JP4858049B2 - Printer, control method thereof, and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, a control method thereof, and a program thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a display having a display screen on which a user can input data and a memory storing data of a hierarchical menu are provided, and a menu of a hierarchy desired by the user is displayed from the hierarchical menu. There is known an information processing apparatus that causes a display to be displayed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-269883

  With such an information processing device, users who are familiar with hierarchical menus can easily use them, but for beginner class users who do not fully understand such menus, they know what to do. It was difficult. Especially for printers, it is possible to select options such as “Photo selection”, “Paper / layout”, and “Edit” from the menu screen. When each option is selected, a unique hierarchy screen appears. Therefore, it is difficult to understand these hierarchical screens, and it may take a long time to print a desired image. On the other hand, considering this point, if the hierarchical screen is not displayed at all or only a hierarchical screen that can be understood by beginners is displayed, the savvy person may be dissatisfied because a satisfactory setting cannot be made.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printer that can be operated satisfactorily by both a savvy person and a beginner, a control method thereof, and a program thereof. .

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above objects.

The printer of the present invention
A printer having a printing mechanism,
Display,
A group of buttons used when the user inputs instructions;
Mode setting means that can be set to either the first mode or the second mode;
When controlling the display based on a user instruction input via the button group, when the first mode is set, a selection for selecting and setting an item necessary for realizing a printing function The display is controlled so that setting screens are displayed in a hierarchical manner, and when the second mode is set, the selection setting screen is displayed in a hierarchical manner with a smaller number of layers than in the first mode. Control means for controlling the display or controlling the display so that hierarchical display of the selection setting screen is not performed,
It is equipped with.

  In this printer, when the display is controlled based on a user instruction input via a button group, when the first mode is set, an item for selecting and setting an item necessary for realizing the printing function is selected. The display is controlled so that the selection setting screen is displayed hierarchically, and when the second mode is set, the display is controlled so that the selection setting screen is displayed hierarchically with a smaller number of layers than the first mode. Or the display is controlled so that the hierarchical display of the selection setting screen is not performed. By doing this, if you are a familiar person, you can set the first mode and finely set the items necessary to realize the printing function using many hierarchies. It is possible to easily set items necessary to realize the printing function by using the two modes and use the few layers, or to realize the printing function without using the layers. Therefore, even a savvy person or a beginner can perform a satisfactory operation.

  In the printer of the present invention, the control means implements the printing function when controlling the display so that the selection setting screen is not hierarchically displayed when the second mode is set. For items necessary for the above, predetermined default values may be adopted. In this way, in the second mode, the user does not need to set the items necessary for realizing the printing function, so the printing function can be realized more easily. In the printer of the present invention employing this aspect, when the control unit is set to the first mode, the default value is set based on a change instruction of the default value input by the user via the button group. May be changed. In this way, for example, a savvy person can change the default value used in the second mode for beginners in the first mode, so printing in the second mode does not become monotonous.

  The printer of the present invention includes a cover member that is attached so as to be freely opened and closed and covers at least one of the button groups so that the button group cannot be operated in the closed state, and detection means capable of detecting the open / closed state of the cover member. The mode setting means sets the first mode when the detection means detects that the cover member is open, and sets the mode when the detection means detects that the cover member is closed. The second mode may be set. In this way, the first mode and the second mode can be easily switched by opening and closing the cover member. Further, in the state in which the cover member is opened, that is, in the first mode, all the button groups can be used without limitation, whereas in the state in which the cover member is closed, that is, in the second mode, at least one of the button groups cannot be operated. It is not necessary to remember the role of the button. In addition, examples of buttons that are covered so that they cannot be operated include buttons that do not participate in basic printing functions, such as a display switching button for switching between full screen display and split screen display, and an edited image. For example, a save button for saving the data in a predetermined memory.

