JPH09233421A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an optimum print result depending on the kind of a printer or a type of thermosensing paper by providing a gamma correction value setting means that sets a gamma correction value to binarize image information fed to a printer depending on the type of thermosensing paper. SOLUTION: An image pickup means 4 applies photoelectric conversion to an object image and outputs an image signal, and a recording reproducing means 12 stores and records the image signal onto a recording medium 15 as image information. A printer prints out an image based on the image signal outputted from the image pickup means 4 or the image based on the image information reproduced from the recording medium 15 by the recording and reproducing device 12. In this case, binarization means 17a, 17b binarize the image information fed to the printer. Thus, a detection means detects a type of thermosensing paper used for the thermal printer and a gamma correction value setting means 22 sets the gamma correction value for the binarization means 17a, 17b depending on the type of the thermosensing paper detected by the detection means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera including a printer for printing an image based on an image signal or image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of cameras equipped with an internal printer are known, but such conventional cameras simply print a captured image automatically or in response to an operator's input. It was a thing.

Various types of technical means for connecting an external printer to a camera have been known, but in the same manner, a simply photographed image is printed automatically or in response to an operator's input. It was.

In the case of correcting the density of an image photographed by such a camera, there are known means for performing exposure correction and means for correcting the binarization processing level. Further, the density correction when the image is printed out by the printer is performed by the print density correction on the printer side.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned camera, when a photographed image is treated as binary data and multi-valued data and is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, the compression rate of the multi-valued data is particularly binary data. Was not considered in the relationship.

By the way, conventionally, the types of images are classified into a natural image and a character, and the character is further classified into a character of a white background document (hereinafter referred to as a white background character) and a character of a black background document (hereinafter referred to as a black background character). By doing so, there is known a means for obtaining a good image by classifying the image into three types in total and performing optimal binarization processing on each. A method of automatically detecting or a method of manually setting the type of natural image, white background character, and black background character in such image classification is known.

[0007]

However, since the conventional camera equipped with the printer as described above is not designed to print in consideration of the condition of the printer and the paper, for example, the type of printer paper is used. When printing was performed with the value changed, the desired image quality could not be obtained in some cases.

In a printer-equipped camera, it is significant to simply combine the density operations by the above-described density correction method without accurately understanding the meaning of each correction and the timing of the processing. A certain density correction cannot be obtained and a good image may not be obtained. That is, for example, even if binarization correction or print density correction is performed at the time of shooting, if the captured image is overexposed or underexposed, that portion cannot be corrected.

Further, it is impossible to perform exposure correction on multi-valued data after photographing or during reproduction from the memory,
Furthermore, it is not possible to perform exposure correction or binarization correction on the binarized data.

On the other hand, when binary data and multi-valued data are mixedly recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, the amount of data has no relation to each other, and thus the amount varies. The internal data management becomes complicated, and an expensive control IC and a large-capacity control program are required.

In addition, if the compression rate is calculated only by the gradation information in the image data, the data amount of other data may exceed the binary data amount. However, the management of data in the recording medium becomes complicated, and an expensive control IC and a large-capacity control program are required.

When the type of image is manually set, it is generally difficult to understand the distinction between white background characters and black background characters, and an unskilled operator may make an operation error. If the character type is set incorrectly, the character will not be cut out during binarization, and the character will not be readable.

Further, in the case of manually setting the type of image, if a character is set for a subject that is a natural image, the gradation expression of the natural image is not expressed and a good image can be obtained. It's gone. Further, if a natural image is set for a subject that is a character, the background and the like other than the character may appear as light and shade, making it difficult to read the character.

On the other hand, when the subject is automatically determined, there is a possibility that a determination error may occur for a subject having intermediate characteristics of both a natural image and a character, and in this case as well. , It may not be possible to obtain a natural gradation expression or the characters may be difficult to read.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of obtaining an optimum print according to the type of printer or thermal paper.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera of the present invention according to claim 1 is an image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, Recording / reproducing means for performing predetermined processing on the image signal output from the image pickup means to store and record the image information in a recording medium so that the image information can be reproduced as an image, and the image signal output from the image pickup means. And a camera for printing an image based on the image information reproduced by the recording / reproducing means from the recording medium, and an image signal or image information supplied to the printer or the recording medium. The binarizing means for binarizing the image information to be stored, and the type of thermal paper used in the thermal printer if the printer is a thermal printer. Detection means for output, in which a gamma correction value setting means for setting the value of the gamma correction for the binarizing means in accordance with the type of thermal paper that has been detected by said detection means.

The camera of the present invention according to claim 2 is
Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image information outputted by the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information and the image information can be reproduced as an image. A recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording on the recording medium, and a printer for printing an image based on the image signal output from the image pickup means or an image based on the image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a provided camera, a binarizing means for binarizing the image signal or image information supplied to the printer or the image information supplied to the recording medium;
A connecting means for connecting an external thermal printer that prints an image based on the binarized image information output from the binarizing means, the type of the external thermal printer connected to the connecting means, or the external thermal printer. Detecting means for detecting the type of the thermal paper, and gamma correction for setting the gamma correction value for the binarizing means according to the type of the external thermal printer detected by the detecting means or the type of the thermal paper. And a value setting means.

Further, in the camera of the present invention according to claim 3, when it is impossible for the detecting means to detect the type of thermal paper used, the gamma correction value setting means sets the predetermined value set in advance. Is set as a gamma correction value.

[Operation] In the camera of the present invention according to claim 1, the image pickup means photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the optical system to output an image signal, and the recording / reproducing means outputs the image output from the image pickup means. The signal is subjected to predetermined processing to form image information, and the image information is accumulated and recorded on a recording medium so that the image information can be reproduced, and an image based on the image signal output from the image pickup means by the printer or the recording medium An image based on the image information reproduced by the recording / reproducing means is printed, the binarizing means binarizes the image signal or image information supplied to the printer or the image information supplied to the recording medium, and the detecting means The printer is a thermal printer, the type of thermal paper used in the thermal printer is detected, and the gamma correction value setting means is detected by the detecting means. Depending on the type of thermal paper set the value of the gamma correction for the binarizing means.

The camera of the present invention according to claim 2 is
The image pickup means photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the optical system to output an image signal, and the recording / reproducing means subjects the image signal output from the image pickup means to a predetermined process to obtain image information and to obtain the image information. An image based on the image signal output from the image pickup means by the printer or an image based on the image information reproduced by the recording / reproducing means from the recording medium is printed by accumulating and recording in a recording medium so that the image can be reproduced. The binarizing means binarizes the image signal or image information supplied to the printer or the image information supplied to the recording medium, and the connecting means is based on the binarized image information output from the binarizing means. Connect an external thermal printer that prints images and use the type of external thermal printer in which the detection means is connected to the connection means or the external thermal printer The type of the thermal paper to be detected, and the gamma correction value setting means sets the gamma correction value for the binarizing means according to the type of the external thermal printer detected by the detecting means or the type of the thermal paper. To do.

