JP2005014234A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can carry out recording of images onto a recording medium based on image data acquired by a mobile phone without using a memory card, and can carry out re-recording onto many sheets of recording media by a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: When the image data is transmitted by infrared communication conformed to the IrDA standard, the infrared ray is received via a light receiving element 15 to acquire the image data by the printer. When the image data is acquired, the image is recorded onto an instant film 1001 loaded in a medium loading chamber inside the printer 1, and discharged to the printer outside. When a printing SW12 is operated, an image equal to the image recorded earlier is re-recorded and discharged to the printer 1 outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a battery chamber in which a battery is loaded and a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium on which an image is recorded is loaded, and a printer that records an image on the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some recent mobile phones are equipped with a camera, and an image taken by the camera can be stored as image data in a memory card or the like in the mobile phone. When the user wants to record an image on the recording medium based on the image data stored in the mobile phone, for example, the memory card is loaded into a printer and the image is recorded on the recording medium such as a photographic film. Or by using a dedicated adapter to connect a mobile phone to a personal computer to obtain an image on the personal computer and to record the image on a recording medium such as plain paper. As long as the image data is recorded on the memory card in this way, any number of images can be re-recorded on any number of plain papers or photographic films. Some image forming apparatuses deployed in the personal computer or the like have been devised so that re-recording can be performed with a simple operation. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
However, some users who use mobile phones may think that it is not possible to record images on plain paper or photographic film simply by operating the mobile phone without using a memory card or adapter.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-227058
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention makes it easy to record an image on a recording medium based on image data acquired by a mobile phone and re-record it on a number of recording media without using a memory card. An object is to provide a printer that can be operated.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printer of the present invention that achieves the above object has a battery chamber in which a battery is loaded and a medium loading chamber in which a recording medium on which an image is recorded is loaded, on the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber. In printers that record images,
Volatile memory,
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data from the outside and storing it in the volatile memory;
A power control unit for turning on the power upon receiving a power-on instruction and shutting off the power upon receiving a power-off instruction;
Non-volatile memory;
In response to the power-off instruction, the image data stored in the volatile memory is transferred to the non-volatile memory and the power-on instruction is issued before the power control unit cuts off the power. In response, after the power is turned on by the power control unit, an image data transfer unit that transfers the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory;
An image output instruction acquisition unit that receives an image recording instruction to the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber of an image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory;
In response to the fact that image data has been acquired from the outside by the image acquisition unit and stored in the volatile memory, it is loaded into the medium loading chamber without waiting for the image output instruction acquisition unit to acquire an image recording instruction. An image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory is recorded on the recording medium, and when the image output instruction acquisition unit receives an image recording instruction, the image is loaded into the medium loading chamber. And an image recording unit for re-recording an image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory.
[0007]
Recently, some mobile phones can transfer information in the mobile phone to other information devices using infrared communication conforming to the IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standard. It is also possible to send data to this printer.
[0008]
Therefore, in the printer of the present invention, for example, image data transmitted from a mobile phone by infrared communication is acquired by the image output instruction acquisition unit, and at the same time, an image is recorded on the recording medium. If the same image data is transmitted many times from the mobile phone, the same image can be re-recorded on another recording medium. Further, when the image output instruction acquisition unit receives an image recording instruction, the image recording unit records an image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory on another recording medium. .
[0009]
As a result, recording and re-recording of images are performed by a simple operation of transmitting image data from the mobile phone to this printer. Further, after the transmission, if it is desired to re-record the same image as the transmitted image, Re-recording can also be easily performed by giving the image recording instruction to the printer and causing the image output instruction acquiring unit to acquire the image recording instruction. When the image recording instruction is given to the printer and re-recording is performed, for example, an operator is provided and an image recording instruction is given to the printer by operating the operator, or the image is remotely controlled from a mobile phone, for example. There is a method of giving a recording instruction to this printer.
[0010]
In this way, any number of images can be re-recorded based on image data stored in the volatile memory in the printer with a simple operation.
[0011]
For example, if the printer has an auto power-off function, the power control unit receives the power-off instruction even when the auto power-off function is activated. Then, when the auto power off function is activated, the image data stored in the volatile memory is erased.
[0012]
Therefore, in addition to the volatile memory, the non-volatile memory is provided, and when the power control unit receives a power-off instruction, the image transfer unit saves image data in the non-volatile memory, and then the power control unit When the input instruction is received again, the image data is restored to the volatile memory by the image transfer unit.
[0013]
Thus, when this printer has an auto power-off function and is a printer that saves power and can withstand long-term use with one battery, a battery is loaded in the battery chamber. Accordingly, it is preferable that an image data erasing unit for erasing the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory is provided.
[0014]
If a single battery is loaded and the battery can withstand long-term use, then when the battery is loaded into the printer, it is time to start using the printer. Therefore, when there is unnecessary image data when the use of the printer is started, the unnecessary image data is deleted by the image data deleting unit.
[0015]
Also, for example, mobile phones that transmit image data to this printer often have a relatively large memory. If a large-capacity memory on the mobile phone side that is the transmission side is used, this printer is bothered. There is no need to provide a large-capacity memory.
[0016]
Therefore, in response to the start of acquisition of new image data from the outside by the image data acquisition unit, the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory is changed to the image data stored in the volatile memory. It is preferable to include an image data erasing unit that erases both of them.
[0017]
Then, the memory capacity of the printer can be reduced, and it is only necessary to provide a memory having a capacity that can store one piece of transmitted image data. Can be achieved.
[0018]
Furthermore, a re-recording prohibiting unit is provided that invalidates the acquisition of the image recording instruction of the image output instruction acquiring unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since one image was recorded on the recording medium by the image recording unit. It is preferable.
