JP3060332B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a recording apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having a display section and a recording section, such as a personal computer, a word processor, and an electronic typewriter. More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of reducing the size by eliminating waste in a space such as a carrier moving path section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some information processing apparatuses such as a personal computer, a word processor, and an electronic typewriter have an integrated operation input unit such as a keyboard and a display unit. In recent years, such as a so-called laptop type, a display unit is rotatably supported by a main body having an operation input unit. The display unit is placed on the operation input unit when stored, and the display unit is raised when used. There are also many small-sized products with excellent transportability and storage capacity.

Further, small and thin information processing apparatuses called notebook type or book type, which are more excellent in portability and storability, have also appeared, and along with this, printers have been made smaller and less expensive, which has made it more convenient for users. Something that can be used easily has been proposed.

Further, a serial type recording apparatus is employed as one type of recording means used in the information processing apparatus. For example, in the case of ink jet recording, as shown in FIG. 12, a head cartridge 101 is loaded on a carrier 102 and the recording head of the head cartridge 101 is reciprocated in parallel with the platen 207 as shown in FIG. To selectively generate heat,
The ejected ink is recorded on the recording medium 6, and when the recording of one line is completed, the recording medium 6 is conveyed by one line by the conveying roller 201 and the pinch roller 202, and the recording of the next line and thereafter is performed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Based on these various information processing apparatuses, the present inventors have found that there are the following technical problems in arranging a printer in an information processing apparatus. Was. In the serial recording method, a traveling area of the carrier 102 must be secured as a space so that the carrier 102 can reciprocate during recording. Therefore, for example, device members such as the circuit unit 5 cannot be arranged in the traveling area, and the circuit unit 5 and the like must be arranged in the bottom area or the front area. For this reason, the depth dimension or height direction of the apparatus must be increased accordingly, and effective use of the space of the carrier movement path has been a technical problem in reducing the size of the information processing apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device that enables the effective use of the traveling area space and enables the information processing device to be downsized.

[0007]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] To achieve the above object
In the present invention, the carrier on which the recording head is mounted moves
Information processing device that records on a recording medium
Transport means for transporting the recording medium;
The recording medium can be transported along the transport path on which the recording medium is transported.
Transfer position and the carrier retracted from the transfer position
And the retreat position located in the moving space of
Moving means for moving.
You.

[0008] Further , the transporting means is provided during the recording operation.
It is located at the transport position, and at the retreat position during non-recording operation.
It is characterized by the following.

Further , the transport means is a cover which can be opened and closed.
-The transfer position and the retreat position are interlocked with the movement of the member.
It is characterized by moving to.

[0010]

[0011]

The moving means is a transporter for transporting the recording medium.
Transport the recording medium along the transport path where the recording medium is transported.
The transfer position that can be sent and the carrier
And the evacuation position located in the moving space.

As a result, during non-recording operation,
The transport means can be retracted in the rear moving space, and the space in the apparatus can be effectively used.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1, 2 and 3
Are personal computers (hereinafter abbreviated as personal computers) as information processing apparatuses according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
It is a perspective view and a sectional view showing 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, 2 denotes a printer unit (recording unit) for recording characters and images on a recording medium 6 such as paper or OHP film, and 3 denotes a key for inputting characters, numerals and other characters. And a keyboard unit having keys for giving various commands, etc., a display unit 4 having a display 10,
Reference numeral 210 denotes a circuit unit on which a driver for controlling the personal computer, peripheral devices and other drivers and a power supply circuit are mounted, and reference numeral 210 denotes a paper discharge roller unit for pulling up and discharging a recording medium on which recording has been completed. Be composed.

The display unit 4 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 1 via hinges 4a provided at both ends of the rear edge. As a result, when the present device is used, the display unit 4 is opened to a position where the display unit 10 is easy to see by rotation of the display unit (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a display unit use state), and when not in use, the display unit 4 is closed and functions as a cover. (Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a display unit stored state). As a display element of the display device 10, a liquid crystal display element, a plasma display, or the like is used because the display unit can be configured to be thin. When a light source is provided to make the display easier to see, a backlight type can be used, and in order to further reduce the thickness, a side light type can be used.

Whether the display unit 4 is in the display unit use state or the display unit storage state can be detected by the display unit open / close state sensor 17 (see FIG. 9) provided near the hinge 4a. .

