Printing device, system and method for image forming

• US 20070024902A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kato, Tokunori
• Granted Patent: US 8,553,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1205 resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1254 Automatic configuration, e.g. by driver
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/128 Direct printing, e.g. sending document file, using memory stick, printing from a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3212 of data relating to a job, e.g. communication, capture or filing of an image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3216 of a job size, e.g. a number of images, pages or copies, size of file, length of message
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33314 of reading or reproducing mode

Abstract

There is provided a recording device provided with a communication unit configured to receive image data and a print execution instruction from an external device, a display unit, a printing unit, a storage unit; and a controller that stores the image data in the storage unit and displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit in response to receipt of the print execution instruction.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive image data and a print execution instruction from an external device;

a display unit;

a printing unit;

a storage unit; and

a controller that stores the image data in the storage unit and displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit in response to receipt of the print execution instruction.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the controller causes the printing unit to print an image on the recording medium in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit,

wherein the controller further causes the printing unit to print an image in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit in response to the print execution instruction inputted through the input unit.

4. The printing device according to claim 3,

wherein the controller stores print setting information in the storage unit based on the print setting information inputted through the input unit.

5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the controller executes image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit, displays an image corresponding to the processed image data, and stores the processed image data in the storage unit in response to a command for image processing inputted through the input unit.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the controller operates to:

judge whether the storage unit has storing area for storing the image data from the external device before storing the image data; and

transmit a notification indicating that printing is inexecutable to the external device through the communication unit if it is judged that the storage unit does not have the free space for storing the image data and the print setting information.

7. A printing device, comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive image data and a print execution instruction from an external device;

a display unit;

a printing unit;

a storage unit; and

a controller that stores the image data in the storage unit, displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit, and transmits print end information to the external device.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the controller causes the printing unit to print an image on the recording medium in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit.

9. The printing device according to claim 7, further comprising an input unit, wherein the controller further causes the printing unit to print an image in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit in response to a print start command inputted through the input unit.

10. The printing device according to claim 9, wherein the controller stores print setting information in the storage unit based on the print setting information inputted through the input unit.

11. The printing device according to claim 10, wherein the controller executes image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit, displays an image corresponding to the processed image data, and stores the processed image data in the storage unit in response to a command for image processing inputted through the input unit.

12. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the controller operates to:

judge whether the storage unit has storing area for storing the image data from the external device before storing the image data; and

transmit a notification indicating that printing is inexecutable to the external device through the communication unit if it is judged that the storage unit does not have the free space for storing the image data and the print setting information.

13. An image forming system in which a printing device is connected to an external device,

wherein the external device comprises:

a capture unit configured to capture an image;

a media controller configured to store the captured image in memory;

an inputting unit configured to input a print request of the captured image;

a first communication unit configured to communicate with the external device; and

a first controller configured to transmit a print request of the captured image and to transmit the captured image to a connected printer,

wherein the printing device comprises;

a second communication unit configured to receive a print execution instruction;

a display unit on which an image is displayed;

a printing unit configured to print an image on a recording medium;

a storage unit; and

a controller that causes the printing unit to print an image on the recording medium in accordance with the image data, stores the image data in the storage unit, and displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit in response to the print execution instruction.

14. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the controller causes the printing unit to print an image on the recording medium in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit.

15. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the printing device further comprises an input unit,

wherein the controller of the printing device further causes the printing unit to print an image in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit in response to the print execution instruction inputted through the input unit.

16. The image forming system according to claim 15,

wherein the controller stores print setting information in the storage unit based on the print setting information inputted through the input unit.

17. The image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the controller of the recording device executes image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit, displays an image corresponding to the processed image data, and stores the processed image data in the storage unit in response to a command for image processing inputted through the input unit.

18. The image forming system according to claim 13,

wherein the controller of the recording device operates to:

judge whether the storage unit has storing area for storing the image data from the external device before storing the image data; and

transmit a notification indicating that printing is inexecutable to the external device through the communication unit if it is judged that the storage unit does not have the free space for storing the image data and the print setting information, and

wherein the external device moves to a standby mode after receiving the notification indicating that printing is inexecutable.

