JP2005246685A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a function that prevents the printing quality from being degraded without a PC hung up if data accessing is carried out from the PC to a memory card halfway in printing from the PC or from the memory card. <P>SOLUTION: A printer which prints image data stored in a storage medium or printing data from a host computer to a recording medium is equipped with a loading part for loading the recording medium, a storage medium control part for controlling reading writing of the data, an image data managing part for managing information of the image data, a printing setting part for conducting setting inputting in relation to printing, a display part, a data converting part for converting the image data to the printing data, a first interface part, a second interface part, an interface control part for carrying out control of the first and second interface parts, a receiving buffer, and a printing control part for printing the printing data stored in the receiving buffer and the printing data converted by the data converting part to the recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a host computer digital camera, a printing apparatus capable of inputting image data from a host computer or a memory card and recording the image data on a recording medium and accessing the memory card from the host computer. is there.

  In recent years, digital cameras (imaging devices), so-called digital cameras, which can take an image with a simple operation and convert it into digital image data have been widely used. When printing an image taken with such a camera and using it as a photograph, usually, the taken digital image data is once taken into a PC (computer) from the digital camera, and image processing is performed on the PC. After that, it is common to output from the PC to a color printer for printing.

  On the other hand, recently, a color print system capable of directly printing digital image data from a digital camera to a color printer without using a PC, and a built-in digital camera, storing captured images. A so-called photo direct (PD) printer, which can directly mount a memory card on a color printer and print a photographed image stored in the memory card, has also been developed.

  Some photo direct printers are equipped with a function for accessing the contents of a memory card as a removable disk by connecting to the PC. At present, price competition among products is fierce, so a low performance CPU or a small capacity RAM is used.

JP 2003-127472 A

  In such a photo direct printer, when data is read from or written to the memory card while printing from a PC or memory card, the printing process and the memory card access process occur simultaneously. Problems occur. For example, when print processing is executed with priority, there is a possibility that the response to the PC becomes slow and the PC hangs up.

  In addition, when priority is given to memory card access from the PC, the printing process to the print medium is stopped or slowed down, leading to deterioration in print quality such as color unevenness. If the writing process from the PC to the memory card is enabled during printing from the memory card, the image data being printed may be erased, and the printing process may not be completed normally.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a function that does not hang up the PC and deteriorate the print quality when data is accessed from the PC or memory card during printing from the PC or memory card. The purpose is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a function for normally terminating printing when a writing process is performed from a PC during printing from a memory card.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus for printing image data stored in a storage medium or print data from a host computer on a recording medium.
A mounting unit for mounting the recording medium for storing the image data, a storage medium control unit for controlling reading / writing of data to / from the storage medium, and image data for managing information on the image data stored in the recording medium A management unit; a print setting unit that is operated by a user to input settings related to printing; a display unit that displays the image data information and print settings; and data conversion that converts the image data into print data according to the print settings. A first interface for transmitting and receiving data relating to the image data information and the image data stored in the recording medium, and a second interface for transmitting and receiving data relating to printing with the host computer And an interface control unit for controlling the first and second interface units A reception buffer for storing print data from the host computer received via the second interface unit; the print data stored in the reception buffer; and the print data converted by the data conversion unit. A printing control unit for printing on the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, a photo direct printer having a function capable of accessing a memory card as a removable disk from a PC operates when the PC accesses the memory card during printing from the PC or from the memory card. By reducing the access size to the memory card depending on the mode (printing mode), the printing process is not delayed, and deterioration of printing quality such as color unevenness can be prevented.

  In addition, since the memory card data is transmitted to the host computer at regular intervals, the host computer does not time out and the possibility of hanging up can be avoided.

  In addition, since there is no waiting at regular intervals except during printing, the memory card access of the host computer can be performed at high speed. In addition, during direct printing of image data stored in the memory card, it is possible to terminate printing normally by prohibiting writing from the host computer.

  Furthermore, by dynamically changing the wait time between the card access processes and the memory card access data size according to the printing mode during printing, efficient memory access according to the operation status of the printer becomes possible.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct printer apparatus (hereinafter, PD printer apparatus or recording apparatus) 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The illustrated PD printer apparatus 1000 performs printing by directly reading image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card and a function as a normal PC printer that receives data from a host computer (PC) and prints it. And a function for receiving and printing image data from a digital camera. Further, it has a function of inputting / outputting image data to / from an external storage device via an interface.

