JP2007237710A - Recording device and recording control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device capable of easily printing a digital photograph in a very simplified operation. <P>SOLUTION: When a power switch 35 has been operated, the action is started in "manual recording mode" after performing a predetermined power ON sequence. When the power switch 35 has not been operated and a memory card 301 is inserted into a memory card slot 36, the action is started in "fully automatic recording mode" after performing a predetermined power ON sequence. When DPOF file is not stored, all digital image files stored in the memory card 301 are recorded to a recording paper P one by one. When DPOF file is stored, recording to the recording paper P is performed from the content of the DPOF file. When all recording is ended, a predetermined power OFF sequence is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a recording execution unit capable of executing recording on a recording material and a digital image file reading device capable of reading a digital image file stored in a removable medium.

  In recent recording apparatuses such as an ink jet printer, a recording apparatus having a direct print function capable of executing printing directly from a digital image file stored in a memory card inserted in a memory card slot is known ( For example, see Patent Document 1). This recording device having a direct print function is convenient because it can print a digital photo from a digital image file taken with a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone via a memory card without a personal computer. In particular, it has been spreading rapidly in recent years. Further, as an electronic device having a memory card slot, an electronic device in which the power of the electronic device is automatically turned on when the memory card is inserted into the memory card slot of the electronic device in a power-off state is known (for example, (See Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-262537 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-10876

  However, in a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, when an image of a digital image file is recorded on a recording material such as photographic paper, the power of the recording apparatus is operated by turning on the power button of the recording apparatus. Select the desired digital image file from the many digital image files stored in it, select the type and size of the recording material such as photo paper or plain paper, and select the recording mode such as the high image quality mode. After that, many operations such as pressing a recording start button must be performed. Many users have to perform such operations every time digital photo printing is performed, which can sometimes be annoying for users, and for users who are not very good at operating electronic devices. You may feel that you have to do difficult operations.

  In addition, a recording apparatus having a direct print function displays a plurality of operation buttons for performing the above-described series of recording execution operations and an image of a digital image file, and displays an operation menu, a setting state, and the like. A liquid crystal display panel must be provided. As a result, the recording apparatus becomes larger and more expensive, and fully meets the needs of users who desire a small and low-cost recording apparatus that can easily perform digital photo printing at home with simple operations. There was a problem that it was not possible.

  For example, in a recording apparatus such as an ink-jet printer that is an electronic device, a recording apparatus that automatically turns on when a memory card is inserted into a memory card slot by combining the related art disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above. Can be realized. As a result, the user can save the trouble of operating the power switch, but it cannot be said that the problem can be solved sufficiently. In recent years, low-priced and high-functional digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones are becoming widespread, and many users use recording devices such as inkjet printers for the main purpose of digital photo printing using the direct print function. The range of user age groups is also expanding, and there is an increasing need for a small and low-cost recording apparatus that can easily perform digital photo printing at home with simpler operations.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of easily performing digital photo printing with an extremely simple operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that can easily perform digital photo printing with an extremely simple operation and that is small and inexpensive.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a recording execution unit capable of executing recording on a recording material, and a digital image file reading device capable of reading a digital image file stored in a removable medium. A power supply circuit configured to be activated when a removable medium is inserted into the digital image file reading device in a power-off state, and to be in a power-on state, the recording execution unit, the digital image file reading device, and the A recording apparatus including a recording control apparatus that executes control of a power supply circuit, wherein the recording control apparatus detects a state in which a removable medium is inserted in the digital image file reading apparatus when the power is turned on. Can perform recording on a recording material by executing a predetermined initialization procedure of the recording apparatus. After executing the recording control for recording the image of the digital image file on one recording material for all the digital image files stored in the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device The recording apparatus is activated in a fully automatic recording mode for executing power-off control of the recording apparatus.

  As described above, the recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is automatically activated and turned on when the user inserts the removable medium into the digital image file reading apparatus with the power turned off. At this time, since the removable medium is inserted in the digital image file reading device, the recording control device starts in the fully automatic recording mode. In this fully automatic recording mode, a removable medium inserted in the digital image file reading device when a predetermined initialization procedure of the recording device is executed and recording on a recording material is possible After all the digital image files stored in the file are recorded on the recording material one by one, the power of the recording apparatus is turned off.

  That is, for example, if a memory card storing a digital image file to be recorded is inserted into a memory card slot of a recording device in a power-off state, the recording device automatically performs all digital photo printing. The user does not have to do anything at all. All operations such as turning on the power by operating the power button, selecting the digital image file to be recorded, selecting the type and size of the recording material, operating the recording start button, turning off the power by operating the power button, etc. Instead, the user can print a digital photo from a desired digital image file with a very simple operation of inserting the memory card into the memory card slot of the recording apparatus.

  In addition, operations such as turning on the power by operating the power button, selecting a digital image file to be recorded, selecting the type and size of the recording material, operating the recording start button, turning off the power by operating the power button, etc. Since it becomes unnecessary, there is no need to provide a display unit such as a power ON / OFF button, a recording start button, other operation buttons, and a liquid crystal display panel in the recording apparatus. In other words, basically, the recording apparatus can be configured only by the recording execution means, the power supply circuit, the digital image file reading apparatus, and the recording control apparatus for controlling them, which greatly increases the manufacturing cost and component cost of the recording apparatus. Can be reduced.

Thus, according to the recording apparatus described in the first aspect of the present invention, the user automatically inserts all the digital photo prints from the desired digital image file by simply inserting the removable medium into the digital image file reading apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a working effect that a recording apparatus capable of easily performing digital photo printing with an extremely simple operation can be realized.
In addition, since the manufacturing cost and parts cost of the recording device can be greatly reduced, digital photo printing can be easily performed with extremely simple operation, and the recording can be performed at a small size and at a low price. The effect that the apparatus can be realized is obtained.

  Furthermore, when the removable media is inserted into the digital image file reading device, the recording device is turned on and recording starts automatically. After all recording is completed, the power is automatically turned off. The recording apparatus can be turned on only while recording is being performed. Therefore, according to the recording apparatus described in the first aspect of the present invention, wasteful power consumption can be significantly reduced, so that a high energy saving effect can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, when the recording control device is activated in the fully automatic recording mode, the digital image is recorded before recording on the recording material. A search is made as to whether or not a recording specification file of a predetermined format is stored together with a digital image file on a removable medium inserted in the file reading device. If a recording specification file of a predetermined format is stored, the recording specification A digital image file specified by a file is recorded on a recording material in a recording number and recording format specified by the recording specification file.

  For example, information such as image size, title, and trimming settings is stored in a digital image file taken with a known digital camera compatible with DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), and recorded (printed) on a recording material. When setting information such as the desired image and the number of images is designated on the digital camera side, the information is stored as a DPOF file in a memory card or the like in the digital camera together with the digital image file.

  Therefore, when starting in the fully automatic recording mode, whether or not a recording designation file in the DPOF format or the like is stored on the removable medium inserted in the digital image file reading device before recording on the recording material. Search for it. If a recording designation file in the DPOF format or the like is stored, the recording designation file in the DPOF format or the like for the digital image file designated by the recording designation file such as the DPOF format saved in the removable medium. Recording on the recording material is executed with the number of recordings and the recording format specified in. Therefore, in addition to recording (printing) a plurality of digital image files stored on a removable medium such as a memory card one by one, if a digital camera compatible with DPOF is used, a digital image file selected arbitrarily in advance is used. Digital photo printing can be performed automatically with a very simple operation of inserting a removable medium into a digital image file reading apparatus, even when digital photo printing is performed with a recording number, recording format, etc. arbitrarily designated in advance.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect described above, a power switch, an operation means capable of performing a predetermined recording execution operation, and a display means capable of performing a predetermined display for the recording execution operation. And the power supply circuit is configured to be activated when the power switch is operated in a power-off state of the recording apparatus, and the recording apparatus is in a power-on state. If it is detected that no removable media is inserted in the digital image file reading device when the power is turned on, only the predetermined initialization procedure of the recording device is executed and the power on state is maintained as it is. If removable media is inserted into the digital image file reading device while the ON state is maintained, save to the removable media An image of a digital image file designated by the operator by operating the operation unit from among the digital image files recorded on the recording material in the recording number and recording format designated by the operator by operating the operation unit. It is a recording apparatus characterized by having a manual recording mode that can be performed.

  As described above, by inserting the removable media into the digital image file reading device and turning on the power of the recording device to start up in the fully automatic recording mode, operating the power switch without inserting the removable media When the power of the recording apparatus is turned on, the recording apparatus can be started in the manual recording mode. In this manual recording mode, the user operates the operation unit having operation buttons while observing the display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel as in the prior art to select the digital image file, the type and size of the recording material, and the recording execution. After arbitrarily setting the number of sheets, recording on the recording material is started by operating a recording start button or the like. To execute recording in this manual recording mode, the user operates the power switch to turn on the recording device before inserting the removable medium into the digital image file reading device of the recording device in the power-off state. Then, after the recording device is activated, a removable medium may be inserted into the digital image file reading device. In other words, the user can arbitrarily select whether to execute recording in the fully automatic recording mode or recording in the manual recording mode by changing the starting method of the recording apparatus, so it is easy with an extremely simple operation. Whether to perform digital photo printing, or select the digital image file by operating the operation unit of the recording device, set the type, size, number of recordings, etc. It can be arbitrarily selected according to the like.

  Thus, according to the recording apparatus described in the third aspect of the present invention, the user can realize a recording apparatus that can easily perform digital photo printing with an extremely simple operation. In addition, it is also possible to arbitrarily select to perform digital photo printing by operating the operation unit of the recording apparatus to arbitrarily select a digital image file, set the type, size, number of recording materials, etc. of the recording material. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an operational effect that a more convenient recording apparatus can be realized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect described above, the recording control device reads the data of the digital image file from the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device, and applies it to the recording material. At the time when it is detected that the removable medium is removed from the digital image file reading device while recording is being performed, recording on the recording material being recorded is interrupted and ejected, A recording apparatus that performs power-off control of the recording apparatus when operating in the fully automatic recording mode, and maintains the power-on state as it is when operating in the manual recording mode. It is.

  While the digital image file data is being read from the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device while recording on the recording material is being performed, the removable media is extracted from the digital image file reading device, At that time, the digital image file data stored in the removable medium cannot be read. Therefore, at that time, recording on the recording material cannot be continued any further.

  At this time, in the recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the recording operation is not stopped and an error state is caused at that time, but recording on the recording material in the middle of recording is interrupted and discharged. Do not enter an error state. If the recording mode at this time is the manual recording mode, the power-on state of the recording apparatus is maintained as it is, and the state where recording in the manual recording mode can be continued is maintained. If the user inserts the removable medium again into the digital image file reading apparatus, operates the operation unit to make a desired setting, and operates the recording start button or the like, recording on the recording material can be performed. On the other hand, when the recording mode at this time is the fully automatic recording mode, the power of the recording apparatus is automatically turned off, and the recording on the recording material in the fully automatic recording mode is completed.

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if the removable medium is pulled out from the digital image file reading apparatus during execution of recording on the recording material, the recording apparatus stops in an error state. However, the user can operate the paper discharge button or the like to discharge the recording material in the middle of recording, The recording apparatus can be used in a normal state without performing troublesome operations such as canceling errors by operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the reset switch according to any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, wherein the recording control device can be initialized in the power-on state to immediately enter the power-on state. A recording apparatus characterized by comprising:
For example, even when a so-called paper jam occurs, the recording apparatus can be returned to a normal state simply by operating the reset switch after removing the paper jammed recording material. At this time, since the recording control device is initialized, if the removable media is inserted in the digital image file reading device when the reset switch is operated, the recording device starts up in the fully automatic recording mode and again the digital image in the removable media. Recording of the file to the recording material is automatically started. On the other hand, if the removable medium is not inserted in the digital image file reading device, the recording device is started in the manual recording mode. It should be noted that at the time of activation by the reset switch operation, activation may always be performed in the manual recording mode.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording execution means capable of executing recording on a recording material, a digital image file reading device capable of reading a digital image file stored on a removable medium, and the above-mentioned device in a power-off state. A recording apparatus comprising: a power supply circuit configured to be activated when a removable medium is inserted into a digital image file reading apparatus; and to turn on the power. The recording execution unit, the digital image file reading apparatus, and the power supply A recording control program for causing a computer to control a circuit, a procedure for determining whether a removable medium is inserted in the digital image file reading device when the power is turned on, and reading the digital image file when the power is turned on Removable media is inserted into the device When the recording device is detected and the recording apparatus is ready to execute recording on the recording material by executing a predetermined initialization procedure of the recording device, the image of the digital image file is recorded as one recording material. A fully automatic recording mode procedure for performing power-off control of the recording device after executing recording control for recording on all the digital image files stored in the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device. It is a recording control program characterized by having.
According to the recording control program described in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the invention described in the first aspect described above can be brought to any recording apparatus that can execute the recording control program. it can.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of a “recording apparatus” according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an essential part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
The ink jet recording apparatus 50 can move in the main scanning direction X with respect to the recording paper P as means constituting “recording execution means” capable of executing recording on the recording paper P as “recording material”. A carriage 61 supported by the carriage guide shaft 51 is provided. The carriage 61 has a recording head 62 for forming dots on the recording surface of the recording paper P as “recording material” and a PW for detecting the end of the recording paper P in the main scanning direction X. A sensor 34 is mounted. The carriage 61 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X when the rotational driving force of a CR motor 63 (FIG. 3) as a “carriage motor” is transmitted by a belt transmission mechanism (not shown) using an endless belt. By reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X, the recording head 62 can be scanned in the main scanning direction X with respect to the recording paper P. At a position facing the head surface of the recording head 62, there is provided a platen 52 that regulates the distance between the recording surface of the recording paper P and the head surface of the recording head 62 to a predetermined distance while slidingly supporting the recording paper P. Yes.

  A known capping device 59 is provided outside the one end side of the reciprocating region of the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X. In a standby state in which recording is not performed, the carriage 61 moves over the capping device 59 and stops, and the head surface of the recording head 62 is sealed by the cap CP provided in the capping device 59. The stop position of the carriage 61 is defined as a home position HP.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes a conveyance drive that conveys the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y as a “recording material conveying means” that constitutes a “recording execution means” capable of executing recording on the recording paper P. A roller 53 and a conveyance driven roller 54 are provided. The conveyance driving roller 53 is rotated by transmission of a rotational driving force of a PF motor 58 (FIG. 3) as a “recording material conveyance motor”. A plurality of conveyance driven rollers 54 are provided, and are urged against the conveyance drive roller 53 in a state where the conveyance driven rollers 54 are pivotally supported so as to be driven to rotate. The recording paper P pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the transport driving roller 53 on which the high frictional resistance coating is applied by the pressing urging force of the transport driven roller 54 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transport driving roller 53 by the frictional resistance. By rotating the transport driving roller 53 in the transport direction in this state, the recording paper P is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y while the transport driven roller 54 is driven to rotate, whereby the recording head 62 is moved relative to the recording paper P. Scanning in the sub-scanning direction Y.

  In the vicinity of the paper feed tray 57, as the “automatic feeding means” for automatically feeding the uppermost recording paper P of the recording paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 57 to the “recording material conveying means”. An ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) is provided. The ASF is a known automatic paper feed mechanism having a paper feed roller 57b provided on the paper feed tray 57 and a separation pad (not shown). The paper feed roller 57 b is disposed on one side of the paper feed tray 57. The recording paper guide 57a is provided on the paper feed tray 57 so as to be slidable in the width direction in accordance with the width of the recording paper P. Then, the recording paper P placed on the paper feed tray 57 is fed by the rotational driving force of the paper feed roller 57b that rotates by transmitting the rotational driving force of the PF motor 58 (FIG. 3). At that time, only the uppermost recording sheet P is accurately separated and automatically fed one by one without the plurality of recording sheets P being fed at once by the frictional resistance of the separation pad. ing. A known paper detector 33 for detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the conveyed recording paper P is disposed between the paper feed roller 57 b and the transport driving roller 53.

On the other hand, a “recording material transport unit” capable of transporting the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y and a paper discharge driving roller 55 and a paper discharge driven roller 56 are provided as means for discharging the recording paper P after execution of recording. It has been. The paper discharge driving roller 55 rotates when the rotational driving force of the PF motor 58 (FIG. 3) is transmitted to the gears, and the recording paper P after recording is discharged in the sub-scanning direction Y by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. Is done. The paper discharge driven roller 56 has a plurality of teeth around it, and is a toothed roller sharply sharpened so that the tip of each tooth makes point contact with the recording surface of the recording paper P. The plurality of paper discharge driven rollers 56 are individually urged by the paper discharge driving roller 55, and come into contact with the recording paper P when the recording paper P is discharged by the rotation of the paper discharge driving roller 55. The paper rotates as the paper is discharged.
A PF motor 58 (FIG. 3) that rotationally drives the paper feed roller 57b, the conveyance drive roller 53, and the paper discharge drive roller 55 and a CR motor 63 (FIG. 3) that drives the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X are used for recording control. Drive control is performed by the unit 100. Similarly, the recording head 62 is driven and controlled by the recording control unit 100 to eject ink onto the surface of the recording paper P. The recording control unit 100 forms dots by ejecting ink from the recording head 62 to the recording paper P while reciprocating the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X, and the predetermined conveyance of the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction Y. The recording control on the recording paper P is executed while alternately repeating the operation of transporting by the amount.

The recording control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The recording control unit 100 includes a ROM 101, a RAM 102, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) 103, a CPU 104, a nonvolatile memory 105 as a “nonvolatile storage medium”, and a PF motor driver as a “recording material conveyance motor drive circuit”. 106, a CR motor driver 107 and a head driver 108 as a “carriage motor drive circuit”. The CPU 104 initially includes a rotary encoder 31, a linear encoder 32, a paper detector 33, a PW sensor 34, a power switch 35 for turning on / off the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50, and a recording control unit 100 via the ASIC 103. An output signal of the reset switch 38 that can be brought into a state immediately after the power is turned on is input.

The known rotary encoder 31 is arranged so as to output a pulse signal having a period linked to the rotation period of the PF motor 58 so as to detect the rotation amount of the transport driving roller 53. The rotary encoder 31 includes a rotary scale 311 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyance drive roller 53, and a rotary scale sensor 312 that detects slits formed at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the rotary scale 311. (Fig. 2). An output signal of the rotary scale sensor 312 that changes with the rotation of the transport driving roller 53 is output to the CPU 104 via the ASIC 103.
The known linear encoder 32 is arranged so as to output a pulse signal having a cycle linked to the rotation cycle of the CR motor 63 in order to detect the movement amount of the carriage 61. The linear encoder 32 includes a linear scale 321 disposed substantially parallel to the main scanning direction X in the vicinity of the carriage 61, and a linear scale sensor mounted on the carriage 61 that detects slits formed in the linear scale 321 at equal intervals. 322 (FIG. 2). An output signal of the linear scale sensor 322 whose pulse cycle changes with the moving speed with the number of pulses corresponding to the moving amount of the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X is output to the CPU 104 via the ASIC 103.

A ROM 101, a RAM 102, an ASIC 103, a CPU 104, and a nonvolatile memory 105 are connected to the system bus of the recording control unit 100. The CPU 104 performs arithmetic processing for executing recording control of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 and other necessary arithmetic processing. The ROM 101 stores a recording control program (firmware) necessary for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus 50 by the CPU 104, and various data necessary for processing the recording control program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 105. . The RAM 102 is used as a work area for the CPU 104 and a storage area for recording data.
The ASIC 103 has a control circuit that controls the speed of the PF motor 58 that is a DC motor, a control circuit that controls the speed of the CR motor 63, and a control circuit (not shown) that controls the drive of the recording head 62. Based on the control command sent from the CPU 104, the output signal of the rotary encoder 31, and the output signal of the linear encoder 32, various calculations are performed to control the speed of the PF motor 58 and the CR motor 63, and based on the calculation results. A motor control signal is sent to the PF motor driver 106 and the CR motor driver 107. Further, based on the recording data sent from the CPU 104, a control signal for the recording head 62 is calculated and generated and sent to the head driver 108 to drive and control the recording head 62.

  Further, the ASIC 103 realizes a USB interface with the digital camera 302 connected via a USB connector (not shown) provided in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus 50, so that a digital image file can be transferred from the digital camera 302 or the like. It has a USBIF 112 that realizes a function as a “digital image file reading device” that can be read. In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes a memory card slot 36 as a “digital image file reading device” capable of reading a digital image file stored in a memory card 301 as a “removable medium”.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 50 can execute the above-described direct printing in a state where the digital camera 302 is connected to the ink jet recording apparatus 50 with the USBIF 112 or a memory card 301 is inserted into the memory card slot 36. The aspect of the “digital image file reading device” is not particularly limited to the USB interface or the memory card slot 36, and is stored in an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disk) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be a known optical disk drive such as a CD / DVD drive having a configuration capable of reading a digital image file, and any type of removable media reading device may be used.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes a power supply circuit 39 configured to be activated when the memory card 301 is inserted into the memory card slot 36 with the power off, and to be turned on. For example, since a general memory card slot 36 is provided with a contact circuit or the like that is short-circuited when the memory card 301 is inserted, the power supply circuit 39 can be activated using the contact circuit. The power circuit 39 is also connected to a contact circuit of the power switch 35 and is configured to be activated by operating the power switch 35.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes an “operation unit” capable of performing a predetermined recording execution operation and an operation display unit 37 as a “display unit” capable of performing a predetermined display with respect to the recording execution operation. The operation display unit 37 is composed of up / down / left / right cross operation buttons, operation buttons such as a recording start button and a recording stop button, and a small liquid crystal display panel as provided in a general ink jet printer. The operation display unit 37 is normally housed in the operation display unit cover 371 and is arranged so as not to be visible in appearance, and the operation and display can be viewed by opening the operation display unit cover 371. It has become. The operation display unit 37 includes a cover sensor 372 that can detect the open / closed state of the operation display unit cover 371, and an output signal of the cover sensor 372 is output to the CPU 104 via the ASIC 103.

  Next, a recording control procedure in the recording control unit 100 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a recording control procedure.
The procedure is that the power supply circuit 39 is activated when the power switch 35 of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is operated from the power OFF state or when the memory card 301 is inserted into the memory card slot 36 and the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is activated. This is a procedure executed when the power is turned on and the recording control unit 100 is activated. The same procedure may also be executed when the recording control unit 100 is initialized by operating the reset switch 38 while the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is powered on.

First, it is determined whether or not the power-on operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is performed by the power switch 35 (step S1). The ink jet recording apparatus 50 is configured such that the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned on when the user keeps pressing the power switch 35 for about 1 second to 2 seconds. The recording control unit 100 detects the contact state of the power switch 35 immediately after the power supply is started from the power supply circuit 39, and when the user has operated the power switch 35 (Yes in step S1). Then, a predetermined power ON sequence (initialization sequence of the ink jet recording apparatus 50) is executed (step S2).
The predetermined power ON sequence is an initialization sequence executed when a general recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer is turned on. For example, hardware initialization, driver initialization (PF motor driver 106, CR motor) Initialization of rotation control of the CR motor 63 (HP detection of the carriage 61, measurement, error detection, etc.), initialization of rotation control of the PF motor 57 (measurement, error detection, ASF reset). Etc.), a predefined processing sequence including initialization of an ink sequence such as head cleaning time determination. When these series of initialization sequences are executed and the process ends normally without error being detected, the recording control unit 100 starts operation in the “manual recording mode”, and the ink jet recording apparatus 50 operates on the recording paper P It becomes possible to execute recording on the. Even if the memory card 301 is inserted into the memory card slot 36 in this state, the mode does not shift to the “full automatic recording mode” described later.

  In the “manual recording mode”, it is determined from the output signal of the cover sensor 372 whether or not the operation display unit cover 371 is opened (step S3). When the operation display unit cover 371 is closed (No in step S3), the operation display unit 37 cannot operate the operation buttons or the like, nor can the liquid crystal display panel or the like be viewed. It is preferable to save power by turning off the power. When it is detected that the operation display unit cover 371 is opened (Yes in step S3), the liquid crystal display panel and the like are displayed, and the operation buttons and the like can be operated and stored in the memory card 301. It is possible to execute recording on the recording paper P by arbitrarily selecting the digital image file, the type and size of the recording material, the number of recording executions, and the like.

  On the other hand, if the user has not operated the power switch 35 when the power is turned on (No in step S1), it is determined whether or not the memory card 301 is inserted in the memory card slot 36 when the power is turned on. (Step S4). If the memory card 301 is not inserted in the memory card slot 36 (No in step S4), the process returns to step S1, and if the memory card 301 is inserted in the memory card slot 36 (Yes in step S4). Subsequently, a predetermined power ON sequence similar to that in step S2 is executed (step S5). The ink jet recording apparatus 50 starts the operation in the “fully automatic recording mode” at the time when the series of initialization sequences are executed and the error is not detected and the operation ends normally. The fully automatic recording procedure described below is executed as it is.

  In the “full automatic recording mode”, first, before starting recording on the recording paper P, a “record designation file of a predetermined format” is stored together with a digital image file in the memory card 301 inserted in the memory card slot 36. It is searched whether or not the DPOF file is stored (step S6). If no DPOF file is stored in the memory card 301 (No in step S6), a recording instruction for recording all the digital image files stored in the memory card 301 on the recording paper P one by one is executed. (Step S7), a recording sequence on the recording paper P is executed (Step S9). On the other hand, when the DPOF file is stored in the memory card 301 (Yes in step S6), among the digital image files stored in the memory card 301, the digital image file specified by the DPOF file is In the DPOF file, a recording instruction for recording the image of each digital image file on the recording paper P with the recording number and recording format designated for each digital image file is executed (step S8), and the recording sequence on the recording paper P is executed. Execute (Step S9). When all the recording on the recording paper P is completed, a predetermined power-off sequence is executed to stop the power supply circuit 39 and turn off the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 (step S10).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording sequence on the recording paper P (step S9 in FIG. 4).
Data reading of the first digital image file is started with respect to all the digital image files or a plurality of digital image files designated by the DPOF file (step S11). The size and type of the recording paper P specified by the default or DPOF file are set (step S12), and the digital image file data is expanded (step S13), and the image of the digital image file is recorded. Recording is performed on the recording surface of the paper P (step S14). Then, it is determined whether or not the digital image file having an image recorded on the recording paper P is the last digital image file among a plurality of digital image files to be recorded (step S15). If it is not the last (No in step S15), data reading of the next digital image file is started (step S16), the process returns to step S12 to record the remaining digital image file, and the last digital image file is recorded. When the above recording is executed (Yes in step S15), the procedure is terminated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for monitoring the insertion state of the memory card 301. This procedure is a procedure executed after the end of the power ON sequence (step S2 or step S5 in FIG. 4).
First, it is determined whether or not recording on the recording paper P is being executed (step S21). While recording is not being executed (No in step S21), the determination of whether or not recording on the recording paper P is being executed (step S21) is repeated. When recording on the recording paper P is started and recording is being executed (Yes in step S21), it is subsequently determined whether or not the memory card 301 is not inserted into the memory card slot 36. (Step S22). If the memory card 301 is inserted in the memory card slot 36 (No in step S22), the process returns to step S21 to determine whether or not recording on the recording paper P is being executed (step S21). On the other hand, if the memory card 301 is not inserted into the memory card slot 36 (step S22 Yes), that is, recording on the recording paper P is executed while reading the digital image file data from the memory card 301. If the memory card 301 is pulled out from the memory card slot 36, a predetermined recording stop sequence is executed, and the process returns to step S21 (step S23).

  Here, the recording stop sequence may be a different procedure depending on whether the recording mode at that time is the “fully automatic recording mode” or the “manual recording mode”. For example, if the memory card 301 is pulled out from the memory card slot 36 during execution of recording on the recording paper P, the recording on the recording paper P being executed is interrupted and ejected, and then the “full automatic recording mode” When the operation is performed, a predetermined power-off control is executed to turn off the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50. When the operation is performed in the “manual recording mode”, the power-on state is maintained. By adopting such a recording stop sequence, even when the memory card 301 is pulled out from the memory card slot 36 during execution of recording on the recording paper P, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 does not stop in an error state. Depending on the recording mode, the recording state is the same as when the recording has ended normally. Therefore, even if the user does not perform troublesome operations such as ejecting the recording paper P in the middle of recording by operating the paper discharge button or canceling the error by a predetermined operation, the user can continue to use the inkjet type in a normal state. A recording device 50 can be used.

  Thus, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 50 of the present invention, when the memory card 301 storing the digital image file to be recorded is inserted into the memory card slot 36 of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 in the power OFF state. Since the digital image file stored in the memory card 301 by starting in the “fully automatic recording mode” is automatically recorded on the recording paper P, the user does not have to do anything at all. That is, when the user inserts the memory card 301 into the memory card slot 36 in the ink jet recording apparatus 50 in the power-off state, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is automatically activated and the desired digital image file is automatically activated. Since the digital photo print is executed and the power is automatically turned off, the digital photo print can be easily performed with an extremely simple operation.

  In addition, if a digital camera compatible with DPOF is used, a digital photo print with a recording number, recording format, etc. arbitrarily designated in advance for a digital image file arbitrarily selected in advance based on a DPOF file stored in the memory card 301 It is also possible to perform this automatically by only a very simple operation of inserting the memory card 301 into the memory card slot 36.

  Further, whether the user executes recording in the “fully automatic recording mode” or “manual recording mode”, whether the power is turned on by inserting the memory card 301 into the memory card slot 36, or the power switch 35 is operated. It can be arbitrarily selected by selecting whether the power is turned on. Therefore, digital photo printing can be performed fully automatically with extremely simple operations, or the operation unit of the recording device can be operated to select the digital image file, the type and size of the recording material, the number of recording executions, etc. Since it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to perform digital photo printing by setting depending on the situation or the like, it is possible to realize an ink jet recording apparatus 50 with higher convenience.

  Furthermore, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 of the above embodiment can be configured to operate only in the “fully automatic recording mode”. As a result, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 having nothing other than the memory card slot 36 is also possible, so that all the operation buttons and the liquid crystal display panel of the operation display unit 37 are not required, and the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is simplified and The manufacturing cost and the part cost can be greatly reduced by downsizing. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform digital photo printing by an extremely simple operation, and to realize a small and low-cost ink jet recording apparatus 50.

  Further, in the “fully automatic recording mode”, when the memory card 301 is inserted into the memory card slot 36, the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned on to start recording automatically, and automatically after all recording is completed. Since the power supply of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 is turned off, the power supply of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 can be turned on only while recording on the recording paper P is being executed. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be greatly reduced, and a high energy saving effect can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

1 is a schematic plan view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording control procedure according to the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the recording sequence to a recording paper. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure which monitors the insertion state of a memory card.

Explanation of symbols

35 Power switch, 36 Memory card slot, 37 Operation display section, 38 Reset switch, 50 Inkjet recording device, 51 Carriage guide shaft, 52 Platen, 53 Conveyance drive roller, 54 Conveyance driven roller, 55 Discharge drive roller, 56 Discharge Paper driven roller, 61 carriage, 62 recording head, 100 recording control unit, 101 ROM, 102 RAM, 103 ASIC, 104 CPU, 105 nonvolatile memory, 301 memory card, 302 digital camera, 371 operation display unit cover, 372 cover sensor , P recording paper, X main scanning direction, Y sub-scanning direction

Claims (6)

Recording execution means capable of executing recording on a recording material, a digital image file reading device capable of reading a digital image file stored in a removable medium, and a removable medium in the digital image file reading device in a power-off state A recording apparatus comprising: a power supply circuit configured to be activated to be turned on when inserted; and the recording execution means, the digital image file reading apparatus, and a recording control apparatus for executing control of the power supply circuit Because
When the recording control apparatus detects a state in which a removable medium is inserted in the digital image file reading apparatus when the power is turned on, the recording control apparatus executes a predetermined initialization procedure of the recording apparatus to the recording material. When all the digital images stored in the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device are recorded, the recording control for recording the image of the digital image file on one recording material is performed. A recording apparatus, wherein the recording apparatus is activated in a fully automatic recording mode for executing power-off control of the recording apparatus after being executed for an image file. 2. The recording control device according to claim 1, wherein when the recording control device is activated in the fully automatic recording mode, the recording control device digitally inserts the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device before executing recording on the recording material. Searches whether a specified recording record file is saved with the image file,
When a recording specification file of a predetermined format is stored, the digital image file specified in the recording specification file is recorded on the recording material in the recording number and recording format specified in the recording specification file. Characteristic recording device. In Claim 1 or 2, comprising a power switch, an operation means capable of a predetermined recording execution operation, and a display means capable of a predetermined display for the recording execution operation,
The power supply circuit is configured to start when the power switch is operated in a power-off state of the recording apparatus and to turn on the recording apparatus.
When the recording control apparatus detects a state in which no removable media is inserted in the digital image file reading apparatus when the power is turned on, the recording control apparatus performs the predetermined initialization procedure of the recording apparatus and then remains powered on. Maintain
When a removable medium is inserted into the digital image file reading device while the power is on, the operator operates the operation unit from among the digital image files stored in the removable medium. And a manual recording mode in which an image of the designated digital image file can be recorded on a recording material in the recording number and recording format designated by the operator by operating the operation unit. Recording device. The recording control device according to claim 3, wherein the recording control device executes the recording on the recording material while reading the data of the digital image file from the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device. Is detected when it is extracted from the digital image file reading device, and after recording on the recording material being recorded is interrupted and ejected, and when operating in the fully automatic recording mode, A recording apparatus that performs power-off control of the recording apparatus and maintains the power-on state when operating in the manual recording mode. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reset switch that can initialize the recording control apparatus in a power-on state to be in a state immediately after the power is turned on. Recording execution means capable of executing recording on a recording material, a digital image file reading device capable of reading a digital image file stored in a removable medium, and a removable medium in the digital image file reading device in a power-off state In a recording apparatus comprising a power supply circuit configured to be activated and to be turned on when inserted, for causing a computer to control the recording execution means, the digital image file reading apparatus, and the power supply circuit Recording control program of
A procedure for determining whether a removable medium is inserted in the digital image file reading device when the power is turned on;
When it is detected that a removable medium is inserted in the digital image file reading device when the power is turned on, a predetermined initialization procedure of the recording device is executed to enable recording on a recording material; At that time, after executing the recording control for recording the image of the digital image file on one recording material for all the digital image files stored in the removable media inserted in the digital image file reading device, A recording control program comprising: a fully automatic recording mode procedure for executing power-off control of the recording apparatus.

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