JP2001199123A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect various internal mechanisms from effects by dust and the like in a printer which carries out a printing process for image information inputted from outside or stored image information. SOLUTION: This printer 1 has a body part 3 involving the printing mechanism 4, etc., and an image display part 5 freely closably supported on the body part and carries out the printing process for image information inputted from outside or stored image information. A paper feed part 7 and/or a paper delivery part of the printing mechanism are covered by closing the image display part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for printing externally input image information or stored image information, and more particularly to a technique for eliminating the influence of dust or the like in a portable printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printer that prints image information input from the outside or stored image information, a paper feeding unit and a paper discharging unit, that is, a paper feeding unit serving as an entrance for a print sheet to enter inside. Since the mouth and the paper exit for the printed print paper to be ejected from the inside are usually exposed and have no cover or lid, dust and the like enter the interior from these paper supply and paper exits. However, it may adversely affect various internal mechanisms. In particular, the intrusion of dust and the like into the inside from the paper feed port and the paper discharge port is remarkable because dust and the like are drawn into the paper feed port together with the print paper due to its structure. This is also remarkable in a portable printer that may be used in an outdoor environment, which is an environment where there are many cases.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention protects various internal mechanisms from the effects of dust and the like in a printer that prints image information input from outside or stored image information. The task is to

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a main body including a printing mechanism and the like, and an image display section supported by the main body to be openable and closable. A printer for performing printing processing of input image information or stored image information, wherein a sheet feeding unit and / or a sheet discharging unit of a printing mechanism is covered by closing an image display unit.

[0005] Therefore, it is possible to cover the paper feeding unit and / or the paper discharging unit of the printing mechanism with the image display unit and to prevent the intrusion of dust and the like into the inside.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is applied to a camera-integrated VTR (video tape recorder) in which a print mechanism is integrated.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the appearance of a camera-integrated VTR 1 incorporating a printing mechanism.

The camera-integrated VTR 1 has a main body 3 including an imaging lens 2 and a VTR mechanism (not shown), and a printing mechanism (hereinafter, printer unit) 4 is built in the rear of the main body 3. Have been. An image display unit (hereinafter, a liquid crystal display panel) 5 is attached to the left side surface 3a of the main unit 3 so as to be openable and closable, and a viewfinder 6 is attached to an upper portion thereof. The liquid crystal panel 5 is opened as shown in FIG. 2 when in use, and is closed as shown in FIG. 1 when not in use.

The above-mentioned liquid crystal panel 5 and viewfinder 6 are used not only for determining a composition at the time of photographing and for confirming a photographed image, but also for selecting and confirming an image to be printed.

The VTR 1 has a configuration in which the paper feed port 7 of the printing mechanism 4 is covered by closing the liquid crystal panel 5.

That is, when the liquid crystal display panel 5 on the left side surface 3a of the main body 3 is closed, the portion covered by the liquid crystal display panel 5 is supplied with print paper as shown in FIGS. The paper section, that is, the paper feed port 7 is open. A left side surface 3a of the main body 3 on the side where the paper feed port 7 is opened.
On the right side 3b on the opposite side, a paper discharge unit, that is, a paper discharge port (not shown) for discharging print paper drawn into the printer unit 4 from the paper supply port 7 is opened. A print switch 8 for operating the printer unit 4 is provided at the rear of the upper surface 3c of the main body 3. As shown in FIG. 2, both the paper discharge port and the print switch 8 can be covered by a slide cover 9 slidably provided in the front-rear direction.

Incidentally, in the VTR 1, the paper discharge port is provided in the main body 3.
Is provided on the right side surface 3b of the main body, but is not limited to this, and is covered by the liquid crystal display panel 5 when the liquid crystal display panel 5 on the left side surface 3a of the main body is closed, for example, like the paper feed port 7. A portion may be provided side by side with the paper feed port 7, or the paper feed port 7 may also serve as a paper discharge port. By doing so, the paper discharge port in addition to the paper supply port 7 is covered by the liquid crystal display panel 5, so that it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the inside of the printer unit 4. The print switch 8 may be provided on the left side surface 3a of the main body 3 which is covered by closing the liquid crystal display panel 5.

The printing paper is drawn into the printer unit 3 from the paper feed port 7 in the direction of arrow 10 in the view of the VTR 1 shown in FIG. 2 from above, and is printed in the direction of arrow 11 after printing is performed. The paper is discharged from the paper discharge port.

