EP0500520B1 - Process for operating a recording device powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator - Google Patents

Process for operating a recording device powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0500520B1
EP0500520B1 EP89911989A EP89911989A EP0500520B1 EP 0500520 B1 EP0500520 B1 EP 0500520B1 EP 89911989 A EP89911989 A EP 89911989A EP 89911989 A EP89911989 A EP 89911989A EP 0500520 B1 EP0500520 B1 EP 0500520B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
recording device
state
accumulator
recording
data
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89911989A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0500520A1 (en
Inventor
Ngoc Quang Pham
Walter Eiler
Friedrich-Wilhelm Drees
Mohamed Al-Khatib
Wolfgang Pekruhn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP0500520A1 publication Critical patent/EP0500520A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0500520B1 publication Critical patent/EP0500520B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/35—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads providing current or voltage to the thermal head
    • B41J2/355—Control circuits for heating-element selection
    • B41J2/36—Print density control

Definitions

  • the invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for operating a recording device fed by at least one rechargeable accumulator, with which the highest possible number of recording processes feasible and deep discharge of the rechargeable batteries is safely avoided.
  • a method for operating a recording device fed by at least one rechargeable accumulator with a charger that can be switched on and off, a controller, a main switch for starting or stopping the recording device and with at least one electrical switch for separating the recording device from the one Accumulator wherein the recording device is put into a waiting state or into a record-ready state after commissioning, provided the charge state of the accumulator is above a limit value sufficient for a recording process, the recording device is put into the waiting state after commissioning, in which the energy consumption the controller - compared to the state ready for recording - is reduced, and the accumulator is charged if the state of charge of the accumulator is below the limit value and the charger is switched on, the recording device is switched from the waiting state to the recordable state when an activation signal occurs, provided the charging state of the battery is above the limit value, the recording device is switched from the recording state to the waiting state when a deactivation signal occurs , and the recording device is brought into the electrically switched
  • the control can be put into an energy-saving mode (waiting state), for example, by switching semiconductor components of the control into the tri-state mode.
  • a suitably designed processor which monitors the control, the Energy consumption the clock frequency can be lowered;
  • a processor is, for example, the DMOS processor M 68000 described in the article "Apple's Portable: It Comes Later, But It Comes" to the Frankfurter Thompsone Science from September 26, 1989, page T1.
  • the recording device When the recording device is started up, the recording device is first set to the ready-to-record operating state, provided the battery has a sufficient charge. From this, the recording device is put into the waiting state by the deactivation signal if no recording process takes place within a comparatively short time (for example a few seconds). After commissioning, the recording device could in principle only be put into the waiting state and, if necessary, from this into the ready-to-record state by the activation signal.
  • the rate of discharge of the batteries is thus reduced, which leads to a discharge in accordance with a much more favorable discharge characteristic.
  • the accumulator is recharged in the waiting state, so that the accumulator is not operated in the area of extensive discharge. Because the recording device is set to the electrically switched-off state when the battery charge level is below the limit value and the charger is switched off, deep discharge of the battery is reliably avoided.
  • a further reduction in the energy consumption of the recording device is achieved in that the recording device is brought into the electrically switched-off state if the recording device has remained in the waiting state continuously for a predeterminable waiting time.
  • This ensures an automatic shutdown of the recording device, for. B. in the event that the user has already finished his work and forgot to shut down the recording device.
  • the waiting time can be predefined by the user, so that the behavior of the recording device in this regard can be individually adapted to the user needs.
  • the electrical switch is open, only an extremely low discharge of the energy store is accepted, which is measured according to the reverse current of the electrical switch and the current for the control logic of the electrical switch. It is advantageous to use a semiconductor switch as the electrical switch, which has the smallest possible reverse current; a SIPMOS field effect transistor (FET) fulfills this requirement, for example.
  • FET SIPMOS field effect transistor
  • the deactivation signal is generated if a transfer of data to a data interface of the recording device has not taken place during a predeterminable period of time.
  • a further advantageous development of the method according to the invention is that the activation signal is generated when data are provided for transfer to the data interface of the recording device.
  • the activation signal can furthermore, for example, when a key on the control panel of the recording device or a device corresponding to the recording device via the data interface is pressed be generated.
  • a circuit-technically particularly simple way of monitoring the state of charge of the accumulator is to determine the state of charge of the accumulator by measuring its output voltage.
  • the charge status of the accumulator can be assessed simply by measuring its charge status by measuring its output voltage before and after a recording process and determining the difference between the measured output voltages. In this way, the risk of deep discharge can be avoided with particular certainty and it can also be determined whether the battery is still sufficiently charged for the subsequent printing process.
  • a recording device 1 is fed by rechargeable batteries 2.
  • a charger 3 can be connected to a connection point 4 for charging the batteries 2 and can thus be switched on or off.
  • a connection of the batteries 2 to the recording device 1 can be established via a main switch 5.
  • a monitoring circuit 10 of the recording device 1 has a flip-flop 11, a SIPMOS field-effect transistor as an electrical switch 12, and a voltage converter 13, a comparator 14, a voltage divider 17, the middle node 18 of which is connected to an input of an analog / digital converter 20, and a controller 22.
  • the controller 22 applies control signals to a print head 23 in accordance with the characters to be printed.
  • a reference voltage dropping across a zener diode is present at an input 25 of the comparator 14, while a further input 26 of the comparator 14 is connected to a middle circuit point 27 of a further voltage divider 28.
  • the A / D converter 20 is activated with a selection signal 31 generated by the controller 22.
  • the digital output signal of the A / D converter 20 is fed to the controller 22 via an 8 bit data line 32.
  • An actuation of the main switch 5, as well as data DATA (recording or control data) arriving at a data interface 35 of the controller 22, leads to the generation of an activation signal in the controller 22, provided - as described below - the state of charge of the batteries 2 has a predetermined limit value (output voltage). exceeds.
  • a control output of the controller 22 is routed via a control line 36 to a clock input of the multivibrator 11.
  • the controller 22 receives status signals via signal lines 38 and 39 about the position of the main switch 5 and whether the charger 3 is switched on or off.
  • the electrical switch 12 After closing the main switch 5, the electrical switch 12 is closed or switched to the conductive state via the flip-flop 11, so that a voltage proportional to the output voltage of the batteries 2 of 16.5 to 21 V is applied to the input 26 of the comparator 14 via the voltage divider 28 (between 3.14 and 4 V) occurs. If this voltage falls below the limit value chosen to be 3.7 V by the reference voltage, an output signal ("accumulator empty") occurs at the output of the comparator 14, which acts via the control 22 and the control line 36 as a signal OFF on the clock input of the flip-flop 11 . With a voltage VCC present at the data input, the OFF signal causes an output signal Q the (low) of flip-flop 11 and thus one "Opening" the electrical switch 12.
  • the recording device 1 If the voltage applied to the input 26 of the comparator 14 is greater than the selected reference voltage, the recording device 1 is in the ready-to-record operating state after the main switch 5 is closed. If data DATA is present at the data interface 35 of the controller 22, it is transmitted to the print head 23, the voltage of the voltage divider 17 at point 18 being fed to the controller 22 via the A / D converter 20 before the recording process begins, and there at least for the Duration of the recording process is saved. After completion of the recording process or a section of a recording process, which is defined, for example, by a predetermined sheet length of a recording medium, the voltage present at point 18 is again fed to the controller 22 for evaluation via the A / D converter 20 and a difference is formed with the first voltage value performed.
  • the controller 22 If this difference exceeds a predetermined value, which is, for example, of the order of 0.1 V, the controller 22 generates the signal OFF, which causes the electrical switch 12 to “open” in the manner already described. From the voltage difference formed in this way, it can be concluded in which area of its discharge characteristic the accumulator is currently being operated. When the area of the complete discharge characterized by a strongly falling discharge characteristic is reached, the difference between the output voltages takes on larger values before and after a recording process. In this way, it can also be assessed whether the accumulator is able to deliver the amount of energy required for the subsequent intended recording process.
  • a predetermined value which is, for example, of the order of 0.1 V
  • the recording device 1 is connected to a corresponding data processing device (not shown) via the data interface 35 of the controller 22, which is designed as a "Centronics" interface.
  • a signal (DATASTROBE) then appears on a so-called DATASTROBE line of the "Centronics" interface, if of the corresponding one Data processing device data to be sent to the recording device 1; this signal is tapped and fed to a threshold value detector. If the threshold value detector is acted upon on the input side by the signal sent on the DATASTROBE line, it generates an activation signal by which the control 22 is activated and takes up its data processing and control functions.
  • the controller 22 monitors the arrival of data in the now activated state; If the data transmission from the corresponding data processing device has ended, a timer in the form of a counter module is started in the controller 22. If the counter reading reaches a predeterminable value, a deactivation signal is emitted, which places the control 22 in an energy-saving waiting state. In this waiting state, the semiconductor components are in a high-resistance state (tri-state) with the exception of the threshold value detector. Furthermore, the printhead 23 is separated from the energy store 2 by an electrical switch, not shown.
  • the semiconductor components are only reset to normal operation by the activation signal, the activation signal also being able to be generated by pressing an operating key of the recording device or when the main switch 5 is closed.
  • the energy consumption of the controller 22 is thus considerably reduced and the discharge of the accumulator is considerably slowed down.
  • the recording device operated according to the method according to the invention can assume states Z1 to Z5, states Z2, Z3 and Z4 being particularly significant for the method according to the invention.
  • State Z1 can be reached by opening the main switch 5 (cf. FIG. 1) from all other states Z2 to Z5 - symbolized by arrow 50.
  • the electrical switch 12 is open; this state can be reached directly from the other states Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z5, which is symbolized by arrow 51. They are in the waiting state Z3 semiconductor components of the controller 22 (see FIG. 1) provided with a tri-state status are set to the tri-state status.
  • the recording device When the charger 3 is switched on, the energy supply of the recording device 1 and, if appropriate, the accumulators 2 are charged by the charger 3 in the waiting state Z3. From a ready-to-record state Z4, the recording device would record the data when it was received; this recording state is designated Z5. After completion of the recording process (state Z5), the recording device returns to the record-ready state Z4.
  • the controller 22 uses the status signal via the signal line 39 to determine whether the charger 3 is switched on at point 4.
  • the recording device 1 is set to the switched-off state Z2 by the “opening” of the electrical switch 12 as a result of the OFF signal from the controller 22 (arrow 51). If, on the other hand, the charger is switched on, the recording device 1 is placed in the waiting state and the batteries 2 are charged by the charger 3 (arrow 52).
  • the charger 3 is therefore only to be dimensioned for the required charging power and is not to be designed to cover the peak energy requirement required during the recording process. The charger 3 can therefore be dimensioned relatively small and thus manufactured inexpensively.

