JP2001105667A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which the time being occupied by a personal computer can be reduced significantly at the time of printing an image without causing any cost increase. SOLUTION: The printer comprises a relatively inexpensive high capacity magnetic disc (HDD) 30 and image data transferred from a personal computer 300 is recorded on the magnetic disc (HDD) 30 through a PC interface circuit 13. Image data for printing generated from that image data is also recorded on the magnetic disc (HDD) 30. Printing of an image is executed using the image data for printing recorded on the magnetic disc (HDD) 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for printing an image using image data transferred from, for example, a personal computer, and more particularly, to reducing the occupation time of a personal computer when printing an image without increasing costs. The present invention relates to a printer that can be significantly shortened.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image of a subject is formed on a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an imaging optical system and converted into an electric signal. A so-called electronic camera that records data on a recording medium has been widely used. On the other hand, information processing technology has been dramatically improved, and image editing in which an image captured by the electronic camera is taken into a personal computer for editing has been widely performed. Under such circumstances, various types of printers that receive an image transferred from a personal computer and print the image on paper have been developed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sublimation printer.

[0006] A printer 100 shown in FIG.
Controls image data from the memory card 200 which is removably inserted into the device via the interface circuit 12, and converts the fetched image data into print image data (bitmap data). It has a function of converting and printing an image, and a function of fetching print image data from the personal computer 300 via the PC interface circuit 13 and printing the image.

When image data is fetched from the memory card 200 and printed, first, Y (yellow) print image data is generated from the fetched image data. Then, the generated Y (yellow) print image data is stored in an image memory 14 such as a DRAM, and then transferred to the head controller 15 line by line.

The head controller 15 drives the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 based on the transferred print image data, and forms a Y (yellow) image line by line on paper. At this time, the CPU 11 controls the conveyance of the sheet by sending a control signal to the mechanism driving circuit 17.

When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 17 to return the sheet to the initial position,
After erasing the Y (yellow) print image data stored in the image memory 13, the image data is fetched again from the memory card 200, and M (magenta) print image data is generated from the fetched image data. Then, after storing the generated print image data in the image memory 14,
The data is transferred to the head controller 15 one line at a time.

The head controller 15 controls the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 based on the transferred print image data in the same manner as the Y (yellow) print image data.
To form an M (magenta) image line by line on the paper. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism driving circuit 17 to return the sheet to the initial position,
After erasing the M (magenta) print image data stored in the image memory 14, the memory card 20
Image data is acquired from 0, and C (cyan) print image data is generated from the acquired image data. Then, after storing the generated print image data in the image memory 14, the print image data is transferred to the head controller 15 line by line.

The head controller 15 drives the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 on the basis of the transferred print image data, as in the case of Y (yellow) and M (magenta) print image data, and To C (cyan)
Are formed line by line. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 17 to discharge the paper, and shifts to the printing processing of the next image data. Also,
The CPU 11 detects a type of the ink ribbon, a paper jam, and the like based on a signal from the mechanism sensor 18.

On the other hand, when printing print data from the personal computer 300 and printing it,
(Yellow) print image data to the personal computer 30
The print image data of Y (yellow) is stored in the image memory 14 and then transferred to the head controller 15 line by line.

The head controller 15 drives the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 based on the transferred print image data, and forms a Y (yellow) image line by line on a sheet. At this time, the CPU 11 controls the conveyance of the sheet by sending a control signal to the mechanism driving circuit 17.

When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 17 to return the sheet to the initial position,
After erasing the Y (yellow) print image data stored in the image memory 13, the M (magenta) print image data is fetched from the personal computer 300, and the fetched M (magenta) print image data is converted into an image. After being stored in the memory 14, the data is transferred to the head controller 15 one line at a time.

The head controller 15 controls the head 161 of the printer engine 16 based on the transferred print image data in the same manner as in the case of Y (yellow) print image data.
To form an M (magenta) image line by line on the paper. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism driving circuit 17 to return the sheet to the initial position,
After erasing the M (magenta) print image data stored in the image memory 14, the C (cyan) print image data is fetched from the personal computer 300 this time, and the fetched C (cyan) print image data is After being stored in the image memory 14, the data is transferred to the head controller 15 one line at a time.

The head controller 15 drives the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 on the basis of the transferred print image data, as in the case of Y (yellow) and M (magenta) print image data. To C (cyan)
Are formed line by line. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 17 to discharge the paper, and shifts to the printing processing of the next image data.

As described above, the printer 100 captures image data from the memory card 200 which is removably inserted into the apparatus via the interface circuit 12, converts the captured image data into print image data, and converts the image data into print image data. Printing function and personal computer 3
A function of acquiring print image data from 00 through the PC interface circuit 13 and printing an image is realized.

The printer 100 has an operation key 19 for a user to perform various operations, a power supply block 20 for supplying power to each section, and a video for outputting an image signal to an externally connected monitor. A memory 21 and a video circuit 22 are provided.

