data exists, the print data corresponding to the print data exists. All you have to do is to get it and pass it to the print engine 40.
It is possible to execute printing in the order according to the print queue. When the engine management module M4 acquires the print data, it is not necessary to read the entire print data all at once, but it may be possible to read the print data partially, or to use a buffer area used for transferring the print data. It may be only the passing of the pointer to represent. Then, the printing unit U3 that acquires the generated print data and prints on the printing paper is realized by the functions of the modules M2 to M4 together with the print engine 40.

The panel management module M5 accepts the operation input of the cancel switch 52 which is the operation input means U41 and various operation switches 53 to generate display data corresponding to the input contents, and the liquid crystal display 51 which is the status display means U42. To display. Further, the information corresponding to the input contents is transmitted to the PDL management module M6.
Here, when the cancel switch 52 is pressed,
Since the operation input of the print job data cancel request has been received, the PDL management module M6 generates cancel status information indicating that the processing status of the print job data is the cancel status. The cancel status information is represented by a cancel flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 23, and is set to a flag "1" when the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state, and a flag "0" when the print job data is not in the cancel state. To be done. The status generation unit U4, which can accept the input of the cancellation request of the print job data and generates the cancellation status information when the input of the cancellation request is accepted, is provided with the operation panel 50 and the module M.
It is realized by the functions of M5 and M6.

Of course, various modes of the cancellation status information can be considered. For example, when a different value is assigned to each processing state of the printer 10 and this value is assigned to a predetermined status variable, the corresponding value is assigned to the status variable when the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state. You can do it. In this case, when the value read from the status variable is the value corresponding to the cancel state, it can be determined that the cancel status information is generated. MIB
The information management module M7 can acquire various kinds of MIB information from the modules M1 to M6 and the like, and as one of them, acquires the identification information that associates the print job data with the identification data. Besides this, the printer 1
Various information such as the model name of 0 and the amount of consumables can be acquired. Further, when an acquisition request for MIB information is input from the PC 100 via the communication I / F 25, the MIB information corresponding to the acquisition request is acquired and transmitted to the PC 100.

By the way, in the conventional laser printer having the reset switch on the operation panel, if the reset switch is operated while the host computer is transmitting the print job data, as shown in FIG. At this stage, since only the received data J1 of the print job data is deleted, the remaining print job data J2 is deleted.
Is received and temporarily stored in the reception buffer, and printing is performed based on the print job data J2. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, since the print job data is composed of the command name and other data, the command in the print job data is correct unless it is read from the command name when interpreting the command. Not interpreted, meaningless printing will be performed. Therefore, in the printing apparatus, the print canceling unit U that cancels the printing up to the end position of the print job data stored in the reception buffer when the processing state of the print job data becomes the canceling state.
5 are provided.

When the processing state of the print job data becomes the cancel state, the PDL management module M6 generates the cancel status information. In this embodiment, PD
The L module M1 and the print queue management module M3 function as the printer 1 as the print canceling unit U5 that cancels the printing up to the end position of the print job data stored in the reception buffer when the cancel status information is generated.
I am trying to make 0 work. PDL module M1
Then, the so-called skip of print job data of the print job to be canceled is performed. That is, while interpreting the command in the print job data stored in the reception buffer 23a up to the end point of the print job data, the generation of the print data corresponding to the end point of the print job data is stopped. The print queue management module M3 deletes the print data corresponding to the end portion of the print job data. In order to stop printing up to the end point of the same print job data, the printer 10 may function as the print stopping unit U5 only in the PDL module M1, or only the print queue management module M3 may stop printing. The printer 10 may function as the unit U5.

