JP3320709B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which can arbitrarily set one or a plurality of setting items related to a printing process for printing data received from an external device. It relates to the one that can prohibit the change of contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the progress of office automation in companies and the like, a plurality of document processing apparatuses such as personal computers and workstations have been introduced, and these computers and the like have been connected as the same network as a network system by the same cable. In order to print various data output from the plurality of computers, one or several printers are incorporated in this network. By the way, a laser printer or the like capable of high-quality and high-speed printing is often used as this printer, and the laser printer or the like receives serial data or parallel data transmitted from a plurality of external devices such as a computer. For this purpose, at least one interface for serial data and one interface for parallel data are provided.

Accordingly, since a printing apparatus such as a laser printer realizes many functions through complicated control, a mode for setting an interface used for data reception, a setting mode for a communication protocol, There are a type provided with a plurality of operation modes for setting a plurality of setting items, such as a setting mode of a paper size and a paper size, and a type provided with a hierarchical structure of these operation modes. Even so, the operator sets the setting contents of the setting items while sequentially selecting a desired operation mode from those operation modes. In addition, the operator can arbitrarily change the settings of the plurality of setting items each time according to the connected external device.

[0004]

The setting contents of the setting items in each operation mode in the conventional printing apparatus can be arbitrarily changed each time by an operator. If items other than the dedicated operator, such as baud rate, flow control, and the type of code used for transfer, are changed without permission, data cannot be received. Therefore, there is a problem that the work efficiency of data reception from the external device is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of setting a prohibition mode in which setting data of a setting item cannot be changed.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which receives document data and / or image data from an external device and prints the data on a recording medium. In a printing apparatus configured to be able to set one or a plurality of setting items related to a printing process for printing image data, a setting content storage unit for storing setting contents corresponding to the setting items, and the setting content storage unit Control means for controlling the printing process based on the setting content stored in the storage device; setting content changing means for changing the setting content for controlling the printing process by the control means; and Permission / prohibition setting means for setting a permission mode for permitting change of the setting contents and a prohibition mode for prohibiting change of the setting contents, and a display means for displaying characters and symbols. When, wherein the control means, when the prohibition mode is set by the permission prohibition setting section,
The setting means for prohibiting the change of the setting content and maintaining the setting content before prohibition, and after setting the prohibition mode, displaying a predetermined message informing that the mode is the prohibition mode in response to the operation of the setting content changing means. Is displayed.

In the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting content for controlling the printing process by the control means is stored in the setting content storing means, and the setting content for controlling the printing process is the setting content. It is changed by the content changing means. The control means controls the printing process based on the setting content stored in the setting content storage means. When the prohibition mode is set by the permission prohibition setting means, the control means prohibits the change of the setting contents and maintains the setting contents before the prohibition. Further, after the prohibition mode is set, the control unit, in accordance with the operation of the setting content changing unit,
A predetermined message notifying that the mode is the inhibition mode is displayed on the display means. In this way, when the permission mode is set by the permission / prohibition setting means when the setting content is changed by the setting content changing means, the setting content can be changed, but the prohibition mode is set by the permission / prohibition setting means. In this case, the setting contents cannot be changed, the setting contents before the prohibition are maintained, and a predetermined message notifying that the mode is the prohibition mode is displayed on the display means.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the permission / prohibition setting means changes the permission mode or the prohibition mode according to the change to the permission mode or the prohibition mode by the setting content changing means. Is set.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the permission / prohibition setting means sets the permission mode or the prohibition mode in accordance with the change to the permission mode or the prohibition mode by the setting content changing means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the permission / prohibition setting means sets the permission mode or the prohibition mode in accordance with the permission mode data or the prohibition mode data input from an external device. It is characterized by setting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the permission / prohibition setting unit sets the permission mode or the prohibition mode in accordance with the permission mode data or the prohibition mode data input from the external device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus.
The printing apparatus according to any one of the above, further comprising, among the plurality of setting items, setting items whose setting contents can be changed by the setting contents changing means even after the prohibition mode is set.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the setting content of a specific setting item among the plurality of setting items is set after a prohibition mode is set. Can also be changed by the setting content changing means.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, for example, the present invention is applied to a laser printer (so-called laser facsimile) that receives and prints document data and image data from an external storage device such as a host computer. As shown in FIG. 1, a switch panel SP of the laser printer P includes a liquid crystal display 10 capable of displaying katakana, numbers and symbols for a plurality of characters, and selection and setting of a plurality of operation modes provided in the laser printer P. A mode key 11 for changing the contents, a set key 12 for fixing the set contents, an up-moving key 13 and a down-moving key for sequentially switching the first and second operation modes and the set contents and displaying them on the display 10 14 and the like are provided. Although not shown, an online key and other various function keys necessary for print output are provided. However, in the present embodiment, the key 13 is
3. The key 14 is abbreviated as the ↓ key 14.

