JP2004303192A - Image output system, image supplier, image output device, control program and image output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily correct a protocol after stipulation while maintaining compatibility for a plurality of vendors. <P>SOLUTION: Control information is transmitted and received through a communication path 3 between an image supplier 2 which stores image data and an image output device 1 which outputs images on the basis of the image data, and the images based on the image data stored in the image supplier 2 are outputted by the image output device 1. At the time, between the image supplier 2 and the image output device 1, the control information relating to image output is transmitted and received through the communication path 3 as a series of scripts described in a markup language. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an image output system and an image output method for transmitting control information and image data via a communication path and outputting an image based on image data stored in an image supply device by an image output device, and an image output method and an image output method. And an image output device.

There is a so-called direct print system in which a digital still camera and a printer are connected without using a personal computer or the like, and an image photographed by the digital still camera is printed by the printer (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In a direct print system, transmission and reception of image data, a print job start command, and the like are performed between a digital still camera and a printer using a vendor-specific protocol.

JP-A-2002-330394 (prior art section)

However, since each vendor uses a unique protocol, there is a case where an image from a digital still camera can be printed by a printer of one vendor but cannot be printed by a printer of another vendor. In this case, if the same protocol is used by a plurality of vendors, images from the digital still camera can be printed by a printer of any of the vendors.However, the printer has a function unique to each vendor, and is completely used. Difficult to use the same protocol. Further, the functions of the printer are evolving year by year, and once a uniform protocol is defined, it becomes difficult to add a new function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an image output system, an image supply device, an image output device, a control program, and an image output that can easily correct a protocol after being defined while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors. The aim is to get the method.

In order to solve the above problems, an image output system of the present invention includes an image supply device that stores image data, an image output device that outputs an image based on the image data, an image supply device, and an image output device. An image output system including a directly connected communication path, wherein the image output apparatus transmits and receives, via a communication path, control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language. The image supply device includes a second communication unit that transmits and receives control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via a communication path.

When this image output system is used, it is possible to easily modify the protocol after the specification while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors by using the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

Further, the image output system of the present invention uses, in addition to the image output system of the present invention, a markup language capable of additionally defining a document type.

The use of this image output system makes it easier to modify the protocol after the definition.

Further, the image output system according to the present invention may further include, as a markup language, any one of languages which are upwardly compatible or downwardly compatible with SGML or XML as a markup language. Use

The use of this image output system makes it easier to modify the protocol after the definition.

Further, the image output system according to the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, further includes a first communication unit and a second communication unit, each of which outputs a control command in image output processing as control information relating to image output; The response to the control command and the notification of the state of the apparatus are transmitted and received as a series of scripts described in a markup language.

Using this image output system, it is easy to modify the protocol after the regulation while maintaining compatibility with multiple vendors for control commands, responses, device status notifications, etc., using the extensibility of the markup language syntax. can do.

Further, the image output system of the present invention may be arranged such that, in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above-described invention, the first communication means and the second communication means output the image output target as a series of scripts described in a markup language. A script including only control information related to image output without transmitting the image data is transmitted and received.

By using this image output system, it is possible to send and receive control information in a markup language independently of the data to be output without changing the format of the data to be output from the existing data. .

Further, the image output system according to the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, generates an output mechanism for outputting an image and control data for controlling the output mechanism from the image data to the image output device. An output control unit that controls the output mechanism based on the control data.

When this image output system is used, the image supply device does not need to have a function of generating control data for controlling the output mechanism from the image data, and the image supply device can be inexpensive.

Further, an image output system according to the present invention includes, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, a parser for parsing a markup language in the image output device. The parser is
Of the tags in the markup language, only the tags necessary for describing control information related to image output are determined.

Using this image output system, a parser can be realized with a small circuit or program,
The image output device can be made inexpensive.

Further, in the image output system according to the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, the image supply device includes a parser for parsing a markup language. The parser is
Of the tags in the markup language, only the tags necessary for describing control information related to image output are determined.

Using this image output system, a parser can be realized with a small circuit or program,
The image supply device can be made inexpensive.

Further, the image output system according to the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, stores a script template in the image output device for each type of control information, and generates a control information script from the template. A script generation unit is provided.

By using this image output system, a script of control information can be generated in a short time.

Further, the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above invention, further includes a script for storing a script template for each type of control information in the image supply device and generating a control information script from the template. A generating unit.

By using this image output system, a script of control information can be generated in a short time.

Further, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, the image supply device and the image output device function as described below. The image supply device stores image data and a job specification file that specifies an image output job. The image output device acquires the job specification file, and, based on the information of the job specification file,
Generate control information related to image output described in a markup language.

When this image output system is used, an existing job specification file such as a DPOF method can be used, and a complicated image output job can be easily executed.

Further, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, the image supply device and the image output device function as described below. The image supply device specifies one or more of the image data to be output and one of the job specification file in the image output job start command. When the image data is directly specified in the image output job start command, the image output device acquires the image data from the image supply device in accordance with the image output job start command, and the job specification file is included in the image output job start command. When the job designation file is specified, the job designation file is acquired from the image supply device in accordance with the image output job start command, and the image data specified in the job designation file is acquired from the image supply device.

By using this image output system, image data to be output can be specified for each image data or in a job specification file, and image output jobs of various patterns can be performed.

Further, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above invention, the image supply device stores a job specification file for specifying image data and an image output job, and based on the job specification file, An image output job start command is generated as control information related to image output, and transmitted to the image output device.

When this image output system is used, an existing job specification file such as a DPOF method can be used, and a complicated image output job can be easily executed.

Further, the image output system according to the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, specifies one or a plurality of image output jobs in a job specification file, Having.

When this image output system is used, an existing job specification file such as a DPOF method can be used, and a complicated image output job can be easily executed.

Further, the image output system of the present invention may further include, in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above-described invention, a method of storing image data and a job specification file for specifying an image output job in the image supply device.
The data is stored by the POF method.

By using this image output system, an existing job specification file can be used, and a complicated image output job can be easily executed.

Furthermore, an image output system according to the present invention includes, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, an image output device that includes an image output control unit that controls a processing flow of image output.

When this image output system is used, the information processing amount of the image supply device hardly increases,
This system can be realized even if the information processing performance of the image supply device is low.

Further, the image output system of the present invention is such that, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, the image supply device includes an operation unit, and the image supply device and the image output device function as follows. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit, the second communication unit of the image supply device transmits an image output job start command to the image output device as control information. When an image output job start command is received by the first communication unit, the image output control unit of the image output device starts image output processing according to the image output job start command.

When this image output system is used, a user can output an image by operating the operation unit of the image supply device, so that the operability is improved by the operation unit of the image supply device.

Further, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, the image supply device and the image output device function as described below. In the image output process, the first communication unit of the image output device transmits a transfer request for the image data to the image supply device. When the second communication unit of the image supply device receives the transfer request for the image data, the second communication unit transmits the image data to the image output device.

When this image output system is used, the image supply device only needs to transmit image data in response to a request from the image output device. Therefore, the information processing amount of the image supply device hardly increases, and the information processing performance of the image supply device is reduced. This system can be realized even if the value is low.

Furthermore, an image output system according to the present invention includes, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the above-described invention, an image supply device that includes an image output control unit that controls a processing flow of image output.

By using this image output system, the present system can be realized even if the information processing performance of the image output device is low.

Furthermore, an image output system according to the present invention includes, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, an image output device including an operation unit, and the image supply device and the image output device function as described below. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit, the first communication unit of the image output device transmits an image output job start command to the image supply device as control information. When the image output job start command is received by the second communication unit, the image output control unit of the image supply device starts image output processing according to the image output job start command.

When this image output system is used, the user can output an image by operating the operation unit of the image output device, so that the operability is improved by the operation unit of the image output device.

Further, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, the image supply device and the image output device function as described below. A print job start command that the image output device transmits resumption information indicating a print target assigned to a predetermined position in the page layout to the image supply device, and newly starts print processing after the print processing is stopped due to a failure. At the same time, control information for designating the first print target at the time of restart is received from the image supply device, and print processing is restarted from the print target. The image supply device receives and stores the resumption information, and when resuming the printing process, the control for designating the first print target at the time of resumption based on the latest resumption information together with the print job start command. The information is transmitted to the image output device.

If this image output system is used, print processing can be restarted accurately after restoration.

Further, the image output system of the present invention is such that, in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above invention, the image output device transmits the restart information to the image supply device only when a failure is detected. .

If this image output system is used, it is not necessary to frequently send and receive restart information, so that print processing can be accurately restarted after restoration without increasing processing during normal operation.

Further, an image output system according to the present invention is such that, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, the image output device transmits restart information to the image supply device for each page.

With this image output system, even if it is difficult to send restart information when a failure occurs,
After the restoration, the printing process can be accurately restarted.

Further, in the image output system according to the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems according to the present invention, the restart information includes a job ID of a print job to which a print target assigned to a predetermined position in the page layout belongs, At least one of the information indicating the storage location of the print target and the number of times the print target is repeatedly supplied.

When this image output system is used, in the image output apparatus, the first print target at the time of resumption can be accurately specified, and the print processing can be accurately restarted after restoration.

Furthermore, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above invention, the image supply device uses at least the number of times of repetitive supply of the print target in the restart information, When a page break occurs, the number of times of repeated supply is changed to the remaining number of times of repeated supply.

If this image output system is used, even if the number of times of repetitive supply is set to a plurality, the printing process can be accurately restarted after restoration.

Further, in the image output system of the present invention, in addition to any one of the above-described image output systems, the image supply device and the image output device function as described below. Upon detecting the failure, the image output device transmits the fact to the image supply device as control information, and then stops the printing process. Upon receiving the predetermined command, the image supply device transmits control information for restarting the printing process.

When this image output system is used, printing is resumed in response to a predetermined command after the restoration is reliably performed, and the printing process can be accurately resumed after the restoration.

Further, the image output system of the present invention includes a printer as an image output device and a digital camera as an image supply device in addition to any one of the image output systems of the above invention.

By using this image output system, direct printing can be performed mutually between a digital camera by a plurality of vendors and a printer by a plurality of vendors without using a host device such as a personal computer.

An image output device of the present invention controls a communication circuit connected to an image supply device that stores image data via a communication path, an output unit that outputs an image based on image data, and a communication circuit.
A communication control unit that transmits and receives control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via a communication path.

When this image output device is used, in the image output system, it is possible to easily modify the protocol after the specification while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors by using the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

Furthermore, the image output device of the present invention further includes a parser for performing syntax analysis of a markup language, in addition to the image output device of the above invention. Only the tags necessary for description are determined.

When this image output device is used, the parser can be realized with a small-scale circuit or program, and the image output device can be made inexpensive.

Further, the image output device of the present invention stores a script template for each type of the control information, and generates a control information script from the template, in addition to any of the image output devices of the above invention.

By using this image output device, a script of control information can be generated in a short time.

The image supply device of the present invention controls a recording medium that stores image data, a communication circuit connected via a communication path to an image output device that outputs an image based on the image data, and a communication circuit.
A communication control unit that transmits and receives control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via a communication path.

When this image supply device is used, in the image output system, it is possible to easily modify the protocol after the regulation while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors by using the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

Furthermore, the image supply device of the present invention includes, in addition to the image supply device of the invention described above, a parser that performs syntax analysis of a markup language, and the parser includes a tag of the markup language that includes control information related to image output. Only the tags necessary for description are determined.

If this image supply device is used, the parser can be realized with a small-scale circuit or program, and the image output device can be made inexpensive.

Further, the image supply device of the present invention stores a script template for each type of control information, and generates a control information script from the template, in addition to any of the image supply devices of the above invention.

By using this image supply device, a script of control information can be generated in a short time.

The control program of the present invention is a control program for controlling an image output device, which is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted by a transmission medium, and connects a computer to an image supply device that stores image data. The communication circuit is controlled via a communication path to transmit and receive control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via a communication path.

