JP2005111800A - Printer and method for reflecting print conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of enhancing convenience, and to provide a method for reflecting print conditions. <P>SOLUTION: The printer comprises a screen display section 31 on which a plurality of menu screens are displayed. A display control section 44 is provided with three modes, i.e. a standard mode, a CD-R mode and a basic mode, wherein image data of any one of a standard screen, a CD-R screen or a basic screen is read out from a screen data storage section 45 by switching these modes and then displayed at the screen display section 31. The display control section 44 comprises a standard mode storage section 46 capable of storing print conditions set in each mode, a CD-R storage section 47 and a basic mode storage section 48. When the mode is switched, print conditions are read out from a storage section corresponding to the mode immediate before switching and reflected on the storage section corresponding to the current mode and then a menu screen is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including a display unit capable of displaying a menu screen and a printing condition reflecting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers, multifunction devices, and the like are known as stand-alone types that have a slot into which various memory cards (flash memory or the like) are inserted and print images acquired from the memory card. This type of printing apparatus is highly convenient because it does not require a host computer (PC) (or does not require connection). In addition, in such a printing apparatus, an operation panel including a screen display unit that displays a menu screen for setting printing conditions when an acquired image is printed is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1). . This menu screen is composed of a large number of menus capable of setting various printing conditions such as photo selection / printing target (A4 plain paper, postcard, CD-R, etc.), layout, number of sheets, and the like. The user operates an operation button provided on the operation panel, selects a menu displayed on the menu screen, sets printing conditions, and performs printing.

  However, the menu screen is configured such that a large number of menus are sequentially displayed on one screen in accordance with the operation of the operation buttons. In other words, since many menus are displayed in addition to the menu desired by the user, there is a problem in that it is difficult to find the target menu and the usability is poor and the operability is poor. Also, for those who do not need much function, many menus are rather complicated to operate, and there is a problem that the operations are easy to make mistakes.

For this reason, it is conceivable to display a plurality of menu screens including a dedicated screen configured in accordance with a predetermined printing condition instead of a single menu screen. For example, as a menu screen, in addition to a standard screen on which a large number of various menus are displayed, a dedicated screen (CD-R) configured to be able to set printing conditions related to a CD-R by a part of the menus constituting the standard screen R screen) is prepared. Further, a screen switching switch is provided, and the standard screen and the CD-R screen are switched by the user operating the switch. Thus, when printing on a CD-R, a CD-R screen, that is, a dedicated screen composed of a desired menu is displayed by pressing the switch, so that it is easy to use and operability is improved.
JP 2003-241990 A (paragraphs [0027] and [0028] in FIG. 1, FIG. 1)

  By the way, in a printing apparatus such as a printer, there is a case where a certain photograph is desired to be printed continuously on a plurality of different printing targets. Here, in the printing apparatus capable of displaying a plurality of menu screens as described above, the photo to be printed and the number of prints of the photos are set by the menu on the CD-R screen, and the CD-R is set according to the printing conditions. Suppose you print. And if you want to print on plain paper with the same photo and number as the CD-R, that is, the same printing conditions, you need to switch the menu screen from the CD-R screen to the standard screen. The printing conditions that have been set are not retained and are reset. For this reason, the user needs to reset the printing conditions from the beginning on the standard screen, which is not convenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing condition reflecting method capable of improving convenience.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display unit capable of displaying a menu screen, a standard mode for displaying a standard screen capable of setting various printing conditions as the menu screen, and the standard screen as the menu screen. Display control means for providing a dedicated mode for displaying a dedicated screen configured such that a predetermined printing condition can be set by a part of a menu constituting the screen, and switching both modes to display the standard screen or the dedicated screen on the display means And a first storage means for storing the printing conditions set in the standard mode, a second storage means for storing the printing conditions set in the dedicated mode, and when the mode is switched, The printing conditions set in any mode before switching are read from the corresponding storage means and stored in the storage means corresponding to the mode after switching. A reflecting means for reflecting the set, and summarized in that with a.

