JP2019115202A - Printer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of facilitating switching of charging control only by connecting a wired cable.SOLUTION: The printer includes: a charging terminal for supplying electric power from an external power supply through a cable; a charging control section for charging a charging battery using electric power supplied to the charging terminal; and a discrimination section for discriminating whether electric power supplied to the charging terminal is supplied from an external information processing apparatus or from an external power supply apparatus. The charging control section changes charging control of the charging battery on the basis of a discrimination result of the discrimination section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer provided with a rechargeable battery.

  2. Description of the Related Art A printer or the like equipped with a rechargeable battery is used as a peripheral device of an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. As a power supply source for charging the battery, a power supply device (such as an AC adapter) is usually used. In addition, because of the convenience of being able to charge even without a power supply device, peripheral devices that charge using a wired interface (such as USB) that can be supplied with power that an information processing device (such as a PC) has as a power supply It is disclosed in Document 1 and the like.

  Here, the amount of power that can be supplied from the USB terminal or the like is small, and if charging from the AC adapter or the like is performed in accordance with the same amount of power, it takes a long time to charge peripheral devices.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the power supply from the AC adapter is also performed by connection to the USB terminal, and the control circuit mounted on the printer communicates with the connection destination according to the interface standard to communicate with the information processing apparatus. It is determined which of the AC adapters is connected. Then, according to the connected device, the charging power to be supplied is changed to shorten the charging time.

  On the other hand, it has a wireless interface (for example, near field wireless communication) separately from the wired interface, and when the wired cable is connected to the peripheral device, it communicates with the information processing apparatus by the wired interface, and the wired cable There is known a peripheral device which automatically switches communication so as to communicate with the information processing apparatus through a wireless interface when not connected.

JP, 2009-104536, A JP, 2015-189025, A

  If the configuration to automatically switch between the wired interface and the wireless interface according to the presence or absence of the wired cable as described above is applied to the configuration in which power supply from the AC adapter as in Patent Document 2 is also performed from the wired interface, Until the control circuit communicates with the connection destination in accordance with the wired interface standard, it can not be determined whether or not the wired interface is connected.

  Therefore, it takes time to perform switching automatically. In addition, although the cable is connected to the wired interface when the AC adapter is supplying power, the communication is performed by the wireless interface, so it is possible to determine whether the user is communicating via wired or wireless communication. It is difficult to do.

  Furthermore, connecting an AC adapter with a different voltage leads to destruction of the device, so it is necessary to match the output voltage of the AC adapter to the I / F specification of the peripheral device (5 V for USB). Therefore, when charging a voltage that exceeds the I / F specification (such as a 2-cell battery for 5 V of USB), a voltage booster circuit is required, and extra loss is added by the voltage booster circuit, so charging efficiency is improved. It will go down.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printer capable of easily executing switching of an interface used for communication and switching of charge control only by connecting a wired cable. is there.

  The printer according to the present invention comprises: a charging terminal to which power is supplied from an external power source through a cable; charge control means for charging a charging battery using the power supplied to the charging terminal; and the charging terminal to the charging terminal A determination unit for determining whether the power to be supplied is supplied from an external information processing apparatus or from an external power supply device, and the charge control unit is configured to use the determination result of the determination unit. The charge control of the charge battery is changed based on the above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer capable of easily executing switching of an interface used for communication and switching of charging control only by connecting a wired cable.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a mobile thermal printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the function which displays the state of the mobile thermal printer by LED. The other figure explaining the function which displays the state of the mobile thermal printer by LED. The other figure explaining the function which displays the state of the mobile thermal printer by LED. Side view of a mobile thermal printer. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the mobile thermal printer. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile thermal printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of charge control of the mobile thermal printer in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charge control unit of the mobile thermal printer. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a mobile thermal printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of charge control of the mobile thermal printer in the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a mobile thermal printer which is a first embodiment of a printer of the present invention will be described.

<Appearance structure>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the mobile thermal printer of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the mobile thermal printer 2 includes a main body 4 which is a thin rectangular parallelepiped casing made of metal such as aluminum or a synthetic resin, and a hinge portion disposed near the end of the main body 4. A cover 8 is also supported by a cover 6 so as to be able to open and close in the direction of the arrow A, and is also made of metal or synthetic resin.

  The main unit 4 incorporates a sheet storage unit 4a capable of storing a plurality of thermal paper (printing paper) for printing, such as A6 size, etc. inside, a conveyance mechanism of thermal paper described later, a thermal head (print head), etc. And a printing mechanism unit 4b. It is possible to open the lid 8 in the direction of arrow A and insert a plurality of thermal paper (for example, about 50 sheets) in the paper storage unit 4a in an overlapping manner.

