JP2004351833A - Printing apparatus, printing process, transmitting apparatus, transmitting method and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus which performs settings for a printing such as a layout for the printing and the number of the printing by wireless communication and suppresses consumption of electric power by an instrument of the transmitting side when printing data are printed by the wireless communication. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 2 and a digital camera 3 are connected with each other by the wireless communication. When the setting data for the printing such as the layout for the printing, the number of the printing, the kind of a printing paper and the quality of an image are transmitted to the printer 2, the connection of the wireless communication is once cut or is shifted to an electric power saving mode. The printer 2 performs a processing based on the setting data, and when the printing data for an object to be printed are required, the wireless communication is started again and the printing data are obtained from the digital camera 3. Then, the printing data transmitted based on the setting data for the printing are printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, a transmitting apparatus, a transmitting method, and a printing system for performing print settings indicating print conditions by wireless communication and printing print data to be printed transmitted by wireless communication under the conditions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a printing apparatus which transmits print data by wireless communication to obtain a print output due to complicated wiring. As a communication method using such wireless communication, Bluetooth has recently been receiving attention, in addition to infrared communication using IrDA (Infrared Data Association). This is because Bluetooth can reduce power consumption compared to IrDA, and has the advantage that the manufacturing cost of the entire printing apparatus is reduced accordingly.
[0003]
On the other hand, the wireless standard based on Bluetooth is composed of communication specifications called various profiles, and between communication devices based on Bluetooth, in principle, both need to support the same profile. One of such profiles is BIP (Basic Imaging Profile) (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). The BIP is a basic communication specification for transmitting image data, but the data for setting conditions necessary for printing is only the size and data format of the image to be transmitted.
[0004]
Another example of a profile is a basic printing profile (BPP) (for example, Non-Patent Document 2). In the BPP, data for performing various print settings such as image quality, the number of prints, and a print layout can be transmitted and received in units of jobs. Printing of document data described in a language such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) can be performed. Has been made able to do so.
[0005]
[Non-Patent Document 1] Tetsuo Arai, 22 others, "BASIC IMAGING PROFILE (Interoperability Specification)", [searched on May 7, 2003], Internet <URL: https: // www. Bluetooth. org / docman2 / ViewCategory. php? group_id = 53 & category_id = 214>
[0006]
[Non-Patent Document 2] Olof Larsson and 17 others, "BASIC PRINTING PROFILE (Interoperability Specification)," [search on May 7, 2003], Internet <URL: https: // www. Bluetooth. org / docman2 / ViewCategory. php? group_id = 53 & category_id = 214>
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the communication by BPP, the communication session does not end until the job for the transmitted data such as the print setting finally ends. The communication session basically does not end until the data to be printed is transmitted and the printing is finally finished by the printing device. While the printing process is being performed on the job by the printing device, the communication session does not end even though the data is not transmitted and received by communication, so the transmitting device that transmits the image data, for example, a digital camera. There is a problem that power consumption increases.
[0008]
On the other hand, in BIP communication, as described above, data for print setting such as a print layout, the number of prints, and image quality cannot be transmitted only by the size of an image to be transmitted and its data format. Therefore, it is necessary to make print settings using a user interface such as a control panel of the printing apparatus, but this loses the significance of obtaining a print output by wireless communication.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that, when printing print data by wireless communication, perform print settings such as a print layout and the number of prints by wireless communication, and reduce power consumption in a transmission-side device. , A transmission device, a transmission method, and a printing system.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus, comprising: a communication unit that receives print setting data indicating printing conditions by wireless communication; and disconnects the wireless communication when print setting data is input. Alternatively, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, and when the print data to be printed according to the print conditions becomes necessary, the wireless communication is restarted, and the control unit that controls the communication unit to obtain the print data is obtained, and the print data is obtained based on the print setting data. And print control means for printing the print data. Thus, for example, after transmitting the print setting data indicating the print conditions, the wireless communication is temporarily disconnected or shifted to the power saving mode, and when the print data becomes necessary, the communication is resumed to obtain the print data. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can perform print settings by wireless communication and that suppresses power consumption of a transmitting apparatus wirelessly connected to the printing apparatus.