  Thus, the printer of the present invention including the cover member and the detection unit includes a print medium guide capable of changing a guide width according to the size of the print medium supplied to the print mechanism, and the cover member includes: In the closed state, the print medium guide may be fixed to a predetermined size regardless of the print medium guide, and in the open state, the guide width of the print medium guide may be allowed to be changed. By doing this, the size of the print medium can be fixed in the second mode and the size of the print medium can be made variable in the first mode by a simple operation of opening and closing the cover member.

  The printer of the present invention including the cover member and the detection unit is attached to be openable and closable, and includes a lid member that covers the cover member in the closed state, and the cover member is closed when the lid member is in the open state. When the cover member is in the state, the back surface of the cover member serves as a print medium supply tray in the second mode, and when the cover member and the cover member are both open, the back surface of the cover member is in the first mode. It may also serve as a print medium supply tray. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a print medium supply tray separately from the lid member and the cover member, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

The printer control method of the present invention includes:
A printer control method comprising: a display; a group of buttons used when a user inputs an instruction; and mode setting means that can be set to one of a first mode and a second mode,
(A) setting to either the first mode or the second mode based on the operation of the mode setting means by the user;
(B) When controlling the display based on a user instruction input via the button group, it is necessary to realize a printing function when the first mode is set in the step (a). When the display is controlled so that selection setting screens for selecting and setting various items are displayed in a hierarchical manner and the second mode is set in step (a), the number of hierarchical layers is smaller than that in the first mode. Controlling the display so that the selection setting screen is displayed hierarchically or controlling the display so that the selection setting screen is not hierarchically displayed;
Is included.

  In this printer control method, when the display is controlled based on a user instruction input via a button group, when the first mode is set, an item necessary for realizing the printing function is selected and set. The display is controlled so that the selection setting screen is displayed hierarchically, and when the second mode is set, the selection setting screen is displayed hierarchically with a smaller number of layers than in the first mode. The display is controlled or the display is controlled so that the hierarchical display of the selection setting screen is not performed. By doing this, if you are a familiar person, you can set the first mode and finely set the items necessary to realize the printing function using many hierarchies. It is possible to easily set items necessary to realize the printing function by using the two modes and use the few layers, or to realize the printing function without using the layers. Therefore, even a savvy person or a beginner can perform a satisfactory operation.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing one or a plurality of computers to execute the steps of the printer control method of the present invention. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effects as those of the printer control method of the present invention described above can be obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photo printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with a front door 14, a cover member 30, and a lid member 40 opened, and FIG. 2 schematically shows an electrical configuration of the photo printer 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the photo printer 10 with the front door 14 and the lid member 40 opened. FIG. 4 shows the photo printer 10 with the front door 14, the cover member 30 and the lid member 40 closed. It is a perspective view.

  The photo printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 20 provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 12, and a cover member 30 that is attached to the inner side of the upper surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed and covers the operation panel 20 in the closed state A cover member 40 which is attached to the inner side of the upper surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed and covers the operation panel 20 together with the cover member 30; and a mode setting switch 26 for setting either the high function mode or the single function mode. And a printing mechanism 50 built in the printer main body 12, a front door 14 capable of opening and closing the front surface of the printer main body 12, and a controller 70 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the entire photo printer 10.

  The operation panel 20 includes a display 22 that displays characters, graphics, symbols, and the like, and a button group 24 arranged around the display 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the button group 24 switches the power button 24a for turning on / off the power, the display size of an image or the like displayed on the display 22 to 6-split display, 15-split display, full-screen display, or the like. A display switching button 24b, a menu button 24c for calling a main menu screen (see FIG. 2) on which a plurality of options related to the printing function are arranged, the operation is canceled in the middle, and the printing on the paper P is interrupted in the middle A cancel button 24d for printing, a print button 24e for instructing execution of printing on the paper P, a save button 24f for saving an edited image or the like in the memory card M inserted in the memory card slot 18, and a display 22 This is used to select a desired option from among the multiple options selected or move the cursor. That the upper and lower left and right buttons 24g, and is configured by a the up, down, right and left buttons OK button for being disposed in the center to indicate that it has determined choices selected by the up, down, left, and right buttons 24g of 24g 24h.