Next, the operation mode of the hierarchical structure provided in the laser printer will be described with reference to FIG.
When the mode key 11 is operated, the operation mode can be set. First, the operation mode name “interface mode” at the top of the first level (1K) is displayed, and the ↓ key 14
Each time is operated, the lock mode that sets the permission mode that can change the setting content of the setting item or the prohibition mode that cannot change the setting item, the “indimy print mode” that sets the number of prints, and the setting that sets the print direction Inge Hawk Mode "
The names of the first operation modes in the first hierarchy are sequentially displayed. On the other hand, the second level (2
K), “Centronics”, “RS-
232C "and three" auto-interfaces "for automatically switching the interface between" Centronics "and" RS-232C ".

Further, the third layer (3) of "RS-232C"
K), “baud rate”, “code type”, “parity”, and “flow control” are provided as setting items related to the communication protocol. Each of these setting items can set arbitrary setting data. In the third layer of the “auto interface”, a setting item “timeout” for setting a standby time when switching between “centronics” and “RS-232C”, and an item “RS-
232C ". In addition, the “Inge Hawk mode” is provided with two setting items “Inge Hawk = vertical” and “Inge Hawk = horizontal”.
As the other first hierarchical operation modes, “paper size mode” and “font mode” are provided, but they are omitted for convenience of explanation.

Next, the control system of the laser printer P is shown in FIG.
Is configured as shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. The control unit 20 of the laser printer P is provided, and the mode key 11, the set key 12,
3. The ↓ key 14 is connected to the microcomputer 25 of the control unit 20 and the microcomputer 2
5 outputs a display drive signal to the display 10, and the control unit 20 also controls the drive of the laser print mechanism 30 of the laser printer P.

The hardware configuration of the control unit 20 is the same as that of a general laser facsimile apparatus.
Centronics or RS-232 for receiving data from an external device such as a personal computer via L2
A microcomputer 25 is provided in addition to the C interface, the video control circuit and the DC controller circuit dedicated to the laser print mechanism 30, and the microcomputer 25 includes a CPU 26, a ROM 2
7 and a RAM 28, and at least a display controller, an input / output interface, a plurality of drive circuits, and the like.
A control program for a mode setting control specific to the present application, which will be described later, is stored in advance, and the plurality of first operation mode names, second operation mode names, name data of setting item names, and corresponding to each of these setting item names. A plurality of setting data are stored.

Further, the RAM 28 is provided with a data memory for storing data of various setting contents corresponding to each of the setting item names. However, the data of the setting contents stored in the data memory sequentially indicates, for each layer, a pointer value 1KP of the first layer pointer that sequentially indicates the operation mode of the first layer and the operation mode of the second layer. The second layer pointer value 2KP of the second layer pointer and the third layer pointer value 3KP of the third layer pointer sequentially designating the setting items of the third layer are identified and stored.

