JP2005324465A - Recording apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent waste of unnecessary electric power by restraining monitor displaying. <P>SOLUTION: The recording apparatus is detachably attached with a storage medium storing image data, and is provided with a reading means for reading the image data from the stored memory medium to record the image data with a recording head. The apparatus is provided with a signal outputting means for outputting a signal to an external display means and a first judging means for judging whether or not the memory medium is fitted to the reading means. The signal outputting means suppresses outputting of the signal to the external display means, on judging with the first judging means that the storage medium is not fitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a control method therefor.

  In recent years, many recording devices such as printers have been used in connection with external devices such as IBM PCs and PC compatible computers having a window operating system such as Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) operating system.

  In this embodiment, an image of application software that operates on a computer is converted into recording data suitable for the recording apparatus by a printer driver, and is transferred to the recording apparatus. On the other hand, when the recording device receives the recording data, it temporarily stores it in the recording data buffer. Then, the stored recording data is read, and an image is recorded by scanning a band on the recording medium.

  On the other hand, in recent years, improvement in full-color printing technology has enabled high-quality printing comparable to silver halide photography. With the spread of digital cameras, recording devices and digital cameras are connected via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or special interface so that image data from digital cameras can be received directly and recorded. Are known. Furthermore, in recent years, it is also known that a mobile phone has an imaging function similar to that of a digital camera and can be imaged in the same manner as a general digital camera.

  In addition, some mobile phones include an interface for infrared communication for communication with an external device, and those that can communicate with an external device wirelessly using this infrared light have appeared.

  Other conventional recording devices are provided with a slot that can be attached to the recording device and a memory card that is attached to and detached from the digital camera and stores image data taken by the camera, and the image data stored in the memory card. Is displayed on a monitor and an image to be recorded is selected so that the image can be recorded (see Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, a conventional recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration example of a recording apparatus in the conventional example. Reference numeral 900 denotes a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as DSC), reference numeral 901 denotes a removable memory card that stores image information taken by the DSC, reference numeral 800 denotes a recording device that prints a photograph, reference numeral 902 denotes a monitor connected to the printer, and reference numeral 903 denotes a recording device 800. It is an image (photograph) recorded from.

  In this system, DSC 900 corresponds to a camera in a normal photographic system, and memory card 901 corresponds to the film. When the user finishes shooting several tens of images on the memory card 901, the user removes the memory card 901 (film) from the DSC 900 and attaches it to the recording apparatus 800. The recording apparatus 800 has a function of displaying an image on the monitor 902. With the function of displaying an image stored in the memory card 901 (hereinafter referred to as a browsing function), one or a plurality of images to be printed are selected and recorded. Selection is performed using an instruction function such as a cursor key provided in the device 800.

When the selection is completed and recording start is instructed, the recording apparatus 800 continuously prints the selected images.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-78131

  In a conventional recording apparatus, when printing out from a personal computer (PC) or a digital camera, or when printing out an image stored in a memory card in accordance with information on a file in which the number of images to be recorded and the number of prints are designated, As described above, even when it is not necessary to display the recorded image on the monitor, the video signal is output to the monitor, and thus unnecessary power is consumed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent unnecessary power consumption by suppressing monitor display.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a reading unit that detachably mounts a storage medium storing image data and reads the image data from the stored storage medium, and uses the recording head to store the image data. A recording apparatus for recording, comprising: signal output means for outputting a signal to the external display means; and first determination means for determining whether or not the storage medium is attached to the reading means, The signal output means suppresses output of the signal to the external display means when the first determination means determines that the storage medium is not attached.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent unnecessary power consumption by suppressing monitor display.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system using a recording apparatus corresponding to the present embodiment. The recording apparatus corresponding to the present embodiment is a recording apparatus capable of recording a photographic-like image, and in particular, a memory card, a digital camera, or a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) that records an image captured by a digital camera or the like. It is a device capable of recording image data acquired by connecting to.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as DSC), 201 denotes a detachable memory card as storage means for storing image information taken by the DSC, and 204 denotes a window operating system such as a Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) operating system. It is an IBM PC or PC compatible computer (hereinafter referred to as PC). Reference numeral 100 denotes a recording device that records image data and the like, and 202 denotes a monitor connected to the recording device 100, which includes a CRT display device and an LCD display device. Reference numeral 203 denotes a recording sheet on which an image is recorded by the recording apparatus 100.

