JP2003200621A - Recorder, its control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such problems wherein the time required for processes carried out by a CPU increases and the time required for printing gets longer in conven tional printers because the CPU which controls the whole of the printer carries out the processes such as decoding/expanding received image data, color conver sion and the like image processing which take a long time. <P>SOLUTION: A recorder is provided, which records images to a recording medium by inputting image data from a digital camera 3012, a PC card 3011 and a PC 3010. In the recorder, recording data based on image data from the PC 3010 is outputted via a USB hub 3008 to a printer engine 3004 to record images. Moreover, a DSP 3002 is set which receives and decodes compressed image data from the digital camera 3012 or the PC card 3011, and executes at least a color space conversion process, a size change process and a color conversion process in parallel to the decoded image data. Recording data is generated of the basis of image data processed by the DSP 3002, and is outputted to the printer engine 3004, whereby images are recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for inputting image data from an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera or a memory and recording the image data on a recording medium, a control method therefor, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras (imaging devices), so-called digital cameras, which are capable of photographing an image with a simple operation and converting it into digital image data, have been widely used. When an image taken by such a camera is printed and used as a photograph, normally, the taken digital image data is once taken in from a digital camera to a PC (computer), and the PC performs image processing. After that, the PC is generally output to a color printer for printing.

On the other hand, recently, a color print system capable of directly transmitting digital image data data from a digital camera to a color printer for printing without using a PC or a digital camera is mounted in a digital camera.
A so-called photo direct (PD) printer or the like has also been developed, in which a memory card storing captured images is directly attached to a color printer and the captured images stored in the memory card can be printed. .

However, in such a conventional printer device, a CPU controlling the entire device executes a process that requires a lot of time such as image processing such as decoding / decompression of received image data and color conversion. Therefore, there is a problem that the time required for the processing increases, and as a result, the time required for printing increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus, a control method therefor, and a recording medium capable of processing and printing input image data at high speed.

It is another object of the present invention to efficiently select and print image data from a plurality of image data sources, and prevent printing of an image not intended by the user even when a plurality of devices and memories are connected. A recording apparatus, a control method thereof, and a recording medium are provided.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a recording device for recording an image based on image data, the input device inputting image data from a plurality of different image data sources, and the recording device recording an image on a recording medium based on the recording data. A first recording control means for outputting recording data based on image data from a first image data source among the plurality of image data sources to the recording means to record an image; and a plurality of image data sources among the plurality of image data sources. Decoding means for receiving and decoding compressed image data from a second image data source different from the first image data source, and at least a color space in parallel with the image data decoded by the decoding means. An image processing unit that executes a conversion process, a size change process, and a color conversion process, and print data is generated based on the image data processed by the image processing unit. And outputs to the recording means second for recording an image
And a recording control unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a first device for connecting a recording device that records an image based on received image data and a mounting unit that mounts a memory card that stores the image data and a digital camera that can output the captured image data. A terminal, a second terminal for connecting to a computer device, and a decoding unit for decoding compressed image data input via the mounting unit and the first terminal,
Image processing means for executing at least color space conversion processing, size change processing, and color conversion processing in parallel with the image data decoded by the decoding means, and image data processed by the image processing means or the image processing means. Recording means for recording an image based on image data input through the second terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, the control method of the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, a control method for controlling a recording device that records an image based on the received image data, the input step of inputting image data from a plurality of image data sources different from each other,
A first recording control step of outputting recording data based on image data from a first image data source of the plurality of image data sources to a recording unit to record an image; and a first recording control step of the plurality of image data sources. A decoding step of receiving and decoding compressed image data from a second image data source different from the image data source, and at least a color space conversion process in parallel with the image data decoded in the decoding step, An image processing step of executing a size changing process and a color conversion process; and a second step of outputting recording data generated based on the image data processed in the image processing step to the recording section to record an image.
And a recording control step.

[0010]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo-direct printer apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
This photo direct printer has a function as a normal PC printer that receives data from a host computer (PC) and prints it, and a function that directly reads and prints image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card. And a function of receiving and printing image data from the digital camera.

In FIG. 1, the main body forming the outer shell of the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment is
It has exterior members for the lower case 1001, the upper case 1002, the access cover 1003, and the discharge tray 1004. Further, the lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half part of the apparatus 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half part of the main body, and a combination of both cases forms an accommodation space for accommodating each mechanism described later therein. It has a hollow body structure having an opening formed in each of an upper surface portion and a front surface portion thereof. Further, one end of the discharge tray 1004 is rotatably held by the lower case 1001, and the opening formed in the front surface of the lower case 1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation thereof. Therefore, when the recording operation is performed, by rotating the discharge tray 1004 to the front side to open the opening, the recording sheets can be discharged from here, and the discharged recording sheets are sequentially stacked. Is ready to go. In addition, the output tray 100
Two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b are accommodated in the sheet 4, and the support area of the sheet can be expanded or reduced in three stages by pulling out the respective trays as necessary.