[0019]
In this printer, if the image output instruction acquisition unit acquires an image recording instruction, any number of images are re-recorded, but after a predetermined time has elapsed since one image was recorded on the recording medium, Image data in the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory may become old, and unnecessary images may be recorded.
[0020]
Therefore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since one image was recorded, the rerecording prohibition unit invalidates the operation of the image output instruction operation by the rerecording prohibition unit.
[0021]
The processing for invalidating the acquisition by the image output instruction acquisition unit may be such that image data remains in the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory and only re-recording is prohibited, or the image in the memory The re-recording may be prohibited by erasing the data itself by the image data erasing unit.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the front.
[0023]
This printer is used in combination with a mobile phone or the like. The printer receives image data transmitted from the mobile phone and records an image on an instant film. This instant film corresponds to the recording medium referred to in the present invention. Here, an instant film is used as a recording medium, but plain paper may be used.
[0024]
As described above, some mobile phones can perform infrared communication conforming to IrDA, and the information possessed by the mobile phone can be transmitted to other information devices using this infrared communication. If so, the image data can be sent to this printer.
[0025]
The printer according to the present invention, for example, when image data representing an image taken with a camera-equipped cellular phone or image data transmitted to a cellular phone by e-mail or the like is transmitted to the printer using infrared communication. An image is recorded on the instant film sheet based on the image data, and the image is re-recorded based on the transmitted image data without being retransmitted from the mobile phone. It is possible to record an image on another, that is, another instant film, by a simple operation of operating an operator that gives an output instruction.
[0026]
The configuration of the printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
The printer 1 is portable and has a small and lightweight structure that can record an image by holding both the cellular phone and the printer. An instant film pack is loaded in the casing 1a of the printer 1, and an image is recorded on each of a plurality of stacked instant film sheets in the instant film pack.
[0028]
A power switch (hereinafter referred to as a power switch) 11, a print switch (hereinafter referred to as a print SW) 12, a print data correction switch (hereinafter referred to as a print switch) for instructing to turn on and off the power of the printer 1 are provided on the upper surface of the casing 1 a of the printer 1. Data correction SW) 13 is provided. An LCD panel 14 is provided at the center, and the remaining number of instant film sheets and the contents of the print data correction SW 13 are displayed on the LCD panel 14. In addition, the light receiving element 15 that receives the image data transmitted by the infrared communication described above is disposed at a position where the mobile phone can easily face the printer, in this case, at the end of the housing 1a. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 also has a communication port for USB communication.
[0029]
The print SW 12 is operated when re-recording the same image as the recorded image after the recording of the image on the recording medium is completed. The print data correction SW 13 is recorded on the recording medium. This is for adjusting the darkness or darkness (Dark or Light) of the image. When this print data correction SW 13 is switched to the DARK side, the entire tone of the image based on the image data becomes slightly dark on the instant film sheet. When the image is recorded and is switched to the LIGHT side, an image in which the entire tone becomes slightly brighter is recorded on the instant film sheet. When the print SW 12 is operated after the print data correction SW 13 is operated, photographs having the same composition but different tastes are obtained.
[0030]
In FIG. 2, after the latent image is recorded on the instant film sheet by an optical head described later, the instant film 1001 is discharged from the discharge port of the printer while the latent image on the instant film 1001 is visualized. It is a figure which shows a state when being performed.
[0031]
In this printer, when image data transmitted from the outside by infrared communication or USB communication is acquired by this printer, a latent image based on the acquired image data is recorded on an instant film by exposure, as shown in FIG. As shown, the instant film 1001 on which the latent image is recorded is discharged outside the printer 1 while being visualized. Thereafter, when the print SW 12 is operated, the same image as that image is re-recorded on another instant film, and the instant film 1001 is discharged as shown in FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer 1 as viewed from the rear and obliquely rearward.
[0033]
A film door 101a for loading the film pack 100 is provided on the back side of the printer 1. The film door 101a is opened, and the film pack 100 is loaded into the film loading chamber 100a. This film loading chamber corresponds to the medium loading chamber referred to in the present invention.
[0034]
A battery loading chamber 10a in which a battery 1b serving as a power source for the printer 1 is loaded is also adjacent to the film loading chamber 100a. The battery loading chamber 10a is also provided with a door, the door is opened, and the battery 1b is loaded.
[0035]
Two spring members 1011a and 1012a are provided on the inner side 101a of the film door, and the instant film sheet laminated in the film pack 100 is pushed to the upper surface side of the printer 1 by these spring members 1011a and 1012a. ing. With such a configuration, among the instant film sheets in the instant film pack 100, the instant film sheet 1001 on the uppermost side of the printer is pushed up to a position close to the discharge port 11a, and the instant film pushed up to that position. Many light spots focused on the sheet are recorded by exposure.
[0036]
The internal configuration of such a printer 1 will be described.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the printer with the cover on the top side of the printer 1 removed.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 4, the optical head unit 16 is disposed at a position facing the uppermost film sheet 1001 among the instant film sheets stacked in the instant film pack loaded in the printer. Yes.