  In this system, there are first methods for recording an image stored in the memory card 201 as follows. When the user finishes shooting several tens of images on the memory card 201, the user removes the memory card 201 from the DSC 200 and attaches it to the recording apparatus 100. The recording apparatus 100 has an image display function on the monitor 202 (hereinafter referred to as a browsing function), and can output an image stored in the memory card 201 to the monitor 202 and display it on the monitor 202. The user selects one or a plurality of images to be printed from the images displayed in this way, and performs selection input using an instruction function such as a cursor key provided in the recording apparatus 100. When selection input is performed and a recording start instruction is given, the recording apparatus 100 continuously prints the selected and input images.

  As another method, with the memory card 201 mounted on the DSC 200, the DSC 200 and the recording apparatus 100 are connected with a predetermined (for example, USB) cable, and printing is performed by transferring image data according to a predetermined standard (for example, PictBridge). You can also. In this method, it is further possible to print by connecting the image data stored in the computer 204 with a predetermined cable and transferring the image data in a predetermined procedure. In these recording methods, since the received image data is an image to be recorded, there is no need to specify the image to be recorded.

  In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of types such as a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card and an SM (Smart Media) card that are standardized as memory cards can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal circuit configuration of the recording apparatus 100. Each configuration consists of hardware and / or firmware.

  101 is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) including a μ processor, 102 is a ROM that stores a program code and constants used by the program, and 103 is a RAM that is used as a temporary storage area for variables and image data used by the program code. , 104 is a connector constituting a slot for mounting the memory card 201, 107 is a card connection control unit for controlling the controller inside the memory card 201 connected to the connector 104, and 105 is a USB ( Universal Serial Bus) standard A connector, 108 is a DSC connection control unit for controlling connection with the DSC 200, and 106 is a USB standard B connector for connection with the PC 204.

  109 is a PC connection control unit that controls connection with the PC 204, 110 is a video RAM that temporarily stores data to be output to the monitor 202, and 111 is a video signal control unit that reads an image stored in the video RAM 110 and reads video. In addition to signal conversion, the input image data and information such as characters and icons necessary for user operations are written into the video RAM 110.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a monitor output terminal for sending a video signal from the video signal control unit 111 to the monitor 202, and 113 denotes a recording mechanism unit including a recording head for recording a received image or an image stored in a memory card. The recording mechanism unit includes, for example, a scanning unit that reciprocates the recording head with respect to a recording sheet (recording medium) in a main scanning direction, and a conveying unit that conveys the recording sheet in a sub-scanning direction different from the main scanning direction. Yes. Note that the recording head has, for example, 128 nozzles, and the arrangement direction of the nozzles is along the sub-scanning direction. Reference numeral 114 denotes an operation unit including operation keys such as a power key and a cursor key, an LED for displaying a power-on state, and an LED for displaying an error of the recording apparatus.

  Although not shown in the drawings, a file control unit that accesses a file stored in the memory card 201 using the card connection control unit 107, and all of the predetermined formats stored in the memory card 201 using the card connection control unit 107. A file search unit for searching for an image file, an image expansion unit for expanding a compressed image, a recording data conversion unit for converting an image expanded by the image expansion unit into data suitable for recording, and data suitable for display on the monitor 202 The display data conversion unit for converting, the recording control unit for controlling the recording operation of the entire recording apparatus 100, and the configuration for enabling or stopping the functions of the video signal control unit are the program code stored in the ROM 102, and the input / output incorporated in the ASIC 101. This is realized by a unit and an interrupt control unit.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure up to recording in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. Since the recording process is the same as that of a conventional recording apparatus, the details are omitted, but the printing unit employed here may be any one of an inkjet system, a thermal sublimation system, and other systems.

  When the recording apparatus is turned on, first, in step S301, the signal output to the monitor 202 is turned off. In this case, the power supply to the video RAM 110 and the video signal control unit 111 may be stopped if the most power saving is desired. In step S302, it is checked whether the memory card 201 is inserted. If the memory card 201 is loaded, a file in which the description for recording is made in step S303, more specifically, a file (recording designation file) in which the images to be recorded and the number of the images are described. Check if it exists.

  If the recording designation file does not exist in step S303, signal output to the monitor 202 is turned on in step S304. If necessary, power is supplied to the video RAM 110 and the video signal output control unit 111.

  In step S305, a menu operable by the user is displayed. The menu displayed here includes “slide show” for continuously displaying images on the memory card, “display” for continuously displaying images, and “setting” and “maintenance” for the recording apparatus.

