Image processor

[Technical Field to which the Invention Affected] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that processes an image in response to a request of an image forming job, and in particular, an abnormal state has occurred in which an image forming operation for an accepted image forming job cannot be executed. Occasionally, the present invention relates to a technique for selecting a process for responding to the abnormal state from a plurality of processes.

[0002] In recent years, many companies receive requests for print jobs from a plurality of terminal devices such as personal computers on which document creation and image processing software are installed and print jobs from each terminal device via a network. A printer system consisting of a printer that performs print processing is used as an image processing device, and each terminal device shares one printer to improve the efficiency of paperwork.

[0003] The printer executes print processing in the order in which print jobs are requested by each terminal device, but cannot execute the print processing, for example, when paper of a specified size is not loaded. .. Therefore, conventionally, a method of waiting until a paper of the relevant size is loaded without accepting a print job request from another user after that has been fixedly set in advance.

[0004] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, as a countermeasure when a paper of a specified size is not loaded, simply using the above method in a fixed manner may result in a printer usage environment. It was not easy to use because it was not possible to respond flexibly. That is, for example, if the printer is connected to a large-scale network and print jobs are requested frequently, and the printer is placed in a usage environment in which it is not desired to stop the printer as much as possible, other than the user who requested the print job. For other users, it is very inconvenient to have to wait until the paper is loaded.

[0005] On the other hand, when the printer is shared by a small number of users and the print job is placed in an environment where there are not so many requests, even if the printer is stopped, it is not so inconvenient for other users and printing is performed. For the user who requested the job, if the paper is set, the printing process can be given priority, which is convenient. In this way, in the past, since the response method was only fixedly set, it was not possible to flexibly respond to various usage environments, and the interests of the user requesting the print job and other users were accurately adjusted. Couldn't.

[0006] Such a problem can occur when a fixed method for dealing with an abnormal state in which the print process cannot be executed occurs. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and by making it possible to flexibly respond to the usage environment, when an abnormal state in which the print process cannot be executed occurs, printing is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device that coordinates the interests of the user who requested the job and other users and enables smooth print processing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming job.<u style="single">For each image formation job</u>An image processing device that processes images in response to the execution request of the above, and is an abnormal state determination means for determining that the requested image formation job cannot be executed, and in order to deal with the abnormal state.<u style="single">Prepared in advance</u>From multiple processes<u style="single">In principle, it is executed for any image formation job when the abnormal state occurs.</u>From the first receiving means for receiving the selection input of the process and the plurality of processes described above,<u style="single">Individual requested</u>For image formation jobs<u style="single">And should be executed when the abnormal state occurs during the execution of the image formation job.</u>A second reception means that accepts process selection input for each image formation job,<u style="single">In order to determine one of the processes received by the first and second receiving means, the process actually executed as the process corresponding to the occurrence of the abnormal state is determined.</u>The plurality of processes<u style="single">Between</u>It is characterized in that it is provided with a priority order receiving means for receiving a priority setting input.

[0008] Further, based on each process selected and input by the first and second receiving means and the priority set and input by the priority receiving means, the abnormal state is dealt with when the abnormal state occurs. It is characterized by providing a determination means for determining processing. Further, when the processes selected and input by the first and second receiving means are the same, the determining means determines the same processing as the corresponding processing when the abnormal state occurs, and is the same. If not, the higher priority process set for both processes by the priority receiving means is determined as the corresponding process when the abnormal state occurs.

[0009] Further, when the process selected and input by the second receiving means is not selected as the corresponding process when the abnormal state occurs, the requested image forming job is canceled or canceled. It is characterized in that it is provided with a third reception means for accepting a selection input as to whether or not to allow it. Further, the image processing device is included in a system including an image forming device that forms an image in response to a request of an image forming job and a terminal device that requests an image forming job from the image forming device. The second receiving means is provided in the terminal device. Here, "the image processing device is included in the system ..." means that the image processing device is distributed in both the image forming device and the terminal device and the terminal device. It is used in the sense that it includes the case where it is arranged in.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments when the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a printer system will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Configuration of Printer System Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of printer system 1.

