Printer and peripheral apparatus of a computer

Abstract

A printer comprises a card reader and a data writing unit. The card reader reads out an image stored in a memory card. The data writing unit writes the image, which is read out by the card reader, in a flexible disk to store this image. The printer is adapted to be controlled under a simultaneous print mode for simultaneously performing both of printing and storing the image. When an instruction for printing is given to the printer under the simultaneous print mode, printing the image on a recording paper is carried out. At the same time, storing the image in the flexible disk is simultaneously carried out.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A printer comprising: 
 input means for inputting image data;    printing means driven in accordance with said image data and for printing an image on a recording paper;    a storage medium used for storing said image data as a image data file; and    image-data writing means for writing said image data in said storage medium.    
     
     
         2 . A printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said storage medium is incorporated in said printer.  
     
     
         3 . A printer according to  claim 2 , wherein said storage medium is a hard disk and said image-data writing means is a hard-disk drive unit.  
     
     
         4 . A printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said storage medium is removably set in said printer.  
     
     
         5 . A printer according to  claim 4 , wherein said storage medium is a flexible disk and said image-data writing means is a flexible-disk drive unit.  
     
     
         6 . A printer according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for designating one of a print mode for actuating only said printing means, a data storage mode for actuating only said image-data writing means, and a simultaneous print mode for actuating both of said printing means and said image-data writing means; and    means for executing said designated mode.    
     
     
         7 . A printer according to  claim 6 , wherein additional information annexed to said image data is printed together with said image.  
     
     
         8 . A printer according to  claim 7 , wherein said additional information is one of a taking date, a printing date, and a storage date.  
     
     
         9 . A printer according to  claim 8 , wherein a storage place of said image data is printed together with said image.  
     
     
         10 . A printer according to  claim 9 , wherein by inputting said additional information or information of said storage place, said images having this information are read out together from said storage medium.  
     
     
         11 . A printer according to  claim 10 , wherein said images read out together are printed as an index image in that sizes of said images are reduced to be arranged on the sole recording paper.  
     
     
         12 . A printer according to  claim 11 , wherein said information is printed so as to correspond to the respective images of said index image.  
     
     
         13 . A printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said printing means is a thermal head and said recording paper is a color thermosensitive recording paper, said thermal head thermally recording said image on said color thermosensitive recording paper.  
     
     
         14 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer including communication means for communicating with said computer, and a plurality of units actuated in accordance with an instruction which is sent from said computer via said communication means, said peripheral apparatus comprising: 
 unit selecting means for selectively actuating said units.    
     
     
         15 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 control means for controlling at least one of said units in accordance with said instruction sent from said computer;    wherein the other units are directly controlled by said computer without using said control means.    
     
     
         16 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 15 , wherein said unit controlled by said control means is a printer unit for recording an image on a recording paper.  
     
     
         17 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a display for indicating said unit selected by said unit selecting means.    
     
     
         18 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 17 , wherein said communication means is a RS232C interface through which said instruction of said computer is inputted into said control means.  
     
     
         19 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 17 , wherein said communication means is a USB interface through which said instruction of said computer is inputted into said control means.  
     
     
         20 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer including communication means for communicating with said computer, and a plurality of units actuated in accordance with a first instruction which is sent from said computer via said communication means, said peripheral apparatus comprising: 
 control means for controlling said units;    an operation member for giving a second instruction to said units via said control means;    mode changing means for changing an independent operation mode and a dependent operation mode, said units being actuated in accordance with said second instruction of said operation member under said independent operation mode, and said units being actuated in accordance with said first instruction of said computer under said dependent operation mode; and    unit selecting means for selectively actuating said units under said dependent operation mode.    
     
     
         21 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 a display for indicating said mode selected by said mode changing means.    
     
     
         22 . A peripheral apparatus of a computer according to  claim 21 , wherein said display and said mode changing means are disposed side by side.