JP2001058444A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer for preventing an erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of a using state. SOLUTION: When a sheet support member 5 for discharging is tilted down to a horizontal position, a shield 51 is separated from a starting pin 41, a power is supplied from a power source to a first input unit, second input unit, controller and output unit, and a printer 13 is started. One end of a setting key cover 66 is rotatably supported by a case 2. Then, the first input unit for acquiring electronic data from a personal computer and the controller are connected to communicate in a state in which the cover 66 is closed, and the second input unit for acquiring electronic data from a recording medium and the controller are connected to communicate in a state in which the cover 66 is opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printer for printing an image on paper based on electronic data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a printer is provided with a paper transport port for supplying and discharging paper, and a discharge paper support for holding the discharged paper is provided near the paper transport port for discharging the paper. A member is provided. The discharged paper supporting member needs to be long enough to support the paper. Therefore, in order to facilitate the storage, installation, and transport, the discharge paper support member is generally detachably locked to the case, rotatably supported by the case, or has an expandable / contractible structure. It is. As a printer provided with such a discharge sheet support member, a printer which rotatably supports the discharge sheet support member in a case and can move the discharge sheet support member to a position covering the sheet conveyance port when not in use is known.

On the other hand, with the spread of digital cameras in recent years, printers capable of acquiring electronic data from a recording medium on which images are recorded by the digital camera and printing the data alone have become widespread. Some of such printers can be connected to a personal computer and can print documents and the like edited on the personal computer. 2. Description of the Related Art A printer capable of both printing alone and printing while connected to a personal computer includes a switch for switching between input of electronic data by a recording medium and input of electronic data by a personal computer.

[0004]

However, there are the following problems when using a printer having a discharge paper supporting member or a printer having a switch for switching inputs. (1) According to a printer in which a discharge paper support member rotates so as to cover a paper transport port, printing may be performed without opening the paper transport port by mistake. In such a case, the printed paper is transported by the paper transport port. There was a problem that the mouth was clogged and bent. (2) According to the printer provided with a switch for switching the input, it is impossible to determine at a glance the state in which electronic data can be input by a recording medium and the state in which electronic data can be input by a personal computer. However, there has been a problem that erroneous operation is caused and the usability is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a printer that prevents erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of a use situation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer whose control state can be determined at a glance from the appearance.

[0006]

A first or ninth aspect of the present invention.
According to the printer described above, the movable member supported by the case can cover the paper transport port formed in the case and communicating between the inside and the outside of the case, and the activation unit for energizing the input unit and the output unit. Therefore, in order for the input unit to acquire the electronic data and the output unit to print the image on the paper based on the electronic data acquired by the input unit, the movable member is moved to expose the activation unit and the paper transport opening. There must be. Therefore, when the input unit and the output unit are energized by the activation unit, the paper conveyance port is prevented from being covered by the movable member, and erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of the use situation is prevented.

According to the printer according to the fourth or tenth aspect of the present invention, the movable member supported by the case can cover the sheet transport port formed in the case and communicating with the inside and outside of the case. The activation unit energizes the input unit and the output unit when the movable member is at a position exposing the paper transport opening, and shuts off the energization of the input unit and the output unit when the movable member is at a position covering the paper transport opening. Therefore, in order for the input unit to acquire the electronic data and for the output unit to print an image on paper based on the electronic data acquired by the input unit, the movable member must be moved to expose the paper transport opening. . Therefore, when the input unit and the output unit are energized by the activation unit, the paper transport port is not covered by the movable member, and erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of the use situation is prevented.

According to the printer of the present invention, the setting key cover supported by the case can cover the setting key for setting the printing condition of the output unit. The switching means causes the output unit to print an image based on the electronic data obtained by the first input unit when the setting key cover is at a position covering the setting key, and when the setting key cover is at a position exposing the setting key. The output unit prints an image based on the electronic data acquired by the second input unit. Therefore, set the printing conditions with the setting key,
In order for the output unit to print an image based on the electronic data obtained from the recording medium by the second input unit, the setting key cover must be moved to expose the setting key.
Also, in order for the output unit to print an image based on electronic data obtained from the external device by the first input unit, the setting key cover must be moved to cover the setting key. Therefore, the control state can be determined at a glance from the appearance, and erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of the use situation is prevented.

According to the printer of the present invention, since the case rotatably supports the setting key cover, the structure for mounting the setting key cover is simple, and the operation of moving the setting key cover is easy. It is.

According to the printer according to the second, fifth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the movable member supports the sheet discharged from the sheet conveying port outside the case, the member supporting the sheet outside the case conveys the sheet. Covers the mouth and has excellent storage and dustproof properties.

