JP2009139772A - Display device and printing apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable display device capable of suppressing useless power consumption.
If an operation panel has been removed and the operation panel is being operated and the operation panel is lying on a prone surface such as the top surface of a desk or table (YES in step S101, NO in step S102, and step S103) YES), if the prone state continues for a predetermined T1 time (for example, 5 seconds), the built-in battery (drive power source) of the operation panel is controlled to the sleep state (steps S105 and S106), and further this sleep state Is continued for a predetermined T2 time (for example, 5 minutes) (YES in step S107), the built-in battery (drive power source) of the operation panel is controlled to be in a power-off state (step S108).
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable display device that includes a display unit that displays an image on the front side of a panel-shaped device body, and a printing apparatus including the portable display device.

  In a liquid crystal display device that is a display device for displaying an image, a backlight of the liquid crystal display device is attached even if the illuminance around the liquid crystal display device due to traffic of a person or an object is partially changed by attaching an optical sensor and capturing external light illuminance data. The backlight is automatically dimmed according to the ambient illuminance when the environment around the liquid crystal display device is uniformly changed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-121997 (paragraphs 0010, 0011, etc.)

  By the way, in the case of the liquid crystal display device described in Patent Document 1, the environment around the liquid crystal display device, particularly the illuminance is detected, and the backlight is automatically dimmed when the environment around the liquid crystal display device changes uniformly. For example, there is a problem that even when the liquid crystal display device is not used for a long time, the power source is kept in an on state, and power is wasted.

  For example, in the case of a portable display device as well as the liquid crystal display device as in Patent Document 1, there is a difference in the illuminance of external light received on the display surface between the use state and the non-use state. In particular, in the case of a portable and panel-like display device, when the display device is not used, the display device is often prone with the display surface of the display device on the upper surface (prone surface) of a desk or table. In this way, the external light illuminance received by the display surface of the display device is lower than in a normal use state where the display device is not prone. Therefore, if an illuminance sensor is provided on the display surface of the display device and the external light illuminance received by the display surface can be detected, it can be determined whether the display device is in a prone state or in a prone state. Although it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption by turning it off, the conventional portable and panel-like display device including the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 determines the state of such a device to save power. There is no function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable display device and a printing apparatus including the portable display device that can suppress useless power consumption.

  In order to achieve the above object, the display device according to the present invention is a portable, panel-like display device that includes a display unit that displays an image on the front side of the device body, and the display unit on the front side of the device body. And a detection unit that is disposed in the periphery of the device main body to detect the prone state of the prosthetic surface of the device main body, and is driven when detection of the prone state of the device main body by the detection unit continues for a preset time or more. And a power control unit that controls at least power supply to the display unit by a power source to a sleep state.

  In the invention configured as described above, it is determined that the state in which the detection unit detects the prone state on the prone surface of the apparatus body is an unused state in which the display device does not see the display on the display unit. can do. Therefore, if detection of the prone state on the prone surface of the apparatus main body by the detection unit continues for a preset set time or longer, the power supply control unit controls power supply to at least the display unit by the drive power supply to the sleep state. , Wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

  The power control unit is preferably configured to stop power supply to each unit including the display unit when the sleep state continues for a preset predetermined time or more. In this way, if the sleep state continues for a preset predetermined time or more, wasteful power consumption can be further suppressed by stopping power supply to each unit including the display unit.

  Further, the detection unit is arranged to receive light reflected from the light emitting element by the prone surface in the prone state of the light emitting element that projects light toward the prone surface, and external light and the apparatus main body. An illuminance sensor having a light receiving element formed, and the power supply control unit is based on an output value of the light receiving element of the illuminance sensor, whether the apparatus main body is in a normal use state in which the device main body is not prone, or the apparatus main body It is preferable to comprise so that the determination part which determines whether it is in a prone state may be provided.

  With this configuration, in a state where the apparatus main body is not prone, the environment around the illuminance sensor has a very high illuminance due to external light, and the light receiving output level of the light receiving element of the illuminance sensor is high. In the prone state, only the light reflected from the light emitting element by the prone surface is received, and the light receiving output level of the light receiving element of the illuminance sensor is low, so from the difference in the output level of the illuminance sensor, It can be easily determined whether the apparatus main body is in a normal use state where the apparatus main body is not prone or whether the apparatus main body is in the prone state. As a result, if the display unit is put into the sleep state, or if the sleep state continues for a preset predetermined time or longer, the power supply to each unit including the display unit is stopped, so that wasteful power consumption can be suppressed. Can contribute.