A latch hook 15 is provided on the upper edge of the display unit 4 as shown in FIG. 1, and is attached so as to be slidable by operating an operation unit (not shown). A latch hole 16 for receiving the latch hook 15 is provided at a position corresponding to the latch hook 15 on the side of the apparatus main body 1. When the display unit 4 is closed and used as a cover when not in use, the latch hook 15 and the latch hole 15 are provided. By engaging the 16 locking portions,
It is possible to prevent undesired opening when the display unit is transported in the display unit storage state.

4 and 5 are views showing a cross section of the printer unit 2, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a printer unit in the form of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of the printer unit 2. Here, reference numeral 210a denotes a discharge roller hinge serving as a center when the rotatable discharge roller unit 210 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The paper discharge roller unit 210 has two types of states, and FIG. 4 shows a storage state (hereinafter, referred to as a printer storage state) that can be taken when the printer unit 2 does not perform a recording operation. From this position, clockwise in FIG. About 9
It rotates by 0 degrees and reaches a state that can be taken during the recording operation of the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 5 (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit use state).

Here, whether the discharge roller unit 210 is in the printer unit use state or the printer unit storage state is detected by a discharge roller unit sensor (not shown) provided near the discharge roller hinge 210a. be able to.

In this embodiment, the printer unit 2 using an ink jet type recording head is disposed between the keyboard unit 3 of the apparatus main body 1 and the rear end position of the display unit 4. In this embodiment, a head cartridge 10 which is a recording head is used.
A so-called serial printer, in which the printer 1 reciprocates in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the recording medium 6, is used.
That is, it is necessary to secure a space in which the head cartridge 101 and the carrier loaded with the head cartridge 101 move during the recording operation. However, if the head cartridge 101 is fixed at one place in the printer unit housed state, the carrier moving path portion, which is the moving space, can be used as a space for another purpose. In the present embodiment, the head cartridge 101 is fixed to the end of the carrier moving path in the printer unit housed state, so that the above-described paper discharge roller unit 210 fits into the space of the carrier moving path during storage. Constitute.

If the operator erroneously puts the paper discharge roller unit 210 in the printer section during the recording operation, the paper discharge roller unit 210 and the head cartridge 1
01 may cause the printer to be destroyed or broken down. Means for preventing this will be described later.

Next, a method of transporting a recording medium in a recording operation state will be described with reference to FIGS.

A recording medium having relatively low rigidity such as plain paper or an OHP film can be conveyed in the state shown in FIG. That is, the recording medium 6 is fed from a paper feed port 209 provided at the rear upper portion of the apparatus main body 1 in the direction of an arrow in the drawing along a recording medium insertion guide (not shown) provided for the purpose of preventing skew and meandering. Is inserted, the leading end reaches the platen 207 along the recording medium guide plate 208. If the pinch roller 202 and the conveyance roller 201 are separated from each other by the release mechanism, the recording medium 6 can be set at a recordable position by continuing to insert the recording medium 6 as it is.
If the transport roller 201 and the pinch roller 202 are in a state of contact and not released, the platen 207 is rotated by the motor 402 by the instruction from the keyboard unit 3 or the like from the state where the leading end of the recording medium 6 abuts, and the recording medium 6 is moved to the recordable position. Can be set.

During the recording operation, the recording medium 6 is continuously conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and is discharged to the front of the display unit 4 after the recording operation is completed.

A thick and relatively rigid recording medium such as a postcard or an envelope can be conveyed in the state shown in FIG. That is, a recording medium is inserted from a paper feed port 209 provided on the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 1 in a direction of an arrow in the figure along a recording medium insertion guide (not shown) provided for the purpose of preventing skew or meandering. When the recording medium 6 is inserted, the recording medium 6 reaches the platen 207 without bending. Then Figure 6
Can be set at the recordable position in the same manner as described above, and is ejected to the front of the display unit 4 after the recording operation. By adopting such a transport path, the possibility of a jam or the like is reduced, and a smooth recording operation can be performed. However, when such a recording medium transport path is used, it is necessary to insert the recording medium from a position corresponding to the bottom of the apparatus main body 1. Therefore, the rear end of the apparatus main body 1 is lifted, or the personal computer is set up with the rear end of the apparatus main body 1 as the bottom. To perform a recording operation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a printer unit in the form of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of the printer unit 2.

Here, reference numeral 101 denotes a head cartridge, which mainly has an ink jet recording head and an ink tank integrally. Head cartridge 10
Numeral 1 is detachably mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. When the ink in the ink tank is exhausted, the ink can be replenished or replaced with a new head cartridge.