Abstract

In a recording device (1) powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator (2), the number of recording processes is limited by the capacity of the accumulator (2). In order to reduce the power requirement of the recording device (1) and thus obtain a greater endurance, the recording device (1) is set to stand-by position (Z3) during inoperative periods in which its control electronics (22) runs in a power-saving mode. If a charger (3) is connected the accumulator (2) is then charged. An activating signal sets the recording device (1) to a ready state (Z4) provided that the accumulator (2) is sufficiently charged. To reduce the power requirement further, the recording device (1) is separated from the accumulator (2) in the stand-by position (Z3) by opening an electric switch (12) if it has been on stand-by for a certain time. The state of charge of the accumulator (2) is monitored and, when it falls below a certain level with the charger (3) off and the recording device (1) electrically switched off (2), it is set to stand-by (Z3) with the charger (3) switched on. Power supply to recording devices.

Description

Aus der DE-PS 32 02 185 ist eine als Thermodrucker ausgebildete Aufzeichnungseinrichtung bekannt, die während des Aufzeichnungsvorgangs einen hohen Spitzenenergiebedarf aufweist. Um diesen Spitzenenergiebedarf zu decken, ist es denkbar, ein entsprechend leistungsfähiges Netzteil vorzusehen, das jedoch die Gesamtkosten der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung wesentlich erhöht. Werden wie bei dem bekannten Thermodrucker zur Energieversorgung Akkumulatoren verwendet, die durchaus zur kurzzeitigen Abgabe hoher Energiemengen in der Lage sind, ist die Anzahl der möglichen Aufzeichnungsvorgänge durch die Lebensdauer bzw. die Kapazität der Akkumulatoren begrenzt. Zur Erhaltung einer gleichbleibenden Druckqualität bei abnehmender Leistungsfähigkeit der Akkumulatoren ist eine Anpassung der Druckparameter - bei dem aus der DE-PS 32 02 185 bekannten Thermodrucker z. B. der Ansteuerungsdauer seiner Heizelemente - erforderlich, die sich ungünstig auf die Druckgeschwindigkeit auswirkt.From DE-PS 32 02 185 a recording device designed as a thermal printer is known which has a high peak energy requirement during the recording process. In order to cover this peak energy requirement, it is conceivable to provide a correspondingly powerful power supply unit, which, however, significantly increases the overall costs of the recording device. If, as in the known thermal printer, batteries are used for the energy supply, which are capable of briefly delivering large amounts of energy, the number of possible recording processes is limited by the service life or the capacity of the batteries. To maintain a constant print quality with decreasing performance of the batteries, an adjustment of the printing parameters - in the thermal printer known from DE-PS 32 02 185 z. B. the activation time of its heating elements - required, which has an adverse effect on the printing speed.

