JP2005199639A - Printing system, method of controlling the same, and mobile electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system capable of allowing a user to know a status of a printer by a screen of a mobile electronic device during the printing, and to provide a method of controlling the printing system and the mobile electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: This system comprises the printer having an alerting means for alerting a user of transition of a status when the status is transited to a predetermined status, a memory means for storing image data, a first operation means for receiving a printing request, a printing control means for allowing the printer to print the image data stored in the memory means when the first operation means receives the printing request, and a second operation means for receiving a status indication request while the printer performs the printing. The system further comprises the mobile electronic device having a display means that erases the screen when the first operation means receives the printing request and displays a predetermined screen corresponding to the status of the printer without interrupting the printing when the second operation means receives the status indication request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing system control method, and a portable electronic device.

Generally, a printing apparatus includes an indicator that displays a status such as out of ink or paper jam. However, an indicator composed of LEDs or the like cannot display various statuses of the printing apparatus in detail. For example, when there are a plurality of ink cartridges, the remaining amount of ink cannot be accurately indicated.
In a printing system including a personal computer (PC) and a printing apparatus that prints data received from the PC, various statuses such as ink remaining amount can be displayed in detail on the screen of the PC LCD or the like by the PC printer driver. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, a portable electronic device such as a digital still camera (DSC) that has a display unit such as an electronic viewfinder and accepts various user requests through menu operations is directly connected to a printing device, and is controlled by the portable electronic device. In a printing system that prints data on a printing device, if the screen of the portable electronic device is always displayed during the printing process, the printing time becomes longer due to the load on the system due to the process, and the display power is consumed. In general, during printing, only a request for interrupting printing is accepted by a specific button such as a cancel key, and the screen is turned off. Therefore, in a printing system that prints under the control of a portable electronic device that turns off the screen during printing, there is a problem that various statuses of the printing apparatus cannot be known in detail during printing. Further, in order to know the status of the printing apparatus with such a portable electronic device, there is a problem that the status must be displayed on the screen of the portable electronic device after the printing is interrupted.
JP 2002-46291 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can provide a printing system, a printing system control method, and a portable electronic device capable of knowing the status of the printing apparatus during printing on the screen of the portable electronic device. The purpose is to provide equipment.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention includes a printing apparatus having a notification unit that notifies a user of a status transition when a transition is made to a predetermined status, a storage unit that stores image data, and a first unit that receives a print request. One operation means, a print control means for causing the printing apparatus to print the image data stored in the storage means when the first operation means accepts the print request, and a second for accepting a status display request during printing by the printing apparatus. When the operation means and the first operation means accept the print request, the screen disappears, and when the second operation means accepts the status display request, the printing apparatus returns to the status of the printing apparatus without interrupting printing. And a portable electronic device having display means for displaying a predetermined screen. The user can recognize the status transition by the notification means of the printing apparatus. In addition, when the second operation means receives a status display request according to a user instruction, the display means displays a predetermined screen corresponding to the status of the printing apparatus without interrupting printing. By making a status display request, detailed information relating to the status after transition can be confirmed during printing on the screen of the portable electronic device.

  Furthermore, in the printing system according to the present invention, the portable electronic device further includes monitoring means for monitoring a status of the printing apparatus while the printing apparatus is printing, and the display means is configured to monitor the printing apparatus. When it is detected that the status has changed to the emergency status, a screen corresponding to the emergency status is displayed. When the monitoring unit detects that the status of the printing apparatus has changed to an emergency status that requires an emergency response such as a paper jam or out of ink, the display unit displays a screen corresponding to the emergency status. Even if there is no request, a predetermined screen corresponding to the emergency status can be displayed on the screen of the portable electronic device. That is, the information on the emergency status can be recognized by the user by forcibly displaying the information on the screen of the portable electronic device.

  Furthermore, in the printing system according to the present invention, even if the monitoring unit detects a transition to a status where the remaining amount of ink in the printing apparatus is less than a predetermined threshold, the second operating unit is Keep the screen off until a status display request is accepted. When printing is performed while knowing that the remaining amount of ink is lower than the predetermined threshold because printing can be continued with the screen turned off even if the remaining amount of ink is lower than the predetermined threshold The printing time can be shortened, the display power can be reduced, and the screen relating to the status where the remaining ink amount is less than the predetermined threshold value is not displayed every time printing is performed.

