Recording apparatus and control method therefor

Abstract

To solve the problem that, even if a plurality of power storage devices are included, a recording operation cannot be continued when supply of power from an external power source is stopped.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus comprises: first power storage means; second power storage means; a connection section which is connected with an external power source via insertable / removable connection means; a recording section which performs recording on a recording medium; charge means which performs charging to the first power storage means or the second power storage means; charging destination switching means which switches a charging destination to be charged by the charge means; and power source switching means which switches a power source to supply power to the charging destination to the external power source or the second power storage means. In a state where the external power source is not connected to the connection section, control is performed to charge the first power storage means by using power of the second power storage means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art As a printing apparatus that prints by ejecting ink from a head unit, a printing apparatus that operates by receiving power supply from an external device or the like via a wired interface terminal has been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which power supplied from an external power source via a USB cable is stored in a power storage unit, and then a sequence is executed using the stored power.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for switching between charging and discharging two power storage devices provided in an apparatus to supplement the shortage of current supplied from an external power source relative to the load current. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-205945 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-121207 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In Patent Document 1, if the supply of power from the external power source is stopped, there is no means for charging the power storage unit, and so there is a risk that the recording device will stop midway.

[0007] Similarly, in Patent Document 2, there is a risk that power cannot be supplied to the load when power supply from the external power source is cut off.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a technique that enables a recording device to be used for a longer period of time even when the power supply from an external power source is cut off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The recording device of the present invention is a recording device comprising a connection unit that connects to an external power source via a first storage means, a second storage means, and a removable connection means, and a recording unit that records on a recording medium, and is characterized by having a charging means that charges the first storage means or the second storage means, a charging destination switching means that switches the charging destination to be charged by the charging means, a power source switching means that switches the power source that supplies power to the charging destination to either the external power source or the second storage means, and a control means that controls the first storage means to be charged using the power of the second storage means when the external power source is not connected to the connection unit.

[0010] The control method for a recording device according to the present invention is a control method for a recording device having a first storage means, a second storage means, a connection unit that connects to an external power source via a removable connection means, and a recording unit that records on a recording medium, and is characterized by having a charging destination switching step of switching the charging destination of a charging means that charges the first storage means or the second storage means, a power source switching step of switching the power source that supplies power to the charging destination to either the external power source or the second storage means, and a charging step of charging the first storage means using power from the second storage means when the external power source is not connected to the connection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the recording device can be used for a longer period of time even if the power supply from the external power source is cut off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of an image recording apparatus. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image recording apparatus. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image recording apparatus. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image recording apparatus. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image recording apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a timing chart of charging and discharging of an EDLC during a recording operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a charging / discharging process of the image recording device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following description of the embodiment merely describes one example of the present invention as specifically as possible in order to satisfy the legally required description requirements (description requirements and enablement requirements). Therefore, as will be explained later, it goes without saying that the present invention is in no way limited to the specific configurations of the embodiment described below.

[0014] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a recording device (printer PR1). The printer PR1 includes a transport roller 1, a guide rail 2, a carriage 3, an ink tank 4a, a head unit 4b (recording unit), a carriage belt 5, a carriage motor 6, a transport motor 7, and a flexible cable 7. The head unit 4b is mounted on the carriage 3 and can reciprocate along the guide rail 2 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 2. Ink ejected from the head unit 4b reaches a recording medium 9 on a platen (not shown) at a small distance from the head unit 4b, and forms an image thereon. A recording signal corresponding to image data is supplied to the head unit 4b via a flexible cable 8. The carriage motor 6 is a motor for scanning the carriage 3 along the guide rail 2. The carriage belt 5 transmits the driving force of the carriage motor 6 to the carriage 3. The transport motor 7 is connected to the transport roller 1 and is a motor for transporting the recording medium 9. The head unit 4b is connected to the ink tank 4a to form a head cartridge. This head cartridge may be configured so that the head unit and the ink tank are separable, or may be configured so that they are arranged separately.