Bei Verwendung wiederaufladbarer Akkumulatoren ist zudem eine Entladung über einen bestimmten Ladezustand hinaus bzw. eine vollständige Entladung (Tiefentladung) zu vermeiden, weil diese zu einer Schädigung oder Zerstörung dieser Akkumulatoren führen kann. Die durch die Anzahl der Ladezyklen begrenzte Lebensdauer und die nutzbare Kapazität der Akkumulatoren sind erheblich von der Entladungsgeschwindigkeit bestimmt, so daß bei einer von wiederaufladbaren Akkumulatoren gespeisten Aufzeichnungseinrichtung eine sparsame Energieentnahme aus Gründen der Wirtschaftlichkeit und der Aufzeichnungskapazität geboten ist.When using rechargeable batteries, discharge beyond a certain state of charge or complete discharge (deep discharge) should also be avoided, as this can lead to damage or destruction of these batteries. The lifespan limited by the number of charging cycles and the usable capacity of the accumulators are largely determined by the rate of discharge, so that a recording device fed by rechargeable accumulators requires economical energy extraction for reasons of economy and the recording capacity.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer von mindestens einem wiederaufladbaren Akkumulator gespeisten Aufzeichnungseinrichtung zu schaffen, mit dem eine möglichst hohe Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsvorgängen durchführbar und eine Tiefentladung der wiederaufladbaren Akkumulatoren sicher vermieden ist.The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for operating a recording device fed by at least one rechargeable accumulator, with which the highest possible number of recording processes feasible and deep discharge of the rechargeable batteries is safely avoided.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß gelöst durch ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer von mindestens einem wiederaufladbaren Akkumulator gespeisten Aufzeichnungseinrichtung mit einem zu- und abschaltbaren Ladegerät, einer Steuerung, einem Hauptschalter zur Inbetriebnahme bzw. Außerbetriebsetzung der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung und mit mindestens einem elektrischen Schalter zur Trennung der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung von dem Akkumulator, wobei die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung nach Inbetriebnahme in einen Warte-Zustand oder in einen aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand versetzt wird, sofern der Ladezustand des Akkumulators oberhalb eines für einen Aufzeichnungsvorgang ausreichenden Grenzwertes liegt, die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung nach Inbetriebnahme in den Warte-Zustand versetzt wird, in dem die Energieaufnahme der Steuerung - verglichen mit dem aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand - vermindert ist, und der Akkumulator aufgeladen wird, sofern der Ladezustand des Akkumulators unterhalb des Grenzwertes liegt und das Ladegerät zugeschaltet ist, die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung beim Auftreten eines Aktivierungssignals aus dem Warte-Zustand in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand versetzt wird, sofern der Ladezustand des Akkumulators oberhalb des Grenzwertes liegt, die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung beim Auftreten eines Deaktivierungssignals aus dem aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand in den Warte-Zustand versetzt wird, und die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung durch den elektrischen Schalter in den elektrisch abgeschalteten Zustand versetzt wird, wenn der Ladezustand des Akkumulators unterhalb des Grenzwertes liegt und das Ladegerät abgeschaltet ist.This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for operating a recording device fed by at least one rechargeable accumulator with a charger that can be switched on and off, a controller, a main switch for starting or stopping the recording device and with at least one electrical switch for separating the recording device from the one Accumulator, wherein the recording device is put into a waiting state or into a record-ready state after commissioning, provided the charge state of the accumulator is above a limit value sufficient for a recording process, the recording device is put into the waiting state after commissioning, in which the energy consumption the controller - compared to the state ready for recording - is reduced, and the accumulator is charged if the state of charge of the accumulator is below the limit value and the charger is switched on, the recording device is switched from the waiting state to the recordable state when an activation signal occurs, provided the charging state of the battery is above the limit value, the recording device is switched from the recording state to the waiting state when a deactivation signal occurs , and the recording device is brought into the electrically switched-off state by the electrical switch when the state of charge of the rechargeable battery is below the limit value and the charger is switched off.

Das Versetzen der Steuerung in einen energiesparenden Modus (Warte-Zustand) kann beispielsweise dadurch erfolgen, daß Halbleiterbauelemente der Steuerung in den Tri-State-Modus umgeschaltet werden. Bei einem entsprechend ausgebildeten, die Steuerung überwachenden Prozessor kann zur Verminderung der Energieaufnahme die Taktfrequenz gesenkt werden; ein derartiger Prozessor ist beispielsweise der in dem Aufsatz "Apples Tragbarer: Spät kommt er, doch er kommt" der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung vom 26.09.1989, Seite T1 beschriebene DMOS-Prozessor M 68000.The control can be put into an energy-saving mode (waiting state), for example, by switching semiconductor components of the control into the tri-state mode. In the case of a suitably designed processor which monitors the control, the Energy consumption the clock frequency can be lowered; such a processor is, for example, the DMOS processor M 68000 described in the article "Apple's Portable: It Comes Later, But It Comes" to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung from September 26, 1989, page T1.

Bei Inbetriebnahme der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung wird diese - sofern der Akkumulator einen ausreichenden Ladezustand aufweist - zunächst in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Betriebszustand versetzt. Aus diesem wird die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung sofern innerhalb vergleichsweise kurzer Zeit (z. B. einige Sekunden) kein Aufzeichnungsvorgang stattfindet durch das Deaktivierungssignal in den Warte-Zustand versetzt. Die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung könnte nach Inbetriebnahme prinzipiell auch erst in den Warte-Zustand und aus diesem ggf. durch das Aktivierungssignal in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand versetzt werden. Dadurch, daß sich die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung nur dann in dem aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand befindet, wenn ein Aufzeichnungsvorgang angekündigt worden ist (durch Inbetriebnahme oder durch das Aktivierungssignal) und sich sonst überwiegend in dem im Hinblick auf die Energieaufnahme wesentlich günstigeren Warte-Zustand befindet, wird in vorteilhafter Weise eine erhebliche Reduzierung der Energieaufnahme der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung bewirkt. Damit wird die Entladungsgeschwindigkeit der Akkumulatoren vermindert, was zu einer Entladung gemäß einer wesentlich günstigeren Entladekennlinie führt. Außerdem erfolgt bei zugeschaltetem Ladegerät im Warte-Zustand eine Wiederaufladung des Akkumulators, so daß der Akkumulator nicht im Bereich weitgehender Entladung betrieben wird. Dadurch, daß die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung in den elektrisch abgeschalteten Zustand versetzt wird, wenn der Ladezustand des Akkumulators unterhalb des Grenzwertes liegt und das Ladegerät abgeschaltet ist, wird eine Tiefentladung des Akkumulators sicher vermieden.When the recording device is started up, the recording device is first set to the ready-to-record operating state, provided the battery has a sufficient charge. From this, the recording device is put into the waiting state by the deactivation signal if no recording process takes place within a comparatively short time (for example a few seconds). After commissioning, the recording device could in principle only be put into the waiting state and, if necessary, from this into the ready-to-record state by the activation signal. The fact that the recording device is only in the record-ready state when a recording operation has been announced (by commissioning or by the activation signal) and is otherwise predominantly in the waiting state, which is much more favorable in terms of energy consumption, is advantageous causes a significant reduction in the energy consumption of the recording device. The rate of discharge of the batteries is thus reduced, which leads to a discharge in accordance with a much more favorable discharge characteristic. In addition, when the charger is switched on, the accumulator is recharged in the waiting state, so that the accumulator is not operated in the area of extensive discharge. Because the recording device is set to the electrically switched-off state when the battery charge level is below the limit value and the charger is switched off, deep discharge of the battery is reliably avoided.

