JP4018514B2 - Recording apparatus, power supply control method, storage medium storing computer-readable program, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a power supply control method capable of supplying power to a peripheral device via a predetermined cable, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the widespread use of personal computers, digital cameras, and the like, recording devices such as printers that record digital images have been improved in definition. Among recording apparatuses, an inkjet recording apparatus using an inkjet recording head is rapidly spreading, and such a recording apparatus is required to realize a high-definition image and be inexpensive.
[0003]
Also, color image scanners with high performance and low price have been commercialized. Among them, products that operate by supplying DC voltage power (VBUS) from a host via USB connection are widely accepted due to their ease of use and are digital. It has spurred an increase in the number of individual users who enjoy digital photos together with cameras.
[0004]
Conventionally, when printing an image from a color image scanner, the image data is transferred to a processing device such as a personal computer via a cable such as RS-232C, Centronics, USB, or a recording medium such as a memory card, It is necessary to perform printing after processing an appropriate image file in a format suitable for a recording apparatus such as a printer using application software that operates there.
[0005]
Here, if you have a color image scanner and a personal computer that can be connected to a printer, you can print using the general method described above, but you can simply use it as an alternative to a copier. When considering, there is a system that functions by directly connecting a scanner and a printer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-156460.
[0006]
In particular, a configuration in which a scanner that can be driven by a USB VBUS is directly connected to, for example, an ink jet printer can be realized at a relatively low cost. In addition, “direct printing” means that data is directly transferred from an input device such as a digital camera or an image scanner to a recording device such as a printer without using a personal computer, print data is generated inside the recording device, and printing is performed. That said, recording devices with this function are being commercialized one after another.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, in direct printing when the input device (scanner) and recording device (printer) are connected via the USB interface, the printer determines that the printer is an exception process if any unexpected failure or recording paper jam occurs. The operation is temporarily stopped and a warning is generated through a display device such as an LED or a liquid crystal panel to prompt the user to perform an appropriate recovery process.
[0008]
However, even in the “printer is temporarily stopped”, the scanner is still supplied with the power supply voltage VBUS from the printer via the USB.
[0009]
In general, an image capture operation by a scanner requires more time and data capacity as the capture resolution becomes higher. For example, when a user captures an image with a scanner in high definition and performs direct printing, the time is increased. In consideration of this, it may be possible to perform another work in another place during that time.
[0010]
In this way, when the user is not on the device side and the printing operation of the printer is stopped due to some trouble, the scanner remains on and consumes power wastefully.
[0011]
In particular, a printer having a direct print function that operates on a battery such as a rechargeable battery has a problem in that the rechargeable battery is consumed quickly.
[0012]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a recording instruction from the operating means even when the scanner is connected to the recording device via a predetermined cable. To provide a mechanism that can reduce wasteful power by stopping power supply to a scanner when an error that stops a recording operation occurs.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The recording apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
[0014]
The recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A recording apparatus capable of communicating with a scanner directly connected via a predetermined cable and supplying power to the scanner via a power line included in the predetermined cable, wherein the recording device controls driving of the recording means and performs recording Print control means for performing recording based on image data input from the scanner on the medium; and determination means for determining whether an error for stopping the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation for driving the recording means; A power control unit for stopping power supply to the scanner via the power line when the determination unit determines that an error has occurred; an operation unit for issuing a recording instruction using the scanner; The power control means is not instructed to record via the operation means even if the scanner is connected via the predetermined cable. In this case, when a recording instruction is given via the operation means without supplying power to the scanner via the power supply line included in the predetermined cable, the power supply line included in the predetermined cable is used. Power is supplied to the scanner.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing system to which a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. As an example, an image scanner (scanner 202) as an image input apparatus and a direct print function as an image output apparatus are provided. This corresponds to an example in which an inkjet printer (printer 201) is connected via a USB interface.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU which loads a control program stored in the ROM 102 and other table data to the RAM 103 to perform recording control. The ROM 102 also stores font data. The RAM 103 is used as an area such as a reception buffer that stores data received from the host computer or a peripheral device (not shown) via the interface 104 and a print buffer that stores print data generated by a print data generation circuit described later.
