JPH04200180A - Printer built-in camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow easy and adequate printing in various printing systems by changing over the feeding operation of recording paper on which images are recorded according to the presence or absence of an ink ribbon or the kind of the ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION:Whether the ink ribbon 416 is set or not is discriminated when a print mode is started. A graded thermosensitive mode is judged when the ink ribbon 416 is not set. Whether black is detected or not is discriminated by ribbon leader sensors A417 and B418 if the ribbon is set. A fusion type mode is judged when the black marker m is detected by the ribbon leader sensor A417 alone. A sublimation type mode is judged when the black marker m is detected by the ribbon leader sensor B418 alone. The kind of the recording paper Pa is then detected by the sensors A414, B415 for detecting the recording paper and the recording paper Pa is transported by a prescribed distance in the insertion direction by a DC servo motor 420.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a camera that can print out captured images on recording paper, and more particularly to a camera with a built-in printer that can be applied to various printing methods.

(Prior art) Images taken with a camera need to be developed or played back on a TV, but these methods have the disadvantage that the images cannot be viewed on the spot (1). Nowadays, cameras with built-in printers have been devised and are even commercially available.

For example, once an image obtained with an electronic camera is recorded,
A camera with a printer has been proposed in which the recorded image is printed on a built-in recording paper, thereby making it possible to print out the image after the photograph has been taken (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 189785/1983). Furthermore, there are commercially available thermal cameras with built-in printers that can print out captured images on the spot.

Furthermore, a thermal recording apparatus for printing color images in which two printing methods, sublimation printing and melting printing, can be switched has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-26771).

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the camera with a printer described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-189785 and the camera with a built-in printer on the market, one type of printing method, for example, a thermal transfer type, is adopted. There is no concept of switching from the overcast printing method to another method, and therefore there is no configuration for that purpose.

Furthermore, the thermal recording device described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-26771 mainly prints out color images from a computer, and is not directly comparable to a camera.
Therefore, it does not have a structure that can be built into a camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera with a built-in printer that outputs images taken by the camera as #image data according to various printing methods, and can print them out on recording paper. With the goal.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides a camera with a built-in printer that has a removable ink ribbon, comprising: a feeding means for feeding a recording paper on which an image photographed by the camera is recorded; a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the ink ribbon; A feeding operation switching control means for switching the feeding operation of the feeding means in accordance with a detection output from the detection means (claim II).

The present invention also provides a camera with a built-in printer to which an ink ribbon can be attached and removed, including a feeding means for feeding recording paper on which an image printed by the camera is recorded, and a discriminating means for determining the type of the ink ribbon. and a feeding operation switching control means for switching the feeding operation of the feeding means in accordance with the determination result of the determining means (Claim 11, Item 2).

[Effect]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the ink ribbon is detachably attached to the camera. In this camera, from the captured image, image data is formed to be recorded when the ink ribbon is attached (or present), and image data is formed to be recorded when the ink ribbon is not attached (absent). will be held. Further, the Wji image data is printed on the recording paper by repeating printing and feeding of the recording paper for each line. Then, it is detected whether or not the ink ribbon is attached to the camera, and if the ink ribbon is present, the image data in the case where the ink ribbon is present among the image data is led to the printer, and the image data is sent to the printer. The recording paper is fed according to the data and printed out. On the other hand, if the ink ribbon is not present, the image data for the case without the ink ribbon is guided to the printer, and the recording paper is fed according to the image data to be printed out. .

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, various ink ribbons can be attached to and detached from the camera. With this camera,
Image data to be recorded according to the type of ink ribbon is formed from the photographed image. Then, when the type of ink ribbon attached to the camera is determined, corresponding image data from among the above-mentioned image data is guided to the printer according to the determined type of ink ribbon. Each piece of image data guided to the printer is printed out by performing a recording paper feeding operation according to each piece of image data.

〔Example〕

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a camera with a built-in printer according to the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is the camera body, and 2 is 1 on the camera body 1.
This is a printer case that can be used for 812 operations and has built-in components necessary for printing operations, as will be described later.

The front part of the camera body 1 includes a photographing lens 3, a finder window 4, and an AF for automatic focus detection (hereinafter referred to as AF).
A light projector 5, a flash 6, and a release/print start button 7 are provided.

Furthermore, the following various operating members are arranged on the top surface of the camera body 1. That is, the mode changeover switch 8 is used to change over the following modes: rOFFJ, "record", [playback J], and "print".

The protect switch 9 prevents the recorded image once recorded from being erased by careless operation. The multi-switch 10 outputs a recorded image as a multi-image. The flash emission mode selector switch 11 sets the flash 6 to "non-emission (OFF) j, r automatic emission (A (J
TO) J, "Forced flash (ON) j" is used to switch to each mode.The date setting switch 12 is used to enable setting when setting the shooting date and time.The shooting mode selection switch 13 is turned on. This allows you to change the mode of single shot/selfie/continuous shooting each time you use the camera.

Access buttons 14 and 15 are for accessing recorded images, and each time you access them, the recorded images advance (UP).
) or reverse (DOWN>).The macro/binarization mode changeover switch 16 is used to switch between the macro shooting mode and the 211 mode by setting the slide in the left/right direction.The display 17 is, for example, an LCD or the like. It displays the date, frame number at the time of shooting or printing, and setting mode contents.Memory card insertion slot 1
8 is an insertion port formed in a slit shape, and is inserted into the camera body 1.
This is for inserting an external memory card (hereinafter referred to as a memory card) into the memory card. TV specific output terminal 19 This terminal is provided at a suitable position on the front surface of the camera body 1 and enables connection to a TV. The attachment/detachment button 20 is operated when attaching/detaching the print case 2. The recording paper insertion slot 21 is for introducing cut sheet type recording paper into the printer in the printer case 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire camera.

System controller (hereinafter referred to as CPtj) 100
controls the entire camera operation including printing operations. A subject image formed through the photographing lens 3 is captured by a solid-state image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 101, and an output image signal of the CCD 101 is sent to a signal processing unit 1.
02. Details of this signal processing section 102 will be described later. The photographing lens 3 is driven and controlled by the lens driving section 103 so as to be in focus based on the distance measurement result. The distance measuring section 104 determines the distance to the subject using, for example, a phase difference detection method, and the amount of driving of the photographing lens 3 by the lens driving section 103 is calculated from this distance measurement data. . Photometry section 10
5 measures the Ii degree of the subject and sends the photometric data to the CPU 10.
It outputs to 0. The exposure control section 106 controls the exposure of the camera by receiving data on the exposure time (shutter' speed) Tv and aperture value AV from the CPU 100, which are obtained based on the distance measurement and photometry results. Display section 10
7 consists of the display 17 and a part for driving the display 17. flash 811108 is cpuioo
The flash 6 is controlled by a voltage boost control for charging and a light emission control signal, and causes the flash 6 to emit light. '1
The first part 109 is supplied with a predetermined high voltage to the CCD 101, and the CPU
100 and other circuit sections are supplied with power at a predetermined level of voltage. Details of this power supply section 109 will be described later. Battery check circuit (hereinafter referred to as 80 circuit) 1
Reference numeral 10 is connected to the main power battery EB in the power supply section 109, and detects the capacity of the main power battery EB. This detection result is output to the CPU 100. The printer section 111 is driven by the CPU 100 and prints out the output #Iiii image signal from the signal processing section 102 onto recording paper, and the details will be described later. The memory card 112 is removably attached to the camera body 1.
A record that can record multiple screens made of RAM, etc.! ! It is a medium. Note that vouT corresponds to the TV specific output terminal 9.

Next, the switches Sorp=SmopE will be explained.

5OFF+When the mode changeover switch 8 is in the FOFFJ position, it is turned on to disable the camera.

5REC: Turns on when the mode selector switch 8 is in the U record J position, and enables the camera to take pictures.

5REP: Turns on when the mode selector switch 8 is in the "playback" position, enabling playback on a TV or the like.

5PRI: Turns on when the mode selector switch 8 is in the "Print J" position, enabling printing out of recorded images.

SL Nirelise 7/Turns on by pressing the lint start button 7 one step and performs the shooting WL preparation operation.

S2 Turns on by pressing the Nirelys 7/print start button 7 two times, and performs exposure operation in recording mode.

Note that the switches S1 and 82 perform a printing operation in the print mode.

Sup: Turns on every time the access button 14 is pressed, and sequentially advances and reproduces recorded images.

5DOWN: Turns on every time the access button 15 is pressed, and performs reverse playback of recorded images.

SPR'O: Every time the protect switch 9 is pressed, the recorded image is alternately protected and unprotected.