Eine weitere Verminderung der Energieaufnahme der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung ist dadurch erreicht, daß die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung in den elektrisch abgeschalteten Zustand versetzt wird, wenn die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung für eine vorgebbare Wartezeit ununterbrochen im Warte-Zustand verblieben ist. Damit ist eine selbsttätige Abschaltung der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung gewährleistet z. B. für den Fall, daß der Benutzer seine Arbeiten bereits beendet und das Außerbetriebsetzen der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung vergessen hat. Die Wartezeit kann von dem Benutzer vorgebbar sein, so daß das diesbezügliche Verhalten der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung individuell auf die Benutzerbedürfnisse abstimmbar ist. Bei geöffnetem elektrischen Schalter wird lediglich eine äußerst geringe Entladung des Energiespeichers in Kauf genommen, die sich nach dem Sperrstrom des elektrischen Schalters und dem Strom für die Steuerlogik des elektrischen Schalters bemißt. Es ist vorteilhaft, einen Halbleiterschalter als elektrischen Schalter zu verwenden, der einen möglichst kleinen Sperrstrom hat; diese Anforderung erfüllt beispielsweise ein SIPMOS-Feldeffekttransistor (FET).A further reduction in the energy consumption of the recording device is achieved in that the recording device is brought into the electrically switched-off state if the recording device has remained in the waiting state continuously for a predeterminable waiting time. This ensures an automatic shutdown of the recording device, for. B. in the event that the user has already finished his work and forgot to shut down the recording device. The waiting time can be predefined by the user, so that the behavior of the recording device in this regard can be individually adapted to the user needs. When the electrical switch is open, only an extremely low discharge of the energy store is accepted, which is measured according to the reverse current of the electrical switch and the current for the control logic of the electrical switch. It is advantageous to use a semiconductor switch as the electrical switch, which has the smallest possible reverse current; a SIPMOS field effect transistor (FET) fulfills this requirement, for example.

Eine vorteilhafte Fortbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens sieht vor, daß das Deaktivierungssignal erzeugt wird, wenn während einer vorgebbaren Zeitspanne eine Übergabe von Daten an eine Datenschnittstelle der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung nicht erfolgt ist.An advantageous further development of the method according to the invention provides that the deactivation signal is generated if a transfer of data to a data interface of the recording device has not taken place during a predeterminable period of time.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Fortbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens besteht darin, daß das Aktivierungssignal erzeugt wird, wenn Daten zur Übergabe an die Datenschnittstelle der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung vorgesehen sind. Damit ist in einfacher Weise ein Entscheidungskriterium gegeben, ob die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand versetzt bzw. in diesem gehalten werden soll oder in den im Hinblick auf den Energieverbrauch wesentlich günstigeren Warte-Zustand versetzt wird. Das Aktivierungssignal kann ferner beispielsweise beim Drücken einer Taste des Bedienfeldes der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung oder eines mit der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung über die Datenschnittstelle korrespondierenden Gerätes erzeugt werden.A further advantageous development of the method according to the invention is that the activation signal is generated when data are provided for transfer to the data interface of the recording device. In this way, a decision criterion is given in a simple manner whether the recording device is to be put into or kept in the ready-to-record state or whether it is put into the waiting state, which is much more favorable in terms of energy consumption. The activation signal can furthermore, for example, when a key on the control panel of the recording device or a device corresponding to the recording device via the data interface is pressed be generated.

Eine schaltungstechnisch besonders einfach zu realisierende Überwachungsmöglichkeit des Ladezustandes des Akkumulators besteht darin, daß der Ladezustand des Akkumulators durch Messung seiner Ausgangsspannung ermittelt wird.A circuit-technically particularly simple way of monitoring the state of charge of the accumulator is to determine the state of charge of the accumulator by measuring its output voltage.

Da die Entladekennlinie handelsüblicher Akkumulatoren nicht linear verläuft, sondern von einem relativ plötzlichen und starken Abfall der Ausgangsspannung vor der vollständigen Entladung (Tiefentladung) gekennzeichnet ist, läßt sich der Ladezustand des Akkumulators einfach beurteilen, indem sein Ladezustand durch Messung seiner Ausgangsspannung vor und nach einem Aufzeichnungsvorgang und Differenzbildung der gemessenen Ausgangsspannungen ermittelt wird. Damit läßt sich die Gefahr einer Tiefentladung besonders sicher vermeiden und sich außerdem feststellen, ob ein für den nachfolgenden Druckvorgang ausreichender Ladezustand des Akkumulators noch besteht.Since the discharge characteristic of commercially available accumulators does not run linearly, but is characterized by a relatively sudden and strong drop in the output voltage before full discharge (deep discharge), the charge status of the accumulator can be assessed simply by measuring its charge status by measuring its output voltage before and after a recording process and determining the difference between the measured output voltages. In this way, the risk of deep discharge can be avoided with particular certainty and it can also be determined whether the battery is still sufficiently charged for the subsequent printing process.

Die Erfindung wird im folgenden anhand einer Zeichnung näher erläutert.

Figur 1
zeigt eine Schaltungsanordnung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und
Figur 2
zeigt in einem Blockschaltbild verschiedene Zustände der nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren betriebenen Aufzeichnungseinrichtung.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.
Figure 1
shows a circuit arrangement for performing the method and
Figure 2
shows in a block diagram various states of the recording device operated according to the inventive method.

Nach Figur 1 wird eine Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 von wiederaufladbaren Akkumulatoren 2 gespeist. Ein Ladegerät 3 ist an einen Anschlußpunkt 4 zum Aufladen der Akkumulatoren 2 anschließbar und damit zu- bzw. abschaltbar. Über einen Hauptschalter 5 ist eine Verbindung der Akkumulatoren 2 mit der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 herstellbar. Eine Überwachungsschaltung 10 der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 weist als wesentliche Bestandteile eine Kippstufe 11, einen SIPMOS-Feld-Effekt-Transistor als elektrischen Schalter 12, einen Spannungskonverter 13, einen Komparator 14, einen Spannungsteiler 17, dessen mittlerer Schaltungspunkt 18 auf einen Eingang eines Analog/Digital-Wandlers 20 geführt ist, und eine Steuerung 22 auf. Die Steuerung 22 beaufschlagt einen Druckkopf 23 gemäß auszudruckenden Zeichen mit Ansteuerungssignalen. An einem Eingang 25 des Komparators 14 liegt eine an einer Zenerdiode abfallende Referenzspannung an, während ein weiterer Eingang 26 des Komparators 14 mit einem mittleren Schaltungspunkt 27 eines weiteren Spannungsteilers 28 verbunden ist. Der A/D-Wandler 20 wird mit einem von der Steuerung 22 erzeugten Wahlsignal 31 aktiviert. Das digitale Ausgangssignal des A/D-Wandlers 20 wird über eine 8 Bit-Datenleitung 32 der Steuerung 22 zugeführt. Eine Betätigung des Hauptschalters 5 führt ebenso wie an einer Datenschnittstelle 35 der Steuerung 22 eintreffende Daten DATA (Aufzeichnungs- oder Steuerdaten) zur Erzeugung eines Aktivierungssignals in der Steuerung 22, sofern - wie nachfolgend beschrieben - der Ladezustand der Akkumulatoren 2 einen vorgegebenen Grenzwert (Ausgangsspannung) überschreitet. Ein Steuerausgang der Steuerung 22 ist über eine Steuerleitung 36 auf einen Takteingang der Kippstufe 11 geführt. Die Steuerung 22 erhält über Signalleitungen 38 und 39 Zustandssignale über die Stellung des Hauptschalters 5 und darüber, ob das Ladegerät 3 zu- oder abgeschaltet ist.According to FIG. 1, a recording device 1 is fed by rechargeable batteries 2. A charger 3 can be connected to a connection point 4 for charging the batteries 2 and can thus be switched on or off. A connection of the batteries 2 to the recording device 1 can be established via a main switch 5. A monitoring circuit 10 of the recording device 1 has a flip-flop 11, a SIPMOS field-effect transistor as an electrical switch 12, and a voltage converter 13, a comparator 14, a voltage divider 17, the middle node 18 of which is connected to an input of an analog / digital converter 20, and a controller 22. The controller 22 applies control signals to a print head 23 in accordance with the characters to be printed. A reference voltage dropping across a zener diode is present at an input 25 of the comparator 14, while a further input 26 of the comparator 14 is connected to a middle circuit point 27 of a further voltage divider 28. The A / D converter 20 is activated with a selection signal 31 generated by the controller 22. The digital output signal of the A / D converter 20 is fed to the controller 22 via an 8 bit data line 32. An actuation of the main switch 5, as well as data DATA (recording or control data) arriving at a data interface 35 of the controller 22, leads to the generation of an activation signal in the controller 22, provided - as described below - the state of charge of the batteries 2 has a predetermined limit value (output voltage). exceeds. A control output of the controller 22 is routed via a control line 36 to a clock input of the multivibrator 11. The controller 22 receives status signals via signal lines 38 and 39 about the position of the main switch 5 and whether the charger 3 is switched on or off.

