JP2006293654A - Method for controlling recording device, terminal device, recording device, control program for terminal device, control program for recording device, portable telephone terminal and control program for portable telephone terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability relating to a recording operation in a recording device which can be connected to an external device such as a PC, a digital camera or a portable telephone, and to properly share the unique function of each equipment, and to improve operability or efficiency in a recording operation, and to provide the update function of control software, and to increase the additional values of those respective equipment. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 400 is connected through a USB interface (105, 403) to a printer 100, and a portable telephone 300 is connected through a radio communication interface (108, 307) to the printer 100, and when the image data of the digital camera 400 are recorded and output by the printer 100, the portable telephone 300 is connected and used as a user interface for controlling the recording output operation. Also, firmware are downloaded from a network by the portable telephone 300, and integrated through a printer 100 in the digital camera 400. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus control method, a terminal apparatus, a recording apparatus, a terminal apparatus control program, a recording apparatus control program, a mobile phone terminal, and a recording apparatus used in a recording system composed of a combination of a recording apparatus and a plurality of devices. The present invention relates to a control program for a mobile phone terminal.

  Recording apparatuses (printers) used for recording images on recording materials (recording media) such as paper and plastic thin plates based on input recording data by various recording methods have been conventionally used in computers and digital cameras. Widely used as an output device.

  A conventional recording apparatus is known which is connected to a terminal such as a computer or a digital camera as a recording data supply source, and performs a recording operation based on a command from these terminals (see Patent Document 1 below). ).

  In addition, a configuration in which a storage medium such as a memory card or a CD-ROM, or a digital camera is directly connected to a recording device and the recording device is used as an output device is also known (Patent Document 2 below). In, a recording operation execution command is issued by the recording apparatus main body.

Furthermore, a method of supplying recording data from a mobile phone via a public line or controlling the operation of a printer is also known (Patent Document 3 below).
JP 2001-128045 A JP 2003-103883 A JP 2001-217948 A

  However, the conventional printer has the following problems.

  (1) When used as a data output device of a computer, there are restrictions due to an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), and the steps up to the recording operation may not be simplified. In addition, in order to make detailed settings regarding the recording mode, it is necessary to enter a deep user interface hierarchy in the printer driver. Even if the settings can be made once, the settings may be cleared if the application is closed. .

  (2) When a printer is directly connected to a digital camera and used as an output device, operations using the keys and screen of the digital camera will be performed, but the number of keys and screen size are very limited. Difficult to operate. In addition, it has become possible to connect digital cameras and recording devices from different manufacturers due to the unified standard, but the current unified standard is the minimum standard, and expandable recording control is not possible. There were problems such as inability to set paper freely. In addition, recent digital cameras have a configuration in which firmware or the like is stored in a flash ROM and can be updated to a new version of firmware. Currently, however, cameras with a network interface are rare, and firmware can be updated only by its own device. Since there is no means to download and rewrite the firmware, the firmware of the digital camera is updated on the manufacturer's website etc. for users who do not have a computer even if the firmware is updated on the network without the intervention of equipment such as a PC. However, there is a problem that the benefits cannot be obtained.

  (3) When a printer is used as an output device for a digital camera or its storage media, the printer main unit requires commands for setting and executing recording operations, requiring many printer main units, complicating the user interface, Considering the convenience of the user, a display screen is also required, which increases the manufacturing cost.

  (4) When the printer is controlled via a public line by a mobile phone or the like, the convenience of operation is increased, but it is necessary to incorporate a communication function such as a modem and a LAN interface in the recording apparatus main body, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. There is a problem that tends to grow.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and improve the operability of the recording operation in a recording apparatus that can be connected to an external device such as a PC, a digital camera, or a mobile phone. By appropriately sharing the unique functions of each device without increasing the operating performance, the operability and efficiency during recording operations are improved, and the control software update function is provided. It is to be able to increase value.

