JP2002149354A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device having the interface of a recording media, which reads a file and data in a recording media into an outer device such as a personal computer and changes it by the outer device without connecting the reader of the recording media. SOLUTION: When an instruction (file reading instruction and the like) on the operation of a recording content in the recording media mounted on the printing device 100a is given from the outer device such as the personal computer through a communication interface part 4, an operation (file reading operation and the like) corresponding to the instruction is performed on the recording media through a recording media control part 9. The result of the operation is transmitted to the outer device through the communication interface part 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to, for example, a PC card (JEIDA (Japan Electronic Industry Development Association)) and a US PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card).
IC standardized by International Association)
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having an interface of a detachable recording medium such as a card, and more particularly to a printing apparatus suitable for handling image data recorded on a recording medium by an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of a printing apparatus having a recording medium interface is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-11-33.
There is a technique described in Japanese Patent No. 4157.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus described in the above publication. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 100b denotes a printing device having a PC card interface. The printing device 100b includes a CPU unit 1, a program memory unit 2, an image memory unit 3, a communication interface unit 4, an operation panel unit 5, and a printing unit. Part 6, switch 7,
It comprises a system bus 8 and a PC card unit 11.

When printing is performed by transferring print data from an external device such as a personal computer, the printing device 100b is connected to the external device by the communication interface unit 4 directly or via a network.
The print data transferred from the external device is transferred to the image memory unit 3 under the control of the CPU unit 1,
And print data is transferred to the printing unit 6 under the control of the CPU unit 1 to perform printing.

When printing image data taken by an image pickup device (such as a digital camera) having an interface of a recording medium such as a PC card, the PC card on which the image data file is recorded is printed on the PC card unit 11. The printing device 100b reads the image data file from the PC card and transfers it to the image memory unit 3 when the image data file is compressed.
The image data is decompressed by the U unit 1 and converted into desired print data for printing.

[0006]

The conventional printing apparatus 100b performs printing when print data is transferred from an external device such as a personal computer, and prints data when a recording medium is inserted. It is only configured to print the image data file that has been decompressed. Therefore, the printing apparatus 100b has no means for cooperating data between the recording medium and the external device, such as transferring an image data file read from the recording medium to an external device such as a personal computer.

That is, for example, when an image file recorded on a recording medium is once taken into an external device, and the contents of the file in the recording medium are to be changed by the external device, such as when the user wants to print after editing the image. For example, the interface of the recording medium provided in the printing apparatus 100b cannot be effectively used,
On the external device side, it is necessary to separately connect a read / write device having an interface corresponding to a desired recording medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a printing apparatus having a recording medium interface, in which a recording medium read / write apparatus is separately connected to an external device such as a personal computer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can read and change files and data in a recording medium from an external device without any need.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording medium is detachable, and recording medium control means for providing a communication interface with the recording medium can be connected to an external device. A communication interface unit that provides a communication interface with the external device; and a control unit that controls the external device to access the recording medium via the communication interface unit and the recording medium control unit. Device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the access to the recording medium from the external device is performed in units of all or a part of a file, or in a predetermined manner. This is a printing device that performs data units.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit controls access to the recording medium from the external device.
The printing device notifies the external device whether the control has succeeded or failed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit is configured to perform an operation on the recording content in the recording medium from the external device, and an operation from the printing apparatus. And a printing apparatus for performing exclusive control with the operation on the recorded content in the recording medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit detects the mounting of the recording medium on the recording medium control unit, and the control unit controls the external device. A connection to the communication interface is detected, and when the recording medium is mounted on the recording medium control and the external device is connected to the communication interface, the external device is notified of the mounting of the recording medium. Printing device.

The invention according to claim 6 is the printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication interface means and the external device are connected by a bus including a voltage supply line, and A voltage is supplied from the external device via a voltage supply line, and the control unit monitors the voltage value of the voltage supply line to detect connection of the external device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the external device accesses the recording medium via the communication interface unit and the recording medium control unit. Is a printing device in which a procedure of an exchange performed between the printing device and the printing device is stored.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Embodiment> This embodiment relates to a printing apparatus provided with an interface for a recording medium such as a PC card, and the operation of recorded contents in a recording medium mounted on the printing apparatus. When an instruction relating to the recording medium is given from an external device such as a personal computer, an operation corresponding to the instruction is performed on the recording medium, so that a recording medium read / write device is not separately connected to the external device. It is a printing device capable of reading and changing files and data in the printer.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the description of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The same components as those of 00b are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100a denotes a printing apparatus having an interface corresponding to a removable recording medium such as a smart media or a PC card.
The printing apparatus 100a includes a CP that controls the entire printing apparatus.
U unit 1, a program memory unit 2 storing a control program of the printing apparatus, an image memory unit 3 storing data relating to printing from an external device such as a personal computer or a recording medium, and communication with the external device Communication interface unit 4 that provides an interface
A recording medium control unit 9 for providing a communication interface with a recording medium; a switch 7 for an operator to input various instructions to the printing apparatus; an operation panel unit 5 including a display panel for displaying a file name and the like; It comprises a printing section 6 for printing print data in the memory section 3 and a system bus 8 connecting the respective sections.

