JP4981549B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer, in particular, it relates to a printer for charging by setting the printer to the charging apparatus to the rechargeable battery of the printer.

Conventionally, in a cradle having a charging function and a communication function, a function for charging a device such as a printer set in the cradle and a function for communicating with a device such as a printer are independent of each other. Is automatically performed according to the remaining battery level when it is set in the cradle, but when communicating with a device such as a printer, the device such as the printer is turned on in advance and set in the cradle. I was trying to do it.
In addition, there is a printer that automatically turns on the printer and turns off the printer automatically when the printer output is completed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-200188 A

However, in the background art, when a device such as a printer is turned on (ON) in advance and set in a cradle, the device such as a printer is turned on in advance and the power is turned on (ON) after communication is completed. There was a problem of being left.
In addition, when the printer is automatically turned on and turned off automatically when the printer output is completed, a command is transmitted from the device connected to the printer to the printer. In order to receive this command, the reception function always operates, and there is a problem that power is always consumed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printer capable of solving the above problems.

The printer according to claim 1 is a printer that receives power supply from a charging device having a function of turning on / off charging power and charges the rechargeable battery, and whether or not power is supplied from the charging device. Detecting means for detecting a signal, receiving means for receiving a command transmitted from the charging device, and an operation for setting an operation according to the operation setting command when the command supplied from the charging device is an operation setting command. When the command supplied from the charging device is a control command, processing means for executing processing corresponding to the control command, and power input for inputting power from the charging device to the rechargeable battery means and, when said detecting means detects that changes absent to present the power supply, the operation setting command and control from the charging device Component is an element required to receive a command, characterized in that it and a power supply control means for performing power supply by the rechargeable battery for said operation setting means, and said processing means.
Also, when not received the command is a reference time or longer by the receiving unit, said power supply control means may be adapted to stop the power supply to the components of the printer according to the rechargeable battery.

  According to the present invention, when the printer is set in the charging device, the printer supplies power to the components necessary for communicating with the charging device and communicates with the charging device. After the printer is set in the charging device, the printer data and software can be updated automatically without human intervention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer 100 and a cradle 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 100 includes a control unit 110 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various processes, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores control programs, and the like, a memory 111 that stores data such as various setting values, and various types. An input unit 112 including operation buttons and the like, a display unit 113 configured to display various data, a drive unit 114 configured to perform printing processing, and a sensor unit 115 including various sensors necessary for the printing processing. , An interface (I / F) 116 for receiving a supply of charging power, a rechargeable rechargeable battery 118 for supplying power to each unit, and a charge connected to the interface 116 and the rechargeable battery 118 and received from the interface 116 A charging control unit 117 that controls the supply of electric power to the rechargeable battery 118 and a clay via the interface 120 And a communication control unit 119 or the like which controls communication with the Le 200.

  The cradle 200 receives power supplied from an AC power source, converts it into a direct current, etc., supplies power to each unit, and supplies charging power to a charging power supply unit 214 described later, and a power source unit 212. The charging power supply unit 214 that supplies the charging power supplied by the printer 100 to the printer 100 via the interface (I / F) 213, the control unit 210 that controls each unit, the memory 211 that stores various data, and the cradle 200 Controls the transmission and reception of commands and data between an interface (I / F) 215 to which a device such as a personal computer (PC) is connected, and a device such as a PC via the interface 215, and the interface (I / F) A communication control unit 216 that controls transmission / reception of commands and data to / from the printer 100 via the H.217. It is.

  When the printer 100 is set in the cradle 200, the interface 213 and interface 217 of the cradle 200 and the interface 116 and interface 120 of the printer 100 are physically connected to each other. Accordingly, charging power can be supplied from the cradle 200 to the printer 100, and various data and commands can be transmitted and received between the cradle 200 and the printer 100.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the cradle 200 of FIG. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the printer 100 is set in the cradle 200. This determination can be made by detecting a change in the charging voltage of the charging power supply unit 214 of the cradle 200. Alternatively, when the printer 100 is set in the cradle 200, a mechanically configured switch is turned on so that a current flows through the switch, and the current can be detected.

  Next, in step S <b> 2, the charging power supply unit 214 supplies charging power to the printer 100 via the interface 213. Next, in step S3, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the rechargeable battery 118 of the printer 100 is fully charged. This determination can be made by a change in charging power output from the charging power supply unit 214 via the interface 213, or the like.

