JP2004262082A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which can print picked-up images by carrying out an editing process to the images without transmitting the images to a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: A first and a second slots 14 and 15 are formed at a front face 13 of an ink-jet printer 10 so as to connect a first and a second memory cards MC1 and MC2 in which image data is stored to a printer body 11. Moreover, a third slot 16 is formed at the front face 13 of the ink-jet printer 10 so as to connect a CD-ROM 17 in which template data is stored to the printer body 11. One new image data is formed by combining images based on the image data, and a template T based on the template data. At the same time, printing is carried out on the basis of the formed new image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, models (for example, a stand-alone type) capable of executing a printing process without passing through a personal computer by attaching a storage medium storing image data to a printer as a printing apparatus have been widely used. This type of printer is generally used to print an image captured by a digital camera. In this case, a memory card, which is a storage medium storing image data of an image captured by the digital camera, is inserted into a slot of the printer. A print process is executed by specifying print conditions for an image to be inserted and printed on the operation panel (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-232817
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the printer prints the captured image as it is based on the image data stored in the memory card, and edits the image by combining another desired image or character with the captured image. No processing can be performed. Therefore, for example, when it is desired to print on a postcard an image obtained by combining an image taken by a digital camera or the like with another predetermined image, it is necessary to perform an editing process on the image through a personal computer.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can perform editing processing on a photographed image and print it without passing through a personal computer. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing apparatus of the present invention corresponds to a display unit that displays an image based on image data, a plurality of storage medium connection units that connects a plurality of storage media storing the image data, and a plurality of storage medium connection units. A plurality of image data reading means respectively provided for reading the image data via the corresponding storage medium connecting means, and image data stored in one of the plurality of storage media. Image creating means for creating one new image data by combining the image data stored in a storage medium stored in another storage medium, and the new image data created by the image creating means. Data storage means, print data creation means for converting the new image data into print data, and printing based on the print data And a printing process means.
[0007]
According to this, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can perform editing processing on a photographed image and print it without passing through a personal computer. Also, since a plurality of storage medium connection units are provided, it is possible to directly connect a storage medium of a plurality of standards to the main body of the printing apparatus, perform editing processing on image data stored in the storage medium, and print. Can be.
[0008]
In this printing apparatus, the display means may include a display control means for displaying an image based on the new image data.
According to this, it is possible to visually check whether or not the image to be printed is a desired one before executing the printing, so that the desired image can be reliably printed.
[0009]
In this printing apparatus, the display means may be constituted by a liquid crystal display.
According to this, since the display means can be reduced in size and weight, the entire printing apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.
[0010]
In this printing apparatus, the display means may be a touch panel on which an input unit capable of detecting a pressed position is formed.
According to this, the entire printing apparatus can be further reduced in size and weight.
[0011]
In the printing apparatus, the print processing unit may include a carriage provided with a recording head, a cartridge integrally provided with a storage medium on which an image based on the print data is printed, and ink ejected on the storage medium. May be provided.
[0012]
According to this, an image taken without passing through a personal computer is passed to a printing apparatus including a print processing unit including a carriage provided with a recording head and a cartridge integrally including a print medium and ink. Can be edited and printed.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view when an ink jet printer as a printing apparatus is viewed from the right front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer as viewed from the rear right.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink-jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) 10 includes a printer main body 11 and a cartridge section 12 as a cartridge.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer main body 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The printer main body 11 has a first slot 14 and a second slot 15 on a front surface 13 thereof. The first slot 14 and the second slot 15 are used to connect the first and second memory cards MC1 and MC2 as storage media storing the image data D (see FIG. 3) to the printer main body 11, respectively. Slot. The image data D is, for example, image data of an image captured by a digital camera, and is generally stored in a data format such as GIF, JPEG, or Bitmap. In the present embodiment, the first memory card MC1 and the second memory card MC2 are memory cards having different standards. The first slot 14 and the second slot 15 have shapes corresponding to the standards of the first memory card MC1 and the second memory card MC2, respectively. Therefore, memory cards of two different standards can be directly connected to the printer main body 11.
[0016]
A third slot 16 is formed on the front surface 13 of the printer body 11. The third slot 16 is a slot for connecting a CD-ROM 17 in which template data TP of a template T described later (see FIG. 4) is stored to the printer main body 11. The first, second, and third slots 14, 15, 16 correspond to a plurality of storage medium connecting means described in the claims.
[0017]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer main body 11 has first and second drives D1, D2 mounted at positions corresponding to the first and second slots 14, 15, respectively. . The first and second drives D1 and D2 are drives for reading the image data D stored in the first and second memory cards MC1 and MC2, respectively. Similarly, a third drive D3 is mounted in the printer body 11 at a position corresponding to the third slot 16. The third drive D3 is a drive for reading the template data TP stored in the CD-ROM 17. The first, second, and third drives D1, D2, and D3 respectively correspond to image data reading means described in the claims.