Further, in the camera of the present invention according to claim 3, when it is impossible for the detecting means to detect the type of the thermal paper used, the gamma correction value setting means sets the preset predetermined value. Is set as the gamma correction value.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 22 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire camera.

An image of the subject 1 is passed through a lens 2 which is an optical system whose focus, aperture and shutter are controlled by a lens control means 3, and is focused on a CCD 4 which is an image pickup means. Is output to the image pickup unit 6 constituting the. The output processed by the image pickup unit 6 is converted from an analog signal into a digital signal by an 8-bit A / D converter 7 which constitutes recording / reproducing means, and is sent to an intermediate memory 12 which constitutes recording / reproducing means. White balance circuit 8, exposure control circuit 9, focus control circuit 1
It is also sent to 0.

The white balance circuit 8, the exposure control circuit 9, and the focus control circuit 10 are controlled by a CPU 23, which will be described later.

The result of the white balance circuit 8 is output to the image pickup section 6.

The output of the exposure control circuit 9 is the CCD
The data is input to the CCD drive circuit 5 for driving 4 to control the element shutter.

The output of the exposure control circuit 9 is further input to the lens control means 3 to control the aperture and shutter, and also to the strobe 11 for control.

The output of the focus control circuit 10 is input to the lens control means 3 for focus control.

The output of the intermediate memory 12 is sent to a compression circuit 13 which constitutes recording / reproducing means, and the compression circuit 13 compresses the input image data into a data amount of ⅛ or less.

The output of the compression circuit 13 is recorded on a memory card 15 which is a recording medium detachably attached to the camera via a card interface (card I / F) 14 which is a connecting means. This memory card 1
5 is connected to the CPU 23 via the card I / F 14, and the CPU 23 manages and controls the memory card 15.

The image recorded on the memory card 15 is input to the expansion circuit 16 which constitutes recording / reproducing means through the card I / F 14. In the decompression circuit 16, the data is demodulated in the format of the image data recorded in the memory card 15 and input to the intermediate memory 12. In the case of a binary image to be described later, the decompression circuit 16 does nothing and sends the image to the intermediate memory 12 as it is.

On the other hand, the binary image of the memory card 15 is outputted to the external printer 20 or the internal printer 19 through the card I / F 14 and the printer interface (printer I / F) 18 as a connecting means. ing. These printers 19 and 20 are the printer I /
It is connected to CPU23 through F18, and CPU2
3 determines and controls the printer status.

The output of the intermediate memory 12 is binarized by a binarizing circuit which is a binarizing means constituted by a pseudo halftone binarizing circuit 17a and a simple binarizing circuit 17b. Are output to the card I / F 14 and the printer I / F 18, and are respectively output to the memory card 15, the printer 19, and the printer 19.
It will be sent to 20. This binarization circuit
Binary control is performed by the CPU 23, and the CPU 2
It is connected to a binarized gamma setting circuit 22 which is a gamma correction value setting means controlled by 3.

The pseudo halftone binarization circuit 17a is used for binarizing a natural image whose gradation is desired to be represented by binarization such as an error diffusion method.

On the other hand, the output of the intermediate memory 12 is output to the image detection circuit 21 to determine what kind of image it is, that is, whether it is a natural image or a character image, and whether the character image is a white background character or a black background character. To be detected.

This detection result is input to the CPU 23,
The binary mode is determined, and the determination result is the CPU2.
Control is performed by inputting from 3 to the binarization circuit.

Besides, the CPU 23 controls the LCD 24 which is a notifying means for displaying the state of the camera and the like, and is inputted from various operation switches 26.

The operation switch 26 includes a power switch for operating the power supply of the camera, a trigger switch consisting of a two-step switch for instructing the start of shooting, a REC / PLAY switch for switching the recording / playback mode of the camera, and immediately after shooting. Immediate print on / off switch for switching whether to print out, image mode switch for switching binarization mode, paper type switch for setting the type of printer paper, binary / multi for switching the format of data to be recorded on the memory card There are a value switch and an UP / DOWN switch used for setting the density correction amount.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer section of the internal printer 19 or the external printer 20.

The image data output from the interface unit 31 that interfaces the image data system and the control data system of the camera unit is input to the print control unit 32 controlled by the printer CPU 38, and the thermal head 33.
Is controlled.

The temperature of the thermal head 33 is detected by a thermistor or the like, and the detection result is sent to the printer CPU 38.

The output of the paper detection sensor 39 which is the detection means for detecting the thermal paper 34 which is a paper is input to the CPU 38.

The platen roller 3 is provided at a position facing the thermal head 33 with the sent thermal paper 34 interposed therebetween.
5 is provided, and by moving the platen roller 35 by the head up / down lever 36,
The thermal head 33 is adapted to be brought into close contact with the thermal paper.

The head up / down state is detected by the head up / down lever 36, and the CPU 38
To be entered.

The image pattern corresponding to the image signal applied to the thermal head 33 is colored according to the image pattern and recorded on the thermal paper 34.

The feed amount of the thermal paper 34 is controlled by the CPU 38 via the paper feed controller 37.

Each state of the printer is transferred via the interface section 31 connected to the CPU 38 by a control data system.
It is adapted to communicate with the CPU 23 of the camera section.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure for detecting the type of thermal paper.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a predetermined reflection pattern 42 made of a light-reflecting material is provided on the inner peripheral side of the core 34a of the thermal paper 34 wound in a substantially toilet paper type.
Are formed.

On the other hand, the core body 34a is attached to the printer-side support body 41 which is inserted into the core body 34a of the thermal paper 34.
A sensor 43, which is an optical sensor, is provided at a position corresponding to the reflection pattern 42 provided on the.

The reflection pattern provided on the core 34a is, for example, a reflection pattern 42a as shown in FIG. 3B or a reflection pattern 42b as shown in FIG. 3C, depending on the type of thermal paper. There is.

In this way, the type of thermal paper is detected by the number and position of the reflection patterns.

The detection of the type of the thermal paper is not limited to the detection by the reflector and the optical sensor. For example, a conductor and a continuity sensor may be used, and a wide range of configurations are allowed as long as the necessary functions are satisfied. To do.

Next, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the structure for detecting the type of thermal paper.

Although FIG. 3 shows an effective construction for a thermal paper having a core, some thermal papers have no core.

In such a case, a predetermined reflection pattern 44 is printed, for example, on the back surface (the surface opposite to the surface to be printed) of the thermal paper 34 with a coating amount that reflects only invisible light. .

Then, in order to detect this reflection pattern 44, the paper detection sensor 39 is placed at a position facing the back side of the paper.
Is provided, and the type of paper is determined from the output of the paper detection sensor 39.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the main routine operation of the camera.

This main routine is performed by the operation switch 26.
It starts by turning on the power switch of the inside (step S1).

First, in the initial processing, the lens control means 3 drives the lens 2 to the initial position to initialize various registers (step S2).

Next, the state of the REC / PLAY switch is detected, and the camera switches between the REC mode (recording mode) and the PL mode.
It is determined which mode the AY mode (reproduction mode) has been switched to (step S3).

