JP2002347310A - Recorder and method for reducing power consumption - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder having a plurality of connection modes in which power consumption can be minimized depending on the connection mode at the time of waiting. SOLUTION: In a recorder comprising a plurality of interface communication means for executing communication with a host at a relevant interface in correspondence with a plurality of connection interfaces, respectively, a desired one of the plurality of connection interfaces is selected according to an external designation input, power consumption of an interface communication means corresponding at least to a connection interface other than the selected one is set low in the waiting mode of the recorder, and when the recorder is in the waiting mode, operation of the interface communication means is controlled according to that setting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption, and more particularly to, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of the Internet in recent years, the number of recordings using recording apparatuses such as ink jet printers and laser beam printers has been increasing. in addition,
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with a focus on environmental problems, reduction in power consumption of various devices has been required.

[0003] A number of inventions have been made with respect to this reduction in power consumption, such as US Pat. No. 5,784,598, US Pat. No. 5,556,0017 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-507406), and US Pat. Japanese Patent No. 295951), Japanese Patent No. 3003506, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-227304 are representative.

As a specific means for achieving this reduction in power consumption, an operation mode of the recording apparatus is divided into a recording mode and a standby mode, and the operation clock (CLK) of the control circuit section is reduced in the standby mode (US Pat. No. 5,784,598, U.S. Pat. No. 5560017 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-507406), and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-227304), which stops the operation of a functional block having a large power consumption in a standby mode (US Pat.
Japanese Patent No. 5457516 (Japanese Patent No. 295951) and a method related to a method of setting a standby mode (Japanese Patent No. 3003506) have been proposed.

As described above, according to the conventional technique, the operation mode of the printing apparatus is divided into two modes, and the power consumption state is controlled according to each mode.

On the other hand, recent recording apparatuses have become operable by being connected to a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host) in various forms. For example, a difference in an operating system (OS) operating on the host itself, that is, Wind
ows (registered trademark) 98 / Windows NT (registered trademark) / Windows CE / Mac. There is a difference in OS such as the host itself, that is, a difference in STB (Set Top Box), a game machine, a personal computer (PC), and the like. Further, for example, a host interface (I / F) ), Ie USB / Bluetooth / IEE1394 / I
EEE1284 / There are differences such as networks.

In addition to these, the operation of the recording apparatus is also diverse. That is, there is a method of shifting from the standby mode to the recording mode, in which the mode is shifted from the standby mode to the recording mode in response to data reception from the host, and a method of man-machine operation via an operation panel or the like of the recording apparatus. .

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the same operation control section does not operate in each connection mode, but includes a control section corresponding to each connection mode. For this reason, even in the standby mode, when a plurality of operation control units are made operable, a certain amount of power consumption occurs, and there is a problem that an effective reduction in power consumption cannot be realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and in a printing apparatus having a plurality of connection modes, a printing apparatus and a power consumption reduction method capable of standing by with minimum power consumption according to the connection mode. It is intended to provide.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

[0011] That is, a recording apparatus which selects from among a plurality of connection interfaces, connects to a host, receives recording data from the host, and performs recording, and corresponds to each of the plurality of connection interfaces. A plurality of interface communication means for performing communication with a host through an interface; a selection means for selecting a desired interface from the plurality of connection interfaces in accordance with an instruction input from the outside; Setting means for setting the power consumption of the interface communication means corresponding to the connection interface other than the connection interface selected by the selection means to be low; and when the recording apparatus is in a standby mode, the setting means sets the power consumption according to the setting by the setting means. Control system for controlling the operation of interface communication means A recording apparatus characterized by having means.

Here, the instruction input from the outside may be performed by a user selecting a desired interface in the host and transferring the selected interface from the host. At this time, it is preferable that, in the interface selection instruction in the host, a selection item corresponding to each of the plurality of connection interfaces and power consumption in the case of using each of the plurality of connection interfaces be clearly specified on the display screen of the host.

Alternatively, the apparatus may further comprise input instruction means for inputting the desired interface by the user, and the external instruction input may be made by the input instruction means.

It is preferable that the plurality of connection interfaces include a USB specification interface and a Bluetooth specification interface.

