JP2002221760A - Mobile printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To integrate a mobile printer with various portable telephones with sufficient strength. SOLUTION: A frame 12b of a connection adapter 12 is formed so as to be connected in accordance with the configuration of an end without looseness. The slender cylindrical part 12a of the connection adapter 12 is formed so as to be connected in accordance with the holder part 15 of the mobile printer 10 without looseness. When the end 14a of a portable telephone 14 is inserted into the frame 12b of the connection adapter 12 and the slender cylindrical part 12a of the connection adapter 12 is inserted into the holder part 15, the portable telephone 14 is integrated with the mobile printer 10. The mobile printer 10 and the portable telephone 14 are both stably held by holding the mobile printer 10 with one hand, thus the other free hand can freely carry out operation of the mobile printer 10 and the portable telephone 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile printer, and more particularly, to a mobile printer having a mechanism capable of integrally connecting a portable telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a small printer (hereinafter referred to as a mobile printer) called a color mobile printer which can be connected to a mobile phone via a connection cable has been marketed (sold by J-Phone, manufactured by Sharp Stock). Company). In this mobile printer, if a mobile phone with a mobile camera having a built-in CMOS image sensor is used as a mobile phone to be connected, a photographed image can be printed out on the spot. The mobile printer can print out an attached image of a transmitted mail, an image downloaded through the Internet or the like, an image imported from a personal computer, and the like.

[0003]

As described above, the above-mentioned mobile printer uses a dedicated connection cable for connection with a mobile phone. However, in the case of printing out on the spot, it is difficult to say that the operability is always good because the printing operation is performed while holding both the mobile phone and the mobile printer in hand. . In addition, since the connection cable becomes a hindrance, there is a difficulty in handling.

Therefore, it is conceivable to directly connect a mobile printer and a mobile phone without using a connection cable. The number of pins of the terminal of the mobile phone is 16 pins as standard, and the standard of the corresponding connector guide is determined. Therefore, the connector of the mobile printer may be adapted to this. Although PHS has 12 pins and other mobile phones have 18 pins, even if the number of pins of terminals is different, it can be handled by software on the printer side.

[0005] However, since the shape of the mobile phone itself, particularly the shape of the portion in which the terminals are embedded, has various shapes, when the mobile phone and the mobile phone are connected, the outer shape of the mobile phone is not connected. Can not be used as a guide. Simply connecting the terminal of the mobile phone to the connector of the mobile printer and connecting the two is not sufficient in connection strength, and may damage the terminal of the mobile phone or drop the mobile phone. It should be noted that the mobile printer may be manufactured as a dedicated product for a specific mobile phone, but is not profitable and is not practical.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile printer capable of integrally connecting various portable telephones with sufficient strength.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, a mobile printer according to the present invention is used in connection with a mobile phone and prints out transmitted images and the like. A connection adapter having a shape and a size prepared for each outer shape of the end of the mobile phone, wherein the shape and size of the frame for receiving and holding the end on the side where the connection terminal is provided are provided; And a holder for receiving and detachably holding the opposite end, and electrically connected to the connection terminal of the mobile phone via the connection adapter.

The printout of the image or the like is made of a photosensitive sheet, an image receiving sheet, a developing solution pod containing a developing solution, and a mono-sheet having a trap portion for trapping excess developing solution as a basic component. This is performed by exposing a type instant film with an exposure head.

In a mobile printer that is used in connection with a mobile phone and prints out transmitted images and the like, a connector to which a terminal of the mobile phone is electrically connected and a terminal connected to the connector. The portable telephone includes a holder portion surrounding at least an outer shape near a terminal of the mobile phone with a gap, and an elastically deformable body attached to an inner wall surface of the holder portion and filling the gap to hold the mobile phone in the holder portion.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, one end of a box-shaped printer main body 11 of the mobile printer 10 has an end 1 on the side where a connection terminal of a mobile phone 14 is provided via a connection adapter 12.
There is provided a cylindrical holder 15 to which the members 4a are integrally connected.

The connection adapter 12 is connected to a thin tube portion 12a inserted into the holder portion 15 and connected to the thin tube portion 12a.
And the frame portion 12b into which the four end portions 14a are inserted. The frame portion 12b is provided at the end 14a of the mobile phone 14 to be inserted.
The shape is adapted to the outer shape of the end portion 14a so that it is held without rattling. That is, the connection adapter 12
Are prepared for different outer shapes of the end portion 14a of the mobile phone 14. Reference numeral 13 denotes a liquid crystal panel of the mobile phone 14.