  In step S306, it is monitored whether or not “print (record)” in the menu screen is selected. If it is selected, an image for designating an image to be recorded is displayed in step S307. Here, the display form of the image may be displayed one by one or may be displayed by a plurality. In any case, it is possible to sequentially switch images to be displayed, and it is possible to arbitrarily specify an image to be recorded. When a recording instruction is accepted in step S308, the designated image is recorded in step S312.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that the recording designation file exists, the process proceeds to step S312 and recording is performed according to the file in which the image to be recorded and the number of images are described. In this case, the signal output to the monitor 202 remains off.

  If the file is present but the user is not automatically recorded and an instruction is given to the user, the process does not proceed to step S312 but proceeds to step S304. However, in this case, “print according to file (record)” is added to the operation menu displayed in step S305. Here, if the recording designation file does not exist, it is preferable that the selection item “print according to the file (record)” is grayed out so that the user cannot select it.

  If it is determined in step S302 that the memory card 201 is not attached, signal output to the monitor 202 is turned off in step S309. In step S310, it is determined whether data is received from the DSC 200 or the PC 204. If it is determined in step S310 that data is received from the DSC 200 or the PC 204, an image to be recorded is received in step S311. On the other hand, if it is determined that data has not been received, the process returns to step S302 to determine whether the memory card 201 is attached. If part or all of the image data is received in step S311, the process proceeds to step S312 and recording is performed.

  Here, it is described that the recording is performed even when a part of the data is received. If the image data is in the JPEG format, the recording cannot be started until all the data is received. This is because it is possible to record all the data before receiving it depending on the configuration.

  As processing related to recording in step S312, a series of processing from creation of print data from JPEG format image data to printout, a method of selecting an image to be recorded using the monitor 202, a file search method, and the like Since this is a known technique, its description is omitted here.

  In the above processing, after the signal output to the monitor 202 is turned on in step S304, the signal output of the monitor 202 is not turned off. However, after the designation of the image to be recorded in step S308 is accepted, the monitor 202 The signal output may be turned off. Thus, even when an image on the memory card is selected and recorded, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented by not displaying the monitor during recording.

  As described above, according to the invention corresponding to the present embodiment, when an image is selected and recording is instructed, a monitor signal is output to cause the monitor 202 to display a predetermined screen, while a DSC or PC When the recording process is performed based on the recording designation file, the monitor signal output is stopped, the screen display on the monitor 202 is suppressed, and unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the signal output of the monitor 202 is turned off to prevent unnecessary power consumption. However, in this embodiment, the signal output to the monitor 202 is looped back to An invention for detecting a connection abnormality will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the recording apparatus 100 corresponding to this embodiment. A monitor input terminal 120 and a video signal input control unit 121 are further added to the recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The monitor input terminal 120 is configured such that the signal output from the monitor output terminal 112 is looped back through the monitor 202. In this configuration, bitmap data can be obtained by demodulating the video signal output to the monitor 202 and the video signal looped back.

  By comparing the bitmap data obtained by the demodulation with the bitmap data held in the video RAM 110 at that time, it can be determined whether or not the display on the monitor 202 is normally performed. As a result of the comparison, if the two bitmap data are approximately the same, it is displayed normally, and if the data is different, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

  Specifically, a flow as shown in FIG. 5 can be added after step S304 in FIG.

  In this case, when the signal output to the monitor 202 is turned on in step S304, the signal output from the monitor 202 is received in step S501. In step S502, the received signal is demodulated to generate bitmap data.

  In step S503, the bit map data on the video RAM 110 and the bit map data generated in step S502 are compared. If they match, the operation menu is displayed in step S305 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S505, where a warning notice is given to the user using the display means of the operation unit 114, and the process ends.

  Further, as another embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a case where the transition of the state of the recording operation is displayed on the monitor 202 when recording is performed by receiving data from the DSC 200 or the PC 204. It should be noted that even when data is received and recorded from the DSC 200 or PC 204 according to user settings, it may be configured to allow the signal output to the monitor 202. If the signal output to the monitor 202 is set to “on” by the user's operation, the signal output is turned on also in step S309 in FIG. 3, and the transition of the state of the recording operation can be displayed on the monitor. Even when such state transition display is performed, signal output to the monitor 202 is turned off when an abnormality in display on the monitor 202 is detected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the monitor 202 is correctly connected to the recording apparatus 100, and if there is an abnormality, the user is warned and prompted to make a correct connection. it can.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a signal output to the monitor 202 is looped back to detect a connection abnormality of the monitor 202. In the present invention, a case where the above is detected based on an audio signal will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the recording apparatus 100 corresponding to the present embodiment. In the recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6, compared to the recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3, an audio signal output control unit 130, an audio signal output terminal 131, an audio signal input control unit 133, and an audio signal input element 132 are added. Yes.

