JP2013166332A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time to become a replaceable state of a print medium after return when a printing apparatus returns from a power-saving mode by operation of a print medium replacement switch.SOLUTION: A second control part, in which supply of power is not stopped even in a power-saving mode, detects an occurrence of an event in the power-saving mode, and when the detected event is an operation of an replacement switch of the print medium, sets return factor information that shows that a return factor is an occurrence of an replacement request of the print medium, and returns a first control part to a normal mode. The first control part that is stopped the supply of the power in the power-saving mode, or becomes a power consumption state lower than the normal mode, determines the return factor based on the return factor information after the return to the normal mode, and when a return factor concerned is an occurrence of the replacement request of the print medium, does a control necessary to replace the print medium for the user ahead of the initialization of the print engine.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to an operation after returning from a power saving mode.

  Conventionally, it is known that an electronic device that has not been used for a predetermined time is put into a power saving state. Patent Document 1 stores the presence / absence of opening / closing of a cover that is opened and closed during replacement of consumables during the power saving mode, and when it is determined that the cover has not been opened / closed after returning from the power saving mode, It is described that unnecessary initialization processing (for example, printing of a test pattern, reading of a printing result, determination of correction parameters, etc.) is skipped after performing initialization or mechanical initialization of a printing apparatus.

JP 2004-133259 A

Conventionally, when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode, initialization processing such as initialization of an electric circuit system and initialization of a print engine is first performed as in Patent Document 1. Even when one of the switches on the operation panel is pressed to return to the normal mode from the power saving mode, the initialization process is similarly performed. Therefore, for example, even when the user presses the print medium exchange switch on the operation panel in the power saving mode, the user has to wait until the above-described initialization process is completed even if the user wants to replace the print medium quickly. Also, if the print medium is replaced after the initialization process is completed, the print engine is initialized again after the print medium is replaced, and it takes more time to be ready for printing.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. When the printing apparatus is returned from the power saving mode by operating the print medium replacement switch, the time until the user can change the print medium after the return is restored. The purpose is to shorten.

  In the printing apparatus for achieving the above object, the power supply is stopped in the power saving mode or the power consumption state is lower than that in the normal mode, and the power supply is not stopped in the power saving mode. A second control unit. The second control unit has detection means and return control means. The detecting means detects the occurrence of an event in the power saving mode. When the detected event is an operation of a print medium replacement switch, the return control means sets return factor information indicating that the return factor is the occurrence of a print medium replacement request, and sets the first control unit normally. Return to mode. The first control unit has post-return processing means. The post-return processing means determines the return factor based on the return factor information after returning to the normal mode. If the return factor is the occurrence of a print medium replacement request, the print medium is initialized before the print engine is initialized. Perform the necessary controls to allow users to replace

  By performing the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium prior to the initialization of the print engine, the user can perform the print medium replacement work before the time-consuming initialization of the print engine is performed. it can. Initializing the print engine means initializing various mechanisms and power sources provided in the print engine. For example, initialization of the position of the movable part (target to be driven) is included. The initialization target in the initialization of the print engine may or may not include a mechanism and its power source that are driven in the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium.

In the printing apparatus for achieving the above object, the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium includes the control of separating both members holding the roll paper as the print medium in the conveyance path.
The roll paper can be released by separating both members holding the roll paper in the transport path. As a result, the user can pull out the roll paper from the conveyance path and replace it.
Further, for example, the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium may include control for prompting the user to replace the print medium. By prompting the user to replace the print medium before the initialization of the print engine, the user can be made aware that it is a stage for performing the print medium replacement operation.

In the printing apparatus for achieving the above object, the post-return processing means initializes the print engine after acquiring information indicating completion of replacement of the print medium.
That is, after the first control unit returns and before the initialization of the print engine, the control necessary for replacing the print medium is performed, and after the user finishes the print medium replacement work, the print engine Is initialized. When the initialization of the print engine is completed, the printer is ready for printing unless an error or the like occurs. For this reason, the print engine is initialized after the first control unit is restored as in the prior art, and then the control necessary for the user to replace the print medium is performed, and the user finishes the print medium replacement work. Thereafter, compared with a configuration in which the print engine is initialized again, it is possible to shorten the time from when the first control unit is restored until it becomes ready for printing (the print medium replacement work time is constant). To do).