[0039]
A rack member 161 is provided at the end of the optical head portion 16, and the rack member 161 is screwed into a screw of a lead screw 161a supported by the housing 1a. A guide bar 1611a is provided on the side of the optical head portion 16 opposite to the side on which the rack member 161 is provided, and the end of the optical head 16 is engaged with the guide bar 1611a. While the optical head 16 is guided by the guide rod 1611a, the optical head 16 is moved by screwing of the lead screw 161a and the rack member 161.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 4, a flat cable 170 is connected to the optical head 16, and a control signal corresponding to image data is supplied from the print control unit described later via the flat cable 170. This control signal controls the shutter speed of each shutter of a liquid crystal shutter array, which will be described later, in the optical head 16. The shutter speed of each liquid crystal shutter is controlled according to the image data, light corresponding to each of RGB is irradiated onto the instant film, and a latent image consisting of 480 light spots (dots) is recorded in the width direction of the instant film. Is done. In the following description, this width direction, that is, the direction in which the shutters are arranged one-dimensionally is referred to as a main scanning direction. Therefore, each shutter is electronically scanned in the main scanning direction, and 480 light spots for one line are recorded on the instant film sheet 1001. When a light spot consisting of 480 dots is recorded in the main scanning direction of the instant film 1001 by the electronic scanning of the optical head 16, the stepping motor 162a is driven based on a control signal from a print control unit, which will be described later, and the lead screw 161a is moved. After rotating by a predetermined angle, light spots of 480 dots are sequentially recorded by the optical head 16 in the direction intersecting with the main scanning direction. In the following description, the direction intersecting with the main scanning direction is referred to as the sub-scanning direction. In this sub-scanning direction, 640 lines of light spots are recorded over the entire instant film, with one light spot of 480 dots recorded in one main scan of the optical head as one line.
[0041]
When a latent image representing an image is recorded by the collection of light spots, the developing film 17 sandwiches the instant film sheet 1001 to develop the developer in the instant film on the entire instant film sheet 1001 to visualize the latent image. While discharging the printer. This instant film sheet 1001 is a self-development processing type photosensitive material, and when the instant film 1001 is sandwiched between the developing rollers 17, the developer filled in the instant film is uniformly spread over the entire instant film sheet, The latent image is visualized. In this way, light spots arranged in the main scanning direction intersecting with the sub-scanning direction while moving in the predetermined sub-scanning direction by the optical head are irradiated in accordance with the image data to cause the latent film on the instant film. An image is recorded.
[0042]
Here, the configuration of the optical head 16 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical head.
[0044]
FIG. 5 shows the arrangement order of the light emitting elements 163R, 163G, and 163B disposed at the end of the light guide plate 164, and the traveling directions of the R, G, and B light irradiated as light spots on the instant film. Is schematically indicated by an arrow.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 5, the optical head 16 includes R, G, and B light emitting elements 163R, 163G, and 163B that are the three primary colors of light, a light guide plate 164, the liquid crystal shutter array 165 described above, and a lens 166. Consists of.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting elements 163R, 163G, and 163B of the three primary colors are disposed at the end of the light guide plate 164, and the light emitted from these light emitting elements is instant film 1001 by the light guide plate 164. Led to the side. The path of the light guided to the instant film sheet 1001 side is changed by the light guide plate 164 and irradiated onto the instant film sheet 1001. The irradiated light passes through the shutters of the liquid crystal shutter array 165, passes through the Selfoc lens (registered trademark) 166, and reaches the instant film 1001. Thus, the light whose light amount is adjusted by each shutter of the liquid crystal shutter array 165 is converged on the instant film by the SELFOC lens, and a lot of focused light spots are recorded on the instant film. Here, by controlling the shutter speed of each shutter according to the image data using a 480 element liquid crystal shutter array, 480 light spots having a gradation corresponding to the image data are recorded on the instant film. This is recorded in the sub-scanning direction for 640 lines, and a light spot of 480 × 640 (VGA size) is recorded as a latent image on the instant film. This latent image is a latent image representing a color image in which light of three colors R, G, and B is recorded at the same light spot by the lens 166.
[0047]
The operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 6 for driving the optical head 16, the developing roller 17b, and the stepping motor 162a.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 180 is directly supplied with electric power from the battery 1b so that the printer 1 can be controlled even when the power of the printer 1 is turned off. In addition, power is directly supplied from the battery 1b to the power supply unit 181 and the deployment motor driver 17a. However, the power supply unit 181 and the deployment motor driver 17a do not operate unless instructed by the CPU 180, so that power is not consumed. Further, the power supply to the image processing unit 182, the stepping motor 1621 a, the print processing unit 183, the volatile memory RAM 184, the nonvolatile memory FLASHMEMORY 185, and the external IF 1821 in the image processing unit 182 is performed via the power supply unit 181. Therefore, unless the power supply unit 181 is controlled by the CPU 180 and the CPU 180 instructs to do so, power is not supplied to each unit. The CPU 180 corresponds to the power supply control unit referred to in the present invention. In FIG. 6, a power supply line that directly supplies power from the battery 1 b and a power supply line that supplies power from the battery 1 b via the power supply unit 181 are indicated by bold lines. In FIG. 6, control lines and detection lines are also shown by dotted lines.
[0049]
Thus, by controlling on / off of the output of the power supply unit 181 by the CPU 180, power consumption is suppressed, and the life of the battery 1b is extended. As described above, when the battery 1b is loaded in the battery loading chamber 10a of the printer 1, the printer 1 is used for a long time with the battery 1b.
[0050]
Further, various switches 10 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the CPU 180, and each part of FIG. 6 is controlled in accordance with operations of these various switches 10. Among these various switches, after the power SW 11 is turned on, image data is sent from the outside by infrared communication or USB communication, and when this printer acquires the image data, this switch does not depend on the operation of the print SW 12 of the various switches 10. An image is recorded under the control of the CPU 180.
[0051]
The CPU 180 receives detection signals from a temperature sensor 180A that detects the temperature of the optical head 16, an origin sensor 180B that detects the recording start position of the optical head 16, and a termination sensor 180C that detects the termination position of the optical head 16. The CPU 180 controls the print control unit 183 to control the shutter speed of each shutter in the optical head 17 in accordance with the detection signal from the temperature sensor 180A, and moves when the optical head 17 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. The start position and the end position are detected by the origin sensor and the end sensor, respectively, and the print controller 183 controls the stepping motor 162a.
