JPH1065880A - Printer with scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a printer that drives a carrier in the main scanning direction so as to conduct printing to execute reading of an original and its print processing simultaneously while the carrier is driven. SOLUTION: In the printer where a carrier with a print head mounted thereon is driven in the main scanning direction and recording paper 27 is carried in the subscanning direction opposite to the print head to print out data on the recording paper 27, a scanner to read an image of an original 24 is mounted to a side of the carrier opposite to the print head mount side, and an original carrying means carrying the original 24 opposite to the scanner is provided separately from the recording paper carrying means carrying the recording paper 27, and the read processing of the original image by the scanner is conducted simultaneously in precedence over the print processing by the print head for each scanning of the carrier by deviating a read range X of the original by a prescribed distance in the scanning direction of the carrier from a print range Y of the recording paper 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer with a scanner provided with a scanner for reading a document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer of this kind, for example, a scanner for reading a document and a thermal head for outputting information are integrally formed, and a device for simultaneously writing information read from a document on recording paper. Is disclosed in JP-A-1-17545.
No. 9 discloses this.

In this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 9, a carrier 3 is disposed so as to reciprocate in one direction along a glass plate 2 on which a document 1 is placed. A scanner 4 having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor 4a for reading information on the original 1 is provided on the side opposite to the printer 1, and a printer unit 5 having a thermal line head 5a is provided on the carrier 3 at a position facing the scanner 4. It is composed.

The scanner 4 includes a light source 4b for irradiating the original 1 with light, and a CCD line sensor 4a for reading reflected light from the original 1 through an image forming element or the like. On the other hand, the printer unit 5 includes a thermal line head 5a, a roller mechanism 7 for pressing the recording paper 6 so as to be able to contact and separate from the output surface of the thermal line head 5a, and a tension mechanism between the thermal line head 5a and the recording paper 6. Ink ribbon 8 is provided.

[0005] At one end of the carrier 3, a transport roller 9 for transporting the recording paper 6 for printing to a position facing the thermal line head 5a and collecting the recording paper 6 on which printing has been completed is provided. . A carrier motor 11 for reciprocating the carrier 3 is provided on the other end side of the carrier 3.

In such an apparatus, when the information described on the original 1 is recorded on the recording paper 6, first, the transport roller 9 is controlled to rotate forward while the original 1 is placed on the glass plate 2. Thus, the recording paper 6 is conveyed to a position facing the thermal line head 5a. Then, the information of the original 1 is read, and the image data is transmitted as it is to the thermal line head 5a as print dot data, and is printed out at a position of the recording paper 6 opposite to the position where the original 1 is read. This operation is repeated for each line, and when printing is completed, the conveying roller 9 is controlled to be inverted, and the recording paper 6 is collected and discharged out of the apparatus. In this way, the recording paper 6
Can be printed.

[0007]

Incidentally, in addition to a printer having a line head for outputting one line at a time as in the above-described apparatus, the printer is configured to run the carrier in the main scanning direction and to transfer the recording paper to the sub-scanner. 2. Description of the Related Art There is a printer that prints by transporting in a scanning direction. In some cases, such a printer may be provided with a function of simultaneously recording information described in a document on recording paper.

However, various problems can be considered if the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-175459 is applied to such a printer as it is. That is, when characters are read from a document by a scanner, it is necessary to perform predetermined data processing on pixel data read by the CCD sensor to convert the data into print data, and then transfer this to the print head to perform print output. . Therefore, it takes time to perform data processing on pixel data. In particular, C
In the case where the pixel data read by the CD sensor is recognized as characters and converted into code data, which is further converted into print dot data to perform print output, it takes a very long time.