(3) Processing Performed by Printing Apparatus: Next, processing performed by the printing apparatus will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the status generation processing realized by the PDL management module M6 in the printer 10. This flow is always performed when the power of the printer 10 is turned on. Step S1
05 (hereinafter, “step” is omitted), information indicating that the cancel switch 52 of the operation panel is pressed (for example, the state of a predetermined cancel switch operation flag) is generated by the panel management module M5. Whether or not the cancel switch 52 is pressed is determined depending on whether or not the cancel switch 52 is pressed. When the same information is generated, the process proceeds to S110, and when the same information is not generated, S110 and S115 are skipped. In S110, "1" is assigned to the cancel flag (the cancel flag is set). That is, the process of S110 will generate the cancellation status information when the input of the cancellation request of the print job data is received. Further, the panel management module M5 is caused to display the cancel state on the liquid crystal display 51 of the operation panel (S115). In this way, it is possible to display the cancellation status information. Therefore, when the user performs the operation of canceling the print job on the operation panel, the user can know on the spot whether or not the print job is in the canceled state on the liquid crystal display 51. Easy to use. After that, processing for generating various other status information is performed by a flow not shown.

At S120, the job determination module M2
It is determined whether or not the print job has ended by determining whether or not information indicating that the print job has ended (for example, the state of a predetermined print job end flag) has been generated. If the same information is generated, the process proceeds to S125, and if the same information is not generated, S125 and S130 are skipped. In S125, "0" is assigned to the cancel flag (the cancel flag is reset). That is, the generation of the cancellation status information is completed. Further, the panel management module M5 is caused to cancel the display of the cancel state on the liquid crystal display 51 (S13).
0). After that, the process returns to the starting point of this flow, and the process of this flow is repeatedly performed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of print control processes for causing the print engine 40 to execute printing while referring to the cancel status information. The processing of this flow is realized by the modules M1 to M4. This flow is also always performed when the power of the printer 10 is turned on. In S205, it is determined whether the print job data is received and stored in the reception buffer 23a. If print job data has not been received,
Proceed to S255. When the print job data is received, it is determined whether the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state, that is, whether the cancel flag is "1" (S210). If it is not in the canceled state, the process proceeds to S215, and if it is in the canceled state, the process proceeds to S240.

In step S215, the command in the print job data is interpreted. Next, print data is generated based on the command interpretation result (S220). Then, it is determined whether the command is completed (S225). If the command has not ended, the processes of S215 to S225 are repeated, and if the command has ended, a print queue is generated (S230). Then, it is determined whether or not all commands in the print job data have been completed (S235). This determination process can be performed, for example, by determining whether or not the end flag attached to the print page data for each page is "1" meaning the last page. If all commands are not completed, the process returns to S210, and if all commands are completed, the process proceeds to S255.

On the other hand, when the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state, the command in the print job data is interpreted in S240 as in S215. However, the process corresponding to S220 for generating print data is not performed, and it is determined whether the command is completed (S24).
5). If the command has not ended, repeat S24
The processing from 0 to S245 is performed. If the command is completed, the process corresponding to S230 for generating the print queue is not performed, and it is determined whether all commands in the print job data are completed (S250). If all commands have not been completed, the process returns to S210, and if all commands have been completed, S
Proceed to 255. That is, S205, S215 to S23
The process of 5 constitutes the print data generating means, and S210, S
The processing of 240 to S250 constitutes a print canceling unit.

As shown on the left side of FIG. 8, when the PC sequentially transmits the print job data, the printer receives the print job data and sequentially stores them in the reception buffer (timing t11). It should be noted that the figure schematically shows the state of the print job data temporarily stored in the reception buffer, and the location where the print job data exists is shown by hatching. If the cancel switch 52 is pressed while the PC is transmitting the print job data, the print job data J11 stored in the reception buffer at this stage is pressed.
Is not deleted (timing t12). Then, the remaining print job data J12 is also received and temporarily stored in the reception buffer (timing t13). Then, S240-S2
At 50, while the command in the print job data is being interpreted to the end point, the generation of the print data corresponding to the end point of the print job data is stopped. Therefore, PC
Even if the cancel switch 52 is pressed while the print job data is being transmitted, the printing up to the end position of the print job data is stopped, so that the print job should be executed so that meaningless printing is not performed. It is possible to reliably cancel.

It should be noted that print data up to the middle of the print job data may be generated before the cancel state is entered. In this case, printing may be executed based on the print data up to the middle, but such printing often becomes meaningless. Further, when the print control program is composed of a plurality of modules, it is desirable to assume that the print data is generated up to the end position of the print job data for which the cancel request is input. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the processing from S255, printing is not executed from the print data generated from the print job data for which the cancel request is input.