When this control program is executed in the image output device, in the image output system,
The protocol can be easily modified after the specification while maintaining compatibility with multiple vendors by using the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

The control program of the present invention is a control program for controlling an image supply device, which is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted by a transmission medium, and controls a computer to an image output device that outputs an image based on image data. Controlling a communication circuit connected via a communication path,
This is to function as a communication control unit for transmitting and receiving control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via a communication path.

When this control program is executed in the image supply device, in the image output system,
The protocol can be easily modified after the specification while maintaining compatibility with multiple vendors by using the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

An image output method according to the present invention is a method for transmitting and receiving control information via a communication path between an image supply device that stores image data and an image output device that outputs an image based on the image data. An image output method for outputting an image based on stored image data by an image output device, comprising a series of scripts in which control information related to image output is described in a markup language between an image supply device and an image output device. Is transmitted and received via the communication path.

When this image output method is used, in the image output system, it is possible to easily modify the protocol after the regulation while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors by using the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

Furthermore, the image output method of the present invention, in addition to the image output method of the above-described invention, does not include image data to be output as a series of scripts described in a markup language, and controls only the control information relating to the image output. Send and receive scripts including

By using this image output method, control information in a markup language can be transmitted and received independently of the data to be output, without changing the format of the data to be output from the existing data. .

Further, according to the image output method of the present invention, in addition to the image output method of the present invention, the image output device transmits resumption information indicating a print target assigned to a predetermined position in the page layout to the image supply device. Then, the image supply device receives and stores the restart information, and when the image supply device restarts the print processing of the image output device, the latest restart is performed together with the print job start command for newly starting the print processing. Starts a print job in which, based on the information, control information for designating the first print target at the time of resumption is transmitted to the image output device, and the image output device starts a new print process after the print process is stopped due to a failure. Along with the command, control information specifying the first print target at the time of resumption is received from the image supply device, and print processing is restarted from the print target.

  If this image output method is used, the printing process can be accurately restarted after restoration.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image output system, an image supply device, an image output device, a control program, and an image output method in which a protocol can be easily modified after being defined while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This image output system is a kind of a so-called direct printing system. In FIG. 1, an image output device 1 is a device that outputs an image based on image data. Image output device 1
Is a printer that prints an image on paper or the like based on image data. The image supply device 2 is a device capable of storing image data and transmitting the image data as needed. Examples of the form of the image supply device 2 include a digital camera that stores a captured image as image data in a predetermined recording medium.

The communication path 3 is a transmission medium that connects the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2. The communication path 3 is not limited to a wired communication path, and may use a wireless communication path. In the first embodiment, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable is used for the communication path 3. When the communication path 3 is a wired communication path, the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 are provided with connectors (not shown). The connectors are respectively connected.

In the image output device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the communication circuit 11 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving various information as electric signals via the communication path 3. The communication control unit 12 is a circuit or a device that controls the communication circuit 11 and transmits and receives information to and from a communication partner in accordance with various protocols. The communication circuit 11 and the communication control unit 12 function as first communication means for transmitting and receiving control information relating to image output via the communication path 3 as a series of scripts described in a markup language.

The output control unit 13 is a circuit or device that controls and monitors the output mechanism 14 and controls image output processing (print processing when the image output apparatus 1 is a printer). In the first embodiment, the output control unit 13 functions as an image output control unit that controls a processing flow of image output. The output mechanism 14 is a mechanical and / or electrical component that outputs an image. As the output mechanism 14 in the case of a printer, a printing mechanism, a paper feeding mechanism, and the like correspond.
The output control unit 13 and the output mechanism 14 constitute an output unit that outputs an image based on the image data.

The operation unit 15 is a circuit or a device that is operated by a user and outputs a signal according to the operation. Various switches, a touch panel, and the like are appropriately used as the operation unit 15. The display device 16 is a device that displays various information. Various indicators, a liquid crystal display, and the like are appropriately used as the display device 16.

The power supply circuit 17 is a circuit that is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply or an AC / DC converter and supplies the supplied power to an internal circuit.

In the image supply device 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication circuit 21 is a circuit that transmits and receives various information as electric signals via the communication path 3. The communication control unit 22 is a circuit or a device that controls the communication circuit 21 and transmits and receives information to and from a communication partner in accordance with various protocols. In addition, the communication circuit 21 and the communication control unit 22 function as a second communication unit that transmits and receives control information related to image output via the communication path 3 as a series of scripts described in a markup language.

The central control unit 23 is a circuit or a device that executes various processes while exchanging various information with a circuit or a device having various functions such as the communication control unit 22 and the recording medium 24.

The recording medium 24 is a device that stores one or a plurality of image data files 31 including image data. The image data file 31 includes, for example, an image photographed by a digital camera,
This is a file containing image data of other images. The format of this image data is, for example, JP
EG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, EXIF (EXchangeable Image File)
) Format.

As the recording medium 24, a semiconductor memory, a memory card using the semiconductor memory,
A magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or the like is used, and may be fixed inside the image supply device 2 or may be detachable from the image supply device 2.

The operation unit 25 is a circuit or a device that is operated by a user and outputs a signal according to the operation. Various switches, a touch panel, and the like are appropriately used as the operation unit 15. The display device 26 is a device that displays various information such as an image based on image data. As the display device 26, various indicators, a liquid crystal display, and the like are appropriately used.

The battery 27 is a battery that supplies power to an internal circuit of the image supply device 2. As the battery 27, a storage battery, a disposable battery, or the like is used. When the image supply device 2 is a device that requires portability, a battery 27 is provided as a power source. However, when the image supply device 2 is a device that does not require portability, an image output device is used as a power source. A power supply circuit such as the power supply circuit 17 of the device 1 may be provided instead.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol used between the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 in the image output system according to the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, first, as described above, the communication path 3 that is a USB cable is used as the physical layer. In the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 according to the first embodiment, there is a USB layer as a layer for controlling the physical layer, and a still image class (SIC) is used as a USB class. Thereby, a data transmission path is realized. Note that the USB standard currently exists, such as USB 1.1, USB 2.0, etc., but the next version or later proposed later may be used, or a communication standard equivalent to USB may be used instead. When USB is used for the communication path 3, the image output device 1 serves as a host,
The image supply device 2 is a device.

At a higher level, an image transfer protocol (such as an external device) that regulates external control of the digital still image device (DSPD) and image data transfer to the outside of the digital still image device (DSPD).
PTP) is used. The PTP standard is PHOTOGRAPHIC.
AND IMAGING MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, IN
C, "PIMA15740: 2000". Note that PTP is a protocol that provides a communication method for exchanging image data between DSPDs. In PTP, objects (such as image data files) in storage are not paths but object IDs (object handles). Is specified by

In the first embodiment, an image supply device 2 such as a digital camera
The direct print service (hereinafter, referred to as DPS) protocol, which is a protocol for supplying the image data stored in the printer 1 to the image output device 1 such as a printer via the communication path 3 and performing printing, is used. In the DPS protocol, control information related to image output between the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 is transmitted in a markup language (here, XML; eXtens).
The script is transmitted and received via the communication path 3 as a series of scripts described in the ible markup language. Note that the control information related to image output includes various commands in image output processing, responses to the commands, notification of the state of the apparatus, and the like. This script includes only control information and does not include image data to be output. That is, information such as the storage location of the image data file is included in this script, but the image data itself is not included.

Note that the lower layer of the DPS protocol is not limited to PTP. Therefore, in order to obtain consistency between the DPS protocol and a plurality of types of lower layers, the DPS protocol and the lower layer (here, P
TP) is provided with a wrapper layer.

In the first embodiment, of the above-described protocols, the physical layer is realized by the communication circuit 11, the communication path 3 and the communication circuit 21, the USB layer is realized by the communication circuit 11 and the communication circuit 21, the PTP layer, The wrapper layer and the DPS protocol layer are realized by the communication control unit 12 and the communication control unit 22.

That is, the communication control units 12 and 22 respectively include a first entity for interpreting a DPS protocol which is an image output control protocol for transmitting and receiving control information relating to image output described in a markup language, and a lower layer for the first entity. A second entity for interpreting PTP, which is an image data management transfer protocol for managing image data stored in the image supply device 2 and transferring the image data to the image output device 1, and a lower layer communication channel for the second entity. It functions as a third entity that controls the third physical layer.

In addition, the wrapper layer of each of the communication control units 12 and 22 is configured so that the communication between the image output control protocol of the first entity and the image data management transfer protocol according to the type of the image data management transfer protocol of the second entity. Function as protocol conversion means for performing the protocol conversion in. That is, the wrapper layers of the communication control units 12 and 22 replace commands of the upper protocol (DPS protocol) with commands of the lower protocol (PTP) as necessary.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer as an image output device in the image output system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, a CPU 41 executes a program,
This is an apparatus that executes processing described in a program. The ROM 42 is a memory in which programs and data are stored in advance. The RAM 43 is a memory for temporarily storing the program and data when executing the program.

The programs executed by the CPU 41 include a program for generating control data for printing from image data and a program for performing communication in accordance with the DPS protocol and the image transfer protocol in the ROM 42 or another recording medium (not shown). Is stored.

The print engine 44 is a circuit or a device that controls the output mechanism 14 based on control data for printing supplied from the CPU 41 to execute a printing process.

The USB host-side interface 45 corresponds to the communication circuit 11 in FIG. 1 and is a host-side interface circuit defined by USB.

The bus 46 is a signal path for interconnecting the CPU 41, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, the print engine 44, the USB host-side interface 45, the operation unit 15, and the display device 16. Note that the number of buses 46 and the topology of connections to the buses 46 such as the CPU 41 and the print engine 44 are not limited to those in FIG.

  The operation unit 15 and the display device 16 in FIG. 3 are the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a plurality of functions of the image output device 1 in the image output system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, a communication control function 51 is a function for performing communication control below the image transfer protocol.

The DPS protocol processing function 52 includes a DPS command processing function 61 that generates or interprets control information specified in the DPS protocol, and an XML (eXtensible) corresponding to the control information.
XML script generation function 62 for generating a Markup Language) script, and XML
Includes an XML parser 63 that parses the control information described in.

Note that the XML parser 63 may be designed to be able to analyze all syntaxes of XML, or may be able to analyze only syntax used in the DPS protocol. In that case, the XML parser 63 only needs to be able to determine only the tags necessary for describing the XML script related to the DPS protocol.

The XML script generation function 62 stores an XML script template in the ROM 42 or the like in advance for each type of control information such as a command, edits the template, and generates an XML script indicating the control information. Is also good.

The image processing function 53 is a function for changing the format of image data, the print data generation function 54 is a function for generating control data for printing from the image data after the format change, and the print control function 55 is And a function for executing a printing process in accordance with the control data for printing.

  The state management function 56 is a function of monitoring the state of processing by each of the above functions.

Note that these functions are realized by the CPU 41 executing the above-described program.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera as the image supply device 2 in the image output system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, a CPU 71 is a device that executes a program and executes processing described in the program. The ROM 72 is a memory in which programs and data are stored in advance. The RAM 73 is a memory that temporarily stores the program and data when executing the program.

The programs executed by the CPU 71 include a program for controlling each unit at the time of photographing, and a program for performing communication and managing image data according to the DPS protocol and the image transfer protocol. It is stored on the medium.

The image capturing device 74 is a device that captures an image of a subject in response to a command from the CPU 71 and stores the captured image data in a memory card 75.

The memory card 75 corresponds to the recording medium 24 in FIG. 1 and is a recording medium for storing image data obtained by photographing and the like. Note that, instead of the memory card 75, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic recording device, or the like fixed in the device may be used.

The USB device-side interface 76 corresponds to the communication circuit 21 in FIG. 1 and is a device-side interface circuit defined by USB.

The bus 77 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, a photographing device 74, and a memory card 75.
, USB device side interface 76, operation unit 25, and display device 26. The number of the buses 77 and the topology of the connection of the CPU 71 and the like to the bus 77 are not limited to those shown in FIG.

