JP2000115688A - Digital camera system with printing function, image processing method and recording medium with control program for image processing recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize the maximum ability of a printer and to execute a high- grade digital processing application as well, without burdening a digital camera main body with a printing function. SOLUTION: The server of a digital image processing, in a loosely coupled state in terms of a network with a digital camera with the printing function, is used for the preparation processing of printing image data. The digital camera with the printing function selects printing desired photographed image data, specifies the various kinds of image processing parameters for converting the selected photographed image data into printing image data (S1002) and transfers the data and the parameters via a radio telephone network to the image processing server (1006). The image processing server prepares printing images by the specified image processing parameter for the received photographed image data and returns the prepared printing image data to the digital camera with the printing function. The digital camera with the printing function starts printing by the received printing image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera system with a print function for efficiently printing data of a subject photographed by the digital camera function using a digital camera with a print function integrated with a printer, and an image processing method thereof. And a recording medium storing an image processing control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a polaroid camera capable of developing and viewing an object to be imaged immediately after imaging is known, but one image is taken as one photograph, and there is no data for additional printing at a later date. There are inconveniences. On the other hand, recently, a digital camera as an image device capable of storing photographed image information as digital image data in a storage medium, displaying the image information on a screen on a monitor of a television or a personal computer, or printing with a color printer has been developed. Practical.

In a conventional digital camera, light from an object to be imaged is converted into electric signals of three primary colors R, G, and B (red, green, and blue) by a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) via an optical system. To create pixel data, and store the image data in a non-volatile image data storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. When the image is reproduced as a color image, the image data stored in the image data storage medium is converted into a format that can be displayed on a television or a personal computer screen by a dedicated reproduction adapter, and is displayed and output. Then, as long as the image data stored in the image data storage medium is not erased, it is possible to print any number of the same images with a printer. However, with such a conventional digital camera, it is impossible to print an image immediately after imaging like a Polaroid.

[0004]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional Polaroid camera, only one print can be made in one photographing operation, and the photographing data is stored because of a chemical reaction. There was a problem that there was no means. Further, in a digital camera, since there is no printing function inside the main body, it is impossible to print an image immediately after imaging, and the image data is converted into a general-purpose image file that can be printed by a printer. Therefore, there is a problem that data conversion processing occurs in the printer.

It is conceivable to use a mobile device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) for the data conversion process, but it is limited by the system resources (computing device, memory, battery, etc.) mounted on the main body. There is. Similarly, even in a device such as a digital camera with a printer, system resources generally mounted on the main body are limited in consideration of portability, price, and the like.

However, in general, when an image is output to a printer that handles raster images, digital processing such as resolution conversion, edge emphasis, and color matching must be performed on the input image in order to maximize the capabilities of the printer. There is. These digital processes treat image data as digital data, and thus consume a large amount of system resources depending on the image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a digital image processing server which is loosely connected to a digital camera with a printing function on a network is used for digital processing related to image processing. An object of the present invention is to make the most of the capabilities of a printer and to execute advanced digital processing applications without placing a burden on a digital camera body with a printing function.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera unit capable of storing captured images as digital data in a memory, a wireless unit capable of transmitting the digital data, A digital camera with a printing function having a printer unit capable of printing digital data, a wireless device connected to the wireless unit via a wireless network and capable of transmitting and receiving data, and an image for synthesizing data and frames transmitted via the wireless device And an image processing server having a storage device for storing the image processing module and a central processing unit for performing digital image processing on the image for frame synthesis.

Preferably, the central processing unit of the image processing server processes digital image data transferred from the digital camera with a printing function via the wireless device together with a parameter of an image processing attribute specified by a user. The print image is stored in the storage device, and the digital camera with the print function downloads the print image from the storage device of the image processing server and prints the print image by the printer unit.

[0010] Preferably, the digital camera with a printing function has operation means for instructing whether to render with the digital camera with a printing function or with the image processing server.

Preferably, the digital camera with a printing function can register a plurality of e-mail addresses and messages in the parameters when sending an image photographed by the digital camera unit to the image processing server.

[0012] Preferably, the end of rendering by the image processing server is notified by e-mail from the image processing server to the digital camera with a printing function.

Preferably, an encrypted password is put in the electronic mail, and a person who receives the electronic mail obtains a print image from the image processing server based on the password.

Preferably, the digital camera with a printing function has a first mode for storing images taken by the digital camera section in a removable memory, and a second mode for simultaneously printing images immediately after shooting. Operating means capable of selecting a third mode for printing an image stored in the removable memory, wherein a digital mode is selected when the second mode or the third mode is selected. The image data is transferred to the image processing server via the wireless unit.