When all commands of the print job data are completed, the print queue management module M3 determines whether the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state, that is, whether the cancel flag is "1". Yes (S255). If not in the canceled state, S26
If it is in the cancel state, the process proceeds to S275. In S260, the engine management module M4 inquires of the print queue management module M3 whether print data exists in the print queue, and if no print data exists, the process returns to S205. If the generated print data exists in the print queue, the print data is acquired (S265). More specifically, the print queue management module M3 refers to the print queue, and notifies the engine management module M4 of the print data existing in the print queue. Then, by the engine management module M4,
The notified print data is acquired in the order of the print queue, sent to the print engine 40 (S270), and the process proceeds to S285. Then, the print engine 40 obtains the print data and executes printing on the printing paper.

On the other hand, when the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state, in S275, it is inquired whether or not the print data exists in the print queue as in S260. If there is no print data, it means that there is no print data corresponding to the print job to be canceled, and the process returns to S205. If the print data exists in the print queue, the print data corresponding to the end of the print job data for which the cancel request is input is deleted (S
280) and the process proceeds to S285. Then, even if the print job data is stored in the reception buffer and the print data is generated from the print job data as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, the print engine 40 obtains the print data corresponding to the print job to be canceled. There is nothing to do, so printing is not executed. Therefore, even if the cancel switch 52 is pressed while the PC is transmitting the print job data,
Since the printing up to the end portion of the print job data is stopped, it is possible to reliably cancel the print job so that meaningless printing is not performed. Thus, S2
The processing of 60 to S270 constitutes a printing unit, and S255,
The processing of S275 to S280 constitutes a print canceling unit.
After that, in step S285, the job determination module M2 determines that the print job has ended, generates information indicating that the print job has ended, and returns to step S205. Then, it becomes possible to receive another print job data and execute printing.

As described above, the printer 10 is
Even if a cancel request is input while the host computer is transmitting print job data, printing up to the end point of the print job data stored in the receive buffer is stopped, so it is meaningless as before. No printing is done.

(4) Second Embodiment: The printing apparatus of the present invention can have various configurations. In the first embodiment, by referring to the cancel flag, the printing up to the end position of the print job data for which the cancel request is input is stopped, but when the cancel status information is generated, the interrupt process is performed. You may make it perform and stop printing. In addition, the cancel status information may be generated by receiving an input of a cancel request for print job data from the host computer. Here, it is assumed that the host computer transmits a print job data cancel request together with an interrupt request signal to the printing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a series of interrupt processes performed by the laser printer 10 which is the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. This flow is for PC10
It is started when an interrupt request is input from 0. In the present embodiment, the command in the print job data shown in FIG. 5 includes a command meaning a request to cancel the received print job data. That is, the predetermined code of the command name is assigned as the code meaning the cancellation request. Note that the hardware configuration may be the same as that of the first embodiment, so description will be omitted. When the interrupt process is started, it is determined whether print job data has been received (S305). When print job data has not been received, other interrupt processing is performed by a flow not shown.

When print job data is received,
The PDL module M1 interprets the command in the print job data (S310). Then, it is determined whether the interpreted command is a print job data cancel request, that is, whether the command code is a predetermined code that means a cancel request (S315). When the interpreted command is not a cancel request, other interrupt processing according to the result of command interpretation is performed by a flow not shown. When the interpreted command is a cancel request, "1" is assigned to the cancel flag (cancel status information is generated) (S320). Also,
A request to display the cancellation status to the PDL management module M6 is generated (S325), and this flow ends. Then, the PDL management module M6
The liquid crystal display 51 of the operation panel is caused to display to the panel management module M5 that it is in the cancel state.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the print control processing. In this flow, S405 to S415 are added in addition to S205 to S285 of the first embodiment. The processing of S205 to S280 (not shown) will be described with reference to FIG. That is,
It is determined whether or not the print job data is received, and it is determined whether or not the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state when the print job data is received (S205 to S210). If it is not in the cancel state, it interprets the command in the print job data, generates print data based on the interpretation result of the command, judges whether the command is finished, and if the command is finished, print queue Is generated and it is determined whether or not all commands in the print job data have been completed (S215).
~ S235). If an interrupt request for a print job data cancel request is input from the PC 100, it is determined in S210 that the print job data processing state is the cancel state. In this case, the command in the print job data is interpreted, it is judged whether the command is completed without performing the process of generating the print data, and if the command is completed, the print job is not generated without generating the print queue. Processing for determining whether or not all commands in the data have been completed is performed (S
240-S250).

