Printing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

To shorten a time until the completion of cancellation when a job is canceled, and to prevent the deterioration of printing quality when printing is continued without canceling the job.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus including a display unit configured to display a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job, and a control unit, wherein when the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display unit during execution of printing based on a job, the control unit suppresses generation of print data and suppresses print control related to conveyance of a recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device, a control method, and a program, and more particularly to a technology for a printing device that has an image processing unit that receives a job execution instruction and performs image processing according to the job settings, and a print engine that prints based on print data obtained by the image processing. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing device equipped with an image processing device has a function of accepting a cancel instruction to stop the execution of a job for which an execution instruction has been received.

[0003] For example, if you receive an instruction to execute multiple jobs and want to cancel one of them, you select the job you want to cancel from the job list displayed in the cancel menu, and then cancel the selected job. While the cancel menu is displayed, job processing is stopped, but the point at which the processing is stopped varies depending on the product.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, processing continues for a page that is currently being processed, and the processing is stopped at the point where processing of the page following that page begins.

[0005] Incidentally, some printers, such as inkjet printers and large-format printers, can stop printing midway through a page while the cancel menu is displayed. To improve printing throughput, some printers also have the ability to start paper transport while page data is being processed, or to overlap the paper of the next page with the margin of the page being printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-018622 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, Patent Document 1 has the problem that when an instruction to cancel a job is given, it may take a long time for processing of the page being processed to be completed, or the paper for the next page may be fed in advance, and in these cases it may take a long time for the cancellation to be completed.

[0008] On the other hand, in a printing device that stops printing midway through a page while the cancel menu is displayed, the printing operation stops midway through the page, and therefore, if you subsequently choose to continue the job without canceling it, there is a possibility that streaks or unevenness will occur, which may affect the print quality.

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure aims to achieve both shortening the time required to complete job cancellation and preventing a decrease in print quality when printing continues without canceling the job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a printing device having a display means for displaying a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job, and a control means, wherein when the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display means during execution of printing based on a job, the control means suppresses the generation of print data and suppresses printing control related to the transport of a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to both shorten the time required to complete job cancellation and prevent a decrease in print quality when printing is continued without canceling the job. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 2] Flowchart of a conventional printing process with a cancel menu display [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a printing process with a cancel menu display according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] Flowchart of print data generation processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of an image forming process including a print control suppression process according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] Screen transitions of GUI screens displayed on the operation panel [Figure 7] GUI screen for presetting the content of the process while the cancel menu is displayed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be specifically and in detail described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are not intended to unnecessarily limit the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, although the following embodiments describe multiple features, not all of the multiple features are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention, and some or all of the multiple features may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted as a general rule.

[0014] [First embodiment] <Device configuration> The image processing device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image processing device according to this embodiment. Note that the "image processing device" in this embodiment is a concept that includes printing devices such as inkjet printers and multifunction peripherals.

[0015] 1, the image processing device includes a controller unit 100, a print engine unit 200, and a scanner engine unit 300. The image processing device can be connected to a host device 400 via a host interface (hereinafter, interface will be abbreviated as IF) 102 or a wireless IF 103.

[0016] The controller unit 100 includes a main controller 101 , a receiving buffer 104 , a print engine IF 105 , a scanner engine IF 110 , a RAM 106 , a ROM 107 , a print data generating unit 108 , and an operation panel 109 .

[0017] Furthermore, the controller unit 100 has a host IF 102 for external connection and a wireless IF 103. The various components of the controller unit 100 are connected via a system bus 111, and can send and receive data between them.

[0018] A main controller 101 configured by a CPU performs printing operations and maintenance operations in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 107, using a RAM 106 as a work area, and controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus.

[0019] Data is input from the host device 400 to the image processing device via the host IF 102, and this data includes jobs such as print jobs. That is, the image processing device receives jobs sent from the host device 400 and operates based on the received jobs. The jobs received by the image processing device are stored in the receive buffer 104.

