JP2000071580A - Printing device, printing system, and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable printing operation to be feasible in accordance with the power residual quantity of a cell provided as a power source by disposing a transmitting means for transmitting the power residual quantity information of the cell on a printing device according to the requirement of a host device. SOLUTION: Printing data of a control command or the like from a computer is received at a printing device via a communication interface 2 by a program accommodated in ROM 4. Then, status information or the like from a mechanism control part 6 is returned from the printing device to the computer side via the communication interface 2. When the residual quantity of a cell is checked by a control command at the computer side, the printing device operates to send the command to a cell pack via a communication interface 3, and receive the power residual quantity information of the cell from the cell pack via a communication interface 3, and then bring it back to the computer side via the communication interface 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method for printing an image using a battery as a driving power source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable personal computers driven by batteries have become widespread. Along with this, portable printers driven by batteries have appeared in printing apparatuses.

Heretofore, the power source of the printing apparatus has simply been changed to a battery, and no control method considering a battery has been adopted. That is, the remaining power of the battery as a power source of the printing apparatus is not particularly monitored, and the printing apparatus stops printing without permission when the output voltage of the battery falls below a certain level. Was only.

[0004]

When the battery is used, the battery is consumed, and eventually the printing apparatus cannot be driven. Therefore, when trying to print certain data, if there is not enough power remaining in the battery to print all of the data, the printing is interrupted during the printing. In the case of printing over a plurality of pages, if printing is interrupted in the middle of a certain page, the battery may be replaced and printing may be performed again from the page where the printing was interrupted.

[0005] However, if the printer driver program on the computer connected to the printing apparatus has erased the print data sent to the printing apparatus, the print data is recreated again, and the page for which the printing was interrupted is re-created. Had to be reprinted from the beginning. Also, even if the print data is not deleted until the printer driver program on the computer sends all the print data to the printing apparatus,
Since the printing device has a buffer for data reception,
At the time when the printing is interrupted, a difference always occurs between the print data actually being printed and the print data sent from the computer to the printing apparatus. For this reason, it has been difficult to continuously print from the portion where the printing was interrupted.

In particular, when the power of the battery runs out while leaving the last few lines of print data, re-executing printing from the beginning is a waste of time and waste of resources such as paper. In addition, the mental distress of the user is great. further,
If a replacement battery could not be prepared immediately, time would be required to charge the battery, and the time wasted and mental distress would be even greater.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method for performing a printing operation according to the remaining power of a battery provided as a power supply.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which is connected to a host device and prints an image on a printing medium by using a battery as a driving power source based on print data. The information processing apparatus further includes a transmission unit configured to transmit remaining power information of the battery to the host device in response to a request from the host device.

According to a second aspect of the printing apparatus of the present invention, in a printing apparatus which prints an image on a printing medium using a battery as a driving power source based on print data, a plurality of print modes having different loads on the battery can be set. And a setting unit that changes a print mode set by the setting unit according to the remaining power of the battery.

[0010] A first embodiment of the printing system of the present invention is as follows.
A print system for transmitting print data from a host device to a printing device, wherein the printing device prints an image on a print medium by using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data. Transmitting means for transmitting the remaining power information of the battery to the host device in accordance with the request, wherein the host device receives the battery received from the printing device before transmitting the print data to the printing device. And changing means for changing the print mode of the printing apparatus according to the remaining power information.

A second embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention comprises:
The printing device, based on the print data,
In a printing system that prints an image on a printing target medium using a battery as a driving power source, the printing device includes:
According to a request from the host device, a transmission unit that transmits the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host device, the host device transmits the print data to the printing device before transmitting the print data from the printing device. After receiving the remaining power information of the battery and determining that the remaining power of the battery is sufficient to print the print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. A transmission means is provided.

According to a first aspect of the printing method of the present invention, print data is transmitted from a host device to a printing device, and the printing device prints an image on a printing medium using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data. In the printing method, before transmitting the print data from the host device to the printing device, the printing device transmits the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host device, and transmits the information from the host device to the printing device. When the remaining power of the battery is not sufficient to print the print data to be printed, the print mode of the printing apparatus is changed to a print mode slower than a normal print speed.