Preferably, the operation means includes a fourth mode for storing the print image obtained by processing by the image processing server in a storage device of the image processing server, and a fourth mode for storing the print image in the storage means. A fifth mode for reading and printing a print image is selected, and when the fourth mode is selected, digital image data photographed and processed by the digital camera unit is processed via the wireless unit. Transfer to the image processing server.

Preferably, the central processing unit of the image processing server performs data compression / decompression, resolution conversion, edge enhancement, on digital image data transferred from the digital camera with printing function via the wireless device. Color matching, filter processing, binarization processing,
At least one of RGB → CMYK conversion can be executed.

Preferably, the parameters transmitted from the digital camera with a printing function to the image processing server include an image ID number, a processed image request, a return mode for selecting direct / save / mail, and an image index number. , Email addresses and messages,
It includes at least one of index printing, printing direction for selecting landscape / portrait, image size for enlargement / reduction, image rotation, display effect for selecting black and white / sepia / painting style, screen division, and frame number.

Preferably, a default value is set for the parameter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera unit capable of storing captured images as digital data in a memory, a wireless unit capable of transmitting the digital data, and a printer unit capable of printing the digital data. A digital camera with a printing function having a wireless device connected to the wireless unit via a wireless network and capable of transmitting and receiving data, and storing an image and an image processing module for data and frame synthesis transmitted through the wireless device. And a central processing unit having a central processing unit for performing digital image processing on the image for frame synthesis, wherein the digital camera with a printing function stores captured image data desired to be printed. Selecting from digital image data stored in the memory; Specifying various image processing parameters for converting the captured image data into print image data; attempting to connect to the image processing server; and selecting the captured image data when connected to the image processing server. And transferring the designated image processing parameter to the image processing server.

Here, preferably, the image processing server waits for reception from the digital camera with a printing function, and receives the photographed image data and the image processing parameters when connected to the digital camera with a printing function. And generating a print image for the received captured image data according to the image processing parameters specified by the user.

Preferably, the image processing server has a step of returning the created print image data to the digital camera with a print function when direct reception is designated by the image processing parameter.

Preferably, the digital camera with a printing function waits for completion of reception of print image data from the image processing server when direct reception is designated by the image processing parameter; Starting printing by the printer unit based on the print image data received in response to the end of the reception of the print image data from the printer.

Preferably, the image processing server has a step of storing the created print image data in the storage device when storage is designated by the image processing parameters.

Preferably, when a request for a processed image is specified by the image processing parameter, the image processing server retrieves the requested print image data from the storage device. Returning the print image data to the digital camera with print function.

Preferably, when the destination e-mail address is specified in the image processing parameters, the image processing server packs the created print image data into an e-mail, and stores the data in the specified address. And transmitting the print image data.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention provides a computer having a digital camera with a printing function and an image processing server connected to the digital camera with the printing function via a wireless network. A recording medium recording a control program for performing, the control program causes a computer to transfer the captured image data selected by the user and the image processing parameters specified by the user to the image processing server, The reception of the print image data from the image processing server is waited for, and the printing is started by the received print image data in response to the end of the reception of the print image data from the image processing server.

Here, preferably, the control program causes a computer to receive the photographed image data and the image processing parameters from the digital camera with a printing function, and the user designates the received photographed image data with respect to the received photographed image data. A print image is created according to the image processing parameters, and the created print image data is returned to the digital camera with a print function.

Preferably, the control program causes the computer to store the created print image data in the storage device of the image processing server when the storage is designated by the image processing parameters.

Preferably, when a request for a processed image is specified by the image processing parameters, the control program causes the computer to search for the requested print image data from the storage device. The print image data is returned to the digital camera with a print function.

Preferably, when the destination electronic mail address is specified by the image processing parameters, the control program causes the computer to pack the created print image data into an electronic mail, and to store the data in the specified address. The print image data is transmitted.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 9 are drawings showing the features of the apparatus configuration of the present invention best, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera with a printing function to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing server to which the present invention has been applied.

A wireless telephone network (not shown) is provided between the wireless telephone device 124 in FIG. 1 and a wireless telephone device 901 in FIG. 9 described later, and wireless data communication is possible. For this wireless communication, a public wireless communication network that can be generally used, such as mobile communication and PHS, is assumed.

