JP4507626B2 - Image output device, control device, and image output system using them - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output device such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a composite machine using the electrophotographic method or the inkjet method, a control device for controlling the image output device, and an image output system using the image output device. The present invention relates to an image output device capable of flexibly stopping an output operation of an output device according to a user's request, a control device for controlling the image output device, and an image output system using these.

JP-A-5-77525 JP-A-10-58788

  Conventionally, in an image output apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a complex machine using this type of electrophotographic method or inkjet method, a user selects a document to be printed, and the type and size of the recording paper. Or, specify the number of copies to be printed and page specification, and also specify the number of pages and whether or not to add a page, and after starting the printing operation, the input error of the number of copies to be printed or the range specification of the page to be printed There are cases where the user wishes to cancel the printing operation midway.

  In view of this, in the image output apparatus, as a technique that enables the user to cancel the printing operation, for example, those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 5-77525 and 10-58788 have already been proposed. Yes.

  The printer with a cancel function according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-77525 is connected to a host device, forms an image according to print data and a control command sent from the host device, transfers it to a printer engine, and outputs a print image. Means for instructing cancellation of the printing operation during the printing operation, means for stopping the feeding of new print paper when receiving the cancellation instruction, and in the device when receiving the cancellation instruction And a means for clearing all remaining print data.

  In addition, the printer according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-58788 starts a print job in response to a received data stream in a printer having a first canceling unit for canceling a print job currently being processed. And a print job control means for finishing, and an image generation means for processing a print command included in a data stream received from the start to the end of the print job to generate image data necessary for printing. When the print job control unit receives a cancel request from the first cancel unit between the start and end of the one print job, the subsequent print is canceled until the end of the print job. Is.

  However, the conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the case of the techniques disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-77525 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-58788, both are configured so as to simply cancel the print operation. When the provided controller has already sent a print request to the printer engine, it stops feeding new print paper and clears all print data to simply cancel the print operation. It is configured.

  However, depending on the user, post-processing such as stapling may be performed after performing the print operation. If the print operation is canceled with only the remaining pages 1 and 2, all print outputs must be completed. May wish.

  However, in the case of the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-77525 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-58788, the printing operation is simply canceled, and printing is performed from the controller side to the printer engine. After making the request, it is unclear which paper can be used to stop the printing operation even if the printing operation is canceled at that time. Therefore, the user has to make a cancel request with a margin, and even if the cancel request for the print operation is issued, the print operation cannot always be canceled by the method desired by the user. Had problems.

  To explain further, as shown in FIG. 14, considering the case where the controller instructs the printer engine to print a plurality of jobs consisting of a plurality of documents, the printing operation is processed in order from the head of the arrow. Become. At this time, if the user issues a request for canceling (stopping) the printing operation at a desired timing, the printing operation has already started for the first sheet, and the printing operation can be performed to the extent of the half-dotted sheet. It is unclear whether the print operation will be stopped after execution. In the above example, for example, it is ideal to stop the printing operation at the position of the arrow 1 among the positions indicated by the arrows 1 to 3, but the printing operation is temporarily stopped at the position of the arrow 1. If this is not possible, instead of stopping at the position of the arrow 2 in the middle of the second document, a user who wishes to stop the printing operation at the position of the arrow 3 after printing a series of documents. However, there was a problem that such a request could not be met. In addition, some users may wish to stop the printing operation as soon as possible, but there is a problem that the user's request cannot be flexibly met.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is that the user desires to stop the printing operation after instructing the printing operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus capable of stopping a printing operation by a stop method or stop timing and improving convenience in response to a user's request, and an image output system using the same.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an image output apparatus capable of stopping a specified image output operation by at least one of a stop method or a stop timing specified by a user.
An acquisition means for acquiring from the outside at least one of a stop method or a stop timing for stopping the image output operation of the image output device;
E Bei and a control unit for controlling to stop the image output operation at least one of the stop process or stop timing acquired by the acquisition means,
The stop method can be selected from a plurality of stop methods, and priorities can be set for the plurality of stop methods, and a plurality of stop methods can be externally set by the acquisition means for the first image output operation. In the image output apparatus, the stop method is selected based on a preset priority .