[0011]
Also, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the printing conditions include a data format for print data, the number of prints, a print side, a print layout, a print direction, an image quality, a print paper type, an image pixel number, and an image size. , And the storage location of the image file. Thus, for example, a desired print output can be obtained by wireless communication according to a print setting desired by the user.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the printing conditions are expressed in units of jobs for processing print data. Thus, for example, a plurality of jobs can output a plurality of printouts, and different printing conditions can be set for each job.
[0013]
Further, according to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the communication unit further receives identification data of a device connected by wireless communication, and the control unit acquires print data for the device indicated by the identification data. The communication means is controlled as follows. Thus, the printing apparatus can identify a device to which data to be printed is actually transmitted among a plurality of communication devices and perform a printing process on the device.
[0014]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transmitting device, which is a communication unit that outputs print setting data indicating printing conditions by wireless communication, and disconnects or connects by wireless communication when the print setting data is output. The communication unit is controlled to shift to the power saving mode, and communication is performed such that when data for instructing acquisition of print data as a target of printing conditions is input to the communication unit by resumption of wireless communication, the communication unit outputs print data. Control means for controlling the means. Thus, for example, when print setting data indicating print conditions is transmitted, wireless communication is temporarily disconnected or the mode is shifted to a power saving mode, and communication is resumed when data indicating acquisition of print data to be printed is input. Therefore, it is possible to provide a transmission device that can perform print setting by wireless communication and that suppresses power consumption.
[0015]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first communication unit for outputting print setting data indicating printing conditions to a printing apparatus by wireless communication, and disconnecting or saving a connection by wireless communication when the print setting data is output. A transmitting device including: a first control unit that controls the first communication unit to shift to the power mode; a second communication unit to which print setting data output from the transmitting device is input by wireless communication; And a second control means for controlling the second communication means so as to restart the wireless communication and obtain the print data when the print data to be printed according to the printing conditions becomes necessary. A first control unit of the transmission device, when data indicating acquisition of print data from the printing device is input to the first communication unit, print data is transmitted to the printing device. Controlling the first communication means to transmit the print data, and the printing apparatus further comprising a print control means for printing the print data according to the printing conditions when the print data is input from the transmission apparatus to the second communication means. It is characterized by. Thus, for example, the print setting can be performed from the transmission device by wireless communication, and it is possible to provide a printing system that suppresses the power consumption of the transmission device.
[0016]
Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first step in which print setting data indicating printing conditions is input to a communication unit by wireless communication, and a connection in wireless communication when print setting data is input. A second step of controlling the communication unit to restart the wireless communication and acquire the print data when the print data to be printed according to the print conditions is required according to the print condition after being switched to the disconnection or power saving mode; And a third step of printing the print data obtained by the print control unit based on the print method. As a result, for example, it is possible to provide a printing method in which print settings can be transmitted by wireless communication and power consumption of an apparatus that transmits print data and the like is suppressed.
[0017]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first step of outputting print setting data indicating printing conditions from a communication unit by wireless communication, and disconnecting the wireless communication when the print setting data is output or setting the mode to a power saving mode. A second step of controlling the communication means so as to shift, and outputting the print data from the communication means when data instructing acquisition of print data as a target of printing conditions is input to the communication means by resumption of wireless communication. And a second step of controlling the communication means. As a result, it is possible to transmit a print setting by wireless communication, and to provide a transmission method that suppresses power consumption of a device that transmits print data and the like.