According to a second aspect of the printing method of the present invention, print data is transmitted from a host device to a printing device, and the printing device prints an image on a printing medium using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data. In the printing method, before transmitting the print data from the host device to the printing device, the printing device transmits the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host device, and transmits the information from the host device to the printing device. After determining that the remaining power of the battery is sufficient to print the print data to be printed,
The print data is transmitted from the host device to the printing device.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention has means for detecting the remaining power of a battery as a power source, and detects the remaining battery power by the means, for example, from a printer driver program on a computer as a host device. The request is sent to the printer driver program according to the request. Before sending the print data to the printing apparatus, the printer driver program on the computer instructs the printing apparatus to transmit information on the remaining power of the battery, and receives the information from the printing apparatus. Then, the computer determines whether the remaining power of the battery of the printing apparatus is sufficient to print all the print data to be transmitted, and determines that the power is sufficient. At this time, for example, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with the command for printing in the normal speed mode. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining power is slightly insufficient to print all of the print data, for example, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with a command for printing in the low-speed mode, and a warning is issued to the user. Emits.

The printing apparatus that receives the command to print in the low-speed mode performs the printing operation intermittently. Generally, a battery has a property that it can be used for a long time if power is taken out intermittently. In the present invention, by utilizing this property, when it is determined that the remaining power of the battery is slightly insufficient for the print data, the printing apparatus is set to a low-speed mode in which the printing apparatus is intermittently driven, so that the battery usage time is reduced. To extend
All print data can be printed.

Further, when it is determined that the remaining power of the battery is sufficient to print all the print data transmitted to the printing apparatus, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, whereby the power of the battery becomes insufficient. Eliminate printing failures due to

[0017]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as a "printer") to which the present invention can be applied. The printing apparatus of this example is an ink jet apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5013 denotes a drive motor rotatable in forward and reverse directions.
5011, 5009 via lead screw 5005
Drive. Reference numeral 5004 denotes a spiral groove formed in the lead screw 5005.
(Not shown) are engaged. The carriage HC is driven by a drive motor 5013 via a lead screw 5005, and arrows a and b via a guide rail 5003.
Reciprocate in the direction. An ink jet cartridge IJC including an ink jet head IJH and an ink tank IT is mounted on the carriage HC. By replacing this inkjet cartridge IJC,
Full-color printing using Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) color inks and monochrome printing using black ink are possible.

Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper holding plate which is a paper P as a print medium in the moving direction of the carriage HC.
To the platen 5000. Photocouplers 5007 and 5008 are levers 5006 for the carriage HC.
Confirms the presence of the carriage HC by blocking the optical path,
It functions as a home position detection unit that switches the rotation direction of the motor 5013 and the like. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a support member that supports the cap member 5022 at a position that can face the front surface of the inkjet head IJH. 50
Reference numeral 15 denotes a suction unit for performing suction recovery of the ink jet head IJH via the opening 5023 in the cap. 50
A cleaning blade 17 is movable from the member 5019 in the front-rear direction. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate, which includes a cleaning blade 5017 and a member 501.
Support 9

Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with the carriage HC to start suction recovery, and the driving force from the driving motor 5013 is transmitted by means such as clutch switching. The capping of the cap member 5022, the cleaning by the cleaning blade 5017, and the suction recovery by the suction means 5015 are configured to be executed by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage HC comes to the home position area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication control part in the printing apparatus of the present invention. The present invention can be applied to printing apparatuses other than the printing mechanism illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an MPU for controlling a communication control unit; 2, a first communication interface for communicating with a computer as a host device; 3, a second communication interface for communicating with a battery pack to be described later; Is a ROM for storing a processing program of the communication control unit, 5 is a RAM used by the processing program as a work area, and 6 is a mechanism control unit for operating a printing mechanism. The mechanism control section 6 takes various forms depending on the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus.

