Image processing device, image processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve the usability when attempting to cancel a print job. [Solution] The main controller of the image processing device displays a setting screen on the display device for setting the operation while the cancel menu is displayed, which is stored in a memory unit such as RAM. The main controller 101 receives the operation setting for the cancel menu from the user on the setting screen. The main controller stores the operation setting for the cancel menu received from the user in a memory unit such as RAM1. When a command to display the cancel menu is given, the main controller stops the ongoing printing process according to the stored operation setting.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control technology for an image processing apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, a printing apparatus equipped with an image processing apparatus has a function of accepting a cancel instruction to stop execution of a job for which an execution instruction has been received. When accepting a job cancel instruction from a user, a cancel menu is displayed, and cancellation is executed when the job to be canceled is selected from a job list. While the cancel menu is displayed, all job processing is stopped, but the boundary at which job processing is stopped differs for each product.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, even when a cancel menu is displayed, processing of a page being processed is continued, and the processing is stopped when the processing of the next page is started. On the other hand, some printing apparatuses that can stop printing in the middle of a page, such as inkjet printers and large-format printers, stop printing in the middle of a page when the cancel menu is displayed. Further, depending on the printing apparatus, in order to improve printing throughput, there are a function of starting paper conveyance in advance during page data processing, and a function of feeding the paper of the next page overlapping the margin of a page that is being printed in advance. [Background Art] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-18622 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, if the printer continues processing the page being processed even after displaying the cancel menu, it takes time to stop printing because it must wait for the processing of the page to be completed. On the other hand, if printing is stopped even if a page is not being processed when the cancel menu is displayed, and printing is resumed without canceling the job after displaying the cancel menu, a decrease in print quality such as streaks and unevenness may occur. Thus, the actions taken while the cancel menu is displayed affect the time until printing stops and the print quality, but the user had no choice but to accept the predetermined settings on the device regardless of whether they prioritized time or quality.

[0006] This disclosure aims to improve the usability when attempting to cancel a print job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This disclosure relates to an image processing device that causes a printing device to print based on a print job, and is characterized by comprising: interrupt control means for performing interrupt control on the control being performed by the image processing device; reception means for receiving a specification of the print job to be canceled via a UI screen; and setting means for performing pre-settings related to the interrupt control to be performed when the UI screen is displayed, based on user instructions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure can improve usability when attempting to cancel a print job. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic internal configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the entire job processing process of a conventional image processing device. [Figure 3] This is an example of an operation panel for selecting a process while the cancel menu is displayed in an image processing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the process for setting the operation of the image processing device while the cancel menu is displayed according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the entire job processing of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the print data generation process of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This is an example of an operation panel for cancel menu operation of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] (Device configuration) Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1 consists of an image processing apparatus 100 and a printing apparatus 200 including a print engine unit 210 and a recording head 230. The image forming apparatus can also be connected to a host device 300 via a host IF 102 or wireless IF 103.

[0012] The image processing device 100 includes a main controller 101, a receive buffer 104, a print engine IF 105, a scanner engine IF 110, RAM 106, ROM 107, a print data generation unit 108, and an operation panel 109.

[0013] Further, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a host IF 102 for external connection and a wireless IF 103, and each part of the image processing apparatus 100 is connected via a system bus 111.

[0014] A main controller 101 configured by a CPU performs printing and maintenance operations while using a RAM 106 as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 107, and controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus.

[0015] For example, when data is input as a job from a host apparatus 300 via the host IF 102, the data is stored in a reception buffer 104. In accordance with instructions from the main controller 101, a print data generation unit 108 performs predetermined image processing on the received data to generate print data. The reception buffer 104 may be stored in a non-volatile device such as an HDD, or may be stored in a volatile device such as a RAM.

[0016] Then, the main controller 101 transmits the image-processed print data to the print engine unit 210 of the printing apparatus 200 via the print engine IF 105.