Then, while the command in the print job data is interpreted up to the end point, the generation of the print data corresponding to the end point of the print job data is stopped. Therefore, the printing up to the end point of the print job data for which the cancellation request is made is stopped. When all the commands of the print job data are completed, the print queue management module M3 determines whether the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state (S255). If it is not in the cancel state, it is determined whether or not the print data exists in the print queue. If the print data exists in the print queue, the print data is acquired, and the acquired print data is sent to the print engine 40 to print. It is determined that the job is completed (S2)
60-S270, S285). On the other hand, when the processing status of the print job data is the cancel status, it is determined whether the print data exists in the print queue. If the print data exists in the print queue, the cancel request is input. The print data corresponding to the end point of is deleted and it is determined that the print job is completed (S275).
~ S285). That is, even if the print data is generated from the print job data for which the cancel request is made, the print engine 40 does not obtain the print data corresponding to the print job to be canceled, and thus does not execute the printing.

In this embodiment, after S285, it is determined whether the print job data is in the cancel state, that is, whether the cancel flag is "1" (S405). If the cancel flag is not "1",
Since the received print job data is not in the canceled state, the process directly returns to S205. On the other hand, if the cancel flag is "1",
Substitute 0 "(end generation of cancellation status information)
Yes (S410). Further, a request for canceling the display of the cancel state is generated for the PDL management module M6 (S415), and the process returns to S205. Then, the PDL management module M6 causes the panel management module M5 to cancel the display of the cancel state on the liquid crystal display 51. As described above, since the printing up to the end position of the print job data for which the cancel request is made is stopped, it is possible to cancel the print job so that meaningless printing is not performed. As described above, by including the cancel request command in the print job data, the print job can be canceled from the host computer, which makes the printing apparatus more convenient. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus accepts the input of the print job data cancel request by the interrupt process, but the command of the print job data cancel request is interpreted at the time of command interpretation without performing the interrupt process. When this happens, printing up to the end of the print job data stored in the receive buffer may be stopped. Even in this case, the print job corresponding to the print job data already stored in the reception buffer can be canceled so that meaningless printing is not performed.

(5) Third Embodiment: When a plurality of host computers are connected to a printing apparatus via a network, it is desirable that print job data generated by another host computer is not deleted. The laser printer 10 uses the MIB information management module M7 to manage the MIB information that can identify each print job. The MIB information management module M7 assigns different job IDs (identification data) to the received print job data, generates MIB information serving as identification information for associating the job IDs with the print job data, and stores the predetermined MIB information in the RAM 23. To be stored in the memory area. Then, in response to a request from the PC 100, information that allows the print job data and the job ID to be uniquely associated with each other is transmitted to the PC 100. In order to uniquely associate the print job data with the job ID, various configurations can be adopted. For example, for each print job, information such as the user who generated the print job, the document name, and the APL is acquired. The PC 10 associates these information with the job ID.
It can be configured to send to 0.

In the PC 100, MIB information can be acquired by the MIB information management APL which is one of the APL 110 and displayed on the display. Figure 11 shows the MIB
This is an example of a display screen for managing a print job by the information management APL, and each parameter displayed on this screen is transmitted from the printer 10 to the MI by the MIB information management APL.
B information has been acquired. As shown in the figure, PC
100 displays the job ID, job name, status, and cancel button of each print job on the screen based on the acquired MIB information. The job name is composed of the user name that created each print job, its document name, and the created application program name. The job ID is the MIB information management module M7 as described above.
Has been acquired and is acquired by the PC 100 as MIB information.