19. An image forming system in which a printing device is connected to an external device,

wherein the external device comprises:

a capture unit configured to capture an image;

a media controller configured to store the captured image in memory;

an inputting unit configured to input a print request of the captured image;

a first communication unit configured to communicate with the external device; and

a first controller configured to transmit a print request of the captured image and to transmit the captured image to a connected printer,

wherein the printing device comprises;

a second communication unit configured to receive a print execution instruction;

a display unit on which an image is displayed;

a printing unit configured to print an image on a recording medium;

a storage unit; and

a controller that stores the image data in the storage unit, displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display unit, and transmits print end information to the external device.

20. The image forming system according to claim 19, wherein the controller of the printing device causes the printing unit to print an image on the recording medium in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit.

21. The image forming system according to claim 19, wherein the printing device further comprises an input unit,

wherein the controller of the printing device further causes the printing unit to print an image in accordance with the image data stored in the storage unit in response to a print start command inputted through the input unit.

22. The image forming system according to claim 21,

wherein the controller stores print setting information in the storage unit based on the print setting information inputted through the input unit.

23. The image forming system according to claim 22, wherein the controller of the recording device executes image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit, displays an image corresponding to the processed image data, and stores the processed image data in the storage unit in response to a command for image processing inputted through the input unit.

24. The image forming system according to claim 19,

wherein, in the single display mode, the controller of the recording device operates to:

judge whether the storage unit has storing area for storing the image data from the external device before storing the image data; and

transmit a notification indicating that printing is inexecutable to the external device through the communication unit if it is judged that the storage unit does not have the free space for storing the image data and the print setting information, and

wherein the external device moves to a standby mode after receiving the notification indicating that printing is inexecutable.

25. A method of forming an image in a system in which a recording device is connected to an external device, comprising the steps of:

recording an image, on the recording device, in accordance with image data and print setting information transmitted from the external device;

storing the image data and the print setting information in a storage medium in the recording device; and

displaying an image corresponding to the image data stored in the storage medium on a display of the recording device.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of:

recording an image, on the recording device, in accordance with the image data and the print setting information stored in the storage medium in response to a print start command inputted to the recording device.

27. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of:

updating the print setting information in the storage medium in accordance with print settings inputted to the recording device.

28. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

executing, on the recording device, image processing for the image data stored in the storage medium; and

displaying an image corresponding to the image data processed by the image processing on the display of the recording device.

29. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

judging, on the recording device, whether the storage medium has free space for storing the image data and the print setting information transmitted from the external device before storing the image data and the print setting information in the storage medium;

transmitting a notification indicating that printing is inexecutable from the recording device to the external device if it is judged that the storage medium does not have the free space for storing the image data and the print setting information; and

moving the external device, which received the notification, to a standby state.

30. A method of forming an image in a system in which a recording device is connected to an external device, comprising the steps of:

storing image data and print setting information transmitted from the external device in a storage medium of the recording device;

displaying an image corresponding to the image data stored in the storage medium on a display of the recording device;

transmitting print end information from the recording device to the external device in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol; and

moving the external device, which received the print end information, to a standby state.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:

recording an image, on the recording device, in accordance with the image data and the print setting information stored in the storage medium in response to a print start command inputted to the recording device.

32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:

updating the print setting information in the storage medium in accordance with print settings inputted to the recording device.

33. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

executing, on the recording device, image processing for the image data stored in the storage medium; and

displaying an image corresponding to the image data processed by the image processing on the display of the recording device.

34. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

judging, on the recording device, whether the storage medium has free space for storing the image data and the print setting information transmitted from the external device before storing the image data and the print setting information in the storage medium;

transmitting a notification indicating that printing is inexecutable from the recording device to the external device if it is judged that the storage medium does not have the free space for storing the image data and the print setting information; and

moving the external device, which received the notification, to a standby state.

35. A computer usable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer connected to an external device, are configured to:

record an image in accordance with image data and print setting information transmitted from the external device;

store the image data and the print setting information in a storage medium; and

display an image corresponding to the image data stored in the storage medium on a display.

36. A computer usable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer connected to an external device, are configured to:

store image data and print setting information transmitted from the external device in a storage medium;

display an image corresponding to the image data stored in the storage medium on a display; and

transmit print end information to the external device in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.