[0017] The RAM 106 is used as a work area for the main controller 101, used as a temporary storage area for various data, and stores various setting data.

[0018] The ROM 107 stores programs to be executed by the main controller 101 and various data necessary for various operations of the image processing apparatus 100.

[0019] The print data generation unit 108 includes various image processing means. For example, it performs processing of developing (converting) received data handled by the image processing apparatus 100 (for example, data represented in a page description language) into print data (bitmap image data) and other image processing. Further, the print data generation unit 108 converts a color space (for example, YCbCr) of image data included in input received data into a standard RGB color space (for example, sRGB). In addition, the print data generation unit 108 performs various image processing on the received data as necessary, such as resolution conversion to an effective number of pixels (that can be printed by the image processing apparatus), image analysis, image correction, and data compression / decompression. Print data obtained by these image processing is stored in RAM 106.

[0020] The operation panel 109 includes hard keys and a panel for a user to perform various operations, and a display unit for displaying (notifying) the user of various information in accordance with display control performed by the main controller 101. Further, the operation panel 109 may display information to the user by outputting sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on sound information from a sound generator.

[0021] The print engine unit 210 of the printing apparatus 200 is a printing section that performs image formation. The print engine unit 210 includes a controller IF 211, a print controller 212, a ROM 213, a RAM 214, and an image processing controller 215. Further, to perform various controls, the print engine unit 210 includes a maintenance control section 220, an ink supply control section 219, a head carriage control section 218, a conveyance control section 217 for conveying a recording medium, and a head IF 216. Each part is connected via a system bus 221, and the print engine unit 210 is connected to a recording head 230 via the head IF 216.

[0022] The print controller 212 constituted by a CPU controls various mechanisms included in the print engine unit 210 according to programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 213, while using the RAM 214 as a work area.

[0023] When various commands and print data are received via controller IF211, the print controller 212 temporarily stores them in RAM214.

[0024] The print controller 212 converts the print data stored in the image processing controller 215 into recording data so that the recording head 230 can use it for recording operations.

[0025] When the image processing controller 215 generates recording data, the print controller 212 causes the recording head 230 to perform a recording operation based on the recording data via the head IF 216. At this time, the print controller 212 causes the transport control unit 217 to transport the recording medium. In accordance with the instructions of the print controller 212, the recording operation by the recording head 230 is performed in conjunction with the transport operation of the recording medium, thereby performing the printing process on the recording medium.

[0026] The head carriage control unit 218 changes the orientation and position of the recording head 230 according to the operating status of the printing device 200, such as the maintenance status and recording status.

[0027] The ink supply control unit 219 controls the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 230 so that it falls within an appropriate range.

[0028] The maintenance control unit 220 controls the cleaning of the transport rollers and recording head 230, which are controlled by the transport control unit 217.

[0029] The recording head 230 is a printing unit that prints images, and prints images onto the recording medium based on the recorded data. The recording head 230, for example, holds print heads for multiple colors and ejects ink in synchronization with the transport of the recording medium such as paper to form an image on the recording medium.

[0030] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus will be described using an inkjet printer that uses ink as a recording material as an example, but it is not limited thereto. This disclosure is applicable to image forming apparatuses using various printing methods, such as thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and other electrophotographic methods.

[0031] Furthermore, although the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described using a printer that prints on cut paper as an example, it is not limited to this and can also be applied to printers that print on roll paper.

[0032] In this embodiment, the operation panel 109 is located inside the image processing device, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may be connected as an external component via the host IF 102.

[0033] Furthermore, the host device 300 may also serve as the control panel 109. In addition, the image processing device may be further connected to other input / output devices via the host IF 102 or the like, in addition to the control panel 109.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the print data is stored in RAM106 and RAM214, but it may also be stored in a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD, or in a volatile storage device other than RAM.

