JP2001096868A - Composite printing machine, computer, printing system, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To enable a computer to recognize that a card reader and a printer are stored in the same housing for a multifunction printer in which a card reader and a printer are stored in the same housing. . SOLUTION: The same serial number is given to a printer 24 and a card reader 26 of a multi-functional printer 20. Also,
The same serial number is assigned to the printer 34 and the card reader 36 of the printing machine 30. The host computer 10 refers to this serial number, and the printer 24
And the card reader 26 are devices stored in the same housing.
4 and the card reader 36 can be recognized as devices stored in the same housing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a multifunction printer in which a data acquisition device and a printing device are stored in a single housing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 16 and 17 are views showing a conventional composite printing machine. As shown in FIG.
0 is a card reader 102 for acquiring image data from a PC memory card, and a printer 10 for printing image data.
4 is provided. The printer 104 of the multi-function printer 100 includes a host computer 110 and an RS23.
They are connected by a 2C cable or a local bus cable. Between the card reader 102 and the printer 104,
They are connected by an internal bus via the image processing unit 106.

As shown in FIG. 17, a card reader 102 of a multifunction printer is connected to a host computer 110 and an R.
They may be connected by an S232C cable or a local bus cable. Also in this case, the card reader 10
2 and the printer 104 are connected via an internal bus via an image processing unit 106.

The general operation of the multifunction printer shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 will be described. Typical users are:
Original image data captured by a digital camera or the like is stored in a PC memory card. Then, the PC memory card is inserted into the card reader 102, and the original image data is read by the card reader 102. The image processing unit 106 captures the read original image data and performs image processing. Specifically, original image data consisting of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) -based multi-values is converted to YMC (Yellow, Magenta, C
yan) system to convert to multi-valued print image data. Further, when performing the color conversion from the RGB system to the YMC system, the image processing unit 106 also performs multi-value reduction of multi-values for expressing each pixel in gradation. Then, the image processing unit 106 transmits the print image data to the printer 104. Printer 104
Performs printing based on the print image data.

[0005]

However, FIG.
In addition, in the multifunction printer 100 shown in FIG. 17, since the multifunction printer 100 includes the image processing unit 106, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased. That is, in the image processing unit 106, an arithmetic processing device for performing the above-described color conversion and multi-value conversion is required,
There was a problem that the manufacturing cost was high.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the host computer 10 has a problem that only one of the card reader 102 and the printer 104 provided in the multifunction printer can be recognized as a device.
That is, in the multifunction printer 100 shown in FIG.
Although the host computer 110 could recognize the printer 104, the card reader 102 could not. For this reason, the host computer 110 could not read the data stored in the PC memory card from the card reader 102 and use it.

On the other hand, in the multifunction printer 100 shown in FIG.
2 could be recognized, but the printer 104 could not. For this reason, the host computer 110 could not transmit the print data from the host computer 110 and print it with the printer 104.

That is, the host computer 110 cannot fully utilize the card reader 102 and the printer 104 of the multifunction printer 100 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of multifunction printers 100A and 100B of one computer 110 are provided.
Is connected, the user may mistakenly print the image data read by the card reader 102 of the multifunction printer 100A on the printer 104 of the multifunction printer 100B. That is, an image may be printed by the multifunction printer 100B not intended by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a multifunction printer in which a host computer can fully utilize a card reader and a printer provided in the multifunction printer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can efficiently use the multifunction printer when the multifunction printer is connected to a host computer. Further, when a plurality of multi-function printers are connected to one computer,
An object of the present invention is to prevent an image from being printed by another multifunction printer that is not intended by the user.

[0011]

A multifunction printer according to the present invention is a data acquisition device for acquiring original image data, and can be recognized as an independent device with respect to a connected computer. A data acquisition device and a printing device for printing print image data generated by performing image processing on the original image data, the printing device being capable of being recognized as an independent device by a connected computer. A data acquisition device and the printing device are stored in the same housing, and hold identification information indicating that the data acquisition device and the printing device are stored in the same housing. Is characterized by the fact that
When such a multifunction printer is connected to a computer, the computer can determine whether the data acquisition device and the printing device are stored in the same housing by referring to the identification information. Become.

In this case, the data acquisition device and the printing device stored in the same housing have the same serial number, and this serial number can be used as the identification information. By using the serial number as the identification information in this manner, the computer can determine that the data acquisition device and the printing device having the same serial number are multifunction printers stored in the same housing.

In this case, the data acquisition device and the printing device may transmit the identification information to a computer based on a request from the computer.

The data acquisition device is a storage medium reading device capable of inserting and removing a storage medium storing the original image data, and the original image data is obtained by reading data stored in the storage medium. You may make it. That is, the data acquisition device may be configured by a so-called PC memory card card reader.

Further, the data acquisition device is an optical image reading device for optically reading a sheet on which an original image is displayed, wherein the original image data is for optically reading a sheet on which the original image is displayed. May be acquired. That is, the data acquisition device may be configured by a so-called image scanner.