However, in a printer in which the carrier travels in the main scanning direction, the carrier travels in the main scanning direction both when reading the original and when printing on recording paper. The carrier also travels, and when the print dot data of the read information is transferred to the print head, the carrier advances considerably and the position of printing on the recording paper is shifted. In this,
There is a problem that an accurate printing process cannot be performed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a printer with a scanner capable of simultaneously executing reading of a document and printing of the document while the carrier is traveling in a printer that performs printing by moving the carrier in the main scanning direction, and has a high printing position accuracy. Things.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a carrier on which a print head is mounted travels in a main scanning direction, and a recording paper is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction in opposition to the print head to print on the recording paper. In the printer, the scanner mounted on the carrier opposite to the side where the print head is mounted and reads the original image, and the recording paper transporting means for transporting the recording paper are provided separately from the recording paper transporting position of the recording paper transporting means. Document transport means for transporting a document facing the scanner at a predetermined distance in a direction opposite to a traveling direction during a carrier reading process and a printing process, and print data processed based on image data read from the document. Data storage means for temporarily storing data, and a data storage means for a print head for reading a document image by a scanner for each traveling of the carrier. It is performed prior to the printing process based on al print data.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when the reading process of the document image and the process of printing the read image on the recording paper are performed at the same time, the transport position of the document and the transport position of the recording paper are set to the carrier position. Since the carrier is displaced by a predetermined distance in the traveling direction, if the carrier is moved, first the reading position of the scanner enters the reading range of the document, reading by the scanner is started, and after the carrier travels for a predetermined distance therefrom, The output position of the print head enters the print range of the recording paper, and the read document image is printed. Thus, the reading by the scanner precedes the writing by the print head, so that a time for converting the data of the original image from the scanner into the data for print output can be secured.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a carrier 21 according to the present embodiment. The carrier 21 is disposed inside the printer so as to be able to travel in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow). The carrier 21 has a document reading surface 22 at the front thereof.
The scanner unit 22 is provided with a facing forward, and the printer unit 23 is provided behind the scanner unit with the print output surface of the print head facing rearward, and these are integrally configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, a document transport mechanism 25 as a document transport means for transporting the document 24 obliquely downward in the sub-scanning direction is provided in front of the scanner section 22. The document reading surface 22a of the scanner unit 22 is obliquely inclined along the document conveyed by the document conveying mechanism 25.

The scanner unit 22 houses components (not shown) such as a light source for irradiating light toward the original document and a CCD sensor for reading reflected light from the original document via a condenser lens. It is configured. Light from the light source is applied to the document via a reading window 22b provided on the document reading surface 22a.
The reflected light from the document enters b.

Behind the printer section 23, there is provided a platen 26 as recording paper conveying means, and the carrier 21 runs along the platen 26. This platen 2
With the rotation of 6, the recording paper 27 is conveyed in the direction shown in FIG. Further, the printer unit 23 includes:
A print head 23a is provided at the rear end, and the ink ribbon cassette 23b can be placed on the carrier 21 so that the ink ribbon is positioned between the print head 23a and the platen 26.

Recording paper 27 conveyed by the platen 26
The position of the original 24 in the main scanning direction is larger than the position of the original 24 conveyed by the original conveying mechanism 25 as shown in FIG.
The sheet is conveyed in a state shifted by a predetermined distance Z in the carrier traveling direction. This predetermined distance Z is equal to carrier 2
1 is determined based on the relationship between the traveling speed of the image data 1 and the minimum time for data processing of image data. This is so that the image data from the document 24 can be converted into image data that can be printed out while the carrier 21 is traveling the predetermined distance Z.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier 21 travels widely from one end of the document 24 to the other end of the recording paper 27 in the main scanning direction.
Of the one travel range, the read range X of the document 24 and the print range Y on the recording paper are set in a state where they are shifted in the traveling direction of the carrier 21 in advance. Note that the image reading process and the printing process are performed only when the carrier 21 travels in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, and after one run, the carrier 21 travels in the direction opposite to the illustrated arrow and returns to the original position. I have.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 31 denotes an M which constitutes a control unit of the printer main body.
It is a PU (Micro Processor Unit). The MPU 31 has a built-in main CPU (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 31 a storing program data, and image data (print data) of a document read by the scanner unit 22.
A RAM (random access memory) 31b is provided as a data storage unit provided with a memory for temporarily storing the converted data and a memory used for other data processing.