[0020] When a print job is stored in the receive buffer 104, the (image) data included in the print job is sent to the print data generation unit 108. Then, the print data generation unit 108 generates print data by performing predetermined image processing on the received data in accordance with instructions from the main controller 101. A non-volatile device such as an HDD may be used as the receive buffer 104, or an area for the receive buffer may be provided in a volatile device such as RAM.

[0021] After the print data generation unit 108 generates the print data, the main controller 101 transmits the print data to the print engine unit 200 via the print engine IF 105 .

[0022] Furthermore, when a read command is input as a job from the host device 400 , the main controller 101 transmits the read command to the scanner engine unit 300 via the scanner engine IF 110 .

[0023] The RAM 106 is used as a work area for the main controller 101, as a temporary storage area for various data, and stores various setting data. The ROM 107 stores programs executed by the main controller 101 and various data required for various operations of the image processing device.

[0024] The print data generation unit 108 includes various image processing means. For example, the print data generation unit 108 performs image processing such as expanding (converting) received data (e.g., data expressed in a page description language) handled by an image processing device into print data (bitmap image data). The print data generation unit 108 also converts the color space (e.g., YCbCr) of the image data included in the input received data into a standard RGB color space (e.g., sRGB). Furthermore, the print data generation unit 108 performs various image processing on the received data as needed, such as resolution conversion to an effective number of pixels (i.e., one that the image processing device can use to execute print processing), image analysis, image correction, and data compression / decompression. The print data obtained by these image processing operations is stored in RAM 106.

[0025] The operation panel 109 includes hard keys and a panel for the user to perform various operations, and a display unit for displaying (notifying) various information to the user. The operation panel 109 may also present information to the user by outputting a sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on acoustic information from a sound generator.

[0026] The print engine unit 200 is a printing section that forms images. The print engine unit 200 includes a controller IF 201, a print controller 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, and an image processing controller 205. The print engine unit 200 also includes a maintenance control section 210, an ink supply control section 209, a head carriage control section 208, a transport control section 207, and a head IF 206 to perform various controls.

[0027] Each component of the print engine unit 200 is connected via a system bus 211 , and the print engine unit 200 is connected to the recording head 500 via a head interface 206 .

[0028] A print controller 202 configured by a CPU controls various mechanisms provided in the print engine unit 200 in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 203, using a RAM 204 as a work area.

[0029] When various commands and print data are received via the controller IF 201 , the print controller 202 temporarily stores the received various commands and print data in the RAM 204 .

[0030] The print controller 202 causes the image processing controller 205 to convert the stored print data into recording data so that the recording head 500 can use it for recording operations. When the recording data is generated by this conversion, the print controller 202 causes the recording head 500 to perform a recording operation based on the recording data. At this time, the print controller 202 requests transportation from the transport control unit 207, and upon receiving the request, the transport control unit 207 transports the recording medium.

[0031] The printing process is executed in accordance with instructions from the print controller 202. Specifically, the printing operation by the print head 500 is executed in conjunction with the conveyance operation of the printing medium.

[0032] The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the print head 500 depending on the operating state of the image processing apparatus, such as the maintenance state or the printing state.

[0033] The ink supply control unit 209 controls the pressure of the ink supplied to the print head 500 so that it falls within an appropriate range.

[0034] The maintenance control unit 210 controls cleaning of the transport rollers and the print head 500 controlled by the transport control unit 207 .

[0035] The recording head 500 is a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium based on recording data. More specifically, the recording head 500 is composed of recording heads for multiple colors, and the print controller 202 forms an image on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head of the corresponding color in synchronization with the transport of the recording medium, such as paper, based on the recording data.

[0036] Although the image processing device according to the present embodiment will be described taking an inkjet printer that forms images using ink as an example, image processing devices to which the present disclosure can be applied are not limited to inkjet printers. Specifically, the technology of the present disclosure can be applied to printing devices of various printing methods, such as thermal printers (dye-sublimation, thermal transfer, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and other electrophotographic printers.

