US20050083410A1 - Apparatus having a printer unit - Google Patents
Apparatus having a printer unit Download PDFInfo
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- US20050083410A1 US20050083410A1 US10/982,343 US98234304A US2005083410A1 US 20050083410 A1 US20050083410 A1 US 20050083410A1 US 98234304 A US98234304 A US 98234304A US 2005083410 A1 US2005083410 A1 US 2005083410A1
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- Prior art keywords
- battery
- printing
- power
- printing operation
- printer unit
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00885—Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
- H04N1/00899—Detection of supply level or supply failure
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
- B41J2/2132—Print quality control characterised by dot disposition, e.g. for reducing white stripes or banding
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00281—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal
- H04N1/00283—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal with a television apparatus
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
- H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
- H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras
- H04N1/2154—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00885—Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a technology for application in an apparatus having a printer unit, in which a stable condition for printing operation can be realized by eliminating an inconvenience of lack of power when executing the printing operation using a battery.
- a battery supplies power for each part or portion of the apparatus including the printer unit itself. For example, a printing operation is performed by the power supplied by the battery.
- the printing operation performed by the printer unit generally requires a large amount of power, so that it requires a means of restraining the printing operation if the actual remaining power of the battery is lower than the amount of power required for enabling the thorough execution of the printing operation.
- the means of restraining the printing operation there is for example a way in which a voltage of the battery is monitored so that the printing operation is halted when the voltage becomes lower than a specified threshold value.
- the method mentioned above of restraining the printing operation by monitoring the battery voltage has a problem that the printing operation is started if the voltage level is at the threshold value or higher, even when the battery does not have power enough to complete the printing operation. In such case, the printing operation is halted at the time the battery voltage becomes lower than the threshold voltage with the printing operation already started, thus causing a waste of printing paper.
- information related to a remaining power of a battery is collected by establishing a communication with the battery as well as calculating a printing enabling power based on information regarding such as temperatures outside and/or inside the apparatus and/or the amount of data to be printed out, etc. Then, the remaining power of the battery is compared with the printing enabling power and, if the remaining power is lower than the printing enabling power, then a condition of inability to execute the printing operation is established and then informed to a user in order to restrain printing action.
- the present invention includes an apparatus having the printing unit integrated in a body, that has a means such as a built-in microprocessor for processing printing data originated from, for example, inputted data from outside and/or data stored inside, and also includes a battery integrated to the body.
- a means such as a built-in microprocessor for processing printing data originated from, for example, inputted data from outside and/or data stored inside, and also includes a battery integrated to the body.
- Such apparatus performs communication with the battery and, based on received information related to the remaining power of the battery as well as calculating the printing enabling power based on information regarding for example temperatures outside and/or inside the apparatus and the amount of data to be printed out, the remaining power of the battery is compared with the printing enabling power and, if the remaining power is lower than the enabling power, then a condition of inability of execution of the printing operation (herein after referred to simply as “condition of inability of printing”) is established and informed to a user in order to restrain printing action.
- condition of inability of printing a condition of inability of execution of the printing operation
- the apparatus having a printing unit according to the present invention can be set so that, when the condition of inability of printing is determined, the printing operation is immediately restrained, thus avoiding a waste of resources like the printing paper and, consequently, realizing a stable environment for printing.
- the warning of the condition of inability of printing such as a message display, so that a user can restrain printing action.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing an overall structure of a video tape recorder integrated to a camera as a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a video tape recorder integrated to a camera having a printer unit integrated to one body;
- FIG. 2 is a plan showing an upper view of a video tape recorder integrated to a camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is graph showing a change of a printing enabling power according to temperature
- FIG. 4 is graph showing a change of a battery power level according to temperature
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control portion for the printing operation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- VTR video tape recorder
- camera camera
- FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an external appearance of a camcorder 1 having a printer unit incorporated to a same body.
- the camcorder 1 has a main body 3 incorporating an image pickup lens 2 , a VTR apparatus, etc.; in which the main body 3 has a printing apparatus (herein after referred to as “printer unit”) 4 integrated therewith.