One end of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the upper case 1002 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1003, the inside of the main body is opened. The recording head cartridge (not shown) or the ink tank (not shown) housed therein can be replaced. Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 1003 is opened and closed, a protrusion formed on the back surface of the access cover 1003 rotates the cover opening / closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever can be detected by a micro switch or the like. Thus, the open / closed state of the access cover 1003 can be detected.

A power key 1005 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 1002. Also, the upper case 100
On the right side of 2, there is provided an operation panel 1010 including a liquid crystal display unit 1006 and various key switches. The structure of the operation panel 1010 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. An automatic feeding unit 1007 automatically feeds the recording sheet into the apparatus main body. A paper interval selection lever 1008 is a lever for adjusting the distance between the recording head and the recording sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slot into which an adapter to which a memory card can be attached is inserted, and the image data stored in the memory card can be directly fetched and printed via this adapter. Examples of the memory card (PC) include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, smart media, and memory stick. 1011 is a viewer (liquid crystal display),
It is detachable from the main body of the apparatus and is used to display an image for each frame, an index image, or the like when searching an image to be printed from images stored in a PC card. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a USB terminal for connecting a digital camera described later. A USB bus connector for connecting a personal computer (PC) is provided on the back surface (not shown) of the apparatus body.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the recording head of the photo-direct printer apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment.

The recording head cartridge 1200 according to this embodiment has an ink tank 1300 for storing ink as shown in FIG. 2 and a recording for ejecting ink supplied from the ink tank 1300 from nozzles according to recording information. A recording head 13 having a head 1301
01 is of a so-called cartridge type, which is detachably mounted on the carriage 1102. When recording, the recording head cartridge 1
200 is reciprocally scanned along the carriage axis, and accordingly, a color image is recorded on the recording sheet. In the recording head cartridge 1301 shown here, in order to enable high-quality color recording of a photographic tone, as ink tanks, for example, black, light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), cyan, magenta, and yellow are independently formed. Ink tanks are prepared, and each of them is detachable from the recording head 1301.

In the present embodiment, the case of using the above-mentioned six color inks will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the case of using these six-color inks, for example, black and cyan. It may be an ink jet printer that records using four color inks, magenta and yellow. In that case, independent ink tanks for each of the four colors may be detachable from the recording head 1301.

FIG. 3 shows an operation panel 1 according to this embodiment.
It is a general-view figure of 010.

In the figure, the liquid crystal display unit 1006 displays menu items for setting various data relating to the items printed on the left and right sides thereof. Items displayed here include the first photo number in the range you want to print, the specified frame number (start / -designate), the last photo number in the range you want to print (end), the number of copies (copies), and the paper used for printing. (Recording sheet) type (paper type), number of photos to be printed on one sheet (layout), designation of print quality (grade), whether to print the date taken (date printing), There are designation of whether to correct and print an image (image correction), display of the number of sheets required for printing (number of sheets), and the like. Each of these items is displayed with the cursor keys 2001.
Is selected or designated using. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a mode key, and each time the key 2002 is pressed, the printing type (index printing, all-frame printing, one-frame printing, designated-frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and in response to this, LE
The corresponding LED of D2003 is turned on. Reference numeral 2004 denotes a maintenance key, which is a key for performing printer maintenance such as cleaning of the recording head 1301. A print start key 2005 is pressed to instruct the start of printing or to establish maintenance settings. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a print stop key, which is pressed to stop printing or to give an instruction to stop maintenance.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the main part relating to the control of the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 4, parts common to those in the above-mentioned drawings are given the same symbols and their explanations are omitted.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3000 denotes a control section (control board). Reference numeral 3001 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI), the configuration of which will be described later in detail with reference to the block diagram of FIG. A DSP (digital signal processor) 3002 has a CPU inside, and performs various control processes described later and a luminance signal (RGB) to a density signal (CM).
YK) conversion, scaling, gamma conversion, image processing such as error diffusion. 3003 is a memory,
It has a program memory 3003a for storing a control program of the CPU of the DSP 3002, a RAM area for storing a program at the time of execution, and a memory area functioning as a work memory for storing image data and the like. Three
Reference numeral 004 denotes a printer engine, which is equipped with a printer engine of an inkjet printer that prints a color image using a plurality of color inks. 300
Reference numeral 5 denotes a USB bus connector as a port for connecting the digital camera 3012. Reference numeral 3006 is a connector for connecting the viewer 1011. 3008 is a USB bus hub (USB HUB).
When 0 performs printing based on the image data from the PC 3010, the data from the PC 3010 is directly passed through and the printer engine 30 is transmitted via the USB bus 3021.
Output to 04. As a result, the connected PC 30
The printer 10 can directly exchange data and signals with the printer engine 3004 to execute printing (function as a general PC printer). Reference numeral 3009 denotes a power supply connector which inputs a DC voltage converted from commercial AC by a power supply 3013. The PC 3010 is a general personal computer, 3011 is the above-mentioned memory card (PC card), and 3012 is a digital camera.