[0035] The host device 300 is an external device that serves as the source of print data, and is, for example, a PC with a printer driver installed or a server device. Instead of the host device 300, a digital camera, smartphone, or the like may be used as the source of print data.

[0036] The connection method between each device and the image processing device 100 is not limited to via the host IF 102; for example, they may be directly connected via wireless communication through the wireless IF 103.

[0037] Furthermore, the program for realizing the functions of this embodiment may be supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media. Alternatively, the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device may read the program and execute its functions, or cause various mechanisms to execute it. This program may also be executed by a single computer or by the coordinated execution of multiple computers.

[0038] Furthermore, it is not necessary to implement all of the above processes in software; some or all of the processes may be implemented in hardware such as ASICs.

[0039] Furthermore, the system is not limited to a configuration where one CPU performs all processing; it may also be a configuration where multiple CPUs cooperate as appropriate to perform the processing, or a configuration where one CPU performs one of the processes while multiple CPUs cooperate to perform the other processes.

[0040] (Embodiment) The following describes the processing flow performed by the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a flowchart illustrating the processing method of print job data received in a conventional image forming apparatus.

[0042] In S201, the main controller 101 of the image processing device receives print job data via the host IF 102 or wireless IF 103 and temporarily stores the received print job data in the receive buffer 104.

[0043] In S202, the main controller 101 selects one of the print job data from the receive buffer 104 and executes job processing. When executing job processing, the main processing S203 to S206 is executed while processing S211 to S215, which accepts cancellations, is executed in parallel.

[0044] In S203, the main controller 101 generates print data in band units consisting of one or more lines based on the print job data using the print data generation unit 108.

[0045] In S204, the main controller 101 instructs the print engine unit 210 of the printing device 200 to perform printing in band units based on the generated print data, via the print engine IF 105.

[0046] In S205, the main controller 101 determines whether there is print data to be generated in band units in the print job data currently being processed. If there is print data to be generated in band units, the process returns to S203; otherwise, it proceeds to S206.

[0047] In S206, the main controller 101 determines whether there is any print data to be generated on a page-by-page basis in the print job data currently being processed. If there is print data to be generated on a page-by-page basis, it returns to S203; otherwise, it returns to S202 to select the next print job data. If all print job data stored in the receive buffer 104 has been selected, the series of processes is terminated.

[0048] In S211, the main controller 101 waits until it receives a command from the control panel 109 to display the cancel menu. If it receives a command to display the cancel menu, it proceeds to S212 and S213.

[0049] In S212, the main controller 101 performs suppression control for the print data generation process and the printing process according to the pre-configured operation settings during the display of the cancel menu.

[0050] In S213, the main controller 101 displays a cancel menu on the control panel 109.

[0051] In S214, the main controller 101 determines whether or not it has received a cancel instruction on the operation panel 109 specifying a print job to be canceled. If a cancel instruction is received, the process proceeds to S215; otherwise, it proceeds to S216. S216 is initiated when the back button is pressed or when the cancel menu is displayed and a cancel instruction is not selected within a predetermined time.

[0052] In S215, the main controller 101 performs interrupt control on the print data generation process and the print process according to the received cancellation instruction and executes a predetermined cancellation process. If there are unprocessed job data that are not subject to cancellation, the next job data is selected and processing continues. However, if all unprocessed job data has been canceled, the series of processes is terminated.

[0053] In S216, the main controller 101 releases the suppression control for the print data generation process and printing process that was executed in S212, and returns to S211.

[0054] There are two timings for interrupting the cancellation process in S215: one is after each page-level process, and the other is after each band-level process. When interrupting the cancellation process after each page-level process, if processing S203 to S205 is being performed on the job data to be canceled when the cancellation instruction is received, the cancellation process is performed after the completion of the page being processed. When interrupting the cancellation process after each band-level process, if processing S203 and S204 is being performed on the job data to be canceled when the cancellation instruction is received, the cancellation process is performed after the completion of the band being processed. Interrupting the cancellation process after each band rather than after each page can shorten the processing time at the time of cancellation. However, because processing is stopped in the middle of a page while the cancellation menu is displayed, it may affect the print quality, such as streaks and unevenness. Conventionally, regarding the suppression control of the print data generation process and printing process while these cancellation menus are displayed, the user had no choice but to accept the settings predetermined by the device, regardless of whether they prioritized time or quality.