[0018]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer main body 11 has an insertion port 18 formed in a front surface 13 thereof for inserting the cartridge section 12 into the printer main body 11 and connecting thereto. The inside of the printer main body 11 corresponding to the insertion port 18 has a hollow structure so that the cartridge section 12 is housed in the printer main body 11.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge section 12 has a case K on which paper P as a recording medium is placed and accommodated. In the case K, below the upper part where the paper P is stored, ink of each color of black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and blue (B) is filled. A plurality of ink tanks Q are attached. On the front surface 30 of the case K, a display window for visually checking the remaining amounts of the black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and blue (B) inks filled in the respective ink tanks Q. W is formed.
[0020]
Further, the printer body 11 includes a display panel 20 as a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the image data D and a template T corresponding to the template data TP on the upper surface 19 thereof. The display panel 20 according to the present embodiment is a display panel made of liquid crystal. Therefore, since the display panel 20 can be made thinner and lighter than the case where the display panel 20 is made of a CRT, the printer main body 11 can be made smaller and lighter.
[0021]
The display panel 20 is a touch panel type display panel on which an input unit capable of detecting a pressed position is formed, and the display units 51 to 54 described later formed on the display panel 20 (see FIG. 4). To set printing conditions, and to execute printing according to the set printing conditions. Since the display panel 20 is a touch panel type display panel, it is not necessary to provide an area for forming operation means corresponding to each of the display units 51 to 54 in the printer main body 11, so that the printer main body 11 can be made smaller by that much. Weight and weight can be reduced.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer main body 11 has a carriage C constituting a print processing unit 21 (see FIG. 3) serving as a print processing unit for executing a print process inside the printer main body 11 in a main scanning direction by a guide member (not shown). It is reciprocated. The carriage C is provided with a recording head H, and is provided with a supply tube 22 for supplying ink to the recording head H. The supply tubes 22 are provided in a number corresponding to the type of the color of the ink attached to the cartridge unit 12. Each supply tube 22 is connected to an ink tank Q for each color provided in the cartridge section 12.
[0023]
Then, the carriage C moves in the width direction (main inspection direction) on the paper P placed on the cartridge section 12 housed in the insertion port 18 in accordance with the driving of the carriage motor M (see FIG. 3) described later. At the same time, the ink filled in the ink tank Q is discharged from the recording head H to a predetermined position on the paper P.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer main body 11 has a paper discharge port 26 formed at a substantially central portion of the back surface 25 so that the paper P subjected to the printing process is discharged from the paper discharge port 26. Has become.
[0025]
Then, when the cartridge unit 12 configured as described above is inserted into the insertion port 18 of the printer main body 11, the cartridge unit 12 is connected to the printer main body 11. Then, each ink tank Q and the supply tube 22 corresponding to each ink tank Q are connected. As a result, each ink stored in each ink tank Q is supplied to the recording head H via the corresponding supply tube 22. In this state, printing is executed by discharging ink replenished from the ink tank Q to the recording head H via the replenishing tube 22 while the carriage C is driven and controlled in accordance with printing conditions described later.
[0026]
Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration of the printer 10.
[0027]
The printer main body 11 has a built-in control device 40 for controlling the entire apparatus. The control device 40 includes the first to third drives D1, D2, and D3, a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, and an interface 44. These members D1 to D44 are interconnected via a bus 45. The CPU 41 controls the driving of the printer main body 11 using the RAM 43 as a work area based on the program stored in the ROM 42. Specifically, the CPU 41 causes the RAM 43 to temporarily store the respective image data D read from the first or second memory card MC1, MC2 via the first and second drives D1, D2 based on the program. . Further, the CPU 41 temporarily stores the template data TP read from the CD-ROM 17 via the third drive D3 in the RAM 43 based on the program. Further, the CPU 41 edits the image data D temporarily stored in the RAM 43 based on the program, stores the edited image data D in the RAM 43, and generates an image G based on the edited image data D. Is displayed in an image display area ZD (see FIG. 4) described later on the display panel 20. Similarly, the CPU 41 edits the template data TP temporarily stored in the RAM 43 based on the program, stores the edited template data TP in the RAM 43, and edits the template data TP based on the edited template data TP. T is displayed in a template display area ZT (see FIG. 4) described later on the display panel 20.