SMAL: Corresponds to the multi-switch 1o, which enables multiple outputs when turned on.SMAC: A macro switch that turns on when the macro/binarization mode selector switch 16 is pressed, and the macro lens (not shown) is placed on the optical axis. inserted to enable macro photography.

5M0NO: Turns on when the macro/binarization mode selector switch 16 is pressed and slid with the binarization mode switch, enabling text shooting, etc. 5CARD: Turns on when a memory card is inserted. .

SFL: When the flash mode selection switch 11 is pressed, it is turned on and the modes of non-flash, automatic flash, and forced flash are cyclically switched.

5ADJ: Corresponds to the date setting switch 12.

5M0DE: Turns on every time the shadow mode changeover switch 13 is pressed, and the modes of single shooting, selfie, and continuous shooting are switched cyclically.

FIGS. 2(A), (B), and ('C> are diagrams showing the power supply relationship of the camera with a built-in printer, and FIG. 2(A) shows the configuration of the N source section 109 and its power supply relationship. Figure, same figure (B
) is CPU 100 and DC/DC converter 200
A diagram showing the control line of @, (C) is the camera unit 203
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the power supply relationship within.

In Figures 2 (A) and (B), EB is the main power battery, and EC is the camera! ! 11203, a battery for backing up the memory 204 in the camera body 1 (corresponding to the memories 311 and 312 in FIG. 4(B)) and the memory card 112; 200 is a DC/DC converter, C
A high voltage E1 (for example, 24v
), a voltage E2 (for example, 15 mm) for driving the CCD 101 in the imaging section 202 and a voltage E3 for driving the photographing lens 3, etc. in the camera section 203 are generated and supplied, respectively. The control signal DCON is composed of a 2-bit signal, and is sent from cPUlol to the DC/DC converter 202 through two control lines, as shown in FIG. 2(B). Table 1 shows the command contents of the control signal DCON. "OO" stops the operation of the DC/DC converter 202 and drives all of the printer section 111, 1 image section 202, and camera section 203. No voltage is supplied.

Moreover, "01" generates the voltage E3 and the camera unit 20
"10" generates voltages E2 and EB and supplies them to the imaging unit 202 and camera unit 203, respectively; "11" generates voltage E1°EB and supplies them to the printer unit 111 and camera, respectively. 203.

Table 1 0: ON, Voltage is supplied to the memory 204 and memory card 112 in the main body 1.Furthermore, the flash unit 108 is powered by a main power battery E.
Power is directly supplied from B, and main capacitor C is charged.

Each part constituting the camera unit 203 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, power is supplied from the regulator 201 to the liquid crystal display section of the display section 107 and the CPU 100, which consume less power and can be driven at low voltage. Photometry section 105,
Parts of the exposure control section 106 and display section 107 have DC/D
Power is supplied from the C converter 200, and power is directly supplied from the power source battery EB to the lens driving section 103, which has a large load current.

FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are block diagrams showing details of the signal processing section 102.

In the same figure <A), the CCD 101 has R, G.

This is a color device having a stripe filter of B, and is driven by a COD driver 301.

The C0D-TG302 is a timing generator that supplies control signals and 611110 pulses to each circuit in this block based on the control signal from the CPLll 00, and outputs image signal readout drive clocks φV and φH to the COD driver 301. do.

The COD driver 301 controls the amount of charge accumulated in the CCD 101 by controlling the start of charge accumulation in the CCD 101 and the reading of accumulated charges based on the clocks φV and φH. In addition, the CCD-TG302 is the CD5303 described later.
A timing pulse is output to the circuit, and a clock pulse CK is output to other circuits.

The CD5303 performs sampling for double correlation on the output image signal from the CCD 101.

GC 304 is a gain controller, and the gain-controlled image signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an A/D converter 305. WB processing circuit 30
6 performs data conversion on the image signal using a predetermined conversion table based on color temperature information from a white balance (WB) sensor (not shown). The γ correction circuit 307 uses a predetermined conversion table to further perform data conversion for gradation correction on the color-converted image signal. The process circuit 308 and matrix circuit 309 are for creating image signals for each color of R, G, and B from the image signals.

Next, in FIG. 3B, a memory 311 and a memory 312 are used to store R, G, and B image signals from the matrix circuit 309, and have a storage capacity for at least one screen.

The address generation circuit 310 takes in image signals from the CCD 101 to the memories 311 and 312, and
．． Reading image signals from 312 and memory card 112
It outputs control signals necessary for writing image signals to, writing chip select signals and writing at the time of reading, writing read addresses, etc., and performing VT fishing operations.

The data selector and compression/expansion unit 313 performs data compression when writing an image signal to the memory card 112 and data expansion when reading an image signal from the memory card 112, and also selects data to be written or read. It is something.

Further, input/output of data between the CPU 100, the address generation circuit 310, the data selector/compression/expansion unit 313, and the memory card 112@ is performed via an interface (referred to as card I/F) 314. TV
The output signal processing circuit 315 applies T to the image signal taken in by the reproduction write clock from the address generation circuit 310.
It performs image processing for V playback, and the processed video signal is stored in an internal video memory (not shown). This TV output signal processing section 315 generates a low-band luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C from each of the R, G, and B image signals. The D/A converters 316 and 317 convert the digital low-range luminance signal Y and color difference signal C read out from the video memory in the TV output signal processing section 315 into analog low-range brightness signal YOUT and color difference signal CoUT, respectively. The signal is output to a TV (not shown) via a TV output terminal 19. The R pendulum 318 generates a read clock for reproduction and sends an output clock signal to the D/A converters 316 and 317.The multi-reproduction controller 319 generates a reproduced image for multi-reproduction. The generated multi-image is temporarily stored in the multi-video memory 320.

Next, the operations of the above-mentioned blocks will be explained separately for photographic recording, recording on a memory card, TV playback, printout, and multi-processing.

(1) When the release/print start button 7 is pressed with the shooting/recording mode switch 8 set to recording mode, CPLJlol outputs a control signal to the CCD-TG302 to open the CCD 101 during accumulation. Control.

That is, the CPU 100 drives the photometry unit 105 to perform photometry, controls the aperture based on the aperture value AV obtained from the photometry result, and further outputs a shutter control signal to the C0D-TG 302 in accordance with the exposure opening Tv. do. In addition, in order to increase the utilization rate of light and obtain resolution, C0D1
For those that perform two consecutive exposures using an electronic shutter and a mechanical shutter by swinging the 01, the cpuio
o controls each exposure time.

During the above exposure, the CPU 100 sends a memory select signal to the address generation circuit 3 in order to select a memory to capture the image signal.
Output to 10. The address generation circuit 310 is the CPU
Each memory 31 receives a memory select signal from 100.
At 1.312, chip select signals C81 and C82 are sent out. In addition, in order to be able to write image signals from CPLJ 100&;tCCDl 01, the address generation circuit 3
10 outputs R/W signals to memories 311 and 312. Thereafter, when the exposure is completed, reading of an image signal from the CCD 101 is started, and this read image signal is selected by a write address generated based on a capture start signal and a capture lock WCK. are sequentially written to memory. When the writing of the image signal is completed, the address generation circuit 310 outputs the capture end signal to the CPU i o
The CPU 100 receives this capture end signal and stops the write operation to the selected memory.

Also, when importing the image signal stored in the memory card 112 into one of the memories 311 and 312, the C
PLlloo selects the memory from which the J image signal is to be taken in, from the address generation circuit 310 to the memories 311 and 31.
2 to send out chip select signals C81 and C82.

In this way, the jII signal is taken into the selected memory from the memory card 112. When the capture of the image signal is completed, the CPL 1100 receives the capture completion signal from the address generation port 310 and stops the write operation to the selected memory, as described above.

In addition, if there is a manual instruction after image signal acquisition is complete,
As will be described later, the captured image signal can be outputted as output light based on the above instruction content.

(2) Recording to memory card The image signal written to the memory as described above can be transferred and stored in the memory card 112 as necessary. C
When the PtJ 100 confirms that the memory card 112 is selected as the output light of the image signal, it reads data management/search information such as the number of frames used from the memory card 112, and writes the contents to the memory card 112. Determine the starting address for loading. Then, in response to the output start signal, the image signal is read out from one of the memories 311 and 312, and
It leads to the data selector and compression/expansion section 313.

The data selector and compression/expansion unit 313 converts the input image signal into a low-range luminance signal Y1 and a color difference signal C, and then
For example, ADCT
Compression processing is performed using a costneTransForm method or the like. The compressed image signal is written to the memory card 112 via the card I/F 314 based on the write address from the address generation circuit 310. When the writing is completed, an output end signal is input from the address generation circuit 310 to the CPU 100. CPU1
00 outputs memory card 1 every time it receives this output end signal.
Update 12 data management/search information.