In a computer according to the present invention, a data acquisition device for acquiring image data and a printing device for printing image data are stored in one housing, and the data acquisition device and the printing device are printed. The device is a computer that is connected to a multifunction printer that holds identification information indicating that the device is stored in the same casing, and that can independently recognize the data acquisition device and the printing device, From the data acquisition device, to acquire data acquisition device identification information for identifying the data acquisition device and another data acquisition device, a data acquisition device identification information acquisition unit, and, from the printing device, the printing device and another A printing device identification information acquisition unit for acquiring printing device identification information for identifying a printing device, and comparing the data acquisition device identification information with the printing device identification information. And, both to determine whether it is stored in the same housing, characterized in that it comprises a comparing means. In this way, the computer can determine whether the data acquisition device and the printing device are multifunction printers stored in the same housing.

In this case, if the data acquisition device and the printing device are not stored in the same housing, a first notification means for notifying the user of the fact, or the data acquisition device and the printing device When the device and the device are stored in the same housing, a second notification unit that notifies the user of the fact may be further provided. By doing so, it becomes possible to know whether the data acquisition device and the printing device are multifunction printers stored in the same housing.

[0018] Further, the image processing apparatus may further include a selection unit that allows a user to select printing of the image data by the printing device even when the data acquisition device and the printing device are not stored in the same housing. It may be. By doing so, the user can print the print image data on a printing device of a multifunction printer different from the multifunction printer having the data acquisition device that intentionally read the original image data.

Further, when the data acquisition device is constituted by a storage medium reading device capable of inserting and removing a storage medium storing the original image data, the storage medium reading device inserts the storage medium into a computer. A storage medium insertion information acquisition unit for acquiring storage medium insertion information regarding the presence or absence of the storage medium, and determining whether or not the storage medium is inserted based on the storage medium insertion information, and when the storage medium is not inserted May further include a third notification unit for notifying the user of the fact. In this way, even if the user forgets to insert the storage medium into the storage medium reading device, the user can be notified by the computer notification. In particular, the printing process can be performed smoothly by the user noticing the forgetting of the insertion of the storage medium prior to the printing process.

In the computer according to the present invention, a storage medium read / write device for reading image data from a storage medium and writing image data to the storage medium and a printing device for printing image data are stored in one housing. Is connected, the computer is capable of independently recognizing the storage medium read / write device and the printing device, and manages transmission and reception with the storage medium read / write device, from the storage medium read / write device A storage medium read / write device management unit for acquiring original image data, a dual-use mode that permits reading of image data from the storage medium and writing of image data to the storage medium, A storage medium read / write device management unit having a dedicated mode that allows only reading of image data, A print image data generation unit that obtains the original image data from the body reading and writing device management unit, performs image processing on the image data, and generates print image data that can be printed by the printing device; and A print device management unit that manages transmission and reception, acquires the print image data from the print image data generation unit, and transmits the print image data to the printing device. By doing so, the storage medium can be put into the write-protect mode by the storage medium read / write device management means provided in the computer.

The storage medium read / write device management means may further comprise a switching means for switching between the dual mode and the dedicated mode. By doing so, the user can switch between the two modes with the computer without having to temporarily remove the storage medium and set write protection by mechanical operation.

Also, a storage medium insertion information obtaining means for obtaining storage medium insertion information regarding the presence / absence of insertion of the storage medium from the storage medium reading / writing device, and the storage medium being inserted based on the storage medium insertion information. It may be further provided with a prohibiting means for judging whether or not the switching has been performed, and prohibiting the switching means from switching between the dual-use mode and the dedicated mode when the storage medium is inserted. By doing so, it is possible to prevent switching from the read-only mode to the dual-use mode in which writing can be performed in a state where the storage medium is inserted into the storage medium read / write device, thereby preventing erroneous writing to the storage medium. become able to.

The present invention can also be realized as a printing system including the above-described composite printing machine and a computer. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a recording medium storing steps necessary for realizing the above-described multifunction printer, computer, and printing system.

[0024]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 10 and multifunction printers 20 and 30 connected to the host computer 10.
It is provided with.

In the present embodiment, the host computer 10 is constituted by a notebook or desktop personal computer. The host computer 10 has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 12
It has. A USB cable 40 is connected to the USB port 12, and the host computer 10 is connected to the multifunction printer 20 via the USB cable 40.

The multi-function printer 20 includes a USB hub 22, a printer 24, and a card reader 26. The USB hub 22, the printer 24, and the card reader 26 are stored in one housing.

The USB cable 22 is connected to the USB hub 22 of the multifunction printer 20. The USB hub 22 includes a printer 24 and a card reader 26.
Is connected.

In the present embodiment, the printer 24
The card reader 26 includes a PCMCIA (Personal Computer).
It is a PC card reader based on the Memory Card International Association). The card reader 26 reads information stored in the inserted PC memory card,
This is a drive for writing information to a PC memory card. In the present embodiment, it is mainly assumed that the PC memory card stores image data captured by a so-called digital camera. However, the data stored in the PC memory card may be image data stored by another method, and is not limited to image data.

The USB hub 22 of the composite printing machine 20
It is connected to the USB hub 32 of the multifunction printer 30 via a B cable 42. The multi-function printer 30 also includes a USB hub 32, a printer 34, and a card reader 36. The USB hub 32, the printer 34, and the card reader 36 are connected to the U
The device is similar to the SB hub 22, the printer 24, and the card reader 26.

The printers 24 and 34 described above constitute a printing device in the present embodiment. Card reader 2
Reference numerals 6 and 36 denote storage medium reading devices according to the present embodiment, which constitute data acquisition devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the printers 24 and 34 and the internal configuration of the card readers 26 and 36 in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printers 24, 3
4 mainly includes a CPU 50 and a RAM (Random Access).
memory) 51, ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, and non-volatile memory (for example, Electrically Erasable Programm
Able ROM) 54, a printing unit 55, and a USB interface 56. These CPU 50 and RAM 5
1, ROM 52, nonvolatile memory 54, printing unit 55, and U
The SB interfaces 56 are mutually connected via an internal bus.