Print data such as control commands and printing from a computer is received by the printing apparatus via the communication interface 2 by a program stored in the ROM 4. Response to the control command,
Status information and the like from the mechanism control unit 6 are returned from the printing apparatus to the computer via the communication interface 2. As will be described later, when checking the remaining power of the battery by a control command from a printer driver program on the computer side, the printing apparatus first
A command is transmitted to a battery pack to be described later via the communication interface 3, the information on the remaining power of the battery from the battery pack is received via the communication interface 3, and further returned to the computer via the communication interface 2.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a battery pack serving as a driving power supply of the printing apparatus, and includes a circuit for detecting and managing the remaining power of the battery 7. A plurality of batteries 7 are usually combined to increase the capacity, and furthermore, are configured in a pack shape for easy replacement.
Since the remaining power of the battery 7 is a value unique to each battery pack, a circuit for managing the remaining power on the battery side is incorporated in the battery pack. In the printing apparatus, since the power consumption of the battery 7 is relatively large, a rechargeable battery is often used. In this example, the battery 7 will be described as a rechargeable battery.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 8 denotes a current detection circuit for measuring the amount of power consumption of the battery 7, 9 denotes an MPU for controlling the remaining power management program, 10 denotes a ROM storing the remaining power management program, and 11 denotes a ROM. Is a nonvolatile flash memory for storing parameters for calculating the remaining power, 12 is a RAM as a working area of the remaining power management program, 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a third communication interface for communicating with the printing apparatus.

The current detection circuit 8 measures the amount of current flowing into the battery 7 and the amount of current flowing out. This amount of current is MP
It is accumulated every unit time by the program on U10. Since the capacity and characteristics of the battery 7 are determined, the information is stored in the nonvolatile flash memory 11. Together with the information stored in the flash memory 11 and the accumulation of the inflow / outflow current by the current detection circuit 8, the remaining power of the battery 7 can be calculated. The calculation result is stored in RAM
12 is stored. The battery pack is connected to the communication control unit of the printing apparatus of FIG. 2 via the third communication interface 13, and returns a calculation result stored in the RAM 12 according to a command from the communication control unit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the printer driver program on the computer side. The computer system temporarily stores print output data from the application program in a spool file, and instructs a printer driver program to perform print output. The printer driver program is started from the system program using the file name of the spool file as a parameter.

In FIG. 4, at 4-1 the spool file notified from the system program is opened,
Save the file size. In 4-2, a command is sent to the printing apparatus requesting notification of the remaining power of the battery. The process of notifying the remaining power of the battery of the printing apparatus will be described later. In 4-3, the remaining power information of the battery 7 is received from the printing apparatus. In 4-4, the print amount is predicted from the file size stored in 4-1, the print amount is compared with the remaining power of the battery 7 obtained in 4-3, and all print data is printed. It is determined whether there is sufficient power remaining for the operation. In the case of an affirmative determination that the remaining power is sufficient, the process proceeds to 4-5, and a mode command for printing at a normal speed is sent to the printing apparatus. At step 4-6, the print data is read from the spool file and converted into print data corresponding to the printing apparatus. In step 4-7, the converted print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. In 4-8, it is determined whether there is no error in the communication of the print data and the print processing. If there is no error, proceed to 4-9. In 4-9,
Delete unnecessary spool files. In step 4-10, a normal termination code is set, and then the processing of the printer driver is terminated.

If it is determined in 4-4 that the remaining power is not sufficient, the process jumps to 4-11. 4-11
Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining power is completely insufficient to print all the print data opened in 4-1. If it is determined that the print data can be almost completely printed, the process proceeds to 4-12. In step 4-12, a message indicating that printing is performed at a low speed is displayed. 4
At -13, a low speed print mode command is sent to the printing apparatus, and then the process jumps to 4-6 to perform the same processing as in the case of normal speed printing. Meanwhile, 4
If it is determined in -11 that the remaining power is not enough, the process jumps to 4-16. At 4-16, a message of power shortage is displayed, and at 4-17, an error code is set. Then, the process of the printer driver ends without deleting the spool file.

