JP4045425B2 - Direct printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print data generation apparatus that reads image data from an image data storage medium that stores image data, converts the image data into print data, and transmits the print data to a recording execution unit that records on a recording material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread, and along with this, various kinds of digital data (image data) related to images taken with digital cameras have been processed by personal computers, and high-quality printing equivalent to silver halide photography has been made. Inkjet printers having the following performance have been developed.
[0003]
In digital cameras, image data is written into a small removable memory card (semiconductor memory), and in a personal computer, the data is inserted into a card slot (memory card reading means) and read, so that various image data can be used as required. Then, the data is converted into print data by a printer driver operating on a personal computer.
[0004]
Here, as described above, the work of reading image data into a personal computer and operating application software to perform printing has not always been easy and reliable. There is also a need for users who do not have a personal computer to easily perform high-quality printing using only a digital camera and an inkjet printer. In addition, there is a need for a user who can freely operate a personal computer to simply and quickly print a photo for the purpose of checking image data for the time being. Therefore, in order to enable easy and reliable high-quality output (printing) of image data written on the memory card, the memory card reading means for the ink jet printer and data for converting the image data into print data A printer (image printing system) in which a conversion unit is provided integrally has also been developed.
[0005]
9 and 10 show such an ink jet printer according to the prior art, FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 500, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of the operation unit 505. FIG.
[0006]
As shown in FIG. 9, the appearance of the main body of the printer 500 is constituted by a lower housing 501 and an upper housing 502. A card insertion slot 503 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 501, and a memory card reading means (not shown) is provided inside the card insertion slot 503. That is, the memory card C is inserted into the card insertion slot 503, and the image data written in the memory card C can be read.
[0007]
Next, in the upper housing 502, an operation unit 505 is provided on the upper right side. The operation unit 505 includes a setting item display unit 506, a setting state display unit 507, and a print setting unit as shown in FIG. A button 508 and a print execution button 509 are configured.
[0008]
Setting item names such as “paper type” and “paper size” are displayed on the setting item display unit 506, and current setting values corresponding to the items on the setting item display unit 506 are displayed on the setting state display unit 507. (If “paper type”, “plain paper” or the like) is displayed by a display means such as a liquid crystal display. The print setting button 508 sets each setting item described in the setting item display unit 506 by pressing this button, and the print execution button 509 executes printing by pressing this button. Yes.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a user who owns an existing printer that does not have the card insertion slot 503 (memory card reading means) as described above inevitably uses a personal computer to read image data from the memory card C and use application software. It is necessary to perform the print execution process, and it has not been possible to meet the need for simple and quick photo printing without using the personal computer described above.
[0010]
Further, since various print settings are performed by the operation unit 505 provided in the printer 500, the various print settings must be performed near the printer 500 and cannot be operated remotely. I couldn't say that. In addition, the life of the device is generally shorter for the print execution unit (printing device) due to the presence of the sliding portion, etc., and the life of the data processing device that reads image data from the memory card and converts it to print data. As a result, imbalance occurs, resulting in cost or resource waste.
[0011]
On the other hand, in recent product development, not only functions but also design is often emphasized, and the same applies to inkjet printers and peripheral devices. However, in the printer 500 having the card insertion slot 503 and the operation unit 505 as shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary to provide the card insertion slot 503 and the operation unit 505. It could not be said that design freedom was secured.
[0012]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem is that the image data stored in the memory card is also used in an existing printer that does not have a function of directly reading and printing image data from the memory card. Is capable of printing easily and quickly, and is intended to obtain an image printing system that is much easier to operate than a conventional image printing system. Also, compared to a conventional image printing system. Another object of the present invention is to obtain an image printing system with further excellent design.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, a print data generation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image data storage medium connection unit that connects an image data storage medium that stores image data, and print data that forms the appearance of the apparatus. A print execution content input unit that inputs print execution content in a recording execution unit that is provided on the generation device housing member and records on a recording material, and print that displays the print execution content input from the print execution content input unit Print data generation comprising: an execution content display unit; a print data conversion unit that converts image data read from the image data storage medium into print data according to the print execution content; and a connection interface unit to the recording execution unit It is an apparatus, and is configured to be separated and independent from the recording execution unit.
