JP2003260847A - Printer and setting method for printing subject - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of setting as a printing subject, predetermined one out of one or more pieces of printing information stored in a memory means, and a setting method for a printing subject. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 1 comprises an ASIC 33 such that the ASIC 33 executes a directory display function and a printing subject determining function based on a control program of a ROM 31. A directory display part 52 displays a directory on a setting screen of an operation panel 3 based on an identification directory in an medium 36a at the time a printing subject designating process is started. In the case a desired directory is selected in the setting screen, a printing subject determining part 53 retrieves image data in the selected directory for setting only the image data in the directory as the printing subject. <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 printing apparatus and a method of setting a print target.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a model (for example, a stand-alone type) in which a memory card storing image data is attached to one type of printer and a printing process can be executed without passing through a personal computer has been widely spread. This type of printer is often used when printing images taken with a digital camera.Insert a memory card with the images taken by the digital camera into the printer's slot and print the images and number of images on the operation panel. The printing process is executed by designating printing conditions such as.

The memory card includes, for example, a compact flash (R), a memory card (R), a smart media (R), etc., and usually has a storage capacity capable of storing image data of about 100 to 500 images (photos). have. The number of images that can be stored in one memory card depends on the storage capacity of the memory card and the performance of the digital camera, but with the expansion of the storage capacity of the memory card, it will be more than 1000 in the future. Presumed to be.

[0004]

However, when printing the image data of the memory card with a stand-alone printer, all the data in the memory card are searched and all the image data stored in the memory card are searched. It is intended for printing. Therefore, a specific portion of the image data in the memory card cannot be targeted for printing, and all the image data is printed during printing, which is inconvenient. This problem occurs not only in the memory card but also in a system for printing image data in an external storage device connected to a printer, for example. This problem is particularly noticeable because thousands of pieces of image data are stored in the external storage device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to print one or more pieces of print information stored in a storage means, in which a predetermined one of them can be set as a print target. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of setting a print target.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, one or more print information is stored in the display means and the storage means, and the print information is stored in the storage means. And a display process for displaying on the display means a selection screen for selecting a desired one of the groups in which the print information is divided into predetermined units based on the print information read from the read means. Means, operation means for selecting and operating a desired group from the selection screen displayed on the display means, and setting means for setting print information belonging to the group selected by the operation of the operation means as a print target. The summary is that

According to the present invention, one or more pieces of print information stored in the storage means are read by the reading means, and the print information is displayed on the display means in a desired group out of the predetermined groups. A selection screen for selecting is displayed by the display processing means. Then, a desired group is selected from the selection screen by the operating means, and the print information belonging to the group is set as the print target by the setting means. Therefore, even if a large amount of print information exists in the storage unit, a predetermined part of the print information can be set as a print target.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the storage means stores identification information for dividing the print information into predetermined groups.
The gist of the display processing means is to display the selection screen of the group on the display means based on the identification information read from the reading means.

According to the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, the selection screen based on the identification information stored in the storage means is displayed on the display screen by the display processing means. According to a third aspect of the invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the identification information is directory information indicating a recording location of the print information, and the display processing means is based on the directory information, and is classified as each of the groups. The gist of the present invention is to display a directory according to the directory information on the display means, and to set the directory selected by the operation means as a print target.

According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, the storage means stores the directory information indicating the recording location of the print information, and the display means stores each directory information as a setting screen. The corresponding directory is displayed. Then, a desired one is selected from these directories by the operating means, and the selected directory is set as the print target.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the second or third aspect, the identification information is a record of the print information created when the print information on a storage medium is stored in the storage means. The gist is that it is directory information indicating a place.

According to the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 2 or 3, the directory information is created when the print information of the storage medium is stored in the storage means, and the directory based on the directory information is displayed. Displayed on the means.

According to the invention described in claim 5, claims 1 to 4 are provided.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the storage means is an external storage device externally attached to the printing device, and the reading means reads the print information from the external storage device. .

According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the print information stored in the external storage device is read by the reading means.
Then, of the print information stored in the external storage device, desired information can be set as a print target.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, display means is provided,
A method of setting a print target used in a printing apparatus comprising an operation unit for selecting and operating a desired one from the screen of the display unit, wherein one or more pieces of print information are stored in the storage unit and read. The means reads the print information from the storage means, and the display processing means selects the desired one of the groups in which the print information is divided into predetermined units based on the print information read via the reading means. A gist is to display a selection screen to be selected on the display means, and to set the print information belonging to the group selected by the operation means in the selection screen displayed on the display means as a print target. To do.