The CPU section 1 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and has a RAM (Random Accumulator) according to a microprogram stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory).
essMemory), while performing data processing while performing data exchange with the essMemory), based on the processed data, the image memory unit 3, the communication interface unit 4, the recording media control unit 9, the operation panel unit 5, It controls the printing unit 6 and the like. Further, the CPU 1 controls the external device to access the recording medium via the communication interface 4 and the recording medium controller 9.

The communication interface unit 4 provides a communication interface with an external device. In this embodiment, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface is used. FIG. 2 shows the structure of a USB bus cable used in the USB interface. In FIG. 2, reference numeral _VBUS represents a voltage supply line, and a voltage is supplied from an external device to the printing apparatus 100a. Reference numeral GND is a ground potential supply line.
Symbols D ⁺ and D ^- are data lines for sending binary signals.

The recording medium controller 9 provides a communication interface with the recording medium, has a mounting slot for the recording medium, and reads data recorded on the recording medium and also writes data.

The recording medium mounted on the recording medium control unit 9 may be, for example, a disk, but in this case, the recorded contents may be read by rotating the disk. In such a case, drive control such as disk rotation is also performed by the recording media control unit 9.

Hereinafter, the printing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described.
The operation of 00a will be described.

The printing apparatus 100a operates according to a control program stored in the program memory unit 2.
The operation of each unit is controlled by the PU unit 1.

When printing is performed based on print data transferred from an external device such as a personal computer, the printing device 100a is, like the conventional printing device 100b,
It is connected to an external device directly or via a network by the communication interface unit 4, transfers the print data transferred from the external device to the image memory unit 3, and further transfers the print data from the image memory unit 4 to the printing unit 6. Print.

Next, for example, a PC such as a digital camera
A case in which image data captured by an imaging device using a recording medium such as a card as an interface is printed will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

First, the operation of the printing apparatus 100a when a recording medium is mounted in a mounting slot included in the recording medium control unit 9 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printing apparatus 100a when a recording medium is mounted. In the drawing, ST1 to ST5 show steps of the flow.

First, when the processing shown in FIG. 3 is started, in step ST1, the CPU section 1 detects that the recording medium has been mounted in the mounting slot through the recording medium control section 9 by polling processing or interrupt processing. I do. Then, when it is detected that the recording medium is mounted on the printing apparatus, it is determined in step ST2 whether the mounted recording medium is operable.

It is to be noted that whether or not the recording medium can be operated is determined by checking the operating voltage, the recording capacity, the type of the card, and the like of the recording medium to check whether or not the recording medium is physically compatible. This is performed by determining whether the recording format conforms to the format of the printing apparatus and checking whether the recording medium is logically compatible.

If it is determined in step ST2 that the operation is possible, the CPU 1 performs the polling process or the interrupt process in step ST3, and
It is determined whether or not the printing apparatus 100a is connected to an external apparatus via the printer.

The determination as to whether an external device is connected may be made by monitoring the voltage value of the voltage supply line _VBUS of the USB bus shown in FIG. Then, the connection of the external device can be easily detected.

If it is detected in step ST3 that an external device is not connected, in step ST5, the printing apparatus 100a accesses the contents recorded on the recording medium, and
For example, all directory items recorded on the recording medium are read, file information such as a file name and a file size of the data file recorded on the recording medium is obtained, and the file information is displayed on the display panel of the operation panel unit 5. I do. Thereafter, by operating the switch 7 appropriately, an arbitrary file in the recording medium can be printed.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step ST3 that an external device is connected, the printing apparatus 100a acquires the file information of the recording medium in step ST4, and transmits the recording medium to the external device via the USB interface. Notify the installation of. After this, switch 7
An operator can print an arbitrary file in the recording medium by appropriately operating.

