JP4276712B2 - Image printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus capable of changing the set value of the designated number of prints even during the printing operation, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today, various techniques relating to digital cameras that record images as digital data using a CCD instead of film have been developed.
When shooting with such a digital camera, development processing like a conventional silver salt film is unnecessary, and an image shot immediately after the shutter is released can be used immediately. Furthermore, the video imaged by the digital camera can be printed immediately by the digital color printer.
[0003]
That is, when printing with this digital color printer, not only the darkroom work that is indispensable for the processing of the conventional silver salt photograph is not necessary, but also a desired print can be obtained more quickly.
[0004]
Furthermore, if the digital data is input to an information device such as a personal computer, editing by various image processes including enlargement / reduction can be performed, and a print more suited to the needs of the user can be provided.
[0005]
In recent years, a system has also been realized in which the digital data is directly output from a digital camera to a digital color printer without a personal computer, and printing based on the digital data can be performed by the digital color printer. Cheaper and more immediate printing is possible.
[0006]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-28612 has a buffer that accepts and stores print data created by a host computer or the like as much as possible without waiting for the end of printing, and responds to a print request once stored in the buffer. A technique related to a printer that can change the number of printed sheets is disclosed.
[0007]
That is, in the technology related to this printer, a buffer for storing print requests is provided separately, and an area for storing information such as the number of prints is provided in this buffer, thereby enabling fine print control, particularly during printing operations. It is also possible to accept a change in the setting of the number of prints at.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a printing operation is performed by a digital color printer based on digital image data, since the processing time inside the printer is long, the printing conditions can be set without stopping the printer after starting the printing operation. It was not easy to make changes. For example, in the technique disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-28612, the condition setting can be changed after the printing operation is started. In order to rewrite the contents of the queue buffer that stores the print setting conditions, It is necessary to give a predetermined command from the external device via the communication interface, and the printing conditions cannot be changed by the printer alone.
[0009]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image printing apparatus capable of easily changing print setting conditions even during printing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Invention]
In the first aspect, a plurality of types of paper feed cassettes including a paper tray for storing a predetermined print medium and a number setting unit capable of setting a designated number of prints can be mounted, and a digital image input from an external device can be mounted. An image printing apparatus that performs a desired number of printing operations based on data, and when the setting value of the designated number of prints by the number setting unit is changed during the printing of a plurality of sheets, It is characterized by allowing the change immediately.
[0012]
According to a second aspect, the image printing apparatus has a dial button for setting the number of prints, and the setting change by the dial button is made effective only when image data input from a predetermined external apparatus is printed. It is characterized by that.
[0013]
In a third aspect, the image printing apparatus is a sublimation type thermal transfer system, and further checks the type of ink ribbon according to the paper size of the printing medium, checks the paper size of the printing medium, and the ink ribbon. A predetermined error display process to the effect that printing cannot be performed is performed when the type of the print medium is different from the paper size of the print medium .
[0015]
According to the first to third aspects, the following effects are exhibited.
That is, in the first aspect, when the setting value of the designated number of prints by the number setting means is changed during the printing of a plurality of sheets, the change of the designated number of prints is immediately permitted.
[0016]
In the second aspect, a dial button for setting the number of prints is provided, and the setting change by the dial button is made effective only when image data input from a predetermined external device is printed .
The third aspect is a sublimation type thermal transfer method, further confirms the type of ink ribbon according to the paper size of the print medium, confirms the paper size of the print medium, and the type of ink ribbon is the paper size of the print medium. If they are different, a predetermined error display process is performed to the effect that printing cannot be performed .
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the image printing apparatus according to this embodiment is roughly divided into a printer main body 1 and an auto feeder unit 2a.
[0018]
First, on the printer main body 1 side of the image printing apparatus, there is provided a central processing unit (CPU; Central Processing Unit) 3 that controls the entire control. An input of the CPU 3 includes an operation unit 4 and an external device interface. The output of (I / F) 5 is connected. The operation unit 4 is for instructing various operations such as a printing operation, and includes a plurality of switch groups.
[0019]
The external device I / F 5 is for connecting a personal computer, a digital camera, or the like, which is an external device, to the printer main body so as to be communicable. In the image printing apparatus according to this embodiment, a plurality of terminals are provided to realize communication with various personal computers and digital cameras.
[0020]
One end of the output of the CPU 3 is connected to the input of the image data storage unit 6 and the input of the print data development unit 7. The image data storage unit 6 is for temporarily storing image data input via the external device I / F 5, and its output is connected to the input of the print data expansion unit 7. .