[0055] Figure 3 shows an example of a user interface (UI) screen in the operation panel 109 according to this embodiment, which allows users to pre-configure the actions taken while the cancel menu is displayed based on user instructions.

[0056] Before the image processing device 100 receives print job data, the user can set the suppression control operation during the display of the cancel menu, as shown in Figure 3(a), on the first setting screen 301 for pre-setting the operation during the display of the cancel menu. The configurable operation options 302 include controls related to the print data processing and printing process when a command to display the cancel menu is received, for example, the following operations.

[0057] If "Continue processing" is selected, the print data generation process and print instruction process will continue even if the cancel menu is displayed.

[0058] In the case of "Stop between pages," while the Cancel menu is displayed, the print data generation process and print instruction process will be stopped between pages. In other words, the generation of print data will be stopped for pages following the page currently being generated when the Cancel menu is displayed, and the print instruction process will also be stopped accordingly.

[0059] In the case of "Stop in the middle of a page," while the cancel menu is displayed, the print data generation process and print instruction process will stop in the middle of a page. That is, when the instruction to display the cancel menu is received, the generation of print data will stop for the band or line following the band or line that is currently being generated, and the print instruction process will stop accordingly.

[0060] In the case of "Continue with limited processing," printing is stopped while the cancel menu is displayed. If printing is then resumed without cancellation, the process of generating print data for new bands or lines and the process of issuing print instructions will continue until the impact on image quality is minimal, and then it will stop. For example, after receiving the instruction to display the cancel menu, the print data generation process will continue until a predetermined number of lines for the processing unit of the main controller 101 is reached, at which point the print data generation process will stop. Alternatively, the print data generation process will continue until a predetermined area with minimal impact on image quality is reached, as shown below, at which point the print data generation process will stop.

[0061] <Areas where resuming printing after stopping without canceling will have minimal impact on image quality> • Areas where a blank area (band) exists in the main scanning direction (because resuming printing will not affect the image quality of the print result prior to the blank area). • Areas (bands) where the color density is lower than a predetermined threshold (lighter) in the main scanning direction (because lighter prints have less impact on image quality compared to prints with higher color density). • Areas where different color tones exist in the main scanning direction (because in boundary areas where the color changes, the change in color before and after resuming printing does not affect the image quality). Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(a), content explaining the operation overview when each of the options 302 is selected is displayed. In the example shown in Figure 3(a), the evaluation results for the following three items are displayed. The first item 303 is the amount of paper wasted when cancellation is performed, the second item 304 is the degree of reduction in print quality when cancellation is performed, and the third item 305 is the degree of reduction in throughput when cancellation is not performed. Note that such an explanation of the operation overview is not necessarily required to be displayed.

[0062] The amount of paper wasted when canceling item 303 is greatest when "continue processing" and least when "stop in the middle of a page".

[0063] The second item, item 304, shows no decrease in print quality when cancellation is performed, but is significant when "stopping mid-page" is selected.

[0064] The throughput reduction when cancellation is not performed in item 305 of the third category is none when "processing continues," small when "stopped between pages," and large when "stopped in the middle of a page."

[0065] In contrast, the "continue with restricted processing" option in this embodiment offers a balanced choice across the three items mentioned above.

[0066] Furthermore, in the second setting screen 311 for pre-setting the operation while the cancel menu is displayed, as shown in Figure 3(b), the operation of the printer 200 while the cancel menu is displayed can be set. The setting items 312 can include, for example, the following control operations.