[0018]
Reference numeral 105 denotes an ASIC type recording apparatus controller, which is an interface control circuit 106 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the host computer and peripheral devices via the interface 104, and reading / writing data to / from the reception buffer and print buffer in the RAM 103 A data control circuit 107 that performs write control, a print data generation circuit 108 that generates print data, and a head control circuit 109 that performs data transfer of the generated print data to the recording head 111 and ink ejection control of the recording head. A carriage motor 112 that scans a carriage on which the recording head 111 is mounted, a drive control circuit 110 that controls driving of a conveyance motor 113 that feeds and discharges a recording medium, and a direct print operation for the user to make settings as appropriate. Da including panel A rect print control circuit 114, a power switch 116 for turning on / off the power of the printer main body, and a key operation control circuit for controlling the key operation of the resume switch 117 used for returning the function from a stopped state due to an unexpected error. 115. Hereinafter, the printing operation of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
[0019]
When image data or the like is received from the host computer or a peripheral device (not shown) via the interface 104, the data control circuit 107 receives the data from the interface control circuit 106 in the recording apparatus control unit 105 to the reception buffer allocated in the RAM 103. Data is temporarily stored.
[0020]
The received data stored in the reception buffer on the RAM 103 is subjected to command analysis by the CPU 101, and the actual image data is processed by the print data generation circuit 108 and then stored in the print buffer allocated in the RAM 103. .
[0021]
When the necessary amount of data is stored in the print buffer, the print data is read from the print buffer at a predetermined timing by the head control circuit 109 and transferred to the recording head 111.
[0022]
Further, an actual printing operation is performed by applying a driving pulse to the recording head 111 by the head control circuit 109 in the main scanning process, and an image is formed. Scanning of the recording head 111 and conveyance of the recording medium are performed by driving the carriage motor 112 and the conveyance motor 113 by the drive control circuit 110.
[0023]
In the direct print operation system configuration, for example, in the case of direct print from the scanner 202 to the printer 201 shown in FIG. 1, the printer 201 receives image data from the interface 104 while the scanner 202 is capturing an image. While being stored in the RAM 103 via the data control circuit 107, the print data generation circuit 108 generates print data sequentially from the received image data in parallel, and the drive control circuit 110 performs a print operation in parallel. Alternatively, after all the image data transmitted from the scanner 202 is stored in the RAM 103, the print data is generated and printed in the same manner.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration in which the printer 201 and the scanner 202 illustrated in FIG. 1 are connected via the USB interface cable 203. Hereinafter, as an example, a description will be given on the assumption of a direct print operation in which a print operation is simultaneously performed while receiving image data transmitted from a scanner.
[0025]
At the time of direct printing, after setting an image capture resolution, print quality, paper size, etc. from an operation panel (not shown) installed in the printer 201, direct printing is started. The scanner 202 captures an image with the drive control circuit 204 and converts it into image data, and transfers the image data from the interface 205 to the interface control circuit 207 via the interface 206 on the printer 201 side.
[0026]
At this time, since the scanner 202 operates by being supplied with the power supply voltage from the printer 201, the control unit 208 controls the switch 209 to turn on and supply the voltage Vout to VBUS. When the printer 201 receives image data from the scanner 202, the print data control circuit (not shown) converts it into appropriate print data, generates it, and performs a printing operation based on this.
[0027]
However, if an unexpected failure (no ink remaining error, paper jam, conveyance failure, etc.) occurs during the printing operation, the printer 201 determines that it is an exception process.
[0028]
Generally, when an exception process occurs, the printing operation is temporarily stopped. At this time, the printer 201 issues error information 210 by a failure processing circuit (not shown). When the control unit 208 receives this, the switch 209 is turned off and the supply of the power supply voltage of VBUS is stopped.
