Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing device that can achieve energy saving and improvement in comfort of a user.SOLUTION: A controller executes: reception processing (S11) for receiving printing setting information; determination processing (S12 and S13) for determining whether printing is set to accumulation printing or not; and printing processing (S16) for performing printing on a sheet. When determining that the printing is not set to the accumulation printing (S12: NO and S13: NO) in the determination processing (S12 and S13), the controller executes printing preparation processing (S15) for executing a predetermined preparatory operation before the printing processing, and when determining that the printing is set to the accumulation printing (S12: YES and S13: YES) does not execute the printing preparatory processing (S15).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a printing apparatus, a technique has been proposed to shorten FPOT (abbreviation for First Print Out Time), which is the time from when a printing instruction is given until the first sheet is discharged from the printing apparatus. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that shortens FPOT by performing spooling of print data and warm-up processing of the printing apparatus in parallel. In the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, warm-up processing is started using startup data received prior to the print data as a trigger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, there is a printing apparatus capable of cumulative printing that starts printing of a print job when information permitting printing of the print job is input, without immediately printing after receiving the print job. In such a printing apparatus, when the technique of Patent Document 1 is applied, there is a problem that the warm-up process is continuously performed uselessly from when the print job is received until printing starts, which gives the user a sense of discomfort and reduces the energy-saving performance.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of achieving energy saving and improving user comfort.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication interface for communicating with an external device and a controller. The controller performs a receiving process for receiving print setting information relating to printing transmitted from the external device, a determination process for determining whether the printing is set to storage printing, which is performed when a print command is received, based on the print setting information received in the receiving process, and a printing process for printing on a sheet. If the determination process determines that the printing is not set to storage printing, the controller performs a print preparation process that performs predetermined preparatory operations before the printing process. If the controller determines that the printing setting is set to storage printing, it does not perform the print preparation process.

[0007] According to the above configuration, if the controller determines in its judgment process that printing is set to cumulative printing, it will not execute the print preparation process. This prevents unnecessary print preparation operations and saves energy. Furthermore, it prevents unnecessary print preparation operations from continuing before the actual printing process, improving user comfort. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, energy conservation and improved user comfort can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system equipped with a printing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the internal configuration of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the electrical configuration of a printing apparatus, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow of an external device. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow of a printing device. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the image storage process. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the print preparation process. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process. [Figure 9] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the print completion process. [Figure 10] Figure 3 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of each part of the printing apparatus. [Figure 11] This figure shows the display screen when the accumulated printing setting is enabled. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the transitions in the display screen of the operation panel when performing a cumulative print operation. [Figure 13] This diagram shows the transitions in the display screen of the control panel when performing secure printing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 13.

[0011] [Printing System Configuration] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 10 equipped with a printing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the printing system 10 comprises a printing device 1 and an external device 50. The printing device 1 is a device for printing images onto a sheet, and is, for example, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral).

[0012] The external device 50 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) and has a display 51 and an external terminal 52. The display 51 is a device for displaying various settings of the printing device 1. The external device 50 is connected to the printing device 1 via the external terminal 52 so as to be able to communicate. The external device 50 is used to instruct the printing device 1 to print on sheet P.

[0013] Note that in the printing system 10 of FIG. 1, a configuration including one external device 50 is shown, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the printing system 10 may include two or more external devices 50. Further, the printing system 10 may include an external device 50 other than a PC, such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0014] [Configuration of Printing Device] Next, the internal configuration of the printing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 includes a feeding tray 21, a discharge tray 22, a conveyance unit 3, and a printing engine 4 inside a housing 2.

[0015] The feeding tray 21 is detachably attached to the lower part of the housing 2 and supports the sheet P by a pressing plate 20. The discharge tray 22 is provided at the upper part of the housing 2 and supports the sheet P printed by the printing engine 4. The sheet P is, for example, plain paper of A4 size.