[0018]
Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing method in a printing system including a transmitting device and a printing device, wherein print setting data indicating printing conditions is transmitted from a first communication unit of the transmitting device. A first step of outputting to the printing apparatus by wireless communication, a second step of inputting the print setting data output from the transmitting apparatus to the second communication means of the printing apparatus by wireless communication, and outputting the print setting data A third step of controlling the first communication means so as to disconnect the connection by wireless communication or shift to the power saving mode in the transmitting apparatus, and to wirelessly perform printing when print data to be printed based on printing conditions is required in the printing apparatus. A fourth step of controlling the second communication means so as to resume communication and acquire print data; and acquiring print data from the printing apparatus in the transmitting apparatus. A fifth step of controlling the first communication unit to transmit the print data to the printing device by wireless communication when data indicating that the print data is input to the first communication unit; And a sixth step of printing the print data by the print control unit in accordance with the print condition when the print data is input to the second communication unit. As a result, it is possible to transmit a print setting by wireless communication, and to provide a printing method in which power consumption of a device that transmits print data and the like is suppressed.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system 1 to which the present invention is applied. The printing system 1 includes a printer 2 and a digital camera 3 as a whole. The printer 2 prints an image output from the digital camera 3 by transmitting and receiving a series of commands and the like.
[0020]
First, the configuration of the printer 2 will be described. The printer 2 includes a RAM 21, an EEPROM 22, a ROM 23, a CPU 24, a control panel 25, a communication interface (I / F) 26, and a print engine 27. Each component is connected to each other via a bus.
[0021]
The RAM 21 is for temporarily storing a series of data such as image data input via the communication I / F 26, and serves as a working memory for a program executed by the CPU 24. The EEPROM 22 is for storing print setting data described later. The ROM 23 stores various programs, and stores a program for performing a series of communication to which the present invention is applied, and a program for performing printing, such as color correction processing, layout processing, color conversion, and halftone processing. Is stored.
[0022]
The CPU 24 reads various programs stored in the ROM 23 and executes processing. The result of the execution is appropriately stored in the RAM 21 or the like, and the processing is performed. The details will be described later. The control panel 25 functions as a user interface of the printer 2 and can perform various settings by operating an operation button (not shown).
[0023]
The communication I / F 26 serves as an interface for performing a series of communication according to the present invention, and receives image data and the like from the digital camera 3 by wireless communication. Various data are output from the printer 2 to the digital camera 3 by wireless communication. The details will be described later.
[0024]
The print engine 27 prints data to be printed input via the communication I / F 26 on a print medium. For example, a laser driver and a laser diode are used. The laser driver generates a drive pulse for data to be printed, and the laser diode drives a photosensitive drum and a transfer belt based on the pulse to perform printing. Alternatively, printing is performed by discharging ink from an ink head in which an ink cartridge is loaded for print data.
[0025]
Next, the configuration of the digital camera 3 will be described. The digital camera 3 includes a display unit 31, a communication I / F 32, an imaging unit 33, a recording medium 34, a CPU 35, a ROM 36, and a RAM 37. Each component is connected to each other via a bus.
[0026]
The display unit 31 is for displaying an image to be captured by the digital camera 3 and an image actually captured. The user can confirm the image based on the image displayed on the display unit 31. The imaging unit 33 generates image data that can be processed by the camera 3 or the like by performing a photoelectric conversion on the captured image. The generated image data is stored in the RAM 37 or the recording medium 34 under the control of the CPU 35.
[0027]
The recording medium 34 is for recording image data of an image captured by the imaging unit 33, and includes, for example, a memory card. Further, image data captured by another imaging device may be recorded in advance. The CPU 35 is for executing processing of various programs stored in the ROM 36, and controls communication with the printer 2 by the communication I / F 32 and control for storing captured image data in the RAM 37 and the recording medium 34. I do. Details will be described later.
[0028]
Various programs are stored in the ROM 36, and the programs are read under the control of the CPU 35. The RAM 37 serves as a working memory when the CPU 35 executes processing, and stores data after execution of the program, image data, and the like.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the printing system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are timing charts showing transmission and reception of data such as a series of commands according to the present invention.
[0030]
First, as shown in FIG. 2, a command indicating a connection request is output from the digital camera 3 to the printer 2 (step S1). This is executed when the power of the camera 3 itself is turned on in the digital camera 3 or by operating a predetermined button or the like. The digital camera 3 outputs such a connection request. When a plurality of receiving devices (including the printer 2) exist around the digital camera 3, these receiving devices receive a command indicating the connection request. Then, when a receiving device that desires a communication connection with the digital camera 3 returns a command indicating a response to this command, a wireless communication connection with the digital camera 3 is established.