[0015] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the control configuration of printer PR1. Reference numeral 10 denotes an ASIC (control means) that controls printer PR1, and 11 denotes a head unit that ejects ink. Reference numeral 12 denotes a USB device, such as a host PC that generates and records images to be printed by a user. In this embodiment, the USB device 12 is described as an external power source for printer PR1. The USB device 12 is connected to an I / F connector 13 (connection unit) of printer PR1 via a USB cable (not shown), which conforms to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. The USB cable can be inserted and removed from the connection unit. Control commands and print data are sent from the USB device 12 via the I / F connector 13 and a bus switch (bus SW) 14. The sent control commands and print data are received by interface (I / F) circuit 15 in ASIC 10. A bus SW control unit 16 can set the connection of the bus SW 14 to either the ASIC 10 or a battery pack 17 with the D+ and D- pins of the USB device 12.

[0016] The control commands received by the interface (I / F) circuit 15 are analyzed by the CPU 18, and the printer PR1 is controlled in accordance with the received control commands. The print data received by the interface (I / F) circuit 15 is sent to the image processing unit 19, where it undergoes various image processing steps according to the printing method, and is stored in the image memory 20 as image-processed print data. The stored print data is read out again when printing. The image memory 20 is, for example, a RAM-type data memory.

[0017] Reference numeral 21 denotes a data transmission unit for transmitting the image-processed recording data to the head unit 11.

[0018] When data is sent from the data transmission unit 21 to the head unit 11, it is received by the data reception unit 22 within the head unit 11. 23 and 24 respectively indicate a shift register and a data latch. The serial data received by the data reception unit 22 is converted into parallel data by the shift register 23, and then temporarily stored in the data latch 24. 25 is a heat circuit which receives information about the nozzles that will eject ink output from the data latch 24, as well as heat pulse width information indicating the time for heating the heater, and the like, and drives it to eject ink.

[0019] The battery pack 17 is a power supply that can be attached to and detached from the printer PR1, and has an output voltage V BAT The battery pack 17 includes a LiB (lithium ion battery) 26 serving as a power source and serving as a second power storage means, a protection IC 27, and a BMU (Battery Management Unit) 28. Hereinafter, the LiB 26 will also be referred to simply as the battery pack 17. The protection IC 27 is an IC equipped with a function for protecting the LiB 26 from abnormal operation such as over-discharge, over-charge, and over-current. The BMU 28 is a unit that mainly manages the remaining charge of the LiB 26. By communicating via a battery I / F 29 mounted on the ASIC 10, remaining charge information can be communicated in response to a command from the ASIC 10. In this embodiment, communication is performed using the UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) method. The battery pack 17 may be a fixed type that cannot be removed by the user.

[0020] Furthermore, since the current output from the battery pack 28 is approximately the same as the output current of the USB device 12, mobile operation can be achieved with a small battery pack.

[0021] Printer PR1 outputs V BUS , or the output voltage V from the battery pack 17 BATEither one of these can be used as the main power source. The printer is also equipped with an auxiliary power source 30 as a first power storage means for supplementing momentary printer loads, such as ink ejection and motor 39 drive. In this embodiment, the auxiliary power source 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as EDLC) is an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC), which has a lower capacity than the LiB 26 but can supply a high output current. The LiB 26 and EDLC 30 can be charged by a charging IC 31 (charging means), and charging is controlled via a charging control I / F 33 mounted on the ASIC 10. The charging IC 31 is connected to the D+ and D- pins via a bus SW 14. When charging the EDLC 30 or LiB 26 using power from the USB device 12, it determines the charging current to match the USB device 12 that supplies power. In this embodiment, determination is made in accordance with the USB-BC (USB Battery Charge) standard (hereinafter referred to as BCS determination). The charging device to be charged can be switched by a charging device selection circuit 32 (charging destination switching means), and is controlled via the charging control I / F 33 mounted on the ASIC 10. The charging device selection circuit 32 is a circuit similar to an analog switch that can connect multiple power sources to a single connection destination and is a bidirectional (charging and discharging) device. The input power source for charging the charging device can be switched between the USB device 12 and the battery pack 17 by the charging power switching circuit 34 (power source switching means), and is controlled via a charging control I / F 33 mounted on the ASIC 10. The charging power switching circuit 34 is a circuit similar to an analog switch that can connect multiple power sources to a single connection destination. In addition, the charging IC 31 has a load supply port for supplying power to the load of the printer PR1. When the load power of the printer PR1 is lower than the input power from the charging power source input to the charging IC 31, the excess power is used to charge the charging device. Furthermore, when the load power of the printer PR1 is higher than the input power, the charging device automatically supplies the power shortage.

