JP3314737B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly, to a printer capable of performing printing by setting printing conditions by itself.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, printing conditions such as paper size and printing quality of a printer for printing electronic data are set by a personal computer connected to the printer, and cannot be set by the printer alone.

In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, printers capable of reading a recording medium, such as a memory card, on which images are recorded by the digital camera, projecting the images on a television screen, and printing on paper, have been supplied to the market. Have been. According to such a printer, it is possible to set printing conditions on a television screen for an image recorded by a digital camera.

Further, there is provided a printer having a touch panel combined with a liquid crystal display device, capable of reading a recording medium such as a memory card on which images are recorded by a digital camera, projecting a plurality of images as indexes on the touch panel, and printing. Supplied to the market.
According to such a printer, an image to be printed can be designated and printed by the printer alone.

[0005]

However, in a printer in which printing conditions cannot be set without connecting to a personal computer, an image recorded by a digital camera or the like is printed on paper for a user who is not accustomed to handling the personal computer. There was a problem that it was difficult.

Further, according to a printer which projects a recorded image on a television screen and sets printing conditions, the printing conditions cannot be set unless the TV is connected to the printer. There was a problem that it took time.

Further, in a printer having a touch panel and designating an image to be printed by the printer alone, printing conditions are set in advance, and a function for variously combining paper sizes and printing quality is not provided. Was. For this reason, when printing an image recorded by a digital camera, there is a problem that the finish of the printed matter is substantially uniform and it is not possible to select an arbitrary size, image quality, or layout and print.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a printer which can set printing conditions by itself and print an image recorded by a digital camera or the like. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which allows a user unfamiliar with handling a personal computer to easily print an image recorded by a digital camera or the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which does not require much trouble to print an image recorded by a digital camera or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which is easy to operate.

[0012]

According to the printer of the present invention, image data to be printed is converted into an image data .
A data acquisition unit that acquires data from a recording medium in which the data is recorded as electronic data, a display unit that displays options regarding printing conditions for printing image data, and an input unit that determines one of the options as a print setting. A control unit that controls the printing unit and the transport unit based on the determined print settings for the image data to be printed obtained from the data obtaining unit, and the display unit has a default setting for the image data.
When a recording medium on which data is recorded as electronic data is inserted into the data acquisition unit, the total number of image data to be printed recorded on the recording medium is indicated by a number,
The printing conditions of the image data recorded on the recording medium can be set and printed by the printer alone. For this reason, it is possible to provide a printer that does not require much trouble to print the recorded image data, and a user unfamiliar with handling a personal computer can easily print the image data recorded on the recording medium. In addition, the display unit defaults to storing image data as electronic data.
When the recorded recording medium is inserted into the data acquisition unit, the total number of images recorded on the recording medium by a digital camera or the like is checked in order to display the total number of image data to be printed recorded on the recording medium by numbers. Before printing the image.

According to the printer of the second aspect of the present invention, the input unit has a key for displaying one of the options on the display unit as a temporary print setting when pressed, and a temporary key for pressing the key when pressed. Since there is a key for fixing the print setting as the print setting, the print condition can be set with fewer keys than the number of options. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printer that can be easily operated.

According to the printer according to the third aspect of the present invention, the display unit has a plurality of sections for individually displaying the details of the printing conditions, and the input unit is configured to display the details of each of the sections by being pressed. A key for sequentially displaying one of the options as temporary print setting details, a key for determining a temporary print setting detail as a print setting detail for a print setting when pressed, and print setting details in a plurality of sections are integrated. And a key for confirming the print setting. For this reason, print setting items can be determined for each item of printing conditions, and a printer that is easy to operate can be provided.

According to the printer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the input section has a key for activating one of the plurality of sections by being pressed, and a specific section for being pressed in each of the active sections. And a key for sequentially displaying one of the options as a temporary print setting item and a key for pressing the temporary print setting item as a print setting item for the print setting when pressed. Indicate whether each section is active or inactive. For this reason, it is possible to determine the print setting details for each of the print condition details with a smaller number of keys than the number of print condition options, and it is possible to provide a printer that is easy to operate.