In 4-8, if it is determined that there is an error in the communication of the print data or the print processing,
Jump to 14. At 4-14, a message indicating that a print error has occurred is displayed, and at 4-15, an error code is set. And without deleting the spool file,
The processing of the printer driver ends.

In the normal printing mode, the mechanism control unit 6 of the printing apparatus immediately reverses the drive motor 5013 when the carriage HC returns to the home position as long as there is print data so as to continue printing the next print data. To control. On the other hand, in the low-speed print mode, when the carriage HC returns to the home position, the drive motor 5013 is stopped for a predetermined time according to the characteristics of the battery, and then is rotated in reverse to continue printing the next print data. I do.

In general, the battery can recover for a long period of time when power is intermittently taken out, recovering during the downtime during that time. Therefore, if the mechanism control unit 6 operates in the low-speed print mode and controls the drive motor 5013 to stop at the home position, the function time of the battery 7 becomes longer. As a result, even when the remaining power is slightly insufficient to print the print data, all the print data can be printed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the communication control program in the printing apparatus. This flowchart is a processing flow from a steady state in which the initial processing of the printing apparatus is completed and a command or print data from the computer is awaited.

In FIG. 5, at 5-1, it waits for a command or print data to be sent from the computer through the communication interface 2. In 5-2, it is determined whether or not the transmitted information is a control command. If the information is not a control command, the process proceeds to 5-3. In 5-3, it is determined whether or not the transmitted information is print data. If it is print data, go to 5-4. In step 5-4, the transmitted print data is passed to the mechanism control unit 6 to perform printing. This printing process varies depending on the printing mechanism.

In 5-5, the end information from the mechanism control unit 6 is returned to the computer through the communication interface 2. On the computer side, the data is determined by processing 4-8 of the printer driver program in FIG. When the end information is returned, the process returns to 5-1 and waits for the next information. If it is determined in 5-3 that the received information is not print data, the received information is ignored and
Return to 1 and wait for the next information.

If it is determined at 5-2 that the received information is a control command, the process jumps to 5-6. In 5-6, it is determined whether or not the command is a power remaining amount request command. When it is determined that the command is a power remaining amount request command, the process proceeds to 5-7. The remaining power request command is sent by the process 4-2 of the printer driver program in FIG. In step 5-7, a request command for remaining power information is sent to the battery pack via the communication interface 3 to obtain remaining power information. The process of calculating the remaining power in the battery pack will be described later. In 5-8, the output remaining amount information obtained from the battery pack is returned to the computer through the communication interface 2. The returned power remaining information is
The information is received by the printer driver program 4-3 in FIG. 4 and is used as information for determining whether the remaining power is sufficient for the print data amount. After returning the remaining power information in 5-8, the process returns to 5-1 and waits for the next information.

If it is determined in 5-6 that the received command is not a request for remaining power, the process jumps to 5-9.
In 5-9, it is determined whether or not the received command is a normal print mode setting command. If it is determined that the command is the normal print mode setting command, the process jumps to 5-13. The normal print mode setting command is shown in FIG.
Of the printer driver program 4-5. At 5-13, the mechanism control unit 6 is set to the normal print mode, and then returns to 5-1 to wait for the next information. Thus, the print data transmitted thereafter is printed in the normal print mode.

If it is determined in 5-9 that the received command is not the normal print mode setting command, the process proceeds to 5-10. In 5-10, it is determined whether or not the received command is a low-speed print mode setting command.
If it is determined that the command is a low-speed print mode setting command, the process jumps to 5-12. The low-speed print mode setting command is sent by the process 4-13 of the printer driver program in FIG. In 5-12,
The mechanism control unit 6 is set to the low-speed print mode, and then returns to 5-1 to wait for the next information. As a result, the print data transmitted thereafter is intermittently printed in the low-speed print mode.

If it is determined in 5-10 that the received command is not the low-speed print mode setting, 5-11
Proceed to. At 5-11, the command processing corresponding to the received command is executed, and the process returns to 5-1 to wait for the next information.