[0012] As shown in the figure, the printer system 1 includes a LAN 2, a plurality of terminals PC1 to PCn connected to the LAN2, and a printer 3. Each terminal PC1 to PCn consists of a personal computer main body having a hard disk, etc., a monitor connected to this main body, a keyboard, etc., and a network-compatible OS (Operating System), a printer driver, a document, etc. are created in advance on the hard disk. Application software for doing this is installed.

[0013] When a document or the like created by using application software is printed by the printer 3, image data (print data) such as document data and information on the paper size to be printed (paper size information) and Correspondence means selection information to be described later is sent to the printer 3 via LAN2. The printer 3 has a scanner unit 4 that reads the original image, and a printer unit that forms an image based on the original image read by the scanner unit 4 and the print data from each terminal PC1 to PCn sent via LAN2. It is composed of 5.

[0014] The scanner unit 4 is a known one that reads an image of a document by a CCD image sensor 41 (see FIG. 2) to obtain an electric signal, and this signal is obtained by the control unit 100 of the printer unit 5 (see FIG. 2). ) Converts to image data. The printer unit 5 forms an image on paper by a well-known electrophotographic method, and includes a paper feed cassette 6 for storing A4 size paper and a paper feed cassette 7 for storing B4 size paper. ..

[0015] For example, when forming an image on A4 size paper, the paper in the paper feed cassette 6 is fed to the transfer position, and a laser beam is emitted from the laser diode 51 (see FIG. 2) in response to the image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure scanning on the photoconductor drum, developed with toner to visualize it, and the toner image on the photoconductor drum is transferred and fixed on paper at the transfer position. Then eject the paper. Further, each of the paper cassettes 6 and 7 is provided with a paper detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of paper, and the detection signal from this sensor is sent to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 determines whether or not paper is loaded in the paper cassettes 6 and 7 based on this detection signal.

[0016] An operation panel 8 is provided at a position where the entire surface of the scanner unit 4 can be easily operated. The operation panel 8 includes a start key 81 (see FIG. 4) for instructing the start of printing, a numeric keypad 82 (see the figure) for setting the number of prints, and a display unit 83 (see the figure). The display unit 83 is composed of a touch panel, and various messages to the operator such as a message indicating whether or not printing processing is possible and a message for warning that the paper in the paper cassettes 6 and 7 has run out. , And the number of prints set by the operator is displayed, and operations such as selecting the paper cassettes 6 and 7 to be used and selecting the system common support means described later can be performed according to the menu screen. (2) Configuration of Control Unit 100 FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control unit 100 installed inside the printer 3.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, an interface (I / F) unit 102, an image signal processing unit 103, an image memory 104, an LD drive unit 105, a ROM 106, and an EEPROM 107. And RAM108. The I / F unit 102 is provided for connecting to LAN2, and receives print data sent from each terminal PC1 to PCn via LAN2 and sends it to the image signal processing unit 103. At the same time, the corresponding means selection information and the like sent together with the print data are sent to the CPU 101. In addition, message information sent from the CPU 101 to the user who operates each terminal is sent to a predetermined terminal via LAN2.

[0018] The image signal processing unit 103 performs known shading correction, γ correction, etc. on the electric signal sent from the CCD image sensor 41 of the scanner unit 4 and the print data sent from the I / F unit 102. Image data is generated by adding correction processing, and this is stored in the image memory 104. The LD drive unit 105 receives an instruction from the CPU 101, reads the corrected image data from the image memory 104, drives the laser diode 51 based on the image data, and emits a laser beam.

[0019] The ROM 106 stores a control program related to an image reading operation by the scanner unit 4 and an image forming operation by the printer unit 5, a control program related to a corresponding means selection process described later, and the like. The EEPROM 107 stores the contents set as the system common corresponding means described later and the contents related to the priority assigned to each corresponding means.

[0020] The RAM 108 temporarily stores the contents of the determination flag and the corresponding means selection information, which will be described later, in the internal management table. The CPU 101 reads a necessary program from the ROM 106, controls the scanner unit 4 and the printer unit 5 to execute a smooth print process, and also executes a corresponding means selection process. Further, the input of various keys from the operation panel 8 is accepted, and necessary contents such as a warning message indicating that the paper in the paper cassette 6 has run out are displayed on the display unit 83 of the operation panel 8.