According to the printer according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since at least one of the sections can display a plurality of details, the print setting details can be determined with a smaller number of sections than the print setting details. It is possible to provide a printer which can be easily operated.

According to the printer according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the input unit is configured to temporarily select one of the items for each of the plurality of sections and to temporarily select the items for each of the plurality of sections. And a key for determining temporary print setting details as a print setting detail in each section when pressed, so that the print settings can be determined at once, making operation easier. A printer can be provided.

According to the printer of the present invention, the input unit determines the temporary print setting as the print setting by being pressed, determines the temporary print setting detail as the print setting detail, and controls the printer. Since the copy unit has a key for instructing the start of printing, a printer that can be easily operated can be provided.

[0019]

According to the printer described in claim 8 of the present invention, the options and details are displayed by a combination of figures and characters, so that a printer which is easy to operate can be provided.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a plurality of examples showing embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

(First Embodiment) A printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
, The control unit 3, the display unit 4, the input unit 5, and the guide unit 6.
And a first data acquisition unit 7 and a second data acquisition unit 8. Transport unit 1, printing unit 2, control unit 3, display unit 4
, Input unit 5, guide unit 6, first data acquisition unit 7
And the second data acquisition unit 8 are provided in a box-shaped housing 9. The printer according to the present embodiment can print the electronic data obtained from the first data obtaining unit 7 or the second data obtaining unit 8 in the printing unit 2 driven by the control unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 9 has a display unit 4 and an input unit 5 on the upper surface, a first data acquisition unit 7, a power switch 91, and a warning lamp 92 for notifying that the ink or paper is out. A guide unit 6 is provided, a second data acquisition unit 8 (not shown) is provided on the back surface, and a transport unit 1, a printing unit 2, and a control unit 3 (not shown) are provided inside. A paper supply port 93 and a paper discharge port 94 are formed on the upper surface and the lower front surface of the housing 9, respectively. A paper tray 95 is detachably engaged with the sheet supply port 93, and a sheet receiver 96 is detachably engaged with the sheet discharge port 94.

The transport section 1 (not shown) is provided in the housing 9 between the paper supply port 93 and the paper discharge port 94, and transport rollers driven by a motor and transport the paper by friction by contacting the transport rollers. And a driven roller.
The transport roller and the driven roller are made of a non-slip material such as rubber. The conveyance unit 1 is configured to rotate the conveyance roller and the driven roller to rotate the paper supply port 93 to the paper discharge port 94.
Is a mechanism for transporting the paper to the printer.

A printing section 2 (not shown) is provided adjacent to the transport section 1 and has a carriage on which an ink tank and an ink jet head are mounted, a step motor, and a carriage rail provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the paper is transported. And The printing unit 2 performs printing by a known inkjet method. Specifically, a carriage driven by a step motor reciprocates on a carriage rail at a position facing the sheet, and performs printing by ejecting ink in an ink tank from an inkjet head onto the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit 1. Note that a laser method, a dot impact method, or the like can be used as the printing unit 2.

The control unit 3 (not shown) has a CPU, a ROM in which a control program and a filter processing program described later are recorded, and a memory for temporarily storing electronic data. The control unit 3 extracts various information from the electronic data acquired from the first data acquisition unit 7 or the second data acquisition unit 8 and displays the information on the display unit 4 or drives the guide unit 6 to provide a user interface; And input unit 5
Is determined, and control for printing by the printing unit 2 is performed.

The input unit 5 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 9,
As shown in FIG. 3, various keys are provided on the key panel 50.

The print start key 501 is a key panel 5
0, that is, on the side close to the first data acquisition unit 7, has the most conspicuous appearance among all keys, and the operation surface is made of a transparent material, and an unillustrated LED (light) is provided inside the operation surface. emitteddiode) is provided. This LED is controlled to blink in a state where printing can be started.

All print key 502 and index key 50
3 is provided next to the print start key 501 at the forefront of the key panel 50, is the second largest among the keys after the print start key 501, has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the operation surface is transparent. LEDs (not shown) are provided inside the respective operation surfaces.

The range designating key 505 and the one-frame key 504 are provided in the back of the all-printing key 502 and the index key 503, have an elliptical shape slightly smaller than those, and the operation surface is made of a transparent material. An LED is provided inside each operation surface.