[0067] • Stopping paper feeding prior to generating print data • Stop feeding paper on top of the next page. • Slow down the printing speed to a level that does not affect print quality. Each of these multiple setting items 312 can be individually set to ON or OFF.

[0068] Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating the process for setting the operation of the process while the cancel menu is displayed in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This process is performed before the image processing apparatus 100 receives print job data and executes the image forming process.

[0069] In S401, the main controller 101 of the image processing device 100 displays setting screens 301 and 311, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), on the display device for setting the operation while the cancel menu is displayed, which is stored in a memory unit such as RAM 106.

[0070] In S402, the main controller 101 accepts user requests for operation settings while the cancel menu is displayed via the setting screens 301 and 311.

[0071] In S403, the main controller 101 saves the operation settings received from the user while the cancel menu is displayed to a storage unit such as RAM 106.

[0072] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating the entire job processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0073] In S501, the main controller 101 of the image processing device receives job data via the host IF 102 or wireless IF 103 and temporarily stores the received data in the receive buffer 104.

[0074] In S502, the main controller 101 selects one of the job data from the receive buffer 104 and executes the job processing. When executing the job processing, the main processing S503 to S506 is executed while processing S511 to S516, which accepts cancellations, is executed in parallel.

[0075] In the S503, the main controller 101 generates print data in predetermined generation units, such as bands consisting of one or more lines, using the print data generation unit 108.

[0076] In S504, the main controller 101 instructs the print engine unit 210 via the print engine IF 105 to perform printing in band units based on the generated print data.

[0077] In S505, the main controller 101 determines whether there is any unprocessed data for the next band unit in the job data currently being processed. If there is data for the next band unit, it returns to S503; otherwise, it proceeds to S506.

[0078] In S506, the main controller 101 determines whether there is unprocessed data for the next page in the job data currently being processed. If data for the next page exists, it returns to S503; otherwise, it returns to S502 to select the next job data. If all job data stored in the receive buffer 104 has been selected, the series of processes is terminated.

[0079] In S511, the main controller 101 waits until it receives a command from the control panel 109 to display the cancel menu. If it receives a command to display the cancel menu, it proceeds to S512 and S513.

[0080] In S512, the main controller 101 performs suppression control for the print data generation process and the printing process according to the operation settings during the display of the cancel menu saved in S403. Details of S512 will be described later with reference to Figure 6.

[0081] In S513, the main controller 101 displays a cancel menu on the control panel 109.

[0082] In S514, the main controller 101 determines whether or not it has received a cancel instruction on the operation panel 109 specifying a print job to be canceled. If a cancel instruction is received, the process proceeds to S515; otherwise, it proceeds to S516. S516 is reached when the back button is pressed, or when the cancel menu is displayed and a cancel instruction is not selected within a predetermined time.

[0083] In S515, the main controller 101 performs interrupt control on the print data generation process and the printing process according to the received cancellation instruction and executes a predetermined cancellation process. If there are unprocessed job data that are not subject to cancellation, the next job data is selected and processing continues. However, if all unprocessed job data has been canceled, the series of processes is terminated.

[0084] In S516, the main controller 101 releases the suppression control for the print data generation process and printing process that was executed in S512, and returns to S511.

[0085] Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating the details of the suppression control in S512. Prior to S512, the main controller 101 receives settings from the user regarding the conditions for suppression control of the print data generation process and the printing process. The conditions for suppression control are those shown in Figure 3(a), such as "stop between pages," "stop in the middle of a page," and "continue with processing limited."

[0086] In S601, the main controller 101 determines whether the operation setting for the print data generation process is "Stop between pages". If it is "Stop between pages", proceed to S602; otherwise, proceed to S603.

[0087] In S602, the main controller 101 stops the generation of print data for subsequent pages by the print data generation unit 108.

[0088] In S603, the print data generation unit 108 determines whether the operation setting for the print data generation process is "stop in the middle of a page". If it is "stop in the middle of a page", proceed to S604; otherwise, proceed to S605.