Furthermore, the invention described in claim 2 is, as the plurality of stopping methods, an operation of stopping after outputting an image that has already received an output request, and an operation of stopping at a desired position of an image that has already received an output request. For the paper for which output processing has been started, the operation for stopping and stopping all image output, and for the paper for which output processing has been started, the operation for discharging and stopping all the paper, and as quickly as possible. The image output apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least two or more of the operations to be stopped are included.

Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3, the image output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a judging means for judging whether it is possible to stop at the stop timing acquired by the acquisition means It is.

Also, claims The invention described in claim 4, wherein the determination unit, when it is determined not to be stopped at the stop time acquired by the acquisition means, characterized in that to continue the output operation of the image The image output apparatus according to 3 .

According to the invention described in claim 5 , the stop timing can be selected from a plurality of stop timings, and priorities can be set for the plurality of stop timings. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of stop timings for operation are acquired from the outside by the acquisition unit, the stop timing is selected based on a preset priority .

According to the present invention, when it is desired to stop the printing operation after instructing the printing operation, the printing operation can be stopped by the stopping method or the stop timing desired by the user. the image output apparatus having improved, and it is possible to provide an image output system using the same.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral as the image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows the digital multi-function peripheral as the image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The configuration is shown. This digital multi-function peripheral uses a scanner to read an image of a document and copy the image of the document read by the scanner, and a print mode to print based on image data sent from a host computer such as a personal computer. And switching to the FAX mode for reading and transmitting the image of the document with a scanner, or printing the image data sent via the telephone line, so that the operation based on each mode can be executed. It is configured.

  2 and 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the digital multi-function peripheral, and an automatic document feeder that automatically conveys the original 2 in a state of being separated one by one at the top of the digital multi-function peripheral main body 1. (ADF) 3 and a scanner 4 for reading an image of the document 2 conveyed by the automatic document feeder 3 are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner 4 illuminates a document 2 placed on a platen glass 5 with a light source 6, and converts a reflected light image from the document 2 into a full-rate mirror 7 and half-rate mirrors 8, 9 and The image reading element 11 made up of a CCD or the like is scanned and exposed through a reduction optical system made up of the imaging lens 10 and read.

  The inside of the digital multi-function peripheral body 1 is mainly configured to function as the printer 50. However, the printer 50 is not limited to the print mode, and the image is printed on the paper not only in the copy mode but also in the fax mode. It functions as an image output terminal (IOT) to be formed. The printer 50 has not only a hardware configuration as an image output device (IOT) but also a function of controlling an image output operation based on an instruction from a controller as will be described later. It is.

  The image data of the document 2 read by the scanner 4 is stored in a temporary storage device (not shown) and subjected to predetermined image processing by an IPS (Image Processing System) 12 as necessary. The image information thus sent is sent to the printer 50.

  In the printer 50, image exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 14 by a ROS (Raster Output Scanner) 13 in accordance with image information subjected to image processing, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The ROS 13 sensitizes a semiconductor laser 15 that emits a laser beam according to image information, a polygon mirror 16 that scans the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 15, and a laser beam that is scanned by the polygon mirror 16. It comprises mirrors 17 and 18 for exposing on the body drum 14. Prior to image exposure by the ROS 13, the photosensitive drum 14 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential having a predetermined polarity by a primary charger 19 composed of a charging roll, a scorotron, or the like, and then, as described above, by the ROS 13. The image of the original 2 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 14 is developed by the developing device 20 to become a toner image. The toner image is transferred onto a recording paper 22 as a recording medium by charging of the transfer corotron 21, and the recording paper 22 onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 14 by charge removal of the separation corotron 23. The The recording paper 22 onto which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 14 is one of paper feed trays 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 serving as paper feed means provided inside the copying machine main body 1. Accordingly, the paper is fed by the paper feed roll 30 and is once transported to the registration gate 33 via the transport roll 31 and the pre-registration roll 32 and then stopped.