[0014]
According to this aspect, the print data generation device that reads the image data from the image data storage medium that stores the image data and converts the image data into print data is configured separately from the recording execution unit that records on the recording material. Therefore, an existing printer (recording execution unit) that does not include an image data storage medium connection unit that connects the image data storage medium and a print data conversion unit that converts the image data into print data. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to print out the image data stored in the image data storage medium easily and quickly by connecting the existing printer to the connection interface unit of the print data generating apparatus.
[0015]
Further, since there is no need to perform various print settings by an operation unit provided directly on the printer, various print settings can be performed at a remote location, and operability is further improved. Furthermore, since the print data generation device is longer than the printer having sliding / wearing parts, the print data generation device is not discarded together with the printer, and there is no cost or resource waste. It does not occur.
[0016]
In addition, since the print data generation device is not directly provided in the printer, the degree of freedom of design is improved on the printer side, and thus also on the print data generation device, and it is possible to sufficiently ensure the aesthetic appearance generated from the appearance.
[0017]
The print data generation apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the print data generation apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the print data generation apparatus housing member simulates the external shape of the recording execution unit housing member that forms the external appearance of the recording execution unit. It is characterized by being formed.
According to this aspect, since the print data generation device housing member is formed to imitate the appearance shape of the recording execution unit housing member that constitutes the appearance of the recording execution unit, the recording execution unit ( The dependency (relevance) of the print data generation apparatus with respect to the printer) can be determined at a glance. That is, since the external shapes are similar to each other, the print data generation apparatus can determine at a glance from the external appearance that it is “related to the printer”, which is user-friendly.
[0018]
The print data generation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the print data generation device housing member is detachably provided.
According to this aspect, since the print data generation device housing member is detachably provided, for example, even if the external shape of the recording execution unit (printer) changes, the external shape of the print data generation device can be changed. To be more user-friendly.
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print data generation apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the recording execution unit housing member in the recording execution unit includes a recording execution unit cover member that can be freely opened and closed, and The print data generation device housing member in the print data generation device includes a print data generation device cover member corresponding to the recording execution unit cover member, and the print execution content input unit and the print execution content display unit are It is provided inside the print data generating device cover member.
According to this aspect, the print data generation device housing member includes a print data generation device cover member corresponding to a recording execution unit cover member that can be freely opened and closed of the recording execution unit (printer), and the print execution content input unit; Since the print execution content display unit is provided inside the print data generation device cover member, the operation unit of the print data generation device is covered by the cover member, and dust or the like enters the device inside. Can be prevented.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print data generation apparatus according to the fourth aspect includes cover member open / close detection means for detecting an open / closed state of the print data generation apparatus cover member. When the open state of the print data generating device cover member is detected, the power ON mode is set, and when the cover member open / close detecting unit detects the closed state of the print data generating device cover member, the power OFF mode is set. It is characterized by being.
According to this aspect, there is a cover member open / close detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of the print data generating apparatus cover member, and when the cover member open / close detecting means detects the open state of the print data generating apparatus cover member, the power is turned on. Since the print data generating device cover member is opened for print setting, the power ON mode is always set when the print data generating device cover member is opened, so that the operability is good and the print data generating device cover member is closed. When the state is detected, the power-off mode is set, so that forgetting to turn off the power can be prevented and wasteful power consumption can be surely prevented.
[0021]
The print data generation apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the print data generation device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the recording execution unit housing member in the recording execution unit is a recording material at a front center portion. It has an opening as a discharge port, and the image data storage medium connecting portion in the print data generation device is provided in an image data storage medium insertion port formed at a position corresponding to the opening. To do.
According to this aspect, in the print data generation device, the image data storage medium connection unit corresponds to a recording material discharge port (opening) provided in the front center of the recording execution unit (printer). In the print data generating device, the insertion port of the image data storage medium is intuitively easy to understand and is user-friendly.
[0022]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the print data generation device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the recording execution unit performs recording for setting the recording material on the rear side in an inclined posture. An execution unit paper support is provided, and the print data generation device includes a print data generation device paper support corresponding to the recording execution unit paper support.
According to this aspect, since the print data generation apparatus includes the paper support corresponding to the paper support in the printer, for example, the recorded material (L size size printing paper, postcard size printing recorded on the paper support) If paper is set, it can be used as a photo stand.
[0023]
A print data generation apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the print data generation apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the print data generation apparatus paper support is detachably provided.
According to this aspect, since the print data generating apparatus paper support is detachably provided, space saving can be achieved by removing it when not in use.
