JP4590112B2 - Print system, digital camera and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system having printing means such as a thermal transfer printer, and more specifically, an electronic image signal held by a still camera, a video camera, or the like for recording a still image, via the computer or a recording medium. The present invention relates to a printing system and a digital camera that are suitable for printing out.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, heat-sensitive paper has been used as printing paper, and a plurality of heating elements arranged in the main scanning direction are selectively driven to convey the paper in the sub-scanning direction, thereby printing dots on the paper. There is a line thermal transfer printer.
[0003]
In recent years, with the progress of input devices that handle images such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, and scanners on the input side, thermal transfer type printer devices have attracted attention as printing means.
[0004]
Because inkjet printers only have a binary choice of whether or not to drop the droplets, let the small droplets land on the paper and get an apparent resolution and gradation by methods such as error diffusion On the other hand, in the case of a thermal transfer printer, the controllable heat value can be easily changed in one pixel, so that a large gradation can be obtained for one pixel. As a result, it is possible to obtain a smoother and higher quality image as compared with the ink jet printer. In addition, the performance of the thermal head and the performance of paper materials have also improved, making it possible to obtain image prints that are as good as silver halide photographs with a finished quality, especially in order to keep pace with the recent progress of digital cameras. It is attracting attention as a printer for natural images.
[0005]
Therefore, such a printer device and a photographing device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera are directly connected to each other or are integrally configured, and the photographed image information is passed through a device such as a computer for processing the image information. There is also a system for printing. According to such a system, it is possible to easily print out image information from a digital camera or digital video, which is very convenient.
[0006]
As an example of these,
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-243327 describes connection between an image input device and an image output device.
[0007]
According to this, there is provided an image input / output system in which an image output device and an image input device are connected, wherein the image output device receives and outputs an image signal from the image input device, and the image A power supply unit configured to supply power to the input device, wherein the image output device transmits image data to the image output device and outputs the image by a connection cable for receiving supply of power from the image output device. A determination unit that determines whether it is connected to a device and can receive power supply from the image output device; and a power supply unit, and is determined by the determination unit to receive power supply from the image output device. In this case, the power from the image output apparatus is used, and when it is determined that the power supply cannot be received, the power from the power supply unit is used. According to this, since electric power can be supplied from the image output apparatus, it is possible to print out without worrying about the remaining power of the image input apparatus such as a digital camera, which is very effective.
[0008]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-65182 describes power saving during printing. According to the present invention, there is provided a composite camera having an electronic viewfinder and a photographing means for recording video information on a recording medium and a printer means for printing out the video information on a recording paper. Control means for controlling to stop supplying power to the electronic viewfinder while video information is printed out on paper is provided. According to this, power is not supplied to the electronic viewfinder during printing, which is useful for power saving and is very effective.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional example, when a system with a printer device or an image input device such as a digital camera is configured, a sufficient solution for miniaturization, low cost, and high speed is not given.
[0010]
In the conventional example, when a battery warning occurs, a message, a symbol, or the like for promoting battery replacement is displayed or a warning sound is sounded to notify the user of the battery warning and prompt the user to replace the battery.
For such devices, there is an alternative means, such as a spare battery or an external power supply, or if the user can continue printing with ignoring the warning and luckily be able to complete the printing, the alternative battery If you don't have the right hand, you have to give up printing or force the printing at the risk of wasting paper or ribbon.
[0011]
Of course, if the battery runs out during printing, the paper being used and the ink used are wasted.
As described above, the conventional apparatus has a problem that a user-friendly printing system cannot be provided.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and is a printing system using a thermal transfer type printer device as a printing means, which effectively uses a battery and reduces the occurrence of printing failure due to battery exhaustion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that achieves the above.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing system according to the present invention includes a digital camera having an imaging unit that converts an optical image of a field to be photographed into an electronic image signal, and an electronic image captured by the digital camera. In a printing system comprising a printing apparatus that prints out a signal on a recording sheet so as to be visible, a selection means for selecting an image to be printed in the printing apparatus in a digital camera, and a printing process for the image selected by the selection means Display means for displaying a print start button for starting printing, power supply determination means for determining the power supply capability of the digital camera, and when the power supply determination means determines that the power supply capability is in the first state being reduced In addition, the second state in which the power supply capability is lower than that in the first state due to the time measuring means for starting the time measurement and the power source determining means. When it is determined that there is a first control unit that performs control for turning off the power of the digital camera, and when it is determined that it is in the first state, a print start button is displayed on the display unit. And a second control means for controlling the print start button not to be displayed when a predetermined period has elapsed since the time measurement by the time measurement means was started. .