As described above, the communication control program on the printing device side transfers the print data and control commands sent from the printer driver program on the computer side to the mechanism control unit 6 and reads out the remaining power information from the battery pack. Just pass it to the printer driver program.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed by the MPU 9 of the battery pack of FIG. 3 used as the power supply of the printing apparatus, that is, the processing procedure of the remaining amount management program. The MPU 9 has low power consumption, always operates with the battery 7 as a power source,
The current flowing into / out of the battery 7 is monitored at regular intervals,
The power remaining amount of the battery 7 is always known. This processing flow is started at predetermined time intervals. MPU9
Is in a standby state in which power consumption is low except during processing, and is configured so as to consume as little power as possible of the battery 7 that should be supplied to the printing apparatus.

In FIG. 6, at 6-1 it is determined whether a communication request has been received from the printing apparatus main body through the communication interface 13 of FIG. If a communication request has not been received, the process proceeds to 6-2. In 6-2, the current detection circuit 8 measures current inflow / outflow values at the current time. In step 6-3, based on the remaining power of the battery 7 currently stored in the RAM 12, the battery capacity and characteristic parameters stored in the flash memory 11, and the inflow / outflow values measured by the current detection circuit, Calculate the new power remaining. In step 6-4, the new power remaining amount calculated in step 6-3 is stored in the RAM 12, and the process is terminated to wait for the next startup.

If it is determined in 6-1 that a communication request has been made, the process jumps to 6-5. In 6-5, it is determined whether or not the communication content is a remaining power request command. When it is determined that the command is a power remaining amount request command, 6
Proceed to -6. The power remaining amount request command is sent by the process 5-7 of the printer communication control of FIG. 6
At -6, the current power remaining amount information stored in the RAM 12 is returned to the printing apparatus via the communication interface 13. The remaining power information is returned by the process 5-8 of the printer communication control program of FIG. 5 and received by the printer driver program 4-3 of FIG. 6
After the return of the power remaining amount information at -6, the process jumps to 6-2 to perform a normal power remaining amount calculation process. If it is determined in step 6-5 that the command is not the remaining power request command, the process jumps to 6-7. At 6-7, command processing corresponding to each request command is executed, and then the processing jumps to 6-2 to perform normal remaining power calculation processing.

As described above, on the battery pack side, the amount of current flowing into and out of the battery 7 is measured at regular time intervals, and the calculated amount is used together with the battery capacity and characteristic parameters to obtain the remaining power. .

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the printer driver program on the computer side according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The computer system temporarily stores print output data from the application program in a spool file, and instructs a printer driver program to perform print output. The printer driver program is started from the system program using the file name of the spool file as a parameter.

In FIG. 7, at 13-1, the spool file notified from the system program is opened and its file size is stored. In step 13-2, a command is sent to the printing apparatus requesting notification of the remaining power of the battery. Processing on the printing device side will be described later. In step 13-3, remaining power information is received from the printing apparatus. At 13-4, the print amount is predicted from the file size stored at 13-1, the print amount is compared with the remaining power obtained at 13-3, and the print amount is sufficient to print all print data. It is determined whether there is a sufficient remaining battery. If the determination is affirmative that the remaining power is sufficient, the process proceeds to step 13-5, where the print data is read from the spool file and converted into print data corresponding to the printing apparatus. In step 13-6, the converted print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. In 13-7, it is determined whether or not there is no error in the communication of the print data or the print processing. If there is no error, go to 13-8. 13-8
Then, delete the unnecessary spool file. 13
At -9, a normal termination code is set, and then the processing of the printer driver is terminated.

If it is determined in step 13-4 that the remaining power is not sufficient, the process jumps to step 13-10. 13
At -10, a power shortage message is displayed and 13-1
Set an error code in step 2. Then, the process of the printer driver ends without deleting the spool file.

In 13-7, when it is determined that there is an error in the communication of the print data or the print processing, 1
Jump to 3-11. In step 13-11, a message indicating that a print error has occurred is displayed. Then, similarly to the case where the remaining power is insufficient, an error code is set in 13-12, and the processing of the printer driver is terminated without deleting the spool file.

