JP2009143005A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration which enables printing data received by a first printer capable of recording only recording media of a small size to be printed by a second printer capable of printing recording media of other sizes. <P>SOLUTION: A radio communication device 200 of the printer in which the radio communication device 200 of the first printer normally operates as a client by a reception mode is switched along with detection of a memory card to a host mode whereby the radio communication device 200 can transmit. Hence data in a first external storage device which the first printer can read is transmitted to the second printer which functions as the other client with a radio communication device 100, so that printing by a different printing size is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer capable of reading data in an external storage device and printing directly.

Conventionally, data in an external storage device can be directly read and printed from an external storage device (for example, a portable recording medium used in a digital camera or the like, hereinafter referred to as a memory card) without using a host device. There is known a direct printing type printer (hereinafter referred to as a direct printer). In recent years, with the increase in opportunities to print photographs taken with a digital camera or the like, a dedicated printer (hereinafter referred to as A6 printer) specialized for photograph printing has been released. Furthermore, as wireless communication technology develops, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a printing system using Bluetooth is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device typified by Bluetooth, and wireless communication is performed. There has been disclosed a direct printer capable of printing from a host (such as a PC or a mobile phone) via the Internet.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-20489 JP 2005-227924 A

  In general, when printing data in the first external storage device, there is a demand from users not only to print on photo size printing paper but also on, for example, A4 size paper. Conventionally, however, the A6 printer, which is a direct photo printer specializing in photo paper sizes, reads data from the first external storage device without going through the host device because it is a photo printer. Despite being able to print out, it can only be printed on paper up to A6 size or 4 inch x 8 inch size, and cannot be printed on large paper such as A4 size. For this purpose, it is connected to a host device such as a PC with a USB cable, etc., and the host device reads data from the first external storage device and performs processing for printing with the host device. It is necessary to prepare a host device (for example, a PC) despite the troublesomeness of printing with a printer (hereinafter, for example, an A4 printer) that can print paper other than the photo size connected to the printer, and a direct printer. there were. Furthermore, even if the A6 printer has the wireless communication device 200, since the printer is normally a printing device, it functions as a client as a wireless communication device and is dedicated to reception from the host device 300 or the like. Since the data cannot be sent to another printer having a wireless communication device similar to the A6 printer or a PC, the data in the first external storage device can be directly read and printed. It was only possible to print using another direct printing type A4 printer that could be used.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable the wireless communication device 200 of the A6 printer to transmit the wireless communication device 200 together with the detection of the memory card to the wireless communication device 200 of the printer operating in the reception mode as a client. By switching to a different host mode, the data in the first external storage device that can be read by the A6 printer is transmitted to the A4 printer functioning as another client having the wireless communication device, so that the data can be printed with different print sizes. It is to be able to print.

  In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a first interface that can be connected to a first external device in a printer that can directly read and print data in an external storage device without going through a host device; A second interface different from the first interface connectable to a second external device; and a third interface separate from the first and second interfaces connectable to a host device; A print processing unit that receives data and performs printing; and a control unit that controls the first, second, and third interfaces and the print processing unit, wherein the control unit includes the first interface. When the first external device is connected to the printer, the first interface is controlled to transfer the data of the first external device to the print processing unit. When the first external device is connected to the printing control means and the first interface, and the second external device is connected to the second interface, the first and second interfaces And transmitting means for changing the operation mode of the external device and transmitting the data of the first external device to the second external device without going through the host device. To do.

  According to the present invention, even if the connection destination printer does not have a direct printing function, it is possible to easily print an image in the memory card by mounting the wireless communication device.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to a configuration diagram of a printing system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first interface and a second interface independent of the first interface. For example, a digital camera (not shown) and the wireless communication device 200 are connected to the first interface via a connector 115 by USB, for example. On the other hand, the second interface is connected to, for example, USB, but is connected to the memory card control unit 108 and is connected to an external storage device such as a memory card via the connector 117. Similarly, the third interface is connected to the host apparatus 300 via the connector 116 by USB, for example. In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 200 is a short-range wireless communication device such as Bluetooth.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is a photo printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as A6 printer), 200 and 600 are wireless communication apparatuses, 300 is a host apparatus (not shown), and 400 is a removable recording medium (not shown) such as a memory. Card. Reference numeral 500 denotes a single function printing apparatus (hereinafter, A4 printer).