Nach Schließen des Hauptschalters 5 wird über die Kippstufe 11 der elektrische Schalter 12 geschlossen bzw. in den leitenden Zustand versetzt, so daß am Eingang 26 des Komparators 14 über den Spannungsteiler 28 eine der Ausgangsspannung der Akkumulatoren 2 von 16,5 bis 21 V proportionale Spannung (zwischen 3,14 und 4 V) auftritt. Unterschreitet diese Spannung den durch die Referenzspannung zu 3,7 V gewählten Grenzwert, tritt am Ausgang des Komparators 14 ein Ausgangssignal ("Akkumulator leer") auf, das über die Steuerung 22 und die Steuerleitung 36 als Signal AUS auf den Takteingang der Kippstufe 11 wirkt. Durch eine am Dateneingang anliegende Spannung VCC bewirkt das Signal AUS ein Ausgangssignals Q der (Low) der Kippstufe 11 und damit ein "Öffnen" des elektrischen Schalters 12. Ist die am Eingang 26 des Komparators 14 anliegende Spannung großer als die gewählte Referenzspannung, befindet sich die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 nach Schließen des Hauptschalters 5 im aufzeichnungsbereiten Betriebszustand. Liegen Daten DATA an der Datenschnittstelle 35 der Steuerung 22 an, werden diese zum Druckkopf 23 übertragen, wobei über den A/D-Wandler 20 vor Beginn des Aufzeichnungsvorgangs die am Punkt 18 liegende Spannung des Spannungsteilers 17 der Steuerung 22 zugeführt und dort zumindest für die Dauer des Aufzeichnungsvorgangs gespeichert wird. Nach Beendigung des Aufzeichnungsvorgangs oder eines Abschnitts eines Aufzeichnungsvorgangs, der beispielsweise durch eine vorgegebene Blattlänge eines Aufzeichnungsträgers definiert ist, wird die am Punkt 18 anliegende Spannung erneut über den A/D-Wandler 20 der Steuerung 22 zur Auswertung zugeführt und eine Differenzbildung mit dem ersten Spannungswert vorgenommen. Übersteigt diese Differenz einen vorgegebenen Wert, der beispielsweise in der Größenordnung von 0,1 V liegt, erzeugt die Steuerung 22 das Signal AUS, das in bereits beschriebener Weise ein "Öffnen" des elektrischen Schalters 12 bewirkt. Aus der so gebildeten Spannungsdifferenz kann nämlich geschlossen werden, in welchem Bereich seiner Entladekennlinie der Akkumulator augenblicklich betrieben wird. Bei Erreichen des durch eine stark abfallende Entladekennlinie gekennzeichneten Bereichs der vollständigen Entladung nimmt die Differenz der Ausgangsspannungen vor und nach einem Aufzeichnungsvorgang größere Werte an. Auf diese Weise kann auch beurteilt werden, ob der Akkumulator die für den folgenden vorgesehenen Aufzeichnungsvorgang notwendige Energiemenge abzugeben in der Lage ist.After closing the main switch 5, the electrical switch 12 is closed or switched to the conductive state via the flip-flop 11, so that a voltage proportional to the output voltage of the batteries 2 of 16.5 to 21 V is applied to the input 26 of the comparator 14 via the voltage divider 28 (between 3.14 and 4 V) occurs. If this voltage falls below the limit value chosen to be 3.7 V by the reference voltage, an output signal ("accumulator empty") occurs at the output of the comparator 14, which acts via the control 22 and the control line 36 as a signal OFF on the clock input of the flip-flop 11 . With a voltage VCC present at the data input, the OFF signal causes an output signal Q the (low) of flip-flop 11 and thus one "Opening" the electrical switch 12. If the voltage applied to the input 26 of the comparator 14 is greater than the selected reference voltage, the recording device 1 is in the ready-to-record operating state after the main switch 5 is closed. If data DATA is present at the data interface 35 of the controller 22, it is transmitted to the print head 23, the voltage of the voltage divider 17 at point 18 being fed to the controller 22 via the A / D converter 20 before the recording process begins, and there at least for the Duration of the recording process is saved. After completion of the recording process or a section of a recording process, which is defined, for example, by a predetermined sheet length of a recording medium, the voltage present at point 18 is again fed to the controller 22 for evaluation via the A / D converter 20 and a difference is formed with the first voltage value performed. If this difference exceeds a predetermined value, which is, for example, of the order of 0.1 V, the controller 22 generates the signal OFF, which causes the electrical switch 12 to “open” in the manner already described. From the voltage difference formed in this way, it can be concluded in which area of its discharge characteristic the accumulator is currently being operated. When the area of the complete discharge characterized by a strongly falling discharge characteristic is reached, the difference between the output voltages takes on larger values before and after a recording process. In this way, it can also be assessed whether the accumulator is able to deliver the amount of energy required for the subsequent intended recording process.

