JP2000272173A - Portable image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable image forming apparatus capable of surely executing supply/recovery operations of ink to a recording head in terms of an image forming apparatus that performs the recording on an arbitrary recording medium by using the ink jet recording technology. SOLUTION: The typical structure of this image forming apparatus is a handy printer 3 comprising a recording unit 4 for recording an image by using the ink jet recording technology and a recovery unit 5 to which the recording unit 4 is detachably attached. The handy printer 3 further comprises a coupling means 7 for coupling the recording unit 4 with the recovery unit 5. The coupling means 7 is so constituted that the coupling is released for a predetermined time period after the recovery operation is executed by the recovery unit 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable image forming apparatus capable of printing an image or a character at an arbitrary position on an arbitrary recording medium such as a book or a printed matter, without being limited to a fixed printing paper. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to record image information such as images and characters, it is necessary to pass a recording medium through an image recording apparatus. Therefore, a standard recording sheet suitable for the image recording apparatus is required. Generally, a recording medium of about A6 to A3 is stored in a dedicated or several kinds of cassettes, trays, or the like, and an image is formed by using this. I was recording.

For example, as a conventional image recording method, there is a method of transferring by heat or impact while reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording medium using an ink ribbon,
An electrophotographic system in which an electrostatic latent image formed on a charged drum is developed with toner and then electrically transferred to a recording medium, an inkjet system in which an image is formed by discharging ink droplets from a plurality of arranged nozzles, and the like There is.

In any of these, a recording medium on which an image is to be recorded must be conveyed inside the apparatus, and a sheet cut into a fixed form or a long roll paper configured to be cut after recording an image is required. Had to be attached to the device.

[0005]

However, in the above-described configuration, there is a problem that the object on which an image can be recorded is extremely limited. For example, even if it is desired to add an image record at an arbitrary position to a bound book such as a book or a binding material, since these cannot be set in the image forming apparatus, the image is recorded. It is impossible.

Even if the recording medium is a sheet having a shape suitable for the image forming apparatus (excluding a material that cannot fix the ink for image recording), the recording medium on which the image has been once recorded is further removed. You may want to add an image. At this time, if the recording medium is a fixed sheet separated one by one and the sheet end is flat without bending or habit, an additional image is recorded again by the image forming apparatus. Is also possible.

However, in such a case, it is necessary to create data in consideration of output position information of image information to be added to the entire sheet. In addition, if an attempt is made to add an image when there is only one master, work such as test printing occurs because it cannot be failed, and therefore wasteful recording media is consumed, which is preferable in terms of time and resources. It is hard to say.

[0008] To overcome these problems, a handy image forming apparatus has been devised in which a user installs an image at an arbitrary position and records an image. For example, the apparatus proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-67032 is a bottom recording type handy printer that performs image recording by bringing the bottom surface into contact with a recording medium, and an inkjet recording head is provided on the bottom surface and the recording head is recorded. A spacing mechanism for moving along the surface of the medium is provided, and a control unit for creating or receiving recording information and controlling the recording head and the spacing mechanism based on the recording information is provided.

According to this, recording can be performed on a relatively flat surface without restriction of movement or connection of the medium, and the selection range of the recording medium on which an image can be formed can be expanded. It is a very effective one.

[0010] By using such an apparatus, when recording on a part of a bound printed matter such as a book, the user can easily determine the portion to be recorded while viewing the target printed matter, and print. It is very convenient. At this time, since the recording medium is generally plain paper, an ink jet recording method capable of recording high-quality images on plain paper is simple and most suitable.

However, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-67032, an ink supply recovery system that removes clogging of ink and supplies ink in an ink jet recording unit despite the use of an ink jet recording apparatus. There is no representation of the mechanism. When the apparatus is actually configured, it is not practical because ink exchange of the ink jet recording head cannot be performed without the ink supply recovery system.

