JPH0222085A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dispense with a recording start switch and to miniaturize a recording apparatus as a whole by providing a detection means for detecting the upper and lower jaw parts having a scanning means for a recording means and a control means for controlling the execution of recording corresponding to the output of said detection means. CONSTITUTION:An apparatus main body is placed on a medium 6 to be recorded. At this time, an upper jaw 1 is in a state opened by the force of a spring 8. Therefore, the recording window 5a formed to a lower jaw part 2 becomes visually confirmable and the positioning mark 5c of the recording window 5a is allowed to coincide with a position desired to be recorded of the medium 6 to be recorded. After this positioning, when the upper jaw part 1 is pushed in the direction shown by an arrow B to close the upper and lower jaw parts 1, 2, a light blocking plate 10a switches a photointerruptor 10h and a recording switch is turned ON on the basis of the signal from said photointerruptor 10h to drive the scanning motor 4g of the upper jaw 1 and a recording head 3 is scanned toward the positioning mark 5c to perform recording at every one line corresponding to an image signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a recording device capable of recording images such as characters, figures, or video images on a recording medium such as paper.

<Conventional technology> Conventionally, small recording devices such as handheld writers,
The size of the apparatus is reduced by manually scanning the apparatus so that printing can be performed at any position on a recording paper surface that is sufficiently large compared to the size of the recording apparatus.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional handy writer, the recorded information is characters, and the recording density is therefore less than 8 Pel, so it is possible to record by detecting the amount of relative movement with the recording paper by manual scanning. However, the recorded information is an image of about 16 pels (256 x 256
Since the recording density (pixel) is high and the recording width is wide, there are problems such as recording scanning unevenness and image deterioration.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to prevent image deterioration from occurring at a desired position on a recording medium even when the image size is about 16 Pels.
Our goal is to provide a recording device that allows you to record without having to do anything.

Means for Solving the Problem> The means for solving the problem is to record on the recording medium in accordance with an image signal by using a recording device that scans the recording means and records on the recording medium. an upper jaw portion having a stop recording means and a scanning means for scanning the recording means; a lower jaw portion having a stop positioning portion indicating a recording area and a recording position on a recording medium by the recording means; means for opening and closing the upper jaw and the lower jaw; a detection means for detecting the opening and closing state of the upper and lower jaw; and a recording control for controlling execution of recording according to an output from the detection means. It is characterized by the provision of means.

<Operation> According to the above means, the closed state of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is detected by the detection means, and recording is automatically performed based on the detection signal, so there is no need to provide a recording start switch, etc. The device becomes smaller. For this reason, even small devices are provided with scanning means that automatically scans the recording means.
It is possible to record a high-quality image in the (■ window position) of the recording medium 1-.

<Example> Next, an example of a recording apparatus to which the above-mentioned means is applied will be described.

[First example]

11 is a schematic perspective view of the entire recording apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the apparatus in an open state.

First, to explain the overall outline, this device main body consists of the upper jaw part 1.
and a lower jaw part 2 are configured to be openable and closable, and one upper jaw part 1 is provided with a recording head 3 serving as a recording means and a scanning means 4 for the hen F3, and the other lower jaw part 2 is provided with a positioning part 5. It is provided.

The positioning part 5 is configured to be visible when the upper jaw part 1 is opened. Therefore, when placing the main body of the apparatus on the recording medium 6, the upper jaw part 1 is opened and the positioning part 5 is opened.
The recording position can be confirmed by visually checking the . After positioning, when the jaw part 1 is closed, the sensor 10 serving as a detection means detects this, and the recording medium 6
It is configured such that an image is automatically recorded in the positioning portion.

Next, the configuration of each of the above sections will be explained in detail.

First, the upper jaw part 1 is formed into a box shape, and the lower jaw part 2 is formed into a plate shape. The upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2 are rotatably connected at one end by a shaft 7, and both are configured to be openable and closable in the shape of an alligator mouth.