  A plurality of thermal paper sheets stacked in the paper storage unit 4 a are supplied to the printing mechanism unit 4 b by a paper feed roller 56 described later from the bottom of the overlap one by one. The supplied thermal paper is printed by being transported by the platen roller while the thermal head is in pressure contact in the printing mechanism portion 4b, and a discharge port as a gap between the tip portion of the lid portion 8 and the printing mechanism portion 4b 4c are discharged to the outside of the mobile thermal printer 2, specifically, on the upper surface of the lid 8.

<Display section>
A small window (window) 18 in which a transparent plastic plate or the like is fitted is formed at the center of the lid 8 near the hinge 6. The user can look into the inside of the paper storage unit 4a from the small window 18 (visible), and can visually check the remaining number of unused thermal paper. Further, in the small window 18 (in the window portion), a remaining amount indicator for displaying the remaining amount of the unused heat sensitive paper stored in the paper storage unit 4a is incorporated. Specifically, when there are a sufficient number of thermal paper in the paper storage unit 4a, the yellow indicator member inside can not be seen from the small window 18, and as the number of sheets decreases, the indicator member gradually becomes small windows Become visible in 18 Therefore, the user can view and confirm the remaining amount of unused thermal paper directly by looking at the small window 18, and can also confirm by looking at the indicator member of the remaining amount indicator.

  In addition, three LEDs 20 a, 20 b and 20 c are disposed at positions near the small window 18 of the main body 4. These LEDs have a function of displaying the operating state of the mobile thermal printer 2.

  FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the function of displaying the state of the mobile thermal printer 2 using these LEDs.

  First, in FIG. 2, the LED 20 a has a function of displaying the state of the power supply of the mobile thermal printer 2. Specifically, when the LED 20a is lit in blue, it indicates that the printer is in the sleep state or in printing. When the LED 20a blinks in blue, it indicates that the battery is in the sleep state and the battery remaining amount is low. Furthermore, when the LED 20a is turned off, it indicates that it is in the standby state.

  In FIG. 3, the LED 20 b has a function of displaying the state of the operation mode of the mobile thermal printer 2. Specifically, when the LED 20 b is lit in blue, it indicates a reception standby state by wireless communication (near-field wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark)). When the LED 20 b is blinking in blue, it indicates a state in communication by wireless communication. Further, when the LED 20 b is lit in green, it indicates a reception standby state by wired communication (USB or the like). When the LED 20 b is blinking green, it indicates that the USB communication is in progress. When the LED 20 b flashes in red, it indicates an error state.

  In FIG. 4, the LED 20 c has a function of displaying the charge state of the mobile thermal printer 2. Specifically, when the LED 20 c is turned off, it indicates that the charging is being stopped. When the LED 20c is blinking orange, it indicates a charging error condition. When the LED 20c is lit in green, it indicates that the charging is completed. Furthermore, when the LED 20c is lit orange, it indicates that charging is in progress.

  The light guide members of the LEDs 20a, 20b, and 20c are exposed to the small window 18 side, and light leaked from the exposed portion illuminates the small window 18. Therefore, the user can view the remaining amount of thermal paper in the small window 18 and an indicator for displaying the remaining amount even in a dark place.

<Operation part>
FIG. 5 is a side view of the mobile thermal printer 2. In FIG. 5, on the side surface of the main body 4 of the mobile thermal printer 2, the power button 22, the USB terminal 24, the charging terminal 26, and the opening / closing lever 28 of the lid 8 are disposed. By operating the opening / closing lever 28 in the direction of the arrow C, the user can easily open the lid 8 from the main body 4 with one hand. When the opening / closing lever 28 is operated in the direction of the arrow C, the lock of the lid 8 is released and the lid 8 is lifted from the main body 4 by a sheet pressing spring (not shown). A large number of dimples 30 are formed on the side surface of the main body portion 4 so as to prevent the user from slipping when held by a hand.

<Internal structure>
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the mobile thermal printer 2. In FIG. 6, as described above, the sheet storage unit 4 a of the main unit 4 is configured to be able to stack and store a plurality of thermal sheets S. By opening the lid 8 in the direction of the arrow A, the user can store, for example, about 50 sheets of thermal paper S of a size such as A6 in the sheet storage unit 4a. At the lower part of the sheet storage unit 4a, a charging battery 52 serving as a power supply, a circuit board 54 mounted with a power supply circuit, a control circuit, and the like are disposed. A paper feed roller 56 for feeding the heat sensitive paper S is disposed at the lower part on the right side of the paper storage unit 4a in the figure, and the heat sensitive paper S is overlapped from below by the rotation of the paper feed roller 56 and friction force. Each sheet is separated and fed.