  The operation unit 25 and the display device 26 in FIG. 5 are the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a plurality of functions of the image supply device 2 in the image output system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, a communication control function 81 is a function for performing communication control below the image transfer protocol.

The DPS protocol processing function 82 includes a DPS command processing function 91 that generates or interprets control information specified in the DPS protocol, an XML script generation function 92 that generates an XML script corresponding to the control information, and XML. Includes an XML parser 93 that parses control information.

Note that the XML parser 93 may be designed to be able to analyze all syntaxes of XML, or may be able to analyze only syntax used in the DPS protocol. In this case, the XML parser 93 only needs to be able to determine only the tags necessary for describing the XML script related to the DPS protocol.

In addition, the XML script generation function 92 stores an XML script template in advance in the ROM 72 or the like for each type of control information such as a command, edits the template, and generates an XML script indicating the control information. Is also good.

In addition, the file system management function 83 stores the data in the memory card 75 as the recording medium 24,
This is a function of storing image data as an image data file 31 according to a predetermined directory structure and file structure.

Further, the user interface function 84 is a function of receiving an operation performed by the user on the operation unit 25 and displaying various information on the display device 26.

The setting management function 85 is a function for setting conditions such as print processing in accordance with an operation by a user. The state management function 86 is a function of monitoring the state of processing by each of the above-described functions.

Note that these functions are realized by the CPU 71 executing the above-described program.

Next, the operation of each device in the above system will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image output process at the DPS protocol level in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining image output processing at the image transfer protocol level in the image output system according to the first embodiment.

First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 25, the image supply device 2 transmits an image output job start command to the image output device 1 via the communication path 3 (step S1).

At that time, in the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 generates and transmits an XML script of the image output job start command DPS_StartJob according to the DPS protocol. Here, image data to be output is specified in the XML script.

The image output job start command DPS_StartJob includes the following job condition setting information and image output information.

The job condition setting information includes quality information for setting the quality of image output in this job, paper type information in a print job, paper size information in a print job, image format information, image optimization setting information, page layout information, and the like. Included as needed.

The image output information includes cropping area information for specifying an area for cropping, object ID of image data, information on the number of copies of each image, a unique job ID for each job, and path information for image data or a job specification file. Information on the number of times of repeated supply of each image data (that is, information indicating how many times the same image data is continuously supplied to the image output apparatus 1) and the like are included as necessary.

FIG. 9 shows an image output job start command DPS_Stat used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an rtJob XML script. In FIG. 9, the job tag is 1
Tag for specifying one job. Note that the xx tag indicates both the <xx> tag and the </ xx> tag (the same applies hereinafter). Below the job tag, job
A Config tag and a PrintInfo tag are arranged. The jobConfig tag is a tag for specifying job condition setting information.

In the script shown in FIG. 9, quality is added below the jobConfig tag.
Tag, paperSize tag, paperType tag, fileType tag, da
te tag, fileName tag, imageOptimize tag, and layout
A tItem tag is placed.

The quality tag is a tag for designating quality information such as standard, draft, and fine. The paperSize tag is a tag for specifying paper size information in this job, such as A4 size, and the paper size is specified by a predetermined numerical value (for example, 020110000). The paperType tag is a tag for specifying paper type information in this job, such as standard paper or photo paper, and has a predetermined numerical value (for example, 0).
3020000), the paper size is designated. The fileType tag is EXIF, J
A tag for designating image format information in the job, such as PEG, TIFF, GIF, etc., and the image format is designated by a predetermined numerical value (for example, 03020,000).

Further, the date tag is a tag for specifying whether or not to print date information specified by printInfo. The fileName tag is a tag for specifying whether or not to print the file path information specified by printInfo. imageOpti
The mize tag is a tag for designating image optimization setting information indicating whether to perform image optimization. The layoutItem tag is a tag for designating a page layout in this job, and an image format is designated by a predetermined numerical value (for example, 08010000).

The printInfo tag is a tag for specifying image output information. pri
An image tag is arranged below the ntInfo tag. The image tag is a tag for specifying an image to be output. In the script shown in FIG. 9, imag
An imageID tag and an imageDate tag are arranged below the e tag. im
The ageID tag is a tag for designating the object ID of the image data to be output. The imageDate tag is a tag for designating a date to be printed beside an image.

In the script shown in FIG. 9, there is only one image tag. However, when outputting a plurality of images, the object ID of the image data is specified by the image tag for each of the plurality of images. . Also, when outputting the same image continuously multiple times,
A copies tag may be placed next to the image tag of the image, and the number of times of repeated supply may be designated.

Note that the dps tag in FIG. 9 is a tag indicating that the script is an XML script related to DPS, and a URL (Uniform Reform) of a storage location of namespace information used in DPS as an attribute.
source Locator).

The communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 transmits the job start command X on the DPS protocol.
Although the ML script is logically transmitted, the XML script is converted into an image transfer protocol command, and the command is processed at the image transfer protocol level.

That is, according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 first transmits a file transfer request command RequestObjectTransfer (step SS1). This command is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, upon receiving the file transfer request command RequestObjectTransfer in accordance with the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 transmits a command GetObjectInfo for inquiring about the attribute of the file to be transferred (step S).
S2). This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
Upon receipt of tObjectInfo, file information (file format, file capacity, etc.) of the XML script of the command DPS_StartJob is transmitted (step SS3).
). This file information is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file information according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 specifies the XML script and obtains the file acquisition command GetObj.
is transmitted (step SS4). This file information is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
When the tObject is received, the specified file (command DPS_StartJob) is received.
Is transmitted (step SS5). This file is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file according to the image transfer protocol, it means that the command DPS_StartJob has been received in the DPS protocol layer.

Here, the image output device 1 is the printer shown in FIGS.
Is the digital camera shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
The communication is performed by the S protocol processing functions 52 and 82 and the communication control functions 51 and 81, and communication by the image transfer protocol is performed between the communication control function 51 and the communication control function 81.

Next, the image output device 1 interprets the XML script of the acquired image output job start command (step S2), and acquires from the image supply device 2 image data to be output in the XML script. (Step S3).

In the first embodiment, after receiving the image output job start command from the image supply device 2, the image output device 1 controls the processing flow of the image output job. That is, the image output device 1 manages the progress of the image output process, and appropriately acquires information and image data necessary for the image output process from the image supply device 2.

At that time, in the image output device 1, the communication control unit 12 uses the XML in accordance with the DPS protocol.
Object ID described in the script (corresponds to the object ID in PTP)
Specifies the image data file 31 with the XML script file acquisition command DPS_
GetFile is issued. The object ID in the PTP and the object ID in the DPS protocol for a certain object may have the same value or different values. If the two values are different, mapping of the object ID is appropriately performed between the DPS protocol and the PTP.

FIG. 10 shows a file acquisition command DPS_GetFi used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of le. In FIG. 10, getFileReq
The west tag is a tag indicating that the command is a file acquisition command. In FIG. 10, a fileID tag and a buffPtr are provided below the getFileRequest tag.
Tags are placed. The fileID tag is a tag for designating the object ID of the acquisition target file. The buffPtr tag is a tag for designating a pointer to a buffer used for receiving the acquired file.

The communication control unit 12 performs a file acquisition command DPS_GetFi of the DPS protocol.
le is converted into a file acquisition command GetObject of the image transfer protocol and transmitted. This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

Instead of the file acquisition command DPS_GetFile for acquiring the entire file, a file part acquisition command DPS_GetPartial for acquiring a part of the file is used.
The file may be transmitted a plurality of times to acquire the entire file. This file part acquisition command DPS_GetPartialFile is converted into a command GetPartialObject of the image transfer protocol.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
Upon receiving the tObject, the file (image data file 31) of the specified object ID is read and transmitted. This file is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 also receives the file in the DPS protocol layer.

Here, the image output device 1 is the printer shown in FIGS.
5 is a digital camera shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the acquisition of this image data requires the DPS protocol processing function 52 and the communication control function 51 in the image output device 1 and the communication control function 81 and the communication control function 81 in the image supply device 2. The file system management function 83 is used.

Then, when acquiring the image data, the image output device 1 outputs an image based on the image data (Step S4). At that time, in the image output device 1, the output control unit 13 and the output mechanism 14 perform an image output process.

Here, when the image output apparatus 1 is the printer shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an image processing function 53, a print data generation function 54, and a print control function 55 are used for image output processing.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2
Communication path 3 as a series of scripts describing control information related to image output in a markup language
Send and receive via. This makes it easy to modify the protocol after the regulation while maintaining compatibility with multiple vendors by utilizing the extensibility of the syntax of the markup language.

Further, according to the first embodiment, XML that can additionally define a document type is used as a markup language. This makes it easier to modify the protocol after the regulation.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the communication control units 12 and 22 include the first entity for interpreting the DPS protocol for transmitting and receiving the control information related to the image output described in the markup language, and the first entity for the first entity. In the lower layer, a second entity that manages image data stored in the image supply device 2 and interprets the PTP to be transferred to the image output device 1, and in the lower layer of the second entity, a physical layer of the communication path 3 ( Here, each functions as a third entity that controls USB). As a result, various existing protocols can be used in the layer below the PTP, and when it is desired to modify the protocol related to image output after the definition, only the DPS protocol needs to be modified, and the modification scale can be reduced.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the communication control units 12 and 22 use the second
The protocol conversion between the DPS protocol of the first entity and the image data management transfer protocol is performed according to the type (here, PTP) of the image data management transfer protocol of the first entity. As a result, the difference in the adopted image data management transfer protocol is absorbed in the wrapper layer, so if you want to modify the protocol related to image output after the definition, modify only the image output control protocol with little modification to the wrapper layer And the correction scale can be reduced.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the output control unit 13 of the image output device 1 controls a processing flow of image output. Thereby, the information processing amount of the image supply device 2 hardly increases,
This system can be realized even if the information processing performance of the image supply device 2 is low.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the communication control units 12 and 22 use the control command in the image output process, the response to the control command, and the device status (including the job status) ) Is sent and received as a series of scripts described in markup language. This makes it possible to transmit and receive a text-based control command that is easy to read, a response to the command, a status notification of the device, and the like, thereby making it easy to modify the protocol after the regulation while maintaining compatibility with a plurality of vendors.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the communication control units 12 and 22 include only control information related to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language without including image data to be output. Send and receive scripts including Thus, control information in a markup language can be transmitted and received independently of the data to be output, without changing the format of the data to be output from the existing data.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the image output device 1 is connected to the output mechanism 14 for outputting an image.
And an output control unit 13 that generates control data for controlling the output mechanism from the image data and controls the output mechanism based on the control data. Thereby, the image supply device 2 includes:
A function of generating control data for controlling the output mechanism from the image data (a function included in a conventional printer driver used in a personal computer or the like) may not be required, and the image supply device 2 can be inexpensive.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the XML parser 63 of the image output apparatus 1 is configured to determine only tags required for describing control information related to image output among tags in a markup language. Can realize the XML parser 63 with a small-scale circuit or a program, and can reduce the cost of the image output apparatus 1.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the XML parser 93 of the image supply device 2 is configured to determine only tags necessary for describing control information related to image output among tags in the markup language. Can implement the XML parser 93 with a small-scale circuit or program, and can reduce the cost of the image supply device 2.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the communication control units 12 and 22 store script templates for each type of control information, and generate a control information script from the template. As a result, only the part that has not been determined in the template needs to be edited, so that the control information script can be generated in a short time.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 25, the communication control unit 22 and the communication circuit 21 of the image supply device 2 output an image output job start command as control information. Transmit to the device 1. The output control unit 13 of the image output device 1 includes the communication control unit 1
When the image output job start command is received by the communication circuit 2 and the communication circuit 11, the image output process is started according to the image output job start command. This allows the user to output an image by operating the operation unit 25 of the image supply device 2. Therefore, when the image supply device 2 has the user-friendly operation unit 25, Thereby, operability is improved.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the image data stored in the image supply device 2 is needed in the image output process, the communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 sends the image data transfer request. The image is transmitted to the image supply device 2. Upon receiving the image data transfer request, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 transmits the image data to the image output device 1. Accordingly, since the image supply device 2 only needs to transmit image data in response to a request from the image output device 1, the information processing amount of the image supply device 2 hardly increases, and the information processing performance of the image supply device 2 is reduced. This system can be realized at a low cost.