[0031]
Upon receiving the connection request command, the printer 2 outputs a response command to the digital camera 3 to secure the wireless communication with the digital camera 3 (step S11). Specifically, when the communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 receives a command indicating a connection request, a control signal indicating that the command has been received is output from the communication I / F 26 to the CPU 24. When the control signal is input, the CPU 24 outputs a control signal to the communication I / F 26 so as to output a response command to the command to connect to the digital camera 3. The communication I / F 26 receiving this outputs a response command to the digital camera 3.
[0032]
Next, the digital camera 3 that has received the response command outputs a command indicating a search for possible services to the printer 3. The printer 2 and the digital camera 3 have established a communication connection in steps S10 and S11, but the other party has what kind of device (for example, the model name of the printer or identification information (for example, address) indicating that the printer is the printer 2). ), Etc., and what kind of communication method (for example, the type of profile in Bluetooth, specifically, whether communication is performed by BIP or BPP), can a series of data transmission and reception be performed thereafter? do not know. Therefore, information is obtained by transmitting and receiving this command to and from each other.
[0033]
Specifically, in the digital camera 3, when the communication I / F 32 receives the response command (step S11), a control signal indicating the reception is output to the CPU 35. Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 35 outputs a control signal to the communication I / F 32 so as to output a service search command, and the service search command is output from the digital camera 3 to the printer 2 (step S12). .
[0034]
The printer 2 that has received this outputs the model name of the printer, identification information, and information on the communication method as a response to this command (step S13). Specifically, the communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 that has received the service search command (step S12) outputs a control signal indicating that the command has been received to the CPU 24. Upon receiving the control signal, the CPU 24 reads the information about the printer model name and the communication method stored in the ROM 23 (or the RAM 21), outputs the information to the communication I / F 26, and outputs a response command to the service search command. The control signal is output to the communication I / F 26 so as to perform the control. The communication I / F 26 receiving this outputs a response command including these pieces of information to the digital camera 3 (step S13).
[0035]
The communication I / F 32 of the digital camera 3 that has received the response command outputs a control signal indicating that the command has been received to the CPU 35, and upon receiving the control signal, the CPU 35 transmits the control signal including the model name and the communication method included in the command. Related information is output from the communication I / F 32 to the RAM 37, and the RAM 37 temporarily stores the information.
[0036]
Next, a service search command is output from the printer 2 to search for a possible service of the digital camera 3 as the other party (step S14). Specifically, after outputting a response command to the service search (step S13), the CPU 24 of the printer 2 outputs a control signal to the communication I / F 26 so as to output a service search command, and receives the communication I / F. / F26 outputs a service search command (step S14).
[0037]
Next, the digital camera 3 that has received the search command responds to this command with its model name, identification information (for example, an address) indicating that the digital camera is the digital camera 3, and a communication method (for example, BIP). A command including information on the profile information such as the profile information and the BPP is output to the printer 3 (step S15). Specifically, when the communication I / F 32 of the digital camera 3 receives the service search command, a control signal indicating that the service search command is received is output to the CPU 35, and the CPU 35 receiving the control signal is stored in the ROM 35 (or the RAM 37). It reads out the model name, identification information, and information on a possible communication method, outputs it to the communication I / F 32, and outputs a control signal to the communication I / F 32 so as to output a response command to the service search command. Then, a response command including these pieces of information is output from the communication I / F 32 to the printer 2 (step S15).
[0038]
The communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 that has received the command outputs a control signal indicating that the response command has been received to the CPU 24, and the CPU 24 stores information on the communication method included in the command in the RAM 21 or the like. Become. As a result, it is possible to obtain information about the communication partner. For example, even if there are a plurality of digital cameras, the printer 2 can perform processing such as printing by recognizing that the other party is the digital camera 3 based on the information regarding the identification information. Then, it becomes possible to specifically transmit and receive data and the like.