[0024]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the print data generation device includes a preview monitor that displays the image content of the image data stored in the image data storage medium. It is characterized by being.
According to this aspect, since the preview monitor for displaying the image content of the image data stored in the image data storage medium is provided, the image content to be printed can be confirmed in advance, and the image data can be selected. Mistakes can be prevented and convenience is good.
[0025]
The print data generation apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect, the preview monitor is detachably provided.
According to this aspect, since the preview monitor is detachably provided, it is possible to save space by removing it when not in use.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a direct printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printing apparatus”) 100 as a “print data generation apparatus” according to the present invention and an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “recording execution unit”). The configuration of the printer 300 will be outlined. Here, FIG. 1 is an external view of the printing apparatus 100 and the printer 300 as viewed from the front side, FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the printing apparatus 100 with the cover 3 closed, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the printing apparatus 100 in a state where 3 is opened.
[0027]
The printer 300 is a general ink jet printer, includes an ink jet recording head (not shown), and can perform ink jet recording on printing paper. The printer 300 includes a general external interface (not shown, for example, a parallel interface or a USB interface), and a personal computer or the like can be connected to the interface.
[0028]
Next, the appearance of the printer 300 is composed of a printer lower housing 301 and a printer upper housing 302. An apparatus main body (not shown) of the printer 300 is mounted on the printer lower housing 301, and a printer upper housing 302 having a dome shape is provided so as to cover the apparatus main body.
[0029]
A printer paper support 304 is provided behind the printer upper housing 302, and a plurality of printing sheets are set in an inclined posture by the printer paper support 304. On the other hand, a paper discharge stacker 305 is provided in front of the printer upper housing 302. The paper discharge stacker 305 is rotatable about a lower pivot point (not shown) so as to fall forward, and by falling forward, a paper discharge port, that is, an opening (not shown). In this state, the printed printing paper is discharged and stacked.
[0030]
A printer operation unit 306 is provided on the upper left side of the printer upper housing 300. The printer operation unit 306 includes a power-on button, a paper feed button, an ink / cartridge exchange button, and the like, and functions as an operation unit that performs various operations of the printer 300.
[0031]
Further, a printer cover 303 is provided at the center of the printer upper housing 302. The printer cover 303 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown) on the rear side of the printer 300, and is opened from the front side to the rear side of the printer 300 to thereby form an ink cartridge (not shown). ) Can be exchanged.
[0032]
Next, the printing apparatus 100 includes a lower housing 1 corresponding to the printer lower housing 301 in the printer 300 and an upper housing 2 corresponding to the printer upper housing 302. An apparatus main body (not shown) of the printing apparatus 100 is placed on the lower housing 1, and an upper housing 2 having a dome shape is provided so as to cover the apparatus main body.
[0033]
Here, the appearance of both the lower housing 1 and the upper housing 2 is similar to the appearance of the printer lower housing 301 and the printer upper housing 302. A cover 3 corresponding to the printer cover 303 in the printer 300 is provided in the center of the upper housing 2. Similar to the printer cover 303, the cover 3 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown) on the rear side of the printing apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B. By opening the printing apparatus 100 from the front side toward the rear side, an operation unit 5 (described later) as a “print execution content input unit” is exposed, and various operations of the printing apparatus 100 can be performed. In other words, the cover 3 serves to prevent dust from entering the printing apparatus 100 by covering the operation unit 5.
[0034]
As described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 is generally similar in appearance to the printer 300, and has an appearance configuration that makes the printer 300 smaller.
[0035]
The printing apparatus 100 has a connection interface with the printer 300 (printer IF indicated by reference numeral 55 in FIG. 4), and is configured to be connectable to the printer 300. Further, a card slot 4 as an “image data storage medium insertion port” is provided in a portion corresponding to the paper discharge stacker 305 (paper discharge port) in the printer 300. The card slot 4 is provided with a memory card IF 54 (see FIG. 4) as an “image data storage medium connection unit”, and a memory card C (see FIG. 9) as an “image data storage medium” in the card slot 4. ) Is inserted substantially horizontally and connected to the memory card IF 54, the image data written in the memory card C is read into the printing apparatus 100. The internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100 having such a function will be described in detail later.
[0036]
The above is the outline of the printer 300 and the printing apparatus 100. Next, the internal configuration and functions of the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the configuration of the front panel of the printing apparatus 100, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the data processing module 70.