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This printing system employs a sublimation type thermal transfer recording system in the printer section, and can print out electronic image information for an arbitrary number of prints. The printing system will be described according to the procedure.
[0015]
An embodiment of a normal thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a side surface of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. First, the overall configuration of the recording apparatus will be described. A sheet feeding roller 3 separates and feeds sheets one by one from a sheet cassette 2 loaded with recording sheets P on the apparatus main body 1. At this time, the recording paper P is in contact with the paper feed roller 3 by the push-up plate 20 biased by the spring 19. The recording paper P conveyed by the paper feed roller 3 is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 4 so that the recording unit can reciprocate. The conveying roller pair 4 includes a pinch roller 42 and a grip roller 41.
[0017]
In the recording section, the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 that generates heat according to the recording information are opposed to each other across the recording paper conveyance path, and a heat-meltable or heat-sublimable ink stored in the ink cassette 7 is applied. The ink sheet 8 having an overcoat layer that is overcoated on the print screen in order to protect the ink layer and the print screen is pressed against the print paper P by the thermal head 6 and selectively heated. A predetermined image is transferred and recorded on P, and a protective layer is overcoated.
[0018]
The ink sheet covers the printing area of the recording paper P and is provided with a yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink layer and an overcoat (OP) layer arranged in a size substantially equal to the size. After each layer is thermally transferred, the recording paper P is returned to the recording start position P1, and is sequentially transferred onto the recording paper.
[0019]
In this way, the recording paper P is reciprocated by the number of inks of each color and the number of overcoat layers by the conveying roller pair 4.
[0020]
At this time, the recording paper P after printing of each ink layer is reversed in front of the apparatus main body 1 and guided to the rear of the apparatus main body 1 through the front portion of the paper cassette and the lower guide portion. Since the recording paper P in the middle of printing is exposed to the outside because it is reversed in front of the device, there is no waste of space or unintentionally touching it, making it possible to save space at the installation location, etc. Yes.
[0021]
Moreover, by directly using the lower part of the paper cassette 2 as a paper guide, the thickness of the apparatus main body 1 can be reduced, and the recording paper P is sandwiched between the ink cassette 7 and the paper cassette 2. The overall height of the apparatus main body 1 can be kept to a minimum by passing through the space, which enables miniaturization.
[0022]
Reference numeral 25 denotes a paper transport guide portion of the paper cassette 2. This is a guide portion for reversing the recording paper P that has been reversed from the front of the apparatus main body 1 to the rear of the apparatus main body, and is provided in the paper cassette 2 to greatly contribute to downsizing of the entire apparatus main body 1.
[0023]
Reference numeral 26 also serves as a tray portion of the recording paper P printed on and discharged from the upper surface of the paper cassette 2, which also contributes to downsizing of the apparatus main body 1.
[0024]
After the printing of each ink layer is completed, the recording paper P is guided to the paper discharge roller 1, 9-1 discharge rollers 2, 9-2 and discharged from the rear of the apparatus main body 1 to the front, and the recording operation is completed. The discharge roller 1 is configured to be in pressure contact only during the discharge operation of the recording paper P, and is configured so that no stress is applied during printing.
[0025]
The apparatus main body 1 includes a guide portion 15 for the recording paper P, and guides the recording paper P.
[0026]
Reference numeral 16 denotes a conveyance path switching sheet. After the recording sheet P is fed, the recording sheet P is guided to the discharge side path.
[0027]
Further, the thermal head 6 for printing is integrally provided in the head arm 22, and when the ink cassette 7 is replaced, it is retracted to a position where the ink cassette 7 can be removed and inserted.
[0028]
This retracting operation can be performed by exchanging the ink cassette 7 when the paper cassette 2 is pulled out. At this time, the head arm 22 is pressed by the cam portion 22-1 in conjunction with the mounting and dismounting operation of the paper cassette 2. The two cam portions 2-1 are configured to move up and down as they retreat.
[0029]
In a normal thermal transfer recording apparatus, YMC three colors are recorded three times in a surface sequential manner, so that it is necessary to control to accurately match the recording heads of the respective colors. For this purpose, it is necessary to convey the recording paper P firmly between the conveying roller pair 4 shown in FIG. For this reason, an unrecordable blank portion is required at the end of the recording paper P in the feed direction. In view of this, finally, in order to easily obtain a print having no border, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper P has a blank portion that is firmly sandwiched by the conveying roller pair 4 at the start of recording and cannot be recorded. A perforation 12 is provided so that it can be easily cut by hand later.