  The cover member 30 is a resin plate formed in a size that can cover almost the entire surface of the operation panel 20, and exposes the surface of the operation panel 20 to the outside in the open state (see FIG. 1), and operates in the closed state. The panel 20 is covered (see FIG. 3). The cover member 30 includes a power button operation key 34a, a cancel button operation key 34d, and a print button operation key 34e that can operate the power button 24a, cancel button 24d, and print button 24e of the operation panel 20, respectively. When each of the operation keys 34a, 34d, 34e is pressed by the user when the cover member 30 is in the closed state, that is, when the operation panel 20 is covered, the pressing force can be transmitted to the button directly below. It has become. The cover member 30 includes a window 32 having the same size as that of the display 22. When the cover member 30 is in a closed state, the user can check the display content of the display 22 through the window 32. Further, the cover member 30 is held in a state of being inclined obliquely rearward with respect to the operation panel 20 in the open state. For this reason, the back surface of the cover member 30 in the open state can be used as a tray for supplying the paper P to the print mechanism 50. Further, at the back of the operation panel 20, a paper feed port 58 of the printing mechanism 50 is provided, and a pair of slide operations are performed in the left and right directions so that the guide width matches the width of the paper S. Paper guides 59 and 59 (corresponding to the print medium guide of the present invention) are provided, but when the cover member 30 is closed, only the vicinity of the center of the paper feed port 58 is exposed from the notch 36 and has a predetermined size. The size is limited so that only paper (here, L-size paper) can pass. As a result, when the cover member 30 is in the closed state, the user cannot use the paper guides 59, 59, and can use only L-size paper.

  The lid member 40 is a resin plate formed in a size that can cover the upper surface of the printer main body 12. The cover member 40 exposes the surface of the cover member 30 to the outside in the open state (see FIG. 3), and the cover member in the closed state. 30 and the operation panel 20 are covered (see FIG. 4). The lid member 40 includes a window 42 having the same size as that of the display 22. When the lid member 40 is in a closed state, the user can check the display content of the display 22 through the window 42. Furthermore, the lid member 40 is held in a state of being inclined obliquely rearward with respect to the operation panel 20 in the open state. For this reason, the back surface of the lid member 40 in the open state can be used as a tray for supplying the paper P to the print mechanism 50 when the cover member 30 is in the closed state.

  The mode setting switch 26 (corresponding to the mode setting means of the present invention) is a switch provided on the surface of the operation panel 20 and outputs OFF when the cover member 30 is in the closed state and ON when the cover member 30 is in the open state. When the cover member 30 is in the closed state, only the power button 24a, the cancel button 24d, and the print button 24e in the button group 24 of the operation panel 20 can be used, so that the mode is equivalent to the second mode of the present invention. When the setting switch 26 is off, it means that the single function mode is set. On the other hand, since the surface of the operation panel 20 is exposed when the cover member 30 is in the open state, the high function mode (corresponding to the first mode of the present invention) in which all of the button group 24 can be used without limitation is provided. When the setting switch 26 is on, it means that the high function mode is set. The mode setting switch 26 may employ a sensor whose output signal changes depending on whether or not a contact (not shown) provided on the operation panel 20 is in contact with the cover member 30. An optical sensor or the like whose output signal changes depending on whether or not external light is blocked by 30 may be employed.

  The printing mechanism 50 is disposed inside the printer main body 12 and is driven by a timing belt 51 that is looped in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 54 mounted on the carriage 53 and individually containing inks of each color such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the ink supplied from each ink cartridge 54 is pressurized to face the paper P from the nozzle. And a transport roller 56 that feeds the paper P supplied from a paper feed port 58 formed on the operation panel 20 to the open front door 14 serving as a paper discharge tray. Here, the print head 55 employs a method in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. However, a voltage is applied to a heating resistor (for example, a heater) to heat the ink. A method of pressurizing the ink with the generated bubbles may be employed. The carriage 53 includes a paper edge detection sensor 57 that detects left and right edges and upper and lower edges of the paper S. This paper edge detection sensor 57 can recognize the paper width by detecting the left and right edges of the paper S when the carriage 53 scans the paper S set in the paper feed port 58 in the left-right direction before printing. Or the trailing edge of the paper S is detected during printing, and the paper length can be recognized.

