JP2005115748A - Printer, printing method, and printing execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of efficiently receiving data, using a plurality of communication means. <P>SOLUTION: The printer includes a card controller 53 for controlling a plurality of connected physical devices 55, and an application part 51 that accesses the plurality of physical devices 55 via the card controller 53. The plurality of physical devices 55 include an input/output device which communicates, in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, and a recording device for storing data. The printer has an I/ODH 52a which, if the physical device is recognized as being the input/output device, allocates the physical device as a logical device that can communicate with an external device, with this allocation information being reported to the application part 51. The printer has a card DH52b which, if the physical device is recognized as being a recording device, allocates the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data, with this allocation information being reported to the application part 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a print execution program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that receive data by a plurality of communication means and perform print processing based on the data are known. For example, there is a printing apparatus that has a memory card slot and a USB port, can read data stored in the memory card, and can communicate with an external device via USB (see Patent Document 1). .

In the case of a printing apparatus that receives data by a plurality of communication means, such as the printing apparatus having the above configuration, exclusive control of the communication means that performs communication is performed. For example, when a specific communication means starts to receive data, it is controlled to receive data from only one communication means by setting the other communication means to a busy state so that the data cannot be received. Then, when reception of a predetermined amount of data from one communication unit is started, data cannot be received from other communication units until reception of data by the communication unit is completed.
JP 2003-32611 A

  However, in the printing apparatus as described above, the print processing speed may be slower than the communication speed of the communication unit. In that case, there may occur a situation where the data flow stays in the communication means during communication. Then, data cannot be received by the communicating communication means, but since the communication means is controlled exclusively, data cannot be received from other communication means. For this reason, there is a problem that the printing apparatus cannot receive data effectively even though the data can be received by a plurality of communication means.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a print execution program capable of efficiently receiving data by a plurality of communication units.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a control unit that controls a plurality of connected physical devices, and an application unit that accesses the plurality of physical devices via the control unit, and the plurality of physical devices include: An input / output device that communicates in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol; and a recording device that stores data. When the physical device is recognized as an input / output device, the physical device is assigned as a logical device that can communicate with an external device. A first management unit for notifying the application unit of the allocation information; and when the physical device is recognized as a recording device, the physical device is allocated as a logical device capable of reading and writing data, and the allocation information is allocated to the application Second management means for notifying the department.

  According to this, when accessing the input / output device, the application unit is assigned a logical device capable of communicating with an external device as a physical device by the first management unit, and when accessing the recording device, the second management unit. Thus, a logical device capable of reading and writing data is assigned as a physical device. For this reason, the application unit can recognize whether a physical device to be accessed is a logical device capable of communication or a logical device capable of reading and writing data, and can control both of them by controlling them. In other words, the application unit recognizes that there are two types of physical devices, and if communication by a physical device to which one logical device is assigned is delayed, communication is performed by the physical device to which the other logical device is assigned. Can be controlled to do. Therefore, data communication can be performed simply and efficiently.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention includes a control unit that controls a plurality of connected physical devices, and an application unit that accesses the plurality of physical devices via the control unit, and the plurality of physical devices include: In a printing apparatus including an input / output device that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol and a recording device that stores data, the application unit is recognized as a recording device during communication of a physical device that is recognized as the input / output device. Access the physical device.

  According to this, the application unit of the printing apparatus accesses the physical device recognized as the recording apparatus during the communication of the physical device recognized as the input / output apparatus. For this reason, the application unit of the printing apparatus can read the data by accessing the recording apparatus, for example, when reception of data from the external device is delayed during communication by the input / output device. Therefore, data communication can be performed simply and efficiently.

  In this printing apparatus, the main body of the printing apparatus is provided with a plurality of slots, and the physical device recognized as the input / output apparatus is a wireless communication device that is removably inserted into the slot, and a recording apparatus Is a memory card that is removably inserted into the slot. According to this, in a plurality of slots provided in the printing apparatus, it is possible to access a memory card provided in another slot during wireless communication by the wireless communication device inserted in one slot.