[0030]
The present invention is implemented using the recording paper P having the perforations described above and the thermal transfer recording apparatus, and the perforation region provided on the recording paper is overcoated.
The area indicated by the diagonally slanting left line is a printing area, and is controlled so as to print an area including a perforation. The overcoat is an area that is substantially printed and is controlled so as to include an area that is printed slightly larger than the area to be printed.
[0031]
Furthermore, the detailed description regarding an apparatus is given below.
[0032]
In the recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the conveying roller pair 4 includes a pinch roller 42 and a grip roller 41. The grip roller 41 is directly connected to an output shaft of a stepping motor (not shown) via a speed reduction mechanism. The stepping motor is driven to rotate forward and backward by rotation control. Since the recording paper P is firmly sandwiched by the conveying roller pair 4 and reciprocated, the recording paper P is also accurately position-controlled and driven by rotation control of the stepping motor. As an example, if the recording pitch for one line by the thermal head 6 is 85 μm and the number of steps of the stepping motor for conveying the recording paper P for one line is four, the recording paper P has a stepping motor. By controlling the rotation in four steps, one line (that is, 85 μm) can be conveyed. Assuming that the printing range shown in FIG. 4 is 144 mm in the transport direction, 1694 lines can be printed. In order to transport the recording paper by this amount, the stepping motor may be rotated by 6776 steps.
[0033]
In the recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 is placed at a position near the paper feeding roller pair 4 when viewed from the paper feeding roller 3 to the paper feeding roller pair 4. The leading edge is detected, and after the detection, a predetermined line is fed and stopped within a range that can be clamped by the conveying roller pair 4. This position is the position at the start of recording described above. From here, the thermal head is driven to generate heat according to the recording information from the first Y yellow, and a predetermined image of each color ink is recorded or the overcoat layer is transferred. When one color is finished, the recording paper is then returned from this position in the direction of the paper discharge roller 9 and conveyed, and a predetermined number of lines are returned again, and YMC each color and overcoat layer transfer is repeated four times.
[0034]
In the recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the distance of the position where the recording paper front end detection sensor 10, the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 press the recording paper P is 20 mm on the recording paper in consideration of the arrangement of components in the apparatus. However, this is not a limitation.
[0035]
At this time, the printed matter shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by transferring and recording each color ink and transferring the overcoat layer as described below.
[0036]
The color ink transfer and overcoat sequence will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
S1: The user instructs a print operation by a print button (not shown) or a print instruction from a digital camera or digital video camera.
S2: Device main body 1 The processing circuit 18 in the device main body 1 starts communication with the device that has executed the print instruction, and the processing circuit 18 checks various conditions necessary for printing with the device that has executed the print instruction. If necessary, image processing of image information to print information is performed.
S3: When the print preparation is completed, the control means 19 drives the motor connected to the paper feed roller 3 to start feeding the recording paper P.
S4: After detecting the leading edge of the recording paper, the stepping motor is rotated by a predetermined step to start printing. At this time, the printing start position was 12.465 mm with respect to the leading edge of the recording paper.
S5: Subsequently, while the stepping motor is rotated by 4 steps, the thermal head is driven to generate heat to print one line. Rotate a total of 6776 steps (1694 lines) to finish printing. The print end position at this time is 156.455 mm with reference to the leading edge of the recording paper.
S6: Next, in order to decelerate until stopping, the stepping motor is rotated by about 10 lines (40 steps) and stopped.
S7: From this state, the stepping motor is driven in the reverse direction, the recording paper P is conveyed in the direction opposite to that at the time of printing, is returned by a predetermined number of steps (6776 steps-deceleration), and is further decelerated for a predetermined number of lines. Rotate about 10 lines (40 steps) and stop.
S8: The above is repeated three times for the three colors of YMC, and a desired mark image is transferred and recorded on the recording paper P.
S9: After that, the overcoat layer for protecting the printing screen is transferred once more.
S10: Thereafter, the stepping motor is reversely driven and guided to the discharge roller 3 as it is, and the paper is discharged by driving the discharge roller 3 to complete a series of operations.