According to the present invention, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a printing apparatus embodying the present invention and a method of setting a print target will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 1. The printer 1 as a printing device is an ingest type printer having an operation panel 3 on the upper right side of a main body (printing device main body) 2. A paper feeding device 4 is provided on the back side of the main body 2, and the cut paper set in the sheet feeder 5 or the roll paper set in the roll paper support 6 is fed into the main body 2. A printing mechanism, which will be described later, is mounted below the cover 7 provided in the center of the main body 2, and the printing process is executed by the operation of the printing mechanism so that the printed paper 8 is discharged from the paper exit 9 at the lower front side of the main body 2. Is discharged.

The operation panel 3 is provided with a display device 11 as a display means having a setting screen 10 and an operation section 12 as an operation means composed of a plurality of operation switches (operation buttons). The setting screen 10 is a monochrome liquid crystal, and for example, paper type (cut sheet or roll paper), paper size (A4
Etc.), a menu screen for manually selecting a layout, a photo selection, the number of prints, etc. is displayed in monochrome. Further, the operation unit 12 is provided with a power switch 13a for turning on the power to the printer 1, a maintenance switch 13b pressed when an error occurs, and a roll paper switch 13c pressed when operating the roll paper. There is.

The printer 1 is equipped with a reading device 15 as a reading means for inserting a memory card 14 for a digital camera, and a host computer (eg PC) 16
(See Fig. 3) Without connecting to the memory card 14
It is a stand-alone type that can print images read from. The memory card 14 is detachably attached to the reader 15 in its slot 15a. The memory card 14 includes, for example, a compact flash (R), a smart media (R), a memory stick (R), etc., each of which is attached to a dedicated adapter (not shown) and inserted into the slot 15a.

A display device (monitor) 17 for displaying an image read from the memory card 14 is attached to the upper part of the main body 2 of the printer 1. The monitor 17 is a color liquid crystal, and for example, a monitor screen 18 having a size of 1.6 inches is adopted. In the stand-alone printer 1, when an image stored in the memory card 14 is selected and printed, it is used without being connected to the PC, and therefore the image cannot be confirmed on the screen of the PC. However, by displaying a color image on the monitor screen 18 of the monitor 17,
You can check images and print layouts without connecting to a PC.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main part of the operation panel 3. In addition to the power switch 13, the operation unit 12 includes a print start switch 19, a stop switch 20, and an upper switch 2.
1, a lower switch 22, a determination switch 23, and a return switch 24 are provided. The print start switch 19 is pressed when printing is started according to the setting conditions set on the operation panel 3, and the stop switch 20 is used to immediately stop printing when printing is being executed or when the printing is not performed. Input contents in 10 (selection items, numerical values, etc.)
Pressed when discarding.

The upper switch 21 and the lower switch 22 are operated when the cursor is moved on the setting screen 10 or when a numerical value is increased or decreased while inputting a numerical value. For example, when the upper switch 21 is pressed, the cursor moves upward and Switch 22
When is pressed, the cursor moves down. The decision switch 23 is pressed to move the display screen of the setting screen 10 forward or to confirm the input contents on the setting screen 10. The return switch 24 is pressed when returning the setting screen 10 to the initial screen or when returning the display screen displayed on the setting screen 10 to the previous screen.

FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of the printer 1. The printer 1 includes a printer unit 25 and its printer unit 2.
5 is provided with a stand-alone print unit 26, of which the printer unit 25 has a control device 27 and a print processing unit 28. The control device 27 controls the main control of the printer 1, and includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and an RA.
M, EEPROM, drive circuit (above, not shown) and the like. On the other hand, the print processing unit 28 is a mechanical mechanism that performs print processing, and includes, for example, a recording head, a carriage motor, a paper feed motor (above, not shown), and the like.

The control device 27 controls the print data transmitted from the PC 16 and the memory card 1 via the slot 15a.
4 based on the image data read from the print processing unit 28.
To execute the printing process. Here, when printing the image data of the memory card 14, the control device 27
Performs image processing for converting the image data of the memory card 14 from RGB data to YMCK data. In this example, as the image processing, resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, and interlace processing for rearranging ink dot data of each color in consideration of the dot formation order are executed.