- a printing apparatus herein after referred to as “printer unit”
- an image displaying portion herein after referred to as “liquid crystal panel” 5 having a free open-close feature and a viewfinder 6 are attached respectively in a left side 3 a and on a top of the main body 3 .
- the liquid crystal panel 5 When in use, the liquid crystal panel 5 is open as shown in FIG. 2 and, when not in use, the liquid crystal panel 5 is closed as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the liquid crystal panel 5 and the viewfinder 6 are used for displaying images to be selected and confirmed for printing, as well as a status of a printing operation by the printer unit 4 , other than for confirmation of pictures during shooting, verification of the images taken or the like. Furthermore, on a rear side 3 b of the main body 3 , a battery 7 is attached in order to supply electric power to each part of the camcorder 1 including the printer unit 4 , during its use as a portable apparatus.
- the camcorder 1 constantly grasps information related to a condition of the battery 7 so as to allowing decision-making over the execution or not of the printing operation by the printer unit 4 .
- the battery 7 has a built-in microprocessor, shown in FIG. 6 as battery microprocessor 77 , that constantly monitors and allows grasping of information like those related to a remaining power of the battery(an actual battery power level) R(T).
- the information R(T) on the remaining power of battery 7 is sent according to demand to a built-in microprocessor at the main body 3 side (Step 2 ), and utilized for the process described below.
- another built-in microprocessor allows the grasping of data to be printed out, that is, every information regarding image data of the camcorder 1 , such as information on image contrast r(x,y), external and/or internal temperature (hereinafter referred to simply as “temperature”) or the like.
- a temperature sensor 16 built in the printer unit 4 in FIG. 6 grasps the temperature for the process described below.
- body microprocessor 44 The built-in microprocessors described above related to the body of the camcorder 1 are represented in FIG. 6 as body microprocessor 44 in which data such as the data required for the process described herein, like the remaining battery power R(T), information on image contrast r(x,y) and temperature T, and commands for controlling the printing operation, displaying of image data or the like.
- the body microprocessor 44 is also responsible for controlling the printing operation by sending commands for example to the printer unit 4 , the liquid crystal panel 5 and the viewfinder 6 .
- body microprocessor 44 represents a processing device or a plurality of processing devices that may include the microprocessors described above having, for example, a function of processing the battery data, the image data, the temperature data or the like such as in the processing and calculations described below.
- FIG. 6 is set in order to correspond to numbers of portions of the preferred embodiment according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .
- a relation between the temperature and a power required for printing W(T), as shown in FIG. 3 shows that a required printing enabling power decreases with increasing temperature. Moreover, if using a power that is equal to the power required for printing W(T) or higher, it is possible to increase a contrast of a printing image.
- a relation between a battery level of battery 7 and the temperature shows that the level of the battery 7 , that is, the capacity of the battery 7 of supplying power, apparently increases with increasing temperature.
- W ( t ) f ( T,t ) Xr ( x,y )
- f (T, t) is a function of temperature T that increases with decreasing temperature so that a larger amount of power is required
- r (x, y) is an image contrast regarding a point (x, y) of the image.
- the required power involves the contrast mentioned above.
- the relation between the level of battery 7 and the temperature shows that the level of the battery 7 , that is, the capacity of the battery 7 of supplying power apparently increases with increasing temperature.
- the printing enabling power is compared against a remaining power obtained through communication with the battery 7 (Step 4 ).
- the remaining power R(T) is the information regarding the remaining power available for consumption in the battery 7 at actual time.
- an appropriate warning indication for example, indication of a lack of battery power or indication of a remaining battery power
- an appropriate warning indication is done in the liquid crystal panel 5 , the view finder 6 or the like, so that attention of a user is called, and judgment on later procedures is entrusted to the user (Step 5 ) or, printing is restrained, warning is performed (for example, a display indication of inability of printing) is done in the liquid crystal panel 5 , the view finder 6 or the like so that the printing operation is restrained beforehand, or the printing operation is forcibly halted.