  Further, in the printing system according to the present invention, the display means turns off the screen when a predetermined time has elapsed after the display of the status of the printing apparatus is started. By limiting the screen display within a predetermined time, the time taken for the system load due to the status display is shortened, so the printing time can be shortened and the display power can be reduced.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing system control method according to the present invention uses a printing system and a printing system including a portable electronic device that has a storage unit and a display unit and controls the printing device. A method of accepting a print request in the portable electronic device; and when the print request is accepted in the portable electronic device, the image data stored in the storage means is printed on the printing device and the display A step of erasing the screen of the means, a step of notifying the user of the status transition when transitioning to a predetermined status in the printing device, and a step of accepting a status display request during printing by the printing device in the portable electronic device In the portable electronic device, when the status display request is received, printing is performed on the printing apparatus. A predetermined screen in accordance with the status of the printing apparatus without disconnection and displaying by said display means. Since the printing apparatus notifies the status transition, the user can recognize the status transition of the printing apparatus. In addition, the user who has recognized the status transition can check the detailed information related to the status after the transition on the screen of the portable electronic device during printing by making a status display request.

  In order to achieve the above object, a portable electronic device according to the present invention is a portable electronic device that is communicably connected to a printing apparatus, a storage unit that stores image data, and a first operation that receives a print request. Means, a print control means for causing the printing apparatus to print the image data stored in the storage means when the first operation means accepts the print request, and a second for accepting a status display request during printing by the printing apparatus. When the operation means and the first operation means accept the print request, the screen is turned off. When the second operation means accepts the status display request, the printing apparatus responds to the status of the printing apparatus without interrupting the printing. Display means for displaying a predetermined screen. When the second operation means accepts the status display request by the user's instruction, the display means displays a predetermined screen according to the status of the printing apparatus without interrupting printing. By making a display request, detailed information relating to the status after transition can be confirmed during printing on the screen of the portable electronic device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on an example.
(Example)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a DSC 2 as a portable electronic device according to claims and a printer 4 as a printing apparatus, and image data recorded by the DSC 2 is connected by a USB cable 6. This is a system for printing with the printer 4. The DSC 2 and the printer 4 are communicably connected via the interface units 32 and 50 via the USB cable 6.
The portable electronic device constituting the printing system 1 may be a mobile phone with a camera function, an electronic album device, or the like. The communication cable may be a cable of another standard such as a serial cable.

The DSC 2 includes a control unit 20, an imaging unit 24, a storage unit 26, a display unit 28, an operation unit 30, and an interface unit 32.
The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, and the like. The CPU 21 controls each unit by executing a program stored in the memory 22.
The imaging unit 24 includes an optical system (not shown), an image sensor, an A / D converter, an image processing DSP, and the like, and generates image data from the optical image of the subject.

The storage unit 26 includes a socket for a removable memory, and stores image data generated by the imaging unit 24 in a nonvolatile storage medium. The storage unit 26 may include a non-removable nonvolatile storage medium such as a built-in flash memory or an HDD.
The display unit 28 includes an LCD 8 that functions as an electronic viewfinder and a menu display device. The LCD 8 has a backlight or the like (not shown).
The operation unit 30 includes a shutter button 10, a print button 12, a menu button 14, a cross button 16, and the like, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of each button.

The printer 4 includes a control unit 40, a paper feed driving unit 44, a print head driving unit 46, a status register 48, and an interface unit 50.
The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41, a memory 42, and the like. The CPU 41 controls each part of the printer 4.
The paper feed drive unit 44 drives the paper transport roller 60. The printing paper 62 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow X perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the printing head 66 by the rotation of the paper conveying roller 60.

The print head drive unit 46 drives a motor (not shown) for reciprocating the print head 66, a piezoelectric element for discharging ink from the ink discharge unit 70 of the print head 66, and the like. The print head drive unit 46 ejects ink supplied from an ink cartridge 68 mounted on the print head 66 from the ink discharge unit 70 while reciprocating the print head 66 to form an image on the print paper 62. The printing method may be any printing method such as an ink jet method or a laser method.
The status register 48 stores values corresponding to various statuses of the printer 4. The LED 18 blinks or lights according to the value stored in the status register 48.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The notification means 90 of the printer 4 is configured by the control unit 40, the LED 18, and the like, periodically reads the value stored in the status register 48, determines the status of the printer 4 based on the read value, and determines a predetermined status. When the transition to is detected, the LED 18 is blinked or lit to notify the user that the printer 4 has transitioned to a predetermined status.
It should be noted that a circuit that outputs an interrupt signal in accordance with the status transition may be provided in the printer 4 so that the value stored in the status register 48 is read based on the interrupt signal.