The stand-alone printing unit 26 has a CPU
29 and the RO connected to the CPU 29 through the bus 30
An M31, a RAM 32, and an ASIC 33 are built in. In addition, the stand-alone printing unit 26 has an external I / F 34 connected to the bus 30 and a port (for example, a USB port) as a reading unit connected to the external I / F 34.
And 35. An external storage device (for example, MO) 36 is connected to the port 35, and the external storage device 36 includes a medium (MO disk) 36a and a drive (MO drive).
36b. The bus 30 has an operation panel 3,
The monitor 17 and the slot 15a are connected.

The ROM 31 stores a control program executed by the CPU 29, display data for displaying the display screen on the setting screen 10, and the like. Further, as the control program, a display control program for performing display control of the setting screen 10 and the monitor 17, a read control program for reading the image information of the memory card 14, and the image information of the memory card 14 are stored in the external storage device 36. There is a storage control program, etc. Further, as the control program, there is also a print target designating program for selecting a predetermined image file from the external storage device 36.

The CPU 29 includes an operation panel 3, a monitor 17,
It controls the reading device 15, and executes these controls by using the RAM 32 as a work area based on a control program stored in the ROM 31. When printing is started, desired printing conditions are set using the operation panel 3 and the printing start switch 19 is pressed. Then, the CPU 29 transmits the image data of the memory card 14 determined by the printing conditions to the printer unit 25, and the printer unit 25 drives the print processing unit 28 based on the image data to execute the printing process on the paper.

Further, the CPU 29 displays the image data of the memory card 14 read by the reading device 15 on the monitor 17. The display image on the monitor 17 can be switched using the operation panel 3, and the CPU 29 takes in the input conditions (layout, selected image, etc.) input on the operation panel 3, and the contents on the memory card 14 are in accordance with the conditions. The image is displayed on the monitor 17. The display format of the monitor 17 includes one-frame display for displaying only one image, multiple-frame display for displaying a plurality of images on the same screen, index display for displaying a list of images on the memory card 14, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a memory map of the memory card 14. The memory card 14 stores image information 40 as print information captured by using a digital camera (not shown). As the image information 40, in addition to the image data captured by the digital camera, various information related to the image data is stored. Remembered In the storage area A of the memory card 14, ID information 41 for identifying that image data is stored in the memory card 14 is written. The memory area B of the memory card 14 stores address information 42 indicating from which address each image is written.

The designation information 43 is stored in the storage area C of the memory card 14. The designation information 43 is information input using a digital camera, and is information that designates, for example, an image to be printed, the number of sheets to be printed, a print mode (index or standard), a printing order, and the like in a plurality of image data. By the way, the print format based on the designation information 43 is commonly known as DPOF (Digital Print Order Format).
(R), and the designation information 43 is also called a DPOF file. Since the CPU 29 sets the content of the designation information 43 as the printing condition, it is not necessary to set the printing condition on the printer 1 side, and the printing can be performed under the desired printing condition only by setting the memory card 14 in the slot 15a of the reading device 15. You can do it.

Format information 44 is stored in the storage area D of the memory card 14. The format information 44 is one of the print image formats and is layout information set by the user using a digital camera. The format information 44 is for determining the layout of the print image and includes, for example, a photo frame, a line, a macro character, and the like. Further, the photo frame is the arrangement information of the image, the line is the arrangement information of the line to be printed on the paper, and the macro character is the number information of the image assigned to the photo frame. Here, the layout set by the format information 44 is a layout pattern (including lines and macro characters) of an image on one sheet of paper 8. Also, the format information 44
It is also possible to set the paper type and paper size at the time of printing.

The CPU 29 prioritizes the contents of the designation information 43 and sets the contents (layout, paper type, paper size) based on the format information 44 as printing conditions. As a result, if the layout is written as the format information 44, the print layout is expanded to that extent, and printing can be performed with a layout desired by the user in addition to the layout registered in advance in the printer 1. At this time, the CPU 29 is displaying the image data of the memory card 14 on the monitor screen 18 with the content based on the format information 44. Although the format information 44 is set prior to the designation information 43, the layout, paper type, paper size, etc. can be changed by operating the operation unit 12 of the operation panel 3.