Signal exchange between the control unit 3000 and the printer engine 3004 is performed by the above-mentioned USB.
This is performed via the bus 3021 or the IEEE1284 bus 3022.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ASIC 3001. In this FIG. 5 as well, parts common to those in the previous drawings are given the same symbols and their explanations are omitted.

A PC card interface unit 4001 reads image data stored in the mounted PC card 3011 or writes data to the PC card 3011. 4002 is IEEE128
The 4 interface unit exchanges data with the printer engine 3004. This IEEE1284
The interface unit is a bus used when printing the image data stored in the digital camera 3012 or the PC card 3011. A USB interface unit 4003 exchanges data with the PC 3010. A USB host interface unit 4004 exchanges data with the digital camera 3012. An operation panel / interface unit 4005 inputs various operation signals from the operation panel 1010 and outputs display data to the display unit 1006. A viewer interface unit 4006 controls the display of image data on the viewer 1011.
An interface unit 4007 controls interfaces with various switches and the LEDs 4009.
4008 is a CPU interface unit, which is a DSP 300.
It controls the exchange of data between the two. Four
Reference numeral 010 is an internal bus (ASIC bus) that connects these units. The DSP 3002 converts the above-described luminance signal (RGB) into a density signal (CMYK),
Image processing such as scaling, gamma conversion, and error diffusion and control of the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 are performed in parallel. The control of the printer 1000 includes, for example, a PC card I / F 4001 and a USB host I / F.
It also includes processing for accessing the PC card 3011 and the digital camera 3012 by controlling 4004.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration relating to the interface and image processing control of the photo-direct printer apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment.
In FIG. 6 as well, portions common to those in the above-mentioned drawings are given the same symbols and their explanations are omitted.

Reference numeral 6000 denotes a host (image data source) when viewed from the photo direct printer 1000.
The host 6000 includes the above-mentioned host computer such as the PC 3010, the digital camera 3012, the PC card 3011, a game machine (not shown), and a television device (not shown). Such a host 6000 may be a USB bus, IEEE1284, or I
It is connected via an interface such as EEE1394. In addition to this, an interface such as Bluetooth may be used.

The functions of the control board 3000 described above include a data input / storage processing unit 6001 realized by the ASIC 3001 and a printer engine 3004.
A printer interface unit 6004 for outputting print data, a multi-renderer process 6002 executed by the DSP 3002, an image process and a process process 6003 are included.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing in more detail the functional configuration relating to image processing control of the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment. Note that, also in FIG. 7, parts common to those in the above-described drawings are denoted by the same symbols, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 7, a PC card 3011, a camera 3012 or a PC 3010 input via an interface unit 7005 such as a USB bus interface.
The image data from JPEG or the JPEG-compressed image data is temporarily stored in the image buffer 7000, and in the case of the compressed data, it is decompressed by the JPEG decompression unit 7006 and converted from Y, Cb, Cr signals into RGB signals. After that, it is stored in the RGB buffer 7001. 3D3 (7
007) converts the color space of RGB data by referring to the lookup table 7009. Also 3D6 (700
8) refers to the lookup table 7009, R
GB signal is C, M, Y, K, LC (bright cyan), L
Converted to 6 color signals of M (bright magenta). 701
0 is an X, Y scaling unit that converts the size of the image in the X and / or Y direction. A 1D output unit 7011 refers to the one-dimensional table 7012 and executes color processing such as γ conversion. An error diffusion (ED) unit 7014 performs error diffusion processing on multi-valued image data to generate binary image data (or multi-valued data) of each color. The binary (or multi-valued) image data thus generated is stored in the ED buffer 700.
3 is stored. A work buffer 7004 stores print data corresponding to each of a plurality of print heads that eject ink of each color. The print data corresponding to each print head thus created is sent to the printer engine 3004 via the printer interface 7013 and printed.

Incidentally, in FIG. 7, the X, Y scaling unit 70
Although the conversion processing of the size of the image in the X and / or Y direction by 10 is performed after 3D6 (7008), the present invention is not limited to this, and referring to FIG. As will be described later, it may be executed before the color conversion into RGB data.

As described above, in the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment, the DSP 3002
Executes the control of each unit of the apparatus 1000 in addition to the image processing. The DSP 3002 also has a parallel processing function, and can perform the above-described 3D3, 3D6, X, Y scaling processing, 1D output, error diffusion, and other processing in parallel. This DSP 3002 is, for example, TMS320DSP manufactured by Texas Instruments (TI).
Then, the control described later is executed according to the control program stored in the program memory 3003a of FIG.