Here, since the PC 100 transmits the print job data by including the user name in the job name, the job of the print job data transmitted by itself based on the user name included in the job name. Name is specified, and the cancel button is displayed only at the part corresponding to the specified job name. Then, when the cancel button is clicked with the mouse, a command meaning a request to cancel the print job data corresponding to the corresponding job name (hereinafter,
Send (Cancel command and description). At this time, P
The C100 user can easily specify the print job to be canceled by the job name. That is, the PC 100 can specify the print job data stored in the reception buffer 23a of the printer corresponding to the transmitted print job data based on the acquired MIB information. Then, it is possible to receive an input of a cancel request for the specified print job data and send a cancel command for the specified print job data.
For example, by including the job ID corresponding to the print job data targeted for the cancellation request in the command, the print job data targeted for the cancellation request can be specified by the printer 10. The PC 100 transmits a print job data cancel command to the laser printer 10 together with an interrupt request signal.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a series of interrupt processes performed by the printer 10 to which the above-described PC 100 is connected via the network.
This flow is started when an interrupt request is input from the PC 100. Note that the hardware configuration may be the same as that of the first embodiment, so description will be omitted. When the interrupt process is started, the MIB information management module M7 determines whether or not a cancel command has been received (S50).
5). When the cancel command is not received, other interrupt processing is performed by a flow not shown.

The MIB information management module M7 is connected to the PC 10
When the cancel command for the specified print job data is received from 0, "1" is substituted for the cancel flag (cancel status information is generated) (S510). In the present embodiment, it is necessary to stop printing up to the end point of the print job data only for the print job data that is the target of the cancel request. Therefore, the MIB information management module M7 causes the information corresponding to the print job data for which the cancellation request is made to be “cancel” for the status item included in the MIB information.
It is corrected to (intention to cancel) (S515), and this flow ends. As described above, in this flow, it is possible to accept the input of the cancel request for any of the plurality of print job data, and when the cancel command for the print job data specified by the PC 100 is received, the print job for the specified print job data is received. Cancellation status information that means cancellation of data will be generated.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of the print control processing. In this flow, 605 to S635 are added to S205 to S285 of the first embodiment. The processing not shown will be described with reference to FIG. 7. First, it is determined whether print job data has been received (S205). When print job data has not been received, the process proceeds to S255 in FIG. When the print job data is received, the MIB information management module M7 gives different job IDs to the received print job data (S605). In addition, M that associates the same job ID with print job data
IB information is generated and stored in the RAM 23 (S61
0). The MIB information includes the job I shown in FIG.
In addition to D, the job name, and the status, information such as the start address of print job data in the RAM 23 is also stored in association with the job ID.

After that, whether or not there is print job data in the canceled state, that is, the cancel flag is "1".
Or not (S210). If there is no print job data in the canceled state, interpret the command in the print job data, generate print data based on the interpretation result of the command, judge whether the command is finished, and finish the command. If so, a print queue is generated, and processing for determining whether or not all commands in the print job data have been completed is performed (S215 to S235).

When a print job data cancel request interrupt request is input from the PC 100, it is determined in S210 that there is print job data in a cancel state.
In this case, referring to the MIB information stored in the RAM 23, it is determined whether or not the print job data whose processing is currently started is the target of the cancel request (S615). As described above, the MIB information stores the information that associates the job ID with the start address of the print job data. Therefore, the determination process of S615 is, for example, that the start address of the print job data that has started the current process is the cancel request. This can be performed by determining whether or not the start address of the print job data corresponding to the job ID included in the command matches. If the print job data is not the target of the cancel request, print data is generated in S21.
The processing of 5 to S235 is performed.

On the other hand, when the print job data that has started the current process is the target of the cancel request, it is determined whether the command in the print job data is interpreted and the command is terminated without performing the process of generating the print data. If it is determined that the command has been completed, a process for determining whether all commands in the print job data have been completed without generating a print queue (S240 to S250). That is, PC1
When the cancel status information, which means cancel of the print job data specified by 00, is generated, the print job data corresponding to the cancel request whose input is accepted is specified from the plurality of print job data, and the specified print is performed. Printing up to the end of job data can be stopped.