  The front door 14 is a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the printer main body 12. When the front door 14 is open, the front door 14 functions as a paper discharge tray for receiving paper discharged from the front surface of the printer main body 12. The various memory card slots 18 provided on the front surface of the user can be used by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 70 (corresponding to the control means of the present invention) is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 71, and various processing programs and various data (single function mode display image data and high function mode). Display image data, etc.), ROM 72 storing various programs and various tables, RAM 73 temporarily storing data, flash memory 74 that is electrically rewritable and retains data even when the power is turned off, and memory The memory card M inserted in the card slot 18, the printing mechanism 50, and an interface 75 that enables communication with the operation panel 20 are provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus 76 so that signals can be exchanged. . The controller 70 inputs an image file of the memory card M inserted into the memory card slot 18 and outputs an output signal from the mode setting switch 26, a detection signal from the paper edge detection sensor 57 of the print mechanism 50, an operation panel. The command signal from the button group is input. Further, the controller 70 stores an edited image or the like in the memory card, and outputs a control signal to the print head 55 of the print mechanism 50 and a control signal to the display 22 of the operation panel. The default value used in the single function mode is stored in the flash memory 74.

  Next, the operation of the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU 71 of the controller 70. This routine is stored in the ROM 72, and is executed by the CPU 71 when the power button 24a is turned on or when the mode setting switch 26 is switched on / off. When the main routine is started, the CPU 71 first inputs an output signal of the mode setting switch 26 and determines the current mode (step S100). Specifically, when the mode setting switch 26 is off, it is determined that the mode is the single function mode. At this time, the photo printer 10 is in the state of FIG. 3 in which the cover member 30 is closed and the lid member 40 is open, and only the power button 24a, the cancel button 24d, and the print button 24e in the button group 24 can be used. The display switching button 24b, the menu button 24c, the up / down / left / right button 24g, and the OK button 24h related to the display of the main menu screen are covered so that they cannot be operated. On the other hand, when the mode setting switch 26 is on, it is determined that the mode is the high function mode. At this time, the photo printer 10 is in a state where both the cover member 30 and the lid member 40 are open, and all the buttons in the button group 24 can be used. When it is determined in step S100 that the high function mode is selected, the high function processing routine shown in FIG. 6 is executed (step S110). When it is determined in step S100 that the single function mode is selected, the single function processing routine shown in FIG. Is executed (step S120). When the output signal of the mode setting switch 26 is switched from off to on or from on to off, the CPU 71 interrupts the currently executing main routine (including the single function mode processing routine and the high function mode processing routine) and forces Therefore, retry from step S100 of the main routine.

  Next, the high function processing routine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a high function processing routine. When this routine is started, the CPU 71 displays a main menu screen (see FIG. 2) on the display 22 (step S200). In the main menu screen, “photo selection” that is selected when an arbitrary photo image is selected as a print target from photo images stored in the memory card M, and “paper selection” that is selected when setting the paper size, layout, and the like. "Paper / Layout", "Edit" selected when trimming or adjusting the image quality of the photo image selected as the print target, "Frame" selected when adding a decorative frame around the photo image selected as the print target ”,“ Save to CD ”selected when saving the edited photographic image to a CD set in a CD drive device (not shown), nozzle check and cleaning of the print head 55, gap adjustment, remaining amount of ink cartridge 54 “Maintenance” selected when performing maintenance operations such as display, and various items used in single function mode. 6 choices of "Setup" is selected is displayed when changing the belt value. The user operates the up / down / left / right button 24g to set the cursor (inverted display location) to a desired option, and then turns on the OK button 24h.