[0037]
In the above description, the control means 19 feeds the recording paper P based on the number of steps of the stepping motor based on the recording paper leading edge detection signal first detected by the recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 when the recording paper P is fed. Based on the positional relationship at the time, the number of steps of rotation of the stepping motor is managed at the time of all print recording, and the recording position management is performed, but this is limited to each YMC color and overcoat layer. The recording position is managed by providing a detection sensor at the leading end of the recording paper to detect the leading edge of the recording paper and managing the number of steps of rotation driving of the stepping motor based on the signal at the time of transfer recording It is also good.
[0038]
In the above description, the overcoat layer is transferred only by turning on / off the heat generation drive of the thermal head. However, at the start of overcoat transfer, the amount of heat generation is gradually increased, and the overcoat layer is transferred. At the end of the transfer, it is also possible to add a control as obtained by gradually reducing the amount of heat generation.
[0039]
Here, communication between the printer that executes the print instruction in S2 and the printer apparatus will be described in more detail.
[0040]
As an example, it is assumed that the print instruction is now executed as a digital camera DC.
[0041]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram in which the digital camera DC and the printer apparatus main body 1 are connected.
[0042]
It is assumed that the digital camera DC holds image information in a memory inside the digital camera DC after shooting. A removable memory such as a compact flash card or smart media is convenient.
[0043]
It is assumed that the mode of the digital camera DC is set and an arbitrary image is played back now.
[0044]
Since the reproduction of the image information can be confirmed at any time by the liquid crystal display device provided in the digital camera DC, the user can arbitrarily call the photographed favorite image information.
[0045]
A menu is displayed on the liquid crystal display device by a predetermined operation.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, a menu for instructing printing is displayed when the digital camera and the printer are connected and in a communication state. Here, the menu for instructing printing may be a menu for instructing an image to be printed, or a menu for disclosing an actual printing operation although print settings can be made. It may be. That is, when the menu is not displayed, it is intended as a menu that cannot be printed.
[0047]
Here, if the printer 27 can communicate with the printer apparatus 1 via the cable 27 or wireless means, the necessary information is communicated from the digital camera DC to the printer apparatus by selecting a predetermined print execution menu (not shown). Thus, a print output can be obtained from the printer apparatus main body 1.
[0048]
The necessary information includes information on negotiation with the digital camera DC, information on an image to be printed from the digital camera DC, information added to the image information at or after recording, and the like.
[0049]
Now, the contents related to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.
[0050]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main parts related to printing of the digital camera DC in the printing system according to the present embodiment.
The battery 501 is a battery that supplies power to the digital camera DC.
The battery monitoring unit 502 constantly monitors the state of the battery 501 and notifies the event generation unit of the state. There are three battery states: “Normal”, “Warning”, and “Emergency”. When the state of the battery 501 changes, the event generation unit 503 sends the battery state to the bus 504 as an event.
The display unit 508 displays the currently selected image.
[0051]
An image is selected by operating an image advance button or an image return button of the GUI operation unit 510. Image forwarding and image returning operations are sent from the GUI operation unit 510 to the GUI control unit 507, and when the GUI control unit 507 confirms that the operation is correct, an image selection instruction is sent via the bus 504 to the image selection unit 506. Sent to.
The image selection unit 506 selects an image as instructed, and the image data is sent to the display unit 508 through the bus 504 and displayed.
[0052]
When a printable image is selected and an image is displayed on the display unit 508, a print button is generated by the GUI control unit 507, and the print button is displayed on the display unit 508 so as to overlap the image. (Note that this print button is not displayed when the camera is not connected to the printer.) At this time, the operation cursor displayed on the display unit 508 is focused on the print button by the GUI operation unit 510. When the enter button on the GUI operation unit 510 is pressed, the displayed image is printed.
[0053]
Specifically, the fact that the enter button has been pressed in the GUI operation unit 510 is transmitted to the GUI control unit 507, and if it is determined by the GUI control unit that it is a print start command, the print start command is sent via the bus 504 to the print data generation unit. Send to 505. The print data generation unit that has received the print start command receives the image data being currently displayed through the bus, generates data for printing, sends the print data to the printer through the communication unit 509, and performs printing.
[0054]
When printing multiple sheets of the same image and printing multiple sheets of multiple images, the GUI operation unit 510 performs image forward / back operation on the GUI operation unit 510 and confirms the image displayed on the display unit 508. Specifies the image to be printed and the number of prints of the image.
[0055]
The selected image number and number are managed by the image selection unit 506.