  The recording medium 22 can be of any size such as A4 size, A3 size, B5 size, B4 size, or any type such as plain paper, cardboard, coated paper, OHP sheet, tracing paper. Yes, it is configured to be fed in a desired paper feed tray 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Of course, the digital multi-function peripheral may include a manual feed tray, and the manual feed tray may be configured to feed a recording medium of any size and type.

  The recording paper 22 passes through a registration gate 33 that opens in synchronization with the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14, and is registered by a registration roll 34 disposed on the downstream side of the registration gate 33. As described above, the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 14 is transferred to the surface of the photoconductive drum 14 and then separated from the surface of the photoconductive drum 14.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral, the paper transport path from the paper feed trays 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 is formed as short as possible, so that the recording paper 22 can be transported at a high speed and the production is high. (The number of copies per unit time) is realized.

  The recording paper 22 separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is conveyed to a fixing device 35, and a toner image is fixed on the recording paper 22 by heat and pressure by the fixing device 35. In the case of normal single-sided copying, the recording paper 22 on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged as it is onto a discharge tray 38 outside the apparatus by a discharge roll 37 in the case of normal single-sided copying. In the case of double-sided copying, the recording paper 22 having a toner image fixed on one side is not discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roll 37 as it is, but the conveyance direction is changed downward by the reversing gate 39 and the three rolls. Are temporarily conveyed to the reverse passage 42 by the tri-roll 40 and the reverse roll 41 which are in pressure contact with each other. Then, the recording paper 22 is conveyed to the double-sided passage 44 by the reversing roll 41 and the double-sided roll 43 that are reversed, and is temporarily conveyed from the double-sided passage 44 to the registration gate 33 via the pre-registration roll 32. As described above, the toner image is conveyed in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 14 by the resist gate 33 and the resist roll 34, and after the toner image transfer / fixing process is performed, the discharge roll 37 It is discharged onto the discharge tray 38.

  Residual toner, paper dust, and the like are removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 after the toner image transfer process is completed by the cleaning device 45, and the surface is prepared for the next image forming process.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the image forming unit of the digital copying machine configured as described above.

  The photosensitive drum 14 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential having a predetermined polarity by a primary charger 19 composed of a charging roll or a scorotron, and then the image of the document 2 is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 by the ROS 13. Scanning exposure is performed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 14 is developed by the developing device 20 to become a toner image. The toner image is subjected to auxiliary charging by the pre-transfer charger 46, and as described above, The recording paper 22 is transferred onto the recording paper 22 fed and conveyed from the desired paper feeding trays 24 to 29 by charging of the transfer corotron 21, and the recording paper 22 on which the toner image is transferred is removed by the charge removal of the separation corotron 23. It is separated from the photosensitive drum 14. The recording paper 22 separated from the photosensitive drum 14 is conveyed to the fixing device 35 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 35. In the case of duplex copying, the image forming process on the back surface is repeated.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 14 after the toner image transfer process is finished is subjected to exposure by an erase lamp 48 after residual toner, paper dust and the like are removed by the cleaning brush 47 of the cleaning device 45 and the like. The electric charge is erased to prepare for the next image forming process.

  By the way, in the image output apparatus according to this embodiment, in the image output apparatus capable of stopping the specified image output operation by at least one of the stop method or the stop timing specified by the user, the image of the image output apparatus is used. An acquisition unit that obtains at least one of a stop method or a stop timing for stopping the output operation from the outside, and a control unit that controls to stop the image output operation by at least one of the stop method or the stop timing acquired by the acquisition unit; It is comprised so that it may be provided.

  Further, the control device according to this embodiment includes a stop position generation unit that generates at least one of a stop method and a stop timing for stopping the image output device in the control device that controls the operation of the image output device, and the stop And a stop instruction means for instructing the image output apparatus at least one of the stop method and the stop timing generated by the position generation means.