Preferably, the setting means sets the interface communication means corresponding to the selected connection interface to supply the system clock in the standby mode, and the control means is selected in the standby mode. It is preferable to control the supply of the system clock to devices other than the device components necessary for the operation of the interface.

Further, it is preferable that the recording is performed by an ink jet recording head which performs recording by discharging ink. Further, the ink jet recording head has an ink for discharging ink by using thermal energy. It is desirable to have an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy to be applied.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reducing power consumption of a recording apparatus including a plurality of interface communication means for executing communication with a host on each of a plurality of connection interfaces, the method comprising: A selection step of selecting a desired interface from the plurality of connection interfaces in accordance with an external instruction input, and interface communication corresponding to at least a connection interface other than the connection interface selected in the selection step in a standby mode of the recording apparatus A setting step of setting the power consumption of the means to be low, and a control step of controlling the operation of the interface communication means according to the setting in the setting step when the recording apparatus is in a standby mode. Power consumption reduction method.

According to the present invention, the present invention provides a recording apparatus having a plurality of interface communication means for executing communication with a host on each of a plurality of connection interfaces in accordance with each of the plurality of connection interfaces. A desired interface is selected from among the connection interfaces, and in the standby mode of the recording apparatus, at least the power consumption of the interface communication means corresponding to the connection interface other than the selected connection interface is set to be low, and the recording apparatus is in the standby mode. When the mode is set, the operation of the interface communication means is controlled according to the setting.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus 100 provided with a recording head for performing recording according to an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 1 is connected to an ink tank 7 for supplying ink to the recording head 1 and integrally forms an ink cartridge 20. In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 20 has a configuration in which the recording head 1 and the ink tank 7 can be separated as described later, but an ink cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated may be used. .

On the bottom surface of the ink tank 7, an optical prism for detecting the remaining amount of ink is provided.

In FIG. 1, a recording head 1 is mounted on a carriage 2 so as to discharge ink downward in the drawing, and discharges ink droplets while moving a carriage 2 along a guide shaft 3 to form recording paper. An image is formed on a recording medium (not shown) as described above. The carriage 2 moves left and right (reciprocates) using a carriage motor (CR motor).
The rotation is performed via the timing belt 5 by the rotation of the motor 4.
The carriage 2 is provided with an engagement claw 6, which is engaged with an engagement hole 7a of the ink tank, and
Is fixed. When printing for one scan of the print head is completed, the printing operation is interrupted, the printing medium positioned on the platen 8 is conveyed by a predetermined amount by driving a feed motor (LF motor) 9, and then the carriage 2 is again moved to the guide shaft. While moving along 3, the image formation for the next one scan is performed.

On the right side of the apparatus main body, a recovery device 1 for performing a recovery operation for keeping the ink discharge state of the recording head 1 good.
The apparatus 10 includes a cap 11 for capping the recording head 1, a wiper 12 for wiping the ink ejection surface of the recording head 1, and a device for sucking ink from the ink ejection nozzles of the recording head 1. A suction pump (not shown) and the like are provided.

The driving force of the feed motor 9 for transporting the recording medium is transmitted to the original recording medium transport mechanism and also to the automatic paper feeder (ASF) 13.

Further, on the side of the recovery device 10, an infrared LE
An optical unit 14 for detecting the remaining amount of ink and detecting the presence / absence of an ink tank, which includes a D (light emitting element) 15 and a phototransistor (light receiving element) 16, is provided. The light-emitting element 15 and the light-receiving element 16 are mounted so as to be arranged along the recording paper conveyance direction (the direction of arrow F). The optical unit 14 is attached to a chassis 17 of the apparatus main body. When the ink cartridge 20 is mounted on the carriage 2 and moves rightward from the position shown in FIG.
4 above. Then, the state of the ink can be detected by the optical unit 14 from the bottom surface of the ink tank 7. Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the printing apparatus. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 00 denotes an information processing apparatus 102 such as a personal computer and an information processing apparatus 103.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 104 denotes the recording device 1
CP that controls the system control of 00 by software
U and 105 are ASICs for controlling the system control of the recording apparatus 100 by hardware, 106 is a ROM storing a control program for the CPU 104, and 107 is a CPU 10
4 is a system bus that functionally connects the ASIC 105 and the ROM 106, and includes a set of data lines, a set of address lines, and a set of other control lines. 108 is A
This is an input / output line group from the SIC 105 to the system bus 107.