(3) When the release/print start button 7 is pressed with the TV playback mode selector switch 8 set to playback mode,
The cpuioo selects the TVV power signal processing section 315 as the output light of the image signal, reads out the image signal stored in the memory 311, 312 or the memory card 112, and uses the reproduced write clock from the address generation circuit 310 to perform the above processing. The data is written to a video memory (not shown) in the TVV power signal processing section 315. The TVV power signal processing unit 315 converts the written R, G, and B image signals into a low-range luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C, and also converts the low-range brightness signal Y and color difference signal C into burst signals, horizontal and vertical signals. A synchronization signal and the like are added to the signal to make it a standard television signal such as an NTSC signal, and the signal is written into the video memory in the TVV power signal processing unit 315 again. When this writing is completed, the image signal in the video memory is repeatedly read out at a predetermined period based on the reproduced clock from the oscillator 318, and the D/A converter 316.
At step 317, the signal is converted into an analog video signal and outputted to a TV (not shown) via the TV output terminal 19. Therefore, the photographed image is displayed as a still image on the TV.

(4) Printout The stored image signal is printed out by the printer section 111 shown in FIG.

When the release/print start button 7 is pressed with the mode selector switch 8 set to print mode, the CPU 100 transfers the image signal stored in the memories 311 and 312 or the memory card 112 from the address generation circuit 310. It is read out by reading 0 and outputted to the printer data conversion circuit 321. At this time, C
The PU 100 receives control data input via the system bus SB to confirm the state of the printer section 111 shown in FIG. 5, and controls the printer section 111. Thereafter, the image signal is data-converted according to a desired printing method as described later, and is guided to the thermal head 410 and printed out.

Note that a detailed explanation of the operation will be given later.

(5) Multi-processing Further, the CPU 100 is programmed to perform multi-processing on the image signals stored in the memory 311, 312 or the memory card 112, which enables multi-screen TV playback and multi-image printout. .

In multi-screen TV playback, first, the number of screens to be multi-displayed is set by the multi-playback controller 319. Each multi-displayed image is stored in the memory 31.
1.312 or the memory card 372 in the order of the display positions, and are sequentially written into the corresponding storage areas in the multi-use video memory 320. At this time, the selected image signal is subjected to signal browsing and filtering according to the display size, and can be loaded into the predetermined storage area as appropriate.

When the image signals of the set number of screens are written into the multi-image video memory 320, the CPU 100 outputs the output light of the multi-image signals to the playback circuit section (TV specific output terminal 1).
9 connected TV) and writes the multi-image signal to the video memory in the TVV output signal processing section 315 using the read clock from the multi-playback controller 319. After the multi-image signal is written to this video memory, the R2G,
The B image signal is converted into a low-range luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C, and as described above, it is converted into an NTSC signal and then again T.
It is written to the video memory in the VV force signal processing section 315. When this writing is completed, the oscillator 318
The stored contents of the video memory are repeatedly read out at a predetermined period based on the reproduced clock from the TV, and converted into analog signals by D/A converters 316 and 317.
is output to. In this way, the multi-image is displayed as a still image on the TV.

In addition, when printing out a multi-image, the multi-image signal written in the multi-image video memory 320 as described above is transferred to the printer data conversion circuit 32 shown in FIG.
1, and after data conversion, the thermal head 4
10 and printed out.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the printer section 111.

In the figure, a thermal head control circuit 400 controls the operation of a thermal head block 403. The thermal pad block 403 includes a thermal head 410 that prints one line or several lines at a time, and a thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 that switches the thermal head 410 between a printing position and a rest position.

□The solenoid/motor drive circuit 401 connects the thermal head pressure welding solenoid 411 and the DC servo motor 4.
This controls the driving of 20.

The DC servo motor 420 has a platen roller 421 provided opposite the thermal head 410 and grip rows 542 provided at both ends of the platen row 5421.
5 (see Fig. 6).

The vapor feed block 404 is a block that feeds recording paper, and includes a pair of nip rollers 412 rotatably provided in contact with the grip row 5425, and a rotation detection sensor 41 that detects the rotation of the nip rollers 412.
3 and recording paper detection sensors A414 and B415 for detecting different types of recording paper.

The ink ribbon feed block 405 is a block that winds up the ink ribbon, and includes an ink ribbon 416, a ribbon cue sensor A417, 8418, and a ribbon set detection sensor 419. In addition, ink ribbon 4
16, the rotation of the nip roller 412 is transmitted to the ink ribbon take-up shaft via a clutch or gear (not shown);
The film is wound up in synchronization with the rotation of the nip roller 412.

The sensor input circuit 402 is connected to the paper feed block 4
Rotation detection sensor 413, recording paper detection sensor A414. B415, ribbon cue sensor A417 provided in the ink ribbon feed block 405
．． This is a circuit for inputting detection signals of various sensors such as 8418 and ribbon set detection sensor 419 to CPLll00.

Next, the internal mechanism of the printer section 111 will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the printer section 111, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■--■ in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, a platen roller 421 and a DC servo motor 420 for driving the platen roller 421 are disposed inside the printer case 2. As shown in FIG. The platen roller 421 is disposed at a position facing the thermal head 410 when mounted on the camera body 1. Grip rollers 425 and 425, each having a large number of minute protrusions formed on its outer peripheral surface, are fixed to the upper and lower ends of the platen roller 421, and are adapted to rotate integrally with the platen roller 421. Further, a gear 422 is attached to the lowermost end of the platen row 5421, and the gear 422
is the gear 4 of the DC servo motor 420 via the gear 424.
It is connected to 23.

The platen row 5421 is connected to the DC servo motor 4.
20 through the gears 422 to 424.

On the other hand, other mechanisms necessary for printing are arranged inside the case of the camera body 1.

The thermal head 410 is held slidably in the direction of arrow a within a storage case 426 so as to face a platen roller 421. In addition, this storage case 42
A thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is fixed to 6, and a plunger 427 of the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is connected to the thermal head 410 via a lever 428 and a shaft 429. The thermal head 410 is made slidable in the direction a by means of a thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 and a spring coil (not shown) attached around the fulcrum 430 of the lever 427, so that the thermal head 410 can be slid in a pressure contact position and a separated position with respect to the platen roller 421. (rest position). That is, the thermal head 410 is held at the pressure contact position when the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned on, and conversely held at the separated position when the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned off. Further, a bearing structure is formed at the upper and lower right ends of the storage case 426, and the nip rollers 412, 412 are rotatably attached to sandwich the thermal head 410. The nip roller 412 is pressed against the grip roller 425, and the rotational force between the grip roller 425 and the nip roller 412 allows the recording paper to be fed accurately.

The ink ribbon 416 is stretched between a supply roller 431 and a take-up roller 432 as shown in FIG. The presence or absence of the attachment is determined by this.

Returning to FIG. 6, a gear C is attached to the lower end of the take-up roller 432 on which the ink ribbon 416 is mounted via a slip clutch 433, and the gear C is connected to the nip roller 412 at the lower end via a gear B. It is connected to the attached gear A. The slip clutch 433 always rotates the take-up roller 432 at an appropriate speed regardless of the rotation speed of the nip roller 412, and performs a stable winding operation of the ink ribbon 416. Further, the gear B is configured to mesh with the gear C when rotating in the f direction in FIG. 8, and not mesh with the gear C when rotating in the e direction, so that the nip roller 412 rotates in the Q direction. The rotational force is transmitted to the take-up roller 432 only at this time. That is, when the recording paper is conveyed in the b direction by the nip rollers 412, 412 to set the recording paper at a predetermined position, no printing is performed, so the ink ribbon 41
The rotational force of the nip roller 416 is not transmitted to the take-up roller 432 to prevent the ink ribbon 416 from being wound up, and when the recording paper is conveyed in the direction opposite to the b direction by the nip rollers 412, 412, printing is performed, so the ink ribbon 416 The rotational force of the nip roller 412 is applied to the take-up roller 432 so that the
It is designed to be transmitted to

Further, a gear E of a slit plate 434 is connected to the gear A via a gear D, so that the slit plate 434 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the nip roller 412. As a result, the rotational movement of the slit plate 434, that is, the rotational movement of the nip roller 412, is detected by the rotation detection sensor 41.
3, and based on this detection signal, in addition to speeding up the conveyance of the recording paper, printing by the thermal head 410 and winding of the ink ribbon 416 are appropriately performed in accordance with the conveyance speed.

The ink ribbon 416 used has the same width as the thermal head 410, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the sublimation ink ribbon, and FIG. 10 shows an example of the melting ink ribbon.