- a paper-supplying aperture 8 of the printer unit 4 is covered when the liquid crystal panel 5 is closed.
- a printing paper 9 is drawn from the paper-supplying aperture 8 into a printer unit 4 in the direction shown by arrow 10 , so that the printing paper is ejected after printing through a printout ejection aperture, not shown in the figure, in the direction of arrow 11 .
- the power of the printer unit 4 is set so as to either have an on-off switch in the left side 3 a of the main body 3 which is the portion that is covered by the liquid crystal panel 5 when the panel is closed, in a similar way to the paper supplying aperture 8 , or interlocked with the open-close of the liquid crystal panel 5 in order to have the power of the printer unit 4 automatically turned on (turn ON) when the liquid crystal panel 5 is open and automatically turned off (turn OFF) when the liquid crystal panel 5 is closed.
- Such on-off state of the liquid crystal panel 5 may be detected by a panel sensor 5 a of FIG. 6 comprising an optical, a mechanical, an electrical sensor device or the like.
- data subject to be printed out by the printer unit 4 such as image data include input images from outside captured by the image pickup lens 2 as well as data like images and pictures stored in an image data storage 22 according to FIG. 6 such as video tapes, integrated memories, freely removable memories, etc.
- the camcorder 1 that comprises an apparatus having a printer unit
- the remaining power R(T) of the battery 7 is detected and, after compared to the printing enabling power required for the data mentioned above, as the printing operation is done only when the remaining power R(T) is equal to the printing enabling power or higher, it is possible to avoid the problem of interruption of the printing operation due to lack of power of the battery 7 as well as a waste of printing paper.
- information like those related to the remaining power of the battery are informed to the camcorder's user, thus providing a printing opportunity in a planned fashion and permitting the realization of a stable printing environment.
Abstract
A stable condition for a printing operation regarding an apparatus having a printer unit and a battery unit, eliminating problems related to lack of a battery power during the printing operation performed by the battery, specifically for a portable apparatus using the battery, is obtained by an apparatus having the printer unit in which the printing operation is performed by processing data inputted from outside an embodiment thereof and/or data stored therein, in which the apparatus having the printer unit can be activated by the battery and perform communication with the battery so that, based on received information related to the remaining power of the battery as well as calculating the printing enabling power based on, for example, temperatures outside and/or inside the apparatus and the amount of data to be printed out, the remaining power of the battery is compared with the printing enabling power and, if the remaining power of the battery is lower than the printing enabling power, then a condition of inability of execution of printing operation is established and informed to a user in order to restrain printing action.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a technology for application in an apparatus having a printer unit, in which a stable condition for printing operation can be realized by eliminating an inconvenience of lack of power when executing the printing operation using a battery.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- For an apparatus having a printer unit, and especially for a portable apparatus, a battery supplies power for each part or portion of the apparatus including the printer unit itself. For example, a printing operation is performed by the power supplied by the battery.
- The printing operation performed by the printer unit generally requires a large amount of power, so that it requires a means of restraining the printing operation if the actual remaining power of the battery is lower than the amount of power required for enabling the thorough execution of the printing operation. As the means of restraining the printing operation, there is for example a way in which a voltage of the battery is monitored so that the printing operation is halted when the voltage becomes lower than a specified threshold value.
- However, the method mentioned above of restraining the printing operation by monitoring the battery voltage has a problem that the printing operation is started if the voltage level is at the threshold value or higher, even when the battery does not have power enough to complete the printing operation. In such case, the printing operation is halted at the time the battery voltage becomes lower than the threshold voltage with the printing operation already started, thus causing a waste of printing paper.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to problems related to a lack of battery power during the printing operation as explained above, and to realize a stable condition for the printing operation.
- In order to solve the problems mentioned above, according to the present invention, information related to a remaining power of a battery is collected by establishing a communication with the battery as well as calculating a printing enabling power based on information regarding such as temperatures outside and/or inside the apparatus and/or the amount of data to be printed out, etc. Then, the remaining power of the battery is compared with the printing enabling power and, if the remaining power is lower than the printing enabling power, then a condition of inability to execute the printing operation is established and then informed to a user in order to restrain printing action.