[0016] The conveyance unit 3 includes a feeding roller 31, a conveyance roller 32, a registration roller 33, a conveyance roller 34, and a discharge roller 35. A conveyance path R for conveying the sheet P is provided in the printing device 1. The conveyance path R is a path that extends from the feeding tray 21, passes through the printing engine 4 and the fuser 6, and reaches the discharge tray 22.

[0017] The feeding roller 31 is provided on the feeding tray 21. The feeding roller 31 picks up the sheets P brought close to the feeding roller 31 one by one from inside the feeding tray 21 as the pressing plate 20 rises and feeds them to the conveyance path R.

[0018] The transport roller 32 transports the sheet P toward the registration roller 33. After aligning the leading edge of the sheet P, the registration roller 33 transports the sheet P toward the printing engine 4. The printing engine 4 prints on the sheet P transported by the transport unit 3 based on the print job data. The printed sheet P is discharged onto the discharge tray 22 by the transport roller 34 and the discharge roller 35.

[0019] The printing engine 4 is a device for printing on a sheet P using an electrophotographic method. The printing engine 4 includes a photosensitive drum 40, a charger 41, an exposure unit 42, a developer unit 43, a transfer roller 44, and a fuser unit 6.

[0020] The photosensitive drum 40 is driven by a motor (not shown). The charger 41 is, for example, a scorotron-type charger and is positioned opposite the photosensitive drum 40. A charge bias is applied to the charger 41 by a charge bias application unit (not shown). As a result, the charger 41 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

[0021] The exposure unit 42 includes a polygon motor 420, a polygon mirror 421, a scanning lens 422, a reflecting mirror 423, and a laser light source (not shown). The polygon motor 420 is driven by a motor (not shown) and rotates the polygon mirror 421, deflecting onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

[0022] The polygon mirror 421 receives the laser beam L emitted from the laser light source via the scanning lens 422 and the reflecting mirror 423, and the exposure unit 42 scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 with the laser beam L to expose it, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 based on the print job data.

[0023] The developing unit 43 includes a toner storage section 430 and a developing roller 431. The toner storage section 430 contains toner. The developing roller 431 supplies the toner from the toner storage section 430 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40.

[0024] The transfer roller 44 is positioned opposite the photosensitive drum 40. A transfer order bias is applied to the transfer roller 44 by a transfer bias application unit (not shown). The transfer roller 44 transports the sheet P while sandwiching it between itself and the photosensitive drum 40, thereby transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 to the sheet P.

[0025] The fuser 6 includes a heating roller 61, a pressure roller 62, and a heater 63. The heating roller 61 heats the sheet P. The pressure roller 62 sandwiches the sheet P between itself and the heating roller 61. The heater 63 is, for example, a halogen heater and is located inside the heating roller 61 to heat the heating roller 61.

[0026] The fuser unit 6 pressurizes the sheet P on which the toner image has been formed between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, and transports it while heating, thereby fixing the toner image formed on the sheet P. As a result, printing is performed on the sheet P according to the print job data.

[0027] [Electrical configuration of printing equipment] Next, the electrical configuration of the printing device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the printing device 1. As shown in Figure 3, the printing device 1 includes a controller 100, a printing engine 4, a fuser 6, an operation panel 110, and a communication interface (I / F) 150.

[0028] The controller 100 includes an ASIC (Application Specification Integrated Circuit) 102, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 103, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104. The ASIC 102 has a built-in CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101. The ASIC 102, NVRAM 103, RAM 104, print engine 4, control panel 110, and communication interface 150 are electrically connected to each other by a bus.

[0029] The controller 100 performs overall control over each part of the printing device 1. The NVRAM 103 stores various control programs and settings for controlling the printing device 1. Based on the control programs stored in the NVRAM 103, the controller 100 controls the charger 41, exposure unit 42, developer unit 43, and fuser unit 6 of the printing engine 4.

[0030] RAM104 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, and as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. RAM104 is provided with a buffer 104A and a page memory 104B.

[0031] Buffer 104A is a storage area for temporarily storing various commands and data received by the communication interface 150. For example, buffer 104A temporarily stores print job data and preceding commands received by the communication interface 150 from the external terminal 52.