Über die als "Centronics"-Schnittstelle ausgebildete Datenschnittstelle 35 der Steuerung 22 ist die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 mit einem nicht dargestellten korrespondierenden Datenverarbeitungsgerät verbunden. Auf einer sogenannten DATASTROBE-Leitung der "Centronics"-Schnittstelle tritt dann ein Signal (DATASTROBE) auf, wenn von dem korrespondierenden Datenverarbeitungsgerät Daten an die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 gesendet werden sollen; dieses Signal wird abgegriffen und einem Schwellwertdetektor zugeführt. Wird der Schwellwert detektor eingangsseitig mit dem auf der DATASTROBE-Leitung gesendeten Signal beaufschlagt, erzeugt er ein Aktivierungssignal, durch das die Steuerung 22 aktiviert wird und ihre Datenverarbeitungs- und Steuerungsfunktionen aufnimmt. Die Steuerung 22 überwacht im nunmehr aktivierten Zustand das Eintreffen von Daten; ist die Datenübermittlung vom korrespondierenden Datenverarbeitungsgerät beendet, wird in der Steuerung 22 ein Zeitglied in Form eines Zählerbausteins in Gang gesetzt. Erreicht dessen Zählerstand einen vorgebbaren Wert, wird ein Deaktivierungssignal abgegeben, das die Steuerung 22 in einen energiesparenden Warte-Zustand versetzt. In diesem Warte-Zustand befinden sich die Halbleiterbauelemente mit Ausnahme des Schwellwert detektors in einem hochohmigen Zustand (Tri-State). Ferner wird der Druckkopf 23 durch einen nicht näher dargestellten elektrischen Schalter von dem Energiespeicher 2 getrennt. Aus dem hochohmigen Zustand werden die Halbleiterbauelemente erst durch das Aktivierungssignal in Normalbetrieb zurückversetzt, wobei das Aktivierungssignal auch durch Drücken einer Bedientaste der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung oder beim Schließen des Hauptschalters 5 erzeugt werden kann. Damit ist die Energieaufnahme der Steuerung 22 erheblich vermindert und so die Entladung des Akkumulators erheblich verlangsamt.The recording device 1 is connected to a corresponding data processing device (not shown) via the data interface 35 of the controller 22, which is designed as a "Centronics" interface. A signal (DATASTROBE) then appears on a so-called DATASTROBE line of the "Centronics" interface, if of the corresponding one Data processing device data to be sent to the recording device 1; this signal is tapped and fed to a threshold value detector. If the threshold value detector is acted upon on the input side by the signal sent on the DATASTROBE line, it generates an activation signal by which the control 22 is activated and takes up its data processing and control functions. The controller 22 monitors the arrival of data in the now activated state; If the data transmission from the corresponding data processing device has ended, a timer in the form of a counter module is started in the controller 22. If the counter reading reaches a predeterminable value, a deactivation signal is emitted, which places the control 22 in an energy-saving waiting state. In this waiting state, the semiconductor components are in a high-resistance state (tri-state) with the exception of the threshold value detector. Furthermore, the printhead 23 is separated from the energy store 2 by an electrical switch, not shown. From the high-impedance state, the semiconductor components are only reset to normal operation by the activation signal, the activation signal also being able to be generated by pressing an operating key of the recording device or when the main switch 5 is closed. The energy consumption of the controller 22 is thus considerably reduced and the discharge of the accumulator is considerably slowed down.

Gemäß Figur 2 kann die nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren betriebene Aufzeichnungseinrichtung Zustände Z1 bis Z5 annehmen, wobei für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren die Zustände Z2, Z3 und Z4 besonders bedeutungsvoll sind. Zustand Z1 ist durch Öffnen des Hauptschalters 5 (vgl. Fig. 1) von allen übrigen Zuständen Z2 bis Z5 - symbolisiert durch Pfeil 50 - ereichbar. In einem elektrisch abgeschalteten Zustand Z2 ist der elektrische Schalter 12 geöffnet; dieser Zustand ist von den übrigen Zuständen Z1, Z3, Z4 und Z5 direkt erreichbar, was durch Pfeil 51 symbolisiert ist. Im Warte-Zustand Z3 sind die mit einem Tri-State-Status versehenen Halbleiterbauelemente der Steuerung 22 (s. Fig. 1) in den Tri-State-Status versetzt. Bei zugeschaltetem Ladegerät 3 erfolgt im Warte-Zustand Z3 die Energieversorgung der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 und gegebenenfalls ein Aufladen der Akkumulatoren 2 durch das Ladegerät 3. Von einem aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand Z4 aus würde die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung beim Erhalt von zur Aufzeichnung bestimmten Daten diese aufzeichnen; dieser Aufzeichnungszustand ist mit Z5 bezeichnet. Nach Beendigung des Aufzeichnungsvorgangs (Zustand Z5) kehrt die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand Z4 zurück.According to FIG. 2, the recording device operated according to the method according to the invention can assume states Z1 to Z5, states Z2, Z3 and Z4 being particularly significant for the method according to the invention. State Z1 can be reached by opening the main switch 5 (cf. FIG. 1) from all other states Z2 to Z5 - symbolized by arrow 50. In an electrically switched-off state Z2, the electrical switch 12 is open; this state can be reached directly from the other states Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z5, which is symbolized by arrow 51. They are in the waiting state Z3 semiconductor components of the controller 22 (see FIG. 1) provided with a tri-state status are set to the tri-state status. When the charger 3 is switched on, the energy supply of the recording device 1 and, if appropriate, the accumulators 2 are charged by the charger 3 in the waiting state Z3. From a ready-to-record state Z4, the recording device would record the data when it was received; this recording state is designated Z5. After completion of the recording process (state Z5), the recording device returns to the record-ready state Z4.

Wird die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 durch Schließen des Hauptschalters 5 in Betrieb genommen, erfolgt über den Komparator 14 eine Überprüfung des Ladezustandes der Akkumulatoren 2 (siehe Fig. 1). Unterschreitet deren Ladezustand den durch die Referenzspannung vorgegebenen Grenzwert, wird durch die Steuerung 22 anhand des Zustandssignals über die Signalleitung 39 festgestellt, ob das Ladegerät 3 am Punkt 4 zugeschaltet ist. Bei abgeschaltetem Ladegerät 3 wird die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 durch "Öffnen" des elektrischen Schalters 12 infolge des Signals AUS der Steuerung 22 in den abgeschalteten Zustand Z2 versetzt (Pfeil 51). Ist dagegen das Ladegerät zugeschaltet, wird die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 in den Warte-Zustand versetzt, und die Akkumulatoren 2 werden vom Ladegerät 3 aufgeladen (Pfeil 52). Das Ladegerät 3 ist somit nur für die erforderliche Ladeleistung zu dimensionieren und ist nicht dazu auszulegen, den beim Aufzeichnungsvorgang erforderlichen Spitzenenergiebedarf zu decken. Das Ladegerät 3 kann daher relativ klein dimensioniert und somit kostengünstig hergestellt werden.If the recording device 1 is put into operation by closing the main switch 5, the state of charge of the batteries 2 is checked via the comparator 14 (see FIG. 1). If the state of charge falls below the limit value specified by the reference voltage, the controller 22 uses the status signal via the signal line 39 to determine whether the charger 3 is switched on at point 4. When the charger 3 is switched off, the recording device 1 is set to the switched-off state Z2 by the “opening” of the electrical switch 12 as a result of the OFF signal from the controller 22 (arrow 51). If, on the other hand, the charger is switched on, the recording device 1 is placed in the waiting state and the batteries 2 are charged by the charger 3 (arrow 52). The charger 3 is therefore only to be dimensioned for the required charging power and is not to be designed to cover the peak energy requirement required during the recording process. The charger 3 can therefore be dimensioned relatively small and thus manufactured inexpensively.