  In this printing apparatus, the wireless communication device communicates with an external device by infrared communication. According to this, the printing apparatus can communicate with an external device by infrared communication via the wireless communication device inserted in the slot.

  In this printing apparatus, the physical device recognized as the input / output device includes a plurality of communication units that communicate with each other according to different communication protocols, and the first management unit is one of the plurality of communication units. Make one available. According to this, communication can be performed by a plurality of communication means according to a predetermined protocol. For this reason, it is possible to communicate with various external devices.

  In this printing apparatus, the communication means is made usable according to a preset priority order. According to this, the plurality of communication means can be used according to the preset priority order.

  In the printing apparatus, the first management unit sets the communication unit that has started communication first to be usable. According to this, in the plurality of communication means, the communication means that has started communication first can be used.

  In this printing apparatus, a plurality of physical devices recognized as the recording apparatus are connected to the control means, and the second management means is in a state in which one of the plurality of recording apparatuses can read and write data. To do. According to this, it is possible to make it possible to read / write data from / to a plurality of recording devices.

  In the printing apparatus, the second management unit sets the recording apparatus in a state where data can be read and written according to a preset priority order. According to this, the recording apparatus is in a state in which data can be read and written according to a preset priority order.

  In the printing apparatus, the second management unit sets the recording apparatus connected first so that data can be read and written. According to this, the recording device connected first is in a state where data can be read and written.

  The printing method of the present invention comprises a control step of controlling a plurality of connected physical devices by a control unit, and an access step of accessing the plurality of physical devices by an application unit via the control unit, The plurality of physical devices includes an input / output device that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol and a recording device that stores data. When the physical device is recognized as an input / output device, the physical device communicates with an external device. A first management step for allocating as a possible logical device, and notifying the allocation information to the application unit; and when the physical device is recognized as a recording device, allocating the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data; A second management stage for notifying the application unit of the allocation information. .

  According to this, when accessing the input / output device, the application unit is assigned a logical device that can communicate with the external device as a physical device by the first management step, and when accessing the recording device, the second management step. Thus, a logical device capable of reading and writing data is assigned as a physical device. For this reason, the application unit can recognize whether a physical device to be accessed is a logical device capable of communication or a logical device capable of reading and writing data, and can control both of them by controlling them. In other words, the application unit recognizes that there are two types of physical devices, and if communication by a physical device to which one logical device is assigned is delayed, communication is performed by the physical device to which the other logical device is assigned. Can be controlled to do. Therefore, data communication can be performed simply and efficiently.

  The print execution program of the present invention includes a control unit that controls a plurality of connected physical devices, and an application unit that accesses the plurality of physical devices via the control unit. A print execution program for executing printing by a printing device including an input / output device that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol and a recording device that stores data, wherein the print execution program inputs the physical device. When the physical device is recognized as an output device, the physical device is assigned as a logical device communicable with an external device, and the first processing for notifying the assignment information to the application unit, and when the physical device is recognized as a recording device Assigns the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data, and assigns the physical device. Information Te and a second processing for notifying the application unit.

  According to this, when accessing the input / output device, the application unit is assigned a logical device capable of communicating with the external device as a physical device by the first processing, and when accessing the recording device, the second processing is performed. Thus, a logical device capable of reading and writing data is assigned as a physical device. For this reason, the application unit can recognize whether a physical device to be accessed is a logical device capable of communication or a logical device capable of reading and writing data, and can control both of them by controlling them. In other words, the application unit recognizes that there are two types of physical devices, and if communication by a physical device to which one logical device is assigned is delayed, communication is performed by the physical device to which the other logical device is assigned. Can be controlled to do. Therefore, data communication can be performed simply and efficiently.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a printing apparatus and a printing method embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1 as a printing apparatus. The printer 1 is an injection type printer having an operation panel 3 on the upper right side of the main body 2. A paper supply device 4 is provided on the back side of the main body 2, and a cut sheet set in the sheet feeder 5 or a roll paper set in the roll paper support unit 6 is fed into the main body 2. A printing mechanism is mounted below the cover 7 provided in the center of the main body 2, printing processing is executed by the operation of the printing mechanism, and the printed paper 8 is discharged from the discharge port 9 at the lower front side of the main body 2. The