  The wireless communication devices 200 and 600 are performed by a spread spectrum method such as Bluetooth, and can transmit and receive data including commands and image data. In other words, the wireless communication devices 200 and 600 need to transmit and receive by wireless communication in accordance with the communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as profile) such as Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless data communication technology, and is mainly a technology for wirelessly connecting a computer and a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone. It goes without saying that both wireless communication apparatuses that perform data communication need to be equipped with a predetermined communication procedure (hereinafter referred to as a profile) such as Bluetooth. Bluetooth currently has a maximum transmission distance of 10 meters and a maximum data transfer rate of 1 Mbps.

  Now, when the memory card 400 (not shown) storing image data taken by a digital still camera (not shown) or the like is inserted into the connector 117 of the printer 100, the printer 100 controls the memory card. The image data of the memory card 400 can be read via the unit 108, and the image data can be received from a host device (not shown) having the wireless communication device via the wireless communication device 200. . The wireless communication device 200 attached to the printer is generally in a setting state as a client that receives data, and is normally in a reception standby state.

  The printer 500 is a printer having a maximum printing paper size different from that of the printer 100, and has a wireless communication device 600 similar to the printer 100, and the wireless communication device 600 is set as a client. Waiting to receive data from other host devices. Here, the printer 500 is described as a single-function printer, but it may be a printer having a direct printing function. Needless to say, it may be a multi-function printer that has been introduced to the market in recent years.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a printer engine, which is equipped with a print head, a print head transport mechanism, a print paper transport mechanism, a drive motor thereof, and the like.

  A printer control unit / print processing unit 102 controls the entire printer 100. The printer control unit 102 controls driving of the printer engine 101 and communicates with the wireless communication device 200 and the host device 300 connected to the USB connectors 115 and 116. The image data of the memory card 400 attached to the USB host controller, device controller, and connector 117 is read, and the image processing unit 111 or the JPEG image decompression unit 112 converts the data into a data format that can be printed by the printer 100 or performs color processing. The printer control unit / print processing unit 103 includes a dedicated circuit (hereinafter referred to as ASIC) with a built-in microcontroller.

  A printer control unit / print processing unit 103 is a motor control circuit for the printer engine 101, a circuit for generating image data suitable for a print head (not shown) mounted on the printer engine 101, and an operation unit 113. , And an interface with the display unit 114.

  A HUB 104 controls the printer class USB device controller 105 and the storage class USB device controller 106.

  A USB device controller 105 is a printer class device controller.

  Similarly, reference numeral 106 denotes a storage class device controller.

  A USB host controller 107 connects the memory card control unit 108 to the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 as a storage class. Further, the wireless communication device 200 is connected to the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 via the USB connector 115 as a wireless device class. It goes without saying that the USB 115 normally supports a storage class so that an external storage device can be connected. In the present invention, the storage class connection is omitted, and a case where the wireless communication apparatus 200 is connected will be described.

  A memory card control unit 108 reads and writes storage information such as image data of the memory card 400. The memory card control unit 108 is compatible with various memory cards such as a compact memory card by using a PCMCIA memory card, a connector shape changing adapter, or the like. Further, it goes without saying that it is not necessary to use a connector shape changing adapter by mounting a memory card controller corresponding to various memory cards.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a program memory in which constants, variables, and programs for operation of the printer control unit 102 are stored. The program memory 109 includes a read only memory (ROM), and includes a printer control unit / print processing unit 103, an image processing unit 111. A control program such as the JPEG image decompression unit 110, software for Bluetooth communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as profile), and the like are stored.

  A storage unit 110 is used as a working memory or a temporary storage unit when the CPU of the ASIC 102 operates, and is a random access memory (hereinafter, RAM).

  111 is an image processing unit, and the image data of the memory card 400 captured by a digital still camera (not shown) is expressed by so-called RGB color space data of the three primary colors of the optical system, red, green, and blue. In general, it is compressed in a predetermined format to reduce the image size. However, in printers such as inkjet printers, the so-called yellow, magenta, and cyan are different from the three primary colors of the optical system. Expressed in Y, M, and C color space data. Accordingly, the RGB color space data is converted into YMC color space data by the image processing unit 111 so that it can be printed by the printer.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a JPEG image decompression unit, for example, a decompression processing unit for JPEG images (hereinafter referred to as JPEG), which is a bit image of a JPEG file that is a file format for image compression generally used in digital still cameras and the like. The data format is converted to a data format that can be printed by the printer 100. In the present embodiment, a JPEG image will be described, but it goes without saying that it is not limited to the JPEG format.

  Reference numeral 113 denotes an operation unit of the printer 100, which includes a power switch of the printer 100, operation keys for operating an operation menu displayed on the display unit 114, status display LEDs, and the like.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes an LCD that displays an operation menu or an image in the memory card according to a user instruction under the control of the printer control unit / print processing unit.

  Reference numerals 115 and 116 denote connectors, which are a USB connector A type and a USB connector B type, respectively.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a memory card connector. Generally, a PCMCIA card connector standardized by an industry group is used.

  Reference numeral 118 denotes a power supply unit that generates a system power supply from an AC power supply (not shown) or a DC power supply such as a battery.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes a paper feed tray for feeding printing paper, and 120 denotes a paper discharge tray for receiving printed paper.

  121 and 122 are image scroll icons on the display screen, 123 is an up / down / left / right scroll key of the operation unit 113, 124 is a selection decision key (OK), and 125 is a print start key.

  Here, the printer 100 inserts the memory card 400 into the operation unit 113 for the user to give various commands to the printer 100 by key operation, the display unit 114 for displaying the image data in the memory card 400 and the operation menu. Memory card connector 117. As described above, the memory card 400 is a recording medium itself or a recording medium set in a card holder that fits the interface of the printer 100 (for example, a memory card that conforms to the PCMCIA standard) and is detachable. is there.

The printer 100 can function as a direct printer or as a peripheral device of the host device 300. When functioning as a direct printer, the printer 100 receives an image file (for example, an image compressed in JPEG format) from the memory card 400 inserted into the memory card connector 117 in response to a command from the user via the operation unit 113. File (hereinafter referred to as JPEG image file) is directly read (that is, not via the host device 300), and the read JPEG image file is opened by the JPEG image decompression unit 112, and the image in the JPEG image file is displayed on the display unit 114. Can be printed. (Hereafter, this printing is called "direct printing")
On the other hand, when the printer 100 functions as a peripheral device of the host device 300, the printer 100 receives a print image from the host device 300 and prints it, or the host device 300 stores it in the memory card 400 in response to a request from the host device 300. In other words, in response to a request from the host device 300, the JPEG image file is read from the memory card 400 and sent to the host device 300, or the JPEG image file received from the host device 300 is read from the memory card. The JPEG image file in the memory card 400 is rewritten to the JPEG image file received from the host device 300.

  As described above, the printer 100 includes the HUB 104, which is an interface with the host device 300, and the integrated circuit 102 (hereinafter referred to as ASIC) in which the CPU capable of executing the direct printing described above and a dedicated circuit are integrated. Prepare. The ASIC 102 includes a printer control unit / print processing unit 103, a printer class USB device controller 105, a storage class USB device controller 106, a USB host controller 107, a memory card control unit 108, a JPEG image decompression unit 112, and an image color. And an image processing unit 111 that performs processing.

  The storage class USB device controller 106 connects the printer 100 to the host device 300 as a storage class when communication is performed between the host device 300 and the memory card control unit 108 via the HUB 104. That is, the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 connects the memory card control unit 108 connected via the USB host controller 107 as a storage class device, and the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 hosts as the storage class. It will be connected to the device 300. As a result, the host device 300 can view the image data in the memory card 400 attached to the memory card control unit 108 under the control of the printer control unit / print processing unit 103, and the memory JPEG image files can be read from and written to the card 400.

  The printer class USB device controller 105 uses the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 as a printer class when the communication is performed between the host device 300 and the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 via the HUB 104. Connect to. As a result, the host apparatus 300 transmits data including the print image to the printer control unit / print processing unit 103, and the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 can print the print image.

  In addition, the USB host controller 107 is connected to the USB connector 115, for example, when a user connects a digital camera (not shown) and directly prints from the digital camera (hereinafter referred to as camera direct, recently as PictBrigde, an industry standard) The connected digital camera (not shown) is connected to the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 as a storage class. As a result, the printer 100 is connected via a USB host to a digital camera (not shown), and the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 follows a control procedure of camera direct (hereinafter referred to as PictBrigde) to issue a print instruction from the digital camera. Based on this, the JPEG image in the digital camera is received, and the JPEG decompression unit 112 and the image processing unit 111 perform image development processing, so that the print image can be printed.

  Further, for example, a user connects a wireless communication device such as Bluetooth having a USB interface, and the printer 100 is a wireless communication printer dedicated to reception (hereinafter referred to as a client) of another host device (not shown) having the wireless communication device. When the wireless communication device 200 functions as a wireless class device, the wireless communication device 200 is connected to the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 as a wireless class device. As a result, the wireless communication device 200 as a client is connected to the printer 100 as a wireless class device, receives a JPEG image file or print data from a host device (not shown) having the wireless communication device via wireless communication, You can print it.

  Also, the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 connects the wireless communication device 200 such as Bluetooth having a USB interface to the USB connector 115, and the printer 100 is connected to another host (not shown) having the wireless communication device. When the apparatus is set to function as a client wireless communication printer, the wireless communication apparatus 200 is connected to the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 as a wireless class device. As a result, the wireless communication device 200 as a client is connected to the printer 100 as a wireless class device, receives a JPEG image file or print data from a host device (not shown) having the wireless communication device via wireless communication, You can print it. In addition, by displaying that the wireless communication device 200 is mounted on the display unit 114, various settings related to wireless communication (for example, security according to Bluetooth protocol, device name, etc.) are operated on the operation unit 113. By doing so, the user can freely set.

  On the other hand, for example, as described above, normally, the wireless communication device 200 functioning as a client is connected to the JPEG in the memory card 400 via the operation unit 113 according to an operation menu displayed on the display unit 114 by the user. When the printer 100 is instructed to send an image file, the wireless communication device 200 connected via USB is switched from the client to the send-only (hereinafter referred to as host), and the memory card control unit 108 is connected as a storage class device. To do. Thereby, the printer 100 is connected to the wireless communication apparatus 200 and the memory card control unit 108 by USB host, and the memory card control unit 108 stores all or part of the JPEG image files in the memory card 400 in the memory card control unit 108. And the read JPEG image file is transmitted to the wireless communication device 200, and a host device (not shown) or the wireless communication device 600 is connected via the wireless communication device 200 in accordance with a communication protocol defined by Bluetooth or the like. The JPEG image file in the memory card 400 can be transmitted to the A4 printer 500 having the memory card 400 and stored or printed (that is, by switching the wireless communication apparatus 200 normally connected as a client to the host, the memory card 400 JPEG image files can be sent / saved / printed).

  As described above, normally, when the wireless communication device 200 such as Bluetooth is connected to the printer 100, it functions as a client, but in the present invention, the user follows the operation menu displayed on the display unit 114, When operating the operation unit 113 and instructing the printer 100 to transmit the JPEG image file in the memory card 400 via the wireless device 200, the wireless communication device 200 connected via USB is dedicated for transmission from the client. (Hereinafter referred to as a host) and the memory card control unit 108 is connected as a storage class device. As a result, the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 causes the memory card control unit 108 to read all or part of the JPEG image file in the memory card 400, and transmits the read JPEG image file to the wireless communication device 200. Then, in accordance with a communication protocol defined by Bluetooth or the like, the wireless communication device 600 mounted on another A4 printer 500 capable of printing of different sizes via the wireless communication device 200 is stored in the memory card 400. The JPEG image file is transmitted. On the other hand, the A4 printer 500 that has received the image file can print on different paper sizes using the direct printing function of the A4 printer. (That is, the JPEG image file in the memory card 400 can be transmitted to another host device or printer by switching the wireless communication device 200 normally connected as a client to a host).

  Hereinafter, the details of the operation flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  FIG. 3 shows an initial menu screen after the printer 100 is turned on in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing various settings and a maintenance screen in the present embodiment.

  Immediately after the system power is turned on, the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 performs four functions shown in FIG. 3 on the LCD display of the display unit 114 based on the control program of the printer 100 stored in the ROM 109. Each type of drawing (hereinafter referred to as an icon) is displayed. That is, in the A6 printer 100 of the present embodiment, the following functions are displayed as icons.

  The first menu is a function of “printing while viewing images one by one” of the memory card 400 attached to the connector 117, and the second menu is “print for each image” of the memory card 400 attached to the connector 117. “Print by specifying the number of copies” function, the third menu is for the memory card 400 attached to the connector 117, “prints can be made in various ways such as postcards and seals”, and the fourth menu is for the book A “various settings and maintenance” function of the printer 100 is displayed.

  Each icon on the LCD of the display unit 114 sequentially moves to the left and right each time the left / right scroll key of the scroll key 123 of the operation unit 113 is pressed under the control of the printer control unit / print processing unit 103. For example, FIG. 3-1 in FIG. 3 shows the left end, which is a print icon for each image, but if the right scroll key of the scroll key 123 is pressed here, a plurality of images in FIG. 3-2 are printed together. The icon moves. Similarly, when the right scroll key is pressed, the icons move in order and return to the first icon. At this time, pressing the OK key 124 of the operation unit 113 at the position of each icon switches to a detailed menu of each function indicated by the icon. Here, the details of the menus in FIGS. 3-1 to 3-3 are omitted since they are not directly related to the present embodiment, and the details of the menu 4 in FIG. 3-4 will be described.

  Now, the scroll key 123 of the operation unit 113 is operated to move the selection icon to the various setting / maintenance icons of the menu 4 in FIG. 3-4. Here, by pressing the OK key 124 of the operation unit 113, various settings / maintenances are selected, and the screen switches to a detailed menu screen shown in FIG.

  In the various settings / maintenance menu, as shown in 4-A, icons for various settings such as printer printing paper and icons for printer maintenance such as inkjet head cleaning are displayed on the display unit 114.

  Here, when various setting icons on the right side are selected and the OK key 124 of the operation unit 113 is pressed, the display changes to 4-B.

  The setting item of “Bluetooth setting” of the detailed function is displayed only when the Bluetooth module is attached according to the software stored in the wireless communication device 200, here, for example, the ROM 109 in the connector 115. Control is performed by the printer control unit / print processing unit 103. Regardless of the result of detecting the attachment of the memory card 400, the control program for the wireless communication device 200 stored in advance in the ROM 109 is selected so that the wireless communication device 200 functions as a client. When the wireless communication apparatus 200 is not attached, the Bluetooth setting items are not usually displayed.

  Here, although detailed description of the item of “Bluetooth setting” is omitted, this item indicates that the A6 printer 100 of this embodiment is set as a client, that is, for receiving when the wireless communication device 200 is mounted. This is for setting the unique name of the printer and setting the access security.

  On the other hand, as described in the above description, the setting item of “Send via Bluetooth” indicates that the wireless communication device 200 is attached to the connector 115, that is, the USB host controller 107 sets the attachment of the Bluetooth module to the USB communication protocol. It is controlled so that it is displayed only when the memory card control unit 108 detects that the memory card 400 is inserted in a situation where the memory card 400 is detected.

  At this time, when it is detected that the memory card is attached, a program for causing the wireless communication apparatus 200 stored in advance in the ROM 109 to function as a host is selected contrary to the above. When the Bluetooth module 200 is attached to the connector 115 and the memory card 400 is attached to the card connector 117, the “Send via Bluetooth” item shown in 4-B is displayed.

  When the up / down scroll key 123 and the OK key 124 of the operation unit 113 are pressed in the 4-B menu and “Send via Bluetooth” is selected and determined, the menu is switched to the 4-C menu.

  In the menu 4-C, a peripheral client device is searched using the Bluetooth module, which is the wireless communication apparatus 200 of the A6 printer 100 of this embodiment, as a host device. That is, in this embodiment, a printer other than A6 printing paper, for example, an A4 printer is searched. At this time, the printer control unit / printing control unit 103 determines that the instruction from the key input is a request for connection with another wireless communication device, for example, the wireless communication device 600 of the A4 printer 500, based on the program control of the ROM 109. In order to determine whether or not a device (connection destination client) capable of short-range wireless data communication is located in the vicinity, a search is performed by a predetermined search method. For example, a communication device is searched in accordance with a search method stipulated in a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (hereinafter referred to as a communication profile), a so-called service discovery profile, etc., and an identification number (hereinafter referred to as an ID) of the device from a communicable device Will wait for a response.

  In this way, the ID, which is the identification number from the printer 500, the notification of the communication connection possible state of the printer 500, and the same notification from other connection destination clients are received as responses via the wireless communication device 200. The A6 printer 100 displays on the display unit 114 the identification number of the client that has responded as a connection destination client in a state where communication connection is possible. For example, in the 4-D menu, there are responses from three clients, each of which is “ip4200” which is the ID of an A4 printer (not shown) as the connection destination client 1, and a personal computer (not shown) as the connection destination client 2. ID “IBM Think Pad”, the ID of the A4 printer 500 as the connection destination client 3 “iP7500”, and the like are displayed on the display unit 114.

  Here, when the user selects “iP7500”, which is one of the connection destination clients, by operating the up / down scroll key 123 of the operation unit 113 for the ID of the connectable device displayed on the display unit 114, the printer control The copy / print control unit 103 transmits a reconnection request via the wireless communication apparatus 200 only to the A4 printer 500 that is the selected connection destination client “iP7500”.

  On the other hand, the printer 500 that has received this request executes communication line connection with the A6 printer 100 as the connection destination host in accordance with a communication profile such as Bluetooth. At this time, as shown in the menu of 4-F, it is necessary to input a connection key (hereinafter referred to as a pass key) that can be set in advance with the connection destination in order to establish an exclusive connection in the communication protocol such as Bluetooth. is there. Normally, it is set to 4 digits of 0000 by default. In this state, when the OK key 124 of the operation unit 113 is pressed, the A6 printer 100 and the A4 printer 500 are connected via the short-range wireless data communication line via the respective wireless communication devices 200 and 600.

  When the connection of the wireless communication line is completed in this way, the menu screen shown in 4-G is displayed. Here, an image selection menu for selecting a desired image to be printed from the connected A4 printer 500 from the memory card is displayed. At this time, the display unit 114 sequentially displays the image data of the attached memory card 400, and the left and right scroll keys of the operation unit 113 corresponding to the image left and right scroll icons 121 and 122 displayed on the display unit 114 are operated. By doing so, it is controlled to sequentially switch and display. When the user presses the OK key 124 of the operation unit 113 when the desired image is displayed, a menu screen indicated by 4-H is displayed, and the printer control unit / print processing unit 103 includes the USB host controller 107 and the memory card control unit 108. Then, predetermined image data, for example, JPEG data is read. Here, the read JPEG image data is transmitted to the A4 printer 500 via the USB host controller 107 via the wireless communication device 200 and the wireless communication device 600 of the A4 printer 500. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the screen returns to the 4-A menu and waits for a user key operation. Here, the image data format recorded in a memory such as a memory card is generally stored by compressing image data in order to reduce the memory size of the data, such as JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or A format such as GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is used.

  On the other hand, the A4 printer 500 that has received the JPEG image data from the wireless communication device 200 of the A6 printer 100 executes an image processing unit (not shown) and print control in the A4 printer, although the detailed description is omitted. It is possible to optimally perform image processing on a printing paper of an appropriate size mounted on the printer and print it. Although the above description has been described using Bluetooth, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other wireless data communication systems, wired communication systems having a bidirectional communication function, or communication systems such as IrDA. In addition, as a connection destination client, it has been described as printing with a printer, but equipped with a short-range wireless data communication function, a function capable of converting and displaying an image format, a device having an input means such as key input and a display, For example, it is clear that it can be applied to backup and storage of data to devices such as personal computers (PCs), personal data assistants (PDAs), and digital TVs.

  As described above, by using the short-range wireless data communication, the operation mode of the wireless communication device 200 is switched from the client to the host operation for the image data of the memory card 300 mounted on the printer 100, and the wireless communication device 600 is The installed A4 printer 500 can be used as a client, that is, a printer to which the A6 printer 100 is connected, and the restriction on the printing paper for exclusive use of photographs of the A6 printer 100 is removed, and the printing paper size is changed without limitation of A6. It becomes possible and can be printed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. For example, a file to be read from or written to the memory card 400 is not limited to a JPEG image file, and may be a text file or the like. Further, the operation unit 113 may include not only buttons but another input device such as a trackball.

1 is a diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a printer according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the initial menu screen after the power supply of the printer in this embodiment is turned on. It is a figure which shows the various settings in this embodiment, and a maintenance screen.

Explanation of symbols

100 A6 printer
101 Printer engine
102 ASIC (CPU / dedicated circuit)
103 Printer control unit / print processing unit
104 HUB
105 Printer class USB device controller
106 Storage class USB device controller
107 USB host controller
108 Memory card controller
109 Read-only memory (ROM)
110 Random access memory (RAM)
111 Image processing section
112 JPEG image decompression unit
113 Control section
114 Display
115 USB connector
116 USB connector
117 Memory card connector

Claims (1)

  In the printer capable of directly reading and printing the data in the external storage device without going through the host device, the first interface connectable to the first external device and the second external device connectable A second interface different from the first interface; a third interface different from the first and second interfaces that can be connected to the host device; and a print processing unit that receives data and performs printing. And control means for controlling the first, second, and third interfaces and the print processing unit, wherein the control means is configured such that the first external device is connected to the first interface. And a print control means for controlling the first interface and transferring the data of the first external device to the print processing unit, and the first interface. And the second external device is connected to the second interface, the first and second interfaces are controlled to control the external device. And a transmission means for transmitting the data of the first external device to the second external device without going through the host device.

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