On the other hand, when an ink jet recording apparatus is actually configured, if this ink supply recovery system is configured, the positional relationship between the recording surface, the recording head, and the ink supply recovery system cannot be configured. That is, the ink supply recovery system sucks ink from the recording head or wipes the ejection surface with a wiper called a blade, but in a configuration of a bottom recording type handy printer that performs printing by contacting the bottom surface on the recording medium. However, if this ink supply recovery mechanism is provided, it is difficult to keep the size of the apparatus small.

Actually, it is not practical because the recording head cannot be replaced without such an ink supply recovery system. Therefore, the portable image forming apparatus is divided into a recording unit for performing a recording operation and an ink supply recovery unit, and only the recording unit is used at the time of recording. Supply recovery operation can be performed. However, in this case as well, it is difficult to determine when the ink supply recovery operation should be performed, and it is expected that ink will not be ejected normally in the middle of continuous use of the ink jet unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to reliably perform an ink supply recovery operation to a recording head in an image forming apparatus that performs recording on an arbitrary recording medium using an inkjet recording method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable image forming apparatus which can be used.

[0015]

In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a recording unit for recording an image using an ink jet recording system, and the recording unit An image recording unit for disposing the image recording unit on the recording medium and exposing the image recording unit to the outside, and an ink supply recovery unit for detachably attaching the image recording unit. A portable image forming apparatus, wherein an ink supply unit is integrally attached to the image recording unit and the ink supply unit and the image recording unit are used separately during image formation. And a connection unit for connecting the ink supply recovery unit and the ink supply recovery unit, wherein the connection unit is configured to release the connection only for a predetermined time after performing the recovery operation by the ink supply recovery unit. That.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a portable image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image recording unit mounted on a main device. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording unit of the portable image forming apparatus, FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink supply / recovery unit of the portable image forming device, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connecting unit, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the portable image forming apparatus.

[Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus and a portable image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a handy printer 3) connected thereto. And each of the image recording means adopts an ink jet recording method. All controls related to image output are provided in the main apparatus, and a portable image forming apparatus is connected as necessary, and an image is recorded at an arbitrary position on a recording medium.

The main device 1 is a so-called video printer that mainly records image signals input from an image input device, and prints out a digital input from a video camera or a digital still camera. In the present embodiment, the video camera 2 is connected to the video input terminal 1e.

The handy printer 3 comprises a recording unit 4 as an image recording unit and a recovery unit 5 as an ink supply / recovery unit. The recording unit 4 and the recovery unit 5 are detachably connected by connecting means described later. Have been. The recovery unit 5 is connected to the main device 1 by a first cable 6a, and the recovery unit 5 and the recording unit 4 are connected by a second cable 6b. Each of these will be described below.

[Main Device] As shown in FIG. 2, the main device 1 is provided with a control means 10 for controlling various devices of the main device 1 and the handy printer 3. The control means 10 also performs processing of image information to be sent to the recording means 11 of the main device 1 and processing of image information to be sent to the handy printer 3. The connection detection means 15 determines whether or not the handy printer 3 is connected. Can be recognized.

A video camera 2 is connected to a video input terminal 1 d of the main device 1, and is connected to control means 10. The control means 10 is connected to a memory means 13 for temporarily storing image information obtained from the video camera 2, and a print button 1a, an image storage button 1b, and a power switch 1c for the user to provide support. .

The control means 10 is provided with a monitoring control means 14 for monitoring the state of the ink cartridge 118 provided in the recording means 11 during the recording operation. Monitoring control means
Reference numeral 14 counts not only the recording means 11 but also the number of times the recording head of the recording unit 4 to be described later is actually driven from the ink supply recovery operation.

The recording means 11 is controlled via a recording control unit 12, and can record an image. Recording means shown in FIG.
In 11, the carriage 111 is slidably supported by the guide rod 117, and a pin (not shown) is engaged with the spiral groove 116 a of the lead screw 116. Lead screw 1
16 is the driving motor 1 via the driving force transmission gears 113, 114, 115
The drive force of 12 is transmitted, and it rotates forward and reverse. As a result, the carriage 111 reciprocates along the guide rod 117 in the directions of arrows a and b.