In the storage area E of the memory card 14, a plurality of unit image information D ₁ , D ₂ , ... Is stored. The unit image information D ₁ , D ₂ , ... Is an image file taken by a digital camera and has image reproduction information X and image data. The image reproduction information X is information written at the time of shooting with a digital camera, and when printing is performed, the image quality is corrected based on the image reproduction information X and a print image is output. Further, the image reproduction information X includes an ID indicating the image number of the image data, various information for setting the data amount of the image data, hue, brightness, sharpness, contrast and the like when printing, and image quality adjustment information 46. .

Of these, the image quality adjustment information 46 is correction data written at the time of photographing by the digital camera and for making the printed image as close as possible to the photographed image of the digital camera. The image quality adjustment information 46 includes a γ value that controls gradation (color density), a color space at the time of printing, and fine image quality adjustment parameters (related to contrast, brightness, etc.). When printing is performed based on the image quality adjustment information 46, the printer unit 25 executes the print process in the image quality adjustment process mode, and as a result, the print image is printed with the image quality that is intended when the digital camera is photographed.

The file structure of the memory card 14 is a FAT type disk format, and when the image is taken by a DCF-compliant digital camera, the image data is stored in the memory card 14 in the directory format shown in FIG. That is, the directory structure has the root directory 47 at the top and the DCF image root directory 4 immediately below it.
8 and MISC directory 49. The MISC directory 49 contains image information (designation information (DP
OF file) 43, format information 44, image reproduction information X, etc.)
Has been saved.

Directly below the DCF image root directory 48 is a DCF directory 50. The DCF directory 50 is a directory for storing DCF objects, and one manufacturer-specific file is created when an image file is stored in an external storage device. The DCF directory 50 has a directory number that does not overlap with the first three characters.
Free characters are written in the remaining 5 characters. Further, there may be a directory other than the DCF directory 50 immediately below the DCF image root directory 48.

The CPU 29 shown in FIG. 3 has a slot 15a.
The ASIC 33 is caused to execute a backup process for saving the image information 40 of the memory card 14 inserted in the memory 36 in the medium 36a of the external storage device 36. As the operation procedure, the operation screen 12 of the operation panel 3 is operated to set the setting screen 1
“Backup” is displayed at 0, this parameter is selected, and the decision switch 23 is pressed. At this time, ASIC33
Receives a control signal to that effect from the CPU 29, executes backup processing, and executes image information 4 on the memory card 14.
0 is stored in the external storage device 36.

The ASIC 33 executes the directory creation function and the save execution function based on the control program stored in the ROM 31. Here, in FIG. 3, these functions executed by the ASIC 33 are executed by the directory creation unit 37.
And a storage execution unit 38 as a block diagram. The processing contents performed by the directory creation unit 37 and the storage execution unit 38 will be described below with reference to FIG.

When the backup process is started, the ASI
C33 saves the image data in the medium 36a of the external storage device 36 in the directory format shown in FIG. More specifically, the directory creation unit 37 uses the root directory 47.
An identification directory (also referred to as a folder) 51 as a directory (group) is created immediately below. The identification directory 51 is created every time the backup process is executed, and the directory name is a numerical value of 3 characters.
When the image information 40 of the memory card 14 is stored in the medium 36a for the first time, the directory name is "001".
The identification directory 51a is created.

Then, the saving execution section 38 writes the entire image information 40 stored in the memory card 14 into the subordinate directory of the identification directory 51a. As a result, the directory structure of the image data on the medium 36a becomes a structure in which the directory structure below the root directory of the memory card 14 is copied directly under the identification directory 51a.

After storing the image data in the same medium 36a after the first backup process,
A new identification directory 51 is created, and the image data is stored in the identification directory 51. That is, after the second time, the identification directories 51b, 51c, ... Of "002", "003", ... Are created, and the respective image data are stored in the identification directories 51b, 51c ,. In this example, the identification directories 51 from "001" to "nnn" are created.

The printer 1 can also directly execute print processing (hereinafter referred to as direct printing) based on the image data stored in the medium 36a of the external storage device 36. In this direct printing, the memory card 14 is not inserted in the slot 15a, and the media 36
The external storage device 36 that has been inserted is the printer 1 (port 3
It is executed when connected to 5).

When the image data stored in the medium 36a of the external storage device 36 is printed by the backup process, the CPU 29 executes the print target designation process by the AS.
Cause the IC 33 to execute. In the print target designation process, when printing the image data stored in the directory format shown in FIG. 6, the user is allowed to select a desired one from the plurality of identification directories 51, and the selected one is designated as the print target. It is processing. The selection of the identification directory 51 is performed by operating the operation unit 12 while looking at the setting screen 10 of the operation panel 3.

The ASIC 33 executes a directory display function and a print target confirmation function based on the control program stored in the ROM 31. Here, in FIG.
These functions executed by the above are respectively illustrated as block diagrams of the directory display unit 52 and the print target determination unit 53. The processing contents of the print target designation processing performed by the directory display unit 52 and the print target determination unit 53 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The directory display section 52
Corresponds to the display processing means, and the print target determination unit 53 corresponds to the setting means.

The directory display section 52 is the external storage device 3.
6 is connected to the printer 1, the external storage device 36
When the media 36a is inserted into the
The external storage device 36 in which the
When it is connected to 5), the print target designation process is started.
Further, the directory display unit 52 starts the print target designation process even when the memory card 14 is removed from the slot 15a in a state where the external storage device 36 in which the medium 36a is inserted is connected to the printer 1.

When the directory display section 52 starts the print target designation process, the data (identification information) corresponding to each identification directory 51 is input from the medium 36a set in the external storage device 36. Then, the directory display unit 52 executes a search for the identification directory 51 in the medium 36a, and even one identification directory 5 is displayed.
If there is 1, the menu screen 54 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the setting screen 10 of the operation panel 3. Meanwhile, the media 36a
If there is no identification directory 51 in the medium, the media 3
All the image data stored in 6a are set as print targets.

A plurality of selection items are displayed on the menu screen 54 shown in FIG. 7, and "directory selection" is displayed at the head of the selection items.
The setting item 55 of is displayed. When the cursor 56 is moved to the setting item 55 and the decision switch 23 is pressed, the selection screen 57 for selecting the identification directory 51 is displayed on the menu screen 54. On the selection screen 57, all identification directories 5 existing in the medium 36a are displayed.
1 is displayed in order by the directory name. In addition,
In FIG. 7, a directory (number name) 57 corresponding to each identification directory 51 of “001”, “002”, and “003”
a, 57b, 57c are displayed.

After the selection screen 57 is displayed, the user operates the upper switch 21 and the lower switch 22 to position the cursor 56 on a desired one of the identification directories 51 displayed on the selection screen 57, and the decision switch 23 is displayed. push. Then, the print target determination unit 53 searches the image data in the identification directory 51 selected by the user,
Only the image data in the identification directory 51 is set as a print target.

At this time, if, for example, 73 pieces of image data are present in the identification directory 51 set as the print target, the display state of the setting screen 10 shows "73 sheets" in the display item 58 for displaying the number of prints. The state shown in FIG. Then, when the print start switch 19 is pressed in this state, only the image data in the identification directory 51 set by the print target determination unit 53 is printed. In the case shown in FIG. 8, index printing in which 73 images are placed on one sheet is executed.

Next, the procedure when the ASIC 33 executes the print target designation process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1
At 00, it is determined whether or not the medium 36a is inserted into the drive 36b of the external storage device 36. Media 36
If a is inserted, the process proceeds to S101 and the media 36
If a is not inserted, it waits.

In S101, it is determined whether or not the identification directory 51 exists in the medium 36a set in the external storage device 36. Here, "001" to "nn"
It is determined whether at least one of the “n” identification directories 51 exists in the medium 36a. If the identification directory 51 exists, S102
If it does not exist, the process proceeds to S106.

In S102, the directory display process is executed to display the identification directory 51 on the setting screen 10 of the operation panel 3. Here, the menu screen 54 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the setting screen 10, and the selection screen 57 is displayed on the menu screen 54. On the selection screen 57, the identification directories 51 in the medium 36a are listed by directory name.

In S103, it is determined whether the identification directory 51 has been designated. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has designated a desired one from the identification directories 51 displayed on the selection screen 57.
If the identification directory 51 is specified, the process proceeds to S104, and if not specified, the selection screen 57 is kept displayed on the setting screen 10 and stands by in that state.

In S104, a search for all image data in the identification directory 51 designated in S103 is executed.
That is, if the identification directory 51 of "00X" is selected in S103, all image data in the identification directory 51 of "00X" are searched here.

In S105, the print target of the image data on the medium 36a is determined. Here, the image data in the identification directory 51 designated in S103 is determined as the print target. By the way, when the identification directory 51 of "00X" is designated, the image data in "00X" is determined as the print target. Then, when the print start switch 19 is pressed in this state, only the image data determined as the print target is printed.