[0021]
The print data development unit 7 develops the image data as print data, and the output is connected to the input of the printer / engine unit 9 via the data buffer unit 8. The output of the other end of the CPU 3 is connected to the input of the mechanism driving unit 10, and the output of the mechanism driving unit 10 is connected to the input of the printer / engine unit 9.
[0022]
On the other hand, the output of the CPU 3 is connected to the input of the paper feed drive unit 12 of the auto feeder unit 2a, and the output of the paper size setting unit 13 and the output of the number setting dial 11a are connected to the input of the CPU 3. Yes.
[0023]
The paper size setting unit 13 sets the paper size by mechanical means and electrical means and communicates the size to the CPU 3. The number setting dial 11a is constituted by rotary mechanical means. The operator can set the number of prints by rotating the dial 11a. In the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the number setting dial 11a can be used to change the number setting even during the printing operation.
[0024]
FIG. 1B shows the configuration of the auto feeder unit 2b. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (b), the configuration of the number setting dial 11b is different from the auto feeder portion 2a shown in FIG. 1 (a). That is, the number setting dial 11b is provided with a further switch 14 to prevent an undesired change in the number due to an erroneous operation.
[0025]
Here, FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus is configured such that an auto feeder unit 2 is detachably attached to a printer main body 1. A print switch 4a for instructing a printing operation, an insertion slot 21 for inserting a storage medium, and various display units 22 are provided at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the apparatus. The print switch 4a constitutes a part of the operation unit 4. Although not shown, various terminals that enable communication with various personal computers and digital cameras constituting a part of the external device I / F are provided at predetermined positions on the rear surface of the apparatus. Yes.
[0026]
3 and 4 are diagrams showing detailed external configurations of the auto-feeder units 2a and 2b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the number setting dial 11a has a rotary structure as shown in the figure, and the number setting dial 11a is set by adjusting the number related to the number desired by the operator with a finger or the like on the setting window. Is possible. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the number setting dial 11b further includes a predetermined switch 14 in order to prevent an undesired change in the number of sheets. When the switch 14 covers the setting window, the number cannot be changed.
[0027]
The detailed configuration of the paper size setting unit 13 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the paper size setting unit 13 includes an electrical switch 13a and a mechanical means switch 13b (see FIG. 5C). The mechanical switch 13b is a paper loading surface. , The electrical switch 13a is turned on, and the CPU 3 recognizes that the size is a public postcard size (see FIG. 5B). On the other hand, when the mechanical switch 13b is not tilted, the electrical switch 13a is not turned on, so that the CPU 3 recognizes that the paper size is exclusive (see FIG. 5A).
[0028]
In the above configuration, when image data is input from the external device I / F 5 to the printer main body 1 from the digital camera or the storage medium, the image data is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 6. Then, as printing data, for example, data for one color of one screen is developed in the printing data development unit 7. At this time, color conversion processing, contour enhancement processing, and the like can also be performed.
[0029]
Then, the data is stored in the data buffer unit 8 at the subsequent stage, output to the printer engine unit 9, and a predetermined printing operation is performed under the drive control of the mechanism driving unit 10. The above printing operation is similarly performed for other colors.
[0030]
The print head included in the printer engine unit 9 can print data for one line of printing paper at the same time. After all lines and colors have been printed, the final print is driven by the paper feed. Output from the unit 12 . In the printing operation, the CPU 3 recognizes the size of the paper loaded in the auto-feeder units 2a and 2b based on a signal from the paper size setting unit 13, which will be described in detail later, and uses the number setting dials 11a and 11b. The setting is recognized, the number of printed sheets is recognized, and a predetermined number of sheets are printed on a sheet of a predetermined size. At this time, in the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, after the printing operation is started, even when the setting of the number setting dials 11a and 11b is changed during the printing operation, the setting change of the number of printed sheets is performed. It is possible to do.
[0031]
Hereinafter, the printing operation of the image printing apparatus according to the above embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in the figure, when the printing operation is started, first, as an initial setting of the CPU 3, a flag relating to the number of printed sheets is set to 0 (step S1). Subsequently, the number of prints is recognized based on the setting of the number setting dial 11a or 11b (step S2). If the number of prints> the number of prints to end (step S3), one-image print processing is performed (step In step S4, the print end number is incremented (step S5), and it is detected again whether the print number> the print end number (step S3). Then, the above printing operation is repeated as long as the number of printed sheets> the number of finished printing (steps S4 and S5).
[0032]
Thus, in this embodiment, every time one image printing process is completed, the number of printed sheets is recognized again. Accordingly, when the number of dials 11a or 11b is operated by the operator during the printing operation and the number of sheets is changed, the change process can be quickly performed. This is one of the features of this embodiment.