  To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a recording apparatus control method, a terminal apparatus, a recording apparatus, a terminal apparatus control program, and a recording apparatus used in a recording system configured by a combination of a recording apparatus and a plurality of devices. In the control program, a first device is connected to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium via a first connection means, and a second device is connected via a second connection means. When the device data is recorded and output by the recording apparatus, the second device is used as a user interface for controlling the recording output operation.

  In addition, in a recording device control method, a recording device, a mobile phone terminal, a recording device control program, and a mobile phone terminal control program used in a recording system configured by a combination of a recording device and a plurality of devices, a recording medium A user interface for controlling the recording output operation of the second mobile phone in communication with the first mobile phone when the first mobile phone is connected to the recording device for recording on the first mobile phone and the recording device performs recording output. The configuration used as is adopted.

  Further, the first device is connected to the recording apparatus for recording on the recording medium via the first connecting means, and the second device is connected via the second connecting means, and the first device The software is downloaded from the network via the second device and incorporated into the first device via the recording device.

  Among the above, a first device is connected to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium via a first connection means, and a second device is connected via a second connection means, and the first device According to the configuration in which the second device is used as a user interface for controlling the recording output operation when the device data is recorded and output by the recording device, the simple device interface of the mobile phone can be used. Setting / control can be easily performed, and the recording apparatus is made to mediate and cooperate with two external devices, so that, for example, the recording apparatus and software of the first device can be transmitted via the second device. Can be downloaded from the network and incorporated into the recording device or the first or second device. It can be greatly enhanced.

  Further, when a first mobile phone is connected to a recording device for recording on a recording medium, and the recording device performs recording output, the second mobile phone in communication with the first mobile phone performs the recording output operation. According to the configuration used as a user interface for controlling the image, a direct print operation can be performed from the second mobile phone not directly connected to the recording device to the recording device via the first mobile phone. Printing can be performed easily.

  Further, the first device is connected to the recording apparatus for recording on the recording medium via the first connecting means, and the second device is connected via the second connecting means, and the first device Is downloaded from the network via the second device and incorporated into the first device via the recording device. For example, the software of the recording device and the first device is stored in the second device. The operation of downloading from the network via the device and incorporating it into the recording apparatus or the first or second device becomes possible, so that the added value of the recording apparatus itself can be greatly increased.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to several embodiments shown in the drawings. Hereinafter, a system configured by connecting at least two devices such as a PC, a mobile phone, a digital camera, and a memory card to a printer will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a recording system embodying the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 is a printer, 101 is a CPU that controls the printer 100, 102 is an operation unit including keys and switches of the printer 100, 103 is RAM, and 104 is connected to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 200. The USB I / F 105 is a USB HOST that can be connected to the mobile phone 300, the ROM 106 is a ROM in which a control program for the printer 100 is written, and the power source 107 supplies power to the printer 100.

  The USB I / F 104 of the printer 100 is connected to the USB HOST 201 of the PC 200. The PC 200 is equipped with a CPU 204 as a control subject, a RAM 202 used as a work area, a ROM 203 storing firmware, and an HDD 205 as an external storage device for storing an OS and application software. Files are read and stored in the HDD 205 by user operations. Furthermore, a printer driver for sending print data to the printer 100 is installed in the HDD 205.

  In addition, the USB I / F 303 of the mobile phone 300 is connected to the USB HOST 105 which is another external interface of the printer 100.

  The mobile phone 300 has a user interface such as a display unit 301 and operation keys 302, and includes a CPU 304 as a control subject, a RAM 305 used as a work area, and a ROM 306 storing firmware.

  In this embodiment, the printer 100 can be controlled by the mobile phone 300, and the ROM 306 of the mobile phone 300 stores an application for controlling the printer 100. The mobile phone 300 is further provided with a wireless communication I / F 307 capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless communication device, and a public line I / F 308 connected to the mobile phone network.

  Next, the operation in the case where information stored in the PC 200 in the above configuration is printed using the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). 2A shows the operation of this system, and FIG. 2B shows the master / slave relationship of each device shown in FIG. In FIG. 2B, the same number is used in the steps corresponding to FIG.