Further, a spring 8 is attached to the shaft 7, and the upper jaw part 1
and the lower jaw portion 2 are urged in the direction of opening (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2). Further, a stopper 9 is provided on the upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2.
is formed, and when the upper jaw part] is opened, it rotates in the direction of arrow A by the action of the spring 8, and the upper jaw part 1 is maintained in the open state at a predetermined angle with respect to the lower jaw part 2 by the stopper 9. has been done.

Note that the upper jaw part 1 can be closed by pushing it in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The closed state is detected by a sensor 10 serving as a means. This Sen! J°-10 is composed of a light-shielding plate 10a protruding from the open end of the upper jaw 1 and a photo ink bar 10b provided at the open end of the lower jaw 2, and when the upper jaw 1 is closed, the The light shielding plate 10a is a photo ink printer 10b.
The structure is configured to block light from the upper jaw part 1.
The opening/closing state of the lower jaw portion 2 and the lower jaw portion 2 is detected.

Next, the recording head 3, which is a recording means, will be explained. In this embodiment, a so-called inkjet type recording head is used as the recording head 3 as shown in FIG. 3, and this head 3 has a width of 16 d in the main scanning direction.

It has a recording density of ts/'mn and has a multi-nozzle configuration of 256 dots. The principle is that the ink 3C introduced into the ink liquid chamber 3b from the ink introduction pipe 3a is transferred to the electrodes 3e, 3e2 of the heating element 3d provided in the liquid chamber 3b.
Pulse-like heat generation caused by electricity passing through the liquid causes instantaneous expansion of the liquid or generation of bubbles. With this change in state, the ink 3C is ejected from the orifice 3r as small droplets and adheres to the recording medium 6, thereby performing recording. The heating element 3 (1 is provided on the board 3g, and the voltage of the power source 3h is applied according to an input signal to be described later) is applied, and the heating element 3d is heated according to the human power signal, and the power l
Ink 3C flies onto the recording medium 6 in response to I heat.

A scanning means 4 for scanning the recording head 3 is constructed as shown in FIG.

The recording head 3 is mounted on a head mounting plate 4a, and two guide shafts 4b attached to the upper jaw portion 1 are pushed through each end of the head mounting plate 4a (near J).

Therefore, the head holder 1 plate 4b can slide in the directions of arrows C and D along the guide shaft 4b.

Further, a female screw 4c is provided at a predetermined position on the head mounting plate 4a, and a male screw 4d is screwed into the female screw 4C. This male screw 4d is rotatably and immovably attached to the upper jaw part 1, and a gear 4e is fixed near its end.
The gear 4C is connected to the scanning motor 4 via a motor gear 4f.
It is connected to g. Therefore, when the scanning motor 4g rotates forward or backward, the male screw 4d rotates, and this rotation causes the head handle 4a to slide in the direction of arrow C or in the direction of the arrow. It scans in the sub-scanning direction.

Furthermore, an encoder 4h detects the amount of rotation of the male screw 4d.
is provided. This encoder 4h has a male screw 4d
A disc-shaped encode plate 4b is removed at the end of the encoder plate 4b, and rotates as the male screw 4d rotates. and the encoding board 411. Slints t-4h2 are provided at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the slits 4h,
A photo ink printer 4hi is installed to sandwich the LJ. Therefore, the encode plate 4 is rotated by the male screw 4d.
When h rotates, the slit 41+□ swivels the photo-interrupter 4h3, and this photo-interrupter 4h.

The sub-scanning amount of the recording head 3 is detected by the output pulse, and the sub-scanning amount is controlled by a control system to be described later.

Further, A-tooth discs 4i and 4j are attached at predetermined positions in the upper jaw part 1, that is, at the home position of the recording spatula 3 and at the reversed position after traveling in the direction of arrow C, respectively. When the recording head 3 is scanned to the above position, a light shielding plate 4k integrally formed on the head holder 4a blocks the light from the photoinkraters 4i and 4j, and the light from the photoinklers 4i and 4j is blocked. , 4j controls the scanning range of the recording head 3.