The opening of the holder 15 has a shape cut obliquely when viewed from the lateral direction so that the thin cylindrical portion 12a of the connection adapter 12 can be easily inserted. A connector 17 that is electrically connected to a terminal 16 a provided inside the connection adapter 12 is provided behind the holder portion 15.

A pair of adapter release buttons 18 for unlocking the connection adapter 12 are provided on the outer surfaces of both side walls of the holder portion 15 so as to be capable of being pressed.
A triangular claw 18a integrally formed with the adapter release button 18 protrudes from the inner surfaces of both side walls of the holder 15. By inserting the small tubular portion 12a of the connection adapter 12 into the holder portion 15, the claw portion 18a engages with the concave portion 21 formed on the outer surface of both side walls of the small tubular portion 12a, and connects the connection adapter 12 to the holder portion. Lock in 15. The claw portion 18a is provided with the adapter release button 18.
By pressing, it is retracted from the inside of the holder portion 15 into both side walls, and the engagement with the concave portion 21 is released.

The thin tube portion 12a and the frame portion 1 of the connection adapter 12
2b is provided with a connector 17 on one side.
And a connection terminal unit 16 having a connector 16b into which the connection terminal 22 of the mobile phone 14 is inserted. Connector 16
b is a standardized part corresponding to the connection terminal 22 of the mobile phone 14, and has well-known locking claws on both sides thereof which engage with the connection terminal 22 and prevent the connection terminal 22 from being inadvertently pulled out. 24 are incorporated.

A pair of connector release buttons 25 are provided protruding from outer surfaces of both side walls of the frame portion 12b.
The connector release button 25 and the lock claw 24 are interlocked. When the connector release button 25 is pressed, the lock claw 24 is retracted into the connector 16b, and the lock of the connection terminal 22 is released.

A loading lid 31 that is opened and closed when the film pack 30 is loaded is mounted on a shaft 32 at the upper part of the printer body 11.
It is attached so as to be rotatable around. Inside the elongated concave portion 31a formed on the upper surface of the loading lid 31, a disk-shaped lid lock release lever 33 is provided. The lid lock release lever 33 is biased by a spring in a direction to lock the loading lid 31 to the printer main body 11, and then closes the loading lid 31 after inserting the film pack 30 into the pack loading chamber 35 of the printer main body 11. Then, the loading lid 31 is locked to the printer main body 11. Lid lock release lever 33
Is slid in the longitudinal direction of the recess 31a against the bias of the spring, the lock of the loading lid 31 is released.

The film pack 30 comprises a box-shaped pack case 37 made of plastic, and a plurality of, for example, ten, instant films 38 which are stacked and stored in the pack case 37. The instant film 38 has a photosensitive sheet, an image receiving sheet, a developer pod 38a containing a developing solution, and a trap portion 38b for trapping excess developing solution. It is about half the size of

In the instant film 38, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive sheet by exposing the photosensitive sheet from an exposure surface 38c shown in the figure. After exposure, a positive image is transferred to the image receiving sheet by pressing the photosensitive sheet and the image receiving sheet while the developing solution is being developed inside the instant film 38, and a positive image appears on the surface opposite to the exposure surface 38c.

The pack case 37 has an exposure opening 37a for exposing the exposed surface 38c of the instant film 38 in a slit shape, and an exposed instant film 38
And a discharge port 37b for discharging the light to the outside of the case. A flexible light-shielding sheet 39 is provided on the surface opposite to the exposure opening 37a.
A pressing opening 37c that is shielded from light is provided. Although not shown, a claw opening is provided on a surface opposite to the discharge port 37b, into which a claw member for pressing the trap portion 38b and sending out the instant film 38 from the discharge port 37b enters.

The flexible light shielding sheet 39 includes the loading lid 31.
When it is pressed by the pressure plate spring 41 attached to the inner wall surface, it is elastically deformed. As a result, the urging force of the pressure plate spring 41 is transmitted to the internal instant film 38 via the flexible light shielding sheet 39, and the instant film 3
8 is pushed up to the exposure opening 37a side.

When the film pack 30 is not used, the exposure opening 37a is shielded from light by a light-shielding plate having substantially the same size as that of the instant film 38.
7b is covered with a thin light-shielding sheet and is shielded from light. When the print start button 43 is pressed for the first time after the film pack 30 is loaded, the light-shielding plate is pushed out of the light-shielding sheet of the discharge port 37b while the discharge port 3 is opened.
7b is discharged out of the case.

