Printer

Abstract

According to the present invention, a printer is capable of printing on the basis of a printing instruction in accordance with an IPP (Internet Print Protocol) standard, which is received from an external device. The printer includes a controller including a CPU and a memory. The CPU executes various processes in accordance with the program read from the memory. In the memory, various programs including an IPP response program, an IPP print program, and notification information, and various data are stored. The notification information comprises a ban table, a solution table, a state table and a reason table.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a technology for notifying information from a printer to an external device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, printers can be controlled in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard in print applications and cloud print services. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a process of notifying information from a printer to an IPP client that generates a print job in accordance with the IPP standard.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Non-patent literature

[0005] Non-patent document 1: PWG5100.13 Job and Printer Extensions https: / / ftp.pwg.org / pub / pwg / candidates / cs-ippjobprinterext3v10-20120727-5100.13.pdf Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The inventors have found that there is room for improvement in the content of information notified from a printer to an IPP client and the processing associated with the notification.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] The printer according to the scheme of the present invention is a printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device according to a plurality of setting values ​​associated with the received print job, wherein:

[0010] The printer is composed of:

[0011] In response to a first request from the external device, the external device is notified of solution information for changing a predetermined setting item to a specific setting value as solution information for solving a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, wherein the specific setting value is a setting value indicating that the printer replaces the setting value with another setting value.

[0012] The printer is also composed of:

[0013] When a print job associated with the specific setting value is received from the external device after the solution information is notified in accordance with the first request from the external device, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from a plurality of setting values ​​replaceable from the specific setting value;

[0014] Printing based on the print job is performed according to the selected one setting value.

[0015] A printer according to another aspect of the present invention is a printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein:

[0016] The printer is composed of:

[0017] In response to a first request from the external device, a status code indicating a current status of the printer is notified to the external device,

[0018] In response to a second request from the external device, a reason code indicating the reason why the printer is in the current state is notified to the external device;

[0019] In response to a third request from the external device, a first printer status message is sent to the external device, which is a combination of a status message written in natural language indicating the current status of the printer and a reason message written in natural language indicating the reason why the printer is in the current status.

[0020] A printer according to another aspect of the present invention is a printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein:

[0021] The printer is composed of:

[0022] in response to a first request from the external device for a predetermined job input to the printer, notifying the external device of a status code indicating a current status of the predetermined job;

[0023] in response to a second request from the external device for the predetermined job, notifying the external device of a reason code indicating a reason why the predetermined job has become a current state;

[0024] In response to a third request from the external device regarding the specified job, a first job status message consisting of a status message composed of natural language indicating the status of the specified job and a reason message composed of natural language indicating the reason why the specified job has become the current status is notified to the external device.

[0025] A control method for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned printer, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful.

[0026] Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a technology is realized that can flexibly solve the prohibition setting existing in the printer by using the printer. In addition, a suitable production process of the message output from the printer to the client to convey the status of the printer is realized. In addition, a suitable production process of the message output from the printer to the client to convey the status of the job is realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the printer's structure.

[0029] Figure 2 Detailed description of the process of the prohibition notification process.

[0030] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a prohibition table.

[0031] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a solution table.

[0032] Figure 5 : is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process.

[0033] Figure 6 : is a flowchart showing the procedure of the paper feed tray selection process.

[0034] Figure 7 : is a flowchart showing the procedure of the paper discharge tray selection process.

[0035] Figure 8 It is a flowchart showing the procedure of notification processing.

[0036] Fig. 9 It is a flowchart showing the procedure of message generation processing.

[0037] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a status table.

[0038] Fig.11 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reason table.

[0039] Fig.12 (A) to (C) are explanatory diagrams showing examples of response messages that are created.

[0040] Fig.13 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the operation panel, and (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the terminal device.

[0041] Fig.14 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the operation panel, and (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the terminal device.

[0042] Fig.15 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the operation panel, and (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the terminal device.

[0043] Fig.16 It is a flowchart showing the procedure of notification processing.

[0044] Fig.17 It is a flowchart showing the procedure of message generation processing.

[0045] Fig.18 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a status table.

[0046] Fig.19 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reason table.

[0047] Fig. 20 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on a terminal device.

[0048] Fig.21 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the operation panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] [First embodiment]

[0050] In the past, printers had multiple setting items such as paper type settings, paper feed tray or paper discharge tray settings, double-sided printing settings, and post-processing settings. However, depending on the settings, there are sometimes combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time. Such a combination of settings is called a "prohibition setting." If the printer driver is provided by the printer vendor, the information of the above-mentioned prohibition settings can be stored in the program in advance, and on the client side that generates the print job, the input of the prohibition setting can be restricted for each printer of the control object.

[0051] In recent years, in printing applications and printing services on the cloud, printers can be controlled according to the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard. In printing according to the IPP standard, the printer driver as described above is not used, and in the IPP client that generates print jobs according to the IPP standard, the prohibition settings for each printer as described above are sometimes unclear.

[0052] To solve the above problem, the aforementioned non-patent document 1 discloses a process of transmitting information of prohibition setting from the printer to the IPP client and a process of transmitting information of alternative setting which is an alternative setting to solve the problem of the prohibition setting.

[0053] If the information of the alternative setting is transmitted from the printer to the client, a print job according to the alternative setting is transmitted from the client to the printer. As a result, the printer performs control according to the predetermined alternative setting. The inventor believes that it is appropriate to avoid prohibition setting by controlling the printer in accordance with the state of the printer when the print job is executed.

[0054] The following describes a first embodiment of a printer with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 This embodiment discloses a printer capable of executing printing based on a print instruction in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard. It should be noted that in this specification, setting items and setting values ​​may be simply described as "settings".

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The printer 1 also includes an operation panel 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, a print engine 15, a transport mechanism 16, and a finisher 19, which are electrically connected to the controller 10.

[0056] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from the memory 12 and based on the user's operation. Figure 1 The controller 10 in the description is a generic term for hardware and software used to control the printer 1 , and does not necessarily refer to a single piece of hardware actually present in the printer 1 .

[0057] The memory 12 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment stores various programs and various data including an IPP response program 21, an IPP printing program 22, and notification information 23. The notification information 23 includes a prohibition table 24, a solution table 25, a status table 26, and a reason table 27. It should be noted that the IPP response program 21 and the IPP printing program 22 may also be configured to be included in one program. In addition, in the present embodiment, the status table 26 and the reason table 27 may not be included in the notification information 23. The details of each program and data will be described later. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when executing various processes.

[0058] It should be noted that an example of the memory 12 is not limited to the ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the printer 1, and may be a storage medium that is readable and writable by the CPU 11. For example, an external memory such as a USB memory or HDD connected to the printer 1 via the communication IF 14, or a memory or HDD included in a device connected to the printer 1 via the communication IF 14 is also an example of the memory 12. A buffer included in the CPU 11 is also an example of the memory 12.

[0059] It should be noted that a computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. In addition, non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal that transmits a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0060] The operation panel 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen for reporting information to the user and hardware for accepting user operations. The operation panel 13 may also include a touch panel having a reporting function and an operation acceptance function. The operation panel 13 may also include a display lamp, various buttons, and a numeric keypad.

[0061] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the terminal device 3. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 are Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The printer 1 may include a plurality of communication IFs 14 corresponding to a plurality of communication standards.

[0062] The print engine 15 includes a structure for printing an image based on image data on a print medium such as a sheet. The printing method of the print engine 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The print engine 15 may be a structure capable of color printing or a structure capable of monochrome printing.

[0063] The transport mechanism 16 is a mechanism for transporting print media such as sheets through the print engine 15. The transport mechanism 16 includes a paper feed tray 17 for storing sheets before printing, a paper discharge tray 18 for storing sheets after printing, and a plurality of transport rollers. The printer 1 has a plurality of trays as the paper feed tray 17 and the paper discharge tray 18. Specifically, the printer 1 has, for example, a standard tray 171, a manual tray 172, and an additional tray 173 as the paper feed tray 17. In addition, the printer 1 has, for example, a first tray 181 and a second tray 182 as the paper discharge tray 18.

[0064] The finisher 19 is a structure mounted on the printer 1 in order to perform post-processing on printed sheets and discharge the sheets. The printer 1 includes the finisher 19 including, for example, a stapler 191 and a finisher tray 192 .

[0065] The printer 1 of this embodiment can communicate with the terminal device 3 via the communication IF 14. The terminal device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer, and has an application (hereinafter referred to as an "IPP client application") 31 that can execute various processes in accordance with the IPP standard. By executing the IPP client application 31, the terminal device 3 can send instructions related to printing to the printer 1 as an IPP client. The terminal device 3 is an example of an external device.

[0066] Next, the actions of the printer 1 related to IPP printing are described with reference to the flowchart. It should be noted that the following processing basically shows the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions recorded in the program. That is, the processing such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "determination", "obtaining", "acceptance", and "control" in the following description represent the processing of the CPU 11. The processing of the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, the description of the OS is omitted and the actions of each program are described. That is, in the following description, the description of the subject "Program B controls hardware C" can also mean "Program B uses the API of the OS to control hardware C". In addition, sometimes the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions recorded in the program is recorded with omitted statements. For example, sometimes it is recorded as "CPU performs". In addition, sometimes the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions recorded in the program is recorded as "Program A performs" with omitted CPU statements.

[0067] It should be noted that "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of CPU11 receiving data without making a request is also included in the concept of "CPU obtaining data". In addition, the "data" in this manual is represented by a computer-readable bit string. In addition, data with the same substantive meaning and different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this manual. In addition, "making a request" and "making an instruction" are concepts that indicate that information that is being requested and information that is being instructed are output to the other party. In addition, information that is being requested and information that is being instructed are also abbreviated as "request" and "instruction". In addition, in this manual, terms such as "notification", "report", "information", "reply", "response" and "answer" not only mean the transmission of information relative to the user, but also mean communication and information exchange between devices or between structures within the device. It should be noted that the structure within the device also includes software.

[0068] In addition, the CPU 11's process of determining whether information A indicates event B is sometimes described conceptually as "determining whether it is event B based on information A". The CPU 11's process of determining whether information A indicates event B or event C is sometimes described conceptually as "determining whether it is event B or event C based on information A".

[0069] For details about the prohibition notification process executed by the printer 1, refer to Figure 2 This prohibition notification process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 based on the IPP response program 21 when a response request for information is received from an external device such as the terminal 3 .

[0070] It should be noted that the IPP client application 31 has a function of communicating with a printer of a control object and requesting the printer to send information. The IPP client application 31 sometimes requests the printer to send information to execute printing at a certain time, such as before sending a print instruction, and generates a print job using the information received in response. For example, when the printer 1 receives a response request from the terminal device 3, it can generate the requested information based on the command included in the response request and respond to the terminal device 3.

[0071] The CPU 11 determines whether the received response request includes a prohibition information request (S101). The prohibition information is information about a combination of setting values ​​that the printer 1 responds to the IPP client application 31 as a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time. The prohibition information request based on the IPP standard is, for example, a "job-constraints-supported" command. The prohibition information request is an example of the second request.

[0072] When it is determined that the request includes prohibition information (S101: Yes), the CPU 11 sequentially reads out each record of the prohibition table 24 included in the notification information 23 stored in the memory 12 (S103). Figure 1 As shown, the prohibition table 24 and the resolution table 25 are prepared in advance in the memory 12 of the printer 1. Figure 3 As shown, the prohibition table 24 is a table storing possible combinations of setting values ​​that can be used as prohibition information responses. Figure 3 The prohibition table 24 shown is a part of the prohibition table 24 stored in the printer 1. In the prohibition table 24, except Figure 3 Contains many more records than shown.

[0073] Each record of the prohibition table 24 includes an information ID 241, a solution name 242, and a combination of a first setting 243 and a second setting 244 as a combination of setting values. The information ID 241 is an identifier for identifying each record included in the prohibition table 24. The solution name 242 is a name corresponding to one of the solution names 252 included in the solution table 25. It should be noted that the solution table 25 is a table associated with the prohibition table 24 and stored in the notification information 23. The first setting 243 and the second setting 244 are information consisting of a setting item and a setting value set for the item.

[0074] In addition, for example Figure 4 As shown, the solution table 25 is a table storing the solution information records corresponding to each prohibition information record. Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown is a part of the solution table 25 stored in the printer 1. In the solution table 25, except Figure 4 Contains many more records than shown.

[0075] Each record of the solution table 25 includes an information ID 251, a solution name 252, and a solution setting 253. The information ID 251 is an identifier for identifying each record included in the solution table 25. Any of the solution names 252 is the solution name 242 of each record of the prohibition table 24. The solution setting 253 is information indicating a setting value recommended as a setting value of a change target. The solution setting 253 is information composed of a combination of a setting item and a setting value of the item.

[0076] The printer 1 sends information indicating each record of the prohibition table 24 and information indicating each record of the solution table 25 to the IPP client application 31 in response to a request from the IPP client application 31, which will be described in detail later. When the IPP client application 31 receives a setting instruction for the prohibition setting of a record stored in the prohibition table 24, it can determine a record containing the same solution name as the solution name 242 contained in the record from the solution table 25, and use the solution setting contained in the determined record as the setting value of the change target. It should be noted that the details of each record of the prohibition table 24 and the solution table 25 will be described later.

