Image processing apparatus, control method for the same and program

Abstract

To further improve convenience of an image processing apparatus in which aspect of a light-emitting unit changes according to the state of the image processing apparatus.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus is provided, comprising light emission control means controlling the embodiment of a light-emitting unit capable of emitting light. The light emission control means, when the image processing apparatus operates in a first mode on the basis of reception of operation instruction from a specific application, causes the light-emitting unit to emit light in a color that corresponds to the first mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, image processing devices equipped with a light emitting unit have become known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of changing the color of the backlight of a display panel depending on the state of a printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2003-316287 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for further improvements in the convenience of image processing devices in which the state of a light-emitting section changes depending on the state of the image processing device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to enable a user to easily recognize the state of an image processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the image processing device of the present invention is an image processing device equipped with an emission control means for controlling the state of a light-emitting unit capable of emitting light, and is characterized in that, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on receiving an instruction from a specific application, the emission control means causes the light-emitting unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a user can easily recognize the state of an image processing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image processing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing light emission control of the light emitting unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for determining the emission color of the light-emitting unit. [Figure 6] 13 is a table showing the luminous colors of the light-emitting parts. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing mode setting of the image processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram of a particular application. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for determining the brightness of a light-emitting unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for determining the light emission mode of the light-emitting unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for determining the emission color of the light-emitting unit. [Figure 12] 13 is a table showing the luminous colors of the light-emitting parts. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing mode setting of the image processing device. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram of a particular application. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the emission color of a light-emitting unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the brightness of a light-emitting unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system including a cloud print service. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a printing device 100, which is an example of an image processing device. In this embodiment, a multi-function printer (MFP) having a reading function (scanner) in addition to a printing function will be described as an example. In FIG. 1, a manuscript table 101 is a transparent glass table used when a manuscript is placed on the manuscript and read by a scanner. A manuscript cover 102 is a cover for preventing reading light from leaking to the outside when reading by a scanner. A paper feed unit 103 is an insertion port into which papers of various paper sizes can be set. Paper sheets set in the paper feed unit 103 are transported one by one to a printing section, where they are printed and discharged from a paper discharge tray 104. A memory card slot 110 is an insertion port for a memory card, and is used when reading image data from an inserted portable memory and executing printing. An operation unit 120 is a unit through which a user inputs setting values ​​and executes a predetermined process, and is provided on the outer surface of the printing device 100. The printing method of the printing device 100 in FIG. 1 may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or another method. In the case of an inkjet system, the system may be configured so that an ink cartridge is attached, or so that ink is supplied (injected) into a container provided in the printing device 100.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the operation unit 120 of the printing device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 120 is composed of a display unit 201 on which a graphical user interface (hereinafter, GUI) is displayed, a touch panel unit 202 for operating the GUI (the display unit 210 and the touch panel unit are referred to as a display operation unit 204), a multi-color LED 203 for indicating the state of the printing device 100, and operation buttons 210 to 212 (hard key group 213). The display unit 201 can display at least characters, and displays, for example, the status of the printing device 100, setting values ​​related to printing, and image previews read from a memory card. The status of the printing device 100 is, for example, information related to ink, such as remaining ink amount information, and information related to paper that is loaded (fed). These pieces of information may be displayed, for example, as figures or QR codes. The display unit 201 is, for example, a display panel using a liquid crystal panel, but is not limited thereto. The touch panel unit 202 is a unit capable of operating the information displayed on the display unit 201, and the user can input information related to the printing device. For example, the user can input a setting value for print settings. The multi-color LED 203 is a light-emitting unit capable of emitting light, which controls the light emission of one or more light-emitting bodies, LEDs, based on the state of the printing device 100. For example, the light-emitting color, light-emitting brightness, and light-emitting mode (mode) of the multi-color LED 203 are changed based on the state of the printing device 100. That is, the light-emitting control of the multi-color LED 203 is performed with a predetermined light-emitting color, a predetermined light-emitting brightness, and a predetermined light-emitting mode corresponding to a predetermined state of the printing device 100. The multi-color LED 203 may be a light-emitting unit including a plurality of light-emitting bodies, or may be a light-emitting unit including one light-emitting body. The multi-color LED 203 allows the user to recognize the state of the printing device 100 even from a distance.