The recording head includes a substrate on which a plurality of electrothermal transducers for generating thermal energy used for ink discharge and a drive circuit for driving the electrothermal transducer are formed, and the plurality of electrothermal transducers are mounted on the substrate. And a top plate for forming a common liquid chamber communicating with each of the liquid passages. Then, the recording head configured as described above is mounted on the apparatus such that the ejection port surface on which the ejection ports are arranged faces the recording medium 6.

By energizing the electrothermal transducer,
The recording is performed on the recording medium 6 by discharging ink from the discharge ports. In addition, as the energy applying means for ejecting the ink, in addition to the electrothermal transducer, for example, a method using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, or irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser to generate heat, There is a method of ejecting ink by the action, etc., but as described above, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means can be easily made compact, and recent advances in technology and improvement in reliability in the semiconductor field. This is advantageous because the advantages of IC technology and micro-machining technology, which are remarkable, can be fully utilized, high-density mounting is easy, and manufacturing cost is low.

The ink tank is a head cartridge 101
And an ink storage chamber for storing ink therein.

The carrier 102 on which the head cartridge 101 is mounted is engaged with a helical groove 105 of a lead screw 103 which rotates via a transmission mechanism (not shown) in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a carrier motor 402a. (Not shown), and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b in FIG. 7 with the rotation of the lead screw 103. Reference numeral 104 denotes a sliding shaft for restricting rotation of the carrier. Further, the carrier 102 determines a predetermined position (for example, a home position) outside the recording area during non-recording or the like by a carrier sensor 510 (not shown).

Reference numeral 301 denotes a recovery unit, which is a cap 302 facing the discharge port surface of the head cartridge 101 at a predetermined position (for example, a home position) outside the recording area of the head cartridge 101, and which is brought into contact with the discharge port surface. And a cap advancing / retracting drive unit (not shown) for performing protection during non-recording or the like. Also,
At the time of the contact, a pump for sucking the ink from the discharge port and discharging the thickened ink, dust, bubbles, etc. to improve the ink discharge state, and a member for storing the sucked waste ink are provided. You may.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a conveyance roller for conveying the recording medium 6 in the direction c in FIG. 7, and reference numeral 202 denotes a pinch roller for pressing the recording medium 6 against the conveyance roller 201. During recording, the recording medium 6 is intermittently fed in the direction c in the drawing. The transport roller 201 is engaged with the transport motor 402b via a transmission mechanism of the transport roller gear 205 and the transport roller idler gear 206, and receives a driving force. The pinch roller 202 can be brought into contact with and separated from the transport roller 201 by operating a release lever (not shown).

Reference numeral 210 denotes a paper discharge roller unit for conveying the recording medium 6 in the direction c in the drawing, similarly to the conveyance roller 201, reference numeral 213 denotes a paper discharge roller, and reference numeral 214 presses the recording medium 6 against the paper discharge roller 213. The spur roller is interposed between the pair of rollers, and the recording medium 6 is intermittently fed in the direction c in FIG. 7 during recording. The discharge roller 213 is connected to the conveyance motor 402 b via the transmission of the conveyance roller gear 206.
And receives transmission of the driving force.

The discharge roller unit 210 is provided with a spring (not shown) in the direction of the arrow through the discharge roller hinge 210a. When the display unit 4 is opened, the discharge roller unit 210 is moved through the discharge roller hinge 210a. 4 and is fixed at the position shown in FIG. When the display unit 4 is closed, the paper discharge roller unit 210 is pushed by the display unit 4 and stored as shown in FIG.

The discharge roller unit 210 may be set at the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by a lever for rotating the discharge roller hinge 210a.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a platen for regulating the recording surface of the recording medium 6 to be flat. In this example, the platen is integrated with the printer housing (base) 18. Further, a member for bringing the recording medium 6 into close contact with the platen 207 and preventing the recording medium 6 from floating may be provided.

FIG. 5 and FIG.
1 illustrates a pressed state and a separated state of the pinch roller 202 with respect to FIG.

First, in FIG. 5, which is a pressed state in which the recording medium 6 is pinched or transported by a pair of rollers, the pinch roller 202 is transported by a spring (not shown) provided on a side plate of the printer housing 18, for example. To the direction d in the figure.

In this state, when the release lever (not shown) is rotated counterclockwise in the figure around the rotation shaft (not shown), the state shown in FIG. 8 is reached. Therefore, the pinch roller 202
Moves counterclockwise in the figure against the urging force of a spring (not shown), and a gap is formed between the roller and the conveyance roller 201.