All print key 502, index key 50
3. The range designation key 505 and the one-frame key 504 are keys for selecting any one of them, and the LED of the selected key emits light.

The upper key 506 and the lower key 507 are vertically arranged in the back of the one-frame key 504, that is, on the side closer to the display unit 4, and each have a line-symmetric triangular shape.

The right key 509 and the left key 508 are adjacent to the up key 506 and the down key 507, respectively.
1 are provided side by side in the back and each has a line-symmetric triangular shape. The right key 509 and the left key 508 change details of printing conditions in each section of the display unit 4.

Frame key 510 and filter key 511
Is provided behind the print start key 501 and before the right key 509 and the left key 508, and has the smallest and inconspicuous appearance among all keys.

The display section 4 has an input section 5 on the upper surface of the housing 9.
It is provided adjacent to the back. The display unit 4 is a segment type liquid crystal panel, and includes a selection section 401, a paper type section 402 for displaying details of printing conditions, a paper size section 403, a layout section 404, a photo size section 405, and a photo selection section 40.
6, an image section 407, an image quality section 408, and an automatic adjustment section 409. FIG. 3 shows a state in which all segments of the liquid crystal panel are turned on. The display content selected on the display unit 4 is a print start key 501.
Is set in the control unit 3 as a printing condition.

The selection section 401 is a section for displaying a triangle selectively pointing to a section by the up key 506 and the down key 507 and activating the section. In the active section, the display can be switched by the right key 509 and the left key 508.

The paper type section 402 is a section in which the display of options is switched to plain paper, photo print paper and super fine paper.

The paper size section 403 includes a postcard,
This is a section where the display of options is switched to a photo card and A4.

The layout section 404 includes
This is a section where the display of options is switched to lower side, center, whole, with index and cutting guide.
When "with cutting guide" is selected, the image can be printed with a register mark.

The photo size section 405 is 4L, 2
This is a section where the display of options is switched to L, 4 × 6, L, E and a card. The display of the photo size section 405 is determined by setting the paper size and the layout.

The photo selection section 406 is mainly composed of 0 to 19 as the total number of image data recorded on the recording medium.
This is a section for displaying numbers up to 9.

The number section 407 is a section for displaying a number from 0 to 199 mainly as the number of prints.

The image quality section 408 includes high quality, high speed,
This section switches the display of options to ultra-high image quality.

The automatic adjustment section 409 is a section in which the display of options is switched without the automatic photo fine.

The guide section 6 is provided below the front surface of the housing 9. The guide unit 6 has a speaker 61 driven by the control unit 3 and outputs audio data read from the ROM as audio.

The first data acquisition section 7 is provided above the front surface of the housing 9 as shown in FIG.
Read data recorded on the recording medium and
And a reader (not shown) for transmitting the data. In the card slot 71, a recording medium such as a PCMCIA standard memory card or a compact flash card generally used for digital cameras can be inserted together with an adapter as a recording medium.

The second data acquisition section 8 (not shown) is provided on the back of the housing 9 and has a plurality of connectors. The second data acquisition unit 8 is an interface for connecting to a personal computer or a digital camera, and transmits data extracted from those externally connected devices to the control unit 3.

Further, a memory card which records a program for printing with various types of frames attached to images as an accessory of the printer is attached. In addition, by recording this program in the ROM of the control unit 3, it is possible to execute a special effect print, which will be described later, in the same manner as providing this program with a memory card.

Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described printer will be described. For the sake of explanation, printing by a printer is classified into normal printing, one-touch printing, two-touch printing, additional printing, camera-specified printing, detailed setting printing, and special effect printing.

When the power switch 91 is turned on, a control program starts up, and a voice prompting the insertion of a recording medium (hereinafter, a memory card) on which image data such as "Please insert a card." Emit.

(1) Normal print control section 3 monitors both data of first data acquisition section 7 and second data acquisition section 8, and preferentially processes the earliest data. Therefore, when a personal computer is connected to the second data acquisition unit 8 by a cable and a print instruction is issued from the personal computer,
The display on the display unit 4 disappears, and thereafter the printer is driven under the control of the personal computer.