  In addition, the light receiving element of the detection unit may be arranged so that light involved in display of the display unit is not received by the light receiving element regardless of whether the apparatus main body is in a prone state or a normal use state. In this way, if the light receiving element prevents the light related to the display of the display unit from being received regardless of the prone state of the apparatus main body and the normal use state, it is not affected by the light related to the display of the display unit. It is possible to more reliably determine whether the apparatus main body is in a normal use state where the apparatus main body is not prone or whether the apparatus main body is in the prone state.

  Moreover, the printing apparatus provided with the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 has a configuration in which the display device is detachably attached to a predetermined part of the device body, and the display unit of the display device Is characterized in that a touch panel is incorporated and an operation button image for device operation is displayed on the display unit so as to be capable of contact operation. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a printing device that can suppress wasteful power consumption in the display device when the display device is not used when the display device of the printing device is detached from the device body. become.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a photo printer which is an embodiment of a printing apparatus having a portable panel display device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the photo printer. In this photo printer 10, a printing mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2) is built in the printer main body 12, and in response to an operation command from a controller 70 (see FIG. 2) that controls the entire photo printer 10. Printing on the paper P is executed. Then, the printed paper is discharged to the front surface of the printer main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a front door 14 is attached to the front surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. The front door 14 is a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the printer main body 12. In the open state, it functions as a paper discharge tray for receiving the paper P discharged from the print mechanism 50. In addition, various memory card slots 16 provided on the front surface of the printer main body 12 can be used by the user. That is, in this state, the user can insert the memory card M storing the image file to be printed into the memory card slot 16.

  An operation panel 20 that can be attached to and detached from the printer main body 12 is provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 12, while a resin cover (not shown) molded to a size that can cover the upper surface of the printer main body 12 is opened and closed. It is attached freely. The operation panel 20 corresponds to a “display device” in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 20 includes a panel frame 21 (corresponding to the “device main body” in the present invention) and a liquid crystal display incorporated in the panel frame 21. A display unit 22, a touch panel 23 superimposed on the display unit 22, and a battery (not shown) as a drive power source built in the operation panel 20.

  The operation panel 20 is detachably disposed on the upper surface of the printer main body 12 by a locking mechanism similar to a push magnet catch that is a combination of a well-known spring and magnet used for opening and closing a door, for example. For example, when the end of the operation panel 20 is pressed from the mounted state, for example, the locked state of the locking mechanism is released and the end pressed by the urging force of the spring (in this case, the rear end of the operation panel 20) is lifted. While the operation panel 20 is detached from the upper surface of the printer main body 12 and the operation panel 20 can be carried alone, when it is housed (mounted) on the upper surface of the printer main body 12, on the contrary, due to the biasing force of the spring When the rear end portion of the operation panel 20 installed on the upper surface of the printer main body 12 is pushed up against the spring while being lifted, the locking mechanism is locked. Operation panel 20 is adapted to be accommodated in the upper surface of the printer body 12 (mounting). The operation panel 20 is preferably provided with an attachment / detachment sensor for detecting the removal state. In this way, it is possible to recognize that the operation panel 20 has been removed from the printer main body 12, and power control as described in detail later. It becomes possible.

  The display unit 22 of the operation panel 20 has an image display area 24a for displaying images such as characters, graphics, symbols, and photographs, and a plurality of operation button images for various operations around the image display area 24a. And a button display area 24b in which is displayed. A power button 25a for turning on / off the operation panel 20 and the printer main body 12 is provided at the lower right corner of the surface of the panel frame 21 of the operation panel 20. When the power button 25a is turned on, the vicinity of the power button 25a is provided. The LED 25b provided in is turned on to display the on state.

  As an operation button image displayed in the button display area 24b, although not shown in FIG. 2, a menu button for calling the main menu screen, the operation is canceled in the middle, or printing on the paper P is interrupted in the middle. A cancel button for instructing execution of printing on the paper P, a save button for saving an edited image in the memory card M inserted in the memory card slot 16, for example, in the image display area 24a. Each of the up / down / left / right arrow buttons operated when selecting a desired option from the displayed options and moving the cursor, and is arranged at the center of the up / down / left / right arrow buttons. An OK button for instructing that the selected option has been selected and the screen display in the image display area 24a are switched. Display switching button fit, such as discharge tray open button is displayed to open the front door 14 having a function as a discharge tray.

  When the user touches a desired button image through the touch panel 23, for example, a wireless operation signal representing the coordinates of the contact position is transmitted to the printer main body 12, and is received by a receiving circuit built in the controller 70 described later. The contact position is detected by the controller 70, and the controller 70 executes control processing according to the operation content assigned to the button image corresponding to the contact position.