  Furthermore, an image output system according to this embodiment includes an image output device capable of stopping a specified image output operation by at least one of a stop method or a stop timing specified by a user, and the image output device. In the image output system comprising a control device for controlling the operation, the image output device obtains at least one of a stop method or a stop timing for stopping the image output operation of the image output device from the outside, and And a control unit that controls to stop the image output operation by at least one of the stop method and the stop timing acquired by the acquisition means, and the control device stops at least one of the stop method and the stop timing to stop the image output device. Stop position generating means for generating the stop position and the stop method generated by the stop position generating means Or at least one of the stop timing, which is constituted to include a stop instruction means for instructing the image output apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printer as an image output system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 100 according to this embodiment includes a controller 200 as a control device and a printer engine 300 as an image output device (IOT: Image Output Terminal). The printer engine 300 is connected to be communicable with each other via a communication line 400. The printer engine 300 is controlled by the controller 200 and is configured to execute a printing operation based on image data or the like sent from a scanner, personal computer, telephone line, or the like (not shown). Here, the controller 200 may be manufactured independently as the controller of the printer 100, or may be a personal computer in which driver software for the printer is installed as it is.

  As the printer engine 300, for example, a digital multi-function peripheral configured as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 200 includes a stop position generation unit 201 that generates a printing operation stop method and stop timing candidates in the printer engine 300. The stop position generation unit 201 is a stop button that can specify a stop method and stop timing of a UI (User Interface) equipped in the controller 200, an icon that can specify a stop method and stop timing displayed on the controller 200, and the like. The print operation stop method and stop timing candidates are generated in response to an instruction from a driver software or the like that is directly operated by the user or operated by the user. Note that the stop position generation unit 201 may be configured to generate at least one of a stop method and a stop timing of the printing operation.

  In this embodiment, the stop timing of the printing operation can be specified for each sheet, and the sheet to be stopped is specified using an ID (identification code) that identifies the sheet determined at the time of the print request. The

  The controller 200 includes a stop instruction unit 202. The stop instruction unit 202 uses the stop method and stop timing candidates generated by the stop position generation unit 201 as appropriate commands via the communication line 400. This is for notification to the printer engine 300 side.

  As a stop command for notifying the stop from the stop instruction unit 202 to the printer engine 300, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, an 8-bit stop command ID indicating a stop command and a stop method are designated. An 8-bit stop method and an 8-bit ID that designates a sheet to be stopped at the stop timing are used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer engine 300 includes a communication unit 301 that communicates with the controller 200. The communication unit 301 receives a stop command from the controller 200 and receives a stop method and a stop timing. Is sent to the determination unit 302. In addition, the communication unit 301 has a function of notifying the controller 200 side of the determination result as to whether or not the determination unit 302 can be stopped as a result.

  The determination result sent from the determination unit 302 as to whether or not the stop is possible is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, an 8-bit stop response ID indicating a response to the stop command, and a stop schedule. A sheet consisting of an 8-bit scheduled stop sheet ID for displaying a sheet of paper is used.

  In addition, the determination unit 302 provided in the printer engine 300 compares with the state of the printer engine 300 controlled by the engine control unit 303 based on the stop method and stop timing sent from the communication unit 301 and designates them. This is to determine whether or not the printing operation can be stopped by the stopped method and stop timing. If the determination unit 302 determines that the vehicle can be stopped based on the stop method and stop timing sent from the communication unit 301, the determination unit 302 issues a stop instruction to the engine control unit 303, and the stop method and The communication unit 301 is notified that it can be stopped at the stop timing. If the determination unit 302 determines that the stop operation cannot be executed depending on the stop method and stop timing sent from the communication unit 301, the determination unit 302 notifies the communication unit 301 that the stop operation cannot be performed. Configured to notify.

  Further, the engine control unit 303 provided in the printer engine 300 is configured to stop the printing operation by the printer engine 300 based on the stop request from the determination unit 302 according to the specified stop method and stop timing. Yes.

  FIG. 6A shows functions used when the controller 200 stops the printer engine 300. Actually, these functions are transmitted and received as data as shown in FIG.