(2) One-touch printing After the power switch 91 is turned on, the card slot 71
When a memory card having image data recorded therein is inserted, the print start key 501 flashes and the all print keys 502 are lit. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 4 displays a paper type section 4 as a default setting of the control program.
02 photo print paper, paper size section 403
Postcard, the layout section 404 shows the whole, the photo size section 405 shows the L, the image quality section 408 shows the high image quality, the automatic adjustment section 409 shows the auto photo fine and the photo selection section 406 shows the total number of image data read from the memory card, One is displayed as the number of prints in the number section 407.

When the blinking print start key 501 is pressed, all the image data recorded on the memory card are printed one by one according to the display on the display unit 4. Printing in this manner is hereinafter referred to as one-touch printing.

(3) Two-touch print After inserting the memory card into the card slot 71 and pressing the index key 503, all the print keys 502 disappear,
The index key 503 lights up. In the display unit 4, as shown in FIG. 5, the default settings of the control program include photo print paper in the paper type section 402, postcard in the paper size section 403, index in the layout section 404, and image quality section 4
08 displays the total number of image data read from the memory card in the high-speed and photo selection section 406, and 1 indicating that the index is printed one by one is displayed in the number section 407.

When the blinking print start key 501 is pressed, the thumbnail image data recorded on the memory card is read out and, as shown in FIG. 16 in 4 rows
The image of the frame is printed as an index with the identification code 102. Since the thumbnail image data is read and printed, the printing speed is very high. Printing in this manner is hereinafter referred to as two-touch printing.

(4) Reprinting After printing an index by two-touch printing, pressing the one-frame key 504 causes the index key 503 to be pressed.
Disappears and the one-frame key 504 lights up. And display unit 4
As shown in FIG. 7, as the default settings of the control program, photo paper is set in the paper type section 402, postcard is set in the paper size section 403, and the whole is set in the layout section 404 and the photo size section 4 is set.
L is displayed in 05, high image quality is displayed in the image quality section 408, 1 is displayed in the auto photo fine and photo selection section 406 in the automatic adjustment section 409, and 1 is displayed in the number section 407. At this time, the photo selection section 406 is active.

Next, by operating the right key 509 or the left key 508, the identification code of the image to be printed out of the images printed in the index is designated in the photo selection section 406. When the flashing print start key 501 is pressed, the image of the specified identification code is printed according to the settings displayed on the display unit 4.

After the index is printed by two-touch printing, when the range designation key 505 is pressed, the index key 503 disappears and the range designation key 505 is turned on. As shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 4 displays the photo print paper and the paper size section 4 in the paper type section 402 as default settings of the control program.
03, the entire layout section 404, the L in the photo size section 405, the image quality section 408
In the high quality, automatic adjustment section 409, 1 is displayed as the first frame in the auto photo fine and photo selection section 406, and in the number section 407, the total number of image data read from the memory card is displayed as the last frame. At this time, the photo selection section 406 is active.

Next, the right key 509 or the left key 508 is operated in the photo selection section 406 to designate the first number of the range to be printed out of the images printed in the index. Further operate the down key 507 to set the number of sheets section 40.
7 is activated, and the right key 509 or the left key 508 is operated to designate the last number of the range to be printed out of the images printed in the index. When the blinking print start key 501 is pressed, an image in the specified range is printed according to the settings displayed on the display unit 4.

After printing the index by two-touch printing, one frame key 504 or range designation key 5
Pressing 05 for printing is hereinafter referred to as additional printing.

(5) Camera Designated Print After turning on the power switch 91, when a memory card in which an image to be printed by a digital camera of a model corresponding to a printer is designated in advance into the card slot 71, the designated camera is automatically designated. Move to print. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, as the default setting of the control program, photo paper is printed on the paper type section 402 and postcard is printed on the paper size section 403 as shown in FIG.
The entire layout section 404, L in the photo size section 405, camera designation in the photo selection section 406, high image quality in the image quality section 408 and auto photo fine in the automatic adjustment section 409 are displayed. When a blinking print start key 501 is pressed, an image specified in advance by the digital camera is printed according to the settings displayed on the display unit 4.