In FIG. 1, a control section 101 is a control circuit section having a configuration centered on a microcomputer.
System controller 1 mainly including digital camera function
01-2 and a printer controller 101 for printing
-1 for controlling the entire digital camera with a printing function.

The imaging optical system of the digital camera section actually includes an aperture mechanism and the like in addition to a plurality of lens groups. Focusing, exposure, and the like are performed by an autofocus function and an EE function (electronic eye: automatic aperture mechanism). The adjustment is performed automatically (details are not shown). These photographing optical systems are well-known technologies, and are represented by one lens 102 in the block diagram for simplification of the drawing. The viewfinder for visually observing the imaging target is configured such that an image from the imaging target appears on a screen surface via an optical system and a mirror. This is also a well-known technique and simplifies the drawing. Not shown.
Still image (optical image) of the subject formed by the imaging optical system
The CCD unit 103 is arranged on the image forming plane.

The CCD unit 103 is a part for converting an optical image into an electric signal and storing it, and has a configuration as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the CCD 204 is set to 1 in order to obtain an effective pixel “1280 dots * 1024 dots”.
It has a 400,000 pixel class. This CCD2
Above 04 is a color filter 203 for distinguishing between the three primary colors of RGB as color identification information of the image. In front of the color filter 203, a condenser lens 202 for collecting light on a color filter CCD 204 and an optical filter 2 for cutting infrared rays, which are included in the previous lens system.
01 is arranged.

FIG. 3 shows the color filter 2 for color separation.
03 shows the configuration of FIG. The color filter 203 is RG
Each color filter element of B is regularly arranged for each pixel. (Note that the central blank portion is a portion in which the color filter elements are not shown.) Specifically, a first line in which green signals (G) and red signals (R) are alternately arranged in the horizontal direction; In the present embodiment in which the second line in which the blue signal (B) and the green signal (G) are alternately arranged and the unit print information is generated, “1280 dots * 1024” is used.
Dot "effective pixels are obtained.

In this embodiment, an example using a mosaic color filter has been described. However, when a color filter having a 3CCD configuration is used, or when a CM is used as a color filter.
It is easily conceivable to use a Y (complementary color) system.

The output of the CCD unit 103 is input to an A / D (analog / digital) converter 105 via a signal processing circuit 104 which mainly performs signal amplification processing and noise removal, where the signal is converted into a digital signal. After that, the memory controller 106 stores in the area of a RAM (random access memory) 107 as a storage element 2 bits of 8 bits for each of RGB.
Stored as 4-bit raw RGB data (note that
raw represents raw data).

Memory card 11 with removable mode setting
In a mode in which an image is stored in the RAM 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a SAVE mode), first, the raw RGB data developed in the RAM 107 is subjected to gamma correction, shading correction / edge correction, and color correction in the image processing unit 112. Thereafter, the data from the image processing unit 112 is sent to the encoding unit 108.

The encoding unit 108 has a general-purpose image data file format (eg, JP) for storing data from the image processing unit 112 in the memory card 111.
EG format). The data encoded by the encoding unit 108 includes a card interface circuit 109 for writing data and a connector 1.
The image data is sent to the memory card 111 via 10 and the subject image can be stored in the memory card 111 as an image file.

On the other hand, the mode setting is a mode for simultaneously printing images immediately after image pickup (hereinafter referred to as PRT mode), and a mode for printing image data files stored in the memory card 111 (hereinafter referred to as SAVEPR).
In the case of (T mode), the image processing unit 112 performs image processing of which function is selected so that printing can be performed by the built-in printer.

Next, a process of converting the RGB data resulting from the image processing into CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) data for print output is performed by the CMYK conversion processing unit 113. Is performed by the quaternization processing unit 114 (depending on the dot gradation expression capability of the printer). The data formed by the quaternary processing unit 114 is sent to the print head after being developed by the head controller & driver 115 so that the data can be printed as it is by the printer engine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a print head of the built-in printer. As the print head, for example, an ink jet print head using thermal energy for discharging ink droplets, or a thermal transfer print head using a thermal transfer ribbon or the like can be applied.

There are 1280 resistors (heating elements) of printing dots arranged in one line from R1 to R1280 (note that the arrows in the figure indicate omissions), and the arrangement intervals of the respective resistors are as follows. , 360 dpi (dot / inch), the print recordable range is about 90 [mm]. One of these resistors is a power line “VH”.
And the other side is connected to the collector of the 1280-bit transistor array 404, respectively.