[0029]
At the same time, the user is warned with an operation panel (not shown), LED blinking, or the like so as to cope with a failure that has occurred. When the user removes the failure and returns to the normal operation state according to this warning, the control unit 208 turns on the switch 209 to supply the power supply voltage Vout to VBUS.
[0030]
For example, when the resume switch 211 provided in the printer 201 is pressed, it is determined that the failure has been removed by a key operation control circuit (not shown), and a return operation command is transmitted to a drive circuit (not shown). At the same time, the power supply voltage Vout is supplied to VBUS as described above. Thereafter, the image data transfer, print data generation, and print operation are resumed.
[0031]
As described above, the host device is provided with a switch for turning on and off the power supply voltage supplied to the peripheral device. When the printer 201 is stopped due to some trouble during direct printing, the peripheral device (in the example of FIG. 3) The scanner 202) is controlled so as not to supply the power supply voltage VBUS, and when the trouble is removed by the user and the operation state is restored again, the configuration is such that VBUS is supplied so that unnecessary power is not consumed. it can.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first power supply control procedure in the recording apparatus according to the present invention. A program according to this procedure is stored in the ROM 102, and the CPU 101 loads the program into the RAM 103 and executes it. It is realized by doing. In addition, (401)-(411) shows each step.
[0033]
In order to start direct printing, first, from an operation panel or the like installed in the printer 201, an image is captured by the scanner 202 to be captured and converted into image data, print quality, type of recording paper, number of prints, Etc. are set (401). Then, a direct button is started by pressing a start button or the like (402). Then, when the scanner 202 and the printer 201 are connected, or here, the power supply voltage is supplied to VBUS (403).
[0034]
Next, the scanner 202 starts image capture and transfers image data to the printer 201. The printer 201 receives the image data and generates print data (404).
[0035]
Next, it is determined whether or not print data corresponding to the amount of data that can be printed has been generated (405). If NO, the process returns to step (404). If YES, the printer 201 starts the print operation (406). ).
[0036]
When the CPU 101 determines whether or not a failure (error) such as a paper jam or conveyance failure has occurred due to sensor information (not shown) or the like (407), and if it is determined that no error has occurred, The print process ends. Note that out of consumables such as no toner and no paper may be included in the error.
[0037]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (407) that an error has occurred, the printing operation is temporarily stopped, the supply of the power supply voltage to VBUS is stopped, and at the same time, the user is warned of the occurrence of a failure (408). ).
[0038]
Then, it is determined whether the failure has been removed and the error has been recovered (409). If it is determined that the normal printable state has been recovered, the power supply voltage is again supplied to the VBUS (410) and the scanner 202 is supplied. Is resumed, and the printer 201 makes a transition to a state in which image data from the scanner 202 can be normally printed.
[0039]
At this time, if it is possible to continue, image data is continuously received from the scanner 202, print data 201 is generated, and it is determined whether a desired print can be obtained by performing a printing operation (411). ) If it is determined that it is possible, return to step (404). If it is determined that it is not possible, for example, if image data, print data, etc. are lost due to initialization, etc., the series of operations is terminated. If there is a print request again, it starts from the beginning.
[0040]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read out by the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
[0042]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0043]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0044]
The functions shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0045]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0046]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0047]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0048]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0049]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.
[0051]
According to the above embodiment, a host device such as a printer having a direct print function and a peripheral device such as a scanner connected thereto, particularly a peripheral device supplied with a power supply voltage from the host are connected via the interface, and direct print or the like When drive control or data communication is performed, power supply voltage supply to peripheral devices is stopped while the function is stopped due to a failure in the host device, and power supply voltage is supplied again when the function returns. By adopting the configuration, useless power consumption can be suppressed. In particular, it is possible to extend the operation time for a host device that operates on a battery such as a rechargeable battery.