[0056]
When the selected image exists, a batch print button is generated by the GUI control unit 507 and displayed on the display unit 508. At this time, when the operation cursor displayed on the display unit by the GUI operation unit is focused on the batch print button and the enter button on the GUI operation unit is pressed, the selected images are printed continuously for the specified number of copies. The
(Note that the user can print by changing the display, such as the “Print” button when the number of prints specified is 1, and the “Batch print” button when multiple numbers are specified. (The number of sheets can be recognized as one or more.)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a battery warning occurs.
[0057]
When a printable image is selected and displayed on the display unit 508 shown in FIG. 5, a battery check is performed in S01. Here, if the battery capacity is very low and no operation can be performed, a shutdown message is displayed in S05 as an “emergency” state, and shutdown is performed in S06.
[0058]
If it is not as much as in the “emergency” state, but a slight amount of wear is recognized and it is easy to change to the “emergency” state depending on the usage status, the “warning” state is set, and a timer check is performed in S03.
If the timer is 0, the battery is changed from the normal state to the warning state, and it is determined that the battery warning is generated for the first time this time, and the timer is started in S07. Immediately after the timer is started, the timer does not exceed the specified value, so the check of the timer value in S04 is omitted, and the process proceeds to S08.
[0059]
If the timer value is not 0 in S03, it means that the battery warning is not detected for the first time, so the timer value is checked in S04. If the timer value is equal to or greater than the specified value, the print button is not displayed because a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery warning was generated. Therefore, the user cannot start printing.
[0060]
If the timer is equal to or less than the predetermined value in S04, or if the timer has just been started in S07, a print button is displayed in S08 to permit printing.
[0061]
In S08, the number of prints designated is checked, and if the designated number is less than the predetermined value, the print button is displayed, and if the designated number is greater than the specified value, the print button is displayed. You may make it not. In this way, it is suitable for power protection of the system, which can issue a print instruction so that excessive power consumption is expected.
[0062]
Also, in S08, it is checked whether or not printing of a plurality of sheets is specified. If printing of a predetermined number of sheets or more is specified, a message recommending that the battery be replaced with an AC power source is displayed in S08, and printing of a plurality of sheets is performed. You may make it warn so that a battery may not run out on the way. According to this, printing can be completed more.
[0063]
In the above, the display of the print button is controlled using a timer. However, it is easy to check the battery voltage and determine the “warning” or “emergency” state according to the detection of the low voltage state. May be.
[0064]
In addition, since the power consumption during printing increases as the number of printed sheets increases according to the print setting, it is better to make the above criteria stricter when the number of printed sheets is large.
[0065]
That is, when the number of sheets is large, it is preferable to set the threshold value for determining the decrease in power supply capacity to the high voltage side, or to set the timer specified value to a small value.
[0066]
Thereby, the trouble that printing is interrupted in the middle can be effectively prevented.
[0067]
In this embodiment, data is transmitted by cable connection as shown in FIG. 4, but wireless communication that is intoxicated with Bluetooth may be used.
[0068]
Even in such wireless communication, the print button is displayed while the camera and printer are in communication, and when the power supply capacity is reduced, the print button is deleted or an error message is displayed. Thus, it is convenient to save the trouble of setting whether or not to perform printing while paying too much attention to the state of the power supply and the radio wave condition.
[0069]
[Second embodiment]
The apparatus of the second embodiment is assumed to be an apparatus that has a printer unit integrated with a digital camera and can immediately print on the spot according to shooting.
[0070]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main parts related to printing in the printing system according to the present embodiment.
A battery 701 supplies power to the printing system. The battery monitoring unit 702 constantly monitors the state of the battery 701 and notifies the event generation unit of the state. There are three battery states: “Normal”, “Warning”, and “Emergency”. When the state of the battery 701 changes, the event generation unit 703 causes the state of the battery to flow as an event on the bus 704. The display unit 708 displays the currently selected image. The image is selected by operating the image advance button of the GUI operation unit 710. The image feed operation is sent from the GUI operation unit 710 to the GUI control unit 707. When the GUI control unit 707 confirms that the operation is correct, an image feed instruction is sent to the image selection unit 706 via the bus 704. The image selection unit 706 selects an image as instructed, and the image data is sent to the display unit 708 via the bus 704 and displayed.
