JPH11355704A - Image pickup device and printer, relating device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply conduct setting relating to printing in a system consisting of a digital camera and a printer. SOLUTION: The reproduction mode is set to a digital camera. Image information relating to a photographed image is read from a storage medium (a CF card and a smart medium, for example) in the photographing order and displayed on a display section (LCD) (S502). The user performs setting relating to print such as a print mode (e.g. color print, monochromic print), the number of prints, and necessity of print while viewing a displayed picture. The digital camera generates print control information according to the set contents and records the information to the storage medium (S503). A printer reads the print control information from the storage medium and prints according to the print control information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a printer and related apparatuses and methods, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus and a printer suitable for the field of digital cameras and related apparatuses and methods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a printer that outputs an image captured by a digital camera, there is a printer that reads an image from a storage medium such as a CF card or a smart media and prints the image.

[0003]

Since the above-mentioned printer is not provided with an image monitor, an image to be printed cannot be confirmed only by the printer. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the image to be printed by transferring the image read from the storage medium to an external display device and displaying the image on the display device. In order to avoid such complicated work, the printer may be provided with a monitor, but in this case, the cost is unavoidable.

Some of the above-mentioned printers include an operation switch and a simple display unit for displaying numbers and the like. When using such a printer, an image to be printed can be specified based on the number indicating the order in which the images were taken, but the image to be printed is selected without visually confirming the actual image. Because
Quick and accurate operation was difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide, for example, an apparatus and a method capable of easily performing settings relating to printing of a photographed image.

[0006]

An imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an imaging apparatus for recording digital image information on a storage medium, based on the digital image information recorded on the storage medium. The image processing apparatus further includes a recording unit that records control information for controlling an operation of the printer when printing an image on the storage medium.

Preferably, the control information includes, for example, print necessity information for individually designating necessity of printing for each image.

Preferably, the control information includes print mode information for designating a print mode. Here, it is preferable that the print mode information is, for example, information for individually specifying a print mode for each image. Preferably, the print mode includes, for example, a color print mode and a monochrome print mode.

Preferably, the control information includes, for example, print number information designating the number of prints. It is preferable that the print number information is information for individually specifying the number of prints for each image.

In the above imaging apparatus, a display means for displaying an image to be imaged on a display screen, a reproducing means for reading out image information recorded on the storage medium and reproducing the image on the display screen, Generating means for generating the control information in accordance with an instruction from the computer.

It is preferable that the storage medium is removable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer for printing an image based on digital image information, comprising: a reading unit for reading digital image information and control information from a storage medium; Control means for controlling a printing operation according to the control information, and printing means for printing an image based on digital image information read from the storage medium under the control of the control means.

In the above-described printer, the control information includes, for example, print necessity information in which necessity of printing is individually designated for each image, and the control means is configured to instruct printing by the print necessity information. Preferably, the printing means is controlled so as to print the image.

In the above-mentioned printer, it is preferable that the control information includes, for example, print mode information designating a print mode, and the control means sets a print mode in the print means according to the print mode information.

In the above-mentioned printer, it is preferable that the print mode information is information for individually specifying a print mode for each image. The print mode preferably includes, for example, a color print mode and a monochrome print mode.

In the above-mentioned printer, the control information preferably includes, for example, print number information for designating the number of prints, and the control means preferably sets the number of prints by the printing means according to the print number information. . It is preferable that the print number information is information for individually specifying the number of prints for each image.

It is preferable that the storage medium is removable.

Further, the digital image information and the control information are recorded on the storage medium by, for example, an imaging device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer control device comprising: a reading unit for reading digital image information and control information from a storage medium; and a control unit for controlling a printing operation according to the control information read from the storage medium. ,
Under the control of the control means, a transfer means for transferring an image signal corresponding to the digital image information read from the storage medium to the printer is provided.

A method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an imaging apparatus for recording digital image information on a storage medium, wherein the method is based on the digital image information recorded on the storage medium. Recording a control information for controlling an operation of the printer when the image is printed on the storage medium.

A printing method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a printing method for printing an image based on digital image information recorded on a storage medium, and reads out digital image information and control information from the storage medium. A reading step; a determining step of determining a printing operation according to the control information read from the storage medium; and a printing step of printing an image based on the digital image information read from the storage medium according to the determination in the determining step. It is characterized by the following.

A method for controlling a printer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a printer, comprising the steps of: reading digital image information and control information from a storage medium; and reading control information read from the storage medium. And a transfer step of transferring an image signal corresponding to the digital image information read from the storage medium to the printer in accordance with the determination in the determination step.