  Here, in each device, the USB I / F 104 of the printer 100 and the USB HOST 201 of the PC 200 are connected, and the USB HOST 105 of the printer 100 and the USB I / F 303 of the mobile phone 300 are connected. It shall be.

  In the following operation, the PC 200 and the printer 100, and the printer 100 and the mobile phone 300 can exchange data and commands on the USB interface according to an appropriate protocol created in advance. In the following operations, it is necessary to transmit and receive information between the PC 200 and the mobile phone 300. For this purpose, the printer 100 can appropriately relay data and commands between the PC 200 and the mobile phone 300. Configure the protocol. A protocol such as a print beam can be used between the printer 100 and the mobile phone 300.

  The user displays data stored in the PC 200 (here, an image) on the screen (step S102: hereinafter, only the step number is indicated when writing in parentheses). To print this image, when a print menu is selected on the screen of the mobile phone 300 (S103), the print menu is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone (S104).

  Here, a version check (S105) is performed to confirm whether the printer driver in the PC is the latest. This version check is performed as shown in FIG. First, the mobile phone 300 transmits a command for acquiring the printer driver version information of the PC 200 via the printer 100 (S2001). In response, the printer driver version information is transmitted from the PC 200 to the mobile phone 300 via the printer 100. (S2002, S2012).

  Subsequently, the mobile phone 300 connects to a server (not shown) on the Internet via a public line (S106), and whether or not the printer driver installed in the PC 200 is the latest compared to the driver version information of the PC 200. Is determined (S107).

  Note that a server that provides a printer driver for the PC 200 is appropriately installed in advance by a PC hardware manufacturer, an OS vendor, or the like. In addition to the above, the timing when the mobile phone 300 acquires the printer driver version information of the PC 200 may be, for example, the timing when the USB connector is connected.

  If the printer driver information of the PC 200 acquired by the mobile phone 300 reveals that the printer driver of the PC 200 is not up-to-date, “There is a printer driver for the latest PC. Do you want to update the printer driver for the PC? Is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 to determine whether or not the user updates (S108). If the user selects update, the server is reconnected to the server (S109), and the printer driver differential data is acquired (S110). Further, the difference data is transmitted from the mobile phone 300 via the printer 100 together with a command for updating and saving the driver in the HDD 205 of the PC 200 (S111, S2013), thereby completing the update of the printer driver (S112). . If the printer driver of the PC 200 is the latest, the process proceeds from step S107 to S113.

  In step S <b> 113, a print setting screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300. Here, not only the type and quality of the paper to be used is set, but also a special (extended) print format such as range designation printing or printing with a pre-downloaded frame attached to the mobile phone 300 is selected / set. be able to. When printing with a frame, the image data of the frame is transmitted to the RAM 202 on the PC, developed, combined with the image data, and transferred to the printer 100. The print setting information is transmitted to the PC 200 via the printer 100 (S2018).

  The setting state determined in step S113 can be confirmed using the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300. That is, the PC 200 creates a preview screen based on the transmitted setting information and transmits it to the mobile phone 300 via the printer 100 (S2014), and the mobile phone 300 causes the display unit 301 to display the preview screen (S114).

  With this preview display, the user can confirm the print range, frame position, and the like (S115). If the current setting is to be changed, the process returns to step S113 and the setting is repeated. A predetermined operation is performed with the operation key 302 and a print start command is issued (S116).

  As described above, based on the instruction from the mobile phone 300, the printer 100 requests the PC 200 to transmit print data (S2015), and in response thereto, the print data is transmitted from the PC 200 to the printer 100 (S2016). (S2017) is performed.

  According to the above embodiment, it is possible to set / control the mode of the operation of sending data from the PC to the printer and printing it from the mobile phone connected to the printer.

  Users can easily set and control printing operations using a simple mobile phone user interface rather than a complicated PC user interface, and can set up extended printing such as decorating and enlarging images. Can also be done easily.

  Even when the PC does not have means for connecting to the Internet, the PC and mobile phone can cooperate with each other via a printer to obtain the latest version of the printer driver for the PC and incorporate it into the PC. PC printer drivers can be kept up to date.