Then, the printing apparatus 100a reads the image data file from the recording medium via the recording medium control unit 9 and transfers it to the image memory unit 3, and further, if the image data file is compressed, the CPU unit 1 Performs image data decompression processing, converts the image data into desired print data, and performs printing.

By the printing apparatus 100a notifying the external apparatus of the mounting of the recording medium, the external apparatus can determine whether or not to give a file operation to the recording medium from the external apparatus described later to the printing apparatus. . And
The printing device 100a transmits the obtained file information of the recording medium to the external device, and the external device that has received the file information displays the file information on its own monitor.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of the file information on the operation panel unit 5 in the printing apparatus 100a, and FIG. 5 shows a monitor display example of the file information in the external apparatus 200. In FIG. 4, file names F1 to F5 of various files
Are displayed, and also in FIG. 5, the file names and file types of the files Fa to Fe corresponding to the file names F1 to F5 are displayed.

The recording medium may store not only a file of image data but also data such as a text document. The file name F4 in FIG. 4 and the file Fd in FIG. 5 indicate this. Then, a file operation on a recording medium from an external device, which will be described later, can be performed not only for image data files but also for all types of files.

Next, an operation for accessing a file on a recording medium mounted on the printing apparatus 100a from the external device via the communication interface unit 4 after transferring file information such as a file name to the external device. Will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the external device when the operator gives a file operation instruction to the external device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printing apparatus 100a when a file operation command is received from an external device.

In the external device, a program of a procedure of mutual exchange with the printing apparatus 100a for accessing the recording medium via the communication interface unit 4 and the recording medium control unit 9 is stored in advance as a driver. ing. As a result, the printing apparatus 10
It is possible to freely access the recording medium via the storage medium 0a.

First, a case will be described in which a file recorded on a recording medium is read into an external device, such as when a desired file is opened from a screen displaying a file name as shown in FIG. 5 in the external device.

First, a file operation instruction is determined in step ST11. If the instruction is to read a file, a “file read command” is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100a via the USB interface in step ST12.

The printing apparatus 100a monitors data reception from the USB interface by polling processing or interrupt processing. Then, in step ST21, the printing device 100a determines the operation command received from the external device, and when receiving the "file read command", reads the specified file from the recording medium in step ST22.

Then, it is determined in step ST23 whether or not the file has been successfully read.
The printing device 100a transmits the read file data to the external device in step ST25. In the external device, information on the success or failure of reading the file from the printing device 100a is received. If “file read failure” is not received in step ST13, the file is received in step ST14, and the file is received. Reading is successful.

On the other hand, if the reading of the file has failed in step ST23, the printing apparatus 100a transmits "file reading failed" to the external device in step ST24. Then, the external device receives “File read failure” in step ST13, and the file read fails.

If the reading of the file fails, the external device determines again whether or not to issue a file reading instruction. For example, in the case of failure, the instruction may always be retransmitted, or the operator may be asked to determine whether to retransmit the instruction.

Next, a case of writing a file on a recording medium from an external device, such as a case where an opened file is modified, changed, and saved, or a case where a newly created file is saved on a recording medium, will be described.

First, in the external device, step ST11
To determine a file operation instruction. If the instruction is to write a file, a “file write command” is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100a via the USB interface in step ST15.
At T16, the data of the file to be written is transmitted.

In step ST21, the printing device 100a determines the operation command received from the external device, and when receiving the "file write command" from the external device, receives the file data sent from the external device in step ST26. I do. Then, in step ST27, if the specified file does not exist, writing is performed as a new file on the recording medium, and if it already exists, the file is rewritten.

Then, it is determined in step ST28 whether or not the writing of the file has succeeded.
In step ST29, the printing device 100a transmits "file writing success" to the external device. The external device receives the information on the success or failure of writing the file from the printing device 100a, and if the external device receives “successful file writing” in step ST17, the file writing is successful.

On the other hand, if the writing of the file has failed in step ST28, the printing apparatus 100a transmits "file writing failed" to the external device in step ST30. Then, in the external device, “file write failure” is received in step ST17, and the file write fails.

If the file writing has failed, the external device determines again whether or not to issue a file writing instruction. For example, in the case of failure, the instruction may always be retransmitted, or the operator may be asked to determine whether to retransmit the instruction.

Finally, a case in which a file recorded on a recording medium is deleted by an instruction from the external device, such as deleting a desired file from a screen displaying a file name as shown in FIG. .