The storage unit 80 of the DSC 2 includes the control unit 20 and the storage unit 26, and stores the image data generated by the imaging unit 24 of the DSC 2 in a nonvolatile storage medium of the storage unit 26.
The first operation means 81 of the DSC 2 includes the control unit 20, the operation unit 30, and the like, and accepts an operation of pressing the print button 12 as a print request.
The second operation unit 82 of the DSC 2 includes the control unit 20, the operation unit 30, and the like, and accepts an operation of pressing any one of the print button 12, the menu button 14, and the cross button 16 as a status display request during printing.
The status display request may be accepted by an operation of pressing another button.

The print control unit 84 of the DSC 2 includes the control unit 20 and the interface unit 32. When a print request is received, the print control unit 84 divides predetermined image data stored in the storage unit 80 into a plurality of bands. The image data is converted into print data, and the print data is sequentially transmitted to the printer 4.
The print control unit 84 may transmit image data together with a print command to the printer 4 and cause the control unit 40 of the printer 4 to convert the image data into print data.

  The monitoring unit 86 of the DSC 2 includes the control unit 20, the interface unit 32, and the like, and periodically inquires the status of the control unit 40 of the printer 4 during printing, and from the control unit 40 of the printer 4 via the interface units 32 and 50. The status of the printer 4 is monitored by receiving the status reply transmitted.

  The display means 88 of the DSC 2 includes the control unit 20, the display unit 28, and the like. When the print request is accepted, the CPU 21 of the control unit 20 turns off the backlight of the LCD 8 and stops the process of reading the display data from the memory 22 and transferring it to the LCD 8 to turn off the LCD 8 screen. In order to display an image on the LCD 8, for example, it is necessary to periodically transfer display data from the display memory area allocated to the memory 22 or the like to the LCD 8 (for example, every 1/30 second). When the screen of the LCD 8 is turned off, there is no interruption for performing the transfer processing that occurs regularly as described above, so that the processing time of the CPU 21 can be allocated more to the printing processing. As a result, the printing time can be shortened. Further, when the status display request is accepted, the display means 88 of the DSC 2 displays a screen corresponding to the status of the printer 4 on the LCD 8 without interrupting printing.

  FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing in a case where the remaining amount of ink becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold during a period in which image data is printed under control of the DSC 2. FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram of the DSC 2 in this processing. Hereinafter, the status of the printer 4 whose ink remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value is referred to as “ink low”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when a print button 12 is pressed on a screen 150 that displays arbitrary image data stored in the storage unit 26 of the DSC 2 on a full screen, it is related to the image data displayed on the LCD 8 on a full screen. A screen 151 for selecting a processing item to be displayed is displayed. On the screen 151, a print request is accepted when “print this screen” is selected by operating the cross button 16 and the print button 12 is pressed.

When the first operation means 81 receives the print request, the print control means 84 transmits the print request to the printer 4 (S100). At this time, a screen 152 is displayed on the LCD 8 to notify the user that the power of the LCD 8 is turned off during printing and that the power of the LCD 8 is turned on by pressing an arbitrary button. The screen of the LCD 8 is erased (S102, see screen 153 in FIG. 5).
When the printer 4 is ready to receive print data, the print control unit 84 starts to transmit print data (S104), and the printer 4 starts printing (S106). When printing is started, the monitoring unit 86 periodically inquires about the status of the printer 4 (S108), and the printer 4 answers the status in response to the status inquiry of the monitoring unit 86 (S110).

  Here, when ink low occurs during printing (S112) and the notification unit 90 detects a transition to ink low, the notification unit 90 causes the LED 18 of the printer 4 to blink. The user can recognize that the status of the printer 4 has changed by the blinking of the LED 18. However, it is difficult for the user to accurately recognize what status has been changed and what kind of treatment is necessary only by blinking the LED 18.

In the DSC 2, the monitoring unit 86 detects that the status of the printer 4 has transitioned to ink-low based on the status response (S 118) of the printer 4 to the status inquiry (S 116) after the occurrence of ink-low.
The display means 88 of the DSC 2 does not display the screen on the LCD 8 only when the monitoring means 86 detects the transition to ink low. Therefore, by continuing printing as it is, the printing time can be shortened, the display power can be reduced, and the screen indicating ink low is not displayed, so there is no trouble.