The MPU 31 has a data bus,
A bus line such as a control bus and an address bus is connected to the bus line, and a scanner unit control circuit 32 for controlling the scanner unit 22, a printer unit control circuit 33 for controlling the printer unit 23, and a host computer 34 communicate with the bus line. An interface 35 connected via a line is connected. Each of the scanner unit control circuit 32 and the printer unit control circuit 33 includes a sub CPU, an internal ROM, an internal RAM, and the like.

The scanner control circuit 32 transmits data from the CCD sensor 36 to the MPU 31. Further, data from the MPU 31 is supplied to the print head 23a. MPU31 above
Drive control of a carrier motor 38 for driving the carrier 21, a document conveyance motor 39 for driving the conveyance rollers and the like of the document conveyance mechanism 25, and a recording paper conveyance motor 41 for driving the platen 26 via a driver circuit 37. It is supposed to. Each time the carrier 21 travels, the driver circuit 37 generates a carrier drive detection signal before the carrier 21 travels. The detection signal is supplied to the scanner control circuit 32 and the printer control circuit 33.

The MPU 31 performs carrier traveling control and sheet transport control as shown in FIG. That is, first, the MPU 31 performs an initial setting in ST (step) 1. For example, settings such as clearing a memory such as a RAM and setting various parameters to initial values are performed. Subsequently, in ST2, the original 24 and the recording paper 2
7 is performed. That is, the MPU 31 controls the document feed motor 39 via the driver circuit 37 to
4 is conveyed to the position facing the document reading surface 22a of the scanner unit 22. At this time, the MPU 31 drives the recording paper transport motor 41 via the driver circuit 37 to drive the platen 26, and sucks the recording paper 27. Next, ST3
Controls the carrier motor 38 via the driver circuit 37 to drive the carrier 21. At this time, a carrier drive detection signal is generated from the driver circuit 37.

Then, in ST4, it is determined whether or not the processing for one page has been completed. At this time, if it is determined that the processing for one page has not been completed, the document 2
4 and the recording paper 27 are fed together, and the process returns to ST3. If it is determined in ST4 that the processing for one page has been completed, the original transport motor 39 and the recording paper transport motor 41 are driven via the driver circuit 37 in ST6 to remove the original 24 and the recording paper 27. The sheet is discharged and the carrier traveling control and the sheet conveyance control are ended.

FIG. 6 shows image reading control performed by the sub CPU of the scanner section control circuit 32. The sub CPU performs the processing of the carrier 2 in the process of ST3 in the MPU 31 shown in FIG.
This image reading control is performed each time a carrier drive detection signal generated from the driver circuit 37 is supplied to the scanner section control circuit 32 when the vehicle travels on the vehicle 1. Specifically, first, in ST11, it is determined whether or not the carrier is driven. That is, it is determined whether or not the carrier drive detection signal from the driver circuit 37 is supplied to the scanner control circuit 32.

If it is determined in ST11 that the carrier 21 has been driven, it is determined in ST12 whether or not the position of the carrier 21 is within a predetermined reading range X. If it is determined that the position of the carrier 21 is not in the predetermined reading range X, the image reading control is terminated, and if it is determined that the position of the carrier 21 is in the predetermined reading range X, the process proceeds to ST13. To read the image of the original 24. That is, the original 24 is irradiated with light and the reflected light
Read with a CD sensor.

Subsequently, in ST14, the image data read by the CCD is stored in the internal RAM. In ST15, the image data in the internal RAM is expanded into image data, and in ST16, the image data is stored in the RAM
Transfer to ST 31b and return to the process of ST11.