  The operation panel 3 includes a display device 11 having a setting screen 10 and an operation unit 12 including a plurality of operation switches (operation buttons). The setting screen 10 is a monochrome liquid crystal. For example, a menu screen for manually selecting a paper type (cut sheet or roll paper), paper size (A4, etc.), layout, photo selection, number of prints, etc. is displayed in monochrome. Further, the operation unit 12 is provided with a power switch 13a for turning on the printer 1, a maintenance switch 13b that is pressed when an error occurs, and a roll paper switch 13c that is pressed when operating the roll paper. Yes.

  The printer 1 includes a reading device 15 for inserting a memory card 14a for a digital still camera (photographing device), and can print an image read from the memory card 14a without being connected to a host computer (for example, a PC). It is a stand-alone type. The reading device 15 is provided with a plurality of slots (three in this embodiment) 15a, and a memory card 14a is detachably attached to the slot 15a. The memory card 14a includes, for example, a compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, a memory stick, and the like, and each is attached to a dedicated adapter (not shown) and inserted into the slot 15a.

  Further, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 16 is provided on the side surface of the main body 2 of the printer 1, and a digital still camera 17 is connected to the USB interface 16 as an external device via a USB cable. (See FIG. 3).

  On the upper part of the printer 1, for example, a display device (monitor) 18 for displaying an image read from the memory card 14a is attached. The display device 18 is a color liquid crystal, and, for example, a monitor screen 19 having a 1.6 inch is adopted. In the stand-alone printer 1, when an image stored in the memory card 14a is selected and printed, it is used without being connected to a host computer such as a personal computer, so that the image cannot be confirmed on the screen. However, by displaying a color image on the monitor screen 19 of the display device 18, it is possible to confirm the image and print layout without connecting to the host computer.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main part of the operation panel 3. The operation unit 12 includes a print start switch 20, a cancel switch 21, an upper switch 22, a lower switch 23, a determination switch 24, and a return switch 25. The print start switch 20 is pressed when printing is started in accordance with the setting conditions set on the operation panel 3, and the stop switch 21 is set when printing is immediately stopped when printing is being executed or when printing is not being performed. Pressed when discarding input contents (selection items, numerical values, etc.) on the screen 10.

  The upper switch 22 and the lower switch 23 are operated when the cursor is moved on the setting screen 10 or when the numerical value is increased or decreased during numerical value input. For example, when the upper switch 22 is pressed, the cursor moves upward, and the lower switch 23 is moved. When pressed, the cursor moves downward. The determination switch 24 is pressed when the display screen of the setting screen 10 is advanced one time or when the input content on the setting screen 10 is confirmed. The return switch 25 is pressed when returning the setting screen 10 to the initial screen or when returning the display screen displayed on the setting screen 10 to the previous screen.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 1 has a ROM 31, a printer head 32, and an SDRAM 33 connected to a CPU built-in ASIC 40, and these are controlled by a CPU 41 mounted on the CPU built-in ASIC 40.

  The ROM 31 stores a control program executed by the CPU 41. The control program includes an OS (Operating System) and application programs, and the application program includes a plurality of tasks (work programs (unit programs)). The application program includes a print execution program.

  The printer head 32 has a carriage having an ink jet head, and the carriage reciprocates in the scanning direction to print an image on a printing medium such as paper. In FIG. 1, the printer head 32 is provided in a printing mechanism below the cover 7, and the sheet 8 on which an image is printed is discharged from the discharge port 9 of the main body 2 by operating the carriage.

  The SDRAM 33 is connected to the CPU built-in ASIC 40, and a reception buffer 331, a raster data buffer 332, a microweave buffer 333, an image buffer 334, and the like are allocated thereto.