- Thus, from the procedure described above, the problems caused by the lack of battery power during the printing operation executed by a printing unit can be solved.
- The present invention includes an apparatus having the printing unit integrated in a body, that has a means such as a built-in microprocessor for processing printing data originated from, for example, inputted data from outside and/or data stored inside, and also includes a battery integrated to the body. Such apparatus performs communication with the battery and, based on received information related to the remaining power of the battery as well as calculating the printing enabling power based on information regarding for example temperatures outside and/or inside the apparatus and the amount of data to be printed out, the remaining power of the battery is compared with the printing enabling power and, if the remaining power is lower than the enabling power, then a condition of inability of execution of the printing operation (herein after referred to simply as “condition of inability of printing”) is established and informed to a user in order to restrain printing action.
- There are many alternative ways of restraining printing operation for the apparatus having a printing unit according to the present invention, such as one in which, when the condition of inability of printing is determined, a warning display or the like informs a user in order to restrain printing action due to the condition of inability of printing. By doing so, a loss of resources such as waste of printing paper can be avoided and, consequently, a stable condition for printing can be realized.
- Alternatively, the apparatus having a printing unit according to the present invention can be set so that, when the condition of inability of printing is determined, the printing operation is immediately restrained, thus avoiding a waste of resources like the printing paper and, consequently, realizing a stable environment for printing. There is still a possibility of providing, at the same time, in addition to the restraining of the printing operation, the warning of the condition of inability of printing such as a message display, so that a user can restrain printing action.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing an overall structure of a video tape recorder integrated to a camera as a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a video tape recorder integrated to a camera having a printer unit integrated to one body; -
FIG. 2 is a plan showing an upper view of a video tape recorder integrated to a camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is graph showing a change of a printing enabling power according to temperature; -
FIG. 4 is graph showing a change of a battery power level according to temperature; -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control portion for the printing operation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. - A detailed description of an apparatus having a printing unit according to a preferred embodiment the present invention is made with reference to the drawings mentioned above, as follows. The preferred embodiment hereof is an application of the present invention to a video tape recorder (VTR) integrated to a camera (herein after referred to as “camcorder”) having a printing apparatus incorporated to a same body.
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FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 show an external appearance of acamcorder 1 having a printer unit incorporated to a same body. - The
camcorder 1 has amain body 3 incorporating animage pickup lens 2, a VTR apparatus, etc.; in which themain body 3 has a printing apparatus (herein after referred to as “printer unit”) 4 integrated therewith. In addition, an image displaying portion (herein after referred to as “liquid crystal panel”) 5 having a free open-close feature and aviewfinder 6 are attached respectively in aleft side 3 a and on a top of themain body 3. When in use, theliquid crystal panel 5 is open as shown inFIG. 2 and, when not in use, theliquid crystal panel 5 is closed as shown inFIG. 1 . - Moreover, the
liquid crystal panel 5 and theviewfinder 6 are used for displaying images to be selected and confirmed for printing, as well as a status of a printing operation by theprinter unit 4, other than for confirmation of pictures during shooting, verification of the images taken or the like. Furthermore, on arear side 3 b of themain body 3, abattery 7 is attached in order to supply electric power to each part of thecamcorder 1 including theprinter unit 4, during its use as a portable apparatus. - As explained afterwards, the
camcorder 1 constantly grasps information related to a condition of thebattery 7 so as to allowing decision-making over the execution or not of the printing operation by theprinter unit 4. - In other words, as shown in a flowchart in