  Specifically, processing corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  When the signal output to the monitor 202 is turned on in step S304, an audio signal having a specific frequency is output from the audio signal output control unit 130 via the audio signal output terminal in step S701 and reproduced by the speaker of the monitor 202. In step S702, the audio reproduced by the speaker is received by the audio signal input element (microphone) 132, and in step S703, the audio signal input control unit 133 restores the audio signal.

  In step S704, the frequency of the audio signal output to the monitor 202 is compared with the frequency of the restored signal. If they match (YES in step S705), the process proceeds to step S305, and step S305 in FIG. Displays the operation menu.

  On the other hand, if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S706, the user is notified of the warning using the display means of the operation unit 114, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the monitor 202 is correctly connected to the recording apparatus 100, and if there is an abnormality, the user is warned and prompted to make a correct connection. it can.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration using the recording device corresponding to embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a recording apparatus corresponding to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the process corresponding to the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the recording device corresponding to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process corresponding to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the recording device corresponding to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process corresponding to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the conventional recording device.

Claims (12)

A recording apparatus that detachably mounts a storage medium storing image data, includes reading means for reading the image data from the stored storage medium, and records the image data using a recording head,
Signal output means for outputting a signal of the image data to an external display means;
First determination means for determining whether or not the storage medium is attached to the reading means;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal output unit suppresses output of the signal to the external display unit when the first determination unit determines that the storage medium is not attached.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal output unit outputs the signal to the external display unit when the first determination unit determines that the storage medium is mounted. . A second determination unit for determining whether or not the information for recording in the recording unit is included in the storage medium;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal output unit suppresses output of the signal when the second determination unit determines that the information is included. A recording instruction receiving means for receiving a recording instruction by the recording means using the external display means;
4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal output unit suppresses the output of the signal to the external display unit when receiving the recording instruction. Receiving means for receiving a display information signal in the external display means;
Comparison means for comparing the signal received by the receiving means with the signal output by the signal output means to the external display means;
5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that issues a warning when the received signal does not match the output signal as a result of the comparison. Audio signal output means for outputting a first audio signal to the external display means;
Audio signal receiving means for receiving the second audio signal output from the external display means by reproducing the first audio signal;
Comparing means for comparing the first audio signal and the second audio signal;
5. The recording according to claim 1, further comprising warning means for giving a warning when the first audio signal and the second audio signal do not match as a result of the comparison. apparatus. A control method for a recording apparatus, comprising: a detachably mounted storage medium storing image data; and reading means for reading the image data from the stored storage medium, wherein the image data is recorded using a recording / recording head. There,
A signal output step of outputting a signal to an external display means;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the storage medium is attached to the reading means,
In the signal output step, the output of the signal to the external display unit is suppressed when it is determined in the first determination step that the storage medium is not attached. Control method.   The signal output step outputs the signal to the external display means when it is determined in the first determination step that the storage medium is mounted. Control method of recording apparatus. A second determination step of determining whether or not the information described for recording in the recording means is included in the storage medium;
9. The control of a recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, in the signal output step, the output of the signal is suppressed when it is determined in the second determination step that the information is included. Method. A recording instruction receiving step of receiving a recording instruction by the recording means using the external display means;
10. The recording apparatus control according to claim 7, wherein, in the signal output step, when the recording instruction is received, the output of the signal to the external display unit is suppressed. Method. Receiving a display information signal in the external display means;
A comparison step of comparing the signal received in the reception step with the signal output to the external display means in the signal output step;
The control of a recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a warning step that issues a warning when the received signal and the output signal do not match as a result of the comparison. Method. An audio signal output step of outputting a first audio signal to the external display means;
An audio signal receiving step of receiving the second audio signal output from the external display means by reproducing the first audio signal;
A comparison step of comparing the first audio signal and the second audio signal;
The recording according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a warning step for giving a warning when the first audio signal and the second audio signal do not match as a result of the comparison. Control method of the device.

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