[0077] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the record of the read prohibition table 24 is information that needs to be notified (S104). When both the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 are set values ​​that become effective in the printer 1, the CPU 11 determines that the record is information that needs to be notified. For example, when the printer 1 is not equipped with the finisher 19, the CPU 11 determines that the record that either the first setting 243 or the second setting 244 is a setting related to post-processing using the finisher 19 is not information that needs to be notified.

[0078] When it is determined that the information needs to be notified (S104: Yes), the CPU 11 associates the prohibition setting included in the record in the prohibition table 24, that is, the combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244, with the solution name 242, and stores it in the memory 12 as response information to the request for the prohibition information (S105). The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is information indicating a combination of setting values ​​responded as prohibition information.

[0079] After S105, or when it is determined that notification is not necessary (S104: No), the CPU 11 determines whether the reading of all records in the prohibition table 24 has been completed (S107). When it is determined that the reading of all records has not been completed (S107: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to S103 and reads the next record in the prohibition table 24.

[0080] When it is determined that all records have been read (S107: Yes), CPU 11 determines whether a request for solution information is included in the response request received from the terminal device 3 (S111). Solution information is information on setting values ​​recommended as a solution method when a combination of setting values ​​responded as prohibition information is accepted. When the printer 1 includes a request for solution information in the response request, the printer 1 can respond to the IPP client application 31 with the solution information in association with the combination of setting values ​​responded as prohibition information. The request for solution information based on the IPP standard is, for example, a "job-resolvers-supported" command. The request for solution information is an example of the first requirement. It should be noted that in the IPP standard, solution information is required together with the request for prohibition information.

[0081] When it is determined that the request includes solution information ( S111 : YES), the CPU 11 reads information corresponding to the solution name 242 included in each record of the prohibition information stored in S105 from the solution table 25 stored in the memory 12 ( S113 ).

[0082] In S113, the CPU 11 identifies the record containing the solution name 252 corresponding to the solution name 242 of the prohibition information stored in S105 in the solution table 25, and reads out the solution setting 253 of the record. Then, the CPU 11 associates the solution name 252 with the solution setting 253 read out in S113 and stores it as response information to the request of the solution information (S114). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the solution setting 253 is stored for all the solution names 242 of the response information stored in S105 (S117).

[0083] When it is determined that a solution name 242 in which a solution setting 253 is not stored remains ( S117 : NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to S113 and reads out the solution setting 253 corresponding to the next solution name 242 .

[0084] When it is determined that the response request received from the terminal device 3 does not include a request for solution information (S111: No), or when it is determined that the solution settings 253 are stored for all the solution names 242 of the response information stored in S105 (S117: Yes), the CPU 11 notifies the terminal device 3 of the response information stored in the memory 12 (S121). It should be noted that the CPU 11 can collect various information requested by the response request and send the information to the terminal device 3 via the communication IF 14 using communication based on the IPP standard.

[0085] After S121 or when it is determined that the received response request does not include a request for prohibition information (S101: No), the CPU 11 ends the prohibition notification process.

[0086] When the terminal device 3 receives the response information in response to the sent response request, it submits the received information to the IPP client application 31. The IPP client application 31 can use the information when generating a print job. For example, after receiving the prohibition information as the response information to the response request, the IPP client application 31 can warn the user when receiving the instruction of the print setting including the combination of setting values ​​included in the prohibition information.

[0087] In addition, for example, after the IPP client application 31 receives the prohibition information and the solution information as the response information to the response request, when the instruction of the print setting including the combination of the setting values ​​included in the prohibition information is received, the setting value indicated in the solution information can be prompted to be changed. In addition, for example, after the IPP client application 31 receives the prohibition information and the solution information as the response information to the response request, when the instruction of the print setting including the combination of the setting values ​​included in the prohibition information is received, the setting value indicated in the solution information can be automatically changed. However, the method of using the information depends on the IPP client application 31.

[0088] It should be noted that, in the prohibition notification process, the solution name 242 and the prohibition setting are sent as the prohibition information, and the solution name 252 and the solution setting are sent as the solution information, but the information IDs 241 and 251 may be sent instead of the solution names 242 and 252. In this case, the information ID 241 and the information ID 251 are examples of the first identification information or the second identification information. The solution name or the information ID is information used to establish an association between each record of the prohibition information and each record of the solution information, and the information common to the prohibition information and the solution information may be used.

[0089] The printer 1 can, for example, notify, as prohibition information, information indicating a combination of setting values ​​that indicates that at least one of the setting values ​​will not be reflected in printing when the setting values ​​are set simultaneously. For example, if the paper size that can be printed on both sides is limited in the printer 1, the printer 1 cannot print by satisfying both the setting value indicating that the paper size cannot be printed on both sides and the setting value indicating that the paper cannot be printed on both sides. Therefore, the printer 1 will not print the combination of setting values ​​that cannot be satisfied simultaneously, for example, Figure 3 As shown in the record with ID 241 of "6", the prohibition information is notified. In addition, as the solution information associated with the prohibition information of this example, the printer 1 Figure 4 As shown in the record with ID 251 being "6", the setting value indicating single-sided printing is notified.

[0090] The printer 1 notifies the prohibition information and the solution information, and when the setting value indicating a paper size that cannot be printed on both sides and the setting value indicating double-sided printing are set during printing by the printer 1, the IPP client application 31 can prompt the user to change to single-sided printing.

[0091] In the printer 1 of this embodiment, not only combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be satisfied at the same time, but also combinations of setting values ​​that may become impossible to satisfy at the same time depending on the setting values ​​of other items may be notified as prohibition information. Furthermore, as resolution information corresponding to such prohibition information, the printer 1 may also notify setting values ​​that are likely to be satisfied at the same time regardless of the setting values ​​of other items.

[0092] Specifically, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, as a resolution setting corresponding to a predetermined prohibition setting, for example Figure 4As shown, the notification indicates that the setting value of the paper discharge tray or paper supply tray item is set to "auto selection". "Auto selection" is a setting value that indicates that the printer 1 replaces the setting value with the setting value indicating an individual tray. For example, when a print job is received in which the paper supply tray item is "auto selection", the printer 1 replaces the setting value with one of the three setting values ​​indicating the standard tray 171, the manual tray 172, and the additional tray 173. The processing of the printer 1 during printing will be described later.

[0093] That is, when the printer 1 has "auto selection" set for the paper discharge tray or paper supply tray item of the print job for which execution instruction has been received, the printer 1 can select an appropriate tray from among the plurality of trays provided in the printer 1 and use it for printing based on other setting values ​​set for the print job and the status of each tray.

[0094] Next, refer to Figure 3 The prohibition table shown in Table 24 and Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure will explain a specific example of the combination of prohibition information and solution information notified by the printer 1. Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "1" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the paper size item to a setting value indicating a size that cannot be ejected to the finisher tray 192, such as envelope, #10 size, and DL size, and a second setting 244 that sets the paper ejection tray item to a setting value indicating the finisher tray 192. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of a first combination, which is an example of a first specific combination.

[0095] Then, when the prohibition setting whose information ID 241 is "1" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 performs the following operations based on the information ID 241. Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies that the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, that is, the item of the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select". The setting value indicating "auto select" in this case is an example of the first setting value.

[0096] It should be noted that in Figure 3 In the example, only two or three setting values ​​are illustrated as the first setting 243 and the second setting 244, but the printer 1 supports the IPP standard and notifies all setting values ​​when there are multiple setting values ​​that meet the conditions. For example, as the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "1", the printer 1 notifies the setting values ​​of the paper sizes that cannot be ejected to the finisher tray 192, such as various envelope sizes, as the setting values ​​of the paper size.

[0097] By setting the prohibition of the notification information ID 241 to "1", the printer 1 may receive a print job including the print setting of "envelope" set for the paper size item and "auto selection" set for the paper output tray item from the terminal device 3, for example. The printer 1 executes printing based on the received print job using the print setting set for the print job. It should be noted that, although the details will be described later, the following will refer to the later-described Figure 5~Figure 7 .

[0098] When receiving a print job for which “auto selection” is set for the paper discharge tray, the printer 1 performs the print processing ( Figure 5 ) is judged to be yes in S221, and the paper discharge tray selection process is executed ( Figure 7 Then, if the paper size setting is a size such as an envelope that cannot be ejected to the finisher tray 192 (in Figure 7 If the result of S401 is No), the printer 1 turns off the settings of the stapling process and the offset paper discharge (S441), selects the default tray as the paper discharge tray (S442), and prints. It should be noted that the default tray of the paper discharge tray is the first tray 181 or the second tray 182, not the finisher tray 192.

[0099] The printer 1 may include, for example, a second tray 182 based on an opening provided on a path where printed sheets are conveyed to the first tray 181. In this configuration, printed sheets are discharged to the first tray 181 when the opening is closed, and are discharged to the second tray 182 when the opening is opened. In addition, the first tray 181 and the second tray 182 may be two independent paper discharge trays. In this case, if the first tray 181 is set as a default tray in the printer 1, the first tray 181 is selected as the paper discharge tray, and if the second tray 182 is set as the default tray, the second tray 182 is selected as the paper discharge tray.

[0100] When a paper size that cannot be ejected to the finisher tray 192 is selected, the printer 1 cannot eject the paper to the finisher tray 192. By notifying the combination of the paper size that cannot be ejected to the finisher tray 192 and the setting value indicating the finisher tray 192 as the paper ejection tray as prohibition information, a print job in which the print setting of one of the combinations is changed may be accepted. In other words, the possibility of accepting a print job in which a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be satisfied at the same time is reduced.

[0101] By notifying the printer 1 of the information that the setting value of the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select" as the resolution information of the prohibition information, the printer 1 is more likely to accept the print job for which the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select". If the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select", the printer 1 is more likely to select an appropriate paper discharge tray according to the paper size and discharge the paper appropriately.

[0102] In addition, Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "2" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the paper size item to a setting value indicating a size that cannot be processed by the binding process, such as A5 size, A6 size, and envelope, and a second setting 244 that sets the finishing item to a setting value indicating the binding process. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of the first combination and an example of the second specific combination. The binding process is a process of binding printed sheets using the stapler 191 included in the finisher 19.

[0103] Furthermore, when the prohibition setting of the information ID 241 being "2" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies that the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, that is, the item of the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select". The setting value indicating "auto select" in this case is an example of the second setting value.

[0104] In addition, Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting of information ID 241 "3" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the paper size item to a setting value indicating a size that cannot be handled by offset paper discharge processing, such as envelopes, and a second setting 244 that sets the finishing item to a setting value indicating offset paper discharge processing. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of the first combination and an example of the third specific combination. The offset paper discharge processing is a process of displacing the paper discharge position of the printed sheets by the number of copies by moving the finisher tray 192 and discharging the sheets.

[0105] Then, when the prohibition setting of the information ID 241 being "3" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies that the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, that is, the item of the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select". The setting value indicating "auto select" in this case is an example of the third setting value.

[0106] When a paper size that cannot be used for stapling or offset paper discharge is selected, the printer 1 cannot perform stapling or offset paper discharge. By notifying the combination of the paper size that cannot be used for stapling or offset paper discharge and the setting value indicating stapling or offset paper discharge as prohibition information, it is possible to accept a print job in which the print setting of one of the combinations is changed. In addition, the paper discharge tray to be used is different when the setting value of the paper size is changed to a setting value suitable for stapling or offset paper discharge and when the setting value of the paper size is not changed but the stapling or offset paper discharge is turned off.

[0107] By notifying the printer 1 of the information that the setting value of the paper discharge tray is set to "auto selection" as the resolution information of the prohibition information, the printer 1 is more likely to accept a print job for which the setting value of the paper discharge tray is "auto selection". When a print job for which the setting value of the paper discharge tray is "auto selection" is accepted, the printer 1 Figure 5 ) is judged to be yes in S221, and the paper discharge tray selection process is executed ( Figure 7 ).

[0108] Then, if the paper size is A5 size or the like, which can be discharged to the finisher tray 192 (in Figure 7 If the printer 1 determines that the paper size is not suitable for stapling or offset paper discharge, the printer 1 determines that the stapling and offset paper discharge settings are both turned off (S413, S423). As a result, the printer 1 determines that the paper size is not suitable for stapling or offset paper discharge, and the default tray is selected as the paper discharge tray (S442) to perform printing.

[0109] On the other hand, if the paper size is a size that can handle stapling processing and offset paper discharge, the printer 1 determines yes in S401, and then determines yes in S412 if stapling processing is set, and determines yes in S422 if offset paper discharge is set. Then, the printer 1 determines yes in S431, and selects the finisher tray 192 as the paper discharge tray. As a result, the printer 1 can perform the set finishing processing and discharge the paper to the finisher tray 192. Therefore, it is highly likely that the printer 1 can select an appropriate paper discharge tray according to the settings of the paper size, stapling processing, and offset paper discharge, and discharge the paper appropriately.