If the mode is switched to the PLAY mode here, the reproduction process described later is performed (step S
4) Then, go to step S5.

Further, the REC / PLAY switch is used for R
When the mode is switched to the EC mode, the printer state is determined as described in detail later (step S
5) The state of the recording medium such as the memory card 15 is determined (step S6).

The determination of the medium state is performed as follows.
First, the presence / absence of a recording medium is determined, it is determined whether or not it is formatted, it is determined whether or not there is a recordable area, and the determination result is displayed. Then, as a result, it is determined that the recording medium is recordable only when the recording medium is attached to the camera, is formatted, and has a recordable area.

Subsequently, various switches are processed (step S7), and it is checked whether or not the first stage of the trigger switch of the operation switch 26 is pressed (step S7).
8) If it has not been pressed, the process returns to step S3 to repeat the above operation.

On the other hand, when the first step of the trigger switch is pressed, automatic exposure (AE) and auto focus (A
F), the automatic white balance (AWB) operation is performed (step S9).

These AEs, AFs, and AWBs, whose details are not shown in the flow chart, perform general automatic exposure, AF such as a hill climbing method, and control such that the color data of the entire image becomes white. This is an operation for performing AWB.

The operations of these AE, AF, and AWB include state determination, and the camera state is determined. That is, it is determined that proper exposure is not determined as the AE error, the AF error is out of focus, and the white balance is not achieved as the AWB error.

Returning to the description of FIG. 5, the printer state is determined again (step S10), the state of the recording medium is determined again (step S11), and the state is determined according to these determination results (step S11). S12).

This state determination is performed by classifying from state 1 to state 9 in Table 1 described later. This step S12
When the determination result in is the state 7 or the state 8,
Returning to step S3, the above operation is repeated.

If the result of determination in step S12 is state 1 to state 6 or state 9, it is determined whether the second stage of the trigger switch of the operation switch 26 is on or off (step S13), and it is off. In this case, it is determined whether or not the first stage of the trigger switch remains on (step S14).

If the first step of the trigger switch is released, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the first step of the trigger switch is pressed, the process returns to step S10 and the second step of the trigger switch is performed. Wait for your eyes to be pressed.

If it is detected in step S13 that the second step of the trigger switch has been pressed, REC processing, which will be described in detail later, is performed (step S).
15).

When the REC processing is completed, the first stage of the trigger switch is waited for being released (step S1).
6) When the first step of the trigger switch is released, the process returns to step S3 and the same process is repeated.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the details of the printer status determination in step S5.

When the operation for determining the printer status starts (step S21), communication with the internal printer 19 is first performed (step S22). This communication, more specifically,
The camera CPU 23 inquires of the printer CPU 38 about the printer status, and the printer status is returned to the inquiry.

The printer status includes not only the printer error described later, but also the status of the printer type, the printer paper type, and the like.

Similarly, communication with the external printer 20 is performed (step S23).

Then, the status of these printers is displayed on the LCD 24, specifically, if there is an error in the printer, the error is displayed (step S24).

This printer error means (1) when the thermal head 33 is abnormally high in temperature (2) the head up / down lever 36 is in the up state, and the thermal head 33 and the thermal paper 34 print (3) When the thermal paper 34 is not present (4) When the external printer 20 is not connected (5) When the power of the external printer 20 is not turned on, etc.

Then, the process returns (step S
25).

Next, FIG. 7 shows the REC in step S15.
It is a flow chart which shows details of processing.

When this REC processing starts (step S4
1) First, the below-described density correction 0 process, which is a process of changing the image density according to the set contents, is performed (step S42).

Subsequently, a photographing process is performed in which shutter control, strobe control, writing of a photographed image to the intermediate memory 12 and the like are performed (step S43).

Next, various types of 2 which match the features of the image to be described later
Binary mode setting, which is a process for setting the quantizing process, is performed (step S44).

Then, it is determined whether the immediate print switch of the operation switch 26 is on or off (step S45), and if the immediate print switch is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S52 described later, while if it is pressed, State determination based on Table 1 described later (step S4
6).

When the state is 4, the process proceeds to step S52 described later, while when the state is 1, 3, 5, 9 binary binary gamma (γ) setting is executed (step S4).
7) After the image is printed by the external printer 20 (step S48), the process proceeds to step S51 described later.

If it is determined in step S46 that the state is 2 or 6, binary gamma (γ) is set (step S49), and the internal printer 19 is set.
The process of printing an image is performed in step S50.

Then, the state determination is performed again based on Table 1 described later (step S51), and the state is 5, 6, or 9
If it is determined that the step S54
Proceed to.

If it is determined that the state is 1, 2 or 3, the memory card 15 is in a usable state, so an image is recorded on the memory card 15 (step S
52) and further record attribute information (step S5)
3) and returns (step S54).

Here, the above steps S12, S46, S
The state determination performed at 51 or the like will be described with reference to Table 1.

[0092]

[Table 1] In Table 1, if each of the camera states such as AE, AF, and AWB, the state of the external printer 20, the state of the internal printer 19, and the state of the recording medium (here, the memory card 15) is good, it is ○. (OK) is marked with x (NG) when it is not good.

Whether each of these states is OK or NG is determined by the state determination as described above.

Any one of these states is NG
If there is a condition of, the camera state is defined as x.

AE, AF, and AWB are all OK.
However, as a way of thinking of the shooting conditions in the camera, there is also a method of giving priority to the photo opportunity even if there are some NG conditions.
For example, even if the exposure is too dark and the exposure is not appropriate, an example is that the image is taken in the dark.
In this case, the column of status 8 in Table 1 does not need to be provided.

The state 1 is the camera state, and the external printer 2
0, the internal printer 19, and the recording medium are all OK.

State 2 is camera state, internal printer 1
9. The recording medium is OK, but the external printer 20 is NG.

State 3 is camera state, external printer 2
0, the recording medium is OK, but the internal printer 19 is NG.

The state 4 is a camera state, the recording medium is OK, but the external printer 20 and the internal printer 19 are NG.

The state 5 is the camera state and the external printer 20.
Is OK, but the internal printer 19 and the recording medium are NG.

State 6 is the camera state, internal printer 19
Is OK, but the external printer 20 and the recording medium are NG.

In the state 7, only the camera state is OK, but the external printer 20, the internal printer 19 and the recording medium are NG.

In the state 8, since the camera state is NG, the image cannot be captured, and the other external printer 20,
When the internal printer 19 and the recording medium are in any state (in Table 1, this is shown as "-")
It is.

The state 9 is the camera state, and the external printer 2
0, the internal printer 19 is OK, but the recording medium is NG.

In this way, the operation of the camera is controlled based on the states 1 to 9 shown in Table 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing details of the reproducing process of step S4 of the main routine of FIG.

When this reproducing process starts (step S6)
1) First, it is determined whether or not the paper feed switch of the operation switch 26 is pressed (step S62). If the paper feed switch is pressed, the paper feed process is executed (step S6).
3).