When the printer driver program ends normally, the system program continues the processing. However, if the printer driver program terminates abnormally, the system program asks the operator whether to re-execute the print job. Therefore, the operator can be informed in advance that the remaining power of the printing apparatus is insufficient for the print data to be printed, and as a result, the battery 7 can be replaced if necessary. After charging it, printing can be performed again.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the communication control program of the printing apparatus.
This flowchart is a processing flow from a steady state in which the initial processing of the printing apparatus is completed and a command or print data from the computer is awaited.

In FIG. 8, at 14-1, it waits for a command or print data to be sent from the computer through the communication interface 2. 14-2
Then, it is determined whether or not the transmitted information is a control command. If the information is not a control command, 14
Go to -3. At 14-3, it is determined whether or not the transmitted information is print data. If it is print data, the process proceeds to 14-4. In 14-4, the transmitted print data is passed to the mechanism control unit 6, and
Print. This printing process varies depending on the printing mechanism.

At 14-5, the end information from the mechanism control unit 6 is returned to the computer through the communication interface 2. On the computer side, the data is
The judgment is made in 3-7. If you return the end information,
Return to 1 and wait for the next information. If it is determined at 14-3 that the received information is not print data, the received information is ignored and the process returns to 14-1 to wait for the next information.

If it is determined in 14-2 that the received information is a control command, the process jumps to 14-6. 14
At -6, it is determined whether or not the command is a power remaining amount request command. If it is determined that the command is a power remaining amount request command, the process proceeds to 14-7. The power remaining amount request command is the printer driver program 13 shown in FIG.
-2. In step 14-7, a request command for power information is sent to the battery pack via the communication interface 3 to obtain remaining power information. In 14-8,
The remaining power information obtained from the battery pack is returned to the computer through the communication interface 2. The returned power remaining amount information is received at 13-3 in FIG. 7, and is used as information for determining whether the power remaining amount is sufficient for the print data amount. After returning the power remaining amount information by 14-8, 1
Return to 4-1 and wait for the next information. Also, at 14-6,
If it is determined that the received command is not a request for the remaining power, the process jumps to 14-9. At 14-9, a process corresponding to each received command is executed, and the process returns to 14-1 to wait for the next information.

As described above, the communication control program on the printing device returns the remaining power information according to the request from the printer driver program on the computer.

The MPU 9 of the battery pack functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

(Other Embodiments) In the case of the first and second embodiments described above, a printing system connected by communication means by a computer as a host device, a printing device, and a battery pack. It is configured. However, the printing apparatus may share some or all of the functions of the other two parties.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is provided in a print head (hereinafter, also referred to as a "recording apparatus") of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by the thermal energy (hereinafter, also referred to as a "recording head"). This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is attached to the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only one provided for single color ink, but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention is not limited to an ink jet type printer, but can be widely applied to a thermal type printer used for general FAX, an elevation type printer used for a video printer, and the like.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a printing apparatus using a battery as a driving power source, it is determined whether the remaining power of the battery is insufficient for the amount of data to be printed, and appropriate control is performed according to the determination result. be able to.

For example, when the remaining power of the battery is insufficient, by intermittently printing in the low-speed mode,
The operation time of the battery is extended so that print data can be printed to the end. As a result, it is possible to reduce waste due to the inability to print the last few lines of print data, that is, waste of time required for reprinting and resources such as paper. Also, if a replacement battery is not available immediately,
The time required to charge and reprint the battery can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the user can be relieved of having to reprint or recharge for only a few lines that could not be printed.