[0052]
Here, what operation the CPU 180 causes each unit to perform when image data is transmitted from the outside after the power SW 11 is turned on will be described.
[0053]
When image data is sent from the outside to the printer 1 by infrared communication, the image processing unit 182 having the external I / F 1821 outputs a signal indicating reception to the CPU 180 when the infrared ray is received by the light receiving element 15. . In response to this signal, the CPU causes the image processing unit 182 to delete both the RAM 184 and FLASHMEMORY 185 image data. Further, the image processing unit 182 is made to receive new image data, and the received image data is stored in the RAM 184 via the bus. The CPU 180, the image processing unit 182 and the RAM 184 correspond to the image acquisition unit according to the present invention, and the CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182 correspond to the image erasing unit according to the present invention.
[0054]
When the image acquisition unit acquires image data from the outside, the CPU 180 causes the image processing unit 182 to read the image data stored in the RAM 184, and causes the image processing unit 182 to generate print data. The print data refers to data that has been subjected to appropriate processing by the image processing unit and can control the shutter speed of each shutter of the optical head 17, and is acquired by the image acquisition unit. Different from image data. In the following description, in order to distinguish both data, the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit and stored in the RAM for the print data is referred to as pre-print data.
[0055]
When the CPU 180 generates the print data in the image processing unit 182, the CPU 180 causes the image processing unit 182 to transfer the print data, and causes the print control unit 183 to control the shutter speed of each shutter. Then, according to the print data, the opening time of each shutter arranged in the main scanning direction, that is, the shutter speed is controlled, and the light amounts of the R, G, and B colors passing through each shutter are adjusted. Further, the printing control unit 183 controls the stepping motor driver 1621a, and the stepping motor 162a scans the optical head 16 in the sub-scanning direction, and the shutter speed of each shutter is set according to the print data at each scanning. 183 to control the light quantity of each light spot in the sub-scanning direction. In this way, the light quantity of all the light spots is adjusted, and a latent image representing an image made up of a collection of these light spots is recorded on the instant film. The print processing unit 183, the optical head 17, the stepping motor 162a, and the stepping motor driver 1621a correspond to the image recording unit referred to in the present invention.
[0056]
After the latent image is recorded on the instant film by the image recording unit, the CPU 180 turns off the output of the power supply unit 181 and drives the developing motor 17 by the developing motor driver 17a.
[0057]
The developing motor 17 rotates the developing roller to sandwich the instant film, develops the developer on the entire instant film, visualizes the latent image, and discharges the instant film to the outside of the printer.
[0058]
The above is the processing that the CPU 180 causes each unit to perform when image data is sent by infrared communication or USB communication after the power source SW11 is turned on.
[0059]
Next, processing that the CPU 180 causes each unit when the print SW 12 is operated will be described.
[0060]
In response to the operation of the print SW 12, the CPU 180 causes the image processing unit 182 to read the image data stored in the RAM 184. This CPU corresponds to the image output instruction acquisition unit. Based on the read image data, the image processing unit 182 generates print data and transfers the print data to the print processing unit 183. Based on the print data, the print processing unit 183 controls each shutter of the optical head 17 to adjust the amount of light irradiated on the instant film. By adjusting the light quantity of each light spot, the light quantity corresponding to the image data is irradiated on the instant film, and a latent image corresponding to the image data is recorded.
[0061]
The CPU 180 detects the end of the recording of the latent image by a change in the detection signal of the end sensor 180C, and issues an instruction from the CPU 180 to the power supply unit 181 to turn off the output of the power supply unit 181 and to the development mode driver 17a. An instruction to drive the deployment motor 17 is issued.
[0062]
A claw (not shown) for feeding the instant film to the developing roller side is driven by the developing motor 17, the instant film is sent to the developing roller side, and the instant film is sandwiched between the developing rollers. To discharge. By sandwiching between the developing rollers, the developer filled in the instant film is developed on the entire instant film, and the latent image is visualized.
[0063]
When the print SW 12 is thus operated, an image based on the image data stored in the RAM 184 is recorded on the instant film.
[0064]
In addition, since the operation of the print SW may be performed even after the power is turned off, the printer according to the present embodiment is provided with a non-volatile memory so that the image data can be saved and restored. Yes.
[0065]
Therefore, when the non-volatile memory is used and the power is turned off by the power SW 11 or when the auto power-off function of the printer of this embodiment is activated, the transfer of the image data in the RAM 184 to the non-volatile memory is performed. The processing unit 182 causes the image data stored in the RAM 184 to be saved.
[0066]
Further, when the power SW 11 is turned on again, the image processing unit 182 is caused to transfer the image data stored in the nonvolatile FLASHMEMORY 185 and the image data in the FLASHMEMORY 185 is returned to the RAM 184. .
[0067]
The CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182 correspond to the image data transfer unit referred to in the present invention.
[0068]
Furthermore, if the time has passed too much after the image has been recorded, the image data becomes too old, and an unnecessary image may be recorded if the user operates the print SW 12 by mistake. is expected. If such a situation occurs, the instant film sheet is wasted, and the CPU 180 prevents the print processing unit from performing the recording process after a predetermined time has elapsed by the timer. The CPU 180 corresponds to a re-recording prohibition unit referred to in the present invention.