[0033]
Next, the details of the subroutine “one image printing process” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When this subroutine is entered, first, the ink ribbon type, for example, the type of ink ribbon corresponding to the paper size of standard paper or government postcard is confirmed (step S11). Subsequently, the paper feed tray lever switch of the paper size setting unit 13 is checked to recognize whether standard paper or government postcard is loaded in the auto feeder unit 2a or 2b (step S12). Here, if the ink ribbon type is different from the setting of the paper feed tray lever, printing cannot be performed, and a predetermined error display process is performed (step S13).
[0034]
On the other hand, when the ink ribbon type is the same as the setting of the paper feed tray lever, paper feed processing is performed, Y color printing processing is performed, and paper position return processing is performed (steps S14, S15, and S16). Subsequently, an M color printing process is performed, and a paper position returning process is performed (steps S17 and S18). Subsequently, a C color printing process is performed, and a paper discharge process is performed (steps S19 and S20). Thus, the process returns to the main routine.
[0035]
In addition, the following invention is contained in the said embodiment of this invention.
(1) means for inputting image data from at least one of an external device and an image storage medium;
Image data conversion means for converting the input image data into print image data after performing predetermined processing;
Printing means for printing the image data for printing on a predetermined paper;
Means for automatically feeding a plurality of sheets stored in a removable or built-in paper tray;
A dial button to set the number of copies,
Means for displaying the set number of dial buttons;
Comprising
An image printing apparatus characterized in that setting change is always valid when the setting of the number of printed sheets is changed during execution of a printing operation by the dial button.
[0036]
According to this aspect, for example, even when printing is started with a setting of printing 10 sheets, when the number of sheets is increased or decreased during printing, the printing operation can be changed without interruption, and the usability is good.
(2) The image printing apparatus according to (1), wherein the setting change by the dial button is validated only when image data input from a predetermined external apparatus is printed.
[0037]
According to this aspect, when the external device is a personal computer, it is easy to set the number of prints from the personal computer. However, when printing directly from the digital camera, it is complicated to set the number of copies on the camera side. Therefore, if it is determined in advance according to the external device whether or not the print number setting can be changed according to the external device, it is convenient.
(3) The image printing apparatus according to (2), further comprising operation means for setting a change in setting by the dial button to be valid or invalid.
[0038]
According to this aspect, even if the number setting is automatically switched between valid / invalid by the device, there is a possibility that printing is performed with the number of sheets set more than necessary. It is possible to recognize whether or not the change is possible.
(4) The printing means is a sublimation type thermal transfer printing means, capable of printing at least two types of paper sizes, and has a paper pressing lever corresponding to each paper type, and the position of the paper pressing lever is The image printing apparatus according to (1), wherein it is detected whether or not a predetermined ink ribbon is selected.
[0039]
According to this aspect, when the size of the government-made postcard and the dedicated paper is different, the type of the ink ribbon is different, but even if the wrong ink ribbon is set, the user can recognize whether the ink ribbon is appropriate or not. .
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily change the print setting conditions even during printing , and the setting of the designated number of prints by the number setting means during the execution of printing of a plurality of sheets. When the value is changed, it is possible to provide an image printing apparatus in which the change of the designated number of prints is immediately permitted .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the image printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed external configuration of an auto feeder section 2a.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed external configuration of an auto feeder section 2b.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a paper size setting unit 13;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining in detail a printing operation of the image printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of a subroutine “one image printing process”.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer Main Body 2a Auto Feeder 2b Auto Feeder 3 CPU
4 Operation unit 5 External device I / F
6 Image data storage unit 7 Printing data expansion unit 8 Data buffer unit 9 Printer engine unit 10 Mechanism driving unit 11a Number setting dial 11b Number setting dial 12 Paper feeding driving unit 13 Paper size setting unit

Claims (3)

Plural kinds of paper feed cassette paper tray and print the specified number of sheets and a number setting means settable for accommodating a predetermined printing medium is mountable, desired based on the digital image data input from the external device An image printing apparatus that performs a printing operation for a number of sheets,
An image printing apparatus characterized in that, when the setting value of the designated number of prints by the number setting means is changed during the printing of a plurality of sheets, the change of the designated number of prints is immediately permitted . The image printing apparatus includes a dial button for setting the number of prints, only when printing the image data inputted from a predetermined external device, characterized in that an active setting change by the dial buttons claims Item 8. The image printing apparatus according to Item 1 . The image printing apparatus is a sublimation type thermal transfer method, further confirms the type of ink ribbon according to the paper size of the print medium, confirms the paper size of the print medium, and the type of ink ribbon is the print medium. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a predetermined error display process is performed to the effect that printing cannot be performed when the paper size is different from the paper size .

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