  The platen roller 58 is disposed on the downstream side of the sheet feeding direction of the sheet feeding roller 56, and the thermal sheet S fed to the platen roller 58 has a conveying direction of about 180 by the platen guide 59 disposed around the platen roller 58. Degree is inverted. Further, the thermal head 60 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the platen roller 58, and printing is performed by heating the thermal head 60 with the thermal paper S sandwiched between the thermal head 60 and the platen roller 58. In the present embodiment, printing is performed on the lower side surface of the thermal paper placed in the paper storage unit 4a. The printed thermal paper S is discharged from the discharge port 4 c formed between the lid 8 and the printing mechanism 4 b as described above.

  In the mobile thermal printer 2 configured as described above, the thermal paper S stacked and placed in the paper storage unit 4a is fed by the friction of the paper feed roller 56 one by one from the lowermost paper as indicated by the arrow D. It is fed in the feed direction. The fed thermal paper S is further supplied to the platen roller 58, and as shown by the arrow E, the transport direction is reversed by about 180 degrees by the platen roller 58 and the platen guide 59. The thermal head 60 is pressed against the inverted thermal paper S and heated to perform printing. The printed thermal paper S is further conveyed by the platen roller 58 and discharged from the paper outlet 4 c to the outside of the thermal printer.

<Electric block configuration>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrical block configuration of the mobile thermal printer 2. The main control unit 201 includes a CPU, a microcomputer, and the like, and controls the entire printer, performs calculations, and transfers information. In addition, a communication unit 202 and an interface unit 203 (IF unit) described later are provided.

  The communication unit 202 is an interface that performs information communication with an external information processing apparatus 301. As the communication unit 202, for example, a wired interface such as a USB interface or a SCSI interface can be mentioned. The wired interface performs connection detection by detecting a supply voltage at the time of connection on a circuit, and performs communication with the information processing apparatus 301 after the connection detection is performed. Further, by using the wireless module 212 in the printer, it is possible to communicate with the information processing apparatus 301 wirelessly.

  The interface unit 203 performs input / output control with the power button 22 provided in the mobile thermal printer 2, the thermal head 60, the thermistor in the thermal head 60, the LEDs 20a and 20b, and the motor 70 for transporting the thermal paper. O interface.

  The storage unit 211 stores data such as a program for control performed by the main control unit 201, and includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

  The charge control unit 251 controls the voltage and current required to charge the charging battery 52. In addition, it has a safety function to detect over-voltage, over-discharge, over-battery temperature, over-charging time, etc. of the rechargeable battery 52, and performs lighting control of the LED 20c for displaying the charging state. The power supplied from the power supply device 311 to the charge terminal 26 from the power supply 311 described later and the power supplied from the USB terminal of the information processing apparatus 301 to the charge terminal 26 are used to charge the charge battery 52 and the printing operation of the mobile thermal printer It shall not be used as a power source for Power for printing operation of the mobile thermal printer is supplied from the rechargeable battery 52 to each part of the mobile thermal printer.

  The supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the power supply source connected to the charge terminal 26 is the power supply device 311 such as an AC adapter or the like, or the USB terminal of the information processing apparatus 301 according to the difference in voltage or current input to the charge control unit 251. The determination result is output to the charge control unit 251. Here, the charging terminal 26 is a dedicated terminal such as a DC plug for power supply connection to which the power supply cable 322 and the power supply cable 323 are connected, unlike the USB terminal 24 described later.

  The thermal head 60 is one in which micro heating elements are aligned on one line. When the main control unit 201 controls energization corresponding to the image data to be printed, the heating element of the thermal head 60 is selectively heated, and a desired image can be printed. In addition, a thermistor is built in the thermal head 60, and the main control unit 201 adjusts the temperature of the thermal head 60 in response to the feedback of the thermistor.

  The motor 70 is a drive source for rotating the sheet feeding roller 56 and the platen roller 58 to convey the thermal sheet S.

  The wireless module 212 is configured by mounting a wireless chip and a wireless (antenna) circuit on a small substrate in order to perform wireless communication.