[0021] Further, when the CPU 101 receives the corresponding means selection information sent together with the print data from each terminal PC1 to PCn, the CPU 101 manages the contents in the RAM 108 in association with the storage address of the image data in the image memory 104. It is stored in a table, and the determination of whether or not the corresponding means selection information is attached to the image data to be printed and the setting contents are acquired by referring to the management table.

Further, a discrimination flag for discriminating whether the image data is generated by the scanning operation by the scanner unit 4 or sent from the terminals PC1 to PCn is set as the above storage address. The image data is stored in the above management table in association with each other, and the image data is read by the scanner unit 4 by referring to the discrimination flag, or is sent from each terminal PC1 to PCn. To determine. (3) Control operation of the entire printer FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the control operation of the entire printer.

[0023] When the power is turned on to the printer, first, the contents of the RAM 108 are cleared and the initial settings for initializing various registers are performed (step S1), and the internal timer is started in the step S2. The processing time of one routine of this main routine is set by the internal timer. Next, the image input process is performed (step S3). This image input process is a process of scanning the original image by the scanner unit 4 or accepting print data sent from the terminals PC1 to PCn and storing the image data in the image memory 104.

[0024] Then, the process proceeds to the corresponding means selection process (step S4). This countermeasure selection process is performed, for example, when a terminal having a print job to perform a print process using A4 size paper is requested from a terminal when A4 size paper is not stored in the paper cassette 6. When an abnormal state occurs in which processing cannot be performed as requested, such as, one of a plurality of processing means (hereinafter referred to as "corresponding means") prepared in advance to deal with this state is one of the means. Is the process of selecting. Here, if the printer 3 does not have an abnormal state, the process directly proceeds to the image forming process in step S5, and the image data to be formed is read from the image memory 104 and the image forming operation is performed.

On the other hand, if an abnormal state has occurred, a means for responding to the abnormal state is selected, the selected means is executed, the process proceeds to the image forming process in step S5, and then the internal timer is terminated. Wait and return to step S2 (step S6). (4) Control operation of the corresponding means selection process In explaining the control operation of the corresponding means selection process, the administrator who manages the printer system 1 sets in advance as a precondition for executing the process. The contents to be set and the contents to be set by the user requesting the print job are explained. Here, as an "abnormal state", the case where there is no paper of a suitable size is taken as an example.

(4-1) Contents to be set in advance by the administrator The administrator first has four countermeasures prepared in advance to deal with the case where there is no paper of a suitable size. Force 2. Print after timeout 3. Wait for the conforming size to be set 4. From the user inquiries, the means to think that it should be done in principle for all requested print jobs (below) , "System common response means") is selected.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen 84 for selectively inputting system common corresponding means on the display unit 83 on the operation panel 8. As described above, the display unit 83 is a touch panel, and one of the means can be selected by touching the part of the reception screen 84 where each means is displayed with a finger, and finally the OK button 85 is touched. This completes the selection operation. The criteria for selecting the system common response means will be described later, but the contents of each means will be described here.

[0028] 1. Forcible printing is a means for immediately performing a printing process on a B4 size paper as long as the B4 size paper is loaded, even if the A4 size paper is not loaded. In "2. Forced printing after timeout", a message indicating that the specified size of paper is not loaded is sent to the terminal of the user who requested the print job to notify the user, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, another message is sent. The print process is forced on the size paper, and if the A4 size paper is set within a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds, the print process is performed on the paper, but after that time, the B4 size is forced. The printing process is performed on the paper of. If this means is executed, it will be in a standby state in which a print job request from another user is not accepted until a predetermined time elapses.

[0029] "3. Waiting for the conforming size to be set" is a means of waiting until the conforming size (A4 size) paper is loaded. "4. Inquire to the user" is a means to leave it to the user to decide how to respond to the abnormal condition, and the user who requested the print job sends a message that A4 size paper is not loaded. It is sent to the terminal and waits until the print job requested by the user is canceled or the user sets a suitable size paper.