(6) Detailed Setting Print In the above-described one-touch print, two-touch print, additional print, and camera-specified print, the up key 506 or the down key 507 is operated to select a section whose setting is to be changed, and the paper type in each section is selected. ,
It is also possible to change the settings such as the paper size, image quality, and automatic adjustment and set any printing conditions, and then press the print start key 501 to perform printing. Pressing the print start key 501 after setting arbitrary printing conditions in this manner to perform printing is hereinafter referred to as detailed setting printing.

(7) Special effect print After the power switch 91 is turned on, the frame key 510
When the button is pressed, the guide unit 6 emits a voice prompting insertion of a memory card on which data for a frame such as "Please insert a frame card." When a memory card storing data for a frame is inserted, the display unit 4 displays
As the default settings of the control program, postcards in the paper size section 403, layout section 4
In 04, a sticker is displayed, in the photo selection section 406, the total number of frame data recorded in the memory card and in the number section 407, 0 is displayed as the frame number. At this time, the number section 407 is active.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, by operating the right key 509 or the left key 508 in the number section 407, a frame number to be selected is designated, and data for setting the corresponding frame is written in the memory. Thereafter, the operation automatically proceeds to the additional printing operation, and the guide section 6 emits a voice prompting insertion of a memory card on which image data such as "Please insert a card." The image data specified by the additional printing is processed by the frame data written in the memory, and the frame 1 is processed.
As shown in FIG. 11, the image is printed on a dedicated postcard-size sticker sheet 101 according to the displayed settings.

When the user presses the filter key 511 after turning on the power switch 91, 0 is displayed as a filter number in the photo selection section 406 on the display unit 4 as a default setting of the control program. At this time, all the other sections disappear, and the photo selection section 406 is displayed.
Is active. Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the user selects the filter number to be selected by operating the right key 509 or the left key 508 in the photo selection section 406. A program necessary for filter processing such as converting a photograph to be printed based on image data into monochrome or sepia is stored in the ROM, and is called by setting a filter number. Thereafter, the operation automatically proceeds to the additional printing operation, and the guide section 6 emits a voice prompting insertion of a memory card on which image data such as "Please insert a card." The image data specified in the additional printing is filtered by a program written in the memory and printed.

After the power switch 91 is turned on, printing by pressing the frame key 510 or the filter key 511 is hereinafter referred to as special effect printing.

On the other hand, even if printing is in progress by pressing the print start key 501, the next printing can be set. For example, when printing one frame at a time by pressing the one-frame printing key in additional printing, the identification code of the photograph to be printed next can be specified continuously while printing is in progress. Therefore, when performing additional printing of a plurality of frames, there is no need to wait for printing to be completed for each frame and to specify an identification code of an image to be printed next, so that continuous printing can be performed comfortably. .

As shown in FIG. 13, a user who uses a digital camera can be a beginner who is completely unfamiliar with electronic devices such as a computer and a printer, and an intermediate person who can read a manual to some extent and use the electronic devices. It is considered that there is an advanced user who can freely handle such electronic devices. A and B represent users who can perform the simplest one-touch print and two-touch print, respectively. C and D represent users who can perform additional printing and detailed setting printing, each of which has a somewhat complicated operation. E represents a user who can perform printing by connecting to a special effect print or a personal computer with the most complicated operation.

According to the printer of the first embodiment of the present invention,
It is possible to provide a printing environment according to the user's proficiency in operating a printer or a personal computer. That is, a beginner can immediately print out image data recorded in a digital camera at home by using a simple operation of one-touch printing or two-touch printing, as in the case of taking out a film at a developing station and developing the film. An intermediate person can perform additional printing while looking at the index, and can print in various forms by detailed setting printing. Furthermore, an advanced user can connect to a personal computer to process and print image data on the personal computer, or perform originality printing by special effect printing.

When the power is turned on and the memory card is inserted into the card slot 71, the print start key 50
When the print start key 501 blinks and the blinking print start key 501 is pressed, all the images recorded on the memory card are printed one by one, so that a user unfamiliar with the handling of electronic devices can easily print. it can.