If the paper feed switch has not been pressed, or if the paper feed processing of step S63 has ended, it is determined whether the density correction switch of the operation switch 26 has been pressed (step S64), and If so, the density correction amount is set (step S65).

If the density correction switch is not pressed,
Alternatively, when the setting of the density correction amount in step S65 is completed, the printer state is determined (step S6).
6).

Then, the state is determined based on Table 1 (step S67). If the state is 4 or 7, the process proceeds to step S72 described later to return to the recording mode, and it is determined that the state is neither 4 nor 7. If yes, the presence / absence of the memory card 15 is detected (step S68).

If the memory card 15 is not present, it is determined whether or not photographing is performed after the power is turned on (step S69). If no photographing is performed, the intermediate memory 12
Since no image is recorded on the top, step S described later
Proceed to 72 to return to the recording mode.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S69 that the photographing is performed, the operation switch 26
It is determined whether the print switch of is on or off (step S70).

When the print switch is not pressed, the REC (recording) mode of the operation switch 26 and the PLA
The state of the REC / PLAY switch that switches the Y (playback) mode is determined (step S71), and if it is the PLAY mode, the process returns to step S62. If it is the REC mode, the process returns to the recording mode (step S71). S72).

If the print switch is pressed in step S70, the binary mode is set (step S73), the state is determined based on Table 1 (step S74), and the internal printer 19 is set. It is determined which of the print processing by the external printer 20 and the print processing by the external printer 20 is to be executed.

That is, when the state is any one of 1, 3, 5 and 9, binary gamma (γ) is set (step S75) and the density correction 1 described later is performed (step S7).
6), the image in the intermediate memory 12 is printed by the external printer 20 (step S77), and the above step S62 is executed.
And the process is repeated.

On the other hand, if the state judgment in step S74 is either 2 or 6, the binary gamma (γ) is set (step S78) and the density correction 1 described later is performed (step S79). The image in the intermediate memory 12 is printed by the internal printer 19 (step S80), and the process returns to step S62 to repeat the process.

In step S68, if the memory card 15 is present, the data in the memory card 15 is reproduced and printed out.

That is, first, it is determined whether or not the card is accessed (step S81). If the card is not accessed, the process directly proceeds to step S83 described later. If the card is accessed, the accessed image number is displayed on the LCD 24. It is displayed (step S82).

Then, it is determined whether or not the print switch is pressed (step S83), and if not pressed, the process jumps to step S71.

If the print switch is pressed, the attribute information of the image information is reproduced (step S
84), based on this attribute information, it is determined whether the image recorded on the memory card 15 is binary or multi-valued (step S85).

When the recorded image is multi-valued, the image data is read from the memory card 15, the data compressed by the expansion circuit 16 is expanded, and the multi-valued image is sent to the intermediate memory 12. By doing so, the reproduction is performed (step S86), and then the process proceeds to the step S73 to binarize and print out.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S85 that the image recorded in the memory card 15 is binary, it is determined whether the image is recorded in simple binary or pseudo halftone. (Step S87).

In the case of simple binary recording, the state is judged based on Table 1 (step S88), and it is determined whether the internal printer 19 or the external printer 20 should print.

That is, when it is determined that the states are 1, 3, 5, and 9, density correction 2 described later is performed (step S89), and the card image is printed by the external printer 20 (step S90). Then, the process returns to step S62 and the above-described processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S88 that the state is 2, 6, density correction 2 described below is performed (step S91), and the card image is printed by the internal printer 19 (step S92). ), And returns to step S62 to repeat the above-described processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S87 that the image is not a simple binary image but a pseudo-halftone image, how the binary gamma (γ) is set when the image stored in the memory card 15 is recorded. And the binary gamma (γ) depending on the current combination of printer and printer paper is set (step S
93).

If the binary gamma at the time of recording and the current binary gamma are the same, the process goes to step S88 to print the image.

If the binary gamma at the time of recording is different from the current binary gamma, an alarm such as an error gamma (ERRγ) is displayed on the LCD 24 (step S9).
4) Go to step S88 to print an image.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing details of various switch processes in step S7 of FIG.

When the various switch processes are started (step S101), it is first determined whether or not the image mode switch of the operation switch 26 is pressed (step S10).
4).

When the image mode switch is pressed,
The image mode described later is switched (step S10).
5) The set image mode is displayed on the LCD 24, for example (step S106).

If the image mode switch is not pressed,
Alternatively, when step S106 is completed, it is determined whether the print switch is pressed (step S109).

If the print switch is not pressed, it is determined whether or not the density correction switch is pressed (step S121). If it is pressed, the density correction amount setting process is performed (step S122).

If the density correction switch is not pressed,
Alternatively, when the density correction amount setting process is completed, it is determined whether the paper feed switch is pressed (step S123).

If the paper feed switch is pressed, the paper feed process is executed (step S124), and if it is not pressed, the process proceeds to the next process, and another process not shown is executed. The setting switch of the camera mode, for example, the switches of the self-timer mode and the continuous shooting mode are detected and their processes are performed, and the process returns (step S125).

On the other hand, if the print switch is pressed in step S109, the printer state is first determined (step S110). Based on the result, state determination is performed based on Table 1 (step S11).
1).

If the determined state is 4 or 7, both the internal printer 19 and the external printer 20 are unusable, and the process jumps to step S121.

If the state is neither 4 nor 7 in step S111, it is determined whether or not photographing has been performed even once after the power is turned on (step S112).
If the shooting is not performed, the image is not stored in the intermediate memory 12, and the process jumps to step S121.

If shooting is performed after the power is turned on, the binary mode is set for the recorded image (step S113).

Then, the state is judged based on Table 1,
It is determined which of the internal printer 19 and the external printer 20 is to be controlled (step S114).

That is, when the state is any one of 1, 3, 5 and 9, binary gamma is set (step S11).
5), the density correction 1 described later is performed (step S11).
6), the image in the intermediate memory 12 is printed by the external printer 20 (step S117), and the above step S1 is performed.
Go to 21.

On the other hand, in step S114, if the state is either 2 or 6, the internal printer 19
Is selected, the binary gamma is set (step S118), the density correction 1 described later is performed (step S119), and the image in the intermediate memory 12 is displayed in the internal printer 19.
To print (step S120) and go to step S121.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the process of binary gamma setting.

When the process of setting the binary gamma is started (step S131), the binary mode is first determined (step S132), and if it is a character, the step S1 described later will be performed.
Go to 33, and if it is a natural image, paper (thermal paper 34)
It is determined whether or not is detected (step S134).

If the paper type cannot be detected in step S134, the binary gamma is set to the standard (step S135). On the other hand, if the paper type can be detected, the paper is determined. Binary gamma is selected according to (step S136).

In step S132, 2
When it is determined that the value mode is character, the binary gamma remains linear (step S133), that is, gamma correction is not performed.

Then, in steps S133 and S13 described above.
When any of S5 and S136 ends, the process returns (step S137).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the paper detection processing.

This paper detection processing is performed in the above step S1.
34 shows specific detection contents of 34.