The paper sensor 511 (not shown) is provided in front of the recording position in the recording medium transport direction c to detect the recording medium 6, and is a sensor for detecting the front and rear ends of the recording medium 6.

Next, the configuration of the electric circuit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric circuit. In the figure, the components already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a controller which performs main control. Reference numeral 502 denotes a CPU in the form of a microcomputer, for example, which executes a procedure as shown in FIG. 10. Reference numeral 503 denotes an area or work for developing text data or image data. RAM 504 for storing programs and other fixed data such as font data corresponding to the above-described procedure, and 505 for generating an execution cycle of the CPU 502 and for performing a printing operation by the printer unit 2. A timer 506 for generating timing is an interface unit for connecting a signal from the CPU 502 to a peripheral device.

Reference numeral 507 denotes a controller of the printer unit 2. Reference numeral 508 denotes a head driver for transmitting a recording signal, electric power, and the like to the head cartridge 101;
b and c are motor drivers that transmit signals, electric power, and the like necessary to drive the carrier motor 402a, the transport motor 402b, and the recovery motor 402c, respectively, and 510 detects the position of the carrier 102 and, for example, moves the carrier 102 to a home position. A carrier sensor 511 for judging whether or not there is a recording medium 6 is provided in order to prevent recording on a part other than the recording medium 6 when the recording medium 6 is not inserted or when recording is completed up to the end of the page. This is a paper sensor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet.

Further, reference numeral 14 denotes, for example, FDD, HDD, R
An external storage device 512 such as an AM card is an external interface for communicating with, for example, another information processing device, or for controlling a peripheral device by directly connecting to an internal bus.

Although not included in the block diagram of FIG. 9, there is another power supply section for supplying power to the above-described electric circuit, such as a rechargeable battery, a disposable dry battery, Alternatively, there is an AC power converter used when fixed to the apparatus body 1.

With the above configuration, information processing, communication, storage of data, and the like can be performed. Next, the execution procedure of the recording process by the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the schematic flowchart of FIG.

A series of procedures described below are started by a recording start instruction by a recording command key on the keyboard unit 3, a recording start instruction by a command input, or an external recording start instruction by communication or the like.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether the display unit use state is in the use state or not.
7 is determined. This is a measure to prevent the recording operation from starting while the display unit 4 is in the storage state when the recording operation start instruction is sent from the outside mainly by communication or the like. If the storage state is determined, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, in order to call the operator's attention to bring the display unit into the use state of the display unit, for example, it is determined that the printing operation cannot be started by a lamp or the like provided in the apparatus main body 1 which can be confirmed even in the storage state of the display unit. Display a message. This may be performed by another means, for example, a warning sound may be generated by a buzzer, or a message signal may be transmitted to an external device through an external interface.

If it is confirmed in step S1 that the display unit 4 is in the display unit use state, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the recording medium 6 is set in the printer unit 2 based on a signal from the paper sensor 511 or the like. This is particularly true in a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, when printing is started without a recording medium, the ink scatters in the printer unit and contaminates the apparatus itself, or the recording medium ink or the like is wasted. This is to prevent it from being lost.

In step S3, not only the presence or absence of the recording medium but also the pinch roller 202 and the transport roller 2
It may be determined whether or not 01 has been released. This is to prevent the recording medium 6 from being set when the pinch roller 202 is released even if the recording medium 6 is set, because normal conveyance of the recording medium is not performed.
The release of the pinch roller 202 can be determined by, for example, providing a mechanical switch on the release lever. If it is determined that the recording medium is not set properly, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, as in step S2, a message is issued to call attention of the operator and set the recording medium. The message may be generated by, for example, displaying the message in characters on the display 10 or by using the same method as in step S2.

If it is determined in step S3 that the recording medium 6 has been set, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, a recording operation is started. C
The head driver 508 drives the head cartridge 101 according to an instruction from the PU 502, and in synchronization with this, the motor drivers 509a, 509b, and 509c respectively drive the carrier motor 402a, the transport motor 402b, and the recovery system motor 402c to Printing is performed while the main scanning direction 102 moves in the main scanning direction, the recording medium moves in the sub-scanning direction, and the head cartridge 101 is cleaned.

Here, if the display unit 4 enters the display unit storage state during the recording operation, the discharge roller unit 2
Since there is a possibility that the printer unit 2 may be destroyed or broken due to interference between the head 10 and the head cartridge 101, the following check is performed in step S6 to prevent this.