First, in step ST11, a file operation instruction is determined. If the instruction is to delete the file, the printer 100a is sent to the printing apparatus 100a in step ST18.
"File delete command" via B interface
Send

In step ST21, the printing apparatus 100a determines the operation command received from the external device, and when receiving the "file delete command" from the external device, copies the designated file in the recording medium to step ST31.
To delete.

Then, it is determined in step ST32 whether or not the file has been successfully deleted. If the file has been successfully deleted, the printing apparatus 100a transmits "Successfully deleted file" to the external device in step ST33. In the external device, the information of the success or failure of the file deletion from the printing device 100a is received, and if "file deletion success" is received in step ST19, the file deletion is successful.

On the other hand, if the deletion of the file has failed in step ST32, the printing apparatus 10 is deleted in step ST34.
0a transmits "file deletion failure" to the external device.
Then, the external device receives “File deletion failure” in step ST19, and the file deletion fails.

If the file deletion has failed, the external device determines again whether or not to issue a file deletion instruction.
For example, in the case of failure, the instruction may always be retransmitted, or the operator may be asked to determine whether to retransmit the instruction.

By appropriately performing the combination of reading, writing, and deleting a file as described above, file duplication in a recording medium, file duplication from a recording medium to an external device, It is possible to perform all operations that can be performed by the recording medium read / write device, such as copying a file from the device to the recording medium.

In the external device, the user interface may be set so that, for example, double-clicking one file name in the monitor display example shown in FIG. 5 opens the file.

As described above, if the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is used, the CPU 1 controls access to a recording medium via the communication interface unit 4 and the recording medium control unit 9 by the external device. Without separately connecting a read / write device for recording media to an external device,
A file in the recording medium can be read or changed from an external device, so that a highly convenient printing device can be obtained.

After controlling access to the recording medium from the external device, the CPU unit 1 notifies the external device whether the operation has succeeded or failed, so that the external device should issue an instruction again. Can be determined. Further, when the mounting of the recording medium is detected and the connection of the external device is detected, the CPU unit 1 notifies the external device of the mounting of the recording medium. It can be determined whether or not an instruction regarding the operation should be given to the printing apparatus.

Further, the printing device and the external device are connected by a bus including a voltage supply line such as a USB bus, and the printing device detects the connection of the external device by monitoring the voltage value of the voltage supply line. The connection of the external device can be easily detected.

Next, the file operation on the recording medium when reading or deleting a file from an external device and the file operation on the recording medium when the printing apparatus 100a prints a file in the recording medium are described. The operation when exclusive control is performed between the two will be described. Here, the exclusive control refers to control for adjusting the case where the file operation of the recording medium is performed from the external device and the case where the file operation of the recording medium is performed from the printing apparatus 100a so as not to conflict.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the exclusive control operation in the printing apparatus 100a from the start of the file operation request to the end of the file operation processing.

When a file operation request is received from the external device or the printing device 100a, the CPU 1 checks ON / OFF of a file operation flag preset in a register or the like in the microcomputer in step ST41. If the file operation flag is ON, the file operation flag is set to O in step ST45.
Wait for a file operation request until it becomes FF.

If the file operation flag is turned off in step ST45, or if the file operation flag is turned off in step ST41, the file operation flag is turned on in step ST42 to clearly indicate that the file operation is to be performed. To

Then, in step ST43, file operation processing such as file reading and file writing is performed.
After the file operation is completed, the file operation flag is turned off in step ST44.

As described above, if exclusive control is performed between the file operation on the recording medium from the external device and the file operation on the recording medium from the printing device 100a, one of the external device and the printing device 100a is performed. Is performing a file operation on the recording medium, the other waits for a file operation on the recording medium, so that the operations do not collide with each other.

Although the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied to a printing apparatus to which various recording media can be attached and detached, any printing apparatus having various recording media interfaces can be used. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus. As the recording media, in addition to the above-described smart media and PC card, for example, there are a multimedia card, a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick, and the like.
An interface corresponding to these recording media may be provided in the printing apparatus to comply with each standard.

In the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the operation is performed on a file-by-file basis. However, by configuring the command and processing of file open, file read, file write, file seek, and file close, It is also possible to use a printing device that can partially operate the file.

That is, in the case of a configuration in which operation is performed on a file basis, for example, when the content of a file is changed by an external device, first, a file in a recording medium is received from a printing device via a communication interface, and the received file is externally transmitted. After making changes on the device, send the changed file to the printing device,
Update the file on the recording media.