A RAM 109 is used as a work area of the CPU 104, a temporary buffer for data received from the host, and a temporary buffer for print data to be transferred to the print head 1. Reference numeral 110 denotes a control line group of the RAM 109. 111 is an EEP that can store non-volatile data
It is a ROM and stores state information of the recording apparatus 100 over time. Reference numeral 112 denotes a control line group of the EEPROM 111.

An oscillator 113 provides an operation clock for the CPU 104 and the ASIC 105. 114 is an output line from the oscillator 113, and 115 is a supply line for a clock signal supplied to the CPU 104 via the ASIC 105.

Reference numeral 116 denotes a signal line for activating the CPU 104 (details will be described later), and 117 and 118 denote control lines for connecting the information processing apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 103 to the recording apparatus 100, respectively. Reference numeral 120 denotes a drive signal line of the recording head 1 output from the ASIC 105. And 123
Are switches for instructing the operation of the recording apparatus 100, LCDs for displaying various messages relating to the recording operation and the wiping state of the recording apparatus, and LEDs of various colors for informing the state of the recording apparatus.
This is an operation unit equipped with a lamp.

In the above configuration, the recording command and the recording data are transmitted from the information processing device 102 or the information processing device 103, and the recording device 100 receives the recording data in accordance with the transmitted recording command, and performs appropriate data processing. Thereafter, the print data is sent to the print head 1. When sending print data to the print head 1, first, the LF motor 9 is driven, a printing medium such as printing paper is fed by a predetermined amount in advance, and then the CR motor 4 is driven to start the reciprocating operation of the carriage 2. At the same time, print data is sent to the print head 1 in synchronization with the drive of the CR motor 4. By repeating such a series of operations, a desired image is recorded on the recording medium.

Note that the CPU 104 operates in a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) mode with the clock (CLK) supply stopped, such as an NB85E core manufactured by NEC Corporation.
t) It has a specification to start when a signal is input.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of the ASIC 105.

However, in FIG. 3, components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are components having the same functions, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 202 denotes a first host interface configured according to the USB specification;
Is an operation control unit of the USB interface. Meanwhile, 2
04 is a second host interface configured according to the Bluetooth specification, and 205 is an operation control unit of the Bluetooth interface.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a command identification unit. In this embodiment, (1) determination of an interface that has performed data reception, (2) determination of whether or not a host is connected to each interface, and (3) determination of the CPU 104 It has a function of judging the type of the host that has sent data by the processing, and (4) a function of exclusive data reception of the first interface 202 and the second interface 203.

Data 207a is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 102 via the signal line group 117, and the state of a specific signal line changes (for example, D + / D- defined in the USB standard).
Similarly, the signal line 207b that becomes effective when the signal changes) is wirelessly transmitted from the information processing device 103 via the signal line group 118, and the state of a specific signal line changes (for example, according to the Bluetooth standard). This is a signal line that becomes effective when a specified packet data change) and 207
Is a logical operation element for calculating the logical sum of the signals sent on the signal lines 207a and 207b.

However, the signal via the signal line 207a is issued only when the operation control unit 203 is operable, that is, when the clock signal (C1) is supplied. The same applies to the signal line 207b. It is.

Reference numeral 208 denotes an oscillator 11 via the signal line 114.
3 is a system clock distribution unit that controls the supply of the clock signal supplied from 3 to each unit. 209 is an output signal from the system clock distribution unit 208, C1 is a clock signal to the USB operation control unit 203, and C2 is Blue
A clock signal to the tooth operation control unit 205, C3 is a clock signal to the timer counter 210, C4 is a clock signal to the recording processing unit 211, and C5 is a recording head driving unit 21.
2 is a clock signal to the CPU 104, and C6 is a clock signal to the CPU 104.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a timer counter for counting the non-operation time of the recording apparatus 100 for controlling the suction operation of the recording head 1, and 211 a resolution for recording data sent from the information processing apparatus 102 or 103. A print data processing unit 212 that performs data processing such as conversion is a print head drive unit that generates a drive pulse signal for driving the print head 1.

