JP2007102724A - Image input/output device, printer, print system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify a printable area from a photographed image of disk media to facilitate a setting operation concerning printing. <P>SOLUTION: This image input/output device has an imaging means for imaging a subject, an identification means for identifying the printable area of the subject from image data obtained by the imaging means and a transfer means for transferring print data corresponding to the printable area identified by the identification means to a printer 119. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for photographing a print medium having a printable print label surface, and performing printing by identifying a printable area of the print label surface from the photographed image.

  Conventionally, when printing on standard-size paper media such as A4, A3, and L print sizes, the user can specify the type of print media using a computer or digital camera as necessary. By doing so, printing is performed in an appropriate range.

However, in a print medium having a printable print label surface such as a CD (Compact Disk) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), the size of the print label surface varies depending on the manufacturer. In particular, the inner periphery of the donut-shaped printable region is often greatly different. Of course, when printing using a computer, it is often possible to select various types of media distributed in the market by application software for each type (manufacturer or model number), and the desired printable area. The technology for printing on the paper has also been widely realized.
JP-A-2005-235359

  Under such a background, for example, a direct printing system for printing by directly connecting a digital camera or a digital video camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) to a printer, a variety of sizes such as CD and DVD are in circulation. When printing on a print medium, at least complicated settings are made compared to a computer. That is, the digital camera has a small amount of information that can be displayed on the display unit and a storage capacity of various setting values, and is often carried alone and used. For this reason, it is difficult to appropriately update the set values to the latest data, and it is difficult to say that the functions and specifications are sufficient from the viewpoint of comfort of operation.

  Currently, when printing on CDs or DVDs with different print label surfaces for each medium, the inner circumference may vary greatly from medium to medium. On the other hand, problems such as small printing occur.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it realizes a technique capable of identifying a printable area from a captured image of a disk medium and facilitating a setting operation for printing.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an image input / output device according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that images a subject, and an identification that identifies a printable area of the subject from image data obtained by the imaging unit. And transfer means for transferring print data corresponding to the printable area identified by the identification means to the printing apparatus.

  The present invention also relates to a printing system in which an image input / output device having an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject and a printing device capable of printing a donut-shaped print medium having an opening at a central portion are connected. The input / output device includes an identification unit that identifies a printable area of the print medium from image data obtained by imaging the print medium, and print data corresponding to the printable area identified by the identification unit Transfer means for transferring to the apparatus, and the printing apparatus has printing means for printing the transferred print data in a printable area of the print medium.

  The present invention is also a printing apparatus that is connected to an image input / output device having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, and is capable of printing on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening in the center. Receiving means for receiving print data corresponding to the printable area of the print medium identified by the apparatus; and printing means for printing the print data received by the receiving means in the printable area of the print medium.

  The present invention is also a method of controlling an image input / output device having an imaging unit for imaging a subject, the imaging step of imaging the subject by the imaging unit, and the subject from the image data obtained by the imaging step An identification step for identifying the printable area, and a transfer step for transferring print data corresponding to the identified printable area to the printing apparatus.

  The present invention also relates to a control method for a printing system in which an image input / output device having an imaging means for imaging a subject and a printing device capable of printing on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening in the center are connected. The image input / output device includes an imaging step of imaging the print medium by the imaging unit, an identification step of identifying a printable area of the print media from the image data obtained by the imaging step, and the identification And transferring the print data corresponding to the printable area to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus transfers the print data transferred from the image input / output device to the printable area of the print medium. A printing process for performing printing.

  The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a printing apparatus that is connected to an image input / output device having an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject and that can print on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening in the center. A receiving step for receiving print data corresponding to the printable area of the print medium identified by the image input / output device; and a printing step for printing the received print data on the printable area of the print medium.

  According to the present invention, a print medium having a printable print label surface is photographed, and the printable area of the print label surface is identified from the photographed image, so that the setting operation for printing can be facilitated.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment. That is, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera and can be widely applied to an image recording / reproducing apparatus having a photographing function.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a plan view (a) of a disk medium having a printable print label surface and digital data (b) of a captured image for one line in the horizontal direction of the disk medium.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a lens unit of a digital camera, which is a lens group and a lens mechanism with a zoom function and a focus adjustment function for imaging a subject.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes an image sensor made up of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), which converts an optical image input via an imaging optical system made up of the lens unit 101 into an electrical signal and images it.