  In particular, according to this embodiment, the printer can perform the above-described printing operation and software update operation by mediating and cooperating with two external devices (PC and mobile phone). It can greatly increase the added value of itself.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the system according to this embodiment includes a printer 100, a mobile phone 300, and a digital camera 400.

  In the present embodiment (the same applies to the following embodiments), the same reference numerals are used for members already described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The mobile phone 300 of this embodiment is configured in exactly the same way as the mobile phone 300 of the first embodiment. The printer 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the wireless communication I / F 108 is added.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone 300 and the printer 100 are connected by wireless communication I / F 307 to wireless communication I / F 108. These wireless communication I / Fs can be configured using an interface / protocol such as an infrared communication interface (IrDA), Bluetooth, and a print beam.

  Further, the USB I / F 403 of the digital camera 400 is connected to the USB HOST 105 of the printer 100. For communication between the digital camera 400 and the printer 100, a protocol such as PictBridge can be used.

  In FIG. 3, the imaging mechanism and image memory of the digital camera 400 are not shown, but here, a display unit 401 and operation keys 402 are shown as a user interface of the digital camera 400.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the ROM 106 of the printer and the ROM 306 of the digital camera are rewritable.

  Next, the operation in the case of printing an image in the digital camera 300 using the printer 100 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). 4A shows the operation of this system, and FIG. 4B shows the master / slave relationship of each device shown in FIG. In FIG. 4B, the same number is used in the steps corresponding to FIG.

  Here, the USB HOST 105 of the printer 100 and the USB I / F 403 of the digital camera 400 are connected by wire, and the wireless communication I / F 108 of the printer 100 and the wireless communication I / F 308 of the mobile phone 300 can be wirelessly connected. Suppose that

  Also in the present embodiment, the digital camera 400 and the printer 100, and the printer 100 and the mobile phone 300 can exchange data and commands via the USB interface and the wireless communication I / F according to an appropriate protocol created in advance. To do. In the following operation, it is necessary to transmit and receive information between the digital camera 400 and the mobile phone 300. For this purpose, the printer 100 can relay data and commands between the digital camera 400 and the mobile phone 300 as appropriate. The above protocol is configured as described above.

  The user displays an image stored in the digital camera 300 on the screen and selects an image to be printed (S202).

  Next, when a print menu is selected on the screen of the mobile phone 300 (S203), the print menu is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone (S204). When direct printing from a digital camera is performed, print data is generated in the printer 100, so it is desirable that the firmware of the printer 100 is the latest. Therefore, in order to confirm the firmware version of the printer 100, a version check is performed in step S205. This version check is performed as shown in FIG.

  At this time, similarly to the first embodiment, the mobile phone 300 can update the firmware of the digital camera to the latest version by acting as a version check and downloading the latest firmware (S3012 in FIG. 4B). 'And S3013').

  First, the mobile phone 300 transmits a command for acquiring the firmware version information of the printer 100 and the digital camera 400 (S3001), and the firmware version information is transmitted from the printer 100 or the digital camera 400 to the mobile phone 300 accordingly. (S3002, S3012, S3012 ′).

  Subsequently, the mobile phone 300 connects to the server via the public line (S206), and compares the firmware version information in the printer 100 and the firmware version of the digital camera with the firmware in the ROM 106 of the printer 100 and the digital camera 400. It is determined whether the firmware of the ROM 306 is the latest (S207).

  Also in the present embodiment, the server that provides the firmware of the printer 100 or the firmware of the digital camera 400 is appropriately installed in advance by a hardware manufacturer of the printer or the digital camera, an OS vendor, or the like. In addition to the above, the timing when the mobile phone 300 acquires the version information may be, for example, the timing when the USB connector is connected.

  If the information on the firmware version of the printer 100 and the information on the firmware version of the digital camera acquired by the mobile phone 300 indicate that the firmware of the printer 100 or the firmware of the digital camera is not up-to-date, “the latest printer (digital A dialog such as “Camera firmware exists. Do you want to update the printer (digital camera) firmware?” Is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 to determine whether or not to update (S208). If selected, reconnect to the server (S209), acquire difference data (S210), and further transmit this difference data from the mobile phone 300 to the printer 100 and / or the digital camera 400 (S211). Firmware and in OM106 (or) to update the firmware in the ROM306 of a digital camera (S212, S3013).

