JP2005280285A - Recording apparatus provided with internal storage means - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-demand type printer capable of printing out image data desired to be printed out without selecting any time and place without an external device such as a digital still camera.
A printer control unit includes a USB host controller and connects a digital still camera as a storage class USB device. Image data acquired from the digital still camera 23 is converted into raster data necessary for print output, and an actual recording operation is executed by the recording execution unit 22. After performing the print output by the recording execution unit 22, the image data that is the target of the print output is automatically stored in the internal storage means 21, so that the print output can be executed without the digital still camera 23. It becomes.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus configured to be connectable to an external storage unit such as a digital still camera or a memory card included in the digital camera.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital still cameras, various systems for outputting digital images using an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus have been developed. As an example, a direct print system, that is, a system in which a memory card attached to a digital still camera is directly attached to an inkjet printer, image data is read, and image data can be output directly without using a computer has been developed. . A system that can be directly connected to a digital still camera without going through a computer, send image data directly from the digital still camera to the inkjet printer, and issue a print output command from the digital still camera to the inkjet printer. Has also been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-256154 A

However, in any case, in the conventional print system, the image data is stored in the external storage means provided in the computer, the digital still camera or the like. Is required.
On the other hand, portable portable printers can print out at various locations regardless of the installation location. For example, there is a favorite image data that has been printed in the past, and the image data is printed again. Even when output is desired, if there is no external device as described above, print output cannot be performed, and the mobility of a small printer may not be fully utilized.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem is that even if there is no external device such as a digital still camera, it is possible to print out image data to be printed out regardless of time and place. The object is to provide an on-demand printer that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a recording execution unit for recording on a recording medium, an interface unit for connecting to an external storage unit storing a data file, An internal storage means capable of storing the data file, and a data storage means for storing the data file acquired from the external storage means in the internal storage means.
According to the above aspect, the recording apparatus includes the internal storage unit that can store the data file stored in the external storage unit, and the data storage unit that stores the data file acquired from the external storage unit in the internal storage unit. Therefore, it is possible to obtain image data as an example of the data file from a digital still camera or the like as an example of the external storage means, and store it inside the apparatus. As a result, even if there is no external storage means, It is possible to perform a recording execution operation (hereinafter also referred to as “print output” as appropriate) of image data to be output regardless of the location.

A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a recording execution unit for recording on a recording medium, an interface unit for connection to an external storage unit storing a data file, and an internal capable of storing the data file Data storage means for automatically storing, in the internal storage means, the data file to be subjected to the recording execution operation acquired from the external storage means in association with a recording execution operation by the recording execution means It is characterized by having.
According to the above aspect, the recording apparatus can store the data file stored in the external storage unit, and the recording execution acquired from the external storage unit in accordance with the recording execution operation by the recording execution unit. Since the data storage unit that automatically stores the data file to be operated is stored in the internal storage unit, for example, print output is performed and image data that is the target of the print output is automatically It is stored inside the recording device. Therefore, the user is not particularly aware, and can print out the image data that has been printed out in the past again without choosing the time and place without an external device such as a digital still camera. Therefore, in particular, in a small-sized portable recording device, it is possible to fully exhibit its mobility.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the data file that is the target of the recording execution operation is automatically stored in the internal storage unit in accordance with the recording execution operation by the recording execution unit. The mode is characterized in that it can be switched between a mode for storing automatically and a mode not stored in the internal storage means.
According to the above aspect, it is necessary to be able to switch between a mode in which the data file to be subjected to the recording execution operation is automatically stored in the internal storage means and a mode in which the data file is not stored in the internal storage means. It is possible to prevent compression of the storage capacity of the internal storage unit due to the storage of the data file without the storage in the internal storage unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the recording apparatus executes recording of the data file that is a target of the recording execution operation in accordance with the recording execution operation by the recording execution unit. Recording execution frequency storage means for storing the frequency in the internal storage means, and index display means for sorting the data file based on the recording execution frequency and displaying the index in the sort order on the display unit for displaying various information. The data file to be recorded is designated from the index display, and the recording can be executed.

  Some users tend to print out their favorite image data repeatedly. Therefore, priority is given to image data having such a high recording execution frequency (including the concept of both the number of times of recording and the total number of prints). If it can be displayed on the display unit and printed out, it becomes extremely user-friendly. Therefore, in the above aspect, along with the recording execution operation by the recording execution unit, the recording execution frequency of the data file that is the target of the recording execution operation is stored in the internal storage unit, and the recording execution frequency is based on the recording execution frequency. Since the data file is sorted and displayed as an index in the sort order, and data can be specified and recorded from the index display, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

  The recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the recording conditions at the time of the recording execution operation are recorded in accordance with the recording execution operation by the recording execution means. Recording condition storage means for storing in the internal storage means in association with the data file to be executed, and enabling execution of recording according to the recording conditions when the data file recording execution operation is executed again It is configured.

