JPH0387282A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To inexpensively realize the information operation to an operator when an abnormal state is generated by providing a detection means detecting the abnormal state of a recording apparatus and a means flashing the illumination of a backlight on the basis of the detection result of said detection means. CONSTITUTION:The recording medium 9 set to a recording apparatus 11 is delivered in the direction shown by an arrow A with the rotation of a platen 10 due to the advance of the printing in a printing part. A detection means 8 detects the abnormal state of the recording apparatus such that the recording medium 9 is exhausted to inform the same to a flashing means 7. The flashing means 7 turns the power supply of the illumination means (backlight) 6 of the display mechanism 5 provided on an operating panel 2 ON/OFF on the basis of the information of the detection means 8 to allow the illumination means 6 to flash. The flashing of the illumination means 6 is confirmed by an operator through a liquid crystal display panel 3.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a recording device equipped with a display mechanism that clearly displays display contents by illuminating the display contents from behind, the present invention relates to a recording device that provides information to an operator when an abnormal state of the recording device occurs, such as when a recording medium runs out. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an economical recording device that can realize the notification operation at low cost, and in the recording device equipped with a display mechanism having a backlight, a detection means for detecting an abnormal state of the recording device;
and means for flickering the illumination of the backlight based on the detection result of the detection means.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a recording device equipped with a display mechanism that clearly displays display contents by illuminating the display contents from behind.

In recent years, many printers that print at high speed have come into use to record processing results of computer systems. These printers require paper replenishment several times a day, but when many printers are installed in a large computer room, it is not easy to check when they are out of paper.
When paper runs out, this is displayed to notify the operator.

However, it is necessary that this display does not become uneconomical.

[Conventional technology] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the prior art.

1 is a printer, 2 is an operation panel of the printer 1, 3 is a liquid crystal display panel provided on the operation panel 2, and 4 is a rotating warning light. The liquid crystal display panel 3 is illuminated from behind to clearly show the displayed contents, and displays the operating status of the printer 1 and the like. Further, the rotary warning light 4 lights up when the paper runs out, and notifies the operator that paper needs to be replenished.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, conventionally, a rotary warning light 4 is used to notify the operator that the paper is out, but an extra part is placed outside the liquid crystal display panel 3 just to make it easier for the operator to recognize the paper. In addition, there is a problem that the number of man-hours required for installing the rotary warning light 4 is increased, which is not economical.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide an economical recording device that does not require the rotary warning light 4.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the present invention in detail.

The recording medium 9 set in the recording device 11 is fed out in the direction of arrow A as printing in the printing unit progresses and the platen 10 rotates. The detection means 8 detects an abnormal state of the recording apparatus such as the recording medium 9 running out, and notifies the blinking means 7 of the abnormal state.

The blinking means 7 turns on/off the power of the illumination means (backlight) 6 of the display mechanism 5 provided on the operation panel 2 in response to the notification from the detection means 8, thereby causing the illumination means 6 to blink. This blinking of the illumination means 6 is recognized by the operator via the liquid crystal display panel 3.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, the blinking state of the illumination means 6 is recognized by the operator through the liquid crystal display panel 3, so that it is possible to instruct the operator to replenish the recording medium 9 with an inexpensive configuration.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit showing one embodiment of the present invention.

The processor 12 reads a program stored in the ROM 13 and operates, controls the printing mechanism control section 16, and
The printing mechanism section 17 is operated to perform printing.

Then, information indicating the operating state of the printing mechanism section 17 is collected via the printing mechanism control section 16, this information is stored in the RAM 14, and then information required by the operator is read out and sent via the display control section 15 to the liquid crystal display. It is sent to panel 3 and displayed.

As the printing mechanism section 17 executes printing, the sheets 18 are sequentially fed out and supplied to the printing section. The processor 12 monitors the output of a sensor 19 provided in the printing mechanism section 17 via the input/output port 20, and detects the presence or absence of paper 18. For example, when the tip of a lever comes into contact with the paper 18, the sensor 19 sends an on/off signal to the input/output port 20 to notify the presence or absence of the paper 18.

When the sensor 19 sends an on signal through the input/output port 20 to notify that there is paper 18, the processor 12 controls the switching circuit 22 through the input/output port 20, and the power source 23 sends out the paper. A current is continuously supplied to the lamp 21 to turn it on.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display panel 3 is illuminated from behind to clearly show the displayed content.

When the sensor 19 sends an off signal to notify that the paper 18 has run out, the processor 12 connects the input/output port 2.
0 to control the switching circuit 22 to turn on/off the current sent by the power source 23 and supply it to the lamp 21.

Therefore, since the illumination on the liquid crystal display panel 3 flickers, the operator recognizes that paper needs to be replenished.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which a case where paper runs out is detected, but a paper jam or other abnormal state of the recording device may be detected and reported.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to make the operator aware of paper replenishment by blinking the light on the liquid crystal display panel provided on the operation panel, similar to a rotary warning light. Since the addition of extra parts and installation do not require man-hours, an economical recording device can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the present invention in detail, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining an example of the prior art. In the figure, l is the printer, 2 is the operation panel, 3 is the liquid crystal display panel, 4 is the rotary warning light, 5 is the display mechanism, 6
is an illumination means, 7 is a blinking means, 8 is a detection means, 9
is a recording medium, 10 is a platen, 11 is a recording device,
12 is a processor, and 13 is a ROM. 15 is a display control section, 17 is a printing mechanism section, 19 is a sensor, 21 is a lamp, and 23 is a power source. 14 is a RAM, 16 is a printing mechanism control unit, 18 is paper, 20 is an input/output board, 22 is a switching circuit, the principle of the present invention (explanation) ra") - end degree 18
Two theories 9F ko)i7;)Fig.Fig.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a recording device (11) equipped with a display mechanism (5) having a backlight (6), a detection means (8) for detecting an abnormal state of the recording device (11);
A recording device comprising means (7) for causing the backlight (6) to flicker based on the detection result.