[0110] In addition, Figure 3In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "4" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the paper size item to a setting value indicating a small size such as A6 size and a second setting 244 that sets the paper feed tray item to a setting value indicating an additional tray 173. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of the second combination, and an example of the fourth specific combination. It should be noted that the additional tray 173 of the printer 1 is a paper feed tray that is provided below the standard tray 171 and cannot feed small-sized paper. The additional tray 173 is an example of a specific paper feed tray.

[0111] Furthermore, when the prohibition setting of the information ID 241 being "4" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, that is, the item of the paper feed tray is set to "auto selection". The setting value indicating "auto selection" in this case is an example of the fourth setting value. By notifying the solution information that the setting value of the paper feed tray is set to "auto selection", the printer 1 is more likely to accept a print job for which "auto selection" is set for the paper feed tray.

[0112] When receiving a print job for which “auto selection” is set for the paper feed tray, the printer 1 performs the print processing ( Figure 5 ) is judged to be YES in S211, and the paper feed tray selection process is executed ( Figure 6 ). In the paper feed tray selection process, when the paper size set for printing is, for example, A5 size, even if paper cannot be fed from the additional tray 173, paper can be fed from the standard tray 171 or the manual tray 172. The printer 1 determines that it is yes in S311, and thus can select the most prioritized paper feed tray (S321) based on the priority order and the double-sided printing setting to perform printing. In other words, if the paper feed tray setting is "automatically selected", the printer 1 is likely to select a suitable paper feed tray according to the paper size and feed paper appropriately.

[0113] In addition, Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being “5” is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the paper type item to a setting value indicating special paper such as thick paper and a second setting 244 that sets the paper feed tray item to a setting value indicating each paper feed tray other than manual tray 172 .

[0114] Furthermore, when the prohibition setting of the information ID 241 being "5" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 Figure 4The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, and sets the paper feed tray item to "manual tray". Even if the paper type is special paper, the printer 1 can properly feed paper if "manual tray" is set for the paper feed tray.

[0115] In addition, Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "7" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the paper size item to a setting value indicating a special size such as an envelope and a second setting 244 that sets the paper feed tray item to a setting value indicating the standard tray 171. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of the second combination. It should be noted that the standard tray 171 of the printer 1 is a paper feed tray that cannot feed paper of a special size.

[0116] Then, when the prohibition setting of the information ID 241 being "7" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies that the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, that is, the item of the paper feed tray is set to "automatic selection".

[0117] By notifying the printer 1 of the solution information for setting the paper feed tray to "auto select", the printer 1 is more likely to accept a print job for which "auto select" is set for the paper feed tray. When the printer 1 accepts a print job for which "auto select" is set for the paper feed tray, the printer 1 Figure 5 ) is judged to be YES in S211, and the paper feed tray selection process is executed ( Figure 6 ). In the paper feed tray selection process, if the paper size set for printing is a special size, for example, if paper can be fed from the manual insertion tray 172, it is determined to be yes in S311, so the most prioritized paper feed tray can be selected based on the priority order and the double-sided printing setting (S321) to perform printing. In other words, if "automatic selection" is set for the paper feed tray, there is a high possibility that the printer 1 can select an appropriate paper feed tray and feed paper appropriately even for paper of a special size.

[0118] In addition, Figure 3In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "8" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the finishing item to a setting value indicating a stapling process and a second setting 244 that sets the paper discharge tray item to a setting value indicating each paper discharge tray other than the finisher tray 192. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of the first combination and an example of the fifth specific combination. The stapling process is an example of a specific process, and the finisher tray 192 is an example of a specific paper discharge tray.

[0119] In addition, Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, the prohibition setting with information ID 241 being "9" is a combination of a first setting 243 that sets the item of finishing to a setting value indicating offset paper discharge and a second setting 244 that sets the item of paper discharge tray to a setting value indicating each paper discharge tray other than the finisher tray 192. The combination of the first setting 243 and the second setting 244 is an example of the first combination and an example of the fifth specific combination. Offset paper discharge is an example of a specific process, and the finisher tray 192 is an example of a specific paper discharge tray.

[0120] Furthermore, when the prohibition setting whose information ID 241 is "8" or "9" is notified as prohibition information and the resolution setting thereof is notified as resolution information, the CPU 11 performs a Figure 4 The solution table 25 shown in the figure notifies that the solution setting 253 whose solution name 252 is the same as the solution name 242, that is, the item of the paper discharge tray is set to "auto select". The setting value indicating "auto select" in this case is an example of the fifth setting value.

[0121] The printer 1 of this embodiment notifies the combination of the stapling process or the offset paper discharge setting as the finishing setting and the paper discharge tray other than the finisher tray 192 as prohibition information, and notifies the information to set the paper discharge tray to "automatic selection" as the solution information. As a result, the printer 1 is more likely to accept a print job in which the "automatic selection" is set for the paper discharge tray regardless of the presence or absence of the finishing setting. When accepting a print job in which the "automatic selection" is set for the paper discharge tray, as described above, the printer 1 can perform the paper discharge tray selection process and select an appropriate paper discharge tray based on the paper size and finishing settings.

[0122] It should be noted that the printer 1 can discharge paper to the finisher tray 192 even when the printed sheets are not subjected to finishing processing. In addition, when the printer 1 is configured to be unable to perform stapling processing or offset paper discharge, for example, when the printer 1 is not equipped with the finisher 19, the result of S104 of the prohibition notification processing is NO, and therefore the CPU 11 does not notify the combination of information ID 241 "2", "3", "8", and "9" as prohibition information.

[0123] In addition, Figure 4 In the solution table 25 shown, different solution names 252 are set even for the same solution setting, and records are stored for each solution name 252. However, the same solution name 252 may be set for the same solution setting and stored as one record. For example, a solution setting for setting the paper discharge tray to "automatically select" may be stored as one record of the solution name 252 of "paper discharge tray automatic" and stored as one record. Figure 3 In the prohibition table 24 shown, each solution name 242 corresponding to the prohibition setting having information ID 241 of “1” to “3” is “automatic paper discharge tray”.

[0124] In this way, there are multiple combinations in the prohibition settings notified by the printer 1, and the printer 1 can notify solution information related to different setting items for each combination. That is, the printer 1 can notify the information indicating "automatic selection" for both the item of the paper discharge tray and the item of the paper supply tray as solution information. The item of the paper discharge tray and the item of the paper supply tray are examples of prescribed setting items, and are examples of first setting items and second setting items. The setting value indicating "automatic selection" set for the item of the paper discharge tray and the item of the paper supply tray is an example of a specific setting value, and is an example of a first specific setting value and a second specific setting value. By being able to notify the setting value indicating "automatic selection" in multiple setting items, the freedom of the setting value to be solved increases. As a result, the possibility of being able to flexibly solve multiple prohibition settings increases.

[0125] Next, regarding the steps of the printing process executed by the printer 1, refer to Figure 5 This printing process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 based on the IPP print program 22 when a print instruction of a print job is received from an external device such as the terminal 3 based on the IPP standard.

[0126] By executing the IPP client application 31, the terminal device 3 can send a response request for information to the printer 1 and receive information notified from the printer 1 as described above. After receiving the information notified from the printer 1, the terminal device 3 can send a print job to the printer 1.

[0127] CPU 11 obtains the print settings of the received print job (S201). There are multiple items in the print settings. In S201, CPU 11 obtains the specified setting values ​​for all items set for the print job of the execution object. It should be noted that, when the print settings obtained in S201 include print settings that cannot be executed by printer 1, CPU 11 may also report an error and not print. For example, when the print settings include the execution of the binding process and the printer 1 is not equipped with the finisher 19 or the finisher 19 of the printer 1 is not loaded with the stapler 191, CPU 11 may also report an error.

[0128] The CPU 11 determines whether the paper feed tray item setting of the print setting is automatically selected ( S211 ). If it is determined that the paper feed tray item setting is automatically selected ( S211 : Yes), the CPU 11 executes a paper feed tray selection process ( S212 ).

[0129] For the paper feed tray selection process, refer to Figure 6 The flowchart is used to illustrate. CPU11 obtains information about available paper feed trays and information about set priorities (S301). It should be noted that the printer 1 stores the priority information in the memory 12. The printer 1 can, for example, accept the designation of the priority of the paper feed trays through the user's operation of the operation panel 13, and store the accepted priority information in the memory 12. In S301, the CPU 11 arranges the available paper feed trays based on the priority and makes a temporary list. It should be noted that the CPU 11 can, for example, exclude from the list paper feed trays that do not contain paper and paper feed trays that are not allowed to be used.

[0130] CPU 11 determines whether there is a paper feed tray that can handle the paper size set for the print setting among the available paper feed trays in S301 (S311). When it is determined that there is a paper feed tray that can handle the paper size (S311: Yes), CPU 11 adjusts the priority of the list created in S301 based on the paper size and paper type set for the print setting (S312). Specifically, CPU 11 makes the priority of the paper feed trays the following order: the paper feed tray whose paper size and paper type are consistent with the print setting is the highest priority, followed by the paper feed tray whose only paper size is consistent, the paper feed tray whose only paper type is consistent, and the paper feed tray whose paper size and paper type are inconsistent.

[0131] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether double-sided printing is set in the print setting (S315). If it is determined that double-sided printing is set (S315: Yes), the CPU 11 excludes the paper feed tray that cannot perform double-sided printing from the list adjusted in S312 (S316). After S316, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a paper feed tray that can be used in the paper feed tray list (S317).

[0132] When it is determined that there are paper feed trays that can be used (S317: Yes), or when it is determined that double-sided printing is not set (S315: No), the CPU 11 selects the paper feed tray with the highest priority as the paper feed tray to be used based on the priority order of the list (S321). In other words, the CPU 11 replaces the setting value of the paper feed tray item of the print job with the setting value indicating the paper feed tray selected in S321.

[0133] On the other hand, if it is determined in S316 that there is no paper feed tray that can handle it (S317: No), CPU 11 changes the setting of double-sided printing in the print setting to single-sided printing (S318). If there is no paper feed tray that can handle double-sided printing, the possibility of printer 1 failing to print can be suppressed by not performing double-sided printing.

[0134] After S318, or when it is determined that there is no paper feed tray that can handle the paper size set for printing (S311: No), the CPU 11 selects the paper feed tray set as the default paper feed tray for the printer 1 as the paper feed tray to be used (S322). After S321 or S322, the CPU 11 ends the paper feed tray selection process and returns to the printing process.

[0135] It should be noted that the printer 1 may also give priority to printing, for example, using paper different from the print setting of the print job. For example, in S312 of the paper feed tray selection process, the CPU 11 preferentially selects a paper feed tray that contains paper that matches the paper size and paper type set for the print setting. However, if there is no matching paper feed tray, the CPU 11 may also select a paper feed tray that contains paper that matches the paper size and paper type set for the print setting in S321 and S322.

[0136] When a paper feed tray that stores paper of a different paper size and paper type from those specified in the print setting is selected by the paper feed tray selection process, the CPU 11 changes the paper size and paper type of the print setting to match the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selection process, and performs subsequent processing. For example, when the paper size specified in the print setting is A5 size, there is no paper feed tray that stores A5 size paper, and a paper feed tray that stores A4 size paper is selected, the CPU 11 changes the setting value of the paper size to A4 size, and performs subsequent processing.

[0137] In addition, if there is no paper feed tray containing paper matching the print setting in S321 and S322, the printer 1 may report an error and not print. Alternatively, the printer 1 may report that there is no paper matching the print setting and that the print setting should be changed to print. In addition, the printer 1 may ask the user via the operation panel 13 whether to change the print setting to print, and print when receiving the instruction to print.

[0138] return Figure 5 In the case where it is determined that the automatic selection is not set for the paper feed tray item (S211: No), CPU 11 determines whether the paper feed tray set in the print setting can be used (S213). The fact that the setting value of the paper feed tray item is not automatically selected means that a specific paper feed tray is specified as the paper feed tray used in the print setting. Therefore, CPU 11 obtains the state of the paper feed tray specified in the print setting, and selects the paper feed tray specified in the print setting as the paper feed tray to be used if it can be used.

[0139] It should be noted that, in S213, the CPU 11 may not consider items other than the item of the paper feed tray in the print setting. For example, the CPU 11 may select the designated paper feed tray as long as the designated paper feed tray is available regardless of the paper size and paper type in the print setting. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may report an error when the paper size and paper type of the paper stored in the designated paper feed tray are inconsistent with the paper size and paper type designated in the print setting.

[0140] After the paper feed tray selection process in S212, or when it is determined that the paper feed tray set in the print setting can be used (S213: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether the item setting of the paper discharge tray in the print setting is set to automatic selection (S221). When it is determined that the item setting of the paper discharge tray is set to automatic selection (S221: Yes), the CPU 11 executes the paper discharge tray selection process (S222).

[0141] For the paper output tray selection process, refer to Figure 7 CPU 11 determines whether the paper size of the printing target paper is a paper size that can be discharged to finisher tray 192 (S401). CPU 11 makes the determination in S401 based on, for example, the paper size specified in the print job and the paper size stored in the paper feed tray selected in the paper feed tray selection process.