  The CPU-embedded ASIC 40 includes a CPU 41, a communication interface 42, and a user interface (UI) device 43. The CPU-embedded ASIC 40 further includes an RGB development unit 44, a binarization processing unit 45, a microweave processing unit 46, an image buffer unit 47, and a head control unit 48. These are respectively connected by a data bus 49. The ROM 31 is connected to the data bus 49, and the reception buffer 331 and the image buffer 334 that constitute the SDRAM 33 are connected.

  The CPU 41 comprehensively controls each device constituting the printer 1 based on the control program stored in the ROM 31. Specifically, the CPU 41 outputs, for example, a control signal for operating the head control unit 48, and instructs data transfer processing between various processing circuits inside the CPU built-in ASIC 40. The CPU 41 incorporates, for example, a DMA controller for transfer processing.

  The communication interface 42 includes a communication interface controller (hereinafter referred to as a communication controller) 421. The communication controller 421 includes a plurality of communication means, that is, a Bluetooth communication unit 422, a USB communication unit 423, and a slot. A communication unit 424 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communication controller 421 includes an application unit 51 and a card controller 53 connected via a management unit 52, and the card controller 53 is connected to an interface 54. The USB host I / F 54a is configured to be connectable to an external device such as a hard disk device having a USB interface.

The application unit 51 can access a plurality of physical devices 55 via the card controller 53 as an access stage.
The management unit 52 includes an I / O device harness (DH) 52a as a first management unit and a card device harness (DH) 52b as a second management unit. When the I / ODH 52a recognizes the connected physical device as an input / output device, the I / ODH 52a allocates the physical device as a logical device that can communicate with an external device as a first management stage, and assigns the allocation information to the application unit 51. Notice. When the card DH 52b recognizes the connected physical device as a recording device, the card DH 52b allocates the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data as a second management stage, and notifies the application unit 51 of the allocation information. . A card controller 53 as a control unit controls a plurality of connected physical devices.

  The interface 54 includes a USB host I / F 54a and a card I / F 54b. The card I / F 54b is connected to a plurality of card slots, and various card type devices are inserted into the card slots. In the present embodiment, a memory card 14a and a CF type communication card 14b, which will be described later, are inserted into the slot 15a as card type devices, and the memory card 14a and the CF type communication card 14b are connected to the card controller 53 via the card I / F 54b. Connected. The card controller 53 controls a plurality of physical devices as a control stage. The exclusive control of the communication means performed in the communication controller 421 will be described later.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 422 receives data transmitted from the host computer (HC) 26, for example. Then, the data received by the Bluetooth communication unit 422 is stored in the reception buffer 331. Further, in response to a request from the host computer 26, the Bluetooth communication unit 422 transmits an amount of receivable data to the host computer 26 so that the amount of data can be communicated with the host computer 26. It is configured. The Bluetooth communication unit 422 receives data from the host computer 26 by short-range wireless communication using radio waves in a predetermined standard frequency band according to a predetermined communication protocol.

  The USB communication unit 423 can receive data transmitted by the digital still camera 17 from a digital still camera 17 connected via a USB cable inserted into the USB interface 16 (see FIG. 1). At this time, the data received by the USB communication unit 423 is stored in the reception buffer 331. The USB communication unit 423 can also read data stored in the digital still camera 17.

  The slot communication unit 424 can read data stored in a portable recording medium such as the memory card 14a inserted into the slot 15a (see FIG. 1) of the reading device 15. In addition, an infrared communication function built-in CF (compact flash (R)) type card (infrared communication card) (hereinafter referred to as a CF type communication card) 14b as a wireless communication device is set in the slot 15a so that it can be inserted and removed. The CF type communication card 14b is an IrDA module having an infrared communication function conforming to IrDA (Infrared Data Association), and adds an infrared communication function to the printer 1 by being set in the slot 15a. The printer 1 takes in the data received by the CF type communication card 14b and performs a printing process based on the data.

  The mobile phone 27 as an external device manages text data handled by the phone book function and image data handled by the camera function in respective file formats. Text data or image data managed by the mobile phone 27 is received by the printer 1 through the CF type communication card 14b set in the slot 15a. The mobile phone 27 transmits / receives e-mails and image data to / from other mobile phones and personal computers through the mobile phone network. The cellular phone 27 in this embodiment has an infrared communication function compliant with IrDA (Infrared Data Association), and can perform infrared communication with the CF communication card 14b. The cellular phone 27 transmits image data and text data to the CF-type communication card 14b by operating an operation button (not shown).