[0069]
Here, as the process of the re-recording prohibition unit, the image data of both the RAM 184 and FLASHMEMORY 185 is left to notify the user that there is no image to be recorded by display. Since a predetermined time is counted by a timer in the CPU, image data in the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory is erased from the image data including the CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182 using the measured time as a criterion. The image EMPTY may be displayed on the LCD panel.
[0070]
How the CPU 180 performs processing such as saving, restoring, erasing, and invalidating the print SW operation will be described as needed with reference to the following flowcharts.
[0071]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the CPU 180.
[0072]
FIG. 7 shows the main process.
[0073]
FIG. 8 to FIG. 16 show details of each step of the main process.
[0074]
First, processing of the main routine performed by the CPU 180 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0075]
When the battery 1b is inserted, first, in step 701, initial setting of each part is performed. By this initial setting, the oscillation frequency of the clock supplied to the CPU 180 is set. The CPU 180 has a low power consumption mode, and operates with a slow clock in the low power consumption mode. In the next step S702, the image data in FLASHMEMORY 185 is deleted. Here, for example, since image data for inspection before shipment remains in the FLASHMEMORY 185, the image processing unit deletes the image data. The CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182 correspond to the image data erasing unit referred to in the present invention.
[0076]
In step S703, the system waits for the power SW11 to be turned on. When the power SW13 is turned on, a power ON process is performed in step S704. In this power ON process, a menu is displayed on the LCD panel, or the processing speed of the CPU 180 is increased by increasing the clock speed.
[0077]
In the next step S705, a transition is made to a standby state in which the state of a signal input to the CPU 180 side waits for a transition.
[0078]
Here, the CPU 180 operates the print SW 12 or the print data correction SW 13 as an item to monitor the transition of the state input to the CPU 180 and switches it to the ON side, and the image data is received by the external IF 1821 and received. It is listed that a signal is detected, that the power SW 11 is switched to the off side, and that the auto power off function of the printer of this embodiment works.
[0079]
If CPU 180 determines that any of these input states has transitioned, CPU 180 causes each unit to perform processing corresponding to the transitioned state.
[0080]
First, in step S706, in response to the print data correction SW being operated to the ON side, the print data correction SW processing process in the image processing unit is started, and the correction coefficient of the image data according to the operation content of the print data correction SW. Is set to image data, and the process returns to the standby state.
[0081]
Also, in response to the image data transmitted from the mobile phone and the external IF 1821 detecting the reception of the image data, the infrared communication process in the image processing unit 182 is started in step S707, and the external IF 1821 in the image processing unit 182 is activated. And image data is acquired by an image acquisition unit comprising the RAM 184. When the image data is acquired by the image acquisition unit, each process is performed in steps S713 to S715, and the instant film is discharged to the outside. When image data is acquired by USB communication in step S708, the same processing as in step S707 is performed.
[0082]
Next, when the print SW 12 is operated and switched to the ON side, if the time is exceeded with reference to the timer value in the CPU in step S709, the process returns to the standby state in step S705. If it is within a predetermined time with reference to the timer value, the process proceeds to step S710, the print data RAM development process is performed, the image data is restored to the RAM, and the image recording process based on the image data is performed from step S713 to step S715. Let me do it. In this embodiment, an output operation instruction is that the print SW 12 has been operated and switched to the ON side, and the output operation instruction is received by the CPU 180 serving as an output instruction acquisition unit, and image recording processing is performed.
[0083]
Further, when the power SW 11 is switched to the off side or the auto power function is activated, the power off processing process in the CPU 180 is started, and the timer value in the CPU 180 is referred to and the timer value is set. When it is detected that the time is within a predetermined time, the image processing unit 182 corresponding to the image transfer unit transfers the image data stored in the RAM 184, and the image data is saved in the FLASHMEMORY 185. Thereafter, the power-off process of each part is performed, and the process returns to the main routine.
[0084]
In this embodiment, the power switch 11 is switched to the off side, or the CPU 180 receives the power-off instruction as a power-off instruction indicating that the auto power-off function has been activated, and the power-off process is performed according to the power-off instruction. To do.
[0085]
Here, each process started when any state transition as a monitoring item of the CPU occurs will be described in detail.
[0086]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the standby process performed by the CPU 180.
[0087]
This flow is repeatedly executed, and when any state changes, any process corresponding to the state is activated.
[0088]
First, in step S801, the external IF is turned on to wait for whether image data has been transmitted by infrared communication or USB communication.
[0089]
In steps S802 to S807, waiting control corresponding to steps S705 to S710 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed.
[0090]
In step S802, a transition to the ON side of the print SW 11 listed as one of the monitoring items is detected. If the operation of the print SW 11 is detected in step S802, the process proceeds to step S808, and the timer value is determined. This timer starts after the print processing process is started in step S713 in FIG. 7 and the instant film is completely discharged. If the timer value exceeds a predetermined time and the time is over, step S802 is executed. Return to. If it is detected in step S802 that the time is within the predetermined time, in step S809, the process jumps to the RAM development process and starts the RAM development process. As described above, since the image is re-recorded when the print SW is operated, the operation of the print SW may be erroneous if time has elapsed. Therefore, after detecting the timer value in step S808, the process proceeds to the print data RAM development process. The determination step by the timer in the CPU corresponds to a part of the re-recording prohibition unit referred to in the present invention. Here, in accordance with the determination result of the timer, the state is returned to the standby state, and the re-recording is prohibited without performing the rasterizing process on the image processing unit. Note that, based on the determination result, the process may return to step S702 in FIG. 7 to return to the part where the image data in the FLASHMEMORY and RAM is erased and skipped to the standby state.