When all the commands of the print job data are completed, the print queue management module M3 determines whether the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state (S255). If it is not in the cancel state, it is determined whether or not the print data exists in the print queue. If the print data exists in the print queue, the print data is acquired, and the acquired print data is sent to the print engine 40 to print. It is determined that the job is completed (S260 to S270, S28).
5). When the processing state of the print job data is the cancel state, the MIB information stored in the RAM 23 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the print job data currently processed is the target of the cancel request (S620). Also in this judgment processing, it is judged by referring to the MIB information whether or not the start address of the print job data currently processed is the same as the start address of the print job data corresponding to the job ID included in the command of the cancel request. It can be done by If the print job data is not the target of the cancel request, the print data is sent to the print engine 40 and it is determined that the print job is finished S260 to S27.
0, the process of S285 is performed.

On the other hand, when the currently processed print job data is the object of the cancel request, it is judged whether the print data exists in the print queue. If the print data exists in the print queue, the cancel request is issued. The print data corresponding to the end portion of the input print job data is deleted, and it is determined that the print job is finished (S275 to S275).
285). That is, even if the print data is generated from the print job data specified as the print job data corresponding to the cancel request from the plurality of print job data, the print engine 40 does not execute the printing.

In this embodiment, after S285 ends, the MIB
The information management module M7 corrects information corresponding to the completed print job from the MIB information, for example, the job ID, job name, status, start address of print job data, and the like (S625). Next, whether or not the print job data is in the cancel state, that is,
It is determined whether or not the cancel flag is "1" (S
630). If the cancel flag is not "1", the received print job data is not in the cancel state, and therefore the process directly returns to S205. When the cancel flag is “1”, the MIB information is referred to and it is determined whether or not “cancel” is present in the status of the MIB information (S635). The status of MIB information is "ca
ncel "does not exist, the above S205 to S2
85, since there is no print job to be canceled other than the print job whose printing has been stopped in S605 to S630, "0" is assigned to the cancel flag (end of generation of cancel status information) (S640), and the process returns to S205. . On the other hand, the status of MIB information shows "cance
If "1" exists, the cancel flag remains "1" and the generation of the cancel status information is not ended, and the process returns to S205.

As described above, the print job data corresponding to the cancel request can be easily specified by referring to the MIB information, and only the print job data for which the cancel request is made ends the end portion of the print job data. Since the printing up to is canceled, it is possible to cancel the desired print job so that meaningless printing is not performed. Further, since the print job can be selected and canceled from the host computer via the network, this printing apparatus is convenient. As described above, according to the present invention, according to various aspects, a printing apparatus capable of canceling a print job so that meaningless printing is not performed, a print control program, and a medium recording the print control program are provided. Can be provided.
It can also be applied as a print control method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a laser printer.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operation panel as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control program.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of various means of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of print job data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing status generation processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state of print job data temporarily stored in a reception buffer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process performed by the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing performed by the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for managing print jobs on a PC.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process performed by the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing performed by a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a state of print job data temporarily stored in a reception buffer in a conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Laser printer 20 ... Control unit 21 ... CPU 22 ... Memory controller 23 ... RAM 23a ... Receive buffer 24 ... ROM 25 ... Communication interface 26 ... Video interface 27 ... IDE interface 30 ... Hard disk drive 40 ... Print engine 50 ... Operation panel 51 ... Liquid crystal display 52 ... Cancel switch 100 ... Personal computer M1 ... PDL module M2 ... Job judgment module M3 ... Print queue management module M4 ... Engine management module M5 ... Panel management module M6 ... PDL management module M7 ... MIB information management module P ... Print control program U1 ... Job receiving means U2 ... Print data generating means U3 ... Printing means U4 ... Status generation means U41 ... Operation input means U42 ... Status display means U5 ... Print stop means