  Some users tend to want to print out images that have been printed out successfully in the past under the same recording conditions (conditions that affect recording results such as recording paper type, size, color correction conditions, etc.). In such a case, if print output can be easily performed under the same conditions as the past recording conditions, the convenience for the user can be further improved. Therefore, in the above aspect, the recording condition at the time of print output is stored in the internal storage means in association with the image data at the time of print output, so that when the print output of the image data is executed again, the stored recording is performed. Since print output can be executed according to conditions, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  A recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the interface unit is configured by a USB host controller.

  A recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the recording apparatus comprises a USB device controller for connection to an external host computer.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 1 as an example of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit 14, and FIG. 3 is when a digital still camera is connected. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of processing when a digital still camera is connected, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents during reprint output, and FIG. 6 is a display screen. It is a figure which shows an example.

  First, the configuration of the printer 1 will be outlined with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a printer 1 is configured as a small size suitable for recording on a recording sheet such as a postcard having a relatively small size or an L size as an example of a recording medium. Therefore, the handle 6 is rotatably attached to the housing 3 that constitutes the external appearance of the apparatus, and the printer 1 can be easily transported by gripping the handle 6 during carrying.

  In the same way as an ink jet printer suitable for A4 size recording, this printer 1 reciprocates a feeding device (ASF) 2 capable of setting a plurality of recording sheets in an inclined posture at the rear of the device in the main scanning direction in the middle of the device. A carriage (not shown) provided with an ink jet recording head (not shown) provided movably is provided, and a stacker 8 for stacking recorded recording sheets is provided at the front of the apparatus. When not in use, the stacker 8 is in a stowed state standing substantially vertically as shown in the figure, and in use, the stacker 8 is opened to the front side of the printer and is in a use state in which recording sheets can be stacked.

  In the center of the upper surface of the apparatus, an operation unit 5 constituted by a power button, a print setting button, and the like, and a liquid crystal display unit 4 capable of displaying print setting contents and current operation status, and further displaying a reduced image index are arranged. . In addition, on the upper right side on the front side of the printer, card slots 9 and 10 in which image data as an example of “data file” is stored and a memory card 13 as an example of “external storage means” can be inserted and removed are opened and closed. A USB cover 11 is provided so as to be covered with a free cover 7, and on the back side of the printer, an external device having external storage means, for example, a digital still camera 23 (FIG. 2) or the like for communication via a USB interface. A USB port 12 for communicating with the host computer 24 (FIG. 2) via a USB interface is provided. That is, the printer 1 is configured to function as a stand-alone machine, as a peripheral device of a computer, and as a host for an external device such as a digital still camera (details will be described later).

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 14 of the printer 1 will be described. The control unit 14 that controls each component of the printer 1 includes an ASIC 15, a CPU 16, a ROM 17, a RAM 18, a USB device controller 19, a USB host controller 20, and an internal storage unit 21, and further includes various components not shown. ing.

  In this control unit 14, the CPU 16 performs arithmetic processing for executing the control program of the printer 1 and other necessary arithmetic processing, and the RAM 18 is used as a work area for the CPU 21 and a primary storage area for other data. Stores a control program (firmware) necessary for controlling the printer 1 and data necessary for processing. Further, the ASIC 15 performs access control to the memory card 13 or the like connected to the card slots 9 and 10, performs display control of the liquid crystal display unit 4, or identifies button operation contents in the operation unit 5. Alternatively, necessary information is exchanged with the USB device controller 19 and the USB host controller 20, or necessary information is transmitted to specific components in the recording execution unit 22.

  The recording execution unit 22 includes a conveyance roller (not shown) that conveys the recording paper, a recording head (not shown) that performs inkjet recording on the recording paper, and a discharge roller (not shown) that discharges the recorded recording paper. ) Etc., and actual recording is performed on a recording sheet by a predetermined method (for example, an interlaced recording method) in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 14.

  When the USB device controller 19 receives command data including an image from the host computer 24 and executes recording by the recording execution unit 22, the ASIC 15 is connected to the host computer 24 as a printer class. As a result, the printer 1 operates as a peripheral device of the host computer 24 and executes various operations in accordance with control commands from the host computer 24.