Also, a very easy-to-understand user interface is provided by the key shape, key arrangement, key blinking, voice guidance, etc., and there is an advantage that a beginner can operate without reading a manual. .

Further, a conventional general printer does not have a print setting function attached to the printer itself, and it is necessary to connect to a personal computer in order to make print settings. Furthermore, even if the printer itself has a print setting function, there is no display device that allows you to check the settings, so you can connect the printer to the TV and check the settings on the TV screen while setting the print. And the trouble of having to carry the printer near the television and wire it. On the other hand, according to the printer of the present embodiment, detailed settings for printing in various forms can be made by the printer alone. Therefore, a user who is not accustomed to handling a personal computer can make detailed settings and perform printing. Further, it is not necessary to connect to a television to make settings, and it is possible to enjoy easily photographed image data as printed matter.

(Modification) FIG. 14 shows a modification of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

A cover 520 is rotatably supported at the end of the input section 5. The cover 520 is a print start key 501
An opening 521 is formed at a position opposed to. Cover 52
When closing 0, keys other than the print start key 501 are hidden so that they cannot be operated. When the cover 520 is opened, all keys can be operated.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a beginner who is not accustomed to handling the printer from pressing a key other than the print start key 501 by mistake. In addition, a beginner can handle the printer with confidence because only a single key can be pressed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 15 shows a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 16, the guide section 6 'is a liquid crystal panel provided on the upper surface of the housing 9 behind the display section 4. The liquid crystal panel can display characters such as "Please insert a card." And "Please insert a frame card."

The cover 5 which covers the upper surfaces of the display unit 4 and the input unit 5
25 is rotatably supported by the housing 9. Cover 5
25 has an opening 526 at a position facing the photo selection section 406.

When the power switch is turned on, characters such as "Please insert a card."
The user is prompted to insert a memory card having image data recorded in the card slot 71.

When the frame key 510 is pressed after the power switch 91 is turned on, characters such as "Please insert a frame card." Are displayed on the guide section, and the insertion of a memory card on which data for a frame is recorded is performed. Prompt.

For this reason, a very easy-to-understand user interface is provided by the shape of the key, the key arrangement, the blinking of the key, the display of characters on the guide section, etc., and especially for beginners, the user can operate without reading the manual There are advantages.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 17 shows a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Parts substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The input section 5 'is provided on the upper surface of the housing.
As shown in FIG. 18, the print start key 531 and the up key 5
32, down key 533, execution key 534, and stop key 53
It has 5 keys.

The print start key 531 is provided at the forefront of the key panel, has the largest and conspicuous appearance among all keys, has an operation surface made of a transparent material, and has an LED (not shown) inside the operation surface. Can be This LED is
It is controlled to blink in a state where printing can be started.

The upper key 532 and the lower key 533 each have a line-symmetric triangular shape. Up key 532 and down key 5
33 is a key for switching the selection state when a selection screen is displayed on the display unit 4 '.

The execute key 534 and the stop key 535 are provided side by side with the up key 532 and the down key 533.
2 and the lower key 533 have a smaller circular shape. The execution key 534 can determine the details of the print setting selected by the up key 532 and the down key 533, and can switch to the next screen. The stop key 535 can return the display on the display unit 4 'to the state when the power switch was turned on.

The display unit 4 'is provided on the upper surface of the housing 9 adjacent to the back of the input unit 5'. The display unit 4 'is a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel. The display unit 4 'is shown in FIG.
A screen that displays operation guidance as shown in FIG. 8 and a screen that prompts for setting as shown in FIG. 19 can be displayed. When a corresponding operation is performed on the screen for displaying the operation guidance or the execution key 534 is pressed on the screen for prompting the setting, the screen is switched to a screen for prompting the next setting or a screen for displaying the operation guidance. The details of the print settings selected on the display unit 4 'are linked to the print settings of the control unit.

Hereinafter, a procedure and an operation for performing the same operation as the additional print in the first embodiment using the above-described printer will be described.

When the power switch is turned on, a character string prompting insertion of a memory card on which image data is recorded, such as "Please insert a memory card.", Is displayed on the display unit 4 'as shown in FIG. . When a memory card on which image data is recorded is inserted into the card slot 71, a menu selection screen is displayed on the display unit 4 'as shown in FIG. At this time, print all is activated by the default setting of the control program. Next, down key 5
After selecting additional printing by operating the operation key 33,
When the button 34 is pressed, the operation shifts to the operation of additional printing.