[0022] Reference numeral 35 denotes a boost circuit that boosts the voltage output from the load supply port of the charging IC 31. The voltage boosted by the boost circuit 35 is used as a heat voltage for ejecting ink in the head unit 11 and to drive a motor 39. The heat voltage V H can be turned on / off by a heat voltage SW 36, and is turned on / off by instructions from a heat voltage control unit 37 mounted on the ASIC 10. 38 is a logic power supply voltage V used in the ASIC 10 and the head unit 11. DD The motor 39 is controlled via a motor driver 40.

[0023] The operation unit 50 includes a push switch for turning the power of the printer PR1 on and off, a panel unit (notification means) for displaying various information, an LED (notification means), and the like.

[0024] 2B to 2D are control configuration diagrams for each connection state of the USB device 12. FIG. 2B is a control configuration diagram when the USB device 12 is connected and the printer PR1 is in a non-operating state. The input power supply to the charging IC 31 is switched to Vbus, which is the voltage of the USB device 12, by switching the charging power supply switching circuit 34. Meanwhile, the charging device selection circuit 32 selects the battery pack 28 as the charging destination. The battery pack 28 is charged when the USB device 12 is connected to the printer PR1 and the printer PR1 is not operating (for example, in a standby state when the printer PR1 is stopped rather than recording). FIG. 2C is a control configuration diagram when the USB device 12 is connected and the printer PR1 is in an operating state. The input power supply to the charging IC 31 is switched to Vbus, which is the voltage of the USB device 12, by switching the charging power supply switching circuit 34. Meanwhile, the charging device selection circuit 32 selects the EDLC 30 as the charging destination. When the load power of the printer PR1 is lower than the power supplied by the USB device 12, the surplus power is used to charge the EDLC 30. When the load power of the printer PR1 is higher than the power supplied by the USB device 12, the deficiency in power is discharged from the EDLC 30 to drive the printer PR1. Figure 2D is a control configuration diagram when the USB device 12 is disconnected and the printer PR1 is in an active state. The input power of the charging IC 31 is switched to Vbat, the voltage of the battery pack 17, by switching the charging power switching circuit 34. Meanwhile, the EDLC 30 is selected as the charging destination by the charging device selection circuit 32. When the load power of the printer PR1 is lower than the power supplied from the battery pack 17, the surplus power is used to charge the EDLC 30. When the load power of the printer PR1 is higher than the power supplied by the battery pack 17, the deficiency in power is discharged from the EDLC 30 to drive the printer PR1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of charging control during a recording operation of the printer PR1. When the printer PR1 is turned on at T1, the USB device 12 charges the EDLC 30 to a fully charged state Vth1 (first threshold) (T2), and then the printer enters a standby state until T3, when the recording operation begins. T3 to T8 show charging control during the recording operation. The printer PR1 starts recording from T3, and power consumption increases due to the load on the drive system. T3 to T4 show a state in which the load increases and power consumption is high relative to the power supplied from the USB device 12. The diagram also shows a gradual decrease in the voltage of the EDLC 30. From T4 to T5, the printer is in a standby state, and power consumption is low relative to the power supplied from the USB device 12. Therefore, surplus power is used to charge the EDLC 30, and the voltage of the EDLC 30 gradually increases. From T5 to T6, recording begins again, and power consumption becomes high relative to the power supplied from the USB device 12, and the voltage of the EDLC 30 decreases to Vth2. When the voltage drops to Vth2, it indicates that the EDLC 30 is waiting to be charged (T6 to T7). The Vth2 voltage is the minimum voltage threshold required for printer PR1's shutdown process, such as capping the nozzles of the head unit 11. When the EDLC 30 is charged and then reaches Vth1, recording resumes again at T7 to T8. Since the recording operation ends at T8, the EDLC 30 is charged until T9, and when charging is complete (T9), the system goes into standby. Note that similar charge and discharge control may be performed even when the supplied power is from the battery pack 17 rather than the USB device 12.