FIG. 7 shows the print control performed by the sub CPU of the printer control circuit 33. The sub CPU performs this printing control each time a carrier drive detection signal generated from the driver circuit 37 is supplied to the printer unit control circuit 33 when traveling on the carrier 21 in the process of ST3 in the MPU 31 shown in FIG. Has become. Specifically, first, it is determined in ST21 whether or not the carrier is driven.
That is, it is determined whether the carrier drive detection signal from the driver circuit 37 has been supplied to the printer control circuit 33.

At this time, if it is determined that the carrier 21 has been driven, it is determined in ST22 whether or not the position of the carrier 21 is within a predetermined printing range Y. If it is determined that the position of the carrier 21 is not in the predetermined printing range Y, the printing control is terminated, and if it is determined that the position of the carrier 21 is in the predetermined printing range Y,
In ST23, the image data that is the read image stored in the RAM 31b of the MPU 31 is read. And ST
The printing process is performed by supplying the image data to the print head 23a at 24. When the printing process is completed, the process proceeds to ST21.

In the present embodiment having such a configuration, when the reading process from the original 24 and the printing process on the recording paper 27 are simultaneously performed, the original 24 and the recording paper 27 are first sucked and conveyed to a predetermined position. The carrier 21 is caused to travel. At this time, the carrier 21 first enters the reading range X of the document 24, and reading of the document 24 is started. Then, the image data from the original 24 is developed into image data one after another and transferred to the RAM 31b of the MPU 31. Thereafter, the carrier 21 is shifted by a predetermined distance Z and the recording paper 27 is shifted.
The printing range Y is entered. Then, the RAM 31 of the MPU 31
The image data is sequentially read from b and transferred to the print head, and the printing process on the recording paper is performed.

As described above, since the transport position of the recording paper 27 in the main scanning direction is shifted from the transport position of the document 24 in the main scanning direction by a predetermined distance Z in the carrier traveling direction, the recording paper 27 is transported.
As shown in FIG. 8, the printing process on the recording paper 27
Is delayed from the reading process by a predetermined distance Z. As a result, the data processing of the image data obtained by reading the document 24 within the delay time can be sufficiently performed.

Therefore, even in a printer which performs printing by moving the carrier 21 in the main scanning direction, the reading of the original 24 and the reading of the original 24 are performed with a simple configuration in which the transport position of the recording paper 27 in the main scanning direction is shifted from the transport position of the original. The printing process can be performed simultaneously with the printing position accuracy while the carrier is traveling, and the copying time can be reduced.

Further, a memory for temporarily storing image data only needs to be one unit of the minimum data processing.
This makes it possible to save memory when printing a read image in a printer that performs printing by moving the carrier 21 in the main scanning direction.

[0032]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a printer which performs printing by moving a carrier in the main scanning direction, reading of a document and its printing process can be executed simultaneously while the carrier is running, and the printing position can be improved. It is possible to provide a highly accurate printer with a scanner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view as seen from a direction of an arrow A shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a transport position between a document and a recording sheet according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing sheet conveyance control and carrier traveling control of the MPU shown in FIG. 4;

6 is a flowchart showing image reading control performed by a sub CPU of the scanner unit control circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing print control performed by a sub CPU of the printer unit control circuit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a temporal relationship between image reading control and printing control in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional printer with a scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Carrier 22 ... Scanner part 23 ... Printing part 25 ... Document conveyance mechanism (document conveyance means) 26 ... Platen (recording paper conveyance means) 31 ... MPU 31b ... RAM 32 ... Scanner part control circuit 33 ... Printer part control circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printer for printing on a recording paper by running a carrier carrying a print head in a main scanning direction and conveying a recording paper in a sub-scanning direction so as to face the print head. A scanner mounted on the side opposite to the side on which the print head is mounted and for reading an original image, and a recording paper transporting means for transporting the recording paper are provided separately from the recording paper transporting position of the recording paper transporting means. Document transport means for transporting the document facing the scanner at a predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the traveling direction during the reading process and the printing process, and print data processed based on image data read from the document And a data storage means for temporarily storing a document image read by the scanner every time the carrier travels. A printing process based on print data from the data storage means by the printer.