This control program is constructed in a multi-task format in which each functional module is tasked.
The main task configuration is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 8000 denotes a system control task, which performs arbitration of the entire system such as issuing events between tasks, sequence control associated with the end of the event, and exclusive processing. Reference numeral 8001 denotes a key event task, which is based on the key operation on the operation panel 1010.
Analyzes the pressed key. Reference numeral 8002 denotes a display task on the LCD display unit 1006, which is activated when UI control or a message display request is generated on the display unit 1006, and executes display control on the display unit 1006. 8003 is a PC card 3011 for reading and writing, or IEEE 1394, or Bluetooth.
Indicates a task that is started by inputting / outputting data such as. 8004 is a PC 30 connected via a USB bus
In the USB printer task started by the data transfer from 10, it is started by the USB printer interrupt,
Performs the function as a PC printer. 8005 is activated by the system control task 8000 and initializes the firmware. In addition, in response to a message from the system control task 8000, the USB control task and the USB bulk task, which are subordinate tasks, are activated and terminated. Reference numeral 8006 denotes a digital camera 3 which is activated by a USB task and is connected via USB.
The reading of data from 012 and various communication controls are executed. A file task 8007 controls input / output such as file opening, closing, reading, and writing.
A task 8008 is started from the Centronics interface connected to the printer engine 3004, and executes DMA transmission of print data, status response, and the like. An image processing task 8009 receives RGB data, creates YMCK data by the above-described 3D processing, tetrahedral interpolation, color conversion, scaling, error diffusion processing, and the like, and finally outputs raster image data to be output to the printer engine 3004. create. Reference numeral 8010 denotes a page create task, which decompresses JPEG data and converts it into image data, or creates image data from BMP format data, or creates image data from an HTML document and creates photo data. Image processing such as correction and gradation correction and creation of RGB data are performed.
Reference numeral 8011 denotes a viewer task which executes display control to the viewer 1011 while the viewer 1011 is connected.

Next, the outline of the processing by the DSP 3002 of the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Since the processing by the DSP 3002 is executed in a multitask format, it will be described here as an overall processing flow.

FIG. 9 shows a DSP 300 according to this embodiment.
3 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing by 2.

This process is started by receiving and inputting image data from the PC card 3011 or the digital camera 3012, and first in step S1, a page create process is performed. Here, the format of page data is set. Next, in step S2, image processing 1 is executed, and then image processing 2 is executed in step S3.
Image processing 3 is executed in step S4. These image processes 1 to 3 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, but these processes are executed in parallel. The processing unit of the image data processed here is 16 rasters.

When the image processing is completed in this way and print data is generated, the process proceeds to step S5, and the created print data is transmitted to the printer engine 3004 by DMA. Then, in step S6, in order to read the data to be processed next, the address of the image buffer 7000 is advanced by 16 rasters to update the address. Then, in step S7, it is checked whether or not the processing of the image data for one page has been completed. Thus, in step S7,
When the processing of the image data for one page is completed, this processing is completed.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the image processing 1 in step S2 of FIG.

First, in step S11, JPEG or TI
Decompression processing of FF format image data is executed.
For example, the decompression process of JPEG data is generally performed by the procedures of Huffman code decoding, inverse quantization, and inverse discrete cosine transform, and as a result, Y, Cb, and Cr data are generated. Then, the process proceeds to step S12, where Y, Cb, Cr
Conversion from data to RGB data is performed. In this conversion, the ITU-R BT. The conversion formula recommended in 601 is used.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the image processing 2 in step S3 of FIG.

First, in step S21, enlargement / reduction processing in the X direction is performed (here, the X direction is the raster direction). Next, proceeding to step S22, enlargement / reduction processing in the Y direction is performed (the Y direction is the nozzle row direction of the recording head 1301). This is to perform enlargement / reduction by linear interpolation according to the actual size of the print area. Next, in step S23, the RGB color components are converted into R ^* G ^* B ^* components. Here, 8-bit data of each color of R, G, B is
First, a three-dimensional lookup table (LUT) 7009
Is converted into 8-bit data for each color of R ^* , G ^* , and B ^* . This process is called a color space conversion process (pre-stage color process), and is a conversion process for correcting the difference between the color space of the input image (color space) and the reproduced color space of the printer engine 3004. This color conversion process is represented by, for example, R ^* = R * C0 + d0 G ^* = G * C1 + d1 B ^* = B * C2 + d2 for each color component as shown in FIG. This arithmetic processing and the processing of storing the arithmetic result in the memory 3003 are executed by the DSP 3002 in one instruction. (Note that this arithmetic expression is an expression for the purpose of explanation, and C0, C1, C2, d0,
Each of d1 and d2 is a predetermined constant.) Next, in step S24, each color component of RGB is CM.
Convert to YK color component. Here, R ^* having undergone color space conversion processing, G ^*, B ^* each color to 8-bit data, the three-dimensional LUT7009, 6 colors, i.e., C, M, Y,
Convert to 8-bit data for each color of K, LC, LM. This processing is color conversion processing (referred to as post-stage color processing).
The B system color is converted to the CMYK system color of the output system.

