printer

Abstract

To provide a printer that enables power saving.SOLUTION: A printer includes a printing unit that is driven by power supply from a battery that is rechargeable by a charging IC. A CPU sets a mode in a printing mode in which the printing unit performs printing (S5). The CPU sets a mode in a lower power mode whose power consumption amount in the whole printer is lower than the printing mode in a state where the printing unit stops printing (S13, S19). When the charging IC recharges the battery (S11: YES), the CPU sets a mode in a first low power mode which is a lower power mode where the charging IC is driven at a first SW frequency (S13). When the charging IC stops the recharging of the battery (S11: NO), the CPU sets a mode in a second lower power mode which is a lower power mode where the charging IC is driven at a second SW frequency lower than the first SW frequency (S19).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] The printer described in Patent Document 1 switches between a normal mode and a low-power mode. The low-power mode consumes less power than the normal mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-85528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The printer may consume more power than necessary in the low power mode.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that enables power saving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printer of the present invention is a printer equipped with a printing unit that is driven by power supply from a battery that can be charged by a charging IC, and is equipped with a first setting means that sets the printing unit to a printing mode in which it performs printing, and a second setting means that sets the printing unit to a low power mode in which the overall power consumption of the printer is lower than that of the printing mode when the printing unit has stopped printing, wherein the second setting means sets the printer to a first low power mode, which is the low power mode in which the charging IC is operated at a first SW frequency, when the charging IC is charging the battery, and sets the printer to a second low power mode, which is the low power mode in which the charging IC is operated at a second SW frequency that is lower than the first SW frequency, when the charging IC has stopped charging the battery.

[0007] In the second low power mode, the printer drives the charging IC at a second SW frequency. Because the second SW frequency is lower than the first SW frequency, the printer can achieve more power savings in the second low power mode than in the first low power mode.

[0008] According to the present invention, the low-power mode is a mode in which a control unit that controls the printing unit is driven at a first clock frequency, and the printer includes a third setting means for setting a specific mode in which the control unit is driven at a second clock frequency that is lower than the first clock frequency, and the second switch frequency in the second low-power mode may be the same as the switch frequency of the charging IC in the specific mode.In the printer, since the second switch frequency in the second low-power mode is the same as the switch frequency in the specific mode, power can be saved.

[0009] According to the present invention, the second setting means sets the Charging IC When charging of the battery is completed by the printer, the printer may switch from the first low power mode to the second low power mode. The printer can determine that charging of the battery in the first low power mode is completed and automatically execute power saving.

[0010] According to the present invention, a fourth setting unit is provided for setting the printer to a standby mode in which the power consumption of the entire printer is lower than that of the print mode and higher than that of the low power mode when the print unit is stopped from printing, and the second setting unit is configured to set the printer to a standby mode in which the power consumption of the entire printer is lower than that of the print mode and higher than that of the low power mode when the print unit is stopped from printing. Charging IC When a first predetermined time has elapsed while the battery is being charged, the standby mode is switched to the first low power mode, and in the standby mode, Charging IC When a second predetermined time has elapsed while charging of the battery is stopped, the printer may switch from the standby mode to the second low power mode. When a predetermined time has elapsed in the standby mode, the printer can execute power saving according to whether or not the battery is charged.

[0011] According to the present invention, the second setting unit may switch from the print mode to the second low power mode when the printing unit stops printing and charging of the battery stops in the print mode. In the printer, the switching from the print mode to the second low power mode is performed directly, thereby enabling automatic power saving.

[0012] According to the present invention, the low power mode may drive the control unit that controls the printing unit at a clock frequency that is lower than that in the printing mode. By controlling the clock frequency, the printer can reduce the power consumption in each mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the printer 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a power supply unit 100 of the printer 1. [Figure 4] 3 is a state transition diagram of the printer 1 in each mode. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram in each mode of the printer 1 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower of the printer 1, respectively.