  In step S 213, a print setting screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300. Here, not only the type and quality of the paper to be used are set, but also a special (extended) print format, such as printing with a range specified print or a pre-downloaded frame on the mobile phone 300, can be selected / set. Can do. When printing with a frame attached, the frame data is transmitted and developed to the RAM 103 in the printer 100, combined with the image data, and developed into print data in the printer 100. The print setting information is transmitted to the printer 100 via the printer 100 (S3018).

  The setting state determined in step S213 can be confirmed using the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300. In the case of the present embodiment, the digital camera 400 creates a preview screen (the printer 100 may create the preview screen), and transmits the preview screen to the mobile phone 300 via the printer 100 (S3014). A preview screen is displayed (S214).

  The information set in step S213 is confirmed using the screen of the mobile phone in step S214 (preview display).

  With this preview display, the user can confirm the print range, frame position, etc. (S215). If the user wants to change the current setting, the process returns to step S213 to repeat the setting. A predetermined operation is performed with the operation key 302, and a print start command is issued (S216).

  As described above, based on the command from the mobile phone 300, the printer 100 requests the digital camera 400 to transmit print data (S3015), and in response thereto, the print data is transmitted from the digital camera 400 to the printer 100 (S3016). ), A printing operation (S3017) is performed.

  According to the above embodiment, the direct printing operation from the digital camera to the printer can be set / controlled with the mobile phone wirelessly connected to the printer.

  The user can easily set / control the printing operation using a simple user interface of the mobile phone, and can easily perform extended printing settings such as decorating or enlarging the image.

  Even if the digital camera or printer does not have a means to connect to the Internet, the mobile phone updates the firmware of the digital camera or printer to the latest firmware by acting as a version check and downloading the latest firmware. High-quality printing can be performed with new firmware that always has defects corrected.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the operability is remarkably improved because the operation procedure is unified even when any type of digital camera of any manufacturer is connected. Also, editing functions such as frame addition and enlargement / reduction are easy, and the user can be provided with the pleasure of printing.

  In particular, according to this embodiment, the printer can perform the above-described printing operation and firmware updating operation by mediating and cooperating with two external devices (digital camera and mobile phone). The added value of the printer itself can be greatly increased.

  The system of the present embodiment includes a printer 100 and a mobile phone 300 as shown in FIG.

  The mobile phone 300 of the present embodiment is configured in exactly the same manner as the mobile phone 300 of the first and second embodiments, and the mobile phone 300 and the printer 100 are connected by wireless communication I / F 307 to wireless communication I / F 108. . The printer 100 is the same as that of the second embodiment except that a memory card slot 109 is added.

  A memory card slot 109 in FIG. 5 can be loaded with a card medium storing an image such as a compact flash (trade name) or an SD card, and data in these card media can be printed by the printer 100.

  Even in such a configuration, the mobile phone 300 can be used as a user interface for controlling the printing operation of the printer.

  Next, the operation when the image in the memory card slot is printed using the printer 100 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. 6A shows the operation of this system, and FIG. 6B shows the master / slave relationship of each device shown in FIG. In FIG. 6B, the same number is used in the steps corresponding to FIG.

  Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 100 and the mobile phone 300 can exchange data and commands via the wireless communication I / F according to an appropriate protocol created in advance.

  First, the user inserts a memory card on which image data is recorded into the memory card slot 109 of the printer 100. At this time, the wireless communication I / F 108 of the printer 100 and the wireless communication I / F 308 of the mobile phone 300 can be wirelessly connected.

  Next, the user selects an image to be printed from among the images stored in the memory card. Since the printer 100 used in this embodiment has no means for displaying an image, the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 is used to select an image. When the print application is activated from the mobile phone 300 (S302), the image in the memory card is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 via the printer 100 and the wireless connection I / F 108 and 307 (FIG. 6). (B) S4030, S4031, S4032, and S303). In this display screen, the user selects an image to be printed.