This 1280-bit transistor array 4
The base signal for driving the C.O. 04 is 1280 as serial data from the head controller & driver 115 of FIG.
"Idat" to bit S / R (shift register) 401
a "and" DCLK "signals and are latched by the" LTCK "signal in the latch unit 402. The head control circuit 403 converts the latched data into 1280 bits while managing the time difference in a specific block unit. A drive signal is applied to the base of the transistor array 404.

This print head has a "RAN" for detecting individual differences in resistors due to manufacturing process variations.
K "terminal and a heater control signal" SUBH "for the purpose of adjusting the temperature of the print head, etc. Since the print head of FIG. 4 has a single-color configuration, the same circuit configuration has the same circuit configuration for each print color (CMYK). (For four colors).

The printer controller 101-1 of the control unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 manages the data quaternized by the quaternization processing unit 114 for each of CMYK. LF motor 11
Reference numeral 7 denotes a paper feed motor that feeds print paper from a paper cassette and further feeds the paper during printing and until the paper is discharged. The motor driver 116 drives the LF motor 117 according to a control signal of the printer controller 101-1.

The display device 118 is, for example, a color LCD (liquid crystal display) capable of displaying an image immediately after imaging, image file data stored in the memory card 111, a message for the user, and the like.

The flash drive unit 119 controlled by the system controller 101-2 emits flash light. I / F (interface) circuit 120
Transmits and receives image data to and from the outside.

The sensor 121 mainly provides the following necessary information to each control system of the printer controller 101-1.

Battery level: detecting remaining battery information and output voltage / current from battery pack Battery ID: for determining which battery pack is installed among battery packs having different power capacities Since each battery pack has an ID, this ID is detected. ・ Paper detection: Detects the presence or absence of print paper. ・ Discharge detection: Detects whether the printed paper has been discharged without jamming. ・ Temperature : Detects the ambient temperature around the device.

The operation unit 122 includes a mode setting mode switch (mod) such as a shutter, various setting switches (SW1 to SW3), and a mode switch shown in FIG.
e1, mode2). FIG. 5 shows an example of a mode switch (model), in which the user grips the knob of the shutter switch 501 from the direction of the arrow at the top of the figure,
By turning the knob, it is a rotary changeover switch that can set an arbitrary mode, and the mode is set as indicated by each scale as follows.

OFF: The power of the entire apparatus is OFF. PRT: A mode in which the input image is printed by pressing the shutter as it is. SAVE: A mode in which the input image is stored as a file in the memory card 111 without being printed by pressing the shutter PRTSAVE: Memory A mode in which an image stored as a file on the card 111 is printed out. GSEND: A mode in which images immediately after imaging are simultaneously transmitted to the image processing server.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the server print processing mode selection switch 601 and the mode display section 602. The switch 601 is a toggle switch, and the set mode is turned on separately for the D (direct mode), S (save mode), and M (mail transmission mode) on the display unit 602. The mode has the following settings.

D: Sending a captured image to the image processing server and returning it immediately S: Sending a captured image to the image processing server and storing it on the server M: Sending a captured image to the image processing server and sending it as an e-mail to the specified mail address D & S: image processing server S & M: Send and save the shot image to the image processing server and send it to the mail at the same time S & M: Send and send the shot image to the image processing server and send the mail to the
Return at the same time D & S & M: Send, return, save and email the captured image to the image processing server.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a power supply circuit suitable for the digital camera system with a printing function of FIG. Power is supplied to an AC adapter 701 and a secondary battery pack 7 composed of an assembled battery of lithium ion batteries.
02. Here, 703 is an OR (logical sum) gate, and 704 is a power control unit. Reference numeral 705 denotes a DC / DC converter unit for logic which generates a power supply for supplying a logic voltage, 706 denotes a DC / DC converter unit for motor which generates power for driving an actuator, and 707 denotes a DC / DC converter for head which generates power for driving a head. A DC converter unit 708 is a charging DC / DC converter unit that generates a power source for charging a secondary battery pack.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the secondary battery pack 702. The control unit 801 detects remaining amount of the secondary batteries 802 and 803 connected in series, controls charging,
ID management and voltage / current detection are performed. Power FET
(Field effect transistors) 804 and 805 control ON / OFF of a power supply line, and a thermal fuse 806 and a polyswitch 807 are inserted as protection elements in series with the line. Further, a terminal for outputting battery pack information as serial data from the control unit 801 is provided.