[0030] Note that the reception screen 84 is displayed only when a password code predetermined by the administrator is input. The display portion of the selected unit, the outer frame 841 is attached is adapted to be, thereby so can confirm the selected unit. Further, the administrator sets a priority for each corresponding means.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen 86 for setting a priority for each corresponding means on the operation panel 8. The administrator inputs a predetermined password code as in the reception screen 84 to display the reception screen 86, touches the part where each means is displayed with a finger, selects the means, and then prioritizes the means. Set the priority by entering the number you want to set as with the numeric keypad 82.

In the figure, "3. Conformity size ..." has the highest priority, and "2. Time-out ...", "1. Print forced", "4. To the user ..." It is in the order of. When the setting of the setting order is completed, finally touch the OK button 85 to finish the setting operation. The criteria for assigning this priority will be described later. The means set as the system common correspondence means and the contents of the priority set on the reception screen 86 are both stored in the EEPROM 107.

(4-2) Contents to be set by the user requesting the print job FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the reception screen 20 for the user to set the corresponding means selection information on the monitor of the terminal. .. The user selects the desired means as the user's desired response means from the four response means displayed on the reception screen 20, and the response means selected by the user is not adopted by the response means selection process described later. If (rejected), choose whether to cancel the print job or follow the system settings (which will be the response method chosen by the administrator above as described below).

[0034] On the reception screen 20, after the user requesting the print job calls the print screen of the OS or application software on the terminal, selects the paper size to be printed, sets the number of copies to be printed, and so on, and before printing is executed. This screen is displayed for each print job request as the final setting item. When the print start button 23 is clicked with a mouse or the like, the print job is requested to the printer 3.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the setting process of the corresponding means selection information, and the process is performed by the control unit of the terminal. First, in the state where the reception screen 20 is displayed on the monitor of the terminal, it is determined whether or not the process when there is no suitable paper size is selected (step S31). This is determined by whether or not the number assigned to the corresponding means is numerically input to the input box 211 by the number keys on the keyboard of the terminal in the corresponding means selection unit 21 of the reception screen 20 shown in FIG. When it is determined that a numerical value has been input to the input box 211 (Y in step S31), it is determined whether or not the operation when the next selected corresponding means is rejected is selected (step S32). This is determined by whether or not the number corresponding to the operation when rejected is input to the input box 221 by the number keys on the keyboard in the job cancel selection unit 22 shown in FIG. When it is determined that a numerical value has been input to the input box 221 (Y in step S32), it is then determined whether or not the print start button 23 shown in FIG. 6 has been pressed (step S33), and it is determined that the value has been pressed. Then, the print job is requested (step S34). As a result, the print data, the information such as the paper size information, and the contents set in the above steps S31 and S32 as the corresponding means selection information are transmitted to the printer 3 via the LAN 2.

[0036] Although the case where the corresponding means selection information is set on the reception screen 20 displayed on the monitor of the terminal has been described above, the image data of the original is read by using the scanner unit 4 of the printer 3. The corresponding means selection information can be set even when the printing process is performed. That is, when the user presses the start key 81 with the original set in the scanner unit 4, the print job is requested, the original image reading operation is started, and the display unit of the operation panel 8 is started. A screen similar to the reception screen 20 (not shown) is displayed on 83. The user selects and inputs the desired corresponding means and the processing content when it is rejected, and presses the print start button 23 after selection to start the printing process, and the selected content is used as the corresponding means selection information in the CPU 101. It is sent to. The CPU 101 stores the contents in the management table in the RAM 108 in association with the storage address of the image data in the image memory 104, as in the case of receiving the corresponding means selection information from the terminals PC1 to PCn.

(4-3) Control operation of corresponding means selection process FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of the corresponding means selection process of FIG. First, the CPU 101 determines whether or not it is in an abnormal state (step S11). This is determined by whether or not A4 size paper is loaded in the paper cassette 6 when the print job is requested, and this judgment is made by the detection sensor arranged in the paper cassette 6 to the control unit 100. It is performed based on the detection signal sent.