[0037]
The printing apparatus 100 includes a lid open detection sensor 58 (FIG. 4) as “cover member open / close detection means” that detects the open / close state of the cover 3. The lid open detection sensor 58 detects the change from the closed state to the open state of the cover 3 as shown in the change from FIG. 2A to FIG. Send. When the data conversion unit 50 receives a signal indicating the open state of the cover 3 from the lid open detection sensor 58, the data conversion unit 50 performs display control on a setting state display unit 6 described later and lights necessary indicators (not shown), In other words, the power ON mode is set. Conversely, when a signal indicating the closed state of the cover 3 is received from the lid opening detection sensor 58, the display of the setting state display section 6 is turned off and necessary indicators (not shown) are turned off, that is, the power is turned off. It is configured to be a mode.
[0038]
Accordingly, when the cover 3 is in the closed state, the setting state display unit 6 and necessary indicators (not shown) are in the power-off mode, and reliable useless power consumption is suppressed. In the present embodiment, the cover open detection sensor 58 is provided as described above to shift to the power ON mode. However, the power source that supplies power to all the components including the data converter 50 is provided. You may comprise the power-on switch of a supply part (not shown) so that it may be turned on and off in connection with opening and closing of the cover 3. FIG.
[0039]
Next, in FIG. 3, the code | symbol 7 and the code | symbol 6 have respectively shown the setting item display part and the setting status display part. In the setting item display section 7, print settings such as “printing method”, “paper type”, “paper size”, “layout”, “photo selection”, “number of sheets”, “image quality”, etc. The item name is displayed. The setting state display unit 6 displays the current setting state for the print setting items displayed on the setting item display unit 7 on the LCD (liquid crystal) under the control of the data conversion unit 50 described later. . Here, in the “printing method”, setting is performed such as selecting one of a plurality of image data read from the memory card C to perform printing, selecting a plurality of arbitrary data, or selecting all of them. I do. The “paper type” is a setting for the paper type such as plain paper, inkjet paper, photo paper, and the like. “Layout” sets whether the selected image data is output in 1/4 size of paper size, output in 1/2 size, or output in full paper. "Photo selection" sets which one of the read image data to select, "Number" is the number of prints, "Image quality" is normal, high image quality, super high image quality, etc. Set the print quality of.
[0040]
Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation unit for performing the above-described various print settings. The operation unit 5 includes a plurality of buttons, and mainly includes a print execution button 5a, a print setting button 5b, a print cancel button 5c, and the like. Printing is executed by pressing the print execution button 5a, the print setting button 5b performs the above-described various print settings, and the print cancel button 5c is executed by pressing this button. The printing operation is canceled.
[0041]
Next, the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100 having the appearance configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 100 includes a data conversion unit 50, a memory card IF 54, a printer IF 55, the lid open detection sensor 58, the operation unit 5, the setting state display unit 6, and the video data conversion unit 56. And a preview monitor IF 57.
[0042]
The memory card IF 54 detects that the memory card C is inserted into the card slot 4 and transmits this to the data converter 50 described later. Then, according to an instruction from the data conversion unit 50, image data is read from the memory card C as necessary, and the read image data is transmitted to the data conversion unit 50.
[0043]
The data processing unit 50 includes a CPU 51, a PROM (or EEPROM) 52, and a RAM 53 as shown in FIG. The data processing unit 50 receives an instruction signal from the operation unit 5 or signals from the memory card IF 54 and the printer IF 55, reads image data from the memory card C, and loads the read image data into the RAM 53. Reading out image data captured in the RAM 53, converting the read image data into print data, sending the converted print data to the printer 300 via the printer IF 55, transferring image data to the video data converter 56, and setting Various processes such as display control of the state display unit 6 are performed.
[0044]
The CPU 51 constituting the data processing unit 50 performs arithmetic processing necessary for executing the various processes described above, and the PROM 51 stores a program for executing the various processes described above. The RAM 53 is used not only as a primary storage area for image data read from the memory card C as described above, but also as a work area for the CPU 51.
[0045]
Here, a data processing module 70 for converting image data into print data by the data processing unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The data processing module 70 is stored in the PROM 52 as a program.