[0015] The printer 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is driven by power supplied to a printing system 3 by a power supply unit 100. The printer 1 can print an image on a medium M based on print data. The medium M is not limited to a specific medium, but may be, for example, a sheet or tape, and in this embodiment is heat-sensitive cut paper.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a case 2. The case 2 is rectangular and longer left-to-right than front-to-back and up-to-down. A mounting section (not shown) is provided at the lower rear of the case 2. A battery 29 (see FIG. 3) is mounted in the mounting section. An AC adapter jack 32 and a USB jack 33 are provided at the right end of the case 2. The USB jack 33 is provided in front of the AC adapter jack 32. An AC adapter 30 (see FIG. 3) is connected to the AC adapter jack 32. A USB power supply section 31 (see FIG. 3) is connected to the USB jack 33.

[0017] The operation unit 7 is provided on the left end of the case 2. The operation unit 7 is a physical button for inputting various instructions. The operation unit 7 may be configured as a dial, a touch panel, or the like as long as it can input various instructions.

[0018] The electrical configuration of printer 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Printer 1 includes a power supply unit 100, a printing system 3, a printing unit 8, and an operation unit 7. Power supply unit 100 supplies power to printing system 3. Printing system 3 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 24, a clock generation unit 26, and drive circuits 11 and 12.

[0019] The ROM 22, RAM 24, clock generation unit 26, and drive circuits 11 and 12 are each electrically connected to the CPU 21. The ROM 22 stores various programs required for controlling the printer 1. The CPU 21 performs various calculations based on these programs. The RAM 24 is provided with a storage area. Various calculation data is stored in the storage area.

[0020] The clock generating unit 26 generates a system clock for driving the CPU 21. The clock frequencies of the system clock are 145 MHz, 48 MHz, and 0 MHz. The driving circuits 11 and 12 are electronic circuits for driving the printing unit 8.

[0021] The printing unit 8 is provided inside the case 2. The printing unit 8 includes a tape feed motor 9 and a thermal head 10. The tape feed motor 9 is connected to a drive circuit 11 and is driven by the drive circuit 11 to transport the medium M. The thermal head 10 includes multiple heating elements. The thermal head 10 is connected to a drive circuit 12 and is driven by the drive circuit 11 to selectively heat the multiple heating elements. The CPU 21 performs printing on the medium M by driving the tape feed motor 9 and the thermal head 10 using the drive circuits 11 and 12, respectively. The operation unit 7 is connected to the CPU 21 and sends various instructions to the CPU 21.

[0022] The power supply unit 100 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The power supply unit 100 includes a battery 29, an AC adapter jack 32, a USB jack 33, a battery charger (hereinafter referred to as a "charging IC 38"), a switching element 41, and application specific integrated circuits (hereinafter referred to as an "ASIC 39"). The power supply unit 100 supplies power to the printing system 3 based on the power of the battery 29, the AC adapter 30, or the USB power supply unit 31.

[0023] Battery 29 is capable of outputting a voltage of 10.8V. AC adapter 30 is connected to AC adapter jack 32 as an external power source. AC adapter 30 is capable of outputting a voltage of 15V. USB jack 33 is connected to USB power supply unit 31 as an external power source. USB power supply unit 31 is capable of outputting a voltage of 4.75 to 5.25V.

[0024] The charging IC 38 is a device that increases or decreases the input voltage from the AC adapter 30 or the USB power supply unit 31 to 10.8 V. The charging IC 38 decreases the input voltage from the AC adapter 30 to 10.8 V. The charging IC 38 increases the input voltage from the USB power supply unit 31 to 10.8 V. The charging IC 38 can charge the battery 29 by supplying power.

[0025] The switching element 41 includes two FETs 41A and 41B and an inductor 41C. Hereinafter, FET stands for Field Effect Transistor. The inductor 41C is a coil. One end of the inductor 41C is connected to the FET 41A. The other end of the inductor 41C is connected to the FET 41B. The FETs 41A and 41B are turned on and off under the control of the ASIC 39. The frequency with which the FETs 41A and 41B are turned on and off is called the SW frequency. The inductor 41C stores energy according to the power supplied to it. The inductor 41C repeatedly stores and releases energy by turning the FETs 41A and 41B on and off.

[0026] The ASIC 39 controls the power supply unit 100. The ASIC 39 controls the voltage to the gates to control the switching frequencies of the FETs 41A and 41B of the switching element 41. The ASIC 39 turns on and off the FETs 35, 36, 41A, 41B, and 43 by controlling the voltage to the gates.