  The Stop function (stop method parameter, stop sheet ID) is a function that instructs the printer engine 300 to stop. In this Stop function, a parameter indicating a stop method is designated as a first argument, and a stop sheet ID is designated as a second argument. In this embodiment, the values that can be designated as the stop method are “position designation” “0”, “print guarantee” “1”, “paper discharge” “2”, and “force” “3”. There are four types. The stop sheet ID is valid only when “position specification” is specified as the stop method parameter, and the printing operation is stopped when the sheet having the specified ID is printed.

  Here, “position designation” is a method of designating a stop timing and stopping, and as described above, the second argument of the Stop function is meaningful only in this case. The stop timing is generated by the stop position generation unit 201 using the sheet ID, is notified to the printer engine 300 by the stop instruction unit 202, and the printing operation is stopped immediately after the designated sheet 22 is discharged. For the paper 22 that is scheduled to be printed after the designated paper, the paper feeding operation is suppressed before the printing operation is started, and the printing operation is not performed.

  The “print guarantee” is a method of stopping when all the sheets 22 on which the printing process is performed are normally discharged. Even if a print request is made, the paper 22 on which an actual print operation is not performed is stopped without being discharged.

  Further, “paper discharge” is a method of quickly stopping the printer engine 300 on the condition that the paper 22 is not left in the printer engine 300. In this “paper discharge”, since the printing operation is stopped, the blank paper 22 or the paper 22 in the middle of printing is usually discharged as it is, except for the paper 22 immediately after being discharged.

  “Force” is a method for quickly and forcibly stopping the printer engine 300. In this “forced” stop, the paper 22 is not discharged, so that the paper 22 being fed or being printed is left in the printer engine 300 as it is. However, the paper does not stop at the fixing device.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the above four types of stopping methods are set in the order of “forced”> “paper ejection”> “print guarantee”> “position designation” in order of high priority. "Has the highest priority, and" position designation "has the lowest priority.

  In FIG. 6A, the StopResponse function is a function for obtaining the value of the StopResponse message that is returned as a result for each Stop message from the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 as a response to the Stop function. Actually, when the stop can be performed with the specified stop method and stop timing, the ID of the sheet to be discharged last is kept as it is, and when stop is impossible, a value of “0” is returned. In FIG. 6A and the like, what is described as a StopRes function is the same as the StopResponse function.

  In the above configuration, in the image output apparatus according to this embodiment, when the user wants to stop the printing operation after instructing the printing operation as described below, the printing is performed with the stopping method and stop timing desired by the user. The operation can be stopped, and convenience can be improved in response to the user's wishes.

  That is, in the printer 100 as the image output system according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a stop button of a UI (User Interface) provided in the controller 200 and a stop position displayed on the controller 200 are displayed. When the user operates the stop position generation unit 201 configured with an icon or the like to stop the printing operation of the printer 100, the stop method and stop timing are designated.

  At that time, the user can designate one of four types of “position designation”, “print guarantee”, “paper discharge”, and “force” as the stop method and stop timing. When “position designation” is selected as the stopping method, the position of the sheet to be stopped is also designated. At that time, the position of the sheet to be stopped may be designated by specifying the number of sheets to be stopped, for example, the first sheet or the third sheet of five-sheet printing. When the stop position generation unit 201 is operated by the user and a stop method and stop timing are specified, the stop method and stop timing specified by the stop position generation unit 201 are displayed by the stop instruction unit 202 by the printer engine 300. To the communication unit 301.

  At this time, for example, a command shown in FIG. 5A is used as a command notified from the stop instruction unit 202 of the controller 200. More specifically, as the command, FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, an 8-bit stop command ID “0x50” indicating a stop command, 8-bit data “1” (position specification) for specifying a stop method, and 8-bit ID “2” for specifying a sheet, It is composed of

  As the stop command, as shown in FIG. 8A, there may be only one ID for designating the paper, but a plurality of IDs for designating the paper may be designated. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B, after the stop command ID, the number (N) of IDs for designating paper is designated, and subsequently ID1 for designating paper,... The IDNs to be entered may be sequentially input.

  More specifically, when the stop command shown in FIG. 8A is used, when a plurality of stop positions are specified as shown in FIG. 9A, a plurality of stop commands are specified. In this case, the position is specified so that the previously transmitted one has a higher priority.