Also, for example, by transmitting print data to the printing apparatus only when it is determined that the remaining power of the battery is sufficient to print the print data to be printed, Print failure due to insufficient power remaining in the printer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the battery life from being shortened due to the frequent charging of the battery because the power remaining of the rechargeable battery whose life is shortened by charging / discharging is so worried about.
Further, if a replacement battery is not prepared, the battery is charged and reprinted when the remaining power of the battery is exhausted during printing. By knowing the power shortage of the battery before printing as shown in, it is possible to charge from the state where the remaining power of the battery is remaining, compared to charging when the remaining power of the battery is used up Can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part for describing a configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printer communication control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a battery pack used as a power supply of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer driver program on a computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a communication control program on the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a battery pack remaining amount management processing program according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer driver program on a computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a communication control program on a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 MPU 2 First communication interface 3 Second communication interface 4 ROM 5 RAM 6 Mechanism control unit 7 Battery 8 Current detection circuit 9 MPU 10 ROM 11 Flash memory 12 RAM 13 Third communication interface 5000 Platen 5002 Paper press plate 5003 Guide rail 5004 Spiral groove 5005 Lead screw 5006 Lever 5007 Photocoupler 5008 Photocoupler 5009 Driving force transmission gear 5010 Driving force transmission gear 5011 Driving force transmission gear 5013 Driving motor 5015 Suction means 5016 Support member 5017 Cleaning blade 5018 Body support plate 5019 Member 5020 Cam 5021 lever 5022 cap member 5023 opening in cap HC carriage IJC inkjet cart Tsu di IT ink tank IJH inkjet head P paper

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus connected to a host apparatus and printing an image on a print medium by using a battery as a driving power source based on print data, the power remaining amount of the battery according to a request from the host apparatus. A printing apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits information to the host device. 2. A printing apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to set a plurality of print modes having different loads on the battery; and a changing unit configured to change a print mode set by the setting unit in accordance with an instruction from the host device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit can set a print mode in which a pause time for restoring the battery during a printing operation is set. 4. A printing apparatus that prints an image on a print medium using a battery as a driving power source based on print data, comprising: a setting unit capable of setting a plurality of print modes having different loads on the battery; Changing means for changing a print mode set by the setting means according to the amount. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the changing unit changes a print mode set by the setting unit to a print mode having a low print speed as the remaining power of the battery decreases. Printing equipment. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the setting unit can set a print mode in which a pause time for recovering the battery is set during a printing operation. . 7. A print head capable of forming pixels on the print medium, first moving means for relatively moving the print head and the print medium in a main scanning direction, and the print head and the print medium. 7. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second moving unit that relatively moves the image in a sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print head is an inkjet head capable of discharging ink. 9. A printing system for transmitting print data from a host device to a printing device, wherein the printing device prints an image on a printing medium using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data, wherein the printing device is Transmitting means for transmitting the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host device in accordance with a request from the host device, wherein the host device transmits the print data to the printing device before transmitting the print data to the printing device. And a change unit for changing a print mode of the printing apparatus according to the remaining power information of the battery received from the printer. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the changing unit changes the print mode of the printing apparatus to a normal printing speed when the remaining power of the battery is not sufficient to print the print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. The print system according to claim 9, wherein the print mode is changed to a slow print mode. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit is configured to recover the battery during a printing operation when the remaining power of the battery is not sufficient to print the print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. The print system according to claim 9, wherein the print mode is changed to a print mode in which a pause time is set. 12. A printing system for transmitting print data from a host device to a printing device, wherein the printing device prints an image on a printing medium using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data, wherein the printing device is Transmitting means for transmitting the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host device in accordance with a request from the host device, wherein the host device transmits the print data to the printing device before transmitting the print data to the printing device. From the battery, and when it is determined that the remaining power of the battery is sufficient to print the print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus, the printing data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. A printing system comprising: means for transmitting 13. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: means for issuing an alarm when the remaining power of the battery is insufficient for printing print data to be transmitted from the host device to the printing device. The print system according to claim 12. 14. A printing method for transmitting print data from a host device to a printing device, wherein the printing device prints an image on a print medium using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data. Before transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus transmits the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host apparatus, and prints the print data to be transmitted from the host apparatus to the printing apparatus. Therefore, when the remaining power of the battery is not sufficient, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is changed to a printing mode lower than a normal printing speed. 15. A printing method for transmitting print data from a host device to a printing device, wherein the printing device prints an image on a print target medium using a battery as a driving power source based on the print data. Before transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus transmits the remaining power amount information of the battery to the host apparatus, and prints the print data to be transmitted from the host apparatus to the printing apparatus. The printing data is transmitted from the host device to the printing device after it is determined that the remaining power of the battery is sufficient.