[0027] When driven by the AC adapter 30, there are cases where power is supplied only to the printing system 3, and cases where power is supplied to the printing system 3 and the battery 29 is charged. When driven by the USB power supply unit 31, there are cases where power is supplied only to the printing system 3, and cases where power is supplied to the printing system 3 and the battery 29 is charged. When driven by the battery 29, power from the battery 29 is supplied to the printing system 3 of the printer 1.

[0028] The following describes the case where the device is driven by the AC adapter 30 and power is supplied only to the printing system 3. In this case, power from the AC adapter 30 is supplied to the charging IC 38. The charging IC 38 reduces the 15V voltage of the AC adapter 30 to 10.8V. The ASIC 39 controls the SW frequency of the FETs 41A and 41B of the switching element 41. The ASIC 39 turns on the FET 36. The ASIC 39 turns off the FETs 35 and 43. As a result, the power output by the charging IC 38 is supplied only to the printing system 3 via the switching element 41.

[0029] The following describes a case where the printer 1 is powered by the AC adapter 30, and supplies power to the printing system 3 and charges the battery 29. In this case, power from the USB power supply unit 31 is supplied to the charging IC 38. The charging IC 38 reduces the 15V voltage of the AC adapter 30 to 10.8V. The ASIC 39 controls the SW frequency of the FETs 41A and 41B of the switching element 41. The ASIC 39 turns on the FETs 36 and 43. The ASIC 39 turns off the FET 35. As a result, the power output by the charging IC 38 is supplied to the printing system 3 and the battery 29 via the switching element 41. Therefore, the printer 1 charges the battery 29 while supplying power to the printing system 3.

[0030] The following describes the case where the USB power supply unit 31 is in operation and power is supplied only to the printing system 3. In this case, power from the USB power supply unit 31 is supplied to the charging IC 38. The charging IC 38 boosts the voltage of the USB power supply unit 31, which is between 4.75V and 5.25V, to 10.8V. The ASIC 39 controls the SW frequency of the FETs 41A and 41B of the switching element 41. The ASIC 39 turns on the FET 35. The ASIC 39 turns off the FETs 36 and 43. As a result, the power output by the charging IC 38 is supplied only to the printing system 3 via the switching element 41.

[0031] The following describes a case where the printer 1 is driven by the USB power supply unit 31, and supplies power to the printing system 3 and charges the battery 29. In this case, power from the USB power supply unit 31 is supplied to the charging IC 38. The charging IC 38 boosts the voltage of the USB power supply unit 31, which is between 4.75V and 5.25V, to 10.8V. The ASIC 39 controls the switch frequency of the FETs 41A and 41B of the switching element 41. The ASIC 39 turns on the FETs 35 and 43. The ASIC 39 turns off the FET 36. As a result, the power output by the charging IC 38 is supplied to the printing system 3 and the battery 29 via the switching element 41. Therefore, the printer 1 charges the battery 29 while supplying power to the printing system 3.

[0032] A case will be described where, when the printer 1 is driven by the battery 29, power from the battery 29 is supplied to the printing system 3 of the printer 1. In this case, the ASIC 39 turns on the FET 43. The ASI 39 turns off the FETs 41A and 41B of the switching element 41 and the FETs 35 and 36. As a result, power from the battery 29 is supplied only to the printing system 3.

[0033] When the printer 1 causes the printing unit 8 to print on the medium M, the printer 1 drives the printing unit 8. As a result, the power required by the printing system 3 is greater than when the printing unit 8 is not driven. For this reason, when the printer 1 is driven by the AC adapter 30 or the USB power supply unit 31 and when the printer 1 drives the printing unit 8 to print, the printer 1 turns off the FET 43. As a result, the printer 1 does not charge the battery 29.

[0034] Each mode of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The printer 1 sets its mode to one of print mode M1, standby mode M2, low power mode M3, and off mode M4. In print mode M1, the printer 1 prints on the medium M using the printing unit 8. In this case, charging of the battery 29 is stopped. The charging IC 38 is driven at a third SW frequency. The third SW frequency is 1.2 MHz. The first and second SW frequencies will be described later. The CPU 21 is driven at a third clock frequency. The third clock frequency is 145 MHz. The first and second clock frequencies will be described later.