When this paper detection process starts (step S141), the state of the paper type switch of the operation switch 26 is detected (step S142), and if the paper type switch is set to detect automatically, Is
The type of the thermal paper 34 is detected using the paper detection sensor 39 (step S144), and step S145 described later is performed.
Go to

On the other hand, if the manual is set in step S142, the switch setting of the manual is input (step S143) and the process returns (step S145).

Next, the binary gamma selected in step S136 will be described with reference to Table 2.

[0153]

[Table 2] In this way, binary gamma is set according to the type of paper and the type of printer.
As an example, there are two types of paper, a paper A and a paper B, and three types of printers, an internal printer, an external printer a, and an external printer b.

Then, in step S134, it is determined whether the type of paper is paper A or paper B, and the printer used detects which of the internal printer / external printer a / external printer b is used. It is determined whether or not there is, and depending on the combination thereof, any one of the binary gammas γ-1 to γ-6 as shown in the figure is selected in step S136.

Here, the case where there are two types of paper and three types of printers has been described, but the same applies when there are more types.

Further, in addition to the binary gamma described above, the gamma includes standard gamma as shown in step S135 and linear gamma as shown in step S133.

Next, the reason why such binary gamma setting is necessary will be described.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the color development characteristics of the internal printer and printer papers A and B. Here, the vertical axis represents print density and the horizontal axis represents luminance data at that time.

The curve LA shows an example of color development characteristics when printing is performed on the paper A when the luminance data is changed from white to black.

Originally, it is necessary for a proper image that the gradation data white to black be changed linearly from white to black as indicated by L0 shown by a dotted line. For example, when the data A0 is input, the value is lower than that of the linear line L0.

Therefore, in the binarization circuits 17a and 17b, it is necessary to perform gamma correction by inverse gamma correction.

That is, when the data A0 is input, in order to maintain the original color development, it is necessary to obtain a density of about 0.60. When the value on the curve LA corresponding to this density is obtained, It turns out that data of 80 must be entered.

Therefore, as the gamma correction, a correction process of inputting the data A0 and outputting the data 80 will be performed.

Similarly, the curve LB shows an example of the coloring characteristic when printing on the paper B when the luminance data is changed from white to black.

As for the paper B, since the color forming characteristics further change when the same A0 is input, it is necessary to perform a correction process of outputting the data 78, for example, when the data A0 is input.

In FIG. 12, the characteristics of the sheets A and B for the internal printer are shown. However, by changing the type of the printer, the color forming characteristic changes even for the same sheet. This is due to the characteristics of Punrita head,
This is due to the difference in the print control method of the printer head.

That is, in order to obtain an image with an appropriate gradation, it is necessary to change the binary gamma correction depending on the combination of the printer type and the paper type. Therefore, the binary gammas shown in Table 2 above are set in step S1 above.
The selection is made at 36.

The recording of the attribute information on the memory card 15 in step S53 of FIG. 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The data in the memory card 15 is provided with a management information area at the beginning, and following this management information area, an image recording area for recording each image is provided for each image.

Looking at the unit image recording area for one image in this image recording area, it is further divided into an area for recording attribute information and an area for recording an actual image.

Further, the information recorded in this attribute information includes information such as calendar, binary mode, binary gamma, binary / multivalued, compression mode, exposure information, focus information and the like.

Here, the image mode setting performed in step S105 will be described. The image mode setting is a technical means for selecting the most suitable binary image by switching the binarization mode depending on whether the feature of the subject image is a natural image or a character image.

The image mode of the subject is classified into a natural image having an intermediate gradation or a character image in which black and white are clearly separated without the intermediate gradation.

Further, as the character image, there are cases where black (dark) characters are written on a white (light) base (white background characters), that is, characters written on a whiteboard, for example. There are two cases, one in which white letters are written on a black background (black letters), that is, a letter written on a blackboard, for example.

An optimum image can be obtained by changing the binarization mode to be selected depending on the types of these three subject images.

When the image is a natural image, it is optimal to perform pseudo halftone binarization such as dithering or error diffusion, while when the image is a character, binary such as simple binary is used. It is best to digitize.

Further, also in the selection of the threshold (threshold value) in the simple binary, the threshold is optimized by discriminating between the white background character and the black background character, and thereby a more appropriate image is obtained. be able to.

A method of determining the type of the subject image will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the frequency distribution of the brightness from white to black in white background characters, black background characters, and natural images.
The vertical axis represents frequency and the horizontal axis represents pixel brightness.

As shown in the figure, in the case of a natural image shown by a dotted line, a histogram that is almost uniform is obtained for all luminances.

On the other hand, in the case of a black character on a white background, the area of the white background is overwhelmingly larger than the area of a black character, so that it is on the high brightness side. The white side appears more often.

On the other hand, in the case of white characters on a black background, on the contrary, the area of the black background is overwhelmingly larger than the area of white characters. The black side, which is the luminance side, appears more frequently.

In other words, the luminance of pixels is frequency-distributed to create such a histogram, and the shape of the histogram is determined to determine whether the image mode of the subject image is a natural image, a white background black character, or a black background white character. Can be determined.

Switching of the image modes in step S105 of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the binary mode setting of FIG.

The image mode is switched in the binary mode setting of FIG. 14 every time the image mode switch is pressed.
It is performed by switching between two image modes, natural image and text auto.

When the binary mode setting is started (step S151), the image mode set by the image mode switch is first judged (step S152). If the character auto mode is set, the image detection 2 is executed. It is determined whether it is a white background character or a black background character (step S153).

If the character is a white background character, simple 2
Aligned to the threshold of white background in value mode (step S15
5) On the other hand, in the case of the black background, the threshold of the black background in the simple binary mode is selected (step S156).

If the image mode switch is set to the natural image in step S152, the pseudo halftone binary value by the error diffusion method is selected (step S1).
54). Then, the above steps S154, S155, S
When any of 156 ends, the process returns (step S
157).

As another example of switching the image mode in step S105 of FIG. 9 described above, it is considered that three modes of auto, natural image, and character auto are sequentially switched each time the image mode switch is pressed. To be Figure 1
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the binary mode setting is started (step S161), the image mode set by the image mode switch is first judged (step S162), and if it is auto, the image detection 1 is a natural image. It is determined whether or not it is a character (step S163).

If it is a character, it is further determined by image detection 2 whether it is a white background character or a black background character (step S164).

Also, when it is detected in step S161 that the character is auto, the above step S1 is performed.
Image detection 2 is performed by jumping to 64, and it is determined whether it is a white background character or a black background character.

If it is determined in steps S162 and S163 that the image is a natural image, a pseudo halftone binary value is set (step S165).

If it is determined in step S164 that it is a white background character, it is set to a simple binary white background (step S166), and if it is determined that it is a black background character, it is set to a simple binary black background. Yes (step S16
7).

Then, in steps S165 and S16 described above.
When either S6 or S167 ends, the process returns (step S168).