  The CPU 71 determines whether or not any button of the button group 24 is pressed (step S210). When any button is not pressed, the CPU 71 waits as it is, and when any button is pressed, the button is pressed. Is not the power button 24a (step S220). If it is not the power button 24a, it is subsequently determined whether the button is the print button 24e (step S230). After setting a value according to the pressed button or displaying a hierarchical screen on the display 22 (step S240), the process returns to step S210 again. Note that, when displaying the hierarchical screen on the display 22, the CPU 71 reads image data from the high function mode image data in the ROM 72 as appropriate so that the hierarchical screen is displayed on the display 22 in a predetermined order.

  Here, FIG. 7 shows an example of a hierarchy screen when a photo is selected. First, on the main menu screen (see FIG. 7A), if the user presses the OK button 24h with the cursor positioned on “photo selection”, the CPU 71 displays a screen next to “photo selection” (FIG. 7). (B) is displayed on the display 22. If the user presses the OK button 24h with the cursor set to “Select by date” on this hierarchy screen, the CPU 71 displays the next hierarchy screen after “Select by date” (FIG. 7C). )) Is displayed on the display 22. Further, if the user presses the OK button 24h while the cursor is set to “12/28/2005” (date) on this hierarchical screen, the CPU 71 displays the photographic image whose date is the shooting date on the memory card M. Are read out and displayed on the display 22 in six divisions (see FIG. 7D). If the user presses the OK button 24h with the cursor positioned on the upper center photographic image on this six-divided display screen, the CPU 71 recognizes the photographic image as a print target. Thereafter, the user appropriately sets the number of prints and the paper size, and then presses the print button 24e to instruct printing. As described above, in the high function mode, various settings relating to selection and printing of photographic images are performed using the hierarchical screen before the print button 24e is pressed.

  In step S230, when the pressed button is the print button 24e, the print mechanism 50 is controlled to execute printing based on the photographic image already selected by the user and various settings related to printing (step S250). When printing is finished, a message indicating that printing is finished is displayed on the display 22 (step S260), and the process returns to step S210 again. In step S220, when the pressed button is the power button 24a, the power-off command has been issued, so this high-function processing routine is terminated.

  When the cancel button 24d is pressed during the execution of the high function processing routine, the processing being executed is stopped and the process returns to step S200 again.

  Next, the single function processing routine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a single function processing routine, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in the single function processing routine. When this routine is started, the CPU 71 reads a default value in the single function mode stored in the flash memory 74 (step S300). Here, the default values used in the single function mode are set at the time of shipment from the factory, and the selection of photo images is set to select all photo images stored in the memory card M, and the paper size is It is set to L size paper, and is set not to perform editing, use of a frame (decoration frame), storage on a CD, maintenance and setup. Subsequently, the CPU 71 displays a message prompting the user to set L-size paper on the display 22 (see step S310, FIG. 9A), and a sensor (not shown) detects whether or not the paper is inserted into the paper feed slot 58. A determination is made based on the signal (step S320), and when the sheet is not inserted, the process waits as it is. On the other hand, when a sheet is inserted into the sheet feeding port 58, the carriage 53 is scanned in the left-right direction, and the size of the inserted sheet is recognized based on the detection signal from the sheet end detection sensor 57 at that time (step S330). ), It is determined whether or not the size is L size paper (step S340). If it is not L size paper, a message indicating that an incorrect paper is set is displayed on the display 22 (step S350, FIG. 9 (FIG. 9)). b)), the process proceeds to step S310 again to display a message prompting the user to set L size paper. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S340 that the paper size is L size paper, the CPU 71 displays a message prompting the user to press the print button 24e on the display 22 (see step S360, FIG. 9C), and then the print button. It is determined whether or not the button 24e has been pressed (step S370). If the print button 24e is not pressed, the process waits as it is. The printing mechanism 50 is controlled so that printing is performed for all the photograph images that have been printed, and a message indicating that printing is in progress is displayed on the display 22 (see step S380, FIG. 9D), and printing is completed. A message to the effect that printing has been completed is displayed on the display 22 Shimesuru (see step S390, FIG. 9 (e)). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the power button 24a is pressed to turn off the power (step S400). If the power is not turned off, the processing from step S300 is executed again. End the routine.