The power control unit 804 of FIG. 7 is activated by receiving at least one of the power supplies, and drives the DC / DC converter units 705 to 708 as necessary.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image processing server according to the present invention. Wireless telephone device 901
Is connected to the wireless telephone device 124 of the digital camera with print function shown in FIG. 1 through a wireless telephone network (not shown), and transmits and receives compressed image file data to and from the digital camera with print function. The modem 902 converts the compressed image file data into a format understandable by the CPU 903, the printer controller 101-1, and the system controller 101-2 and a data format on the wireless telephone network. The CPU 903 executes software modules related to communication and image processing on the RAM 904.

The storage device 905 stores various software modules related to image processing, and has a storage area 914 for image files transmitted and received through a wireless telephone network and a storage area 913 for frame image files used for frame synthesis processing. The software modules 906 to 912 include a data compression / decompression module 906, a resolution conversion module 907, and an edge enhancement module 90.
8, color matching module 909, filter module 910, binarization module 911, RGB → C
There is a MYK conversion module 912.

The digital camera with print function shown in FIG. 1 is set to a mode (GSEND mode) in which an image immediately after shooting is simultaneously transmitted to the image processing server shown in FIG. 9 and stored in the memory card 111. In the case where the image data file is transmitted to the image processing server of FIG. 9 according to a user's instruction (PRTSAVE mode), the process of converting photographed image data into print data that can be printed by the built-in printer of the digital camera is all performed in this manner. Performed by the image processing server.

In the above configuration, an example of the operation in the case where the print data creation processing is performed by the image processing server of FIG. 9 will be described in detail below.

The process of transmitting the image data to the image processing server may be started when a certain amount of image data is stored in the memory card 111, may be after a certain period of time has elapsed since the shooting, or may be performed by the user. , The image data stored in the memory card 111 in advance may be selected and transmitted. In this transfer of image data, a plurality of image data may be sent simultaneously.

Further, when the image data is transferred to the image processing server, not only the image data but also the parameters for the image data conversion are transmitted at the same time. The image processing server of the present invention performs a series of conversion processes from a captured image to image data for printing, and a user can specify parameters for this process from a remote place. The parameters include index print, sepia, black and white filtering, landscape / portrait print direction, enlargement / reduction, and the like.

Further, since the system of the present invention has a function of notifying the end of print data creation by e-mail, an e-mail address and a message can be specified in the parameter specification.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the server print mode in the digital camera with a print function.

The system controller 101-2 transfers the photographed image to a preset image processing server. The image processing server may be searched and specified using a directory service based on 500 or the like.

When transmitting the image data file stored in the memory card 111 to the image processing server, the user presses a predetermined key or button of the operation unit 122 while viewing the image to be printed while viewing the screen of the display device 118. Select (step 1001). This selection may be multiple images.

As described above, in the present invention, since the image processing in the image processing server is controlled by the parameters passed from the digital camera with the printing function, the user can use the operation unit 122 to print the image to be printed. To set various parameters (step 100
2). The parameters that can be specified here are those shown in FIG. These parameters have default values, so if there is no setting from the user, the default values are set. FIG. 11 will be described later in detail.

After designating the print desired image and the image processing parameters, the system controller 101-2 tries to connect to the image processing server through the wireless telephone device 124 (steps 1003 and 1004). If connection to the image processing server could not be established for some reason, such as a failure in the wireless telephone network, an error message is displayed on the display device 118 (step 1005), and the transmission process ends.

If the connection with the image processing server can be established, the photographed image data selected in step 1001 and the
The combination of the image processing parameters set in 002 is transferred to the image processing server through the wireless telephone device 124 (step 1006).

In the image processing parameters, FIG.
1 direct reception parameter 1103 in the return mode
If is turned on, the digital camera with print function maintains the communication connection until the print image is completely received from the image processing server (step 1007,
1008).

Thereafter, if an error occurs in the reception of the print image (step 1009), an error message is displayed on the display device 118 (step 1010), the connection with the image processing server is canceled, and the communication is disconnected. (Step 1012).

On the other hand, when the reception of the print image ends normally (step 1009), printing is started (step 101).
1), cancel the connection with the image processing server,
The communication is disconnected (step 1012).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image processing server.

The image processing server waits for a connection from a digital camera with a printing function (step 120).
1).

If there is a connection request from the digital camera with a printing function, it is determined whether or not the request is valid (step 1202). If connection is not possible, an error message is sent to a log file ( (Not shown) (step 1203). The determination in step 1202 may use a user name and password, a machine ID (identification number), encryption, and the like.

When the digital camera with the printing function is normally connected, the above-mentioned photographed image and image processing parameters are received from the digital camera (step 1204). If this reception is not completed normally (step 12
05), and store the error message in the log file (step 1206).

When the reception of the photographed image and the image processing parameters is completed normally (step 1205), the image processing parameters of the data just received are analyzed. Here, among the image processing parameters, the processed image request parameter 1102 is viewed (step 1207). If this parameter is off, image processing for creating a print image in accordance with the other image processing parameters (step l208) Perform

After the image processing in step 1208, the return mode parameters among the image processing parameters are analyzed. The return mode parameter 1103 can take any of direct (D), save (S), and mail (M) states, and can also take a state in which each of them is combined. The operation of the image processing server in each state is as follows.

D: After the image processing, the print image is returned to the digital camera as it is. S: After the image processing, the print image is stored in the image processing server. M: After the image processing, the print image is transmitted as a mail to the designated mail address. D & S: The image After processing, return and save to image processing server at the same time S & M: Save to image processing server after image processing and send as e-mail at the same time M & D ... Send to e-mail to digital camera after image processing D & S & M ... Return after image processing And save and email.

Therefore, the return mode parameter 1103
And if it is saved (S) (step 120
9), the print image is stored in the image file group 9 on the storage device 905.
14 (step 1210).

If the return mode parameter 1103 is direct return (D) (step 121)
1) Return the print image to the digital camera with print function that transmitted the photographed image (step 121)
2).

If the return mode parameter 1103 is set to return electronic mail (M) (step 121)
3), email address / message parameter 1
Referring to 105, the designated message and the print image are attached to an e-mail (step 1214), and transmitted to the designated address as an e-mail (1215).

If the processed image request parameter 1102 is ON (ON) in step 1207, the image file group 914 on the storage device 905 of the image processing server is referred to by referring to the image ID 1101. Search (step 1216). If a processed image corresponding to the image ID exists in the image file group 914, the image is returned to the digital camera with a printing function that has transmitted the captured image (step 1212).
At this time, the image may be transmitted to the designated address by e-mail using the return mode parameter 1103 (steps 1213, 1214 and 121).
5).

On the other hand, the image file group 914 is searched in step 1216, and if the processed image corresponding to the image ID does not exist in the image file group 914, error processing is performed (step 1218). .

FIG. 11 is a format diagram showing the contents of the image processing designation parameter. Of course, depending on the application, these parameters will vary.

Reference numeral 1101 denotes an image ID parameter. This parameter is a parameter for specifying an image to be subjected to print processing, and is indicated by an image index number. Even if one or more images stored in the memory card 111 can be specified, the specified image can be specified. Good.

Reference numeral 1102 denotes a processed image request parameter, which can take on / off values. When a group of image processing parameters with this parameter turned on comes from a digital camera with a printing function, no image data is added, and the image processing server reads the image file ID 914 from the image file 914 on the storage device 905. Meter 110
The print image already converted from the photographed image to the print image specified in 1 is read from the image file group 914 and returned to the digital camera with a print function.

Reference numeral 1103 denotes a return mode parameter.
Any of direct (D), save (S), and mail (M) states can be taken, and any combination of these can be taken. The operation of the image processing server in each state is as follows.
As described above.

Reference numeral 1105 denotes an e-mail address and a parameter of the message. When the return mode parameter 1103 includes a mail, the print image created by the image processing server is transmitted to the mail address specified here. Things. The message portion of this parameter includes a fixed message and a message input by a digital camera with a printing function. The fixed message may be created in advance by the image processing server.

Reference numeral 1106 denotes a parameter for designating index printing. This parameter takes on or off value, but when on, the image processing server
Print image data for so-called index printing for printing a plurality of images specified by the image ID parameter of 01 on one image is created.

Reference numeral 1107 denotes a parameter indicating a printing direction, which designates a landscape or a portrait.

Reference numeral 1108 denotes a parameter for designating enlargement / reduction, and designates enlargement / reduction with a predetermined width.

Reference numeral 1109 denotes a parameter for designating the rotation of the image, which designates the rotation angle.

Reference numeral 1110 denotes a parameter for designating a display effect, which designates filtering such as color conversion such as black and white, sepia, and painting.

Reference numeral 1111 denotes a parameter for specifying a screen division, for example, 2, 4, 8, or 16 division.

Reference numeral 1112 denotes a parameter for specifying a frame, which is a parameter for creating a print image in which a frame specified by the user is combined with a specified image. Both the image processing server and the digital camera with a print function have the frame image designated here in advance. However, the camera only needs to have a very small image for its own monitor.

(Other Embodiments) Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (one device) For example, the present invention may be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system or an apparatus with a recording medium (storage medium) in which software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded, and the computer of the system or the apparatus is provided. Needless to say, the present invention is also achieved when the CPU (or the CPU or the MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the recording medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

As a recording medium for recording the program code and variable data such as a table, for example, a floppy disk (FD), hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, A nonvolatile memory card (IC memory card), a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that an operating system) may perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0105]

As described above, according to the present invention, a high-definition print image can be produced regardless of the system resources of a digital camera by using an image processing server for print image formation processing. In addition, the image processing server-side application can add value relating to image processing effects and communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera with a printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a CCD of the digital camera with a printing function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a color filter for color separation of the digital camera with a printing function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print head of the digital camera with a print function in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a mode setting switch of the digital camera with a printing function of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an appearance of a toggle switch for specifying an image processing mode in a server in the digital camera with a printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply circuit of the digital camera with a printing function in FIG. 1;

8 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a secondary battery pack of the power supply circuit of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the digital camera with a printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a format diagram showing contents of an image processing designation parameter in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the image processing server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 control unit 101-1 printer controller 101-2 system controller 102 lens 103 CCD unit 104 signal processing circuit 105 A / D converter 106 memory controller 107 RAM 108 encoding unit 109 card interface circuit 110 connector 111 memory card 112 image processing unit 113 CMYK conversion processing unit 114 Quaternization processing unit 115 Head controller & driver 116 Motor driver 117 LF motor 118 Display device 119 Strobe drive unit 120 I / F circuit 121 Sensor 122 Operating unit 123 Modem 124 Wireless telephone device 201 Optical filter 202 Collection Optical lens 203 Color filter 204 CCD 401 1280 bit S / R (shift register ) 402 Latch unit 403 Head control circuit 404 1280 bit transistor array 501 Shutter switch 601 Server print processing mode selection switch 602 Mode display section 701 AC adapter 702 Secondary battery pack 703 OR gate 704 Power control unit 705 DC / DC converter for logic Unit 706 DC / DC converter unit for motor 707 DC / DC converter unit for head 708 DC / DC converter unit for charging 801 Control unit 802, 803 Secondary battery 804, 805 Power FET 806 Thermal fuse 807 Polyswitch 901 Wireless telephone device 902 Modem 903 CPU 904 RAM 905 Storage device 1101-1112 Parameters

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/91 J F term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP10 AR01 CG15 CL08 HJ06 HJ08 HL02 HM07 HN15 HN19 HN20 HQ17 2H104 AA19 5B021 AA30 BB00 BB02 CC02 DD12 LB01 LB07 LE00 LG07 LG08 LL05 NN18 5C053 FA05 FA06 FA08 FA23 FA27 GA11 GB21 HA29 JA21 JA24 KA24 LA01 LA03 LA11 LA14

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera with a printing function, comprising: a digital camera unit capable of storing a captured image as digital data in a memory; a wireless unit capable of transmitting the digital data; and a printer unit capable of printing digital data.
A wireless device connected to the wireless unit via a wireless network and capable of transmitting and receiving data; a storage device for storing images and image processing modules for combining data and frames transmitted via the wireless device; A digital camera system with a printing function, comprising: an image processing server having a central processing unit for performing digital image processing on an image for use. 2. The central processing unit of the image processing server processes digital image data transferred from the digital camera with a printing function via the wireless device together with parameters of an image processing attribute specified by a user to print a print image. 2. The digital camera with a printing function downloads the print image from the storage device of the image processing server and prints the print image on the printer unit. 2. A digital camera system with a printing function according to item 1. 3. The digital camera with a printing function according to claim 2, further comprising an operation unit for instructing whether to perform rendering with the digital camera with the printing function or rendering with the image processing server. Digital camera system with print function. 4. The digital camera with a printing function can register a plurality of e-mail addresses and messages in the parameters when sending an image taken by the digital camera unit to the image processing server. 3. The digital camera system with a printing function according to 2. 5. The digital camera system with a printing function according to claim 3, wherein the rendering of the image processing server is notified by e-mail from the image processing server to the digital camera with a printing function. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein an encrypted password is put in the electronic mail, and a person who receives the electronic mail obtains a print image from the image processing server based on the password. Digital camera system with print function as described. 7. The digital camera with a printing function includes: a first mode for storing an image captured by the digital camera unit in a removable memory; a second mode for simultaneously printing an image immediately after capturing; Operating means capable of selecting a third mode for printing an image stored in a possible memory, wherein the second mode or the third mode is selected.
The digital camera system with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein when a mode is selected, digital image data is transferred to the image processing server via the wireless unit. 8. A fourth mode for storing the print image obtained by processing by the image processing server in a storage device of the image processing server, and a print mode stored in the storage means. A fifth mode for reading and printing an image can be selected, and when the fourth mode is selected, the digital image data photographed and processed by the digital camera unit is processed by the image processing via the wireless unit. The digital camera system with a printing function according to claim 7, wherein the digital camera system transfers the data to a server. 9. The image processing server according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit performs data compression / decompression, resolution conversion, edge enhancement, color matching on digital image data transferred from the digital camera with printing function via the wireless device. Filter processing, binarization processing, RGB → CMYK
3. The digital camera system with a printing function according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the conversion processes can be executed. 10. The parameter transmitted from the digital camera with a printing function to the image processing server,
Image ID number, processed image request, direct / save /
Select return mail mode, image index number, e-mail address and message, index printing, landscape / portrait print direction, enlarged / reduced image size, image rotation, black / white / sepia / painting style The digital camera system with a printing function according to claim 2, wherein the digital camera system includes at least one of a display effect, a screen division, and a frame number. 11. The digital camera system with a printing function according to claim 10, wherein a default value is set for the parameter. 12. A digital camera with a printing function, comprising: a digital camera unit capable of storing captured images as digital data in a memory; a wireless unit capable of transmitting the digital data; and a printer unit capable of printing digital data. Device for transmitting and receiving data by connecting to the unit via a wireless network, a storage device for storing data and images for frame synthesis and image processing modules transmitted via the wireless device, and an image for frame synthesis In a system comprising an image processing server having a central processing unit for performing digital image processing on the digital camera, the digital camera with printing function selects photographed image data desired to be printed from the digital image data stored in the memory. Step and convert the selected captured image data to print image data A step of specifying various image processing parameters for; a step of trying to connect to the image processing server; and a step of connecting the image processing server to the selected image data and the specified image processing parameters. Transferring to the image processing server. 13. The image processing server waits for reception from the digital camera with a print function, and receives the captured image data and the image processing parameters when connected to the digital camera with a print function. 13. The image processing method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of creating a print image of the photographed image data according to the image processing parameter specified by a user. 14. The image processing server according to claim 1, further comprising a step of returning the created print image data to the digital camera with a print function when direct reception is designated by the image processing parameters. Item 14. The image processing method according to Item 13. 15. The digital camera with a printing function, when direct reception is designated by the image processing parameter, a step of waiting for completion of reception of print image data from the image processing server, and printing from the image processing server. 15. The image processing method according to claim 14, further comprising: starting printing by the printer unit based on the print image data received in response to the end of the reception of the image data. 16. The image processing server according to claim 13, further comprising a step of storing the created print image data in the storage device when storage is designated by the image processing parameters. The image processing method according to 1. 17. The image processing server comprising: when a request for a processed image is specified by the image processing parameter, retrieving the requested print image data from the storage device; Returning the data to the digital camera with printing function. 18. The image processing server, if a destination e-mail address is specified in the image processing parameters, packs the created print image data into an e-mail, and stores the print image data in the specified address. 17. The image processing method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of transmitting 19. A recording medium in which a control program for causing a computer to perform image processing of a system including a digital camera with a printing function and an image processing server connected to the digital camera with a printing function via a wireless network is recorded. The control program causes the computer to transfer the photographed image data selected by the user and the image processing parameters specified by the user to the image processing server, and terminate the reception of the print image data from the image processing server. A recording medium storing an image processing control program, wherein the image processing control program is caused to wait, and to start printing based on the print image data received from the image processing server in response to completion of reception of the print image data. 20. The control program causes a computer to receive the photographed image data and the image processing parameters from the digital camera with a printing function, and the image processing parameters specified by a user for the received photographed image data. 20. The recording medium according to claim 19, wherein a print image is created and processed, and the created print image data is returned to the digital camera with a printing function. 21. The storage medium of the image processing server, wherein the control program causes the computer to store the created print image data in a storage device of the image processing server when the storage is designated by the image processing parameters. A recording medium having recorded thereon the image processing control program described in 1. 22. The control program causes the computer to search for the requested print image data from the storage device when a request for a processed image is specified by the image processing parameters. 22. The recording medium according to claim 21, wherein the control program is returned to the digital camera with a printing function. 23. The control program causes the computer to pack the created print image data into an e-mail when the destination e-mail address is specified by the image processing parameter, and to store the print image data in the specified address. 21. A recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 19 or 20 is transmitted.