Subsequently, as still another example of switching the image mode in step S105 of FIG. 9, four modes of auto, natural image, white background character, and black background character are sequentially switched each time the image mode switch is pressed. It may be done. This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the binary mode setting is started (step S170), the image mode set by the image mode switch is first judged (step S171).

If it is determined that the image is a natural image, the pseudo halftone binary value is set (step S174), and if it is determined that the character is a white background character, the simple binary white background is set (step S175). ), If it is determined to be a black background character, it is set to a simple binary black background (step S176).

If it is determined in step S171 that the image is auto, it is determined by image detection 1 whether it is a natural image or a character (step S172).
If it is a natural image, the process proceeds to step S174.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S172 that the character is a character, the image detection 2 further determines whether the character is a white background character or a black background character (step S173).

If it is determined that the character is a white background character, the process jumps to step S175. If it is determined that the character is a black background character, the process jumps to step S176.

Then, in steps S174 and S17 described above.
When any one of S5 and S176 ends, the process returns (step S177).

Next, FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operation of setting the density correction amount.

When the operation for setting the density correction amount starts (step S181), first, up (UP) / down (DO)
It is detected whether or not the (WN) switch is pressed (step S182), and if not pressed, the process jumps to step S191 described later.

If the up / down switch is pressed, it is determined which of the up switch and the down switch is pressed (step S183).

If the up switch is pressed, the current correction amount is incremented by one step (step S
184), it is determined whether the correction amount exceeds 4 (step S185), and if the correction amount exceeds 4, the correction amount is fixed to 4 (step S186), and then the correction amount is changed to 4 If it does not exceed, the current correction amount is displayed as it is (step S190).

On the other hand, if the down switch is pressed in step S183, the current correction amount is set to 1
The step is subtracted (step S187), and the correction amount is -4.
Is determined (step S18)
8).

If the correction amount is smaller than -4, the correction amount is fixed to -4 (step S189). If the correction amount is not less than -4, the process directly jumps to step S190 and the present Displays the correction amount of.

Then, the process returns (step S
191).

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing details of the density correction 0 process of step S42 in the REC process of FIG.

When the processing of this density correction 0 starts (step S201), the program diagram shift is performed based on the correction amount (step S202).

The shift of the program diagram is performed by shifting the program diagram by 1/2 step per step. For example, when the current aperture is 2.8 and the shutter speed is 1/500 second, −
When performing the correction in two steps, the aperture is set to 2.8 and the shutter speed is shifted to 1/1000.

Thereafter, this process is terminated and the process returns (step S203).

As described above, the processing of the density correction 0 is to correct the density by the exposure correction.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the details of the density correction 1 process of steps S76 and S79 in the reproduction process of FIG. 8 or steps S116 and S119 of the various switch processes of FIG.

When the density correction 1 process is started (step S211), the binarization mode is determined (step S2).
212), if it is a simple binary value, the simple binary threshold value is shifted based on the correction amount (step S21).
3).

This simple binary threshold shift is
For example, when the data is recorded in 8 bits (256 gradations), the threshold value is normally set to 128 which is an intermediate value, whereas this is changed by 10 for each step. is there.

As an example, if TH2, which is a simple binary threshold, is currently set to 128 and is shifted by -2 steps, TH2 is changed to 148.

If it is the error diffusion binary value in step S212, the threshold of the error diffusion binary value is shifted based on the correction amount (step S21).
4).

The threshold shift in the binarization of the error diffusion method is TH, which is the threshold of the error diffusion.
This is done by comparing G with the value of the target point plus the weighted average of the error diffusion.
This is performed by shifting G by 10, for example, 10 per step.

Then, in steps S213 and S214 described above.
When either of the above ends, the process returns (step S21).
5).

In this way, the processing of the density correction 1 is to correct the density by shifting the threshold value which is the threshold value.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing details of the density correction 2 process of steps S89 and S91 in the reproduction process of FIG.

When the processing of the density correction 2 is started (step S221), the state judgment based on the above table 1 is performed (step S222), and if the states are 2 and 6, the internal printer is used for printing. Therefore, the print density of the internal printer is shifted based on the correction amount (step S223).

If the state is 1, 3, 5, 9 in step S222, printing is performed by the external printer, so the print density of the external printer is shifted based on the correction amount ( Step S2
24).

The print density correction in steps S223 and S224 is as follows. That is, as a method of changing the print density, there is a method of changing the duty ratio of the strobe signal to the thermal head, which is performed by shifting the strobe signal duty by, for example, 3% per step.

For example, in the case where the strobe signal duty is currently set to 80%, the density correction of -2 step is performed by setting the strobe signal duty to 86%.

Then, in steps S223 and S224 described above.
When either of the above ends, the process returns (step S22).
5).

FIG. 22 shows the case of A / A in the camera of FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure which changed the D converter a little.

In FIG. 1, the A / D converter 7 is 8
A bit signal is output and the compression circuit 13 compresses the input data amount to 1/8 or less.

On the other hand, the A / D converter 7a shown in FIG. 22 outputs the luminance signal as 8-bit information and the color signal as 8-bit information to the intermediate memory 12.

Further, the compression circuit 13 is supplied with information added with 2 bits as coordinate information.

That is, the total amount of information input to the compression circuit 13 is 18 bits. In addition, the compression circuit 13
In, the input information amount is compressed to 1/18 or less.

The other parts are the same as those in the configuration shown in FIG.

As described above, according to such an embodiment, by determining the state of the internal printer and the paper, it is possible to select and execute the optimum gamma correction value according to the state. Therefore, it is possible to always obtain the optimum image quality.

By detecting the pattern of the core body by the paper detection sensor provided on the support or by detecting the invisible print pattern on the thermal paper by the paper detection sensor,
Since the type of paper can be detected automatically, it is possible to obtain a print image that has been subjected to proper gamma correction without error in operation. Also, coreless paper can be used. Since it is printed with a paint that reflects only invisible light, it does not affect the printed image.

Even if the type of thermal paper to be used cannot be detected, since a predetermined gamma correction value is set, a print image without failure can be obtained.

Since the type of paper is set by the gamma correction setting switch, it is possible to obtain a print image that has undergone proper gamma correction. Moreover, a sensor for automatic detection is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

When recording the binary image data on the recording medium, the state of the image can be recognized at the time of reproducing and printing because the information on the gamma correction at that time is also recorded.

In the case of printing image data which has already been binarized and recorded, when the binarized gamma correction and the current required gamma correction by the printer and paper do not match, notification is given. Therefore, it is possible to recognize that the print image does not have an appropriate gradation, and it is possible to take appropriate measures.

Since the white / black characters in the character are automatically determined by using the natural setting / character as the manual setting, it is possible to surely obtain a good image without any special operation. it can. Further, the automatic image detection circuit only needs to have a function of determining the type of character, and can be constructed at low cost.

Alternatively, the setting is automatic / natural image /
As for the characters, all natural images / white background characters / black background characters are automatically judged automatically, so if you select automatic, you can surely obtain a good image without performing any special operations. You can

The setting is automatic / natural image / white background character / black background character. In the automatic setting, all the natural image / white background character / black background character are automatically determined, and manually set for a subject having an intermediate feature. Therefore, it is possible to always obtain a good image.