  The communication cable 321 is a cable such as a USB cable or a LAN cable which is connected between devices in order for the mobile thermal printer 2 to communicate with the information processing apparatus 301 and the like. In FIG. 7, a USB cable is taken as an example. Although the communication cable 321 also supplies power to the USB terminal 24 of the mobile thermal printer 2, in the present embodiment, this power is used as a power source for the main control unit 201 or the like, and used for charging the rechargeable battery 52. It shall not be possible. The power supply cable 322 is a dedicated power supply cable that connects the power supply portion of the USB terminal 301 b of the information processing device 301 and the charging terminal 26. The power supply cable 323 is a cable dedicated to power supply that connects the power supply device 311, which is a power supply source such as an AC adapter or a mobile battery, to the charging terminal.

<Processing procedure for charge control>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of charge control of the mobile thermal printer 2 in the present embodiment. When neither the power supply device 311 nor the USB terminal 301b is connected to the charging terminal 26 of the mobile thermal printer 2, the charging itself can not be performed. Therefore, in the following description of the charging control operation, the power supply device is not connected to the charging terminal 26. In the following description, it is assumed that either one of the terminals 311 and the USB terminal 301b is connected.

  First, in step S801, the main control unit 201 determines whether the information processing apparatus 301 is connected via the USB terminal (connection terminal) 24 via a wired interface. Here, the determination of the connection state is made by detecting whether or not the USB power from the USB terminal 301 a is input to the USB terminal 24 on the circuit in the communication unit 202. That is, the communication unit 202 does not communicate with the information processing apparatus 301 and determines whether the information processing apparatus 301 is connected to the USB terminal 24 only by whether or not the USB power is input. This shortens the connection detection time.

  In step S801, when it is determined that the information processing apparatus 301 is connected to the USB terminal 24, the process proceeds to step S802, and the main control unit 201 automatically switches to the wired communication mode (switching the communication state). Then, the main control unit 201 controls the information processing apparatus 301 to communicate (by wire) with the USB. At this time, when the main control unit 201 communicates with the information processing apparatus 301 using the wireless module 212, the main control unit 201 stops the wireless communication, and switches the communication unit from wireless to wired. Further, the main control unit 201 outputs, to the charge control unit 251, the detection result that the information processing device 301 is connected to the USB terminal 24.

  In the present embodiment, when a cable is connected to the USB terminal 24, the mode is automatically set to the USB communication mode (wired communication mode), and when a cable is not connected to the USB terminal 24, automatic operation is performed. It is assumed that the wireless communication mode is set.

  Here, temporarily, as described above, the cable communication mode and the wireless communication mode can be switched by connecting and disconnecting the cable to the USB terminal 24, and the charging terminal 26 is not provided, and the information processing device 301 and the power supply device 311 are connected to the USB terminal 24. Consider the case of being configured to be connectable in common. In this case, when the power supply device 311 is connected to the USB terminal 24 for the purpose of charging the rechargeable battery 52, the main control unit 201 automatically sends print data wirelessly from an external device to set the wired communication mode. You can not do this and you will not be able to print while charging. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the charging terminal 26 is provided separately from the USB terminal 24, print data can be sent by wireless communication using the wireless module 212 unless a cable is connected to the USB terminal 24. Even in the state of charging using the terminal 26, printing is possible. Alternatively, print data may be transmitted by wired communication using the USB terminal 24.

  When switched to the USB communication mode (wired communication mode) in step S802, in step S803, the supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the charging terminal 26 is connected to the power supply device 311 or connected to the USB terminal 301b of the information processing apparatus. Determine if it is.

  Here, the determination of the connection is made based on the difference between the output voltages of the power supply 311 and the USB terminal 301b. For example, the voltage of the power supply device 311 is set to a voltage (such as 10 V) higher than 5 V of the USB voltage, and the determination is made based on the difference in this voltage. When the same voltage as the USB voltage is output as in the case of a mobile battery, etc., the supply source determination unit 252 should determine the difference in rise time of voltage at connection, the difference in inrush current value generated at connection, etc. The connection may be determined in

  If the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26 in step S803, the process proceeds to step 804, the charging control unit 251 sets the charging current value to A, and if not connected, the process proceeds to step 805 and the charging current Set the value to B smaller than A and charge. That is, the charging current value set by charging control unit 251 is the result of the detection of the connection to USB terminal 24 by main control unit 201 and the result of the detection of the connection of power supply device 311 to charging terminal 26 by supply source determination unit 252. It is determined based on both.