[0037] The scanner engine unit 300 includes a controller IF 301, a RAM 303, a scanner controller 302, a transport control unit 304, and a sensor 305. The various components of the scanner engine unit 300 are connected via a system bus 306.

[0038] The main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 in accordance with the programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 107, using the RAM 106 as a work area. This controls various mechanisms provided in the scanner engine unit 300. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 via the controller IF 301, so that a document set by a user is transported via the transport control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then temporarily stores data acquired by this reading (referred to as read data) in the RAM 303.

[0039] In this embodiment, the operation panel 109 is located inside the image processing device, but this is not limiting and it may be connected as an external component via the host IF 102, for example. The host device 400 may also serve as the operation panel 109. In addition to the operation panel 109, the image processing device may be connectable to other input / output devices via the host IF 102 or the like.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the print data and read data are stored in the RAM 106, RAM 303, or RAM 204, but they may also be stored in a non-volatile device such as an HDD.

[0041] The host device 400 is an external device that serves as a supply source of input data, such as a print job, to the image processing device. Examples of the host device 400 include a PC on which a printer driver is installed, a server device, and the like. Note that instead of the host device 400, or together with the host device 400, a data providing device that serves as a data supply source, such as a digital camera or smartphone, may be provided. The connection between these devices and the image processing device is not limited to via the host IF 102, and may be directly connected via wireless communication via the wireless IF 103, for example.

[0042] The program for realizing the functions according to this embodiment may be supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media. A computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device may read the program and execute the functions, or may have various mechanisms execute the program. The program may be executed by a single computer or by multiple computers working together.

[0043] In addition, it is not necessary to realize all of the above-described processing by software, and some or all of the processing may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC.

[0044] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to a configuration in which all processing is performed by one CPU, but may also be a configuration in which multiple CPUs perform processing in cooperation as appropriate, or a configuration in which one CPU performs some processing and multiple CPUs perform other processing in cooperation.

[0045] <Processing performed by the image processing device> The process executed by the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0046] First, the problems with the conventional process will be explained using Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the conventional flow when an image processing apparatus receives a job and prints based on the received job.

[0047] First, in step S201, the image processing device receives data transmitted by the host device 400 via the host IF 102 or wireless IF 103, and temporarily stores the received data in the receive buffer 104. Note that data (e.g., a print job) received by the image processing device in this step is referred to as "received data." Also, for simplicity, "step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~" hereinafter.

[0048] In S202, the main controller 101 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to display a cancel menu via the operation panel 109. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S205. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S203.

[0049] In S203, the main controller 101 issues a print start instruction for the page currently being processed to the print data generating unit 108 and the print engine I / F 105. Hereinafter, the page currently being processed is referred to as the "page of interest."

[0050] In S204, the main controller 101 determines whether there is page data of the next page as unprocessed data. If the determination result in this step is true, the process returns to S201. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the series of processes ends.

[0051] When an instruction to start printing the page of interest is issued in S203, printing processing is executed. Here, "printing processing" refers to a series of processes from S208 to S210. This series of processes is executed in parallel with the processes from S201 to S207 executed by the main controller 101. Note that in Figure 2, parallel execution is indicated by dotted lines.

[0052] In S208, the print data generation unit 108 generates print data for the page of interest in band units each consisting of one or more lines.

[0053] In S209, the print controller 202 executes printing (image formation) of the page of interest on the recording medium in band units based on the print data generated in S208.

[0054] In S210, the print controller 202 determines whether the next band unit of data exists. If the determination result in this step is true, the process returns to S208. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false (i.e., if printing of all bands in the page of interest has been completed), the printing process for the page of interest ends.