An ink cartridge 118 is mounted on the carriage 111 and is installed so as to oppose the platen roller 120. The platen roller 120 conveys the recording medium P by rotation, and further, the recording medium P
1 presses the platen roller 120 over the moving direction of the carriage 111. Then, the carriage 111 moves while the ink cartridge 118 discharges ink,
The image is recorded by intermittently transporting the recording medium P synchronously with the platen roller 120.

A photocoupler 122 is provided at one end of the operating range of the carriage 111, and can detect the presence of the lever 119 of the carriage 111 to recognize that the carriage 111 is at the home position.

At the home position, a cap member 123 for capping the front surface of the recording head 118a of the ink cartridge 118 is provided. This cap member 123
Is sucked by suction means 124, and the recording head 118
a suction recovery can be performed. A lever 125 for starting suction recovery is in contact with the surface 124a of the suction means 124. The lever 125 moves with the movement of the cam 126 engaged with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor 112 is transmitted by a known transmission means such as clutch switching.

In the home position, the recording head
A cleaning blade 127 for wiping 118a is provided. The cleaning blade 127 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction by a moving member 128 supported by the main body support plate 129. Note that the cleaning blade 127 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and a known cleaning method can be applied to the present invention.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery operations are configured such that when the carriage 111 is positioned at the home position, predetermined operations are performed at respective corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 116. A predetermined operation may be performed according to timing.

[Portable Image Forming Apparatus] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handy printer 3 as a portable image forming apparatus comprises a recording unit 4 and a recovery unit 5, and these are connected by connecting means 7. It is configured to be removable. Hereinafter, each will be described.

[Recording Unit] First, the recording unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The recording unit 4 is integrally connected to the recovery unit 5 in a normal unused state. The recording unit 4 is supplied with a recording signal, a control signal, and power from the main device 1 via the first cable 6a, the recovery unit 5, and the second cable 6b.

A print button 4a and display means 4b are provided on the exterior of the recording unit 4. The print button 4a is for supporting the start of image formation by the recording unit 4, and the display means 4b is for displaying information from the monitoring control means 14. In the present embodiment, the display means 4b is configured by arranging, for example, five LEDs.

A carriage 40a on which the ink cartridge 40 is mounted is connected to a lead screw 41 by a pin (not shown), and the lead screw 41 is connected to a pinion gear 42.
a, the driving force of the transverse feed motor 42 is transmitted via the gear 42b, and the motor 42 is driven to rotate. Accordingly, the rotation of the lead screw 41 allows the ink cartridge 40 to move in the lateral direction. One ends of the lateral feed motor 42 and the lead screw 41 are held by a metal 43, and the other end of the lead screw 41 is movably supported by a guide plate 45.

The metal 43 is mounted on a holder 44, and the holder 44 is connected to a vertical lead screw 46 by a pin (not shown). The driving force of the vertical feed motor 47 is transmitted to the lead screw 46 via pinion gears 47a and 47b.
Moves vertically. Along with this, the lead screw 41 and the ink cartridge 40 held by the holder 44 also move in the vertical direction.

With the above configuration, the ink cartridge 40 can move vertically and horizontally, and can move to any position within the plane of the movable range. When recording an image, first, the ink is ejected while rotating the ink cartridge 40 in the horizontal direction by rotating the lead screw 41, and an image for one line is recorded.

When image recording for one line is completed, the lead screw 41 is rotated in the reverse direction to return the ink cartridge 40 to the original position in the horizontal direction, and the lead screw 46 is rotated to move one line in the vertical direction. Then, the image for the next one line is recorded, and the image is further moved one line in the vertical direction. By repeating this, an image can be recorded on a plane. Although the recording medium P is transported in the recording means 11 of the main apparatus 1, the recording unit 4 can record a planar image by moving the ink cartridge 40 in the vertical direction as described above.

In this embodiment, the one-way recording operation is used to minimize the error in the writing position of each line. However, the recording of the next line is performed on the return path. A configuration is also possible, and in this case, the time required for recording can be reduced.