  According to this invention, the printing condition in any mode before switching is reflected to the mode after switching by the reflecting means. For this reason, when it is desired to print after switching under the same printing conditions as before switching, it is not necessary to reset the printing conditions from the beginning, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, the gist of the present invention is that it comprises setting means capable of setting whether or not the reflection by the reflection means is performed. According to the present invention, since the user can select whether to reflect or not, the convenience can be further improved.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a display unit capable of displaying a menu screen, a standard mode for displaying a standard screen on which various printing conditions can be set as the menu screen, and a menu constituting the standard screen as the menu screen. A printing apparatus comprising a dedicated mode for displaying a dedicated screen configured to set predetermined printing conditions by a unit, and switching between both modes to display the standard screen or the dedicated screen on the display unit A printing condition reflecting method to be used, which stores the printing conditions set in the standard mode and the printing conditions set in the dedicated mode, respectively, and when the mode is switched, either before switching The gist is to reflect the printing conditions set in the mode in the mode after switching.

  According to the present invention, when the mode is switched, the printing conditions set in any of the modes before switching are reflected in the mode after switching. That is, it is possible to print after switching under the same printing conditions as before switching. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the printing conditions again from the beginning after switching the screen, and the convenience can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as a printing apparatus includes a printer main body 12 and a paper feeding device 12 a provided on the back side of the printer main body 12. The sheets set in the sheet feeding device 12a are fed to the printer main body 12 one by one.

  The printer main body 12 includes a printing mechanism 14 inside the case 13, and paper is fed by a paper feeding device (not shown) to perform printing. Specifically, the printing mechanism 14 includes a carriage 17 that is guided by the rail 15 and can reciprocate in parallel with the axial direction of the platen 16. The carriage 17 is connected to the carriage motor 18 via a timing belt 19 and is driven by driving the carriage motor 18. A print head 21 is disposed below the carriage 17 on the lower surface side facing the paper, and ink is ejected from the print head 21 to print on the paper S. The printed paper S is discharged from a discharge port 12b that opens at the lower front of the printer main body 12. The moving direction of the carriage 17 is referred to as a main scanning direction, and the paper feed direction of the paper S is referred to as a sub-scanning direction.

  The printer 11 includes a reading device 23 having a slot 22 for inserting a memory card on which an image is recorded by a digital camera or the like. The printer 11 in the present embodiment is a stand-alone printer that can print an image in a memory card without being connected to a host computer (PC).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer main body 12 includes a CD-R guide 24 serving as a guide for CD-R printing above the discharge port 12b. Specifically, the CD-R guide 24 is assembled to the printer main body 12 so as to cover the insertion port 24a into which the tray 25 is inserted so as to be openable and closable. In a state where the CD-R guide 24 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 3), a tray 25 on which a CD-R 26 as a medium is placed is inserted into the printer main body 12 from the insertion opening 24a, and is inserted into the CD-R 26. On the other hand, printing is performed. Although it is necessary to adjust the printing mechanism in consideration of the thickness of the CD-R 26 and the like when printing on the CD-R 26, in this embodiment, printing is performed in conjunction with the opening of the CD-R guide 24. The printing mechanisms such as the platen 16 and the carriage 17 are automatically adjusted so that the reference (height) of the platen is matched with the CD-R 26 of the tray 25 to be inserted.

  Further, the printer main body 12 is provided with a sensor unit 27 (see FIG. 3) as detection means at a position pressed by the closed CD-R guide 24 above the insertion port 24a. The sensor unit 27 is a sensor that detects opening / closing of the CD-R guide 24, and outputs a signal corresponding to the opening / closing state of the CD-R guide 24.

  The printer 11 includes an operation panel 30 on the upper right portion of the printer main body 12, and the operation panel 30 includes a screen display unit 31 and an operation unit 32 as display means. The screen display unit 31 displays a menu screen for setting various printing conditions. The operation unit 32 includes a cursor button 32a used when selecting a menu displayed on the menu screen and a determination button 32b for determining the selected menu. By operating these buttons, printing conditions can be changed. Is set.