The pack loading chamber 3 facing the discharge port 37b
A discharge opening 35a in the form of a slit is provided on the wall 5 and a developing roller 44 is provided outside the discharge opening 35a.
As is well known, the developing roller 44 is provided with a light shielding plate or an instant film 3 extruded by a claw member.
8 is conveyed toward the discharge port 45 of the printer main body 11 while holding it. In the case of the instant film 38, the developing roller 44 tears the developing solution pod 38a, and develops and pressurizes the developing solution while moving the developing solution pod 38a in the transport direction (sub-scanning direction).
The step movement is performed for each line, and the instant film 38 is discharged out of the discharge port 45. The claw member and the developing roller 44 are step-driven by a discharge motor 46.

An exposure head 50 for exposing an exposure surface 38c of the instant film 38 through an exposure opening 37a formed in a slit shape in the pack case 37 is fixedly disposed below the pack loading chamber 35 of the printer body 11. I have. The exposure head 50 simultaneously irradiates red light, green light, and blue light to the instant film 38 conveyed by the step movement to expose a color image line by line.

As shown in FIG. 3, the exposure head 50 includes a light emitting array unit 52 and a case 51 having a substantially box shape.
Various components such as a liquid crystal shutter 53, an imaging lens array 54, and a reflection slope 55 are incorporated. On the upper surface of the projection 51a of the exposure head 50, a radiation opening 56 for radiating print light to the exposure surface 38c of the instant film 38 via the exposure opening 37a of the film pack 30 is provided. The radiation aperture 56 is formed slightly longer than the length of the exposure surface 38c in the main scanning direction (the direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction) so that exposure can be performed on the entire exposure surface 38c of the instant film 38. .

The light emitting array unit 52 includes a case 57 elongated in the main scanning direction having a U-shaped cross section, an elongated substrate 58 attached to the bottom of the case 57, and a case 5.
7 and a lens array unit 59 attached so as to close the opening. A red LED element array 61, a green LED element array 62, a blue LED
Each of the element arrays 63 is formed for one column.
Each of the LED element arrays 61 to 63 has a minute LE
A large number of D elements are arranged at a constant pitch in a line in the main scanning direction. Each LED element corresponds to one pixel of the image. In the lens array unit 59, lens arrays 65 to 67 in which a plurality of lenses are arranged in a line for each LED element are integrally formed.

The liquid crystal shutter 53 is formed by arranging liquid crystal segments corresponding to one pixel for one line. In addition, shading can be controlled for each liquid crystal segment, and the printing light is blocked and the amount of transmitted light is controlled. Control for each liquid crystal segment is performed based on image data. The imaging lens array 54 is a unit formed by arranging a plurality of graded optical fibers (generally called selfoc lenses (trade name)) in the main scanning direction.

In FIG. 4 showing the electrical configuration of the mobile printer 10, an image data processing circuit 70 performs white balance adjustment, gamma correction, etc. on image data input from the mobile phone 14 via the connection adapter 12. Perform signal processing. The system controller 72 manages the entire electrical operation of the mobile printer 10 including the image data processing circuit 70. The system controller 72 performs various processes according to a print sequence stored in the EEPROM 74 in response to a print start signal from the print start button 43.

The image memory 75 is composed of, for example, a RAM, and stores image data input from the image data processing circuit 70 for one screen. The head driver 76 drives the exposure head 50 according to a command from the system controller 72. Image data for each line is sent from the line memory 77 to the exposure head 50.
Light emission control of each LED element of the light emitting array unit 52;
It is used for controlling individual transmittance of the liquid crystal segments constituting the liquid crystal shutter 53. The motor driver 78
The drive of the deployment motor 46 is controlled under the control of the system controller 72.

The mobile printer 1 configured as described above
To use 0, the film pack 30 is first loaded. When the loading lid 31 is opened and the film pack 30 is inserted into the pack loading chamber 35 and then the loading lid 31 is closed, the projection 51a of the exposure head 50 is inserted into the exposure opening 37a of the film pack 30. Print start button 43
Is pressed down, the light-shielding plate of the film pack 30 is discharged, and the instant film 38 of the uppermost layer is pressed by the pressure plate spring 41.
Is moved to the exposure position by the urging of. As a result, the end of the exposure surface 38c on the developer pod 38a side is exposed to the exposure opening 37a, and faces the radiation opening 56 of the projection 51a.