[0039]
Next, the digital camera 3 outputs a command for a connection request at the OBEX level to start an OBEX session to the printer 2. The OBEX (Object Exchange) constitutes a lower-order protocol for the above-described series of commands. For example, when transmitting image data, the image data is transmitted several times in packets of a predetermined unit and the entire image data is transmitted. Is sent.
[0040]
The communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 that has received the command for starting the OBEX session outputs a control signal indicating that the command has been received to the CPU 24, and the CPU 24 that has received the control signal transmits data such as data at the OBEX level. In order to perform transmission and reception, a control signal is output to the communication I / F 26 so as to output a response command to this command. The communication I / F 26 receiving this generates and outputs a response command to the digital camera 3 (step S17). Thus, a communication session at the OBEX level is established between the printer 2 and the digital camera 3.
[0041]
Next, the digital camera 3 that has received the response command transmits print setting data for printing conditions to the printer 2 (step S18). FIG. 4 shows an example of this print setting data. It relates to printing conditions for data to be printed from the digital camera 3 and includes the format of an image file (whether it is PostScript data, JPEG data, GIF, PDF, etc.), the number of prints, and printing again (single sided). Printing or two-sided printing), layout (one-sided one image, one-sided two image, one-sided four image, etc.), printing direction (horizontal, vertical, etc.), image quality (draft, normal, high image quality, etc.), type of printing paper (A4 , B4, etc.), the number of pixels of the image file (vertical ** number of pixels * width ** number of pixels, etc.), the size of the image file (how many bytes of the image file are present), the storage position of the image file, etc. Is done. These pieces of information are set for each job in which print data is processed by the printer 2. With such information, it is possible to obtain a desired print output in the printer 2 according to the print settings desired by the user.
[0042]
The setting data for the printing condition is transmitted from the digital camera 3 to the printer 2 at the OBEX level described above (step S18). Specifically, the CPU 35 of the digital camera 3 performs these operations from the setting screen displayed on the display unit 31 or reads information for printing conditions stored in the RAM 37 or the ROM 36 in advance. And outputs a control signal to transmit the information to the communication I / F 32. The communication I / F 32 that has received the information transmits the information to the printer 2.
[0043]
The communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 that has received the print setting data outputs a control signal indicating that the information has been received, and the CPU 24 that has received the control signal transmits the information received by the communication I / F 26 to the EEPROM 22 ( Alternatively, it is output to the RAM 21) and stored. Then, printing conditions are set according to the print setting data.
[0044]
Next, when all the information is transmitted, the digital camera 3 outputs an OBEX session end command to end the OBEX session (step S19). The communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 that has received the command outputs a control signal indicating that the command has been received to the CPU 24, and upon receiving the command, the CPU 24 responds in response to end the OBEX session with the digital camera 3. The command is output to the communication I / F 26 so as to be output. Then, a response command is output from the communication I / F 26 to the digital camera 3 (step S20).
[0045]
Next, the digital camera 3 that has received the response command outputs a communication disconnection request to the printer 2 to end a series of communication (Step S21). Specifically, when the communication I / F 32 of the digital camera 3 receives the response command, a control signal indicating that the command has been received is output to the CPU 35, and the CPU 35 outputs a command indicating the disconnection request from the communication I / F 32. A control signal is output to the communication I / F 32 so as to output the command to the printer 2, and this command is output to the printer 2.
[0046]
Next, the printer 2 having received the disconnection request command outputs a response command to the command to the digital camera 3 (Step S22). Specifically, the communication I / F 26 that has received the disconnection request command outputs a control signal indicating that the command has been received to the CPU 24, and the CPU 24 outputs the response command to the digital camera 3 so as to output the response command to the digital camera 3. A control signal is output to F26, and a response command is output.
[0047]
On the other hand, the printer 2 performs processing for print setting based on the print setting data received in step S18. For example, the CPU 24 generates an internal layout indicating the print position of the image data on the print medium from the received layout information. Then, when the printer is ready for printing according to the received printing conditions, processing for receiving image data to be actually printed is performed.