[0055] As described above, if it is determined in S202 that a cancel menu display instruction has been issued (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S205. In S205, the main controller 101 displays a graphical user interface screen (referred to as a GUI screen) of the cancel menu on the operation panel 109. By displaying the GUI screen of the cancel menu in this step, it becomes possible to receive an instruction to execute cancellation from the user via the cancel menu.

[0056] In S206, the main controller 101 determines whether the user has issued a cancellation command via the cancel menu displayed in S205. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S207. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S203, where the main controller 101 instructs the print data generation unit 108 and the print engine IF 105 to start printing the page of interest.

[0057] In S207, the main controller 101 executes the job cancellation process. Specifically, the job cancellation process is completed after the processing of the pages after the page of interest included in the job is canceled and the processing of the page of interest is completed. In other words, in the conventional technology, the processing of the page of interest continues. After this step, the job processing by the image processing device ends.

[0058] In this way, in the process shown in FIG. 2, for the page of interest for which a print start instruction was issued in S203, even if cancellation is executed for pages after the page of interest, processing continues until processing by the print data generation unit 108 and the print engine IF 105 is completed.

[0059] On the other hand, by repeating steps S201 to S204 on a band-by-band basis rather than on a page-by-page basis, the processing time when canceling can be shortened. However, since the image formation process is stopped midway through the page of interest while the cancel menu is displayed, there is a possibility that print quality will be affected by the occurrence of streaks or unevenness. Therefore, in this embodiment, the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

[0060] 3 is a flowchart showing the process according to this embodiment, in which the image processing apparatus receives a job and prints based on the received job. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the generation of print data is suppressed and print control related to paper transport is suppressed (see S304).

[0061] First, in S301, the image processing device receives data transmitted by the host device 400 via the host IF 102 or the wireless IF 103 (acquisition of received data). This received data is, for example, a job such as a print job. The received data acquired in this step is temporarily stored in the receive buffer 104.

[0062] In S302, the main controller 101 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to display a cancel menu via the operation panel 109. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S303. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S308.

[0063] In S308, the main controller 101 instructs the print data generating unit 108 and the print engine I / F 105 to start printing the page of interest.

[0064] In S309, the main controller 101 determines whether there is page data of the next page as unprocessed data. If the determination result in this step is true, the process returns to S301. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the series of processes ends.

[0065] When an instruction to start printing the page of interest is issued in S308, print processing is executed. The "print processing" here refers to a series of processes from S310 to S312. This series of processes is executed in parallel with the processes from S301 to S309 executed by the main controller 101. Note that in Figure 3, parallel execution is indicated by dotted lines.

[0066] In S310, the print data generating unit 108 generates print data for the page of interest in units of bands each consisting of one or more lines. Details of this step will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0067] In S311, the print controller 202 executes printing of the page of interest in band units based on the print data generated in S310. Details of this step will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0068] In S312, the print controller 202 determines whether the next band unit of data exists. If the determination result in this step is true, the process returns to S310. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false (i.e., if printing of all bands in the page of interest has been completed), the printing process for the page of interest ends.

[0069] As described above, if it is determined in S302 that a cancel menu display instruction has been issued (YES in S302), the process proceeds to S303. In S303, the main controller 101 displays a GUI screen of the cancel menu on the operation panel 109. By displaying the GUI screen of the cancel menu in this step, it becomes possible to receive an instruction to execute cancellation from the user via the cancel menu.

[0070] In S304, the main controller 101 issues a print data generation suppression instruction to the print data generation unit 108. The main controller 101 also issues an instruction to the print engine unit 200 via the print engine IF 105 and the controller IF 201 to suppress print control related to the conveyance of the recording medium (print control suppression instruction).

[0071] In S305, the main controller 101 determines whether the user has issued a cancellation command via the cancel menu displayed in S304. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S307. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S306.

[0072] In S306, the main controller 101 instructs the print data generating unit 108 to cancel the print data generation suppression. The main controller 101 also instructs the print engine unit 200 to cancel the print control suppression via the print engine IF 105. After S306, the process proceeds to S308.