[0142] When it is determined that the paper size is such that paper can be discharged to the finisher tray 192 ( S401 : YES), the CPU 11 determines whether the print setting includes a setting indicating that a stapling process is to be performed ( S411 ).

[0143] When it is determined that the setting for stapling is included (S411: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether the paper size is a paper size that can be stapling (S412). When it is determined that the paper size is not a paper size that can be stapling (S412: No), the CPU 11 turns off the stapling (S413). In other words, the CPU 11 applies the setting value of the paper size to the stapling in priority. It should be noted that the CPU 11 may also report that the stapling is not to be performed.

[0144] After S413, either when it is determined that the setting for stapling processing is not included (S411: No), or when it is determined that the paper size is a paper size that can be stapling processed (S412: Yes), CPU 11 determines whether the print setting includes a setting indicating offset paper discharge processing (S421).

[0145] When it is determined that the setting for offset paper discharge processing is included (S421: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether the paper size is a paper size that can handle the offset paper discharge processing (S422). When it is determined that the paper size is not a paper size that can handle the offset paper discharge processing (S422: No), the CPU 11 turns off the offset paper discharge processing (S423). In other words, the CPU 11 applies the setting value of the paper size to the offset paper discharge processing in priority. It should be noted that the CPU 11 can also report that the offset paper discharge processing is not performed.

[0146] After S423, either when it is determined that the offset paper discharge processing is not included (S421: No), or when it is determined that the paper size is a paper size that can cope with the offset paper discharge processing (S422: Yes), CPU11 determines whether at least one of the binding processing and the offset paper discharge processing is turned on (S431).

[0147] When determining that at least one of the stapling process and the offset paper discharge process is turned on ( S431 : YES), the CPU 11 selects the finisher tray 192 as the paper discharge tray ( S432 ).

[0148] On the other hand, when it is determined that the paper size of the paper to be printed is not a paper size that can be discharged to the finisher tray 192 (S401: No), the CPU 11 turns off the stapling process and the offset paper discharge process (S441). After S441, or when it is determined that both the stapling process and the offset paper discharge process are turned off (S431: No), the CPU 11 selects the default paper discharge tray set for the printer 1 as the paper discharge tray used for printing (S442).

[0149] The CPU 11 replaces the setting value of the paper discharge tray item of the print job with the setting value indicating the paper discharge tray selected in S432 or S442. After S432 or S442, the CPU 11 ends the paper discharge tray selection process and returns to the print process.

[0150] return Figure 5 In the case where it is determined that the automatic selection is not set for the paper discharge tray item (S221: No), CPU 11 determines whether the paper discharge tray set in the print setting can be used (S223). The fact that the setting value of the paper discharge tray item is not automatically selected means that a specific paper discharge tray is specified as the paper discharge tray used in the print setting. Therefore, CPU 11 obtains the state of the paper discharge tray specified in the print setting, and selects the paper discharge tray specified in the print setting as the paper supply tray to be used if it can be used.

[0151] After the paper discharge tray selection process in S222, or when it is determined that the paper discharge tray set in the print setting can be used (S223: Yes), the CPU 11 causes the print engine 15 to execute printing (S231). The CPU 11 supplies paper from the selected paper supply tray and discharges the paper printed by the print engine 15 to the selected paper discharge tray. If the stapling process or the offset paper discharge process is turned on, the CPU 11 executes these processes and discharges the paper to the finisher tray 192.

[0152] On the other hand, when it is determined that the paper supply tray is not automatically selected and the paper supply tray set in the print setting is not available (S213: No), or when it is determined that the paper discharge tray is not automatically selected and the paper discharge tray set in the print setting is not available (S223: No), the CPU 11 reports an error and does not execute printing (S232). For example, when the designated paper supply tray does not contain paper or when the designated paper discharge tray is full, the CPU 11 does not execute printing until the situation is improved. After S231 or S232, the CPU 11 ends the printing process.

[0153] As described in detail above, the printer 1 of the present embodiment can respond to the setting of a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, that is, prohibition information and solution information for resolving the prohibition information, according to the response request from the terminal device 3. In addition, the printer 1 sometimes notifies the item of the paper supply tray or the paper discharge tray of a setting value indicating "automatic selection" as solution information. The setting value indicating "automatic selection" is a setting value that indicates that the printer 1 replaces the setting value indicating an individual tray. Moreover, after notifying the item of the paper supply tray or the paper discharge tray of the setting value indicating "automatic selection", in the case of receiving a print job in which the setting value indicating "automatic selection" is set for the item of the paper supply tray or the paper discharge tray from the terminal device 3, the printer 1 selects a tray that is suitable for the situation when executing printing based on the print job from among the trays that can be selected as the paper supply tray or the paper discharge tray and prints. Therefore, even if the printer driver is not used for printing, there is a high possibility that the printer 1 can flexibly resolve the prohibition setting.

[0154] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an illustration and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can be modified and deformed in various ways without departing from its main purpose. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printer-only machine, but may also be a multifunction machine, a copier, a FAX device, etc. In addition, the printing method of the printer 1 may also be a thermal transfer method, a thermal sensitive method, etc.

[0155] In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 is shown as having a structure with three trays each as a paper supply tray and a paper discharge tray, but the number of these trays is not limited to this. However, in order to make the setting value indicating "automatic selection" notified as the solution information effective, the printer 1 preferably has a plurality of paper supply trays and paper discharge trays.

[0156] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a setting value indicating "automatic selection" is notified as solution information, but the solution information notified may be a setting value other than "automatic selection" as long as it indicates selection of a tray in the printer 1. For example, it may be a setting value indicating a tray that the printer 1 is not equipped with.

[0157] In this embodiment, the printer 1 responds to requests for information in accordance with the IPP standard, but it does not have to be in accordance with the IPP standard. For example, the printer 1 may respond to requests in accordance with a standard defined by the terminal device's OS, a standard defined by the vendor of the printer 1, or a standard defined by a platform on the Internet.

[0158] In addition, the printer 1 of this embodiment receives a request for solution information together with a request for prohibition information, but may receive a request for solution information only, or may receive a single request that serves as both a request for prohibition information and a request for solution information. In this case, when the printer 1 receives a single request that serves as both a request for prohibition information and a request for solution information, the printer 1 responds with the prohibition information and the solution information in a combined manner according to the request. In addition, the printer 1 may receive a request that, for example, distinguishes between information on combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be satisfied at the same time and information on combinations of setting values ​​that may become unsatisfactory at the same time according to the setting values ​​of other items as prohibition information, and in this case, the printer 1 responds with each type of prohibition information distinguished according to the received request.

[0159] Furthermore, for example, the printer 1 may have information about trays set as default and information about the priority of trays in advance, or may be able to receive information about trays set as default and information about the priority of trays through user operations.

[0160] The printer of this embodiment is a printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device according to a plurality of setting values ​​associated with the received print job, wherein:

[0161] The printer is composed of:

[0162] In response to a first request from the external device, the external device is notified of solution information for changing a predetermined setting item to a specific setting value as solution information for solving a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, wherein the specific setting value is a setting value indicating that the printer replaces the setting value with another setting value.

[0163] The printer is also composed of:

[0164] When a print job associated with the specific setting value is received from the external device after the solution information is notified in accordance with the first request from the external device, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from a plurality of setting values ​​replaceable from the specific setting value;

[0165] The printer performs printing based on the print job according to the selected one setting value.

[0166] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0167] Among the specific setting values, there are a first specific setting value corresponding to the first setting item and a second specific setting value corresponding to the second setting item,

[0168] The first specific setting value can be replaced by one of the first plurality of setting values, and the second specific setting value can be replaced by one of the second plurality of setting values.

[0169] The printer is composed of:

[0170] When the print job associated with at least one of the first specific setting value and the second specific setting value is received from the external device after the solution information is notified in accordance with the first request from the external device,

[0171] If the first specific setting value is associated with the received print job, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from among the first plurality of setting values ​​that can be replaced by the first specific setting value,

[0172] If the second specific setting value is associated with the received print job, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from among the second plurality of setting values ​​replaceable from the second specific setting value,

[0173] Printing based on the print job is performed according to the selected one setting value.

[0174] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0175] The combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated with each other at the same time include a first combination and a second combination.

[0176] The printer is composed of:

[0177] According to the first request from the external device,

[0178] notifying the external device of solution information for changing the first setting item to the first specific setting value as the solution information for the first combination,

[0179] The solution information for changing the second setting item to the second specific setting value is notified to the external device as the solution information for the second combination.

[0180] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0181] When a second request is received from the external device, prohibition information indicating a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time is notified to the external device, wherein the first combination is associated with the first identification information and the second combination is associated with the second identification information.

[0182] The printer is also composed of:

[0183] According to the first request from the external device,

[0184] as the solution information for the first combination, the solution information for changing the first setting item to the first specific setting value is associated with the first identification information and notified to the external device,

[0185] As the solution information for the second combination, the solution information for changing the second setting item to the second specific setting value is associated with the second identification information and notified to the external device.

[0186] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0187] When a "job-resolvers-supported" command is received as the first request from the external device in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard, the resolution information is notified to the external device.

[0188] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0189] Among the combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, there is a first specific combination in which the paper size is a size that cannot be matched with a specific paper discharge tray and the paper discharge tray is the specific paper discharge tray.

[0190] The printer is composed of:

[0191] In response to the first request from the external device, the external device is notified of the solution information that the predetermined setting item is a paper discharge tray and the setting value thereof is a first setting value that is the specific setting value as the solution information for solving the first specific combination.

[0192] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0193] Among the combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, there is a second specific combination in which the paper size is a size that cannot be processed by a binding process and the binding process is executed, wherein the binding process is a process of binding printed sheets.

[0194] The printer is composed of:

[0195] In response to the first request from the external device, the external device is notified of the solution information for solving the second specific combination, in which the predetermined setting item is a paper discharge tray and the setting value thereof is a second setting value as the specific setting value.

[0196] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0197] Among the combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, there is a third specific combination in which the paper size is a size that cannot be processed by offset paper discharge processing and the offset paper discharge processing is performed. The offset paper discharge processing is a process of shifting the paper discharge position of the printed sheets by the number of copies.

[0198] The printer is composed of:

[0199] In response to the first request from the external device, the external device is notified of the solution information for solving the third specific combination, in which the predetermined setting item is a paper discharge tray and the setting value thereof is a third setting value as the specific setting value.

[0200] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0201] Among the combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, there is a fourth specific combination in which the paper size is a size that cannot be matched to a specific paper feed tray and the paper feed tray is the specific paper feed tray.

[0202] The printer is composed of:

[0203] In response to the first request from the external device, the external device is notified of the solution information for solving the fourth specific combination, in which the predetermined setting item is a paper feed tray and the setting value thereof is a fourth setting value as the specific setting value.

[0204] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0205] Among the combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, there is a fifth specific combination in which a specific process requiring the use of a specific paper discharge tray is performed and the paper discharge tray is a paper discharge tray other than the specific paper discharge tray.

[0206] The printer is composed of:

[0207] In response to the first request from the external device, the external device is notified of the solution information for solving the fifth specific combination, in which the predetermined setting item is a paper discharge tray and the setting value thereof is a fifth setting value as the specific setting value.

[0208] [Second embodiment]

[0209] The aforementioned non-patent document 1 discloses a process of communicating the status of the printer from the printer to the IPP client that generates a print job according to the IPP standard using a message composed of natural language. However, the method of making the message depends on the printer. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the process of making the message in the printer.

[0210] Next, a second embodiment for solving the above-mentioned problems will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 The printer 1 of this embodiment is also capable of executing printing based on printing instructions in accordance with the IPP standard, similarly to the first embodiment. Figure 1 The structure shown. It should be noted that, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the printing method of the print engine 15 is, for example, an electronic photography method. The printer 1 of the present embodiment has a print engine 15 that can use a plurality of toners of different colors to perform color printing. Toner is an example of a colorant. In addition, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the notification information 23 may not include the prohibition table 24 and the solution table 25.

[0211] For details about the notification process executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment, see Figure 8 This notification process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 based on the IPP response program 21 when a response request for information is received from an external device such as the terminal 3 .

[0212] It should be noted that the IPP client application 31 has a function of communicating with the device to be printed, that is, the printer 1, and requesting the printer 1 to send information. The IPP client application 31 sometimes executes a process for requesting the printer 1 to be printed to send information and generating a print job using the responded information at a certain time, such as before sending a print instruction. For example, when the printer 1 receives a response request from the terminal device 3, it can generate the requested information based on the command included in the response request and respond to the terminal device 3.

[0213] The CPU 11 determines whether the received response request includes a request for printer status information (S1101). The printer status information is information indicating the current status of the printer 1. The printer 1 has at least three statuses, such as stopped, waiting, and executing. The request for printer status information is an example of the first request. The request for printer status information based on the IPP standard is, for example, a "printer-state" command.