  Therefore, the user can remotely operate the printer 10 by removing the operation panel 20 from the upper surface of the printer main body 12 and carrying it alone, and touching the above button image at a desired place, such as a digital camera. The photograph to be printed can be selected while sequentially switching and displaying the photograph taken in the above in the image display area 24a of the display unit 22. Further, if the operation panel 20 is carried alone and a favorite photographic image is always displayed in the image display area 24a of the display unit 22, the operation panel 20 can be used as an electronic “photograph”. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, it is desirable to provide a tiltable (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3) support 28 on the back surface of the panel frame 21 of the operation panel 20.

  By the way, an illuminance sensor 26 as a detection unit that detects the prone state of the operation panel 20 to the prone surface, which is the upper surface of a desk or table, is disposed at the upper right corner of the surface of the panel frame 21 of the operation panel 20. . The illuminance sensor 26 is arranged so as to be able to receive the LED 26a that is a light emitting element that projects light toward the prone surface, external light including illumination light, and reflected light of the light from the LED 26a due to the prone surface in the prone state of the operation panel 20. And a photodiode 26b which is a light receiving element provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4 in particular, the illuminance sensor 26 has a light emitting diode (LED) 26a and a photodiode 26b at the corners of the printed circuit board PB housed in the panel frame 21 and located on the back surface of the display unit 22 comprising a liquid crystal display. The LED 26a and the photodiode 26b are disposed in a recess in the upper right corner of the surface of the panel frame 21, and light reflected from the LED 26a by the prone surface T, which is the upper surface of a desk or table, is reflected by the photodiode 26b. Is set and arranged in such a positional relationship as to receive light. At this time, the surroundings of the LED 26a and the photodiode 26b are surrounded by the surrounding member C so that the light leakage from the liquid crystal display as the display unit 22 and the direct light of the LED 26a are not received by the photodiode 26b. Yes. For this reason, only the reflected light of the light from the LED 26a by the prone surface T and the external light (sunlight, illumination light, etc.) around the operation panel 20 are received by the photodiode 26b.

  With the illuminance sensor 26, in a state where the operation panel 20 is not laid on the prone surface T, that is, in a normal use state, the environment around the illuminance sensor 26 has very high illuminance due to outside light (or illumination light). While the light receiving output level of the photodiode 26b is high, the photodiode 26b only receives light reflected from the LED 26a by the prone surface T when the operation panel 20 is prone to the prone surface T. Therefore, the light receiving output level of the photodiode 26b of the illuminance sensor 26 is low. Therefore, from the difference in the output level of the illuminance sensor 26, it can be easily determined whether the operation panel 20 is in a normal use state where the operation panel 20 is not prone or in a non-use prone state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printed circuit board PB shown in FIG. 4 includes an amplifier 30a that amplifies the light emission output signal of the photodiode 26b, and a voltage level and a reference voltage level of the light emission output signal amplified by the amplifier 30a. And a control circuit 30c for controlling the built-in battery in a sleep state or an off state based on an output signal of the comparator 30b.

  Here, the reference voltage level is set to the output voltage level of the amplifier 30a when the illuminance sensor 26 receives external light (or illumination light) in a normal use state where the operation panel 20 is not laid on the prone surface T. If this is done, the output voltage level of the amplifier 30a in a non-use state where the operation panel 20 is laid on the prone surface T such as a desk is lower than the reference voltage level, so the prone detection signal of the operation panel 20 is output from the comparator 30b. The Therefore, the amplifier 30a and the comparator 30b function as a “determination unit” in the present invention. If this prone detection signal continues for a predetermined T1 time (for example, 5 seconds) set in advance, the built-in battery of the operation panel 20 is controlled to sleep by the control circuit 30c, and the power consumption of the operation panel 20 is required. Controlled to a minimum. The amplifier 30a, the comparator 30b, and the control circuit 30c function as a “power supply control unit” in the present invention.

  Further, when the sleep state continues for a predetermined time T2 (for example, 5 minutes), the control circuit 30c controls the built-in battery of the operation panel 20 to the off state (power supply stop state). It should be noted that the times T1 and T2 may be appropriately variably set according to preference by the user operating the operation button image.