[0032] Page memory 104B is a storage area for temporarily storing data generated by controller 100. For example, accumulated job data generated from print job data is temporarily stored in page memory 104B.

[0033] The communication interface 150 is connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and enables connection to an external terminal 52 of an external device 50 that has a driver for the printing device 1 installed. The printing device 1 receives various commands and data from the external terminal 52 via the communication interface 150. The printing device 1 receives, for example, preceding commands and print job data via the communication interface 150.

[0034] The operation panel 110 is configured to receive user input. The operation panel 110 includes a touch panel 111 and push buttons 112. The touch panel 111 consists of a display and icons, and displays the operation screen acquired from the controller 100 on the display, and outputs signals to the controller 100 that represent the touch operations detected by the icons. The push buttons 112 consist of multiple push buttons, and each push button outputs a signal to the controller 100 that represents the push operation detected by the push button.

[0035] [Processing by external devices] Next, the processing flow by the external device 50 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow by the external device 50 in Figure 1.

[0036] In the flowchart shown in Figure 4, first, the external device 50 determines whether the user has selected the print button (S1). The print button is displayed on the display 51 of the external device 50 and is the button that the user uses to decide whether to perform the desired print operation.

[0037] If the print button is not selected (S1:NO), the external device 50 returns to S1. If the print button is selected (S1:YES), it creates option information (S2). In S2, the external device 50 creates option information that indicates the specific printing method for the printing process described later. The option information includes print settings information related to printing, such as secure printing and storage printing, information to specify the size of sheet P, information to specify the type of sheet P, and so on.

[0038] After S2, the external device 50 sends a preceding command (S3). In S3, the external device 50 sends the preceding command, which includes the option information created in S2, to the printer device 1 via a LAN (not shown). The option information of the preceding command is described, for example, in Printer Job Language (PJL).

[0039] After S3, the external device 50 generates print job data (S4). In S4, the external device 50 generates print job data that includes the print content and printing method for the printing process. The print job data is assumed to describe the print content using a Page Description Language (PDL). The print job data is also assumed to describe the printing method using a printer job language.

[0040] Next, the external device 50 transmits the print job data (S5). In S5, the external device 50 transmits the print job data generated in S4 to the printing device 1 via the LAN.

[0041] The external device 50 then determines whether the generation of all print job data has been completed (S6). If the generation of all print job data has not been completed (S6: NO), it repeats steps S4 and S5 for each page. If the generation of all print job data has been completed (S6: YES), it terminates the flow shown in Figure 4.

[0042] [Control flow by the printing device] Next, the control flow of the printing device 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 10. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow of the printing device 1. Figure 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of each part of the printing device 1 in Figure 3. In Figure 10, the printing device 1 is divided into a communication I / F 150, a PJL analysis unit, a RIP processing unit, an engine control unit, a motor control unit, and a fuser 6, and the processing performed by each unit is illustrated. The PJL analysis unit, RIP processing unit, engine control unit, and motor control unit are functional blocks realized by the controller 100.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, first, the controller 100 determines whether or not it has received a preceding command via the communication interface 150 (S11). The preceding command is sent from the external terminal 52 prior to the print job data.

[0044] If the controller 100 has not received a preceding command (S11:NO), it repeats S11. If it has received a preceding command (S11:YES), it determines whether or not to perform secure printing (S12). Here, "secure printing" refers to a print setting in which printing is initiated when authentication information such as a password is entered into the printer 1.

[0045] In S12, as shown in Figure 10, the controller 100 performs PJL analysis to analyze the printer job description language and determines that it is a secure print job if the option information of the preceding command includes a secure print flag.

[0046] Furthermore, if the option information of the preceding command contains any information indicating secure printing instead of the secure printing flag, it may be determined that the print operation is secure. For example, if the option information of the preceding command contains a password, it may be determined that the print operation is secure.

[0047] Furthermore, the preceding command is divided into a so-called command and option information, and may be a command that has been sent from the external device 50 in the form of multiple data.