  Note that the Bluetooth communication unit 422, the USB communication unit 423, and the slot communication unit 424 each have a predetermined signal such as a signal for notifying information necessary for communication with the corresponding host device or a status (status status) of the printer 1 or the like. Data can be sent.

The UI device 43 receives a signal based on the operation of each switch provided on the operation panel 3. The CPU 41 performs various controls according to control signals input from the UI device 43.
When a print job is input, the RGB development unit 44 acquires image data based on the print job, performs raster processing on the image data, reads out a function for each predetermined pixel or dot unit, and converts the RGB data. It has a function of generating by expanding and sending it to the binarization processing unit 45. In raster processing, since JPEG image data is compressed image data, first, this is expressed by using a YCbCr color system (luminance (Y), blue color difference (Cb), and red color difference (Cr)). ) To uncompressed image data. The YCbCr color system multi-value image data obtained by decompression is further converted into RGB color system multi-value image data. Then, the RGB color system multi-value image data is developed on a raster data buffer 332 prepared on the SDRAM 33. A process of rearranging the developed image data (dot data) in the dot formation order at the time of printing is performed.

  Here, in JPEG compression processing, the original image is divided into block regions of 8 pixels × 8 pixels, and predetermined calculation processing is performed in units of block regions. For this reason, the original RGB multi-value data converted from JPEG data is also arranged in the form of pixel data divided into 8 pixel × 8 pixel block areas. In the RGB development unit 44, the array of pixel data sorted into the block area of 8 pixels × 8 pixels is converted into a raster scan suitable for printing processing (that is, for example, horizontal scan of line information from the left end to the right end of the image). Are converted into an array in the order of scans that repeat downward from the top row one row at a time. The RGB development unit 44 performs this rearrangement by developing each pixel data of the RGB multi-valued image and writing it in the raster data buffer 332 according to the raster scan order. As a result, RGB multivalued image data in which pixels are arranged in the raster scan order is stored in the raster data buffer 332. The RGB development unit 44 transfers RGB multivalued image data in which pixels are arranged in the raster scan order to the binarization processing unit 45.

  The binarization processing unit 45 has a function of color-converting RGB multilevel image data developed on the raster data buffer 332 into CMYK multilevel image data, and further binarizing the CMYK binary image data. This color conversion process is performed with reference to a color conversion table (lookup table) (not shown). Further, the CMYK binary image data is transmitted to the microweave processing unit 46.

  The microweave processing unit 46 executes microweave processing for rearranging the ink line dot data of each color in consideration of the dot formation order, rearranges the inkline dot data so as to correspond to the nozzle arrangement of the printer head 32, and the microweave buffer 333. It has a function to memorize. Thereafter, the data is sent from the microweave buffer 333 to the image buffer unit 47.

  The image buffer unit 47 has a function of generating head drive data for causing ink to be ejected to each nozzle for each scan of the carriage constituting the printer head 32 from the data sent from the microweave processing unit 46. In addition, the head drive data finally generated in this way has a function of sending it to the image buffer 334 as print data.

  The head control unit 48 is connected to the printer head 32, and controls the drive of the carriage motor that runs the printer head 32, and discharges ink droplets based on the print data sent from the image buffer 334. Controls the presence or absence and the amount of ink droplets to be ejected. The printer head 32 has a number of nozzles for each color on the surface facing the conveyance path of the print medium such as paper and OHP film, and reciprocates in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction under the head control unit 48. Meanwhile, each color ink droplet is ejected from a nozzle corresponding to the color, thereby forming an image on the print medium.