  In FIG. 1, the main body that forms the outer shell of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a lower case 1001, an upper case 1002, an access cover 1003, and an exterior member for a paper discharge tray 1004. The lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half of the PD printer 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half of the main body. A combination of both cases accommodates the mechanisms described below. A hollow body structure having a space is formed, and openings are formed in the upper surface portion and the front surface portion, respectively.

  Further, one end of the discharge tray 1004 is rotatably held by the lower case 1001, and an opening formed on the front surface of the lower case 1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when executing the recording operation, the discharge tray 1004 is rotated to the front side to open the opening, so that the recording sheets can be discharged from here and the discharged recording sheets are sequentially stacked. It has come to be able to do. In addition, the discharge tray 1004 contains two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b. By pulling out each tray as needed, the paper support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.

  One end of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the upper case 1002 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1003, the access cover 1003 is accommodated inside the main body. The recording head cartridge (not shown) or the ink tank (not shown) can be exchanged. Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 1003 is opened and closed, the protrusion formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening and closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a micro switch or the like. Thus, the open / closed state of the access cover can be detected.

  A power key 1005 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 1002 so that it can be pressed. On the right side of the upper case 1002, an operation panel 1010 including a liquid crystal display unit 1006 and various key switches is provided. The structure of the operation panel 1010 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. An automatic feeding unit 1007 automatically feeds the recording sheet into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a paper interval selection lever, which is a lever for adjusting the interval between the print head and the recording sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slot, into which an adapter capable of mounting a memory card is inserted, through which image data stored in the memory card can be directly captured and printed.

  Examples of the memory card (PC) include a compact flash memory, smart media, and a memory stick. In this embodiment, the case where various memory cards are attached to the PCMCIA adapter has been described. However, even in the form of providing individual slots corresponding to individual media such as compact flash memory, smart media, and memory stick. good.

  A viewer (liquid crystal display unit) 1011 is detachable from the main body of the PD printer 1000. When searching for an image to be printed from images stored in a PC card, an image for each frame is displayed. Used to display index images and the like. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a terminal for connecting a digital camera and an external storage device, and 1013 denotes a USB bus connector for connecting a personal computer (PC).

  FIG. 2 is an overview of the operation panel 1010 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display unit 1006 displays menu items for setting various data relating to items printed on the left and right sides thereof. The items displayed here are the first photo number of the range to be printed, the specified frame number (start / -designate), the last photo number of the range where printing has been completed (end), the number of copies (number of copies), and used for printing. Type of paper (recording sheet) to be printed (paper type), setting of the number of photos to be printed on one sheet (layout), specification of print quality (quality), and whether to print the date of shooting (date printing) ), Designation of whether or not to print a photograph (image correction), display of the number of sheets necessary for printing (number of sheets), and the like.

  These items are selected or designated using the cursor key 2001. 2002 is a mode key, and each time this key is pressed, the type of printing (index printing, full-frame printing, single-frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and the corresponding LED of the LED 2003 is lit accordingly. A maintenance key 2004 is a key for performing maintenance of the printer such as cleaning of the print head. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a print start key which is pressed when instructing the start of printing or when establishing maintenance settings. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a print cancel key which is pressed when printing is stopped or when maintenance is instructed.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 3001 denotes a host computer. A microprocessor 3002 controls the entire photo direct printer according to the present embodiment in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 3019.

  The RAM 3020 has a work area used when executing a program. Reference numeral 3003 denotes a USB unit, and a Mass Storage class and a Printer class are connected to the HUB. Further, the USB unit (3003) may be a device having an interface of Mass Storage class and Printer class without going through a HUB. A USB unit (3003) manages connection between an external device such as a host computer and the printer apparatus.

  Data and control commands transmitted by the host computer are received by the USB unit (3003) and transferred to the microprocessor (3002) and the reception buffer (3005) via the interface communication control unit (3004).