On the other hand, in S106, the search for all the image data stored in the medium 36a is executed. That is, since the identification directory 51 does not exist in the medium 36a, all image data in the medium 36a are searched. After executing the image data search, the media 3
All the image data in 6a are decided as the print target.

When direct printing is performed from the external storage device 36 having a plurality of identification directories 51, the selection screen 57 is displayed on the setting screen 10 of the operation panel 3. A number corresponding to the identification directory 51 is displayed on the selection screen 57, and the user moves the cursor 56 to select a desired one from the numbers on the selection screen 57 and presses the decision switch 23. Then, of the identification directories 51 existing in the external storage device 36, the image data in the identification directory 51 of the number selected on the selection screen 57 is set as the print target.

Therefore, even if a large amount of image data is stored in the medium 36a over a plurality of directories, the identification directory 51 selected on the selection screen 57 among them is selected.
Only the image data of is set as the print target. Therefore, of the image data of the medium 36a, only the image data in the desired identification directory 51 can be printed, and the image data that one does not want to print can be left unprinted. For example, all frame printing or index printing can be performed. When performing, printing time can be shortened and paper can be saved.

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment. (1) When performing direct printing from the external storage device 36 (medium 36a), even if a plurality of directories (folders) exist in the medium 36a, the identification directory 51 selected on the selection screen 57 of the operation panel 3 Only image data can be specified for printing. Therefore, even if the image data is stored in the medium 36a over a plurality of directories (folders), a predetermined one (in this example, a directory unit) of these image data can be set as a print target. For this reason, useless image data is not printed, the printing time can be shortened, and the printing paper is not wasted.

(2) Image information 40 of the memory card 14
When the backup process is performed, the identification directory 51 is created in the medium 36a set in the external storage device 36 for each saving execution. Therefore, the print target can be set in units of the identification directory 51 created when the backup process is performed.

(3) Since the number of the identification directories 51 existing in the medium 36a is displayed on the setting screen 10 as a list, how many identification directories 5 are present in the medium 36a.
It is possible to check whether 1 exists.

(4) Since the printer 1 has a direct printing function for taking in image data from the external storage device 36 (medium 36a) and performing printing processing, the PC 16
The image data in the medium 36a can be printed by the printer alone without using.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be modified into the following modes. (Modification 1) The transfer destination of the image information 40 of the memory card 14 is not limited to the external storage device 36. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the internal storage device 60 having the same function as the external storage device 36 is mounted inside the printer 1 in a state of being connected to the bus 30. Then, the image information 40 of the memory card 14 may be stored in the internal storage device 60. As the internal storage device 60, any device that can store data, such as a RAM or a hard disk, may be used. In this case, the internal storage device 60 corresponds to the storage means, and the directory display unit 52 corresponds to the reading means.

(Modification 2) The method of grouping the image data stored in the medium 36a of the external storage device 36 is not limited to the method of creating the identification directory 51 for each storage execution and dividing it. For example, the media 36a
Image data of all are saved in one directory,
When selecting a directory, the image data is, for example, 10
Group into groups. Then, each grouped printing unit may be displayed on the setting screen 10 of the operation panel 3, and the one selected by the user from among them may be set as the printing target.

(Modification 3) The method of grouping the image data stored in the medium 36a of the external storage device 36 is not limited to the method of creating the identification directory 51 and loading the image data there. For example, media 36
Of the storage area of a, the area in which image information is written may be divided according to a predetermined capacity, and a desired one may be selected from the print units grouped by this.

(Modification 4) The storage means is the external storage device 36.
Not limited to. For example, the storage means is a memory card 1.
4, or the DCF directory 50 in the memory card 14 may be displayed on the setting screen 10 to select a desired DCF directory. In this case, the image data in a desired directory of the directories of the memory card 14 can be set as the print target. In this case, the storage means corresponds to the memory card 14, and the reading means corresponds to the reading device 15.

(Modification 5) The display body displayed on the setting screen 10 as the identification directory 51 is the identification directory 5
The number that is the directory name of 1 ("001", "00"
2 ", ...), but may be dated, for example. Further, the display body may be changed so that the user can write a title according to his / her preference.

(Modification 6) The number of identification directories 51 may be set freely. That is, the identification directory 51
Of these, the directory name “nnn” may be set to a desired numerical value.