  When the USB host controller 20 receives image data from the digital still camera 23 and executes print output of the image data, the USB host controller 20 connects the digital still camera 23 to the ASIC 15 as a storage class. As a result, the printer 1 is connected to the digital still camera 23 as a USB host, and the ASIC 15 reduces and displays all or part of the image file in the digital still camera 23 on the liquid crystal display unit 4, and a recording execution unit as necessary. 22 can be used for printout. Further, the internal storage means (for example, composed of a hard disk device, a flash memory, etc.) 21 is connected to the ASIC 15 as a storage class, thereby requiring all or part of the image files in the digital still camera 23. Accordingly, the stored image file can be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4 as a reduced image.

The above is the configuration of the printer 1, and the process when the digital still camera 23 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. 3 as a first example of the process when the external storage means is connected.
When the digital still camera 23 having the external storage means is connected, the connection with the camera is first established (step S101), and then whether or not image data is stored in the printer 1 in the liquid crystal display unit 4 is determined. A message prompting selection is displayed (step S102). When the button operation not to save the image data is performed (No in step S102), all the image data stored in the digital still camera 23 is reduced and displayed as an index (step S105). As a result, the user can select an image to be printed.

  On the other hand, when a button operation for saving image data is performed (Yes in step S102), a message prompting the user to select whether to save all image data or to save the selected image data is displayed ( In step S103), when a button operation for saving all image data is performed, all image data in the digital still camera 23 is saved in the internal storage means 21 (step S104), and an index display of all images is performed. Is performed (step S105). When a button operation for selecting and saving image data is performed, all the image data is reduced and displayed as an index (step S106). After prompting the user to select an image, the image data is saved. When the button operation is performed (Yes in step S107), the selected image data is stored in the internal storage unit 21 (step S108), and the index display of the selected image is performed (step S109). As a result, the user can select an image to be printed.

  As described above, all the image data in the digital still camera 23 or a part of the selected image data is stored in the internal storage means 21, and even without the digital still camera 23, it is possible to select any time and place. An on-demand printer that can print out image data to be output is configured. Therefore, in particular, the mobility of a portable small printer such as the printer 1 according to this embodiment can be fully utilized.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As in the first embodiment, when the digital still camera 23 is connected, first, connection establishment processing with the camera is performed (step S201), and an index display of all the image data in the camera is performed (step S202). The user selects an image to be printed out on the index display screen. When a button operation for performing print output is performed (Yes in step S203), one image is printed (step S204), and the image data to be printed is stored in the internal storage unit 21. Then, the index file is updated (step S206). Here, the index file is a file stored in the internal storage means 21 and is related to the image data such as the file name of the image data stored in the internal storage means 21 and the date and time stored in the internal storage means 21. It is a data file that describes information to be processed. Therefore, by referring to the index file, the file name (including the path name (storage destination)) of the image data stored in the internal storage means 21, the storage date and time, the recording execution frequency (the number of prints), and the previous print output time Information such as the recording conditions (paper size, paper type, resolution, layout (with or without borders), color correction information, etc.) can be obtained.

  As described above, when the index file is updated, the above-described information relating to the image data newly stored in the internal storage unit 21 is written in association with the image data (file name). If image data with the same file name already exists when storing the image data, a sequential number is added to the end of the file name to avoid overwriting. If the storage capacity of the internal storage means 21 is insufficient when saving the image data, a message to that effect is displayed. Then, these operations are repeatedly executed until the printing of all selected images is completed (step S207).

  On the other hand, when a button operation is performed to save only image data without performing print output (negative branch in step S203, positive branch in step S208), the selected image data is stored in the internal storage unit. 21 (step S209), and the index file is updated (step S210). If the print output is not performed and the image data is not stored, the process ends as it is (negative branch in step S203, negative branch in step S208).

  As described above, since the image data to be printed is automatically stored in the internal storage means 21 at the time of printing, the image data that has been printed in the past can be converted into a digital still camera without any particular attention. Even without an external device such as the above, it is possible to print out again later without selecting the time and place. For example, on the initial menu screen, it is possible to switch between a mode in which image data is automatically stored and a mode in which image data is not stored at the time of print output.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a flow of processing at the time of reprinting the image data stored in this way. A button operation for performing the print output of the image data stored in the internal storage means 21 is performed. When this is done, the index file is first read (step S301), and the image data (specifically, the file name) is sorted using the pre-printed data and the number-of-sheets data as keys (step S302). Are displayed in an index (step S303). FIG. 6 shows an example of the index display. For convenience, a serial number (for example, 0001 to 9999) is displayed below the reduced image, the date and time when the data is stored in the internal storage unit 21, and finally, The date and time when print output was performed, and the number of prints already printed are shown below. The check box next to the serial number is a check box for selecting an image. Select the image with the cursor key (the cursor is on the image 0004 on the lower right in the figure) and press the image selection button. The checkbox is checked and the image is selected.