The input image data is often the three additive primary colors (RGB) of a light emitting body such as a display, but when expressing colors by reflection of light such as a printer, three subtractive primary colors (CMY). Since this color material is used, such color conversion processing is performed. The three-dimensional LUT 7009 used for pre-stage color processing and the three-dimensional LUT 7009 used for post-stage color processing discretely hold data, and the held data is determined by interpolation processing. Since this is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the image processing 3 in step S4 of FIG.

First, in step S31, C, M, Y, K,
Gamma conversion is performed on the LC and LM image data to adjust the density. Here, the 8-bit data of each color of C, M, Y, K, LC, and LM that has been subjected to the color processing of the latter stage is
The γ correction is performed by the one-dimensional LUT 7012. This is because the relationship between the number of recording dots per unit area and the output characteristics (reflection density, etc.) is not a linear relationship in many cases, so by performing γ correction, C, M, Y, K, LC,
This guarantees a linear relationship between each 8-bit input level of the LM and the output characteristic at that time. When the detection means for detecting the color shift in the recorded image detects the individual difference in the output characteristics of the recording head that records each color material, the data of the primary LUT 7012 of this γ correction process should be changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent color shift due to the individual difference. For example, when the output characteristic of the print head that prints the C color material is larger than the expected value, the input / output relationship of the primary LUT 7012 is changed so that the desired gradation is reproduced. As a result, it is possible to realize individual difference correction of the recording head for each device.

Next, in step S32, binarization processing (error diffusion) is executed. The printer engine 3004 according to the present embodiment is a binary, ternary, or quaternary printing device capable of smoothly expressing a photographic halftone image (here, the binary case will be described). Above C,
The 8-bit image data of each color of M, Y, K, LC, LM is quantized by the error diffusion method into 1-bit or 2-bit data of each color of C, M, Y, K, LC, LM.

As shown in FIG. 19, taking the color component R as an example, two operations R-D0 and R- for comparing the gradation value of R and a threshold value (here, "128") and obtaining the error therebetween. The process of storing the calculation result of D1 in the memory 3003 is performed by the DSP3.
002 is executed in one instruction. (Here, D0 = 0 and D1 = 255.) And
Depending on the comparison result, the smaller one of R-D0 and R-D1 is stored in the memory 3003. (If the gradation value is "128" or less, R-D0 is stored as an error value, and if the gradation value is larger than "128", R-D0 is stored.
1 is stored as the error value). Since such a quantization method using the error diffusion method is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The outline of the operation based on the above configuration will be described below. <Normal PC Printer Mode> This is a print mode in which an image is printed based on the print data sent from the PC 3010.

In this mode, when print data from the PC 3010 is input via the connector 1013, the US
The data is directly sent to the printer engine 3004 via the B bus hub 3008 and the USB bus 3021, and printing is performed based on the print data from the PC 3010. <Direct print mode from PC card> PC card 3
When 011 is inserted into or removed from the card slot 1009, an interrupt occurs, which causes the DSP 3002 to
It is possible to detect whether the C card 3011 is attached or detached (removed). When the PC card 3011 is attached, the compressed (for example, JPEG compressed) image data stored in the PC card 3011 is read and stored in the memory 3003. After that, the compressed image data is decompressed and stored again in the memory 3003.
Next, when printing of the stored image data is instructed using the operation panel 1010, YMC is changed from the RGB signal.
Printing is performed by converting into K signals, gamma correction, error diffusion, etc. to convert into printable print data by the printer engine 3004, and outputting to the printer engine 3004 via the IEEE1284 interface unit 4002. <Direct Print Mode from Camera> The photo direct printer apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment and the digital camera 3012 are connected via a cable so that the image data from the digital camera 3012 is directly printed by the printer 1000. You can

In this case, the display unit 1 of the operation panel 1010
Only the camera mark 6000 is displayed on 006, the display and operation on the operation panel 1010 are invalidated, and the display on the viewer 1011 is also invalidated. Therefore, after that, only the key operation on the digital camera 3012 and the image display on the display unit (not shown) of the digital camera 3012 are enabled, and the user can use the digital camera
2 can be used to specify printing.

The processing in the photodirect printer apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment based on the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 to 16. Note that this processing is performed by the CPU of the DSP3002.
Is executed by multitask processing.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing when the photo direct printer 1000 and the digital camera 3012 are connected.