An ASIC bus 201 connects the components of the ASIC 105 to each other.

Next, two embodiments of the power consumption reduction processing using the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

[First Embodiment (FIGS. 4 to 7)] Here, referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, an instruction to select a standby mode in an appropriate power consumption state by a control command from a host (information processing device). An example of setting will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a display device (for example, CRT, LCD, PDP) of the host by executing the utility of the printer driver software installed in the host.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen used for a user's selection instruction displayed on a screen such as DP. In FIG.
Is a menu screen, 302 to 305 are check boxes for selection items, and 306 is a selection confirmation button.

This figure shows a state in which the automatic Power ON function is selected so as to be operable only from the Bluetooth interface, and the user clicks the “selection OK” button 306 using, for example, a mouse (not shown). In response to this, a control command (FIG.
Will be transmitted).

As can be seen from FIG. 4, in this embodiment, no interface is selected. However, the recording apparatus 100 can stand by with the least power consumption. The device 100 will enter the standby mode with the largest power consumption.

With such a display, the apparatus user can be conscious of how much power can be reduced in what setting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a control command.

The control command is composed of two bytes, and the meaning of the command is determined according to the value of each of the first byte and the last byte.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 401 denotes a 2-byte control command. This control command is issued in accordance with a user instruction from a screen displayed when the printer driver software utility described with reference to FIG. 4 is executed.

The first one byte of the control command 401 is called a large code, and indicates a higher control function of the control command group as shown at 402 in FIG. 5, and the last one byte of the control command 401 is called a small code. 5 shows the lower control functions of the control command group as indicated by 403 in FIG.

For example, if the value of the last byte is "04h (16
") Indicates that the timer counter is ON, and STB
This is issued when an information processing device having no calendar function, such as a game machine or a game machine, sends out recorded data.
h ”indicates that the timer counter is OFF, and is issued when recording data is transmitted to the recording apparatus 100 from a high-performance information processing apparatus having a calendar management function such as a personal computer.

In the case where the recording data is transmitted from a high-performance information processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 4, "0200h", "0202h", and "0205h" are issued as control commands.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations in the standby mode setting process according to this embodiment.

First, in step S501, the signal line 11
It is checked by step 6 whether the NMI input (input of the automatic power ON signal) of the CPU 104 has been made. When this signal is input, the CPU 104 is activated, and the process proceeds to step S
The process advances to step S503, but if there is no signal input, the process advances to step S502 to wait for input of a power-on (PowerON) switch from the operation unit 123. If the switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S503.

In step S503, the printing apparatus 100 is initialized, and the mode shifts to the printing apparatus operation mode. Continue,
In step S504, it is determined whether a control command has been received from the information processing apparatus.

Here, if it is determined that the control command has been received, the process proceeds to step S505, and if not, the process proceeds to step S506. Step S505
Then, the content indicated by the reception control command is identified. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S506, it is determined whether or not the recording data has been received. Here, if it is determined that the recording data has been received, the process proceeds to step S507, and if there is no reception of the recording data, the process proceeds to step S508. Then, in step S507, the process waits for the completion of the recording operation, and waits for the completion of the recording operation to proceed to step S50.
Move to 8.

In step S508, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (automatic power-off time) has elapsed since the previous recording was completed. If the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S510. If the time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S509 to monitor an input instruction of a power-off (PowerOFF) switch from the operation unit 123. If power-off is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S5.
Return to 04. On the other hand, when power off is instructed, the process proceeds to step S510.

In step S510, step S505
The power saving mode is determined according to the instruction of the control command identified in.

In step S511, information on the determined power saving mode is stored in the EEPROM 111, and in step S512, appropriate status settings are performed for each unit of the recording apparatus 100, and the mode shifts to the standby mode.

FIG. 7 shows steps S505 and S51 in FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of S512 and S512.