Haben die Akkumulatoren 2 einen Ladezustand erreicht, der über dem vorgegebenen Grenzwert liegt, so wird die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung durch Betätigen einer Taste auf dem Bedienfeld oder durch die Ankündigung einer Datenübertragung von dem angeschlossenen Datenverarbeitungsgerät (Aktivierungssignal) in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand Z4 versetzt (Pfeil 53). Weisen die Akkumulatoren 2 nach Schließen des Hauptschalters 5 einen Ladezustand auf, der über dem vorgebbaren Grenzwert liegt, wird die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 direkt in den aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand Z4 versetzt (Pfeil 54). Werden der Steuerung 22 Daten DATA zugeführt, so wird einerseits während des Aufzeichnungsvorgangs der Ladezustand der Akkumulatoren 2 im Hinblick auf ein Unterschreiten des vorgebbaren Grenzwertes überwacht und andererseits ein Vergleich des Ladezustandes der Akkumulatoren 2 vor Beginn und nach Beendigung des Druckvorgangs in der im Zusammenhang mit der Figur 1 beschriebenen Weise vorgenommen. Befindet sich die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung für eine vorgebbare Zeitspanne im aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand Z4, ohne daß Daten zur Aufzeichnung an die Datenschnittstelle 35 der Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 gelangen, wird von der Steuerung 22 das Deaktivierungssignal erzeugt und die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung vom aufzeichnungsbereiten Zustand Z4 in den Warte-Zustand Z3 versetzt (Pfeil 55); ist die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung für eine vorgebbare Wartezeit ununterbrochen im Warte-Zustand Z3 verblieben, so erzeugt die Steuerung 22 z. B. durch Ablauf der Verzögerungszeit eines Verzögerungsgliedes das Signal AUS (Zeit aus) zur Öffnung des elektrischen Schalters 12, wodurch die Aufzeichnungseinrichtung 1 in den abgeschalteten Zustand Z2 versetzt wird (Pfeil 56). Bezugszeichenliste

1
= Aufzeichnungseinrichtung
2
= Akkumulator
3
= Ladegerät
4
= Anschlußpunkt
5
= Hauptschalter
10
= Überwachungsschaltung
11
= Kippstufe
12
= Schalter
13
= Spannungskonverter
14
= Komparator
17
= Spannungsteiler
18
= Schaltungspunkt
20
= Analog-Digital-Wandler
22
= Steuerung
23
= Druckkopf
25
= Eingang
26
= Eingang
27
= Schaltungspunkt
28
= Spannungsteiler
31
= Wahlsignal
32
= Datenleitung
35
= Datenschnittstelle
36
= Steuerleitung
38, 39
= Zustandssignale
50 - 56
= Pfeile
R
= RESET-Eingang
Q
= Ausgangssignal
Z1 - Z5
= Zustände
If the accumulators 2 have reached a state of charge which is above the predetermined limit value, the recording device is activated by pressing a key on the control panel or by announcing a data transmission from the connected data processing device (activation signal) Ready to record state Z4 offset (arrow 53). If the accumulators 2 have a state of charge which is above the predefinable limit value after the main switch 5 has been closed, the recording device 1 is set directly to the state Z4 ready for recording (arrow 54). If the control 22 is supplied with DATA data, on the one hand the state of charge of the accumulators 2 is monitored during the recording process with regard to falling below the predeterminable limit value and on the other hand a comparison of the state of charge of the accumulators 2 before the start and after the end of the printing process in connection with the Figure 1 described manner made. If the recording device is in the ready-to-record state Z4 for a predeterminable period of time without data for recording reaching the data interface 35 of the recording device 1, the deactivation signal is generated by the controller 22 and the recording device is switched from the ready-to-record state Z4 to the waiting state Z3 ( Arrow 55); If the recording device has remained in the waiting state Z3 continuously for a predeterminable waiting time, the controller 22 generates z. B. by the expiry of the delay time of a delay element, the signal OFF (time off) for opening the electrical switch 12, whereby the recording device 1 is placed in the switched-off state Z2 (arrow 56). Reference list
1
= Recording device
2nd
= Accumulator
3rd
= Charger
4th
= Connection point
5
= Main switch
10th
= Monitoring circuit
11
= Flip-flop
12th
= Switch
13
= Voltage converter
14
= Comparator
17th
= Voltage divider
18th
= Circuit point
20th
= Analog-digital converter
22
= Control
23
= Printhead
25th
= Entrance
26
= Entrance
27
= Circuit point
28
= Voltage divider
31
= Election signal
32
= Data line
35
= Data interface
36
= Control line
38, 39
= Status signals
50-56
= Arrows
R
= RESET input
Q
= Output signal
Z1 - Z5
= States

Claims (6)

  1. Process for the operation of a recording device (1) supplied by at least one rechargeable accumulator (2) with a charging device (3) which can be connected and disconnected, a control (22), a main switch (5) for startup and shut-down (Z1) of the recording device (1) and with at least one electrical switch (12) for separating the recording device (1) from the accumulator (2), whereby
    - after being put into operation, the recording device (1) is moved into a waiting state (Z3) or into a state of being ready for recording (Z4) if the charging state of the accumulator (2) lies above a limiting value which is adequate for a recording procedure,
    - after being put into operation, the recording device (1) is moved into the waiting state (Z3), in which the energy take-up of the control (22) - compared with the state (Z4) of being ready for recording - is reduced, and the accumulator (2) is charged if the charging state of the accumulator (2) lies below the limiting value and the charging device (3) is connected,
    - upon the occurrence of an activation signal the recording device (1) is moved from the waiting state (Z3) into the state (Z4) of being ready for recording if the charging state of the accumulator (2) lies above the limiting value,
    - upon the occurrence of a deactivation signal the recording device (1) is moved from the state (Z4) of being ready for recording into the waiting state (Z3), and
    - by means of the electrical switch (12) the recording device is moved into the electrically disconnected state (Z2) when the charging state of the accumulator lies below the limiting value and the charging device is disconnected.
  2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the recording device (1) is moved into the electrically disconnected state (Z2) when the recording device (1) is left in the waiting state (Z3) uninterrupted for a specifiable waiting period.
  3. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deactivation signal is generated when, during a specifiable time interval, a transferal of data (DATA) to a data interface (35) of the recording device (1) does not take place.
  4. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation signal is generated when data (DATA) is provided for delivery to the data interface (35) of the recording device (1).
  5. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging state of the accumulator (2) is determined through measurement of its output voltage.
  6. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging state of the accumulator (2) is determined through measurement of its output voltage before and after a recording procedure and subtraction of the measured output voltages.
EP89911989A 1989-11-02 1989-11-02 Process for operating a recording device powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator Expired - Lifetime EP0500520B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/DE1989/000699 WO1991006430A1 (en) 1989-11-02 1989-11-02 Process for operating a recording device powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0500520A1 EP0500520A1 (en) 1992-09-02
EP0500520B1 true EP0500520B1 (en) 1994-02-09

Family

ID=6835288

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89911989A Expired - Lifetime EP0500520B1 (en) 1989-11-02 1989-11-02 Process for operating a recording device powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5449238A (en)
EP (1) EP0500520B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05501992A (en)
DE (1) DE58906957D1 (en)
WO (1) WO1991006430A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103904753A (en) * 2009-06-22 2014-07-02 佳能株式会社 Apparatus including power supply circuit