  In response, a print menu is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 (S304). When performing direct printing from the memory card, the print data is generated in the printer 300, so it is desirable that the firmware of the printer 100 is the latest. Therefore, in order to confirm the firmware version of the printer 100, a version check is performed in step S305. This version check is performed as shown in FIG.

  First, the mobile phone 300 transmits a command for acquiring the printer driver version information of the printer 100 (S4001), and the printer driver version information is transmitted from the printer 100 to the mobile phone 300 accordingly (S4002, S4012). .

  Subsequently, the mobile phone 300 connects to the server via the public line (S306), and compares the firmware version information in the printer 100 with the firmware in the ROM 106 to determine whether the firmware is the latest (S307). .

  Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the server that provides the firmware of the printer 100 is appropriately installed in advance by a printer hardware manufacturer, an OS vendor, or the like. In addition to the above, the timing when the mobile phone 300 acquires the version information may be, for example, the timing when the USB connector is connected.

  If the firmware version information of the printer 100 acquired by the mobile phone 300 reveals that the firmware of the printer 100 is not up-to-date, such as “I have the latest printer firmware. Do you want to update the printer firmware?” The dialog is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300, and it is determined whether or not the user updates (S308). When update is selected, the server is reconnected (S309) and the difference data is acquired (S310). . Further, the difference data is transmitted from the mobile phone 300 to the printer 100 (S311), and the firmware in the ROM 106 of the printer 100 is updated (S312 and S4013).

  In step S313, the user displays a print setting screen on the mobile phone. Here, not only the type and quality of the paper to be used is set, but also a special (extended) print format such as range designation printing or printing with a pre-downloaded frame attached to the mobile phone 300 is selected / set. be able to. When printing with a frame attached, the frame data is transmitted and developed to the RAM 103 in the printer 100, combined with the image data, and developed into print data in the printer 100. The print setting information is transmitted to the printer 100 via the printer 100 (S4018).

  The setting state set in step S313 can be confirmed using the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300. In the present embodiment, the printer 100 creates a preview screen and transmits it to the mobile phone 300 (S4014), and the mobile phone 300 displays the preview screen on the display unit 301 (S314).

  With this preview display, the user can confirm the print range, frame position, etc. (S315). If the user wants to change the current setting, the process returns to step S313 and the setting is repeated. A predetermined operation is performed with the operation key 302, and a print start command is issued (S316).

  As described above, based on the command from the mobile phone 300, the printer 100 requests print data from the memory card in the memory card slot 109 (S4015), and prints from the memory card in the memory card slot 109 to the printer 100 accordingly. Data is output (S4016) and a printing operation (S4017) is performed.

  According to the above embodiment, when a direct printing operation from a memory card to a printer is performed with a printer having a memory card slot but no display unit, the mobile phone connected to the printer is used as a user interface. It is possible to display the image in the memory card on a mobile phone and to set and control the printer, so that the operability is remarkably improved. Also, editing functions such as frame addition and enlargement / reduction are easy, and the user can be provided with the pleasure of printing.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, the printer can perform the above-described printing operation and printer firmware update operation by mediating and cooperating with two external devices (memory card and mobile phone). The added value of the printer itself can be greatly increased.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the system of this embodiment includes a printer 100 and mobile phones 300 and 500.

  The mobile phone 300 is configured in the same manner as in the second and third embodiments, and the mobile phone 300 and the printer 100 are connected by wireless communication I / F 307 to wireless communication I / F 108.

  The mobile phone 300 and the second mobile phone 500 can be connected via the mobile phone network N. The mobile phone 500 is composed of the same members as the blocks 300 to 307 of the mobile phone 300, and these members are given the reference numerals obtained by replacing the 300th reference numeral of the mobile phone 300 with the 500th reference.

  In this embodiment, the mobile phone 500 can be used as a user interface for print control, and an image in the mobile phone 500 (or the mobile phone 300) can be printed by the printer 100 connected to the mobile phone 300.