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A job receiving unit having a predetermined storage area, which receives print job data constituting a print job from a connected host computer and stores the print job data in the same storage area; and printing stored in the storage area. Print data generation means for interpreting a command in the job data to generate print data for executing printing; printing means for acquiring the generated print data and executing printing on a print medium; A status generation unit capable of accepting an input of a cancel request of job data, and generating a cancel status information meaning that the processing state of the print job data is a cancel state when the input of the cancel request is accepted, When the cancellation status information is generated, the print job data stored in the storage area is stored. Printing apparatus characterized by comprising a print stop means for stopping the printing to the end portion of the motor. 2. The print canceling means, when the cancel status information is generated, interprets the command in the print job data stored in the storage area up to the end position of the print job data and generates the print data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means is caused to stop the generation of the print data corresponding to the end point of the print job data. 3. The print canceling means deletes the print data corresponding to the end position of the print job data when the cancel status information is generated. The printing device according to any one of 1. 4. The status generation means has an operation input means capable of inputting an operation for the cancel request,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cancellation status information is generated when the operation input unit receives an operation input of the cancellation request. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation input unit is a switch provided on an operation panel through which various settings of the printing apparatus can be input. 6. The status generation means has status display means capable of displaying the cancellation status information, and the operation input means and the status display means are the same operation capable of inputting various settings of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus is provided on a panel. 7. The command in the print job data can include the cancel request, and the status generation means is operable when the command interpreted by the print data generation means is the cancel request. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cancel status information is generated. 8. The job receiving means assigns different identification data to each received print job data, generates identification information for associating the identification data with the print job data, and stores the identification information in the storage area. The status generation means can accept an input of a cancel request of any of the plurality of print job data, and the print stop means refers to the identification information from the storage area and inputs the status by the status generation means. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print job data corresponding to the cancel request received by is specified, and the printing up to the end point of the specified print job data is stopped. 9. The host computer is connected to the printing apparatus via a network, and the MIB of the printing apparatus is connected.
It is possible to specify the print job data stored in the storage area corresponding to the transmitted print job data based on the acquired MIB information, and to accept the input of the cancel request for the specified print job data. It is possible to transmit a command meaning a cancel request of the specified print job data, and the status generation means can receive a command meaning the cancel request, and a command meaning the cancel request. When receiving the cancel status information that means cancellation of the specified print job data, the print canceling means generates cancellation status information that means cancellation of the specified print job data. , The above printing based on the specified print job data The printing apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that stops the execution of the print to the body. 10. A job receiving step of receiving print job data constituting a print job from a connected host computer and storing the print job data in a predetermined storage area, and interpreting commands in the print job data stored in the storage area. Then, the print data generating step of acquiring the print data and executing the print on the print medium to generate the print data for causing the print means to perform the print, and the input of the cancel request of the print job data can be accepted. When the input of the cancellation request is accepted, a status generation step of generating cancellation status information that means that the processing state of the print job data is in the canceled state, and when the cancellation status information is generated, Stop printing until the end of the print job data stored in the storage area A print control method, comprising: 11. A job receiving function for receiving print job data forming a print job from a connected host computer and storing the print job data in a predetermined storage area, and interpreting a command in the print job data stored in the storage area. Then, the print data generation function that acquires the print data and generates the same print data for causing the printing unit that executes the print on the print medium to perform the print, and the input of the cancel request of the print job data can be accepted. When the input of the cancellation request is accepted, the status generation function that generates the cancellation status information that means that the processing status of the print job data is the cancellation status, and the cancellation status information is generated, Stop printing until the end of the print job data stored in the storage area A print control program for causing a computer to realize a print cancel function. 12. A job receiving function for receiving print job data forming a print job from a connected host computer and storing the print job data in a predetermined storage area, and interpreting a command in the print job data stored in the storage area. Then, the print data generation function that acquires the print data and generates the same print data for causing the printing unit that executes the print on the print medium to perform the print, and the input of the cancel request of the print job data can be accepted. When the input of the cancellation request is accepted, the status generation function that generates the cancellation status information that means that the processing status of the print job data is the cancellation status, and the cancellation status information is generated, Stop printing until the end of the print job data stored in the storage area A medium having a print control program recorded thereon, which allows a computer to realize a print cancel function.