JP3710291B2 - Recording apparatus and recording apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to control how the recording apparatus and a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording sheet which has been subjected to different recording paper or special processing sizes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today, with the widespread use of video cameras, digital cameras, and the like, the importance of color printers that record color images input from them has increased. There are various recording methods for the color printer, but there is a color printer of a method in which an ink sheet coated with heat sublimation or heat melting ink is selectively heated by a thermal head to transfer and record an ink image on recording paper. Widely used. In particular, a sublimation thermal transfer recording apparatus is expected to be a high-quality recording apparatus, particularly a color printer for a digital camera, because a high-quality full-color image comparable to a silver salt photograph can be obtained.
[0003]
Normally, this type of recording apparatus stores recording paper in a paper feed cassette, takes out the recording paper one by one from the paper feed cassette by the rotation of the paper feed roller, transports it to the thermal head section, and installs the thermal head in ink. The thermal head is driven by being brought into pressure contact with the platen via the sheet and the recording paper, whereby the ink on the ink sheet is transferred to the recording paper to record an image.
[0004]
By the way, there are many cases where the user wants to perform various editing and processing on the image to be recorded. As an example, there is a recording paper (hereinafter referred to as “seal paper”) having an adhesive layer with cuts that makes it possible to separate a large number of identical and small screens. In this case, for example, 16 to 30 small screens are arranged in the A6 size, and it is necessary to reduce the image to this size and arrange the small images by that number. In some cases, a cut image prepared in advance for selection is selected. These editing and selection operations are selected by the user using keys or the like. However, forgetting that the sticker paper is in the paper cassette and recording another image, or recording a normal large image on the sticker paper, or an expensive sticker paper compared to the standard paper by mistake. There are many cases where this is wasted.
[0005]
Also, the required size of the recording paper is various, and it is convenient to have various sizes such as service size, L size and panorama size in addition to the standard size, but on the other hand, it is wrong to record on a large recording paper with a small recording size, There is also an increased risk of recording with a recording size larger than that of the recording paper and contaminating the platen and the like.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made under the above-described circumstances, and an image suitable for the set recording paper can be easily recorded by appropriately changing the editing screen at the time of image recording. recording apparatus, it is an object to provide a control how the recording device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention recorder follows (1), as the (2), to configure a control method of the recording apparatus as shown in the following (3).
[0008]
(1) In a recording apparatus capable of selectively using a plurality of types of ink cassettes and a plurality of types of recording papers in each of the ink cassette and the recording paper ,
Detecting means for detecting at least one of the size of the recording paper and the type of ink cassette;
Display means for displaying an editing screen composed of a plurality of editing items corresponding to different editing processes for editing an image to be recorded;
Control means for changing the editing screen to be displayed on the display means based on the detection result of the detection means,
The control unit can select only editable items among the plurality of edit items so as to permit only an edit operation that can be handled by the size of the recording paper or the type of ink cassette detected by the detecting unit. In addition, a recording device that displays differently for selectable edit items and non-selectable edit items.
[0010]
( 2 ) In the recording apparatus according to (1), when the control unit detects that the recording unit is a specific recording paper size or a specific ink cassette type, the recording unit is a sticker sheet. A recording apparatus that determines and changes the control means to display an editing screen corresponding to the sticker sheet.
[0011]
(3) A recording apparatus capable of selectively using a plurality of types of ink cassettes and a plurality of types of recording papers for each of the ink cassettes and the recording papers, and different edits for editing images to be recorded. In a control method of a recording apparatus having a display means for displaying an editing screen composed of a plurality of editing items corresponding to processing,
A detection step of detecting at least one of the size of the recording paper and the type of ink cassette;
Based on the detection result in the detection step, a change step for changing the editing screen displayed on the display means,
In the change step, only editable items that can be handled can be selected from the plurality of edit items so as to permit only edit operations that can be handled by the size of the recording paper or the type of ink cassette detected by the detecting unit. And a control method for the recording apparatus that displays differently depending on the editable items that can be selected and the editable items that cannot be selected.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples of recording apparatuses. The present invention is not limited to the shape of the recording apparatus can be implemented in the same way in the form of a control method of the recording apparatus.