On the other hand, the personal computer 300
The CPU 23 controls the entire apparatus, and when an image printing is requested by an application program stored in the main memory 24 and executed and controlled by the CPU 23, the printing for printing is also stored in the main memory 24 and executed and controlled by the CPU 23. Y (yellow), M depending on driver
(Magenta) and C (cyan) print image data are generated and stored in the magnetic disk device (HDD) 25. Then, the printing image data of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) is transferred via the printer interface circuit 26 one by one in accordance with the printing timing of the printer 100.

The personal computer 300
Is provided with an interface circuit 27 for converting operation contents of an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse into data and taking it into the device, and a video memory 28 and a video circuit 29 for outputting an image signal to an externally connected monitor. ing.

[0018]

By the way, in the conventional printer 100 described above, the personal computer 30
0 causes Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) print image data to be generated, and transfers these print image data by one color in accordance with the print timing. In addition, there is a problem in that the personal computer 300 is occupied during the printing process, and other business processes operating on the personal computer 300 must be stopped. Even if image data is fetched from the personal computer 300 and print image data is generated by the printer 100 in the same manner as when image data is fetched from the memory card 200, each image data is transferred one color at a time according to the print timing. It is still necessary to occupy the personal computer 300 during the printing process.

The capacity of the image memory 14 composed of a relatively expensive DRAM or the like is large enough to store the Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) print image data at a time. However, there is a problem in that the cost is greatly increased when trying to expand the range.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a printer capable of greatly reducing the occupation time of a personal computer when printing an image without increasing costs. The purpose is to do.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a printer according to the present invention comprises a built-in or detachable large-capacity printer for storing image data and print image data generated from the image data. A recording medium is provided, and image data transferred from a personal computer or the like is recorded in the built-in or detachable large-capacity storage medium, and image data for printing is generated from the image data in the large-capacity storage medium. The image data is recorded on the same storage medium, and the image is printed using the image data for printing. For this purpose, a large-capacity built-in or detachable recording of image data transferred from another electronic device is performed. First recording means for recording on a medium, and a print image for generating image data for printing from image data recorded on the recording medium by the first recording means Generating means; second recording means for recording the image data for printing generated by the print image generating means on the recording medium; and an image for printing recorded on the recording medium by the second recording means. Image printing means for printing an image using data.

In the printer of the present invention, when the image data is recorded on the built-in or detachable large-capacity recording medium, the personal computer which is the transfer source of the image data is released from the printing process. Can be quickly resumed. Also, by using a relatively inexpensive recording medium such as a magnetic disk device or a magneto-optical disk device for recording an image file in combination, the cost does not increase.

Further, the printer of the present invention is preferably a program for operating the printer so that the print image generating means generates the image data for printing recorded on the recording medium. .

In the printer of the present invention, a function corresponding to a so-called printer driver for operating the printer to generate image data for printing is also recorded in the magnetic disk device or the magneto-optical disk device. Thus, further cost reduction is realized.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this printer includes a CPU 11, an interface circuit 12, a PC interface circuit 13, a head controller 15, a printer engine unit 16, a mechanism driving circuit 17, a mechanism sensor 18, an operation key 19, a power supply block 20, a Vid.
An eo memory 21 and a video circuit 22 are provided. The printer includes a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity magnetic disk device (HDD) 30, which records image data transferred from the personal computer 300 on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30. The print image data is generated and recorded in the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30, and the image is printed using the print image data. Therefore, the cost of the personal computer 300 during the printing process can be reduced without increasing the cost. The feature is that the occupation time is greatly reduced.

In the printer 100, control of the entire apparatus is controlled by the CPU 11. When image data transferred from the personal computer 300 is fetched into the apparatus via the PC interface circuit 13, the CPU 11
Converts the captured image data into a magnetic disk drive (H
DD) 30. At this time, the CPU 11
Means that the print control information transferred with the image data is
The data is taken into the device via the interface circuit 13 and recorded on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30. The print control information includes, for example, the number of prints, date printing, an image reduced to 1/4 (either the same image or a different image can be used).
Is information for instructing special printing such as four-part printing in which four are arranged on the same image.

Next, the CPU 11 analyzes the print control information recorded on the magnetic disk drive (HDD) 30 and, based on the analysis result, converts the print control information from the image data recorded on the magnetic disk drive (HDD) 30 into print image data Y ( Yellow), M
(Magenta) and C (cyan) print image data are created and recorded in a work area reserved in advance in the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30. The Y recorded in the work area of the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30
The print image data of (yellow) is transferred to the head controller 15 line by line.

The head controller 15 drives the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 based on the transferred print image data, and forms a Y (yellow) image on a sheet one by one. At this time, the CPU 11 controls the conveyance of the sheet by sending a control signal to the mechanism driving circuit 17. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 17 to return the paper to the initial position, and then the work of the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30 is performed. The M (magenta) print image data recorded in the area is transferred to the head controller 15 line by line.