[Ink Supply Recovery Unit] Next, the recovery unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The recovery unit 5 includes a circuit 50 having a disconnection detection unit 51 for detecting that the recording unit 4 is connected, and an ink supply recovery unit 52 for recovering the ink supply of the ink cartridge 40. The separation detecting means 51 is specifically configured by providing a detection switch such as a photo sensor.

The circuit 50 is connected to the main unit 1 by the first cable 6a, and receives a recording signal and power from the main unit 1. The recording signal and the power are further supplied to the recording unit 4 through the second cable 6b.

The recovery unit 5 includes an ink supply recovery unit.
52 are provided. The ink supply recovery unit 52 is a main device 1
The ink supply recovery operation of the ink cartridge 40 of the recording unit 4 is performed by a signal transmitted from the control means 10 of the first embodiment. The ink supply recovery unit 52 includes a cap 53 for sucking ink from the recording head of the ink cartridge 40.
, An ink tube 55 connected to the cap 53, a supply recovery motor 56 for making the inside of the ink tube a negative pressure, and an ink absorber 57 connected to the ink tube 55.

When the recording unit 4 and the recovery unit 5 are integrally connected, the cap 53 is pressed against the recording head of the ink cartridge 40 when the ink cartridge 40 is at a predetermined position. When the supply recovery motor 56 is driven to rotate in this state, the roller 56a of the supply recovery motor 56 rotates while pressing against the ink tube 55 so as to crush it. Then, the ink tube 55 is in a state where a negative pressure is generated, and the ink in the ink cartridge 40 is sucked. The unnecessary ink sucked is sent to the ink absorber 57 for processing.

Thus, the ink fixed in the nozzles of the ink cartridge 40 and the air bubbles in the nozzles can be sucked out, thereby preventing defective ink ejection.
Also, it has a role of supplying ink to the inside of the nozzle when the ink cartridge 40 is replaced. Further, a blade 54 is provided adjacent to the cap 53. After the ink supply recovery operation by the ink supply recovery unit 52, the ink cartridge is slightly moved and the blade 54 wipes off the ejection surface of the recording head of the ink cartridge 40, thereby preventing unnecessary ink from remaining.

[Connecting Means] Next, the connecting means 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. The connecting means 7 is provided with a connecting hook 58 provided on the recovery unit 5 and a connecting rod provided on the recording unit 4.
The connection is made by locking to 48, and connection or release is performed by a control signal from the main device 1.

The connecting rod 48 is supported at both ends in the recording unit 4 by support beams 48a. Meanwhile recovery unit 5
In this case, the connecting hook 58 is rotatably supported substantially at the center, has a hook 58a at the upper end, and the lower end is in contact with the cam 59a. The cam 59a is configured to be rotatable by a lock motor 59, and the connecting hook 58 is moved by a spring 58b.
The connection hook 58 is oscillated with the rotation of the cam 59a by urging the hook 59a.

When the recovery unit 5 and the recording unit 4 are made separable by a control signal from the main unit 1, the lock motor 59 is rotated to rotate the cam 59a,
The hook 58a and the connecting rod 48 are separated. Conversely, when the recovery unit 5 and the recording unit 4 are connected by a control signal from the main device 1, the lock motor 59 is rotated to engage the hook 58a and the connecting rod 48 by the spring 58b. The recording unit 4 can be fixed to the recovery unit 5.

[Operation of Main Apparatus] In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, first, an operation of the main apparatus 1 relating to image recording will be described with reference to FIG. When the user inputs the power switch 1c of the main device 1 (S1), the control means 10 determines whether three days (72 hours) have elapsed since the power was last turned off (S2). . If three or more days have elapsed, the control unit 10 issues an instruction to the recording control unit 12, drives the image recording unit 11, and performs recovery pumping (S3).

Here, the recovery pumping is to make the recording more effective in an ink jet recording system described later, and the recording head is cleaned by means such as a suction pump before recording on the recording medium. Things. In this embodiment, this cleaning is performed when the power is turned on when there is an unused period of three days or more in this embodiment.

When the user performs image recording using the main device 1, the user inputs the output of the video camera 2 to the video input terminal 1d of the main device 1 and inputs an image signal (S).
4). Next, the user presses the image storage button 1b of the main device 1 to load the image information into the memory means 13 (S5).