[0028]
Further, the CPU 41 displays one of the image data D stored in the RAM 43 in a preview screen display area ZP (described later) on the display panel 20 based on the program, according to the program. Further, the CPU 41 displays one of the template data TP stored in the RAM 43 in a preview screen display area ZP described later on the display panel 20 based on the program. In addition, the CPU 41 creates one new image data using the image data D of the image G displayed in the preview screen display area ZP and the template data TP of the template T based on the program, and creates the new image data. The new image data obtained is stored in the RAM 43. Further, the CPU 41 displays an image PG based on the created new image data in a preview screen display area ZP (see FIG. 4) described later on the display panel 20 based on the program. As described above, by displaying the image PG based on the created new image data in the preview screen display area ZP, it is possible to visually check whether the image PG to be printed is a desired one before performing printing. Thus, a desired image can be reliably printed.
[0029]
Further, the CPU 41 creates print data SK based on the new image data stored in the RAM 43 based on the program. Then, the CPU 41 temporarily stores the created print data SK in the RAM 43 and outputs the print data SK temporarily stored in the RAM 43 to the interface 44 via the bus 45. The CPU 41 corresponds to an image creating unit, a print data creating unit, or a display control unit described in the claims. The RAM 43 corresponds to a data storage unit described in the claims.
[0030]
The interface 44 outputs the print data SK from the RAM 43 to the print processing unit 21.
Further, the printer main body 11 includes a print processing unit 21 as a print processing unit for performing a print process. The print processing unit 21 includes a mechanical mechanism such as a carriage C, a recording head H, a carriage motor M, a paper feed roller R, and a platen L.
[0031]
The print processing unit 21 conveys the paper P placed in the cartridge unit 12 to the recording head H by controlling the driving of the paper feed roller R according to the print data SK output from the interface 44, and The paper P is carried out toward a paper discharge port 26 formed on the back surface 25 of the main body 11. The print processing unit 21 replenishes a predetermined amount of ink from the replenishing tube 22 while controlling the driving of the carriage motor M and the paper feed roller R according to the print data SK output from the interface 44. The print processing unit 21 can execute printing by discharging the ink onto the paper P at a predetermined timing from the recording head H.
[0032]
Next, an operation method of the thus configured printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a display screen displayed on the display panel 20. The display panel 20 has an image display area ZD formed on the right side of the display screen. On the left side of the display screen of the display panel 20, a template display area ZT is formed. A preview screen display area ZP for displaying a preview of an image to be printed is formed between the template display area ZT and the image display area ZD.
[0033]
Below the display areas ZD, ZT, and ZP displayed on the display screen, a comment display section 50, a determination display section 51, selection display sections 52 and 53, and a print execution display section 54 are displayed.
[0034]
Then, the first or second memory card MC1, MC2 is inserted into the first or second slot 14, 15 of the printer body 11. Then, as described above, the CPU 41 edits the image data D stored in the first or second memory card MC1, MC2 based on the program stored in the ROM 42, and based on the edited image data D The plurality of images G (four images G in the present embodiment) are displayed in the image display area ZD. Further, the CD-ROM 17 is inserted into the third slot 16 of the printer main body 11. Then, as described above, the CPU 41 edits the template data TP stored in the CD-ROM 17 based on the program stored in the ROM 42, and a plurality of templates T (books) based on the edited template data TP. In the embodiment, four templates T) are displayed in the template display area ZT.
[0035]
A cursor for selecting and displaying a desired image G of the plurality of images G or a desired template T of the plurality of templates T is provided in the image display area ZD or the template display area ZT. 55 is displayed.
[0036]
In the comment display column 50, a comment to the effect that the user should set is displayed. For example, when the cursor 55 is located in the image display area ZD, a comment "Please select a photo" is displayed in the comment display column 50 as shown in FIG. When the cursor 55 is located in the template display area ZT, a comment stating "Please select a template" is displayed in the comment display field 50. When the cursor 55 is located in the preview screen display area ZP, a comment indicating “please press print” is displayed in the comment display field 50.
[0037]
The decision display section 51 is for setting the printing conditions of the printer 10 for the comment displayed in the comment display section 50. For example, after selecting a desired image G displayed in the image display area ZD and a desired template T displayed in the template display area ZT, respectively, and pressing the determination display unit 51, as described above, the CPU 41 The selected image G or template T is displayed in the preview screen display area ZP based on the program stored in the ROM 42. Then, the image data D corresponding to the selected image G or the template data TP corresponding to the template T is stored in the RAM 43.
[0038]
The selection display units 52 and 53 are operated by pressing the respective selection display units 52 and 53 so that the cursor 55 displayed in the image display area ZD or the template display area ZT is displayed with a desired template T or image G. It can be moved to the position where it is.
[0039]
The print execution display unit 54 is for causing the image G displayed in the preview screen display area ZP to be printed on the paper P. That is, when the print execution display unit 54 is pressed, the drive of the print processing unit 21 is controlled according to the print data SK stored in the RAM 43 as described above.