[0073] In S307, the main controller 101 executes job cancellation processing. Specifically, the job cancellation processing is completed after the cancellation of processing for pages after the page of interest included in the job and the cancellation of processing for the page of interest are completed. In other words, in this embodiment, unlike the conventional technology described in FIG. 2, the processing for the page of interest is canceled rather than continued. After this step, job processing by the image processing apparatus ends.

[0074] <Print data generation process> The print data generation process (S310 in FIG. 3) according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the print data generation process.

[0075] In S401, the main controller 101 determines whether a print data generation suppression instruction was issued in S304. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S402. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S405.

[0076] In S402, the main controller 101 determines whether the print data generation suppression conditions are met. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S403. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S405. The print data generation suppression conditions are determined based on predetermined control content (also called suppression content) that indicates how long processing should continue while the cancel menu is displayed. Examples of such control content include the following:

[0077] The first type is control to suppress print data generation so that print data for new bands or lines is not generated between pages included in the job being printed (referred to as inter-page suppression control).

[0078] The second type is control to suppress print data generation so that print data for new bands or lines is not generated midway through a page being printed that is included in a job being printed (referred to as mid-page suppression control or intra-page suppression control).

[0079] Here are two specific examples of page mid-page suppression control. First, in order to continue printing without compromising print quality when a job is continued without being canceled, generation of print data for new bands or lines continues up to a predetermined threshold, and print data generation is stopped once the predetermined threshold is exceeded. The predetermined threshold is a threshold for the number of bands or lines.

[0080] Second, in order to continue printing without compromising print quality when a job is continued without being canceled, print data generation for new bands and lines continues up to a point where the impact on image quality is minimal even if printing is stopped, and print data generation is not performed once the point where the impact on image quality is minimal is reached.

[0081] There are three specific examples of suppression control that stops generating print data when it reaches a point where the impact on image quality is small. First, if there is a blank area (band) extending in the main scanning direction, there is no impact on image quality even if printing before the printing of that blank area (before in the sub-scanning direction) begins. Therefore, print data is generated for printing before the printing of the blank area.

[0082] Second, if there is an area (band) where the color extending in the main scanning direction is lower than a predetermined threshold (i.e., light color), starting printing before the printing of the light color area (before in the sub-scanning direction) will not affect the image quality. Therefore, print data for printing before the printing of the light color area is generated.

[0083] Third, if there is a region (band) of different colors extending in the main scanning direction, starting printing before the printing of the region of different colors (before the sub-scanning direction) does not affect image quality. Therefore, print data for printing before the printing of the region of different colors is generated.

[0084] At least one of the above listed contents is selected by the user, and the print data generation suppression conditions used in S402 are determined based on the selected at least one of the above listed contents. Note that the above listed control contents are examples, and other contents may also be used.

[0085] In S403, the main controller 101 determines whether an instruction to cancel the print data generation suppression has been issued. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S405. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S404.

[0086] In S404, the main controller 101 determines whether there is an instruction to cancel the job. If the determination result in this step is true, the series of processes ends and the process proceeds to S311. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to S402.

[0087] In S405, the print data generating unit 108 generates print data. After this step, the series of processes ends, and the process proceeds to S311.

[0088] FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of printing (image forming processing) based on print data in S311 of FIG.

[0089] In S501, the print controller 202 determines whether there is a print control suppression instruction issued by the main controller 101 in S304 and received via the print engine IF 105 and the controller IF 201. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S502. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S503.

[0090] In S502, the print controller 202 executes a print control suppression process. Specific details of the print control suppression process executed in this step include, for example, the following.

[0091] First, there is a precedence paper feed suppression process that prevents paper from being fed prior to the generation of print data. Second, there is a repeated feed suppression process that prevents the next page from being fed in a repeated manner in order to improve the throughput of continuous printing. Third, there is a print speed suppression process that slows the print speed to a degree that does not affect print quality, specifically, a process that slows the scanning speed of the print head 500 and the transport speed of the print medium. Note that in this embodiment, a combination of the three contents listed here is used, but at least one or more of these selected by the user may be used, or contents other than these three may be used.