[0038] When it is determined that an abnormal state has occurred (Y in step S11), the system common countermeasure means stored in the EEPROM 107 in the control unit 100 is read out (step S12). This is the corresponding means selected by the administrator on the reception screen 84 of FIG. 4 above. Next, it is determined whether or not the corresponding means selection information is attached to the image data to be printed (step S13). This judgment can be made by referring to the above management table in RAM108. When it is determined that the corresponding means selection information is attached, the CPU 101 refers to the corresponding means selection information stored in the management table and selects the corresponding means as the user's desired corresponding means (Fig. 6). Corresponding means The one selected by the user in the selection unit 21 shown in the above, or the one selected by the display unit 83 of the operation panel 8 when the original image is read by the scanner unit 4) is read (step S14).

[0039] Then, it is determined whether or not the corresponding means read in steps S12 and S14 are equal (step S15). If it is determined that both countermeasures are equal, the means (system common response means) is determined as the means corresponding to the abnormal state (step S16), and the process proceeds to the abnormal state release process in step S19. If it is determined in step S13 that the corresponding means selection information is not attached, the process proceeds to step S16. When a terminal that cannot perform the above "correspondence means selection process" is connected to LAN2, the response means selection information is not sent, so the system common response means is selected as the response means when an abnormal state occurs. Is.

On the other hand, when it is determined that both corresponding means are not equal (N in step S15), the contents of the priority set for each corresponding means stored in the EEPROM 107 in the control unit 100. Read the priority of both corresponding measures with reference to (step S17). This priority is the order set by the administrator on the reception screen 86 shown in FIG. 7 above.

Then, the priorities set for both corresponding means are compared, the means having the higher priority is determined as the means corresponding to the abnormal state (step S18), and the process moves to the abnormal state canceling process in step S19. .. For example, if "3. Applicable size ..." is selected as the user-desired response means and "1. Print forced" is selected as the system common response means, both means match. Therefore, the priority assigned to both means is referred to, and the one with the higher priority, in this example, "3. Conformity size ..." desired by the user is selected.

[0042] Therefore, in an environment in which the printer system 1 is connected to, for example, a large-scale network and a large number of people share one printer, each user frequently requests a print job, so that the printer is used. If you are in an environment that you do not want to stop as much as possible (hereinafter referred to as "system priority environment"), the administrator selects "1. Print forced" as the system common response method, and this response measure. If you set the priority of to No. 1, even if the user who wants to print to A4 size selects "3. Compatible size ...", "3. Compatible size ..." The priority is lower than "1. Print forced", and finally "1. Print forced" desired by the administrator is determined as a means for dealing with the abnormal state.

[0043] Although it is inconvenient for the user who requested the print job, the intention of the administrator is reflected, and the convenience is enhanced for the majority of other users who share the printer 3. In this case, the request of the user who requested the print job is rejected, but if "1. Job cancellation" is selected by the user in the job cancellation selection unit 22 shown in FIG. As will be described later, the print job itself will be canceled, and the print process will not actually be performed on paper of a size different from the desired size. Therefore, an unusable printed matter is not produced, and processing contrary to the user's intention is not performed.

[0044] It is also conceivable to select "1. Print forced" as a system common correspondence means and set the priority of "3. Applicable size ..." to the first. In this way, if the user selects "3. Conformity size ..." as the user's desired response means, the means is determined as the response means. Therefore, the user who requests the print job usually selects "1. Print force" as the user's desired response means so as not to bother other users, and in case of emergency, the other user's If you want to print on the specified size paper even if it is annoying, you can select "3. Fit size ..." to adjust the interests of both the user requesting the print job and other users. It will be.

[0045] Further, in the present printer system 1, the printer 3 is shared by a small number of users, the request for the print job from each user is relatively small, and the printer may be stopped (hereinafter, "user priority"). If it is placed in "Environment"), the administrator should select "3. Compatible size ..." as the system common support method and set the priority of this support method to 1. Finally, "3. Conformity size ..." will be determined as a means to deal with the abnormal state, which is advantageous for the user who requested the print job.