[0052]
Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, but the following embodiments. Needless to say, is also included. Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 20 will be described.
[0053]
[Embodiment 1]
A recording apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and supplying power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable, wherein the recording head has a recording head based on image data input from the peripheral device. Print control means for controlling driving and printing on a recording medium; and judgment means for judging whether or not an error that stops the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation of driving the recording head (see FIG. 2). 2) and power control means for stopping power supply to the peripheral device when the determination means determines that an error has occurred (direct print control circuit 114 shown in FIG. 2). And a power source control process by the I / F control circuit 106 based on the instruction of the recording apparatus).
[0054]
[Embodiment 2]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is capable of communicating by being directly connected via the predetermined cable without interposing a host device.
[0055]
[Embodiment 3]
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit turns off a power supply voltage supplied to a peripheral device while the recording operation is stopped.
[0056]
[Embodiment 4]
The recording apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the power control unit restarts supply to the peripheral device based on a recording restart instruction input.
[0057]
[Embodiment 5]
The determination means stops the recording operation when any of the paper jam of the recording medium to be fed, the conveyance failure of the recording medium to be fed, or the recording agent running out in the recording head has occurred. The recording apparatus according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein it is determined that a specific error has occurred.
[0058]
[Embodiment 6]
The power supply control means performs a function recovery operation instruction including the recording head by a preset key operation by the determination means when the error occurs, and a normal recording operation is performed based on a response result to the function recovery operation instruction. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that the power supply is possible, the power supply voltage supplied to the peripheral device is turned on.
[0059]
[Embodiment 7]
The recording apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined cable is a USB interface.
[0060]
[Embodiment 8]
The recording apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner capable of reading a document image.
[0061]
[Embodiment 9]
Any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the determination means determines whether an error that stops the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation in a state of being directly connected to the peripheral device. The recording device described.
[0062]
[Embodiment 10]
A power supply control method in a recording apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device via a predetermined cable and supplying power to the peripheral device via the predetermined cable, based on image data input from the peripheral device A printing control step (step (406) shown in FIG. 4) for controlling the driving of the recording head to print on the recording medium, and an error that stops the recording operation during the recording operation of driving the recording head. A determination step (step (407) shown in FIG. 4) for determining whether or not an error has occurred, and power control for stopping power supply to the peripheral device when it is determined that an error has occurred in the determination step A power supply control method comprising steps (steps (408) to (411) shown in FIG. 4).
[0063]
[Embodiment 11]
The power supply control method according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral device is capable of communicating by being directly connected via the predetermined cable without interposing a host device.
[0064]
[Embodiment 12]
12. The power control method according to claim 10, wherein the power control step turns off a power supply voltage supplied to a peripheral device while the recording operation is stopped.
[0065]
[Embodiment 13]
The power control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 12, wherein the power control step restarts the supply to the peripheral device based on a recording resumption instruction input.
[0066]
[Embodiment 14]
In the determination step, the recording operation is stopped when any of the paper jam of the recording medium to be fed, the conveyance failure of the recording medium to be fed, or the recording agent running out in the recording head has occurred. The power supply control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 13, wherein it is determined that an error has occurred.
[0067]
[Embodiment 15]
In the power control step, when the error occurs in the determination step, a function recovery operation instruction including the recording head is performed by a preset key operation, and a normal recording operation is performed based on a response result to the function recovery operation instruction. 14. The power supply control method according to claim 13, wherein when it is determined that the power supply is possible, the power supply voltage supplied to the peripheral device is turned on.
[0068]
[Embodiment 16]
The power control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 15, wherein the predetermined cable is a USB interface.
[0069]
[Embodiment 17]
The power control method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 16, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner capable of reading a document image.
[0070]
[Embodiment 18]
Any one of Embodiments 10 to 17, wherein the determining step determines whether or not an error has occurred so as to stop the recording operation during the recording operation in a state of being directly connected to the peripheral device. The power supply control method described in 1.