[0023] A program storage medium according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a program storage medium storing a control program of an imaging device for recording digital image information on an information storage medium. Recording a control information for controlling an operation of the printer when printing an image based on the digital image information recorded on the medium on the information storage medium.

A program storage medium according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a program storage medium storing a control program for controlling an operation of printing an image based on digital image information recorded on an information storage medium. The control program, the reading step of reading digital image information and control information from the information storage medium, a determining step of determining a printing operation according to the control information read from the information storage medium, according to the determination in the determining step, A control step of controlling an operation of printing an image based on the digital image information read from the storage medium.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera (image pickup apparatus) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The image of the subject passes through the optical lens 10 and forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging device 20. The imaging device 20 is, for example, CC
D and the like, and an image formed on the imaging surface is photoelectrically converted into an analog image signal and supplied to the image processing unit 30.

The image processing unit 30 converts the input analog electric signal into a digital image signal, performs a predetermined process, and supplies the processed image signal to the display unit 40. The display unit 40 is configured by, for example, an LCD or the like, and displays an image based on an input image signal.

The operation unit 80 has a shutter button (not shown), and when the shutter button is pressed, notifies the control unit 70 of the depression. Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 70 instructs the image processing unit 30 to record the image information on the storage medium 60. In response to this instruction, the image processing unit 30 compresses image information relating to the image being captured at that time and records it on the storage medium 60 via the driver 50. As the storage medium 60, for example, a removable storage medium such as a CF card or a smart media is suitable.
However, the storage medium 60 may be a storage medium fixedly connected to the driver 50. In this case, it is necessary to provide an interface for connecting to an external device such as a printer.

The operation section 80 has a print setting button 81. In this digital camera, for example, the operation mode is switched from a photographing mode to a reproduction mode, and while reproducing a plurality of photographed images in order, for example, designation of an image to be printed, print mode (for example, color print,
Settings related to printing (print settings) such as monochrome printing) and the number of prints can be made. The contents of the print settings are recorded in the storage medium 60 by the driver 50 as print control information.

The control unit 70 has a CPU 71 and a program memory 72. The CPU 71 operates based on a program stored in the program memory 72, and controls each unit constituting the digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of print control information recorded on the storage medium 60 by the digital camera shown in FIG. The print control information includes a “file name” (for example, fi) of the image information recorded on the storage medium 60.
le0000.jpg), “print mode” indicating color print or monochrome print, “number of prints”, and “print flag” indicating an image to be printed. Here, the print mode is not limited to the color print and monochrome print modes, and may be, for example, a mode relating to the size of an image (recording paper) to be printed, a mode relating to a resolution, a mode relating to a print speed, and the like. . Further, the print control information can also include setting information regarding image trimming and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 in the reproduction mode. The processing shown in this flowchart is controlled by the CPU 71 according to a program stored in the program memory 72.

In step S501, a parameter i indicating a photographing number is initialized to 1.

In step S502, image information relating to the i-th image is read from the storage medium 60, expanded, and the image is displayed on the display unit 40. In step S <b> 503, print control information on the i-th image is generated according to an instruction (print setting) given by the user via the print setting button 81, and is recorded on the recording medium 60.

In step S504, it is determined whether or not the value of i is the number of the last image. If the value of i is not the number of the last image, 1 is added to i in step S505, and the process proceeds to step S502. Return. On the other hand, if the value of i is the number of the last image, the reproduction of all the images has been completed, and thus a series of processing ends.

In the example shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the print setting is performed while displaying the images in the order of photographing. However, the control procedure is changed so that the print settings can be performed while displaying the images in an arbitrary order. You may. Also,
The print setting can be performed each time shooting is performed (for example, the operation mode is switched to the reproduction mode each time shooting is performed).

The recording of the print control information is preferably performed by a digital camera. For example, a storage medium 60 on which image information is recorded is connected to a computer, and the computer performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. And print control information can be recorded.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This printer is
Read the necessary image information and print control information from the storage medium on which the image information and print control information are recorded,
An image is printed according to the print control information.