[0012] The operation buttons include a power button 210, a stop button 211, and a start button 212. When the power button 210 is pressed, the power of the printing device 100 is turned on or off. When the start button 212 is pressed, the operation of the printing device (copying or printing) is started. When the stop button 211 is pressed, the operation of the printing device is stopped. Note that the image processing device in this embodiment does not need to include all of the units of the printing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and may include other units and functions.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the printing device 100 in this embodiment. A microprocessor-type CPU 301 operates according to the contents of a ROM-type program memory 303 and a RAM-type data memory 304 connected via an internal bus 302. The data memory 304 is used for purposes such as a work memory 305 used by the CPU 301 when executing a control program, and an image memory 306 for storing image data to be formed on a recording sheet. The CPU 301 controls an interface control circuit 307, and connects to and communicates with a host computer 308 connected via an external interface. For example, the CPU 301 can receive job data to be printed from the host computer 308, which is an external device, and can notify the host computer 308 of the status of the recording device. The host computer 308 is, for example, a personal computer (PC). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various information processing devices such as a smartphone and a digital camera may be applied as the host computer 308 of this embodiment. The printing device 100 may also be connected to a print server (not shown) or a cloud (external area) that provides a cloud print service (hereinafter, CPS), and communicate with the CPS. It is assumed that the CPS is a specific application program.

[0014] In the CPS, a printer driver (cloud printer driver) for the CPS is installed in the host computer 308, and the host computer 308 generates a print job using the cloud printer driver and transmits it to the CPS, and the CPS transmits the print job to the printing device 100, thereby executing printing. A configuration diagram of a printing system using the CPS is shown in FIG. 16. The CPS 105 receives and stores a print job from the host computer 308. When the CPS 105 receives a print job request from the printing device 100, it transmits the print job to the printing device 100. When the printing device 100 receives a print job from the CPS 105, it executes printing. The communication protocol A is a protocol for performing communication between the host computer 308 and the printing device 100. The communication protocol B is a protocol for performing network communication between the host computer 308 and the CPS 105 and between the printing device 100 and the CPS 105. In this embodiment, these communication protocols refer to protocols of the upper layer (application layer), and the lower layer may be the same type of protocol (for example, TCP / IP). The communication method used for connecting the devices may be, for example, the IEEE802.11 series communication standard (Wi-Fi) or near field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc.) which is a short-distance wireless communication. A QR code (registered trademark) may be used when the printing device 100 makes a print job request to the CPS 105. In the printing system of this embodiment, the devices may be directly connected, or the communication between the devices may be performed by Internet communication via a wireless LAN router. The devices may communicate with each other by mobile communication (3G, 4G, 5G). In this embodiment, a system in which a process using a CPS is executed is called a printing system, but the CPS may be capable of executing not only a printing process but also a scanning process or other processes, and the printing process is one example.

[0015] The CPU 301 can control various motors that drive the mechanisms of the recording device 100 via a motor control circuit 309. The transport motor 310 drives the feed roller, transport roller, and discharge roller to transport the recording paper from the paper feed unit 103 to the discharge tray 104. The carriage motor 311 (indicated as CR motor in the figure) drives the carriage back and forth. The recovery motor 312 drives the head recovery mechanism and executes a recovery operation to keep the print head 314 in an appropriate state by controlling it in synchronization with the carriage drive. The CPU 301 can control the print head 314 via a head control circuit 313. An image is formed on the recording paper by controlling the print head 314 in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the carriage. The cassette sensor 316 for the paper feed unit is composed of a photointerrupter and a mechanical switch. The cassette sensor 316 detects that the user has set or removed paper from the paper feed unit in the printing device 100, and the CPU 301 can acquire the detection via a sensor control circuit 315. The display device 320 controls the operation unit 120 provided on the outer surface of the recording device 100 via the panel control circuit 317. It displays desired information on the display unit 201 and accepts user operations on the touch panel unit 202. It also accepts user operations on the hard keys 213. The display device 320 also controls the light emission of the multi-color LED 203. Specifically, it functions as a light emission control unit that controls the light emission of the multi-color LED 203 to emit light in a light emission color, brightness, and light emission mode corresponding to the state of the printing device 100. It can control the scanner 325 (not shown in FIG. 1) via the scanner control circuit 324, and can read an image of a document placed on the document table 101 of the scanner 325. The CPU 301 can read and write various files in the memory card 323 attached to the memory card slot 110 provided on the outer surface of the recording device 100 via the memory card control circuit 321. An image read by the scanner 325 can be stored in the image memory 306 in the data memory 304, and then transmitted to the host computer 308 or saved as an image file on the memory card 323.It is also possible to use the scanner 325 as a copy function by controlling the printing mechanism to print an image read by the scanner 325 as is.

