A printing apparatus configured to receive print data, analyze the print data, and print the print data includes a control unit configured to control activation of a plurality of analysis units respectively supporting different data formats, a reception unit configured to receive from an external apparatus a predetermined inquiry received before receiving print data from the external apparatus, and a notification unit configured to notify the external apparatus of a response to the predetermined inquiry, the response including at least information indicating a predetermined data format supported by the printing apparatus, wherein, based on the predetermined inquiry, the control unit activates one of the analysis units that supports the predetermined data format indicated by the information.

A print output control device operably connected to a printer, is configured to periodically check a first buffer sequentially storing print data received from the printer; accumulate, when the print data is stored in the first buffer, the stored print data in a second buffer; store, when status information on the printer is included in the print data, the status information in a status storage unit; store, when a first function is executed, in a third buffer, the print data accumulated in the second buffer to send back the stored print data as an acquisition value for the first function; and store, when a second function is executed, in a third buffer, the print data accumulated in the second buffer from when the second function is executed to send back the stored print data as an acquisition value for the second function.

A printing apparatus configured to receive print data, analyze the print data, and print the print data includes a control unit configured to control activation of a plurality of analysis units respectively supporting different data formats, a reception unit configured to receive from an external apparatus a predetermined inquiry received before receiving print data from the external apparatus, and a notification unit configured to notify the external apparatus of a response to the predetermined inquiry, the response including at least information indicating a predetermined data format supported by the printing apparatus, wherein, based on the predetermined inquiry, the control unit activates one of the analysis units that supports the predetermined data format indicated by the information.

An image printing apparatus including a communication interface, a printer, a user interface including an operation panel, a controller configured to control the printer and the user interface is provided. The controller is configured to receive preliminary data sent from an information processing apparatus through the communication interface; control the printer to perform a warm-up action; receive job data including image data through the communication interface; control the user interface to perform a receipt-notification and control the printer to start printing based on the image data; during a period from the receipt of the preliminary data until start of receiving the job data, withhold from accepting a cancellation command sent in response to user entering a cancellation operation; and after the start of receiving the job data, accept the cancellation command and cancel printing of the image based on the job data associated with to the entered cancellation command.

A print output control device operably connected to a printer, is configured to periodically check a first buffer sequentially storing print data received from the printer; accumulate, when the print data is stored in the first buffer, the stored print data in a second buffer; store, when status information on the printer is included in the print data, the status information in a status storage unit; store, when a first function is executed, in a third buffer, the print data accumulated in the second buffer to send back the stored print data as an acquisition value for the first function; and store, when a second function is executed, in a third buffer, the print data accumulated in the second buffer from when the second function is executed to send back the stored print data as an acquisition value for the second function.

An image processing apparatus includes: a raster data output that executes a first process of outputting raster data; a data transferer that generates image determination-purpose data, and executes a second process of storing the generated image determination-purpose data in a buffer; and a hardware processor that: executes a third process of determining whether an image presented by the image determination-purpose data contains a specific image, generates schedule information indicating a time schedule of the first, second, and third processes, determines each set of raster data on whether the time schedule satisfies an overflow condition, and performs control to extend the buffer, wherein the overflow condition is a condition that a part of a period of the second process overlaps with a part of a period during which the image determination-purpose data for which the third process has not been completed occupies an entire area of the buffer.

Functionality for issuing instructions related to the status of a printing device can be added to a control device capable of connecting to a printing device while suppressing modification of programs installed on the control device. A network system 1 includes a printer 9 that prints on recording media, and a control device 8 capable of communicating with the printer 9. The control device 8 has a control unit that generates and outputs by a printing program a command instructing the printer 9 to print; and a management unit that adds a maintenance command issuing an instruction related to the status of the printer 9 to the command output by the control unit, and sends the command with the added maintenance command to the printer 9, by a maintenance program that is different from the printing program.

An image printing apparatus including a communication interface, a printer, a user interface including an operation panel, a controller configured to control the printer and the user interface is provided. The controller is configured to receive preliminary data sent from an information processing apparatus through the communication interface; control the printer to perform a warm-up action; receive job data including image data through the communication interface; control the user interface to perform a receipt-notification and control the printer to start printing based on the image data; during a period from the receipt of the preliminary data until start of receiving the job data, withhold from accepting a cancellation command sent in response to user entering a cancellation operation; and after the start of receiving the job data, accept the cancellation command and cancel printing of the image based on the job data associated with to the entered cancellation command.

An image printing apparatus including a communication interface, a printer, a user interface including an operation panel, a controller configured to control the printer and the user interface is provided. The controller is configured to receive preliminary data sent from an information processing apparatus through the communication interface; control the printer to perform a warm-up action; receive job data including image data through the communication interface; control the user interface to perform a receipt-notification and control the printer to start printing based on the image data; during a period from the receipt of the preliminary data until start of receiving the job data, withhold from accepting a cancellation command sent in response to user entering a cancellation operation; and after the start of receiving the job data, accept the cancellation command and cancel printing of the image based on the job data associated with to the entered cancellation command.

An image processing apparatus includes: a raster data output that executes a first process of outputting raster data; a data transferer that generates image determination-purpose data, and executes a second process of storing the generated image determination-purpose data in a buffer; and a hardware processor that: executes a third process of determining whether an image presented by the image determination-purpose data contains a specific image, generates schedule information indicating a time schedule of the first, second, and third processes, determines each set of raster data on whether the time schedule satisfies an overflow condition, and performs control to extend the buffer, wherein the overflow condition is a condition that a part of a period of the second process overlaps with a part of a period during which the image determination-purpose data for which the third process has not been completed occupies an entire area of the buffer.