  When the cancel button 24d is pressed during the execution of the single function processing routine, the processing being executed is stopped and the process returns to step S300 again. When the paper edge detection sensor 57 detects that the paper length is shorter than the L size paper during printing, the CPU 71 interrupts printing and displays an error message on the display 22. Further, the default value used in the single function mode can be changed to a desired value by the user by selecting “Setup” on the main menu screen in the high function mode and entering the hierarchy screen. The changed default value is stored in the flash memory 74. If the default value has been changed since the factory shipment, the content of the message is changed based on the changed default value. For example, if the paper size has been changed from L-size paper to postcard, the message in step S310 is changed to a content that prompts the user to set a postcard.

  According to the photo printer 10 of this embodiment described in detail above, when the display 22 is controlled based on a user instruction input via the button group 24, the print function is set when the high function mode is set. The display 22 is displayed so that screens for selecting and setting items (photo selection, paper / layout setting, editing, frame composition, etc.) necessary for realization are displayed hierarchically from the main menu screen. When the single function mode is set, the display 22 is controlled so that a message indicating an instruction to the user or a message indicating the operation of the photo printer 10 is displayed instead of the hierarchical display of the screen. . By doing this, if you are a savvy person, you can set the advanced function mode and fine-tune the above items using many hierarchies, and if you are a beginner, set it to the single function mode. The printing function can be easily realized without using the hierarchy. Therefore, even a savvy person or a beginner can perform a satisfactory operation.

  In the single function mode, the user does not need to set items necessary for realizing the print function, and thus the print function can be realized more easily.

  Further, in the high function mode, the default value in the single function mode can be changed by selecting “Setup” on the main menu screen and entering the hierarchical screen, and therefore printing in the single function mode does not become monotonous.

  Furthermore, the high function mode and the single function mode can be easily switched by opening and closing the cover member 30. At this time, in the state in which the cover member 30 is opened, that is, in the high function mode, all the buttons 24 can be used without restriction. Since the display switching button 24b and the save button 24f that are not involved are covered so that they cannot be operated, it is not necessary to learn the role of these buttons.

  Further, by a simple operation of opening and closing the cover member 30, the paper size can be fixed to the L-size paper by the notch 36 in the single function mode, and the paper size using the paper guides 59, 59 in the high function mode. Can be made variable.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a paper feed tray separately from the lid member 40 and the cover member 30, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the power button operation key 34a and the like that can transmit the pressing force to the button directly below are provided on the cover member 30, but instead of these, a window that exposes the button directly below to the outside is provided. The cover member 30 may be provided. In this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of buttons that can be operated in the single function mode is limited compared to the high function mode. However, the up / down / left / right button 24g and the OK button 24h can be operated in the single function mode, May be limited as compared with the high-function mode. For example, when “select photo” is selected on the main menu screen of FIG. 7A in the single function mode, the photo image in the memory card M is immediately displayed on the split screen of FIG. 7D. You may make it do. Thus, in the single function mode, the print setting is not complicated by reducing the number of layers as compared with the high function mode. Therefore, even a beginner can perform the print setting relatively easily.

  In the embodiment described above, the display switching button 24b, the menu button 24c, the up / down / left / right button 24g, the OK button 24h, and the like are covered with the cover member 30 so that they cannot be operated. When the button is operated in the single function mode, the CPU 71 may determine that the operation is invalid. In this case, the mode setting switch 26 may be switched between the high function mode and the single function mode each time the user presses the mode setting switch 26.

  In the embodiment described above, the paper guides 59 and 59 are provided on the printer main body 12, but they may be provided on the back surface of the cover member 30 instead of the printer main body 12.

  In the embodiment described above, one of the high function mode and the single function mode is set. However, in addition to the high function mode and the single function mode, one or more intermediate modes may be provided. As an intermediate mode, for example, a low function mode in which the number of layers of the layer screen is limited compared to the high function mode may be added.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet photo printer 10 is exemplified, but the present invention may be applied to other printers such as a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, a dot impact method, and an electrophotographic method.