  When a button operation for performing print output is performed (Yes in step S304), one image is printed (step S305), and the index file is updated (step S306). At this time, specifically, the number of already printed sheets is counted up, the date and time of the last printing are updated, and the recording conditions at the previous printing are updated. Then, these operations are repeatedly executed until printing of all the selected images is completed (step S307).

  As described above, since the image data stored in the internal storage means 21 is displayed in the order of the recording execution frequency (in the present embodiment, the number of already printed sheets (or the number of already printed sheets)), the same image data is repeatedly printed out. Users who tend to do so can print out their favorite image data at any time and place without the need for an external device such as a digital still camera. That is, image data having a large number of already printed sheets) can be easily retrieved.

  By the way, since the recording conditions at the time of the previous print output are recorded in the index file, it can be configured to perform recording according to the recording conditions at the time of the previous printing. Thereby, for example, when the result at the time of the previous print output is good, a good print result can be obtained again, which is user-friendly. In addition, when performing reprint output, the user can switch between the mode for performing print output according to the recording conditions at the time of the previous printing and the mode for performing print output according to the recording conditions set at that time by a user interface such as an initial menu. It can also be configured. Furthermore, at the time of print output, it is possible to switch between a mode for saving the recording conditions at the time of the print output (mode for updating the index file) and a mode for not saving the recording conditions at the time of the print output, After outputting one image, a message for confirming whether or not to save the recording condition may be displayed each time. Further, in the above example, the image data stored in the internal storage means 21 is sorted in descending order of the number of already printed sheets. However, other conditions described in the index file (for example, data storage date and time) are used as keys. It is also possible to sort.

It should be noted that "data storage means" for storing image data in the internal storage means 21, "recording execution frequency storage means" for storing the number of already printed image data in the index file, and sorting the image data based on the number of already printed prints. The “index display means” to be displayed and the “recording condition storage means” for storing the recording conditions at the time of print output in the internal storage means 21 in association with the image data are configured by software means in this embodiment.
In the above embodiment, a case where a digital still camera is connected as an external storage means will be described, but it goes without saying that the same processing can be executed even when a memory card is connected to the card slots 9 and 10. .

1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of the printer according to the present invention. The flowchart which shows 1st Example of the process at the time of camera connection. The flowchart which shows 2nd Example of the process at the time of camera connection. 7 is a flowchart showing processing contents during reprint output. The figure which shows an example of a display screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer, 2 Feeding device, 3 Housing, 4 Liquid crystal display part, 5 Operation part, 6 Handle, 7 Cover, 8 Stacker, 9, 10 Card slot, 11, 12 USB port, 13 Memory card, 14 Control part, 15 ASIC, 16 CPU, 17 ROM, 18 RAM, 19 USB device controller, 20 USB host controller, 21 internal storage means, 22 recording execution unit, 23 digital still camera, 24 host computer

Claims (7)

Recording execution means for recording on a recording medium;
An interface for connecting to an external storage means storing the data file;
Internal storage means capable of storing the data file;
Data storage means for storing the data file acquired from the external storage means in the internal storage means;
A recording apparatus comprising: Recording execution means for recording on a recording medium;
An interface for connecting to an external storage means storing the data file;
Internal storage means capable of storing the data file;
Data storage means for automatically storing the data file to be subjected to the recording execution operation acquired from the external storage means in association with the recording execution operation by the recording execution means, in the internal storage means;
A recording apparatus comprising: The mode according to claim 2, wherein the data file that is the target of the recording execution operation is automatically stored in the internal storage unit in accordance with the recording execution operation by the recording execution unit, and the mode is not stored in the internal storage unit Are configured to be switchable,
A recording apparatus. The recording execution frequency storage means for storing the recording execution frequency of the data file as a target of the recording execution operation in the internal storage means according to the recording execution operation by the recording execution means according to claim 2 or 3,
Sorting the data file based on the recording execution frequency, and an index display means for displaying an index in the sort order on a display unit for displaying various information,
It is configured to be able to execute recording by designating the data file to be recorded from the index display,
A recording apparatus. 5. The recording internal operation according to claim 2, wherein a recording condition during the recording execution operation is associated with the data file that is a target of the recording execution operation in association with the recording execution operation by the recording execution unit. A recording condition storage means for storing in the storage means;
When performing the recording execution operation of the data file again, it is configured to be able to execute recording according to the recording conditions.
A recording apparatus. The interface unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the interface unit is configured by a USB host controller.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, comprising a USB device controller for connecting to an external host computer.
A recording apparatus.

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