Next, the end 14 a of the mobile phone 14 is inserted into the frame 12 b of the connection adapter 12. Since the inner surface shape of the frame portion 12b is formed according to the outer shape of the terminal 14a of the mobile phone 14, the terminal 14a is inserted into the frame portion 12b without play, and the connection terminal 22 is connected to the connector 16b. The lock claw 24 is engaged with the engagement recess near the connection terminal 22. At this time, the user hears the engagement sound such as a click and responds to the connection terminal 22 and connector 16.
The connection with b can be confirmed.

Subsequently, the thin cylindrical portion 12a of the connection adapter 12
Into the holder 15. Thereby, the thin tube portion 12
a is held in the holder portion 15 without play, and the terminal 16 a is connected to the connector 17. Further, the concave portion 21 of the thin cylindrical portion 12a is engaged with the claw portion 18a, and the connection adapter 12 is locked by the holder portion 15. At this time, there is a response to the engagement sound such as click.

Since the mobile phone 14 is integrated with the mobile printer 10 in this manner, if the user holds the mobile printer 10 with one hand, both the mobile printer 10 and the mobile phone 14 can be stably held. The user can freely operate the mobile printer 10 and the mobile phone 14 with the other free hand.

An image to be printed is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 of the mobile phone 14 by operating a key of the mobile phone 14. Thereafter, when the print start button 43 of the mobile printer 10 is depressed, the image data of the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 is taken into the image data processing circuit 70 via the connection terminal 22, the connection terminal unit 16 and the connector 17. It is.

The image data taken into the image data processing circuit 70 is temporarily stored in the image memory 75 after being subjected to various processes. The system controller 72 reads the image data of each color of RGB for the first line from the image data stored in the image memory 75, and transfers it to the line memory 77. After this, the line memory 77
Are read out by the head driver 76. The head driver 76 drives each of the LED element arrays 61 to 63 and controls the opening and closing time of the liquid crystal shutter 53.

Each red LED of the red LED element array 61
The red light output from the element enters the mirror 55 via the corresponding red lens 65, liquid crystal shutter 53, and graded optical fiber 54, and the mirror 55
Then, the optical path is bent, and the exposure surface 38c of the instant film 38 is irradiated. Similarly, the green light output from each green LED element of the green LED element array 62 and the blue light output from each blue LED element of the blue LED element array 63 irradiate the exposure surface 38c. This allows
The first one line is simultaneously exposed to the instant film 38 with one line of red light, green light and blue light.

After the exposure of the first one line is completed, the developing motor 46 rotates, the claw member pushes the trap portion 38b, and the instant film 38 is moved by one line in the sub-scanning direction. During this movement, the image memory 7
5, the next one line of color image data is read out and written to the line memory 77.

After the completion of the movement of the instant film 38, the head driver 76 reads the next one line of color image data from the line memory 77, drives the LED element arrays 61 to 63 in the same procedure as described above, and outputs red light. , Green light and blue light are exposed to the instant film 38. Thereafter, similarly, while moving the instant film 38 in the sub-scanning direction, exposure is performed line by line by simultaneous exposure of three colors.

When a predetermined number of lines are exposed, the leading end of the instant film 38 reaches the developing roller 44, and the transfer by the claw member is replaced by the transfer by the developing roller 44. The developing roller 44 crushes the developer pod 38a,
The transport of the instant film 38 and the spreading of the developing solution are performed simultaneously. The three-color simultaneous exposure by the exposure head 50 is performed at a high speed so that the exposure ends before the developing solution reaches the exposure position. Immediately after the exposure up to the final line, the development of the developing solution is completed, and the exposed instant film 38 is discharged out of the printer main body 11 through the discharge port 45. After a lapse of a predetermined time, a positive image appears on the surface opposite to the exposure surface 38c.

Next, in FIG. 5 showing the second embodiment,
The mobile printer 80 integrally connects the mobile phone 14 without using a connection adapter. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The holder 82 of the mobile printer 80 is formed to be considerably larger than the end 14 a of the general mobile phone 14, and the end 14 a is inserted into the holder 82 to connect the terminal of the mobile phone 14 to the connector 17. When connected, end 14
A sufficient gap is formed between the outer shape of “a” and the inner wall surface of the holder 82. An elastically deformable body such as a sponge 84 is attached to the inner wall surface of the holder 82 so as to fill the gap. This sponge 84
Thereby, the difference in the outer shape of the mobile phone due to the difference in the model is absorbed, and the mobile phone of most models can be reliably held.