FIG. 4 , thebattery 7 has a built-in microprocessor, shown inFIG. 6 asbattery microprocessor 77, that constantly monitors and allows grasping of information like those related to a remaining power of the battery(an actual battery power level) R(T). In addition, after determining whether communication between themain body 3 and thebattery 7 is possible (Step 1), the information R(T) on the remaining power ofbattery 7 is sent according to demand to a built-in microprocessor at themain body 3 side (Step 2), and utilized for the process described below. - Likewise, at a side of
main body portion 2, another built-in microprocessor allows the grasping of data to be printed out, that is, every information regarding image data of thecamcorder 1, such as information on image contrast r(x,y), external and/or internal temperature (hereinafter referred to simply as “temperature”) or the like. As an example, atemperature sensor 16 built in theprinter unit 4 inFIG. 6 grasps the temperature for the process described below. - The built-in microprocessors described above related to the body of the
camcorder 1 are represented inFIG. 6 asbody microprocessor 44 in which data such as the data required for the process described herein, like the remaining battery power R(T), information on image contrast r(x,y) and temperature T, and commands for controlling the printing operation, displaying of image data or the like. Thebody microprocessor 44 is also responsible for controlling the printing operation by sending commands for example to theprinter unit 4, theliquid crystal panel 5 and theviewfinder 6. - In fact,
body microprocessor 44 represents a processing device or a plurality of processing devices that may include the microprocessors described above having, for example, a function of processing the battery data, the image data, the temperature data or the like such as in the processing and calculations described below. - Further, when applicable, numbers in
FIG. 6 are set in order to correspond to numbers of portions of the preferred embodiment according toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . - A relation between the temperature and a power required for printing W(T), as shown in
FIG. 3 , shows that a required printing enabling power decreases with increasing temperature. Moreover, if using a power that is equal to the power required for printing W(T) or higher, it is possible to increase a contrast of a printing image. - On the other hand, a relation between a battery level of
battery 7 and the temperature, as shown inFIG. 4 , shows that the level of thebattery 7, that is, the capacity of thebattery 7 of supplying power, apparently increases with increasing temperature. - However, the power required for printing W(T) for printing a desired image data can be calculated from conditions like the temperature and the image contrast mentioned above, through the function described below:
W(t)=f(T,t)Xr(x,y) - Furthermore, f (T, t) is a function of temperature T that increases with decreasing temperature so that a larger amount of power is required, and r (x, y) is an image contrast regarding a point (x, y) of the image. In a case of a so-called heat fusion type printing in which ink is fixed on the printing paper through melting by means of heat, the required power involves the contrast mentioned above. As already mentioned, the relation between the level of
battery 7 and the temperature, as shown inFIG. 4 , shows that the level of thebattery 7, that is, the capacity of thebattery 7 of supplying power apparently increases with increasing temperature. - Moreover, as the printing operation requires a certain period of time to be performed, a value obtained by integration of the time (dt) required for printing one sheet of paper, i.e., ∫ W (t) dt, becomes the printing enabling power for one sheet of paper.
- If the temperature during printing is constant, the value can be simplified to
PRINTING ENABLING POWER=f′(T)XΣr(x, y). - After calculating the printing enabling power for one sheet of paper within the camcorder as described above, the printing enabling power is compared against a remaining power obtained through communication with the battery 7 (Step 4). In other words, the remaining power R(T) is the information regarding the remaining power available for consumption in the
battery 7 at actual time. As a consequence, by comparing the printing enabling power with the remaining power of thebattery 7, it can be determined whether the printing operation can be completed with the remaining power R(T). - In addition, regarding the
camcorder 1, although theprinter unit 4 is started if it is determined that printing is possible, an appropriate warning indication (for example, indication of a lack of battery power or indication of a remaining battery power) is done in theliquid crystal panel 5, theview finder 6 or the like, so that attention of a user is called, and judgment on later procedures is entrusted to the user (Step 5) or, printing is restrained, warning is performed (for example, a display indication of inability of printing) is done in theliquid crystal panel 5, theview finder 6 or the like so that the printing operation is restrained beforehand, or the printing operation is forcibly halted. - Furthermore, a paper-supplying