  When the stop command shown in FIG. 8B is used, as shown in FIG. 9B, following the stop command, the number of IDs (N: 2 in the illustrated example) for designating the paper ID1 = 1 for designating paper and ID2 = 2 for designating paper are designated. At that time, the paper designation ID located at the head side has a higher priority.

  Next, when the communication unit 301 of the printer engine 300 receives a stop method and stop timing stop command from the stop instruction unit 202 of the controller 200, the communication unit 301 of the controller 200 uses a StopResponse function that is a response to the stop command. A response to the stop command is returned to the stop instruction unit 202. That is, the communication unit 301 of the printer engine 300 sends a signal to the determination unit 302, and the determination unit 302 determines whether or not the printer engine 300 can be stopped with the designated stop method and stop timing. The determination unit 302 notifies the controller 200 via the communication unit 301 of the determination result as to whether or not it is possible to stop at the specified stop method and stop timing.

  At this time, as a command notified from the communication unit 301 of the printer engine 300, for example, a command as shown in FIG. This command is composed of an 8-bit stop response ID indicating that it is a stop response command, and an 8-bit scheduled stop sheet ID for designating a stop scheduled sheet. Specifically, as a command notified from the communication unit 301 of the printer engine 300, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, an 8-bit stop response ID “0x51” indicating a stop response command is used. This is composed of an 8-bit scheduled stop sheet ID “2” for designating a sheet scheduled to be stopped because it can be stopped.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 first determines whether or not there is an unprocessed stop request to be determined (step 101), and an unprocessed stop request to be determined is present. If it does not exist, the operation is immediately terminated. If the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 determines that there is an unprocessed stop request to be determined, a stop command stop method is transmitted from the communication unit 301 in order to process the stop request to be processed. Is acquired (step 102).

  Next, when the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 acquires a stop command stop method from the communication unit 301 (step 102), the stop command stop method acquired from the communication unit 301 and the current printer engine 300. The current state of the printer engine 300 is compared with the state, and it is determined whether the priority is higher than the designated stopping method (step 103). At this time, as the current state of the printer engine 300, the state of the printer engine 300 that has not been subjected to the stop process has the lowest priority.

  Further, when the stop process is executed in the printer engine 300, the Stop message is already being executed. Therefore, the state of the printer engine 300 at this time depends on which stop method is used to execute the Stop message. The priority is different. At this time, the priority of the stopping method of the printer engine 300 is determined based on FIG.

  When a stop method with a low priority is designated, the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 determines that the stop is impossible, rejects the Stop message, and notifies the stop unit 301 that the stop is impossible. (Step 104).

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 determines that a stop method with a low priority is not specified, the subsequent process differs depending on the stop method, and therefore the stop method itself is determined (step 105). ). Here, for convenience of explanation, when the printer engine 300 handles a print request, it is assumed that the print request is processed with a logical structure as shown in FIG.

  First, when a processing request is sent from the controller 200, the printer engine 300 stores the processing request in a queue waiting for print processing, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, in order to start actual processing at an appropriate timing, the data is stored in the queue 304 during printing. The paper 22 managed in the queue 304 during the printing process proceeds in order in the queue 305 during the printing process, and finally the main process is finished and discharged. A print request corresponding to the paper 22 waiting for discharge is stored in a queue 306 waiting for discharge.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 forces the engine control unit 303 to immediately stop the printer engine 300 completely if the designated stop method is “force”. A stop is instructed (step 106). In other words, all the sheets 22 in the print queue 305 in FIG. 11 remain inside the printer engine 300 without being discharged. Then, the determination unit 302 uses the stop response function of the controller 200 by using the sheet ID of the sheet that could be discharged last in order to notify the notification unit 301 that it can be stopped. An instruction to respond to the stop command is sent to the stop instruction unit 202 (step 107). Thereafter, the process returns to the first step 101 to process the next stop request. However, since the forced termination has already been executed, all processes for the subsequent stop requests cannot be executed.