FIG. 20 shows the flow of the display contents of the display unit 4 'in the additional print. First, the total number of images recorded on the memory card is displayed, and a screen for prompting selection of the number of the image to be printed is displayed (S10). At this time, the default number is 1, and when the up key 532 is pressed, the number increases, and when the down key 533 is pressed, the number decreases. When the execution key 534 is pressed, a screen for selecting the type of paper on which the selected image is printed is displayed (S20). At this time, the default is photo print paper, which is switched to super fine paper or plain paper by pressing the up key 532 or the down key 533.

When the execution key 534 is pressed, a screen for selecting the paper size for printing the selected image is displayed (S30). At this time, the default is a postcard size, and when the up key 532 or the down key 533 is pressed, the photo card is switched to A4. When the execution key 534 is pressed, a screen for selecting the photograph size of the selected image is displayed (S40). At this time, the default is L size,
By pressing the up key 532 or the down key 533, 4
Switch to L size, 2L size, E size, card size, etc. When the execution key 534 is pressed, a screen for selecting the image quality for printing the selected image is displayed (S5).
0). At this time, the default is high image quality. By pressing the up key 532 or the down key 533, switching is made between high speed and ultra high image quality.

When the execution key 534 is pressed, a screen for selecting the number of prints of the selected image data is displayed (S60). At this time, the default is 1 and the up key 532
Pressing increases the number, and pressing the down key 533 decreases the number. When the execute key 534 is pressed, the print start key 531 blinks. Flashing print start key 53
Pressing 1 prints the image data selected according to the settings.

According to the printer of the third embodiment of the present invention, image data recorded in a digital camera can be immediately printed at home in the same manner as when a film is taken out to a developing station and developed.

Further, detailed settings for printing in various forms can be made by the printer alone. For this reason,
A user who is not accustomed to handling a personal computer can make detailed settings and print. Further, it is not necessary to connect to a television to make settings, and it is possible to enjoy easily photographed image data as printed matter.

Furthermore, all operations from turning on the power switch to printing can be performed in accordance with the display on the display unit 4 ', and users who are not good at reading manuals or who are accustomed to handling electronic devices. A very user-friendly user interface can be provided for users who do not.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 21 shows a printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Parts substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The display unit 4 "is a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel provided on the upper surface of the housing 9. The display unit 4" is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and displays a screen for prompting a setting as shown in FIG. It is possible.

The input section 5 "is a touch key attached to the surface of the display section 4", and transmits data of a position to be pressed to the control section. As the touch key, for example, a matrix touch key in which a panel provided with a plurality of electrodes in a horizontal direction and a panel provided with a plurality of electrodes in a vertical direction are overlapped can be used. A voltage is applied to one of the horizontal electrode and the vertical electrode, and when the user presses the surface of the touch key, a current flows to the other electrode. By detecting this current, it is possible to detect the position where the surface of the display unit 4 "is pressed.

Hereinafter, a procedure and an operation for performing the same operation as the additional print in the first embodiment using the above-described printer will be described.

When the power switch is turned on, the display unit 4 "
A character string prompting insertion of a memory card on which image data is recorded, such as "Please insert a card."
Insert the memory card storing the image data into the card slot 7
When it is inserted into 1, the menu selection screen is displayed on the display unit 4 ". The menu such as full print, index print, and additional print is displayed on the menu selection screen. Full print is displayed on the display unit 4". When the displayed portion of the icon is pressed, the operation shifts to the operation of additional printing.

When the operation shifts to the additional print operation, a screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. This screen includes a paper type section 4001, a paper size section 4002, a layout section 4003, and an image quality section 400.
4, a number section 4005, and a plurality of icons 4010 are displayed in each section. When a display portion of an icon 4010 indicating a desired setting in each section is pressed, printing conditions are set based on the display position of the icon 4010, and other icons 4010 in that section are not displayed.