  As a result, when it is determined that the battery is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S4, and the charging power supply unit 214 stops the supply of charging power to the interface 213 under the control of the control unit 210. When the process of step S4 is performed or when it is determined in step S3 that the battery is not fully charged, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the control unit 210 determines whether or not there is a startup request from a PC (host computer) connected to the interface 215. That is, it is confirmed whether or not a control command requesting activation of the printer 100 is transmitted from the PC via the cradle 200. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the activation request has been made, the charging power supply unit 214 turns off the output of the charging power once (in a state where it does not output) under the control of the control unit 210 in step S6, and then for a predetermined time. After the elapse (for example, after 1 second), the output of the charging power is turned on (output state). Then, it progresses to step S7.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that there is no activation request from the PC, the process returns to step S3, and the processes after step S3 are repeated.

  In step S <b> 7, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to transmit an operation setting command to the printer 100. For example, it is determined whether or not an operation setting command is input from a device such as a PC connected to the cradle 200 and an instruction to transmit to the printer 100 is given.

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no instruction to transmit the operation setting command to the printer 100, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an instruction to transmit the operation setting command to the printer 100, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, under the control of the control unit 210, the operation setting command input from the PC or the like and supplied to the cradle 200 via the interface 215 under the control of the communication control unit 216 is sent to the printer 100 via the interface 217. Sent.

  If it is determined that the process of step S8 is completed or there is no operation setting command transmission instruction in step S7, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S <b> 9, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to transmit a control command to the printer 100. For example, it is determined whether a control command is input from a device such as a PC connected to the cradle 200 and an instruction to transmit to the printer 100 is given.

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no instruction to transmit the control command to the printer 100, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an instruction to transmit the control command to the printer 100, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S <b> 10, an operation setting command input from a PC or the like and supplied to the cradle 200 via the interface 215 under the control of the control unit 210 is supplied to the printer 100 via the interface 217. Sent. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is determined whether or not the cradle 200 is powered off. As a result, when it is determined that the power of the cradle 200 is not turned off, the process returns to step S1 and the processes after step S1 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power of the cradle 200 is turned off, the present process is terminated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the printer 100 of FIG. First, in step S21, the control unit 110 determines whether or not a charging voltage is detected. In other words, the charging control unit 117 includes a charging voltage detection circuit that detects a charging voltage. The charging voltage detection circuit detects charging power supplied from the cradle 200 via the interface 116, and detects the detection data. To supply. Alternatively, the charging voltage detection circuit may detect whether or not the charging power supplied from the cradle 200 via the interface 116 is switched from OFF (LOW) to ON (High), and supply the detection data to the control unit 110. it can.

  When the detection data is supplied from the charging control unit 117, the control unit 110 instructs the charging control unit 117 to supply charging power to the rechargeable battery 118. Upon receiving this command, the charging control unit 117 supplies charging power to the rechargeable battery 118 and charges the rechargeable battery 118.

  Next, in step S <b> 22, the control unit 110 performs control to supply power to the minimum necessary components and activate them in order to receive commands and data transmitted from the cradle 200 via the interface 120.

  For example, the control unit 110, the communication control unit 119, the memory 111, and the like are activated, and the other components such as the display unit 113, the drive unit 114, and the sensor unit 115 are not operated without supplying power. Reduce power consumption.

  Next, in step S <b> 23, the control unit 110 determines whether a command or data has been transmitted from the cradle 200. As a result, when a command or data is transmitted from the cradle 200 and the communication control unit 119 determines that the command or data is received via the interface 120, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, control unit 110 determines whether or not the received command is an operation setting command. As a result, if it is determined that the command is not an operation setting command, the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is an operation setting command, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the state of the printer 100 is set according to the operation setting command. For example, when the operation setting command instructs to turn off all the circuits and set the charging state, only the charging control unit 117 is activated and the other circuits are turned off under the control of the control unit 110, and the charging control is performed. Only the rechargeable battery 118 is charged via the unit 117.