CPU 50 in printers 24 and 34
Is a central processing unit for controlling the printing of the printers 24 and 34. The ROM 52 is a memory for nonvolatilely storing programs executed by the CPU 50, character fonts, and the like. The CPU 50 reads necessary programs and data from the ROM 52 at an arbitrary timing and executes the programs and data. The non-volatile memory 54 stores the printer 2
This is a memory that stores identification information relating to 4 and 34 in an electrically erasable and writable manner and in a nonvolatile manner. As shown in FIG. 3A, in this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 54 is provided with a manufacturer name storage area 54a, a product name storage area 54b, and a serial number storage area 54c. , A manufacturer name, a product name, and a serial number. The USB interface 56 shown in FIG. 2 is an interface for connecting a cable from the USB hubs 22 and 32, and the printers 24 and 34
It sends and receives data to and from the host computer 10.

That is, the printers 24 and 34 receive data from the host computer 10 via the USB interface 56 and perform printing with the printing unit 55. Also,
When requested by the host computer 10, the printers 24 and 34 transmit the identification information stored in the nonvolatile memory 54 to the host computer 10 via the USB interface 56.

The card readers 26 and 36 mainly use U
The SB interface 57, the data read / write control unit 58, and the non-volatile memory (for example, electrically era
sable Programmable ROM) 59 and a RAM 59A. The USB interface 57, the data read / write control unit 58, and the nonvolatile memory 59
And the RAM 59A are connected to each other via an internal bus.

A PC memory card MC is inserted into the card readers 26, 36. Also, this inserted PC
The memory card MC can be taken out. That is, the card readers 26 and 36 are configured so that the PC memory card MC can be inserted and removed.

The data read / write control unit 58 in the card readers 26 and 36 is a control unit for reading data from the inserted PC memory card MC and writing data to the PC memory card. The data (image data in this embodiment) read by the data read / write control unit 58 is transmitted to the host computer 10 via the USB interface 57. The data transmitted from the host computer 10 is received by the data read / write control unit 58 via the USB interface 57, and is written to the PC memory card MC. The nonvolatile memory 59 is a memory that stores the identification information on the card readers 26 and 36 in an electrically erasable and writable manner and in a nonvolatile manner. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the present embodiment, the non-volatile memory 59 stores the manufacturer name storage area 5.
9a, a product name storage area 59b, and a serial number storage area 59c are provided, and store a manufacturer name, a product name, and a serial number, respectively. These pieces of identification information are also transmitted to the host computer 10 via the USB interface 57.

In this embodiment, the printers 24 and 34 and the card readers 26 and 3 stored in the same housing are used.
6 have the same serial number. That is, the serial number of the printer 24 and the serial number of the card reader 26 are the same, and the serial number of the printer 34 and the serial number of the card reader 36 are the same. In other words, the host computer 10 sees the serial number, so that the printers 24 and 34 and the card reader 2
It can be confirmed whether or not the printers 6 and 36 belong to the same multi-functional printer 20 or 30.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the host computer 10 in detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, the host computer 10 includes a CPU 14, a ROM 16, a RAM 18, and the USB port 12 described above. These USB port 12, CPU 14, ROM 16, RA
M18 is connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU 14 controls the host computer 1
It is a central processing unit that performs various arithmetic processing of 0. R
The OM 16 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 5, but the image processing application 60, the USB printer driver 62, the USB card reader driver 64, the USB controller 66, and the like executed by the host computer 10 are written in a nonvolatile manner. I have. The CPU 14 reads these programs from the ROM 16 at an arbitrary timing as necessary and executes them. RAM 18 is
When the PU 14 executes the various programs described above,
This is a memory for storing necessary data and the like in a volatile manner.

Next, based on FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 described above,
The overall processing of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the interrelationship between programs executed by the CPU 14 and related to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 14
An image processing application 60, a USB printer driver 62, a USB card reader driver 64,
B controller 66 and mode switching application 6
7, the program of the direct print application 68 is executed.

The image processing application 60 is, as shown in FIG. 1, a PC inserted in the card readers 26, 36.
This is a program that reads image data from a memory card and performs necessary image processing. That is, the memory cards inserted into the card readers 26 and 36 include, for example, R
Stores multi-valued image data of GB (Red: Red, Green: Green, Blue: Blue). Here, red, green, and blue are the three primary colors of light in additive color mixture. In the present embodiment, for example, multi-valued image data having 256 tones of 0 to 255 is stored for each of red, green, and blue per pixel.

The image processing application 60 which has read out the image data converts the RGB image data into, for example, YMC (Yellow: Yellow, Magenta: Magenta, Cya).
(n: cyan) -based image data. Where yellow,
Magenta and cyan are the three primary colors of ink in subtractive color mixing. In addition, the image processing application 60 converts the read-out image data from multi-valued data represented by a plurality of gradations for each pixel to multi-valued data having a smaller number of gradations. That is, the image processing application 60 performs color conversion from the RGB system to the YMC system, and performs multivalue reduction. In the present embodiment, for example, 0, 1 for each of yellow, magenta, and cyan per pixel.
Is converted into binary image data.