In step S41, the USB host task checks whether or not the digital camera 3012 is connected to the USB bus. When it is detected that the camera 3012 is connected, the process proceeds to step S42, and the camera flag of the memory 3003 indicating that the digital camera 3012 is connected is turned on. Next, in step S43, the print mode or PC using the PC card 3011 is set.
It is checked whether the print mode based on the data from 3010 is being executed. If the print mode is being executed, the process waits until the mode ends, the process proceeds to step S44, the camera mark 6000 is displayed on the display unit 1006 of the operation panel 1010, and the user is notified that the digital camera 3012 is connected. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S45, the image data is captured from the digital camera 3012, and the image is captured by the digital camera 3012 according to the operation instruction given by the operation unit of the camera 3012.
The print processing of the image stored in the storage medium of the camera 3012 is executed.

On the other hand, in step S41, the digital camera 30
12 was disconnected instead of connected, ie
If the digital camera 3012 is disconnected, the process proceeds to step S46 to determine whether or not the camera flag is on, that is, the camera 301 has been connected until now, and the camera 301 for the first time this time.
See if 2 has been disconnected. If so, the process proceeds to step S47, the camera flag is turned off, and step S
The camera mark 6 displayed on the display unit 1006 at 48
Erase 000. Then, the process proceeds to step S49, the PC
It is checked whether or not a card flag indicating that the card 3011 is attached is turned on. If it is on, step S5
Go to 0, PC card 301 that was disabled until then
The process proceeds to the reading of the image data from 1, the printing process of the read image data, and the like. This is the PC card 301 when the digital camera 3012 is connected.
Since there is a possibility that the image data is read from the image data No. 1 and the printing process by the image data is suspended, the process is shifted to these processes. still,
If the camera flag is off in step S46, or if the card flag is off in step S49, the process ends.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining a PC card data printing process by mounting the PC card 3011 or a process associated with mounting / removing.

The attachment / detachment of the PC card 3011 is notified by an interrupt. First, in step S51, the PC card 311 is inserted.
See if 011 is attached or removed. When the card is attached, the process proceeds to step S52, and the card flag indicating that the PC card 3011 is attached is turned on. Next, proceeding to step S53, it is determined whether or not the camera 3012 is connected by the camera flag. If the camera flag is on, PC card 3011
The process ends as it is without loading the data due to the mounting of the.

On the other hand, if the camera flag is off, the process proceeds to step S54 to check whether the print job is being executed in the PC mode, that is, according to the print instruction from the PC 3010. If not, the process proceeds to step S59, but if so, the process proceeds to step S55, waits for the print job to end, and proceeds to step S56. In addition, step S59
Then, it is checked whether or not the data is being written to the PC card 3011 by the PC 3010, and if so, the process waits until the writing process is completed, and the process proceeds to step S56.
In step S56, data is read from the PC card 3011 according to the operation instruction input from the operation panel 1010, and in step S57, the read image data is printed according to the instruction from the operation panel 1010.

In step S51, the PC card 301
When 1 is removed, the process proceeds to step S58, the card flag is turned off, and it is stored that the PC card 3011 is removed.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining a process of receiving print data from the PC 3010 and printing it.

When print data is received from the PC 3010, it is checked in step S61 whether the camera flag is on, that is, whether the digital camera 3012 is connected. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step S62 to check whether the data from the connected digital camera 3012 is being printed. If not, or if the data from the camera 3012 is being printed in step S62, wait for the processing to end and then execute step S63.
In step S63, the print processing is executed by receiving the data from the PC 3010, and the processing in steps S63 and S64 is repeated until the print processing is completed in step S64. When printing of data from the PC 30101 is completed in this way,
The camera flag indicating the connection with the digital camera 3012 remains on (while the connection with the camera 3012 is maintained).
Then, the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the camera flag is off (camera 3012 is not connected) in step S61, step S65.
And the card flag is on, that is, PC card 301
Check if 1 is installed. If the PC card 3011 is not installed, the process proceeds to step S67, but if it is installed, the process proceeds to step S66.
Check whether the print processing of the image data from 1 is being executed. If the printing process is in progress, the process returns to step S65, waits for the end of printing the image data of the PC card 3011, and the process proceeds from step S66 to step S67.
Receive and print the image data sent from 10.
The operation as a so-called normal PC printer is executed.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing access from the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011.

When an access request from the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011 is input, the process proceeds to step S71.
Check if the card flag is on. If not ON, P
C card 3011 is not installed, so P
It notifies C3010 to end the process. PC card 301
When 1 is attached, the process proceeds to step S72 and whether the camera flag is on, that is, the digital camera 3012
To see if is connected. When connected, the process proceeds to step S73, data exchange with the digital camera 3012 is time-divided, and access from the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011 is permitted at the time-divided time.

On the other hand, in step S72, when the digital camera 3012 is not connected, the process proceeds to step S74, and it is determined whether the image data reading command is issued from the PC card 3011 by the PC 3010. If so, the process proceeds to step S77, and the image data is read from the PC card 3011. This is because reading data from the PC card 3011 does not affect the processing being executed at that time even if the contents of the PC card 3011 are executed even during printing.