The connection confirmation sensor 270 detects that the storage medium 60 has been connected to the driver 220, and
Notify 0. The connection of the storage medium 60 is detected by, for example,
This can be done in the following manner. One of the connection lines between the storage medium 60 and the driver 220 is assigned as a signal line for connection detection. On the driver 220 side, the signal line is connected to a power supply line via a resistor. On the storage medium 60 side, the connection line is connected. The signal line is directly grounded, and the potential of the signal line is monitored on the driver 220 side. When the potential of the signal line is in a high state, the driver 220 stores the storage medium 60 in the driver 2
It is determined that the storage medium 60 is not connected to the driver 20, and if the potential of the signal line is in a low state, it is determined that the storage medium 60 is connected to the driver 220.

The connection confirmation sensor 270 causes the storage medium 6
0 is detected to be connected to the driver 220,
The control unit 250 controls the storage medium 60 via the driver 220.
Read the print control information from the. And the control unit 25
0 controls the printing operation based on the image information recorded on the recording medium 60 according to the print control information.

The image processing section 230 performs predetermined image processing (for example, on the image information supplied from the driver 220).
Color space conversion, gamma correction, color correction, color / monochrome conversion, etc.) and supply the print unit 240. The printing unit 240 forms an image on a recording medium such as recording paper by an image forming method such as an ink discharge method or an electrophotographic method.

The operation unit 260 has various buttons for performing print settings such as designation of an image to be printed, a print mode, and the number of prints. However, in the printer according to this embodiment, when print control information is recorded on the recording medium 60, the user 260
Regardless of the operation of the operation unit 260 by the user, the printing operation is controlled first according to the print control information, and thereafter, the print setting by the operation unit 260 becomes possible. Immediately after the storage medium 260 is connected to the driver 220, a function of modifying the print control information recorded on the storage medium 260 based on an instruction from the user given via the operation unit 260 may be added. .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer shown in FIG. The processing shown in this flowchart is controlled by the CPU 251 based on a program stored in the program memory 252.

In step S601, the connection confirmation sensor 2
Whether or not the recording medium 60 is connected to the driver 220 is confirmed by 70, and if it is confirmed that the connection is made, the process proceeds to step S602.

In step S602, the print control information (see FIG. 3) stored in the recording medium 60 is read out via the driver 220.

In step S603, it is determined whether or not there is a print instruction with reference to the print control information. Specifically, the print flag in the print control information is [p
It checks whether or not there is a line of [rint] from the top line of the print control information in order, and if such a line exists, it is determined that there is a print instruction. When one print instruction (print flag = [print]) is found, the process proceeds to step S604 with the image information related to the print instruction as a print target. On the other hand, when there is no print instruction, step S609 is performed. Proceed to.

In step S604, the print mode information and the number of prints of the print target are read from the print control information, and the print mode and the number of prints are set according to the information.

In step S605, the image information relating to the print target is read from the storage medium 60, and step S6
At 06, the image processing unit 230 expands the read image information and performs a predetermined process. Step S60
In step 7, image information is transferred from the image processing unit 230 to the printing unit 240, and printing is performed.

In step S608, the print flag corresponding to the image information for which printing has been completed is changed to [printed] indicating that printing has been completed. This is to avoid printing the same image repeatedly.

Next, the process returns to step S603, and the above process is repeated for other image information.
If there is no print flag [print] in the print control information in step S603, that is, if all the specified prints have been completed, step S6.
The operation proceeds to 09 and operates according to the instruction from the operation unit 260. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the print control information in a state where all the designated printings have been completed.

In the above example, the print operation is controlled by the print control information for all the image information recorded on the storage medium. However, the print operation is controlled by the print control information for only the image information to be printed. Good. In this case, the print flag information becomes unnecessary by sequentially deleting the print control information for the image information for which printing has been completed.

According to the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print control information is recorded on the storage medium for recording the image information, and the printer executes the print operation in accordance with the print control information. A desired image can be reliably printed. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a display device or a video output circuit for checking an image on the printer side, the manufacturing cost of the printer can be reduced.

According to the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, information (for example, a print mode, the number of prints, a print flag, etc.) for controlling a print operation is provided for each image information. In addition, it is possible to individually control the printing operation relating to each image information.

According to the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, print settings are made while displaying an image on a display unit provided in a digital camera, and print control information relating to the settings is stored in a storage medium. Since it can be recorded, no separate device for confirming the image to be printed is required, and the operability is good.

Further, according to the system according to the modification, the storage medium storing the image information is connected to the information processing apparatus, and the print setting is performed while displaying the image on the display unit of the information processing apparatus. Since the print control information relating to the setting can be recorded in the storage medium, an existing device can be effectively used without requiring a separate device.

