JP2008286975A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a large-screen display with an inexpensive configuration. <P>SOLUTION: When using the printer device, an upper cover 52 is opened and then a transmission type screen 51 is turned to a using position ((b)→(a)). When a light source 31 is lit after displaying an image on a display element, transmitted light through the display element 32 is projected to the transmission type screen 51 through a projection lens 33. The propriety of print is decided by viewing a projection image. When the device is not used, the transmission type screen 51 is housed and the upper cover 52 is closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer apparatus provided with a display.

  As this type of printer device, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this case, a liquid crystal display is rotatably provided in a printer casing so that the angle can be adjusted to an easily viewable position. A touch panel is arranged on the screen of the liquid crystal display. For example, an image to be printed can be selected by a touch panel operation from a plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the liquid crystal display.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-321021

  When checking the image to be printed on the display, if the displayed image is small, details of the image (for example, if the subject is a person, facial expressions, presence or absence of red eyes or blinking, etc.) cannot be confirmed, and whether or not printing can be performed appropriately I can't judge. Therefore, a large-screen display capable of displaying a large-sized image is required. However, a flat panel display such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot avoid a significant cost increase if a large-sized display is used.

The printer device according to the present invention is arranged in a housing and is movable between a printer unit that prints image data on paper, a storage position that is stored in the housing, and a use position that rises from the housing at a predetermined angle. And a projection unit that is disposed in the housing and projects display data including image data onto the transmission screen at the use position.
You may provide the light-shielding means which prevents that external light is guide | induced to the projection surface of a transmissive screen.
At least a part of the light shielding means may function as a protective member for the transmission screen in the storage position.
An image having the same size as the print size may be displayed on the transmissive screen.
There may be further provided an image pickup means for picking up an image of the reflection original placed at the position of the transmission screen and generating image data. In this case, the projection optical system constituting the projection unit may function as a photographing optical system when performing imaging. Further, the light source constituting the projection unit may function as a light source for illuminating the document when imaging. A light guide mechanism that guides light from the light source to the document in a direction that intersects the optical axis of the projection optical system that functions as a photographing optical system may be further provided. The light guide mechanism may include a diffusion optical system that diffuses light. You may further provide control which controls a printer part in order to print the produced | generated image data after imaging. A document holding member that forms a gap for storing the document between the transmission type screen and the transmissive screen may be further provided. A light shielding member that covers the back surface of the document and prevents external light from entering the imaging means may be further provided.
A transparent operation member disposed on the surface side of the transmission screen and a switch that is turned on by mechanically operating the operation member, and a part of the projection light from the projection unit is transmitted through the transmission screen. It may be configured to be projected onto the operation member. In this case, information regarding the function of the operation member may be projected onto the operation member.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a large screen with an inexpensive configuration.

-First embodiment-
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 are a sectional view and a perspective view of a printer apparatus (photo printer) in this embodiment. The printer apparatus according to the present embodiment is relatively small and can print at most about L size. A printer mechanism housing 10 is housed in a lower portion of the housing 1 of the printer apparatus, and a control circuit board 20, a projecting portion 30, and a card slot 40 are disposed on the upper portion. The printer mechanism unit 10 includes a loading unit for printing paper PP. The printing method is not limited, and any of a thermal sublimation type, a thermal transfer type, an ink jet type and the like may be used.

  A power button 11 for turning the power on and off is provided on the top surface of the housing 1, and a slit opening 12 for discharging the print paper PP and a memory in the card slot 40 are disposed on the front surface of the housing 1. A slit opening 13 for inserting and removing the card MC is provided. By loading the memory card MC in which the image data is recorded into the card slot 40, the image data can be read and printed.

  The printer apparatus includes a display mechanism including the projection unit 30 described above and a transmission screen 51 connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 51a. The transmission screen 51 rises with respect to the housing 1 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. It can be rotated between use positions. When in the use position, the screen 51 is maintained at an angle orthogonal to the projection optical axis of the projection unit 30. Further, the display area (projection area) of the screen 51 is equal to or larger than the maximum print size.

  The projection unit 30 includes a light source 31, a transmissive display element (for example, a liquid crystal element) 32 provided in front of the light source 31, and a projection lens 33 disposed in front of the light source 31. When an image is displayed on the display element 32 and the light source 31 is turned on, the transmitted light of the display element 32 is enlarged and projected onto the screen 51 via the projection lens 33. A reflection type award element such as LCOS may be used as the display element.