The host computer 10 outputs the processed image data to the printers 24 and 34.
The printers 24 and 34 that have received the image data perform color image printing based on the image data.

In such a series of printing processes, the image processing application 60 sends and receives data to and from the multifunction printer 20 via the USB printer driver 62, USB card reader driver 64, and USB controller 66.

The USB printer driver 62 is a program for managing the printers 24 and 34 of the multifunction printers 20 and 30. In the present embodiment, the USB printer driver 62 has a function of transmitting image data for printing,
Based on a request from the image processing application 60,
It has a function of acquiring identification information such as the serial number of the printer 24 or the printer 34. That is, the USB printer driver 62 operates as the image processing application 60.
Has a function of returning the identification information of the printer 24 to the image processing application 60 when, for example, there is an inquiry about the identification information of the printer 24. Similarly, the USB printer driver 62 sends a message from the image processing application 60 to the printer 34, for example.
Has a function of returning the identification information of the printer 34 to the image processing application 60 when there is an inquiry about the identification information about. That is, the image processing application 60 knows the number of printers 24 and 34 connected to the host computer 10, and when the image processing application 60 attempts to acquire identification information, the image processing application 60 Then, an inquiry is made by specifying whether the printer requiring the identification information is the printer 24 or the printer 34. This inquiry is sent to the USB controller 66
Is transmitted to the printer 24 or the printer 34 via the. Then, the printer 24 or the printer 34 receiving the inquiry transmits the identification information to the USB controller 66.
Via the USB printer driver 62.

The USB card reader driver 64 is a program for managing the card readers 26 and 36 of the multi-function printers 20 and 30. In the present embodiment, the USB card reader driver 64 transmits and receives data to and from the card readers 26 and 36 and, based on a request from the image processing application 60, identification information such as the serial number of the card readers 26 and 36. And a function of notifying management information including the presence or absence of a PC memory card. That is, US
The B card reader driver 64 has a function of collectively returning the management information of the card readers 26 and 36 to the image processing application 60 when the image processing application 60 inquires about the management information on the card readers 26 and 36. have. That is, the image processing application 60 uses the host computer 1
It is not necessary to keep track of the number of card readers 26 and 36 managed by the image processing application 60.
If the user wants to acquire the management information, it makes an inquiry about the management information to the USB card reader driver 64 without specifying the card reader. This inquiry is transmitted to the card readers 26 and 36 via the USB controller 66. The card readers 26 and 36 receiving this inquiry return management information to the USB card reader driver 64 via the USB controller 66.

Next, based on FIGS. 6 and 7, the image processing application 60 sends the USB printer driver 62.
Will be described in detail when there is an inquiry about identification information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart relating to the identification information inquiry process in the USB printer driver 62, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart relating to the identification information inquiry process in the printers 24 and 34.

First, the processing in the USB printer driver 62 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the USB printer driver 62 includes an image processing application 60.
Then, it is determined whether or not there has been an inquiry about identification information (step S10). If there is no inquiry for the identification information (step S10: No), this step S1
0 is repeated.

When an inquiry is received from the image processing application 60, the printer requests identification information from the printer (step S11). Which printer requests the identification information is specified in the inquiry from the image processing application 60. Here, it is assumed that an inquiry is made to the printer 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the request for the identification information is sent to the printer 24 via the USB interface 56.
Is received. Printer 2 receiving this identification information request
4 is a manufacturer name stored in the nonvolatile memory 54;
The identification information including the product name and the serial number is returned to the host computer 10 via the USB interface 56. The response of the identification information is received by the USB printer driver 62 via the USB controller 66 shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the USB printer driver 62 passes the identification information including the maker name, product name, and serial number to the image processing application 60 (step S12). As a result, when an inquiry about identification information regarding one printer is made,
The processing of the SB printer driver 62 ends, and the processing from step S10 described above is repeated.

Next, the processing in the printer 24 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, upon receiving the inquiry about the identification information, the printer 24 reads the identification information including the manufacturer name, the product name, and the serial number from the nonvolatile memory 54 (Step S20). Subsequently, the printer 24 returns the identification information to the host computer 10 via the USB interface 56. Thus, the process when the printer 24 receives the inquiry about the identification information is completed.

Next, the processing when the image processing application 60 inquires the USB card reader driver 64 of management information will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As described above, this management information includes information such as presence / absence of card insertion in addition to identification information such as a serial number.

FIG. 8 shows a USB card reader driver 64.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flowchart relating to management information inquiry processing in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart relating to management information inquiry processing in FIG.

First, the processing in the USB card reader driver 64 will be described. As shown in FIG.
The B card reader driver 64 determines whether there is an inquiry about management information from the image processing application 60 (Step S30). If there is no inquiry about the management information from the image processing application 60 (step S30: No), this step S30 is executed.
Step 30 is repeated.

When an inquiry about management information is received from the image processing application 60 (step S30:
In Yes, the number of card readers managed by the USB card reader driver 64 is checked (step S).
31). In the present embodiment, the USB card reader driver 64 includes two card readers 2 as shown in FIG.
6, 36 are managed.