  Further, if the designated stopping method is “paper discharge”, the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 instructs the engine control unit 303 to stop the printing operation (step 108), and the paper to be normally discharged. 22 ID is notified to the communication part 301 (step 109). At that time, in order not to leave the paper 22 inside the printer engine 300, the operation of the conveyance of the paper 22 is continued until all the paper 22 is discharged. If necessary, the printer engine 300 may be configured such that the paper 22 is discharged to a tray different from the original discharge tray 38. Further, when the transfer of the toner image to the paper 22 is completed and there is a paper 22 just before discharge, the paper 22 is processed so that it can be handled as normal discharge as usual. This corresponds to the print request existing in the discharge queue 306 in FIG. In this case, the paper ID notified to the notification unit 301 is the ID of the paper 22 normally discharged last. If there is no such sheet 22, as in the case of “forced stop”, the process returns to the first step 101 in order to notify the ID of the last discharged sheet 22 and process the next stop request. .

  Further, if the designated stop method is “print guarantee”, the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 prohibits the transition of a print request that has not yet started an actual print operation to the print processing state. To the engine control unit 303 (step 110). That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the determination unit 302 performs processing so as to prevent a print request from moving from the print waiting queue 304 to the print processing queue 305. The print request stored in the queue 305 during print processing is processed normally and discharged. At the same time, the determination unit 302 notifies the communication unit 301 of the ID of the paper 22 of the print request to be discharged last in the queue 305 during the printing process to the notification unit 301 ( Step 111), to return to the first step 101 to process the next stop request.

  If the determination unit 302 of the printer engine 300 determines that the designated stop method is “position specification”, the determination unit 302 needs more data (stop sheet ID) (step). 112). First, the determination unit 302 obtains the ID of the sheet 22 added to the queue 305 being last printed out of the IDs of the sheet 22 being printed (step 113). Further, the determination unit 302 compares the ID of the sheet 22 added to the queue 305 being printed last with the above-described stop sheet ID (step 114). Since the determination unit 302 can stop if the two match as a result of the comparison, the determination unit 302 instructs the engine control unit 302 to stop at the stop request ID (step 115), and then The notification unit 301 is notified of the ID of the stop sheet 22 (step 116).

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 302 determines that the ID of the sheet 22 added to the queue 305 being last printed does not match the stop sheet ID notified together with the Stop message, the determination unit 302 waits for all print processes. It is determined whether the request has been investigated (step 117). If it is determined that all the print processing waiting requests have been investigated, the process returns to step 104 to notify the communication unit 301 that it cannot be stopped.

  If the determination unit 302 determines that all print processing wait requests have not been investigated, the determination unit 302 acquires one ID of the paper 22 waiting for print processing (step 118), and the print processing wait paper. It is determined whether or not the ID of 22 matches the paper ID of the stop command (step 119). Then, when the ID of the print processing waiting sheet 22 matches the sheet ID of the stop command, the determination unit 302 can be stopped, and the engine control unit 302 is stopped so as to stop with the stop request ID. After giving the instruction (step 115), the notification unit 301 is notified of the ID of the stop sheet 22 (step 116), and the process returns to the first step 101.

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 302 determines that the ID of the print processing waiting paper 22 does not match the paper ID of the stop command, the determination unit 302 returns to step 117 to check whether all the print processing waiting requests have been investigated. Is determined.

  With this configuration, the printer engine 300 is stopped at the paper position according to the first stop request designating the stoppable position, particularly by transmitting a plurality of stop methods in succession with the position designation. The printer engine 300 can be stopped at an arbitrary position where it can be stopped.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, when three paper positions are specified and commands are transmitted in order from the top, how the value of StopResponse returned as a response to the Stop command changes depending on the paper being printed. This is shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the shaded paper indicates the paper being printed.

  In FIG. 13A, only the paper with ID = 1 is being printed. As a matter of course, since the last sheet ID being processed is “1”, the first Stop command succeeds, and ID = 1 is returned as Stop Response as the stop position sheet. Subsequent Stop commands are already stopped, so both cannot be stopped.