Embodiment 2 FIG.
In the image output system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the image supply device 2 stores image data and a job specification file that specifies an image output job, and the image output device 1 acquires the job specification file, Based on the information in the job specification file, control information related to image output described in a markup language is generated.

In the second embodiment, the image data and the job specification file are DPOF (Digital Prin
t Order Format) method. The DPOF standard is currently DPOF1.
The version is 10 but may be the next version or later proposed in the future. Further, another standard having the same effect may be used instead of DPOF.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a directory structure of the DPOF method. In the directory structure of the DPOF scheme, as a lower directory of the root, there are a directory DCIM which is higher than the image data file and a directory MISC which is higher than the job specification file. Below the directory DCIM, a vendor-specific directory (here, 100E
PSON), and an image data file (here, IMAGE01.JP)
G etc.). On the other hand, the directory MISC stores A
UTPRINT. There is MRK. DPOF job specification file AUTPRINT.
The MRK includes print job information, image source information, print setting information, and the like.

FIG. 12 shows a job specification file AUTPRINT. It is a figure showing an example of MRK. The AUTPRINT. The MRK contains three jobs,
For each job, the job ID (PRT PID) and print type (PRT TYP
), The number of copies (PRT QTY), the storage location of the image data (IMG SRC), and the format of the image data (IMG FMT).

Note that the basic configurations of the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 in the second embodiment are as follows.
This is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the operations of the communication control unit 12 and the communication control unit 22 according to the second embodiment are changed as described below.

Next, the operation of each device of the above system will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image output process at the DPS protocol level in the image output system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an image output process at the image transfer protocol level in the image output system according to the second embodiment.

First, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 25, the image supply device 2 transmits an image output job start command to the image output device 1 via the communication path 3 (Step S21).

At that time, in the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the image output job start command DPS.
Generate and transmit an XML script of _StartJob. Here, it is described that a job specification file is used in the XML script. That is, for example, in a script as shown in FIG. 9, a job specification file is specified by an imageID tag that specifies image data. The object ID of the job specification file is used for the specification.

The communication processing for transmitting the XML script of the image output job start command DPS_StartJob from the image supply apparatus 2 to the image output apparatus 1 is the same as that in step S1 in the first embodiment. Omitted.

Next, the image output device 1 interprets the acquired XML script (Step S22), and acquires a job specification file described in the XML script from the image supply device 2 (Step S23).

At that time, in the image output device 1, the communication control unit 12 uses the XML in accordance with the DPS protocol.
Object ID described in the script (corresponds to the object ID in PTP)
XML script file information acquisition command DPS_
Send GetFileInfo. The communication control unit 12 converts the DPS protocol file information acquisition command DPS_GetFileInfo into an image transfer protocol file information acquisition command GetObjectInfo, and transmits the converted file information acquisition command GetObjectInfo (step SS11).
. This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
Upon receiving the tObjectInfo, the file information of the file having the specified object ID is transmitted (step SS12). This file information is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file information according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 describes the file information as an XML script and passes it to the DPS protocol layer.

Next, in the image output device 1, the communication control unit 12 specifies the job specification file by the object ID according to the DPS protocol and obtains the file acquisition command DP of the XML script.
Issues S_GetFile. The communication control unit 12 converts the file acquisition command DPS_GetFile of the DPS protocol into a file acquisition command Ge of the image transfer protocol.
The data is converted into tObject and transmitted (step SS13). This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
When the tObject is received, the file (job specification file) of the specified object ID is read and transmitted (step SS14). This file is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 also receives the file in the DPS protocol layer.

Here, the image output device 1 is the printer shown in FIGS.
In the case of the digital camera shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the job specification file is acquired by the DPS protocol processing function 52 and the communication control function 51 in the image output apparatus 1 and the communication control function 81 in the image supply apparatus 2. And a file system management function 83 is used.

Then, upon acquiring the job specification file, the communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 interprets the job specification file (Step S24).

The communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 acquires the image data specified in each job described in the job specification file from the image supply device 2 (Step S25).

At that time, first, the job specification file AUTPRINT. In the MRK, since the storage location of the image data file is described by a relative path, in the image output device 1, the communication control unit 12 specifies the path according to the DPS protocol in order to obtain the object ID of the image data. Then, a command DPS_GetObjectID for acquiring the object ID of the file at the path is generated as an XML script and transmitted.

FIG. 15 shows an object ID acquisition command DPS_G used in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of etObjectID. In FIG.
The tObjectIDRequest tag is a tag indicating that the command is an object ID acquisition command. In FIG. 15, a basePathID tag and an imagePath tag are arranged below the getObjectIDRequest tag. baseP
The athID tag is a tag for specifying a directory serving as a basis for a relative path specified by the imagePath tag. The imagePath tag is a tag for specifying a file from which an object ID is to be obtained by a relative path from the directory specified by the basePathID tag.

The communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 executes the command DPS_Get in the DPS protocol layer.
In response to the issuance of the ObjectID, the command SendOb is sent according to the image transfer protocol.
file information of jetInfo and XML script, and command SendObject
ct and the XML script are transmitted (steps SS21 to SS24). These commands, file information, and XML scripts are transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 receives the command, the file information, and the XML script according to the image transfer protocol, and uses the XML
The command DPS_GetObjectID, which is an L script, is received.

The communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 receives the received command D according to the DPS protocol.
The XML script of PS_GetObjectID is interpreted, and the command DPS_GetO is interpreted.
The object ID assigned to the file of the path specified by the objectID is specified, and an XML script indicating the object ID is generated and transmitted as a response to the command DPS_GetObjectID.

FIG. 16 shows an object ID acquisition command DPS_G used in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a response of etObjectID. In FIG. 16, an opResult tag is a tag for designating a processing result code of an object ID acquisition command. The getObjectIDResponse tag is a tag for specifying a return value of a processing result of the object ID acquisition command. In FIG. 16, a basePathID tag is added below the getObjectIDResponse tag.
An imagePath tag and an imageID tag are arranged. basePathID
The tag and the imagePath tag are the same as those specified in the command.
The ageID tag is a tag for designating an object ID obtained as a result of processing a command.

The communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 executes the command DPS_Get in the DPS protocol layer.
In response to the response to the ObjectID, first, a file transfer request command RequestObjectTransfer is transmitted according to the image transfer protocol (step SS3).
1). This command is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, upon receiving the file transfer request command RequestObjectTransfer in accordance with the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 transmits a command GetObjectInfo for inquiring about the attribute of the file to be transferred (step S).
S32). This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
Upon receiving the tObjectInfo, the file information of the XML script in response to the command DPS_GetObjectID is transmitted (step SS33). This file information is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file information according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 specifies the XML script of the response and obtains the file acquisition command Get.
The object is transmitted (step SS34). This file information is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
When the tObject is received, the specified file (command DPS_GetObject) is received.
An XML script in response to the tID is transmitted (step SS35). This file is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file according to the image transfer protocol, it means that a response to the command DPS_GetObjectID has been received in the DPS protocol layer.

Thus, the image output device 1 acquires the object ID of the image data file specified in the job specification file.

Then, in the image output apparatus 1, the communication control unit 12 specifies the image data file with the obtained object ID according to the DPS protocol, and transmits a file information acquisition command DPS_GetFileInfo of the XML script.

FIG. 17 shows a file information acquisition command DPS_Get used in the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of FileInfo. In FIG. 17, getF
The ileInfoRequest tag is a tag indicating a file information acquisition command. In FIG. 17, fi is placed below the getFileInfoRequest tag.
A leID tag is arranged. The fileID tag is a tag for designating the object ID of the file for which file information is to be obtained.

The communication control unit 12 of the image output apparatus 1 converts the file information acquisition command DPS_GetFileInfo of the DPS protocol into a file information acquisition command GetObjectInfo of the image transfer protocol, and transmits the converted command. This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
Upon receiving tObjectInfo, the file information of the file having the specified object ID is transmitted. This file information is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.
Transmitted to

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file information according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 describes the file information as an XML script and passes it to the DPS protocol layer.

FIG. 18 shows a file information acquisition command DPS_Get used in the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a response of FileInfo. In FIG. 18, o
The pResult tag is a tag for specifying a processing result code of the object ID acquisition command. The getFileInfoResponse tag is a tag for designating the return value of the processing result of the file information acquisition command. In FIG. 18, get
Below the FileInfoResponse tag, a fileType tag and a file
A Size tag is arranged. The fileType tag is a tag for designating a file format in the file information. The fileSize tag is a tag for designating the file size in the file information. The file format is specified by a number assigned to each format in advance.

Next, in the image output device 1, the communication control unit 12 specifies the image data file with the obtained object ID and transmits the XML script file acquisition command DPS_GetFile according to the DPS protocol. The communication control unit 12 converts the file acquisition command DPS_GetFile of the DPS protocol into a file acquisition command GetObject of the image transfer protocol, and transmits the command. This command is transmitted to the image supply device 2 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

Instead of the file acquisition command DPS_GetFile for acquiring the entire file, a file part acquisition command DPS_GetPartial for acquiring a part of the file is used.
The file may be transmitted a plurality of times to acquire the entire file. This file part acquisition command DPS_GetPartialFile is converted into a command GetPartialObject of the image transfer protocol.

In the image supply device 2, the communication control unit 22 executes the command Ge according to the image transfer protocol.
Upon receiving the tObject, the file (image data file 31) of the specified object ID is read and transmitted. This file is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the USB layer and the physical layer.

In the image output device 1, when the communication control unit 12 receives the file according to the image transfer protocol, the communication control unit 12 also receives the file in the DPS protocol layer.

Here, the image output device 1 is the printer shown in FIGS.
5 is a digital camera shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the acquisition of this image data requires the DPS protocol processing function 52 and the communication control function 51 in the image output device 1 and the communication control function 81 and the communication control function 81 in the image supply device 2. The file system management function 83 is used.

Then, when acquiring the image data, the image output device 1 outputs an image based on the image data (Step S26). At that time, in the image output device 1, the output control unit 13 and the output mechanism 14 perform an image output process.

Here, when the image output apparatus 1 is the printer shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an image processing function 53, a print data generation function 54, and a print control function 55 are used for image output processing.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the job specification file stored in the image supply device 2 is transferred to the image output device 1, and the image output device 1 interprets the job specification file and executes the job. Further, as another embodiment, the image supply device 2 interprets the job designation file,
A job start command may be generated in accordance with the contents of the job specification file and transmitted to the image output device 1, and the image output device 1 may interpret the job start command and execute the job.

The image output system according to the second embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the image supply device 2 allows the image specifying device to specify the image data and the image output job (here, the DPOF AUTPRINT.M).
RK file), the image output apparatus 1 acquires the job specification file, interprets the designated job, and controls the image output described in the markup language based on the information of the job specification file. Generate information. Thus, an existing job specification file such as the DPOF method can be used, and a complicated image output job can be easily executed.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the image supply device 2 can specify one of one or a plurality of image data to be output and a job specification file in the image output job start command. When the image data is specified in the image output job start command, the image output device 1 acquires the image data from the image supply device 2 according to the image output job start command, and outputs the job designation file in the image output job start command. Is specified, the job specification file is obtained from the image supply device 2 in accordance with the image output job start command, and the image data specified in the job specification file is obtained from the image supply device 2. Thus, image data to be output can be specified for each image data or collectively in a job specification file, and image output jobs of various patterns can be performed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The image output system according to the third embodiment of the present invention recovers from a failure (for example, paper jam, power supply cutoff, communication path disconnection, etc.) that cannot be autonomously restored in the image output system according to the first or second embodiment. In such a case, a recovery process is performed in the event of a failure.

In the image output system according to the third embodiment, the image output apparatus 1 supplies restart information indicating a print target assigned to a predetermined position (first, last, etc.) in a page layout in print processing as image output. After the print processing is interrupted due to a failure, the print information is transmitted to the apparatus 2 and, together with the print job start command for newly starting the print processing, the control information for specifying the first print target at the time of resumption is received from the image supply apparatus 2, The printing process is restarted from the print target. On the other hand, the image supply device 2 receives and stores the restart information, and when restarting the print processing, together with the print job start command for newly starting the print processing, the restart information stored last. The control information for designating the first print target at the time of restart is transmitted to the image output apparatus 1 based on the restart.

Note that the basic configurations of the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 in the third embodiment are as follows.
The same as the first embodiment, but the following functions are added.

  Next, the operation of each device in the above system will be described.

FIG. 19 is a state transition diagram of the image output device in the image output system according to Embodiment 3.

If there is no print job, the image output apparatus 1 has no job (ie, idle state).
When a print job is supplied from the image supply device 2, the printer shifts to a print state and performs print processing. Then, when the print job is completed and there is no subsequent print job, the image output apparatus 1 shifts to a no-job state. The management of this state is performed by the output control unit 13 of the image output device 1.

When a failure occurs in the printing state, the image output device 1 shifts to the hold state and interrupts the printing process. In the case of a failure that can be autonomously restored, when the failure disappears, the image output apparatus 1 returns to the printing state and restarts the interrupted print processing. On the other hand, in the case of an unrecoverable failure such as a paper jam or communication path disconnection, the image output apparatus 1 remains in the hold state until a reset command is issued. To the no-job state. If there is a remaining print job at that time or if a new print job occurs after that, the image output apparatus 1 shifts to the printing state.

Further, when the power of the image output apparatus 1 is cut off, the print job in the image output apparatus 1 disappears. Therefore, when the power is turned on thereafter, the image output apparatus 1 enters a no-job state.

Next, the recovery process will be described. The procedure of the recovery process can be any one of a plurality of types according to the type of the failure, as described below.

First, an example of a recovery process when a failure that cannot be autonomously recovered, such as a paper jam, a communication path disconnection, a normal disconnection of the power supply, or an abnormal disconnection of the power supply, will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a recovery process performed in the normal printing process of the image output system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recovery process of the image output system according to the third embodiment.

First, in the printing state, the image output apparatus 1 executes a printing process. At this time, when detecting the switching from a certain page to the next page (step S101), the image output device 1 outputs the job status information at the beginning of the switched page. The image is transmitted to the image supply device 2. That is, the image output apparatus 1 outputs the job ID (corresponding to the value of “PRT PID” of DPOF) of the print job specifying the image data to be used first in the page layout of the switched page, The data storage path (corresponding to the value of “IMG SRC” in DPOF) and the number of times of repeated supply (corresponding to the value of “PRT QTY” in DPOF) are indicated by the restart information (the job used in the recovery processing). The status information is transmitted to the image supply device 2 (step S102).
.

In the third embodiment, when a page switch occurs, the communication control unit 12 of the image output apparatus 1 generates an XML script of a job status notification command DPS_NotifyJobStatus for notifying job status information at that time according to the DPS protocol. And
Send. In the XML script of the command DPS_NotifyJobStatus,
The tags <prtPid> and </ prtPid> indicating the job ID surround the value of the job ID, and tags <imagePath> and </ imagePad indicating the path of the storage location of the image data.
th> encloses the value of the path of the storage location of the image data and a tag <co
pyId>, </ copyId> enclose the value of the number of times of repeated supply.

FIG. 22 shows a job status notification command DPS_Noti used in the third embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of fyJobStatus. In FIG. 22, n
The “authorizeJobStatusRequest” tag is a tag indicating a job status notification command. In FIG. 22, notifyJobStatusRequests
Below the t tag, jStatus tag, prtPid tag, imagePath tag, c
An optId tag, a progress tag, and a jEndReason tag are arranged.

If a job specification file is used, the prtPid tag, imagePa
The value specified by the tag and the copyId tag includes the job specification file AUTPRINT. The value in the MRK is used, and the value of the job ID of the job being processed at that time, the path of the image data, and the number of times of repeated supply are set.

The jStatus tag is a tag for designating whether the job status is a print status, a no-job status, or a hold status. The progress tag is a tag for designating the total page number T in the job and the page number N being printed in the N / T format. The jEndReason tag is a tag for designating a value indicating the cause of the job termination, such as normal termination, termination by user operation, abnormal termination, and the like. When there is no job, a value is specified by the jEndReason tag.

In the script shown in FIG. 22, the job ID, the image path, and the number of times of repetitive supply are specified by the prtPid tag, the imagePath tag, and the copyId tag. However, if the job specification file is not used, the job start The image data specified by the imageID tag in the command and the number of repetitions of supply specified by the copies tag may be used in the job status notification command.

On the other hand, the image supply device 2 sends the job I from the image output device 1 every time the page is switched.
When receiving restart information such as D, the path of the storage location of the image data at the beginning of the page, and the number of times the image data is repeatedly supplied (step S111), these are stored and the image output device
The latest restart information notified from is held (step S112).

In the third embodiment, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 receives the command DPS_NotifyJobStatus XML script for each page according to the DPS protocol, and from the XML script, the job ID and the storage location of the image data. The pass and the number of times of repeated supply of image data are extracted and stored.

In this way, the image supply device 2 determines, for each page where the printing process has been started, the job ID of the print job specifying the image data at the predetermined position (here, the first position) and the storage location of the image data. The restart information such as the pass and the number of times of repetitive supply of the image data is sequentially stored. Since the job ID, the path of the storage location of the image data, and the number of times of repetitive supply of the image data need only be the latest one, the older one may be deleted.

Then, in the printing state, when an unrecoverable failure such as a paper jam or a power-off operation occurs (step S121), the image output apparatus 1 shifts to a hold state and notifies the image supply apparatus 2 of the failure. (Step S122). Note that, when the power is normally shut down by the power-off operation, the image output device 1 performs this notification using the power of the battery or the capacitor.

In the third embodiment, when a failure occurs, the communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1
Command DPS_NotifyDevice for notifying the status of the device according to the S protocol
Generate and send an eStatus XML script. Command DPS_Notify
In the XML script of DeviceStatus, the tag <error indicating the status of the failure
Status> and </ errorStatus> enclose a value indicating a fault state, and tags <reason> and </ reason> indicating a cause of the fault enclose a value indicating the cause of the fault.

FIG. 23 shows a device status notification command DPS_Not used in the third embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of ifyDeviceStatus. In FIG. 23, a notifyDeviceStatusRequest tag is a tag indicating that the command is a device status notification command. In FIG. 23, notifyDeviceS
An errorStatus tag, a reason tag, a disconnectEnable tag, and a capabilityChange tag are arranged below the statusRequest tag.

The errorStatus tag is a tag for specifying a failure state such as no failure, a recoverable failure, and an unrecoverable failure. The reason tag is a tag for designating the cause of a failure such as no failure, paper-related failure, ink-related failure, hardware-related failure, and data-related failure. The disconnectEnable tag is a tag for specifying whether or not the connection can be released. The capabilityChange tag is a tag for designating whether or not the printing conditions permitted in the image output device 1 have been changed.

The image supply device 2 receives the notification of the failure occurrence from the image output device 1 (step S1).
31), and read out the latest resumption information (job ID, path of the storage location of the first image data of the page, number of times of repetitive supply of the image data, etc.) notified from the image output device 1 (step S132).

In the third embodiment, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 receives the XML script of the above command DPS_NotifyDeviceStatus according to the DPS protocol, and recognizes a failure state from the XML script.

Then, the image supply device 2 adds the latest restart information to the print job start command transmitted earlier at the start of the print job and transmits the command (step S133).

In the third embodiment, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 sets the latest job ID, the path of the storage location of the first image data of the page, and the number of times of repetitive supply of the image data according to the DPS protocol. Of the command DPS_StartJob.

FIG. 24 shows a print job start command DPS_S at the time of job restart in the third embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of startJob. As shown in FIG. 24, in the print job start command DPS_StartJob at the time of job restart, the object ID (here, 00000002) of the job specification file is specified by the imageID tag, the job ID indicating the restart position, and the first image data of the page. The path of the storage location and the number of times that the image data is repeatedly supplied are represented by a prtPid tag, an imagePath tag, and a co
pie tags.

Upon receiving the print job start command (step S124), the image output apparatus 1 receives the print job start command.
A transmission request for the previously used job specification file specified in the print job start command is transmitted.

In the third embodiment, the communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 receives the job start command DPS_StartJob of the XML script according to the DPS protocol, specifies the job specification file, and issues the file acquisition command DPS_GetFile.

Then, the image supply device 2 transmits the job specification file in response to the job specification file transmission request (Step S134). The image output device 1 receives the job specification file (Step S125).

In the third embodiment, the communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 issues a file acquisition command DPS_GetFile in the DPS protocol, and acquires a job specification file from the image supply device 2.

The image output device 1 refers to the contents of the job specification file and determines the job ID specified by the print job start command, the path of the storage location of the image data at the beginning of the page, and the position corresponding to the number of times of repetitive supply of the image data. If found in the job specification file, the position is specified as the print job restart position (step S126).

Then, the image output device 1 restarts the print job from the restart position (step S127).
), And acquires image data from the image supply device 2 as necessary (steps S127 and S13).
5).

As a result, the print job interrupted by the occurrence of the failure is restarted after the reset command, and printing is restarted from the top of the page where the failure occurred. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating printing restart in the image output system according to the third embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG.
, Even if a failure occurs while printing the images 101b and 101d halfway after the printing of the image 101c, the job is specified based on the job ID, the path, and the number of times of repetitive supply for the image 101a assigned first on the page. The print restart position in the file is specified, and the print job is restarted. When a plurality of images are arranged on one page as shown in FIG. 25, a job ID or the like is stored for the image that appears first in the print job,
Printing is resumed from the image.

For example, when the job designation file shown in FIG.
01a assigned to IMAGE 01.01a. JPG, job ID “001”, path “./DCIM/100 EPSON / IMAGE01.JPG”, number of repetitions “002”
Is stored as restart information. When a failure occurs at the position shown in FIG.
Printing is restarted with the same layout from the first job in FIG.

When a page break occurs during the repeated supply of the print target, the image output device 1 changes the value of the number of repeated supply notified to the image supply device 2 to the remaining number of repeated supply. Notify the value. Thus, in the image supply device 2, when a page break occurs during the repeated supply of the printing target, the stored number of repeated supply is changed to the remaining number of repeated supply. In this case, the job resuming position is detected based on the job ID and the file path, or the number of times of repetitive supply in the job specification file to be transmitted to the image output apparatus 1 is similarly changed.

Next, an example of a recovery process when the communication path 3 is disconnected and the power supply of the image output apparatus 1 is abnormally disconnected will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the recovery processing of the image output system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Note that the processing during the normal operation in this case is the same as the above-described case (FIG. 20).

First, when disconnection of the communication path 3 or abnormal disconnection of the power supply of the image output apparatus 1 occurs (Step S).
141), since the communication connection between the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 is disconnected, the image supply device 2 detects the disconnection of the communication connection (for example, USB connection) (step S151).

Thereafter, when the communication path 3 and the power supply are restored, the image output device 1 is reset or restarted (step S123). When the communication connection is established via the communication path 3, the image supply device 2 detects that the connection with the image output device 1 has been restored (step S152).
).

When the connection is restored, the image supply device 2 transmits the restart information together with the print job start command to the image output device 1 as described above, and the image output device 1 restarts the print job accordingly.

In the example of the recovery processing described above, the image output apparatus 1 transmits the restart information to the image supply apparatus 2 for each page. However, instead, the image output apparatus 1 generates a failure such as a paper jam. When it is detected, the restart information may be automatically transmitted to the image supply device 2.
Next, the case will be described.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the recovery processing of the image output system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In this case, in the above case (FIG. 20)
) Is not particularly necessary during normal operation, and when a failure occurs, the restart information is transmitted to the image output apparatus 1.
To the image supply device 2.

In the case of this recovery processing, as shown in FIG. 27, when a failure occurs, the image output device 1 notifies the occurrence of the failure (step S122), and transmits restart information to the image supply device 2 (step S161).

The image supply device 2 receives the notification of the occurrence of the failure (step S131), receives the restart information (step S171), holds the information (step S172), and stores the information (step S172).
Waits until is restored (step S173).

When the image output device 1 is restored by resetting or restarting (step S123), the image supply device 2 detects the restoration of the image output device 1 and transmits restart information together with a print job start command to the image output device 1 (step S123). S174). The image output device 1 restarts the print job as described above based on the print job start command and the restart information.

The image output system according to the third embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

Further, in the third embodiment, the job ID, the pass, and the number of times of repetitive supply are used as the information indicating the print resuming position. However, if the print resuming position can be accurately specified, one of the three is used. Or just two. Further, other job status information may be used for the restart information.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the job status information on the first image data of the page layout of the page after the page break is used as the restart information, but the job state information on the last image data of the page layout of the page before the page break is used. The job status information may be used for the restart information. In that case, the print job is restarted from the position following the position matching the restart information in the series of print jobs.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the image output apparatus 1 outputs the restart information indicating the print target assigned to the predetermined position (here, the head) in the page layout in the print processing as the image output. After the print job is transmitted to the image supply device 2 and the printing process is stopped due to a failure, the print job start command is received from the image supply device 2 together with control information for specifying the first print target at the time of resumption. Resume processing. On the other hand, the image supply device 2 receives and stores the resumption information, and when resuming the printing process, specifies the first print target at the time of resumption based on the latest resumption information together with the print job start command. Control information to be transmitted to the image output apparatus 1. Thus, even if the image output apparatus 1 is reset and the job information is lost, the print processing can be accurately resumed after the restoration.

Further, according to the third embodiment, as an example, the image output device 1 transmits the restart information to the image supply device 2 only when a failure is detected. As a result, it is not necessary to frequently send and receive the restart information for restoration, so that the printing process can be accurately restarted after the restoration without increasing the processing in the normal operation.

Further, according to the third embodiment, as an example, the image output apparatus 1 outputs, for each page,
The restart information is transmitted to the image supply device 2. As a result, even when the restart information cannot be transmitted when a failure occurs, the print processing can be accurately restarted after the recovery.

Further, according to the third embodiment, the restart information includes the job ID of the print job for the print target assigned to the predetermined position in the page layout, and the information indicating the storage location of the print target in the image supply device 2. , And at least one of the number of times of repetitive supply of the print target. As a result, the print restart position can be accurately specified after restoration.

Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the image supply device 2 uses at least the number of times of repetitive supply of the print target in the resumption information. Change the number of times of supply to the remaining number of times of repeated supply. As a result, even when the number of times of repetitive supply is set to a plurality, the printing process can be accurately resumed after restoration.

Further, according to the third embodiment, when the image output device 1 detects a failure, the image output device 1 notifies the image supply device 2 of the failure, and then stops the printing process. On the other hand, when the image supply device 2 receives the reset command, the image supply device 2 transmits restart information to the image output device 1 together with the print job command. As a result, printing is resumed in response to the reset command after the restoration is surely performed, and the printing process can be accurately resumed after the restoration.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
The image output system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention uses an extended tag for adding an extended function after being defined in the DPS protocol when generating and transmitting / receiving control information. Note that the other configuration and operation of the image output system according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of any of the other embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted.

At this time, in order to extend a certain function in the DPS protocol, the image supply device 2 and the image output device 1 insert the extension tag at the same nest level as the existing tag expressing the function according to the XML syntax, and Generate

Alternatively, in order to extend a certain function in the DPS protocol, the image supply device 2 and the image output device 1 insert an extension tag at a lower nest level than an existing tag expressing the function according to the XML syntax, and perform control information. Generate

Note that, in order to extend a certain function in the DPS protocol, the image supply device 2 and the image output device 1 use an extension tag in a script configuring control information in accordance with an XML syntax before an existing tag expressing the function. It arranges and generates control information (XML script). This makes it easier to invalidate the function of the existing tag when interpreting the script.

In the fourth embodiment, an extended tag for specifying a vendor-specific image optimization process is used as an extended tag for adding an extended function after the definition.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, a tag for designating a vendor-specific image optimization process can be used as an extension tag. Therefore, image optimization having various characteristics for each vendor can be used. Processing can also be specified at the time of image output.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
As in the fourth embodiment, the image output system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention uses, in the DPS protocol, an extension tag for adding an extension function after being defined at the time of generation and transmission / reception of control information. It is like that. The other configurations and operations of the image output system according to the fifth embodiment are the same as those in any of the above-described embodiments, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In the fifth embodiment, as an extension tag for adding an extension function after the definition, an extension tag designating frame insertion printing for printing by combining a frame image and an image of image data is used.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, since the tag specifying the frame insertion printing for printing by combining the frame image and the image of the image data can be used as the extension tag,
You can specify unique frame insertion printing.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
The image output system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the same DPS as in the fourth and fifth embodiments.
In the protocol, an extension tag for adding an extension function after the regulation is provided, and is used when generating and transmitting / receiving control information including the extension function. Embodiment 6
Other configurations and operations of the image output system according to the third embodiment are the same as those in any of the above embodiments, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

In the sixth embodiment, the image output apparatus 1 checks the size and the paper type of the printing paper specified by the control information related to the image output, and when there is no paper of the specified paper type in the specified size, The control information indicating this is generated using the extension tag, and the control information is transmitted to the image supply device 2.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the image output device 1 checks the size and the paper type of the printing paper specified by the control information, and determines that the paper of the paper type specified by the specified size is used. If not present, control information indicating this is generated using the extension tag, and the control information is transmitted to the image supply device 2. This prevents printing from being performed erroneously when the printing paper of the specified paper type (for matte, photo printing, etc.) and the specified paper size is not prepared by the vendor or third party. be able to.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
The image output system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is different from the image output system according to each of the other embodiments in that the image supply device 2 controls the image output process instead of controlling the image output processing flow. The processing flow is controlled. That is, the image supply device 2 manages the progress of the image output process in response to the operation of the operation unit 25 or the notification of the state of the image output device 1, and transmits information and image data necessary for the image output process to the image supply device 2. Supply as appropriate.

For this reason, in the seventh embodiment, the central control unit 23 functions as an image output control unit that controls a processing flow of image output, and the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 controls the image output device 1 according to the DPS protocol. Is transmitted, and the communication control unit 12 of the image output apparatus 1 transmits an XML script indicating the state of the image output apparatus 1 as a response to the command. Such a command is issued from the communication control unit 22 as needed, and the central control unit 23 of the image supply device 2 monitors the state of the image output device 1 via the communication control unit 22.

In the seventh embodiment, the central control unit 23 outputs the DPOF AUTPRINT. It interprets a job specification file such as MRK, executes an image output job according to the contents of the job specification file, and transmits layout information, image output target data, and the like to the image output apparatus 1. When receiving the layout information, the data to be output, and the like, the image output device 1 performs an image output process based on the layout information and the data to be output.

Note that the basic configuration of the image output system according to the seventh embodiment is the same as in the above embodiment, and the processing flow at the time of image output is also the same. That is, the seventh embodiment
In the image output system according to (1), the image supply device 2 is the control entity of the processing flow.
In other words, the image output system according to the first to sixth embodiments is a pull-type system in which the image output device 1 that receives image data is the main control unit of the processing flow.
The image output system is a push-type system in which the image supply device 2 that supplies image data is the main control unit of the processing flow.

Further, in the image output system according to the seventh embodiment, in response to an operation on the operation unit 15 of the image output device 1, information on the operation is transmitted to the image supply device 2, and the image output process is started. Good. In this case, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 15, the communication control unit 12 of the image output device 1 transmits an image output job start command to the image supply device 2 as control information. The central control unit 23 of the image supply device 2 includes a communication control unit 22 and a control circuit 21.
When the image output job start command is received, the image output process is started according to the image output job start command, and various control commands are transmitted to the image output apparatus 1.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the central control unit 23 of the image supply device 2 controls the image output processing flow. Thus, the present system can be realized even if the information processing performance of the image output device 1 is low.

Further, according to the seventh embodiment, in response to an operation on the operation unit of the image output device 1,
When the information of the operation is transmitted to the image supply device 2 and the image output process is started, the image can be output by operating the operation unit 15 of the image output device 1 by the user. When the device 1 has the user-friendly operation unit 15, the operability is improved by the operation unit 15.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
The image output system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention includes an image output device 1 and an image supply device 2
The power is supplied to the

At this time, a power supply line built in the communication path 3 is used, and power is supplied to each internal circuit from the communication circuit 22 connected to the communication path 3 instead of the battery 27 of the image supply device 2. .

Note that the image output device 1 determines whether power can be supplied to the image supply device 2 when the image supply device 2 is connected, and supplies power only when power supply is possible. Is also good.

Here, determination of whether or not power can be supplied to the image supply device 2 when the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 are connected by a USB cable when a USB is used for the communication path 3 will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting the power supply mode of the image supply device when connecting to the image output device in the image output system according to the eighth embodiment.

First, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 controls the communication circuit 21 to set the maximum output parameter in the configuration descriptor specified by USB to a set value for bus power mode (for example, 500 mA). Then (step S201), the communication circuit 21 performs a connection process with the setting (step S202). The communication circuit 11 of the image output device 1 permits the connection when the power of the set value for the bus power mode can be supplied, and rejects the connection otherwise (step S203).

When the power supply at the set value for the bus power mode is permitted, the communication circuit 21 of the image supply device 2 connects in the bus power mode as it is, and outputs the power from the image output device 1 through the communication path 3. The supply is received (step S204).

On the other hand, when the power supply with the bus power mode setting value is rejected, the communication control unit 22 of the image supply device 2 sets the maximum output parameter in the configuration descriptor to the self power mode setting value (for example, (Milliamps) (step S205)
), The communication circuit 21 performs the connection process again with the setting (step S206).

Then, the communication circuit 21 of the image supply device 2 is connected in the self-power mode, and continues operation using the battery 27 of the image supply device 2 as a power source (step S207).

As described above, the image supply device 2 attempts to connect in the bus power mode, operates by receiving the power supply from the image output device 1 when the connection is permitted, and operates when the connection is rejected. It operates in the mode and operates with the power of its own battery 27.

Note that the image supply device 2 may be configured to be supplied with power from the image output device 1 via the communication path 3 when the power of the battery 27 becomes lower than a predetermined reference value.

Further, as the communication path 3 having the power supply line, in addition to USB, there are IEEE1394 and the like, and communication may be performed using those communication standards.

The image output system according to the eighth embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the data transmission communication path 3 is a communication path having a power supply line, and the image supply apparatus 2 is connected to the image output apparatus 1 via the communication path 3. Powered by Accordingly, power consumption of the battery 27 in the image supply device 2 can be suppressed, and image output processing can be performed for a long time.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
In the image output system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, for example, as described in the third embodiment, after one power supply is turned off or the communication path 3 is disconnected, the communication with the communication partner is restored. In this case, the identity of the communication partner before and after the interruption of the communication is determined, the communication with the same communication partner is resumed, and the image output processing is continued.