  The screen display unit 31 includes a standard screen G1 (see FIG. 4A) as a menu screen, a CD-R screen G2 as a dedicated screen (see FIG. 4B), and a basic screen G3 as a dedicated screen (see FIG. 4B). 3 types of screens shown in FIG. 4 (c) can be displayed. The standard screen G1 includes a plurality of menus such as photo selection (selection of images to be printed), number of sheets (number of printed sheets), layout, and detailed settings. The detailed setting is mainly composed of a menu relating to the image itself. When this detailed setting menu is selected, for example, a menu such as image quality and brightness is displayed.

  The CD-R screen G2 is mainly composed of a part of the menus constituting the standard screen G1 and related to the CD-R, and in this embodiment, the menu of photo selection, number of sheets, layout, and CD-R detailed setting. Has been. This CD-R detailed setting menu is basically the same as the detailed setting on the standard screen G1, but normally, on the CD-R screen G2, predetermined conditions are set for printing conditions relating to the image itself such as image quality and brightness. For example, the image quality is fixed to the highest image quality and the brightness is fixed as a standard.

  The basic screen G3 is composed of two menus, photo selection and number of sheets, which are part of the menu that constitutes the standard screen G1, and the size of the characters in these menus is the same as that in the standard screen G1 or the CD-R screen G2. It is displayed larger than the characters. In the basic screen G3 as well as the CD-R screen G2, the printing conditions relating to the image itself are fixed to the predetermined conditions as described above.

  The operation unit 32 is provided with a switching button 32c for switching the three types of screens displayed on the screen display unit 31, and can be switched to one of the screens by being pressed by the user. It is configured. By pressing the switching button 32c, for example, the screen is cyclically switched in the order of the standard screen G1, the CD-R screen G2, the basic screen G3, and the standard screen G1.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer in this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 11 includes a sensor unit 27, a CPU 41 that performs main control of the printer 11, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, an operation unit 32, and a display control unit that performs display control of a menu screen in the screen display unit 31 and reflection. A display control unit 44 is provided as means, and each is connected via a bus B. Connected to the display control unit 44 is a screen data storage unit 45 in which data of three screens of a standard screen G1, a CD-R screen G2, and a basic screen G3 are stored. Further, a standard mode storage unit 46 as a first storage unit, a CD-R mode storage unit 47 and a basic mode storage unit 48 as second storage units are connected to the display control unit 44. The screen data storage unit 45 is composed of, for example, a ROM, while the standard mode storage unit 46, the CD-R mode storage unit 47, and the basic mode storage unit 48 are composed of, for example, a RAM.

  The sensor unit 27 outputs an ON signal to the CPU 41 via the bus B when the CD-R guide 24 is opened, and sends an OFF signal to the CPU 41 via the bus B when the CD-R guide 24 is closed. Output.

  The CPU 41 controls the printing mechanism 14 and the like using the RAM 42 as a memory area based on various programs stored in the ROM 43. Further, the CPU 41 outputs an OPEN signal to the display control unit 44 via the bus B when an ON signal is input from the sensor unit 27, and displays a CLOSE signal via the bus B when an OFF signal is input from the sensor unit 27. Output to the control unit 44.

  The display control unit 44 performs display control of the screen display unit 31 mainly in accordance with a control application (hereinafter referred to as a control application) 44a incorporated therein. Specifically, the control application 44a has three modes: a standard mode corresponding to the above three types of screens, a CD-R mode as a dedicated mode, and a basic mode. The display control unit 44 reads out one of the standard screen G1, the CD-R screen G2, and the basic screen G3 from the screen data storage unit 45 by switching the above three modes in the control application 44a, and displays the screen. Displayed on the unit 31. Further, the display control unit 44 displays (pop-up display) on the screen display unit 31 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) when switching the screen.

  Further, the display control unit 44 stores and stores the printing conditions set in each mode in a standard mode storage unit 46, a CD-R mode storage unit 47, and a basic mode storage unit 48 provided for each mode. To do. Specifically, the display control unit 44 sets the printing conditions set in the standard mode in the standard mode storage unit 46 and the printing conditions set in the CD-R mode in the CD-R mode storage unit 47 in the basic mode. The printing conditions are stored in the basic mode storage unit 48. Further, when the mode is switched, the display control unit 44 reads out the printing conditions set in the mode immediately before the switching from one of the storage units 46, 47, and 48, and the storage units 46 and 47 in the mode after the switching. 48, the read printing conditions are stored and reflected.