First, in step S601, it is checked whether or not USB is selected by the reception control command as a result of the command identification in step S505 in FIG. Here, if USB is selected, the process proceeds to step S602.
Then, the clock C1 is distributed as the system clock (CLK) from the system clock distribution unit 208, and then the process proceeds to step S604. On the contrary,
If USB has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S603.
Proceed to. In step S603, the supply of the clock C1 from the system clock distribution unit 208 is stopped. Note that the actual processing in step S603 is determined in step S510, and is performed when the CPU executes the standby mode under the conditions set in step S512. Thus, the supply of the clock C1 is stopped, so that the power consumption of the USB operation control unit 203 in the standby mode is reduced. Thereafter, processing proceeds to step S604.

Next, in step S604, it is checked whether or not Bluetooth is selected by the reception control command as a result of the command identification in step S505 in FIG.
Here, if Bluetooth is selected, the process proceeds to step S605, in which the system clock distribution unit 208 distributes the clock C2 as the system clock (CLK), and then the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if Bluetooth is not selected, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the supply of the clock C2 from the system clock distribution unit 208 is stopped. Note that the actual processing in step S606 is determined when the CPU executes the standby mode under the conditions set in step S512, determined in step S510. Thus, the supply of the clock C2 is stopped, so that the power consumption of the Bluetooth operation control unit 204 in the standby mode is reduced. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S607.

Further, in step S607, it is checked whether or not the timer counter operation has been selected. Here, if the timer counter has been selected, the process proceeds to step S608, the clock C3 is distributed as the system clock (CLK) from the system clock distribution unit 208, and the process proceeds to step S610. On the other hand, if the timer counter has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S609. In step S609, the supply of the clock C3 from the system clock distribution unit 208 is stopped. Note that the actual processing in step S609 is determined when the CPU executes the standby mode under the conditions set in step S512, determined in step S510. As a result, the supply of the clock C3 is stopped.
10 power savings. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S610.

Finally, in step S610, the system clock distribution unit 2 other than the clocks C1, C2 and C3
08, the supply of the system clock is stopped.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, only the minimum necessary part for the operation using the selected interface can be operated according to the user's instruction from the information processing apparatus as the host, and the apparatus enters the standby mode. It is possible to stand by in a power saving state.

[Second Embodiment (FIGS. 8 to 9)] Here, referring to FIGS. 8 to 9, a standby mode of an appropriate power consumption state is selected and set by an instruction from the operation unit of the printing apparatus. An example will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a layout of the operation unit 123 of the recording apparatus 100.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 701 denotes a power button for switching the power of the recording apparatus on / off in a toggle state, reference numeral 702 denotes a selection result input button, reference numeral 703 denotes an item selection button,
Reference numeral 4 denotes a display unit such as an LCD.

In the operation unit 123, an item selection button 703
Each time the button is pressed, the item is sequentially underlined, and by pressing the selection result input button 702, the display changes to bold. Then, by pressing the input button 702 again,
The instruction is transmitted to the CPU 104, and the CPU 104 recognizes that the instruction of the user has been confirmed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations in the standby mode setting process according to this embodiment. However, in FIG. 9, the same processes as those described in the flowchart of FIG. 6 are denoted by the same step reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, steps S501 to S50
After step 3, it is checked in step S504a whether an input instruction has been given from the operation unit 123. Here, if there is an input instruction, the process proceeds to step S505a, but if there is no input instruction, the process proceeds to step S506. Then, in step S505a, the input instruction content is
The PU 104 recognizes.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, only a minimum necessary part for the operation using the selected interface can be operated according to the user's instruction from the operation unit of the recording apparatus, and the apparatus enters the standby mode. It can stand by in a power saving state.

The various determinations and various settings described in the above-described embodiment are realized by the hardware functions shown in FIG. 3 and the software executed by the CPU 104.

Further, the control of the clock supply in the embodiment described above is not limited to the elements shown in FIG. 3, but may be applied to components which do not need to operate in the standby mode, such as a DRAM (not shown) and other control circuits. Is not supplied with a clock.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the timer counter has been described as an example that does not operate in the standby mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is
The present invention can be appropriately applied to the corresponding function.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, control of system clock distribution has been described as an example of means for reducing power consumption, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained by reducing the frequency of the clock supplied to each functional unit of the device, or by cutting off the power supply to each functional unit.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the interface to the information processing apparatus is a USB and a Bluetooth.
Although described in h, the present invention is not limited by this. For example, other interfaces, such as RS-4
22, IEEE 1284, IEEE 1394, and wireless interfaces such as IrDA and IEEE 802.11b.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the ink jet recording apparatus is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a recording apparatus that performs recording by another recording method, an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer method, a thermal sublimation method, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the droplets ejected from the recording head are ink, and that the liquid stored in the ink tank is ink. It is not limited. For example, an ink tank may contain a processing liquid discharged to a recording medium in order to improve the fixability and water resistance of the recorded image or to improve the image quality.