Next, the positioning section 5 will be explained.

A rectangular recording window 5a is formed at a predetermined position on the lower jaw portion 2. This recording window 5a is formed in a size slightly larger than the image size recorded by the recording head 3, and a rectangular transparent window 5b made of a transparent material such as transparent resin or transparent glass is formed around its outer periphery. . A positioning mark 5c is formed on the periphery of the transparent window 5b using a colored material such as tape or paint. The area surrounded by the positioning mark 5C indicates the recording area recorded on the recording medium 6 by the recording head 3, and as shown in FIG. 2, it becomes visible and visible when the upper jaw part 1 is opened. There is.

Next, the recording operation of the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

First, the main body of the apparatus is placed on the recording medium 6. At this time, the upper jaw part 1 is in a state where the mouth is opened by the springs 8.

Therefore, the recording window 5a is visible, and this recording window 5a
Align the positioning mark 5C with the desired recording position on the recording medium 6.

After the above positioning, the upper jaw part 1 is pushed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 to close the upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2, and the light shielding plate 10 is closed.
a switches the photo ink printer 10b, and this signal turns on the recording switch.

When the recording switch is turned on, the scanning motor 4g is driven to scan the recording head 3 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. At this time, the printheads 1-4h2 of the encoder plate 4hI are counted by the photo ink printer 4h3, and after counting a predetermined number, that is, after the recording head 3 reaches within the positioning mark 5C, the recording head 3 responds to the image signal. Recording is performed line by line.

The image signal is supplied from an information creation device (not shown) such as a document reader, a personal computer, or a two-pro, or an external information source such as a facsimile, a television, or a video device.

The recording of one line is performed in synchronization with the count number of the encoder 4h, and this recording is completed after being performed for a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction, 16 times in this embodiment. Therefore, the image obtained by this recording is 16 fins x 16 vna (
The image has a size of 256 x 256 dots).

Incidentally, it is a matter of course that the recording head 3 is positioned within the positioning mark 5C of the recording window 5a at the end of the recording.

When the recording is completed, the recording head 3 is further scanned in the direction of arrow C in FIG.
When the light is blocked, the scanning motor 4g rotates in the opposite direction to scan the recording head 3 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. and light shielding plate 4
When light shields the photo ink printer 41, the scanning motor 4g stops driving, and the recording radar 3 stops at the home position.

The upper jaw portion 1 does not need to be held down by hand or the like when the recording head 3 is being scanned in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, or when the recording head 3 has finished scanning or stopped.

Next, we will discuss the control system for drive control as described above.
This will be explained with reference to the bronc diagram in the figure.

In FIG. 4, a video signal reproduced from a video recorder, an integrated video camera, etc., or a normal television signal is input as an NTSC signal to an external video input terminal 50, and by switching a video switch 51, an external monitor is input. (for example, a television receiver).

On the other hand, the NTSC signal is input to a signal processing circuit 52 which inputs the NTSC composite signal, extracts a synchronization signal and an image luminance signal, and performs analog/digital conversion. This circuit 52 operates under the control of a timing control section 54 that is controlled and started by the CPU 53, and its output is sent to the multi-value data buffer RA as an 8-bit density signal.
M55 (in this embodiment, 256 pixels at approximately the center of one frame screen are stored).

On the other hand, the storage operation is stopped by pressing the image freeze switch of the console unit 56, and the CPU 53 performs two steps to record the stored image data according to the program of the ROM 57 that stores a microprogram to be described later.
The digitization process is executed, and the digitized image data is stored again in the digitization data buffer RAM 58. This binary signal is again converted into an NTSC composite signal by the digital/analog conversion signal processing circuit 59, and by switching the video switch 51, the operator can check the recorded image on the monitor.