  When the user who recognizes that the status of the printer 4 has changed due to the blinking of the LED 18 presses any one of the print button 12, the menu button 14, and the cross button 16, a status display request is accepted by the second operation unit 82. (S120). Then, the display means 88 displays a screen indicating ink low on the LCD 8 (S122). The user can check the state where the remaining amount of ink is low by referring to the screen showing ink low. For example, if the screen 154 showing the remaining ink level is displayed for each ink cartridge 68, the user can check which ink cartridge 68 needs to be prepared for replacement. At this time, it is possible to determine whether printing should be continued or printing should be interrupted according to the ink color of the ink cartridge 68 with a small remaining amount and the color of the image represented by the image data being printed. .

If the menu button 14 is not pressed until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of display of the screen 154 showing the remaining ink amount (S124), the display means 88 turns off the screen of the LCD 8 (see S126, screen 155 of FIG. 5). By limiting the display of the screen 154 indicating the remaining ink amount within a predetermined time, the printing time can be shortened and the display power can be reduced.
If the menu button 14 is pressed until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the display of the screen 154 indicating the remaining ink amount, the print control unit 84 interrupts printing. By interrupting printing, the user can replace the ink cartridge 68 with a small remaining amount.

When the print control unit 84 transmits all the print data of the image data to the printer 4 (S128), the display unit 88 displays on the LCD 8 a screen 150 that displays any image data stored in the storage unit 26 of the DSC 2 in full screen. Redisplay.
When the printer 4 forms an image corresponding to all the print data transmitted by the print control means 84, the printing is finished (S132).

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when the ink remaining amount runs out while printing image data under the control of the DSC 2. FIG. 7 is a screen transition diagram of the DSC 2 in this processing. Hereinafter, the status of the printer 4 having no ink remaining will be referred to as ink end.

When an ink end occurs in the printer 4 (S212) and the notification means 90 detects a transition to the ink end, the notification means 90 turns on the LED 18 of the printer 4 (S213), and printing is interrupted (S214). The user can recognize the status transition by turning on the LED 18. However, it is difficult for the user to accurately recognize what status has been changed and what kind of treatment is necessary only by turning on the LED 18.
In the DSC 2, the monitoring unit 86 detects that the status of the printer 4 has transitioned to the ink end based on the status response (S 118) of the printer 4 to the status inquiry (S 116) after the occurrence of ink low.

  When the monitoring unit 86 detects the transition to the ink end, the display unit 88 displays a screen indicating the ink end on the LCD 8 (S220). By forcibly displaying the screen indicating the ink end on the LCD 8, the user can be surely recognized the ink end. For example, if the screen 254 showing the ink cartridge 68 that needs to be replaced is displayed, the user can be surely recognized which ink cartridge 68 needs to be replaced.

  When the user replaces the ink cartridge 68 (S222) and presses the menu button 14 of the DSC 2, a print resumption request is transmitted to the printer 4 (S223). Since the status of the printer 4 has transitioned to a status where the remaining amount of ink is sufficient, the printer 4 that has received the print resumption request resumes printing (S224). In DSC 2, when transmission of print data by the print control unit 84 is resumed, the display unit 88 turns off the screen of the LCD 8 (S226).

When the print control unit 84 sends all the print data of the image data to the printer 4 (S228), the display unit 88 re-displays the screen 150 on the LCD 8 which displays any image data stored in the storage unit 26 of the DSC 2 in full screen. It is displayed (S230).
When the printer 4 forms an image corresponding to all the print data transmitted by the print control means 84, the printing is finished (S232).

  The processing when an ink low and an ink end occur has been described. However, the status screen displayed on the LCD 8 in response to a user request without forcibly displaying the status screen on the LCD 8 is the remaining print paper. A status that allows printing to continue even if the user does not respond immediately, such as a status with a low battery level or a status with a low battery level in the battery-driven printer 4, is appropriate. Moreover, as an emergency status forcibly displaying the screen on the LCD 8 by interrupting printing, a status in which printing cannot be continued unless the user immediately responds, such as out of paper or paper jam.

According to the printing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, when the notification unit 90 detects a transition to a status such as ink low or ink end, the LED 18 blinks or lights up. Can be recognized.
Further, according to the printing system 1, even if a status such as ink-low does not immediately respond to the user that can continue printing, any one of the print button 12, the menu button 14, and the cross button 16 must be pressed. In this case, since the status screen 154 is not displayed on the LCD 8, printing can be continued with the LCD 8 screen off. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened and the display power can be reduced according to the user's intention.