  The memory card control unit (3014) controls reading and writing of the memory card (3015), accesses from the host computer (3001) via the Mass Storage class of the USB unit (3003), and from the microprocessor (3002). Can be accessed.

  The card buffer (3016) is a temporary storage buffer when accessing the memory card. The print buffer (3010) is a reception buffer for storing print data (record data) in an amount necessary for one printing (recording), and is read from the reception buffer (3005) by the microprocessor (3002). The received data is converted into image data print data stored in the memory card (3015) and sequentially stored.

  The USB host controller (3017) controls transmission / reception of commands and data with a digital camera or an external storage device (3018) connected by a USB interface.

  The print control unit (3011) controls transfer of print data to the recording head (3012), reads print data from the print buffer (3010) in accordance with a print control signal from the microprocessor (3002), and has a predetermined drive timing. To the recording head.

  In the above configuration, the microprocessor (3002) controls printing by the recording head and rotation of the CR (carriage) motor and LF (conveyance) motor. The recording head scans a recording medium such as recording paper and forms an image corresponding to the print data for each band. After recording for one band, the recording medium is conveyed and the next scanning recording is performed. This operation is repeated and recording for one page is performed. This recording operation is provided with a draft mode and a normal mode giving priority to the recording speed. In the draft mode, the operation speed of the CR motor is faster than the operation speed in the normal mode.

  An operation panel (3013) allows the user to select image data, print paper, and the like that he / she wants to print.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a method for the host computer according to the present embodiment to read / write an image file from / to the memory card will be described.

In the present invention, an interface compliant with the Mass Storage class of USB is installed, and Mass from the host computer is installed.
The printer device responds to the Storage class command, so that the memory card can be accessed from the host computer. The transmission sequence of the Mass Storage class command transmitted from the host computer shown in FIG. 4 and the response of the printer apparatus to the Mass Storage class command are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.

When the host computer recognizes the Mass Storage class as a result of negotiation after the printer device is connected, Test
A Unit Ready command is transmitted (S4000). If the memory card is inserted (S4001), the status of the return data is set to success (S4003). If the memory card is not set, the status of the return data is set to failure (S4002) and transmitted to the host computer.

  If the memory card is not installed in the printer, the host computer then periodically sends a Test Unit Ready command to check whether the memory card is installed. If a memory card is attached to the printer, a Read Capacity command is transmitted (S4004).

  When the printer receives the Read Capacity command, it sends the maximum logical address of the memory card and the number of bytes of one logical block as return data (S4005). The host computer accesses an arbitrary address of the memory card based on the return data for the Read Capacity command.

  When the host computer wants to read data in the memory card, it sends a Read command (S4006). FIG. 5 shows details of the Read and Write commands. Here, the Read10 command and Write10 among the multiple Read commands and Write commands will be described.

  In both the Read10 command and the Write10 command, the third to sixth bytes represent the logical block address, and the eighth to ninth bytes represent the number of transfer blocks. When the printer receives the Read command, it reads out from the memory card to the card buffer from the logical block address specified by the Read command to the card buffer (S4007), and divides it into packets of the number of bytes set by wMaxPacketSize of the USB Endpoint Descriptor. Then, it is transmitted to the host computer (S4008). Until the number of data transmitted to the host computer reaches the number of data blocks (S4009), a sequence of reading from the memory card to the card buffer and transmitting to the host computer is performed a plurality of times.

Next, if the host computer wants to write data into the memory card, it sends a Write command. Printer is Write
When the command is received (S4006), data corresponding to the card buffer size is received from the host computer (S4010), and the data is written to the memory card from the logical block address specified by the Write command (S4011). Until the number of data received from the host computer reaches the number of data blocks (S4009), a sequence of receiving data from the host computer to the card buffer and writing it to the memory card is performed a plurality of times.

  Hereinafter, a detailed description of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence when a Read command is received in the present invention. Upon receiving the Read command (S6000), the printer device checks whether the printer is in a printing state (for example, during a recording operation by the recording head) (S6001). If the printer is not in a printing state, the size of the data read from the memory card is set to the card buffer size (S6007), the data corresponding to the card buffer size is read from the memory card to the card buffer (S6008), and the data read to the host computer Is transmitted (S6009).