[0016] Here, the print process in a printing system using a cloud such as the above-mentioned CPS may be used to execute print process of a print job that requires high security (execution of secure print process), for example, when used for business purposes. In this case, it is required that the user and people around the printing device 100 can recognize that the secure print process is being executed by the printing device 100. Specifically, when the print process is executed by the printing device 100 and a print result is output, there is a possibility that a third party other than the user may take away the print result. In this case, if the user and people around the printing device 100 can recognize that the secure print process is being executed by the printing device 100, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the print result being taken away by a third party.

[0017] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the secure printing process is being executed by the printing device 100, the printing device 100 performs light emission control to indicate that the printing device 100 is in a predetermined mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process. Specifically, when the secure printing process is being executed by the printing device 100, the light emission control means transitions the state of the light emission unit to a state corresponding to a mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process. Also, when the secure printing process is not being executed by the printing device 100, the light emission control means transitions the state of the light emission unit to a state corresponding to a mode in which the printing device 100 is not in a mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process, which is different from the state corresponding to the mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process. This allows the user and people around the printing device 100 to recognize that the secure printing process is being executed by the printing device 100, and reduces the possibility of the print result being taken away by a third party.

[0018] The case where the printing device 100 is executing a print process that requires high security is not limited to a print process in a printing system using a cloud. For example, it may be a predetermined mode where the printing device 100 is executing a print process that requires high security. A mode of the printing device 100 that executes a print process in a printing system using a specific application is hereinafter referred to as a work mode. On the other hand, a mode that does not execute a print process in a printing system using a specific application, but executes a print process by an application other than the specific application, or executes a job based on a setting value set on the display operation unit 204 of the printing device 100 (for example, executes a copy process or executes a scan process) is called a normal mode. In this embodiment, a specific form will be described in which the light emission color of the multi-color LED 203 of the printing device 100 changes depending on whether the printing device 100 is operating in the work mode or the normal mode.

[0019] 4 is a flowchart showing the light emission control of the multi-color LED 203. This flowchart is executed every time the state of the printing device 100 changes, and the state of the printing device 100 can be displayed by the multi-color LED 203. The states of the printing device 100 specifically include a state in which an error has occurred in the printing device 100 and a state in which no error has occurred (normal state). Furthermore, there are a state in which the printing device 100 is in the normal state and in the work mode, and a state in which the printing device 100 is in the normal state and in a mode other than the work mode.

[0020] First, in S401, the printing device 100 determines the color of the multi-color LED 203. For example, by setting the multi-color LED 203 to emit light in different colors depending on whether the printing device 100 is in an error state or not, it is possible to indicate whether an error has occurred in the printing device 100. Also, by setting the multi-color LED 203 to emit light in different colors depending on whether the printing device 100 is in a work mode or not (normal mode), it is possible to indicate whether the printing device 100 is in the work mode or not. The color determination process for the multi-color LED 203 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0021] Next, in S402, the printing device 100 determines the brightness of the multi-color LED 203. For example, the multi-color LED 203 is set to emit light at different brightnesses depending on whether the printing device 100 is in a power-saving state or not, thereby making it possible to indicate whether the printing device 100 is in a power-saving state or not. Specifically, when the printing device 100 is in a power-saving state, the LED is caused to emit light at a lower brightness than when the printing device 100 is not in a power-saving state. Note that instead of changing the brightness, the RGB value of the color of the light-emitting part may be changed to express the change in brightness of the light-emitting part. The brightness determination process of the multi-color LED 203 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. Note that the brightness of the multi-color LED 203 can be set by the user, and it is possible to set the desired brightness within the range that the device can set according to the user's usage environment. The user setting of the brightness of the multi-color LED 203 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13.

[0022] Next, in S403, the printing device 100 determines the light emission mode of the multi-color LED 203. For example, by setting the light emission mode of the multi-color LED 203 to be different between when a job is being executed and when a job is not being executed, it is possible to indicate whether the printing device 100 is executing a job. Specifically, when the printing device 100 is not executing a job, the multi-color LED 203 is turned on. When the printing device 100 is executing a job, the multi-color LED 203 is turned on in a light emission mode different from when it is turned on, thereby making it possible to clearly indicate that the printing device 100 is executing a job. Note that when an error occurs in the printing device 100, the multi-color LED 203 is turned on in a light emission mode different from when it is turned on and when it is turned on, thereby making it possible to more clearly indicate that an error has occurred in the printing device 100.