  Next, an operation example in the case where an image in the mobile phone 500 is printed by the printer 100 connected to the mobile phone 300 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 8A and FIG. FIG. 8A shows the operation of this system, and FIG. 8B shows the master / slave relationship of each device shown in FIG. In FIG. 8B, the same number is used in the steps corresponding to FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that the user of the mobile phone 300 and the user of the second mobile phone 500 have already made a call or data communication via the mobile phone network N.

  At this time, from the image data stored in the second mobile phone 500, the user of the second mobile phone 500 selects an image to be printed. When the print application is activated from the second mobile phone 500 (S402) and an image in the mobile phone 500 is selected, the thumbnail data of the image in the selected second mobile phone 500 is changed to the second mobile phone 500. It is displayed on the display unit 501 of the mobile phone 500 (S403), further transmitted to the mobile phone 300 via the mobile phone network N (S404), and displayed (S4013).

  Since this thumbnail data is very small compared to the raw image data, the traffic on the communication path and the communication cost are not increased.

  When the user of the mobile phone 300 confirms the image and agrees to print the image, OK is selected on the screen of the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 (S405), and the display of the second mobile phone 500 is displayed. A print setting screen is displayed on the screen of the section 501 (S406).

  Here, the user of the second mobile phone 500 not only sets the type and quality of the paper to be used on the setting screen of the display unit 501 of the second mobile phone 500, but also the range designation printing or the mobile phone 500. You can also make settings for printing with pre-downloaded frames.

  The image data to be printed and the print setting data are sequentially transmitted from the mobile phone 500 to the mobile phone 300 (S5018).

  The set setting state can be confirmed using the display unit 501 of the mobile phone 500 (or the same display may be performed on the display unit 301 of the mobile phone 300 at the same time). In the case of the present embodiment, the mobile phone 300 creates a preview screen from the image data received from the mobile phone 500 (or may be created by the printer 100), and transmits it from the mobile phone 300 to the mobile phone 500 (S5014). The mobile phone 500 displays a preview screen on the display unit 501 (S407).

  With this preview display, the user of the mobile phone 500 can confirm the print range, frame position, etc. (S408). If the user wants to change the current settings, the process returns to step S406 and the settings are repeated to complete the desired print settings. Then, a predetermined operation is performed with the operation key 502 of the mobile phone 500, and an instruction to start printing is issued to the mobile phone 300 (S409).

  Thereafter, print data is transmitted from the mobile phone 300 to the printer 100 (S5016), and a printing operation (S5017) is performed.

  When printing with a frame, the frame data is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 together with the image data (S5018), and the frame data is transmitted from the mobile phone 300 to the RAM 103 in the printer 100 together with the image data. The image data is developed and combined with the image data to generate print data.

  Although the case where the image data to be printed is on the mobile phone 500 side has been described above as an example, the same processing can be performed even when the image data to be printed is on the mobile phone 300 side. In this case, the thumbnail data is generated by the mobile phone 300 and transmitted to the mobile phone 500, and the preview data is also generated by the mobile phone 300 and transmitted to the mobile phone 500, whereby the user of the mobile phone 500 is configured. Can check and control the printing mode of the printer 100 using the mobile phone 500 as a printing user interface.

  According to the above embodiment, a direct printing operation can be performed from the mobile phone (500) not directly connected to the printer to the printer (100) via the mobile phone network and the mobile phone (300). Therefore, it is possible to easily provide a special photograph for a remote person.