[0214] When it is determined that the request includes printer status information (S1101: Yes), the CPU 11 obtains the status of the printer 1 (S1102). Furthermore, the CPU 11 adds a status code, which is information indicating the obtained status of the printer 1, to the notification information (S1103). The status code is information defined for each status of the printer 1 based on the IPP standard followed by the terminal device 3. The notification information is information that is responded to the terminal device 3 in the process described later. It should be noted that at the start of the notification process, no information is included in the notification information.

[0215] After S1103, or when it is determined that the received response request does not include a request for printer status information (S1101: No), CPU 11 determines whether the received response request includes a request for printer status reason information (S1111). Printer status reason information is information indicating the reason why the printer 1 is in that state. There are various reasons for the state of the printer 1, which are greater than the number of states. For example, there are many reasons for the printer 1 to be stopped, such as the cover is open, there is no toner, and the photosensitive body needs to be replaced. The request for printer status reason information is an example of the second request. The request for printer status reason information based on the IPP standard is, for example, the "printer-state-reasons" command.

[0216] When it is determined that the received response request includes information on the reason for the printer status (S1111: Yes), the CPU 11 obtains the reason why the printer 1 is in this status (S1112). It should be noted that if the reason for the status of the printer 1 has been obtained in S1102, the CPU 11 may skip S1112. Furthermore, the CPU 11 adds a reason code, which is information indicating the reason why the printer 1 is in this status, to the notification information (S1113). The reason code is information defined for each reason for the status of the printer 1 based on the IPP standard followed by the terminal device 3.

[0217] It should be noted that there may be multiple reasons depending on the state of the printer 1. For example, when the printer 1 is stopped and both the cover is open and there is no toner as the reasons, the CPU 11 acquires all the multiple reasons in S1112. Then, the CPU 11 adds all the multiple reason codes corresponding to the acquired multiple reasons to the notification information.

[0218] In addition, depending on the state of the printer 1, there may be no reason. For example, when the printer 1 is in standby mode, there is no particular reason for the printer 1 to be in standby mode, and there is no reason for the printer 1 to be in this state. When the CPU 11 fails to obtain a reason in S1112, that is, when there is no reason, the CPU 11 adds a reason code indicating "no" in S1113. The reason code indicating "no" is a reason code indicating that there is no reason, and is an example of a special code.

[0219] In addition, when there is no reason code matching the reason obtained in S1112, for example, when the reason code is not determined based on the IPP standard, CPU 11 adds a reason code indicating "other" in S1113. The reason code indicating "other" is a reason code indicating that there is no reason code matching the reason, and is an example of a special code.

[0220] After S1113, or when it is determined that the received response request does not include a request for printer status reason information (S1111: No), CPU 11 determines whether the received response request includes a request for printer status message information (S1121). Printer status message information is a message that expresses the current state of printer 1 and the reason for the state in a natural language. The request for printer status message information is an example of the third request. The request for printer status message information based on the IPP standard is, for example, a "printer-state-message" command. It should be noted that in this specification, an English message is exemplified as a natural language message.

[0221] It should be noted that the status code added in S1103 and the reason code added in S1113 are predetermined based on the IPP standard, but the printer status message information requested in S1121 is not determined based on the IPP standard. The vendor of the printer can freely prepare the printer status message information. Therefore, the freedom of the message is high. However, in the printer 1, as the message information in response to the request based on the IPP standard, one message is prepared for one reason code. Therefore, the printer 1 responds with the message information predetermined for each reason code. The printer 1 does not respond with a dynamic message, for example, a message that varies depending on the status of the printer 1, as the message information for one reason code.

[0222] When it is determined that the received response request includes a request for printer status message information (S1121: YES), the CPU 11 executes a message generation process (S1122). The message generation process is a process for generating a response message as a response of printer status message information.

[0223] It should be noted that the printer 1 responds to the external device such as the terminal device 3 with the response message created in the message generation process in the process described later. When the IPP client application 31 of the terminal device 3 receives the response message as a response to the response request sent to the printer 1, it sometimes displays the message on the display of the terminal device 3.

[0224] For the message generation process, refer to Fig. 9 1. The CPU 11 determines whether the status of the printer 1 and the reason for the status have been obtained (S1201). If it is determined that the status of the printer 1 and the reason for the status have not been obtained (S1201: No), the CPU 11 obtains the status of the printer 1 and the reason for the status (S1202). S1202 is the same process as S1102 and S1112 of the notification process. It should be noted that if the CPU 11 has executed S1102 and S1112 of the notification process, it is not necessary to obtain it again.

[0225] The CPU 11 obtains a status message based on the status of the printer 1 (S1211). The CPU 11 can obtain a status message based on the status table 26 stored in the memory 12. For example, Fig.10 As shown, the status table 26 is a table showing the relationship between the status of the printer 1 and the message responded as the status of the printer 1 .

[0226] For example, when the printer 1 is in the stopped state, Fig.10 As shown, the status message is "Printer is stopped." That is, the status message expresses the status of the printer 1 as being stopped in natural language. When the status of the printer 1 is in standby or in execution, the status message is "Printer is idle." or "Printer is processing.".

[0227] Then, the CPU 11 obtains a reason message based on the reason for the status of the printer 1 (S1212). The CPU 11 can obtain the reason message based on the reason table 27 stored in the memory 12. For example, Fig.11 As shown, the reason table 27 is a table showing the relationship between the reason why the printer 1 is in this state and the message that is responded as the reason for the state of the printer 1. If there are multiple reasons, the CPU 11 obtains the reason messages for all the reasons in S1212.

[0228] For example, when the printer 1 is stopped because the cover is open, Fig.11As shown in FIG. 1 , the reason message is “Cover is open.” It should be noted that the reason message can be any natural language that conveys the meaning to the user, and it does not need to be a sentence structure. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the message indicating the reason why no paper is stored may be “No paper.”.

[0229] It should be noted that, for a state where there is no particular reason or a state where there is no need to report the reason to the user, no reason message is associated in the reason table 27. Fig.11 As shown, the reason table 27 does not store a reason message when the reason for the status is "none" or "other". In S1212, when the corresponding reason message is not stored in the reason table 27, the CPU 11 obtains information indicating a blank column.

[0230] For example, if there is no reason, even if a message such as there is no reason is notified, the user is likely to be confused. Also, if there is a reason but there is no code indicating the reason, even if a message such as there is no code indicating the reason is notified, the user is likely to be confused. In these cases, the printer 1 leaves the reason message blank so that an unnecessary message is not displayed on the terminal device 3, thereby reducing user confusion.

[0231] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown, in the reason table 27, there is a reason that the corresponding reason message is not stored. If the printer 1 does not have a structure that corresponds to the reason, even if a reason code based on the IPP standard is prepared, the reason for the state of the printer 1 cannot correspond to the reason code. For example, the printer 1 does not have a door, so the door is not open. Therefore, in the reason table 27, a reason message associated with the reason of the door opening is not stored. The reason code with which the reason message is not associated is an example of a special code.

[0232] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the status message obtained in S1211 and the reason message obtained in S1212 are a repeated combination (S1213). When the main parts of the two messages, such as words or phrases, are repeated, the CPU 11 determines that it is a repeated combination. For example, when the status message is "Printer is stopped." and the reason message is "Printer is stopped partly.", the part of "Printer is stopped" is repeated. The combination of the status message and the reason message that are repeated is an example of a specific combination.

[0233] If it is determined that the combination is repeated (S1213: Yes), the CPU 11 deletes the status message obtained in S1211 and changes it to no message (S1214). It should be noted that repeated combinations include, for example, a combination in which the status message is included in the reason message, a combination in which at least a major part of the status message and the reason message are repeated, and a combination in which the meanings of the status message and the reason message are repeated. The printer 1 may determine whether there is a repeat based on each message obtained, or may have information related to the repeat combination in advance.

[0234] Depending on the combination of status and reason, a message containing both may become redundant and confuse the user. The printer 1 uses only the reason message as a response message for repeated combinations, so repeated messages are not displayed on the terminal 3, making it easier for the user to understand the message.

[0235] After S1214, or if it is determined that there is no duplication (S1213: No), the CPU 11 combines the status message and the reason message to create a single response message (S1221). The CPU 11 combines all the reason messages obtained in S1212 after the status message to create a response message. The response message created in S1221 if there is no duplication is an example of the first printer status message.

[0236] In addition, when it is determined that there is duplication and the status message is deleted in S1214, the CPU 11 generates a response message including a reason message and not including the status message in S1221. For example, as described above, when the status message is "Printeris stopped." and the reason message is "Printer is stopped partly.", the response message becomes "Printer is stopped partly." This response message is an example of the fourth printer status message.

[0237] For example, Fig.12 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , when the printer 1 is in the stopped state and the reasons for this state are two: the cover is open (reason 1) and there is no paper (reason 2), as shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown in (B), the status message is "Printer is stopped.", and the reason message is "Cover is open." and "No paper.". Fig.12As shown in (C), the response message created in S1221 becomes "Printer is stopped. Cover is open. No paper." When there are multiple reasons, CPU 11 creates a response message including reason messages corresponding to the reasons and responds. Therefore, if a message based on the response message is displayed on terminal device 3, the user can understand the reason for the state in detail.

[0238] Then, CPU 11 obtains the number of characters of the response message generated in S1221, and determines whether the number of characters is within a range that does not exceed a specified upper limit (S1223). The printer 1 pre-stores a specified upper limit value independently of the upper limit value of the number of characters determined by the IPP standard. The upper limit value stored in the printer 1 of the present embodiment is a number of characters shorter than the upper limit value of the number of characters determined by the IPP standard. The printer 1 can, for example, use the number of characters that can be displayed on the operation panel 13 as the upper limit value. It should be noted that the number of characters that can be displayed on the operation panel 13 can be the number of characters that can be displayed at one time without accepting operations such as scrolling, or the number of characters contained in one screen that can be displayed by accepting operations such as scrolling. By setting an upper limit on the number of characters in the response message, the printer 1 can prevent the response message from becoming lengthy while conveying the detailed reason for the status to the user.

[0239] When it is determined that the number of characters in the response message exceeds the upper limit (S1223: No), the CPU 11 reduces the reason message included in the response message by one (S1224). The CPU 11 deletes the last reason message, for example. Then, the CPU 11 performs the determination of S1223 again on the deleted response message.

[0240] In addition, even when there are multiple reasons, the CPU 11 can include only one reason message in the response message. In the case of multiple reasons, if all the reason messages corresponding to the reasons are included, it may become redundant and difficult to convey the reasons to the user. In addition, the processing procedure becomes complicated due to the acquisition of the number of characters in the response message and the comparison with the upper limit value. If only the reason message corresponding to one reason is included in the response message, it is easy for the user to read the message of the reason for the state.

[0241] When it is determined that the number of characters of the response message does not exceed the prescribed upper limit (S1223: YES), the CPU 11 adds the response message to the notification information (S1225), terminates the message generation process, and returns to the notification process.

[0242] return Figure 8After executing the message generation process (S1122), or when it is determined that the received response request does not include the printer status message information (S1121: No), the CPU 11 responds with the notification information (S1131) and ends the notification process. Thus, all notification information including the requested information is notified.

[0243] It should be noted that the printer 1 stores natural language messages for reporting its status and reasons to the user in advance in the memory 12, and can display appropriate messages on the operation panel 13 according to the current status and reasons. For example, when the status of the printer 1 is Fig.12 In the case of the state shown in (A), the reason is as follows: Fig.13 As shown in (A), the printer 1 can display "Printer is stopped. Cover is open. No paper." on the operation panel 13 to urge the user to pay attention. The status message displayed by the printer 1 on the operation panel 13 is an example of a status UI message. The reason message displayed by the printer 1 on the operation panel 13 is an example of a reason UI message. The reason for which the printer 1 displays the reason message on the operation panel 13 is an example of the first reason.

[0244] And, in Fig.10 The state table 26 shown stores the state messages, Fig.11 The reason table 27 shown in FIG. 1 stores the same reason message as the message stored in the memory 12 for the printer 1 to display on the operation panel 13. That is, the printer 1 creates a response message with the same content as the message displayed on the operation panel 13 in S1221. By notifying the terminal device 3 of the response message, for example, Fig.13 As shown in (B), the same message 311 may also be displayed on the display of the terminal device 3.

[0245] For example, if a response message different from the message displayed on the operation panel 13 of the printer 1 is notified to the terminal device 3, the message displayed on the terminal device 3 and the message displayed on the operation panel 13 are different, and the user may misunderstand the status of the printer 1. The printer 1 of this embodiment creates the same message as the message displayed on the operation panel 13 as a response message, and responds to the terminal device 3. Therefore, even if the message is displayed on the display of the terminal device 3, the possibility of causing misunderstanding by the user is low.

[0246] It should be noted that even when the printer 1 displays a status message indicating its own status on the operation panel 13, if there is no need to display the reason for the status, only the status message is displayed. For example, if there is no particular reason for the status or if there is no need to report the reason to the user, the printer 1 does not display the reason message on the operation panel 13. The reason why the printer 1 does not display the reason message on the operation panel 13 is an example of the second reason.