Next, the USB card reader driver 64
Determines whether the management information has been checked by the number of card readers (step S32). If the management information has not been checked for the number of card readers (step S32: No), the serial number and the presence / absence of card insertion are inquired of one card reader. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the card reader 26 is inquired about the serial number and the presence or absence of the card insertion,
This inquiry is transmitted to the card reader 26. Upon receiving this inquiry, the card reader 26 reads the serial number from the nonvolatile memory 59 and checks the electric signal to detect whether the PC memory card MC has been inserted. Then, the serial number and the presence or absence of the insertion of the PC memory card MC are answered to the card host computer 10.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the USB card reader driver 64 queries the USB controller 66 for the drive name of the card reader (step S3).
4). USB controller 66 receiving this inquiry
Checks the drive name of the card reader and sends a response to the USB card reader driver 64.

Next, the USB card reader driver 64
Creates a table for the serial number, presence / absence of card insertion, and drive name (step S35). FIG. 10 shows an example of this table. The table shown in FIG. 10 is created for each card reader. Then, the process returns to step S32 to determine whether the management information has been checked for the number of card readers. These steps S
By repeating the processing from step 32 to step S35 by the number of card readers, tables are created by the number of card readers. That is, in the example of the present embodiment, two tables, a table TB1 for the card reader 26 and a table TB2 for the card reader 36, are created.

As shown in FIG. 8, the aforementioned step S3
If it is determined in step 2 that the management information has been checked by the number of card readers (step S32: Yes), the created table is passed to the image processing application 60 (step S36). Then, the processing from step S30 described above is repeated. Accordingly, the USB card reader driver 64 when the image processing application 60 inquires of management information about the card reader
Is completed.

Next, a process for inquiring management information in the card reader will be described using the card reader 26 as an example. As shown in FIG. 9, the card reader 26 that has received the inquiry about the serial number and the presence or absence of the insertion of the memory card,
Read the serial number from (see FIG. 2) (step S
40). Subsequently, the card reader 26 detects the electric signal of the PCMCIA port and checks whether or not the PC memory card MC has been inserted (step S41). Subsequently, the card reader 26 replies to the host computer 10 about these serial numbers and whether or not a card has been inserted. This allows
The processing of the card reader 26 when the inquiry about the management information regarding the serial number and whether or not the memory card is inserted is completed.

Next, based on FIG.
The mode switching application 67 for 6 and 36 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the mode switching application 67 for switching the modes of the card readers 26 and 36. That is, whether the card readers 26 and 36 are set to the read-only mode or the dual-use mode in which both reading and writing can be performed can be switched by the mode switching application 67 on the host computer 10 side. That is, the mode setting of the card readers 26 and 36 is a software setting of the host computer 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the card reader 26 is a mode switching target.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mode switching application 67 requests the management information of the card readers 26 and 36 from the USB card reader driver 64 and acquires the management information of the card readers 26 and 36 as described above. (Step S50). That is, when the mode switching application requests the USB card reader driver 64 for card reader management information, the host computer 1
The management information of all card readers 26 and 36 connected to “0” is returned.

Next, the mode switching application 67
Is the card reader 26 that is the mode switching target.
Then, it is determined whether a PC memory card is inserted (step S51). In this case, the mode switching application 67 determines, from the acquired management information, the PC for the card reader 26 that is the mode switching target.
By referring to the information regarding the presence or absence of the memory card insertion, it is determined whether or not the PC memory card has been inserted.

The mode switching application 67 is a PC
If it is determined that the memory card has been inserted into the card reader 26 (step S51: Yes), a message "Please remove the PC memory card" is displayed (step S52), and the user receives a P from the card reader 26.
C Remove the memory card. Here, the reason for confirming that the PC memory card is not inserted before the mode switching is to prevent an erroneous operation from being performed on the PC memory card due to the mode switching. For example, P
When the C memory card is inserted into the card reader 26, the mode is switched from the read-only mode to the read / write mode to prevent erroneous writing to the PC memory card.

If it is determined in step S51 that the PC memory card has not been inserted into the card reader 26 (step S51: No), it is determined whether the mode of the card reader 26 at that time is the read-only mode. (Step S53). If it is determined that the mode is the read-only mode (step S53: Yes), the mode of the card reader 26 is switched to the read / write mode (step S54). On the other hand, when it is determined that the mode is not the read-only mode (step S53: N
In o), the mode of the card reader 26 is switched to the read-only mode (step S55). The settings of the read-only mode and the dual-use mode are stored in the USB card reader driver 64. For example, when the read-only mode is set, writing of data to the card reader 26 is prohibited by the USB card reader driver 64. Will be. These steps S54 and S54
Completion of the process of Step 5 terminates the process of the mode switching application 67.

As described above, the card readers 26 and 36 are provided with the software read-only mode and the read / write dual mode because, in a PC memory card used in a digital camera or the like, even a part of image data is provided. This is because if they are deleted, some of them do not operate properly. Such a PC memory card is inserted into a card reader 2
6, 36, the host computer 10
By setting the card readers 26 and 36 in the read-only mode on the side, the contents of the PC memory card can be protected.

In other cases, the card readers 26 and 36 are set to the read / write mode so that data can be written and data can be read in the same manner as a normal card reader. Become. Further, since the mode can be switched by software, user convenience is improved.

As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, it is interpreted that data writing includes erasing of data. That is, erasing data is nothing less than writing data.

Next, the processing of the direct print application 68 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining the processing contents of the direct print application 68. The direct printing application 68 includes the multifunction printers 20 and 30.
It is activated by pressing a dedicated button provided on the main body or the like. By providing such a dedicated button, the user can directly activate the print application 68 by simply pressing the dedicated button, and a printing operation as easy as so-called direct printing can be performed.