If it is determined in step S74 that the PC 3010 has not instructed to read the image data from the PC card 3011, that is, in the case of an instruction to write data to the PC card 3011, the process proceeds to step S75 and the PC card 3
Check if the 011 data is being printed. in that case,
Since the contents of the PC card 3011 cannot be changed, the processing is ended as it is, but if not printing, step S7
6 and according to the access request from the PC 3010,
Writing of data to the PC card 3011 is executed.

As a result, even when the digital camera 3012 is connected, the PC 3010 can be connected to the PC card 3
It becomes possible to access 011.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the state of the processing that follows the preceding processing based on the matters described above.

For example, referring to column 1701, P
If a print instruction is received from the PC 3010 while printing the contents of the C card 3011, the PC card 3011
Wait for the printing process of the data from
The print processing based on the print instruction from the PC 3010 is executed. In addition, while printing the contents of the PC card 3011, the PC 30
When the access request to the PC card 3011 is received from 10, if the access request is a read, the access request is executed as it is, but if it is a write request, the print processing of the data from the PC card 3011 is completed. Then, the writing process to the PC card based on the writing request from the PC 3010 is executed. When the digital camera 3012 is connected while printing the contents of the PC card 3011 and a print instruction is received from the camera 3012, the digital camera 3012 waits until the print processing of the data from the PC card 3011 is completed, and then the digital The print processing based on the print instruction from the camera 3012 is executed.

In the case of column 1702, PC3
PC card 301 during printing based on data from 010
When the print instruction of the content of 1 is input, the PC 30
Wait until the print processing of print data from 10 is completed,
After that, the print processing based on the data from the PC card 3011 is executed. In addition, during the print processing based on the data from the PC 3010, the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011
When an access request to the server is received, the access request is executed in parallel. This is because the contents of the PC card 3011 are not being printed, so that even if the contents are changed, other processing is not hindered. When a print instruction from the digital camera 3012 is received during printing based on the data from the PC 3010, it waits until the print processing of the data from the PC 3010 is completed, and then based on the print instruction from the digital camera 3012. Perform print processing.

In the case of column 1703, PC3
When a print instruction of the contents of the PC card 3011 is input during execution of reading or writing of the PC card 3011 based on the access request from the PC 010 to the PC card 3011, the access process from the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011 is read. If the command is executed, immediately PC
The card 3011 can be printed. But that PC
Access processing from 3010 to PC card 3011 is P
If the write command to the C card 3011 is executed, the PC card 30 is executed only after the write process is completed.
11 cannot be printed. In addition, P by PC3010
If a print instruction is received from the PC 3010 while the C card 3011 is being accessed, P
The access processing to the C card 3011 and the printing processing based on the data from the PC 3010 are executed in parallel. Similarly, when a print instruction is received from the digital camera 3012 at the time of executing an access request from the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011, the PC by the PC 3010 is also used.
Access processing to the card 3011 and the digital camera 3
The print processing based on the data from 012 is executed in parallel.

In the case of column 1704, if a print instruction of the contents of the PC card 3011 is input during printing based on the data from the digital camera 3012, the print instruction is ignored and is not executed. When a print request is input from the PC 3010 during the print processing based on the data from the digital camera 3012, the print processing based on the data from the PC 3010 is performed after the print processing based on the data from the digital camera 3012 is completed. Run. After the print job based on the print request from the PC 3010 is completed, the digital camera 30 is restarted.
Enable connection with 12. When an access request from the PC 3010 to the PC card 3011 is received,
The access request is executed in parallel. This is because the contents of the PC card 3011 are not being printed, and other processes are not hindered even if the contents of the PC card 3011 are changed. In addition, during printing based on the data from the digital camera 3012, the PC 3010 to the PC card 3
When the access request to 011 is received, the access request is executed in parallel. This is because the contents of the PC card 3011 are not being printed, so that even if the contents are changed, other processing is not hindered.

In the above description, when a digital camera is connected, the operation by the digital camera is given the highest priority. However, for example, a digital camera or a PC.
It may be possible to arbitrarily set which of the card and the PC has the highest priority.

Alternatively, the digital camera may be set to the highest priority by default, and the user may manually set the PC card or the PC to the highest priority.

Also, a switch or the like for always enabling the display on the viewer 1011 may be provided so that the image data from the camera can be displayed on the viewer 1011 even when the digital camera is connected. The switch for performing such setting may be provided on the operation panel 1010, or may be another switch or the like provided on the apparatus.

Even when the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile device, etc.) ) May be applied.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer of the system or apparatus ( Alternatively, it can be achieved by the CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer is executed based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes a case where a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing,
The case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a PC, a memory card and a digital camera are connected,
A printer device that inputs and prints image data from them can execute image processing at high speed and perform printing.