Next, a routine for setting content setting control performed by the microcomputer 25 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the mode key 11 is operated, this control is started. First, "interface mode" is displayed on the display 10 as the first first operation mode (S10), and the first operation mode number (for example, , “1”) are set (S11). Next, when the ↓ key 14 is operated to select the next operation mode (S12 · S
13: Yes), the first layer pointer value 1KP is incremented by one (S14), the next first layer operation mode name is displayed on the display 10 (S15), and the process returns to S12. When the ↑ key 13 is operated (S12:
(Yes, S13: No, S16: Yes), the first layer pointer value 1KP is decremented by one (S17), the previous first layer operation mode name is displayed on the display 10 (S18), and the process returns to S12.

On the other hand, when the set key 12 is operated (S12: Yes, S13 / S16: No, S19:
Yes), it is determined based on the first layer pointer value 1KP. That is, when the first layer pointer value 1KP is in the "interface mode", the interface type setting process (S21) is executed, and the process returns to S10. Also, the first
When the layer pointer value 1KP is in the “rough mode”,
A lock state setting process (S22) is executed, and this control ends. When the first-layer pointer value 1KP is in the "number-of-prints mode", the number-of-prints setting process (S23) is executed, and this control ends. When the first layer pointer value 1KP is in the "print direction mode", a print direction setting process (S24) is executed, and this control ends.

First, a lock state setting process control routine executed by selecting and setting the lock mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the lock mode is a mode for setting whether to permit or prohibit the change of the setting contents of a plurality of setting items in the interface mode other than the print number mode and the print direction mode, the paper size mode, and the like. When this control is started, the current lock mode is displayed on the display 10 based on the flag data of the lock flag LF indicating the lock state stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 28.
(S110), and the operation mode number SN of the two layers is set to the second layer pointer value 2KP (S111).

When the ↓ key 14 is operated (S112 / S113: Yes), the second layer pointer value 2KP is incremented by one (S114), and the operation mode name of the next second layer 2K is displayed ( S115), S
Return to 112. For example, the flag data of the lock flag LF is “0”, and “lock = off” is displayed on the display 1.
When it is displayed as 0, as shown in FIG. 12, "lock = on" indicating the prohibition mode is displayed. Also,
When the key 13 is operated (S112: Yes,
(S113: No, S116: Yes), the second layer pointer value 2KP is decremented by one (S117), and the operation mode name of the previous second layer 2K is displayed (S118).
It returns to S112. For example, when the flag data of the lock flag LF is “1” and “lock = on” is displayed on the display 10, “lock = off” indicating the permission mode is displayed.

When the set key 12 is operated (S112: Yes, S113 / S116: No,
S119: Yes), the flag data of the lock flag LF is rewritten and stored in the set data lock mode indicating a new lock state based on the second layer pointer value 2KP (S120), and in order to notify the completion of the setting, "*" Is additionally displayed on the display 10 in addition to the display of the newly set lock mode name (S121), and this control ends and the setting content setting control ends. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, "Lock = On *" is displayed when "Lock = On" indicating the prohibition mode, and "Lock = Off *" is displayed when "Lock = Off" indicating the permission mode. Is done.

Next, the routine of the interface type setting process control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When this control is started, first, based on the first layer pointer value 1KP and the second layer pointer value 2KP,
The data of the interface name that has already been set is read from the predetermined storage area of the RAM 28, the interface name is displayed (S30), and the second layer pointer value 2K is displayed.
The number SN of the operation mode name of the interface name in the second hierarchy 2K is set to P in the second hierarchy pointer value 2KP (S31). And S112 to S11
8, each time the ↓ key 14 or the ↑ key 13 is operated, the operation mode name of the next second hierarchy or the operation mode name of the previous second hierarchy is sequentially displayed (S32 to S38), and S3 is performed.
Return to 2. That is, by operating the ↓ key 14, “Centronics” → “RS-232C” → “auto interface” is sequentially displayed, and by operating the ↑ key 13, the display is sequentially performed in the reverse order.

Next, when the set key 12 is operated (S32: Yes, S33 / S36: No, S39: Y
es), when the lock flag LF is not set (S40: No), the interface name newly set based on the second layer pointer value 2KP is stored in the RAM 28 (S41), and further added to the interface name. "*" Is additionally displayed (S42), and the routine goes to S44. However, when the lock flag LF is set (S40: Yes), a message "change prohibition" indicating that the mode is the prohibition mode is displayed on the display 10 for about one second (S43), and the process proceeds to S44. For example,
When “RS-232C” is newly set and the permission mode is set, as shown in FIG.
“RS-232C *” is displayed on the display 10. On the other hand, when the prohibition mode is set,
As shown in FIG. 4, a message “change prohibited” is displayed on the display 10.

Next, in step S44, the second layer pointer value 2KP is searched. When the pointer value 2KP indicates "Centronics", the control is terminated and the process returns to step S10 of the setting content setting control. However, when the pointer value 2KP indicates "RS-232C", the communication protocol setting process control (see FIG. 6) is executed (S45), and the pointer value 2KP indicates "auto interface". Is set, the setting processing control such as the communication protocol (see FIG. 8) is executed (S4).
6).

Next, a description will be given of the setting processing control of the communication protocol. First, based on the first layer pointer value 1KP and the second layer pointer value 2KP, the third layer pointer value 3
The first item number is set in KP (S50), and the item name of the first item and its setting content, that is, "baud rate = n" are displayed on the display 10 (S51). Here, n is the transfer speed set previously. Next, from S32
In substantially the same manner as in S38, every time the ↓ key 14 is operated, the third hierarchy pointer value 3KP is incremented,
The item names of the next third layer 3K and the setting contents are sequentially displayed. Each time the @ key 13 is operated, the pointer value 3K is displayed.
P is decremented, and the item names of the previous third hierarchy 3K and the setting contents are sequentially displayed (S52 to S5).
8) Return to S52.

When the set key 12 is operated (S52: Yes, S53 / S56: No, S59:
If the item name indicated by the third-layer pointer value 3KP is “EXIT” (S60: Yes), the control is terminated and the process returns to S10 of the setting content setting control. However, when the item name indicated by the third layer pointer value 3KP is other than “EXIT” (S60: No), the item content setting process (see FIG. 7) is executed (S61).
This control is started, and every time the ↓ key 14 is operated, the next item contents related to the currently displayed communication protocol item are sequentially displayed (S71 to S72), and the process returns to S71. Every time the @ key 13 is operated, the contents of the previous item are sequentially displayed (S73 to S74), and the process returns to S71.

When the set key 12 is operated (S70: Yes, S71 / S73: No, S75:
When the lock flag LF is not set (S76: No), the setting contents of the newly set communication protocol item are stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 28 (S77), and the item name and item contents are further set. In addition to"*"
Is additionally displayed (S78), and the routine goes to S80. However, when the lock flag LF is set (S
76: Yes), the message "change prohibited" is displayed on the display 10 for about one second (S79), and the routine goes to S80. For example, when the setting content “9600” of the communication protocol item name “baud rate” is newly set and the permission mode is set, “baud rate = 9600 *” is displayed on the display 10 as shown in FIG. You.
On the other hand, when the prohibition mode is set, as shown in FIG.
Displayed as 0.

Next, the third layer pointer value 3KP is incremented by one (S80), and when the pointer value 3KP does not indicate the item name "EXIT" (S8).
1: No), the next third layer item name (communications protocol item name) and its item contents are displayed (S82), and the steps from S71 are executed to set the contents for the next communication protocol item. That is, for example, when the first communication protocol item name is “baud rate”, “baud rate” → “code type” →
"Parity" → "Flow control" → "EXIT"
Are sequentially displayed in this order, and the item contents of these item names are set. Then, the pointer value 3KP is "E
XIT "(S81: Yes),
This control ends, and the process returns to S10 of the setting content setting control.

Next, a description will be given of the setting control of the communication protocol and the like. First, based on the first layer pointer value 1KP and the second layer pointer value 2KP, the third layer pointer value 3KP is set.
The first item number is set in P (S90), and the item name "timeout" of the first item is displayed on the display 10 (S91). Next, substantially in the same manner as in S112 to S118, when the ↓ key 14 is operated (S92 / S9
3: Yes), the third layer pointer value 3KP is incremented by one (S94), and the item name of the next third layer 3K is displayed (S95), and the process returns to S92. In addition, key 13
Is operated (S92: Yes, S93: N
o, S96: Yes), the pointer value 3KP is decremented by one (S97), the item name of the previous third hierarchy 3K is displayed (S98), and the process returns to S92. That is, two items “timeout” and “RS-232C” are sequentially selected.

When the set key 12 is operated (S92: Yes, S93 / S96: No, S99:
Yes), pointer value 3KP is item name "timeout"
(S100: Yes), the setting content, that is, "timeout = tS" is displayed on the display 1.
0 is displayed (S101). Here, t is the timeout time set previously. Next, a setting process for setting the timeout time is executed (S102). That is, in this setting process control, every time the ↓ key 14 is operated, the set time is displayed in increments of one second, such as “0” → “1” → “2” →. Each time the ↑ key 13 is operated, the set time is reduced and displayed in the reverse order. When the set key 12 is operated and the prohibition mode is set, a message “change prohibited” is displayed, When the permission mode is set, the set timeout time t is newly stored.

Next, the item name "RS-232C" is displayed, and the item contents are set for the communication protocol item. The item name of the second layer 2K in the first mode "interface mode" of the first layer 1K is set. "RS-232C"
Therefore, the first mode number is set in the first layer pointer value 1KP and the second item number is set in the second layer pointer value 2KP (S103), and the setting process control of the communication protocol (see FIG. 6) is performed. The control is executed (S104), the control is terminated, and the process returns to S10 of the setting content setting control. On the other hand, when the set key 12 is operated, the pointer value 3KP
Indicates "RS-232C" (S10
0: No), and after executing S103 to S104, similarly returns to S10 of the setting content setting control.

Next, the print number setting process control (see FIG. 10) executed when the "print number mode" is selected and set as the first operation mode will be described. First, "indice-m = m" is displayed on the display 10. (S13
0). Here, m is the number of prints set last time. Then, every time the ↓ key 14 is operated, the number of prints becomes “0” →
(1) → “2” →... Are displayed in increments of one sheet (S132 to S133), and each time the ↑ key 13 is operated, the number of printed sheets decreases in the reverse order. It is displayed (S134 to S135). When the set key 12 is operated (S131: Yes, S132 · S
134: No, S136: Yes), the newly set number of prints is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 28 (S137), and "*" is additionally displayed (S13).
8) End this control and end the mode display / setting control.

Next, a description will be given of the print direction setting process control (see FIG. 11) executed when the "print direction mode" is selected. First, "Inge Hawk = D" is displayed on the display 10 (S130). Here, D is the printing direction set last time. Next, S112 to S118
Each time the ↓ key 14 or the ↑ key 13 is operated, the item name of the next second layer 2K or the previous second layer 2K
Are sequentially displayed (S142 to S148), and S1
Return to 42. That is, by operating the ↓ key 14, the display is changed from “injihoko = vertical” to “injihoko = horizontal”, and by operating the ↑ key 13, the display is changed from “injihoko = horizontal” → “injihoko = vertical”.

When the set key 12 is operated (S142: Yes, S143 / S146: No,
S149: Yes), the newly set print direction is RA
This is stored in the predetermined storage area of M28 (S150), and “*” is additionally displayed (S151), and this control is ended and the setting content setting control is ended.

As described above, the lock mode in which the permission mode or the prohibition mode can be set is provided, and the second operation mode such as “Centronics” or “RS-232C” and the item names included in these second operation modes are set. When the setting mode is changed, if the prohibition mode that prohibits the change is set, these settings cannot be changed, so document data and image data are received from an external device and printed. At the time of the receiving operation, the setting data of the setting item is always set to predetermined valid data without being changed by another operator without permission, and the work efficiency of the receiving operation can be improved.