The ink ribbon for sublimation and the ink ribbon for melting each have a predetermined length and are repeatedly colored in three colors: yellow, magenta, and cyan in this order from the take-up roller 432 side, and ink is placed between cyan and yellow. A transparent portion 416a is provided to indicate the beginning of the ribbon. Furthermore, a black marker m indicating the type of ink ribbon is attached to this transparent portion 416a. For example, for sublimation ink ribbon,
A marker m is provided at the right end with respect to the winding direction (FIG. 9), and a marker m is provided on the left end of the melting ink ribbon with respect to the winding direction (FIG. 10). The marker m on the left end side with respect to the winding direction of the ink ribbon 416 is detected by the ribbon cue sensor A417, and the marker m on the right end side with respect to the winding direction of the ink ribbon 416 is detected by the ribbon cue sensor B418. The type of the attached ink ribbon 416 is determined based on the detection signals of these ribbon cue sensors A417 and B418, and the ink ribbon 416 is cued during printing. That is, when the marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A417, the ink ribbon 416 is determined to be an ink ribbon for melting, and when it is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor B418, it is determined to be an ink ribbon for sublimation. .

Note that the position of the marker m is not limited to both ends of the transparent portion 416a, but may be provided shifted left and right with respect to the center line of the ink ribbon 416. Furthermore, the correspondence between the position of the marker m and the type of ink ribbon 416 is not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily established. Incidentally, the ink ribbon shown in FIG. 13 will be described in detail.

On the other hand, the recording paper is also provided with a square marker M for identifying the type of recording paper. FIG. 11 shows an example of sublimation recording paper, and FIG. 12 shows an example of III thermal recording paper. The markers M are provided on the back side of the recording paper pa, and on the sublimation recording paper, they are provided on both diagonally opposite corners, and on the gradation thermosensitive recording paper, they are provided 17-1 inch inside from both corners. It is provided. Note that, in this embodiment, no marker M is provided on the recording paper for melting. In addition to the paper type, the recording paper Pa may also be one with adhesive on the back side.

The markers M provided at both diagonally opposite corners are detected by a recording paper detection sensor A414, and the markers M provided 171 inches inside from both corners are detected by a recording paper detection sensor B415. The recording paper Pa is detected by the detection signals of these recording paper detection sensors A414 and B415.
The type of is determined.

Note that the position of the marker M is not limited to the above-mentioned position, but may be provided at any position on the back surface of the recording paper Pa. Furthermore, the correspondence between the position of the marker M and the type of recording paper Pa is not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily associated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the internal mechanism of the printer unit when performing monochrome printing on cut sheet type recording paper.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7;

The monochrome printer section is constructed by removing the ink ribbon 416 from the color printer section 111 (see FIG. 7). That is, in the monochrome type, printing is possible by bringing the thermal head 410 into direct pressure contact with the shoulder thermal recording paper, so the ink ribbon 4
It becomes possible to print by simply removing 16. In addition, in monochrome type printing, a roll type gradation thermal recording paper can also be used, and in this case, as shown in FIG.
Printing becomes possible by attaching the S heat recording paper 436.

FIG. 15 shows a hand scan type printer section 111.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7, showing the internal mechanism of the device.

Since the hand scan type does not require the drive 1 (DC servo motor) of the nip roller 412, the printer section 111 is configured by removing the printer case 2 from the camera body 1.

Furthermore, since monochrome printing is performed in hand scanning, a solid black melting ink ribbon 416 shown in FIG. 13 is used as the ink ribbon.

Since the entire surface of the melting ink ribbon 416 is solid black, a detection signal of the marker M is outputted from the ribbon cue sensors A417 and B418, thereby determining that the melting ink ribbon 416 is a black melting ink ribbon 416.

Next, regarding the printing operation of the printer section 111,
Color printing on cut sheet type recording paper, monochrome printing on cut sheet type recording paper, and printing by hand scanning will be explained separately.

(1) Color printing on cut sheet type recording paper In FIG.
When inserted into the camera body 1 (from the front side to the rear side), the recording paper detection sensors A414 and B415 detect the
The insertion of the paper pa and its type are detected, and in response to this detection signal, the DC servo motor 420 is driven to rotate in the i direction. As a result, the grip roller 425 rotates in the C direction, and the inserted recording paper Pa is held between the grip roller 425 and the nip roller 412fl, and is further conveyed in the b direction. On the other hand, at this time, the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is in an OFF state, and the thermal head 410 is held at a position separated from the platen roller 421. Further, when the grip roller 425 rotates in the C direction, the nip roller 412 rotates in the h direction, and this rotational force is transmitted to the gear B via the gear A, and the gear B
Rotate in the direction. However, since gear B is not connected to gear C, the take-up roller 432 does not rotate and the ink ribbon 4
16 winding is not performed.

When the rotation detection sensor 413 detects that the recording paper Pa has been conveyed to a predetermined position, the DC servo motor 4
20 is stopped, and then the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned on, and the thermal head 410 is moved to the platen roller 4 via the ink ribbon 416 and the recording paper pa.
21. Thereafter, the DC servo motor 420 is driven to rotate in the j direction, thereby rotating the platen roller 42.
1 rotates in the d direction to feed the recording paper pa, and in synchronization with this paper feeding speed, the thermal head 410
Accordingly, yellow image data is printed line by line. During printing, the rotational force of the nip roller 412 is transmitted to the gear B, which rotates in the f direction. As a result, the gear B is connected to the gear C, and the take-up roller 432 rotates to take up the ink ribbon 416.

When yellow printing is completed, the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned off, and the thermal head 41
0 is switched to a position away from the platen roller 421. Thereafter, when the DC servo motor 420 is rotated again in one direction and the recording paper pa is fed in the b direction to the predetermined position, magenta image data is printed by the same operation as described above. And magenta,
Cyan printing is performed sequentially, and when these printings are completed, the thermal head pressure contact solenoid 411 is turned off, and the thermal head 410 is switched to a position away from the platen roller 421. Thereafter, the DC servo motor 420 is driven to rotate in the "direction," and the printed recording paper Pa is conveyed toward the recording paper insertion slot 21 and ejected.

(2) Monochrome printing on cut-sheet type recording paper Monochrome printing on cut-sheet type recording paper is performed in the same way as color printing on cut-sheet type recording paper, and black printing is performed only once. Then, the recording paper Pa is ejected from the recording paper insertion slot 21.

(3) Printing by hand scan To print by hand scan, remove the printer case 2 from the camera body 1, and place the thermal head 410 on the recording paper.
This is carried out by moving the camera body 1 in the direction shown in FIG. 15 with the hand scan print switch (not shown) turned on. When the camera body 1 is moved in the direction, the nip roller 412 rotates in the direction Q. This rotation is detected by the rotation detection sensor 413, and based on this detection signal, the thermal head 41
The printing timing and printing speed of 0 are controlled, and the recording paper P
One line of image data is printed on a in synchronization with the rotational speed of the nip roller 412, that is, the paper feeding speed.

Note that when printing is performed using a melting ink ribbon, plain paper can be used as the recording paper pa. In this case, the insertion part of the recording paper pa can be inserted a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction of the camera body 1, as shown in FIG. For example, a photographed image can be freely printed out on the edge of not only a dedicated recording paper Pa of a predetermined size but also a regular recording paper pa of any size. This makes it easy to check the photographed images and make simple records, as well as to easily record the recorded images.
It is possible to reduce the cost of a. Note that the groove-shaped recording paper feeding section is not limited to the front side of the camera body 1, but also the rear side,
It can be provided at any position on the upper and lower surfaces or on the left and right sides.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of the thermal head 410.

The thermal head 410 includes an output control unit 500 that serially outputs print data, a head driver 504 that controls print timing, and a heat generating unit 50 that is provided with heating resistors R1 to R496 corresponding to each print head.
5 and a thermistor 506 that detects the heat generation temperature.

The output control section 500 has 248 D flips 7, respectively.
It consists of shift registers 501 and 502 in which 0-tubes (hereinafter referred to as DFF) are connected in cascade, and a latch circuit 503 that latches each of 496 pieces of print data. Print data is serially input to the D input of the first IIDFF of the shift registers 501 and 502.
The Q output of each DFF of 1 is sequentially input to an odd-numbered latch circuit in the latch circuit 503, and is input to the shift register 50.
The Q outputs of the two DFFs are sequentially input to even-numbered latch circuits in the latch circuit 503.

In addition, the GK large input of the shift register 501 is CLOC
A K signal is input, and an inverted CLOCK signal obtained by inverting the CLOCK signal by an inverter 507 is input to the CK large input of the shift register 502 .