  At this time, a transmission circuit (not shown) is also mounted on the printed circuit board PB, and the control circuit 30c uses this transmission circuit to transmit a radio notification signal for notifying the sleep state and the off state of the operation panel 20 to the controller. If the receiving circuit of the controller 70 receives this wireless notification signal, the controller 70 may similarly control the power supply on the printer main body 12 side to the sleep state or the off state. In this way, not only the operation panel 20 but also the power source on the printer main body 12 side can be similarly controlled to the sleep state or the off state, and the power consumption of the entire printer 10 can be suppressed.

  By the way, in the state where the operation panel 20 is removed (or the rear end of the operation panel 20 is lifted), as shown in FIG. A pair of paper guides 59, 59 that are slid in the left-right direction so that the width matches the width of the paper are provided.

  Then, the paper P is sent to the print mechanism 50 through the paper supply port 58 and printing is executed. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 53 is driven by a timing belt 51 spanned in a loop shape in the left-right direction and reciprocates left and right along the guide 52. The carriage 53 is provided with a paper edge detection sensor 57 for detecting the left and right edges and the upper and lower edges of the paper P. In other words, the paper edge detection sensor 57 detects the left and right edges of the paper set in the paper supply port 58 before the printing, and allows the paper width to be recognized by detecting the right and left edges of the paper. Or detecting the trailing edge of the paper during printing to enable recognition of the paper length.

  The carriage 53 is mounted with an ink cartridge 54 that individually accommodates ink of each color such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each of these ink cartridges 54 is connected to a print head 55. The print head 55 applies pressure to the ink from the ink cartridge 54 and ejects the ink from the nozzle (not shown) toward the paper P. In this embodiment, the print head 55 employs a method in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. However, a voltage is applied to the heating resistor (for example, a heater) to apply the ink. You may employ | adopt the system which pressurizes ink with the bubble generated by heating. The printed paper P is sent out to the opened front door (paper discharge tray) 14 by the transport roller 56.

  Although not shown, a battery pack can be attached to the back surface of the printer main body 12, and the printer 10 can be operated by a battery without being connected to a commercial power source. Because of this point and the fact that the printer 10 is a stand-alone printer that can be used without being connected to a host computer, the printer 10 is easy to carry and can be used anywhere.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and temporarily stores data in a ROM 72 storing various processing programs, various data, various programs, various tables, and the like. An interface that enables communication between the RAM 73 to be stored, the flash memory 74 that is electrically rewritable and retains data even when the power is turned off, and the memory card, the disk drive 13, the print mechanism 50, the memory card slot 16, and the like. An (I / F) 75 and a graphic memory 76 for storing data of an image to be drawn on the display unit 22 are provided, and these are connected via a bus 77 so that signals can be exchanged with each other. In addition to the memory card and disk image file being input to the controller 70, a detection signal from the sensor 57 of the print mechanism 50 and a wireless operation signal corresponding to the touch operation of the button image 24 on the operation panel 20 are input. Is done. Further, the controller 70 stores an edited image or the like in a memory card, and outputs a control signal to the print head 55 of the print mechanism 50 and a wireless control signal to the operation panel 20.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power control processing for controlling the operation panel 20 to the power sleep state and the power off state when the operation panel 20 is in the prone state. As shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the operation panel 20 has been removed based on the output signal of the attachment / detachment sensor that is provided on the operation panel 20 and detects the removal of the operation panel 20 from the printer body 12 (step S101). If it is removed (YES in step S101), it is determined whether or not the operation panel 20 is being operated based on a signal from the touch panel 23 or the like (step S102).

  If the operation panel 20 is not being operated (NO in step S102), based on the signal from the illuminance sensor 26, whether or not the operation panel 20 is prone to a prone surface T such as an upper surface of a desk or table. Is determined (step S103), and in the case of a determination result that it is not prone (NO in step S103), if the determination in step S101 is NO and the operation panel 20 is not removed, and in step S102 As in the case where the determination is YES and the operation panel 20 is being operated, the process proceeds to step S104, the current state is maintained, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in the case of the determination result that the operation panel 20 is prone on the prone surface T such as the upper surface of a desk or table (YES in step S103), this prone state is a predetermined T1 time (for example, 5 seconds). ) If it continues (step S105), the built-in battery (drive power source) of the operation panel 20 is controlled to the sleep state (step S106), and whether this sleep state continues for a predetermined T2 time (for example, 5 minutes). It is determined whether or not (step S107),
If it is continued (YES in step S107), it can be determined that the operation panel 20 is not being used, so the built-in battery (drive power source) of the operation panel 20 is controlled to be in a power-off state (step S108). ), And then the process ends.

  If the result of determination in step S107 is that the sleep state has not continued for a predetermined T2 time (NO in step S107), whether or not the operation panel 20 remains in the prone state based on the signal from the illuminance sensor 26 Is determined (step S109), and if it is a determination result that the prone state remains (YES in step S109), the built-in battery of the operation panel 20 is held in the sleep state (step S110). Returning to the determination in step S107, this determination is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the operation panel 20 is not in the prone state (NO in step S109), the prone state of the operation panel 20 is canceled (step S111), and the operation panel 20 The built-in battery is returned from the sleep state to the power supply state (step S112), and then the process ends.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, in the state where the operation panel 20 is not prone, the environment around the illuminance sensor 26 has very high illuminance due to external light (or illumination light), and the photodiode of the illuminance sensor 26 While the light receiving output level of 26b is high, in the prone state of the operation panel 20, the light reflected from the LED 26a by the prone surface T such as the upper surface of the desk is only received, and the photodiode 26b of the illuminance sensor 26 is received. Since the light reception output level of the illumination sensor 26 is low, whether the operation panel 20 is in a normal use state where the illumination panel 26 is not prone or in the prone state, the display on the display unit 22 is viewed. It can be easily determined whether it is in a non-use state.

  If detection of the prone state on the prone surface T of the operation panel 20 continues for a preset time T1 or longer, the built-in battery (drive power source) of the operation panel 20 is controlled to the sleep state. Can be suppressed. Furthermore, if the sleep state continues for a preset time T2 or longer, the built-in battery of operation panel 20 is controlled to be in a power-off state, so that wasteful power consumption can be further suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, if the prone state of the operation panel 20 is released and returns to the use state while the internal battery of the operation panel 20 is controlled to the sleep state, the internal battery is immediately restored to the original power supply state. Therefore, the operation panel 20 is in a state where the use can be started without any trouble.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the illuminance sensor 26 has an LED (issuing diode) 26a that is a light emitting element and a photodiode 26b that is a light receiving element. However, the light emitting element is not limited to the LED described above, and other light emitting elements may be used. A phototransistor may be used as the light receiving element.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display device is described as the detachable operation panel 20 of the photo printer 10, but the present invention is also applied to a display device such as a portable panel-like electronic bulletin board or an electronic photo stand that can display an image. Can be applied, and an effect equivalent to that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the inkjet photo printer 10 is a printing device and the detachable operation panel 20 is provided as a display device has been described as an example. However, the printing device is not limited to the photo printer 10, The display device of the present invention can be mounted on other ink cartridge type printers and the like.

  Further, the object to which the display device of the present invention can be applied is not limited to such a printing device, and it is needless to say that the display device can also be applied to various electronic devices in which a portable display device can be mounted.

1 is a perspective view showing a photo printer which is an embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a photo printer. The perspective view of the state where the operation panel was prone. The figure which shows the cross section of the operation panel in a prone state. The circuit diagram of the power supply control part of an operation panel. The flowchart of the power supply control process of an operation panel.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Operation panel (display device), 21 ... Panel frame (device main body), 22 ... Display part, 23 ... Touch panel, 26 ... Illuminance sensor (detection part), 26a ... LED (light emitting element), 26b ... Photodiode (light reception) Element), 30a ... amplifier (determination unit, power supply control unit), 30b ... comparator (determination unit, power supply control unit), 30c ... control circuit (power supply control unit)

Claims (5)

In a portable and panel-like display device provided with a display unit that displays an image on the front side of the device body,
A detection unit that is disposed around the display unit on the front side of the apparatus main body and detects a prone state on the prone surface of the apparatus main body;
A power control unit configured to control at least power supply to the display unit by a drive power source to a sleep state when detection of the prone state of the apparatus main body by the detection unit continues for a preset setting time or longer. A display device.   2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit stops power supply to each unit including the display unit when the sleep state continues for a predetermined time set in advance. The detector is
A light-emitting element that projects light toward the prone surface; and a light-receiving element that is arranged to receive light reflected from the light-emitting element by the prone surface in the prone state of external light and the apparatus body. With illuminance sensor,
The power control unit
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the apparatus main body is in a normal use state where the apparatus main body is not prone or based on an output value of the light receiving element of the illuminance sensor. The display device described.   4. The light receiving element of the detection unit is arranged so that light involved in display of the display unit is not received by the light receiving element regardless of a prone state or a normal use state of the apparatus main body. Display device. In the printing apparatus provided with the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The display device is configured to be detachably attached to a predetermined part of the device body,
A printing device, wherein a touch panel is incorporated in the display unit of the display device, and an operation button image for device operation is displayed on the display unit so that a touch operation is possible.

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