Next, the operation of the printer having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, it is assumed that the standard screen G1 is displayed on the screen display unit 31 of the printer 11. Then, the user selects a menu on the standard screen G1 and sets various printing conditions. At this time, it is assumed that, for example, one photo to be printed is selected from the photo selection menu and the number of prints is set from the number menu. Then, in step S11, the control application 44a of the display control unit 44 stores the photo to be printed and the data of the number of sheets, that is, the set printing conditions in the standard mode storage unit 46 and stores them.

  Next, when the CD-R guide 24 is opened by the user, the sensor unit 27 outputs an ON signal to the CPU 41 via the bus B in step S12. In step S13, the CPU 41 determines that the CD-R guide 24 has been opened when the ON signal is input, and outputs an OPEN signal to the display control unit 44 via the bus B.

  In step S14, when the display control unit 44 receives the OPEN signal from the CPU 41, the screen control unit 44 switches the screen currently displayed on the screen display unit 31 to the CD-R screen G2 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). Displayed on the display unit 31 for notification. Thereafter, in step S15, the display control unit 44 outputs a mode switching signal to the control application 44a. Then, in step S16, the control application 44a shifts from the current mode to the CD-R mode.

  In step S17, when the control application 44a switches from the standard mode to the CD-R mode, the control application 44a reads out the printing conditions (photos / numbers) stored in the standard mode storage unit 46 and stores them in the CD-R mode storage unit 47. Write and reflect. In step S18, the control application 44a reads the printing conditions from the CD-R mode storage unit 47 reflecting the standard mode printing conditions, and also reads the data of the CD-R screen G2 from the screen data storage unit 45. The CD-R screen G2 is displayed on the screen display unit 31. As a result, the printing conditions set in the standard mode are also reflected in the CD-R mode. When printing is started in this state, the CPU 41 applies the same printing conditions (photos / number) to the CD-R 26 as in the standard mode. Is printed.

  On the other hand, when printing on the CD-R 26 is completed and the tray 25 is removed from the insertion slot and the CD-R guide 24 is closed, the sensor unit 27 sends an OFF signal to the CPU 41 via the bus B in step S21. Is output. In step S22, the CPU 41 determines that the CD-R guide 24 is closed when the OFF signal is input, and outputs a CLOSE signal via the bus B.

  In step S23, when receiving a CLOSE signal from the CPU 41, the display control unit 44 outputs a mode switching signal to the control application 44a. As a result, in step S24, the control application 44a shifts from the current CD-R mode to the previous (previous) mode. That is, in the present embodiment, since the standard mode for displaying the standard screen G1 is shifted to the CD-R mode, the mode is shifted to the standard mode. In step S25, the control application 44a reflects the printing conditions in the CD-R mode in the standard mode in the same manner as described above, and displays the standard screen G1 in step S26.

  For example, when switching from the standard mode to the basic mode, the control application 44a reads the printing conditions stored in the standard mode storage unit 46, not limited to switching between the standard mode and the CD-R mode. To the basic mode storage unit 48. Then, the control application 44a reads the printing conditions from the basic mode storage unit 48 in which the printing conditions of the standard mode are reflected, and also reads the data of the basic screen G3 from the screen data storage unit 45, and displays the basic screen G3 on the screen display unit 31. Is displayed.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The configuration is such that the printing conditions set in the mode immediately before switching to the mode after switching are reflected. For this reason, when it is desired to print after switching under the same printing conditions as before switching, it is not necessary to reset the printing conditions from the beginning, and convenience can be improved.

In addition, the following modifications can also be adopted for the above embodiment.
(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the printing conditions in the mode immediately before switching are reflected in the current mode after switching, but are set over a plurality of modes before switching, such as two before switching. The printing conditions may be reflected in the mode after switching. In this case, the control application 44a stores a plurality of printing conditions in each of the standard mode storage unit 46, the CD-R mode storage unit 47, and the basic mode storage unit 48, and in which mode the printing conditions are reflected. It is necessary to newly provide a switch or the like capable of selecting.