  If the number of transmitted data is less than the data transfer size specified by the Read command (S6010), and if the printer is not in a printing state (S6011), it will not wait for a certain period of time, and again from the memory card for the card buffer size. Are read into the card buffer and transmitted to the host computer.

  If the printer is printing (S6001), it is determined from the print settings whether the print mode is the draft mode (S6002).

  In the draft mode, since the process of reading data from the memory card has little influence on the print result, the Wait time for controlling the interval of reading data from the memory card is set to the minimum value (S6003). Here, supplementally, in the draft mode, priority is given to performing a recording operation at high speed, the amount of data handled for recording is relatively small, and the amount of processing of this data is also small. For this reason, the processing load of the microprocessor is small. The wait time set here is a time that the host computer does not time out, and the length of the time is not limited. Next, the size of data read from the memory card is set to the maximum allowable range during printing (S6004). Here, the maximum value is a value that does not exceed the card buffer size.

  On the other hand, if it is not the draft mode, since the process of reading data from the memory card has a great influence on the print result, the Wait time for controlling the interval of reading data from the memory card is set to the maximum value (S6005). Next, the size of data read from the memory card is set to the minimum (S6006). Here, the minimum value is the maximum packet size that can be sent in one bulk transfer, and this value depends on the hardware used in the printer. In the USB specification, the maximum packet size is defined as 8/16/32/64 bytes. In this embodiment, the maximum packet size is 64 bytes, but this is not restrictive.

  After setting the Wiat time and the data read size from the memory card, data corresponding to the set size is read from the memory card to the card buffer according to the setting (S6008), and the read data is transmitted to the host computer (S6009).

  If the number of transmitted data is less than the data transfer size specified by the Read command (S6010), if the printer is in a printing state (S6011), the set time is waited and the card buffer size is again set from the memory card to the card buffer. And send it to the host computer.

  This sequence is repeated until the number of data transfers specified by the Read command is satisfied. Here, by waiting for access to the memory card for a certain period of time, the printing process of the printer can be preferentially performed, and deterioration of printing quality such as color unevenness due to delay of the printing process can be prevented. Further, when the print mode has little influence on the print quality such as color unevenness due to the delay of the printing process, the time for data transfer from the memory card to the host computer can be shortened.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a sequence when a write command is received in the present invention. When the printer device receives the Write command (S7000), it checks whether the printer is in a printing state (S7001). If the printer is printing, it is determined whether printing from the host computer or direct printing from the memory card (S7002).

  If the printer is performing direct printing from the card, stall processing is performed to notify the host computer that writing to the memory card is not currently possible (S7012).

  In the case of printing from the host computer (S7002), it is determined from the print settings whether the print mode is the draft mode (S7003).

  For the same reason as described in FIG. 6, in the draft mode, the process of writing data to the memory card has little influence on the print result, so the wait time for controlling the interval of the process of writing data to the memory card is set. The minimum value is set (S7004).

  Note that the wait time set here may be a time when the host computer does not time out, and the time value is not particularly limited.

  Next, the size of data to be written to the memory card is set to the maximum allowable range during printing (S7005). Here, the maximum value is a value that does not exceed the card buffer size.

  If it is not in the draft mode, the process of writing data to the memory card has a great influence on the print result, so the Wait time for controlling the interval of writing data to the memory card is set to the maximum value (S7006). Next, the size of data to be written to the memory card is set to the minimum (S7007). Here, the minimum value is the maximum packet size that can be sent in one bulk transfer, and this value depends on the hardware used in the printer. In the USB specification, the maximum packet size is defined as 8/16/32/64 bytes. In this embodiment, the maximum packet size is 64 bytes, but this is not restrictive.

  After setting the Wiat time and the write data size to the memory card, data is received from the host computer into the card buffer and written from the card buffer to the memory card according to the set values (S7009).

  If the number of received data is less than the number of data transfers specified by the Write command (S7010), after the set time Wait (S7011), the data of the size set from the host computer is received again in the card buffer. Write to the memory card. Here, by waiting for access to the memory card for a certain period of time, the printing process of the printer can be preferentially performed, and deterioration of printing quality such as color unevenness due to delay of the printing process can be prevented. In addition, by dynamically changing the data writing size to the memory card and the wait time that is the writing processing interval depending on the printing mode, efficient data writing processing can be performed without degrading the printing quality.