[0023] Although the above embodiment shows an example in which the light emission state of the multi-color LED 203 is different depending on whether the printing device 100 is in an error state, whether a job is being executed, or whether a job is not being executed, the state of the printing device 100 is not limited to the above. For example, the state of the printing device 100 may be when power is supplied (when the power is turned on), when power is cut off (when the power is turned off), when the remaining ink level falls below a predetermined threshold, when a cover (not shown) of the printing device 100 is opened to increase the remaining ink level above the predetermined threshold, when an ink cartridge is removed, and the like. The light emission control of the multi-color LED 203 may be performed in a light emission state corresponding to these states of the printing device 100. The light emission state may be, for example, lighting, blinking, or flashing. The light emission control may be performed in a predetermined light emission state corresponding to the state of the printing device 100 by combining at least two of lighting, blinking, flashing, and off, and changing each of them at a corresponding predetermined time.

[0024] In this embodiment, the flashing or blinking is performed by alternately emitting a predetermined color and a color different from the predetermined color, but the flashing or blinking may be performed by alternately emitting the predetermined color and turning off the light. The brightness may be expressed by changing the RGB value of the color of the light-emitting part, instead of changing the value indicating the brightness.

[0025] The process of determining the light emission mode of the multi-color LED 203 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0026] Next, in S404, the printing device 100 performs light emission control of the multi-color LED 203 based on the color, brightness, and light emission mode of the light-emitting unit determined in S401 to S403, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0027] In addition, in S404, when the printing device 100 is in work mode, the printing device 100 may perform display control on the display unit 201 to indicate that the printing device 100 is in work mode. For example, characters indicating the work mode are displayed, and at least a part of the display unit 201, such as frame information surrounding the text information and the information displayed on the display unit 201, is displayed in a color indicating the work mode. For example, by displaying in a color similar to the color of the multi-color LED 203 that emits light when the printing device 100 is in work mode, the user can easily recognize that the printing device 100 is in work mode. For example, the display unit 201 is displayed in blue, which indicates the work mode, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the color determination process of the multi-color LED 203 in S401 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a table showing the color emitted by the multi-color LED 203 corresponding to the state of the printing device 100. The table shows that when the state (printer state) of the printing device 100 is a job execution waiting state, the luminous color of the multi-color LED 203 is a color corresponding to a setting value set by the user on a setting screen for setting the luminous color of the multi-color LED 203 shown in FIG. 15 described later. Also, when the state of the printing device 100 is executing a job and is in a work mode, the luminous color of the multi-color LED 203 is blue. Also, when the state of the printing device 100 is executing a job and is in a mode other than the work mode, the luminous color of the multi-color LED 203 is a color corresponding to a setting value set by the user on a setting screen for setting the luminous color of the multi-color LED 203 shown in FIG. 15 described later. Also, when the printing device 100 is in an error state, the luminous color of the multi-color LED 203 is orange. 6 are predetermined colors corresponding to the respective states of the printing device 100, but these are merely examples and are not limiting. The color of light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 takes priority when the printing device 100 is in an error state. In other words, if an error occurs while the printing device 100 is in a job execution waiting state, a job execution state, a work mode state, or a power saving state, the multi-color LED 203 emits light in a color, brightness, and light emission state that indicate the error state.

[0029] In S501, the printing device 100 determines whether the printing device 100 is in an error state. If it is determined in S501 that the printing device 100 is in an error state, the process proceeds to S504, and if it is determined in S501 that the printing device 100 is not in an error state, the process proceeds to S502.

[0030] In S504, the printing device 100 determines the color of light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 to be a color corresponding to an error. The color corresponding to an error is determined to be orange, which corresponds to the printer status being in error in FIG.

[0031] In S502, the printing device 100 determines whether the printing device 100 is executing a job. For example, it determines whether a print job or a scan job is being executed. If it is determined in S502 that a job is being executed, the process proceeds to S503, and if it is determined in S502 that a job is not being executed, the process proceeds to S506. For example, if it is determined NO in S1002, the printing device 100 is in a job execution waiting state, but is in a state other than a job being executed, and may be in an error state.

[0032] In S503, the printing device 100 acquires the printing device mode stored in the printing device and determines whether the printing device 100 is in the work mode.

[0033] In S505, the printing device 100 determines the color of the multi-color LED 203 of the printing device 100 to correspond to the work mode. Specifically, the color is determined to be blue, which corresponds to the printer status being in the work mode in FIG.