  Specifically, when the connection to the USB terminal 24 is detected, since it is in the wired communication mode, the power consumption is smaller than that in the wireless communication. Therefore, the charging current value can be slightly higher than that during wireless communication (current value A> current value C). In addition, when the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26, the supplied power is larger than when the USB terminal 301b is connected. Therefore, the charging current value is set high (current value A> current value B).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the information processing device 301 is not connected to the USB terminal 24, the process advances to step S812 to switch to the wireless communication mode. Then, the main control unit 201 controls to communicate with the information processing apparatus 301 wirelessly. Further, the main control unit 201 outputs, to the charge control unit 251, a detection result indicating that the information processing device 301 is not connected to the USB terminal 24.

  In step S <b> 813, the supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26. The determination of connection is performed by the same method as step S803.

  If it is determined in step S813 that the power supply device 311 is connected to the charge terminal 26, the process proceeds to step S814, and the charge control unit 251 sets the charge current value to C. If it is determined in step S813 that the power supply device 311 is not connected to the charging terminal 26, the process proceeds to step S815 to set the charging current value to D smaller than C and perform charging. That is, the charging current value set by charging control unit 251 is the result of the detection of the connection to USB terminal 24 by main control unit 201 and the result of the detection of the connection of power supply device 311 to charging terminal 26 by supply source determination unit 252. It is determined based on both.

  Specifically, when the connection to the USB terminal 24 is not detected, since the wireless communication mode is set, the power consumption is higher than that in the wired communication. Therefore, the chargeable current value is slightly reduced (current value C <A). In addition, when the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26, the supplied power is larger than when the USB terminal 301b is connected. Therefore, the charging current value is set high (current value C> current value D).

  In the present embodiment, the setting value of the charging current is based on the result of detection of connection to the USB terminal 24 by the main control unit 201 and the result of detection of connection to the charging terminal 26 of the power supply device 311 by the supply source determination unit 252. Were determined. However, for simplification of the circuit, the setting of the charging current value may be made common, and the setting value of the charging current is A = C (set to the small current value C in wireless communication), B = D (A> B ) May be used.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the charge control unit 251. As shown in FIG.

  The supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the USB terminal 301 b of the information processing apparatus 301 is connected to the charging terminal 26 via the power supply cable 322 or whether the power supply 311 is connected via the power supply cable 323. The determination is made, and the result is output to the charge control unit 251.

  The charge current generation circuit 255 in the charge control unit 251 generates a current value used for charging based on the output of the supply source determination unit 252. Specifically, when the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26, the supply source determination unit 252 outputs a signal of “H” level, and when the USB terminal 301b is connected, An "L" level signal is output. In the comparator, the charging current generation circuit 255 compares the current value input to the charging battery 52 with the current value flowing from the reference voltage Vref, and generates the charging current by switching the switch SW3 according to the result. More specifically, the signal of “H” or “L” level input as a determination result from the supply source determination unit 252 is input to the switch SW1, whereby the resistance value between the reference voltage Vref and the comparator is obtained. Changes from the reference voltage Vref to change the current input to the comparator. As the current value changes, the comparison result of the comparator changes, the switch SW3 is switched, and the charging current is changed.

  Note that the method of determining the power supply source is one example implemented by the above circuit configuration, and when the control pattern of the charging current is diverse, the USB terminals of the power supply device 311 and the information processing device 301 The difference in output voltage from 301 b and the charging current may be determined by the CPU or the like and controlled.

  Further, the output of the supply source determination unit 252 is also input to the charge protection time setting circuit 256. The charge protection time setting circuit 256 is a circuit for setting a time until an error for protecting a rechargeable battery or a circuit is issued when charging is not completed even if time for completion of charging has elapsed. The charge protection time setting circuit 256 sets a charge protection time according to the current generated by the charge current generation circuit 255. Specifically, a signal of “H” or “L” level input as a determination result from the supply source determination unit 252 is input to the switch SW2. By switching the switch SW2, the capacitance of the capacitor connected to the oscillator changes, and the oscillation frequency of the oscillator changes. Thereby, the count cycle in the timer is changed, a predetermined number of times are counted, and the time (the protection time) until TimeOut is output is changed.

  Thus, the circuit configuration is achieved by controlling switching of the current value generated by the charging current generation circuit 255 and the setting of the protection time in the charging protection time setting circuit 256 with the common output of the common supply source determination unit 252. Can be simplified.

  The supply source determination unit 252 may be configured to output a level such as “H” or “L” according to the input voltage to the charge terminal 26 depending on the circuit configuration. In that case, the output may be input to both the charge current generation circuit 255 and the charge protection time setting circuit 256. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily set an appropriate charging current and protection time based on the value of the current supplied to the charging terminal 26.

  Further, the supply source determination unit 252 may be configured using a function such as a CPU. Also in this case, the level such as “H” or “L” of the determination result is input from the supply source determination unit 252 to both the charging current generation circuit 255 and the charge protection time setting circuit 256. The same effects as those described above can be obtained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the power source connected to the charge terminal 26 is determined using the voltage supplied to the charge control unit 251 and the like, so the power source is determined without communicating with the connection destination. be able to. This makes it possible to switch the charging current value easily and quickly.

  In addition, since switching between wired communication and wireless communication can be performed in synchronization with whether or not the wired cable is connected to the wired interface (USB terminal 24), the user can easily understand the switching between wired and wireless be able to.

  Further, by changing the charging control according to the result of determination as to whether or not the wired connection to the USB terminal 24 is made, charging can be performed with optimum power for each of the wired communication and the wireless communication. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printer in which the time required for charging is shortened.

  In addition, when power is supplied from a power supply device such as an AC adapter with a large amount of power supply, charging current is increased as compared to the case where power is supplied from an information processing device such as a PC with a small amount of power supply. , Charging time can be shortened.

  In the above embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by methods other than the flowchart of FIG. For example, after the main control unit 201 detects a connection to the USB terminal 24, the determination result of the presence of the USB connection is held as a flag, and the supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26 The result may be held as a flag, and the charging current value may be set with reference to a table or the like based on the two determination results.

Second Embodiment
The mobile thermal printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention can supply charging power to the charging battery 52 also from the wired communication interface (USB terminal 301a) capable of supplying power, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. It is something like that. First, the block configuration of the mobile thermal printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

<Description of block diagram>
The configuration of the mobile thermal printer of this embodiment is obtained by changing the roles of the supply source determination unit 252 and the main control unit 201 and adding a switch SW 91 to the configuration of the first embodiment of FIG. 7. The other configurations are the same, and thus the description of the same portions will be omitted.

  In FIG. 10, the switch SW 91 turns on / off the supply of power from the information processing device 301 supplied to the USB terminal 24 to the charge control unit 251. The switch SW 91 is configured of an FET, a transistor, a load switch, and the like, and the main control unit 201 controls on / off of the switch SW 91.

  The supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the power supply source connected to the charge terminal 26 is the power supply device 311 or the USB terminal 301b of the information processing apparatus 301 by the voltage or current input to the charge control unit 251, The determination result is output to the main control unit 201.

  In addition to the role of the first embodiment, the main control unit 201 sets the power supply status according to the present embodiment based on the ON / OFF of the switch SW 91 and the determination result of the supply source determination unit 252 as the charge control unit 251. Execute the function to output to.

<Processing procedure for charge control>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of charge control of the mobile thermal printer 2 in the present embodiment. In addition, about the step which performs the process similar to FIG. 8, the code | symbol similar to FIG. 8 is attached | subjected. As in the first embodiment, when neither the power supply device 311 nor the USB terminal 301b is connected to the charging terminal 26 of the mobile thermal printer 2, the charging itself can not be performed. In the description, it is assumed that either the power supply device 311 or the USB terminal 301 b is connected to the charging terminal 26.

  First, in step S901, the main control unit 201 turns off the switch SW 91 to stop the power supply from the USB interface (USB terminal 24) to the charge control unit 251.

  Here, when the switch SW 91 is turned on, if the power from the USB terminal 301 b is supplied to the charging terminal 26, the voltage value is detected by the communication unit 202 if the switch SW 91 is turned off. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately determine whether the information processing apparatus 301 is connected to the USB terminal 24 in the next step S901. Similarly, if the switch SW 91 is turned on, the voltage value supplied from the USB terminal 24 is detected by the supply source determination unit 252, so the USB terminal 301b is connected to the charging terminal 26 in the subsequent step S902. This is because it can not be accurately determined whether or not it is connected.

  When the switch SW 91 is turned off in step S 901, the main control unit 201 determines whether the information processing device 301 is connected to the USB terminal 24 in step S 801.

  If it is determined in step S801 that the information processing device 301 is connected to the USB terminal 24, the process advances to step S802 to switch to the wired communication mode. Then, the main control unit 201 controls the information processing apparatus 301 to communicate (by wire) with the USB. At this time, when the main control unit 201 communicates with the information processing apparatus 301 using the wireless module 212, the main control unit 201 stops the wireless communication, and switches the communication unit from wireless to wired.

  When switched to the USB communication mode (wired communication mode) in step S802, the source determination unit 252 determines whether power is supplied to the charging terminal 26 in step S902, and the main control unit determines the determination result. Output to 201.