49 in each leading DFF of shift registers 501 and 502.
Six pieces of print data are serially input, and each DFF of the shift register 501 sequentially outputs the odd-numbered print data to the corresponding latch circuit in the latch circuit 503 at the rising edge of the CLOCK signal. At the rising edge of the inverted CLOCK signal, even-numbered print data is sequentially output to the corresponding latch circuits in the latch circuit 503. Then, when all print data is output to the latch circuit 503, a latch signal is input to the latch circuit 503, and print data for one line is determined.

19 and 20 are time charts showing the operation of the output control section 500. FIG. 19 shows the case of melting type or hand scan mode, and FIG. 20 shows the case of sublimation type or gradation heat-sensitive mode.

4 pieces (2 x 2 pieces) in melting type or hand scan mode
Since area gradation is performed using the dot data of ゛1
One line of print data consists of 496 pieces.
The print data is output to the latch circuit 503 in synchronization with the CLOCK signal and the inverted CLOCK signal. On the other hand, in the sublimation type or gradation thermosensitive mode, the density Wi adjustment is performed by modulating the printing energy using 4 dot data (2 x 2 dots) as one surface element, so one .2nd, 3rd, 4th, . . . 495.496th adjacent data are the same data. Therefore, both OFs in the same alignment position of shift registers 501 and 502
The same print data is input to F, and on the time chart, as shown in FIG.
This is what is output in 2.

Table 2 shows the relationship between the number of pixels, dot density, and image size in the sublimation mode and melting mode.

The difference between the sublimation mode and the melting mode is that the dot density in the sublimation mode is half that of the melting mode, and this is based on the above-mentioned difference in gradation method. The number of pixels and image size are the same for both, approximately 370,000 pixels, and the image size is approximately the size of a business card.

Note that while the thermal head 410 is composed of 496 heating resistors, as shown in Table 2, the print data for one line of the photographed image is composed of 494 pieces, so there is a shortage of print data for 2 pieces. However, when inputting print data to the serial output control section 500, the 2i &
For 1 minute data, data without printing, for example "0
0" is input.

Returning to FIG. 18, the head driver 504 has 496 N
It consists of an AND circuit, and each NAND circuit has a latch circuit 5.
Print data output from each latch circuit of 03 is input. In addition, the 496 NAND circuits are divided into 8 blocks of 62 each, and the 1st to 62nd NAND circuit groups are the first block, the 63rd to 1251st NAND circuit groups are the second block, and so on. 496th NAN
If the D circuit group is the 8th block, each NAND circuit in the 1st to 8th blocks receives control signals 5TB1 to 8T.
B8 is input. Further, the output terminal of each NAN0 circuit is connected to a corresponding dot heating resistor Ri (i-1
, 2, . . . , 496), and the other end of the heating resistor R1 is always connected to a common terminal to which a driving voltage (for example, 24 V) is applied.

In the above configuration, for example, when a high control signal 5TB1 is input, a NAND signal of the control signal 5TB1 and print data is output to the output terminal of each NAND circuit in the first block, and the 1st to 62nd print data are output. is printed.

In this case, the output terminal of only the NAND circuit to which high print data is input becomes low level, the heating resistor Ri connected to the output terminal generates heat, and the dot is printed on the recording paper Pa.
will be printed on. Similarly, the control signal 5TB2~5
When TB8 is input, each NA in the second to eighth blocks
The ND circuit operates and print data is printed in block units.

FIG. 21 shows a time chart of control signals 5TBI to 5TB8. Control signal 5TB1 to 5TB8
are input in a time-division manner, and print data is printed in 62 pieces at a time. In this case, the heating time of each heating resistor R1 of the heating section 505 is multiplied by each pulse width T1 to T8 of the IIJ 110-signal 5TB1 to 5TB8, and the pulse width T1 to
Printing energy is determined by T8. Since the magnitude of this printing energy is proportional to the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 410, the thermal head 41 is controlled by the thermistor 506.
By monitoring the zero temperature and controlling the pulse width according to changes in temperature, printing energy can be maintained appropriately. That is, the pulse widths T1 to T8 of the control signals 5TB1 to 5TB8 are shortened as the temperature rises, and lengthened as the temperature falls.

Further, in the melting type mode or the hand scan mode, the gradation is not controlled by the magnitude of printing energy, but in the sublimation type or gradation thermosensitive mode, the gradation is controlled by the magnitude of the printing energy.

N gradation control in the sublimation type or gradation thermosensitive mode is performed by converting the image data of each dot into a gradation level and printing with a predetermined pulse width a number of times according to the gradation level. That is, one line of image data is converted into 0542 minutes of print data based on the gradation level data of each dot.

For example, for a dot having image data of gradation level, print data is output for lines 1 to k+1.
It is converted so that non-print data is output for ~n lines. Each of these print data is printed on the same line using control signals 5TB1 to 5TB8 each having a pulse width corresponding to printing energy for one gradation. Therefore, the printing operation is performed n times on the same line, but the ii* data of each dot is printed the number of times according to the gradation level, for example, a dot having image data of the gradation level is printed only .times. Image data will be printed according to the gradation level.

Next, the operation of the camera will be explained using flowcharts shown in FIGS. 22 to 26. First, the main flow will be explained using FIG. 22.

When the main power battery EB is installed, the contents of various flags and registers are reset to initial values (#5), and the main routine for camera operation is executed.

First, from the CPU 100 to the DC/DC converter 200
A control signal DCON of “00” is sent to the DC/D
Driving of C converter 200 is stopped (#10). Next, the main capacitor C of the flash unit 108 boosts the voltage (
(charging), the boosting is stopped (#15).

Subsequently, it is determined whether the switch 5REC is on (#20), and the switch 5REC is in the off state Il! (
If the mode is not recording mode) (NO in #20),
Furthermore, it is determined whether the switch 5OFF is on (#25), and if the switch 5OFF is off (the camera is in operation!) (No in #25), the process moves to the "playback" routine described later. , if switch 5 OFF is on (YES in #25), camera lens 3
The type of lens is determined (#30), and if it is set as a standard lens (No in #30), the process returns to #5, and if it is set as a macro lens (YES in #30), it is changed to a standard lens. Switch and return to #5 to disable the camera.

If the switch 5REC is on (recording mode) in #20 (YES in #20), it is determined whether the switch 5REC has been turned on after switching from the switch 5OFF (#40), and the switch 5REC is switched from the switch 5OFF to the switch 5REC. (YES in #40)
, sets the flag FCHG to 1 to instruct the promotion of the main capacitor C, and moves to #50 (#45
).

If the switch 5REC continues to be on (No in #40), the process jumps to #50.

Next, it is determined whether the switch 5CARD is on (#50), and the switch 5CARD is in the off state If
(Memory card 112 not installed) (NO in #50)
), the flag FIC is reset to O, and the process moves to #85 (#55). The flag FIG is a flag indicating the installation state of the memory card 112, and if it is reset to "O", it shows that it is not installed, and if it is set to rlJ, it shows that it is installed. If the switch 5CARD is on (YES in #50), the switch S is also turned on. It is determined whether ARD has been switched from OFF to ON (#60), and if it has been switched from OFF to ON (YES in #60), the flag F
If the IC is reset to O and the switch 5CARD remains on (No in #60>, #70
Jump to. At #70, the flag FIC is determined,
If FIC-1 (No in #70), move to #85, and if FIC=O (YES in #70), the flag F
Set 1 to IC #75), and then set memory card 11.
After the management information of the recorded data is read from CPLlloo from 2 (#80), the process moves to #85. continue,#
In step 85, it is determined whether all image data in the memory card 112 is protected (#85), and if it is not protected (NO in #85), it is determined that photography is possible, and whether the switch S1 is on or not. is determined (#90). If switch S1 is on (#
(YES at 90), and further the switch S1 is changed from OFF to O.
It is determined whether it has been switched to N (#95),
If it was switched from OFF to ON (Y in #95)
ES), the process moves to the rsIJ routine to be described later in order to prepare for photographing.

On the other hand, when all image data is protected at #85 (YES at #85), when switch S1 is off at #90 (NO at #90), or when switch S1 remains on at #95 (No in #95)
), move to #100 to #125, switch 5M0D
E. SFL.