  An image sensor driving unit 103 drives the image sensor 102 according to the timing from the camera signal processing unit 106.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) / AGC (Auto Gain Controller). The CDS / AGC 104 samples an analog signal from the image sensor 102 and controls the gain of the signal level by the system control unit 109. Here, it has a function of adjusting the ISO sensitivity under the control of the camera signal processing unit 106.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes an A / D (Analog to Digital) converter that converts an analog signal from the previous stage into a digital signal.

  A camera signal processing unit 106 controls the camera imaging system in cooperation with the system control unit 109 such as timing generation, AE (Auto Exposure) control, gamma adjustment, and AF (Auto Focus) control. In addition, the distance to the subject can be calculated together with the AF function. Further, it is assumed that there are nine AF areas on the screen in a grid pattern, and it is possible to select whether to use all AF areas or to use only the AF area in the center.

  A lens driving unit 107 drives the lens unit 101 to perform zoom magnification and focus adjustment. During autofocus, focus adjustment information is detected by the camera signal processing unit 106, and the lens driving unit 107 is driven by a control signal from the system control unit 109 based on the detection information, and the lens unit 101 is controlled to perform focus adjustment. Do.

  At the time of manual focus, the user performs focus adjustment by adjusting a focus ring or the like (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the lens unit 101, which belongs to the input operation unit 114. The focus ring, which is a mechanical mechanism, is mechanically connected to the lens unit 101. When the user rotates the focus ring, the lens unit 101 is mechanically moved and focus adjustment is performed.

  Further, during autofocus by an electronic mechanism, the system control unit 109 detects the rotation direction and amount of the focus ring, drives the lens driving unit 107 based on the detection information, and controls the lens unit 101 to perform focus adjustment. . In the mechanical mechanism, the focus ring is mechanically connected to the lens unit 101, and when the user turns the focus ring, the lens unit 101 is mechanically moved to perform focus adjustment.

  A strobe 108 is used in conjunction with exposure control to emit light as needed to compensate for the subject light quantity. With regard to strobe light emission, forced light emission, light emission prohibition, auto mode according to the photometric result, and the like can be selected by a user operation from the input operation unit 114.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a system control unit for realizing each processing unit of the present invention or executing a processing procedure, and executes various control procedures related to the entire digital camera.

  A memory control unit 110 controls access to the general-purpose storage unit 111.

  A general-purpose storage unit 111 is a buffer for video signal processing, and stores programs and data for realizing each processing means and processing procedure of the present invention, and can also be used as a work area for executing control. The ROM and RAM to be used are generically named.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes an external recording medium connection interface, which is a memory card slot here.

  Reference numeral 113 denotes an external recording medium, which is a memory card here. Usually, a JPEG file is stored in this memory card at the time of still image shooting.

  An input operation unit 114 includes a power button, a shutter, various selection buttons, a determination button, and the like.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes a time measuring unit, which includes a real time clock (RTC) and a backup battery, counts the date and time, and returns date information in response to a request from the system control unit 109.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a display unit composed of a liquid crystal panel, which displays an image captured by the image sensor 102 when a captured image is recorded on the external recording medium 113. Further, when reproducing, an image recorded on the external recording medium 113 is read out, encoded with a JPEG processing block included in the system control unit 109, and displayed. Also, input operation information by the user from the input operation unit 114, arbitrary image information in the external recording medium 113, and the like are displayed.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a line output unit, which is an interface for composite video output or the like, and is connected to an external TV monitor or the like to display an image output from the digital camera on the TV screen.

  A digital data output unit 118 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F or IEEE1394 I / F. Here, the interface is a USB I / F widely used in general digital cameras at present, and is an interface for passing desired digital data to a computer or a printer.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes an external printing apparatus which is connected to an arbitrary computer or digital camera via a USB cable 220, receives print data, and prints on a medium.