(Modification 7) The printer 1 is not limited to the ink jet type, and a laser printer or the like may be adopted as long as it is a stand-alone type, and the printer model is not particularly limited. Further, the printer 1 is not limited to the ink jet type printer having the structure of this example, and may be a printer without the monitor 17, for example.

The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below along with their effects. (1) In claims 1 to 5, the printing mechanism (28) is driven to execute the printing process based on the printing information set as the printing target by the setting unit among the printing information stored in the storage unit. The control means (27, 29) was provided.

(2) In Claims 1 to 5, the print information is image information (40) captured by a photographing device. (3) In Claims 1 to 5, there is provided a storage unit (37, 38) for storing the print information read by the reading unit in the storage unit.

(4) In Claim 1 or 2, the storage means is a storage medium (14). (5) In claim 6, the storage means stores identification information for dividing the print information into predetermined groups, and the display processing means stores the groups based on the identification information read from the reading means. The selection screen is displayed on the display means.

(6) In claim 6 and the technical idea (5), the identification information is directory information indicating a recording location of the print information, and the display processing means is based on the directory information. A directory corresponding to the directory information is displayed on the display means, and the setting means sets the directory selected by the operating means as a print target.

(7) Claim 6, the technical idea (5),
In (6), the identification information is directory information indicating a recording location of the print information created when the print information on the storage medium is stored in the storage unit.

(8) Claim 6, the technical idea (5) to
In (7), the storage unit is an external storage device externally attached to the printing device, and the reading unit reads the print information from the external storage device.

[0077]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a predetermined one of the one or more pieces of print information stored in the storage means can be set as a print target.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main part of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is an electrical configuration diagram of the printer.

FIG. 4 is a memory map of a memory card.

FIG. 5 is a directory structure of image information stored in a memory card.

FIG. 6 is a directory structure of image information stored in an external storage device.

FIG. 7 is a screen diagram of a setting screen at the time of print target designation processing.

FIG. 8 is a screen diagram of a setting screen after executing print target designation processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart executed when print target designation processing is performed.

FIG. 10 is an electrical configuration diagram of a printer in another example.

[Explanation of symbols] Printer as a printing device 11 Display device as display means 12 Operation unit as operation means 35 Port as a reading means 36 External Storage Device as Storage Means 40 Image information as print information 51 Identification directory as directory information 52 Directory Display Unit as Display Processing Means 53 Print Target Confirmation Unit as Setting Means 57 selection screen 57a-57c directories

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ05 AQ06 CQ27 CQ34                 2C087 AB01 AC07 BA03 BB16 BD53                       CA03 CB16                 5B021 AA01 CC07                 5C052 AA01 AA12 AA17 AB04 DD02                       FA03 FA09 FC01 FC06

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display means and one or more pieces of print information stored in a storage means, the reading means for reading the print information from the storage means, and the printing based on the print information read from the reading means. Of each group in which information is divided into predetermined units, a display processing unit that causes the display unit to display a selection screen for selecting a desired one, and a desired group from the selection screen displayed on the display unit is selected. A printing apparatus comprising: an operation unit that performs a selection operation; and a setting unit that sets print information belonging to a group selected by the operation of the operation unit as a print target. 2. The storage means stores identification information for dividing the print information into predetermined groups, and the display processing means selects the group based on the identification information read from the reading means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a screen is displayed on the display unit. 3. The identification information is directory information indicating a recording location of the print information, and the display processing means, based on the directory information, sets a directory corresponding to each directory information as the group in the display means. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printer is displayed, and the setting unit sets the directory selected by the operating unit as a print target. 4. The identification information is directory information indicating a recording location of the print information created when the print information on the storage medium is stored in the storage means. The printing device according to. 5. The storage device is an external storage device externally attached to the printing device, and the reading device reads the print information from the external storage device. The printing device according to any one of claims. 6. A method of setting a print target used in a printing apparatus, comprising: a display means and an operation means for selecting and operating a desired one from a screen of the display means, wherein one storage means is provided. The above print information is stored, the reading means reads the print information from the storage means, and the display processing means divides the print information into predetermined units based on the print information read via the read means. A selection screen for selecting a desired one of the groups is displayed on the display unit, and the setting unit displays the print information belonging to the group selected by the operation unit in the selection screen displayed on the display unit. A method of setting a print target, which is characterized by setting as a print target.