[0034] In S506, the printing device 100 acquires information (setting value) indicating the emission color of the multi-color LED 203 from the memory of the printing device 100 when the printing device 100 is in the normal mode.

[0035] The light emission color of the multicolor LED 203 is set by accepting an operation from a user on a setting screen for setting the light emission color of the multicolor LED 203 shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the light emission color of the multicolor LED 203. A screen 1501 is displayed on the display unit 201. The screen 1501 is composed of a list 1502 of color settings that the user can select and an icon 1503 indicating a currently set value. The user can set the color to be emitted by the multicolor LED 203 when the printing device 100 is in the normal mode by selecting a predetermined color on the list 1502 of color settings. It is assumed that when a predetermined color is selected on the screen 1501, the setting of the color to be emitted by the multicolor LED 203 is confirmed and the screen 1501 is closed, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a confirmation button for confirming the setting so that the selected predetermined color is the color to be emitted by the multicolor LED 203 may be further displayed on the screen 1501, or a close button for closing the screen 1501 may be further displayed. Furthermore, the colors displayed in the color setting list 1502 are not limited to those described above, and information indicating other colors may be displayed.

[0036] By accepting settings on the setting screen of Fig. 15, it is possible to make the multi-color LED 203 emit light in a color that matches the user's usage environment. Note that, if no setting operation is accepted from the user on the setting screen shown in Fig. 15, a predetermined value (initial value) indicating a predetermined color corresponds to the emitted color of the multi-color LED 203 when the printing device 100 is in normal mode. For example, the initial value is "white 1."

[0037] In S507, the printing device 100 determines the emission color of the multi-color LED 203 to be the color corresponding to the acquired setting value, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0038] 7 shows a flowchart for setting the work mode of the printing device 100. This flowchart starts when the printing device 100 receives a job execution instruction (command) for instructing the execution of a job, such as a print execution instruction (or a scan execution instruction).

[0039] In S701, the printing device 100 analyzes and identifies which application executed the transmission of the job execution instruction. For example, the printing device 100 identifies the application that executed the transmission of the job execution instruction based on a parameter indicating the type of application that is included in the information indicating the job execution instruction (or transmitted together with the information indicating the job execution instruction).

[0040] In S702, the printing device 100 judges whether the application that executed the transmission of the job execution instruction is a specific application. In other words, it judges whether the application is compatible with the printing device 100 operating in work mode. For example, it judges whether the specific application is the above-mentioned CPS. If it is judged in S702 that it is a specific application, the process proceeds to S703, and if it is judged that it is not a different application from the specific application, the process proceeds to S704.

[0041] In S703, the printing device 100 sets the printing device 100 to work mode and transitions to the work mode. Note that when execution of a job based on an instruction to execute the job is completed, the printing device 100 transitions from work mode to normal mode. Note that the setting to work mode is, for example, by turning on a flag indicating the work mode.

[0042] In S704, the printing device 100 sets the printing device 100 to the normal mode and transitions to the normal mode. Note that the setting to the normal mode is performed by, for example, turning on a flag indicating the normal mode.

[0043] 8 is a flowchart of a specific application in the host computer 308. The process of this flowchart starts when the specific application is started.

[0044] In S801, the specific application determines whether an operation for starting job execution has been received from a user. For example, the operation for starting job execution is a print execution operation or a scan execution operation. In S801, if the specific application determines that an operation for starting job execution has been received, the process proceeds to S802, and if the specific application determines that an operation for starting job execution has not been received, the process ends in this flowchart.

[0045] In S802, the specific application transmits a job execution instruction (command) to the printing device 100. For example, a print instruction or a scan execution instruction is transmitted to the printing device 100. Then, the specific application ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the brightness determination process of the multi-color LED 203 in S402 of FIG.

[0047] In S901, the printing device 100 determines whether the printing device 100 is in an error state. If it is determined that the printing device 100 is in an error state, the process proceeds to S904, and if it is determined that the printing device 100 is not in an error state, the process proceeds to S902.

[0048] In S904, the printing device 100 sets the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 to a brightness corresponding to an error state, and ends the processing of this flowchart. For example, the brightness is set to a brightness brighter than the brightness corresponding to a non-error state. This allows the user to more easily recognize that an error state exists, and therefore allows the error state to be resolved quickly.

[0049] In S902, the printing apparatus 100 determines whether the printing apparatus 100 is in a power saving state. If the determination in S902 is YES, the process proceeds to S906, and if the determination in S902 is NO, the process proceeds to S903.