[0071]
When a printable image is selected and an image is displayed on the display unit 708, a print button is generated by the GUI control unit 707, and the print button is displayed on the display unit 708 so as to overlap the image. At this time, when the operation cursor displayed on the display unit 708 by the GUI operation unit 710 is focused on the print button and the determination button of the GUI operation unit 710 is pressed, the image being displayed is printed. Specifically, when the determination button is pressed in the GUI operation unit 710 is transmitted to the GUI control unit 707, and when the GUI control unit determines that it is a print start command, the print start command is sent via the bus 704 to the print data generation unit. Send to 705. The print data generation unit that has received the print start command receives the image data currently being displayed through the bus, generates print data, and performs printing in the printing unit 709.
[0072]
When printing multiple sheets of the same image and printing multiple sheets of multiple images, perform the image feed operation using the GUI operation unit 710 and check the image displayed on the display unit 708 while printing on the GUI operation unit. Specify the number of images you want. The selected image number and the number of images are managed by the image selection unit 706. When the selected image exists, a batch print button is generated by the GUI control unit 707 and displayed on the display unit 708. At this time, when the operation cursor displayed on the display unit by the GUI operation unit is focused on the batch print button and the enter button on the GUI operation unit is pressed, the selected images are printed continuously for the specified number of copies. The
[0073]
The flow of processing when a battery warning occurs is the same as in the first invention.
[0074]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the location which performs the same operation | movement as a 1st Example, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0075]
8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the photographing processing operation and the printing processing operation of the present embodiment.
[0076]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0077]
This apparatus employs an ink jet recording system in the printer unit, stores electronic images in a memory, and prints out any video information stored in the memory for an arbitrary number of prints. This apparatus will be described according to the procedure.
[0078]
First, the flow related to basic shooting and printing will be described.
When the photographer inputs a power switch (S2001), the control unit 5001 determines whether or not three days or more (72 hours or more) have passed since the apparatus was last used and the power was turned off. (S2002) If three days or more have elapsed, the control unit 5001 issues a recovery pumping instruction to the printer control unit 5005 responsible for the control of the printer unit, and drives the printer engine unit 5004. (S2003)
Here, the recovery pumping is to make the recording more effective in an ink jet recording type apparatus, which will be described later, and to clean the recording head by means such as a suction pump before recording on the paper. As a guideline for this cleaning, in this embodiment, this is performed at the time of power input when there is an unused period of 3 days or more.
[0079]
When the photographer performs photographing, the photographer uses the photographing mode setting unit 5007 to set the photographing mode. (S2004)
In this embodiment, there are several modes such as a normal shooting mode and a portrait mode. Specifically, the shooting mode setting means 5007 is performed by a mode changeover switch, and this signal is transmitted to the control means 5001.
[0080]
When the photographer presses the shutter button 2012 to the first stroke after adjusting the angle of view by the zoom lever 2016 during shooting, the SW1 signal 5010 is input. (S2005)
The control unit 5001 drives the imaging unit 5002 via the imaging control unit 5003 to determine exposure control values, distance measurement information, and various conditions necessary for the exposure operation such as the presence or absence of flash emission. (S2006)
When the photographer further presses the shutter button 2012 to actually perform photographing, the SW2 signal 5011 is input to the control unit 5001. (S2007)
The control unit 5001 drives the imaging unit 5002 via the imaging control unit 5003 to drive a lens for focusing, shutter speed control, aperture opening amount control, and if necessary, a series of flash emission. An exposure operation is performed (S2008), and image information input to the solid-state image sensor 1040 is taken into the temporary storage memory means 5013 (S2009).
[0081]
Thereafter, the control unit 5001 drives the display unit 5008, specifically, the liquid crystal display panel 2014 to display the image information that has been taken. (S2010)
As the photographing operation, the above is repeated.
[0082]
When the photographer desires print output, the mode setting unit 5006 performs print output mode setting. (S2011)
Next, the image information fetched in the memory means 5013 is retrieved while looking at the liquid crystal display board 2014 by the image advance button 110 and the image return button 109, and the image information to be printed out is displayed.
[0083]
When a print button 2013 is pressed here, a print signal PR5012 is input, and the control unit 5001 starts a printing operation. (S2012)
In order to make the printing operation more effective at the home position of the recording head 400, the printer control unit 5005 first performs preliminary ejection to eliminate clogging of the recording head 400, recovery of evaporated nozzles, and the like. (S2013)
Next, the printer control unit 5005 outputs the video information stored in the memory means 13 from the printer engine unit 5004 after performing image processing for printer output. (S2014)
The printed printer paper 1024a printed by the printer engine unit 5004 is automatically fed to a position where it is separated from the printed paper 1024 wound in a roll shape, and is discharged. (S2015)
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus IJRA to which the camera with a printer of the present invention is applied.