It is determined whether 5M0NO, SMAC, 5PRO, and 5ADJ are turned on in this order, and if any switch is turned on, switching to the mode or set value selected by that switch is performed. In other words, if switch 5M0DE is on (#10
0 (YES), the shooting mode is switched to the set mode (#130), and the switch SFL is on (
・YES at #105), the flash mode is switched to the set mode (#135), and switch 5M0NO
is on (YES in #110), the mode is switched to binary mode (#140), and if the switch SMAC is on (YES in #115), the photographic lens 3 is switched to the macro lens. (#145), switch 5PRO
is on (YES in #120), the protected state of the recorded image is switched to the set state (protect or unprotected state) (#150), and if switch 5ADJ is on (#125). (YES), the date is changed to the set value (#155), and the process returns to #10. If any switch is off in #100 to #125, it is determined whether the flag FCHG is set to 1 (#160), and the FCHG-O
r-Areba (NO in #160) Since the flash does not emit light, immediately return to #10. FC at #16o
If HG-IT- exists (#160rYES), it is determined whether or not boosting (charging) of the main capacitor C is completed (#165), and if charging is completed (#1
65FYES), it makes one turn to #10, and if charging is not completed (NO in #165), it starts boosting the main capacitor C (#175) and returns to #10.

Next, the "Sl" routine will be explained using FIG.

When the switch S1 is turned on, if the voltage of the main capacitor C is increasing, the voltage increase is stopped (#180), and a battery check of the main power supply battery EB is performed (#185).
). As a result of the battery check, the main power battery EB is defective (
If the capacity is insufficient (NO in #190), a warning is displayed on the display 17, and the photographing operation is ended (#195). If the main power battery EB is good (YES in #190), C
“0” from PU100 to DC/DC converter 200
After the control signal DCON of "0" is sent and the driving of the DC/DC converter 200 is stopped (#200), the distance measurement section 104 performs distance measurement (#205), and the photometry section 105 performs photometry. It is carried out (#210). Then, it is determined whether the subject brightness is low based on the photometric data (#215>, and if it is low brightness (YES in #215).
S), it is further determined whether the flash mode is a non-emission mode (#225>. If the flash mode is a non-emission mode (YES in #225), #260
If the flash mode is light emitting mode (#
225: NO>, it is determined whether the main capacitor C has been fully charged to fire the flash 6 (
#230>, if charging is completed (YES in #230)
S), the boosting operation is stopped and the process moves to #260. #2
If charging is not completed at 30 (No at #230)
, the main capacitor C is boosted while determining whether or not the switches 5REC and SL are turned off (loop of #230 and #240 to #250).

Then, when charging is completed without switches 5REC and SL turning off (YES in #230)
, the boosting operation is stopped and the process moves to #260. On the other hand, if either the switch 5REC or SL turns off during this boosting period (NO in #245 or No in #250), the photographing preparation operation is stopped and the process returns to #10.

If the subject brightness is not low in #215 (No in #215), it is further determined whether the flash mode is the forced flash mode (#220), and if the flash mode is not the forced flash mode (#220) No), #26
0, and if it is forced flash mode (YE at #220)
S), moves to #230 and performs the above-mentioned boost operation (#230
．． A loop of #240 to #250> is performed.

In #260, it is determined whether the switch S2 is on, and if it is on, it is further determined whether the shooting mode is the selfie mode (#265>, and if the shooting mode is the selfie mode (# 265: YES), known self-photography control is performed (#267).If the shooting mode is not the selfie mode (#265: No), C
"10" from PU100 to DC/DC converter 200
A control signal DCON is sent out, and power is supplied from the DC/DC converter 200 to the imaging section 202 and camera section 203 (#270). As a result, the Wi image unit 202 and camera unit 203 are activated.

Subsequently, the process moves to the [ill exit routine] and exposure control is performed (#280).

Exposure control is performed according to the "exposure" routine shown in FIG. 24. First, it is determined whether the flag FIC is set to 1 (#281).
81: YES), the memory card 112 is selected as the recording medium (#282), and if it is FIC-0, the internal memory 311, 312 is selected as the recording medium (#282).
283), and exposure control 11 (imaging by CCD 101) is performed (#284). Then, the imaging signal is subjected to the above-described predetermined signal processing and then recorded on the selected recording medium (#285>, the frame number displayed on the display 17 is updated, and the process returns (#286).

Returning to FIG. 23, when the exposure control is completed, the CPU 100
A control signal DCON of "OO" is sent from the DC/DC converter 200 to the DC/DC converter 200.
0 is stopped (#290). Next, it is determined whether the shooting mode is continuous shooting mode (#310), and if the shooting mode is not continuous shooting mode (No in #3'10), the process returns to #10 and continuous shooting mode is selected. If so (YES in #310), the process returns to #185 to perform the next photographing.

If switch S2 is off in #260 (#260
(No), it is determined whether the shooting mode is continuous shooting mode (#295), and if the shooting mode is continuous shooting mode (#2
95: YES), returns to #10, and if it is not continuous shooting mode (#295: No), it is determined whether switches 5REC and SL change to the off state (#30
0. #305)-, when either switch 5Ry-c or Sl turns off (NO in #300 or No in #305), the shooting preparation operation is stopped and the process returns to #10, and either switch 5Ry-c or Sl is turned off. If it is also on (YES in #300 and #305), the process returns to #260.

Next, the "reproduction" routine will be explained using FIG. 25.

When entering the regeneration mode, first, if the main capacitor C is being boosted, the boost is stopped (#4OO), the flags FIC and FRBN are reset to O, and the routine shifts to the SMAIN routine (#405). Flag FRBN is a flag indicating whether or not the ink ribbon is in a printable state. FRBN-〇 indicates printable status, and F
If RBN-1, it indicates a non-printing state, that is, the end of winding.

In the SMIN routine, switch 5REP or 5PRI
It is determined whether or not it is on (#410), and both are off (TV playback and printout prohibited).
If so (NO in #410), return to #10, and if any switch is on (YES in #410)
), and it is further determined whether the switch 5CARD is on (#415). If the switch 5CARD is in the off state (memory card 112 not installed) (NO in #415>, the flag FIC is reset to O, and the process moves to #450 (#420). In #415, the switch 5CARD is turned off.
If it is on (YES in #415), it is further determined whether switch 5CARD has been switched from OFF to ON (#425), and if it has been switched from OFF to ON (YES in #425). , flag FI'C
is reset to O (#430) and switch 5CAR
If D continues to be on (N in #425)
o>, jump to #435. Flag F in #435
The IC is determined and if it is FIC-1 (No in #435)
>, move to #450, and if FIC-〇 (#435
YES), and the corresponding flag FIG is set to 1 (#44
0), and after the management information of the recorded data is read out from the memory card 112 to the CPU 100 (#445), #
450. At #450, it is determined whether there is a recorded image, and if there is no recorded image (No at #450), "No recorded image" is displayed on the display 17, and the process returns to #410.

If there is a recorded image in #450 (YES in #450),
It is determined whether the switch Sfp' or 5DOWN is on (#46 "d"), and if both are off (No in #460), the process moves to #485 and either switch is on. If so (YES in #460), it is further determined whether the switch has been switched from OFF to ON (#465).
If DOWN has not been switched from OFF to ON (No in #465), the process moves to #485 and the switch Su
If p or S'DOWN has been switched from OFF to ON (YES in #465), it is determined which switch has been turned on (#470), and switch Sup
If 2 is turned on (YES in #470), the next recorded image is accessed (#475) and the switch 5DOW is activated.
If N is turned on (NO in #470), the previous recorded image is accessed (#475), and the process returns to #410.

In #485, it is determined whether the switch SMAL is on (#485), and if the switch SMAL is on (YE-8 in #485>, "Multiple display"' is lit on the display 17 (#485). #490), 'Switch SMA
If L is off (N-0 in #485), indicator 1
7 is turned off (#495), and then the frame number is displayed on the display 17 (#500). continue,
It is determined whether switch 5PRO is on (
#505), if the switch 5PRO is on (#505),
505: YES), after the recorded image is protected (#510), proceed to #515, and switch 5PRO
If it is off (NO in #505), jump to #515. In #515, it is determined whether the switch 5REP is on, and if the switch 5REP is on (YES in #515), TV playback processing of the recorded image is performed (#520), and the switch 5REP is in the off state. If so (No in #515), the recorded image is printed out (#525), and then the process returns to #410.

Next, the "print" routine will be explained using FIGS. 26 (Δ), (B), (C), and (D).

When entering print mode, it is first determined whether the ink ribbon 416 is set (#530), and if the ink ribbon 416 is not set (#530).
(NO), it is determined to be the 11m thermal mode, that mode is stored (#535), and the process moves to #600.