Also, according to the printing system 1, the second operation means 82 can accept a status display request without interrupting printing, and it is not necessary to interrupt printing for status confirmation, so that the printing time can be shortened. In addition, printing does not have to be interrupted to check the status, and it is not necessary to restart printing, so that sheets in the middle of printing are not wasted.
Also, according to the printing system 1, by displaying a screen showing the status on the LCD 8 in response to the status display request, the status can be recognized by the user during printing.

  Furthermore, according to the printing system 1, when an emergency status occurs in which printing cannot be continued unless the user immediately responds, such as an ink end, the display unit 88 displays a screen indicating the status on the LCD 8, so that the user can select the print button 12. Even without pressing any one of the menu button 14 and the cross button 16, the user can immediately recognize the status and prompt the countermeasure.

  Further, according to the printing system 1, even if a screen such as the screen 154 indicating the remaining ink amount is displayed on the LCD 8 during printing, the display means 88 turns off the screen of the LCD 8 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the display of the screen. Printing time can be shortened and display power can be reduced.

Even if the monitoring unit 86 does not monitor the status of the printer 4 by periodically inquiring the status to the control unit 40 of the printer 4 that is printing, the second operation unit 82 requests the status display by the user. The printer 4 may be inquired about the status after receiving it.
When the status of the printer 4 transitions to a predetermined status, the printer 4 is provided with means for notifying the DSC 2 that the status of the printer 4 has transitioned to the status, and the monitoring means 86 receives the notification. The printer 4 status may be detected by inquiring the printer 4 about the status.

  Even if the status is such that the printing cannot be continued, for example, when transitioning to ink-low, for example, a screen indicating the status is forcibly displayed on the LCD 8 without interrupting the printing. During the period when the screen is turned off, printing is continued in a state where the user's status display request can be accepted. When the status display request is accepted, the status is displayed on the LCD 8 without interrupting printing. A screen may be displayed.

It is a sequence diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen transition diagram of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram concerning one example of the present invention. It is a screen transition diagram of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system, 2 Digital still camera (portable electronic device), 4 Printer (printing apparatus), 80 Memory | storage means, 81 1st operation means, 82 2nd operation means, 84 Print control means, 86 Monitoring means, 88 Display means , 90 Notification means

Claims (6)

A printing apparatus having notification means for notifying the user of the status transition when transitioning to a predetermined status;
Storage means for storing image data; first operation means for receiving a print request; print control means for causing the printing apparatus to print image data stored in the storage means when the first operation means receives the print request; A second operating unit that receives a status display request during printing by the printing device; and a screen that disappears when the first operating unit receives the print request, and the printing device that receives the status display request when the second operating unit receives the status display request. A portable electronic device having display means for displaying a predetermined screen according to the status of the printing apparatus without interrupting printing;
A printing system comprising: The portable electronic device further includes monitoring means for monitoring a status of the printing apparatus while the printing apparatus is printing,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein when the monitoring unit detects that the status of the printing apparatus has transitioned to an emergency status, the display unit displays a screen corresponding to the emergency status.   The display means turns off the screen until the second operation means accepts the status display request even if the monitoring means detects a transition to a status where the remaining amount of ink in the printing apparatus is less than a predetermined threshold. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the state is maintained.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit turns off the screen when a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the status of the printing apparatus was started. A printing method using a printing system, and a printing system including a storage device and a display device and a portable electronic device that controls the printing device,
Receiving a print request in the portable electronic device;
In the portable electronic device, upon accepting the print request, printing the image data stored in the storage unit on the printing apparatus and erasing the screen of the display unit;
In the printing apparatus, when transitioning to a predetermined status, informing the user of the status transition;
In the portable electronic device, the printing device accepts a status display request during printing;
In the portable electronic device, upon receiving the status display request, displaying a predetermined screen according to the status of the printing apparatus without interrupting printing to the printing apparatus by the display unit;
A control method for a printing system, comprising: A portable electronic device that is communicably connected to a printing device,
Storage means for storing image data;
A first operating means for receiving a print request;
Print control means for causing the printing apparatus to print the image data stored in the storage means when the first operation means receives the print request;
Second operating means for receiving a status display request during printing by the printing apparatus;
When the first operation means accepts the print request, the screen is turned off, and when the second operation means accepts the status display request, a predetermined value corresponding to the status of the printing apparatus is obtained without interrupting the printing apparatus. Display means for displaying the screen of
A portable electronic device comprising:

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