According to the printer according to the third, sixth or twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the case rotatably supports the movable member, the structure for attaching the movable member is simple, and the operation for moving the movable member is simple. Easy.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention; (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The printer 1 according to the first embodiment uses a case 2 based on electronic data transmitted from a personal computer.
Paper supply port 22 by an output unit (not shown)
This is an apparatus for printing an image on a sheet conveyed from the printer to a sheet discharge port 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a case 2 has a paper supply port 22 as a paper transport port at each of an upper surface and a lower front surface.
And a paper discharge port 3. In the vicinity of the paper supply port 22,
Supply paper support member 2 for holding paper for printing
3 are provided. On the front surface of the case 1, two support holes 21 for rotatably supporting the discharged paper supporting member 5 for holding printed paper are formed.

The discharged paper supporting member 5 as a movable member includes
It comprises a shielding section 51, a first sheet supporting section 52, and a second sheet supporting section 53. The length of the shielding part 51 in the vertical direction is the case 2
And the horizontal length is smaller than the width of the case 2. The shielding part 51 is a thin bag-shaped member having a space for accommodating the first paper supporting part 52 therein, and two supporting pins 54 inserted into the supporting holes 21 protrude from both sides. . First paper support 52 accommodated in shield 51
Is a bag-shaped member slightly smaller than the shielding portion 51, and is pulled out from the shielding portion 52 at the time of use. First paper support 5
2 is a plate-like member that is slightly smaller than the first paper support 52, and has a stopper 55 at one end.
And is pulled out from the first paper support portion 52 at the time of use.

An input unit (not shown) is provided inside the case 2.
An output unit, a control unit, and a power supply unit are provided. The input section is
An input terminal (not shown) protruding from the back of the case 2;
The cable extended from the personal computer is connected to the input terminal. The output unit prints an image on a sheet by an inkjet method, which is a well-known technique, while conveying the sheet from the sheet conveyance port 22 to the sheet discharge port 3. The control unit drives the output unit based on electronic data transmitted from the personal computer and acquired by the input unit. The power supply unit is supplied with power from a power cable (not shown) and supplies power to the input unit, the output unit, and the control unit.

On the front surface of the case 2, a power switch 4 is provided as a starting means. The power switch is electrically connected to the power supply unit and opens and closes an electric circuit that supplies power to the input unit, the output unit, and the control unit. Each time the power switch 4 is pressed, the printer 1 is activated or terminated.

Hereinafter, the operation of the printer 1 will be described. The discharge paper supporting member 5 is provided with a support pin 54 as an axis.
Rotate 0 degrees. When the discharge paper supporting member 5 is in the horizontal position, the paper discharge port 3 and the power switch 4 are exposed. When the discharge paper support member 5 is in the upright position, the paper discharge port 3 and the power switch 4 are covered and shielded by the shielding portion 51 as shown in FIG. It is. Therefore, the printer 1 cannot be started by turning on the power switch 4 when the sheet discharge port 3 is closed.

When printing a document or the like created by a personal computer using the printer 1, preparation for printing is performed in the following procedure.

The printer 1 and a personal computer are connected by a cable. The discharge sheet supporting member 5 is moved down to the horizontal position, and the first sheet supporting section 52 and the second sheet supporting section 53 are pulled out from the shielding section 51. Press the power switch 4 to activate the printer 1. The paper required for printing is placed on the supply paper support member 23.

After the print preparation is completed, the personal computer controls the printer 1 to execute printing. When a print command is issued from a personal computer, the electronic data is transmitted to the printer 1 via a cable. The electronic data transmitted from the personal computer is acquired by the input unit, and is converted into print data for driving the output unit by the control unit. The output unit prints an image by ejecting ink droplets to a predetermined position on the sheet while conveying the sheet from the sheet supply port 22 to the sheet discharge port 3 based on the print data. The paper on which the image has been printed is discharged from the paper discharge port 3 onto the discharged paper support member 5.

In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, the power switch 4 is not exposed unless the discharged paper supporting member 5 is tilted to the horizontal position. Therefore, the printer 1 cannot be started in a state where the paper discharge port 3 is closed, and the paper discharge port 3 is prevented from being jammed. In other words, printing cannot be performed in a state where printing is not ready,
Erroneous operation of the user can be prevented.

When the discharge paper supporting member 5 is raised to the upright position, the power switch 4 is easily visible, so that forgetting to turn off the power switch 4 is prevented. Further, the discharge paper support member 5 connects the first support portion 52 and the second support portion 53 to the shielding portion 5.
When the printer 1 is housed in the upright position, it can be reduced in size when the printer 1 is not in use. Further, the printer 1 is excellent in dustproofness because the paper discharge port 3 can be covered by the paper support member 5 when not in use.