On the other hand, in the case of a configuration in which a file is partially manipulated, similarly, for example, when the content of a file is changed by an external device, first, a command (file Open command) is sent from the external device, and the file is searched by the program of the printing device to make it readable and writable. Next, a command (file seek command) for seeking to the address to be changed is sent, and the position of the current pointer in the file is moved. Then, data to be written is transmitted from the external device by a file write command (file write command), and the transmitted data is written on the printing device side. Finally, a command to close the file (file close command) is sent from the external device to end the read / write state of the specified file, and the access to the recording medium of the printing device is ended.

As described above, if the recording medium can be accessed from the external device in all or a part of the file, the access can be easily performed.

In both the case of operating on a file basis and the case of partially operating a file,
Step ST4 or S shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Since the file information has been read into the printing device at T5, it is possible to access an arbitrary file in the recording medium.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the case where the USB interface is employed as the communication interface has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a parallel interface may be used. In this case, if the interface has a voltage supply line, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained by monitoring the voltage value of the voltage supply line.

Further, the types, numbers, connection states, etc. of the printing unit, for example, the printing unit 6, the recording medium control unit 9, the image memory unit 3, etc. may be arbitrarily set.

<Second Embodiment> This embodiment is a modification of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the operation of the recording medium from the external device is not performed on a file basis or on a partial basis of the file. I do.

The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the external device when the operator gives an instruction for data input / output to the external device. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the printing apparatus 100a when a data input / output command is received from an external device.

First, a case where data in a recording medium is read from an external device, for example, when reading a file will be described.

First, a data input / output instruction is determined in step ST51. If the instruction is to read data, a “data read command” is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100a via the communication interface unit 4 in step ST52.

The printing apparatus 100a monitors data reception from the communication interface unit 4 by polling or interruption. Then, in step ST61, the printing apparatus 1
00a determines the data input / output command received from the external device, and if a "data read command" is received, reads data from the specified address of the recording medium in step ST62.

Then, in step ST63, it is determined whether or not the reading of the data has succeeded. If the reading has succeeded, the printing apparatus 100a stores the read data in step ST65.
To send to an external device. In the external device, information on the success or failure of data reading from the printing device 100a is received. If the external device does not receive “data reading failure” in step ST53, the process proceeds to step S53.
At T54, the data is received, and the data reading is successful.

On the other hand, if the data reading has failed in step ST63, the printing apparatus 1 is determined in step ST64.
00a transmits “data read failure” to the external device. Then, the external device receives “data read failure” in step ST53, and the data read fails.

In the case of data reading failure, the external device determines again whether or not to issue a data reading instruction. For example, in the case of failure, the instruction may always be retransmitted, or the operator may be asked to determine whether to retransmit the instruction.

Next, a case of writing data from an external device to a recording medium, such as a case of writing a file, will be described.

First, the external device performs step ST51.
To determine the data input / output instruction. If the instruction is to write data, the printing device 1 is determined in step ST55.
A “data write command” is transmitted to the communication device 00a via the communication interface unit 4, and then the step ST
The data to be written is transmitted at 56.

In step ST61, the printing device 100a determines the operation command received from the external device, and when receiving the “data write command” from the external device,
The data sent from the external device is received in step ST66. Then, in step ST67, data is written to the specified address of the recording medium.

Then, it is determined in step ST68 whether or not the writing of the file has succeeded.
The printing device 100a transmits "data writing success" to the external device in step ST69. For external devices,
If the information of the success or failure of the data writing from the printing apparatus 100a is received, and the external apparatus receives “data writing success” in step ST57, the data writing is successful.

On the other hand, if the data writing has failed in step ST68, the printing device 1
00a transmits "data write failure" to the external device. Then, the external device receives “data write failure” in step ST57, and the data write fails.

If the data write has failed, the external device determines again whether or not to issue a data write instruction. For example, in the case of a failure, the instruction may be retransmitted at all times, or the operator may be asked to determine whether to retransmit the instruction.

Since the case of deleting a file in the first embodiment corresponds to clearing the data, the data writing process is used to set, for example, 0x00 (x is an arbitrary value) indicating a clear state. Hex value).

By appropriately combining the data reading and the data writing as described above, the file reading from the recording medium, the file writing to the recording medium, and the communication between the recording medium and the external device are performed. It is possible to perform all the operations that can be performed by a recording medium read / write device, such as copying a file, reading / writing directory information, reading / writing FAT (File Allocation Table) information, and the like.