  In addition, the display of the display unit 113, the drive unit 114 such as a motor and a printing unit, and the sensor unit 115 are turned off by an operation setting command, and data and software (including firmware) stored in the memory 111 through communication are stored. When instructed to enable the update, the communication control unit 119 is activated and the other circuits are turned off under the control of the control unit 110. In addition, when the operation setting command instructs to make all functions executable, power is supplied to all circuits under the control of the control unit 110 and is activated.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 110 determines in step S24 that the received command is not an operation setting command, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the received command is a control command or data designated by the control command (for example, update data transmitted after a command instructing data update). Is done. As a result, when it is determined that the data is not specified by the control command and the control command, the process returns to step S23, and the processes after step S23 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data is the control command or the data specified by the control command, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, processing corresponding to the control command or data is executed under the control of the control unit 110. For example, in the case of a command for instructing update of data, firmware, etc. stored in the memory 111, update data such as data, firmware, etc. that are continuously transmitted are received via the communication control unit 119, and the control unit 110 Under control, existing data, firmware, etc. stored in the memory 111 are updated with the latest data, firmware, etc. received.

  When the process of step S26 or the process of step S27 ends, the process returns to step S23, and the processes after step S23 are repeatedly executed.

  In step S23, if the control unit 110 determines that no command or data has been transmitted from the cradle 200, the time when the command or data has not been transmitted is started, and the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the time during which no command or data has been transmitted has exceeded a preset reference time (for example, 30 seconds). As a result, when it is determined that the time during which no command or data has been transmitted does not exceed the reference time, the process returns to step S23, and the processes after step S23 are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the time during which no command or data has been transmitted has exceeded the reference time, the process proceeds to step S 29, and the printer 100 is turned off under the control of the control unit 110. However, charging of the rechargeable battery 118 by the charge control unit 117 is continued until the rechargeable battery 118 is fully charged.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the printer 100 is set in the cradle 200 with the power off, a power supplied to a predetermined circuit of the printer 100 as appropriate by a command supplied from the cradle 200 to the printer 100. It is possible to update the data, firmware, etc. that are supplied and stored in the memory 111 of the printer 100.

  Further, the cradle 200 can turn on / off the output of charging power in response to an instruction from a PC or the like, so that the printer 100 can be in a state where commands and data can be received at any time. That is, when the printer 100 detects the output of the charging power from the cradle 200, the printer 100 is ready to accept commands and data. Therefore, the printer 100 receives the commands and data from the cradle 200 and stores the data stored in the memory 111. And firmware can be updated. As a result, even if the printer 100 set in the cradle 200 is unattended, for example, by instructing the cradle 200 to turn off the charging power from the PC side at an arbitrary time zone such as at night, and then turn it on. The printer 100 can be made ready to accept commands and data, and the data and firmware of the printer 100 can be updated.

  Further, when no command or data is supplied from the cradle 200 for a reference time or longer, the printer 100 can be turned off. Thereby, useless power consumption can be suppressed. However, as described above, the charging control unit 117 continues to charge the rechargeable battery 118 until the rechargeable battery 118 is fully charged.

  It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a printer but also to various rechargeable devices.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the printer and cradle to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing procedure of a cradle. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of a printer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printer 110 Control part 111 Memory 112 Input part 113 Display part 114 Drive part 115 Sensor part 116,120 Interface (I / F)
117 Charging Control Unit 118 Rechargeable Battery 119 Communication Control Unit 200 Cradle 210 Control Unit 211 Memory 212 Power Supply Unit 213, 215, 217 Interface (I / F)
214 charging power supply unit 216 communication control unit

Claims (2)

A printer for charging a rechargeable battery by receiving power supply from a charging device having a function of turning on and off the output of charging power,
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of power supply from the charging device;
Receiving means for receiving a command transmitted from the charging device;
When the command supplied from the charging device is an operation setting command, operation setting means for setting operation according to the operation setting command;
When the command supplied from the charging device is a control command, processing means for executing processing corresponding to the control command;
Power input means for inputting power from the charging device to the rechargeable battery;
A component that is necessary for receiving the operation setting command and the control command from the charging device when the detection unit detects that the power supply changes from nothing to presence, the operation setting unit, and Power supply control means for executing power supply by the rechargeable battery to the processing means ;
Printer, characterized in that it comprises a. When not received the command is a reference time or longer by the receiving unit, the said power supply control means printer according to claim 1, characterized in that stopping the power supply to the components of the printer according to the rechargeable battery.

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