JP2001322505A - On-vehicle image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for preventing scattering of discharged recording mediums when, for example, outputting information or the like of a car navigation system by a laser beam printer or the like in a cabin of an automobile while traveling with an occupant's side window 4 or the like open causing impairing of quality of a recorded picture image, interfering with visibility of a driver, possibilities of affecting a negative effect by scattering outside the automobile, or the like. SOLUTION: A means 5 detecting opening areas is provided in each side window 4 or the like capable of opening and closing provided in the automobile or the like, and a means inputting and analyzing detection results is provided in this image recorder. Operation of the recorder is controlled in accordance with an opened state of the window 4. A discharged paper retaining mechanism 16 is provided in the image recorder for preventing scattering by wind blowing in. A means detecting speed of the vehicle is provided and it is analyzed together with the state of the window for controlling the operation of the recorder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a printer which conveys a thin recording medium and discharges the recording medium after recording, and more particularly to an in-vehicle image recording apparatus used in a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus having a function such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a computer (hereinafter, referred to as a computer).
A recording device used as an output device such as a composite electronic device including a “PC”), a word processor, or the like, a workstation, or the like, prints an image (characters or symbols) on a recording material such as paper or a plastic thin plate based on recording information. Etc.)
Is configured to be recorded.

In recent years, the recording apparatus has been replaced with a conventional dot matrix printer, such as a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as “LBP”), an ink jet printer (hereinafter abbreviated as “IJP”), and a thermal printer. It has been put to practical use. And to this day,
LBP capable of high-resolution and high-quality gradation expression and IJP capable of full-color expression of photographic image quality have been put to practical use. In order to sufficiently bring out the printing performance of the recording apparatus with the high performance of the recording apparatus main body, high-quality recording media such as glossy paper, glossy film, and coated paper, as well as media dedicated to photographic image quality have been put to practical use. I have.

Also, with the miniaturization of the main body of the recording device accompanying the high integration of the internal mechanism, there is a demand for bringing it as a portable output device. Applications used in the field have also increased.

[0005] These vehicles are provided with occupant windows (side windows, sunroofs, etc.), which can be opened and closed arbitrarily. Therefore, if the recording apparatus is used in a strong wind or moving while the window is open, the discharged recording medium (for example, plain paper) will only drop to a discharge position such as a discharge tray without a holding mechanism. In addition, it is scattered by the wind coming into the car and not only impairs the quality of the recorded image, but also in some cases sticks to a place that obstructs the driver's view, or scatters outside to reduce the view of the following car It may cause dangers such as obstruction, and may become garbage on the road, which may have a bad influence on the environment.

[0006]

For this reason, in the conventional image recording apparatus, there is a fear that the paper discharge medium may be scattered by wind entrainment. Therefore, when the window is opened, the image recording apparatus must not be used or must be used in the vehicle. When doing so, minimize the window opening area to the extent that it is not affected by the wind, or close the window, or hold the medium ejected by the passengers' hands, etc. And quality deterioration are prevented. In addition, when the vehicle speed increases, the amount of wind to be entrained may increase even if the opening area is small, and it is necessary to take the above-described measures.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has as its object to provide means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0008]

Therefore, in the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing an on-vehicle image recording apparatus described in any of the following items (1) to (7). Things.

(1) An in-vehicle image recording apparatus which is used in a moving means such as an automobile, a railroad, a ship, and an aircraft, and which uses various kinds of thin sheet materials as recording materials, loads, conveys, and records. An in-vehicle image recording apparatus, comprising: means for detecting an open / closed state of an openable / closable window provided in the moving means, and changing operation control based on a result of the detection.

(2) An in-vehicle image recording apparatus which is used in a moving means such as an automobile, a railroad, a ship, an airplane, etc., uses various kinds of thin sheet materials as recording materials, and loads, conveys, and records. An in-vehicle image recording apparatus, comprising: means for detecting the open / close state of an openable / closable window provided in the moving means and the speed of the moving means, and changing the operation control based on the detection result.

(3) The on-vehicle image recording apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the area of the opening of the window is calculated, and the sheet discharging operation is controlled based on the calculated result.

(4) The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to the above item (2), wherein the area and speed of the opening of the window are detected, and the sheet discharging operation is controlled based on the results.

(5) The above-mentioned item (3), wherein a mechanism is provided for preventing the recorded image from being scattered due to wind entanglement, preventing image deterioration and ensuring the safety of the driver's view. The vehicle-mounted image recording device according to any one of (4) and (4).