[0046] Further, in this environment, a pattern in which the priority of "3. Conformity size ..." is set to No. 4 can be considered. In this way, if the user wants to print on a trial basis, or if he / she thinks that the printing process may be performed on any size paper, he / she can select "1. Force printing" as the user's desired response method. , Since the priority of this is higher, the relevant "1. Print force" will be finally decided as a countermeasure. Therefore, if A4 size paper is not loaded, printing processing is automatically performed on B4 size paper, and the intention of the user who wants to perform printing processing on a trial basis is reflected.

Further, in an environment located between the system-priority environment and the user-priority environment, select "1. Print forced" or "2. Timeout ..." as the system common support means, and select ". A pattern in which the priority of "3. Applicable size ..." and "4. For the user ..." is set high is also conceivable. By doing so, it becomes relatively easy to reflect the user's wishes. Also, if the opposite setting is made, the intentions of other users can be easily reflected.

[0048] In this way, by changing the system common response means and the setting contents of the priority according to the environment in which the printer system 1 is installed, the user's wishes or the wishes of the administrator (other users) are emphasized. Or, it becomes possible to reflect the intentions of both parties as much as possible, and since the response method is fixedly set as in the past, the interests of the user and other users cannot be adjusted, and either intention is ignored. There is no problem such as being done.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of the abnormal state release processing in step S19 shown in FIG. First, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the corresponding means selection information is attached to the image data to be printed (step S20). This judgment can be made by referring to the above management table in RAM108. If it is determined that the information has been attached (Y in step S20), it is determined whether or not the system common response means has been adopted (step S21). This can be determined by whether or not the response means selected in step S18 is the system common response means. When it is determined that the image has been adopted (Y in step S21), it is determined whether or not the image data to be printed is sent from the terminal (step S22). This determination can be made by referring to the above-mentioned determination flag stored in the RAM 108. Here, if it is determined that the message was sent from any of the terminals PC1 to PCn (Y in step S22), the terminal used by the user is notified via the I / F section 102. A message stating that the desired response has been rejected is sent to notify the user (step S23).

[0050] Then, the content of the corresponding means selection information stored in the management table in the RAM 108 is read, and the process when the user's desired corresponding means is rejected (in the job cancellation selection unit 22 shown in FIG. 6), the user Determine (preselected) (step S24). If the user wishes to cancel the print job (Y in step S25), the print job is canceled (step S26), and the process proceeds to step S27.

On the other hand, if the user does not cancel the print job, that is, wants to follow the system settings (N in step S25), the process proceeds to step S27 as it is. In step S27, when the print job is canceled in step S26, as a result, the print process is not performed, the state returns to the state before the print job was requested, and the process returns to the corresponding means selection process shown in FIG. If the print job is not canceled, the response means determined in step S16 or S18 is executed, and then the process returns to the response means selection process shown in FIG.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the corresponding means selection information has not been attached (N in step S20), the above-mentioned terminal is unable to set the corresponding means selection information. Since it is not necessary to perform such message sending processing, the process proceeds to step S27. Further, in step S21 above, when it is determined that the system common response means is not adopted, that is, the user response means is adopted (N in step S21), the intention of the user is finally reflected. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the process of sending a message to the user as described above, and the process proceeds to step S27.

[0053] Further, in step S22, when it is determined that the image data to be printed is not sent from the terminal, that is, the original image has been read by the scanner unit 4 of the printer 3 (step S22). (N)), the display unit 83 of the operation panel 8 is displayed with a message indicating that the desired countermeasure has been rejected, and the user is notified (step S28), and the process proceeds to step S24.

[0054] As described above, in the response means selection process, when the user-desired response means and the system common response means are referred to, if both match, the means are used as the response means for the abnormal state and match. If not, the preset priorities are compared for both corresponding means, and the means having the higher order is used. Therefore, compared to the case where the response method is fixedly set as in the past, it is possible to flexibly respond according to the usage environment, and the interests of the user requesting the print job and other users are accurate. It will be adjusted and will be easier to use. Further, since the action to be taken when the corresponding means desired by the user requesting the print job is canceled can be selected in advance, the process contrary to the user's intention is not executed.

(5) Modified Examples It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modified examples can be considered. (5-1) In the above embodiment, the processing when the "state in which the required size of paper is not loaded" occurs as an abnormal state has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to set an abnormal state when the paper runs out during the printing process. In this case, the same processing as described above may be performed from the time when it is detected that the paper has run out.