  Note that the waiting period is a time during which the host computer does not time out, and no particular time is specified. This sequence is repeated until the data transfer size specified by the Write command is satisfied.

  If the printer is not in a printing state, the number of data written to the memory card is set as the card buffer size (S7013). The card buffer size is received from the host computer (S7014) and written to the memory card (S7015). If the number of received data is less than the number of data transfers specified by the Write command (S7016), the card buffer size is received again from the host computer into the card buffer without waiting for a certain period, and written into the memory card. .

<Other implementations>
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described whether the wait time is set in the draft mode. For example, there are three types of operation modes: draft mode (recording speed priority), standard mode, and high quality mode (image quality priority). In such a case, the wait time may be set shorter as the processing load on the microprocessor is larger.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a PD printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an overview of an operation panel of the PD printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of PD printer apparatus concerning this Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart regarding a method for accessing an image file stored in a memory card from a host computer. It is a detailed diagram of Read and Write commands defined in the Mass Storage class. It is a flowchart regarding the sequence at the time of the Read command reception of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding the sequence at the time of Write command reception of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1000 PD printer apparatus 1001 Lower case 1002 Upper case 1003 Access cover 1004 Output tray 1005 Power key 1006 Liquid crystal display unit 1007 Automatic paper feed unit 1008 Paper gap selection lever 1009 Card slot 1010 Operation panel 1011 Viewer 1012 Terminal 1013 USB bus connector 2001 Cursor Key 2002 Mode key 2003 LED
2004 Maintenance key 2005 Print start key 2006 Print stop key 3001 PC
3002 Microprocessor 3003 USB unit 3004 Interface control unit 3005 Reception buffer 3006 CR motor control unit 3007 LF motor control unit 3008 CR motor 3009 LF motor 3010 Stamp buffer 3011 Print control unit 3012 Recording head 3013 Operation panel 3014 Memory card control unit 3015 Memory card 3016 Card buffer 3017 USB Host Controller
3018 Digital camera / external storage device 3019 ROM
3020 RAM

Claims (7)

In a printing apparatus having a function of printing image data stored in a storage medium, an imaging device or print data from a host computer on a recording medium, and a function of accessing the storage medium from the host computer,

A mounting unit for mounting the recording medium for storing the image data, a storage medium control unit for controlling reading / writing of data to / from the storage medium, and image data for managing information on the image data stored in the recording medium An imaging device connection unit that connects an imaging device, an imaging device control unit that controls reading and writing of data with the imaging device, and imaging device image data that manages information on the image data stored in the imaging device A management unit; a print setting unit that is operated by a user to input settings related to printing; a display unit that displays the image data information and print settings; and data conversion that converts the image data into print data according to the print settings. A first unit for transmitting and receiving data relating to the image data information and the image data stored in the recording medium to and from the host computer An interface unit, a second interface unit that transmits / receives printing data to / from the host computer, an interface control unit that controls the first and second interface units, and the second interface unit. A reception buffer for storing received print data from the host computer, and a print control unit for printing the print data stored in the reception buffer and the print data converted by the data conversion unit on the recording medium And a printing apparatus.
The printing apparatus prohibits writing of the data from the host computer to the recording medium while the printing data from the image data stored in the storage medium is being printed on the recording medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
While the printing apparatus is printing the image data stored in the storage medium or the print data from the host computer onto the recording medium, the host computer can read from the recording medium via the first interface unit. When the data read process is executed, the packet size of the first interface unit is dynamically switched according to the print mode of the print setting for the size of the data read from the storage medium by the storage medium control unit The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
When the host computer executes a process of reading the data from the recording medium while the printing apparatus is printing the image data stored in the storage medium or the print data from the host computer on the recording medium The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium control unit reads the data from the storage medium at a cycle determined by a print mode of the print setting.
The first interface unit is USB (Universal
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus conforms to a Mass Storage class of (Serial Bus).
The second interface unit is USB (Universal
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer conforms to a serial bus printer class.
The maximum packet size is USB Endpoint
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum packet size is set in the Descriptor.

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