The above-mentioned recording device is connected to the CPU 53 as a printer unit 60 in FIG. 4, and recording is started when the CPU 53 determines that the photo ink printer 10b is blocked by pressing the upper jaw 1. In addition, for binarization processing, ROM57
For example, simple binarization using a fixed threshold,
The console unit 56 performs binarization processing by extracting contours, pseudo-halftone processing typified by the assassination method, error diffusion method, etc.
can be selected with the support of

Next, the entire control procedure will be explained with reference to flowchart 1 in FIG.

In step S1, it is detected that the video changeover switch of the console unit 56 is pressed, and as the switch is pressed, the process branches to step S2, and either an external video signal or a binary video signal that has been binarized inside the recording device is output. The video switch 51 which outputs the video to an external monitor is switched and controlled.

Then, in step S3, it is detected that the image freeze switch of the console unit 56 is pressed down when the desired recorded image is obtained from the monitor screen, and in step S4, the image freeze switch shown in FIG. The value data buffer RAM 55 is accessed pixel by pixel by the CPU 53, and after binarization, the data is stored in the binary data buffer RAM 5B. After processing the above operation for 256×256 pixels,
Proceed to step S5, switch the video switch 51,
Display the binarized image on a monitor screen.

Step S6 is a step of detecting the depression of the upper jaw part 1 by the operator, and when the depression is detected, the process branches to step S7, and the desired screen image is obtained by performing the crime processing for - images. The processing will be completed, but the storage operation of the externally input image in the multi-value data buffer RAM 55 and the binary data buffer RAM 55 of the binary data
The storage operation to 58 is executed every time the image freeze switch on the console unit 56 is pressed, and the stored image is retained without being rewritten during other times. Therefore, if the same screen is to be recorded multiple times, this can be done simply by repeatedly pressing down the upper jaw part j of the recording device, which is the printer part 60.

Here, the recording process performed in step S7 will be explained in detail using the timing chart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, the signal S is the output of the photo ink converter 10b that detects the opening and closing of the upper jaw 1. When the upper jaw 1 is pressed down, it becomes r high J level, and this signal SA drives the scanning motor 4g. Start. Note that when the recording head 3 is not stopped at the normal stop position 7, the light shielding plate 4k of the head mounting plate 4a does not shield the photo ink club 41 at the home position, so that the signal SB of the photo ink club 41 is becomes “low J,” and at this time, the forward signal S
c becomes "high" and rotates the scanning motor 4g in the reverse direction,
The recording head 3 is moved back in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and returned to the home position. When the photo ink printer 41 detects that the recording head 3 has returned to the home position (signal S8 is "r high"), the advance signal Sc is
The recording head 3 is advanced in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1 by rotating the scanning motor 4g in the forward direction.

In this embodiment, the output pulse S[l of the encoder 4h, which is input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 53, is generated every time the recording head 3 scans 1/16+n. After counting a predetermined number of times, that is, after the recording head 3 scans from the Baum position to the positioning mark 5C position,
Turn on electricity to the recording head 3. This recording current is applied while 256 output pulses S are counted (the recording head 3 is
A 16 mm x 16 mm image is recorded. After that, when the recording head 3 reaches the reverse position, the signal SE of the photo ink printer 4j goes high.
In response to this signal S6, the scanning motor 4g rotates in the reverse direction to move the recording head 3 backward in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Furthermore, when the recording head 3 returns to the home position, the signal SE of the photointerrupter 41 becomes "rhigh", and in response to this, the scanning motor 4g stops driving.

Here, the timing of driving the recording head 3, which is performed every time the output pulse SD of the encoder 4h is input, will be specifically explained.

The recording head 3 is composed of a so-called shift register and a driver, and holds data in the shift register that has already been transferred in synchronization with the rising edge of the output pulse SD. Therefore, recording takes place during said retention period. In this embodiment, the nozzle heater for 256 pixels is divided into four parts, and in order to simultaneously record 64 pixels each, four recording pulses Sv are used.
, Sc S++, and Sl, each pulse is energized for about 10 pm during the "high j" period.