[0084]
Here, the carriage HC has a pin (not shown) that engages with the spiral groove 1005 of the lead screw 1004 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 1011, 1010, and 1009 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 1013. And is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b.
[0085]
The inkjet head cartridge 400 is mounted on the carriage HC.
Reference numeral 1003 denotes a guide rod, and 1002 denotes a paper pressing plate that presses the paper against the platen 1000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 1007 and 1008 denote photo couplers, which are home position detection means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 1006 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 1013.
[0086]
Reference numeral 1016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 1022 that caps the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 1015 denotes suction means that sucks the inside of the cap. The suction recovery of the recording head 400 is performed through the opening 1023 in the cap.
[0087]
Reference numeral 1017 denotes a cleaning blade, and 1019 denotes a member that enables the blade to move in the front-rear direction, and these are supported by a main body support plate 1018. Needless to say, the blade is not in this form, and a known cleaning method can be applied to this example.
[0088]
Reference numeral 1021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which contacts the surface 1014 of the suction means. The lever 1021 moves as the cam 1020 engaged with the carriage moves, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled to move by a known transmission means such as clutch switching.
[0089]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured such that when the carriage HC is positioned in the home position side region, desired processing can be performed at the corresponding position by the action of the lead screw 1005. If this operation is performed, the present embodiment can be applied to any of them.
[0090]
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of the central section of the camera with a printer of this embodiment.
[0091]
In the camera unit, lens units 1028a and 1028b of the photographic optical system are arranged for the retractable two-stage lens barrels 1029 and 1030, respectively. Reference numeral 1031 denotes an aperture unit that controls the photographing light flux and also controls the exposure amount, and is also disposed in the lens barrel 1029. Reference numeral 1032 denotes a helicoid member that rotates the lens barrel 1030, and is engaged with the cam convex portion 1030 a of the lens barrel 1030. The helicoid member 1032 is driven by a helicoid drive motor (not shown).
[0092]
The light beams that have passed through the photographing optical systems 1028 a and 1028 b and the shutter unit 1031 form an image on the solid-state image sensor 1040.
[0093]
Reference numerals 1037a, 1037b, 1037c, 1038d, and 1039e denote optical lenses constituting the viewfinder. Of these, 1037b, 1037c, and 1038d move in accordance with the adjustment of the angle of view (zoom operation) of the photographic optical system, so that the angle of view substantially the same as the angle of view of the photographic optical system can be confirmed. This optical viewfinder is effective for preventing power consumption by using a liquid crystal display panel 2014 for image display.
[0094]
The aperture unit 1031 is driven so as to keep the exposure amount of the solid-state imaging device (CCD) 1040 appropriately by feedback control.
[0095]
The imaged signal is processed by the image processing board 0126. The processed signal is sent to the printer control board 1027 and transmitted to a drive motor or the like necessary for the printing operation together with information such as a position control signal of the inkjet head cartridge 400 of the printer unit.
[0096]
The printing operation is started by a print button 2013, and the printing paper 1024a is pulled out from the printing paper 1024 wound in a roll shape through the platen 1000 and printed. Reference numeral 1041 denotes a paper cutter portion formed of an exterior cover, which is used to cut off the printed paper 1024a after printing. Reference numeral 1025 denotes a power source.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of printing failure due to battery exhaustion.
[0098]
In particular, when a print button is displayed in response to the camera and printer being in communication, it is convenient to know when printing is possible.
[0099]
Further, even in such a state, when the power supply capability is reduced, a printing failure can be prevented by performing a display to indicate that the printing instruction cannot be performed.
[0100]
In particular, when sending data by wireless communication, it becomes impossible to print depending on the power supply status and radio wave condition, so you can save time and effort to set whether or not to print while taking care of both states excessively, which is convenient It is.