  An upper cover 52 is connected to the left end of the housing 1 via a hinge. The upper cover 52 can be rotated between an open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and a closed position shown in FIG. 2B. When the upper cover 52 is in the closed position, the upper cover 52 is in a housing. Cover the entire top surface of the body 1. Therefore, the projection unit 30 and the screen 51 are also covered with the upper cover 52, and are protected from external force and dust.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, side covers 53 are provided on both sides of the screen 51. The side cover 53 is composed of two fan-shaped plate members that can be folded, and when the upper cover 52 is opened and the screen 51 is in the use position, as shown in FIG. Both sides of the space surrounded by the cover 52 are closed. At this time, both the upper cover 52 and the side cover 53 constitute a light shielding wall, and prevent external light from being guided to the back surface (projection surface) of the screen 51. On the other hand, when the screen 51 is in the storage position, the side cover 53 is stored in the housing 1 in a folded state as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a control system of the printer apparatus. The printer mechanism unit 10, the projection unit 30, the operation unit 61, the memory 62, and the like are connected to the CPU 21 mounted on the control circuit board 20. The operation unit 61 includes switches that are turned on and off in conjunction with operations of the power button 11 and other operation members (not shown). The operation member may be provided on the upper surface or the side surface of the housing 1, but may be provided on the screen 51 as in an embodiment described later.

  In the printer apparatus configured as described above, when a predetermined image selection operation is performed, the CPU 21 reads the selected image data from the memory card MC, displays it on the display element 32, and turns on the light source 31. Thereby, the light transmitted through the display element 32 is enlarged and projected onto the screen 51 via the projection lens 33. The operator checks the projected image on the screen 51 and determines whether or not to print. When a print start operation is performed, the CPU 21 starts printing the image.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the printer device is equipped with a so-called rear projector type display mechanism, so that even if the display element 32 itself is small, an image of a large size can be displayed. Therefore, the details of the displayed image can be confirmed, and whether or not it deserves to be printed can be accurately determined. In particular, in this embodiment, since the display area of the screen 51 is the same size as or larger than the maximum print size, an image can be displayed in the same size as the print size, and the state when printing is made easy by viewing the display. Can be imaged. In a printer apparatus that supports a plurality of print sizes, it is easy to change the display image size on the screen according to the print size.

  Such a large-screen display device can also be realized by using a large liquid crystal display panel, but in this case, the cost is greatly increased. By using the rear projector type display device as in this embodiment, the cost can be minimized.

  In addition, since the external light is shielded by the upper cover 52 and the side cover 53, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect on the display image due to the external light. Furthermore, when not in use, the entire apparatus can be made compact by storing the screen 51 and the side cover 53 in the housing 1. In addition, since the upper cover 52 that protects the screen 51 and the projection unit 30 also serves as a light shielding member, the cost can be reduced by using the member also.

  Note that the display content on the screen 51 is not limited to an image, and image information (for example, shooting conditions such as an aperture value and a shutter speed) can be displayed in the vicinity of the image. In addition, a plurality of thumbnail images may be displayed when selecting an image. Because of the large screen, characters such as shooting conditions can be displayed in a large and easy-to-see manner, and more thumbnail images can be displayed.

-Second Embodiment-
An example in which a copying function is added to the above printer device will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to previous embodiment.
Reference numeral 71 denotes a fixed block fixed in the housing 1, and the fixed block 71 holds the projection lens 33 and the illumination optical system (prism) 81 described above. A movable block 72 is provided at the rear of the fixed block 71 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. The movable block 72 holds the light source 31, the display element 32, and the imaging element 82 described above. The driving mechanism 73 of the movable block 72 can be constituted by, for example, a motor and a screw rotated by the motor, but other driving methods may be used.

  A transparent plate 83 that is substantially the same size as the screen 51 is rotatably disposed immediately behind the transmissive screen 51 (on the projection lens 33 side). A copy original (reflective original) is placed between the transparent plate 83 and the screen 51. ) MS can be inserted. The inserted original MS is sandwiched between the transparent plate 83 and the screen 51 to ensure its flatness. As shown in FIG. 5, the reflecting member 84 and the diffusing member 85 are fixed to the back surface of the upper cover 51, and the diffusing member 86 is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 1.

  In the above configuration, a print mode is selected to print an image. In the print mode, the movable block 72 is at the position (display position) in FIG. 4A, and the light source 31 and the display element 32 of the movable block 72 and the projection lens 33 of the fixed block 71 are coaxially arranged. Therefore, the light from the light source 31 passes through the display element 32, and further passes through the transparent plate 83 and is projected onto the screen 51. The image can be printed after confirming the image on the screen 51 as in the previous embodiment.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to copy the original MS, the original MS is set between the transparent plate 83 and the screen 51, and the copy mode is selected. When the copy mode is selected, the CPU 21 moves the movable block 72 to the position (copy position) in FIG. At the copying position, the light source 31, the display element 32, and the illumination optical system 81 are coaxially arranged, and the imaging element 82 (photoelectric conversion element) and the projection lens 33 are coaxially arranged.

  Thereafter, when a copy start operation is performed, the CPU 21 turns on the light source 31. The light source light passes through the transparent display element 32 and is then irradiated obliquely upward by the illumination optical system (prism) 81 as simple white light (FIG. 5). Part of the irradiated light is incident on the diffusing member 85 and the reflecting member 84 provided on the upper cover 52 in the open position, and the light diffused by the diffusing member 85 illuminates the document MS from above. On the other hand, the light reflected by the reflecting member 84 is diffused by the diffusing member 86 provided on the upper surface of the housing, and illuminates the document MS from below.

  The reflected light from the document MS enters the image sensor 82 via the projection lens 33 that functions as a photographing lens, and is photoelectrically converted. The photoelectric conversion output is subjected to predetermined processing by an image processing circuit 91 (FIG. 6), and image data is generated. The generated image data can be immediately used for printing, or can be recorded on the memory card MC without printing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the copy mode, the light source 31 of the display mechanism can be used as a light source for illuminating a document, and similarly, the projection lens 33 can be used as a photographing lens. Therefore, the copying function can be realized with the minimum addition of members. In addition, switching between the print mode and the copy mode can be performed by moving the movable block 72 by a small amount, and prompt mode switching can be realized.

  Here, in the case of a glossy copy original, if illumination light is irradiated from the front, regular reflection light from the original may be incident on the image sensor 82, and overexposure may occur. In the present embodiment, as described above, the original MS is illuminated with the diffused light from above and below, that is, in a direction intersecting the photographing optical axis. Can be prevented. Further, since the reflecting member 84 and the diffusing members 85 and 86 are arranged so that the document MS can be illuminated from a plurality of directions, the document MS can be illuminated evenly with the single light source 31.

7 and 8 show modifications.
During the copying described above, if the copy original MS is smaller in size than the screen 51, external light passes through the periphery of the original of the transmissive screen 51 and enters the image sensor 82. Further, in the case of a thin document, the transmitted light of the document itself is similarly incident on the image sensor 82, and there is a possibility that proper color reproduction cannot be performed or printing on the back side of the document is reflected in the image data.

  In order to solve the above inconvenience, in this embodiment, a light shielding sheet 54 for shutting out external light is provided. The light shielding sheet 54 is a flexible sheet and can be stored along the back surface of the upper cover 52 when not in use, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7B, the screen 51 is opened and the document MS is set, and after the screen 51 is closed, the light shielding sheet 54 is pulled out (FIG. 8A). Projections provided on both sides of the light shielding sheet 54 engage with guide grooves 52a provided on the left and right walls of the upper cover 52, and the light shielding sheet 54 can be pulled out and stored along the guide grooves 52a. Next, the drawn-out light shielding sheet 54 is placed on the front surface of the screen 51 as shown in FIG. The light shielding sheet 54 is slightly larger than the screen 51 and can cover the entire screen. In this state, the above-described copying operation is performed.

  By using the light shielding sheet 54 as described above, intrusion of external light from the peripheral edge of the screen and transmission of external light from the document MS can be prevented, and unnecessary light other than reflected light from the document MS enters the image sensor 82. Never do. Therefore, regardless of the size and thickness of the document MS, it is possible to realize copying with excellent reproducibility.

-Third embodiment-
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the transmission screen in the present embodiment, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a portion A thereof.
An operation mechanism 90 provided in the vicinity of the rotation shaft portion of the screen 51 is configured by supporting a plurality of operation buttons 91 and a switch 92 on a button cover 93. The button 91 is made of a transparent member (for example, plastic) and is hereinafter referred to as a transparent button. The button cover 93 is made of an opaque member. FIG. 10 is a front view of the operation mechanism 90, and in this example, five transparent buttons 91 (91a to 91e) having different shapes are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, each transparent button 91 includes a pressing portion 911 and a switch operation portion 912, and the surface of the pressing portion 911 is exposed from an opening provided in the button cover 93. When the pressing unit 911 is pressed with a finger, the entire transparent button 91 performs a seesaw motion, and the switch operation unit 912 turns on the switch 92. When the pressing is released, the transparent button 91 performs a seesaw motion in the reverse direction, and the switch 92 is turned off. An on / off signal of the switch 92 is input to the CPU 21 via the flexible printed board 94.

  Since the pressing portion 911 is disposed so as to overlap the lower portion of the screen 51 and the back surface of the pressing portion 911 faces the screen 51 through the opening of the button cover 93, the light image from the projection unit 30 described above is displayed on the screen 51. It can project and display on the press part 911 via. In this case, if the pressing portion 911 has a convex lens shape, enlarged display is possible.

  FIG. 11 shows a display example on the screen 51, and the operation mechanism 90 is not shown. 51a is an image display area, 51b is an image information display area, 51c is a thumbnail display area, and 51d is a button function display area. Of the plurality of thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail display area 51c, the main image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed in the image display area 51a.

  FIG. 12 shows a display example including the operation mechanism 90, and characters and marks representing the button functions displayed in the button function area 51 d are displayed on the pressing portions 911 of the corresponding transparent buttons 91. In this example, a display switching function is assigned to the transparent button 91a, a thumbnail selection function is assigned to the transparent buttons 91b and 91d, a decision function is assigned to the transparent button 91c, and a menu screen display function is assigned to the transparent button 91e.

  The function of each transparent button 91 can be changed according to the mode and operation status. For example, an image enlargement function, a print start function, an image brightness adjustment function, a color adjustment function, or the like is assigned to the transparent buttons 91a and 91e functioning as display switching buttons and menu display buttons in the figure. Can do. When the button function is changed, the display corresponding to the transparent button on the projection unit 30 side can be changed to change the display of the transparent button pressing portion 911 to the newly assigned function display. In the case of a printer device that supports a plurality of languages, the function display of the transparent button can be switched to the language display corresponding to the selected language.

  As described above, since the display on the transparent button 91 can be freely changed, the user can clearly know which function is assigned to which button. Incidentally, the change of the function display on the operation unit can be realized relatively easily by arranging a transparent touch panel on the display screen, but there is a direction to avoid the touch panel because a clear operational feeling cannot be obtained. It is also conceivable to arrange a plurality of operation buttons in the vicinity of the display screen and display the function of each button on the display screen. However, in this case, it is difficult to deal with because the buttons are separated from the function display. The operation mechanism of the present embodiment is an operation mechanism in which a button can be physically displaced to obtain a clear operation feeling, but the display content displayed on the button pressing portion itself can be freely changed. It can be said that this is an epoch-making operation mechanism that is not available.

  The transparent button is not limited to the pressing type, and may be a sliding type or a rotating type. In addition to the transparent button, a button may be provided on the housing side. Of the plurality of buttons, buttons that can be fixedly displayed (for example, arrow buttons) are preferably provided on the housing side, and those that need to be changed are preferably provided as transparent buttons on the screen.

  In the above description, the screen is a simple rotation type. However, for example, a configuration in which the screen is slid from the storage position and then moved to the use position may be used.

2A and 2B are side cross-sectional views of the printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. In the perspective view of the printer apparatus, (a) is in use, (b) is not in use. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the printer apparatus. FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of a printer apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a printing time and (b) shows a copying time. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the printer apparatus of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the printer apparatus of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which the light-shielding sheet is provided in the printer device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and shows a state where the light shielding sheet is pulled out. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a printer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a screen portion, and FIG. The front view of the operation mechanism in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example in the printer apparatus of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a diagram of the operation example superimposed on the display example of FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 10 Printer mechanism part 30 Projection part 31 Light source 32 Display element 33 Projection lens 51 Transmission type screen 52 Upper cover 53 Side cover 54 Light-shielding sheet 81 Illumination optical system 82 Imaging element 83 Transparent plate 84 Reflective member 85,86 Diffusing member 90 Operating mechanism 91 Transparent button 92 Switch 93 Button cover 911 Transparent button pressing part 912 Transparent button switch operating part

Claims (14)

A printer unit arranged in a housing and printing image data on paper;
A transmissive screen movable between a storage position stored in the housing and a use position rising from the housing at a predetermined angle;
A printer apparatus comprising: a projection unit that is disposed in the housing and projects display data including the image data onto a transmission screen at the use position.   The printer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light shielding unit that prevents outside light from being guided to a projection surface of the transmissive screen.   The printer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the light shielding unit functions as a protective member for a transmission screen in the storage position.   The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image having the same size as a print size can be displayed on the transmissive screen.   The printer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image pickup unit configured to pick up an image of a reflection original placed at the position of the transmissive screen and generate image data.   The printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a projection optical system constituting the projection unit functions as a photographing optical system when performing the imaging.   The printer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a light source that constitutes the projection unit functions as a light source that illuminates the document when the imaging is performed.   8. The light guide mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising a light guide mechanism that guides light from the light source to the document in a direction intersecting an optical axis of a projection optical system that functions as the photographing optical system. The printer device described in 1.   The printer apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the light guide mechanism includes a diffusion optical system that diffuses light.   The printer apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit that controls the printer unit to print the generated image data after the imaging.   The printer apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a document holding member that forms a gap for storing a document between the transmissive screen.   The printer apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a light shielding member that covers a back surface of the document and prevents external light from entering the imaging unit. A transparent operation member disposed on the surface side of the transmission screen;
A switch that is turned on by mechanically operating the operation member,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the projection light from the projection unit is transmitted through the transmission screen and projected onto the operation member.   The printer device according to claim 13, wherein the projection unit is controlled so that information on a function of the operation member is projected onto the operation member.

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