[0048] If the controller 100 determines that it is secure printing (S12: YES), it proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the controller 100 determines that it is not secure printing (S12: NO), it determines whether it is a storage print or not (S13). Here, "storage print" refers to a print setting in which printing is not performed immediately after receiving the print job data, but rather printing is started only after information allowing printing of the print job data is input to the printing device 1.

[0049] In S13, the controller 100 determines whether the print operation is a storage print by checking whether print setting information indicating that storage print is enabled is stored in the NVRAM 103. Here, the user sets the storage print setting on the display screen 110X of the operation panel 110, as shown in Figure 11. When the controller 100 is instructed from the operation panel 110 to enable storage print, it stores print setting information indicating that storage print is enabled in the NVRAM 103 of the printer 1. Note that the method for setting storage print to be enabled is not limited to the above. For example, the user may access the web server of the printer 1 using a browser provided by the external device 50 and set storage print to be enabled by operating on the web page provided by the web server.

[0050] If the controller 100 determines that it is an accumulation print (S13:YES), it executes the image accumulation process (S14) shown below.

[0051] <Image storage processing> Next, the image storage process S14 in Figure 5 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the image storage process in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, when the controller 100 receives print job data sent from the external device 50 in S5 after S3, it analyzes the received print job data (S21). By analyzing the print job data, the controller 100 obtains the username contained in the print job data (S22) and the password (S24). Note that if the print job data does not contain a username, the username is not obtained in S23. If the print job data does not contain a password, the password is not obtained in S24.

[0052] After S24, the controller 100 performs RIP processing (S25). In S25, the controller 100 analyzes the PJL format data portion and the PDL format data portion of the print job data, and generates raster-format stored job data representing the image to be printed on sheet P by rasterizing the PDL format data.

[0053] The controller 100 then stores the generated accumulated job data in the page memory 104B of the RAM 104. The accumulated job data is data for each page, and if the print job data contains data for multiple pages, the controller 100 performs RIP processing on all of the print job data for all of the multiple pages.

[0054] After S25, the controller 100 stores the accumulated job data after RIP processing in the page memory 104B of RAM 104, associating it with the user name and print job name (S26). In this way, the controller 100 terminates the image accumulation process.

[0055] <Store Printing> Next, the operation flow of the operation panel 110 when a user performs a cumulative print operation will be explained with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the transitions of the display screen of the operation panel 110 when performing a cumulative print operation.

[0056] As shown in Figure 12, the user touches the icon 113 for performing a stored print job on the display screen 110A of the operation panel 110. Next, the user moves to the display screen 110B, where they select their username. This allows the system to extract only the stored job data associated with the selected username, and a list of the job names of the extracted stored job data is displayed on the display screen 110C.

[0057] Subsequently, the system transitions to display screen 110C, where the user selects the print job name 116 to be printed. Here, the user name and print job name correspond to the identification information of the stored job data. When the user selects all the stored job data displayed on display screen 110C, they select icon 115.

[0058] The user then selects icon 117 to execute printing. This sends the identification information of the stored job data and a print command from the operation panel 110 to the controller 100. Upon this, the controller 100 copies the selected stored job data to the print queue. Once the stored job data is copied to the print queue, the print engine 4 performs the print preparation process. The controller 100 then executes the print process to print the stored job data using the print engine 4, and then performs the print completion process.

[0059] The controller 100 may, without displaying the display screen 110C, copy all the stored job data extracted by selecting a user name on display screen B to the print queue.

[0060] <Print preparation process> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the print preparation process. In the flowchart shown in Figure 7, the controller 100 starts driving the motor 60 (S31), starts the rotation of the heating roller 61, and sets the rotation speed of the heating roller 61 to a predetermined rotation speed.

[0061] After S31, the controller 100 starts heating the fuser 6 by heating the heating roller 61 with the heater 63 (S32). The controller 100 then determines whether the heating of the fuser 6 is complete (S33). Specifically, in S33, the controller 100 determines whether the temperature of the fuser 6 detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) has reached a predetermined temperature (for example, 150°C) or higher.