[0026] 4 is a flowchart showing charge / discharge control during recording operation. First, the flow when a USB cable is inserted will be explained. When the user turns on the power switch of the device that is powered off (S401) in S402, it is determined whether a USB cable is inserted (S403). If a USB cable is inserted, the process proceeds to S404, where the charging power supply switching circuit 34 switches the input port of the charging IC 31 to connect the power supply to the USB device 12, the charging device selection circuit 32 selects the EDLC 30 as the charging destination, and the EDLC 30 is then charged.

[0027] In S405, it is determined whether the voltage of the EDLC 30 is less than the threshold Vth1 (less than the first threshold). If charging of the EDLC 30 is complete (reaches Vth1), it is determined whether recorded data has been received (S406). If recorded data has not been received, it is determined whether the battery pack 17 is fully charged (S407). Here, it is determined whether the voltage of the LiB 26 is less than the determination threshold Vth4. Vth4 is a value greater than Vth3. If the battery pack 17 is not fully charged (less than Vth4), the process proceeds to S408, where the charging power supply switching circuit 34 connects the input port of the charging IC 31 to the power source from the USB device 12, the charging device selection circuit 32 selects the battery pack 17 as the charging destination, and charges the battery pack 17. While the battery pack 17 is being charged, it continues to confirm receipt of recorded data (S406). When the battery pack 17 is fully charged (Vth4 or higher), it enters a standby state and waits until recorded data is received (S409). If recording data is received in S406, the process proceeds to S410, where the charging power supply switching circuit 34 connects the input port of the charging IC 31 to the power source from the USB device 12, the charging device selection circuit 32 selects the EDLC 30 as the charging destination, and then the recording operation begins (S411). During recording, the process determines whether the recording operation is complete in S412, and if it is complete, the process proceeds to S407. If it is not complete, the process determines whether the voltage of the EDLC 30 has decreased to less than Vth2 (second threshold value) (S413). If the voltage of the EDLC 30 has not decreased to Vth2, that is, if it is higher than Vth2, the recording operation (S411) continues, and if the voltage of the EDLC 30 has decreased to Vth2, that is, if it is less than Vth2, the recording operation is interrupted, the head unit 11 is moved to a predetermined position, and the EDLC 30 is charged (S414). When the voltage of the EDLC 30 reaches or exceeds Vth1 and charging is completed (S415), the recording operation (S411) resumes. The predetermined position is, for example, the position of the cap that caps the discharge ports of the head unit 11. Also, in S415, charging is performed up to Vth1, but the threshold may be variable depending on the power required for the remaining recording, rather than Vth1.

[0028] Next, the flow when the USB cable is not inserted will be described. If the USB cable is not inserted in S403, the remaining charge of the battery pack 17 is determined (S416). If the voltage is less than the predetermined voltage Vth3, the user is notified via the operation unit 50 of the printer PR1 that the battery pack 17 is low on power and that printing is not possible, and the printer is then powered off (S431). This notification is carried out for a certain period of time before the printer is powered off. On the other hand, if the voltage is equal to or greater than the predetermined voltage Vth3 (for example, the remaining charge is enough to print one image), the process proceeds to S417. In S417, the charging power supply switching circuit 34 connects the battery pack 17 to be the input power source, the charging device selection circuit 32 selects the EDLC 30 as the charging destination, and charging of the EDLC 30 begins. If the voltage of the EDLC 30 is equal to or greater than Vth1 and charging is completed (S418), a determination is made as to whether or not print data has been received (S419). If no recording data has been received, the process proceeds to S420, where a remaining charge is determined based on whether the voltage of the battery pack 17 is Vth3 or higher. If Vth3 or higher, the process enters a standby state (S421) and waits for the reception of recording data. If Vth3 is lower than Vth3, the user is notified via the operation unit 50 of the printer PR1 or the USB device 12 that the battery pack 17 is low on power and that recording is not possible. After this notification, the process transitions to a power-off state (S422). If recording data has been received in S419, the process proceeds to S423, where a remaining charge of the battery pack 17 is determined (S423). If the voltage of the battery pack 17 is Vth3 or higher, the recording operation begins (S424). In S425, a determination is made as to whether the recording operation is complete. If not, a determination is made as to whether the voltage of the EDLC 30 is lower than Vth2 (S426). If the voltage of the EDLC 30 is Vth2 or higher, the process returns to S423. If the voltage of the EDLC 30 becomes less than Vth2, the recording operation is interrupted, the head unit 11 is moved to a predetermined position, and then charging (S427) is performed on the EDLC 30. When charging is completed in S428 until the voltage of the EDLC 30 becomes equal to or greater than Vth1, the process proceeds to S423.