  Here, the determination as to whether or not the power is supplied depends on the detection circuit in the supply source determination unit 252 that the voltage value of the charging terminal 26 has not reached a constant voltage or that no current is flowing. It is performed by using and detecting. That is, the supply source determination unit 252 functions as a determination unit for the presence or absence of the power supply to the charging terminal 26. The means for determining the presence or absence of the power supply may be realized by a configuration other than the supply source determining unit 252.

  If it is determined in step S902 that power is supplied to the charging terminal 26, then in step S903, the power source determination unit 252 is further connected to the power supply device 311 or the USB terminal 301b of the information processing device 301 is connected. Determine if it is. This determination method is the same as that of the first embodiment. Then, the supply source determination unit 252 outputs, to the main control unit 201, the determination result as to whether the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26 or whether the USB terminal 301b of the information processing device 301 is connected.

  If it is determined in step S903 that the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26, the main control unit 201 outputs the charging current value to the charging control unit 251 so that the charging current value is A in step S904. Then, the charge control unit 251 sets the charge current value to A. At this time, the switch SW 91 may be controlled to be turned on, but even in that case, the charging current value is set to A.

  If it is determined in step S 903 that the power supply device 311 is not connected to the charging terminal 26, the situation is that the USB terminal 301 b of the information processing device 301 is connected to the charging terminal 26 and power is supplied. It is. In this case, the main control unit 201 turns on the switch SW 91 in step S 911, and power supply from the USB terminal 24 to the charge control unit 251 is started.

  When the switch SW 91 is turned on in step S 911, the main control unit 201 outputs the charge current value to the charge control unit 251 so that the charge current value is B ′ in step S 912, and the charge control unit 251 sets the charge current value to B ′. Do.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 902 that there is no power supply to the charging terminal 26, the main control unit 201 turns on the switch SW 91 in step 921 to supply power from the USB terminal 24 to the charging control unit 251. Start supplying.

  When the switch SW 91 is turned on in step S 921, the main control unit 201 outputs the charging current value to E so that the charging current value is E, and the charging control unit 251 sets the charging current value to E in step S 922.

  As described above, the charging current is based on the result of the detection of the connection to the USB terminal 24 by the main control unit 201 and the result of the detection of the connection of the power supply device 311 or the USB terminal 301b to the charging terminal 26 by the supply source determination unit 252. Make settings.

  More specifically, when the connection to the USB terminal 24 is detected, since the wired communication mode is set, the power consumption is smaller than that in the wireless communication. Therefore, the charging current value can be slightly higher than that during wireless communication (current value A> current value C). Furthermore, when the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26, the supplied power is larger than when the USB terminal 301b is connected. Therefore, the charging current value is set high (current value A> current value B ').

  Furthermore, even if the power supply device 311 is not connected to the charging terminal 26, when power is supplied from the USB terminal 301b of the information processing apparatus 301, the supplied power is higher than when nothing is connected to the charging terminal 26. There will be more. Therefore, the charging current value is set high (current value B '> E).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S801 that the information processing device 301 is not connected to the USB terminal 24, the process advances to step S812 to switch to the wireless communication mode. Then, the main control unit 201 controls to communicate with the information processing apparatus 301 wirelessly.

  In step S <b> 813, the supply source determination unit 252 determines whether the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26. The determination of connection is performed by the same method as step S803.

  If it is determined in step S813 that the power supply device 311 is connected to the charge terminal 26, the process proceeds to step S814, and the charge control unit 251 sets the charge current value to C. If it is determined in step S813 that the power supply device 311 is not connected to the charging terminal 26, the process proceeds to step S815 to set the charging current value to D smaller than C and perform charging.

  At this time, as described in the first embodiment, at the time of wireless communication, the power consumption is higher than at the time of wired communication, so the chargeable current value is slightly smaller (current values C <A, D <B) . In addition, when the power supply device 311 is connected to the charging terminal 26, the supplied power is larger than when the USB terminal 301b is connected. Therefore, the charging current value is set high (current value C> current value D).

  In the present embodiment, the setting value of the charging current is based on the result of detection of connection to the USB terminal 24 by the main control unit 201 and the result of detection of connection to the charging terminal 26 of the power supply device 311 by the supply source determination unit 252. Were determined. However, for simplification of the circuit, the setting of the charging current value may be made common, and the setting value of the charging current is A = C (set to the small current value C in wireless communication), E = D (A> B) '> E)) may be used.