[0091]
If it is detected in the next step S803 that the print data correction SW has been operated and switched to the ON side, the process jumps to the print data correction SW process and starts the print data correction SW process in the image processing unit 182 in step S810. To do. As described above, the print data correction SW 13 adjusts the density of the image. When the print data correction SW 13 is operated, the print data correction SW process is started and the image processing unit 182 corrects the image data. The correction coefficient is set for this purpose.
[0092]
If the CPU 180 detects that there is an infrared communication request based on the detection signal from the external IF in the next step S804, it jumps to the infrared communication processing process in step S811, and starts the infrared communication processing process. For example, when image data is transmitted by infrared rays from a mobile phone to the light receiving unit 15 of the printer, the image data is supplied to the external IF 1821 in the image processing unit 182 via the light receiving element 15 and received from the external IF. The detection signal is output. Therefore, an infrared communication processing process is started as an infrared communication request with this detection signal.
[0093]
The next step S805 is similar to step S804, because the external IF receives that image data has been transmitted by USB communication, and a signal indicating reception is output from the image processing unit 182 having the external IF. The USB communication processing process is activated and image data is received by the external IF 1821 in the image processing unit 182.
[0094]
When the image data is acquired in steps S804 and S805, the latent image is recorded on the instant film by the image recording unit without waiting for the operation of the printer SW, and the instant film is developed by the developing roller. However, the visualized instant film is discharged out of the printer.
[0095]
In step S806, the power source SW11 is switched off. In step S813, the power source off process in the CPU 180 is started.
[0096]
In step S807, a time-out is detected by the timer and the auto power-off function is activated. In step S814, the auto-off process is started.
[0097]
In this way, when any input state changes, any process is started.
[0098]
Here, the details of the processing of steps S802 to S807 in FIG. 8 will be described.
[0099]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S809 in FIG.
[0100]
First, if the print SW is operated and the timer value is within a predetermined time, in step S901, the power supply of the external IF having a transmission / reception unit for infrared communication and USB communication is turned off to reject acceptance of new image data.
[0101]
In step S902, the image processing unit 182 determines whether there is print data in the RAM. If there is image data in the RAM 184, the process proceeds to Yes, returns to the main routine, and proceeds to the recording process. If there is no image data on the RAM 184 in step S902, the process proceeds to No, and the image processing unit 182 transfers the image data from the FLASHMEMORY 185 to the RAM 184. Since the operation content of the print data correction SW 13 is also written in the image data, the CPU 180 receives the operation content of the print data correction SW 13 from the image data in the next step S904 and displays it on the LCD panel 14. Display that information. Then, the process returns to the main process and proceeds to the recording process.
[0102]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S810 of FIG.
[0103]
Processing in this step is performed in an image processing process in the image processing unit.
[0104]
The CPU 180 detects that the print correction SW 13 has been switched to the ON side, transmits the detected content to the image processing unit 182, and causes the image processing unit 182 to set an internal coefficient for print data correction. This print data correction SW 13 is normally in NORMAL state, but when pressed once, DARK (dark tone), when pressed again LIGHT (bright tone), when pressed again, it returns to NORMAL. Toggle operation. Therefore, the CPU 180 reads the contents of the toggle operation, transmits the contents to the image processing unit 182, changes the internal coefficient in step S 1001, sets the image data, and prints it on the LCD panel 14 in the next step S 1002. The operation content (N → D → L, etc.) of the data correction SW 13 is displayed. The process of this process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.
[0105]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an infrared communication processing process.
[0106]
When there is an infrared communication request through the external IF, old image data is no longer necessary. If there is old image data in FLASHMEMORY 185 and RAM 184 in step S1101, the image processing unit 182 deletes the old image data. That is, in response to the start of acquisition of new image data from the outside by the image data acquisition unit, the image data stored in the FLASHMEMORY 185 which is a nonvolatile memory and the RAM 184 which is a volatile memory are stored. Both the image data are deleted by the CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182. The CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182 correspond to the image erasing unit referred to in the present invention.
[0107]
In performing communication between the mobile phone and the print SW in the next step S1102, the external IF performs necessary information exchange with the mobile phone and negotiates communication conditions such as communication speed so that infrared communication can be performed. If the negotiation is concluded, it is determined that the negotiation is established, and the communication speed is changed by the external IF 1821 in the next step S1103. In the next step S1104, the image processing unit 182 receives the image data and causes the RAM 184 to write the received image data.
[0108]
In step S1105, it is determined whether or not the image data has been received to the end and written to the RAM 184. If the image data is in the middle, the process proceeds to No. When the image data is written in the RAM 184, the process proceeds to Yes in step S1105, the power supply to the external IF 1821 out of the output of the power supply unit 181 is turned off, and the process returns to the main process. If it is output to the CPU 180 that data reception failed in the process of the image processing unit 182 in step S1105, the CPU 180 immediately ends this process and returns to the main process.
[0109]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the USB communication processing process.
[0110]
When image data is transmitted by USB communication, processing is performed according to this flow, but processing similar to that of infrared communication is performed.
[0111]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the power-off and auto-off process. This process is also performed by the image transfer unit including the CPU 180 and the image processing unit 182.
[0112]
First, in step S1301, the timer value started when the previous image is recorded is referred to. If time-out occurs, the image data in the FLASHMEMORY 185 is deleted in step S1307 without saving the image data in the RAM 184 to the FLASHMEMORY 185, and the process proceeds to step S1303. If the timer value is within the predetermined time in step S1301, the process proceeds to step S1302, and the image data is transferred to FLASHMEMORY 185 in step S1302, and the image data is saved. In this way, if it is within a predetermined time, the image can be re-recorded immediately when the power SW 11 is turned on again. It is also possible to delete old image data during the power shutdown process.