  (Modification 2) In the above-described embodiment, the printing condition is automatically reflected in the mode after switching by switching the mode. However, setting means (for example, a switch that can set whether to reflect or not) ) May be provided so that the user can determine whether or not to reflect.

  (Modification 3) In the above-described embodiment, the storage units 46, 47, 48 are composed of RAM, but may be composed of rewritable nonvolatile memory such as flash memory or EEPROM. As a result, the printing conditions are maintained even when the power of the printer 11 is turned off. When the power is turned on, each mode is started with the printing conditions set before the power is turned off, and printing is performed with the printing conditions before the power is turned off. It becomes possible.

  (Modification 4) In the above-described embodiment, the CD-R screen G2 and the basic screen G3 are provided as the dedicated screens. However, other types of screens may be provided. For example, a dedicated screen for performing photo printing with a photo size (for example, L size (89 × 127)) may be provided.

  (Modification 5) In the above embodiment, the CD-R mode is provided as the dedicated mode, and the CD-R screen composed of menus related to the CD-R is displayed as the dedicated screen. Not limited to other media such as a DVD-R. In particular, in the case of a DVD-R, since the shape and size are the same as those of a CD-R, printing can be performed with the same configuration as in the above embodiment.

Next, a technical idea that can be grasped from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described.
(1) The reflecting means reads the printing conditions set in the mode immediately before the switching from the corresponding storage means, stores the printing conditions in the storage means corresponding to the mode after the switching, and reflects the setting. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

  (2) The first storage means and the second storage means are each formed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and any one of claims 1 and 2 and the technical idea (1) The printing apparatus according to one item.

  (3) The dedicated mode displays a media screen composed of menus related to media printing conditions among the menus constituting the standard screen as the dedicated screen. And the printing apparatus according to any one of the technical ideas (1) and (2).

FIG. 3 is a partially broken perspective view of the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer with a CD-R tray closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer with a CD-R tray opened. (A) is a standard screen, (b) is a CD-R screen, (c) is an explanatory view showing a basic screen. FIG. 2 is an electrical configuration diagram of the printer. 6 is a sequence chart showing display control of the printer in the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  G1 ... Standard screen, G2 ... CD-R screen as a dedicated screen, G3 ... Basic screen as a dedicated screen, 11 ... Printer as a printing apparatus, 31 ... Screen display unit as a display means, 44 ... Display control means and reflection Display control section as means, 46... Standard mode storage section as first storage means, 47... CD-R mode storage section as second storage means, 48... Basic mode storage section as second storage means .

Claims (3)

Display means capable of displaying a menu screen;
A standard mode for displaying a standard screen on which various printing conditions can be set as the menu screen, and a dedicated screen configured so that predetermined printing conditions can be set by a part of the menu constituting the standard screen as the menu screen. A display mode having a dedicated mode for displaying, and switching between the modes to display the standard screen or the dedicated screen on the display unit;
First storage means for storing printing conditions set in the standard mode;
Second storage means for storing printing conditions set in the dedicated mode;
Reflecting means for reading the printing conditions set in any mode before switching from the corresponding storage means and storing them in the storage means corresponding to the mode after switching to reflect the setting when the mode is switched, A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that can set whether to reflect the printing condition by the reflecting unit. Predetermined printing conditions by a display unit capable of displaying a menu screen, a standard mode for displaying a standard screen on which various printing conditions can be set as the menu screen, and a part of the menu constituting the standard screen as the menu screen. A dedicated mode for displaying a dedicated screen configured to be settable, and reflecting the printing conditions used in a printing apparatus including a display control unit for switching between the modes and displaying the standard screen or the dedicated screen on the display unit A method,
Stores the printing conditions set in the standard mode and the printing conditions set in the dedicated mode, respectively, and after switching the printing conditions set in any of the modes before switching when the mode is switched A printing condition reflecting method, wherein the printing condition is reflected in any mode.

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