[0048]
When the printer 2 needs the image data to be printed, the printer 2 outputs a connection request command for communication connection to the digital camera 3 (step S30 in FIG. 3). As described above, when the setting data for the printing conditions is received, a series of communication connections is temporarily disconnected, and the connection is made again when the image data to be printed becomes necessary. Alternatively, the power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the case where the communication connection is performed until the job under the print condition indicated by the print setting data is completed).
[0049]
In this embodiment, after transmitting the print setting data, the digital camera 3 outputs a disconnection request to disconnect the communication. However, the digital camera 3 shifts to the power saving mode without disconnecting the communication. Thus, the power consumption of the digital camera 3 can be suppressed. In this case, instead of outputting a disconnection request in step S21, transmission and reception of a command for shifting to the power saving mode may be performed. At this time, when obtaining the print data, a command for shifting from the power saving mode to the normal communication mode is transmitted from the printer 2 to the camera 3 instead of outputting a connection request again.
[0050]
Furthermore, by switching between the communication disconnection and the power saving mode based on the data amount of the setting data to be transmitted in step S18 and the data amount of the image file described later, the digital camera 3 can be similarly switched. It is possible to reduce power consumption. For example, the power saving mode may be set when the amount of data to be transmitted is lower than the threshold, and the communication connection may be cut off when the amount of data to be transmitted is higher. This is because, despite the small amount of data, if the connection and disconnection of communication are repeated, the digital camera 3 returns and consumes power.
[0051]
Returning to FIG. 3, the digital camera 3 that has received the connection request command from the printer 2 outputs a response command to the printer 2 again to resume communication with the printer 2 (step S31). Specifically, similarly, when the communication I / F 32 receives the connection request command, the CPU 35 outputs a control signal from the control signal indicating that the connection request command is output to the communication I / F 32 so that the communication I / F 32 outputs the response command. A response command is output to the printer 2 from F32.
[0052]
Next, the printer 2 that has received the response command transmits a connection command to start the above-described OBEX session (step S32). The CPU 24 outputs a control signal to the communication I / F 26 in response to the control signal indicating that the response command in step S31 has been received, and outputs a command for starting an OBEX session to the digital camera 3 from the communication I / F 26. Will be done.
[0053]
Next, the digital camera 3 that has received this command outputs a response command to the printer 2 to establish an OBEX session with the printer 2 (step S33), so that both can transmit and receive data through the OBEX session.
[0054]
Next, the printer 2 outputs to the digital camera 3 a request to transfer an image file in which image data to be printed is stored (Step S34). This is to obtain a print image. Specifically, the CPU 24 outputs a control signal to the communication I / F 26 to output a command for acquiring an image file to the digital camera 3, and this command is output from the communication I / 26 to the digital camera 3. Will be done.
[0055]
Next, the digital camera 3 that has received this command outputs a response command (step S35), and further outputs an image file to be printed (step S36). Specifically, an image photographed by the imaging unit of the digital camera 33, an image stored in the recording medium 34, and the like are output to the communication I / F 32 under the control of the CPU 35, and the image data is transmitted from the communication I / F 32 to the printer. 2 is output. As described above, image data is sent in predetermined packet units at the OBEX level, and each time a packet is received, a response command indicating that the reception has been successful is output from the printer 2, and this is repeated to repeat the entire image file. Will be transmitted.
[0056]
When all the image files have been received, the communication I / F 26 of the printer 2 outputs a response command to the digital camera 3 indicating that the reception of all the image files has been completed under the control of the CPU 24 (step S37). Then, the printer 2 outputs an end command to the digital camera 3 to end the OBEX session (Step S38).
[0057]
The digital camera 3 receiving this outputs a response command to the printer 2 to confirm the end of the OBEX session (step S39), and then issues a command indicating a disconnection request from the printer 2 to end the above-described series of communication. Output to the digital camera 3 (step S40). Then, the digital camera 3 outputs a response command to this command to the printer 2 (step S41), and the communication connection between the printer 2 and the digital camera 3 is actually disconnected.