  Similarly, in the case of FIG. 13B, sheets up to ID = 2 are being processed. For this reason, it is determined that the first Stop command cannot be stopped. Since the next Stop command exists in the processing queue 304 waiting for print processing, it is determined that it can be stopped, and ID = 3 is returned by StopResponse as the stop position sheet. Since the last Stop command is being stopped, it is determined that it cannot be stopped.

  In FIG. 13C, sheets up to ID = 5 are being printed. The paper ID that is being processed last is “5”, and there is no paper waiting to be printed. Therefore, it is determined that all Stop commands cannot be stopped, and the printer engine does not stop. In this case, even if there is a sheet waiting for printing, ID = 6 or more, and in any case, the response that all Stop commands cannot be stopped is notified by StopResponse. become.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, when it is desired to stop the printing operation after instructing the printing operation, the printing operation can be stopped with the stopping method and stop timing desired by the user. In response, it is possible to improve convenience.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printer as an image output system to which an image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram showing a printer engine as an image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a printer engine as an image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image forming unit of the printer engine as the image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a chart showing a format at the time of communication of a stop command and a response to the stop command. FIG. 6 is a chart showing the functions used for the stop instruction and the priority of the stop method. FIG. 7 is a chart showing an example of assignment of stop command data and stop command response data. FIG. 8 is a chart showing an example of a stop command. FIG. 9 is a chart showing a method for designating a plurality of sheets by using the stop command. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the determination unit. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing processing of the printer engine. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of commands having different stop timings. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the paper being processed and the Stop function. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing that the position where a conventional printer can be stopped is ambiguous.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Printer, 200: Controller, 201: Stop position production | generation part, 202: Stop instruction | indication part, 300: Printer engine, 301: Communication part, 302: Determination part, 303: Engine control part.

Claims (6)

In the image output apparatus capable of stopping the designated image output operation by at least one of the stop method or stop timing designated by the user,
An acquisition means for acquiring from the outside at least one of a stop method or a stop timing for stopping the image output operation of the image output device;
E Bei and a control unit for controlling to stop the image output operation at least one of the stop process or stop timing acquired by the acquisition means,
The stop method can be selected from a plurality of stop methods, and priorities can be set for the plurality of stop methods, and a plurality of stop methods can be externally set by the acquisition means for the first image output operation. An image output apparatus that selects a stop method on the basis of a preset priority . As the plurality of stopping methods, an operation for stopping after outputting an image for which an output request has already been received, an operation for stopping at a desired position of an image for which an output request has already been received, and an image for paper on which output processing has been started Including at least two of an operation for stopping and stopping all output, an operation for discharging and stopping all the sheets for which output processing has been started, and an operation for stopping as quickly as possible. The image output apparatus according to claim 1 . The image output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a judging means for judging whether it is possible to stop at the stop timing acquired by the acquisition unit. The image output apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when the determination unit determines that the image cannot be stopped at the stop timing acquired by the acquisition unit, the image output operation is continued. The stop timing can be selected from a plurality of stop timings, and priorities can be set for the plurality of stop timings. A plurality of stop timings for the one image output operation can be set by the acquisition unit. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop timing is selected on the basis of a preset priority . An image output system comprising: an image output device capable of stopping a designated image output operation by at least one of a stop method or a stop timing designated by a user; and a control device for controlling the operation of the image output device. In
The image output device includes:
In the image output apparatus capable of stopping the designated image output operation by at least one of the stop method or stop timing designated by the user,
An acquisition means for acquiring from the outside at least one of a stop method or a stop timing for stopping the image output operation of the image output device;
E Bei and a control unit for controlling to stop the image output operation at least one of the stop process or stop timing acquired by the acquisition means,
The stop method can be selected from a plurality of stop methods, and priorities can be set for the plurality of stop methods, and a plurality of stop methods can be externally set by the acquisition means for the first image output operation. Select the stop method based on the preset priority,
The controller is
Stop position generating means for generating at least one of a stop method or a stop timing for stopping the image output device;
An image output system comprising stop instruction means for instructing an image output apparatus of at least one of the stop method and stop timing generated by the stop position generating means.

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