Here, exclusive control of communication means in the communication controller 421 will be described with reference to FIGS.
When a physical device is connected to the USB communication unit 423, there are a case where an input / output device is connected and a case where a recording device is connected. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, which device is determined.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when it is confirmed that a physical device is connected to the USB communication unit 423 (step S1), it is determined whether or not the storage device is a recording device (step S2). If it is determined that the physical device is a storage device (step S2, YES), it is determined whether it is a valid device (step S3). If it is a valid device (step S3, YES), it is recognized as a card device as a recording device by the card DH52b (step S4), and the process ends. If it is not a valid device (step S3, NO), that is, if there is another valid recording device, the process ends at that point.

  If it is not determined that the storage device is a recording device (step S3, NO), it is determined whether the storage device is an effective device (step S5). If it is a valid device (step S5, YES), it is recognized as an I / O device as an input / output device by the I / ODH 52a (step S6), and the process ends. If it is not a valid device (step S5, NO), that is, if there is another valid input / output device, the process ends at that point.

  When a card is inserted in the slot 15a (see FIG. 1) of the reading device 15, the slot communication unit 424 may communicate with the input / output device as a physical device or may communicate with the recording device. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, which physical device is determined.

  When it is confirmed that a card is inserted into the slot 15a (step S11), it is determined whether the card is a valid card (step S12). If it is determined that the card is a valid card (step S12, YES), it is determined whether the card is an I / O device as an input / output device (step S13). If it is determined that the device is an I / O device (step S13, YES), it is recognized as an I / O (step S14). Specifically, if the card inserted into the slot 15a is a card capable of I / O communication such as the CF communication card 14b, it is determined as an I / O device. If it is determined that the device is not an I / O device (step S13, NO), the card inserted into the slot 15a is recognized as a card device (step S15). If it is determined that the card is not valid (step S12, NO), the process ends at that point.

  Further, since the reading device 15 is provided with a plurality of slots 15a, when the card is inserted and removed in the reading device 15, a process of recognizing which slot 15a of the reading device 15 is valid is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the slot communication unit 424 detects that a card is inserted (step S21), it is determined whether there is an active card (step S22). If it is determined that there is no active card (step S22, NO), the inserted card is set as an active card (step S23), and the process ends. If it is determined that there is an active card (step S22, YES), the detection state is set (step S24), and the process ends.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when it is detected that the card has been removed (step S31), the active card is cleared (step S32). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is an inserted card (step S33). If it is determined that there is an inserted card (step S33, YES), the card mounted first is set according to the mounting order of the reader 15 (step S34). If it is determined that there is no inserted card (step S33, NO), the process ends at that point.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 having the above configuration will be described.
First, a case where data is received by the printer 1 and printing processing is performed based on this data will be described. For example, a case where data is received from the digital still camera 17 by the USB communication unit 423 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the USB communication unit 423 receives the data transmitted by the digital still camera 17 (step S41). Then, the received data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer 331 (step S42). In the reception buffer 331, the data transmitted from the digital still camera 17 is spooled, the data is gradually transmitted from the reception buffer 331 to the print processing unit, and a printing process described later is performed (step S43).

  Next, a case where storage data is read by the printer 1 and printing processing is performed based on this data will be described. For example, a case where data in the memory card 14a is read by the slot communication unit 424 will be described.

  Next, a case where data is read by the printer 1 and printing processing is performed based on this data will be described. For example, a case where data is read from the memory card 14a by the UI device 43 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9B, data specifying a print target is input from the data stored in the memory card 14a by the UI device 43 (step S51). At this time, for example, data stored in the memory card 14a is displayed on the monitor screen 19 and the operation target panel 3 is operated to select print target data. Then, based on the input data, the slot communication unit 424 reads the print target data from the memory card 14a (step S52). Thereafter, the print processing described later is performed on the print target data (step S53).

As described above, the print target data sent by the communication interface 42 is first sent to the RGB development unit 44.
Then, RGB multi-value image data (raster data) subjected to the raster development by the RGB development of the image data in the RGB development unit 44 is stored in the raster data buffer 332. Next, this raster data is converted from RGB multi-value image data to CMYK multi-value image data by a binarization processing unit 45 with reference to a look-up table (not shown). Subsequently, the CMYK multi-valued image data is subjected to binarization processing (for example, error diffusion processing or dither processing), and further converted into CMYK binary image data. The CMYK binary image data is sent to the microweave processing unit 46, and microweave processing for rearranging the ink dot data of each color in consideration of the dot formation order is executed as an image processing stage.