[0029] If recording is completed in S425, the remaining charge of the battery pack 17 is determined (S429). If the voltage of the battery pack 17 is Vth3 or higher, the printer enters a standby state (S430), and if there is no charge remaining, the printer notifies the user via the operation unit 50 of the printer PR1 that the battery pack 17 is low on power and that recording is not possible. The printer then transitions to a power-off state (S431). If there is no battery charge remaining in S423, the printer also notifies the user that there is no battery charge remaining, and transitions to a power-off state (S431).

[0030] With this configuration, when the USB device 12 is connected via a USB cable, the USB device 12 serves as the input power source, and the printer PR1 is driven while the charging destination is switched between the EDLC 30 and the battery pack 17. On the other hand, if the power source from the USB device 12 is lost because the user does not connect the USB cable or the USB cable is disconnected, the battery pack 17 serves as the input power source, and the EDLC serves as an auxiliary power source, enabling mobile driving. Because the current output from the battery pack 17 is as low as the output current of the USB device 12, mobile driving can be achieved with a small battery pack. Charging two power storage devices with a single charging circuit also simplifies the circuitry.

[0031] <Other embodiments> Although a host PC has been given as an example of the USB device 12, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone, a USB charger, or a mobile LiB. When connecting to a non-communication terminal such as a USB charger or mobile battery, a separate communication terminal that sends recording data is connected to the printer PR1 via wireless communication.

[0032] In addition, control commands and recording data from the USB device 12 may be transmitted via wireless communication.

[0033] Also, in FIG. 3, the voltage change of the EDLC 30 in response to the excess or shortage of power from the USB device 12 due to the change in load has been described, but the same operation applies to power from the battery pack 17.

[0034] In addition, in FIG. 3, the shortage of power from the EDLC 30 relative to the load power of the printer PR1 may be compensated for by supplying power from the USB device 12 or the battery pack 17 to the load.

[0035] Although the above describes an example of a recording operation, charge / discharge control according to load power during a reading operation by an ADF (automatic document feeder) or a reading operation by a flatbed system can also be applied.

[0036] In addition, in FIG. 4, full charge is determined by the voltage threshold Vth1 of the EDLC 30, but instead of full charge, a threshold may be set, for example, based on the amount of power consumption required to print one sheet of recording medium, or may be variably set.

[0037] Also, a notification urging the user to connect the USB cable may be given at S422 or S431 in FIG.

[0038] Furthermore, the notification before the power is turned off may be given by lighting an LED or the like, rather than by displaying it on the operation unit 50.

[0039] Furthermore, the contents of the notification before the power is turned off may be transmitted to the USB device 12 and displayed on the USB device 12 .

[0040] Also, if recording data or an instruction to start recording is received after the process has shifted to S417 in FIG. 4 and before S418, the charging control may be interrupted midway and S423 may be executed.

[0041] Furthermore, Vth1 and Vth2 are used as examples of thresholds for determining whether to charge the EDLC 30, and Vth3 and Vth4 are used as examples of thresholds for the battery pack 17, but it is not necessary to use two thresholds; only one may be used.

[0042] Also, in S428 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether the EDLC 30 has been charged to a voltage of Vth1 or more, but a threshold value (smaller than Vth1 and larger than Vth2) for the power required for the remaining recording may be set separately.

[0043] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods.

[0044] (Configuration 1) a first power storage means; a second power storage means; a connection portion for connecting to an external power source via a removable connection means; A recording device having a recording unit that records on a recording medium, a charging means for charging the first storage means or the second storage means; a charging destination switching means for switching a charging destination to be charged by the charging means; a power source switching means for switching the supply of power to the charging destination between the external power source and the second power storage means; a control unit that controls the first power storage unit to be charged using the power of the second power storage unit when the external power source is not connected to the connection unit.