When the user presses the print button 1a assuming that the captured image information is the content to be recorded (S6), the control means 10 controls the image information such as the YC (luminance / color difference) signal or the RGB signal stored in the memory means 13. After performing a series of image processing such as color conversion processing (YMCK processing), gamma correction processing, level adjustment and edge adjustment, hue and saturation correction, and pixel interpolation processing suitable for the output size, The image recording means 11 which handles the binarized information performs binarization processing such as error diffusion or dither processing which is essential for performing a recording operation, and converts it into a recording signal (S7).

The image recording means 11 is driven by the recording control unit 12 in accordance with the recording signal, and an image is output to a predetermined recording medium P (S8). When the output operation is completed, the control means 10
Ejects the recording medium P and sets the next recording medium P (S9). The above operation is repeated as a normal printing operation.

[Operation of Portable Image Forming Apparatus] Next, a case where the user desires to output an image to a recording object other than a fixed sheet such as a book or a bound printed matter will be described with reference to FIG. First, the handy printer 3 is connected to the main device 1 by the first cable 6a.
Connect with. At this time, if the connection of the handy printer 3 is detected by the connection detecting means 15 of the main device 1,
The control means 10 switches the internal processing circuit (software program) so as to match the image output method to the output form of the handy printer 3.

When power is supplied to the recovery unit 5 by connecting the first cable 6a to the main unit 1, control means is provided.
10 issues a recovery operation instruction to drive the ink supply recovery unit 52 of the recovery unit 5 of the handy printer 3 (H2),
The fixing by the connecting means 7 is released. Recovery unit 5
The recording unit 4 is configured to operate by receiving power supply from the main device 1 and supply of a print signal and a control signal.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether five minutes have elapsed since the recovery operation was performed (H3).
After the elapse of this time, the connection of the recording unit 4 is fixed again by the connecting means 7 (H4), and a warning is displayed on the display means 4b (H5). This is because if actual image recording is not performed for a while even if the recovery operation is performed when the first cable 6a is connected, the recovery operation performed earlier is not effective, and a recording failure may occur. When the connecting means 7 is connected again, the user presses the cleaning switch 1d of the main device 1 to perform the recovery operation again to release the connection.

Thereafter, the user lifts the recording unit 4 to separate it from the recovery unit 5 (H6). In this embodiment, the power is supplied to the recording unit 4 for the first time at this time (H7). Then, the recording unit 4 is placed at an arbitrary position on the printing target, and the image information to be output is fetched into the memory means 13 by pressing the image storage button 1b as in the recording by the main device 1 (H8). If the captured image information is the content to be recorded, the recording start signal is generated by pressing the print button 4a on the side of the recording unit 4 (H9) and transmitted to the control means 10 through the second cable 6b and the first cable 6a. Can be

The control means 10 controls the Y stored in the memory means 13
A series of image processing such as color conversion processing (YMCK processing), gamma correction processing, level adjustment and edge adjustment, hue and saturation correction, and the like are performed on image information such as C (luminance and color difference) signals or RGB signals. After performing pixel interpolation processing that matches the output size, the inkjet recording unit that handles the binarization information adds binarization processing such as error diffusion and dither processing that is essential for performing the printing operation, and adds the binarization processing to the recording signal. Convert and send (H10).

Here, since the recording unit 4 of the handy printer 3 is designed to be output by a simple and miniaturized ink jet unit, a recording signal necessary for actual image recording is stored in the image recording means 11 of the main unit 1. Is different from For example, the main device 1 may be a multi-valued ink jet recording device having a plurality of dark and light inks for each color, but the handheld printer 3 of the present embodiment, which has been downsized, has a C
This is the case where only MYK four-color inks are used.

In this case, since the number of colors required for output of the print signal is different, the processing calculation method and the arrangement of the data of the print signal are different from the processing of multi-valued data when dark and light ink is used. In addition, the output size of the handy printer 3 is limited due to its miniaturization, and if the same processing as that for normal image recording is performed, the print often becomes unsightly. In the present embodiment, the recording information for the handy printer 3 when the handy printer 3 is connected is controlled so that edge enhancement processing of an image is not performed.