As described above, when the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is used, similarly to the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, an instruction regarding an input / output operation of data recorded in a recording medium is given from an external device. When the printing device performs the operation corresponding to the instruction from the external device with respect to the recording medium, the reading and changing of the data in the recording medium can be performed without separately connecting the reading / writing device of the recording medium to the external device. Can be performed from an external device, and a printing device with high convenience can be obtained.

Further, since the recording medium is accessed from the external device in predetermined data units, more detailed processing can be performed as compared with the case of accessing in file units.

[0097]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the external device is provided with control means for controlling access to the recording medium via the communication interface means and the recording medium control means, the external device is provided with the recording medium. It is possible to obtain a highly convenient printing apparatus capable of reading and changing files and data in a recording medium from an external apparatus without separately connecting a reading / writing apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when an external device accesses a recording medium in whole or a part of a file, the access can be easily performed. Further, when accessing the recording medium from the external device in a predetermined data unit, more detailed processing can be performed as compared with the case of accessing in a file unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control means, after controlling the access to the recording medium from the external device, notifies the external device whether the control has succeeded or failed. The external device can again determine whether to issue the instruction.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the operation between the operation of the content recorded on the recording medium from the external device and the operation of the content recorded on the recording medium from the printing device. Since exclusive control is performed, when one of the external device and the printing device is operating the recorded content in the recording medium, the other is waiting for the operation on the recorded content in the recording medium. Operation does not conflict.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means detects attachment of the recording medium to the recording medium control means, detects connection of the external device to the communication interface means, and sets the recording medium to the recording medium. When attached to the control means and the external device is connected to the communication interface means, the external device notifies the external device of the attachment of the recording medium, so that the external device gives an instruction on the operation of the recorded contents in the recording medium to the printing device. It can be determined whether or not it should be.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the communication interface means and the external device are connected by a bus including a voltage supply line, and the control means monitors the voltage value of the voltage supply line to control the external device. Since the connection is detected, the connection of the external device can be easily detected.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the exchange procedure between the printing apparatus and the external apparatus for accessing the recording medium via the communication interface means and the recording medium control means is provided to the external apparatus. Is stored, the external device can freely access the recording medium via the printing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a USB bus cable.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when a recording medium is mounted in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation panel unit 5 of file information in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a monitor display example of file information in an external device connected to the printing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the external device when a file operation instruction is given to the external device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment when a file operation command is received from an external apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exclusive control operation in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment from the start of a file operation request to the end of the file operation process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the external device when an instruction for data input / output is given to the external device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment when a data input / output command is received from an external apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU section, 2 program memory section, 3 image memory section, 4 communication interface section, 5 operation panel section, 6 printing section, 7 switch, 8 system bus, 9
Recording media control unit, 100a printing device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Takeshita 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Atsuko Hirano 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F term in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (reference) 2C061 AP01 HJ08 HN05 HN15 HP01 HQ20 HV35 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 CC05 DD19 EE01 5C052 AA11 AA17 AB04 CC01 DD02 DD04 GA02 GA05 GA09 GB01 GB09 GE08 GF04 5C053 FA04 FA08 FA08 FA08 LA01 LA03 LA11

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium control means for detachably attaching a recording medium and providing a communication interface with the recording medium, and a communication capable of connecting an external device and providing a communication interface with the external device. A printing apparatus comprising: an interface unit; and a control unit that controls the external device to access the recording medium via the communication interface unit and the recording medium control unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device accesses the recording medium.
A printing device that performs the whole or part of a file or a predetermined data unit. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls access to the recording medium from the external device, and then determines whether the control has succeeded or failed. A printing device that notifies the external device. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs an operation on the content recorded on the recording medium from the external device and a recording on the recording medium from the printing device. A printing device that performs exclusive control between operations on contents. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects attachment of the recording medium to the recording medium control unit, and connects the external device to the communication interface unit. A printing device that detects, when the recording medium is mounted on the recording medium control means, and when the external device is connected to the communication interface means, notifies the external device of the mounting of the recording medium. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein the communication interface unit and the external device are connected by a bus including a voltage supply line, and the printing device is connected to the printing device via the voltage supply line. A printing apparatus, wherein a voltage is supplied from an external device, and wherein the control unit detects connection of the external device by monitoring a voltage value of the voltage supply line. 7. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is connected to the printing device to access the recording medium via the communication interface unit and the recording medium control unit. A printing device in which a procedure of an exchange performed mutually is stored.