[0058]
On the other hand, the printer 2 that has received the image data in step S36 reads out the print setting data received in step S18 from the EEPROM 22 (or the RAM 21), and performs color conversion processing of image data, color correction, Print output can be obtained through halftone processing.
[0059]
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an operation when a series of image files is transferred and printed when the job is composed of a plurality of jobs. In the above example, printing is performed for one job, but the example of FIG. 5 shows an example of printing for a plurality of jobs. As a result, a plurality of printouts can be obtained.
[0060]
In this figure, the thickness of the arrow represents time, and print job information and print settings include transmission and reception of a series of commands and the like from the connection request (step S10) to the response (step S22) in FIG. 3 includes transmission and reception of a series of commands and the like from the connection request (step S30) to the response (step S41) in FIG.
[0061]
When the print job information A including the transmission of the print setting data is transmitted from the digital camera 3 (step S50), the digital camera 3 once disconnects (or saves) the connection with the printer 2 as described in step S19 described above. Transition to power mode). Then, the printer 2 performs a process such as a print layout, and resumes communication (or shifts from the power saving mode to the normal communication mode) when the print data to be printed becomes necessary. Is transferred to the file A (step S51). Thereafter, the communication connection is disconnected (step S21), and the printer 2 processes the print job A with respect to the print job information A, and performs print output.
[0062]
Further, if it becomes necessary to perform printing with another job B while printing the print job A, the communication between the digital camera 3 and the printer 2 is resumed, and the setting for the print job B is performed. The print job information B including the data is received (step S52). Then, the communication connection is disconnected until the data to be printed for the print job B becomes necessary.
[0063]
Further, when it is necessary to perform printing with another print job C different from these two jobs, communication is restarted again and print job information C is received (step S53). When the printer 2 continuously receives the print job information for the print job B and the print job C, it is not necessary to disconnect the communication between the jobs. This is because if the connection and disconnection are repeated, the power consumption of the digital camera 3 cannot be reduced.
[0064]
On the other hand, upon receiving the print job information B for the print job B (step S52), the printer 2 performs processing for this job and restarts the disconnected communication again when it becomes necessary to receive a file to be printed. Then, a file B storing print data to be printed for the print job B is received (step S54), and printing for the print job B is performed. When the reception of the file B ends, the printer 2 disconnects the communication with the digital camera 3.
[0065]
Next, after the printing for the print job B is completed, the print job C received in step S53 is subjected to processing such as layout, and when the file C to be printed becomes necessary, communication is resumed again and the job C The file C, which is the data to be printed, is received and the printing process for the job C is performed. Further, when printing is performed by another job, communication is further resumed, and the above processing is repeated.
[0066]
Even in the case of printing a plurality of sheets as described above, once the job information for the print setting for each job is transmitted and received, the communication connection is temporarily disconnected or the mode shifts to the power saving mode. When necessary, the communication is resumed or the mode is shifted from the power saving mode to the normal communication mode, so that the power consumption of the digital camera 3 can be reduced.
[0067]
Even in the above case, the identification information on the digital camera 3 is input to the printer 2 in the print job information and print settings (steps S50, S52, S53) for each job. Even when the digital camera 3 is used, it is possible to recognize the digital camera 3 and perform processing such as printing. Of course, other than the digital camera, information on the model name and identification information of the other party is input, so that even an information portable terminal such as a mobile phone can recognize the terminal and perform processing. . Furthermore, the same processing can be performed by a digital camera or another information terminal that is different for each job.
[0068]
Further, the printer 2 acquires the data to be printed from the digital camera 3 when the data becomes necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to accumulate many files to be printed. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to increase the memory capacity in the printer 2 or to load another memory, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce the cost.
