This invention provides a data processing apparatus operable to execute processing requested by an application, where the apparatus comprises a processing unit configured to, if there is an instruction for processing, execute the processing in accordance with a command list indicated by the instruction; and a control unit configured to, upon receiving a request for processing from the application, generate a command list corresponding to the request and instruct the processing unit to perform the processing, wherein the processing unit comprises a switching unit configured to, upon receiving, from the control unit, a second instruction during execution of a command list for a first instruction, switch to execution of a command list for the second instruction at a timing of execution of a command that is a control point preset in the command list for the first instruction.

Ethernet and Universal Serial Bus (USB) powered printing devices are provided. In particular, Ethernet and USB powered printers and methods of Ethernet powering of printers that support high speed printing and/or data intensive printing. Such high-speed and/or data intensive printing operations are able to be Ethernet or USB powered by providing for a power storage unit within the printer device that is able be charged during non-printing periods and provide for necessary energy bursts to support such higher powered processes. In addition, the present invention provides for devices and methods that allow for printers to operate with main power provided by conventional power mains and for back-up or secondary power to be supplied by Ethernet or USB power. Additionally, the invention provides for Ethernet or USB powering, both primary and back-up, of the data and configuration settings in the printer control and image generating electronics. In the back-up power mode, the Ethernet or USB power insures that data and configurations are not lost during periods of main power outage. The invention also provides a printer and method that can optimize a printing operation, e.g., by adjusting the speed of the printing operation according to the power required for the operation and/or the power available.

An object is to use a post processing apparatus effectively and to shorten execution waiting time of a print job of a user due to moving of a self-traveling post processing apparatus. In an image forming system including a self-traveling post processing apparatus which separably connects with each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, in a case of having received a print job which is executed by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and performs the post processing by the post processing apparatus, the post processing apparatus is made to self-travel by a traveling section such that the post processing apparatus moves toward an image forming apparatus which has received a print job which performs post processing.

A post processing apparatus is used effectively, an execution waiting time of a print job due to moving of a self-travelling post processing apparatus is shortened, and a total printing time is shortened, whereby productivity is increased. In an image forming system which includes a self-travelling post processing apparatus being separably connected to an image forming apparatus, when receiving a plurality of print jobs including both a print job which performs the post processing by the post processing apparatus and a print job which does not perform post processing, an execution order of the plurality of print jobs is changed in accordance with a connecting state of the post processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus.

A printing apparatus performs conversion processing that converts input data corresponding to a page into image data, executes a predetermined operation for transition of a printhead to a printing standby state, in a case where image data is delayed, performs holding processing that holds the image data in a data memory, and performs retaining processing until an amount of image data held in the data memory exceeds a predetermined amount. The printing apparatus also outputs the image data in the data memory in a case where the amount of image data held in the data memory exceeds the predetermined amount, and executes printhead printing based on the output image data. In a case where input data still remains, the conversion processing for the remaining input data is performed concurrently with the printing based on the output image data.

An image generation-output control apparatus for controlling an image generation and output operation based on an instruction received from a server in an image processing system. The server includes a first memory to store first image processing data applicable to an image processing for outputting a target image, first circuitry to generate first image drawing information based on output target image information and the first image processing data when performing an image forming operation. The image generation-output control apparatus includes second circuitry, having one or more capabilities compatible with one or more capabilities of the first circuitry of the server. The second circuitry generates second image drawing information based on the output target image information and the first image processing data acquired from the server, and instructs an image forming apparatus to perform an image forming operation based on the generated second image drawing information.

In a method or controller to execute a proof job of a copy print job, the proof job including a printing of a proof sheet, at a first point in time first raster data for the print sheet of the copy print job is provided. After expiration of a first provisioning time period at least one first job is inserted for printing a plurality of copies of the print sheet into a print buffer. A second point in time is determined at which the print buffer includes a first number of copies of the print sheet that are to be printed, the first number being such that a time period for printing of the first number of copies is greater than or equal to a second provisioning time period for providing of second raster data for the proof sheet of the proof job. After expiration of the second provisioning time period a second job is inserted to print the proof sheet into the print buffer so that copies of the print sheet and the proof sheet are printed according to an order of the first and the second jobs in the print buffer.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores a set of program instructions installed on and executed by a computer provided in a terminal device. The set of program instructions includes receiving a print start operation to start printing images represented by first and second sets of print data. The first set of print data represents a first print image correlated with a first print medium type. The second set of print data represents a second print image correlated with a second print medium type. The set of program instructions include transmitting the first set of print data, and transmitting the second set of print data to the printer. The second print image is to be printed after the first print image is printed. The transmitting the second set of print data is performed before the printer complete printing the first print image.

A job processing apparatus includes an execution unit that carries out a job and a display unit. The display unit displays, when a first interrupt factor is generated in the job being carried out, a first screen regarding an operation for resuming the job which the first interrupt factor has impacted, and displays, when a second interrupt factor is generated, a second screen regarding an operation for resuming the job which the second interrupt factor has impacted. Based on the first interrupt factor, the display unit displays the first screen while the previous user is logging in to the job processing apparatus and while a different user from the previous user is logging in. Based on the second interrupt factor, the display unit displays the second screen while the previous user is logging in and does not display the second screen while the different user is logging in.

A method and system for rendering rectangle drawing objects using a clip region are provided. For at least a first rectangle drawing object and a second rectangle drawing object, a determination is made if the first rectangle drawing object and the second rectangle drawing object satisfy a predetermined condition. If the predetermined condition is satisfied, one-line raster image data associated with the first and second rectangle drawing objects is generated, and a clip region corresponding to the first and second rectangle drawing objects is generated. Subsequently, the one-line raster image data may be used together with the clip region to fill a clipped drawing region corresponding to the first and second rectangle drawing objects.