The direct print application 68 activated by the dedicated button as described above, as shown in FIG.
First, the management information of the card readers 26 and 36 is requested to the USB card reader driver 64 and obtained (step S60). Subsequently, the direct print application 68 extracts information on the presence or absence of the insertion of the PC memory card of the card reader 26 to be operated from the management information, and stores the information in the PC memory card.
Is determined (step S6).
1). Here, it is assumed that the card reader 26 (the multifunction printer 20) is to be operated.

When it is determined that the PC memory card is not inserted (step S61: No), a warning that the PC memory card is not inserted into the card reader 26 is displayed, and the above-described steps S60 to S60 are performed. Is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that a PC memory card is inserted (step S61: Yes), it is determined whether image data is stored in the PC memory card inserted in the card reader 26 (step S61).
62).

If image data is stored in the PC memory card (step S62: Yes), it is determined whether the user has selected automatic printing (step S63). If the user has selected automatic printing (step S63: Yes), preparation processing necessary for the automatic printing is performed (step S64). For example, when the user has selected the automatic printing of the index printing in which all the image data stored in the PC memory card is reduced and printed, all the image data is read from the PC memory card, It performs color conversion, multi-value reduction, reduction, and the like, and generates image data necessary for index printing. If the user has selected automatic printing in which all image data stored in the PC memory card is sequentially printed in the same size, the image data is read from the PC memory card, and color conversion and reduction are performed. Multi-value processing is performed to generate image data required for printing.

On the other hand, in step S62 described above,
If it is determined that no image data is stored in the PC memory card (step S62: No), or if it is determined in step S63 that the user has not selected automatic printing (step S63: No), Is
A printing preparation process is performed by a user's manual operation (step S65). For example, when the user performs an operation of printing only specific image data, only the image data is read from the PC memory card, and color conversion, multi-value conversion, and the like are performed.

The above steps S64 and S6
Following Step 5, as shown in FIG. 13, the direct print application 68 determines whether or not a plurality of printers are connected (Step S70). Host computer 1
Since the number of connected printers is controlled by the image processing application 60, it can be determined by the print application 68 directly inquiring the image processing application 60.

If a plurality of printers are connected (step S 70: Yes), the direct printing application 68 requests the USB card reader driver 64 for the management information of the card readers 26 and 36, and obtains the information. , Request the USB printer driver 62 for the identification information of the printer 24, and acquire it (step S7).
1). Note that the management information acquisition process for the card readers 26 and 36 can be omitted if the management information acquired in step S60 described above is used as it is.

Next, the direct printing application 68
The serial number of the card reader 26 is extracted from the acquired management information of the card readers 26 and 36, and the serial number of the printer 24 is extracted from the acquired identification information of the printer 24. It is determined whether or not it is (step S72). If the two serial numbers do not match (step S72: No), a warning is displayed (step S73). This warning
For example, this is performed by displaying on the display of the host computer 10 that the card reader that has acquired the image data and the printer that is to print are not multifunction printers in the same housing. Based on this display, the user selects whether to execute printing or to cancel printing.

Next, the direct print application 68
It is determined whether the user has selected to execute printing as it is (step S74). If the user has not selected to execute printing (step S74: No),
The process returns to step S65.

On the other hand, if the user selects to execute printing (step S74: Yes), or if it is not determined in step S70 that a plurality of printers are connected (step S70: No), or If it is determined in step S72 that the two serial numbers match (step S72: Yes), the direct print application 68 transmits image data for printing to the printer. That is, the image data for printing prepared in step S64 or step S65 is transmitted to the printer 24. Then, the process returns to step S65 described above. Here, the reason for returning to the print preparation processing by the user operation in step S65 is that, for example, after the user performs index printing by automatic printing, it is often the case that only the image that he / she likes is printed in the normal size. is there.

As described above, according to the printing system according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
And the card readers 26 and 36 can be recognized as independent devices by the host computer 10, so that the printers 24 and 34 and the card readers 26 and 36 can be used effectively. That is, even in the multifunction printers 20 and 30 in which the printers 24 and 34 and the card readers 26 and 36 are stored in the same housing, the printers 24 and 34 and the card readers 26 and 36 are accessed as independent devices. Can be. Thus, for example,
The host computer 10 can read data stored in the PC memory card from the card readers 26 and 36.