That is, the image output device 1 stores a unique identifier on the communication protocol of the image supply device 2 connected via the communication path 3 and, when the power is turned off, connects via the communication path 3 after the power is restored. A unique identifier is acquired on the communication protocol of the image supply device 2 that has been set, and the identity of the image supply device 2 is determined based on the identifier. As a result, even if the power supply for recovery from the failure is turned off, the image supply device 2 that was the communication partner at the time of the failure can be accurately specified.

Note that the unique identifier in the communication protocol is a MAC (Medium Access Control) address or the like, and the power is turned off such as a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory connected to a backup power supply, or a magnetic recording medium. It is also stored on a recording medium that retains the stored contents.

In addition, the image supply device 2 stores a unique identifier on the communication protocol of the image output device 1 connected via the communication path 3 and, when the power is turned off, connects via the communication path 3 after the power is restored. A unique identifier is obtained on the communication protocol of the image output device 1 that has been set, and the identity of the image output device 1 is determined based on the identifier. As a result, even when the power supply for recovery from the failure is turned off, the image output device 1 with which the communication was performed when the failure occurred can be accurately specified.

Further, the image output device 1 stores a unique identifier on the communication protocol of the image supply device 2 connected via the communication path 3. For example, the connection connector of the communication path 3 is connected to the image output device 1 or the image supply device. When the communication path 3 is disconnected due to disconnection from the connection connector of the communication path 2, after the connection of the communication path 3 is restored, the communication path of the image supply apparatus 2 connected via the communication path 3 is unique to the communication protocol. An identifier is obtained, and the identity of the image supply device is determined based on the identifier. Thus, even if the communication path for recovery from the failure is temporarily disconnected, the image supply device 2 that was the communication partner at the time of the failure can be accurately specified.

Further, the image supply device 2 stores a unique identifier on the communication protocol of the image output device 1 connected via the communication path 3. For example, the connection connector of the communication path 3 is connected to the image output device 1 or the image supply device. When the communication path 3 is disconnected due to disconnection from the connector 2 or the like, after the connection of the communication path 3 is restored, a unique communication protocol is established on the communication protocol of the image output apparatus 1 connected via the communication path 3. An identifier is obtained, and the identity of the image output devices 1 is determined based on the identifier. As a result, even when the communication path for recovery from the failure is temporarily disconnected, the image output device 1 that was the communication partner at the time of the failure can be accurately specified.

The image output system according to the ninth embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

For example, when the ninth embodiment is combined with the above-described third embodiment, the recovery process is performed as described in the third embodiment only when the identity of the communication partner before and after the failure and recovery is recognized. Can be done. Further, when the identity is not recognized, the image supply device 2 may issue a completely new image output job start command without performing the process for resuming the image output job.

Embodiment 10 FIG.
An image output system according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of image output devices 1-1 to 1-1.
n, when a failure occurs in a certain image output device 1-j, an alternative image output device 1-k is searched, and the image output process is continued by the alternative image output device 1-k. It is.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention. In FIG. 29, an image output device 1-i (i = 1,..., N) is a device similar to the above-described image output device 1, and has a communication circuit 11 corresponding to a communication path 3-i. . The image supply device 2-1 is a device similar to the image supply device 2 described above.
The plurality of image output devices 1-1 to 1-n are connected to the wired communication path 3-1 or the wireless communication paths 3-1 to 3-n.
And one or more communication circuits that can be connected via a PC. Information that designates the first print target at the time of resuming printing is provided by another communication circuit. The image is transmitted to the image output device 1-k (k ≠ j). At this time, another image output device 1-k (k ≠
As the information to be transmitted to j), the information described in the third embodiment may be transmitted, and the printing may be resumed as described in the third embodiment. Thus, even when recovery is difficult, printing can be accurately resumed by another image output device 1-k. In addition, printing can be accurately resumed immediately by another image output apparatus 1-k without waiting for restoration. These are the effects that can be similarly obtained even with a pull-type system.

For example, when a failure occurs during the printing process by the image output device 1-1, the image supply device 2-1 selects one of the remaining image output devices 1-2 to 1-n, Information specifying the first print target at the time of resuming printing is transmitted by one of the communication circuits. The image output device 1-k that has received the information specifies the restart position in the job based on the information, and starts the printing process from that position.

The image supply device 2-1 is an image output device capable of interpreting an image output control protocol (for example, the above-described DPS protocol or PTP) used by itself among the plurality of image output devices 1-2 to 1-n. 1-r may be selected, and information specifying the first print target at the time of resumption may be transmitted to the image output device 1-r.

Further, the image supply device 2-1 selects an image output device 1-r that can print under the print conditions specified in the interrupted print job from among the plurality of image output devices 1-2 to 1-n, Information specifying the first print target at the time of restart may be transmitted to the image output device 1-r. Thus, even if another image output device is used, printing can be resumed in the same print state as the original image output device. Such printing conditions include paper size, paper type, vendor-specific color correction processing, frame image superimposition printing (printing a frame image superimposed on an image based on image data), and the like.

Note that the image output system according to the tenth embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

Embodiment 11 FIG.
The image output system according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention is configured to perform photographing with a digital camera as the image supply device 2 in accordance with a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15 of the image output device 1.

That is, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 15, the image output device 1 transmits a photographing command to the image supply device 2. Perform processing. Note that the shooting command may be transmitted as a command in a predetermined DPS protocol of the XML script. Thus, the photographing can be performed without operating the image supply device 2.

Further, the image supply device 2 performs image capturing processing in response to an image capturing command from the image output device 1, and then transmits image data of the captured image to the image output device 1. Image data may be received, and an image may be output based on the image data. In this case, the transmission of the image data may be performed using a predetermined command in the DPS protocol. Thus, by simply operating the image output device 1, the image captured at that time is output, and the image can be visually recognized.

Further, the image supply device 2 may delete the image data of the captured image after the transmission is completed or after the image output device 1 outputs the image. Thereby, it is possible to repeatedly perform photographing even if the storage capacity of the image supply device 2 is small.

Further, the image supply device 2 has a storage unit (for example, a recording medium 24) for storing image data, and stores image data of a photographed image.
Alternatively, when the value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, old image data may be deleted. Thereby, it is possible to repeatedly perform photographing even if the storage capacity of the image supply device 2 is small.

Further, the image output device 1 may repeatedly transmit a shooting command to the image supply device 2 at a predetermined cycle, and periodically output an image. Thus, images of predetermined places and objects are periodically output, so that those places and objects can be monitored. When a digital camera is used for the image supply device 2 and a printer is used for the image output device 1, a surveillance system can be constructed at low cost.

The image output system according to the eleventh embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

Embodiment 12 FIG.
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output device according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention. In FIG. 30, an image output device 201 is a device that outputs an image based on image data. Examples of the form of the image output device 201 include a printer that prints an image on paper or the like based on image data. The image supply device 202 is a device that stores image data and can transmit the image data as needed. Examples of the form of the image supply device 202 include a digital camera that stores a captured image as image data in a predetermined recording medium. The communication path 203 is a transmission medium that connects the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2. The communication path 3 is not limited to a wired communication path, and may use a wireless communication path. Here, communication channel 3
, A USB cable is used.

The personal computer 204 is a host device that is included in a predetermined device driver and supplies print control data based on image data to the image output device 201. Communication channel 2
A communication path 05 has the same communication standard as the communication path 203.

In the image output device 201 shown in FIG. 30, the connector 218 is a first connection unit that can electrically connect the image supply device 2 that stores image data.
B is a connector on the host side. The changeover switch 219 is a device that functions as a switching unit that connects the connector 218 to one of the communication circuit 211 and the hub 222 according to a manual operation by a user or a connection state of a cable to the connectors 218 and 221.

The connector 221 is connected to another host device (here, the personal computer 204).
Is a second connection means that can be electrically connected, and is a connector on the USB device side.
The hub 222 is a device that is electrically connected to the connector 221 and operates as a relay unit having a USB hub function. The communication circuit 223 is a USB device-side communication circuit that communicates with the personal computer 204. The memory card interface 224 is a USB device into which a memory card is inserted and which reads and writes data from and to the memory card.

In addition, regarding the communication circuit 211, the communication control unit 212, the output control unit 213, the output mechanism 214, the operation unit 215, the display device 216, and the power supply circuit 217, the communication circuit 11, the communication control unit 12, the output control Unit 13, output mechanism 14, operation unit 15, display device 1
6 and the power supply circuit 17, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Note that the communication circuit 211 functions as an upstream device-side communication unit having a function of communicating with an upstream device (USB host) in USB.

  Next, the operation of the above device will be described.

First, when outputting an image based on image data stored in an image supply device 202 such as a digital camera, the image output device 201 and the image supply device 202 are connected by a USB cable serving as a communication path 203, and The connector 218 is connected to the communication circuit 211 by the changeover switch 219. In this case, the communication circuit 211 of the image output device 1 functions as a USB host controller, and the image supply device 202 becomes a USB device.

In this state, image data is supplied from the image supply device 202 to the image output device 201,
An image based on the image data is output. The transmission of the image data at this time is performed, for example, by the method described above.

On the other hand, when the personal computer 204 accesses the image supply device 202,
The image output device 201 and the image supply device 202 are connected by a USB cable serving as a communication path 203, and the personal computer 204 and the image output apparatus 201 are connected by a USB cable serving as a communication path 205. Connector 2 by switch 219
18 is connected to the hub 222. In this state, the personal computer 204
The image supply device 202, the communication circuit 223, and the memory card interface 224 function as a USB device via the hub 222. Thus, the personal computer 204 can access the image supply device 202.

When printing is performed based on data from the personal computer 204, the personal computer 204 and the image output device 201 may be connected via a USB cable serving as a communication path 205. In this state, the personal computer 204
The communication circuit 223 and the like function as a USB device. The personal computer 204 supplies print data to the image output apparatus 201. The print data is transmitted to the communication circuit 223 via the hub 222, and output control is performed. An image based on the print data is output by the unit 213 and the output mechanism 214.

In the twelfth embodiment, the image output device 201 is provided with the connector 221 that is a USB device-side connector and the connector 218 that is a USB host-side connector, but uses the USB-OnTheGo technology. And two connectors 218, 221
Is a single connector, the image output device 201 operates as a USB device when the personal computer 204 which is a USB host is connected, and the image output device 201 when the image supply device 202 which is a USB device is connected. The device 201 may operate as a USB host.

The image output device according to the twelfth embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

As described above, according to the twelfth embodiment, one image output device 1 is used as a peripheral device of another host device (personal computer 204), and a device for direct printing with the image supply device 2. And can function as a relay device between another host device (personal computer 204) and the image supply device 2.

Embodiment 13 FIG.
The image output system according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention is such that the image supply device 2 can select the layout of an image when the image output device 1 outputs an image.

That is, the image supply device 2 selects a layout at the time of image output according to a user operation while displaying the layout information on the display device 26 by the operation unit 25, the display device 26, and the central control unit 23. Control information for outputting image data in the selected layout is transmitted to the image output device 1 via the communication path 3. For example, the control information indicating the layout at that time is transmitted by being included in the image output job command of the DPS protocol. Then, the image output device 1 sets a layout at the time of image output based on the control information relating to the layout, and performs an image output process. That is, the operation unit 25, the display device 26, and the central control unit 23 function as a layout selection unit that includes a user interface portion and selects a layout at the time of image output.

The image output system according to the thirteenth embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, in the image output system, by operating the image supply device 2 such as a digital camera, and according to the state of the image data stored in the image supply device 2, This is convenient because the user can select a layout, and since the user interface of the device storing the image data is used, there is no need to transfer image data or the like to another device for layout selection.

Embodiment 14 FIG.
The image output system according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention is such that an image output result of image output device 1 for certain image data is previewed on display device 26 of image supply device 2. That is, the display device 26 functions as a display unit that displays a preview image of an image output based on the image data.