That is, in step S6, it is determined whether the display unit 4 is in the display unit use state or the display unit storage state based on the information of the display unit open / close state sensor 17. Here, a certain period of time is required from the determination to the completion of the processing for preventing the failure, so that, for example, when the display unit 4 comes to a predetermined position with a certain margin, the display unit is stored. It may be determined that there is, or the angular velocity of opening and closing of the display unit 4 may be detected, and the time at which the display unit is stored may be predicted and determined from the relationship between the angular speed and the angle.

Here, when it is determined that the display unit 4 is in the display unit use state, the recording can be continued as it is, and the process proceeds to the next step S11.

As described above, in any case during the recording operation, when the display unit opening / closing state sensor 17 detects that the display unit 4 is in the display unit storage state, an interrupt process occurs immediately, and control is performed in step S6. It moves to step S7.

In step S7, the recording operation is immediately interrupted. That is, even during the recording, the ejection of the ink from the head cartridge 101 is immediately stopped, the movement of the carrier 102 is stopped, and the conveyance of the recording medium is stopped.
At this time, it is necessary to store the position of the carrier 102 at the time of stopping the recording and the state of the recorded data as preparation for restarting the recording operation thereafter.
These pieces of information are stored in a work area of the RAM 503.

In step S8, the carrier 102 is promptly moved to the home position in order to retract the head cartridge 101, and enters a standby state.

Next, in step S9, the display unit 4 waits until the display unit 4 is opened again and the display unit is used. Here, the display unit open / close state sensor 17 is monitored again. Display unit 4
Is opened to a predetermined angle, and it is confirmed that the paper discharge roller unit 210 has retreated from the carrier moving path of the printer unit 2, the process proceeds to the next step S10.

In step S10, the RAM 503 is used to continue the recording operation from the point where it was stopped earlier.
Then, the position of the carrier 102 and the state of the recorded data are read out, the carrier 102 is moved to that position, and the data being recorded is continued. At this time, in order to make the seam between the data already recorded and the data to be newly recorded smooth, the carrier 1
The recording can be resumed after the mechanism is backlashed in consideration of the direction of movement 02.

When the above-described step recording operation is restarted, the flow returns to step S5 to perform a normal recording operation.

Finally, in step S11, for example, the CPU
The end of the recording operation is instructed by the signal from 502,
Alternatively, when it is determined that the number of recording lines in one sub-scanning direction in one page has reached and recording on the recording medium cannot be performed any more, or that the recording area of the recording medium 6 has been completed by the paper sensor 511 is detected. In such a case, for example, it is determined that the recording operation is completed, and the recording operation procedure is determined to be completed.

As a procedure for ending the recording operation, first, the carrier 1
02 is returned to the home position. This is because the carrier 102 is not present in the carrier moving path in preparation for the case where the power is turned off after the recording operation and the display unit 4 is brought into the display unit storage state.

Next, the recording medium is discharged by, for example, driving the transport motor 402b by a predetermined amount, or by driving the transport motor 402b until the paper sensor 510 confirms that the recording medium 6 has been discharged. . The recording operation is completed by notifying the software being executed by the CPU 502 of the end of the recording or notifying the peripheral device through an external interface.

As described above, the following effects can be obtained by arranging a part of the recording medium conveying path in the space of the carrier moving path part except when the recording means is used as in the present embodiment.

That is, the space in the device is effectively used, and the size can be reduced.

Since the recording medium on which recording has been completed is ejected to the front of the display device, it is possible to easily confirm the recording result.

Further, since the recording means comes closer to the operator than the display means, replacement of consumables such as ink can be easily performed, and operability is improved.

Further, by providing the paper discharge roller unit, the recording medium can be reliably discharged from the printer unit 2 and the reliability is improved.

Further, since the recording medium is held until the lower end of the recording medium passes through the recording position, recording can be performed up to the lower end, and a blank area where recording is impossible is reduced.

[0074]

[0075]

In the above-described and later-described embodiments, a case where a serial printer type ink jet recording apparatus is used as the recording means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a thermal transfer method, a thermal recording method, It goes without saying that a recording apparatus of the dot type or the like can be applied.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 13 and 14 are side sectional views of a printer section 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Discharge roller unit 210 and discharge roller unit 2
The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, except for the mechanism for rotating the 10, so that the description is omitted.

Reference numeral 210a denotes a discharge roller hinge which serves as a center when the rotatable discharge roller unit 210 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The paper discharge roller unit 210 has two types of states . FIG. 13 shows a storage state (printer storage state) that can be taken when the printer unit 2 does not perform a recording operation. From this position, approximately 90 degrees clockwise in FIG. The printer rotates to reach a state (printer use state) that can be taken at the time of the recording operation of the printer unit 2 shown in FIG . The printer unit is configured to move from the printer unit stored state to the printer unit use state.