[0247] In addition, regarding the reason why the reason message is not displayed on the operation panel 13, Fig.11 In the reason table 27 shown in FIG. 1 , information indicating a blank field is stored as a reason message. When only information indicating a blank field is obtained as a reason message in S1212 of the message generation process, the CPU 11 changes only the status message to a response message as it is in S1221. For example, when the status message is "Printer is processing." and there is no reason, the response message is "Printer is processing." This response message is an example of the second printer status message and also an example of the third printer status message.

[0248] In this case, for example, Fig.14 As shown in (A), only the status message is displayed on the operation panel 13. And, by notifying the terminal device 3 of the response message, for example, Fig.14 As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , a message 311 including only a status message is also displayed on the display of the terminal device 3 .

[0249] If the reason for the status of the printer 1 is a reason not to be displayed on the operation panel 13, it is less necessary to display the reason on the display of the terminal device 3. If the reason is a reason not to display a message on the operation panel 13, the printer 1 responds with a response message that does not include a reason message, so that the message can be consistent with the message displayed on the operation panel 13. In this case, the printer 1 also responds with a response message with the number of characters that can be displayed on the operation panel 13. As a result, it is highly likely that the same message as the message displayed on the operation panel 13 will be displayed on the display of the terminal device 3, which is easy for the user to understand.

[0250] It should be noted that the printer 1 may sometimes specify a reason more detailed than the information corresponding to the reason code as the reason for the status of the printer 1. For example, when the status of the printer 1 is stopped and the reason for the status is that there is no toner, the printer 1 may further obtain information indicating that a specific color toner among a plurality of colors of toners does not exist. In this case, the printer 1 may display the obtained detailed information on the operation panel 13. For example, Fig.15As shown in (A), the printer 1 displays a message including information about the color of the missing toner on the operation panel 13. The message including the color information is an example of a detailed reason UI message. Thus, the user can understand the detailed reason. It should be noted that the absence of toner also includes the case where there is a residual amount of toner that cannot be printed.

[0251] Even when there is a detailed reason, the printer 1 notifies a response message that does not include the detailed reason. For example, when the reason for the status is that there is no toner, the reason code determined based on the IPP standard is only one indicating "no toner". In addition, only one reason message corresponding to one reason can be prepared. In the above example, the printer 1 notifies "Printer is stopped. Replace Toner." as a response message, and does not notify the color information. Therefore, if Fig.15 As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , a message 311 including a status message and a reason message not including a detailed reason is displayed on the display of the terminal device 3 .

[0252] That is, the same message as the message displayed on the operation panel 13 is also displayed on the display of the terminal device 3, and a message including a detailed reason is also displayed on the operation panel 13. This makes it less likely for a user who views both the message on the display of the terminal device 3 and the message on the operation panel 13 to misunderstand. Furthermore, since the printer 1 displays the message including a detailed reason on the operation panel 13, the detailed reason can be reported to the user.

[0253] As described in detail above, the printer 1 of this embodiment notifies the terminal device 3 of a response message composed of a natural language that combines a status message indicating the current status of the printer 1 and a reason message indicating the reason for the status in response to a message request from the terminal device 3. As a result, the notified response message can be displayed on the terminal device 3, so that the detailed status of the printer 1 can be easily conveyed to the user.

[0254] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an illustration and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can of course be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its main purpose. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printer-only machine, but may also be a multifunction machine, a copier, a FAX device, etc. In addition, the printing method of the printer 1 is not limited to an electronic photography method, but may also be an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, etc. In the case of different printing methods, the response message notified by the printer 1 may be different.

[0255] In this embodiment, the printer status request, reason information request, and message request are each a separate message and are included in one response request. However, for example, one request message may include three requests. In addition, the above-mentioned one or more requests may be included in a plurality of response requests. For example, when the printer 1 receives a message request independently of the printer status request and reason information request, the printer 1 obtains the status of the printer 1 and the reason for the status based on the receipt of the message request and creates a message.

[0256] The information requested from the terminal 3 is not limited to the status, reason, or message of the printer 1. If other information is requested, the printer 1 responds with the other information in response to the request.

[0257] In this embodiment, the printer 1 creates a response message by placing the reason message after the status message, but the order may be reversed. However, placing the reason message after the status message makes it easier for the user to understand the content of the message. In this embodiment, an English message is used as an example, but any natural language is acceptable and is not limited to English.

[0258] In this embodiment, the printer 1 stores the upper limit of the number of characters in the response message in advance, but the upper limit may be determined based on the IPP standard, or may be set by the user. In addition, the upper limit is not limited to the upper limit of the number of characters, and there may be an upper limit on the number of reason messages included in the response message, for example.

[0259] In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 leaves the reason message blank when the reason is "other", but when the reason does not have a reason code, the reason can be displayed on the operation panel 13 and, for example, a message urging the user to check the operation panel 13 can be included in the response message.

[0260] In this embodiment, the printer 1 responds to requests for information in accordance with the IPP standard, but it does not have to be in accordance with the IPP standard. For example, the printer 1 may respond to requests in accordance with a standard defined by the terminal device's OS, a standard defined by the vendor of the printer 1, or a standard defined by a platform on the Internet.

[0261] The printer of this embodiment is a printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein:

[0262] The printer is composed of:

[0263] In response to a first request from the external device, a status code indicating a current status of the printer is notified to the external device,

[0264] In response to a second request from the external device, a reason code indicating the reason why the printer is in the current state is notified to the external device;

[0265] In response to a third request from the external device, a first printer status message is sent to the external device, which is a combination of a status message written in natural language indicating the current status of the printer and a reason message written in natural language indicating the reason why the printer is in the current status.

[0266] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0267] When the current state of the printer is a prescribed state and the reason for the prescribed state is a prescribed reason, a state UI message composed of natural language indicating the prescribed state and a reason UI message composed of natural language indicating the prescribed reason can be displayed on the user interface of the printer,

[0268] When the third request from the external device is generated under the condition that the current status of the printer is the specified status and the reason for being the specified status is the specified reason, the first printer status message including the status UI message as the status message and the reason UI message as the reason message is notified to the external device.

[0269] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0270] the reason why the printer is in the predetermined state includes a first reason displayed as the reason UI message on the user interface and a second reason not displayed as the reason UI message,

[0271] The printer is composed of:

[0272] When the third request from the external device is generated under the condition that the current status of the printer is the specified status and the reason for the specified status is the first reason, the first printer status message including the status UI message as the status message and the reason UI message as the reason message is notified to the external device,

[0273] When the third request from the external device is generated when the current status of the printer is the specified status and the reason for the specified status is the second reason, the second printer status message including the status UI message and not including the reason message as the status message is notified to the external device.

[0274] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0275] According to the third request from the external device,

[0276] If the reason code corresponding to the reason why the printer is in the current state is not a special code, notifying the external device of the first printer status message consisting of the status message and the reason message,

[0277] If the reason code corresponding to the reason why the printer is in the current state is the special code, a third printer status message including the status message but not the reason message is notified to the external device.

[0278] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0279] The special code is the reason code indicating that there is no reason why the printer is in the current state.

[0280] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0281] The special code is the reason code indicating that there is a reason why the printer is in the current state, but there is no code indicating the reason.

[0282] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0283] The special code is the reason code for not being associated with the message.

[0284] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0285] The status code and the reason code are defined by the standard followed by the external device.

[0286] The status message and the reason message are not defined by the standard followed by the external device.

[0287] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0288] The printer is composed of:

[0289] With respect to a specific reason indicated by a specific reason code defined by the standard followed by the external device, a detailed reason can be further determined.

[0290] In response to the third request from the external device, when the reason why the printer is in the current state is the specific reason, the first printer status message which is a combination of the status message and the reason message corresponding to the specific reason code and does not include a message composed of natural language indicating the detailed reason is notified to the external device.

[0291] In the printer of this embodiment,

[0292] The printer is composed of:

[0293] When the reason why the printer is in the current state is the specific reason, a status UI message indicating the current state and a detailed reason UI message indicating the detailed reason can be displayed on the user interface of the printer.

[0294] When the third request from the external device is generated when the reason why the printer is in the current state is the specific reason, the first printer status message which is a combination of the status message and the reason message corresponding to the specific reason code and does not include a message composed of natural language indicating the detailed reason is notified to the external device.

[0295] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0296] Capable of color printing using multiple colorants of different colors,

[0297] The specific reason is insufficient colorant,

[0298] The detailed reason is that a specific colorant among the plurality of colorants is insufficient.

[0299] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0300] When there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the reason codes corresponding to the multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state are notified to the external device according to the second request from the external device,

[0301] When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the first printer status message that is a combination of the status message and the reason messages corresponding to the multiple reasons is notified to the external device.

[0302] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0303] When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the first printer status message including the status message and the reason messages corresponding to the multiple reasons respectively within a range where the number of characters of the first printer status message does not exceed an upper limit value is notified to the external device.

[0304] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0305] When there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the reason codes corresponding to the multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state are notified to the external device according to the second request from the external device,

[0306] When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the first printer status message which is a combination of the status message and the reason message and includes, as the reason message, the reason message corresponding to one of the reasons selected from the multiple reasons is notified to the external device.

[0307] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0308] According to the third request from the external device,

[0309] If the combination of the current state of the printer and the reason why the printer is in the current state is not a specific combination, notifying the external device of the first printer status message consisting of the combination of the status message and the reason message,

[0310] If the combination of the current printer status and the reason why the printer is in the current status is the specific combination, a fourth printer status message including the reason message and not including the status message is notified to the external device.

[0311] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0312] The specific combination is a combination in which at least a major part of the status message indicating the status and the reason message indicating the reason overlap.

[0313] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0314] When a "printer-state" command is received as the first request from the external device in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard, the status code is notified to the external device.

[0315] When a "printer-state-reasons" command is received from the external device as the second request in accordance with the IPP standard, the reason code is notified to the external device,

[0316] When a "printer-state-message" command is received from the external device as the third request in accordance with the IPP standard, the first printer status message is notified to the external device.

[0317] [Third Embodiment]

[0318] The aforementioned non-patent document 1 discloses a process of communicating the status of an input job from a printer to an IPP client that generates a print job in accordance with the IPP standard using a message composed of a natural language. However, the method for producing the message depends on the printer. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the process of producing the message in the printer.

[0319] Next, regarding the third method for solving the above-mentioned problem, referring to the attached Figure 1 The printer 1 of this embodiment is also capable of executing printing based on printing instructions in accordance with the IPP standard, similarly to the first and second embodiments. Figure 1 The structure shown. It should be noted that, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the printing method of the print engine 15 is, for example, an electronic photography method. The printer 1 of the present embodiment may also include a print engine 15 that can use a plurality of toners of different colors to perform color printing. In addition, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the notification information 23 may not include the prohibition table 24 and the solution table 25.

[0320] For details about the notification process executed by the printer 1 of this embodiment, see Fig.16 This notification process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 based on the IPP response program 21 when a response request for information is received from an external device such as the terminal 3 .

[0321] It should be noted that the IPP client application 31 has a function of communicating with the device to be printed, that is, the printer 1, and requesting the printer 1 to send information. For example, after sending a print job to the printer 1, the IPP client application 31 sometimes requests the printer 1 to send information indicating the status of the sent print job. When the printer 1 receives a response request from the terminal device 3, for example, it can generate the requested information based on the command included in the response request and respond to the terminal device 3.

[0322] When the received response request includes a request for information related to a specific print job, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a specific print job for which information is required (S2101). When it is determined that there is no specific print job for which information is required (S2101: No), the CPU 11 ends the notification process. The CPU 11 may also respond with information indicating that there is no specific print job for which information is required.

[0323] The IPP client application 31 can identify the print job for which the execution instruction is sent to the printer 1 based on the user name of the logged-in user when the execution instruction is received, the file name of the print object, etc. In addition, the IPP client application 31 can, for example, determine the print job to be input to the printer 1 based on the user's instruction, and request the printer 1 for information about the determined print job.

[0324] In addition, when the printer 1 receives a print job from the terminal device 3 or the like, for example, it generates identification information for identifying the input print job, and manages information related to the print job at least until the processing of the print job is completed. In addition, when the printer 1 receives the designation of the input print job and a request for information related to the designated print job, it determines whether it has information about the print job. It should be noted that the printer 1 may delete the information of the print job whose processing has been completed, or may still have the information after the processing is completed.

[0325] When it is determined that there is a specific print job for which information is requested by the response request (S2101: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether the received response request contains information indicating the status of the specific print job, i.e., a request for job status information (S2103). The job status information is information indicating the current status of a specified job. The request for job status information is an example of the first request. The request for job status information based on the IPP standard is, for example, a "job-state" command.

[0326] When it is determined that the request includes job status information (S2103: YES), the CPU 11 obtains the status of the print job (S2104). The status of the print job includes, for example, pending, executing, canceled, suspended, and completed.

[0327] Furthermore, the CPU 11 adds a status code, which is information indicating the status of the acquired print job, to the notification information (S2105). The status code is information defined for each status of the job based on the IPP standard followed by the terminal device 3. The notification information is information responded to the terminal device 3 in the process described later. It should be noted that at the start of the notification process, no information is included in the notification information.

