JP2006334811A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate processing for maintenance and setting of printing without adding a special application or operation panel with respect to a digital camera or a mobile phone in a direct printing system. <P>SOLUTION: Image data for visually explaining the processing for maintenance or the setting of printing is provided to a printer to be transmitted to a digital camera or a mobile phone. When the digital camera or the mobile phone returns the image data for explanation as print data, normal printing operation is not carried out, and then the processing for maintenance or the setting of printing corresponding to the image data is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photo direct printing system comprising a host device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone capable of transmitting image data by a cable or infrared rays, and a printing device capable of printing image data received from the host device. .

  In recent years, digital cameras (imaging devices) that can take images with simple operations and convert them into digital image data and so-called digital cameras with digital camera functions have come to be widely used. When an image taken with such a camera is printed and used as a photograph, the digital image data once taken is usually taken into a PC (computer) from the digital camera and processed with the PC. After that, it is common to output from the PC to a color printer for printing.

  On the other hand, recently, an image taken with a digital camera or a mobile phone can be directly transferred to a printing device by directly communicating the digital camera and the printing device with a cable or infrared rays without using a PC. A direct printing system has been developed for printing.

  Here, in the direct printing system, the procedure for transferring the image data from the digital camera or mobile phone to the printing apparatus is as follows: (1) Connect the digital camera or mobile phone to the printer with a cable. (When using infrared communication, the issuing unit and the light receiving unit face each other.) (2) An image to be printed is displayed on a liquid crystal display of a digital camera or mobile phone. (3) The displayed image data is transferred to the printing apparatus by performing a specific key operation. (3) The received image data image is printed on a sheet on which a printing apparatus is mounted. Such a procedure is generally taken.

As another conventional example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 can be cited.
JP 2004-237713 A JP 2004-240944 A

  In order for the printing apparatus to continuously perform good printing processing, it may be necessary to perform maintenance processing of the apparatus at an appropriate timing. For example, in an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink onto paper, it is necessary to perform a suction (cleaning) process for removing ink clogged in the ink ejection nozzles when the printing result is faint.

  In addition, some printing apparatuses can execute printing on paper of various sizes and types. For such a printing apparatus, it is necessary to set which paper is to be printed. .

  However, in the conventional direct printing system, in order to be able to perform maintenance processing execution instructions and paper settings from a digital camera or mobile phone, in addition to the function of transferring images to the printing device, maintenance items and It is necessary to provide a mechanism that allows the user to select a sheet setting and issue a command corresponding to the printing apparatus, which increases the manufacturing load and increases the cost.

A first image transmission / reception unit capable of receiving and holding image data from the printing apparatus and transmitting the held image data to the printing apparatus, and displaying image data selected by the user from the held image data A host device having a possible image display unit;
A printing unit that performs printing on a printing medium; a specific image holding unit that holds one or more specific image data; and the one or more specific image data is transmitted to the host device, and the host device Identify whether the second image transmission / reception unit that can receive image data from the image data received by the second image transmission / reception unit matches the specific image data held in the specific image holding unit In a printing system comprising a printing device having a specific image data identification unit
The specific image data is image data that can be displayed on the image display unit of the host device, and further, the content of the specific processing executed by the printing device when the specific image data is received is expressed by characters or designs. Visually represented image data,
The printing apparatus matches the image data received from the host device by the second image transmission / reception unit with any of the specific image data held in the specific image data holding unit by the specific image data identification unit. To determine whether to
(A) If it is determined that it does not match any of the specific image data, the image of the received image data is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit;
(B) If it is determined that it matches any one of the specific image data, an image corresponding to the received image data is not printed, and the predetermined specific process is performed on each specific image data. It is a printing system characterized by things.

  With the direct printing system according to the present invention, the maintenance processing of the printing apparatus and the printing of the printing apparatus can be performed without providing a dedicated user interface for performing the maintenance process and print setting of the printing apparatus on the mobile phone or digital camera side. The setting can be changed with a simple operation from a digital camera or a mobile phone. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus and reduce the manufacturing load.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct (PD) printer 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This photo direct printer has a function as a normal PC printer that receives and prints data from a host computer (PC), and a function that directly receives and prints image data from a digital camera.

  In FIG. 1, the main body that forms the outer shell of the photo direct (PD) printer 1000 according to this embodiment includes a lower case 1001, an upper case 1002, an access cover 1003, and an exterior member for a discharge tray 1004. The lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half portion of the apparatus 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half portion of the main body. A combination of both cases provides a storage space for storing each mechanism described below. A hollow body structure is formed, and openings are formed on 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. The paper discharge tray 1004 stores two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b. By pulling out the respective trays to the front as needed, the sheet support area can be expanded and 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. It is possible to replace the recording head cartridge (not shown) or the ink tank (not shown). 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. 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 1013 denotes a USB bus connector for connecting a personal computer (PC).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the PD printer 1000 according to the first embodiment and the mobile phone 1014 are connected.