[0069]
In the above-described example, the digital camera has been described as the side that transmits print target data such as image data. However, an information portable terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) or a mobile phone may be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire printing system 1;
FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing operations of the printer 2 and the digital camera 3.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing operations of the printer 2 and the digital camera 3;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of print setting data.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an operation when printing a plurality of sheets.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 printing system 2 printer 3 digital camera 21 RAM 22 EEPROM 23 ROM 24 CPU 25 control panel 26 communication I / F 27 print engine 32 communication I / F 35 CPU 36 ROM 37 RAM

Claims (9)

Communication means for inputting print setting data indicating printing conditions by wireless communication,
When the print setting data is input, the connection by the wireless communication is disconnected or shifted to a power saving mode, and when the print data to be printed according to the printing conditions becomes necessary, the wireless communication is restarted to change the print data. Control means for controlling the communication means to obtain;
Print control means for printing the acquired print data based on the print setting data,
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing device according to claim 1,
The print conditions include a data format for the print data, the number of prints, a print side, a print layout, a print direction, an image quality, a print paper type, an image pixel number, an image size, and an image file storage position. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing device according to claim 1,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition is represented in a unit of a job for processing the print data. The printing device according to claim 1,
The communication unit further receives identification data of a device connected by the wireless communication,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit so that the device indicated by the identification data acquires the print data. Communication means for outputting print setting data indicating printing conditions by wireless communication,
Data that controls the communication unit to disconnect the wireless communication or shift to a power saving mode when the print setting data is output, and instructs acquisition of print data that is a target of print conditions by resuming the wireless communication. Control means for controlling the communication means to output the print data from the communication means when is input to the communication means,
A transmission device comprising: A first communication unit that outputs print setting data indicating a printing condition to a printing apparatus by wireless communication; and a first communication unit that disconnects the wireless communication or shifts to a power saving mode when the print setting data is output. A transmission device comprising: first control means for controlling communication means;
A second communication unit to which the print setting data output from the transmission device is input by wireless communication, and the wireless communication is resumed when print data to be printed based on the print conditions is required, and the print data is output. A second control means for controlling the second communication means so as to obtain a printing device,
A printing system comprising:
The first control unit of the transmission device is configured to transmit the print data to the printing device when data indicating acquisition of the print data from the printing device is input to the first communication unit. Control one communication means,
The printing system further comprising: a printing control unit that prints the printing data in accordance with the printing conditions when the printing data is input to the second communication unit from the transmitting device. . A first step in which print setting data indicating printing conditions is input to the communication unit by wireless communication;
When the print setting data is input, the wireless communication is disconnected or shifted to a power saving mode, and when print data to be printed based on the printing conditions becomes necessary, the wireless communication is resumed to acquire the print data. A second step of controlling said communication means,
A third step of printing the obtained print data in a print control unit based on the print setting data;
A printing method, comprising: A first step of outputting, via wireless communication, print setting data indicating printing conditions from the communication unit;
A second step of controlling the communication unit to disconnect the wireless communication or shift to a power saving mode when the print setting data is output, and obtaining print data as a target of printing conditions by resuming the wireless communication. A second step of controlling the communication unit to output the print data from the communication unit when data indicating the instruction is input to the communication unit;
A transmission method comprising: A printing method in a printing system including a transmitting device and a printing device,
A first step of outputting print setting data indicating printing conditions from a first communication unit of the transmitting device to a printing device by wireless communication;
A second step in which the print setting data output from the transmission device is input to the second communication unit of the printing device by the wireless communication;
A third step of controlling the first communication unit to disconnect the wireless communication or shift to a power saving mode in the transmitting device when the print setting data is output;
A fourth step of controlling the second communication unit to restart the wireless communication and obtain the print data when print data to be printed according to the printing conditions is required in the printing device;
When data indicating that the print data is acquired from the printing device in the transmitting device is input to the first communication unit, the first communication is performed so that the print data is transmitted to the printing device by the wireless communication. A fifth step of controlling the means;
A sixth step of printing the print data by a print control unit in accordance with the print condition when the print data is input from the transmission device to the second communication unit in the printing device;
A printing method, comprising:

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