When the printing conditions are set for all sections, a screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. This screen displays the indexes of all the images created from the thumbnail image data recorded on the memory card and the previous screen icon 40.
21, a next screen icon 4022, and a print start icon 4023 are displayed. A maximum of 16 frames can be displayed in the index, and when the total number of images recorded on the memory card exceeds 16, by pressing the display portion of the next screen icon 4022, the continuation of the index is displayed.

When the display portion of the image to be printed is pressed from among the images displayed in the index, that portion flashes to indicate that it is in the selected state. Next, when the display portion of the print start icon 4023 is pressed, the selected image is printed according to the set printing conditions.

According to the printer of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, image data recorded in a digital camera can be immediately printed at home in the same manner as when a film is taken out to a developing station and developed.

Further, detailed settings for printing in various forms can be made by the printer alone. For this reason,
A user who is not accustomed to handling a personal computer can make detailed settings and print. Further, it is not necessary to connect to a television to make settings, and it is possible to enjoy easily photographed image data as printed matter.

In addition, all operations from turning on the power switch to printing can be performed in accordance with the display on the display section 4 ", and users who are not good at reading manuals or who are not used to handling electronic devices. It is possible to provide a user interface that is very easy for the user to handle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an index according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a seal sheet printed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining print modes according to a beginner, an intermediate, and an advanced user in the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an input unit and a display unit with a cover closed in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating a display unit, an input unit, and a guide unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a display flow of a display unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a display unit and an input unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 conveyance unit 2 printing unit 3 control unit 4 display unit 5 input unit 7 first data acquisition unit 401 selection section 403 paper type section 403 paper size section 404 layout section 405 photo size section 406 photo selection section 407 number section 408 image quality selection section 409 Automatic adjustment section 501 Print start key 502 All print key 503 Index key 505 Range selection key 504 1 frame key 506 Up key 507 Down key 508 Right key 509 Left key 510 Frame key 511 Filter key

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-256948 (JP, A) JP-A-7-186495 (JP, A) JP-A-6-278343 (JP, A) 169765 (JP, A) JP-A-9-193503 (JP, A) JP-A-10-107981 (JP, A) JP-A-11-317930 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/42 B41J 21/16 B41J 29/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print unit for printing, and a transport unit for transporting the paper to the printing unit, the image data to be printed, the image data is an electronic de
A data acquisition unit that acquires from a recording medium recorded as data, a display unit that displays options regarding printing conditions for printing the image data on the paper, and one of the options is determined as a print setting. An input unit, and a control unit that controls the printing unit and the transport unit based on the determined print settings for image data to be printed obtained from the data obtaining unit, the display unit Is the default setting for the image data
When a recording medium in which is recorded as electronic data is inserted into the data acquisition unit, a total number of the image data to be printed recorded on the recording medium is indicated by a numeral. Wherein said input unit includes a key to be displayed as the choices one sequential temporary print settings on the display unit by being pressed, the print setting print setting of the tentative by being pressed 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a key for confirming. 3. The display unit has a plurality of sections for individually displaying details about the printing conditions, and the input unit displays one of the options for the details for each section by being pressed. A key for sequentially displaying the temporary print setting details, a key for determining the temporary print setting details as the print setting details for the print settings by being pressed, and the print setting details in the plurality of sections are integrated. 3. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a key for confirming the print setting. 4. The input unit includes a key that activates one of the plurality of sections when pressed, and one of options for the item when pressed in each of the active sections. A key for sequentially displaying the temporary print setting details as temporary print setting details, and a key for determining the temporary print setting details as the print setting details for the print settings by being pressed. 4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the printer is displayed so as to be able to determine whether or not is active. 5. The printer according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the sections is capable of displaying a plurality of the details. 6. A key for displaying, as a temporary print setting item about the print setting, one of the plurality of sections at a time when the input unit presses an option for the item. The printer according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising: a key which, when pressed, determines the temporary print setting items as the print setting items in each section. 7. The input unit determines the temporary print setting as the print setting by being pressed, determines the temporary print setting item as the print setting item, and sends a print request to the control unit. The printer according to claim 3, further comprising a key for instructing start. 8. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays the options and the options for the sub-items by a combination of a graphic and a character.