  In the figure, 1000 is a printing apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving an image to and from the mobile phone 1014 by the infrared communication unit 1013, and 1012 is pressed to send a maintenance execution instruction image held by the printing apparatus to the mobile phone 1014. Execution instruction image transmission button 1014 is a mobile phone capable of transmitting and receiving images to the printing apparatus 1000 by the infrared communication unit 1015, 1016 is a liquid crystal display unit capable of displaying stored image data, and 1017 is an operation of the mobile phone The operation buttons that cause the user to perform are shown.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment, which includes a mobile phone and a printing apparatus (printer).

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1014 denotes a configuration of a mobile phone, 4003 an operation unit including operation buttons 1017, 4004 a display unit for displaying an image by a liquid crystal display unit 1016, and 4005 an antenna (not shown). A call unit that realizes a call or data communication, 4009 is a memory card that includes a removable memory card and its control circuit, 4001 is an infrared transmission / reception unit that transmits (or receives) image data to the printing apparatus 100, and 4002 is a mobile phone. A control unit that controls the entire telephone 1014 is shown.

  Reference numeral 1000 denotes a printer configuration, an infrared transmission / reception unit that receives (or transmits) image data from a 4006 mobile phone 1014, 4007 a control unit that controls the entire apparatus, and 4008 ejects ink onto a printing medium. 4010 is an image holding unit that holds a plurality of maintenance execution instruction images, and 4011 is an operation unit that includes the maintenance image transmission button and the power key 1005 and allows the user to operate the printer. Show.

  4 to 7 are operation flowcharts showing the features of the direct printing system of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows an example of screen display displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 1016 of the mobile phone 1014.

  The characteristic operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to these drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the printing apparatus 1000 transmits a maintenance execution instruction image to the mobile phone 1014.

  First, in order to transfer the “maintenance execution instruction image” held by the printing apparatus 1000 to the mobile phone 1014, the user faces the infrared communication unit 1013 of the printing apparatus and the infrared communication unit 1015 of the mobile phone 1014 to face each other. The execution instruction image transmission button 4012 is pressed (S401).

  Here, the printing apparatus 1000 according to the first exemplary embodiment holds two types of “maintenance execution instruction images” in the image holding unit 4010, and the first instructs the execution of cleaning processing for nozzles that eject ink. Is a maintenance execution instruction image (a), and the other is maintenance for instructing execution of nozzle check pattern printing for confirming whether ink has been properly ejected from the nozzles by actually performing test printing on paper. It is an execution instruction image (b).

  Therefore, when the maintenance execution instruction image transmission button 4012 is pressed, the two maintenance execution instruction images (a) and (b) held in the image holding unit 4010 are sequentially transmitted from the printing apparatus to the mobile phone 1014 ( S402) When all the maintenance instruction images have been transmitted, the communication is terminated (S403).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the mobile phone 1014 receives a “maintenance execution instruction image” from the printing apparatus.

  First, the user operates the operation button 1017 of the mobile phone to shift to a mode in which the mobile phone receives infrared data (S501, S502), and waits for infrared data from the printing apparatus (S503).

  When the image data is received by infrared, the received image is displayed on the liquid crystal screen (S504), and when the user instructs data storage (S505), the received image is sequentially stored in the memory card 4009 (S506). .

  In this embodiment, since two maintenance effective instruction images are transmitted, the two image data are sequentially received and held in the memory card.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when image data is transmitted from the mobile phone to the printing apparatus.

  First, the user shifts the mobile phone to an “image display mode” for displaying on the image data liquid crystal screen stored in the memory card (S600). Then, first image data held in the memory card is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 1016, and further, by operating the operation unit 9003, the image data is read one after another from the memory card, and the liquid crystal display unit 9001. Are displayed in order (S601, S602, S603).

  Here, when the user performs an operation of transmitting the displayed image data to the printing apparatus by facing the infrared communication unit of the mobile phone and the infrared communication unit of the printing unit (S604), the currently displayed image data Are sequentially transferred to the printing apparatus 1000 (S606).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation when the printing apparatus 1000 receives image data transmitted by the mobile phone 1014.

  First, when the data transmitted by the mobile phone 1014 is received by the infrared communication unit (S701), it is confirmed by checking the header information of the image data to determine whether the received image is an image that can be printed by the printing unit 4008. (S702). If it is determined that the image is printable, whether or not the two “maintenance execution instruction image data” held in the image holding unit 4010 match the data pattern of a specific portion of the received image data. Are compared according to a certain rule, and if it is determined that the image is one of the “maintenance execution instruction images”, a process different from that performed when normal image data is received as infrared data is performed (S703).