[0035] The third SW frequency is Charging IC The third clock frequency is the fastest frequency that can be set based on the specifications of CPU 21. Because print unit 8 is driven in print mode M1, print mode M1 consumes the highest power consumption of the entire printer 1 out of all modes.

[0036] In standby mode M2, the printer 1 waits so that printing can be started promptly by the printing unit 8. In standby mode M2, the charging IC 38 may charge the battery 29, or charging may be stopped. The charging IC 38 is driven at a fourth SW frequency. The fourth SW frequency is the same as the third SW frequency. In other words, the fourth SW frequency is 1.2 MHz. The CPU 21 is driven at a fourth clock frequency. The fourth clock frequency is the same as the third clock frequency. In other words, the fourth clock frequency is 145 MHz. In standby mode M2, unlike print mode M1, the printing unit 8 is not driven. Therefore, in standby mode M2, the power consumption of the entire printer 1 is lower than in print mode M1.

[0037] In low power mode M3, the printer 1 operates the CPU 21 at a first clock frequency. The first clock frequency is lower than both the third clock frequency and the fourth clock frequency. The first clock frequency is 48 MHz. Therefore, in low power mode M3, the overall power consumption of the printer 1 is lower than in print mode M1 and standby mode M2. Low power mode M3 has two modes: a first low power mode M31 and a second low power mode M32.

[0038] In the first low-power mode M31, the battery 29 is being charged. The charging IC 38 is driven at a first SW frequency. The first SW frequency is the same as the third and fourth SW frequencies. That is, the first SW frequency is 1.2 MHz.

[0039] In the second low power mode M32, charging of the battery 29 is stopped. In this case, there is no need to supply power to the battery 29. The SW frequency of the charging IC 38 is set to a second SW frequency. The second SW frequency is lower than the fourth SW frequency in the standby mode M2 and the first SW frequency in the first low power mode M31. The second SW frequency is 600 kHz. The second SW frequency is Charging IC This is the lowest frequency based on the specifications of 38. The second SW frequency of the second low power mode M32 is the same as the fifth SW frequency of the off mode M4, which will be described later.

[0040] The first clock frequency in the second low power mode M32 is the same as the first clock frequency in the first low power mode M31. Meanwhile, the second SW frequency in the second low power mode M32 is lower than the first SW frequency in the first low power mode M31. Therefore, the power consumption of the entire printer 1 in the second low power mode M32 is lower than that in the first low power mode M31.

[0041] In the off mode M4, the printer 1 is not powered on. In the off mode M4, the printer 1 uses only the minimum necessary functions. The minimum necessary functions include, for example, the internal clock function. In the off mode M4, charging of the battery 29 is stopped. The charging IC 38 is driven at a fifth SW frequency. The fifth SW frequency is 600 kHz. The CPU 21 is driven at a second clock frequency. The second clock frequency is lower than the first clock frequency in the second low power mode M32. The second clock frequency is 0 MHz.

[0042] The fifth SW frequency in Off mode M4 is the same as the second SW frequency in second low power mode M32. Meanwhile, the second clock frequency in Off mode M4 is lower than the first clock frequency in second low power mode M32. In Off mode M4, the second clock frequency is 0 MHz, so no clock is supplied to the CPU 21. Therefore, in Off mode M4, power consumption is lower than in second low power mode M32, and the power consumption of the printer 1 is the lowest among modes M1 to M4.

[0043] The main processing will be described with reference to Figure 5. As described above, when the printer 1 is not powered on, the mode of the printer 1 is set to the off mode M4. It is assumed that the printer 1 is driven by the AC adapter 30 or the USB power supply unit 31. When the user operates the operation unit 7 to power on the printer 1, the CPU 21 reads a program from the ROM 22 and executes the main processing. When the main processing is executed, the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from the off mode M4 to the standby mode M2 (S1) (see arrow A5 in Figure 4).