Furthermore, the recording data of the next line is also transferred to the shift register by the data transfer lock SK of the data SJ output from the CPU 53 within one period of the output pulse S of the encoder 4h.

In this embodiment, one period of the output pulse S of the encoder 4h is set to about 4 ms, but the scanning motor 4g is driven at high speed when the recording head 3 returns to the home position after the end of recording. By doing so, faster recording can be performed.

Further, while the recording head 3 is in the recording operation, the operator
When it is opened, that is, when the output of the photo ink printer 10b becomes "low A," the recording pulse SF,
'SG, S, 1. This is to stop the output of S+ and return the recording head 3 to its home position.

As described above, by opening the upper jaw part 1 and visually recognizing the recording positioning part 5 provided on the lower jaw part 2, it is possible to easily position recording at any position on the recording medium 6, and after positioning, the upper jaw part 1 is closed. The sensor 10 detects this, and the recording head 3 automatically scans based on the detection signal, thereby making it possible to stably record a high-quality image.

[Other Examples]

Next, other embodiments of each part of the above-described embodiment will be described.

(1) Recording means In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was shown in which an inkjet recording head 3 was used as the recording means, but other methods such as a thermal transfer recording method, an impact recording method, a thermal transfer recording method, etc. may also be used. Also good.

For example, an example in which a thermal transfer recording method is used will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, a recording head 12 is mounted on a head mounting plate 4a, in which heating elements 11 that are individually energized and generate heat in response to both signals are arranged in 256 dots rows at 16 dots/fin.
The head mounting plate 4a is configured to be scannable in the directions of arrows E and F by the same scanning means 4 as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, an ink sheet 1 coated with thermal transfer ink is placed on the plate 4a.
3, and the recording medium may be wound up from the supply roll 13a to the take-up roll 13b by an actuator (not shown) during recording.

Further, the recording head 12 is configured to be movable in the directions of arrows C and I-1 (vertical direction) with respect to the head mounting plate 4a.

That is, the recording head 12 is configured to be pulled in the direction of arrow G by wings 14 and movable in the direction of arrow H by an actuator (not shown).

When the recording spatula l"12 is used, the recording medium 6
After positioning the recording at an arbitrary position, the sensor 10 detects this when the upper jaw part 1 is closed, and this detection signal causes the scanning motor 4g to rotate forward and move the recording direction F12 in the direction of the arrow E.
Scan in the direction. For this scan, encoder 4
After the recording head 12 is moved downward (
7), and presses the recording medium 6 through the ink sheet 13. In this state, the heating element selectively generates heat in synchronization with the count of the encoder 4h, and the ink sheet 13 is wound onto the take-up roll 13b. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording medium 6''.

Furthermore, after the recording is completed, the drive of the actuator that moves the recording spatula F12 downward is released, and the recording pad 12 moves upward (in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 7).

The recording head 12 moves to the reverse position and then returns to the home position, as in the first embodiment.

(2) Scanning means In the embodiment described above, the encoder 4h was used as a means for detecting the scanning amount of the recording head, but instead of using the encoder 4h, a stepping motor is used as the scanning motor 4g to count the number of steps. By doing so, the scanning amount of the recording spatula 1- may be detected.

(3) Positioning section In the embodiment described above, the positioning mark 5C indicating the recording area was formed on the periphery of the transparent window 5b of the positioning section 5.
As shown in the figure, a mark 5d may be displayed at a predetermined position of the transparent window 5b without indicating the recording area.

(4) Opening/closing means As a structure for making the positioning part 5 visible,
In the first embodiment, the upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2 can be opened and closed by rotating them around the shaft 7, but they may be constructed as shown in FIG. 9 as another construction.

That is, as shown in No. 911iIn(A), the upper jaw part 1 is configured to be slidable up and down along the guide shaft 2a provided in the lower jaw part 2. In this way, the upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2 can be opened and closed vertically, and the positioning part 5 provided on the lower jaw part 2 can be visually recognized when the upper jaw part 1 is slid upward. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a tension spring that pulls the upper jaw portion 1 upward.