  Data subjected to image processing by the microweave processing unit 46 is stored in the microweave buffer 333 and is stored until it is sent to the image buffer unit 47. When this data is sent to the image buffer unit 47, print data is generated and stored in the image buffer 334. This print data is read by the head control unit 48 and printed by the printer head 32.

  Here, the case where the slot communication unit 424 performs infrared communication through the CF communication card 14b and accesses the memory card 14a will be described. At this time, the memory card 14a is inserted into one slot 15a of the reading device 15 provided in the printer 1, and the CF type communication card 14b is inserted into the other slot 15a. As described above, the CF communication card 14b is recognized as an input / output device by the I / ODH 52a, and the memory card 14a is recognized as a recording device by the card DH52b. For this reason, the memory card 14a and the CF-type communication card 14b that are similarly inserted into the reading device 15 as cards are recognized as two different physical devices, and the card controller 53 can control them separately.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, when the mobile phone 27 tries to transmit a predetermined amount of data, communication can be performed between the mobile phone 27 and the printer 1 by infrared communication via the CF communication card 14b at time t0. Communication is started. In this state, the data transmitted from the mobile phone 27 is received by the slot communication unit 424 of the printer 1. Then, the data received by the slot communication unit 424 is stored in the reception buffer 331. Data stored in the reception buffer 331 is read and sequentially printed. When there is no more data to be read (time t2), communication is resumed. By repeating these operations, the data of the cellular phone 27 is transmitted to the printer 1 by infrared communication and printed.

  In a period during printing processing (for example, times t1 to t2), the memory card 14a is recognized as a usable physical device together with the CF communication card 14b. Therefore, the application unit 51 accesses the memory card 14 a from a personal computer connected to the printer 1.

  As described above, the printer 1 can access the memory card 14a during communication by infrared communication between times t0 and tn. In other words, the data in the memory card 14a can be read and written during the period from the start of infrared communication through the CF-type communication card 14b to the end of the reception of data transmitted from the mobile phone 27.

(Effect of embodiment)
Next, characteristic effects of the present embodiment will be described.
(1) In this embodiment, the application unit 51 performs the IrDA communication when the connected physical device performs USB communication by the USB communication unit 423 or when the CF communication card 14b is inserted into the slot communication unit 424. In this case, the I / ODH 52a is assigned as a logical device that can communicate with an external device. When accessing the memory of the memory card 14a or the digital still camera 17, the card I / F 54b is assigned as a logical device capable of reading and writing data as a physical device. For this reason, the application unit 51 can recognize whether the physical device to be accessed is a logical device that can communicate or a logical device that can read and write data, and can control the card controller 53 to distinguish between them. In other words, the application unit 51 recognizes that there are two types of physical devices, and when communication by one physical device is delayed, it can be controlled to perform communication by the other physical device. Therefore, data communication can be performed simply and efficiently.

  (2) In the present embodiment, when USB communication is performed in the USB communication unit 423 and when the CF communication card 14b is inserted into the slot 15a, these are recognized as input / output devices. Therefore, a plurality of physical devices that are recognized as input / output devices can be set, and communication with various external devices can be performed.

  (3) In the present embodiment, when the memory is read by the USB communication unit 423 and when the memory card 14a is inserted into the slot 15a, these are recognized as a recording device. For this reason, a plurality of physical devices recognized as recording apparatuses are set, and data of various recording apparatuses can be read.

(Another example)
Note that the embodiment is not limited to the above, and the following modifications may be employed.
(Modification 1) In this embodiment, the case where USB communication is performed in the USB communication unit 423 as an input / output device and the case where the CF communication card 14b is inserted into the slot 15a have been described. The number of input / output devices may be three or more, or only one may be provided.