[0092] In S503, the print controller 202 generates recording data based on the print data, and uses the recording head 500 to execute image formation processing based on the generated recording data.

[0093] <Example of the cancel menu> FIG. 6 shows an example of screen transitions of GUI screens displayed on the operation panel 109, and such GUI screens include a cancel menu screen and a screen for accepting a cancel instruction.

[0094] The printing message display screen 601 is a screen that is displayed when it is determined in the above-mentioned S302 (see FIG. 3) whether there is an instruction to display the cancel menu. When the user presses the cancel button 602, it is determined that there is an instruction to display the cancel menu, and in S303, the cancel menu screen 603 is displayed.

[0095] The cancel menu screen 603 has a job list 604 and a "Back" button 609. The user selects a job to cancel from among the jobs in the job list 604. When the user selects one or more jobs from the job list 604, a cancel confirmation screen 605 is displayed in place of the cancel menu screen 603. On the other hand, if the user presses the "Back" button 609 without selecting a job from the jobs in the job list 604, printing continues. In this case, the printing message display screen 601 is displayed in place of the cancel menu screen 603.

[0096] The cancellation confirmation screen 605 has a "Yes" button 606 and a "No" button 607. By pressing the "Yes" button 606, the user issues a cancellation instruction for the job selected via the job list 604 (YES in S305 of FIG. 3). In this case, cancellation processing is executed in S307. While cancellation processing is being executed, a cancellation message display screen 608 is displayed in place of the cancellation confirmation screen 605.

[0097] On the other hand, if the "No" button 607 is pressed, the selected job is not canceled and printing continues. In this case, the printing message display screen 601 is displayed instead of the cancellation confirmation screen 605.

[0098] FIG. 7 shows an example of a GUI screen displayed on the operation panel 109 for selectively setting an operation while the cancel menu is displayed.

[0099] The user can set in advance the operation to be performed while the cancel menu is displayed by selecting a desired option from options 702 that determine how far to proceed with job processing while the cancel menu is displayed on the process setting screen 701 for displaying the cancel menu. The user can select the following control options via the options 702, for example:

[0100] "Stop between pages" in FIG. 7 is a conventional control that stops processing between pages. "Stop mid-page" is a control adopted in conventional inkjet printer and large-format printer control that forcibly stops processing mid-way through a page being printed. "Continue processing" is a control that continues processing as normal (i.e., without suppressing it) even when the cancel menu is displayed. "Continue processing with restrictions" is a control according to this embodiment that continues processing with restrictions (suppressions) in place.

[0101] <Effects of this embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, while the cancel menu is displayed, the generation of print data is suppressed and print control related to paper transport is suppressed, which makes it possible to both shorten the time required to complete job cancellation and prevent a decline in print quality if printing continues without canceling the job.