  Reference numeral 120 denotes a means for connecting the digital camera to a printer which is an external printing apparatus 119, and here a USB cable is used.

  Next, a process for picking up an image of a disk medium with the digital camera and identifying a printable area on the print label surface will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a plan view (a) of a disk medium having a printable print label surface and digital data (b) of a captured image for one line in the horizontal direction of the disk medium.

  This digital camera has a print label surface identification function of a disk medium, which will be described later. Incidentally, the disk medium is originally a donut shape having a perfect circle shape and a hole in the center, but has an oval shape in FIG. Also, even if the photographer takes care that the optical axis of the lens is perpendicular to the shooting surface of the disc media, it is considered that it will not be a perfect circle in a strict sense. It is expressed in an extremely inclined state.

  In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 201 denotes the entire captured image. The donut-shaped area is a printable label surface of the disk medium, and looks like an ellipse because the image is taken from an oblique direction.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes an outer periphery of the disk medium. In general, the outer periphery of the printable area is slightly smaller than the diameter (outer periphery) of the medium, but here it is assumed that it is almost the same as the diameter. In addition, the diameter is 120 mm ± 0.3 mm or 80 mm ± 0.3 mm in the case of a circle according to the standard. In addition, there are business card-sized CDs and the like as atypical objects, but unless otherwise specified, disk media such as circular CDs and DVDs are targeted here.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes the inner periphery of the printable area of the print label surface. Therefore, in FIG. 2A, the hatched portion represents the printable label surface range.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a hole at the center of the disk medium. The hole diameter is 15.0 mm + 0.1 / −0.0 in the standard. Here, the shaded part excluding the hole at the center of the disk media outside the printable area is mostly transparent, and the manufacturer's model number, management number, etc. may be printed in part. In many cases, these characters do not usually run around the inner circumference 203.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes the center of the disk medium. Although the x mark does not actually exist, the center is indicated by the x mark for convenience.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes an explanatory horizontal line passing through the center 205 of the disk. In the flow of FIG. 4 described later, the captured image is rasterized in the horizontal direction, and the distance of the outer periphery 202 of the medium is maximum, that is, the maximum value when compared for each horizontal raster data in the captured image 201 is determined as the diameter. The

  Here, A1 represents the number of pixels of the photographed image with respect to the hole diameter of the disc, and the actual size is a value close to 15.0 mm + 0.1 / −0.0 if the physical standard of the media is observed in media production. It should be.

  B1 represents the number of pixels with respect to the inner diameter of the printable area of the disc. In the market, various printable media are shipped by manufacturers, and as shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter of the printable area of the print label surface is often different, such as 301 media and 302 media, and B3a ≠ B3b.

  C1 represents the number of pixels of the photographed image with respect to the diameter of the disc. Strictly speaking, the outer periphery of the printable area exists slightly inside the diameter of the disc, but here, in order to simplify the description, the description will be made focusing on the inner periphery of the printable area. The detection of the outer periphery of the printable area of the print label surface can be performed in the same manner as the inner periphery detection.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2B schematically shows an arrangement image of digital data in the horizontal direction (line direction) on a horizontal line 206 passing through the center 205. The DATA array schematically represented by a bar-like quadrangle represents a luminance or color difference data string, and here, it is assumed that the luminance data is arranged. The horizontal resolution here is an effective video range of 1440 pixels, gradation is 8 bits per pixel, black is 16 and white 100% is 235, and black to white 100% is 219 gradations. It shall represent.

  Next, the printable area identification function on the print label surface using the digital data shown in FIG. 2B will be described with reference to the flow of FIG.

  Assume that at the start of S401, the digital camera is turned on and is ready to shoot.

  In S402, it is determined by a user's selection operation whether the print target is a disk medium. If the print target is a disk medium, the process proceeds to S402. If not, the process proceeds to S404, which is a normal shooting mode. The user performs an operation of selecting from a menu displayed on the display unit 116 or switching using a function key belonging to the input operation unit 114.

  In S403, since shooting is performed to identify the printable area of the disc, switching to a macro shooting mode for shooting disc media at a short distance is performed. Also, strobe light emission is prohibited to prevent reflection from the print label surface. Also, to increase the shutter speed to prevent camera shake, the ISO sensitivity is adjusted to the high sensitivity mode, and the focus detection area is changed to the vicinity of the center hole in consideration of the donut shape (the edge portion of the hole or the label surface). To focus on the inner periphery of the). Of course, the combination of these settings is arbitrary, and the combination may be changed depending on the shooting situation. Details of the settings are omitted, but there are no particular restrictions or specialities.

  S404 is a normal shooting mode, which literally performs normal shooting regardless of the setting of the shooting mode when shooting the disk media in S403. In particular, the flow (procedure) for stopping normal shooting and ending it directly is not written here, but if the power is turned off or the operation mode is changed, the flow shown in FIG. It shall be removed.

  When the user presses the shutter button belonging to the input operation unit 114 in S405, the process proceeds to S406, and an image of the disk medium to be printed is taken. Until the shutter button is pressed, it loops and waits. However, although not described in detail here, there is no infinite loop, and it is assumed that the flow of FIG. 4 is exited (finished in S413) by turning off the power or changing the shooting mode.

  In S406, the subject is photographed. The subject here is illustrated in FIG.

  FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) each show a CD-R print label surface with a diameter of 12 cm, and C3a = C3b and A3a = A3b, but the printable areas 301 and 302 have different inner diameters B3a ≠. B3b (B3a> B3b). The part from the inside of the printable area to the hole formed in the center is usually transparent in many cases, and it is assumed that the part is also transparent here.

Here, the ratio C3a: A3a between the diameter C3a (or C3b) and the center hole diameter A3a (or A3b) is C3a = 120 mm and A3a = 15 mm when the diameter is 120 mm.
C3a: A3a = 120: 15
C3a = 120/15 × A3a = 8 × A3a (1)
It becomes.

On the other hand, in the case of a diameter of 80 mm, C3a = 80 mm and A3a = 15 mm.
C3a: A3a = 80: 15
C3a = 80/15 × A3a = 16/3 × A3a (2)
It becomes.

  In step S407, the entire captured image 201 is rasterized in the horizontal direction, and edge enhancement is performed with a horizontal band enhancement filter in each raster as necessary, and the flow advances to step S408. Here, the interval in the vertical direction to be rasterized in the horizontal direction may be the imaging resolution, but may be thinned to the extent that the printable area detection accuracy can be maintained in order to reduce processing. Here, it is assumed that the resolution in the horizontal (line) direction is 1440 pixels and the vertical direction is scanned with 1080 vertical resolutions.

  In S408, the change point of the video data is detected in S407 (edge enhancement is performed if necessary), and the number of pixels C1 in the horizontal direction indicating the diameter portion of the media in the image data in FIG. The number of pixels B1 in the region is identified.

  Here, a method for discriminating the actual diameter and inner diameter of the disk from the number of pixels will be described.

<When the disc diameter is 120 mm>
FIG. 2A shows an image obtained by photographing the disk from an oblique direction, but the above equation 1 represents the ratio of the diameter to the hole diameter (inner diameter) in FIG. Applicable.
From Equation 1, C3a = 8 × A3a. From this,
C1 = 8 × A1 holds. here,
Since C1-α <C1 <C1 + α (α is an arbitrary threshold value),
8 × A1-α <C1 <8 × A1 + α (3)
If this relationship is actually established, it can be seen that the diameter of the disk is 120 mm.

<When the diameter of the disc is 80 mm>
Similarly to the above, from Equation 2, C3a = 16/3 × A3a.
C1 = 16/3 × A1 holds. here,
Since C1-β <C1 <C1 + β (α is an arbitrary threshold value),
16/3 × A1-β <C1 <16/3 × A1 + β (4)
If this relationship is actually established, it can be seen that the diameter of the disk is 80 mm.

There are various ways of taking the values of α and β, but in order to ensure detection accuracy and prevent erroneous recognition of a 120 mm disc and an 80 mm disc, the diameter equivalent portions (8 × A1), (16/3) Considering the difference of × A1) and taking the half of the position as a guide,
(8 × A1) / 2− (16/3 × A1) / 2) = 4/3 × A1
Therefore, for example, it is desirable to set α <4/3 × A1 and β <4/3 × A1.

  The above calculation and comparison are performed to determine whether the disc diameter is 120 mm or 80 mm.

  In S409, the values of C1 when the conditions of Equation 3 or Equation 4 are satisfied for each horizontal line in S407 and S408 are compared, and the line position where C1 is maximized is detected. Here, until all the lines are compared, the process returns to S407, and when the end line is reached, the process proceeds to S410. When the line that satisfies Expression 3 or 4 is reached first, only the vicinity of the center hole is detected. You may make it compare.

  In S410, the actual sizes of C1 and B1, that is, the diameters of the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the label printable area are calculated from the ratio of C1, B1, and A1 in the line where C1 detected in S409 is maximized. .

For example, when A1 = 150 pixels, B1 = 299 pixels, and C1 = 1198 pixels, the A1 portion is 15 mm according to the standard.
Diameter of outer periphery of printable area of print label surface = 15 / A1 × C1
= 15/150 × 1198 ≒ 119.8mm
Inner diameter of label printable area = 15 / A1 × B1
= 15/150 × 299 ≒ 29.9mm
And can be calculated.

  In S411, if the digital camera is connected to the printer of the external printing apparatus 119 from the digital data output unit 118 via the USB cable 120 and printing is selected by the user, the process proceeds to S412. If not, the process proceeds to S412. The process proceeds to S413.

  In step S412, print data such as an arbitrary photographed image or title is sent from the digital data output unit 118 to the external printing apparatus 119 connected to the digital camera via the USB cable 120, and the print label surface identified in step S409 is printed. Print in the possible area.

  By notifying the printer of the lengths of the inner and outer diameters calculated at this time, the printer creates and prints print data corresponding to the diameters. As a result, it is possible to print in accordance with the printing area of the disc.

  In S413, the processing flow here ends.

  According to the above embodiment, when printing on the print label surface of a disc medium such as a CD or DVD, the printable area of the print label surface is determined from an image obtained by directly photographing the print label surface. In the above embodiment, the diameter of the disk medium, the inner diameter of the printable area, and the like are calculated from the ratio of the diameter of the hole vacated in the center and the diameter of the medium.

  As a result, in a direct print system in which a digital camera is directly connected to a printer, it is possible to set a substantially accurate print area for each medium. Even if there is a difference in the size of the printable area on the print label surface for each medium, there is no need to individually specify the size of the printable area on the print label surface. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing while simply detecting a printable area and avoiding problems such as protruding the printable range or printing smaller than the printable range.

  In S402, the maximum width in the horizontal direction is set as the diameter, but another modified example is prepared in order to calculate the diameter more accurately. For example, a straight line passing through the center point of the ellipse is rotated around the center point, and the line segment having the maximum distance between the intersection points with the outer peripheral line is defined as the diameter.

  Then, the actual print area is calculated from a comparison between the width of the diameter and the diameter of the hole near the center.

  In addition to notifying the printer of the length of the inner diameter / outer diameter, on the side where the image data is applied, the length of the inner diameter / outer diameter (or the ratio of the inner diameter / outer diameter) is adjusted to match Print data that matches the shape may be created.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the length of the inner diameter / outer diameter is notified to the printer, but the ratio of the inner diameter / outer diameter may be notified. Further, in addition to the ratio between the inner diameter and the outer diameter, the ratio to the diameter of the hole at the center of the disk may be notified. Since the size of the hole in the center is standardized, the size of the print area can be accurately determined if the ratio to this size is known.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  The first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a method of calculating the size of the subject in the horizontal direction, here the diameter of the disk medium.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a disc medium having a printable print label surface is photographed with a digital camera.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a disc medium having a print label surface that can be printed, and schematically shows a state in which the digital camera 507 is photographed obliquely.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes the outer periphery of the disk medium. In general, the outer periphery of the printable area is slightly smaller than the diameter (outer periphery) of the disk medium, but here it is assumed that it is almost the same as the diameter. In addition, the diameter is 120 mm ± 0.3 mm or 80 mm ± 0.3 mm in the case of a circle according to the standard. There are business card-sized CDs and the like as atypical objects, but unless otherwise specified, disk media such as circular CDs and DVDs are targeted here.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes the inner periphery of the printable area of the print label surface. In FIG. 5, the hatched portion represents the printable label surface range.