  The present invention can be widely implemented in a recording system configured by a combination of a recording apparatus and a plurality of devices. The control program of the present invention is stored in advance in a storage area composed of an HDD or a ROM such as a recording device, a terminal device, a mobile phone terminal, etc., and these control programs are stored in various storage media (CDROM, flexible disk, etc.). If these devices can be connected to the network, or if they can be connected to the network by updating the firmware and drivers via the printer described above, or by themselves, supply these devices directly from the server via the network. You can also

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image recording system employing the present invention (Example 1). FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the operation | movement of the image recording system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the master and slave relationship of the image recording system of FIG. (Example 2) which is the block diagram which showed the image recording system which employ | adopted this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the operation | movement of the image recording system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the master and slave relationship of the image recording system of FIG. (Example 3) which is the block diagram which showed the image recording system which employ | adopted this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the operation | movement of the image recording system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the master and slave relationship of the image recording system of FIG. (Example 4) which is the block diagram which showed the image recording system which employ | adopted this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the operation | movement of the image recording system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the master and slave relationship of the image recording system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 Printer 104 USB I / F
105 USB HOST
106 ROM
108 Wireless communication I / F
109 Memory card slot 200 PC (personal computer)
201 USB HOST
202 RAM
205 HDD
300 Mobile phone 301 Display 302 Operation key 303 USB I / F
306 ROM
307 Wireless communication I / F
308 Public line I / F
400 Digital camera 401 Display unit 403 USB I / F
500 Second mobile phone 501 Display unit 502 Operation key 503 USB I / F
507 Public line I / F

Claims (23)

  A first device and a second device are connected to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium via a first connection unit and data of the first device. A recording apparatus control method, wherein the second device is used as a user interface for controlling the recording output operation when the recording apparatus performs recording output.   2. The control method for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first device is a personal computer, a digital camera, or a memory card, and the second device is a mobile phone. Method.   2. The method of controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein software of the recording apparatus and the first device is downloaded from a network via the second device and is incorporated into the recording apparatus and the first device. A control method for a recording apparatus.   2. The recording apparatus control method according to claim 1, wherein a preview of a recorded image recorded and output by the recording apparatus is displayed by the display unit of the second device.   2. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second connection means for connecting the second device to the recording apparatus comprises a wireless connection means.   A terminal device that operates as the first or second device to implement the control method for a recording apparatus according to claim 1.   A recording apparatus that operates as the recording apparatus in order to implement the method for controlling the recording apparatus according to claim 1.   A control program for a terminal device, wherein a predetermined terminal device is operated as the first or second device in order to implement the control method for the recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A recording apparatus control program for operating a predetermined recording apparatus as the recording apparatus in order to perform the recording apparatus control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   When a first mobile phone is connected to a recording device that records on a recording medium, and the recording device performs recording output, the second mobile phone in communication with the first mobile phone controls the recording output operation. For controlling a recording apparatus, wherein the recording apparatus is used as a user interface.   11. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the connection means for connecting the first mobile phone to the recording apparatus comprises a wireless connection means.   12. A mobile phone terminal that operates as the first or second mobile phone in order to carry out the control method of the recording apparatus according to claim 10.   12. A recording apparatus that operates as the recording apparatus in order to carry out the control method of the recording apparatus according to claim 10.   A mobile phone terminal, wherein a predetermined mobile phone terminal is operated as the first or second mobile phone in order to carry out the control method of the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 10 and 11. Control program.   12. A recording apparatus control program for operating a predetermined recording apparatus as the recording apparatus in order to implement the recording apparatus control method according to claim 10.   A first device and a second device are connected to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium via a first connection unit, and software for the first device. Is downloaded from the network via the second device, and is incorporated into the first device via the recording device.   17. The recording apparatus control method according to claim 16, wherein the first device is a personal computer, a digital camera, or a memory card, and the second device is a mobile phone. Method.   17. The recording apparatus control method according to claim 16, wherein the second connection means for connecting the second device to the recording apparatus comprises a wireless connection means.   The method for controlling a recording apparatus, wherein the second device determines whether there is software newer than the software of the first device at the download destination, and if so, performs the download.   A terminal device that operates as the first or second device in order to implement the control method for a recording apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19.   A recording apparatus that operates as the recording apparatus in order to implement the method for controlling the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19.   A control program for a terminal device, which causes a predetermined terminal device to operate as the first or second device in order to implement the control method for a recording device according to any one of claims 16 to 19.   20. A recording apparatus control program for operating a predetermined recording apparatus as the recording apparatus in order to carry out the recording apparatus control method according to any one of claims 16 to 19.