[0071]
[Embodiment 19]
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing the power control method according to any one of the tenth to nineteenth embodiments.
[0072]
[Embodiment 20]
A program for realizing the power supply control method according to any one of the tenth to nineteenth embodiments.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the scanner is connected to the recording apparatus via a predetermined cable, an error that stops the recording operation has occurred until a recording instruction is issued from the operation means. In this case, the power supply can be stopped to save unnecessary power.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system to which a recording apparatus according to the invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration in which the printer and the scanner illustrated in FIG. 1 are connected via a USB interface cable.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first power supply control procedure in the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 interface (I / F)
105 Recording Device Controller (ASIC)
106 interface control circuit 107 data control circuit,
108 Print Data Generation Circuit 109 Head Control Circuit 110 Drive Circuit Control 111 Recording Head 112 Carriage Motor 113 Carry Motor 114 Direct Print Control Circuit 115 Key Operation Control Circuit 116 Power Switch 117 Resume Switch 201 Printer 202 Scanner 203 USB Interface Cable 204 Drive Control Circuit 205 interface (scanner)
206 Interface (printer)
207 Interface control circuit 208 Control unit 209 VBUS switch 210 Error information 211 Resume switch

Claims (12)

A recording apparatus that communicates with a scanner directly connected via a predetermined cable and can supply power to the scanner via a power line included in the predetermined cable,
Print control means for controlling the drive of the recording means and performing recording based on image data input from the scanner on a recording medium;
A determination means for determining whether or not an error for stopping the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation for driving the recording means;
Power control means for stopping power supply to the scanner via the power line when it is determined by the determination means that an error has occurred ;
Operation means for instructing recording using the scanner,
The power control means is configured to connect the scanner via a power line included in the predetermined cable when a recording instruction is not given via the operation means even if the scanner is connected via the predetermined cable. A recording apparatus that supplies power to the scanner via a power line included in the predetermined cable when a recording instruction is made via the operation means without supplying power to the scanner . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recording apparatus can be driven by a battery. Said power supply control means, based on the recording re disclosure instruction after the error occurrence, to claim 1 or 2 via a power line included in the predetermined cable, characterized in that to resume the power supply to the scanner The recording device described. The determination unit generates an error that stops the recording operation when one of the recording medium is jammed , the conveyance failure of the fed recording medium, or the recording agent in the recording unit runs out. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus determines that the recording apparatus is operating. Predetermined cable, a recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a USB cable. Operation means for communicating with a scanner directly connected via a predetermined cable and supplying power to the scanner via a power line included in the predetermined cable and for performing a recording instruction using the scanner a power control method in a recording apparatus including,
A print control step for controlling the drive of the recording means of the recording apparatus to perform recording based on image data input from the scanner to a recording medium;
A determination step of determining whether an error for stopping the recording operation has occurred during the recording operation of driving the recording means;
A power control step of stopping power supply to the scanner via the power line when it is determined that an error has occurred in the determination step ;
In the power control step, when the scanner is connected via the predetermined cable but no recording instruction is given via the operation means, the scanner via the power line included in the predetermined cable is used. A power control method comprising: supplying power to the scanner via a power line included in the predetermined cable when a recording instruction is made via the operation means without supplying power to the scanner . The power supply control method according to claim 6, wherein the recording apparatus can be driven by a battery. 8. The power supply control step of resuming power supply to the scanner via a power supply line included in the predetermined cable based on a recording re-disclosure instruction after the error has occurred. The power supply control method described. In the determination step, an error that stops the recording operation occurs when one of the recording medium is jammed, the conveyance failure of the fed recording medium, or the recording medium runs out in the recording unit. It is judged that it is carrying out in any one of Claims 6-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The power supply control method described. The power control method according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined cable is a USB cable. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the power supply control method according to claim 6. A program for causing a computer to execute the power supply control method according to claim 6.

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