  Reference numeral 504 denotes a hole in the center of the disk medium. The hole diameter is 15.0 mm + 0.1 / −0.0 in the standard. Here, the shaded area excluding the hole in the center of the disk media outside the printable area is mostly transparent, and the manufacturer's model number and management number may be printed in part. In many cases, these characters do not usually lie on the inner circumference 503.

  Reference numeral 505 represents the center of the disk medium, and although the x mark does not actually exist, the x mark represents the center for convenience.

  Reference numeral 506 represents an explanatory horizontal line passing through the center 505 of the disk.

  Reference numeral 507 denotes a digital camera body, and FIG. 5 represents an image for photographing a disk medium.

  Reference numeral 508 denotes a lens barrel that has a lens 509 and a focus adjustment function.

  Reference numeral 509 denotes a lens.

  Reference numeral 510 denotes an image sensor, which is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) here.

  Reference numeral 511 denotes a liquid crystal panel that displays an image to be shot and displays operation information such as an image after shooting and various menus.

  Reference numeral 512 denotes a cross key, and the center button serves as an enter key. For example, the user can select various menus displayed on the liquid crystal panel 511.

  Here, F represents the focal length, and L represents the distance to the print label surface of the disk medium to be photographed. Further, R represents the diameter of the disk medium 501.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows an image of the disk medium 501 on the imaging surface of the image sensor 510. Here, the imaging surface obtained from the imaging pixel pitch of the CCD and the edge position detected from the captured image. Is a distance r corresponding to the diameter of the disk.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram of the distance relationship of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of the upper arrow.

As described above, when the diameter R of the disk medium, the distance L to the disk medium, the focal length F, and the size r of the subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor,
F: r = L: R holds. Therefore,
R = L / F × r (5)
That is, whether the diameter R of the disc media having a printable print label surface is 120 mm or 80 mm is the focal length F at the time of shooting, the distance L to the subject, the size of the diameter portion of the subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor. It can be determined by r.

  Strictly speaking, in FIG. 6 as well, the disk media 501 having the print label surface and the imaging surfaces of the lens unit 509 and the image sensor 510 are not parallel, but the photographer takes care to obtain an approximate size. Even the degree of adjustment of the position with the subject can be sufficiently determined.

  Similarly, it goes without saying that the same method can be applied when obtaining the inner diameter of the printable area of the print label surface.

  In the embodiment, in calculating the diameter of the medium, the inner diameter of the printable area, and the like, the determination is made based on the focal length, the distance to the subject, and the size of the subject on the imaging surface of the imaging device.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform printing while easily detecting a printable area and avoiding problems such as protruding the printable range or printing smaller than the printable range.

  It should be noted that a function for finely adjusting an error in the above-described series of size detection is provided, or the detected result and the fine adjustment result are written in arbitrary data format as header information of the photographed image so that it can be reused. In other words, the reading mechanism can be implemented relatively easily.

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment according to the present invention has been described in detail using specific examples. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (recording medium), or the like. is there. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved even if any part of the illustrated functional blocks and operations is realized by a hardware circuit or by software processing using a computer.

  Note that the present invention includes a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. In that case, a computer such as a system reads and executes the program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium (storage medium) for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. In addition, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser can be used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention can be downloaded from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and a user who satisfies predetermined conditions downloads key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. You can also. In this case, the downloaded key information is used to execute the encrypted program and install it on the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program may be part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

  Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU of the board or the like performs a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the top view (a) of the disc media which have a print label surface which can be printed, and the digital data (b) of the picked-up image for 1 line of the horizontal direction of a disc media. It is a figure explaining the printable area | region identification method of the print label surface of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the printable area | region identification process of the print label surface of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the printable area | region identification method of the print label surface of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the printable area | region identification method of the print label surface of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Lens unit 102 Image sensor (CCD)
103 Image sensor driving unit 104 CDS / AGC
105 A / D conversion unit 106 Camera signal processing unit 107 Lens drive unit 108 Strobe 109 System control unit 110 Memory control unit 111 General-purpose storage unit 112 External recording medium connection interface 113 External recording medium 114 Input operation unit 115 Timing unit 116 Display unit 117 Line output unit 118 Digital data output unit 119 External printing device 120 USB cable 201 Captured image 202 Outer circumference of disc medium 203 Inner circumference of printable area of print label surface 204 Hole in the center of the disc media 205 Disc media center 206 Disc media Horizontal line A1 passing through the center 105 of the image A1 The number of pixels of the photographed image with respect to the hole diameter of the disk medium B1 The number of pixels with respect to the inner diameter of the print label surface of the disk medium C1 The diameter of the disk medium Number of pixels of photographed image DATA Digital data of photographed image on horizontal line 106

Claims (16)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Identification means for identifying the printable area of the subject from the image data obtained by the imaging means;
An image input / output device comprising: transfer means for transferring print data corresponding to the printable area identified by the identification means to the printing apparatus. The printable area is a donut-shaped area having an opening in the center,
The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit detects an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the printable area from the image data. Means for detecting the hole diameter of the opening of the print medium from the image data of the subject;
The image input / output apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for calculating an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the printable area of the print medium from a comparison with a hole diameter of the opening.   The image input / output apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a unit that determines a type of the print medium from a ratio between a hole diameter of the opening of the medium and an outer diameter of the printable area. The image data is luminance or color difference information obtained by rasterizing a captured image,
5. The image input / output device according to claim 1, further comprising means for identifying a portion where the luminance or color difference information changes beyond a predetermined value. The identification means includes
The apparatus includes: means for calculating a real part size corresponding to the predetermined part of the subject from distance measurement information to the subject, size information of the predetermined part of the subject in the captured image, and focal length information. 6. The image input / output device according to any one of 1 to 5. Means for displaying a photographed image and photographing information;
Means for selectively displaying the size of the print medium;
The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that inputs a size of the print medium.   8. The image input / output device according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing a size of a printable area identified by the identification means. Means for storing the identification result obtained by the identification means;
The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that attaches the identification result to an image file. A printing system in which an image input / output device having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and a printing device capable of printing on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening in the center portion are connected,
The image input / output device includes:
Identification means for identifying a printable area of the print medium from image data obtained by imaging the print medium;
Transfer means for transferring print data corresponding to the printable area identified by the identification means to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes:
A printing system comprising printing means for printing the transferred print data in a printable area of the print medium. A printing apparatus connected to an image input / output apparatus having an imaging means for imaging a subject and capable of printing on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening in the center,
Receiving means for receiving print data corresponding to a printable area of the print medium identified by the image input / output device;
And a printing unit that prints the print data received by the receiving unit on a printable area of the print medium. A method for controlling an image input / output device having an imaging means for imaging a subject,
An imaging step of imaging the subject by the imaging means;
An identification step for identifying the printable area of the subject from the image data obtained by the imaging step;
And a transfer step of transferring print data corresponding to the identified printable area to a printing apparatus. A control method for a printing system in which an image input / output device having an imaging means for imaging a subject and a printing device capable of printing on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening at a central portion are connected,
The image input / output device includes:
An imaging step of imaging the print media by the imaging means;
An identification step for identifying a printable area of the print medium from the image data obtained by the imaging step;
A transfer step of transferring print data corresponding to the identified printable area to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes:
A control method comprising: a printing step of printing print data transferred from the image input / output device in a printable area of the print medium. A method for controlling a printing apparatus that is connected to an image input / output apparatus having an imaging means for imaging a subject and that is capable of printing on a donut-shaped print medium having an opening in the center,
A receiving step of receiving print data corresponding to a printable area of the print medium identified by the image input / output device;
And a printing step of printing the received print data on a printable area of the print medium.     The program for making a computer perform the control method of any one of Claims 12 thru | or 14.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 15.

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