KR20050112181A - Image printing apparatus having projector function - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an image printing apparatus equipped with a projector function. The provided image printing apparatus includes an apparatus main body provided with an image printing unit therein for printing an image on paper, and an image projecting unit provided in the apparatus main body and configured to display an image to be printed on a sheet or an image input from the outside in a predetermined size. do. Therefore, according to the provided image printing apparatus, an image to be printed in advance even when printing any image of a program that does not support the preview function in a personal computer or the like, or when a predetermined storage medium such as a memory card is directly connected to the image printing apparatus and printed. Since it is possible to display, it is possible to prevent waste of all costs incurred by not displaying the image to be printed in advance.

Description

Image printing apparatus having projector function

The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image printing apparatus having a projector function so as to display an image to be printed in advance.

In general, image printing apparatuses such as a printer and a multifunction printer are apparatuses for printing a predetermined image on paper such as paper or film. Such image printing apparatuses are mostly connected to personal computers and used as one of peripheral devices. Therefore, when a predetermined image is to be printed on paper, the user transmits predetermined image data to the image printing apparatus by using a personal computer or the like. As a result, predetermined image data is transmitted to the image printing apparatus, and the image printing apparatus prints the predetermined image on the sheet according to the transferred data.

On the other hand, the program used in such a personal computer is provided with a preview function for checking in advance the print size and the print position of the image to be printed before most. Thus, the user executes this preview function before printing the predetermined image on the paper to check in advance how the image is printed on the paper. Therefore, when executing the preview function, a monitor such as a personal computer displays in advance which image is printed in what size on which part of the sheet. Accordingly, the user checks in advance how the image is printed on the paper through the preview function, and then executes a print job. Accordingly, the user can prevent the paper from being wasted due to an error such as the print size and the print position of the printed image.

However, among the drive programs used in such personal computers and the like, there are often programs in which the preview function is not supported. Therefore, when a user wants to print an image being driven through such a program, the user has no choice but to execute the print job immediately without a separate preview job. On the printed paper, there is often a problem that the paper has to be discarded due to wrong printing size and printing position of the image.

In addition, some of the image printing apparatuses that are recently released is a device provided to directly print a image without a personal computer as an intermediate medium by inserting a predetermined memory card directly into the image printing apparatus. However, such an image printing apparatus cannot execute a separate preview job like the program that does not support the preview function described above, so that the user has no choice but to execute the print job immediately with the insertion of the memory card. Therefore, problems such as printing of an image that should not be printed, as well as an error in the printing size and printing position of the image, occur on a paper printed through such a device, resulting in a waste of cost.

In addition, the conventional image printing apparatus is provided with a liquid crystal display window having a predetermined size so that the contents of the printing apparatus and the contents of an error message and the like can be displayed to the outside at the time of printing standby and printing operation. Therefore, when a predetermined error occurs in executing a print job using a conventional image printing apparatus, the image printing apparatus displays the contents of the error to the outside through the liquid crystal display window. Therefore, the user can detect the contents of the error through the liquid crystal display and remove the cause of the error, thereby continuing to execute the print job. However, since the liquid crystal display window provided in the conventional image printing apparatus is very small in size, there is a problem in that the user cannot sufficiently display the contents to be conveyed to the user when an error occurs. Accordingly, most users who are not professional repairers of image printing apparatuses do not accurately detect the contents of such an error, and thus are not able to easily eliminate the cause of the error.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus having a projector function so as to display an image to be printed in advance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus equipped with a projector function so that the contents of the printing apparatus and the contents of error messages and the like can be largely displayed to the outside.

An image printing apparatus of the present invention for realizing such an object includes an apparatus main body provided with an image printing unit therein so as to print an image on paper, and an image provided in the apparatus main body and an image to be printed on paper or an image input from the outside in a predetermined size. It includes an image projecting unit provided to display.

In this case, the image projection unit preferably includes a beam projector unit (Beam projector unit) installed in the device body to project the image in the form of a beam (Beam).

In addition, the image projection unit preferably further includes a screen (Screen) provided in the device body so that the beam shining from the beam projector unit.

In addition, the device body is preferably provided with a main body cover (Cover) to cover the top of the device body and selectively openable. In this case, the beam projector unit is preferably installed on the upper part of the device body covered by the body cover.

On the other hand, the screen is preferably provided on the inner surface of the body cover to be exposed to the outside when the body cover is opened in the device body.

The device main body may further include a connection unit to connect an external video device to an external storage medium.

In addition, the apparatus main body may be provided with a projector cover covering only the beam projector unit. In this case, the projector cover is preferably opened and closed automatically when the beam projector unit is driven.

The device body may further include a paper feeder on which paper to be fed into the device body is loaded. Here, the paper tray preferably supports the paper loaded on the paper tray in the vertical direction of the beam projector unit such that the beam shining from the beam projector unit is reflected on the paper loaded on the paper tray.

Hereinafter, a first preferred embodiment of the image printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The image printing apparatus 100 of the present invention is provided in the main body (main body) and the main body (110), the inside of the main body 110 and to print a predetermined image on the paper 90, such as paper or film Control unit for controlling the overall operation of the image printing unit 130, the image projection unit 150 provided on the machine main body 110, which can display in advance the image to be printed on the paper 90, and the image printing apparatus 100 It consists of 190.

Specifically, the machine body 110 is formed in a housing shape so that the image printing unit 130 is provided therein, and the paper tray 131 and the discharge tray 133 for guiding the feeding and discharging of the paper 90 are provided. Equipped. The paper feeder 131 is provided at one side of the outside of the apparatus main body 110, and is provided to allow a large number of sheets of paper 90 to be printed. The discharge bin 133 is provided on the other side of the outside of the machine main body 110 and is provided to sequentially load the paper 90 discharged to the outside of the machine main body 110 after being printed.

In addition, an operation panel (Panel) 112 provided to drive each part of the image printing apparatus 100, and various external devices such as a camcorder and a video cassette recorder (VCR) may be connected to the device body 110. The connection portion 170 is provided to be further provided. The operation panel 112 is provided on one side of the upper part of the apparatus main body 110 and includes a plurality of keys (Key, 114) to drive the image printing unit 130, the image projecting unit 150, the driving unit and the like. The connection unit 170 is provided on one side and the front surface of the device body 110, and the storage medium connection unit 171 provided to directly connect an external storage medium such as a memory card and an external image device such as a digital camera. The video device connection unit 173 and a computer connection unit 175 provided to connect a personal computer or the like.

On the other hand, the device body 110 may be further provided with a body cover 156 that covers the upper surface of the device body 110. In this case, the main body cover 156 is preferably one side coupled to the hinge (Hinge) to the device body 110 to be selectively opened and closed by the user. For example, the main body cover 156 is preferably installed to be opened and closed from the discharge tray 133 side to the feeder 131 side so that the rear screen 154 to be described later from the front, as shown in FIG.

As described above, the image printing unit 130 is provided in the interior of the apparatus main body 110, and various methods commonly used, such as an inkjet printing method using a predetermined ink or an electrophotographic printing method using a predetermined toner, may be used. All can be applied.

The image projecting unit 150 is provided with a beam projector unit 152 installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 110 so as to project an image to be printed on the paper 90 in a predetermined beam form, and a beam projected by the beam projector unit 152 is reflected It is composed of a screen 154 provided on one side of the upper portion of the main unit 110 to be built. In this case, the beam projector unit 152 may be implemented in various forms such as a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) type projector, a DLP (Digital Light Processing) projector, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type projector, and the like. It is preferable to be installed on the top of the device body 110 to be covered by the main body cover 156 to be. And, the screen 154 is preferably provided on one surface of the main body cover 156 that can be opened and closed in the device body (110). Specifically, the screen 154 is preferably provided on the inner surface of the main body cover 156 so that the main body cover 156 is automatically exposed to the outside when the main body cover 156 is opened.

Therefore, when the display of the image to be printed is necessary before printing the image on the paper 90, the user first opens the main body cover 156 at a predetermined angle in the apparatus main body 110 as shown in FIG. This provides a screen 154 on which the beam will shine. The beam projector unit 152 thus displays an image to be printed in advance by illuminating a predetermined beam onto the screen 154. At this time, the beam projector unit 152 should display a predetermined beam toward the center portion of the screen 154 during such display, and the beam projector unit 152 installed on the apparatus main body 110 may move toward the screen 154 side. It is preferably installed to be inclined upwards by a predetermined angle toward the upper side or to be automatically raised by a predetermined distance from the inside of the apparatus main body 110 to the upper side of the apparatus main body 110 when the user opens the main body cover 156. In particular, when the beam projector unit 152 is installed to be automatically raised, the image printing apparatus 100 has a separate driving unit for automatically raising the beam projector unit 152 when the user opens the main body cover 156 ( 140 is further provided.

Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the image printing apparatus 100 of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail.

First, the user drives and utilizes the image printing apparatus 100 of the present invention by connecting a storage medium, an image device, or a personal computer to the connection unit 170 provided in the device body 110.

First, in the case where a personal computer is connected to the connection unit 170 of the device main body 110 to print an image, the user may designate a predetermined connector extending from the personal computer to the computer connection unit 175 provided in the device main body 110. (Connector, not shown) is connected.

Thereafter, the user transmits a signal (Signal) to print a predetermined image on the paper 90 through the personal computer to the image printing apparatus 100 to execute the image printing job. However, if the user wants to confirm in advance the image to be printed on the paper 90 before such a printing operation, the user may print on the paper 90 through the image projection unit 150 provided in the image printing apparatus 100. By displaying the image in advance, the image to be printed is confirmed in advance.

Specifically, the user opens the main body cover 156 at a predetermined angle in the device body 100 to provide a screen 154 on which the beam is to be illuminated. Then, when the screen 154 is provided, the user controls various keys 114 and the like of the operation panel 112 to project the image to be printed onto the screen 154 through the beam projector unit 152. . Therefore, the image to be printed is displayed on the screen 154 in advance, and the user confirms the image in advance and then executes an image printing job. The problems caused by failing to execute the conventional preview function is all prevented in advance.

On the other hand, the image printing apparatus 100 of the present invention by connecting a video device such as a video cassette recorder (VCR), a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a camcorder (Camcorder), etc. to the connection unit 170 of the device body 110; For example, the user connects a predetermined connector extending from a predetermined video device to the video device connection unit 173 provided in the device body 110.

Thereafter, the user opens the main body cover 156 at a predetermined angle in the device body 110 to provide a screen 154 on which the beam is to be illuminated.

Subsequently, when the screen 154 is provided, the user controls the various keys 114 of the operation panel 112 and various buttons of the imaging device to control the beam projector unit 152 with a predetermined image stored in the imaging device. Through the screen 154.

Therefore, the image stored in the image device is displayed on the screen 154, so that the user can utilize the image printing device 100 as one of the display devices through these operations.

Lastly, in the case where a predetermined storage medium is connected to the connection unit 170 of the device body 110 to print an image, the user may select a storage medium in the storage medium connection unit 171 provided in the device body 110. By inserting, the storage medium is connected to the image printing apparatus 100.

Then, the user controls various keys 114 and the like provided on the operation panel 112 to immediately print a predetermined image stored in the storage medium on the paper 90. However, if the user wants to confirm in advance the image to be printed on the paper 90 before such a printing operation, the user may print on the paper 90 through the image projection unit 150 provided in the image printing apparatus 100. By displaying the image in advance, the image to be printed is confirmed in advance.

That is, the user opens the body cover 156 at a predetermined angle in the device body 110 to provide a screen 154 on which the beam is to be illuminated. Then, when the screen 154 is provided, the user controls the predetermined key 114 or the like of the operation panel 112 to project the image to be printed onto the screen 154 through the beam projector unit 152. Therefore, the image to be printed is displayed on the screen 154 in advance, and the user confirms the image in advance and then executes an image printing job. As a result, all problems caused by failing to execute the conventional preview function when printing the data stored in the storage medium can be prevented in advance.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the image printing apparatus 100 ′ according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this case, the same parts as those of the image printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment of the image printing apparatus 100 'of the second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the image printing apparatus 100 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus body 110 having an image printing unit provided therein to print a predetermined image on a paper 90 such as paper or film; An image projecting unit 150 provided in the apparatus main body 110 and capable of displaying an image to be printed on the paper 90 in advance, and a control unit for controlling overall driving of the image printing apparatus 100.

Specifically, the device body 110 is formed in the shape of a housing, and provided with a tray 131 ′ and a discharge tray 133 for guiding the feeding and discharging of the paper 90 on one side and the other side, respectively. At this time, the paper tray 131 'supports the loaded paper 90 at a predetermined angle so that the paper 90 loaded on the paper tray 131' can serve as a screen of the beam projector unit 152 to be described later. This is preferred. For example, the paper tray 131 'preferably supports the paper 90 so that the paper 90 loaded on the paper tray 131' is disposed in the vertical direction of the beam projector unit 152.

The image projection unit 150 covers a beam projector unit 152 installed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 110 and only the beam projector unit 152 so as to project an image to be printed on the paper 90 in a predetermined beam shape. 158. In this case, the beam projector unit 152 may be implemented in various forms, such as a CRT type projector, a DLP projector, an LCD type projector, and is installed to illuminate a predetermined beam on the paper 90 loaded on the tray 131 '. This is preferred.

In addition, the projector cover 158 may be installed to be automatically opened and closed by a driver provided in the apparatus main body 110 when the user uses the beam projector unit 152. For example, when a user transmits a predetermined signal to the beam projector unit 152 through the operation panel 112 or the like to use the beam projector unit 152, the projector cover 158 detects the signal. It is preferable to be installed to open automatically by.

In addition, the beam projector unit 152 installed in the apparatus main body 110 is loaded on the tray 131 'so that a predetermined beam can be accurately projected onto the paper 90 loaded on the tray 131' serving as a screen. The drive unit together with the opening of the projector cover 158 described above when installed at an inclined upward angle by a predetermined angle toward the side of the paper 90 or when the user operates the operation panel 112 or the like to use the beam projector unit 152. By the inside of the device body 110 is preferably installed so as to automatically rise a predetermined distance to the upper side of the device body 110.

On the other hand, the control unit controls the overall driving of the image printing apparatus 100. In particular, the controller controls the operations of the beam projector unit 152 and the projector cover 158. In more detail, the control unit automatically adjusts the focus or brightness of the beam such that the beam shining from the beam projector unit 152 is accurately reflected on the paper 90 loaded in the tray 131 ′.

In addition, the controller controls the external display of an error message such as a paper shortage generated by driving the image projector 100 by driving the beam projector unit 152, the projector cover 158, and the like. Therefore, when a predetermined error occurs when the image printing apparatus 100 is driven, the controller detects the error content and transmits the predetermined error message to the beam projector unit 152. The projector cover 158 is automatically opened by such a signal, and the beam projector unit 152 is automatically raised by a predetermined distance by a motor or the like to illuminate a predetermined beam on the paper 90 serving as a screen. Therefore, the user can specifically use the image printing apparatus 100 by recognizing the error message projected on the paper 90 and removing the cause of error in accordance with the contents of the message.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the image printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail.

First, the user drives and utilizes the image printing apparatus 100 of the present invention by connecting a storage medium, an image device, or a personal computer to the connection unit 170 provided in the device body 110.

At this time, the image printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a projector cover 158 and a beam projector unit 152 which are automatically opened and raised when the operation panel 112 is operated. By simply operating the operation panel 112, various images can be displayed very easily. In the image printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the beam projector unit 152 is provided with a paper feeder 131 ′ which supports the paper 90 to be loaded in the vertical direction of the beam projector unit 152. ), The beam is automatically reflected on the sheet of paper 90 loaded on the tray 131 'so that the user can display various images very easily without installing a separate screen.

As described above, the image printing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an image projection unit for displaying an image to be printed in advance, so that any image of a program that does not support the preview function in a personal computer or the like can be printed or a memory card. It is possible to display an image to be printed in advance even when a predetermined storage medium is directly connected to an image printing machine and printed, thereby preventing waste of all costs incurred by not displaying the image to be printed in advance. .

In addition, since the image printing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a connection portion to which various media can be connected to display an external image apparatus and the like, the image printing apparatus of the present invention can be utilized not only as a simple printing device but also as a complex entertainment apparatus. It works.

In addition, according to the image printing apparatus according to the present invention, since various error messages generated during printing can be largely displayed to the outside through the image projection unit, even a novice user or an elderly person who has difficulty in reading small sized characters can be displayed on the display screen. There is an effect that can easily recognize the error content.

As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments, it is only an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations can be made therefrom. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention;

2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention;

3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main body cover is opened in the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of the projector cover in the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: image printing machine 110: machine body

112: operation panel 130: image printing unit

131: tray 133: discharge tray

150: image projection unit 152: beam projector unit

170: connection unit 190: control unit

Claims (8)

A main body having an image printing unit provided therein to print an image on paper; and And an image projection unit provided in the device body and configured to display an image to be printed on the paper or an image input from the outside in a predetermined size. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image projection unit And a beam projector unit mounted to the apparatus main body to illuminate the image in the form of a beam. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the image projection unit And a screen provided in the device body so that the beam shined from the beam projector unit is reflected. According to claim 3, wherein the device body is provided with a body cover that covers the upper portion of the device body and selectively openable, And the beam projector unit is installed on an upper portion of the apparatus body covered by the body cover. The image printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the screen is provided on an inner surface of the main body cover so that the screen is exposed to the outside when the main body cover is opened. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body further comprises a connection portion for connecting an external image device to an external storage medium. According to claim 2, wherein the device body is provided with a projector cover for covering only the beam projector unit, And the projector cover is automatically opened and closed when the beam projector unit is driven. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus main body is provided with a paper tray on which paper to be fed into the apparatus body is loaded. And the feed tray is configured to support the loaded paper in the vertical direction of the beam projector unit so that the beam projected by the beam projector unit is reflected on the loaded paper.