[0062] If the fuser 6 has not finished heating up (S33: NO), the controller 100 repeats S33. If the fuser 6 has finished heating up (S33: YES), the controller 100 terminates the print preparation process shown in Figure 7.

[0063] In addition, during the print preparation process S15, the controller 100 may perform a cleaning operation to collect toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 40 using a cleaner (not shown), or an operation to agitate the toner stored in the toner storage section 430 using an agitator (not shown) as a print preparation operation.

[0064] <Printing process> Figure 8 is a flowchart of an example of the printing process. In the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the controller 100 determines whether or not stored job data is stored in the page memory 104B of the RAM 104 (S41).

[0065] The controller 100 determines whether it is possible to feed sheet P if accumulated job data is stored in the page memory 104B (S41:YES) (S42). If it determines that it is possible to feed sheet P (S42:YES), the print engine 4 prints the image represented by one page of accumulated job data onto sheet P (S43).

[0066] After S43, the controller 100 deletes the accumulated job data from the page memory 104B after printing is complete, returns to S41, and determines whether or not any accumulated job data remains in the page memory 104B.

[0067] On the other hand, if no accumulated job data is stored in the page memory 104B (S41: NO), the controller 100 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S44). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S44: NO), the controller 100 returns to S41. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S44: YES), the controller 100 terminates the printing process S16 without printing to sheet P.

[0068] Furthermore, if the controller 100 determines that it is impossible to feed sheet P (S42: NO) and no error condition is detected (S45: NO), it returns to S42. If an error condition is detected (S45: YES), it terminates the printing process S16 without printing on sheet P.

[0069] <Print completion process> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the print completion process. In the flowchart shown in Figure 9, the controller 100 stops the heater 63 (S51), stops heating the fuser 6, stops driving the motor 60 (S52), and stops rotating the heating roller 61.

[0070] <Secure Printing> Next, the operation flow of the control panel 110 when a user performs secure printing will be explained with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the transitions of the display screen of the control panel 110 when performing secure printing.

[0071] As shown in Figure 13, the user first touches the icon 118 for secure printing on the display screen 110D of the operation panel 110. Next, the user moves to the display screen 110E, where they select the print job name 116 to be printed. Here, the print job name corresponds to the identification information of the stored job data.

[0072] Next, on display screen 110F, the user enters a password into icon 119. If the entered password matches the password for the selected stored job data, the controller 100 displays display screen 110G. On the other hand, if the entered password does not match the password for the selected stored job data, the controller 100 displays an error on the operation panel 110 and prompts the user to enter a password again.

[0073] Subsequently, the system transitions to display screen 110G, where the user confirms the print job name 116 to be printed and selects the icon 117 to execute the print job. This inputs the identification information and authentication information of the stored job data, along with the print command, from the operation panel 110 to the controller 100.

[0074] Following this, the controller 100 copies the selected stored job data to the print queue. Once the stored job data is copied to the print queue, the controller 100 has the print engine 4 perform the print preparation process. Then, the controller 100 has the print engine 4 perform the print process to print the stored job data, and then performs the print completion process.

[0075] On the other hand, if the controller 100 determines that it is not a stored print job (S13: NO), it executes a print preparation process (S15), then a print process (S16), and finally a print completion process (S17). Here, in the print process (S16), the controller 100 uses the print engine 4 to print the print job data that the external device 50 sent in S5 after S3. That is, the controller 100 reads the stored job data in the above-described <print process> as print job data and performs the same process as the <print process> described above.

[0076] According to the printing device 1 of this embodiment described above, when secure printing is set (S12:YES) or storage printing is set (S13:YES), the print preparation operation (S15) is not executed. This prevents unnecessary print preparation processing (S15) from being performed, thereby saving energy. Furthermore, it prevents the print preparation operation from continuing unnecessarily, improving user comfort.