[0050] In S906, the printing device 100 sets the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 to a brightness corresponding to the power saving state, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0051] In S903, the printing device 100 obtains information (setting value) indicating the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 from the memory of the printing device 100.

[0052] The brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 is set by accepting an operation from a user on a setting screen for setting the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203. A screen 1601 is displayed on the display unit 201. The screen 1601 is composed of a list 1602 of brightness settings that the user can select and an icon 1603 indicating a currently set value. By selecting a predetermined brightness on the brightness setting list 1602, the user can set the brightness at which the multi-color LED 203 emits light when the printing device 100 is not in an error state and is not in a power saving state. When a predetermined brightness is selected on the screen 1601, the setting of the brightness at which the multi-color LED 203 emits light is confirmed and the screen 1601 is closed, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a confirmation button for confirming the setting so that the multi-color LED 203 emits light at the selected predetermined brightness may be further displayed on the screen 1601, and a close button for closing the screen 1601 may be further displayed. Note that the brightness displayed in the brightness setting list 1602 is not limited to the above, and information indicating other brightness may be displayed.

[0053] By accepting settings on the setting screen of Fig. 16, it is possible to make the multi-color LED 203 emit light at a brightness suited to the user's usage environment. Note that, if no setting operation is accepted from the user on the setting screen shown in Fig. 16, a predetermined value (initial value) indicating a predetermined brightness corresponds to the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 when the printing device 100 is not in an error state and is not in a power saving state. For example, the initial value is "white 1."

[0054] In S905, the printing device 100 determines the brightness of the light emitted by the multi-color LED 203 to be the brightness corresponding to the acquired setting value, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the light emission mode of the multi-color LED 203 in S403 of FIG.

[0056] In S1001, the printing device 100 determines what state the printing device 100 is in. If it is determined to be in an error state, the process proceeds to S1002, if it is determined to be in a state where a job is being executed, the process proceeds to S1003, and if it is determined to be in a state where the job is waiting to be executed, the process proceeds to S1004.

[0057] In S1004, the printing device 100 sets the light emission state of the multi-color LED 203 to the first light emission state, and ends the process of this flowchart. For example, the first light emission state is turned on. Note that the first light emission state is not limited to being turned on, and may be turned off, for example.

[0058] In S1002, the printing device 100 sets the light emission mode of the multi-color LED 203 to a second light emission mode different from the first light emission mode, and ends the processing of this flowchart. For example, the second light emission mode is blinking. The blinking is expressed by alternately lighting the first color of the multi-color LED 203 and a second color different from the first color. Alternatively, the blinking is expressed by repeatedly turning on and off the first color of the multi-color LED 203. The first color is the color determined in S401 of FIG. 4.

[0059] In S1003, the printing device 100 sets the light emission mode of the multi-color LED 203 to a third light emission mode different from the first light emission mode and the second light emission mode, and ends the processing of this flowchart. For example, the third light emission mode is a mode in which the brightness changes stepwise based on a first brightness. The first brightness may be the brightest, the median brightness of the steps, or the darkest. The third mode is expressed by repeating lighting at the first brightness, lighting at a second brightness darker than the first brightness, and lighting at an Nth brightness. The first brightness is the brightness determined in S402 of FIG. 4.

[0060] The first to third light emitting modes are not limited to the above, and may be user-settable, for example, and the multi-color LED 203 may emit light in a set mode.

[0061] In S404 of FIG. 4, the printing device 100 performs light emission control of the multicolor LED 203 based on the color, brightness, and light emission mode of the light-emitting unit determined in S401 to S403. For example, when the printing device 100 is in an error state, the multicolor LED 203 emits light with a brightness brighter than when the printing device 100 is not in an error state, and in a mode in which the multicolor LED 203 alternately lights up (blinks) orange and white. For example, when the printing device 100 is executing a job and is in a work mode, the multicolor LED 203 emits light in blue, which corresponds to the work mode, and in a mode in which the brightness changes stepwise based on a brightness set by the user. For example, when the printing device 100 is executing a job and is not in the work mode, the multicolor LED 203 emits light in a color set by the user, and in a mode in which the brightness changes stepwise based on a brightness set by the user.