(6) The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to the above (5), wherein when there is a fear that the recorded image is scattered, the image is held at a discharge port of the image recording apparatus.

(7) The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to the above (6), wherein the printer driver or a display notifies the printer driver whether or not the recorded image can be discharged.

[0016]

According to the structure of the present invention as described above, the following functions /
Effects can be obtained: 1) Even if the vehicle runs with the window opened while using the image recording apparatus, there is no need to worry about scattering of the recorded image due to the entrained wind.

2) There is a confirmation that the window opening area should be reduced before the paper discharging operation, or that the user or a passenger should manually discharge the paper and hold it in his / her hand. Recorded images are continuously and inadvertently discharged, and are not scattered inside or outside the vehicle by the wind.Therefore, the recorded images obstruct the driver's view and cause accidents or discharge dust that affects the environment. Is less likely to occur.

3) In 2), it is not necessary to previously set the sheet in a dischargeable state, and it is possible to select the sheet discharge and holding even after the recording operation is completed, so that labor can be saved.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on a plurality of examples with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of an in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are state diagrams of window opening positions A and B of the apparatus of FIG. 1, respectively, and FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 shows a control configuration block diagram of the device.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a side surface of a passenger car as an example of a moving means. Reference numeral 2 denotes an openable and closable door provided on the passenger car, and reference numeral 3 denotes a front window. Reference numeral 4 denotes a side window installed on the door 2, which can be freely opened and closed up and down. Reference numeral 5 denotes a window position detection circuit for detecting the vertical position of the side window 4, which is constituted by a detection sensor and an arithmetic circuit.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the recording apparatus main body, and shows an ink jet printer (IJP) as an example. Reference numeral 7 denotes a signal input / output unit which is mainly used for input / output of a signal from the position detection circuit 5. Reference numeral 8 denotes a recording head. A pinch roller 9 is provided below the paper feed roller 14. Reference numeral 10 denotes a spur, which is installed on the paper discharge roller 15. Reference numeral 11 denotes a paper feed tray on which recording paper 12 is set. A paper feed roller 13 feeds the recording paper 12 and feeds it to the position of the paper feed roller 14 and each pinch roller 9. Reference numeral 16 denotes a paper discharge roller, which is located at the most downstream of the recording paper conveyance path. Reference numeral 17 denotes a waste ink absorber.

In this state, since the side window 4 is completely closed, when the image recording apparatus is used in the vehicle,
The recording operation is performed without affecting the recorded image even during traveling or in a strong wind. It is assumed that a sensor for detecting the position of the window (not shown) is installed in the window, and transmits a detection signal to the window position detection circuit 5.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the side window 4 is opened to the position A from the state of FIG. Here, a description will be given of the case where only the opening state of the left front window is detected and the recording apparatus is controlled. Of course, a position detecting device may be provided in each window, the total opening area may be calculated from each value, and the following operation may be performed.

Here, as an example, it is assumed that there is the following relational expression of the opening area.

0 <Position A <Wts <Position B <Wmax (Equation (i)) (Wts is a threshold value for determining whether or not paper can be discharged and whether to hold the paper. It is assumed that there is a danger of scattering.) Assuming that the upper portion of the side window 4 has been lowered to the position A and a recording operation command is issued to the in-vehicle recording device 6 at that time, first, after the recording operation, Does not scatter when ejected (is the opening area small enough for wind entanglement)
A determination is made as to whether the In this case, judging from Expression (i), it is determined that the position A has a small opening area and a small risk of scattering.

Thereafter, the recording operation is started, and the recording paper 1
2 is conveyed while an image is formed. When the recording operation is completed, the sheet is discharged by the sheet discharging roller 15 or the sheet discharging roller 16 in the direction of arrow a to the outside of the recording apparatus or onto a sheet discharging tray (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the side window 4 has been opened to the position B from the state of FIG.

Assuming that the upper portion of the side window 4 has been lowered to the position B,
When the recording operation is commanded at
It is determined whether or not the paper is scattered even if the paper is ejected after the recording operation. In this case, the position B is determined to be Wts based on equation (i).
Exceeds the value of. In other words, it is determined that the opening area is large and the risk of flying out of the discharged recording paper is high.

At this time, a warning is issued to the user to urge the user to confirm the operation and take appropriate measures (for example, the user closes the window 4 or presses the confirmation button). Thereafter, the recording operation is started, and the recording sheet 12 is conveyed while an image is formed. When the recording operation is completed, the discharge roller 15
Alternatively, the recording paper is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 16 and is held in a state b (a state in which the recording paper edge is sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 16). Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the opening area is detected again at the end of the recording operation, and the discharge or holding operation can be selected at that time.