In addition, FIG. 9(B) shows a link 1 [
They are connected by ia, 16b, and 16c, and are configured so that the upper jaw part (2) can move up and down with respect to the lower jaw part 2 by rotation of the links. Furthermore, in FIG. 9(C), the upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2 are connected by the link 16 ( ],
The rotation of the link 16d allows the upper jaw part 1 to move up and down. Even in this case, when the upper jaw part 1 is moved upward, the positioning part 5 provided on the lower jaw part 2 can be visually recognized, and recording positioning on the recording medium 6 can be easily performed.

In this case, the sensor for detecting the open/closed state of the upper jaw part 1 and the lower jaw part 2 may be constructed using a light shielding plate and a photo ink club, as in the first embodiment, or a touch sensor may be used. Also good.

Further, in FIGS. 9(B) and 9(C), 17 is a compression spring.

(5) Recording medium The recording medium does not need to be limited to sheet-shaped materials such as recording paper or plastic sheets; it is also possible to record on booklet-like materials such as notebooks and wood. .

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention allows an image of about 16 Pel to be accurately recorded at a desired position on a recording medium by automatically scanning the recording means with a scanning means, and the recording position can also be set by a positioning section. This can be done easily since it is visible.

In addition, since recording is automatically performed by detecting the open/closed state of the jaw and mandible, there is no need to install a recording start switch on the console, making the device more compact, and furthermore, it can be done with just one operation. Since recording is performed, operability is also improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording device showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the upper jaw in an open state, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the recording spatula, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the recording device. Control system block diagram,
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control procedure, FIG. 6 is a recording timing chart, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when using a thermal transfer recording method, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the positioning section.
FIGS. 9(8) to 9(C) are explanatory diagrams showing other embodiments of the opening/closing mechanism for the upper jaw and the lower jaw. 1 is the upper 7 part, 2 is the lower jaw part, 3 is the recording head, 3a is the ink introduction tube, 3b is the ink liquid chamber, 3C is the ink, 3d
is a heating element, 3 e+ + 3 e2 is an electrode, 3r is an orifice, 3g is a substrate, 3h is a power source, 4 is a scanning means, 4
a is the mounting plate, 4b is the guide shaft, 4C is the female screw, 4d
is a male screw, 4e is a gear, 4NJ motor gear, 4g is a scanning motor, 4h is an en:J-da, 4L is an encode plate, 4hz is a slit, 4h3 is a photo ink blade, 4
i, 4j are photo ink ladle, 4 is a light shielding plate, 5 is a positioning part, 5a is a recording window, 5b is a transparent window, 5C is a positioning mark, 6 is a recording medium, 7 is a shaft, 8 is a wing, 9 is a stone bar, 10 is a sensor, 10a is a light shielding plate, 10b4
J photo ink printer, 11 is a heating element, 12 is a recording/rad, 13 is an ink sheet, 13a is a supply roll,
13b is a winding roll, 14.15 is a wing, 16a ~ 1
6d is a link, 17 is a spring, 50 is a video input terminal, 5
1 is a video switch, 52 is an A/D conversion signal processing circuit,
53L:l: CPU, 54 is a timing control section, 55 is a multi-level data processing RAM, 56 is a console section, 5
7 is ROM, 58 is binary data buffer RAM, 59
60 is a D/A conversion signal processing circuit, and 60 is a printer section. Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] A recording device that records on a recording medium by scanning a recording means, comprising: a recording means for recording on the recording medium according to an image signal; and a recording means for scanning the recording means. a lower jaw part having a positioning part for indicating a recording area and a recording position on a recording medium by the recording means; a means for opening and closing the upper jaw part and the lower jaw part; 1. A recording device comprising: a detection means for detecting an open/closed state of a mandible and a lower jaw; and a recording control means for controlling execution of recording according to an output from the detection means.