Also, as described above, the host computer 10
Can read the data stored in the PC memory card from the card readers 26 and 36, so that the image processing necessary for printing the image data stored in the PC memory card by the printers 24 and 34 can be performed. To
The processing can be performed by the host computer 10. That is, the color conversion and the multi-value reduction can be performed by the image processing application 60 of the host computer 10. For this reason, the image processing unit conventionally provided in the multifunction printer becomes unnecessary, and the cost of the multifunction printer can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, since the number of card readers 26 and 36 connected to the host computer 10 is managed by the USB card reader driver 64, the processing load on the image processing application 60 is reduced. can do. That is, the image processing application 60 does not need to know how many card readers 26 and 36 are connected to the host computer 10. For this reason, when trying to acquire the management information of the card readers 26 and 36, the image processing
It is only necessary to request the card reader driver 64 for management information.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the PC memory card is not inserted in the card reader 26, the user is informed before the direct print application 68 starts the process for printing. Since the warning is issued, the user can be notified that the PC memory card is not inserted before the PC memory card is specifically accessed by the process for printing. For this reason, the subsequent print processing can be automatically performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the serial number of the card reader from which the image data has been read out matches the serial number of the printer to be printed. It is possible to prevent image data from being printed by different multifunction printers. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of multifunction printers 20 and 30
Is connected, the image data read from the card reader 26 of the multifunction printer 20 is transferred to the multifunction printer 3.
In the case where printing is to be performed by the printer 34 of No. 0, a warning to the effect that printing is to be performed by a different multifunction printer can be given to the user. As a result, it is possible to avoid erroneous output to a multifunction printer that is unintentionally distant from the user or erroneous output to a multifunction printer in a completely unrelated place. However, the user may intentionally try to print with the printer 34 of such a different multi-functional printer 30, so in such a case, the printer 34 is forcibly printed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, as shown in FIG.
The multifunction printer 20 having a card reader 26 as a data acquisition device and the image scanner 7 as a data acquisition device
6 may be connected. The multi-function printer 70 also includes a USB hub 72 and a printer 74 in addition to the image scanner 76, and is connected to the multi-function printer 20 via the USB hub 42 via the USB hub 72. The present invention can be applied to such a composite printing machine 70 as well.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the present invention is applied to a multifunction printer 80 in which a USB hub 82, a printer 84, a card reader 86 and an image scanner 88 are housed in the same housing. May be applied. In this case, the printer 84, the card reader 86, and the image scanner 88 have the same serial number.

In the above embodiment, the printer 24,
34 is YMC (Yellow: yellow, Magenta: magenta, Cya
Although the description has been made by taking an example of an inkjet printer of (n: cyan) type, the invention is not limited to this. For example, an inkjet printer having yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (YMCK) inks may be used. The addition of black to the three primary colors (YMC) of the ink in the subtractive mixture in this way can be said to be a kind of YMC-based inkjet printer. Further, the image data stored in the PC memory card is not limited to the RGB system, but may be a YUV system or the like.

In the direct printing application 68 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a multifunction printer storing a card reader that has read out image data and a multifunction printer storing a printer that is to print image data are stored. A warning is issued when the printing machine is different from the printing machine. Conversely, when the two match, a notification to that effect may be given.

Further, with respect to each process described in the above embodiment, a program for executing each process is stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM).
It can be recorded on a recording medium such as a mpact disc-read only memory (ROM), a ROM, or a memory card and distributed in the form of a recording medium. In this case, the above-described embodiment can be realized by causing the host computer 10 to read and execute a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

The host computer 10 may include another program such as an operating system or another application program. In this case, by utilizing another program provided in the host computer 10, an instruction to call a program realizing processing equivalent to that of the present embodiment from among the programs provided in the host computer 10 is recorded on a recording medium. It may be.

Further, such a program can be distributed not as a recording medium but as a carrier through a network. The program transmitted in the form of a carrier wave over the network is taken into the host computer 10 and the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing the program.

[0096] When a program is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted as a carrier wave over a network, the program may be encrypted or compressed.
In this case, the host computer 10 that has read the program from these recording media or carrier waves needs to execute the program after decrypting and expanding the program.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a multifunction printer in which a data acquisition device and a printing device are stored in the same housing, identification information indicating that the data acquisition device and the printing device stored in the same housing are stored in the same housing. Is held, the computer connected to the multifunction printer can identify that the data acquisition device and the printing device are stored in the same housing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a printer and a card reader.

3A is a diagram illustrating identification information stored in a non-volatile memory of a printer, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating identification information stored in a non-volatile memory of a card reader;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a computer.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the interrelationship among an image processing application executed by a computer, a mode switching application, a direct printing application, a USB printer driver, a USB card reader driver, and a USB controller.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a USB printer driver when an inquiry about identification information is made from an image processing application.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printer when a USB printer driver inquires of identification information via a USB controller.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a USB card reader driver when an inquiry about management information is made from an image processing application.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a card reader when a management information inquiry is made from a USB card reader driver via a USB controller.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a table relating to management information generated by a USB card reader driver.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a mode switching application.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating processing of a direct print application.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating processing of the direct print application.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a printing system including a multifunction printer having an image scanner as a data acquisition device.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction printer including a printer, a card reader, and an image scanner.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a conventional multifunction printer.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of another conventional multifunction printer.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of multifunction printers are connected to one host computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host computer 12 USB port 14 CPU 16 ROM 18 RAM 20, 30 Multifunction printer 22, 32 USB hub 24, 34 Printer 26, 36 Card reader 40, 42 USB cable 50 CPU 52 ROM 54 Non-volatile memory 55 Printing unit 56 USB Interface 57 USB interface 58 Data read / write control unit 59 Non-volatile memory 60 Image processing application 62 USB printer driver 64 USB card reader driver 66 USB controller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // B41J 5/30 G06F 13/14 320A G06F 13/14 320 B41J 29/00 Z F term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP07 AQ05 AS12 CL08 CL10 HH01 HJ10 HK08 HK11 HN02 HN15 2C087 AA09 AB05 AC07 BB10 BC12 BD36 BD40 BD41 BD53 DA02 DA11 5B014 GA42 HC02 HC07 5B021 AA01 EE02 QQ04 5B058 CA40 KA40

Claims (18)