If the ink ribbon 416 is set (#530T
``YES), and ribbon cue sensors A417 and B
418, it is determined whether black is detected (#5
40), both cylinder head position sensors A417. If black is not detected in B418 (YES in #540), it is determined that the mode is hand scan mode, and printing processing by hand scan, which will be described later, is performed. #540 is both cylinder head position sensor A417. If black is not detected by B418 (
#540t'NO), it is determined whether the 7-lag FRBN is set to ONIJ (#545), and the FR
If BN=1 (No in #545), it is determined that winding of the ink ribbon 416 has been completed, the process moves to #580, and the winding operation of the ink ribbon 416 is stopped. F at #545
If RBN-0 (YES in #545), it is determined that the ink ribbon 416 has a remaining amount, and the DC servo motor 42
0 in the j direction (see FIG. 8), winding of the ink ribbon 416, that is, cueing is started (#
550). Next, it is determined whether the black marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A417 (#555).
), if the black marker m is not detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A417 (No in #555), it is further determined whether the black marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor B418 (#565), and the i cue is performed. If the black marker m is not detected only by sensor B418 (No' in #565),
That is, if the black marker m is not detected by any of the ribbon cue sensors A417 and B418, a timer (not shown) detects the black marker m for a predetermined period of time (#555° #565. loop of #585), the DC servo motor 420 is stopped and the lint removal of the ink ribbon 416 is stopped (#590), and the display 1
7, an error is displayed (#595). On the other hand, if the black marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor A417 (YES in #555), it is determined that the melting type mode is selected, that mode is stored (#560), and the black marker m is detected only by the ribbon cue sensor B418. If m is detected (YES in #565), the sublimation mode is determined, the mode is stored (#570), and the process moves to #575. At #575, the flag FRBN is set to 1 (#575), and then the winding operation of the ink ribbon 416 is stopped and cueing is completed (#580). Next, it is determined whether switch S2 is turned on (#600), and switch S2 is turned on.
If the switch S2 is off (No in #600), the process returns to #410, and if the switch S2 is on (YES in #600), the recording paper detection sensor A414. The type of recording paper pa is detected by B415. That is, it is determined whether the black marker M is detected by the recording paper detection sensor A414 or B415 (#605), and if the black marker M is not detected by either sensor A414 or B415 (No in #605), Return to #410. If the black marker M is detected by the recording paper detection sensor A411B415 (YES in #605), it is further determined whether the black marker M is detected only by the recording paper detection sensor A414 (#610), and the recording paper is detected. If the black marker M is detected only by the sensor A414 (YES in #610), it is further determined whether the printing mode is the sublimation mode (#615). If the printing mode is sublimation mode (YES in #615), the process moves to #650, and if the printing mode is not sublimation mode (NO in #615).
O) Since the ink ribbon 416 and the recording paper Pa do not match, a media mismatch error is displayed on the display 17 (#635). Then, the media mismatch error display is performed until black is detected by the image recording paper detection sensor A414°8415, that is, until the mismatched recording paper Pa is removed.
#635. #640 loop), and when the recording paper pa is removed, the mismatch error display is turned off (
#645), return to #410.

If the black marker M is not detected only by the recording paper detection sensor A414 in #610 (No in #610), it is further determined whether the black marker M is detected only by the recording paper detection sensor B415 (#620). , recording paper detection sensor B
If black marker M is detected only in 415 (Y in #620)
ES), it is further determined whether the print mode is the gradation thermal mode (#620). If the printing mode is the gradation thermal mode (YES in #625), the process moves to #650, and if the printing mode is not the gradation thermal mode (#625)
(NO), the process moves to #635 to #645, and the above-mentioned mismatch error display is performed.

If the black marker M is not detected by only the recording paper detection sensor B415 in #620, that is, if the black marker M is not detected by any of the recording paper detection sensors A414 and 8415 (NO in #620). , it is further determined whether the printing mode is the melting type mode (
#630).

If the printing mode is melting type mode (YES in #630)
), the process moves to #650, and if the printing mode is not the melting type mode (No in #630), the process moves to #635 to #645, and the above-mentioned mismatch error display is performed.

At #650, a battery check of the main power battery E8 is performed, and if the main power battery EB is defective (insufficient capacity) (#6
55: No), a warning is displayed on the display 17, and the operation is ended (#660). As a result of the battery check, if the main power battery EB is good (YES in #655), the recording paper Pa is conveyed by a predetermined amount in the insertion direction (direction shown in Figure 7) by the DC servo motor 420 (#665). . Next, it is determined whether the printing mode is the gradation thermal mode (#670), and if the printing mode is not the gradation thermal mode (No in #670), the number of times of printing is 3 on the color counter.
is set (#675), and if the print mode is the gradation thermal mode (YES in #670), the number of prints is set to 1 in the color counter (#680), and then the thermal head 410 prints the image via the ink ribbon 416. and is pressed against the recording paper Pa (#685). Next, set the print start position. The DC servo motor 420 transports the recording paper pa to the recording paper insertion side 021 by a predetermined amount (#690), and further sets the total number of lines for one screen (for example, 768 lines). (#695). Next, CPLI 100 to D
A control signal DCON of "11" is sent to the C/'DC converter 200, and the DC/DC converter 200
Power is supplied from the printer unit 111 and camera unit 203 (#700). As a result, the printer section 111 and camera section 203 are activated. Next, printing one line of yellow and feeding the recording paper pa toward the recording paper insertion 021 side are repeated alternately (#705.5710
loop), when printing for 100 pages is completed (YES in #710), the DC/DC converter 20 is sent from the CPU 100.
A control signal Dcopi of “00” is sent to the DC
/The driving of the DC converter 200 is stopped (#715
). Subsequently, the color counter value is decremented by 1 (#720), and it is determined whether the color counter value is O (#725). If the color counter value is not O (NO in #725), the thermal head 4
10 is switched to the rest position (#730), the recording paper Pa is again conveyed by a predetermined amount (run-up amount + total number of lines of one screen) in the insertion direction (direction shown in FIG. 7) (#735),
For $685 to #725, one screen worth of printing is performed for the next color.

Then, printing for one screen each for magenta and cyan is completed, and the color counter value reaches O in #725.
When it does (YES at #725), printing is complete, so
The recording paper pa is ejected to the recording paper insertion slot 21 side (#740
), after the thermal head 410 is switched to the rest position (#730), the flag FRBN is reset to O and #
Return to 410 (#750).

If black is detected by both ribbon cue sensors A417 and B418 in #540 (YES in #540), it is determined that the mode is hand scan mode, and that mode is stored (#755). Next, it is determined whether switch S2 is turned on (#760), and if switch S2 is off (9760rNO), it turns to #410'), and if switch S2 is on (#760). YE
S), a battery check of the main power supply battery EB is performed (
#765). As a result of battery check, main power battery EB
If it is defective (insufficient capacity) (No in #770), a warning will be displayed on the display 17 and the operation will end (#775).
. On the other hand, if the main power battery EB is in good condition (Y in #770)
ES), when the nip roller 412 starts rotating due to the detection signal of the rotation detection sensor 413 (YES in #780)
), the thermal head 410 is pressed against the recording paper Pa (
#785). Next, enter the total number of lines on one screen (for example, 76
8 line) is set (#790), CPU10
A control signal DCON of "11" is sent from 0 to the DC/DC converter 200, and the DC/DC converter 200
Power is supplied from the printer unit 111 and camera unit 203 (#795). Next, in synchronization with the rotational speed of the nip roller 412, that is, in synchronization with the paper feeding speed of the recording paper Pa toward the recording paper insertion slot 21 side with respect to the thermal head 410, one line of printing and the paper of the recording paper Pa are performed. feeding is repeated alternately (#800, #805, #810
loop), one screen worth of printing is performed. Then, when printing for one screen is completed (YES in #805), the CPU
A control signal DCON of "00" is sent from 100 to the DC/DC converter 200, and the DC/DC converter 2
Driving of 00 is stopped (#815). Subsequently, after the thermal head 410 is switched to the rest position (#820
), return to #410.

Now, FIG. 27 shows a second embodiment of a camera with a built-in printer according to the present invention. The same members as in FIG. 3 are given the same numbers. In this embodiment, a step is provided at the connection between the camera body 1 and the printer case 2 on the subject side, and a recording paper insertion guide 21a is provided on the side surface of the camera body 1 forming the step. This recording paper insertion guide 21a allows the cut sheet type recording paper pa to be easily and accurately inserted into the printer head 100, thereby further improving printout operability. In the above embodiment, the recording paper insertion slot 21 is provided on the front surface of the camera (the surface facing the subject), but it may be provided on the rear surface.

By the way, in a camera with a built-in printer, the printer section 111
The CCD 101 and the like of the imaging unit 202 are adversely affected by the heat generated by the printing operation.

Therefore, the printer section 111 and the imaging section 202 are arranged in the camera body 1 apart from each other, and the printer section 111
It is desirable to prevent the heat generated from the imaging unit 202 from having an adverse effect on the imaging unit 202. Printer section 1 that takes this into consideration
11. The arrangement relationship between the mounting section of the memory card 112 and the imaging section 202 is shown in FIGS. 28 to 30.