[0046]
Only necessary image data selected by the operation unit 5 is selectively delivered to the data processing module 70 as image data stored in the RAM 53. The data processing module 70 includes an input unit 71, a color correction processing unit 72, a color correction table 73, a halftone processing unit 74, a print data generation unit 75, and an output unit 76. The input unit 71 receives image data from the RAM 53, and the color correction processing unit 72 corrects the color components (RGB values) of the received image data to color components (CMYK values) corresponding to the ink of the printer 300. Is executed by referring to the color correction table 73. The halftone processing unit 74 performs halftone processing for expressing the gradation value of each pixel by the dot recording density on the image data subjected to color correction processing in this way. The print data generation unit 75 rearranges the halftone processed image data in the order of main scanning in the printer 300 (rasterization), and further adds predetermined print information (print command) such as print resolution to generate raster data. To do. Then, the raster data is output to the printer IF 55 by the output unit 76. This raster data is generated according to the print setting contents instructed by the operation unit 5 described above. The “print data” here is print data in a broad sense including both pre-rasterized image data and post-rasterized image data. In this embodiment, the image data is stored on the printing apparatus 100 side. The rasterized data is transmitted to the printer 300 as raster data. Such rasterization may be executed by a control unit (not shown) of the printer 300.
[0047]
Next, referring back to FIG. 4, output control to the printer 300 is performed by a printer IF (for example, a parallel interface, a USB interface, etc.) 55. The printer IF 55 controls the transmission timing of the print data generated by the data converter 50 and other necessary control data to the printer 300, and transmits data to the printer 300 or receives data from the printer 300.
[0048]
The video data converter 56 transmits the video data to the preview monitor indicated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. Here, the preview monitor 10 is a monitor (for example, a color LCD (liquid crystal) monitor) for actually confirming the selected image data. By connecting the preview monitor 10 to the preview monitor IF 57, the operation unit 5 The selected image data can be confirmed with the naked eye. The video data conversion unit 56 analyzes the image data transmitted from the RAM 53 and performs a conversion process for separating the data into RGB components, and sends this data to the preview monitor 10 via the preview monitor IF 57 as video data.
[0049]
The operation and effect of the printing apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. First, the printing apparatus 100 is separated and independent from the printer 300 as a recording execution unit, unlike the printer 500 according to the related art (see FIG. 9). Configured. That is, the printer 500 according to the related art is in a state in which the recording execution unit (printer 300) and the printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention are integrally configured. Since the printer (the printer 300) is configured separately from the printer (the printer 300), even the printer (the printer 300 in the present embodiment) that does not have the functions related to the printing apparatus 100 in advance is printed on the connection interface unit of the printer 300. By connecting the apparatus 100, the image data stored in the memory card C can be printed out easily and quickly.
[0050]
In addition, since it is not necessary to perform various print settings by an operation unit provided directly on the printer 300, various print settings can be performed at a remote location, and operability is further improved. Furthermore, the life of the printing apparatus 100 is longer than the life of the printer 300 (there are no wear parts such as sliding parts). However, since the printing apparatus 100 is configured separately from the printer 300, printing is performed together with the printer 300. There is no such thing as discarding the device 100 and there is no waste of cost or resources.
[0051]
In addition, when the printing apparatus 100 is directly provided in the printer 300, there is no waste of cost or resources. In addition, it is not necessary to dispose the operation unit 5 or the like on the printer cover 503, the degree of freedom in design is improved, and in the printer 300, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the aesthetic appearance resulting from the appearance.
[0052]
Further, since the appearance shape of the printing apparatus 100 simulates the appearance shape of the printer 300, the dependency (relevance) of the printing apparatus 100 with respect to the printer 300 can be determined at a glance. In other words, when the external shape of the printing apparatus 100 is a simple box-shaped housing, it is difficult to determine the use / function etc. at a glance while such a printing apparatus 100 is independent. As described above, since the external appearance of the printing apparatus 100 and the printer 300 is similar, it can be determined at a glance that the printing apparatus 100 is related to the printer 300 based on the external appearance. It becomes.
[0053]
Further, since the printing apparatus 100 is configured separately from the printer 300, the weight of the printer 300 can be reduced.
[0054]
In addition, by providing the upper housing 2 detachably with respect to the lower housing 1, it becomes more user-friendly. In other words, if the upper housing 2 is configured to be detachable, for example, even if the external shape of the printer 300 changes, the external shape of the printing apparatus 100 can be matched to this, which makes it even more user-friendly. .