FIG . 13 is a view showing the printer unit housed state, in which the paper discharge roller unit 210 is at the position shown in FIG.
When the display unit 4 is opened, the hinge gear 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the hinge idler gears 22a, 22b, 22
14C , the paper discharge roller gear 22d is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

If the operator erroneously sets the paper discharge roller unit 210 in the printer section during the recording operation, the paper discharge roller unit 210 and the head cartridge 1
01 can cause the destruction or failure interfere printer, but the paper discharge roller is the means to prevent this
Except for using the judgment by the unit sensor , it is the same as the interference prevention means for opening and closing the display unit 4 described in the first embodiment.

[0081]

[0082]

[0083]

[0084]

[0085]

[0086]

[0087]

[0088]

[0089]

[0090]

[0091]

[0092]

[0093]

[0094]

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention can employ printers of various systems as described above, and in the case of using an ink jet recording system, various systems can be used. A recording head and a recording apparatus are provided which include means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ejection, and in which a state change of ink is caused by the thermal energy. When used, they provide excellent effects. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve high-density and high-definition recording as well as downsizing of the head.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. Applying at least one drive signal that gives a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling in response to recording information, thereby generating heat energy in the electrothermal transducer and forming bubbles in the recording head liquid (ink). It is effective because it can. 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 a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse shape driving signal, US Pat.
Those described in JP-A-63359 and JP-A-4345262 are suitable. In addition, U.S. Pat.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is disposed in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body when attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, heating using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof are used. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing a different discharging from the recording can be used.

Further, the types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only those provided for one color ink but also plural inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the ink liquefies by the application according to the recording signal of the heat energy,
The present invention is also applicable to a case in which an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by the application of thermal energy, such as an ink in which a liquid ink is ejected or an ink which starts solidifying when it reaches a recording medium, is used. In such a case, the ink is held in a state in which the ink is held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. Alternatively, it may be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a so-called serial type printer is used for the recording means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a full line corresponding to the maximum width of the recording medium in the main scanning direction is used. It is needless to say that the printer may be configured using a line-type printer using a head of the type. In this case, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a color printer which performs printing by repeating contact and retreat of a print head.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention include a terminal used as a terminal such as a host computer, a terminal combined with a reader or the like, a terminal capable of replacing a recording head with a reading head, and a facsimile function. May be provided.

[0104]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium, and conveying the recording medium
A transport position at which a recording medium can be transported along a transport path
Retreats from the transport position and is located in the carrier's moving space
A retreat position and a moving hand for moving the transport means
With steps, effective use of carrier moving space
Enabled to reduce the size of the information processing device.
Provided information processing device.

[0105]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view when the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is housed.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view when the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a stored state of the printer unit of the present invention according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a use state of the printer unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a use state of the printer unit of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a printer unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a printer unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a recording processing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recording processing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a stored state of a conventional printer unit.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing a use state of a conventional printer unit.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a printer unit housed state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the printer unit according to the second embodiment is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Printer part 3 Keyboard part 4 Display part 5 Circuit part 6 Recording medium 10 Display 101 Head cartridge 102 Carrier 103 Lead screw 104 Sliding axis 201 Transport roller 202 Pinch roller 203 Pinch roller guide 204 Pinch roller shaft 205 Transport roller gear 206 Conveyance roller idle gear 207 Platen 210 Discharge roller unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-252766 (JP, A) JP-A-3-30973 (JP, A) JP-A-3-147872 (JP, A) 31948 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/00 B41J 3/36 G06F 3/12

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium by moving a carrier on which a recording head is mounted, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium; and a conveying path along which a recording medium is conveyed. Moving means for moving the transport means to a transport position at which the recording medium can be transported, and a retracted position retracted from the transport position and located in the moving space of the carrier. Information processing device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is located at the transport position during a recording operation and at the retracted position during a non-recording operation. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit moves to the transport position and the retreat position in conjunction with a movement of a cover member that can be opened and closed. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect a state of the cover member. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect a position of the transport unit. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising control means for interrupting a recording operation according to a detection result by said detection means. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is capable of starting continuation of the interrupted recording operation. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit has a paper discharge roller for discharging the recording medium. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head includes an inkjet recording head that records an image by discharging ink. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the inkjet recording head records the image using ink droplets formed by thermal energy.