In the present embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of the image pickup apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in recent years, a mobile phone having an imaging function and a function of storing image data obtained by imaging is also known, and such a mobile phone is used instead of the digital camera described in this embodiment. May be configured to be connectable via a connection cable.

As a portable information terminal, a PDA
As a (Personal Digital Assistance), a liquid crystal monitor capable of displaying an image and a memory having a memory capable of storing a captured image have recently become widespread.
May be connected by a connection cable, and the stored image data may be recorded similarly to the digital camera of the above-described embodiment.

Further, according to the photo-direct printer device according to the present embodiment, the functions of a PC printer, a printer for a camera, and a memory printer can be realized with one printer device.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, input image data can be processed and printed at high speed.

Further, according to the present invention, image data from a plurality of image data sources can be efficiently selected and printed, and even when a plurality of devices or memories are connected, it is possible to prevent the printing of an image not intended by the user. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo-direct printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a recording head of the photodirect printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an operation panel of the photodirect printer device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part relating to control of the photodirect printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ASIC of the photodirect printer device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration related to an interface and image processing control of the photodirect printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing in more detail the functional configuration relating to image processing control of the photodirect printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a multi-task configuration in which each functional module is tasked in the control program of the photo-direct printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing by the DSP according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating image processing 1 in step S2 of FIG.

11 is a flowchart illustrating image processing 2 in step S3 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating image processing 3 in step S4 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process when the photo direct printer device according to the present embodiment and a digital camera are connected.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing associated with loading or unloading of a PC card in the photodirect printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving print data from a PC and printing the print data in the photodirect printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a PC-to-PC card access request process in the photo-direct printer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the preceding process and the subsequent process in the photodirect printer device according to the present embodiment.

18 is a diagram illustrating an example of RGB color conversion processing in step S23 in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the error diffusion processing in step S32 of FIG.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Aki Yamada             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Masafumi Kamata             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2C187 AC08 AD03 AD04 AD13 AF03                       DB28 DD02 FA08 GA03                 5C052 AA11 AA12 AB04 DD02 EE01                       EE02 EE03                 5C053 FA04 FA05 FA27 KA01 KA24                       LA01 LA11                 5C055 AA06 AA14 BA06 EA05

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording device for recording an image based on image data, comprising input means for inputting image data from a plurality of different image data sources, and recording the image on a recording medium based on the recording data. Recording means for outputting the recording data based on the image data from the first image data source of the plurality of image data sources to the recording means to record an image, the plurality of image data Decoding means for receiving and decoding compressed image data from a second image data source different from the first image data source of the sources, and in parallel to the image data decoded by the decoding means, Image processing means for executing at least color space conversion processing, size change processing, and color conversion processing, and print data based on the image data processed by the image processing means. A second recording control unit that generates the image and outputs the image to the recording unit to record an image. 2. The plurality of image data sources include at least a digital imaging device that outputs a captured image signal as a digital signal, a memory card that stores image data, and a computer device, and the second image data source is the The recording device according to claim 1, comprising a digital imaging device or the memory card. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing means includes a digital signal processor having a built-in CPU and a memory storing a control program executed by the CPU. 4. A recording device for recording an image based on received image data, for connecting to a mounting part for mounting a memory card storing the image data and a digital camera capable of outputting the captured image data. A first terminal, a second terminal for connecting to a computer device, a decoding means for decoding compressed image data input via the mounting section and the first terminal, and a decoding means for decoding by the decoding means. Image processing means for executing at least color space conversion processing, size change processing and color conversion processing in parallel with the image data, and image data processed by the image processing means or the second terminal And a recording unit that records an image based on input image data. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing means includes a digital signal processing processor with a built-in CPU and a memory storing a control program executed by the CPU. 6. A control method for controlling a recording device for recording an image based on received image data, the input step of inputting image data from a plurality of image data sources different from each other, and the plurality of images. A first recording control step of outputting recording data based on image data from a first image data source among the data sources to a recording unit to record an image; and a first image data source among the plurality of image data sources. Is a decoding process for receiving and decoding compressed image data from different second image data sources, and at least a color space conversion process, a resizing process, and a parallel decoding process for the image data decoded in the decoding process. An image processing step of executing a color conversion process, and recording data generated based on the image data processed in the image processing step is output to the recording section to record an image. Control method for a recording apparatus, characterized in that it has a second recording control step. 7. The plurality of image data sources include at least a digital imaging device that outputs a captured image signal as a digital signal, a memory card that stores image data, and a computer device, and the second image data source is the 7. The method for controlling a recording device according to claim 6, further comprising a digital image pickup device or the memory card. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing step is realized by a digital signal processor with a built-in CPU and a memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU. Control method. 9. A computer-readable storage medium, which stores a program for executing the control method according to any one of claims 6 to 8. 10. A program for executing the control method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.