[0044] Here, setting the mode of the printer 1 means storing the mode setting of the printer 1 in the RAM 24. In this case, the clock generation unit 26 sets the clock frequency that drives the CPU 21 according to the mode setting stored in the RAM 24. The CPU 21 causes the ASIC 39 to control the power supply unit 100 in each mode according to the mode setting stored in the RAM 24. In this case, the ASIC 39 controls the SW frequency of the switching element 41 and the on / off of the FETs 35, 36, and 43 according to the control by the CPU 21.

[0045] The CPU 21 determines whether a print instruction has been received (S3). If it determines that a print instruction has been received (S3: YES), the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from standby mode M2 to print mode M1 (S5) (see arrow A1 in FIG. 4). The CPU 21 executes a print process on the medium M by the printing unit 8 (S7). After printing is completed, the process returns to S1, and the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from print mode M1 to standby mode M2 (see arrow A3 in FIG. 4).

[0046] If a print instruction has not been received (S3: NO), the CPU 21 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the standby mode M2 was set (S9). The predetermined time is, for example, three minutes. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S9: NO), the CPU 21 maintains the standby mode M2 and returns the process to S3.

[0047] If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S9: YES), the CPU 21 determines whether charging of the battery 29 is being performed by the charging IC 38 (S11). If it is determined that charging of the battery 29 is being performed by the charging IC 38 (S11: YES), the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from the standby mode M2 to the first low power mode M31 (S13) (see arrow A9 in FIG. 4). That is, in the standby mode M2, the CPU 21 Charging IC38When a predetermined time has elapsed while the battery 29 is being charged, the device is set to the first low power mode M31.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined that charging of the battery 29 by the charging IC 38 has stopped (S11: NO), the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from the standby mode M2 to the second low power mode M32 (S19) (see arrow A11 in FIG. 4). Charging IC38 If a predetermined time has elapsed while charging of the battery 29 has been stopped, the second low power mode M32 is set. The processing from S19 onwards will be described later.

[0049] In the first low power mode M31, the CPU 21 determines whether or not an instruction to transition to the standby mode M2 has been received (S15). The instruction to transition is sent to the CPU 21 when the user operates the operation unit 7. Operating the operation unit 7 means pressing the power button or the print start button.

[0050] If it is determined that an instruction to transition to standby mode M2 has been received (S15: YES), CPU 21 returns the process to S1 and switches the mode of printer 1 from first low power mode M31 to standby mode M2 (see arrow A7 in FIG. 4). Note that when the print start button is pressed, printer 1 transitions to print mode M1 via standby mode M2 (S5, S7).

[0051] If the instruction to transition to the standby mode M2 has not been received (S15: NO), the CPU 21 determines whether charging of the battery 29 by the charging IC 38 has been completed in the first low power mode M31 (S17). If it is determined that charging of the battery 29 by the charging IC 38 has not been completed (S17: NO), the CPU 21 maintains the first low power mode M31 and returns the process to S15.

[0052] If it is determined that charging of the battery 29 by the charging IC 38 has been completed in the first low power mode M31 (S17: YES), the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from the first low power mode M31 to the second low power mode M32 (S19) (see arrow A15 in Figure 4).

[0053] The CPU 21 determines whether an instruction to transition to standby mode M2 has been received in the second low power mode M32 (S21). The transition instruction is sent to the CPU 21 when the user operates the operation unit 7. Operating the operation unit 7 means pressing the power button or the print start button. If it is determined that an instruction to transition to standby mode M2 has been received (S21: YES), the CPU 21 returns the process to S1 and switches the mode of the printer 1 from the second low power mode M32 to the standby mode M2 (see arrow A13 in FIG. 4).

[0054] If an instruction to transition to standby mode M2 has not been received (S21: NO), CPU 21 determines whether an instruction to transition to off mode M4 has been received (S23). The transition instruction is sent to CPU 21 when the user operates operation unit 7 or when a predetermined time has elapsed without the user operating operation unit 7. Operating operation unit 7 means turning off the power switch. The predetermined time in S23 is longer than the predetermined time in S9. The predetermined time in S23 is one hour.

[0055] If it is determined that an instruction to transition to the off mode M4 has not been received (S23: NO), the CPU 21 maintains the second low power mode M32 and returns the process to S21. If it is determined that an instruction to transition to the off mode M4 has been received (S23: YES), the CPU 21 switches the mode of the printer 1 from the second low power mode M32 to the off mode M4 (S25) (see arrow A17 in FIG. 4).

