JP2004167879A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable power supply management of superior usability which can save a useless power consumed after the occurrence of an error that stops a recording operation until the recording operation is recovered from the error, by making a power supply to a peripheral device stoppable while the recording operation is recovered to normal after the error occurs. <P>SOLUTION: At the time when printing is carried out to a recording medium by controlling driving of a recording head based on image data inputted from the peripheral device, during the recording operation while a direct printing control circuit 114 drives the recording head, it is judged from error information whether or not the error that stops the recording operation takes place. In the case where it is judged by an I/F control circuit 106 that the error takes place, the power supply to a scanner is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to control of a recording apparatus that communicates with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and can supply power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of personal computers, digital cameras, and the like, recording devices, such as printers for recording digital images, have been improved in definition. Among printing apparatuses, an ink-jet printing apparatus using an ink-jet printing head is rapidly spreading, and such a printing apparatus is required to realize a high-definition image and at a low price.
[0003]
In addition, high-performance and low-cost color image scanners have been commercialized. In particular, products that operate by supplying a DC voltage power supply (VBUS) from a host via a USB connection have been widely accepted due to their simplicity and have been digitally accepted. This has spurred the increase in the number of individual users who enjoy digital photos together with cameras.
[0004]
Conventionally, when an image is captured from a color image scanner and printed, the image data is transferred to a processing device such as a personal computer via a recording medium such as a cable such as RS-232C, Centronics and USB, a memory card, and the like. Therefore, it is necessary to use an application software that operates to process an appropriate image file in a format suitable for a recording device such as a printer, and then perform printing.
[0005]
Here, if you have a color image scanner and a personal computer to which a printer can be connected, you can print by the general method described above, but simply use it as a substitute for a copier. In consideration of this, there is a system which functions by directly connecting a scanner and a printer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-156460.
[0006]
In particular, a configuration in which a scanner that can be driven by a USB VBUS is directly connected to, for example, an inkjet printer can be realized at relatively low cost. In addition, as described above, "direct printing" refers to transferring data directly from an input device such as a digital camera or an image scanner to a recording device such as a printer without using a personal computer, generating print data inside the recording device, and printing. That is, recording apparatuses having this function are being commercialized one after another.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, in the case of direct printing when the input device (scanner) and the recording device (printer) are connected via a USB interface, if any unexpected trouble or jamming of the recording paper occurs, the printer determines that the exception processing is performed, and performs printing. The operation is temporarily stopped, a warning is generated through an indicator such as an LED or a liquid crystal panel, and the user is urged to perform an appropriate recovery process.
[0008]
However, even in this “state in which the printer is temporarily stopped”, the power supply voltage VBUS is supplied to the scanner from the printer via the USB.
[0009]
Generally, the higher the resolution, the more time and data capacity is required for the image capture operation by the scanner.For example, when a user captures an image with a scanner at high definition and performs direct printing, In consideration of this, it is conceivable to perform another work in another place during that time.
[0010]
As described above, if the user is not at the device side and the printing operation of the printer is stopped due to some kind of trouble, the scanner remains powered on and wastefully consumes power.
[0011]
In particular, a printer having a direct print function that operates on a battery such as a rechargeable battery has a problem in that the rechargeable battery is quickly consumed.
[0012]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to communicate with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and to supply power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable. In a recording apparatus that can supply, when printing on a recording medium by controlling the driving of a recording head based on image data input from a peripheral device, the recording operation is stopped during the recording operation in which the recording head is driven It is determined whether such an error has occurred, and if it is determined that an error has occurred, an error such as stopping the recording operation occurs by stopping the power supply to the peripheral device. Power supply to peripheral devices can be stopped until normal operation is restored, and the convenience of wasting power that is consumed from error occurrence to error recovery can be saved. To provide a recording apparatus capable of performing excellent power management.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The recording apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
[0014]
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that communicates with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and can supply power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable, based on image data input from the peripheral device. Print control means for controlling the driving of the recording head to print on a recording medium, and determining means for determining whether or not an error such as stopping the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation in which the recording head was driven (Corresponding to the direct print control circuit 114 shown in FIG. 2) and power supply control means (the direct print control circuit 114 shown in FIG. 2) for stopping power supply to the peripheral device when the determination means determines that an error has occurred. (Corresponding to a power supply control process by the I / F control circuit 106 based on an instruction of the print control circuit 114).