[0045] (Configuration 2) 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means charges the first storage means using the power of the second storage means when the voltage of the first storage means is less than a first threshold value.

[0046] (Configuration 3) 3. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein when the external power supply is not connected to the connection section, recording is performed using the power of at least the first power storage means.

[0047] (Configuration 4) The recording device according to Configuration 3, wherein the control means interrupts recording when the voltage of the first power storage means is lower than a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value while the external power source is not connected to the connection section and during recording by the recording section, and charges the first power storage means using the power of the second power storage means.

[0048] (Configuration 5) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control means turns off the power supply of the recording device when the external power supply is not connected to the connection section and the voltage of the second storage means is less than a third threshold.

[0049] (Configuration 6) A notification means is provided, The recording apparatus according to configuration 5, wherein the control means notifies the user by the notification means of a message urging the user to connect the external power supply before turning off the power supply of the recording apparatus.

[0050] (Configuration 7) A notification means is provided, 7. The recording device according to claim 5, wherein the control means notifies the user through the notification means that there is a power shortage before turning off the power supply of the recording device via the display means.

[0051] (Configuration 8) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the control means charges the second storage means using the external power source when the external power source is connected to the connection section and the voltage of the second storage means is less than a fourth threshold.

[0052] (Configuration 9) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the control means charges the first power storage means with an amount of surplus power supplied from the external power source relative to the power consumed by the recording unit during recording when the external power source is connected to the connection unit.

[0053] (Configuration 10) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the connection means is a USB cable based on the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

[0054] (Configuration 11) 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the first power storage means is an electric double layer capacitor.

[0055] (Configuration 12) 12. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the second power storage means is a lithium ion battery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] PR1 printer 4b, 11 head unit 10 ASIC 12 USB Devices 13 I / F connector 14 Bus SW 15 I / F circuit 16 Bus SW control section 17 Battery Pack 18 CPU 26 LiB 27 Protection IC 28 BMU 29 Battery I / F 30 Auxiliary power supply (EDLC) 31 Charging IC 32 Charging device selection circuit 33 Charging control I / F 34 Charging power supply switching circuit 50 Control section

Claims

1. a first power storage means; a second power storage means; a connection portion for connecting to an external power source via a removable connection means; A recording device having a recording unit that records on a recording medium, a charging means for charging the first storage means or the second storage means; a charging destination switching means for switching a charging destination to be charged by the charging means; a power source switching means for switching the supply of power to the charging destination between the external power source and the second power storage means; a control unit that controls the first power storage unit to be charged using the power of the second power storage unit when the external power source is not connected to the connection unit.

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means charges the first power storage means using the power of the second power storage means when the voltage of the first power storage means is less than a first threshold value.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the external power source is not connected to the connection section, recording is performed using the power of at least the first power storage means.

4. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the control means interrupts recording when the voltage of the first storage means is lower than a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value while the external power source is not connected to the connection section and during recording by the recording section, and charges the first storage means using the power of the second storage means.

5. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means turns off the power supply of the recording device when the external power supply is not connected to the connection section and the voltage of the second storage means is less than a third threshold value.

6. A notification means is provided, 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means notifies the user by the notification means of a message urging the user to connect the external power source before turning off the power supply of the recording apparatus.

7. A notification means is provided, 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control means notifies the user through the notification means that there is a power shortage before turning off the power supply of the recording apparatus via the display means.

8. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control means charges the second storage means using the external power source when the external power source is connected to the connection section and the voltage of the second storage means is less than a fourth threshold.

9. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the external power source is connected to the connection unit, the control means charges the first storage means with an amount of surplus power supplied from the external power source relative to the power consumed by the recording unit during recording.

10. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection means is a USB cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

11. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first power storage means is an electric double layer capacitor.

12. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second power storage means is a lithium ion battery.

13. A control method for a recording device including first and second power storage means, a connection unit that connects to an external power source via a removable connection means, and a recording unit that records on a recording medium, comprising: a charging destination switching step of switching a charging destination of a charging means that charges the first storage means or the second storage means; a power source switching step of switching the supply of power to the charging destination between the external power source and the second power storage means; a charging step of charging the first power storage means using the power of the second power storage means when the external power source is not connected to the connection section;

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