In the VTR 1, it is not necessary to keep the printer unit 4 powered on. At least, the printout is not performed unless the liquid crystal display panel 5 is opened and the paper feed port 7 provided in the main body 3 is exposed. Therefore, in the VTR 1, the power supply of the printer unit 4 is, as shown in FIG. 3 is a power on / off switch (power switch) 1
2, or in conjunction with the opening and closing of the liquid crystal display panel 5, the power of the printer unit 4 is automatically turned on (turned on) when the liquid crystal display panel 5 is opened, and when the liquid crystal display panel 5 is closed. It is automatically turned off (turned off).

Information such as images to be printed out by the printer unit 4 is stored in image information input from the outside by the imaging lens 2 or the like, or in a video tape, a built-in memory, a removable memory, or the like. It was done.

When printing out image information or the like by the VTR 1, when the liquid crystal display panel 5 is opened at an appropriate angle, the power supply of the printer unit 4 is automatically or covered by the liquid crystal display panel 5. The power switch 12 is turned on by operating the power switch 12 that appears on the left side surface 3a of the main body 3, and after that, while checking the images displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5 and the viewfinder 6, the paper feed port 7 is printed. By operating the switch 8, printing can be performed.

As described above, the printout can be performed while confirming the information such as the image to be printed out on the liquid crystal display panel 5. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a print error such as a mistake in the image information to be printed. Will be possible.

The positional relationship between the various mechanisms inside the printer unit 4 and the paper feed port 7 and the paper discharge port is not particularly limited. Referring to the object of the present invention to minimize the intrusion of dust or the like, for example, a print head or the like that is susceptible to dust or the like is opened by the liquid crystal display panel 5 used not only at the time of printing out but also at the time of shooting. It is desirable from the paper feed port 7 having such a structure that the paper feed port 7 is located as far away (in the back) as possible from the viewpoint of dustproofness (the same applies to a printer with an image display device described below).

In the above-described embodiment, the printer is incorporated in the camera-integrated VTR.
It goes without saying that the printer alone may be used.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show another embodiment in which the printer of the present invention is applied to a portable printer having an image display device (liquid crystal display device).

As shown in FIG.
Has a main body 21 in which a printing mechanism is built, and an image display unit (liquid crystal display panel) 22 supported on the main body 21 so as to be openable and closable.

Paper feed port 23 which is a paper feed section of printer 21
The paper feed port 23 has a stepped portion 24 and is opened at a portion which is retracted slightly rearward from the front surface 21a of the main body portion 21.
The print paper drawn into the body 21 from the
The liquid crystal display panel 22 is discharged from a discharge port, not shown, provided on a rear surface 21b of the main body 21 on the side where the liquid crystal display panel 22 is openably and closably supported.

When the liquid crystal display panel 22 is closed, the front end of the liquid crystal display panel 22 is bent into an eaves-like shape, ie, has a substantially L-shape as a whole. The paper feed port 23 is covered and concealed by engaging with the step portion 24 of the portion 21. In addition, an independent lid-shaped thing is separately provided in the paper discharge port. A print switch 25 is provided on the upper surface 21c of the main body 21, so that when the liquid crystal display panel 22 is closed, it is covered by the liquid crystal display panel 22.

As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 30 includes a main body 31 having a built-in printing mechanism, and an image display unit (liquid crystal display panel) supported to be openable and closable with respect to the main body 31. 32.

A paper feed port 33 which is a paper feed section of the printer 31
Has an opening at a portion where a step portion 34 is formed and is retracted slightly to the right side of the left side surface 31a of the main body portion 31. Similarly, a discharge port, which is a discharge portion (not shown), is formed with a step portion 35. The opening is formed in a part of the main body 31 which is slightly leftward of the right side surface 31b.

Accordingly, the print paper drawn from the paper feed port 33 provided on the left side surface 31a into the main body 31 moves from left to right, and is shown on the right side surface 31b of the main body 31. The paper is discharged from a paper discharge port, which is a paper discharge unit that does not.

The left and right ends of the liquid crystal display panel 32 are bent and extended in an eaves-like shape in an open state, that is, have a substantially U-shape as a whole.
Is closed, the step 34 and the step 3 of the main body 31 are closed.
5 to cover and cover the paper feed port 33 and the paper discharge port. A print switch 35 is provided on the upper surface 31c of the main body 31 so that when the liquid crystal display panel 32 is closed, it is covered by the liquid crystal display panel 32.

Therefore, these printers 20 and 30
When printing out image information or the like, when the liquid crystal display panel 22 or 32 is opened at an appropriate angle as in the case of the VTR 1, the power supply is automatically or automatically covered by the liquid crystal display panel 22 or 32. It is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown) provided on the upper surface 21a or 31a of the main body portion 21 or 31, and thereafter, while checking the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 22 or 32, Printing is possible by supplying paper to the opening 23 or 33 and operating the print switch 25 or 35.

As described above, the printout can be performed while the information such as the image to be printed out is confirmed by the liquid crystal display panel 22 or 32, so that a print error such as a mistake in the image information or the like to be printed is eliminated. It becomes possible.

Further, information such as an image to be printed out by the printer 20 or 30 may be information input from an external device connected by wire or wireless, an internal memory, or a removable memory. This is stored in a memory or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the power switch, the print switch, and the various operation switches are provided so as not to perform an incorrect operation when not in use.
A switch displayed as a part of the image on the screen of the image display unit during use may be operated by an appropriate pointer such as a touch panel.

As described above, in the present invention, in a printer, in particular, a portable printer having an image display unit, at least a paper supply unit for drawing in print paper, that is, a print paper is drawn in. The paper feed port, which is easy to draw in foreign substances such as dust at the same time, is covered by an image display section that can be opened and closed when not in use, so that dust and the like can be effectively eliminated. However, it becomes possible as much as possible, and there is no need to separately provide a cover for the paper feed port, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

Further, since the power of the printing mechanism is turned on by opening the image display unit or the power of the printing mechanism is automatically turned on by opening the image display unit, It is possible to simplify the operation and save power, and sometimes avoid a reduction in the continuous use time of a portable battery-powered printer.

It should be noted that the specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples for embodying the present invention, and the technical features of the present invention will be described below. The scope should not be construed as limiting.

[0035]

As described above, the printer according to the present invention has a main body including a print mechanism and the like, and an image display unit supported to be openable and closable with respect to the main body. A printer that prints information or stored image information, wherein a paper feed unit and / or a paper discharge unit of a print mechanism is covered by closing an image display unit. Minimize the possibility of dust entering the inside of the unit from inside to adversely affect various internal mechanisms.
Can be eliminated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the printout can be performed while checking the image displayed on the image display section, the image to be printed out may be mistaken. Printing errors can be eliminated.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the structure in which the power of the printing mechanism can be turned on by opening the image display section or the power of the printing mechanism is automatically turned on by opening the image display section. Because of the structure, the operation can be simplified and the power consumption can be reduced, and the continuous use time of a portable battery-powered printer can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a camera-integrated VTR in which a printing mechanism is integrally incorporated together with FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entire configuration of the VTR. .

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the VTR is viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the VTR in a state where an image display unit is opened.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable printer with an image display device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable printer with an image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 3 ... Body part, 4 ... Printing mechanism, 5 ...
Image display unit, 7: paper feed unit, 20: printer, 21: main unit, 22: image display unit, 23: paper feed unit, 30: printer, 31: main unit, 32: image display unit, 33: paper feed Department

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Shigeomi Igami 9-15-22 Hongocho, Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture Inside Sony Minokamo Corporation (72) Inventor Yoichi Miyajima 6-7 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 35 Sony Corporation F term (reference) 2C061 AP10 AS02 BB00 CD07 CD13 CD15 5C018 FA00 FA02 FB07 FB09 5C052 AA01 AA11 AB02 FA01 FA03 FA04 FB01 FC01 FC02 FE07 FE08 FE09

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image display unit that is openably and closably supported by the main body, the main body including a printing mechanism and the like.
What is claimed is: 1. A printer for performing printing processing of image information input from outside or stored image information, wherein a sheet feeding unit and / or a sheet discharging unit of a printing mechanism is covered by closing the image display unit. A printer. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a printout can be performed while checking an image displayed on the image display unit. 3. A structure in which the power of the printing mechanism can be turned on by opening the image display unit, or the structure in which the power of the printing mechanism is automatically turned on by opening the image display unit. The printer according to claim 1.