  First, when it is determined that the received image data is the maintenance execution instruction image (a), nozzle cleaning processing is executed instead of printing the image data of the received image data (S705, S706). . If the maintenance execution instruction image (b) is determined, the nozzle chuck pattern printing is executed (S707, S708).

  Only when it is determined that the image data is neither of the two maintenance execution instruction images, necessary image processing is performed on the image data, and the image represented by the image data is printed on a sheet by the printing unit 4008. The

  FIG. 8 shows a display example when the image data in the memory card is displayed on the mobile phone 1014 in the flow of FIG. In the figure, 6002 and 6004 are image displays in the memory card, 6001 is the image number of the currently displayed image, and 6003 is a guide display for explaining the operation to the user.

  Reference numeral 6002 denotes a case where normal image data is selected and displayed on the liquid crystal screen. When the user operates the operation button 1017 and transfers the image data to the printing apparatus 1000 in this state, printing is performed. The apparatus prints the image of the image data as it is on paper.

  On the other hand, 6004 shows a case where the “maintenance execution instruction image (a)” is displayed. In this state, when the user operates the operation button 1017 to transfer the image data to the printing apparatus 1000, the printing apparatus The corresponding maintenance process (nozzle cleaning in this display example) is executed.

  In other words, the user can easily perform printing simply by displaying the image to be printed from the image data stored in the memory card on the LCD screen and sending it to the printing device. If you want to execute the process, simply select the "maintenance execution instruction image" that you received from the printing device and saved in the memory card, display it on the LCD screen, and send it to the printing device. Maintenance processing can be easily executed. Therefore, the maintenance process can be easily executed without providing a user interface or application that instructs the mobile phone to execute the maintenance process.

  Here, the data format of the “maintenance execution instruction image” is the same as normal image data, and is image data conforming to a general-purpose format such as JPEG. Therefore, the digital camera 1014 can process the “maintenance finger execution indication image” without distinguishing it from other normal images, and display it on the liquid crystal screen in the same manner as normal image data. However, as indicated by 6004, the “maintenance execution instruction image” includes information such as what kind of maintenance processing the printing apparatus performs when receiving the image, and which printing apparatus is the target. Since the image is represented by characters, pictures, or images, the user can visually distinguish this image from the normal image data by displaying it on a liquid crystal screen and easily The maintenance process can be selected.

  The direct printing system according to the second embodiment is a direct printing system including a mobile phone and a printing apparatus, as in the first embodiment. However, unlike the printing apparatus of the first embodiment, the printing apparatus of the second embodiment prints on what paper and in what layout instead of the “maintenance execution instruction image” instructing execution of a predetermined maintenance process. A “print setting instruction image” for instructing whether or not to perform is held in the image holding unit. In this embodiment, there are two types: a paper setting image (a) group for setting the paper size and type, and a print layout instruction image (b) group for setting which position on the paper to place and print. It shows the case where each of the “print setting instruction screens” group has a plurality of images, and determines whether the image data received from the mobile phone is the above “print setting instruction screen” or normal screen data. The processing is changed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a characteristic operation when the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment receives infrared data from a mobile phone.

  First, when data transmitted by the mobile phone 1014 using infrared rays is received by the infrared communication unit (S901), it is checked whether the received image is an image that can be printed by the printing unit 4008 or the like. (S902). If it is determined that the image can be printed, the paper setting image group held in the image holding unit 4010 and the data pattern of a specific portion of the received image data match according to a certain rule. If it is determined that it matches one of the paper set image groups, a process different from that performed when normal image data is received as infrared data is performed (S903).

  First, if it is determined that the image received from the mobile phone is one of the print setting instruction images (a), the size and type of the paper are changed according to the parameters included in the predetermined portion of the image (a). Then, the setting is retained (S905, S906). For example, when a print setting instruction image (a) for setting A4 size plain paper is received, print processing corresponding to A4 size plain paper is performed for normal image data received thereafter. Is called.

  If the print setting instruction image (b) is determined, the layout setting such as the arrangement of the image on the paper is changed according to the parameter included in the predetermined position of the image (b), and the setting is retained. (S907, S908). Only when it is determined that the image is not a “print setting instruction image”, the image represented by the received image data is printed on a sheet according to the sheet setting and layout setting set on the “print setting instruction screen”.

  Thus, before the image data to be printed is transmitted from the mobile phone to the printing apparatus, the image indicating the desired print setting is transmitted from the “print setting instruction image” to the printing apparatus. It is possible to easily change print settings without any operation.

  As described above, with the direct printing system of the second embodiment, the printing device can be printed by a simple operation from the mobile phone without adding a user interface for selecting and executing the print setting on the mobile phone. It becomes possible to return the setting.

  The direct printing system according to the third embodiment is a printing system including a digital camera and a printing device, unlike the first and second embodiments including the mobile phone and the printing device, and connects the digital camera and the printing device with a conductive cable. Thus, image data is transmitted and received.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the third embodiment, in which 1000 is a printing apparatus, 3012 is a digital camera, 5000 is a data communication cable that connects the terminal 1012 of the printing apparatus and the terminal 5003 of the digital camera, By connecting the printing apparatus and the digital camera with this cable, image transmission / reception from the digital camera to the printing apparatus and from the printing apparatus to the digital camera is realized. (Other configurations and operations are the same as in the first or second embodiment)

Overview perspective view of printing apparatuses of Examples 1, 2 and 3 Overall view of the system comprising the mobile phone and printing device of the first and second embodiments Configuration diagram of mobile phone and printing apparatus of first and second embodiments Operation flow diagram of printing apparatus of embodiment 1 Operation flow diagram of mobile phone of embodiment 1 Operation flow diagram of mobile phone of embodiment 1 Operation flow diagram of printing apparatus of embodiment 1 Example of mobile phone image display Operation flow diagram of printing apparatus of embodiment 2 Overall system diagram of digital camera and printing apparatus of embodiment 3

Explanation of symbols

1000 Printing Device 1014 Mobile Phone 3012 Digital Camera

Claims (18)

A first image transmission / reception unit capable of receiving and holding image data from the printing apparatus and transmitting the held image data to the printing apparatus, and displaying image data selected by the user from the held image data A host device having a possible image display unit;
A printing unit that performs printing on a printing medium; a specific image holding unit that holds one or more specific image data; and the one or more specific image data is transmitted to the host device, and the host device Identify whether the second image transmission / reception unit that can receive image data from the image data received by the second image transmission / reception unit matches the specific image data held in the specific image holding unit In a printing system comprising a printing device having a specific image data identification unit
The specific image data is image data that can be displayed on the image display unit of the host device, and further, the content of the specific processing executed by the printing device when the specific image data is received is expressed by characters or designs. Visually represented image data,
The printing apparatus matches the image data received from the host device by the second image transmission / reception unit with any of the specific image data held in the specific image data holding unit by the specific image data identification unit. To determine whether to
(A) If it is determined that the specified image data does not match any of the specific image data, the image of the received image data is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit;
(B) If it is determined that it matches any one of the specific image data, an image corresponding to the received image data is not printed, and the predetermined specific process is performed on each specific image data. A printing system characterized by things. The printing system according to claim 1,
(1) The specific image data held in the specific image holding unit by the printing device is transmitted to the host device,
(2) The host device receives and holds the image data transmitted by the printing device, displays the held image data on the image display unit according to the user's selection, and further displays the image data on the printing unit according to the user's selection. Send
(4) The printing apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the host apparatus, and determines whether the received image data matches any of the specific image data held in the specific image holding unit. A discriminating unit that makes a determination according to a predetermined criterion; (a) printing the image of the received image data on the printing medium by the printing unit; or (b) predetermining the specific image data. A specific printing process is performed, or any one process is performed.   3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the specific image according to claim 1 or 2 conforms to a general-purpose image data format such as JPEG, TIFF, or BMP.   4. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a printing medium.   5. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the specific processing when the specific image data according to claim 1 is received is maintenance processing for the printing unit of the printing apparatus to perform good printing processing. system.   6. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the maintenance process performed when the specific image data is received is a maintenance process for discharging ink favorably.   The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the maintenance process for discharging the ink satisfactorily performed when the specific image data is received is a cleaning process for the ink discharge nozzle.   The maintenance process for ejecting ink satisfactorily performed when receiving the specific image data according to claim 6 is a confirmation printing process for confirming whether ink ejection is performed normally. Printing system to do.   6. A printing system according to claim 5, wherein the maintenance process performed when the specific image data is received relates to a setting or process for adjusting an ink ejection timing.   5. A printing system, wherein the specific processing upon receiving the specific image data according to claim 1 is print setting in the printing unit.   11. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the print setting is for specifying a type of printing medium to be printed.   11. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the print setting specifies layout information such as an arrangement and a size of a print image on a print medium.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the host device in the printing system is a digital still camera.   13. A printing system, wherein the host device in the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is a mobile phone having an image display function.   The first data transmission / reception unit of the host device and the second data transmission / reception unit of the printing apparatus in the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 perform data communication by infrared communication using infrared rays. A printing system characterized by realizing.   The first data transmission / reception unit of the host device and the second data transmission / reception unit of the printing apparatus in the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 are performed by connecting a conductor cable between the apparatuses. A printing system for realizing data communication by serial data communication.   17. The printing system according to claim 16, wherein the serial data communication conforms to the Universal Serial Bus specification.   The first data transmission / reception unit of the host device and the second data transmission / reception unit of the printing apparatus in the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 perform data communication by wireless communication using radio waves. A printing system characterized by realizing.

Images