[0062] That is, when the state of the printing device 100 is the first state, the multicolor LED 203 is turned on, and when the state of the printing device 100 transitions from the first state to the second state, the multicolor LED 203 is turned on in a manner in which a predetermined color and a color different from the predetermined color are alternately emitted, or the predetermined color and turning off are alternately emitted. Also, when the state of the printing device 100 is the first state, the multicolor LED 203 is turned off, and when the state of the printing device 100 transitions from the first state to the second state, the multicolor LED 203 is turned on in a manner in which a predetermined color and a color different from the predetermined color are alternately emitted, or the predetermined color and turning off are alternately emitted.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, when the secure printing process is being executed by the printing device 100, the printing device 100 performs light emission control on the light-emitting unit to indicate that the printing device 100 is in a predetermined mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process. Specifically, when the secure printing process is being executed by the printing device 100, the light emission control means transitions the state of the light-emitting unit to a state corresponding to a mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process. Also, when the secure printing process is not being executed by the printing device 100, the light emission control means transitions the state of the light-emitting unit to a state corresponding to a mode (normal mode) in which the printing device 100 is not in a mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process, which is different from the state corresponding to the mode in which the printing device 100 executes the secure printing process. This allows the user and people around the printing device 100 to recognize that the secure printing process is being executed by the printing device 100, and reduces the possibility of the print result being taken away by a third party.

[0064] (Embodiment 2) In the above-described embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the printing device 100 transitions to work mode based on receiving an instruction to execute a job from a specific application, and transitions (returns) to normal mode based on completion of job execution.

[0065] In this embodiment, a mode will be described in which the printing device 100 transitions to work mode upon receiving an instruction to start work mode from a specific application, and transitions (returns) to normal mode upon receiving an instruction to end work mode. In other words, the emission color of the multi-color LED 203 is determined based on whether the printing device 100 is in work mode, regardless of whether a job is being executed or not. In this embodiment, only differences from embodiment 1 will be described.

[0066] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the color determination process for the multi-color LED 203 in S401 in Fig. 4. In this flowchart, the process of determining whether the printing device 100 is executing a job, which corresponds to S502 in Fig. 5, is not executed.

[0067] S1101 is the same process as S501 in Fig. 5, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Note that the state when it is determined in S401 that there is no error state is, for example, a state in which a job is being executed or a state in which a job is waiting to be executed, but may be another state.

[0068] Since S1102 to S1106 are the same processes as S503 to S507 in FIG. 5, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a table showing the color of light emitted by the multicolor LED 203 corresponding to the state of the printing device 100. When the state (printer state) of the printing device 100 is not an error state and is in the work mode, the light emitted by the multicolor LED 203 is blue. When the state of the printing device 100 is not an error state and is not in the work mode, the light emitted by the multicolor LED 203 is a color corresponding to the setting value set by the user on the setting screen for setting the light emitted by the multicolor LED 203 shown in FIG. 15 described above. Furthermore, when the printing device 100 is in an error state, the light emitted by the multicolor LED 203 is orange. Note that the colors corresponding to the respective states of the printing device 100 shown in FIG. 6 are merely examples and are not limited. Note that the non-error state is, for example, a state in which a job is being executed or a state waiting for execution of a job, but may be other states.

[0070] 13 shows a flowchart for setting the work mode of the printing device 100. The processing of this flowchart is started based on the printing device 100 receiving a specific instruction from a specific application on the host computer 308. The specific instruction is an instruction (command) for the printing device 100 to start the work mode, or an instruction for ending the work mode. In other words, this flowchart is a flowchart for transitioning the printing device 100 to the work mode state even when the printing device 100 is in a standby state before executing a job. Note that the printing device 100 operates in normal mode if it has not received either a command to start or end the work mode.

[0071] In S1301, the printing device 100 determines whether the instruction received from a specific application is an instruction to start work mode. If it is determined that an instruction to start work mode has been received, the process proceeds to S1302, and if it is determined that an instruction to end work mode has been received, the process proceeds to S1303.

[0072] In S1302, the printing device 100 sets the printing device 100 to the work mode, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0073] In S1303, the printing device 100 sets the printing device 100 to the normal mode, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0074] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a particular application in the host computer 308 .

[0075] In S1401, a specific application sends an instruction to the printing device 100 to start the work mode.

[0076] S1402 and S1403 are the same as S801 and S802 in Fig. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that when the printing device 100 receives the execution command transmitted in S1503, it executes the job.

[0077] In S1404, the specific application judges whether an operation to end the specific application has been performed. If it is judged in S1504 that an operation to end the specific application has been performed, the process proceeds to S1405, and if it is judged that an operation to end the specific application has not been performed, the process returns to S1402.