[0014]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a “recording apparatus” as an embodiment. First, the overall configuration of the recording apparatus will be described. The recording body is separated and fed one by one by a paper feed roller 3 from a paper cassette 2 on which recording paper P is loaded onto the apparatus main body 1 and is nipped and conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 4. It is possible to go back and forth. In the recording unit, the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 that generates heat according to the recording information are opposed to each other across the recording paper conveyance path, and the heat melting property or thermal sublimation in the form of being accommodated in the ink cassette 7. The ink sheet 8 coated with the reactive ink is pressed against the recording paper P by the thermal head 6 and the heating element of the thermal head 6 is selectively heated to transfer and record an image on the recording paper P. The ink sheet 8 is provided with the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink portions arranged in approximately the same size as the recording paper P. Is returned to the recording start position P1, and recording is sequentially performed by the ink portions corresponding to the respective colors. In this way, the recording paper P is reciprocated by the number of colors by the conveying roller pair 4, finally guided to the paper discharge roller pair 9, discharged to the outside of the housing, and recording is completed . As shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper P accommodated in the cassette 2 is a standard A6 size (postcard size) 2a, an A7 size 2b which is about half that size, or a standard size (not shown). There is a panorama size that is twice as wide as.
[0015]
In the ink sheet, the size in the length direction of each ink portion of the ink sheet 8 must be changed in accordance with the size of the recording paper P. In short, ink cassettes containing recording paper and ink sheets must basically be used in pairs. 1 is provided with a sensor 10 for identifying the type of the ink cassette 7. In the case of the recording paper P, it is more reliable to prepare a paper cassette for each paper size so that the recording paper P can be easily identified. However, in terms of cost, the recording paper P is usually recorded along a guide groove. It is used because it is cheaper to have the user set the paper depending on the type of paper. In FIG. 1, the recording paper size detection sensor is omitted. However, for example, the recording paper size can be detected by detecting the presence or absence of the end of the guide plate 11 that moves along a guide groove (not shown). It is. In this case, if the user forgets to set the guide plate 11 even if the A7 size recording paper is set in half, there will be a problem if the A6 standard size ink cassette is set. Since the length of the recording paper P can be measured by counting the time it passes through the leading edge detection sensor 14 of the recording paper P when it is transported in advance to the recording start position, the size difference from the ink cassette can be measured before starting recording. It is possible to avoid erroneous recording by discriminating and discharging.
[0016]
3 and 4 are diagrams showing the configuration of the operation unit, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of operation keys, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an editing screen. When the target input image is recorded, the print key 1 of the operation keys shown in FIG. 3 is depressed and executed. However, when any editing is performed, the menu key 2 of FIG. The menu screen shown in FIG. 3 is called, selected with the four arrow keys 3 in FIG. Among the contents of the menu of FIG. 4, 1 indicates a “number of prints” setting and [1] indicates one sheet with a default setting. → When [N] is recorded with the key, the number can be advanced from 2 with the key, and the execution key 4 can be depressed with the desired number to be determined. 2 is a selection of “multiple screens”, and 2 screens, 4 screens or 9 screens can be selected and recorded in one screen. In the case of a sticker sheet such as 2a in FIG. 2, 16 screens must be selected. Reference numeral 3 denotes an “insertion image”, which is an image for insertion prepared in advance for the superimpose. When [YES] is selected with the → key (not shown), one of several displayed images is displayed. Will be selected and prepared for sticker paper. Reference numeral 4 denotes a selection of “panoramic image”, which is an option for performing panorama synthesis and recording on a panoramic sheet of several consecutively taken images (not shown). Reference numeral 5 denotes a “title sentence”, which is an option for preparing a specific sentence such as “Merry Christmas” or “Tsuruga New Year” for a superimpose in advance, and is prepared for a standard size postcard. When “Yes” is selected for “Image quality adjustment” 6, it is possible to adjust contrast and color density. This is just an example, and there are many other options for superimpose, such as picture frames, historic sites, and special effects.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 5, the control system for processing the above operations includes an ink cassette detection sensor 51, a recording paper size detection sensor 52, a key input circuit 53, a control unit 54, a display control unit 55, and a video output circuit unit. 56, a monitor display 57, an image controller 58, a thermal head 60, and a thermal controller 59 thereof.
[0018]
If a standard size sticker paper is set on the printer so that the adhesive is applied and a part of it is peeled off and attached to the other, and an A6 sticker paper ink cassette is set as the ink cassette 7 , The recording paper size detection sensor 52 is used to detect the A6 size, and the ink cassette detection sensor 51 is used to detect the A6 ink cassette for the seal paper. As shown in FIG. 4b, only the options enclosed in a frame are valid items. For example, only the part is indicated by a solid line or an inverted character, and the other part is indicated by a broken line to make the selection impossible. Since the multi-screen selection part is limited to 16 screens, it is automatically set to 16. In addition, the image for insertion of the next item may be recorded as it is without being superimposed, but it is assumed that there is almost no case of superimposing, so the screen immediately before the execution button is pressed. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 5, information indicating a sticker sheet, which is information determined by an identification signal from an ink cassette detection sensor 51 of a type that detects an ink ribbon mark, is displayed on the A portion.