[0328] After S2105, or when it is determined that the received response request does not include a request for job status information (S2103: No), CPU 11 determines whether the received response request includes a request for job status reason information (S2111). Job status reason information is information indicating the reason why the print job has become that state. Among the reasons for the state of a print job, there are various reasons that are greater than the number of states. For example, among the reasons why a job has become a canceled state, there are reasons such as cancellation by the user, cancellation by an operator other than the user, and cancellation from the operation panel. The request for job status reason information is an example of the second request. An example of a request for job status reason information based on the IPP standard is a "job-state-reasons" command.

[0329] When it is determined that the received response request includes job status reason information (S2111: Yes), CPU 11 obtains the reason why the print job is in that status (S2112). It should be noted that if the reason for the print job status has been obtained in S2104, CPU 11 may skip S2112.

[0330] Furthermore, the CPU 11 adds a reason code, which is information indicating the reason why the print job is in this state, to the notification information (S2113). The reason code is information defined for each reason of the state of the job based on the IPP standard followed by the terminal device 3. It should be noted that, when there are multiple reasons for the state of the job, the CPU 11 obtains multiple reasons and adds all the multiple reason codes corresponding to the obtained multiple reasons to the notification information.

[0331] In addition, depending on the state of the job, there may be no reason. For example, when the job is in a sequential waiting state, there is no particular reason for the waiting state. When the CPU 11 fails to obtain a reason in S2112, that is, when there is no reason, in S2113, a reason code indicating "no" is added. The reason code indicating "no" is a reason code indicating that there is no reason, and is an example of a special code.

[0332] In addition, when the reason is obtained in S2112 but the reason code that matches the obtained reason is not determined based on the IPP standard, CPU 11 adds a reason code indicating "other" in S2113. The reason code indicating "other" is a reason code indicating that there is no reason code that matches the reason and is an example of a special code.

[0333] After S2113, or when it is determined that the received response request does not include a request for job status reason information (S2111: No), CPU 11 determines whether the received response request includes a request for job status message information (S2121). Job status message information is a message that expresses the current state of a specified job and the reason for the state in a natural language. The request for job status message information is an example of the third request. An example of a request for job status message information based on the IPP standard is a "job-state-message" command. It should be noted that in this specification, an English message is exemplified as a natural language message.

[0334] It should be noted that the status code added in S2105 and the reason code added in S2113 are predetermined based on the IPP standard, but the job status message information requested in S2121 is not determined based on the IPP standard. The vendor of the printer can freely prepare the job status message information. Therefore, the freedom of the message is high. The printer 1 prepares one message for one reason code as the message information in response to the request based on the IPP standard. Therefore, the printer 1 responds with the message information predetermined for each reason code.

[0335] When it is determined that the received response request includes a request for the job status message information (S2121: YES), the CPU 11 executes a message generation process (S2122). The message generation process is a process for generating a response message as a response of the job status message information.

[0336] It should be noted that the printer 1 responds to the external device such as the terminal device 3 with the response message created in the message generation process in the process described later. When the IPP client application 31 of the terminal device 3 receives the response message as a response to the response request sent to the printer 1, the message can be displayed on the display of the terminal device 3 or the like.

[0337] For the message generation process, refer to Fig.17 The flowchart of is used to illustrate. The CPU 11 determines whether the status of the specified print job and the reason for the status have been obtained (S2201). When it is determined that it has not been obtained (S2201: No), the CPU 11 obtains the status of the specified print job and the reason for the status (S2202). S2202 is the same process as S2104 and S2112 of the notification process. It should be noted that if the CPU 11 has executed S2104 and S2112 of the notification process, it is not necessary to obtain it again.

[0338] The CPU 11 obtains a status message based on the status of the job (S2211). The CPU 11 can obtain a status message based on the status table 26 stored in the memory 12. For example, Fig.18 As shown, the status table 26 is a table showing the relationship between the status of the job and the message responded as the status of the job. It should be noted that the status of the job input to the printer 1 is included in the status of the printer 1. In other words, the status of the job input to the printer 1 can be said to be a subordinate concept of the status of the printer 1.

[0339] For example, if the status of the specified print job is in progress, Fig.18 As shown, the status message is "Job is processing." That is, the status message expresses the status of the print job being executed in natural language. In the status table 26, a message expressed in natural language is stored for each status of the print job.

[0340] Then, the CPU 11 obtains a reason message based on the reason for the status of the job (S2212). The CPU 11 can obtain the reason message based on the reason table 27 stored in the memory 12. For example, Fig.19 As shown, the reason table 27 is a table showing the relationship between the reason why the job is in the state and the message replied as the reason for the state of the job. It should be noted that when there are multiple reasons, the CPU 11 obtains the reason messages for all the reasons in S2212.

[0341] For example, when the execution of a print job is on hold because the printer 1 has stopped, Fig.19 As shown in FIG. 1 , the reason message is “Printer is stopped.” It should be noted that the reason message may be a natural language that conveys its meaning to the user, and may not be a sentence structure. For example, if the printer 1 stops processing the print job because the format of the document to be printed is incorrect, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 As shown, the reason message may also be "Document format error.".

[0342] It should be noted that, for a state where there is no particular reason or a state where there is no need to report the reason to the user, no reason message is associated in the reason table 27. Fig.19 As shown, the reason table 27 does not store a reason message when the reason for the status is "None" or "Receiving". If the corresponding reason message is not stored in the reason table 27 at S2212, the CPU 11 obtains information indicating a blank column at S2212.

[0343] For example, if there is no reason, even if a message indicating that there is no reason is notified, the user is likely to be confused. Also, if there is a reason but there is no code indicating the reason, even if a message indicating that there is no code indicating the reason is notified, the user is likely to be confused. In these cases, the printer 1 leaves the reason message blank, so that no unnecessary message is displayed on the terminal device 3, thereby reducing user confusion.

[0344] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the status message obtained in S2211 and the reason message obtained in S2212 are a repeated combination (S2213). When the main parts of the two messages, such as words or phrases, are repeated, the CPU 11 determines that it is a repeated combination. For example, when the status message is "Job is canceled." and the reason message is "Job is canceled by user.", the part of "Job is canceled" is repeated. The combination of the status message and the reason message that are repeated is an example of a specific combination.

[0345] When the job status is any one of canceled, aborted, or completed, there may be a combination of a status message and a reason message that are repeated. For example, if the job status is any one of canceled, aborted, or completed, the CPU 11 determines whether any one of the status message obtained in S2211 and the reason message obtained in S2212 is repeated. In addition, when the job status is not any one of canceled, aborted, or completed, the CPU 11 may also determine that the status message and the reason message are not repeated.

[0346] If it is determined that the combination is repeated (S2213: Yes), the CPU 11 deletes the status message obtained in S2211 and changes it to no message (S2214). It should be noted that the repeated combination is not limited to the combination in which the status message is included in the reason message, and may be, for example, a combination in which at least a major part of the status message and the reason message are repeated, or a combination in which the meanings of the status message and the reason message are repeated. The printer 1 may determine whether it is repeated based on each message obtained, or may have information related to the repeated combination in advance.

[0347] Depending on the combination of status and reason, a message containing both may become redundant and confuse the user. The printer 1 uses only the reason message as a response message for repeated combinations, so repeated messages are not displayed on the terminal 3, making it easier for the user to understand the message.

[0348] After S2214, or when it is determined that there is no duplication (S2213: No), CPU 11 connects the status message and the reason message to create a response message (S2221). CPU 11 connects all the reason messages obtained in S2212 to the status message as a response message. The response message created in S2221 when it is determined that there is no duplication is an example of the first job status message. When there are multiple reasons, CPU 11 creates a response message including reason messages corresponding to each reason and responds. Therefore, if the terminal device 3 displays the response message, the user can understand the reason for the status in detail.

[0349] In addition, when there is no reason for the status of the job, or when the reason message corresponding to the reason is not stored in the reason table 27, the CPU 11 obtains information indicating a blank column in S2212, and thus creates a response message including only the status message in S2221. The response message created in S2221 when there is no reason message is an example of the second job status message.

[0350] In addition, when it is determined that there is a duplication and the status message is deleted in S2214, the CPU 11 generates a response message including a reason message and not including a status message in S2221. For example, as described above, when the status is "canceled" and the reason is "cancellation by user", the response message becomes "Job is canceled by user." The response message including the reason message and not including the status message is an example of the third job status message.

[0351] It should be noted that, when the CPU 11 obtains a plurality of reason messages in S2212 and one of them is the same as the status message obtained in S2211, it is preferable to create a response message in S2221 with the reason message that is the same as the status message being placed at the beginning. For example, when "Job is aborted." is obtained as the status message indicating the status of the job and "Document format error." and "Job is aborted by system." are obtained as the reason messages indicating the reason, the printer 1 first arranges the latter message that is the same as the status message and creates a response message of "Job is aborted by system. Document format error.". Thus, when the terminal device 3 displays the response message, the message indicating the status of the job is displayed first, so that the user can easily understand the content of the message.

[0352] Then, CPU 11 obtains the number of characters of the response message generated in S2221, and determines whether the number of characters is within a range that does not exceed a specified upper limit (S2223). The printer 1 pre-stores a specified upper limit value independently of the upper limit value of the number of characters determined by the IPP standard. The upper limit value stored in the printer 1 of the present embodiment is a number of characters shorter than the upper limit value of the number of characters determined by the IPP standard. The printer 1 can, for example, use the number of characters that can be displayed on the operation panel 13 as the upper limit value. It should be noted that the number of characters that can be displayed on the operation panel 13 can be the number of characters that can be displayed at one time without accepting operations such as scrolling, or the number of characters contained in one screen that can be displayed by accepting operations such as scrolling. By setting an upper limit on the number of characters in the response message, the printer 1 can prevent the response message from becoming lengthy while conveying the detailed reason for the status to the user.

[0353] When it is determined that the number of characters in the response message exceeds the upper limit (S2223: No), the CPU 11 reduces the reason message included in the response message by one (S2224). For example, the CPU 11 deletes the last reason message. Then, the CPU 11 performs the determination of S2223 again on the deleted response message.

[0354] In addition, even when there are multiple reasons, the CPU 11 can include only one reason message in the response message. In the case of multiple reasons, if all the reason messages corresponding to the reasons are included, it may become redundant and difficult to convey the reasons to the user. In addition, the process becomes complicated due to the acquisition of the number of characters in the response message and the comparison with the upper limit value. If only the reason message corresponding to one reason is included in the response message, it is easy for the user to read the message of the reason for the state.

[0355] Then, when it is determined that the number of characters of the response message does not exceed the prescribed upper limit (S2223: YES), the CPU 11 adds the response message to the notification information (S2225), ends the message generation process, and returns to the notification process.

[0356] return Fig.16 After the message generation process (S2122) is executed, or when it is determined that the received response request does not include the job status message information (S2121: No), the CPU 11 responds with the notification information (S2131) and ends the notification process. Thus, all the notification information including the requested information is notified.

[0357] By notifying the terminal device 3 of the response message, for example, Fig. 20 As shown, the terminal device 3 can display the natural language message notified from the printer 1 on the display as a response message 311 .

[0358] It should be noted that the printer 1 may display information related to the received print job on the operation panel 13 regardless of a request from the terminal 3. For example, the printer 1 may receive a print job designation and display instructions for the status of the designated print job and its reason through the operation panel 13.

[0359] Furthermore, when the printer 1 receives an instruction to display information of a print job by operating the operation panel 13, the printer 1 may also communicate with the user. Fig.17 The message generation process S2201 to S2224 shown in FIG. 1 also generates a message including a status message and a reason message, such as Fig.21 For example, by creating a response message with the number of characters that can be displayed on the operation panel 13 in S2223, the possibility that the same message as the message displayed on the operation panel 13 is displayed on the display of the terminal device 3 increases, making it easier for the user to understand.

[0360] As described in detail above, when a request for job status information is generated from the terminal device 3, the printer 1 of this embodiment creates a response message composed of a natural language, which is a combination of a status message indicating the status of a predetermined job input to the printer 1 and a reason message indicating the reason for the status, and notifies the terminal device 3. Thus, the terminal device 3 can display the notified response message, so that the detailed status of the predetermined job can be easily conveyed to the user.

[0361] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an illustration and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can of course be improved and modified in various ways within the scope of its main purpose. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printer-only machine, but may also be a multifunction machine, a copier, a FAX device, etc. In addition, the printing method of the printer 1 is not limited to an electronic photography method, but may also be an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, etc.

[0362] In addition, in the present embodiment, the job status request, the reason information request, and the message request are each individual information and are included in one response request, but for example, one request information including three requests may also be included. In addition, the above one or more requests may be included in a plurality of response requests. For example, when the printer 1 receives a message request independently of the job status request and the reason information request, it obtains the job status and the reason for the status based on the reception of the message request and creates a message.