[0056] The CPU 21 determines whether or not an instruction to transition from the off mode M4 to the standby mode M2 has been received (S27). The transition instruction is sent to the CPU 21 when the user operates the operation unit 7. Operating the operation unit 7 means pressing the power button or the print instruction start button.

[0057] If it is determined that an instruction to transition to standby mode M2 has not been received (S27: NO), CPU 21 maintains off mode M4 and returns the process to S27 to wait. If it is determined that an instruction to transition to standby mode M2 has been received (S27: YES), CPU 21 returns the process to S1 and switches the mode of printer 1 from off mode M4 to standby mode M2 (see arrow A5 in FIG. 4).

[0058] As described above, when the printing unit 8 is stopped from printing, the CPU 21 sets the printer 1 to a low power mode M3 that consumes less power overall than the print mode M1. When the charging IC 38 is charging the battery 29, the CPU 21 sets the printer 1 to a first low power mode M31, which is a low power mode M3 that drives the charging IC 38 at a first SW frequency. When the charging IC 38 has stopped charging the battery 29, the CPU 21 sets the printer 1 to a second low power mode M32, which is a low power mode M3 that drives the charging IC 38 at a second SW frequency that is lower than the first SW frequency.

[0059] In the second low-power mode M32, the printer 1 drives the charging IC 38 at a second SW frequency. Because the second SW frequency is lower than the first SW frequency, the printer 1 can achieve more power savings in the second low-power mode M32 than in the first low-power mode M31. Furthermore, if the printer 1 were to achieve power savings without changing the SW frequency, it would be necessary to increase the size of the switching element 41 of the charging IC 38. In contrast, the printer 1 achieves power savings by changing the SW frequency, which prevents the switching element 41 from becoming larger.

[0060] The low power mode M3 is a mode in which the CPU 21, which controls the printing unit 8, is driven at a first clock frequency. The CPU 21 is set to an off mode M4 in which the CPU 21 is driven at a second clock frequency lower than the first clock frequency. The second switch frequency in the second low power mode M32 is the same as the fifth switch frequency of the charging IC 38 in the off mode M4. In the printer 1, the second switch frequency in the second low power mode M32 is the same as the fifth switch frequency in the off mode M4, thereby enabling power savings.

[0061] In the first low power mode M31, the CPU 21 Charging IC38 When charging of the battery 29 is completed in the first low power mode M31, the printer 1 switches from the first low power mode M31 to the second low power mode M32. The printer 1 can automatically execute power saving by determining that charging of the battery 29 in the first low power mode M31 is completed.

[0062] With the printing unit 8 stopped from printing, the CPU 21 sets the printer 1 to a standby mode M2 in which the power consumption of the entire printer 1 is lower than that of the print mode M1 and higher than that of the low power mode M3. Charging IC38 When a predetermined time has elapsed while the battery 29 is being charged, the CPU 21 switches from the standby mode M2 to the first low power mode M31. Charging IC38 When a predetermined time has elapsed while charging of the battery 29 is stopped, the printer 1 switches from the standby mode M2 to the second low power mode M32. When a predetermined time has elapsed in the standby mode M2, the printer 1 can execute power saving according to whether or not the battery 29 is charged.

[0063] In the low power mode M3, the CPU 21 that controls the printing unit 8 is driven at a first clock frequency that is lower than that in the printing mode M1. By controlling the clock frequency, the printer 1 can reduce the power consumption in each mode.

[0064] In the above embodiment, CPU21 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention. Off mode M4 corresponds to the "specific mode" of the present invention. Three minutes corresponds to the "first predetermined time" of the present invention. Three minutes corresponds to the "second predetermined time" of the present invention. CPU21 that executes the processing of S5 corresponds to the "first setting means" of the present invention. CPU21 that executes the processing of S13 and S19 corresponds to the "second setting means" of the present invention. CPU21 that executes the processing of S25 corresponds to the "third setting means" of the present invention. CPU21 that executes the processing of S1 corresponds to the "fourth setting means" of the present invention.