[0019]
When A6 plain paper is set in the printer and the A6 plain paper ink cassette is set as the ink cassette 7, the A6 size is detected by the recording paper size detection sensor 52, and the ink cassette detection sensor 51 detects the A6 size. , A6, detects the ink cassette for plain paper, and displays the number of prints, multiple screens, title text, and image quality adjustment menu on the editing screen based on the detection result. "" Cannot be selected, and "Full size" is displayed in part A.
[0020]
4c shows an editing screen when the half size recording paper shown in 2b is set and the half size ink cassette is set. In this case, since it is a small recording paper, only a limited item is displayed so that a large number of screens, title characters, and the like cannot be automatically selected, and “half size” is displayed in part A.
[0021]
The above embodiment assumes that the A6 size mainly uses sticker paper, and the sticker paper cannot be directly detected. Therefore, even if the sticker paper is set, if the ink cassette is for plain paper, the sticker is used. There is a disadvantage that the paper editing screen is not displayed.
[0022]
Therefore, the size of the sticker paper is set to a special size, for example, by slightly increasing the length of A6, so that the sticker paper can be directly detected by the print paper size detection sensor, and the sticker paper is detected by the print paper size detection sensor. If the cassette detection sensor detects sticker paper, the sticker paper editing screen is displayed in full light and the sticker paper is set, but the sticker ink cassette is not set, or the sticker paper If the ink cassette is set, but the sticker paper is not set, an edit screen for the sticker paper may be displayed blinking to warn. With this combination in the case of blinking, an optimal image cannot be obtained, but a so-called image can be obtained. Therefore, the image editing may be performed while ignoring the warning and knowing this.
[0023]
Further, as a simple type, the editing screen may be determined only by the detection output of the recording paper size detection sensor. In this case, when the A6 size is detected, a menu for the number of prints, multiple screens, title text, and image quality adjustment is displayed, and when the modified A6 size is detected, the above-mentioned sticker menu is displayed and the panorama size is displayed. Is detected, the menu for the number of prints, panorama, title text, and image quality adjustment is displayed. When the A7 size is detected, the menu shown in 4c, that is, the menu for the number of prints and image quality adjustment is displayed.
[0024]
With respect to the image input to the recording apparatus in this way, the image form conforms to the size of the recording paper loaded in the recording apparatus or the type of ink cassette without manually inputting the size of the paper to be recorded. By making it possible to select only editable items, it is possible to easily record an image that matches the size and type of recording paper. Needless to say, the present invention can be modified according to various recording paper sizes and special characteristics of the paper.
[0025]
In addition, since the recording paper and the ink cassette correspond to each other and are used after they are aligned, both the type of recording paper and the size of the ink cassette are detected in order to prevent incorrect use. Needless to say, however, it is also possible to execute the detection according to one detection result. Providing detection means corresponding to both leads to an increase in the cost of the apparatus. Therefore, by implementing the present invention with one of the detection means, the cost of the apparatus can be suppressed.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an image suitable for a set recording sheet can be easily recorded by appropriately changing an editing screen at the time of image recording .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of recording paper size. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing operation key arrangements. FIG. 4 is a screen showing an editing screen. Diagram showing configuration 【Explanation of symbols】
51 Ink cassette detection sensor 52 Recording paper size detection sensor 54 Control unit

Claims (3)

In a recording apparatus capable of selectively using a plurality of types of ink cassettes and a plurality of types of recording papers in each of the ink cassette and the recording paper ,
Detecting means for detecting at least one of the size of the recording paper and the type of ink cassette;
Display means for displaying an editing screen composed of a plurality of editing items corresponding to different editing processes for editing an image to be recorded;
Control means for changing the editing screen to be displayed on the display means based on the detection result of the detection means,
The control unit can select only editable items among the plurality of edit items so as to permit only edit operations that can be handled by the size of the recording paper or the type of ink cassette detected by the detecting unit. In addition, the recording apparatus is characterized in that the display differs depending on the editable item that can be selected and the editable item that cannot be selected.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the recording sheet is a sticker sheet when the detection unit detects that the recording sheet is of a specific recording paper size or a specific type of ink cassette, The control unit is changed to display an editing screen corresponding to the sticker sheet. A recording device that can selectively use a plurality of types of ink cassettes and a plurality of types of recording papers for each of the ink cassettes and the recording papers, and supports different editing processes for editing images to be recorded. In a control method for a recording apparatus having display means for displaying an editing screen composed of a plurality of editing items,
A detection step of detecting at least one of the size of the recording paper and the type of ink cassette;
Based on the detection result in the detection step, a change step for changing the editing screen displayed on the display means,
In the changing step, only editable items that can be handled can be selected from the plurality of edit items so as to allow only edit operations that can be handled by the size of the recording paper or the type of ink cassette detected by the detecting unit. And a method of controlling the recording apparatus, wherein the display differs depending on the editable item that can be selected and the editable item that cannot be selected.

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