[0363] The information requested from the terminal device 3 is not limited to the job status, reason, and message. When other information is requested, the printer 1 responds with the other information according to the request. In addition, in the present embodiment, the process of generating a response message for one job is described, but the printer 1 may also be able to accept a response request for information about multiple jobs. When receiving a request for information about multiple jobs, the printer 1 may also create a response message for each job and respond in association with each job.

[0364] In addition, in the present embodiment, the information for specifying the print job is included in the response request independently of the job status request, the reason information request, and the message request, but the information for specifying the print job may be associated with each request. In this case, when the CPU 11 determines "yes" in S2103, S2111, and S2121 of the notification process, it may determine whether the specified print job exists based on the information associated with the request.

[0365] In addition, in the present embodiment, as the reason for the job status, there is a reason code indicating "other", but the reason code indicating "other" may not exist. In addition, the printer 1 may also be able to obtain a detailed reason that does not correspond to the reason code that can be responded to the terminal device 3, and when the detailed reason is obtained, the obtained detailed reason may be displayed on the operation panel 13.

[0366] In this embodiment, the printer 1 creates a response message by placing the reason message after the status message, but the order may be reversed. However, placing the reason message after the status message makes it easier for the user to understand the content of the message. In this embodiment, an English message is used as an example, but any natural language is acceptable and is not limited to English.

[0367] In this embodiment, the printer 1 stores the upper limit of the number of characters in the response message in advance, but the upper limit may be determined based on the IPP standard, or may be set by the user. In addition, the upper limit is not limited to the upper limit of the number of characters, and there may be an upper limit on the number of reason messages included in the response message, for example.

[0368] In this embodiment, the printer 1 leaves the reason message blank if there is no reason. However, if the reason does not have a reason code, the reason may be displayed on the operation panel 13 and a message urging the user to check the operation panel 13 may be included in the response message.

[0369] In this embodiment, the printer 1 responds to requests for information in accordance with the IPP standard, but it does not have to be in accordance with the IPP standard. For example, the printer 1 may respond to requests in accordance with a standard defined by the terminal device's OS, a standard defined by the vendor of the printer 1, or a standard defined by a platform on the Internet.

[0370] The printer of this embodiment is a printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein:

[0371] The printer is composed of:

[0372] in response to a first request from the external device for a predetermined job input to the printer, notifying the external device of a status code indicating a current status of the predetermined job;

[0373] in response to a second request from the external device for the predetermined job, notifying the external device of a reason code indicating a reason why the predetermined job has become a current state;

[0374] In response to a third request from the external device regarding the specified job, a first job status message consisting of a status message composed of natural language indicating the status of the specified job and a reason message composed of natural language indicating the reason why the specified job has become the current status is notified to the external device.

[0375] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0376] According to the third request from the external device,

[0377] If the reason code corresponding to the reason why the specified job has become the current state is not a special code, the first job status message composed of the status message and the reason message is notified to the external device,

[0378] If the reason code corresponding to the reason why the predetermined job has reached the current state is the special code, a second job status message including the status message and not including the reason message is notified to the external device.

[0379] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0380] The special code is the reason code indicating the reason why the current state is that the predetermined job does not exist.

[0381] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0382] The special code is the reason code indicating that there is a reason why the predetermined job is in the current state, but there is no code indicating the reason.

[0383] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0384] The special code is the reason code for not being associated with the message.

[0385] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0386] The status code and the reason code are defined by the standard followed by the external device.

[0387] The status message and the reason message are not defined by the standard followed by the external device.

[0388] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0389] When there are multiple reasons why the specified job has become the current state, the reason codes corresponding to the multiple reasons why the specified job has become the current state are notified to the external device according to the second request from the external device,

[0390] When the third request is received from the external device and there are a plurality of reasons why the predetermined job is in the current state, the first job status message that is a combination of the status message and the reason messages corresponding to the plurality of reasons is notified to the external device.

[0391] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0392] When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the specified job has become the current state, the first job status message including the status message and the reason messages corresponding to the multiple reasons respectively within a range where the number of characters of the first job status message does not exceed an upper limit value is notified to the external device.

[0393] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0394] When there are multiple reasons why the specified job has become the current state, the reason codes corresponding to the multiple reasons why the specified job has become the current state are notified to the external device according to the second request from the external device,

[0395] When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the specified job has become the current status, the first job status message which is a combination of the status message and the reason message and includes, as the reason message, the reason message corresponding to one reason selected from the multiple reasons is notified to the external device.

[0396] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0397] According to the third request from the external device,

[0398] If the combination of the current state of the specified job and the reason why the specified job has become the current state is not a specific combination, the first job state message formed by combining the state message and the reason message is notified to the external device,

[0399] If the combination of the current state of the predetermined job and the reason why the predetermined job is in the current state is the specific combination, a third job status message including the reason message and not including the status message is notified to the external device.

[0400] The printer of this embodiment is configured as follows:

[0401] The specific combination is a combination in which at least a major part of the status message indicating the status and the reason message indicating the reason overlap.

[0402] The printer of this embodiment is composed of:

[0403] When a "job-state" command is received as the first request from the external device in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard, the status code is notified to the external device.

[0404] When a "job-state-reasons" command is received from the external device as the second request in accordance with the IPP standard, the reason code is notified to the external device,

[0405] When a "job-state-message" command is received from the external device as the third request in accordance with the IPP standard, the first job status message is notified to the external device.

[0406] In any of the flowcharts disclosed in the first to third embodiments, a plurality of processes in any of a plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed in execution order or can be executed in parallel within a range where no contradiction occurs in the process contents.

[0407] In addition, the processing disclosed in the first to third embodiments can also be performed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, ASICs, or a combination thereof. In addition, the processing disclosed in the first to third embodiments can be implemented in various schemes such as a recording medium or method that records a program for executing the processing.

Claims

1. A printer capable of printing a print job received from an external device according to a plurality of setting values ​​associated with the received print job, wherein: The printer is composed of: In response to a first request from the external device, the external device is notified of solution information for changing a predetermined setting item to a specific setting value as solution information for solving a combination of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, wherein the specific setting value is a setting value indicating that the printer replaces the setting value with another setting value. The printer is also composed of: When a print job associated with the specific setting value is received from the external device after the solution information is notified in accordance with the first request from the external device, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from a plurality of setting values ​​replaceable from the specific setting value; Printing based on the print job is performed according to the selected one setting value.

2. The printer according to claim 1, Among the specific setting values, there are a first specific setting value corresponding to the first setting item and a second specific setting value corresponding to the second setting item, The first specific setting value can be replaced by one of the first plurality of setting values, and the second specific setting value can be replaced by one of the second plurality of setting values. The printer is composed of: When the print job associated with at least one of the first specific setting value and the second specific setting value is received from the external device after the solution information is notified in accordance with the first request from the external device, If the first specific setting value is associated with the received print job, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from among the first plurality of setting values ​​that can be replaced by the first specific setting value, If the second specific setting value is associated with the received print job, one setting value corresponding to the status of the printer is selected from among the second plurality of setting values ​​replaceable from the second specific setting value, Printing based on the print job is performed according to the selected one setting value.

3. The printer according to claim 2, The combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated with each other at the same time include a first combination and a second combination. The printer is composed of: According to the first request from the external device, notifying the external device of solution information for changing the first setting item to the first specific setting value as the solution information for the first combination, The solution information for changing the second setting item to the second specific setting value is notified to the external device as the solution information for the second combination.

4. The printer according to claim 3, The printer is composed of: When a "job-resolvers-supported" command is received from the external device as the first request in accordance with the IPP standard, the solution information is notified to the external device.

5. The printer according to claim 3, Among the combinations of setting values ​​that cannot be associated at the same time, there is a first specific combination in which the paper size is a size that cannot be matched with a specific paper discharge tray and the paper discharge tray is the specific paper discharge tray. The printer is composed of: In response to the first request from the external device, the external device is notified of the solution information that the predetermined setting item is a paper discharge tray and the setting value thereof is a first setting value that is the specific setting value as the solution information for solving the first specific combination.

6. A printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein: The printer is composed of: In response to a first request from the external device, a status code indicating a current status of the printer is notified to the external device, In response to a second request from the external device, a reason code indicating the reason why the printer is in the current state is notified to the external device; In response to a third request from the external device, a first printer status message is sent to the external device, which is a combination of a status message written in natural language indicating the current status of the printer and a reason message written in natural language indicating the reason why the printer is in the current status.

7. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: When the current state of the printer is a prescribed state and the reason for the prescribed state is a prescribed reason, a state UI message composed of natural language indicating the prescribed state and a reason UI message composed of natural language indicating the prescribed reason can be displayed on the user interface of the printer, When the third request from the external device is generated under the condition that the current status of the printer is the specified status and the reason for being the specified status is the specified reason, the first printer status message including the status UI message as the status message and the reason UI message as the reason message is notified to the external device.

8. The printer according to claim 7, the reason why the printer is in the predetermined state includes a first reason displayed as the reason UI message on the user interface and a second reason not displayed as the reason UI message, The printer is composed of: When the third request from the external device is generated under the condition that the current status of the printer is the specified status and the reason for the specified status is the first reason, the first printer status message including the status UI message as the status message and the reason UI message as the reason message is notified to the external device, When the third request from the external device is generated when the current status of the printer is the specified status and the reason for the specified status is the second reason, the second printer status message including the status UI message and not including the reason message as the status message is notified to the external device.

9. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: According to the third request from the external device, If the reason code corresponding to the reason why the printer is in the current state is not a special code, notifying the external device of the first printer status message consisting of the status message and the reason message, If the reason code corresponding to the reason why the printer is in the current state is the special code, a third printer status message including the status message but not the reason message is notified to the external device.

10. The printer according to claim 9, comprising: The special code is the reason code indicating that there is no reason why the printer is in the current state.

11. The printer according to claim 9, comprising: The special code is the reason code indicating that there is a reason why the printer is in the current state, but there is no code indicating the reason.

12. The printer according to claim 9, comprising: The special code is the reason code for not being associated with the message.

13. The printer according to claim 6, comprising: The status code and the reason code are defined by the standard followed by the external device. The status message and the reason message are not defined by the standard followed by the external device.

14. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: When there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the reason codes corresponding to the multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state are notified to the external device according to the second request from the external device, When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the first printer status message that is a combination of the status message and the reason messages corresponding to the multiple reasons is notified to the external device.

15. The printer according to claim 14, The printer is composed of: When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the first printer status message including the status message and the reason messages corresponding to the multiple reasons respectively within a range where the number of characters of the first printer status message does not exceed an upper limit value is notified to the external device.

16. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: When there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the reason codes corresponding to the multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state are notified to the external device according to the second request from the external device, When the third request is received from the external device and there are multiple reasons why the printer is in the current state, the first printer status message which is a combination of the status message and the reason message and includes, as the reason message, the reason message corresponding to one reason selected from the multiple reasons is notified to the external device.

17. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: According to the third request from the external device, If the combination of the current state of the printer and the reason why the printer is in the current state is not a specific combination, notifying the external device of the first printer status message formed by combining the status message and the reason message, If the combination of the current printer status and the reason why the printer is in the current status is the specific combination, a fourth printer status message including the reason message and not including the status message is notified to the external device.

18. The printer according to claim 17, comprising: The specific combination is a combination in which at least a major part of the status message indicating the status and the reason message indicating the reason overlap.

19. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: When a "printer-state" command is received from the external device as the first request in accordance with the IPP standard, the status code is notified to the external device, When a "printer-state-reasons" command is received from the external device as the second request in accordance with the IPP standard, the reason code is notified to the external device, When a “printer-state-message” command is received from the external device as the third request in accordance with the IPP standard, the first printer status message is notified to the external device.

20. The printer according to claim 6, The current status of the printer includes the status of a predetermined job input to the printer, The printer is composed of: in response to a first request from the external device for the predetermined job input to the printer, notifying the external device of the status code indicating the current status of the predetermined job, in response to a second request from the external device for the predetermined job, notifying the external device of the reason code indicating the reason why the predetermined job has become the current state; In response to a third request from the external device regarding the specified job, the first job status message, which is a combination of a status message composed of natural language indicating the status of the specified job and a reason message composed of natural language indicating the reason why the specified job has become the current status, is notified to the external device.

21. The printer according to claim 6, The printer is composed of: When a "job-state" command is received from the external device as the first request in accordance with the IPP standard, the status code is notified to the external device, When a "job-state-reasons" command is received from the external device as the second request in accordance with the IPP standard, the reason code is notified to the external device, When a “job-state-message” command is received from the external device as the third request in accordance with the IPP standard, the first job status message is notified to the external device.

22. A printer capable of printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein: The printer is composed of: in response to a first request from the external device for a predetermined job input to the printer, notifying the external device of a status code indicating a current status of the predetermined job; in response to a second request from the external device for the predetermined job, notifying the external device of a reason code indicating a reason why the predetermined job has become a current state; In response to a third request from the external device regarding the specified job, a first job status message consisting of a status message composed of natural language indicating the status of the specified job and a reason message composed of natural language indicating the reason why the specified job has become the current status is notified to the external device.

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