[0089] In S604, the main controller 101 stops the generation of print data for the next band or line by the print data generation unit 108.

[0090] In S605, the main controller 101 assumes that the operation setting for the print data generation process is "continue with processing limited," and stops generating print data after processing up to the number of lines that can be processed at once.

[0091] In the S606, the main controller 101 controls the printer according to the operation settings for the printer stored in a memory unit such as RAM 106.

[0092] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, steps S601 to S605 and S606 are processed in parallel, but it is also possible to configure the system to process S601 to S605 and S606 sequentially. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the process shown in Figure 6 is performed as S512 within the image forming process shown in Figure 5, but it is also possible to pre-configure the system to reflect the operation settings saved in S403 to the image processing device 100 before the start of the image forming process shown in Figure 5.

[0093] Figure 7 shows an example of a UI screen for receiving cancellation instructions, such as a cancellation menu, displayed on the control panel 109.

[0094] While S503 to S506 are being executed, the printing progress screen 701 is displayed on the control panel 109. When the user presses the cancel button 702 to instruct the display of the cancel menu, the main controller 101 receives the instruction to display the cancel menu in S511 and displays the cancel menu screen 703 in S513.

[0095] When a print job is selected from the job list 704 displayed on the cancel menu screen 703, the main controller 101 displays the cancel confirmation screen 705 in S514. If the "Yes" button 706 is pressed, the main controller 101 performs the cancellation process in S515, and if the "No" button 707 is pressed, it does not cancel but releases the suppression control in S516 and continues printing.

[0096] If the "Yes" button 706 is pressed and a cancellation command is issued, the main controller 101 displays a cancellation screen 708 in S515 indicating that the cancellation process is in progress. If the "Back" button 709 is pressed on the cancellation menu screen 703 without selecting a job list 704, the main controller 101 releases the suppression control in S516 and allows printing to continue.

[0097] As explained above, this disclosure allows users to pre-configure the actions taken while the cancel menu is displayed, and controls are performed according to the user's settings while the cancel menu is displayed. This makes it possible to shorten the time it takes to complete the cancellation in accordance with the user's intentions and to suppress the deterioration of print quality if printing continues without canceling.

[0098] (Other examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0099] This disclosure includes the following configurations and methods:

[0100] (Composition 1) An image processing device that causes a printing device to print based on a print job, The image processing device includes an interrupt control means that performs interrupt control on the control being executed, A means for receiving the specification of the print job to be canceled via a UI screen, A setting means for performing pre-configurations related to the interrupt control that are executed when the aforementioned UI screen is displayed, based on user instructions, An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising:

[0101] (Configuration 2) The aforementioned UI screen is a UI screen that displays a cancel menu for specifying the print job to be canceled from among the print jobs received by the image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that...

[0102] (Composition 3) The pre-configuration for the interrupt control includes setting the position at which the image processing device stops the control being executed when the UI screen is displayed. An image processing apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

[0103] (Composition 4) The position at which the image processing device stops the control it is currently performing includes at least one of the following: between pages, in the middle of a page, and a location where stopping printing by the printing device will have little impact on image quality. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that

[0104] (Composition 5) The interrupt control means, when the position at which the image processing device stops the currently running control is between pages, stops generating print data based on the print job for pages following the page generated when the UI screen was displayed. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that...

[0105] (Composition 6) The interrupt control means, if the position at which the image processing device stops the control it is currently performing is in the middle of a page, stops generating print data based on the print job for the band or line following the band or line that was generated when the UI screen was displayed, and thereafter. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that...

[0106] (Composition 7) The areas in which stopping printing on the printing device has little impact on image quality are any one of the following: the area where the interrupt control means reaches the generation unit of print data generated based on the print job; the area in the main scanning direction of the printing device where a blank area exists; the area in the main scanning direction where a color density is lower than a predetermined threshold exists; and the area in the main scanning direction where a different color exists. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that...