If the sheet is held, the next recording operation is not performed. Therefore, a warning prompting the user to close the window 4 or remove the sheet is provided on the display unit on the recording apparatus main unit 6 or in the vehicle. The display may be notified to a meter panel, a display such as a liquid crystal display, a printer driver, or the like.

In this manner, whether the paper is discharged or held without being discharged is determined according to the opening / closing degree of the window. Therefore, the paper is suddenly scattered by the wind entering the vehicle, and the quality of the recorded image is impaired. It reduces the risk of the driver or the following vehicle going into a dangerous situation or adversely affecting the environment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the apparatus shown in FIG.

The CPU 22 controls the gate array 2 via a bus.
4, ROM23, EPROM26, DRAM27. Program ROMs 23 and 27 for storing a control program executed by the CPU 22 are dynamic RAMs for temporarily storing data necessary for control (a print signal, print data supplied to a head, and the like). Here, the ROM 23 calculates the opening area of the entire window from the result of the window position detection circuit provided in each window, and performs control for estimating whether or not the sheet discharging operation is possible with respect to scattering due to wind entanglement or the like. It also stores the program to perform.

The EPROM 26 is a memory capable of storing information to be newly registered (such as the threshold value of the opening area). The window position detection circuit 5 includes a position sensor (not shown), an arithmetic circuit, and the like.
The data is transmitted to the PU 22 and subjected to a comparison operation. Reference numeral 24 denotes a gate array that controls supply of print data to the head unit 28, and includes an interface 25, a CPU 22, and a DRAM.
Data transfer control between 27 is also performed.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the head unit 28. The head unit 28 includes a head driver and a driving circuit for driving a head (not shown), a level signal generation circuit, and a power supply control circuit. 29,30
Are motor drivers for driving the transport motor 31 and the carrier motor 32, respectively.

The operation based on the above control configuration will be described.
When a recording signal enters the interface 25, the gate array 2
4 and the CPU 22 convert the recording signal into recording data for printing. Then, the motor drivers 29 and 30
Is driven, and the recording head is driven in accordance with the recording data sent to a head driver (not shown) of the head unit 28 to perform recording.

When the recording operation is completed, the paper discharge rollers 15, 15 and 16 are controlled by the power of the transport motor 31 via a gear or the like, and the paper discharge operation is performed. If the opening and closing of the window 4 is detected during this time, the control as described in FIGS. When a detection signal is input from the detection circuit 5 via the I / O port 7, the detection is determined by the CPU 22 and the discharge determination program stored in the ROM 23, and the conveyance motor driver 29 is controlled through the gate array 24. If the opening area exceeds the threshold value Wts and it is determined that the paper cannot be discharged, the conveyance motor driver 29 operates the conveyance motor 31 after the recording operation, and moves the rear end of the recording paper to the discharge roller. 16 and stopped. If it is determined that the paper can be discharged, the paper discharge operation is performed after the recording operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sequence of the printing and discharging operation according to the first embodiment.

First, when a print request from the host side is input via the interface unit, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not to detect the height of the window 4 in order to estimate the opening area of the side window 4. Prompt the user. When the side window 4 is almost closed, printing is started in step S9, and when printing is completed in step S10, the sheet is discharged in step S11.

On the other hand, when the opening amount is detected here, the position (height) is detected by a position measuring circuit provided in each window 4 in step S2, and the opening area of all the openings is calculated in step S3. Infer. And step S4
Then, the comparison determination is performed according to the reference value such as Wts described in FIG. 3, and whether the sheet discharging operation is performed in steps S5 and S6,
It is determined whether or not to hold the sheet at the discharge port, and in some cases, the printer driver or the user is notified and warned in step S7.

Here, if the value is less than the reference value, it indicates that there is little danger that the recorded image will be scattered even if the sheet discharging operation is performed as it is. , And that the sheet is held in step S13 without performing the sheet discharging operation. At this time, after prompting the user for an appropriate action, the printing operation is started in step S9.

The host generates print information (print data) suitable for the paper, transmits the print information to the recording device via the interface unit, and records an image based on the information (steps S9 and S10). Next, after a warning is displayed in step S12, the sheet is held at the sheet discharge port in step S13.

When the printing is completed, the operation based on the result of the above judgment is performed. Assuming that the window is opened and closed during the printing operation, the opening area is calculated again here, and the discharge after the recording operation is performed. Alternatively, the holding operation may be determined.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit based on FIG. The main description is as described with reference to FIG. 4. In addition to the first embodiment, a configuration is provided in which means for detecting the vehicle speed is provided.