[0101]
In addition, the present invention is very useful when the apparatus or printer on the image data sending side is battery driven.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart 1 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a sheet of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the connection state of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main parts related to printing of the digital camera DC in the printing system of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a battery warning occurs in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of main parts related to printing in the printing system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart 1 of the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart 2 of the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a basic configuration diagram of the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a camera with a printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a central section of a camera with a printer according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main unit
2 Paper cassette
3 Paper feed roller
4 Conveying roller pair
5 Platen roller
6 Thermal head
7 Ink cassette
8 Ink sheet
9-1 Paper discharge roller 1
9-2 Paper discharge roller 2
10 Recording paper tip detection sensor
11 SW2 signal
12 perforations
13 Temporarily saved image memory means
4-2 Pinch roller
4-1 Grip roller
15 Guide section
16 Margin
17 Print area
18 Processing circuit
19 Control means
20 Spring
21 Push-up plate
22 Head Arm
23 Head cover A
24 Head cover B
25 Paper transport guide
26 Output tray section
27 Cable
DC digital camera
501 battery
502 Battery monitoring unit
503 Event generator
504 bus
505 Print data generation unit
506 Image selection unit
507 GUI control unit
508 display
509 Communication Department
510 GUI operation unit
S01 to S09 Steps for individual processing
5001 Control means
5002 Imaging unit
5003 Imaging control unit
5004 Printer engine part
5005 Printer control unit
5006 Print mode setting means
5007 Shooting mode setting means
5008 Display means
5010 SW1 signal
5011 SW2 signal
5012 Print signal

Claims (10)

A print comprising a digital camera having an image pickup means for converting an optical image of a field to be photographed into an electronic image signal, and a printing device for printing out the electronic image signal picked up by the digital camera on a recording sheet in a visible manner In the system,
In the digital camera, a selection means for selecting an image to be printed in the printing apparatus;
Display means for displaying a print start button for starting print processing of the image selected by the selection means;
Power discrimination means for discriminating the power capability of the digital camera;
A time-counting means for starting time measurement when it is determined by the power-source determining means that the power supply capacity is in the first state being lowered;
A first control for turning off the power of the digital camera when the power determination means determines that the second state has a power capability lower than that in the first state. Control means,
A second control means for displaying the print start button on the display means when it is determined that the first state is present, and when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the time measurement by the time measurement means was started; And a second control means for controlling so as not to display the print start button . A number setting unit for setting the number of printed images selected by the selection unit;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit changes the length of the predetermined period in accordance with the number of sheets set by the number of sheets setting unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the power determination unit determines the first state or the second state by measuring a voltage of a battery of the digital camera.   When it is determined that the first control unit is in the second state, the first control unit displays a message indicating that the power is turned off on the display unit, and then turns off the power of the digital camera. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: A digital camera that communicates with a printing device that prints out an electronic image signal on recording paper,
Imaging means for converting an optical image of the object to be photographed into an electronic image signal;
Display means for displaying a print start button for instructing printing to the printing apparatus; communication means for communicating with the printing apparatus;
Power discrimination means for discriminating the power capability of the digital camera;
A time-counting means for starting time measurement when it is determined by the power-source determining means that the power supply capacity is in the first state being lowered;
When it is determined by the power source determination means that the second state has a power supply capability lower than that in the first state, a control for turning off the power of the digital camera is performed. 1 control means;
A second control means for displaying the print start button on the display means when it is determined to be in the first state, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the time measurement by the time measurement means was started; And a second control means for controlling so as not to display the print start button . A sheet number setting means for setting the number of printed sheets;
6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the second control unit changes the length of the predetermined period in accordance with the number of sheets set by the number of sheets setting unit. 7. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the power supply determination unit determines the first state or the second state by measuring a voltage of a battery of the digital camera. 8.   When it is determined that the first control unit is in the second state, the first control unit displays a message indicating that the power is turned off on the display unit, and then turns off the power of the digital camera. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein: A method for controlling a digital camera that communicates with a printing apparatus, which converts an optical image of a captured field into an electronic image signal and captures the image, and prints the image captured by the imaging process. A selection step of selecting a target image, a power source determination step of determining the power capability of the digital camera,
A timing step for starting timing when it is determined by the power source determination means that the power source capacity is in the first state;
A first control is performed to turn off the power of the digital camera when it is determined in the power supply determination step that the power supply capability is in a second state that is further lower than that in the first state. Control process of
A second control step of causing a display unit to display a print start button for causing the printing apparatus to print an image selected by the selection unit when it is determined that the second state is present;
In the second control step, the digital camera control method is characterized in that the print start button is controlled not to be displayed when a predetermined period elapses after the time is started by the time measuring means. A number setting step for setting the number of printed sheets,
The digital camera control method according to claim 9, wherein the length of the predetermined period is changed according to the number set in the number setting step.

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