  In step S923, it is determined whether one loop of the flow of FIG. 11 is ended and a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S901, and if not, the process waits on standby. This is because, when the cable connection to the USB terminal 24 and the connection of the power supply to the charging terminal 26 newly occur during execution of the charging control, as already described in step S901, the switch is temporarily switched. This is because the cable connection to each terminal can not be accurately detected unless the SW 91 is turned off. As described above, when the switch SW 91 is turned off at predetermined time intervals, even when a cable is newly connected to the terminal, new connection can be confirmed if the predetermined time elapses at the latest.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by supplying the power supplied to the USB terminal 24 to the charge control unit 251, the power from the USB terminal 24 can also be used for charging. In addition, it was determined whether power was supplied to the charge control unit 251 from the charge terminal 26. As a result, charging can be performed with optimal power that matches the power supplied to the charge control unit 251, including the power supplied to the USB terminal 24. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printer in which the time required for charging is shortened.

  In the second embodiment, the power supply to the charging terminal 26 and the connection of the power supply device 311 to the charging terminal 26 are divided into steps S902 and S903 and executed. You may go at the same time. That is, the supply source determination unit 252 detects and determines what voltage is supplied to the charging terminal 26. If the determination result is less than the first threshold voltage (for example, 0 V), there is no connection to the charging terminal 26 (no power supply to the charging terminal 26), and between the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage (for example, If 5 V is detected, the power is supplied from the USB terminal 301 b of the information processing apparatus 301 (the power is supplied to the charging terminal 26 and the power supply device 311 is not connected), and a voltage higher than the second threshold voltage In this case, it may be determined that the power supply device 311 is connected and the power supply from the power supply device 311 is supplied.

2: Mobile thermal printer 4: main body 4a: paper storage 4b: printing mechanism 6: 6: hinge 8: lid 12: paper discharge tray 18: small window (window)
20a, 20b, 20c: LED
22: power button 24: USB terminal 26: charging terminal 28: opening / closing lever 52: charging battery 54: circuit board 56: paper feeding roller 58: platen roller 60: thermal head 70: motor 201: main control unit 202: communication unit 203 : Interface unit 211: Storage unit 212: Wireless module 251: Charge control unit 252: Supply source determination unit 301: Information processing device 311: Power supply device 321: Communication cable 322: Power supply cable 323: Power supply cable

Claims (12)

A charging terminal powered by an external power supply via a cable,
Charge control means for charging a charge battery using the power supplied to the charge terminal;
A determination unit configured to determine whether the power supplied to the charging terminal is supplied from an external information processing device or an external power supply device;
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the charge control unit changes the charge control of the charged battery based on the determination result of the determination unit.   The determination means determines whether power supplied to the charging terminal is supplied from an external information processing apparatus or supplied from an external power supply device based on the voltage supplied to the charging terminal. The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that:   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the charge control unit changes a current value for charging the charged battery based on the determination result of the determination unit.   The charge control means determines that the power supplied to the charge terminal is supplied from the power supply device when it is determined that the power supplied to the charge terminal is supplied from the information processing device. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the current value for charging the rechargeable battery is smaller than in the case.   A connection terminal for performing wired communication with an external information processing apparatus via a cable and receiving supply of power from the information processing apparatus via the cable, and the information processing apparatus via the cable to the connection terminal The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: detection means for detecting connection of the printer.   When it is detected that the information processing apparatus is connected to the connection terminal by the detection unit, wired communication is performed with the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus is connected to the connection terminal by the detection unit. 6. The printer according to claim 5, further comprising: switching means for switching the communication state so as to perform wireless communication with an external device when it is detected that the communication is not performed.   7. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the charge control unit changes the charge control of the charge battery based on the detection result of the detection unit and the determination result of the determination unit.   The switching device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising switching means for switching whether or not the power supplied from the information processing device to the connection terminal is used for charging the rechargeable battery. Printer.   The switching unit switches the power supplied to the connection terminal to be used to charge the rechargeable battery when it is determined by the determination unit that power is not supplied to the charging terminal. The printer according to claim 8.   The switching unit switches the power supplied to the connection terminal to be used to charge the charging battery when it is determined by the determination unit that power is supplied from the information processing apparatus to the charging terminal. A printer according to claim 8, characterized in that.   The charge control unit is configured to detect the connection of the information processing apparatus when the detection unit detects that the information processing apparatus is not connected to the connection terminal. The printer according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein a current value for charging a rechargeable battery is reduced. A method of controlling a printer comprising a charging terminal powered by an external power source through a cable,
A charge control step of charging a charge battery using the power supplied to the charge terminal;
A determination step of determining whether the power supplied to the charging terminal is supplied from an external information processing apparatus or an external power supply device;
In the charge control process, the charge control of the charged battery is changed based on the determination result of the determination process.

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