1 is a perspective view of a photo printer 10. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of a photo printer. 1 is a perspective view of a photo printer 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photo printer 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the photo printer. The flowchart of a high function processing routine. Explanatory drawing showing transition of the screen in a high function processing routine. The flowchart of a single function processing routine. Explanatory drawing showing transition of the screen in a single function processing routine.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Photo Printer, 12 Printer Body, 14 Front Door, 18 Memory Card Slot, 20 Operation Panel, 22 Display, 24 Button Group, 24a Power Button, 24b Display Switch Button, 24c Menu Button, 24d Cancel Button, 24e Print Button, 24f Save button, 24g Up / Down / Left / Right button, 24h OK button, 26 Mode setting switch, 30 Cover member, 32 Window, 34a Power button operation key, 34d Cancel button operation key, 34e Print button operation key, 36 Notch, 40 Lid member, 42 window, 50 print mechanism, 51 timing belt, 52 guide, 53 carriage, 54 ink cartridge, 55 print head, 56 transport roller, 57 paper edge detection sensor, 58 paper feed port, for 59 Guide, 70 controller, 71 CPU, 72 ROM, 73 RAM, 74 a flash memory, 75 interface, 76 bus.

Claims (8)

A printer having a printing mechanism,
Display,
A group of buttons used when the user inputs instructions;
Mode setting means that can be set to either the first mode or the second mode;
When controlling the display based on a user instruction input via the button group, when the first mode is set, a selection for selecting and setting an item necessary for realizing a printing function The display is controlled so that setting screens are displayed in a hierarchical manner, and when the second mode is set, the selection setting screen is displayed in a hierarchical manner with a smaller number of layers than in the first mode. Control means for controlling the display or controlling the display so that hierarchical display of the selection setting screen is not performed;
With
In the second mode, the number of buttons included in the button group visible to the user is less than that in the first mode.
A printer characterized by that. When the control unit controls the display so that the hierarchical display of the selection setting screen is not performed when the second mode is set, the items necessary for realizing the printing function are as follows. Adopt a predefined default value,
The printer according to claim 1. The control means, when set to the first mode, changes the default value based on a change instruction of the default value input by the user via the button group.
The printer according to claim 2. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A cover member attached so as to be openable and closable so as to prevent operation of at least one of the buttons in the closed state;
Detection means capable of detecting the open / closed state of the cover member;
With
The mode setting means sets the first mode when the detection means detects that the cover member is open, and sets the first mode when the detection means detects that the cover member is closed. Set to 2 mode,
Printer. The printer according to claim 4,
A print medium guide capable of changing the guide width according to the size of the print medium supplied to the print mechanism;
In the closed state, the cover member is fixed so as to have a predetermined print medium size regardless of the print medium guide, and in the open state, the guide width of the print medium guide is allowed to be changed. To
Printer. The printer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
A lid member that is attached so as to be openable and closable and covers the cover member in the closed state,
When the lid member is open and the cover member is closed, the back surface of the lid member serves as a print medium supply tray in the second mode, and when the lid member and the cover member are both open. The back surface of the cover member serves as a print medium supply tray in the first mode.
Printer. Display,
A group of buttons used when the user inputs instructions;
Comprising mode setting means that can be set to either the first mode or the second mode;
The second mode is a printer control method in which the number of buttons included in the button group visible to the user is less than that in the first mode,
(A) setting to either the first mode or the second mode based on the operation of the mode setting means by the user;
(B) When controlling the display based on a user instruction input via the button group, it is necessary to realize a printing function when the first mode is set in the step (a). When the display is controlled so that selection setting screens for selecting and setting various items are displayed in a hierarchical manner and the second mode is set in step (a), the number of hierarchical layers is smaller than that in the first mode. Controlling the display so that the selection setting screen is displayed hierarchically or controlling the display so that the selection setting screen is not hierarchically displayed;
A method for controlling a printer including: A program for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the printer control method according to claim 7.