  (Modification 2) In this embodiment, the case where the USB communication unit 423 reads the memory as the recording device and the case where the memory card 14a is inserted into the slot 15a have been described. However, the recording device is not limited to these. However, it may be configured to read data of any recording device.

(Modification 3) In the printing apparatus, when a plurality of input / output devices can be used, the priority order of the input / output devices to be communicable may be set in any way.
(Modification 4) In the printing apparatus, when the data of a plurality of recording devices can be read and written, the priority order of the recording devices that can be read and written may be set in any way.

1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. The top view which shows an operation panel. The electrical block diagram of a printer. The block diagram explaining a communication interface. The flowchart explaining the process sequence when recognizing a device. The flowchart explaining the process sequence which recognizes a state when a card | curd is inserted. The flowchart explaining the process sequence which recognizes a state when a card is removed. The flowchart explaining the process sequence which recognizes a state when a card is removed. (A) And (b) is a flowchart explaining a printing process. The timing chart explaining the process in a communication interface.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as printing apparatus, 14a ... Memory card as recording apparatus, 14b ... CF type | mold communication card as wireless communication apparatus, 15a ... Slot, 51 ... Application part, 52a ... I / ODH as 1st management means, 52b: a card DH as second management means, 53: a card controller as control means, 55: a plurality of physical devices.

Claims (12)

Control means for controlling a plurality of connected physical devices;
An application unit that accesses the plurality of physical devices via the control means;
The plurality of physical devices include an input / output device that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and a recording device that stores data.
A first management unit that, when recognizing the physical device as an input / output device, allocates the physical device as a logical device that can communicate with an external device, and notifies the application unit of the allocation information;
And a second management unit that allocates the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data when the physical device is recognized as a recording device, and notifies the application unit of the allocation information. Printing device. Control means for controlling a plurality of connected physical devices;
An application unit that accesses the plurality of physical devices via the control means;
The plurality of physical devices may be a printing apparatus including an input / output device that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and a recording device that stores data.
The printing apparatus, wherein the application unit accesses a physical device recognized as a recording device during communication of the physical device recognized as an input / output device. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The printing apparatus main body is provided with a plurality of slots,
A physical device recognized as an input / output device is a wireless communication device that is detachably inserted into the slot,
A printing apparatus, wherein a physical device recognized as a recording apparatus is a memory card that is removably inserted into the slot. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
The wireless communication device performs communication with an external device by infrared communication. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The physical device recognized as the input / output device is composed of a plurality of communication means that communicate according to different communication protocols,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first management unit makes one of the plurality of communication units usable. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first management unit sets the communication unit in a usable state in accordance with a preset priority order. The printing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first management unit sets a communication unit that has started communication first to be usable. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A plurality of physical devices recognized as the recording device are connected to the control means,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second management unit sets one of a plurality of recording devices in a state where data can be read and written. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second management unit sets the recording apparatus in a state in which data can be read and written according to a preset priority order. The printing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second management unit sets a recording apparatus connected first so that data can be read and written. A control stage for controlling a plurality of connected physical devices by a control means;
An access stage for accessing the plurality of physical devices by the application unit via the control means,
The plurality of physical devices include an input / output device that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and a recording device that stores data.
A first management stage in which when the physical device is recognized as an input / output device, the physical device is allocated as a logical device capable of communicating with an external device, and the allocation information is notified to the application unit;
A second management step of allocating the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data when the physical device is recognized as a recording apparatus, and notifying the allocation unit of the allocation information. Printing method. Control means for controlling a plurality of connected physical devices;
An application unit that accesses the plurality of physical devices via the control means;
The plurality of physical devices are print execution programs for executing printing by a printing apparatus including an input / output apparatus that performs communication according to a predetermined communication protocol and a recording apparatus that stores data,
The print execution program is
A first process of allocating the physical device as a logical device capable of communicating with an external device when the physical device is recognized as an input / output device, and notifying the allocation information to the application unit;
And a second process of allocating the physical device as a logical device capable of reading and writing data when the physical device is recognized as a recording apparatus, and notifying the allocation unit of the allocation information. Execution program.

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