[0078] In S1405, the specific application sends an instruction to the printing device 100 to end the work mode, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the printing device 100 transitions to work mode based on receiving an instruction to start work mode from a specific application, and transitions (returns) to normal mode based on receiving an instruction to end work mode. This allows the printing device 100 to transition to work mode and emit the multi-color LED 203 in a color corresponding to the work mode even when the printing device 100 is not executing a job. This allows the user and people around the printing device 100 to recognize that the printing device 100 is in work mode even when the printing device 100 is not executing a job, further reducing the risk of a third party taking away the printed output.

[0080] (Other embodiments) The above-mentioned embodiment can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by one computer, or may be executed by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. It is not necessary to realize all of the above-mentioned processes by software, and some or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as ASIC. The CPU is also not limited to one that performs all processes by one CPU, and multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate.

[0081] In addition, the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are not only realized by a computer reading and executing the program code, but also include cases where an OS running on a computer performs all or part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0082] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program.

[0083] (Configuration 1) An image processing device including a light emission control unit that controls a state of a light emitting unit capable of emitting light, the light emission control means, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on an instruction received from a specific application, causes the light emission unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode; 13. An image processing device comprising:

[0084] (Configuration 2) When the image processing device is not operating in the first mode, the light emitting unit emits light in a color different from the first color. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

[0085] (Configuration 3) When the image processing device is not operating in the first mode, the color emitted by the light-emitting unit is a color set by a user among colors different from the color corresponding to the first mode. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

[0086] (Configuration 4) The specific application is an application for causing the image processing device to execute a job stored in an area external to the image processing device. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

[0087] (Configuration 5) the instruction that the image processing device accepts from the specific application is a job execution instruction for causing the image processing device to execute the job; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

[0088] (Configuration 6) 6. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 5, further comprising an execution unit that executes the job, and executes the job when the job execution instruction is received.

[0089] (Configuration 7) When the execution of the job is completed, the image processing device ends the operation in the first mode. 6. The image processing device according to configuration 5.

[0090] (Configuration 8) the instruction received by the image processing device from a specific application is an instruction to start operation in the first mode. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

[0091] (Configuration 9) the image processing device terminates the operation in the first mode based on receipt of an instruction from the specific application indicating that the operation in the first mode is to be terminated; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, (Configuration 10) 2. The image processing device according to configuration 1, further comprising a display unit different from the light emitting unit and configured to display at least characters.

[0092] (Method 1) A control method for an image processing device having a light emission control step of controlling a mode of a light emitting unit capable of emitting light, The light emission control step includes, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on an instruction received from a specific application, causing the light emitting unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode. A control method comprising:

[0093] (Program 1) A program for causing a computer of an image processing device to execute a light emission control step for controlling a state of a light emitting unit capable of emitting light, The light emission control step includes, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on an instruction received from a specific application, causing the light emitting unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode. A program characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100 Printing equipment 203 Multi-color LED203 105 Cloud Print Service

Claims

1. An image processing device including a light emission control unit that controls a state of a light emitting unit capable of emitting light, the light emission control means, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on an instruction received from a specific application, causes the light emission unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode; 13. An image processing device comprising:

2. When the image processing device is not operating in the first mode, the light emitting unit emits light in a color different from the first color.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

3. a color emitted by the light-emitting unit when the image processing device is not operating in the first mode is a color set by a user among colors different from the color corresponding to the first mode; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

4. The specific application is an application for causing the image processing device to execute a job stored in an area external to the image processing device.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

5. the instruction that the image processing device accepts from the specific application is a job execution instruction for causing the image processing device to execute the job; 5. The image processing device according to claim 4.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising an execution unit that executes the job, and executes the job when the job execution instruction is received.

7. When the execution of the job is completed, the image processing device ends the operation in the first mode.

6. The image processing device according to claim 5,

8. the instruction received by the image processing device from a specific application is an instruction to start an operation in the first mode; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

9. the image processing device terminates the operation in the first mode based on receipt of an instruction from the specific application indicating that the operation in the first mode is to be terminated; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

10. The image processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that is different from the light emitting unit and that displays at least characters.

11. A control method for an image processing device having a light emission control step of controlling a mode of a light emitting unit capable of emitting light, The light emission control step includes, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on an instruction received from a specific application, causing the light emitting unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode. A control method comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer of an image processing device to execute a light emission control step for controlling a state of a light emitting unit capable of emitting light, The light emission control step includes, when the image processing device operates in a first mode based on an instruction received from a specific application, causing the light emitting unit to emit light in a color corresponding to the first mode. A program characterized by:

Images