[Claims] A data acquisition device for acquiring original image data, the data acquisition device being capable of being recognized as an independent device by a connected computer, and an image processing device for processing the original image data. A printing device for printing the print image data generated by the printing device, and a printing device that can be recognized as an independent device to a connected computer, comprising: A multifunction printer comprising: a device that is stored in the same housing; and identification information indicating that the data acquisition device and the printing device are stored in the same housing. 2. The data acquisition device and the printing device stored in the same housing have the same serial number, and this serial number is used as the identification information. Item 7. The composite printing machine according to Item 1. 3. The composite according to claim 1, wherein the data acquisition device and the printing device transmit the identification information to a computer based on a request from the computer. Printer. 4. The data acquisition device is a storage medium reading device capable of inserting and removing a storage medium storing the original image data, wherein the original image data is obtained by reading data stored in the storage medium. The multifunction printer according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction printer is acquired. 5. The data acquisition device is an optical image reading device that optically reads a sheet on which an original image is displayed, wherein the original image data optically reads a sheet on which the original image is displayed. The multifunction printer according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction printer is acquired by: 6. A data acquisition device for acquiring image data and a printing device for printing image data are stored in one housing, and the data acquisition device and the printing device are the same. A multifunction printer that holds identification information indicating that it is stored in the housing is connected, and is a computer that can independently recognize the data acquisition device and the printing device, from the data acquisition device, A data acquisition device identification information acquisition unit for acquiring data acquisition device identification information for identifying the data acquisition device and another data acquisition device; and identifying the printing device and another printing device from the printing device. Printing device identification information acquiring means for acquiring the printing device identification information, and comparing the data acquisition device identification information with the printing device identification information, so that both are in the same housing. It determines whether it is paid, characterized in that it comprises a comparing means computer. 7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a first notifying unit for notifying a user when the data acquisition device and the printing device are not stored in the same housing. A computer according to claim 6. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second notifying unit for notifying a user of the fact that the data acquisition device and the printing device are stored in the same housing. A computer according to claim 6. 9. The image processing apparatus further includes a selection unit configured to allow a user to select printing of the image data by the printing device even when the data acquisition device and the printing device are not stored in the same housing. The computer according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: 10. The data acquisition device is a storage medium reading device capable of inserting and removing a storage medium storing the original image data, wherein the original image data is obtained by reading data stored in the storage medium. The computer according to claim 6, wherein the computer is acquired. 11. A storage medium insertion information obtaining means for obtaining storage medium insertion information on whether or not the storage medium has been inserted from the storage medium reading device; and inserting the storage medium based on the storage medium insertion information. 11. The computer according to claim 10, further comprising: third notification means for determining whether or not the storage medium has been inserted, and notifying the user when the storage medium has not been inserted. 12. The data acquisition device is an optical image reading device for optically reading a sheet on which an original image is displayed, wherein the original image data is for optically reading a sheet on which the original image is displayed. The computer according to claim 6, wherein the computer is acquired by: 13. A composite printing machine in which a storage medium reading and writing device for reading image data from a storage medium and writing the image data to the storage medium and a printing device for printing image data are stored in one housing. Is a computer capable of independently recognizing the storage medium read / write device and the printing device, manages transmission / reception with the storage medium read / write device, and obtains original image data from the storage medium read / write device. A storage medium read / write device management means for performing, a dual-use mode allowing reading of image data from the storage medium and writing of image data to the storage medium,
A storage medium read / write device management unit having a dedicated mode that allows only reading of image data from the storage medium, obtaining the original image data from the storage medium read / write device management unit, and performing image processing on the image data. A print image data generating unit that generates print image data that can be printed by the printing device, and manages transmission and reception with the printing device, and acquires the print image data from the print image data generating unit. A printing device management unit for transmitting the print image data to the printing device. 14. The storage medium read / write device management means switches between the dual mode and the dedicated mode.
14. The computer according to claim 13, further comprising a switching unit. 15. A storage medium insertion information obtaining means for obtaining storage medium insertion information on whether or not the storage medium has been inserted from the storage medium reading / writing device; and inserting the storage medium based on the storage medium insertion information. Determining whether the storage medium is inserted, and prohibiting the switching means from switching between the dual-use mode and the dedicated mode when the storage medium is inserted. Item 15. The computer according to Item 14. 16. A data acquisition device for acquiring original image data and a printing device for printing print image data generated by performing image processing on the original image data are stored in the same housing. A multifunction printer that holds identification information indicating that each of the data acquisition device and the printing device is stored in the same housing, and a multifunction printer connected to the multifunction printer, And a computer capable of independently recognizing the data acquisition device and the printing device. 17. The data acquisition device and the printing device stored in the same housing have the same serial number, and the serial number is used as the identification information. Item 17. A printing system according to Item 16. 18. A single housing stores a data acquisition device for acquiring image data and a printing device for printing image data, and the data acquisition device and the printing device are the same. A multi-function printer holding identification information indicating that it is stored in the housing is connected, a computer-readable recording medium capable of independently recognizing the data acquisition device and the printing device, From the data acquisition device, acquiring data acquisition device identification information for identifying the data acquisition device and another data acquisition device, a data acquisition device identification information acquisition step; and Acquiring printing device identification information for identifying the printing device, and the printing device identification information, and the data acquisition device identification information and the printing device identification information. Compared bets, both to determine whether it is stored in the same housing, a recording medium having a program recorded thereon for executing the comparison step, to the computer.