In this case, since the number of colors required for output of the recording signal is different, the processing calculation method and the arrangement of the data of the recording signal are different from the processing of the multi-valued data when the dark and light inks are used. In addition, the output size of the handy printer 3 is limited due to its miniaturization, and if the same processing as that for normal image recording is performed, the print often becomes unsightly. In the present embodiment, the recording information for the handy printer 3 when the handy printer 3 is connected is controlled so that edge enhancement processing of an image is not performed.

Based on the transmitted recording information, the recording unit 4 of the handy printer 3 performs a recording operation at a predetermined position (H11). When the image recording operation is completed, a warning such as a sound or light notifying the end is issued (H12), and the user is informed that the recording unit 4 may be released, and also urged to return the recording unit 4 to the recovery unit 5.

At the same time, it is determined whether the predetermined number of ejections has been reached (H13). As described above, the number of times of ink ejection is measured by the monitoring control means 14 provided in the main device 1, and a warning is issued if the predetermined number of times of ejection has been reached during image formation (H14). If the number has not reached, the number of lit LEDs of the five LEDs of the display means 4b is changed to inform the user of the approximate number of recordable images (H15).

[Ink-jet recording method] Here, the ink-jet recording method used in the present embodiment will be described. The present invention particularly includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection in an ink jet recording system, and the state of the ink is changed by the thermal energy. This leads to an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type that causes the above.

As for the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796.

In the case of the on-demand type, especially, this method uses nucleate boiling corresponding to the recorded information on the electrothermal transducer disposed on the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal that gives a rapid rise in temperature exceeding the maximum, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing the film to boil on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. This is effective because air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed.
By the growth and contraction of the bubble, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet.

When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately, and the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.
US Pat. No. 4,446,335 describes this pulse-shaped drive signal.
No. 9 and No. 4,435,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in the specification of 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 ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid path or right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, heat is applied. A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which an action portion is arranged in a bending region, is also included in the present invention.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening to be absorbed corresponds to a discharge portion.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording device, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the requirements or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but by adopting these configurations, the present invention can be more effectively exerted.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it is possible to electrically connect with the apparatus main body and supply ink from the apparatus main body, and to be integrated with the recording head of a replaceable chip tank or the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided in a fixed manner is used. It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus of the present invention, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized.

If these are specifically raised, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording device section is not limited to recording only the mainstream color such as black, but may be an integral recording head or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. It is extremely effective that the apparatus is provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

[0070]

As described above, in the portable image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the connection between the image recording section and the ink supply recovery section is fixed after a lapse of a predetermined time from the recovery operation. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the effect of the recovery operation is lost due to the lapse of time and a recording failure is caused, and the image formation can always be performed with the recording unit in a good state.

Also, the monitoring control means monitors the state of the recording means to warn the user,
This has the effect that the user can easily know the timing at which the recovery operation is to be performed, and it is possible to prevent the ejection failure and the accompanying recording failure.

Further, since the information on the remaining recordable amount detected by the monitoring control means is displayed to the user at any time by the display means, the remaining recordable amount can be confirmed even when the image is continuously formed. It is possible,
Image formation without failure can be performed.