[0113]
Here, since the capacity of FLASHMEMORY 185 is desired to be as small as possible, the pre-print data is saved in FLASHMEMORY 185. However, if the capacity of FLASHMEMORY 185 is sufficient, the print data after image processing may be saved in FLASHMEMORY185. If the print data after the image processing is saved, the image data is transferred from FLASHMEMORY to the RAM to be restored to the RAM 184, and then the pre-printing process in step S709 is omitted, so that the printing process can be started quickly. .
[0114]
In the next step S1304, power supply to the external IF 1821 in the image processing unit 182 is stopped by the power supply unit 181, and the infrared communication function and the USB communication function are turned off. In step S1304, the power supply unit 181 also turns off the power supply to the image processing unit 182.
[0115]
In step S1305, the LCD panel is turned off, and in step S1306, the CPU is set in the low power consumption mode and the process returns to the main routine.
[0116]
Among these standby processes, after the infrared communication process and the RAM development process are started, the processes from steps S713 to S715 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are performed. Therefore, the processes of steps S713, S714, and S715 of FIG. Details of the processing will be described.
[0117]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the pre-print process in step S713, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the print data process in step S714, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the film discharge process in step S715.
[0118]
First, pre-printing processing performed by the image processing unit will be described with reference to FIG.
[0119]
Since it is not known what kind of image data is transmitted and received from the cellular phone, in this flow, processing necessary for recording an image with this printer is performed.
[0120]
In step S1401, it is determined whether the data is uncompressed data. Here, since it is not necessary to decompress the image data if it is non-compressed data, the process proceeds to the Yes side, and the process proceeds to the next step S1402. If the image data is compressed data, the process proceeds to No, and the compressed data is decompressed by the image processing unit in step S1403. In the next step S1402, it is determined whether or not the resolution is suitable for image recording by the printer 1. When the resolution is suitable for the printer 1 (for example, when the VGA size is 480 × 640), the process proceeds to the Yes side, and the process proceeds to the next step S1405. When the resolution is not suitable for the printer 1 (for example, when the aspect ratio is different), the process proceeds to the No side, and the image processor performs resolution conversion at step S1404. In step S1405, it is determined whether the print data correction SW has not been operated. If the print data correction SW has not been operated on this image data, the process proceeds to the Yes side, and the process proceeds to the next step S1407. If the image data has been corrected by the print data correction SW, the print data correction process is performed in the next step S1408. In FIG. 1, a conversion example in the case where the offset adjustment (± A) is performed on the luminance data Y is shown by mathematical expressions.
[0121]
In step S1407, it is determined whether the color space is suitable for image recording. If it is determined in step S1407 that it is not suitable, the process proceeds to the No side, and if it is a display image signal (YC signal) composed of luminance data Y and chroma data C, the YC signal is converted into an RGB signal in step S1408. Then, print data composed of RGB signals is generated.
[0122]
When the print data is generated by the image processing unit, the print data is transferred to the print processing unit, and an image recording process is performed by the print processing unit.
[0123]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the print processing process of the print processing unit.
[0124]
In step S1501, the print processing unit first supplies power to the stepping motor 1621a corresponding to the optical head drive unit and the optical head 16, and in the next step S1502, the print processing unit 183 starts driving the stepping motor 1621a. In the next step S1503, it is determined whether it is the print start timing. Whether or not it is the print start timing indicates the timing at which data is transferred from the print processing unit to each shutter. Here, it is determined whether or not the position of the optical head 16 is on the origin sensor 180B side. If it is determined in step S1504 that the optical head 16 is at the origin position, the process proceeds to Yes, and print data transfer is started to cause the print processing unit to start controlling the shutter speed of the shutter unit of the optical head. According to the transferred print data, the shutter speed of each shutter of the optical head is controlled by the print control unit, and the light spot for 480 dots is recorded. After the light spot for 480 dots in the main scanning direction is recorded by the optical head, the stepping motor is driven to move the position of the optical head by one line, and the light spot for one line in the next main scanning direction is recorded. Let Further, the optical head 16 is shifted line by line by the stepping motor 1621a to record the light spots one after another.
[0125]
In the next step S1505, it is determined whether or not the print data is finished. If there is no print data to be transferred in the print control unit 183, the process proceeds to Yes, and the process proceeds to step S1507. If the print data to be transferred is still in the print control unit 183, the process proceeds to the No side, and it is determined in step S1506 whether the print area is completed. Here, if the output of the end sensor 180C indicating the end of the image recording area has not changed, the process proceeds to the No side, and the process returns to step S1505.
[0126]
If it is determined in step S1506 that the output of the end sensor has changed and the position of the optical head is at the end of the print area, the process proceeds to Yes, and the process proceeds to step S1507.
[0127]
In step S1507, the control of the optical head 16 by the print control unit 183 is terminated, and the transfer of print data is stopped. In step S1508, the printing control unit also finishes driving the stepping motor 1621a, and stops the power supply to the optical head 16. In the next step S1510, the timer is started, and the time until the next image is recorded is started. With this timing, the time from when this image is recorded until the next image is recorded is counted. The time measurement result by this timer is a criterion for determining whether or not the image processing unit 182 corresponding to the image transfer unit and the image data erasing unit is to transfer the image data and whether to delete the image data.
[0128]
When the processing of this flow is completed, the instant film discharge processing is started.
[0129]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an instant film discharge process.
[0130]
First, in step S1601, the power supply unit 181 turns off the output. In step S1602, the developing motor is driven, and the developing roller is rotated by the developing motor. In the next step S1603, it is determined whether or not the film discharge processing is completed. When discharge of the instant film is detected, the driving of the developing motor is stopped. When detecting the completion of the discharge, the sensor detects that there is no instant film inside the printer within the time required for the normal discharge process (before timeout).