[0077] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiment described above, the printing engine 4 performs printing using an electrophotographic method, but it is not limited to this, and may also perform printing using an inkjet method.

[0078] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment targeted data in which the print content is described in PDL format, examples of PDL format include PDF (Portable Document Format), PCL (Printer Control Language), XPS (XML Paper Specification), and PS (PostScript). Moreover, the embodiment is not limited to these; data described in a format other than PDL format may also be targeted.

[0079] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Printing device 4 Printing Engine 6. Fuser 40 Photosensitive drums 44 Transfer Roller 50 External device 51 displays 52 External terminals 60 motors 61 Heating roller 62 Pressure rollers 63 Heater 100 controllers 103 NVRAM 104 RAM 104A Buffer 104B page memory 110 Control Panel 111 Touch Panel 112 Push Buttons 150 Communication I / F

Claims

1. A communication interface for communicating with external devices, Controller and A memory that stores accumulated job data generated based on print job data, Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, A receiving process that receives a preceding command transmitted from the external device prior to the print job data, A determination process is performed to determine that the print is set to the stored print setting if the preceding command received in the receiving process includes information regarding stored print settings, where the print is performed when a print command is received. The printing process involves printing onto a sheet, Execute, If the determination process determines that the print is not set to the storage print, a print preparation process is executed to perform predetermined preparatory operations before the print process. If the determination process determines that the print is set to the storage print, an image storage process is executed without performing the print preparation process, and the storage job data corresponding to the preceding command containing the information is stored in the memory in association with the identification information of the print job data. A printing apparatus characterized in that, in the printing process, it prints the stored job data when authentication information is entered.

2. A communication interface for communicating with external devices, Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, A receiving process that receives a preceding command, which is sent from the external device prior to the print job data and includes print setting information related to printing, A determination process that determines whether the printing is set to a storage print that is performed when a print command is received, based on the print setting information received in the receiving process, The printing process involves printing onto a sheet, Execute, The printing includes a first stored print, which is a stored print that stores the print job data received from the external device in the memory and prints when authentication information is entered. The aforementioned controller, In the determination process, if the preceding command received in the reception process includes a flag related to the first storage print as print setting information, it is determined that the print is set to the storage print. A printing apparatus characterized in that, if the determination process determines that the printing is not set to the storage printing setting, it performs a print preparation process that involves predetermined preparatory operations before the printing process, and if it determines that the printing is set to the storage printing setting, it does not perform the print preparation process.

3. A communication interface for communicating with external devices, Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, A receiving process that receives print setting information related to printing transmitted from the external device, A determination process that determines whether the printing is set to a storage print that is performed when a print command is received, based on the print setting information received in the receiving process, The printing process involves printing onto a sheet, Execute, The aforementioned printing includes a second stored printing operation, which is a stored printing operation in which print job data received from the external device is stored in the memory, and the print job data stored in the memory is printed when a print command is received. The aforementioned controller, When instructed to enable the second storage printing, the print setting information indicating that the second storage printing is enabled is stored in the memory. In the determination process, if the memory stores the print setting information indicating that the second storage print is enabled, it is determined that the print is set to storage print. A printing apparatus characterized in that, if the determination process determines that the printing is not set to the storage printing setting, it performs a print preparation process that involves predetermined preparatory operations before the printing process, and if it determines that the printing is set to the storage printing setting, it does not perform the print preparation process.

4. The aforementioned controller, If the determination process determines that the print is set to the storage print, an image storage process is executed to store the storage job data generated based on the print job data in the memory in association with the identification information contained in the print job data. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the printing process, printing of the print job data is performed when the identification information is input.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforementioned identification information is a username.

6. A printing engine that prints on a sheet, An operation panel for inputting the aforementioned print command, Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, if the determination process determines that the printing is set to the accumulation printing, the printing engine performs printing on the sheet when it receives an instruction to perform the accumulation printing by operating the operation panel.

7. The fuser further comprises a heating roller and a heater, The aforementioned controller, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in the printing preparation process, the heating roller is rotated and the fuser is heated by the heater as the preparation operation.

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