[0102] [Other embodiments] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0103] [Technical Features of the Present Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0104] (Configuration 1) A printing device having a display means for displaying a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job, and a control means, characterized in that when the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display means during execution of printing based on a job, the control means suppresses the generation of print data and suppresses printing control related to the transport of a recording medium. (Configuration 2) The printing device according to configuration 1, further comprising a print data generation means for generating the print data based on a job, wherein the control means instructs the print data generation means to suppress generation of the print data. (Configuration 3) A printing device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the suppression of generation of the print data includes inter-page suppression, which prevents the generation of print data for new bands or lines between pages included in the job being printed, and mid-page suppression, which prevents the generation of print data for new bands or lines mid-page included in the job being printed, and the user selects at least one of the inter-page suppression and mid-page suppression. (Configuration 4) A printing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the mid-page suppression includes a first suppression that continues generating print data for new bands or lines up to a predetermined threshold and stops generating print data once the predetermined threshold is exceeded, and a second suppression that continues generating print data for new bands or lines up to a point where stopping printing will have little effect on image quality and stops generating print data once the point where the effect on image quality is little is reached. (Configuration 5) A printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising a printing unit that performs processing to form an image on the recording medium, and wherein the control means instructs the printing unit to suppress the printing control. (Configuration 6) A printing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the printing control suppression includes advance paper feed suppression, overlapping continuous feed suppression, and printing speed suppression, and the user selects at least one of the advance paper feed suppression, overlapping continuous feed suppression, and printing speed suppression. (Configuration 7) A printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the cancellation menu screen has a job list, and the user selects a job to cancel from among the jobs in the job list. (Configuration 8) A printing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the GUI screen includes a processing setting screen during cancel menu display for setting how far job processing should proceed while the cancel menu is displayed, and the user selects, via the processing setting screen during cancel menu display, from among a first control that stops processing between pages, a second control that forcibly stops processing in the middle of a page being printed, a third control that continues processing as normal, and a fourth control that continues processing with restrictions. (Control method) A control method for a printing device having a display means for displaying a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job, and a control means, characterized in that when the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display means during execution of printing based on a job, the control means has a step of suppressing the generation of print data and suppressing print control related to the transport of a recording medium. (Program) A control method for a printing device having a display means for displaying a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job on a computer, and a control means, characterized in that, when the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display means during execution of printing based on a job, the control means has a step of suppressing the generation of print data and suppressing print control related to the transport of a recording medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 101 Main Controller 109 Operation Panel 603 Cancel menu screen

Claims

1. a display means for displaying a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job; a control means; A printing device having: When the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display means during execution of printing based on a job, the control means suppresses generation of print data and suppresses print control related to conveyance of a recording medium. A printing device characterized by:

2. The printing apparatus further includes a print data generating unit for generating the print data based on a job, the control means instructs the print data generation means to suppress generation of the print data; 2. The printing device according to claim 1.

3. The suppression of print data generation includes inter-page suppression, which prevents print data of new bands or lines from being generated between pages included in the job being printed, and mid-page suppression, which prevents print data of new bands or lines from being generated midway through a page being printed included in the job being printed, a user selects at least one of the inter-page suppression and the mid-page suppression; 3. The printing device according to claim 2.

4. The mid-page suppression includes a first suppression in which generation of print data for new bands or lines continues up to a predetermined threshold, and print data is not generated once the predetermined threshold is exceeded; and a second suppression in which generation of print data for new bands or lines continues up to a point where stopping printing would have little effect on image quality, and print data is not generated once the point where image quality is little affected is reached.

4. The printing device according to claim 3.

5. a printing unit that performs processing to form an image on the recording medium; the control means instructs the printing unit to suppress the printing control; 5. The printing device according to claim 4.

6. The print control suppression includes a pre-feed suppression, a repeated overlap feed suppression, and a print speed suppression. At least one of the preceding paper feed suppression, the overlapped continuous feeding suppression, and the printing speed suppression is selected by the user.

6. The printing device according to claim 5.

7. the cancel menu screen has a job list, A job to be canceled is selected by the user from among the jobs in the job list.

7. The printing device according to claim 6.

8. The GUI screen includes a process setting screen during display of the cancel menu for setting how far job processing should proceed while the cancel menu is displayed, The user selects, via the process setting screen during display of the cancel menu, one of a first control for stopping the process between pages, a second control for forcibly stopping the process in the middle of the page being printed, a third control for continuing the process as usual, and a fourth control for continuing the process with restrictions.

8. The printing device according to claim 7.

9. a display means for displaying a GUI screen including a cancel menu screen for canceling a job; a control means; A method for controlling a printing device having a step of the control unit suppressing generation of print data and suppressing print control relating to conveyance of a recording medium when the cancel menu screen is displayed on the display unit during execution of printing based on a job; A control method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 9.

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