[0056] Further, it is possible to set an abnormal state and a plurality of corresponding means corresponding to the abnormal state according to the function of the printer and the content of the requested print job. For example, when 1 paper of a different material (for example, paper having a different paper thickness) is set in each paper feed stage, and a state in which there is no paper desired by the user is set as an abnormal state, the above embodiment The corresponding means shown in the above can be used as the corresponding means.

[0057] Further, in a printer capable of print processing in full color mode, when the state in which print processing cannot be performed in full color mode is set as an abnormal state, for example, a means of "forcing black monochrome printing" or "full color" is used. A means of "waiting for the print process until the print process in the mode becomes possible" can be used as a corresponding means.

(5-2) In the above embodiment, the user performs an input operation such as selecting a user's desired response means every time printing is executed (every time a print job is requested). It is also possible to store the setting contents such as the desired response means in the memory for each terminal, and automatically read the contents from the memory when requesting a print job and transmit the contents together with the print data. In this way, the user does not have to perform the input operation each time the print is executed, and the trouble can be saved.

(5-3) In the above embodiment, based on the system common response means selected by the administrator, the priority assigned to each response means, and the content of the user desired response means selected by the user. Although the means for coping with the abnormal state has been determined, for example, the user-desired coping means may be simply used as the means for coping with the abnormal state. In the past, as described above, the means for dealing with abnormal conditions is fixed. For example, when there is no A4 size paper, if there is B4 size paper, printing is forced on that paper. If so, it could only be dealt with by that means, but by following this modification, the user can select the corresponding means. Therefore, if the user requesting the print job can select "3. Applicable size ..." above only when it is absolutely necessary to print on A4 size paper, it will be a nuisance to other users. It is less expensive and more convenient than before.

(5-4) In the above embodiment, when the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the printer system 1, the printer 3 receives a print job transmitted from each terminal PC1 to PCn. However, for example, another terminal device having a printer server function is connected to LAN2, and the terminal device executes the corresponding means selection process. You can also do it. With such a configuration, a printer that does not have a function as a printer server or an execution function of a countermeasure selection process can be connected to LAN2. In this case, it is necessary that the terminal device as the printer server can detect the abnormal state of the printer, and that the operation of the printer can be controlled based on the selected corresponding means. There is.

[0061] Further, from this terminal device, the administrator can select the system common corresponding means and prioritize each corresponding means. Further, this terminal device may also be used by each user who shares the printer. Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the printer system 1 is regarded as the image processing device according to the present invention has been described, but as described above, the printer 3 selects the user-desired response means and rejects the selected response means. Since it is possible to select the operation when the printer 3 is used, the printer 3 alone can be regarded as an image processing device.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a first method of accepting a selection input of a common process for all image forming jobs from a plurality of processes for dealing with an abnormal state. A reception means, a second reception means for receiving a selection input of a process for an image formation job from the plurality of processes for each image formation job, and a priority reception means for receiving a priority setting input for the plurality of processes. Since it is equipped with, it becomes possible to flexibly select the process for responding to the abnormal state from multiple processes according to the installation environment, and if the selected process is executed, the response method as in the past Compared to the case where is fixedly set, the interests of the user requesting the print job and other users can be adjusted more accurately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control unit installed in a printer in the printer system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of control operation of the entire printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen for selecting and inputting a system common corresponding means when a paper of a suitable size is not set.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen for setting and inputting a priority order for each corresponding means on the operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen displayed on a monitor of a terminal in the printer system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the corresponding means selection information performed by the user on the reception screen of the terminal.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of a corresponding means selection process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine of abnormal state release processing.

[Code description] 1 Printer system 2 LAN3 Printer 4 Scanner unit 5 Printer unit 6, 7 Paper cassette 8 Operation panel 20, 84, 86 Reception screen 21 Corresponding means selection unit 22 Job cancellation selection unit 23 Print start button 82 Numeric keypad 83 Display 85 OK button 100 Control 101 CPU102 Interface 106 ROM107 EEPROM108 RAM211, 221 Input box