According to the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is connected to the printer (for example,
Insertion) automatically performs a printing operation in accordance with the print control information, so that operability is good and operation errors can be avoided.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device.

Further, an apparatus or a method constituted by some of the components constituting the apparatus or the method according to the above embodiment is also an invention intended by the inventor of the present application. .

The function of the apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is as follows. A storage medium storing the program code is fixedly or temporarily incorporated in a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus is installed.
U) is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. Here, the program code itself read from the storage medium or the storage medium itself constitutes a legal invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM and the like are suitable, but other devices can be adopted.

In addition to the case where the computer executes the program code read from the storage medium to realize the unique function of the present invention, the computer operates on the computer based on the instruction by the program code. An embodiment in which an OS (operating system) or the like bears part or all of actual processing also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read out. Based on the above, an embodiment in which the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit bears a part or all of the actual processing also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0063]

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform settings relating to printing of a photographed image.

[0064]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera (imaging device) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a storage medium 60 using the digital camera shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of print control information recorded in a printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print control information in a state where all designated printings are completed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in a reproduction mode of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the printer shown in FIG.

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An imaging apparatus for recording digital image information on a storage medium, comprising: control information for controlling an operation of a printer when printing an image based on the digital image information recorded on the storage medium. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a recording unit that records on the storage medium. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes print necessity information for individually specifying necessity of printing for each image. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes print mode information for designating a print mode. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print mode information is information for individually specifying a print mode for each image. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print mode includes a color print mode and a monochrome print mode. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes print number information for designating the number of prints. 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the print number information is information for individually specifying the number of prints for each image. 8. A display unit for displaying an image to be imaged on a display screen, a reproducing unit for reading out image information recorded on the storage medium and reproducing the image on the display screen, and according to an instruction from a user. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a generation unit configured to generate the control information. 9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is removable. 10. A printer that prints an image based on digital image information, comprising: a read unit that reads digital image information and control information from a storage medium; and a control that controls a print operation according to the control information read from the storage medium. And a printing means for printing an image based on digital image information read from the storage medium under the control of the control means. 11. The control information includes print necessity information in which necessity of printing is individually specified for each image, and the control unit prints an image instructed to be printed by the print necessity information. 11. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the printing unit is controlled as described above. 12. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes print mode information designating a print mode, and the control means sets a print mode in the print means according to the print mode information.
A printer according to claim 1 or claim 12. 13. The printer according to claim 12, wherein the print mode information is information for individually specifying a print mode for each image. 14. The printer according to claim 12, wherein the print mode includes a color print mode and a monochrome print mode. 15. The printing method according to claim 10, wherein the control information includes print number information for designating the number of prints, and the control unit sets the number of prints by the printing unit according to the print number information. The printer according to claim 14. 16. The printer according to claim 15, wherein the print number information is information for individually specifying the number of prints for each image. 17. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the storage medium is removable. 18. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the digital image information and the control information are recorded on the storage medium by an imaging device. 19. A control device for a printer, comprising: reading means for reading digital image information and control information from a storage medium; control means for controlling a printing operation according to the control information read from the storage medium; A control unit for transferring an image signal corresponding to digital image information read from the storage medium to the printer under control. 20. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus for recording digital image information on a storage medium, the method comprising: controlling an operation of a printer when printing an image based on the digital image information recorded on the storage medium. A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising a step of recording control information on the storage medium. 21. A printing method for printing an image based on digital image information recorded on a storage medium, comprising: a read step of reading digital image information and control information from the storage medium; and a control read from the storage medium. A printing method, comprising: a determining step of determining a printing operation according to information; and a printing step of printing an image based on digital image information read from the storage medium in accordance with the determination in the determining step. 22. A method for controlling a printer, comprising: a reading step of reading digital image information and control information from a storage medium; a determining step of determining a printing operation according to the control information read from the storage medium; Transferring the image signal corresponding to the digital image information read from the storage medium to the printer according to the determination. 23. A program storage medium storing a control program of an imaging apparatus for recording digital image information on an information storage medium, wherein the control program is configured to execute an image based on the digital image information recorded on the storage medium. Recording a control information for controlling an operation of the printer at the time of printing on the information storage medium. 24. A program storage medium storing a control program for controlling an operation of printing an image based on digital image information recorded on an information storage medium, wherein the control program comprises: A reading step of reading digital image information and control information; a determining step of determining a printing operation according to the control information read from the information storage medium; and, based on the digital image information read from the storage medium, according to the determination in the determining step. And a control step of controlling an operation of printing an image.