When reproducing multi-valued data recorded on a recording medium to be binarized, threshold correction or print density correction for binarization is performed to reproduce the binary data recorded on the recording medium. Since the print density correction is performed when printing is performed, and the binarization threshold or the print density correction is performed when the density of the image data in the intermediate memory is corrected, the optimum density according to each processing is performed. Since the correction means is automatically selected, the operator does not make an operation mistake and can always obtain a good image.

In a device for handling an image as binary data and multi-valued data and recording it on a recording medium such as a memory card, the compression rate of the multi-valued data is not more than 1 / the number of bits corresponding to one pixel of the multi-valued image data. By setting to, the size of the storage area of the compressed multi-valued data and the storage area of the binary data can be made the same, which simplifies the data management in the memory card, uses an inexpensive control CPU, and It can be realized by a small capacity control program.

Since the compression rate is calculated by considering not only the gradation information in the image data but also the pixel position information and color information, the amount of binary data is less than or equal to the data management in the memory card. It becomes simple and can be realized by using an inexpensive control CPU and a small-capacity control program.

[Additional Notes] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image signal output from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording on a recording medium so that image information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the imaging means or based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing an image, a binarizing means for binarizing an image signal or image information supplied to the printer or image information supplied to the recording medium, and the printer being a thermal printer. A printer, the detection means for detecting the type of thermal paper used in the thermal printer, and the type of thermal paper detected by the detection means And a gamma correction value setting means for setting a gamma correction value for the binarizing means according to the above.

(2) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image signal output from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording on a recording medium so that image information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the imaging means or based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing an image, a binarizing means for binarizing an image signal or image information supplied to the printer or image information supplied to the recording medium, and the binarization. 2 output from the means
Connection means for connecting an external thermal printer that prints an image based on the binarized image information, and a type of the external thermal printer connected to the connection means or a type of thermal paper used for the external thermal printer is detected. According to the detection means and the type of external thermal printer or the type of thermal paper detected by the detection means, the above-mentioned 2
A gamma correction value setting means for setting a gamma correction value for the value conversion means.

(3) When the detecting means cannot detect the type of thermal paper used, the gamma correction value setting means sets a predetermined value set in advance as a gamma correction value. The camera according to (1) or (2), characterized in that

(4) The camera according to (1) or (2), wherein the detecting means detects predetermined information based on the structure of the core body in which the thermal paper is wound in a roll shape. .

(5) The above-mentioned detecting means is for detecting predetermined information printed on the thermal paper by ink whose reflected light has a wavelength in the invisible light range (1) or ( 2) camera.

(6) The camera is further characterized by further comprising a gamma correction value setting operation switch for setting a gamma correction value for the binarizing means to an arbitrary value (1). Or the camera of (2).

(7) When the recording / reproducing means records binary image information as the image information on the recording medium,
It is characterized by further comprising control means for controlling the information regarding the value of the gamma correction used for binarizing the binarized image information to be recorded in the same recording medium in association with the image information. The camera of (1) or (2).

(8) When the image based on the binarized image information reproduced by the recording / reproducing means is printed by the printer, the information on the gamma correction value recorded in association with the binarized image information is stored. The camera according to (7), further comprising notifying means for notifying when the value of the gamma correction set by the gamma correction value setting means does not correspond.

(9) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image signal output from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording on a recording medium so that image information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the imaging means or based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing images, an image mode designating switch for inputting and designating an image mode of a subject image to be captured, and a captured image corresponding to the image mode designated by the image mode designating switch. The image mode designating switch is provided with an image processing means for performing the processing of 1. A camera for designating one of the character automatic discrimination modes for automatically discriminating which character among them.

(10) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image signal output from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording on a recording medium so that image information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the imaging means or based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing images, an image mode designating switch for inputting and designating an image mode of a subject image to be captured, and a captured image corresponding to the image mode designated by the image mode designating switch. The image mode designating switch includes an image processing means for performing the processing of 1. One of the character automatic discrimination mode for automatically discriminating which character among the characters or the automatic discrimination mode for automatically discriminating which image mode the subject image corresponds to is designated. A camera characterized by being.

(11) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image signal output from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording image information on a recording medium so as to be reproducible as an image, an image based on an image signal output from the imaging means or an image based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing, an image mode designating switch for inputting and designating an image mode of a subject image to be captured, and a captured image corresponding to the image mode designated by the image mode designating switch. Image processing means for performing processing, wherein the image mode designating switch is a natural image mode as an image mode, a white background character mode, or a black A camera for designating one of a ground character mode or an automatic determination mode for automatically determining which image mode the subject image corresponds to.

(12) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and image signal output from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording on a recording medium so that image information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the imaging means or based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing an image, the image signal or image information supplied to the printer or the image information supplied to the recording medium is
Binarizing means for binarizing, exposure condition correcting means for correcting exposure conditions at the time of photographing, threshold value correcting means for correcting the threshold value for binarizing by the binarizing means, and the printer A print density correction unit that corrects the print density at the time of printing and a control unit are provided, and the control unit serves as a unit for adjusting the density of the image printed by the printer according to the operating condition of the camera. A camera characterized by enabling a correction operation by any one of the exposure condition correction means, the threshold value correction means, and the print density correction means.

(13) Image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and converting the image signal output by the image pickup means into digital image data having a predetermined gradation. A / D conversion means, image compression means for performing data compression processing on the image data output from the A / D conversion means, and binarization processing for performing binarization processing on the image signal output from the imaging means. Means and a recording means for recording the image information output from the image compression means or the binarization processing means on a recording medium, and the data amount of each pixel of the image data input to the image compression means. Is n bits (n: integer of 2 or more), the camera sets the data compression rate by the image compression means to be 1 / n or less.

(14) The data of each pixel is
The camera according to (13), which indicates at least one of gradation information of the pixel, position information in the image, and information about a color.

According to the invention described in (1) above, by determining the state of the printer and the thermal paper, it is possible to select and execute the optimum gamma correction value according to the state. It is possible to obtain the optimum image quality.

According to the invention described in (2) above, by determining the states of the external thermal printer and the thermal paper,
Since it is possible to select and execute the optimum gamma correction value according to the state, it is possible to obtain the optimum image quality.

According to the invention described in (3) above, the same effects as those of the invention described in (1) or (2) above can be obtained, and even if the type of thermal paper used cannot be detected, Since the value of the predetermined gamma correction is set, it is possible to obtain a print image without failure.

According to the invention described in (4) above, the same effect as that of the invention described in (1) or (2) above can be obtained, and the structure of the core body in which the thermal paper is wound in a roll shape is provided. Since the type of paper can be automatically detected by detecting the predetermined information based on the information, it is possible to obtain a print image that has been subjected to proper gamma correction without an operation error.