In each of the three types of arrangement relationships shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, the printer section 111 is disposed on one side surface in the longitudinal direction of the camera body 1, and the imaging section 202 is disposed on the other side surface. The printer section 111 and the imaging section 2021II are provided with a mounting section for the memory card 112, and the only difference is the placement position of the imaging lens 3. This arrangement allows effective use of space and prevents heat generated from the printer section 111 from adversely affecting the imaging section 202.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printer section 11 is provided in the camera body 1.
1 is built-in, but as cameras become more multi-functional, each part may be made into a unit and the units of each part may be combined according to the purpose of use. This figure shows an example of a case where the Figure 31 shows the imaging system including the imaging lens 3, the finder, the flash 6, and the main power battery E.
This is a camera unit 22 composed of a memory card 112 and a memory card 112. An electrical and mechanical connection portion 22a with other units is provided on the side surface of the unit. Also, Fig. 32 shows a TV that processes recorded images for signal processing for TV playback.
The reproduction unit 23 is shown in FIG. 33, which performs signal processing on a recorded image for monitor reproduction, and displays the reproduction signal on a display unit 2 such as an LCD.
4a shows a monitor unit 24 for displaying images, and FIG. 34 shows a printer section unit 25 which has a printer inside and prints out recorded images on recording paper.

The TV playback unit 23, monitor unit 24, and printer unit 25 are also provided with electrical and mechanical connections similar to those of the camera unit 22, so that these units can be connected to each other.

35 to 37 show that the camera unit 22 is connected to the TV above.
The reproduction unit 23, the monitor unit 24, and the printer unit 25 are shown connected.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a state in which a monitor unit 24 and a printer unit 25 are connected to the camera unit 22. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 38, the printer section unit 22 may be connected and the monitor unit 24 may be further connected to the printer section unit 22, or the camera section unit 22 may be connected to the monitor unit 24.
A monitor unit 24 and a printer unit 2 are installed on both sides of the
5 may be connected. Furthermore, the TV playback unit 23 and the printer unit 25 can also be connected to the camera unit 22 using a similar method.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 38, when only printing a recorded image, it is preferable that the image signal from the camera section unit 22 is directly guided to the printer section unit 25. Taking this into consideration, for example, the image signal from the camera unit 22 may be transferred into the monitor unit 24.
A signal line leading directly to the camera unit 22 and a through line leading directly to the printer unit 25 are provided.
The monitor unit 24 is controlled by the control signal from F'U100.
It is preferable to control switching between the signal line and the through line within. Alternatively, when the operation switch of the printer section unit 25 is turned on, the signal line may be controlled to be switched to a through line.

In this embodiment, a memory card for recording digital data is used as the external recording medium, but it may also be a floppy disk for recording analog data, an optical disk, or an optical card.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the ink ribbon is @
In a camera with a built-in removable printer, the feeding operation of the recording paper on which images are recorded can be switched depending on the presence or absence of an ink ribbon and the type of ink ribbon, so printing can be performed depending on whether an ink ribbon is needed or the type of ink ribbon. The recording paper feeding operation can be suitably switched depending on the difference in the printing method, and suitable printing can be easily and easily performed in each printing method.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera with a built-in printer according to the present invention, FIG. Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of the camera with a built-in printer according to the present invention, Figure 4 (A), B) is a detailed block diagram of the signal processing section, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printer section, FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the printer section, FIG. 7' is a sectional view taken along the line Vl--Vl in FIG. The figure is ■- in Figure 6.
■A line cross-sectional view, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ink ribbon for sublimation, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ink ribbon for melting, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a marker on a recording paper for sublimation, 12
The figure shows an example of a marker for gradation thermal recording paper, No. 13.
The figure shows an ink ribbon for hand scan type, FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a printer section for cut sheet type recording paper, FIG. 15 shows the configuration of a hand scan type printer section, and FIG. 16 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer unit for roll type gradation thermal recording paper,
18 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of the thermal head, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an input timing chart of print data in melting type or hand scan mode, and FIG. Figure 20 is a diagram showing the input timing chart of print data in sublimation type or gradation thermal mode, Figure 21 is a time chart showing divided driving of the thermal head, and Figures 22 (A>, (B) explain camera operation). The main flowchart, Figure 23, is for r
The flowchart of the s+J subroutine, FIG.
25 is a flowchart of the ``i output'' subroutine, and FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the ``playback j subroutine''(A>,
(B). (C) and <D> are flowcharts of the "print" subroutine, FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the camera with a built-in printer according to the present invention, and FIGS. 28 to 30 are a memory card insertion slot, Arrangement of imaging section and printer section! ! Figure 31 is a perspective view showing the camera unit;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the TV replay unit, Figure 33 is a perspective view of the monitor unit, Figure 34 is a perspective view of the printer unit, and Figure 35 shows the camera unit and printer unit connected. Perspective view showing the state, No. 36
The figure is a perspective view showing the state in which the camera unit and the monitor unit are connected, and Figure 37 is a perspective view showing the camera unit and the TVV.
FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera unit, monitor unit, and printer unit are connected. 1...Camera body, 2...Printer case, 3...
・Photographing lens, 4... Finder window, 5... AF emitter, 6... Flash, 7... Release, 7.'
Print start button, 8...Mode selection switch, 9
...Protect switch, 10...Multi switch, 11...Flash emission mode selection switch, 12
... Date setting switch, 13... Shooting mode selection switch, 14°15... Access button, 16...
・Macro/binarization mode changeover switch, 17...Display unit, ]8...Memory card insertion slot, 19...TV specific output terminal 20...Tongue release button, 21...Recording paper Insertion slot, 21a... Recording paper insertion guide, 22... Connection section, 23... TVV raw unit, 24... Monitor unit, 24a... Display section, 25... Printer section unit, 100 ...CPU (system controller), 101...solid-state image sensor (CCD), 102...
- Signal processing unit, 103... Lens drive unit, 104...
- Distance measurement section, 105... Photometry section, 106... Exposure control section, 107... Display section, 108... Flash section,
109... N source section, 110... BC (battery check) circuit, 111... Printer section, 112... Memory card, 200... DC/DC converter, 20
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Regulator, 202... Image carrying part, 203...
...Camera section, 204...Internal memory, 301...
COD driver, 302...CCD-TG, 303.
・・CDS, 304...GC (gain controller)
, 305...A/D converter, 306...WB processing circuit, 307...γ correction circuit, 308...process circuit, 309...matrix circuit, 310...address generation circuit, 311, 312...Memory, 313
...Data selector and compression/expansion section, 314...
Inter7z-space (card I/F), 315-TVV power signal processing circuit, 316.317...D/A converter, 318...Resonator, 319...Multi playback controller, 320...・Multi video memory, 32
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Data conversion circuit for printer, 400... Thermal head control circuit, 401... Solenoid/motor drive circuit, 402... Sensor input circuit, 403...
Thermal head block, 404... Vapor feed block, 405... Ink ribbon feed block, 410... Thermal head, 411... Lennoid for thermal head pressure contact, 412... Nip roller, 413... Rotation detection sensor, A414°B415
...Recording paper detection sensor, 416...Ink ribbon, 416 a...Transparent part, A417.8418...
・Ribbon cue sensor, 419... Ribbon set detection sensor, 420... DC servo motor, 421...
-Platen roller, 422, 423, 424. A. B, C, D, E... Gear, 425... Grip roller, 426... Storage case, 427... Plunger, 428... Lever, 429... Shaft, 430...
Fulcrum, 431... Supply roller, 432... Take-up roller, 433... Slip clutch, 434... Slit plate, 500... Output control unit, 501, 502... Shift register, 503... ...Latch circuit, 504...
Head driver, 505... Heat generating section, 506... Thermistor, 507... Inverter, EB... Main power battery, Sl, S2. 5OFF, 5REC, 5REP, 5PRI・SUP, 5
DOWN, 5PRO, SMAC・Sytowo, 5CA
RD, SFL, 5ADJ. 5M0DE...Switch, m9M...Marker, Pa
···Recording paper. Figure 8 Figure 16 Figure 26 (C) Figure 26 (D) Figure 27

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a camera with a built-in printer to which an ink ribbon is detachable, a feeding means for feeding a recording paper on which an image taken by the camera is recorded, and a detector for detecting the presence or absence of the ink ribbon. A camera with a built-in printer, comprising: a means for controlling a feeding operation of the feeding means in accordance with a detection output from the detecting means; 2. In a camera with a built-in printer having a removable ink ribbon, a feeding means for feeding a recording paper on which an image photographed by the camera is recorded, a discriminating means for discriminating the type of the ink ribbon, and the discriminating means A camera with a built-in printer, comprising a feeding operation switching control means for switching the feeding operation of the feeding means according to the determination result.