However, the above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by thermal energy, higher density and higher definition of recording can be achieved.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When this drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are immediately and appropriately performed, and therefore, the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. This may be either a configuration that satisfies the requirements or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is electrically connected to the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and may be a single recording head or a combination of plural recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, the ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature is used. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer but also integrally or separately, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception apparatus. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine). Etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Or CPU and MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium,
It goes without saying that this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, a recording apparatus provided with a plurality of interface communication means for executing communication with a host at each of a plurality of connection interfaces corresponding to each of the plurality of connection interfaces is provided from outside. A desired interface is selected from a plurality of connection interfaces in accordance with the instruction input of, and the power consumption of at least interface communication means corresponding to connection interfaces other than the selected connection interface in the standby mode of the recording apparatus is set to be low. When the recording apparatus is in the standby mode, the operation of the interface communication unit is controlled according to the setting, so that there is an effect that an optimal reduction in power consumption according to the connection mode with the host can be realized. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus including a print head that performs printing according to an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an ASIC 105.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen used for a user's selection instruction displayed on the screen of the display device of the host.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a control command.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations in a standby mode setting process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows steps S505, S510, and S5 in FIG.
12 is a flowchart showing a detailed process of Step S12.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a layout of an operation unit 123 of the recording apparatus 100.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations of a standby mode setting process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Head 100 Recording Device 102, 103 Information Processing Device 104 CPU 105 ASIC 206 Command Identification Unit 208 System Clock Distribution Unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takuji Katsu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akira Kuronuma 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kia Inside Non-corporation (72) Inventor Sohei Tanaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toru Nakayama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ04 AQ05 AQ06 HH11 HJ08 HK19 HN04 HN05 HN15 HT03 HT13 5B079 AA04 BA11

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording device that selects from a plurality of connection interfaces, connects to a host, receives recording data from the host, and performs recording, wherein the recording device corresponds to each of the plurality of connection interfaces. A plurality of interface communication means for executing communication with a host through an interface; a selection means for selecting a desired interface from the plurality of connection interfaces in accordance with an external instruction input; Setting means for setting the power consumption of interface communication means corresponding to a connection interface other than the connection interface selected by the selection means to be low; and when the recording apparatus is in a standby mode, the setting means sets the power consumption in accordance with the setting by the setting means. Control for controlling the operation of the interface communication means Recording apparatus characterized by having a stage. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input of the instruction from the outside is performed by a user selecting a desired interface in the host and transferring the selected interface from the host. The recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. An instruction to select an interface in the host, wherein a selection item corresponding to each of the plurality of connection interfaces and power consumption when each of the plurality of connection interfaces is used are clearly displayed on a display screen of the host. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input instruction means for inputting the desired interface by a user, and wherein the instruction input from outside is performed by the input instruction means. . 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection interfaces are US
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an interface of B specification and an interface of Bluetooth specification. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the interface communication unit corresponding to the selected connection interface to supply a system clock in a standby mode. apparatus. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the supply of the system clock to devices other than the device components required for the operation of the interface selected by the selection unit in the standby mode. 7. The recording device according to 6. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording is performed by an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 9. The ink-jet recording head according to claim 8, further comprising an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy. The recording device according to claim 1. 10. A method for reducing power consumption of a recording apparatus comprising a plurality of interface communication means for executing communication with a host at each of a plurality of connection interfaces, the method comprising: A selection step of selecting a desired interface from the plurality of connection interfaces; and lowering power consumption of interface communication means corresponding to at least a connection interface other than the connection interface selected in the selection step in the standby mode of the recording apparatus. And a control step of controlling the operation of the interface communication unit in accordance with the setting in the setting step when the recording apparatus is in the standby mode.