[0131]
When the discharge of the film is completed and the process proceeds to the Yes side, the developing motor is turned off in the next step S1604, and the power supply to the external IF 1821 having infrared communication and USB communication is cut off in step S1605.
[0132]
The above is the process related to the recording of the image data.
[0133]
In this manner, a printer that can record an image based on the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit by simply transmitting the image data from the mobile phone is realized. In addition, the image once recorded can be re-recorded any number of times by one-touch operation only by operating the print SW. Furthermore, since image data is transferred or deleted depending on the situation, image data representing an image to be re-recorded may be lost, or an image that is not desired to be re-recorded may be re-recorded. This makes it easier to use printers.
[0134]
In this way, even without using a memory card, for example, recording an image on a recording medium based on image data taken with a mobile phone with a camera, and re-recording on a number of recording media can be easily performed. An easy-to-use printer that can be done with is realized.
[0135]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another embodiment.
[0136]
As shown in FIG. 17, step S709 in FIG. 7 is omitted, and when the print SW 12 is operated, the process is unconditionally shifted to the RAM development process. In FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not there is data in the RAM 184 in step S902. However, since the CPU 180 gives a power-off instruction, it recognizes that the power has been cut off. Therefore, when the CPU 180 recognizes in advance that there is no image data in the RAM 184, the image data of FLASHMEMORY is unconditionally returned to the RAM.
[0137]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a RAM development process performed when the change of FIG. 17 is performed.
[0138]
In step S1801, the external IF is turned off, and acquisition of new image data is prohibited. In step S1802, the timer is determined, and if it is timed out, the standby state is restored. If it is within the predetermined time after the determination of the timer in step S1802, the image data is transferred from the FLASHMEMORY 185 to the RAM 184 in step S1803, the image data is returned to the RAM, and the image correction data is displayed on the LCD panel. Image recording based on the restored RAM image data is performed in steps S713 to S715.
[0139]
By doing so, it is possible to perform image data restoration processing immediately after the power is turned off and the power is turned on again.
[0140]
In this embodiment, an instant film is taken as an example of a recording medium, and a printer that records an image on the instant film is described. However, a printer that records on plain paper using plain paper as a recording medium may be used.
[0141]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, it is possible to record an image on a recording medium based on image data acquired by a mobile phone, and onto a number of recording media without using a memory card. It is possible to provide a printer that can perform the re-recording by a simple operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where an instant film loaded in the printer is discharged to the outside of the printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back surface of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the printer as viewed from obliquely above and forward, with the top cover of the printer of FIG. 1 removed.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the optical head shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing system inside the printer.
7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the CPU of FIG. 6;
8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of standby processing in steps of FIG. 7;
9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a print data print data correction SW processing process shown in steps of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.
10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an infrared communication processing process shown in the steps of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.
11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a USB communication processing process shown in the steps of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.
12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a print data RAM development processing process shown in the steps of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.
13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a print data power-off process and an auto-off process shown in the steps of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.
14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a pre-printing process shown in the step of FIG. 7. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a print processing process shown in the step of FIG. 7;
16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a print discharge processing process shown in the step of FIG. 7;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of FIG. 17;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 1a Case 10a Battery loading chamber 1b Battery 100a Film loading chamber 101a Film door 1011a 1012a Spring member 100 Instant film pack 1001 Instant film sheet 10 Various switches 11 Power supply SW
12 Print SW
13 Print data correction SW
14 LCD panel 15 Light receiver 16 Optical head 161 Rack member 161a Lead screw 1611a Guide rod 162a Stepping motor 1621a Stepping motor driver 163R 163G 163B Light emitting element 164 Light guide plate 165 Liquid crystal shutter array 166 Selfoc lens (registered trademark)
17 Deployment motor 17a Deployment motor driver 17b Deployment roller 180 CPU
180A Temperature sensor 180B Origin sensor 180C End sensor 181 Power supply unit 182 Image processing unit 1821 External I / F
183 Print processing unit 184 RAM
185 FLASHMEMORY

Claims (4)

In a printer that has a battery chamber loaded with a battery and a medium loading chamber loaded with a recording medium on which an image is recorded, and that records an image on the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber,
Volatile memory,
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data from the outside and storing it in the volatile memory;
A power control unit that turns on power upon receiving a power-on instruction and shuts off power upon receiving a power-off instruction;
Non-volatile memory;
In response to the power-off instruction, the image data stored in the volatile memory is transferred to the non-volatile memory and the power-on instruction is issued prior to power-off by the power control unit. In response, after the power is turned on by the power control unit, an image data transfer unit that transfers the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory;
An image output instruction acquisition unit that receives an image recording instruction to the recording medium loaded in the medium loading chamber of an image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory;
In response to the fact that image data has been acquired from the outside by the image acquisition unit and stored in the volatile memory, it is loaded into the medium loading chamber without waiting for acquisition of an image recording instruction of the image output instruction acquisition unit. An image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory is recorded on the recording medium, and when the image output instruction acquisition unit receives the image recording instruction, the image is loaded into the medium loading chamber. An image recording unit for re-recording an image based on the image data stored in the volatile memory on another recording medium. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising an image data erasing unit that erases image data stored in the nonvolatile memory in response to a battery being loaded in the battery chamber. In response to the start of acquisition of new image data from the outside by the image data acquisition unit, both the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory and the image data stored in the volatile memory 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising an image data erasing unit for erasing the image data. 2. A re-recording prohibition unit that invalidates acquisition of an image recording instruction in the image output instruction acquisition unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the image was recorded by the image recording unit. The printer described.

Images