Further, by configuring the image recording section to be turned on only when the image recording section is separated from the ink supply recovery section, power consumption can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an entire configuration of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image recording unit mounted on a main device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording unit of the portable image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink supply recovery unit of the portable image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connecting means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of a main device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the portable image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P ... recording medium 1 ... main unit 1a ... print button 1b ... image storage button 1c ... power switch 1d ... cleaning switch 1e ... video input terminal 2 ... video camera 3 ... handy printer 4 ... recording unit 4a ... print button 4b ... display means 5 Recovery unit 6a First cable 6b Second cable 7 Connecting means 10 Control means 11 Recording means 12 Recording control unit 13 Memory means 14 Monitoring control means 15 Connection detection means 40 Ink cartridge 40a ... carriage 41 ... lead screw 42 ... motor 42a ... pinion gear 42b ... gear 43 ... metal 44 ... holder 45 ... guide plate 46 ... lead screw 47 ... motor 47a ... pinion gear 47b ... gear 48 ... connecting rod 48a ... supporting beam 50 ... Circuit 51 Detecting means 52 Ink supply recovery section 53 Cap 54 Blur C 55… Ink tube 56… Supply recovery motor 56a… Roller 57… Ink absorber 58… Connecting hook 58a… Hook 58b… Spring 59… Lock motor 59a… Cam 111… Carriage 112… Driving motor 113… Driving force transmission gear 114 … Driving force transmission gear 115… Driving force transmission gear 116… Lead screw 116a… Spiral groove 117… Guide rod 118… Ink cartridge 118a… Recording head 119… Lever 120… Platen roller 121… Plate 122… Photocoupler 123… Cap member 124 ... suction means 124a ... surface 125 ... lever 126 ... cam 127 ... cleaning blade 128 ... moving member 129 ... body support plate

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Claims (6)

[Claims] An image recording unit that has a recording unit that records an image using an ink jet recording system, and that is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside and that is disposed on a recording medium to record an image; An ink supply recovery unit for detachably attaching the image recording unit, wherein the ink supply unit is integrally attached to the image recording unit during storage, and the ink supply unit is connected to the ink supply unit during image formation. A portable image forming apparatus that is used by separating the image recording unit from the image recording unit, comprising a connecting unit that connects the image recording unit and the ink supply recovery unit, wherein the connection unit is provided by the ink supply recovery unit. A portable image forming apparatus, wherein the connection is released only for a predetermined time after the recovery operation is performed. 2. An image recording section, comprising: recording means for recording an image using an ink jet recording method, arranging the recording means so as to be exposed to the outside, and installing the recording means on a recording medium to record an image; An ink supply recovery unit for detachably attaching the image recording unit, wherein the ink supply unit is integrally attached to the image recording unit during storage, and the ink supply unit is connected to the ink supply unit during image formation. A portable image forming apparatus that is used separately from the image recording unit, comprising: a monitoring control unit that monitors a state of a recording unit in the image recording unit; and a warning unit that issues a warning to a user. The portable control unit is configured to issue a warning by the warning means when the monitoring means determines that the recording means requires a recovery operation by the ink supply means. Image forming apparatus. 3. An image recording unit having recording means for recording an image using an ink jet recording method, wherein the recording means is arranged to be exposed to the outside and arranged on a recording medium to perform image recording; An ink supply recovery unit for detachably attaching the image recording unit, wherein the ink supply unit is integrally attached to the image recording unit during storage, and the ink supply unit is connected to the ink supply unit during image formation. A portable image forming apparatus that is used separately from the image recording unit, comprising: a monitoring control unit that monitors a state of a recording unit in the image recording unit; and a display unit that displays information to a user. Wherein the monitor control means monitors the remaining recordable amount until the image recording section needs a recovery operation, and displays the remaining recordable amount by the display means. Apparatus. 4. An image recording unit having recording means for recording an image by using an ink jet recording method, wherein the recording means is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside, and is disposed on a recording medium to record an image. An ink supply recovery unit for detachably attaching the image recording unit, wherein the ink supply unit is integrally attached to the image recording unit during storage, and the ink supply unit is connected to the ink supply unit during image formation. A portable image forming apparatus that is used while being separated from the image recording unit, wherein power is supplied to the image recording unit only while the image recording unit is separated from the ink supply recovery unit. Portable image forming apparatus. 5. An ink supply / recovery unit is connected to a main device having an image processing unit for processing an image signal. The image recording unit receives a converted image information recording signal via the ink supply / recovery unit. The portable image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a control signal, a power supply, and the like are supplied. 6. The main apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: the image processing unit; and a recording unit, wherein the image processing unit performs the main processing even when input image information is the same. An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for changing image processing between output to a recording means of the apparatus and output to a recording means of the portable image forming apparatus.