  Note that the functions of the respective means and units described in the claims are realized by hardware resources whose functions are specified by the configuration itself, hardware resources whose functions are specified by a program, or a combination thereof. The functions of these means and units are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other. Furthermore, the present invention is established as an invention of a program for controlling the printing apparatus as described above and an invention of a recording medium for recording the program. Of course, the recording medium for recording the program may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium developed in the future.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows the operation panel concerning embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of the power saving mode concerning embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the post-return process concerning embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the corresponding component in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
1. 1. First embodiment 1-1. Configuration of Printer FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 1 as a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a first control unit 10, a second control unit 20, a power supply unit 30, a first power supply circuit 31, and a second power supply circuit 32. The power supply unit 30 supplies power to the first control unit 10 via the first power supply circuit 31. The power supply unit 30 supplies power to the second control unit 20 via the second power supply circuit 32. The first control unit 10 includes a main controller 11, a print engine 12, and a non-volatile memory (not shown). The second control unit 20 includes a standby return controller 21 and an operation unit 22.

  The main controller 11 includes a control unit having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). By executing various programs stored in the ROM, the nonvolatile memory, and the like on the CPU using the RAM, the entire printer 1 is controlled. The printer 1 is controlled to function as a printing apparatus. Specifically, for example, the main controller 11 controls the print engine 12 to execute printing. The main controller 11 communicates with an external device connected via a network. The main controller 11 outputs signals for displaying various information on the display 220 a to the operation panel 220 and inputs various signals such as a switch pressing signal output from the operation panel 220.

  The print engine 12 includes a transport unit 12a, a carriage unit 12b, and the like. The transport unit 12a is driven by a PF (paper transport) motor, a transport roller that is rotated by a PF motor to transport roll paper as a printing medium in the sub-scanning direction, and the transport roller rotates while holding the roll paper together with the transport roller in the transport path. And a paper detection sensor for detecting the width of the roll paper in the main scanning direction. In addition, the transport unit 12a includes an actuator for moving the transport roller or the pressing roller in a direction in which the distance between the rotation axes is increased. By moving the transport roller or the pressing roller in such a manner, the transport roller and the pressing roller can be separated from each other. The carriage unit 12b includes a print head that ejects ink, a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a CR (carriage) motor that drives the carriage to reciprocate in the main scanning direction, and the like.

  The standby return controller 21 includes a control unit having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and executes various programs recorded in the ROM and the like on the CPU while using the RAM, so that Control is performed to stop the supply of power to one control unit 10 or to supply power to the first control unit 10. The standby return controller 21 performs control for monitoring the occurrence of various events in the power saving mode.

  The operation unit 22 includes an operation panel 220 as shown in FIG. 2 and a control circuit (not shown) of the operation panel 220. The operation panel 220 includes a display 220a, a power switch 220b, a pause / cancel switch 220c, a roll paper replacement switch 220d, a paper feed switch 220e, a maintenance switch 220f, a menu switch 220g, an OK switch 220h, Each arrow switch 220i in the vertical and horizontal directions and a return switch 220j are provided. The control circuit of the operation panel 220 drives the display 220a based on the signal input from the main controller 11, and displays various information on the display 220a. The control circuit of the operation panel 220 detects that each of the switches described above has been pressed and outputs a signal indicating the pressed switch to the main controller 11 or the standby return controller 21.

  The first power supply circuit 31 is a switch circuit that turns on / off the supply of power to the first control unit 10. The first power supply circuit 31 supplies power to the first control unit 10 in response to a power-on signal from the second control unit 20. The first power supply circuit 31 stops the supply of power to the first control unit 10 in response to the power off signal from the second control unit 20. The second power supply circuit 32 is a switch circuit that turns on / off the supply of power to the second control unit 20.

  The printer 1 has a power saving mode and a normal mode as operation modes. In the power saving mode, the supply of power to the first control unit 10 is stopped, but the supply of power to the second control unit 20 is not stopped, and the second control unit 20 can operate even in the power saving mode. The configuration of the present embodiment in which the power supply to the first control unit 10 is stopped in the power saving mode is compared with the configuration in which the power supply is not stopped only in the power saving mode in the power saving mode. Power consumption can be further reduced. In the normal mode, power is supplied to both the first control unit 10 and the second control unit 20, and the first control unit 10 and the second control unit 20 can perform normal operations.

  The program executed by the control unit of the standby return controller 21 includes a detection unit 21a and a return control unit 21b. The detection unit 21a is a program that causes the standby return controller 21 to realize a function of detecting the occurrence of an event in the power saving mode. The return control unit 21b is a program that sets return factor information according to the detected event and realizes a function of returning the first control unit 10 to the normal mode. The program executed by the control unit of the main controller 11 includes a post-return processing unit 11a. The post-return processing unit 11a is a program that causes the main controller 11 to realize a function of determining a return factor based on the return factor information after returning to the normal mode and performing initialization processing in the order or content according to the return factor. .

1-2. Returning from the Power Saving Mode to the Normal Mode FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the power saving mode in the standby return controller 21. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed in the main controller 11 after the power is supplied to the first control unit 10 and the main controller 11 is activated until the normal process is performed. In the normal process, the occurrence of an event is monitored in the normal mode, and when the event occurs, a process corresponding to the event that has occurred is performed.

  First, the standby return controller 21 determines whether an event has occurred (step S100, detection unit 21a), and if it is determined that some event has occurred, sets return factor information corresponding to the event that has occurred (step S105). , Return control unit 21b). Specifically, for example, in the case of a configuration in which a flag is provided for each event, when an event occurs, the standby return controller 21 sets a value indicating the occurrence in the flag corresponding to the event. The main controller 11 after starting up these flags can refer to them. Further, for example, in a configuration in which a signal line corresponding to an event is provided in a signal line connecting the standby return controller 21 and the main controller 11, if any event occurs, the signal line corresponding to the event waits. The return controller 21 may output a signal indicating the occurrence of an event.

Subsequently, the standby return controller 21 activates the first control unit 10 (step S110, return control unit 21b). Specifically, the standby return controller 21 outputs a power-on signal to the first power supply circuit 31. In response to the power-on signal, the first power supply circuit 31 supplies power from the power supply unit 30 to each part of the first control unit 10. When power is supplied to the main controller 11, the main controller 11 is activated. Note that step S110 may be executed before step S105.
The processing executed by the standby return controller 21 has been described above. Next, processing executed by the main controller 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When power is supplied to the first controller 10 and the main controller 11 is activated, the main controller 11 initializes hardware (step S200). Specifically, for example, CPU initialization, ROM initialization, RAM initialization, and the like are executed. Subsequently, the main controller 11 determines a return factor based on the return factor information (step S205). Specifically, for example, when a flag is provided for each event, it is determined which of the flags is set with a value indicating that it has occurred. Further, for example, when the above-described signal line is provided for each event, it is determined which signal line is outputting a value indicating that it has occurred.

  In step S205, when nothing is set as the return factor information, that is, in the case of normal activation, the main controller 11 displays the activation screen on the display 220a (step S210). Normal activation means, for example, the first activation after the printer 1 is turned on. The fact that nothing is set as the return factor information can be determined by, for example, no flag indicating that an event has occurred in any of the flags as the return factor information. A similar determination can be made for signal lines.

  Subsequently, the main controller 11 initializes the print engine 12. Specifically, for example, seek position processing, measurement processing, flushing processing, and the like are performed. The seek position process is a process for detecting the current position by driving the CR motor to reciprocate the carriage. The measurement process is a process for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality such as an overload based on the load on the CR motor during the seek position process and the load on the PF motor when the transport roller is rotated. The flushing process is a process for discharging ink whose viscosity has increased due to drying or the like while the print head is not being used by discharging the ink from the nozzles of the print head. Further, for example, processing for detecting the position of the leading edge of the roll paper and the width in the main scanning direction by the paper detection sensor is also performed. As described above, the initialization process of the print engine 12 takes about 2 minutes because each part of the print engine 12 is driven.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the return factor is the occurrence of a print medium replacement request, the main controller 11 displays the print medium replacement guidance display on the display 220a before the print engine 12 is initialized. (Step S215). Specifically, for example, a procedure for replacing the roll paper is displayed on the display 220a. By displaying such guidance, it is possible to make the user recognize that it is a stage where the print medium is exchanged.

  Subsequently, the main controller 11 releases the state in which the print medium is being held in the conveyance path and releases the print medium (step S220). Specifically, for example, the main controller 11 moves the press roller or the transport roller from the state in which the roll paper is sandwiched between the press roller and the transport roller so that the distance between the rotation axes of the press roller and the transport roller is increased. Drive to separate the rollers. As a result, the roll paper is released. By releasing the roll paper, the user can pull out the roll paper from the conveyance path and replace the roll paper.

  Subsequently, the main controller 11 detects completion of replacement of the print medium (step S225). For example, when the user presses the roll paper replacement switch 220d (or OK switch 220h) again after completing the replacement work, the main controller 11 detects the press of the roll paper replacement switch 220d (or OK switch 220h), and the roll Detect that the paper replacement is complete. The main controller 11 may display a message prompting the user to press the above switch on the display 220a, such as “Please press the roll paper replacement switch after completing the replacement work”. After detecting the completion of the print medium replacement, the main controller 11 initializes the print engine 12 in step S235.

  When it is determined in step S205 that the return factor is another factor, the main controller 11 executes processes predetermined according to the factor in the order determined (step S230). Examples of other factors include a case where another switch of the operation panel 220 is pressed, a case where a print request is received from an external device via a network, and the like. Even when the process returns due to other factors, if there is a process that is preferably performed before the initialization of the print engine 12 which takes time, the process is performed in step S230. The above steps S200 to S235 are processes corresponding to the post-return processing unit 11a.

  After step S235, the main controller 11 proceeds to normal processing. Specifically, for example, the occurrence of various events is monitored, and when any event occurs, processing corresponding to the event that has occurred is executed. As an event monitored by the main controller 11 in the normal mode, for example, any switch on the operation panel 220 is pressed, an error occurs, or the printer 1 is not used for a predetermined time. Various other events are assumed. For example, when an event that the printer 1 has not been used for a predetermined time has occurred, the main controller 11 turns off the display 220a of the operation panel 220 or shifts the printer 1 to the power saving mode (first control). To stop the supply of power to the unit 10).

  As described above, by performing the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium before the print engine initialization, the user can replace the print medium before the time-consuming print engine initialization is performed. Work can be done. In addition, after the user finishes the print medium replacement operation, the print engine 12 is initialized. For this reason, the print engine 12 is initialized after the first control unit 10 is restored as in the prior art, and then the user performs the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium, so that the user can replace the print medium. Compared with the conventional configuration in which the print engine 12 is initialized again after the completion, it is possible to shorten the time from when the first control unit 10 returns to the ready state for printing (the print medium). The time required for the replacement work is constant).

2. Other Embodiments The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the first control unit 10 is configured to stop supplying power in the power saving mode. However, in the power saving mode, it is sufficient that the first control unit 10 is in a lower power state than at least in the normal mode. May not be stopped.
In the above-described embodiment, the printer is described as an example of the printing apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having an image reading function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to the printing function.

  In the above embodiment, it is detected that the user has pressed the predetermined switch after replacing the print medium, but the print medium replacement is completed. However, the replacement of the print medium may be detected by another method. . For example, the completion of the replacement of the print medium may be detected by detecting that the cover covering the space for accommodating the print medium has changed from an open state to a closed state.

  1: printer, 10: first control unit, 11: main controller, 11a: post-return processing unit, 12: print engine, 12a: transport unit, 12b: carriage unit, 20: second control unit, 21: standby return controller 21a: detection unit, 21b: return control unit, 22: operation unit, 30: power supply unit, 31: first power supply circuit, 32: second power supply circuit, 220: operation panel, 220a: display, 220b: power switch, 220c: Cancel switch, 220d: Roll paper replacement switch, 220e: Paper feed switch, 220f: Maintenance switch, 220g: Menu switch, 220h: OK switch, 220i: Each arrow switch, 220j: Return switch

Claims (3)

A first control unit in which power supply is stopped in the power saving mode or in a lower power consumption state than in the normal mode, and a second control unit in which the power supply is not stopped even in the power saving mode,
The second controller is
Detecting means for detecting occurrence of an event in the power saving mode;
When the detected event is an operation of a print medium replacement switch, return factor information indicating that the return factor is the occurrence of the print medium replacement request is set and the first control unit is set to the normal mode. Return control means for returning to
The first controller is
After returning to the normal mode, the return factor is determined based on the return factor information, and if the return factor is the occurrence of a request for replacing the print medium, the control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium Having a post-return processing means for performing before the initialization of the print engine,
Printing device. The control necessary for causing the user to replace the print medium includes control for separating both members holding the roll paper as the print medium in the conveyance path,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The post-return processing means initializes the print engine after obtaining information indicating completion of replacement of the print medium.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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