The image supply device 2 selects, for example, image data to be output according to an operation on the operation unit 25, and displays an image (so-called preview image) indicating an image output state of the selected image data on the display device 26. . Then, after the preview image is displayed, the image supply device 2 transmits the image data to be image-outputted via the communication path 3 and the image output device 1
Output.

The image output system according to the fourteenth embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments.

As described above, according to the fourteenth embodiment, since the image supply device 2 can perform a preview using the stored image data, the preview can be performed accurately, and Since the preview is performed before the transfer, the image output condition can be easily changed in the image supply device 2.

The embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the control information is described using XML, which is one of markup languages, but the control information is described using other markup languages such as SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language). It may be described.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, PTP and USB are used in the layers below the DPS protocol, but TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet P) is used.
Other protocols such as rotocol may be used. Further, as a transmission medium at that time, a wired LAN, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, or the like may be used.

Further, the command name and tag name of the DPS protocol used in each of the above embodiments are not limited to those described above, and may be other names. As for the command of the DPS protocol, another command having the same function or a combination thereof may be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the image output device 1 can be a printer,
The image supply device 2 can be a digital camera for moving images and / or still images. Alternatively, the image output device 1 may be another recording device that records an image on a medium such as paper, a display device such as a display that presents an image of light, or the like, and the image supply device 2 includes a digital camera. An electronic device or an electronic device that receives an image signal may be used. Such electronic devices include mobile phones, PDAs, music players, television receivers, video recording / reproducing devices, television telephones, video vision conferencing devices, and the like. The image supply device 2 may be a portable device or a device that is not very portable.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when the transfer of the image data necessary for the image output from the image supply device 2 to the image output device 1 is completed, the connection with the image output device 1 may be released. The connection release notification may be transmitted from the image output device 1 to the image supply device 2.

In each of the above embodiments, a USB mass storage class may be used instead of PTP as the image data management transfer protocol.

The image in each of the above embodiments may be a text image in addition to a picture image. Also, the image output target may be a text table such as a title table of a music album such as a music CD or a music MD, or a lyrics card. In this case, for example, the image supply device 2 or the image output device 1 acquires the text data from a distribution server on the Internet based on the information recorded in the music album.

In the second embodiment, the image output apparatus 1 obtains a job specification file, analyzes the job specification file, and executes an image output job. The image output job may be executed by analyzing the job specification file, generating an image output job start command as control information related to image output, and transmitting the control information to the image output apparatus 1.

In the protocol layers shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, a wrapper layer is provided between the DPS protocol layer and the lower protocol layer in order to cope with variations of the lower protocol layer. May have a function equivalent to the wrapper layer in the lowest layer of the DPS protocol, and the layer that manages the control flow of the printing process in the DPS protocol may be another program (that is, an entity) as an application layer (see FIG. 31). FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating another example of a protocol layer used between the image output device 1 and the image supply device 2 in the image output system according to the first embodiment.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, a direct printing system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol used between the image output device and the image supply device in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer as an image output device in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a plurality of functions of the image output device in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera as an image supply device in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a plurality of functions of the image supply device in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image output process at the DPS protocol level in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining image output processing at the image transfer protocol level in the image output system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of an image output job start command used in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a file acquisition command used in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a directory structure of the DPOF method. FIG. 12 shows a job specification file AUTPRINT. It is a figure showing an example of MRK. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image output process at the DPS protocol level in the image output system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an image output process at the image transfer protocol level in the image output system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of an object ID acquisition command used in the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a response to an object ID acquisition command used in the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a file information acquisition command used in the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a response to a file information acquisition command used in the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a state transition diagram of the image output device in the image output system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a recovery process performed in the normal printing process of the image output system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a recovery process of the image output system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a job status notification command used in the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a device status notification command used in the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of an XML script of a print job start command at the time of job restart according to the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating printing restart in the image output system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the recovery processing of the image output system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the recovery processing of the image output system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting the power supply mode of the image supply device when connecting to the image output device in the image output system according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output system according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output device according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating another example of a protocol layer used between the image output device and the image supply device in the image output system according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of reference numerals

1,1-1 to 1-n, 201 Image output device 2,2-1,202 Image supply device 3,3-1 to 3-n, 203,205 Communication path 11 Communication circuit (first communication means)
12 communication control unit (first communication means)
13. Output control unit (image output control means, output means)
14. Output mechanism (output means)
15 operation unit 21 communication circuit (second communication means, communication means)
22 Communication control unit (second communication means)
23 Central control unit (image output control means)
24 recording medium 25 operation unit 26 display device 27 batteries 62, 92 XML script generation function (script generation means)
63,93 XML parser

Claims (38)

An image output system including an image supply device that stores image data, an image output device that outputs an image based on the image data, and a communication path that directly connects the image supply device and the image output device,
The image output device includes first communication means for transmitting and receiving control information related to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via the communication path,
The image supply device includes a second communication unit that transmits and receives control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via the communication path.
An image output system characterized by the following. 2. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the markup language can additionally define a document type. The image output system according to claim 2, wherein the markup language is one of SGML, XML, and a language that is upwardly compatible or downwardly compatible with SGML or XML. The first communication unit and the second communication unit may include, as control information related to image output, a control command in an image output process, a response to the control command, and a notification of an apparatus state described in a markup language. The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the script is transmitted and received as a script. The first communication unit and the second communication unit may include, as a series of scripts described in the markup language, a script that does not include image data to be output as an image but includes only control information related to image output. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the image is transmitted and received. The image output device includes an output mechanism that outputs an image, and an output control unit that generates control data for controlling the output mechanism from the image data, and controls the output mechanism based on the control data. The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The image output device includes a parser for parsing the markup language,
The parser determines only tags necessary for describing control information related to the image output among the tags in the markup language,
The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The image supply device includes a parser for parsing the markup language,
The parser determines only tags necessary for describing control information related to the image output among the tags in the markup language,
The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: 9. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a script generating unit configured to store a template of the script for each type of the control information and generate a script of the control information from the template. An image output system according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The image supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a script generating unit configured to store a template of the script for each type of the control information and generate a script of the control information from the template. An image output system according to any one of the preceding claims. The image supply device stores a job designation file that designates image data and an image output job,
The image output device acquires the job specification file, and generates control information related to image output described in a markup language based on information of the job specification file.
The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The image supply device specifies one or more of image data to be output and one of the job specification files in an image output job start command,
When the image data is directly specified in the image output job start command, the image output device acquires the image data from the image supply device according to the image output job start command, and in the image output job start command, When the job designation file is designated, the job designation file is acquired from the image supply device according to the image output job start command, and the image data designated in the job designation file is acquired from the image supply device. thing,
The image output system according to claim 11, wherein: The image supply device stores image data and a job specification file that specifies an image output job, generates an image output job start command as control information related to the image output based on the job specification file, and outputs the image output job. 2. The transmission to an apparatus.
The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 14. The job specification file according to claim 11, wherein one or a plurality of image output jobs are specified, and the job specification file has image output condition information specified for each job. Image output system as described. 15. The image supply apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image supply device stores the image data and a job designation file for designating an image output job by a DPOF method.
The image output system described in the item. The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the image output device includes an image output control unit that controls a processing flow of image output. The image supply device includes an operation unit,
The second communication unit of the image supply device, when there is a predetermined operation on the operation unit,
Transmitting an image output job start command to the image output device as the control information,
The image output control means of the image output device, when the image output job start command is received by the first communication means, to start the image output processing according to the image output job start command,
The image output system according to claim 16, wherein: The first communication unit of the image output device transmits a transfer request for the image data to the image supply device in an image output process,
Upon receiving the image data transfer request, the second communication unit of the image supply device,
Transmitting the image data to the image output device;
The image output system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the image supply device includes an image output control unit that controls a processing flow of image output. The image output device includes an operation unit,
The first communication unit of the image output device, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit,
Transmitting an image output job start command to the image supply device as the control information,
The image output control means of the image supply device, when the image output job start command is received by the second communication means, to start the image output processing according to the image output job start command,
20. The image output system according to claim 19, wherein: The image output device transmits, to the image supply device, resumption information indicating a print target assigned to a predetermined position in a page layout, and a print job for newly starting a print process after the print process is stopped due to a failure. Along with a start command, the control information specifying the first print target at the time of resumption is received from the image supply device, and printing processing is restarted from the print target,
The image supply device receives and stores the resumption information, and when resuming the printing process, together with a print job start command for newly starting the printing process, based on the latest resumption information, Transmitting the control information specifying the first print target to the image output device;
The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein: 22. The image output system according to claim 21, wherein the image output device transmits the restart information to the image supply device only when the failure is detected. 22. The image output system according to claim 21, wherein the image output device transmits the restart information to the image supply device for each page. The restart information includes a job ID of a print job to which a print target assigned to a predetermined position in the page layout belongs, information indicating a storage location of the print target in the image supply device, and a number of times of repetitive supply of the print target. The image output system according to any one of claims 21 to 23, comprising at least one of the above. The image supply device uses at least the number of times of repetition of the print target in the resumption information, and changes the number of times of repetition to the remaining number of repetitions if a page break occurs during the repetition of supply of the print target. The image output system according to claim 24, wherein: When the image output device detects a failure, it transmits the fact to the image supply device as the control information, and then stops the printing process,
Upon receiving a predetermined command, the image supply device transmits the control information for resuming print processing,
The image output system according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein: The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the image output device is a printer, and the image supply device is a digital camera. A communication circuit connected to an image supply device that stores image data via a communication path;
Output means for outputting an image based on the image data,
A communication control unit that controls the communication circuit and transmits and receives via the communication path as a series of scripts describing control information related to image output in a markup language;
An image output device comprising: A parser for parsing the markup language,
The parser determines only tags necessary for describing control information related to the image output among the tags in the markup language,
29. The image output device according to claim 28, wherein: 30. The image output device according to claim 28, wherein a template of the script is stored for each type of the control information, and a script of the control information is generated from the template. A recording medium for storing image data,
A communication circuit connected via a communication path to an image output device that outputs an image based on the image data,
A communication control unit that controls the communication circuit and transmits and receives via the communication path as a series of scripts describing control information related to image output in a markup language;
An image supply device comprising: A parser for parsing the markup language,
The parser determines only tags necessary for describing control information related to the image output among the tags in the markup language,
The image supply device according to claim 31, wherein: 33. The image supply device according to claim 31, wherein a template of the script is stored for each type of the control information, and a script of the control information is generated from the template. A control program for controlling an image output device, which is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted by a transmission medium,
A computer controls a communication circuit connected to an image supply device that stores image data via a communication path, and controls the control information related to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language via the communication path. Functioning as a communication control unit for transmitting and receiving,
A control program characterized by the following. A control program for controlling the image supply device, which is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted by a transmission medium,
A computer controls a communication circuit connected via a communication path to an image output device that outputs an image based on image data, and executes control information relating to image output as a series of scripts described in a markup language. Functioning as a communication control unit for transmitting and receiving via
A control program characterized by the following. An image supply device that stores image data, and an image output device that outputs an image based on the image data, directly transmits and receives control information via a communication path, and stores the image data stored in the image supply device. An image output method for outputting an image based on the image output device by the image output device,
Between the image supply device and the image output device, transmitting and receiving via the communication path as a series of scripts described control information related to image output in a markup language,
An image output method characterized by the following. 37. The image output method according to claim 36, wherein the series of scripts described in the markup language includes a script that does not include image data to be output and that includes only control information related to image output. . The image output device transmits resumption information indicating a print target assigned to a predetermined position in a page layout to the image supply device,
The image supply device receives and stores the restart information,
When the image supply device restarts the print processing of the image output device, the image supply device specifies a first print target at the time of restart based on the latest restart information together with a print job start command for newly starting print processing. Transmitting the control information to the image output device,
The image output device receives, from the image supply device, the control information for specifying a first print target at the time of restart, together with a print job start command for newly starting print processing after the print processing is stopped due to a failure. And restart the printing process from the print target,
38. The image output method according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein:

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