In this embodiment, the discharge paper supporting member 5 is described as being rotatably supported by the case 2. However, the discharge paper supporting member 5 is a slide type housed under the case 2, and the stopper 55 is The discharge port 3 may be shielded. Alternatively, the power switch 4 may be disposed near the paper supply port 22 and the supply paper support member 23 may be rotatably supported by the case 2.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a printer 12 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 3, a start pin 4 serving as start means for terminating the printer 12 when pressed is provided on a lower portion of the front surface of the case 2.
1 is provided. The starting pin 41 is inserted into a pin hole 42 formed in the case 2, is urged to the outside of the case 2 by a spring (not shown), and protrudes from the case 2. A contact terminal 42 shown in FIG. 4 is provided at an end of the start pin 41 inside the case 2, and a contacted terminal 43 is provided at a position facing the contact terminal 42. When the contact terminal 42 comes into contact with the contacted terminal 43, the printer 12 starts up. When the activation pin 41 is pressed, the contact terminal 42 and the contacted terminal 43 are separated, and the printer 12 ends. The paper support member 5 is attached to the case 2 such that the gap between the outer wall of the shielding portion 51 and the outer wall of the case 2 when in the upright position is smaller than the length of the activation pin 41 protruding outside the case.

Hereinafter, the operation of the printer 12 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the discharge sheet supporting member 5 is at the upright position, the shielding portion 51 is in contact with the starting pin 41, and the starting pin 41 is pushed into the case 2. At this time, the contact terminal 42 and the contacted terminal 43 are in a separated state, and the power supply 71
No power is supplied to the control unit 73 and the output unit 74.

When the discharge sheet supporting member 5 is tilted to the horizontal position during preparation for printing, as shown in FIG. 4B, the shielding portion 51 separates from the starting pin 41, and the starting pin 41 is urged by a spring. Move to the outside of case 2. Activation pin 41
Is moved to the outside of the case 2, the contact terminal 42 and the contacted terminal 43 come into contact with each other, power is supplied from the power supply unit 71 to the input unit 72, the control unit 73, and the output unit 74, and the printer 1 is activated.

After the printing is completed, when the discharge paper supporting member 5 is raised to the upright position, as shown in FIG.
1 contacts the activation pin 41 and pushes the activation pin 41 into the inside of the case 2, so that the contact terminal 42 and the contacted terminal 43 are separated, and the printer 1 ends.

According to the printer 12 of the second embodiment,
When the discharged paper supporting member 5 is in the upright position and the paper discharge port 3 is closed, the printer 12 is always in a finished state. For this reason, printing is not performed in a state where the sheet discharge port 3 is closed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the printed paper from being jammed in the paper outlet 3 due to the user's erroneous operation. Further, since it is possible to determine at a glance whether or not the printer 12 is being activated based on the position of the discharge sheet supporting member 5, it is possible to prevent a user's erroneous operation.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 7 show a printer 13 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Parts substantially the same as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The printer 13
This is an apparatus for printing an image on a sheet based on electronic data transmitted from a personal computer 99 as an external device and electronic data obtained from a recording medium 98.

As shown in FIG. 7, a first input section 75 having an input terminal to which a cable extending from the personal computer 99 is connected is housed in the case 2. As shown in FIG. 5, a card slot 24 for inserting a recording medium is formed on the front surface of the case 2. As shown in FIG. 7, inside the card slot 24, a second input section 76 for reading magnetic information of a recording medium is accommodated. The first input unit 75 and the second input unit 76 convert magnetic information written on a recording medium such as a memory card into electronic data, and
To transmit electronic data.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the upper surface of the case 2, an image selection key 61 and a number selection key 63 are provided as setting keys for setting printing conditions, which are connected to the control unit 73. The pair of image selection keys 61 is a key for selecting an image to be read out from the recording medium 99 and printed by being pressed up or down. The number for identifying the image selected by the image selection key 61 is displayed on an image number display panel 62 which is a segment type liquid crystal display device. The pair of number selection keys 63 is a key for selecting the number of prints of the image read from the recording medium 99 when one of the upper and lower sides is pressed. The number of images to be printed is displayed by a number display panel 64 which is a segment type liquid crystal display device. Also, a print start key 65 key for starting printing on the output unit 74 when pressed is provided near the number display panel.

On the upper surface of the case 2, an image selection key 61, an image number display panel 62, a number selection key 63, a number display panel 64, and a setting key cover 66 for covering a print start key 65 are provided. One end of the setting key cover 66 is rotatably supported by the case 2, and the end has a substantially cylindrical shape eccentric from a rotation shaft 68 as shown in FIG. 7. A changeover switch 69 is provided at a position in contact with the substantially cylindrical end surface as a switching means for switching a circuit by reciprocating up and down. The changeover switch 69 is provided as shown in FIG.
When the setting key cover 66 is closed as shown in FIG. 7A, the first input unit 75 and the control unit 73 are communicably connected, and the setting key cover 66 is opened as shown in FIG. In this state, the second input unit 76 and the control unit 73 are communicably connected. At the other end of the setting key cover 66,
When the setting key cover 66 is closed, the shielding unit 5 is closed.
Right angle bent key part 6 to be covered and covered in contact with 1
7 is formed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the printer 13 will be described. When the discharge paper supporting member 5 is in the upright position, the power of the printer 13 is off, and the setting key cover 66 cannot be opened because the key portion 67 is covered by the shielding portion 51.