The vehicle speed detecting circuit 18 is composed of a speed sensor, an arithmetic circuit and the like (not shown) and is inputted to the I / O port 7. Here, in the ROM 23, first, the state of the opening is calculated from the sensor provided in each window and the detection result of the window position detection circuit 5, and secondly, the vehicle speed sensor provided on the wheel shaft and the like, It also stores a program for comprehensively processing the detection result of the speed detection circuit 18 and performing control for estimating whether or not the sheet can be discharged.

The EPROM 26 is a memory capable of storing information to be newly registered (an opening area threshold value, a speed threshold value, and a relation table data between a vehicle speed and an opening area for determining whether to discharge or hold). .

If the window is opened or closed during operation of the image recording apparatus, the sheet discharging operation is determined based on the opening area and the vehicle speed at that time. For example, how much the opening area is equal to the threshold Wt
Even if the vehicle speed does not exceed s, if the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold value Vts, it is determined that there is a possibility of scattering, and control is performed to hold the sheet without performing the sheet discharging operation. As described above, by performing finer detection, it is possible to avoid deterioration of image quality and protect the driver from unexpected danger.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a print discharge operation sequence according to the second embodiment based on FIG. Following the step S4 for detecting the opening area of the side window 4, the vehicle speed is also detected in a step S4a, and an item for determining whether or not the sheet discharging process is appropriate is added to FIG. Since it is completely the same as FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, a duplicate description will be omitted.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By detecting the open / close position of each window or obtaining vehicle speed information and transmitting it to the on-vehicle image recording device, it is possible to perform a paper discharge operation suitable for the situation. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained: 1) Even if the vehicle runs with the window opened while using the image recording apparatus, there is no need to worry about scattering of the recorded image due to the entrained wind.

2) Before the paper discharging operation, it is required to reduce the opening area of the window, or otherwise, the user or a passenger may manually discharge the paper and hold it in his hand. The recorded image is continuously discharged in preparation,
Since the wind does not scatter inside or outside the vehicle, the possibility of obstructing the driver's view with the recorded image, causing an accident, or discharging dust that affects the environment is reduced.

3) In 2), it is not necessary to previously set the sheet in a dischargeable state, and it is possible to select discharge and hold even after the recording operation is completed, so that labor can be saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a vehicle-mounted image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a position of a window opening A of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a position of a window opening B of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a simple printing and discharging operation sequence according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a printing and discharging operation sequence according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Side view of passenger car 2 Door 3 Front window 4 Side window 5 Window position detection circuit 6 Recording device main body 7 Signal input / output unit 8 Recording head 9 Pinch roller 10 Spur 11 Paper feed tray 12 Recording paper 13 Paper feed roller 14 Paper feed roller 15 Discharge Paper roller 16 Discharge roller 17 Waste ink absorber 18 Speed detection circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Nojima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Osamu Sato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Akuro Kato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Koichi Kuno 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Masahiko Kubota 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Taku Higashiyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term inside Canon Inc. (Reference) 2C058 AC07 AD09 AE02 AE09 3D020 BA06 BB01 BC01 BD05 BE03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An in-vehicle image recording apparatus which is used in a moving means such as an automobile, a railroad, a ship, an aircraft, and the like, and which records and loads and transports various kinds of thin sheet materials as a recording material. An in-vehicle image recording apparatus, comprising: means for detecting an open / closed state of an openable / closable window provided on a moving means, and changing operation control according to the detection result. 2. An in-vehicle image recording apparatus which is used in a moving means such as an automobile, a railroad, a ship, and an aircraft, and uses various kinds of thin sheet materials as recording materials, and loads, conveys, and records. An in-vehicle image recording apparatus, comprising: means for detecting the open / closed state of an openable / closable window provided in a moving means and the speed of the moving means, and changing operation control based on a result of the detection. 3. The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area of the opening of the window is calculated, and the discharge operation is controlled based on the result. 4. The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an area and a speed of the opening of the window are detected, and a sheet discharging operation is controlled based on a result of the detection. 5. A mechanism for preventing a recorded image from being scattered due to wind entanglement, and providing a mechanism for preventing image deterioration and ensuring safety of a driver's view.
5. The in-vehicle image recording device according to any one of 4. 6. The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when there is a fear that the recorded image is scattered, the image is held at a discharge port of the image recording apparatus. 7. The in-vehicle image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a notification is provided to a printer driver or a display unit as to whether or not the recorded image can be discharged.