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system to which a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. As an example, an image scanner (scanner 202) as an image input apparatus and a direct print function as an image output apparatus are provided. This corresponds to an example in which an inkjet printer (printer 201) is connected via a USB interface.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU, which loads a control program and other table data stored in a ROM 102 into a RAM 103 and performs recording control. Note that the ROM 102 also stores font data. The RAM 103 is used as an area such as a reception buffer for storing data received from a host computer or a peripheral device (not shown) via the interface 104 and a print buffer for storing print data generated by a print data generation circuit described later.
[0018]
Reference numeral 105 denotes an ASIC-type recording apparatus control unit, which includes an interface control circuit 106 for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer and peripheral devices via the interface 104, and reading / writing data to a reception buffer and a print buffer in the RAM 103. A data control circuit 107 for performing write control, a print data generating circuit 108 for generating print data, and a head control circuit 109 for transferring data of the generated print data to the print head 111 and controlling ink ejection of the print head. A drive control circuit 110 that controls the driving of a carriage motor 112 that scans a carriage on which the recording head 111 is mounted and a transport motor 113 that feeds and discharges a recording medium; and a direct print operation that allows the user to make appropriate settings. Panel containing panel Rec.print control circuit 114, power switch 116 for turning on / off the power of the printer body, and key operation control circuit for controlling key operations of resume switch 117 used for restoring functions from a state where the printer is stopped due to an unexpected error. 115. Hereinafter, the printing operation of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
[0019]
When image data or the like is received from a host computer or a peripheral device (not shown) via the interface 104, the image data is received from the interface control circuit 106 in the printing apparatus control unit 105 by the data control circuit 107 to the reception buffer allocated in the RAM 103. Data is temporarily stored.
[0020]
The received data stored in the reception buffer on the RAM 103 is subjected to command analysis by the CPU 101, and the actual image data is stored in a print buffer allocated in the RAM 103 after the print data processing is performed by the print data generation circuit 108. .
[0021]
When a necessary amount of data is stored in the print buffer, the print data is read from the print buffer by the head control circuit 109 at a predetermined timing and transferred to the print head 111.
[0022]
Further, in the course of the main scanning, a driving pulse is applied to the recording head 111 by the head control circuit 109, so that an actual printing operation is performed and an image is formed. The scanning of the recording head 111 and the conveyance of the recording medium are performed by driving the carriage motor 112 and the conveyance motor 113 by the drive control circuit 110.
[0023]
The operation system configuration of direct printing is such that, for example, in the case of direct printing from the scanner 202 to the printer 201 shown in FIG. 1, the printer 201 receives image data from the interface 104 while the scanner 202 is capturing an image. The print data generation circuit 108 sequentially generates print data from the received image data while storing the print data in the RAM 103 via the data control circuit 107, and further, the drive control circuit 110 performs the print operation in parallel. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that all image data transmitted from the scanner 202 is stored in the RAM 103, and thereafter print data generation and print operation are performed in the same manner.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration in which the printer 201 and the scanner 202 illustrated in FIG. 1 are connected via a USB interface cable 203. Hereinafter, as an example, a description will be given on the premise of a direct print operation in which a print operation is performed simultaneously while receiving image data transmitted from a scanner.
[0025]
At the time of direct printing, after setting the image capture resolution, print quality, paper size, and the like from an operation panel (not shown) installed in the printer 201, direct printing is started. The scanner 202 converts the image data into image data while capturing the image by the drive control circuit 204, and transfers the image data from the interface 205 to the interface control circuit 207 via the interface 206 of the printer 201.
[0026]
At this time, since the scanner 202 operates by being supplied with the power supply voltage from the printer 201, the control unit 208 turns on the switch 209 and controls the VBUS to supply the voltage Vout. When the printer 201 receives image data from the scanner 202, the printer 201 converts and generates appropriate print data in a print data control circuit (not shown), and performs a printing operation based on the converted data.
[0027]
However, if an unexpected failure (a lack of ink remaining amount, a paper jam, a conveyance failure, or the like) occurs during the printing operation, the printer 201 determines that the process is an exception process.
[0028]
Generally, when exception processing occurs, the printing operation is temporarily stopped. At this time, the printer 201 issues error information 210 using a failure processing circuit (not shown). When this is received by the control unit 208, the switch 209 is turned off, and the supply of the VBUS power supply voltage is stopped.
[0029]
At the same time, the user is warned by the operation panel (not shown) or the blinking of an LED to cope with the trouble that has occurred. When the user removes the obstacle and returns to the state where normal operation is possible in accordance with the warning, the control unit 208 turns on the switch 209 to supply the power supply voltage Vout to the VBUS.
[0030]
For example, when the resume switch 211 provided in the printer 201 is pressed, the key operation control circuit (not shown) determines that the failure has been removed, and transmits a return operation command to a drive circuit (not shown). At the same time, the power supply voltage Vout is supplied to VBUS as described above. Thereafter, the image data transfer, print data generation, and print operation are restarted.
[0031]
As described above, the host device is provided with a switch for turning on and off the supply of the power supply voltage to the peripheral device, and when the printer 201 is in an operation stop state due to some trouble during the direct printing, the peripheral device (in the example of FIG. , The scanner 202) so that the power supply voltage VBUS is not supplied to the scanner 202). When the user removes the fault and returns to the operable state, the VBUS is supplied so as not to waste power. it can.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first power supply control procedure in the recording apparatus according to the present invention. A program according to this procedure is stored in the ROM 102, and is loaded into the RAM 103 and executed by the CPU 101. This is achieved by doing Note that (401) to (411) indicate each step.
[0033]
In order to start direct printing, first, from an operation panel or the like installed in the printer 201, a capture resolution when the scanner 202 captures an image and converts it into image data, print quality, a type of recording paper, the number of prints, Are set (401). Then, a direct print is started by pressing a start button or the like (402). Then, the power supply voltage is supplied to the VBUS at the time when the scanner 202 and the printer 201 are connected or here (403).
[0034]
Next, the scanner 202 starts image capture and transfers image data to the printer 201. The printer 201 receives the image data and generates print data (404).
[0035]
Next, it is determined whether or not print data for the amount of data that can be printed is generated (405). If NO, the process returns to step (404). If YES, the printer 201 starts the printing operation (406). ).
[0036]
Then, based on sensor information (not shown) or the like, the CPU 101 determines whether a paper jam during printing or a failure (error) such as a conveyance failure has occurred (407), and when it is determined that no error has occurred, The print processing ends. It should be noted that out-of-consumables such as no toner and no paper may be included in the error.
[0037]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (407) that an error has occurred, the printing operation is temporarily stopped, the supply of the power supply voltage to the VBUS is stopped, and a warning is issued to the user at the same time (408). ).
[0038]
Then, it is determined whether or not the fault has been removed and the error has been recovered (409). If it is determined that the printer has been restored to the normal printable state, the power supply voltage is supplied to the VBUS again (410), and Is restarted, and the printer 201 makes a transition to a state where the image data from the scanner 202 can be normally printed.
[0039]
At this time, if it can be continued, the image data is continuously received from the scanner 202, the print data 201 is generated, and it is determined whether or not a desired print can be obtained by performing a print operation (411). If it is determined that it is possible, the process returns to step (404). If it is determined that it is not possible, for example, if image data and print data are lost due to initialization or the like, a series of operations is terminated. If there is a print request again, it starts from the beginning.
[0040]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the recording device according to the present invention.
[0042]
Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons and the like may also be stored.
[0043]
Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0044]
The functions shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.
[0045]
As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus obtained.
[0046]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0047]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like may be used. it can.
[0048]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0049]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and those are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.
[0051]
According to the above embodiment, a host device such as a printer having a direct print function and a peripheral device such as a scanner connected thereto, particularly a peripheral device supplied with a power supply voltage from the host via the interface are connected via an interface. During the drive control and data communication of the host device, the power supply to peripheral devices is stopped while the function is stopped due to the failure of the host device, and the power supply voltage is arbitrarily supplied again when the function is restored With this configuration, useless power consumption can be suppressed. In particular, the operating time can be extended for a host device that operates on a battery such as a rechargeable battery.
[0052]
Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific description herein, but rather includes the following embodiments. Needless to say, this is also included. Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 20 will be described.
[0053]
[Embodiment 1]
A recording device that communicates with a peripheral device through a predetermined cable and that can supply power to the peripheral device through the predetermined cable, the recording device having a recording head based on image data input from the peripheral device. Printing control means for controlling driving and printing on a recording medium, and judging means for judging whether or not an error such as stopping the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation of driving the recording head (see FIG. 2) And a power control means (e.g., the direct print control circuit 114 shown in FIG. 2) for stopping power supply to the peripheral device when the determination means determines that an error has occurred. (Equivalent to a power supply control process by the I / F control circuit 106 based on the instruction of (1)).
[0054]
[Embodiment 2]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is directly connected and communicable via the predetermined cable without intervening a host device.
[0055]
[Embodiment 3]
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control unit turns off a power supply voltage supplied to a peripheral device while the recording operation is stopped.
[0056]
[Embodiment 4]
The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power control unit restarts supply to the peripheral device based on a recording restart instruction input.
[0057]
[Embodiment 5]
The determination unit may stop the recording operation when any of a paper jam of the fed recording medium, a conveyance failure of the fed recording medium, and a running out of the recording material in the recording head occurs. The recording apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein it is determined that an error has occurred.
[0058]
[Embodiment 6]
The power supply control unit issues a function recovery operation instruction including the recording head by a preset key operation when the error occurs by the determination unit. Based on a response result to the function recovery operation instruction, a normal recording operation is performed. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the power supply voltage supplied to the peripheral device is turned on when it is determined that it becomes possible.
[0059]
[Embodiment 7]
7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined cable is a USB interface.
[0060]
[Embodiment 8]
The recording apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner that can read a document image.
[0061]
[Embodiment 9]
Any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the determining unit determines whether an error that stops the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation in a state of being directly connected to the peripheral device. The recording device according to the above.
[0062]
[Embodiment 10]
A power supply control method in a recording apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and supplying power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable, the power supply control method being based on image data input from the peripheral device. A print control step (step (406) shown in FIG. 4) of controlling the driving of the recording head to print on a recording medium and an error such as stopping the recording operation during the recording operation of driving the recording head. A determining step (step (407) shown in FIG. 4) for determining whether an error has occurred; and power control for stopping power supply to the peripheral device when the determining step determines that an error has occurred. A power supply control method comprising: steps (steps (408) to (411) shown in FIG. 4).
[0063]
[Embodiment 11]
The power supply control method according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral devices are directly connected and communicable via the predetermined cable without intervening a host device.
[0064]
[Embodiment 12]
The power supply control method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the power supply control step turns off a power supply voltage supplied to a peripheral device while the recording operation is stopped.
[0065]
[Embodiment 13]
The power supply control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the power supply control step restarts supply to the peripheral device based on a recording restart instruction input.
[0066]
[Embodiment 14]
The determining step stops the recording operation when any of a paper jam of the fed recording medium, a conveyance failure of the fed recording medium, and a running out of the recording material in the recording head has occurred. The power supply control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 13, wherein it is determined that a serious error has occurred.
[0067]
[Embodiment 15]
In the power control step, when the error occurs, the power control step performs a function recovery operation instruction including the recording head by a preset key operation, and based on a response result to the function recovery operation instruction, a normal recording operation is performed. The power supply control method according to embodiment 13, wherein the power supply voltage supplied to the peripheral device is turned on when it is determined that it becomes possible.
[0068]
[Embodiment 16]
The power supply control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 15, wherein the predetermined cable is a USB interface.
[0069]
[Embodiment 17]
The power supply control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 16, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner capable of reading a document image.
[0070]
[Embodiment 18]
The method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 17, wherein the determining step determines whether an error that stops the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation in a state of being directly connected to the peripheral device. The power supply control method described in the above.
[0071]
[Embodiment 19]
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the power supply control method according to any one of the tenth to nineteenth embodiments.
[0072]
[Embodiment 20]
A program for realizing the power supply control method according to any one of the tenth to nineteenth embodiments.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a recording apparatus which can communicate with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and supply power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable, input from the peripheral device is performed. When printing on a print medium by controlling the drive of the printhead based on image data to be performed, it is determined whether an error that stops the print operation has occurred during the print operation of driving the printhead. Therefore, when it is determined that an error has occurred, the power supply to the peripheral device is stopped. Can be stopped, and the power management with excellent convenience can be performed, which can reduce the unauthorized power consumed from the occurrence of an error until the recovery from the error. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing system to which a recording device according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration in which the printer and the scanner illustrated in FIG. 1 are connected via a USB interface cable.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first power supply control procedure in the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the recording device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface (I / F)
105 Recording device control unit (ASIC)
106 interface control circuit 107 data control circuit,
108 Print data generation circuit 109 Head control circuit 110 Drive circuit control 111 Recording head 112 Carriage motor 113 Transport motor 114 Direct print control circuit 115 Key operation control circuit 116 Power switch 117 Resume switch 201 Printer 202 Scanner 203 USB interface cable 204 Drive control circuit 205 Interface (scanner)
206 Interface (Printer)
207 Interface control circuit 208 Control unit 209 VBUS switch 210 Error information 211 Resume switch

Claims (1)

A recording device that communicates with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and can supply power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable,
A print control unit that controls driving of a print head based on image data input from the peripheral device to print on a print medium,
During the recording operation of driving the recording head, determining means for determining whether an error such as stopping the recording operation has occurred,
Power control means for stopping power supply to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable when it is determined that an error has occurred by the determination means;
A recording device comprising:

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