Families Citing this family (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3337709B2 (en) * 1992-03-31 2002-10-21 キヤノン株式会社 Charge control device, control method of the device, electronic device, and control method of electronic device
JP3437232B2 (en) * 1992-12-21 2003-08-18 キヤノン株式会社 Printer device and display method in printer device
US5914538A (en) * 1993-04-27 1999-06-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Communication apparatus and power supply device therefor
US5720560A (en) * 1995-02-22 1998-02-24 Star Micronics Co., Ltd. Printing apparatus
JP2000123460A (en) * 1998-10-21 2000-04-28 Hitachi Ltd Recording/reproducing device
EP1057652B1 (en) * 1999-05-26 2004-10-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Printer and charging device
US6203221B1 (en) * 1999-10-07 2001-03-20 Axiohm Transaction Solution, Inc. Modular printer
US7500732B2 (en) * 2005-09-30 2009-03-10 Lexmark International, Inc. Maintenance and docking station for a hand-held printer
US20070076082A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-04-05 Lexmark International, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for measuring print area using hand-held printer
US7735951B2 (en) * 2005-11-15 2010-06-15 Lexmark International, Inc. Alignment method for hand-operated printer
US20070120937A1 (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-05-31 Lexmark International, Inc. System and method for hand-held printing
US7524051B2 (en) * 2005-12-20 2009-04-28 Lexmark International, Inc. Hand-operated printer having a user interface
US7399129B2 (en) * 2005-12-20 2008-07-15 Lexmark International, Inc. User interface for a hand-operated printer
US20070237561A1 (en) * 2006-04-11 2007-10-11 Lexmark International Inc. Methods and apparatuses for sensing a print area using a hand-held printer
US7748839B2 (en) * 2006-05-09 2010-07-06 Lexmark International, Inc. Handheld printing with reference indicia
US7682017B2 (en) * 2006-05-10 2010-03-23 Lexmark International, Inc. Handheld printer minimizing printing defects
US7787145B2 (en) * 2006-06-29 2010-08-31 Lexmark International, Inc. Methods for improving print quality in a hand-held printer
US20080030534A1 (en) * 2006-08-02 2008-02-07 Adam Jude Ahne Hand Held Micro-fluid Ejection Devices Configured to Eject Fluid without Referential Position Information and Method of Ejecting Fluid
US20080079956A1 (en) * 2006-09-21 2008-04-03 Mahesan Chelvayohan Hand-Held Printer Having An Integrated Digital Camera Scanner
US20080075513A1 (en) * 2006-09-26 2008-03-27 Douglas Laurence Robertson Methods for a Maintenance Algorithm in Hand Held Printers
US7918519B2 (en) 2006-09-27 2011-04-05 Lexmark International, Inc. Methods and apparatus for handheld printing with optical positioning
US7938531B2 (en) 2006-09-27 2011-05-10 Lexmark International, Inc. Methods and apparatus for handheld printing with optical positioning
US7748840B2 (en) * 2006-09-27 2010-07-06 Lexmark International, Inc. Methods and apparatus for handheld printing with optical positioning
US7938532B2 (en) 2007-02-16 2011-05-10 Lexmark International, Inc. Hand held printer with vertical misalignment correction
US20080219737A1 (en) * 2007-03-07 2008-09-11 Michael David Stilz Hand Held Printer Having A Doppler Position Sensor
US8092006B2 (en) 2007-06-22 2012-01-10 Lexmark International, Inc. Handheld printer configuration
US20090040286A1 (en) * 2007-08-08 2009-02-12 Tan Theresa Joy L Print scheduling in handheld printers

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4143417A (en) * 1976-10-21 1979-03-06 The Singer Company Portable data-gathering apparatus formed by modular components having operate-standby modes
JPS6036949B2 (en) * 1980-12-29 1985-08-23 エプソン株式会社 Thermal printer drive circuit
US4455523A (en) * 1982-06-07 1984-06-19 Norand Corporation Portable battery powered system
CN86101096A (en) * 1985-04-26 1986-10-22 株式会社岛津制作所 Print plotter
US4903222A (en) * 1988-10-14 1990-02-20 Compag Computer Corporation Arrangement of components in a laptop computer system
US4998055A (en) * 1989-06-12 1991-03-05 Grid Systems Corporation Externally rechargeable battery pack for a computer
TW197541B (en) * 1989-06-23 1993-01-01 Toshiba Co Ltd
JP2879694B2 (en) * 1990-01-29 1999-04-05 株式会社日立製作所 Information processing system and external storage device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103904753A (en) * 2009-06-22 2014-07-02 佳能株式会社 Apparatus including power supply circuit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE58906957D1 (en) 1994-03-24
EP0500520A1 (en) 1992-09-02
WO1991006430A1 (en) 1991-05-16
JPH05501992A (en) 1993-04-15
US5449238A (en) 1995-09-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0500520B1 (en) Process for operating a recording device powered by at least one rechargeable accumulator
DE102004006022B4 (en) Devices for discharging a battery composite, which consists of a plurality of secondary batteries
DE69839115T2 (en) BATTERY PROTECTION SYSTEM
DE69533254T2 (en) BATTERY CAPACITY INDICATOR
EP2573579A2 (en) Method for determining the state of charge of a battery in a battery-operated device and consumption recording device
EP2419990B1 (en) Extended battery diagnosis for traction batteries
DE102015008603A1 (en) Battery pack and method for controlling the same
DE3441323A1 (en) CIRCUIT FOR FAST CHARGING OF BATTERIES
DE102009000102A1 (en) Control method for an accumulator and a hand tool
EP0593869A1 (en) Accumulator
DE2303362C2 (en) Electric power supply system
DE112012002663T5 (en) Terminal, data transmission system and method for activating a terminal
DE3321458A1 (en) FAST CHARGER
DE69929497T2 (en) Power supply circuit
DE2461342C3 (en) Battery tester and its use
DE102010038941A1 (en) Detection of a possible, but not actually fed, feed-in energy quantity of a photovoltaic system
WO2020094548A1 (en) Restart protection device
EP2063342B1 (en) Power supply circuit for an electronic device, computer with a power supply switch and energy saving procedure
DE3529494A1 (en) Circuit arrangement including a microcomputer and a semiconductor memory to and from which it transfers data
DE102015110658A1 (en) A POWER SUPPLY USED IN A DEVICE HAVING A HIGH-TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS
DE4404131C2 (en) Battery-free data buffering
DE2803847C2 (en) Device for wireless remote switching on and off of electrical devices
DE10147369A1 (en) Battery charger that is able to accurately determine a full charge regardless of batteries with different charging characteristics
EP2115845B1 (en) Apparatus for monitoring discharge processes in a conductor of a medium-voltage or high-voltage system
EP3003612B1 (en) Tool clamping system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920408

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: AL-KHATIB, MOHAMED, DR.

Inventor name: PEKRUHN, WOLFGANG, DR.

Inventor name: EILER, WALTER, DR.

Inventor name: DREES, FRIEDRICH-WILHELM

Inventor name: PHAM, NGOC QUANG

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930225

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19940209

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 58906957

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940324

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19940504

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19951012

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19951115

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19951123

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19961102

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19961102

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19970731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Effective date: 19970801

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST