JP2704021B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having, for example, a display unit having a backlight and a recording unit.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electronic device such as a document processing device includes a display unit that displays information input from a keyboard or the like, and a recording unit that records the input information. In order to reduce the size and weight of electronic devices, liquid crystal display panels are often used for display units. In recent years, in order to improve the contrast of a liquid crystal display panel, a device having a backlight has been developed.

In the electronic device having the above-described backlight, current is consumed in the recording unit in addition to the current consumed in the display unit, particularly, the backlight during recording.
Since a large current is necessary for turning on the backlight and driving the recording unit, it is necessary to design a circuit such as a large-capacity power supply in consideration of a recording time consuming a large amount of current.

Further, when a battery built in an electronic device is used as a driving power source, a large current is consumed at the time of recording, so that the battery life is significantly shortened.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, in a conventional electronic device having a display unit and a recording unit, a large current is consumed at the time of recording, so that it is necessary to design a circuit in consideration of the large current. Further, when a battery is used as a driving power source, there is a problem that the battery life is significantly shortened.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an apparatus in which the current consumption of the entire electronic device is reduced by controlling the brightness of the display means during the recording operation to reduce the brightness is proposed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 64-49897. .

However, the publication and the like do not take any measures for dealing with an abnormal situation that occurs in such a control state. That is, when an abnormal situation occurs in the electronic device, the electronic device cannot recover from the abnormal situation unless the operator is notified of the situation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device capable of reducing current consumption during recording and notifying an operator of an abnormal situation promptly and reliably when an abnormal situation occurs. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display device for displaying input information, a recording device for recording the input information, and a recording device, In an electronic device having a brightness control unit for lowering the brightness of the display unit, an abnormality detection unit that detects that an abnormality has occurred during the recording operation of the recording unit, and in response to the abnormality detection by the abnormality detection unit. And control means for displaying the detected abnormality on the display means and canceling a decrease in luminance of the display means by the luminance control means.

[Operation] According to the above configuration, during the recording operation, the brightness of the display means is reduced by the brightness control means, so that the current consumption can be reduced. Is displayed on the display means, and the lowering of the brightness of the display means is canceled, so that the operator can quickly and reliably know the occurrence of the abnormal situation.

〔Example〕

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

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of an external configuration of an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a document processing apparatus.

Here, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard unit in which a key group 2 such as character input keys for characters and numbers and control keys for printing and the like are arranged. When not used, the key unit 2 is rotated around a hinge 3 in FIG. It can be folded as shown in B). Reference numeral 4 denotes a paper feed tray for feeding a sheet-shaped recording medium to a printer section inside the apparatus, which is stored over the printer section 8 as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 5 denotes a feed knob for manually setting and ejecting the recording medium, and reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit for displaying inputted text and the like. The display unit 6 has a backlight 12 (not shown) on the back surface thereof to compensate for the lack of contrast of the display unit 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a handle used when carrying the apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the printer unit 8 according to the present embodiment.

Here, reference numeral 9 denotes a head cartridge having an ink jet recording head described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a carriage for mounting the scanner and scanning in the S direction in the figure. 13 carries head cartridge 9 to carriage 11
Reference numeral 15 denotes a lever for operating the hook 13. The lever 15 is provided with a marker 17 for indicating a scale provided on a cover, which will be described later, so as to be able to read a print position, a set position, and the like of the recording head of the head cartridge. Reference numeral 19 denotes a support plate for supporting an electrical connection to the head cartridge 9. Reference numeral 21 denotes a flexible cable for connecting the electrical connection unit and the main body control unit.

23 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is inserted into a bearing 25 of the carriage 11. 27
Is a timing belt to which the carriage 11 is fixed and which transmits power for moving the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is stretched over pulleys 29A and 29B arranged on both sides of the apparatus. A driving force is transmitted to one pulley 29B from a carriage motor 31 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a platen roller for regulating a recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter, also referred to as recording paper) and transporting the recording medium during recording or the like. 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium to the recording position from the paper feed tray 4 side, and 39 is disposed in the middle of the recording medium feeding path, presses the recording medium toward the platen roller 33, and conveys it. For the feed roller. 41 is disposed downstream from the recording position on the recording medium transport direction,
A discharge roller for discharging the recording medium toward a discharge port (not shown). Reference numeral 42 denotes a spur provided corresponding to the paper discharge roller 41, which presses the roller 41 via the recording medium to generate a conveyance force of the recording medium by the paper discharge roller 41. Reference numeral 43 denotes a feed roller 39 and a holding plate 4 for setting a recording medium.
5. Release lever for releasing the bias of each spur 42.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a pressing plate for suppressing the floating of the recording medium in the vicinity of the recording position and ensuring the state of close contact with the platen roller 33.

In this embodiment, an ink jet recording head that performs recording by performing ink ejection as a recording head is employed. Therefore, the distance between the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is relatively small, and the gap must be strictly controlled to avoid contact between the recording medium and the discharge port forming surface. The arrangement of the holding plate 45 is effective. Reference numeral 47 denotes a scale provided on the holding plate 45, and reference numeral 49 denotes a marker provided on the carriage 11 in correspondence with the scale, and the print position and the set position of the recording head can also be read by these.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a cap formed of an elastic material such as rubber which faces the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head in the home position, and is supported so as to be able to contact / separate from the recording head. The cap 51 is used for protection of a recording head at the time of non-recording or the like and for recovery processing of the recording head ejection. The ejection recovery process is to drive an energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection port and used for ink ejection, thereby ejecting ink from all ejection ports, thereby causing bubbles, dust, and thickening. Processing to remove the cause of ejection failure such as ink that is no longer suitable for printing (preliminary ejection)
Alternatively, this is a process for removing the cause of the discharge failure by forcibly discharging the ink from the discharge port.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a pump used for applying a suction force for forcibly discharging the ink and for sucking the ink received by the cap 51 at the time of the discharge recovery processing by the forced discharge and the discharge recovery processing by the preliminary discharge. Reference numeral 55 denotes a waste ink tank for storing the waste ink sucked by the pump 53, and reference numeral 57 denotes a tube connecting the pump 53 and the waste ink tank 55.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection head forming surface of the recording head, which is located at a position for projecting toward the recording head to perform wiping in the process of moving the head and a retreating position not engaging with the ejection port formation surface. It is movably supported. Reference numeral 61 denotes a recovery system motor, and 63 denotes a cam device for receiving the power transmitted from the recovery system motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and move the cap 51 and the blade 59, respectively.

Next, the details of the above-described head cartridge 9 will be described.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a head cartridge 9 in which a discharge unit 9a and an ink tank 9b forming an ink jet recording head main body are integrated. In the figure, 906e
When mounting the head cartridge 9, the carriage 11
Are hooks which are hooked by hooks 13 provided on the hook.
As can be seen, the pawl 906e is located inside the full extension of the recording head. Further, in the vicinity of the front discharge unit 9a of the head cartridge 9, a positioning abutting portion (not shown) is provided. Reference numeral 906f denotes a head opening that stands on the carriage 11 and into which a support board for supporting a flexible board (electric connection part) and a rubber pad is inserted.

FIGS. 4 (A) and (B) are exploded perspective views of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 3, which is a disposable type in which an ink storage unit as an ink supply source is integrated as described above. is there.

In FIG. 9A, reference numeral 911 denotes a heater board in which an electrothermal conversion element (ejection heater) and a wiring such as Al for supplying electric power are formed on a Si substrate by a film forming technique. Reference numeral 921 denotes a wiring board for the heater board 911, and the corresponding wiring is connected by, for example, wire bonding.

Reference numeral 940 denotes a top plate provided with a partition for defining an ink flow path, a common liquid chamber, and the like. In the present embodiment, the top plate is made of a resin material having an orifice plate unit integrally.

930 is, for example, a metal support, 950 is a holding spring,
The heater board 911 and the top board 940 are sandwiched between them so that they are engaged with each other, so that the heater board 910 and the top board 940 are pressed and fixed by the urging force of the pressing spring 950. Note that the support 930 can also be provided with a wiring board 921 attached thereto or the like, and can have a positioning reference for the carriage 11 that scans the head. Also,
The support 930 also functions as a member that radiates and cools the heat of the heater board 911 generated by driving.

Reference numeral 960 denotes a supply tank, which functions as a sub-tank that receives ink supply from the ink storage unit 9b serving as an ink supply source and guides ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 911 and the top plate 940. Reference numeral 970 denotes a filter disposed at a position in the supply tank 960 near the ink supply port to the common liquid chamber, and 980 denotes a cover member of the supply tank 960.

900 is an absorber for impregnating the ink, and is arranged in the ink tank main body 9b. 1200 is the above parts 911-9
A supply port for supplying ink to the recording element 9a composed of 80, and the unit is connected to the ink tank main body.
By injecting ink from the supply port 1200 in a process before arranging it in the portion 1010 of 9b, the ink impregnation of the absorber 900 can be performed.

Reference numeral 1100 denotes a lid member of the cartridge body, and 1400 denotes an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere. Reference numeral 1300 denotes a liquid-repellent material disposed inside the air communication port 1400, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 1400.

When the ink filling into the ink tank 9b through the supply port 1200 is completed, the discharge unit 9a including the parts 911 to 980 is positioned and arranged in the portion 1010. The positioning or fixing at this time is performed, for example, by using a projection 10 provided on the ink tank body 9b.
This can be done by fitting the holes 12 with the holes 931 provided in the support 930 correspondingly. Thus, the head cartridge 9 shown in FIG. 4 (B) is completed.

And the ink is supplied from the inside of the cartridge to the supply port 1200,
The supply tank 960 is provided through a hole 932 provided in the support 930 and an introduction port provided on the back surface side of the supply tank 960 in FIG. 4 (A).
After passing through the inside, the liquid flows from the outlet through an appropriate supply pipe and the ink inlet 942 of the top plate 940 into the common liquid chamber. A packing made of, for example, silicon rubber or butyl rubber is provided at the connection portion for ink communication described above, whereby sealing is performed to secure an ink supply path.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the carriage 11 respectively.
3A and 3B are a top view and a left side view showing a state when the head cartridge 9 is mounted on the vehicle. In these figures, 90
Reference numeral 6a denotes an abutting portion provided on the head cartridge 9 so that the abutting portion of the carriage 11 can be abutted when the recording head is mounted. Reference numerals 906b and 906c denote abutting portions corresponding to the abutting portions 601b and 601c, respectively. It is a contact.

Here, with reference to FIG. 5 (A), an outline of the engagement relationship of each part when the recording head is mounted will be outlined.

The contact portion 906a of the head cartridge 9 is in contact with the abutment portion 601a of the carrier 6, and at the same time, the pawl 906 of the head cartridge 9 is in contact with the coil spring 610 via the hook 13 hooked to this. The force is applied to the left in the figure by the urging force. As a result, the head cartridge 9 receives a moment force centered on the contact portion. At this time, the substrate 906d provided on the head comes into contact with the abutting portion 601f, and as a result, the head cartridge 9 is positioned in the left-right direction, and the position is maintained.

At this time, the protrusion 605A of the rubber pad 605 is
Is compressed and deformed by contact with With this deformation,
A force for pressing the terminal pad of the flexible substrate 604 and the terminal of the substrate 906d is generated. In this case, since the substrate 906d is in contact with the abutting portion 601f, the amount of deformation of the protruding portion 605A is constant, and the above-described stable pressing force can be obtained.

It should be noted that FIG. 7 does not show a state in which the protrusion 605A is compressed and deformed.

The positioning of the head cartridge 9 in the front-back and up-down directions is performed during the mounting process.

6 and 7 are a side view and a top view, respectively, showing the mechanism around the head cartridge shown in FIG. 2 and the like.

In these figures, reference numeral 91 denotes a roller rotatably supported at the front end of the carriage 11. The roller 91 is provided so that a part thereof protrudes forward from the discharge port surface of the head cartridge, and comes into contact with the paper holding plate 45 and rotates thereon. Reference numeral 613 denotes a roller spring provided at the rear end of the carriage 11. Roller spring 613, roller 613
A, connecting member 613B that supports roller 613A, and connecting member 6
It is composed of a spring 613C that urges 13B in a predetermined rotation direction. The roller 613A contacts the front end plate 105 erected at the front end of the bottom plate 100 of the apparatus so as to extend in parallel with the above-described guide shaft, and rotates thereon. The connecting member 613B is rotatably supported by a predetermined shaft 113 of the carriage 11, and includes a spring 613.
C is a connecting member 613B supported on a predetermined shaft of the carriage 11.
Is rotated around the shaft 113 in a counterclockwise direction. With the configuration of the roller spring 613 described above, the carriage 11 is always urged toward the paper holding plate 45.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a bearing that engages with the guide shaft 23, and is mounted on both side ends of the carriage 11. As will be described in detail later, the bearing 25 is one in which a bearing portion is eccentric with respect to a case for mounting the bearing 25, and the two bearings 25 are mounted so that their eccentric directions are opposite. The bearing on the side shown in FIG.
Numeral 25 is swingably provided around a boss 112 provided on the carriage 11. That is, the portion of the carriage 11 where the bearing 25 is mounted is a long hole,
Further, the two protrusions 25A of the bearing 25 are restricted by the boss 112 from moving in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 6). As a result, the bearing 25 swings relative to the carriage 11 in accordance with the movement of the carriage 11 as described later. At this time, in the movement of the bearing 25 in the direction of the guide shaft 23, the projection 25B provided on the bearing 25 is restricted by a part of the carriage 11.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the recovery device including the cap 51, the pump 53, the blade 59, the motor 61, the cam device 63 and the like in FIG.

Here, 501 is an ink absorber arranged inside the cap 51, 503 is a holding member for holding the cap 51, and 505 is a pin.
This is a cap lever that is rotatably mounted around the 507 and that causes the cap 51 to abut / remove the discharge port forming surface of the discharge unit 9a by the force applied to the pin 507. 51
Reference numeral 1 denotes a pin that is engaged with the end portion 509 of the catch lever 505 to regulate the rotation range of the catch lever 505.

Reference numeral 513 denotes a jig having a hole into which the pin 507 of the catch bar 505 is fitted, and is used to attach the catch bar 505 to a support 515 provided on the pump 53. Reference numeral 516 denotes a fastening member for securing the attached state. Reference numeral 517 denotes an action portion which acts on the cap 51 to apply a force for bringing the cap 51 into contact with the discharge port forming surface, and is engaged with substantially the center of the rear side of the cap 51. The action section has a suction port 517A for sucked ink, and ink flow paths are formed in the inside of the jet lever 505, the pins 507, the jig 513, and the support section 515, respectively. Then, when the pump 53 exerts a suction force, ink flows through these flow paths as shown by arrows in the drawing.
Introduced within.

Reference numeral 519 denotes a shaft protruding from the center of the end face of the pump 53. The pump 53 itself can rotate around the shaft 519. This turning force is applied to the cap lever 505 via the support portion 515, and the cap 51 moves forward and backward accordingly. Joint
521 is coupled to a member 523 to which the tube 57 is attached.
An ink flow path is formed inside the shaft 519, the joint 521, and the member 523, and the ink sucked by the pump 53 flows through the flow path 57 through the flow path as indicated by an arrow in the drawing.
Through the waste ink tank 55.

525 is a piston of the pump 53, 527 is its shaft, 529 is a packing, and 531 is a cap of the pump 53. Reference numeral 533 is attached to the piston shaft 527, and the piston 525 is a pin for receiving a force for operating the piston.

Reference numeral 535 denotes a blade lever to which the blade 59 is attached. The blade lever 535 is rotatably supported around a shaft protruding from an end face of the pump 53, and causes the blade 59 to protrude or retreat toward the recording head with the rotation. Reference numeral 537 denotes a spring that applies a rotating force to the blade lever 535 in a direction in which the blade 59 projects. Also, 539 is a cap 53 for the pump 53 itself.
Is a spring that gives a rotation behavior in the direction toward the recording head.

A gear train 541 transmits the rotation of the motor 61 to the cam device 63. The cam device 63 includes a cam 547 for engaging and rotating an engaging portion 545 provided on the pump 53, and a pump 53.
A cam 549 for engaging the pin 533 provided on the piston shaft 527 to operate the pump, and a cam 553 for engaging and rotating the engaging portion 551 provided on the blade lever 535.
And a cam 557 that engages with a switch 555 for detecting the home position of the cam device 63. The operation of these cams will be described later.

 FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure of the cap 51 and the like.

Here, in the present embodiment, the ink suction port 56 in the cap is used.
1 is opened in the lower part in the vertical direction, and the ink flow path 5 is directed toward the ink introduction port 517A provided in the action section 517 of the pump lever 505.
63 are formed. Further, the suction port 561 is not completely covered by the absorber 501.

According to this configuration, when the ink flows downward due to gravity, the ink is sucked from the suction port 561 provided below, so that the amount of ink remaining in the ink absorber 501 becomes extremely small. Therefore, the deterioration due to solidification, etc. is greatly delayed, and the ink absorber or the cap to which the ink absorber is attached is attached.
51 life can be extended.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are explanatory views showing the contour curves of the respective cams of the cam device 63 and the operation positions of the respective parts corresponding to the respective cam positions. The numerical values in FIG. 10 are the cam rotation angles.

In these figures, (A) shows the cam position and the state of each part when performing the recording operation. The cap 51 and the blade 59 are separated from the discharge port forming surface of the recording head,
53 is at top dead center. (B) is a home position switch
55 is the off position, and this position is the home position of the cam device 63.

This is a position set when recording is in a standby state or the like. At this time, the cap 51 covers the discharge port forming surface and the blade 59
Is retracted, and the pump 53 is also at the top dead center.

When the cam is rotated from the position (B), the cap 51
The piston 525 moves toward the bottom dead center while being joined (cap-on) to the discharge port forming surface, and the negative pressure of the suction system reaching the cap increases. Eventually, after the piston 525 reached the ink inlet of the pump and closed it (the period during which the valve was closed), the valve began to open (point 109.5 ゜),
Fully open (130.5 ° point), after which the piston 525 reaches a position (C) near bottom dead center. In consideration of the fluid resistance of the ink suction system, sufficient suction is performed by stopping the rotation of the cam at this position for a predetermined time, and then the cam is rotated again, when the piston 525 reaches the bottom dead center, The cap 51 starts to separate from the discharge port forming surface. This position (D) is held for a predetermined time.

Then, when the cam is further rotated, the piston 525 starts to move toward the top dead center again. In this process, the valve starts to close (209.
(5 ゜ point), then completely closed (230.5 ゜ point)
On the other hand, at the position (E), the cap 51 is completely separated from the discharge port forming surface. By driving the piston 525 several times in this vicinity, the ink remaining in the ink suction system is sucked (empty suction) toward the pump. The left and right spaces of the piston 525 in the pump are:
The flow path is communicated with a flow path (not shown). The flow path is closed when the piston moves from top dead center to bottom dead center, and is opened when the piston moves from bottom dead center to top dead center. The space on the right side of the piston communicates with a flow path provided on the pump shaft 519. Therefore,
In the process of idle suction, when the piston 525 moves from bottom dead center to top dead center, the ink introduced into the space on the left side of the piston is transferred to the space on the right side, and when the piston 525 moves from top dead center to bottom dead center, the ink suction system , Ink is introduced into the left space, and ink is discharged from the right space to the waste ink tank.

Thereafter, when the cam is further rotated in the forward direction, the blade 59 protrudes to be ready for wiping (position (F)). When the carriage 11 is moved to the recording area side in this state, the blade 59 is engaged with the ejection port forming surface of the head and the surface thereof is wiped, and the ink and the like attached to the ejection port forming surface are wiped. Then, the cam is further rotated to retreat the blade 55 and set the cam at the position (A). In this state, the carriage 11 is moved to the cap side so that the discharge port forming surface of the head is opposed to the cap 51, and then the cam is moved to the position (B) to be the cap-on and stopped.

When shifting from the standby state to recording, the cam may be rotated in the positive or negative direction from the position (B) to protrude the blade 59, and wiping may be performed before recording.

Next, a control configuration for controlling each unit of the document processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, a control unit 10 processes characters and the like input from the keyboard 1 and displays them on the display unit 6 formed of a liquid crystal panel, and operates the printer unit 8 based on a recording instruction from the keyboard 1. The control unit 10 is used for an MPU 1000 for executing various control procedures, a ROM 1001 for storing the above-described control procedures and data, a CG 1002 for generating a character pattern corresponding to character data, and a work area in the above-described control execution. Interface unit 10 for connection to RAM1003 and external devices such as keyboard 1
It consists of 04. The control unit 10 and the printer unit 8 are electrically connected by a signal line 1005.

Controlled by the control unit 10 of the printer unit 8 are a head carriage motor 31, a transport motor 35, and a recovery system motor 61, which are driven by a head driver 9A and motor drivers 31A, 35A, 61A, respectively. These motors 31, 35, and 61 have a DC motor configuration, and the rotation direction is controlled by the polarity of the drive pulse. Further, based on the detection of the recovery system home sensor 65 and the carriage home sensor 67, the control unit 10 can recognize the capping position and the movement position of the carriage 11. In addition, the carriage 11 is provided with an ink sensor 69 for detecting the lack of ink by the weight of the head cartridge 9.

The display unit 6 for compensating for the lack of contrast of the display unit 6
Has a backlight 12 on its back. here,
A cold-cathode tube driven by an AC signal is used for the backlight 12. 14 controls the brightness of the backlight 12
A backlight control unit for controlling based on a control signal CNT from the controller.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing details of the backlight control unit 14 shown in FIG.

In the figure, a DC 140 converts a supplied DC current Vin into an AC signal, boosts the DC signal Vin, and drives the backlight 12 to light up.
・ AC converter. The DC-AC converter 140 supplies the voltage Vin by the on-off operation transistors T ₁ is controlled not to supply an AC signal of Batsukuraito 12 when the voltage Vin is not applied. Transistors T ₁ performs on-off operation in response to the output of the comparator 141. This comparator 141 is
Voltage V obtained by dividing voltage Vin by resistor R ₁ and capacitor C _1
1 and a voltage V _{2 obtained by} dividing the voltage Vin by a resistor R ₂ and resistors R ₃ and R _4.
Compare with

The capacitor C ₁ is a transistor T ₂ which performs on-off action by the oscillation output of the oscillator 142, the charge and discharge is controlled. That is, the transistor T ₂ is the capacitor C ₁ when off is charged with a time constant C ₁ · R ₁ via a resistor R _1, rapidly discharged to the ground potential through the transistor T ₂ when the transistor T ₂ is turned on . The resistor R _3, the operator has a variable resistor for adjusting the brightness of Batsukuraito 12. Here, the resistance R ₃ is a divided voltage V ₂ at the maximum value Va,
The minimum value is Vb (Va> Vb).

Transistor T ₃ is turned on and off in response to the control signal CNT from the control unit 10, when on, a voltage Vin resistor R
The divided voltage Vc ₂ and resistor R ₅ to set the voltage V _2. However, the resistance R ₅ is sufficiently low as compared with the resistance _{R 4 (R 5 «R 4)} . Thus, the transistor T ₃ is the voltage V _2, ie, the voltage Vc when the ON voltages Va, becomes smaller than Vb.

The output of the comparator 141, when the voltages V ₁ higher than the voltage V ₂ becomes high impedance. So the transistor
Since the base voltage of T ₁ is a voltage Vin by the resistors R _6, transistors T ₁ is not turned on. At this time, the DC / AC converter 14
Since the voltage Vin is not supplied to 0, the backlight 12 does not turn on. On the other hand, when the voltages V ₁ lower than the voltage V _2, the output of the comparator 141 becomes the ground level, the transistor T
₁ turns on and supplies the voltage Vin to the DC / AC converter 140. Therefore, the AC signal is supplied to the backlight 12, and the backlight 12 is turned on.

The resistor R ₆ is a base output is transistors T ₁ when the high impedance state of the comparator 141 as a voltage Vin, a resistance for preventing the turning on transistors T _1.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the backlight control unit 14.

FIG (a) the control signal indicates the CNT, the time t ₈ an adequate "H" level voltage to turn on the transistor T _3.
(B) turns on the period transistor T ₂ of the shows the output waveform of the oscillator 142 "H" level (for example, time t ₀ ~t _1). Period in which the transistor T ₂ is turned on, the charge stored in the capacitor C ₁ is discharged. On the other hand, the output of the oscillator 142 is "L" level (e.g., time t ₁ ~t ₂₎ period of the transistor T ₂ is turned off, the capacitor C ₁ is charged by the constant C ₁ · R ₁ time,
As a result voltages V ₁ becomes sawtooth wave (FIG. (C)).

Since up to time t ₈ control signals CNT is "L" level, the voltage V ₂ as described above is determined by dividing the value by the resistors _{R 2, R 3, R 4} . Here, the operator until the time t ₄ is a variable resistor R ₃ is set to the maximum value, the voltage V ₂ is set to Va. In this case, the time t ₁ ~
t Since _2, voltage V ₂ is higher than the voltages V ₁ output of the comparator 141 (FIG. 7 (d)) is set to the ground level, transistors T ₁ and outputs a voltage Vin on (FIG. (e)) . This period D
Since an AC signal is output from the C / AC converter 140 to the backlight 12 (FIG. 4F), the backlight 12 is turned on.

At time t ₂ ~t _3, the output of the comparator 141 since the voltage V ₂ is lower than the voltages V ₁ becomes high impedance, the output transistors T ₁ is turned off becomes the ground level (Fig. (C), (D), (e)). As a result, the DC / AC converter 14
From 0, the AC waveform is not supplied to the backlight 12 (FIG. 6F), and the backlight 12 is turned off.

At time t _4, when the operator sets the variable resistor R ₃ to the minimum value, the voltage V ₂ becomes Vb. In this case, the time t ₃ ~t ₅ the voltage V ₂
There therefore becomes higher than the voltage V _1, the time t ₀ ~t ₂ similar Batsukuraito 12 is turned on. On the other hand, at time t ₅ ~t ₆ Batsukuraito 12 is turned off.

In FIG. (F), when the voltage V ₂ of Va Batsukuraito
Assuming that the period during which 12 is lit is Ta and Vb is Tb, then Ta> Tb. In the oscillation period TT of the oscillator 142, the longer the lighting period is, the brighter the backlight 12 becomes. Therefore, the voltage V ₂ brighter than when more when the Va is Vb, i.e., bright until time t _4, from time t ₄ to t ₈ darker than until time t _4.

At time t _8, the control signal CNT is "H" becomes a level transistor T ₃ is turned on, as described above, the voltage V ₂ is the resistor R _2, R ₅
Vc determined by Again, Batsukuraito 12 at time t ₇ ~t ₉ the voltage V ₂ becomes higher than the voltage V ₁ is lit,
On the one hand the time t ₉ ~t ₁₀ is turned off. At this time, back light 1
Since the period Tc during which 2 is lit is shorter than the periods Ta and Tb, the backlight 12 becomes dark.

Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the timing chart and the flow chart shown in FIG.

The key group 2 of the keyboard unit 1 shown in FIG.
A print key (not shown) serving as a trigger for disclosing printing is arranged, and when the print key is input, the created document is printed by the printer unit 8. For this reason, the control unit 10
Waits for a key input in step S1, as shown in FIG.
In step S2, it is determined whether the key is a print key. If it is not a print key, a process corresponding to the key input is performed in step S3.

In the case of the print key, the control signal is sent in step S4 before printing.
The CNT is set to “H” level (FIG. 17A, time t ₁₁ ), and the brightness of the backlight 12 is reduced. Then, in step S5, the above-described cap 51 is opened to start initialization processing of the printer unit 8, for example, printing. This operation is performed so that the position of the cam device 63 in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 is changed from the home position position (B) to the recording operation position (A).
This is performed by the U1000 driving the recovery motor 61 via the motor driver 61A (FIG. 14 (b)). In addition,
The home position of the carriage 11 may be redone.

In step S6, the MPU1000 converts the input character to CG1002
Is converted to print data using. In step S7, the head 9 is driven via the head driver 9A in accordance with the print data to execute printing, and the carriage motor 31 is driven via the motor driver 31A to move the carriage. When printing of one line is completed, the MPU 1000 drives the carriage motor 31 in the direction opposite to the direction in which printing was performed, and returns the carriage 11 to the home position (FIG. 14 (c)). Further, the transport motor 35 is driven via the motor driver 35A to transport one line of recording paper.

When the printing process is completed by repeating the above operation, the end process of the printer unit 8, for example, the cap 51 is closed in step S8. This operation is performed by the MPU 1000 driving the recovery motor 61 so that the position of the cam device 63 is changed from the recording operation position (A) to the home position position (B) in FIGS. 10 and 11. .

Then, in step S9, the control signal CNT is set to the "L" level to make the backlight 12 bright. Then, the process returns to step S1 and waits for a key input.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the brightness of the backlight 12 is reduced and darkened during printing which consumes a large amount of current, so that the current consumption can be reduced. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a circuit for flowing a large current, an inexpensive circuit can be designed.

Further, since the brightness of the backlight 12 during printing is set to a level lower than the brightness that can be set by the operator, it is possible to particularly reduce current consumption.

Furthermore, when a battery is used as a power source, the life of the battery is extended, so that the capacity can be reduced, and the size of the device can be reduced.

In this embodiment, DC motors are used as the motors 31, 35, 61, but stepping motors may be used. In that case, it is sufficient to drive by the excitation phase.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the control configuration shown in FIG. In the control configuration shown in FIG. 3, a printer control unit 80 for controlling the head 9 and the like is provided in the printer unit 8 to reduce the load on the control unit 10. Note that, in this figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

The printer control unit 80 has substantially the same configuration as the control unit 10, and includes an MPU 800, a ROM 801, a RAM 802, and an interface unit 803. The printer controller 80 and the controller 1
0 is electrically connected by a signal line 1005.

Regarding the operation of the control unit 10 in the above control configuration, the eighteenth
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in the figure.

In step S11, a key input is waited, and in step S12, it is determined whether the key is a print key. If not a print key,
At step S13, processing corresponding to the key input is performed.

In the case of a print key, step S14 in FIG. 16 is performed in step S14.
The input characters are converted to print data in the same manner as in step 6, and the print data is transmitted together with a predetermined command to the printer control
Transfer to 80 MPU800. Then, again in step S11,
Wait for key input.

FIG. 19 is a command table showing the contents of commands transferred from the control unit 10 to the printer control unit 80, and is stored in the ROM 801 of the printer control unit 80. In the figure, A is a command indicating the start of printing, and B is a command indicating the end of printing. C is an image transfer command indicating transfer of print data, which is followed by the number of transfer data and the print data corresponding to this number. D is a print restart command for notifying the restart of printing when printing is interrupted by an abnormal state such as out of ink or the like and the printing is recovered from the state. The printer control unit 80 determines whether the data transferred from the control unit 10 matches the contents of the command table, and executes the matched command.

FIG. 20 shows the state of the data transferred to the printer control unit 80. Starting with a print start command of D1, an image transfer command D2, D3, N indicating the number of transfer data (N)
Print data D4 followed by a print end command D5
Ends with

Next, the operation of the printer control unit 80 receiving the transfer data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S21, the transfer data is interpreted with reference to the command table. If the transfer data is a print start command, the control signal CNT is set to "H" level in step S22 to darken the backlight 12. Then, in step S23, the same initialization processing of the printer unit 8 as described above is executed, and the process returns to step S21 to wait for an image transfer command.

If the transfer data is an image transfer command, the number of subsequent data is read in step S24. Then, after reading the subsequent print data in step S25, the process proceeds to step S25.
At 26, print processing is performed. This printing process is repeated until it is determined in step S27 that all print data has been read, and the process returns to step S21 to wait for a print end command.

When the transfer command is the print end command, step S2
After the end processing of the printer unit 8 is performed in step 8, the control signal CNT is set to "L" level in step S29 to return the backlight 12 to the original brightness. Then, the process returns to step S21 to wait for transfer data. If it is not any of the above commands, the processing of other commands is performed in step S30.

As described above, the printer control unit 80 performs the processing of darkening the backlight when receiving the print start command and returning the backlight to the original state when receiving the print end command.

As described above, in this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment,
During printing that consumes a large amount of current, the brightness of the backlight 12 is reduced to make it darker, so that the current consumption can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the brightness of the backlight 12 is controlled by the printer control unit 80 of the printer unit 8, the load on the control unit 10 for creating print data can be reduced, and the printing speed can be improved. Can be achieved. In a case where the backlight 12 is not darkened during printing in a mode in which the printer unit 8 is driven by another power source, such as a case where the printer unit 8 is not built in the main body, in this embodiment, the printer Since the content may be changed, there is no need to change the control content of the control unit 10.

Although the print start command and the print end command are used as commands for controlling the brightness of the backlight 12, an image transfer command or the like may be used. Also, commands such as backlight on / off may be newly added, and the brightness of the backlight 12 may be controlled by these commands.

FIGS. 22 (A) and (B) are flow charts showing other operations of the control unit 10 and the printer control unit 80 shown in FIGS. 16 and 21. In any of these methods, when an abnormal situation such as running out of ink occurs during printing, the backlight 12 once darkened at the start of printing is returned to the original brightness.

FIG. 11A is a diagram obtained by adding processing steps S31 to S36 when the ink runs out between steps S6 and S7 in FIG. The control unit 10 converts the print data in step S6, and performs step S3 before performing the print processing in step S7.
In step 1, it is determined whether or not the ink in the head cartridge 9 has run out. This determination is made by the MPU 1000 of the control unit 10 reading the detection output of the ink sensor 69 described above via the interface unit 1005 in FIG. If the ink is not exhausted, the process proceeds to step S7 to perform the printing process, and if the ink is exhausted, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the control signal CNT is set to the "L" level to return the backlight 12 to the original brightness, and the interruption process is performed because of an abnormal situation of running out of ink. Then, in step S33, a message indicating that the ink has run out is displayed on the display unit 6. Thereafter, the operator moves the head cartridge 9
Is exchanged, and when it is detected in step S34 that the print resume key (not shown) of the key group 2 has been pressed, step S34 is performed again.
At 35, a check is performed to determine whether the ink has run out. If the ink has not run out, the process returns to step S33 to display a message. If the ink runs out, the process returns to step S3.
At step 6, the control signal CNT is set to "H" level, and the backlight 12 is darkened again. After performing the print resuming process, the process proceeds to step S7 to execute the printing process.

FIG. 13 (B) is obtained by adding processing steps S41 to S46 when the ink runs out between steps S25 and S26 in FIG. After reading the print data transferred from the control unit 10 in step S25, the printer control unit 80 determines in step S41 whether or not the ink has run out before performing the printing process in step S26. This determination is made by the MPU 800 of the printer control unit 80 reading the detection output of the ink sensor 69 via the interface unit 803 in FIG. If it is not out of ink, the process proceeds to step S26, and if it is out of ink, the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, the control signal CNT is set to the "L" level to return the backlight 12 to the original brightness, and the printing is interrupted. Then, in step S43, the control unit 10 is notified that the ink has run out. The control unit 10 displays a message indicating that the ink has run out, and when detecting that the operator has pressed the print restart key, sends the above-described print restart command to the printer control unit 80. When it is detected in step S44 that the print restart command has been received, a check is made again as to whether or not the ink has run out in step S45. If the running out of ink has not been recovered, the process returns to step S43 to notify the control unit 10, but if recovered, the control signal CNT is set to the "H" level in step S46 to darken the backlight 12 again. Then, after performing the print resuming process, the process proceeds to step S26 to execute the printing process.

As described above, in these examples, in an abnormal state such as an ink out condition, the backlight lightened at the start of printing is used.
Since 12 has been returned to its original brightness, it is easier to see the error message display. In addition, since the backlight 12 that has been darkened in an abnormal state becomes brighter, there is an advantage that the operator can be alerted.

Note that this embodiment can be applied not only to an abnormal state of running out of ink, but also to an abnormal state where there is no paper or print data is not transferred from the control unit 10 for a certain period of time or more.

In the above embodiment, the back light
Although 12 is darkened, the backlight 12 may be turned off. Alternatively, the backlight 12 may be darkened by lowering the voltage. Further, the backlight 12 may be an electroluminescent tube other than a cold cathode tube. The display unit 6 may be a CRT or the like in addition to the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the backlight during printing is
The twelve brightness levels are set to be equal to or less than the brightness level that can be set by the operator, but are not limited to this.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly when a bubble jet type recording apparatus is used among ink jet recording apparatuses. According to such a method, it is possible to increase the recording density and definition, so that the current consumption during recording may increase. However, according to the present invention, the current consumption can be reduced.

Regarding the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to any of a so-called on-demand type and a continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the flow path holding the liquid (ink) is provided with a rapid response exceeding the nucleate boiling corresponding to the recorded information. By applying at least one drive signal that gives rise to a temperature rise, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed, which is effective. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. If this drive signal is pulse-shaped,
Since the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately, the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. U.S. Patent No.
Those described in the specifications of 4463359 and 4435262 are suitable. Further, when the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid path or a right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a slit common to a plurality of electrothermal transducers is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal transducer, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the recording head is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to the ejection unit. That is, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the recording head form.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed. In addition, even in the case of the serial type as in the above-described embodiment, a replaceable chip-type recording unit that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body or supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided integrally with the head or the recording head itself is used.

In addition, the number of recording heads to be mounted is not limited to, for example, only one provided for a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. It may be provided.

In addition, the electronic device of the present invention may be in the form of an information processing device such as a computer as long as it has a display unit and a recording unit.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, current consumption can be reduced during a recording operation. Furthermore, when an abnormal situation occurs, the detected abnormality is displayed on the display means and the decrease in the brightness of the display means is released, so that the operator can be alerted. Since the occurrence of an abnormal situation can be quickly and reliably known, the electronic device can be recovered from the abnormal situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (A) and 1 (B) are perspective views of an external appearance of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a document processing apparatus when used and stored, and FIG. 2 is a configuration example of a printer applicable to the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 5A and 5B are a top view and a side view showing a state where the head cartridge is mounted on the carriage, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are shown in FIG. 2 and the like. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge recovery mechanism shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 is a cap of the above-mentioned mechanism. FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a part, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operation of each part in the ejection recovery operation of the above-described mechanism over time, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and the like, and FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing details of the backlight unit in the above configuration, FIGS. 14 and 15 are timing charts showing the operation of each unit in the above configuration, FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a control procedure in the above configuration, FIG. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the control configuration in the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2, etc., FIG. 18 and FIG. 21 are flow charts showing the control procedure in the above configuration, and FIG. A command table showing the contents of the command in the above configuration, FIG. 20 is a diagram showing transfer data in the above configuration, and FIGS. 22 (A) and (B) are FIGS. 16 and
22 is a flowchart showing another control procedure of the control configuration shown in FIG. 21. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Keyboard part 2 ... Key group 4 ... Paper feeding tray 6 ... Display part 8 ... Printer part 9 ... Head cartridge 10 ... Control part 11 ... Carriage 12 ... Back light 14 ... Back light control Unit 31 Carrier motor 33 Platen roller 35 Transport motor 37 Paper pan 39 Feed roller 51 Cap 61 Recovery motor 63 Cam device 65 Recovery home sensor 67 Carrier 67 Azalea home sensor 69 ... Ink sensor 80 ... Printer controller 140 ... DC-AC converter 141 ... Comparator 142 ... Oscillator 501 ... Absorber 561 ... Suction port

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-290515 (JP, A) JP-A-3-4243 (JP, A) JP-A-3-105561 (JP, A) JP-A-60-3779 (JP) JP-A-1-157876 (JP, A) JP-A-62-149473 (JP, A) JP-A-63-56685 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application No. 64-49897 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application 60-180064 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 60-180065 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: display means for displaying input information; recording means for recording the input information; and luminance control means for reducing the luminance of the display means in response to a recording operation of the recording means. An abnormality detecting means for detecting that an abnormality has occurred during a recording operation of the recording means; and responding to the abnormality detection by the abnormality detecting means, displaying the detected abnormality on the display means, Control means for canceling a decrease in brightness of the display means by the control means. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said brightness control means reduces brightness by turning off said display means. 3. The recording means is provided for each of a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink and a corresponding ejection port. The recording means causes a state change due to heat in the ink and discharges the ink based on the state change. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a thermal energy generating unit configured to eject flying liquid from the liquid to form flying droplets.