[0107] (Composition 8) The aforementioned pre-configuration for interrupt control includes a setting that prevents the image processing device from stopping the control it is currently executing when the UI screen is displayed. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that

[0108] (Composition 9) The pre-configuration for the interrupt control includes settings for the paper feeding method and printing speed of the printing device. An image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8.

[0109] (Composition 10) The paper feeding method of the printing apparatus includes at least one of stopping paper feeding prior to the generation of print data based on the print job by the control means, and stopping paper feeding when the next page is being fed on top of the previous page. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described therein.

[0110] (Composition 11) The reception means includes a display control means that causes the UI screen to be displayed on the display means. An image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized by the above.

[0111] (Composition 12) The receiving means displays information explaining the pre-configuration related to the interrupt control on the UI screen. An image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized by the above.

[0112] (Composition 13) An image processing method that causes a printing device to print based on a print job, The image processing method performs an interrupt control for the control being executed, A step of accepting the specification of the print job to be canceled via the UI screen, The steps include: performing pre-configurations for the interrupt control that will be executed when the aforementioned UI screen is displayed, based on user instructions; An image processing method characterized by having the following features.

[0113] (Composition 14) A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device as described in any one of items 1 to 12.

Claims

1. An image processing device that causes a printing device to print based on a print job, The image processing device includes an interrupt control means that performs interrupt control on the control being executed, A receiving means for receiving the specification of the print job to be canceled via a UI screen, A setting means for performing pre-configurations related to the interrupt control that are executed when the aforementioned UI screen is displayed, based on user instructions, An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising:

2. The aforementioned UI screen is a UI screen that displays a cancel menu for specifying the print job to be canceled from among the print jobs received by the image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The pre-configuration for the interrupt control includes setting the position at which the image processing device stops the control being executed when the UI screen is displayed. The image processing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The position at which the image processing device stops the control it is currently performing includes at least one of the following: between pages, in the middle of a page, and a location where stopping printing by the printing device will have little impact on image quality. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The interrupt control means, when the position at which the image processing device stops the currently running control is between pages, stops generating print data based on the print job for pages following the page generated when the UI screen was displayed. The image processing apparatus according to feature 4.

6. If the interrupt control means stops the control being performed by the image processing device in the middle of a page, it stops generating print data based on the print job for the band or line following the band or line that was generated when the UI screen was displayed, and thereafter. The image processing apparatus according to feature 4.

7. The areas in which stopping printing on the printing device has little impact on image quality are any one of the following: the area where the interrupt control means reaches the generation unit of print data generated based on the print job; the area in the main scanning direction of the printing device where a blank area exists; the area in the main scanning direction where a color density is lower than a predetermined threshold exists; and the area in the main scanning direction where a different color exists. The image processing apparatus according to feature 4.

8. The aforementioned pre-configuration for interrupt control includes a setting that prevents the image processing device from stopping the control it is currently executing when the UI screen is displayed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.

9. The pre-configuration for the interrupt control includes settings for the paper feeding method and printing speed of the printing device. The image processing apparatus according to feature 1.

10. The paper feeding method of the printing apparatus includes at least one of stopping paper feeding prior to the generation of print data based on the print job by the control means, and stopping paper feeding when the next page is being fed on top of the previous page. The image processing apparatus according to feature 9.

11. The reception means includes a display control means that causes the UI screen to be displayed on the display means. The image processing apparatus according to feature 1.

12. The receiving means displays information explaining the pre-configuration related to the interrupt control on the UI screen. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An image processing method that causes a printing device to print based on a print job, The image processing method performs an interrupt control for the control being executed, A step of accepting the specification of the print job to be canceled via the UI screen, A step of performing pre-configurations related to the interrupt control that will be executed when the aforementioned UI screen is displayed, based on user instructions, An image processing method characterized by having the following features.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images