When the discharge paper supporting member 5 is moved to the horizontal position, the power of the printer 13 is turned on. When the setting key cover 66 is closed in the horizontal position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A, the first input unit 75 and the control unit 73 are connected and the control unit 73
And the personal computer 99 can communicate, and a document created by the personal computer 99 can be printed.

When the setting key cover 66 is opened to the upright position as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7B, the end of the setting key cover 66 presses the changeover switch 69 so that the second
The input unit 76 and the control unit 73 are connected. In this state,
By inserting a recording medium 98 such as a memory card on which image data is recorded by a digital camera into the card slot 24 and operating the image selection key 61, the control unit 7 is controlled.
3, the number of prints can be determined by operating the number selection key 63, and the printing can be started by pressing the print start key 65.

According to the printer 13 of the third embodiment, when the printer is controlled by the personal computer 99, the setting keys such as the image selection key 61 cannot be operated, and the setting key cover 66 is opened to the upright position. As a result, image data can be obtained from the recording medium and printed. Therefore, erroneous operation due to erroneous recognition of the control state is prevented. Further, the control state of the printer 13 can be determined at a glance from the appearance by the open / close state of the setting key cover 66.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a state where a discharged paper supporting member is upright. (B) is a schematic diagram showing the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the discharged paper supporting member is at a horizontal position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a state where a setting key cover is in a horizontal position. (B) is a schematic diagram showing the printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a state where the setting key cover is upright.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 12, 13 printer 2 case 3 paper discharge port (paper transport port) 4 power switch (starting means) 5 discharge paper support member (movable member) 41 start pin (starting means) 61 image selection key (setting key) 63 number of sheets Selection key (setting key) 66 Setting key cover 69 Changeover switch (switching means) 72 Input unit 73 Control unit 74 Output unit 75 First input unit 76 Second input unit 98 Recording medium 99 Personal computer (external device)

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A case for housing an input unit for acquiring electronic data, an output unit for printing an image on paper based on the electronic data acquired by the input unit, and a case formed inside the case and inside and outside the case. A paper transport port that communicates with the input unit and the output unit; and a movable member that is supported by the case and that can cover the paper transport port and the startup unit. And the printer. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the movable member supports a sheet discharged from a sheet conveyance port outside a case. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the case rotatably supports the movable member. 4. A case for housing an input unit for acquiring electronic data, an output unit for printing an image on paper based on the electronic data acquired by the input unit, and a case formed in the case and inside and outside the case. A communicating paper transport port, a movable member supported by the case and capable of covering the paper transport port, and energizing the input section and the output section when the movable member is at a position exposing the paper transport port. And a start-up unit that cuts off the power supply to the input unit and the output unit when the movable member is at a position covering the paper conveyance port. 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the movable member supports a sheet discharged from a sheet conveyance port outside the case. 6. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the case rotatably supports the movable member. 7. A first method for acquiring electronic data from an external device.
A case for housing an input unit, a second input unit for acquiring electronic data from a recording medium, and an output unit for printing an image on paper based on the electronic data acquired by the first input unit or the second input unit; A paper conveyance port formed in the case and communicating with the inside and outside of the case; a starting unit for energizing the first input unit, the second input unit, and the output unit; and a setting unit for setting a printing condition of the output unit. A setting key, a setting key cover supported by the case and capable of covering the setting key, and a setting key cover which is obtained by the first input unit at the output unit when the setting key cover is at a position covering the setting key. An image is printed based on the electronic data obtained, and when the setting key cover is at a position where the setting key is exposed, the output unit is configured to output the image based on the electronic data acquired by the second input unit. Printer, characterized in that it comprises a switching means for printing an image. 8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the case rotatably supports the setting key cover. 9. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the case supports a movable member capable of covering the sheet transport port and the activation unit. 10. The case supports a movable member capable of covering the paper transport port, and the activation means is configured to output the input unit and the output when the movable member is at a position exposing the paper transport port. Power on the part,
9. The printer according to claim 7, wherein when the movable member is at a position covering the sheet transport port, the input unit and the output unit are turned off. 9. 11. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the movable member supports a sheet discharged from a sheet conveyance port outside the case. 12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the case rotatably supports the movable member.
The printer described.