[0065] A state transition diagram of a modified example of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following description, the same parts as in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description will focus on the differences. The modified example differs from the above embodiment in that the standby mode M2 has a first standby mode M21 and a second standby mode M22.

[0066] In standby mode M2, the printer 1 waits so that the printing unit 8 can quickly start printing. The CPU 21 is driven at a fifth clock frequency. The fifth clock frequency is the same as the fourth clock frequency in standby mode M2 of the above embodiment. In other words, the fifth clock frequency is 145 MHz. Standby mode M2 includes a first standby mode M21 and a second standby mode M22.

[0067] In the first standby mode M21, the battery 29 is being charged. The charging IC 38 is driven at a sixth SW frequency. The sixth SW frequency is the same as the fourth SW frequency in the standby mode M2 of the above embodiment. That is, the sixth SW frequency is 1.2 MHz. Therefore, the first standby mode M21 corresponds to the case where the battery 29 is being charged in the standby mode M2 of the above embodiment.

[0068] In the second standby mode M22, charging of the battery 29 is stopped. The charging IC 38 is driven at a seventh SW frequency. The seventh SW frequency is the same as the second SW frequency in the second low power mode M32 of the above embodiment. That is, the seventh SW frequency is 600 kHz.

[0069] The fifth clock frequency in the second standby mode M22 is the same as the fifth clock frequency in the first standby mode M21. The seventh SW frequency in the second standby mode M22 is lower than the sixth SW frequency in the first standby mode M21. Therefore, the second standby mode M22 consumes less power than the first standby mode M21.

[0070] The seventh SW frequency in the second standby mode M22 is the same as the second SW frequency in the second low power mode M32. Meanwhile, the fifth clock frequency in the second standby mode M22 is higher than the first clock frequency in the second low power mode M32. Therefore, the power consumption of the entire printer 1 in the second low power mode M32 is lower than that in the second standby mode M22.

[0071] The printing mode M1 and the first standby mode M21 are switched to each other (see arrows A2 and A4). The conditions for the switch are the same as those for the switch from the printing mode M1 to the standby mode M2 in the embodiment. The printing mode M1 and the second standby mode M22 are switched to each other (see arrows A6 and A8). The conditions for the switch are the same as those for the switch from the printing mode M1 to the standby mode M2 in the embodiment.

[0072] The first standby mode M21 transitions to the second standby mode M22 (see arrow A14). The transition condition is that charging of the battery 14 is completed. The first standby mode M21 and the first low power mode M31 transition to each other (see arrows A10 and A12). The transition condition is the same as that for transitioning from the standby mode M2 to the first low power mode M31 in the embodiment. The second standby mode M22 and the second low power mode M32 transition to each other (see arrows A16 and A18). The transition condition is the same as that for transitioning from the standby mode M2 to the second low power mode M32 in the embodiment.

[0073] As described above, when the printing unit 8 stops printing in print mode M1 and charging of the battery 29 stops, the printer 1 switches from print mode M1 to second low power mode M32 (see arrow A8). As a result, the printer 1 switches directly from print mode M1 to second low power mode M32, enabling automatic power saving.

[0074] The present invention can be modified from the above embodiment. The printer 1 described above is a thermal printer that prints on cut paper, but is not limited to this. For example, the printer 1 may be a thermal transfer printer or an inkjet printer.

[0075] Although the present invention has been described with respect to the three power sources of battery 29, AC adapter 30, and USB power supply unit 31, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, either AC adapter 30 or USB power supply unit 31 may be omitted.

[0076] The voltages output by the battery 29, the AC adapter 30, and the USB power supply unit 31 may be changed as appropriate. The voltage output by the charging IC 38 is not limited to that in the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate. Accordingly, the switching frequency of the charging IC 38 may be changed as appropriate.

[0077] The charging IC 38 is provided in the printer 1, but is not limited to this. The charging IC 38 may be provided, for example, outside the printer 1, and supply power to the battery 29 and the printing system 3. The battery 29 is provided in the printer 1, but is not limited to this. The battery 29 may be detachable from the case 2. The battery 29 may be provided outside the printer 1.

[0078] The transition to each mode is not limited to the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate. For example, when the print start button is pressed in the off mode M4, the mode transitions from the off mode M4 to the standby mode M2 and then to the print mode M1. However, the mode transition from the off mode M4 to the print mode M1 may also be performed directly.