The head controller 15 controls the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 based on the transferred print image data in the same manner as in the case of the Y (yellow) print image data.
To form an M (magenta) image line by line on the paper. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism drive circuit 17 to return the paper to the initial position, and then prints the data on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30. The C (magenta) print image data recorded in the data creation work area is transferred to the head controller 15 one line at a time, and the head controller 15 transmits the Y (yellow) and M (magenta) Similarly to the above, the head 161 of the printer engine unit 16 is driven based on the transferred print image data, and a C (cyan) image is formed line by line on the paper. When the processing of the last line is completed, the CPU 11 sends a control signal for instructing the mechanism driving circuit 17 to discharge the sheet. Then, after repeating the same process for the number of sheets specified by the print control information, the process proceeds to the printing process of the next image data. Further, the CPU 11 includes a mechanism sensor 18
, The type of ink ribbon, paper jam, and the like are detected.

Further, in the printer 100, a program for operating the CPU 11 to generate print image data from image data transferred from the personal computer 300 is recorded in the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30, thereby further increasing the cost. I'm trying to go down.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks relating to image printing of the personal computer 300.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the personal computer 300, an application program a, a print driver b, and an output port driver c operate. 1 are stored in the main memory 24 and executed by the CPU 23.

When the application program a requests printing of an image corresponding to the image data in the image file recorded on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 25, the print driver b executes the print control as shown in FIG. A file (a) and an image file (b) are created, and the created print control file (a) and image file (b) are delivered to the output port driver c. The print control file (a) stores print control information for instructing special printing such as the number of prints, date printing, and four-part printing, and one image file (b) stores a print request. The image data of the image file is stored.

The output port driver c having received the print control file (a) and the image file (b) controls the drive of the printer interface circuit 26 to control the print control file (a) and the image file (b).
To the printer 100.

That is, if the printer 100 is applied, when the print control file (a) and the image file (b) are transferred to the printer 100, the personal computer 300 is released from the printing process, and performs other tasks. Processing can be quickly resumed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the operation procedure of the personal computer and the printer during the printing process will be described.

The personal computer 300 first
A print control file is created in response to a request from the application program (step A1 in FIG. 4), and the created print control file is transferred to the printer 100 (step A2 in FIG. 4). Next, an image file is created in response to a request from the application program (step A3 in FIG. 4), and the created image file is
00 (step A4 in FIG. 4).

On the other hand, the printer 100 receives the print control file transferred from the personal computer 300 and records it on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30 (FIG. 5).
Step B1), and the personal computer 3
00 and received and recorded in the magnetic disk drive (HDD) 30 (step B in FIG. 5).
2).

Next, the print control information of the print control file recorded on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30 is analyzed (step B3 in FIG. 5), and the image file of the image file recorded on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30 is analyzed. The image data is expanded (step B4 in FIG. 5). Then, print image data is created from the decompressed image data based on the analysis result of the print control information (step B5 in FIG. 5), and the created print image data is used based on the analysis result of the print control information. The printed image is printed (step B6 in FIG. 5).

As described above, a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity magnetic disk device (HDD) 30 is provided, and image data transferred from the personal computer 300 is recorded on the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30 while the image data is The printer generates print image data and records the print image data in the magnetic disk device (HDD) 30, and prints an image using the print image data. , The occupation time of the personal computer 300 is greatly reduced.

[0042]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is provided a built-in or detachable large-capacity recording medium for storing image data and print image data generated from this image data, Image data transferred from a computer or the like is recorded in the built-in or detachable large-capacity storage medium, and image data for printing is generated from the image data in the large-capacity storage medium and recorded in the same storage medium. By printing an image using the image data for printing, when the image data is recorded on a built-in or detachable large-capacity recording medium, the personal computer that is the transfer source of the image data Is released from the printing process, so that other business processes can be promptly restarted. Further, by using a relatively inexpensive recording medium such as a magnetic disk device or a magneto-optical disk device, the cost does not increase.

Further, by operating the printer so as to generate image data for printing by a program recorded on the large-capacity storage medium, further cost reduction is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing functional blocks relating to image printing of the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a print control file and an image file created by the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation procedure of the personal computer according to the embodiment during printing processing.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure at the time of print processing of the printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional sublimation printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... CPU 12 ... Interface circuit 13 ... PC interface circuit 14 ... Image memory 15 ... Head controller 16 ... Printer engine unit 17 ... Mechanism driving circuit 18 ... Mechanism sensor 19 ... Operation key 20 ... Power supply block 21 ... Video memory 22 ... Video circuit Reference Signs List 23 CPU 24 Main memory 25 Magnetic disk device (HDD) 26 Printer interface 27 Interface circuit 28 Video memory 29 Video circuit 30 Magnetic disk device (HDD) 100 Printer 161 Head 200 Memory card 300 …Personal computer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first method for recording image data transferred from another electronic device on a built-in or detachable large-capacity recording medium.
Recording means, print image generating means for generating image data for printing from image data recorded on the recording medium by the first recording means, and image data for printing generated by the print image generating means A second recording unit that records the image on the recording medium, and an image printing unit that prints an image using the image data for printing recorded on the recording medium by the second recording unit. Characterized printer. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein said print image generating means generates a plurality of print image data independent for each color from one image data. 3. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the print image generating unit is a program for operating the printer to generate the image data for printing recorded on the recording medium. Printer. 4. The print image generation means and the image print means generate the image data for printing based on print instruction information indicating various designations related to image printing, which are transferred together with image data from another electronic device. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer executes printing of an image.