Next, in FIG. 6 showing the third embodiment,
The same holder 82 as in the second embodiment is integrally formed with a mobile printer 90 with a keyboard. The keyboard 92 of the mobile printer 90 is
It is used for telephone number registration and mail message creation.
In addition, the display of the text and the like of the e-mail message is displayed on the mobile phone 1.
Four liquid crystal panels 13 are used. Also, the keyboard 9
The keys 2 can also be used to adjust print gradation, density, and color tone, and to set the number of prints. Although the loading lid 31 of the film pack is provided on the side opposite to the keyboard 92, the keyboard 92 may be used also as the loading lid.

In the above-described embodiment, the mobile phone is integrally connected to the mobile printer. However, the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone, and may be a PHS, for example. In this case, for example, the number of pins of the connector of the mobile printer should be matched to the model having the largest number of pins of the terminals, and the difference in the number of pins and the difference in the function of each pin should be handled by the software of the mobile printer. .

The shape of the holder is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be any shape as long as a connection adapter or a portable telephone can be easily connected. Although sponge is used as the elastically deformable body, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, thick rubber, chemical fiber, or the like can be used.

Further, the structure of the exposure head is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, an organic EL display (“Monthly Display '98”) may be used instead of the LED element.
An organic light-emitting device known in “October Issue” (see page 105 of Techno Times) can be used. Further, if the light emission time of each LED element or each organic light emitting element is controlled according to the density of a pixel to be recorded, the liquid crystal shutter can be omitted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the exposure head is fixed, and the exposure is performed while the instant film is discharged. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be discharged after being exposed.

[0045]

As described above, in the mobile printer of the present invention, the mobile phone is integrally connected to the mobile phone via the connection adapter prepared for each outer shape of the end provided with the connection terminal. As a result, various mobile phones can be integrally connected with sufficient strength, so that handling is easy and high operability can be obtained. Further, since the printout of an image or the like is performed by exposing the instant film, the image or the like transmitted by the mobile phone can be printed out in photographic quality (high quality). In addition, since the elastically deformable body is attached to the inner wall surface of the holder portion, it is possible to absorb the difference in outer shape of each mobile phone model, and to integrally connect various mobile phones with sufficient strength.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention in which a mobile phone is connected via a connection adapter.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the first embodiment and a connection adapter.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an exposure head.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment in which a mobile phone is directly connected.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment with a keyboard.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 80, 90 Mobile printer 12 Connection adapter 12b Frame 14 Mobile phone 15, 82 Holder 16a Terminal 16b, 17 Connector 22 Connection terminal 30 Film pack 38 Instant film 50 Exposure head 84 Sponge

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/21 B41J 29/00 CF term (Reference) 2C061 AR01 CG01 CG11 2C162 AE23 AE47 AE77 FA05 FA17 FA34 FA45 FA50 FA70 2H106 AB04 AB06 BA55 BH00 2H112 AA07 AA11 BA20 BA23 BA24 BC34 EB13 5K023 AA07 BB11 MM00 NN06 PP12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A mobile printer which is used in connection with a mobile phone and prints out transmitted images and the like, wherein a frame for receiving an end of the mobile phone provided with a connection terminal and detachably holding the end. A connection adapter whose shape and size are prepared for each outer shape of the end of the mobile phone, and a holder for receiving the end of the connection adapter on the side opposite to the frame and detachably holding the end; A mobile printer electrically connected to a connection terminal of a mobile phone via the connection adapter. 2. A printout of an image or the like is made of a photosensitive sheet, an image receiving sheet, a developing solution pod containing a developing solution, and a mono-sheet having a trap section for trapping excess developing solution. 2. The mobile printer according to claim 1, wherein the exposure is performed by exposing an instant film of the type with an exposure head. 3. A mobile printer that is used in connection with a mobile phone and prints out transmitted images and the like, wherein a connector to which a terminal of the mobile phone is electrically connected and a terminal connected to the connector. A portable telephone comprising: a holder section surrounding at least an outer shape of a terminal in the vicinity of a terminal with a gap; and an elastic deformation body attached to an inner wall surface of the holder section to fill the gap and hold the mobile phone in the holder section. Mobile printer.