[0079] The clock frequencies set for each mode may be changed as appropriate. The third clock frequency for print mode M1 and the fourth clock frequency for standby mode M2 are 145 MHz, but are not limited to this. These clock frequencies may be set higher or lower than 145 MHz.

[0080] The first clock frequency in the low power mode M3 is 48 MHz, but is not limited to this and may be set higher or lower than 48 MHz. The second clock frequency in the off mode M4 does not have to be 0 MHz. In this case, it is sufficient that the second clock frequency is lower than the first clock frequency in the low power mode M3.

[0081] The first clock frequency is the same in the first low power mode M31 and the second low power mode M32, but they may be different. The clock frequency in the second low power mode M32 may be lower than the first clock frequency in the first low power mode M31.

[0082] The switching frequency of the charging IC 38 set for each mode may be changed as appropriate. For example, the first SW frequency in the first low power mode M31 may be set to 1.2 MHz or higher, or may be set lower. The second SW frequency in the second low power mode M32 may be set to 600 kHz or higher, or may be set lower.

[0083] The predetermined time required to transition from standby mode M2 to low power mode M3 is three minutes, but is not limited to this. The predetermined time may be, for example, shorter or longer than three minutes. The predetermined time required to transition from standby mode M2 to first low power mode M31 may be different from the predetermined time required to transition from standby mode M2 to second low power mode M32. The predetermined time may be set appropriately by the user.

[0084] The predetermined time period for transitioning from the second low power mode M32 to the off mode M4 is one hour in the above example, but is not limited to this. The predetermined time period may be, for example, shorter or longer than one hour. The predetermined time period may be set appropriately by the user.

[0085] Instead of the CPU 21, a microcomputer, an ASIC, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used as a processor. The main processing may be distributed among multiple processors. The printing system 3 may also include other non-transitory storage media, such as flash memory or HDD. The non-transitory storage media may be any storage media capable of retaining information regardless of the period for which the information is stored. The non-transitory storage media may not include a temporary storage medium (for example, a transmitted signal).

[0086] The various programs may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network not shown, and stored in a flash memory, a HDD, etc. In this case, the various programs may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a HDD provided in the server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Printer 3 Printing System 8 Printing Department 21 CPU 29 Battery 30 AC adapter 31 USB power supply unit 38 Charging IC 41 Switching element

Claims

1. A printer having a printing unit driven by power supply from a battery that can be charged by a charging IC, a first setting means for setting a print mode in which the printing unit executes printing; a second setting means for setting the printer to a low power mode in which the power consumption of the entire printer is lower than that of the print mode when the print unit is stopped from printing; Equipped with The second setting means When the charging IC is charging the battery, the charging IC is set to a first low power mode, which is the low power mode in which the charging IC is driven at a first SW frequency; When the charging IC stops charging the battery, the second low power mode is set, which is the low power mode in which the charging IC is driven at a second SW frequency that is lower than the first SW frequency. A printer characterized by:

2. the low power mode is a mode in which a control unit that controls the printing unit is driven at a first clock frequency; a third setting means for setting the control unit to a specific mode in which the control unit is driven at a second clock frequency lower than the first clock frequency; The second SW frequency in the second low power mode is the same as the SW frequency of the charging IC in the specific mode.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. The second setting means switches from the first low power mode to the second low power mode when charging of the battery by the charging IC is completed in the first low power mode.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a fourth setting means for setting the power consumption of the entire printer to a standby mode that is lower than the print mode and higher than the low power mode when the print unit is stopped from printing; The second setting means When a first predetermined time has elapsed while the charging IC is charging the battery in the standby mode, the standby mode is switched to the first low power mode; When a second predetermined time has elapsed in the standby mode while the charging IC has stopped charging the battery, the standby mode is switched to the second low power mode.

4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is a printer having a plurality of printing heads.

5. The second setting unit switches from the print mode to the second low power mode when the print unit stops printing and charging of the battery stops in the print mode.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is a printer having a plurality of printing heads.

6. In the low power mode, a control unit that controls the printing unit is driven at a clock frequency that is lower than that in the printing mode.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

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