[0040]
Then, first, the first or second memory card MC1, MC2 is inserted into the first or second slot 14, 15 of the printer main body 11. Then, as described above, the image G (four images in the present embodiment) is displayed in the image display area ZD. Further, the CD-ROM 17 is inserted into the third slot 16 of the printer main body 11. Then, as described above, the template T (four templates T in the present embodiment) is displayed in the template display area ZT. Subsequently, the cursor 55 is moved by pressing each of the selection display sections 52 and 53, and the desired template T (in the present embodiment, the template T displayed in the upper left of the template T displayed in the template display area ZT). Select template T). Thereafter, the decision display section 51 is pressed. Then, the selected template T is displayed in the preview screen display area ZP.
[0041]
Subsequently, the cursor 55 is moved by pressing the selection display unit 53 to select a desired image G (in the present embodiment, the image G displayed on the upper left among the images displayed in the image display area ZD). I do. Thereafter, the decision display section 51 is pressed. Then, an image PG in which the selected image is combined with the previously selected template T is displayed in the preview screen display area ZP. That is, the editing process can be performed by combining the template T with the image data D stored in the first or second memory card MC1, MC2.
[0042]
Thereafter, a comment stating "Please press print" is displayed in the comment display field 50, and the print execution display section 54 is pressed. Then, the image PG displayed in the preview screen display area ZP is printed on the paper P, and the printed paper P is discharged from the paper discharge port 26.
[0043]
Therefore, by configuring the printer 10 as described above, it is possible to provide an ink jet printer that can perform editing processing on a photographed image and execute printing without passing through a personal computer.
[0044]
According to the ink jet printer of the embodiment, the following features can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, the first and second slots for connecting the first and second memory cards MC1 and MC2 storing the image data D on the front surface 13 of the ink jet printer 10 to the printer body 11. 14, 15 were formed. Further, a third slot 16 for connecting a CD-ROM 17 storing template data TP to the printer main body 11 is formed on the front surface 13 of the ink jet printer 10. Then, one image data is created by combining an image G based on the image data D and a template T based on the template data TP. Then, printing is performed based on the created image data. Therefore, it is possible to provide the ink jet printer 10 that can execute printing by combining the photographed image G with the desired template T without passing through a personal computer.
[0045]
(2) In the embodiment, the image G based on the image data D and the template T based on the template data TP are displayed on the display panel 20 provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 11. By operating the display units 51 to 54 provided in the printer body 11, one image data is created by combining the image G and the template T. Further, the created image data is displayed in the preview screen display area ZP. Therefore, it is possible to visually check whether or not an image to be printed is a desired image before performing printing, so that a desired image can be reliably printed.
[0046]
The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, but may be implemented as follows.
In the above embodiment, the ink jet printer is used as the printing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any printing device that prints image data may be used.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, the inkjet printer is a printer including the printer main body and the cartridge unit including the ink tank Q filled with paper and ink, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to an on-carriage type printing device that fills the printer body 11 with ink.
[0048]
In the above-described embodiment, the display panel 20 is of the touch panel type. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any printing device having a display panel may be used.
In the ink jet printer 10 of the above embodiment, one image G is created by combining the image G stored in the first or second memory card MC1, MC2 with the template T stored in the CD-ROM 17. The created image G is printed on paper P. The ink jet printer 10 may be provided with character input means so that characters input by the character input means can be printed in addition to the image G.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment viewed from a right front.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment as viewed from the right rear.
FIG. 3 is an electrical configuration diagram of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation method of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
D: image data, D1, D2, D3: first, second and third drives as image data reading means, MC1, MC2: memory card as storage medium, 10: ink jet printer as printing device, P ... paper as a storage medium, 14, 15, 16 ... first, second and third slots as storage medium connecting means, 17 ... CD-ROM as storage medium, 21 ... print processing unit as print processing means , 20: display panel as display means; 41, CPU as image creation means; SK, print data; 43, RAM as image data storage means.

Claims (5)

Display means for displaying an image based on the image data;
A plurality of storage medium connecting means for connecting a plurality of storage media storing the image data,
A plurality of image data reading means provided respectively corresponding to the plurality of storage medium connection means, for reading the image data via the corresponding storage medium connection means,
Image creation for creating one new image data by combining image data stored in one of the plurality of storage media with image data stored in a storage medium stored in another storage medium Means,
Data storage means for storing new image data created by the image creation means,
Print data creation means for converting the new image data into print data,
A printing processing unit for performing printing based on the print data. The printing device according to claim 1,
A printing apparatus, characterized in that the display means includes a display control means for displaying an image based on the new image data. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a liquid crystal display. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The printing apparatus, wherein the display unit is a touch panel on which an input unit capable of detecting a pressed position is formed. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The print processing unit includes a carriage provided with a recording head;
A printing apparatus comprising: a storage medium on which an image based on the print data is printed; and a cartridge integrally provided with ink ejected to the storage medium.

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