Further, when the setting content of the item name is changed while the prohibition mode is set, a message "change prohibition" notifying that the mode is the prohibition mode is displayed on the display 10, so the user tries to change it. The operator can know the reason why the setting data cannot be changed. In the laser printer P of this embodiment, the lock mode is set on the switch panel SP.
The lock mode may be set by outputting a command indicating that from the external device.

Note that when the prohibition mode is set, the prohibition target item name whose item contents cannot be changed can be arbitrarily set. Of course, the present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses such as a personal computer capable of transmitting document data and image data to an external device. Further, the present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses having a plurality of operation modes that do not have a hierarchical structure.

[0041]

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the printing apparatus of the first aspect, the control unit that controls the printing process based on the setting content stored in the setting content storage unit controls the printing process when the prohibition mode is set by the permission prohibition setting unit. Since the change of the setting contents for prohibiting the setting is prohibited and the setting contents before the prohibition are maintained, the setting contents of the setting items cannot be changed by the setting contents changing means, and the setting contents may be changed by another operator. When performing a print process for printing document data and / or image data on a recording medium without being changed without permission, the setting contents of the setting items are always set to predetermined valid contents, and The work efficiency of the printing process can be improved. Further, after the prohibition mode is set, the control means displays a predetermined message indicating that the mode is the prohibition mode on the display means in response to the operation of the setting content changing means by the operator. You can find out why the settings cannot be changed.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained. In addition, the operator changes the mode to the permission mode or the prohibition mode by the setting content changing means, and sets the permission mode or the prohibition mode. A prohibition mode can be set.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained, and the operator can transmit the permission mode data or the prohibition mode data from the external device to thereby permit the permission mode or the prohibition mode. Mode can be set.

According to the printing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the first to fourth aspects are as follows.
In any one of the third aspect, the operator can change the setting content of the specific setting item by the setting content changing unit even after the prohibition mode is set.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a switch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a hierarchical structure of a plurality of modes.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the laser printer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of setting content setting control.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of interface type setting processing control;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of control processing for setting a communication protocol.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of an item content setting process control.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of control processing for setting a communication protocol and the like;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of lock state setting processing control.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of print number setting processing control.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of print direction setting processing control.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example in which a change prohibition mode is set.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example in which the type of interface is newly set.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a message when a change prohibition mode is set.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of item contents regarding a communication protocol item.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P Racer printer 10 Liquid crystal display 11 Mode key 12 Set key 13 Up key 14 Down key 25 Microcomputer 26 CPU 27 ROM 28 RAM SP Switch panel

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/00 B41J 29/42 B41J 29/38 G06F 3/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for receiving document data and / or image data from an external device and printing the same on a recording medium, wherein the printing apparatus includes one or more printers related to a printing process for printing the document data and / or image data. In a printing apparatus configured to be capable of setting a setting item, a setting content storage unit that stores setting content corresponding to the setting item, and controlling the printing process based on the setting content stored in the setting content storage unit. Control means for changing the setting contents for controlling the printing process, the setting means for changing the setting contents by the setting means, and a permission mode for permitting the setting contents to be changed by the setting contents changing means. A permission / prohibition setting means for setting a prohibition mode for prohibiting the change; and a display means for displaying characters and symbols. When the prohibition mode is set by the setting means, the change of the setting contents is prohibited and the setting contents before the prohibition are maintained, and after the prohibition mode is set, the prohibition mode is set according to the operation of the setting content changing means. A printing apparatus characterized by displaying a predetermined message notifying that the message is present on the display means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permission / prohibition setting unit sets the permission mode or the prohibition mode in accordance with the change to the permission mode or the prohibition mode by the setting content changing unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permission / prohibition setting unit sets the permission mode or the prohibition mode according to the permission mode data or the prohibition mode data input from an external device. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, among the plurality of setting items, setting items whose setting contents can be changed by the setting contents changing means even after a prohibition mode is set. A printing device according to claim 1.