[0055]
In FIG. 1, the preview monitor 10 is provided at the rear of the printing apparatus 100, but the preview monitor 10 is provided detachably with respect to the printing apparatus 10. 6 and the paper support 12 shown in FIG. 7 can be provided. Here, FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the printing apparatus 100 with the paper support 12 attached, and FIG. 7 is an external perspective view as seen from the rear side. 8A and 8B are external perspective views of the monitor base 11 to which the paper support 12 and the preview monitor 10 are attached, respectively.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 7, an insertion receiving portion 2a is provided on the rear side of the upper housing 2, and the insertion support portion 2a has a paper support 12 as shown in FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B). And insertion part 11a, 12a each formed in the lower part of monitor base 11 is inserted, and it is constituted so that it may be inserted by insertion receiving part 2a.
[0057]
When the monitor base 11 is attached, the preview monitor 10 can be attached as shown in FIG. 1, and the image data stored in the memory card C can be confirmed, while the paper support 12 is attached. In such a case, as indicated by the symbol P in FIG. 6, for example, a photo-sized printing paper P can be supported, and can be used as a so-called photo frame.
[0058]
As described above, the printing apparatus 100 has not only a function of converting image data into print data and transmitting it to the printer 300 but also various functions that are user-friendly as an image data printing system.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the print data generation device that reads the image data from the image data storage medium storing the image data and converts the image data into the print data includes the recording execution unit that records on the recording material. An existing printer that does not include an image data storage medium connection unit that connects the image data storage medium and a print data conversion unit that converts the image data to print data because it is configured separately and independently. Even the (recording execution unit) can easily and quickly print out the image data stored in the image data storage medium by connecting the existing printer to the connection interface unit of the print data generation apparatus. Is possible. Further, since there is no need to perform various print settings by an operation unit provided directly on the printer, various print settings can be performed at a remote location, and operability is further improved. Further, since the print data generation apparatus has a longer service life than the printer, the print data generation apparatus is not discarded together with the printer, and no cost or resource waste occurs. In addition, since the print data generation device is not directly provided in the printer, the degree of freedom of design is improved on the printer side, and thus also on the print data generation device, and it is possible to sufficiently ensure the aesthetic appearance generated from the appearance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an inkjet printer and a direct printing apparatus according to the present invention as viewed from the front side.
2A is an external perspective view of a direct printing apparatus with a cover closed, and FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the direct printing apparatus with a cover opened.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the configuration of the front panel of the direct printing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a direct printing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a data processing module.
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view (viewed from the front side) of a direct printing apparatus (with a paper support attached) according to the present invention.
7 is an external perspective view (viewed from the rear side) of the direct printing apparatus (with a paper support attached) according to the present invention. FIG.
8A is an external perspective view of a paper support, and FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of a monitor base.
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of an inkjet printer according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of an operation unit of an inkjet printer according to a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Lower housing
2 Upper housing
3 Cover
4 Memory card slot
5 Operation part
6 Setting status display
7 Setting item display area
10 Preview monitor
11 Monitor base
12 Paper support
50 Data converter
54 Memory card IF
55 Printer IF
56 Video data converter
57 Preview monitor IF
58 Cover open detection sensor
70 Data processing module
100 Print data generation device
300 Inkjet printer
301 Printer lower housing
302 Printer upper housing
303 Printer cover
304 Printer paper support

Claims (3)

An image data storage medium connection unit for connecting an image data storage medium storing image data;
A print execution content input unit that is provided in a housing member that configures the appearance of the apparatus and that inputs print execution content in a recording execution unit that records on a recording material;
A print execution content display unit for displaying the print execution content input from the print execution content input unit;
A print data conversion unit that converts image data read from the image data storage medium into print data according to the print execution content;
A direct printing apparatus comprising a connection interface unit with the recording execution unit,
A monitor base for attaching a preview monitor for displaying the image content of the image data stored in the image data storage medium on the rear side of the housing member, and a paper support for supporting a recorded recording material. By having an insertion receptacle,
A direct printing apparatus, wherein either the monitor base or the paper support can be selected and attached and detached. The direct printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing member includes a cover member.
The print execution content input unit and the print execution content display unit are provided inside the cover member,
A direct printing apparatus characterized by that. The direct printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cover member open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the cover member,
When the cover member opening / closing detection means detects the open state of the cover member, the power ON mode is set, and when the cover member open / close detection means detects the cover member closed state, the power OFF mode is set. ,
A direct printing apparatus characterized by that.

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