According to the invention described in (5) above, the same effect as that of the invention described in (1) or (2) above can be obtained, and the reflected light on the thermal paper has a wavelength in the invisible light range. It detects predetermined information printed with ink, and can also automatically detect the type of paper, so you can obtain a printed image with proper gamma correction without operation mistakes. it can. Also, coreless paper can be used. Since it is printed with a paint that reflects only invisible light, it does not affect the printed image.

According to the invention described in (6) above, the same effect as that of the invention described in (1) or (2) above can be obtained, and the gamma correction value setting operation switch is used for binarizing means. Since the gamma correction value can be set to an arbitrary value, it is possible to obtain a print image that has been appropriately gamma corrected. Moreover, a sensor for automatic detection is not required, and the cost can be suppressed low.

According to the invention described in (7) above, the same effects as those of the invention described in (1) or (2) above can be obtained, and when the binary image information is recorded on the recording medium,
Since the information about the gamma correction value at that time is also recorded on the recording medium in association with the image information, the state of the image can be recognized at the time of reproduction or printing.

According to the invention described in (8) above, the same effect as the invention described in (7) above can be obtained, and an image based on the binarized image information reproduced by the recording / reproducing means is printed by the printer. In this case, when the information regarding the gamma correction value recorded in association with the binarized image information does not correspond to the gamma correction value set by the gamma correction value setting means, the notifying means notifies this. Since the notification is given, it is possible to recognize that the print image may not have an appropriate gradation, and it is possible to take appropriate measures.

According to the invention described in the above (9), the natural image mode or the character automatic discrimination mode can be designated by the image mode designating switch, and in the character automatic discrimination mode, either the white background character or the black background character is selected. Since it is automatically discriminated whether or not the character is, it is possible to obtain a good image without erroneous operation. Further, the automatic image detection circuit only needs to determine the type of character and can be constructed at low cost.

According to the invention described in the above (10), any one of the natural image mode, the automatic character determination mode and the automatic determination mode can be designated by the image mode designating switch, and the automatic character determination can be performed. In the mode, if necessary, in order to automatically discriminate between white background characters and black background characters, and in the automatic discrimination mode to automatically discriminate which image mode the subject image corresponds to, Manual setting is possible, and when automatic is selected, there is no operation error and a good image can be obtained.

According to the invention described in (11) above, any one of the natural image mode, the white background character mode, the black background character mode, and the automatic discrimination mode can be specified by the image mode specification switch, In the automatic discrimination mode, in order to automatically discriminate which image mode the subject image corresponds to, it is possible to manually set as necessary, and when automatic is selected, there is no operation error, A good image can be obtained.

According to the invention described in the above (12), the image is printed by the printer by any one of the exposure condition correcting means, the threshold correcting means and the print density correcting means according to the operating condition of the camera. In order to adjust the density of the image to be read, the optimum density correction means is automatically selected according to each process, and the operator can always obtain a good image without making an operation error.

According to the invention described in (13) above, when the data amount of each pixel of the image data input to the image compression means is n bits, the compression rate of the data by the image compression means is determined. Since the size is set to 1 / n or less, the size of the compressed multi-valued data storage area and the size of the binary data storage area can be made the same, which simplifies data management in the recording medium. It can be realized using an inexpensive control means and with a small-capacity control program.

According to the invention described in (14) above, the same effects as the invention described in (13) above can be obtained, and
Since the data included in each pixel indicates at least one of the gradation information of the pixel, the position information within the image, or the information regarding the color, more efficient compression can be performed. Become.

[0276]

As described above, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, by determining the state of the printer and the thermal paper, the optimum gamma correction value according to the state is selected and executed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the optimum image quality.

Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2,
By determining the states of the external thermal printer and the thermal paper, it is possible to select and execute the optimum gamma correction value according to the states, so that it is possible to obtain the optimum image quality.

Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the same effects as those of the invention as set forth in claim 1 or 2 can be obtained, and even when the type of thermal paper used cannot be detected. , A predetermined gamma correction value is set, so that a print image without failure can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer unit of an internal printer or an external printer in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration for detecting the type of thermal paper in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of a configuration for detecting the type of thermal paper in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine operation of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of printer status determination of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of REC processing of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of reproduction processing of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of various switch processes of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of binary gamma setting processing of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of paper detection processing of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the color development characteristics of the internal printer and printer papers A and B in the above embodiment with respect to print density and luminance data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of information recorded in the memory card of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of binary mode setting processing of the camera of the above embodiment.

15 is a flowchart showing another example of the binary mode setting process shown in FIG.

16 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the binary mode setting process shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a frequency distribution of luminance from white to black in white background characters, black background characters, and natural colors in the above embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the density correction amount setting process of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of density correction 0 of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of processing of the density correction 1 of the camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the details of the processing of density correction 2 of the camera of the above embodiment.

22 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which the A / D converter is slightly modified in the camera of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Lens (optical system) 4 ... CCD (imaging means) 6 ... Imaging unit (recording / reproducing means) 7 ... 8-bit A / D converter (recording / reproducing means) 7a ... A / D converter (recording / reproducing means) 12 ... intermediate memory (recording / reproducing means) 13 ... compression circuit (recording / reproducing means) 14 ... card interface (connecting means) 15 ... memory card (recording medium) 16 ... decompression circuit (recording / reproducing means) 17a ... pseudo halftone binarization Circuit (binarization means) 17b ... Simple binarization circuit (binarization means) 18 ... Printer interface (connection means) 19 ... Internal printer 20 ... External printer 22 ... Binarized gamma setting circuit (gamma correction value setting means) ) 23 ... CPU (control means) 24 ... LCD (notification means) 26 ... Operation switch 34 ... Thermal paper (paper) 39 ... Paper detection sensor (detection means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal; and an image signal output from the image pickup means, which is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information, Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording information on a recording medium so that the information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the image pickup means or an image based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing the image signal or image information supplied to the printer,
Alternatively, a binarization unit that binarizes the image information supplied to the recording medium; a detection unit that is a thermal printer and that detects the type of thermal paper used in the thermal printer; A camera comprising: a gamma correction value setting means for setting a gamma correction value for the binarizing means according to the type of thermal paper detected by the detecting means. 2. An image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by an optical system to output an image signal, and an image signal outputted from the image pickup means is subjected to predetermined processing to obtain image information. Recording / reproducing means for accumulating and recording information on a recording medium so that the information can be reproduced as an image, and an image based on an image signal output from the image pickup means or an image based on image information reproduced from the recording medium by the recording / reproducing means. In a camera equipped with a printer for printing the image signal or image information supplied to the printer,
Alternatively, for connecting a binarizing unit that binarizes the image information supplied to the recording medium and an external thermal printer that prints an image based on the binarized image information output from the binarizing unit. Connection means, detection means for detecting the type of external thermal printer connected to the connection means or the type of thermal paper used in the external thermal printer, and the type of external thermal printer detected by the detection means or the A camera comprising: a gamma correction value setting means for setting a gamma correction value for the binarizing means according to the type of thermal paper. 3. When the detecting means cannot detect the type of thermal paper used, the gamma correction value setting means sets a predetermined value set in advance as a gamma correction value. The camera according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.