aperture 8 of theprinter unit 4 is covered when theliquid crystal panel 5 is closed. Hence, according to the upper elevation of thecamcorder 1 as shown inFIG. 2 , aprinting paper 9 is drawn from the paper-supplyingaperture 8 into aprinter unit 4 in the direction shown byarrow 10, so that the printing paper is ejected after printing through a printout ejection aperture, not shown in the figure, in the direction of arrow 11. - Still, for the
camcorder 1, since the printing operation is not performed at least as far as thepaper supplying aperture 7 set in themain body 3 is not in an exposed mode with theliquid crystal panel 5 open, it is not necessary to keep the power of theprinter unit 4 turned constantly ON. Accordingly, regarding thecamcorder 1, the power of theprinter unit 4 is set so as to either have an on-off switch in theleft side 3 a of themain body 3 which is the portion that is covered by theliquid crystal panel 5 when the panel is closed, in a similar way to thepaper supplying aperture 8, or interlocked with the open-close of theliquid crystal panel 5 in order to have the power of theprinter unit 4 automatically turned on (turn ON) when theliquid crystal panel 5 is open and automatically turned off (turn OFF) when theliquid crystal panel 5 is closed. Such on-off state of theliquid crystal panel 5 may be detected by apanel sensor 5 a ofFIG. 6 comprising an optical, a mechanical, an electrical sensor device or the like. - In addition, data subject to be printed out by the
printer unit 4 such as image data include input images from outside captured by theimage pickup lens 2 as well as data like images and pictures stored in animage data storage 22 according toFIG. 6 such as video tapes, integrated memories, freely removable memories, etc. - Moreover, as for the
camcorder 1 that comprises an apparatus having a printer unit, at a stage previous to printing of data like image data by means of theprinter unit 4, the remaining power R(T) of thebattery 7 is detected and, after compared to the printing enabling power required for the data mentioned above, as the printing operation is done only when the remaining power R(T) is equal to the printing enabling power or higher, it is possible to avoid the problem of interruption of the printing operation due to lack of power of thebattery 7 as well as a waste of printing paper. In addition, information like those related to the remaining power of the battery are informed to the camcorder's user, thus providing a printing opportunity in a planned fashion and permitting the realization of a stable printing environment. - Finally, the configurations and structures of respective units and portions described specifically with respect to the preferred embodiments hereof. are only one example of a realization of the invention, so the embodiments thereof should not be construed as to limit the technical scope of the present invention.
Claims (7)
1-7. (canceled)
8. An apparatus for processing and printing an image comprising:
a processing means for processing images;
a printer means for printing a selected image from said images;
a battery unit having a battery for powering the apparatus; and
a power determining means for receiving information from said battery relating to the remaining power in said battery, calculating the amount of power necessary for performing a printing operation by said printer means, comparing the remaining power and the power necessary for said printing operation, and alerting a user when the remaining power in said battery is less than the power necessary for performing said printing operation,
wherein said determining means calculates said amount of power necessary for performing a printing operation based on the contrast of the image to be printed out.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said determining means calculates the amount of power necessary for performing a printing operation based on external and internal temperatures of the apparatus.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein upon determination that the remaining power is less than the power necessary for performing said printing operation, a warning action is performed.
11. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein upon determination that the remaining power is less than the power necessary for performing said printing operation, a warning action is performed and the printing operation is restrained.
12. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein upon determination that the remaining power is less than the power for performing said printing operation, the printing operation is restrained.
13. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein upon determination that the remaining power is less than the power necessary for performing said printing, the printing operation is restrained and a message is provided in order to notify the user.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/982,343 US20050083410A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2004-11-04 | Apparatus having a printer unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2000061743A JP2001246821A (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2000-03-07 | Machinery of every kind integrated with printer |
JP2000-061743 | 2000-03-07 | ||
US09/799,981 US7068305B2 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-06 | Integrated imaging and printing apparatus |
US10/982,343 US20050083410A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2004-11-04 | Apparatus having a printer unit |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/799,981 Continuation US7068305B2 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-06 | Integrated imaging and printing apparatus |
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US20050083410A1 true US20050083410A1 (en) | 2005-04-21 |
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/799,981 Expired - Fee Related US7068305B2 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-06 | Integrated imaging and printing apparatus |
US10/982,343 Abandoned US20050083410A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2004-11-04 | Apparatus having a printer unit |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/799,981 Expired - Fee Related US7068305B2 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-06 | Integrated imaging and printing apparatus |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7068305B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1150485A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001246821A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100780128B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1205535C (en) |
CA (1) | CA2339567A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010030691A1 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2001-10-18 | Yoshinari Higuchi | Apparatus having a printer unit |
CN106863813A (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2017-06-20 | 朱明来 | 3D printer with power-off protection |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1498743A3 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2005-05-04 | Nikon Corporation | System for displaying residual capacity of a battery and camera |
KR100577702B1 (en) * | 2003-12-24 | 2006-05-10 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method of printing in the mobile image forming device |
JP5161443B2 (en) * | 2006-08-11 | 2013-03-13 | ペンタックスリコーイメージング株式会社 | camera |
US20080263375A1 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | Sundstrom Robert J | Method And System For Managing Activities In A Battery Powered Device |
JP4909198B2 (en) * | 2007-07-12 | 2012-04-04 | オリンパスイメージング株式会社 | Electronic equipment |
JP5387890B2 (en) * | 2009-02-25 | 2014-01-15 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Printing apparatus, printing control method, and storage medium storing printing control program |
CN102866869A (en) * | 2012-09-12 | 2013-01-09 | 南通智翔信息科技有限公司 | Portable print practical training equipment |
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2000
- 2000-03-07 JP JP2000061743A patent/JP2001246821A/en active Pending
-
2001
- 2001-03-05 EP EP01301991A patent/EP1150485A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-03-06 US US09/799,981 patent/US7068305B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-03-06 CA CA002339567A patent/CA2339567A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-06 KR KR1020010011322A patent/KR100780128B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-03-07 CN CNB011165626A patent/CN1205535C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-11-04 US US10/982,343 patent/US20050083410A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US5444378A (en) * | 1988-07-13 | 1995-08-22 | Electronic Development Inc. | Battery state of charge monitor |
US5627587A (en) * | 1989-03-02 | 1997-05-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Solid-state camera in which a removable solid state memory having a backup battery is used as an image recording device |
US6144725A (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 2000-11-07 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Data radio communication apparatus and system |
US5182655A (en) * | 1990-08-20 | 1993-01-26 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Facsimile apparatus having a rechargeable battery |
US5875034A (en) * | 1990-11-29 | 1999-02-23 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Camera system having a recordable medium positioned between photographing and reproducing portions |
US5714994A (en) * | 1994-06-09 | 1998-02-03 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Thermal printer with power save feature |
US5712795A (en) * | 1995-10-02 | 1998-01-27 | Alaris Medical Systems, Inc. | Power management system |
US6067171A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 2000-05-23 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Portable communication apparatus |
US20010008424A1 (en) * | 1996-03-08 | 2001-07-19 | Yoshinari Higuchi | Electronic apparatus having the function of displaying the battery residual quantity and method for displaying the battery residual quantity |
US6382774B1 (en) * | 1998-12-21 | 2002-05-07 | Seiko Instruments Inc. | Printer having energizing pulse width calculating means |
US6850270B1 (en) * | 1999-02-08 | 2005-02-01 | Olympus Corporation | Electronic camera with built-in printer |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010030691A1 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2001-10-18 | Yoshinari Higuchi | Apparatus having a printer unit |
US7068305B2 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2006-06-27 | Sony Corporation | Integrated imaging and printing apparatus |
CN106863813A (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2017-06-20 | 朱明来 | 3D printer with power-off protection |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7068305B2 (en) | 2006-06-27 |
KR100780128B1 (en) | 2007-11-27 |
EP1150485A3 (en) | 2004-01-14 |
CA2339567A1 (en) | 2001-09-07 |
CN1205535C (en) | 2005-06-08 |
US20010030691A1 (en) | 2001-10-18 |
JP2001246821A (en) | 2001-09-11 |
KR20010088387A (en) | 2001-09-26 |
CN1312167A (en) | 2001-09-12 |
EP1150485A2 (en) | 2001-10-31 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |