- 2 -
Electronic device and control method of an electronic device
RACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[00011
The present invention relates to an electronic device that can
execute processes using different command sets by a plurality of
process units, and to a control method of the electronic device.
2. Related Art
[00021
While many different types and models of electronic devices,
such as printers, can connect to a host computer such as a personal
computer, the control commands enabling the host computer to control
the electronic device usually differ according to the model or type
of the electronic device. As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Appl. Pub. JP-A-2012-59165,s ome electronic devices are also able to
execute a command set for normal operations and a command set that
emulatesthe command set of another device indifferent process units,
such as a print unit and an optical reading (scanning) unit.
[00041
Different command sets also generally differ inhow the relative
position of the recording medium on the conveyance path is managed
when conveying the recording medium. Executing the image scanning
process on the recording medium using the normal command set after
executing the printing process on the recording medium using the
emulated command set required to emulate the command set of a
different device in the electronic device disclosed in
JP-A-2012-59165 therefore depends upon discharging the recording
mediumwhen changingthe command set in order to initialize management
of the relative position for scanning. More specifically, the
electronic device taught in JP-A-2012-59165 cannot execute the image
scanningprocess after executingthe printing process in the emulated
command set without first discharging the recording medium. As a
result, work productivity drops because the operator must insert the
recording medium again between the printing process and the image
scanning process.
SUMMARY
[0005]
The present invention is directed to solving this problem by
providing technology enabling an electronic device that can execute
different command sets using a plurality of process units to prevent
a drop in productivity when changing the command set that is used.
[0006]
The invention embodied as described below can achieve the
foregoing object.
[0007]
A first aspect of the invention is an electronic device having
a conveyance unit that conveys a process medium through a conveyance
path; a print unit that prints on the process medium conveyed through
the conveyance path; an image scanning unit that reads an image from
theprocessmediumconveyedthroughthe conveyance path; andacontrol
unit that changes between a printing control command set and an image
scanning control command set, controls the print unit and the image
scanningunit, andcontrolsthe conveyanceunit toexecute adischarge
process todischarge the process medium, basedonareceivedcommand,
and executes the discharge process when changing from the image
scanning control command set to the printing control command set, and
omits the discharge process when changing fromthe printing control
command set to the image scanning control command set.
[00081
This aspect ofthe invention does not execute the processmedium
discharge process when the command set is changed to execute an image
scanningprocessthatdoes notrequiremanagingthe relative position
of the process medium to the conveyance path.
[00091
In an electronic device according to another aspect of the
invention, at least one of the printing control command set and image
scanning control commandset is anemulationcommandset that emulates
a different command set.
[00101
Further preferably, the discharge process includes a first
process that detects if the process medium is on the conveyance path,
anda second process that controls the conveyance unit and discharges
the process medium from the conveyance path when the process medium
is detected on the conveyance path.
This aspect of the invention can omit the process medium
discharge process when the process mediumhas alreadybeen discharged
from the conveyance path.
[00111
Another aspect of the invention is a control method of an
electronic device, including: a first step of executing a printing
process or an image scanning process on a process medium conveyed
through a conveyance path of the electronic device based on a first
command set; a second step of changing from the first command set to
a second command set, and initializing the relative position of the
process medium to the conveyance path based on a specific condition;
and a third step of executing the other of the printing process and
image scanning process on the process medium based on the second
command set; wherein initializing the relative position in the second
step is done when the printing process is executed based on the second
command set, and is omitted when the image scanning process is
executed based on the second command set.
[00121
Becauseinitializingtherelativepositionoftheprocessmedium
to the conveyance path is omitted when switching from a first command
set to a second command set if an image scanning process is executed
based on the second command set, operation can transition
continuously fromthe printing process to the image scanning process
withoutexecutingtheprocessmediumdischargeprocess or realignment
process.
[00131
The process medium discharge process or alignment process is
preferably executed when the printing process is executed based on
the second command set, thereby preventing problems managing the
relative position of the process medium.
Other objects and attainments together with a fuller
understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated
by referring to the following description and claims taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
F I G . 1 is an external oblique view of an electronic device
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
F I G . 2 is an oblique view of the main part of the electronic
device shown in F I G . 1.
F I G . 3 is a side section view of the main part of the electronic
device shown in F I G . 1.
F I G . 4 is ablock diagramofthe control systemofthe electronic
device shown in F I G . 1.
F I G . 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration
of the electronic device shown in F I G . 1 and a host computer.
F I G . 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of
the electronic device shown in F I G . 1.
F I G . 7 is a flow chart showing changing the command set of the
electronic device shown in F I G . 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[00151
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
below with reference to the accompanying figures.
F I G . 1 is a front oblique view showing the appearance of a
multifunction device (an example of an electronic device) according
to this embodiment of the invention. F I G . 2 is an oblique view of the
main assembly 11 of the multifunction device 10. F I G . 3 is a side
section view of the multifunction device 10 in F I G . 1.
The multifunction device 10 shown in F I G . 1 is a device with a
print function that prints on the recording surface of the process
medium S using a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) recording head 18
(see F I G . 3)) and a scanning function that optically scans both sides
of the process medium S using an image reader.110 (see F I G . 3).
[00161
Cut-sheet media that is precut to a specific length, and
continuous media having numerous sheets connected in a continuous web,
are examples ofprocessedmedia Sthat canbeusedinthemultifunction
device 10. Passbooks issued by banks, for example, are used in this
embodiment as the process medium S. A passbook as used in this
embodiment is a bound booklet of plural pages, and the recording
surface is the inside surface exposed by opening the passbook. A
magnetic stripe is disposed on the outside (back) of the surface that
is the back cover of the passbook.
Of the four sides of the rectangular process medium S, the edge
of the side inserted to the multifunction device 10 is referred to
below as the leading edge or end, and the edge of the opposite side
as the leading end is referred to as the trailing edge or end.
[0017]
As shown in F I G . 1, the multifunction device 10 has a top cover
12, a top case 13, and a bottom case 14. A manual feed opening 15 where
the process medium S is inserted and discharged is open in the front
of the top case 13 and bottom case 14. A paper exit 20 (FIG. 3) from
which the process medium S may be discharged is also formed at the
back of the top case 13 and bottom case 14.
The side where the manual feed opening 15 is rendered, that is,
the left side as seen in FIG. 3, is referred to herein as the front,
and the side where the paper exit 20 is rendered, that is, the right
side in FIG. 3, is referred as the rear or back.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the multifunction device 10 has
a main assembly 11 that is covered by the top cover 12, top case 13,
and bottom case 14. The main assemb1,y 11 has a base frame 16 and a
right side frame 17A and left side frame 17B pair attached to opposite
sides of the base frame 16. The side frames (not shown in the figure)
of the top case are disposed on the outside of the side frames 17A
and 17B with a carriage guide shaft 31 spanning therebetween and a
flat front media guide 24 and rear media guide 25 af f ixed between the
side frames 17Aand17B. Aflatplaten21is disposedbetweenthe front
media guide 24 and rear media guide 25.
LO019 1
A carriage 19 is mounted and slides freely on the carriage guide
shaft 31. The carriage 19 is driven by a carriage drive motor 56 (FIG.
4) that drives the carriage 19, and moves reciprocally guided by the
carriage guide shaft 31.
The carriage 19 scans bidirectionally between the side frames
of the chassis top in the direction indicated by arrow X in FIG. 1,
that is, in the primary scanning direction aligned with the axial
direction of the carriage guide shaft 31 and the long side of the
platen 21. The direction perpendicular to the primary scanning
direction X of the carriage 19, that is, the direction indicated by
arrow Y in FIG. 1, is the secondary scanning direction.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the main assembly 11 includes a conveyance
unit 100 that conveys the process medium S, an alignment unit 28 that
contacts the leading end of the process medium S conveyed by the
conveyance unit 100 and aligns the process medium S, a recording head
18 that prints on the process medium S, and an image reader 110 that
reads text, symbols, images, or other content from the surface of the
process medium S.
[00211
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the conveyance unit 100 includes
the platen 21, a first drive roller 22A, a first follower roller 22B,
a seconddrive roller23A, a second follower roller 23B, athirddrive
roller 124A, a third follower roller 124B, the front media guide 24,
the rearmediaguide 25, amediaconveyancemotor26, andadrive wheel
train 27. The conveyance unit 100 renders a conveyance path P through
which the process medium S is conveyed over the front media guide 24
and rear media guide 25 by the rollers. The tops of the front media
guide 24 and rear media guide 25 are conveyance surface PA of the
conveyance path P.
[ 0 022 I
The first drive roller 22A, second drive roller 23A, and third
drive roller 124A turn in the same direction, and can convey the
process medium S through the main assembly 11.
More specifically, when the media conveyance motor 26 rotates
forward, the first drive roller 22A, second drive roller 23A, and
third drive roller 124A shown in FIG. 3 convey the process medium S
in the secondary scanning direction inside the main assembly 11 as
denoted by arrow A in FIG. 3, and convey the process medium S in the
direction in which it is discharged from the main assembly 11 as
indicatedbyarrow~inF IG. 3 when themedia conveyance motor 26 turns
in reverse.
LO0231
The alignment unit 28 includes plural alignment plates 38 and
an alignment plate motor (see FIG. 4) that drives the alignment plates
38. The alignment plates 38 are arrayed in the primary scanning
directionbetweenthe f i r s t d r i v e r o l l e r 2 2 A a n d f i r s t follower roller
22B and the recording head 18 and platen 21, and can protrude into
the conveyance path P. The alignment unit 28 initializes the
orientation of the process medium S by the leading end of the process
medium S contacting the alignment plates 38, and aligns the process
medium S in the desired direction.
[00241
As shown in FIG. 2 , the main assembly 11 has a plurality of
alignment sensors 39 that are disposed to the conveyance path P near
the upstream side of the alignment plates 38 and detect the presence
of the process medium S driven in contact with the alignment plates
38. The alignment sensors 39 are, and are transmissive sensors
including alight-emitting unit (suchas anLED) and aphotodetection
unit (such as a phototransistor) disposed with the conveyance path
P therebetween. Whether the skew of the process medium S to the
conveyance direction after alignment by the alignment unit 28 is
within the allowable range can be determined from the number and
positions of the plural alignment sensors 39 that detect the leading
end of the process medium S.
[00251
The main assembly 11 also has a plurality of media edge sensors
47 that detect insertion of a process medium S to the conveyance path
P in front of the first drive roller 22A. The media edge sensors 47
are reflective sensors having a light-emitting unit that emits light
toward the conveyance path P and a photodetection unit that detects
the reflection of the .emitted light, and detect a process medium S
inserted from the manual feed opening 1 5 .
[0026]
A recording head 1 8 (part of the print unit) is mounted above
the platen 21 on the carriage 19 opposite the platen 21. While the
recording head 18 travels with the carriage 1 9 , recording wires are
propelled from the wire face (not shown in the figure) on the distal
end of the recording head 18 opposite the platen 21 to strike an ink
ribbon and transfer ink from the ink ribbon to the process medium S
conveyed between the platen 21 and the recording head 18, and record
an image, which may include text, on the process medium S.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, a media width sensor 55 is disposed behind
the recording head 18 at a position above the platen 21. The media
width sensor 55 is mounted on the carriage 19 and travels with the
carriage19 overthe platen 21, and is usedtodeterminethepositions
of the side edges of the recording medium S and the width of the
recording medium S.
[0028]
The image reader 110 includes a first scanner module 111 that
reads information printed or otherwise presented on the top surface
of the process medium S, and a second scanner module 112 disposed
opposite the first scanner module 111 that similarly reads
information printed or otherwise presented on the bottom surface of
the process medium S.
The first scanner module 111 and second scanner module 112 are
optical image sensors that are disposed between the second drive
roller 23A and third drive roller 124A and continuously read
information fromthe process medium S conveyedthroughthe conveyance
path P.
The image reader 110 also has a position management means (not
shown in the figure) for managing the position of the process medium
S on the conveyance path P (the vertical position herein) separately
from the alignment sensors 39 and media edge sensors 47. Using this
positionmanagementmeans, the image reader 110 managesthe vertical
position of the process medium S and can appropriately move the
process medium S to the start image scanning position where imaging
scanning starts.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control system of the
multifunction device 10.
The parts shown in FIG. 4 are rendered by the cooperation of
hardware components disposedtothe control circuit board (not shown
in the figure) and software.
, The multifunction device 10 has a CPU 40 (as an example of a
control unit) that controls the multifunction device 10 based on a
control program; RAM 41 that temporarily stores data and a control
program read from flash ROM 42 by the CPU 40; flash ROM 42 that stores
the control program [7795b, sic] executed by the CPU 40 and
processed data; a serial interface 43 and a USB interface 44 that
convert the data format when communicating information with the host
computer 200 that controls the multifunction device 10; a gate array
45 connected to the sensors; a motor driver 46 that drives motors;
and a head driver 48 that drives the heads. RAM 41 functions as buffer
memory, including a receive buffer that temporarily stores commands
sent from the host computer 200, and an image buffer that temporarily
stores the image data captured by the image reader 110.
[00301
The alignment sensors 39, media edge sensors 47, media width
sensor 55, first scanner module 111 and second scanner module 112 are
connectedtothe gate array45. The gate array45 quantizesthe analog
voltages input from the alignment sensors 39, media edge sensors 47,
and media width sensor 55, and outputs the resulting digital data to
the CPU 40.
[0031]
The motor driver 46 is connected to the media conveyance motor
26, carriage drive motor 56, and alignment motor 58, supplies drive
current and drive pulses to the motors, and thus operates the motors.
Note also that an alignment motor 58 (FIG. 4) for operating the
alignment plate 38 (FIG. 3) may also be connected to the motor driver
46.
Basedon output fromthe conveyance unit100, includingthe media
conveyance motor 26, and the media edge sensors 47, the CPU 40
internally stores the relative position of the process medium S on
the conveyance path P as an operating value, and can determine the
position of the process medium S on the conveyance path P.
The head driver 48 is connected to the recording head 18, and
drivestherecordingwiresbysupplyingdrive current tothe recording
head 18.
[0032]
Based on a control program stored in flash ROM 42, the CPU 40
acquires detection signals from the sensors and drives the motors to
conveytheprocessmediumSbymeans ofthegate array45, motor driver
46, and head driver 48, and prints on the process medium S by
controlling the recording head 18.
The CPU 40 also conveys the process medium S by the conveyance
unit100, and controls the first scanner module 111 and second scanner
module 112 through the gate array 45, to scan the surfaces of the
process medium S.
[00331
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration
of the multifunction device 10 and host computer 200.
The host computer 200 renders the parts shown in FIG. 5 by means
of a CPU executing a program. More specifically, the host computer
200 has an application program 201, a scanner driver 211 and printer
driver 217 that provide function modules for controlling the
multifunction device.10 to the application program 201; and a port
handler 221 that assigns 1/0 ports of the host computer 200 to the
scanner driver 211 and printer driver 217. The host computer 200
communicates data and control signals with the multifunction device
10 through a USB port 231, serial port 233, and parallel port 235 by
control of the port handler 221.
[00341
The multifunction device 10 has a receive buffer 66 that
temporarily stores commands and data sent from the host computer 200
through the serial interface 43 and USB interface 44. The
multifunction device 10 has a control unit 70 that executes commands
stored in the receive buffer 66. The control unit 70 is rendered by
the CPU 40 (FIG. 4) running a control program.
[00351
The control unit 70 can switch between and operate in a printer
control mode 71, printer control mode 72, and scanner control mode
75.
Printer controlmode 71 andprinter controlmode 72 are operating
modes for printing on a passbook as the process medium S with the
recording head 18. The printer control modes 71, 72 convey and align
the process medium S as required, and print text, symbols, and images
on the process medium S. The scanner control mode 75 is an operating
mode for optically scanning (reading) the process medium S with the
image reader 110.
[00361
Commands sent from the host computer 200 to the multifunction
device 10 are commands defined in a specific command set. The scanner
driver 211 and printer driver 217 are compatible with respective
specific command sets, and the host computer 200 sends commands
defined in a specific command set to the multifunction device 10.
[00371
The operating modes of the control unit 70 are compatible with
different command sets (command systems). The one printer control
mode 71 is the normal operating mode for operations using commands
in the command set V provided for the multifunction device 10
according to this embodiment of the invention.
The other printer control mode 72 is an operating mode for
operations using commands in a different command set W, which is the
command set provided for a device other than themultifunction device
10 (such as a printer W) . More specifically, the printer control mode
72 is an emulation mode for emulating operation of printer W and
operating the multifunction device 10 using commands for printer W.
The scanner control mode 75 is the normal operating mode for
operations using commands in command set L, which is a command set
provided for the multifunction device 10.
[00381
When a printer W is replaced with the multifunction device 10
in a system using printer W connected to the host computer 200, the
printer driver 217 of the host computer 200 must normally be replaced
witha device driver forthemultifunctiondevice10. However, because
the multifunction device 10 has a printer control mode 72 that is an
emulation mode, the host computer 200 can continue using the printer
driver 217 for printer W by executing the printer control mode 72,
and the task of replacing the device driver can be avoided. Problems
in the host computer 200 arising from replacing the device driver can
also be avoided.
[00391
The command set W of the printer control mode 72 is a command
set for emulation, and the command set V of the printer control mode
71 is a command set for normal operation. Multiple printer control
emulation modes can also be installed in the multifunction device 10
according to this embodiment of the invention so that the
multifunction device 10 can emulate many devices.
[0 04 01
A command instructing changing to a different operating mode is
also contained in the command set V of printer control mode 71 and
the command set W of printer control mode 72. When this command is
received, the control unit 70 can switch from printer control mode
71 or printer control mode 72 to the scanner control mode 75, for
example.
A start scanning command required for scanner control is also
included in the command set V of printer control mode 71 and the
command set W of printer control mode 72 in this embodiment. As a
result, when the start scanning command for the image reader 110 is
receivedafterthemultifunctiondevice10 operates as aprinterusing
the printer control mode 72 having the command set W for a different
device, the multifunction device 10 can switch from the printer
control mode 72 tothe scanner control mode 75 and start scanning with
the image reader 110.
[0041]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing anexample of multifunctiondevice
10 operation.
The operation shown in FIG. 6 includes the following operations
(1) to (4) performed when a passbook is inserted as the process medium
S from the manual feed opening 15: (1) operating the multifunction
device 10 to print on the passbook based on the command set W for
emulating a different device; (2) changing the command set; ( 3 )
reading information presented on the passbook according to the
command setL forthe multifunction device 10; (4) setting the command
set to the command set V for printing or to command set W again.
[00421
First, in step S11, the control unit 70 of the multifunction
device 10 starts operating in the printer control mode 72 using the
command set W for emulating another device, and detects that a
passbook was inserted to the manual feed opening 15 based on output
from the media edge sensors 47. Then in step S12 the control unit 70
controls the motor driver 46 and executes the alignment process to
operate the alignment motor 58 so that the alignment plate 38 enters
the conveyance path P, and operate the media conveyance motor 26 to
adjust the orientation of the passbook.
[00431
Next, in step 513, the control unit 70 controls the motor driver
46 and drives the media conveyance motor 26 to convey the passbook
to the start printing position of the recording head 18. Then in step
S14 the control unit 70 drives the media conveyance motor 26 and
carriage drive motor 56 and controls the head driver 48 to print with
the recordinghead18 andthenadvance the passbook eachtimeprinting
one line ends. When this printing process ends, the control unit 70
drives the media conveyance motor 26 and conveys the passbook to the
stop printing position in step S15.
[0044]
The control unit 70 then changes the command set from the
printing command set W to the scanning command set L in step S16. This
step of changingthe command set is describedin detail further below.
100451
When changing the command set is completed, the control unit 70
controls the motor driver 46 and operates the media conveyance motor
26 toadvance the passbook tothe start scanningpositionin step S17.
Then in step S18 the control unit 70 scans the passbook by operating
the media conveyance motor 26 and acquiring the output data from the
first scanner module 111 and second scanner module 112 through the
gate array 45. In step S19, the control unit 70 analyzes the output
data acquired from the first scanner 111 and second scanner 112 to
acquire images of both sides of the passbook and perform optical
character recognition (OCR) .
100461
Finally, the control unit 70 changes the command set from the
scanning command set L to command set V or command set W for printing
in step S20, then convey the passbook to the start printing position
of the recording head 18 in step S21, and ends this process.
[0047]
FIG. 7is a flowchart showing the flowof operationwhenchanging
the command set in step S16 or step S21 in FIG. 6.
To change the command set in step 516 or step S21, the control
unit 70 first determines whether the current command set is command
set W for printing or command set L for scanning (step S30).
100481
If the current command set is command set W for printing, the
control unit 70 changes the command set from the printing command set
W to the scanning command set L (step S33) and completes changing the
command set. As described above, the image reader 110 manages the
vertical position of the passbook separately by the position
management means, and this vertical position is separate from the
relative position of the passbook on the conveyance path P acquired
from the alignment sensors 39 and media edge sensors 47. As a result,
there isnoneedtodischarge thepassbook andreset vertical position
management of the passbook even when changing from the command set
W for a different device to the native command set L for the
multifunctiondevice 10, and control cantransitiondirectly fromthe
printing process to the image scanning process.
[00491
When the current command set is the scanning command set L, the
control unit 70 determines if there is a passbook in the conveyance
path P (step S31).
If a passbook is not in the conveyance path P (step S31 returns
NO), that is, the passbook has already been discharged because a
discharge command is included in the scanning command set L, for
example, the control unit 70 changesthe commandsetfromthe scanning
command set L to the printing command set W (step S33), and completes
changing the command set.
[00501
However, if a passbook is in the conveyance path P (step S31
returns YES), the control unit 70 drives the media conveyance motor
26, discharges the passbook from the manual feed opening 15 or paper
exit 20 (step S32), and initializes the relative position of the
processmediumStothe conveyancepathPbasedonaspecific condition.
Next, the control unit 70 changes the command set from the scanning
command set L to the printing command set W (step S33), and completes
changing the command set. When changing the command set from the
command set L for image scanning control to the command set W for
printing control, the passbook must be discharged because vertical
position management of the passbook must be reset before starting the
printing process.
The control unit 70 discharges the passbook from the manual feed
opening 15 or the paper exit 20 in step 532, but could instead convey
the passbook to the alignment position and execute the alignment
process with the alignment unit 28.
[0051]
As describedabove, when changing the command set fromthe image
scanning control command set L to the printing control command set
W in this embodiment, the control unit 70 discharges the passbook,
that is, initializes the relative position of the process medium S
on the conveyance path PI but omits discharging the passbook when
changing the command set from the printing control command set W to
the image scanning control command set L. This operation enables
executing the image scanning process continuously following the
printing process without discharging the process medium S to
initialize the relative position even when changing between the
printing control command set W and the image scanning control command
set L.
More specifically, unlike the printing process in which
controlling the printingposition is important, managingthe relative
position of the process medium S in the conveyance path P is not
essential in the image scanning process if the relative position can
at least be determined in the scanned image. The vertical position
canthereforebemanaged separately fromtheprintingprocess without
using output from the media edge sensors 47, for example. This
embodiment of the invention therefore uses t h i s t o omit the process
of discharging the process medium S from the conveyance path P when
going fromtheprintingprocess directlytotheimage scanningprocess
because there is no need to i n i t i a l i z e the offset between the process
medium S and the position stored in the CPU 4 0 . Therefore, because
there i s no need for the operator to insert the process medium S again
when consecutively executing the printing process and image scanning
process, productivity can be improved compared with t h e r e l a t e d a r t .
[0052]
The controlunit70 a l s o d e t e c t s t h e presence of aprocessmedium
S on the conveyance path PI and when a process medium S is detected
onthe conveyancepathP controlsthe conveyanceunit100todischarge
the process medium S from the conveyance path P. The process medium
S discharge process can thus also be omitted when a process medium
S is not on the conveyance path P and efficiency can be improved even
when changingthe command set fromthe image scanning control command
set L to the printing control command set W.
[0053]
Further alternatively, the orientation and position of the
process medium S to the conveyance path P can be simply readjusted
instead of discharging the process medium S from the conveyance path
Pwhenexecutingaprintingprocess a f t e r the image scanningprocess.
As a r e s u l t , becausetheoperatordoesnotneedtoreinserttheprocess
medium S t o t h e conveyance path even when resetting v e r t i c a l position
management of the process medium S is necessary, efficiency can be
improved.
[0054]
A preferred embodiment of the invention is described above, but
the invention is not limited thereto and can be varied in many ways
without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.
[0055]
The CPU 40 mounted on a c i r c u i t board (not shown i n the figure)
installed in the multifunction device 10 in the foregoing embodiment
has the functions of the function blocks shown in FIG. 4, and is
described as a configuration that controls other parts of the
multifunction device 10, but a device externally connected to the
multifunctiondevice 10 couldbe configuredto functionas all orpart
of the functions shown in FIG. 4 and control the multifunction device
10. The functionblocks shown inFIG. 4 are achievedbythe cooperation
of hardware and software, butthe specific hardware configuration and
software specifications can be changed as desired, and other details
of the configuration can be changed as desired.
[00561
The invention is described above using the example of a
multifunction device 10 having a SIDM recording head 18 and an image
reader 110, but the invention is not so limited and can be applied
inconfigurationshavinganimagereadingunitequivalenttotheimage
reader110 disposedinaninkjet printer, athermalprinter, oralaser
printer, for example. The invention is also not limited to a
standalone device, and the invention can obviously be incorporated
into another device such as an automated teller machine (ATM) or cash
dispenser (CD) terminal.
Althoughthe present inventionhas been describedin connection
with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such
changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the
scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims,
unless they depart therefrom.

What is claimed is:
1. An electronic device comprising:
a conveyance unit that conveys a process medium through a
conveyance path;
a print unit that prints on the process medium conveyed through
the conveyance path;
an image scanning unit that reads an image from the process
medium conveyed through the conveyance path; and
a control unit that changes between a printing control command
set andanimage scanning control command set, controlstheprint unit
and the image scanning unit, and controls the conveyance unit to
execute a discharge process to discharge the process medium, based
on a received command, and
executesthedischargeprocesswhenchanging fromtheimage
scanning control command set tothe printing control command set, and
omits the discharge process when changing from the printing control
command set to the image scanning control command set.
2. The electronic device described in claim 1, wherein:
at least one of the printing control command set and image
scanningcontrolcommandset is anemulationcommandset that emulates
a different command set.
3. The electronic device described in claim 1, wherein:
the discharge process includes a first process that detects if
the process medium is on the conveyance path, and a second process
that controls the conveyance unit and discharges the process medium
from the conveyance path when the process medium is detected on the
conveyance path.
4. A control method of an electronic device, comprising:
a first stepof executingaprintingprocess or animage scanning
process on a process medium conveyedthrough a conveyance path of the
electronic device based on a f5rst command set;
a second step of changing from the first command set to a second
command set, and initializing the relative position of the process
medium to the conveyance path based on a specific condition; and
a third step of executing the other of the printing process and
image scanning process on the process medium based on the second
command set;
wherein initializing the relative position in the second step
is done when the printing process is executed based on the second
command set, and is omitted when the image scanning process is
executed based on the second command set.
5. The control method described in claim 4, wherein:
the second step includes a process of discharging the process
medium from the conveyance path.
6. The control method described in claim 4, wherein:
thesecondstepincludesaprocessof aligningtheprocessmedium
without discharging the process medium from the conveyance path.
Dated this 1 lth
July,