JP2000261590A - Direct coupling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to select a picture among pictures displayed on a display device and recorded in a digital camera and to print out the selected picture by displaying pictures to be sent from a picture recording means. SOLUTION: A digital camera 2 inputs, e.g. 1st-4th picture data and picture information to a print buffer 35 and an input information buffer 30 of the direct coupler 1, which gives them to a picture display circuit 29 so that the pictures are displayed at prescribed positions on a screen. A user operates a selection key in operation switches 32 to select any of the input pictures. An input information composite circuit 36 composites the selected picture with the information of the selected picture in the picture input information stored in the input information buffer 30. The input information buffer 30 informs a CPU 28 of setting conditions of the camera stored in the input information buffer 30, the CPU 28 controls a picture processing circuit 31 to process the picture outputted from the input information composite circuit 36. A composite circuit 27 composites the picture daa processed by the picture processing circuit 31 with a background among backgrounds stored in a background data buffer 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a direct connection device for connecting an image recording means such as a digital camera and a digital movie to a printing means such as a printer for printing them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows an example of a system configuration of a direct connection device for connecting a digital camera as conventional image recording means and a printer as printing means. In FIG. 6, a direct connection device 1 connects a digital camera 2 and a printer 4.

FIG. 7 shows an operation panel of a conventional direct connection device 1. When the image of the digital camera 2 is printed by the printer 4, when the image selection switch 38 is pressed, the image number (“5” in the figure) is displayed on the image number display device 37. Each time the image selection switch 38 is pressed, the image number is incremented. When the print switch 6 is pressed after selecting the image number to be printed, the digital camera 2 sends the image data of the selected image number to the direct connection device 1,
Image data suitable for the printer 4 is processed, sent to the printer 4, and printed.

[0004]

In the conventional direct connection device, since the image to be printed is selected and displayed by displaying the number, it is not possible to sufficiently confirm the image to be printed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to sufficiently confirm an image before printing, and to use a digital camera information to print a higher quality and higher value-added print. Is obtained.

Further, it is possible to easily combine a background image to be inserted with an input image, for example, so that a high value-added print can be obtained.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a direct connection device for connecting an image recording device and a printing device, the device including an image display device for displaying an image sent from the image recording device to the printing device. Things.

[0008] The image processing apparatus further includes image display means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images input from the image recording means, and image selection means for selecting one of the input images and sending the selected image to the printing means.

An image display means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images input from the image recording means and an inserted image synthesized with the input image, and selecting one of the input images and one of the inserted images. Image selecting means for sending to the printing means.

The image display means is adapted to simultaneously display the selected input image, the selected inserted image, and an image obtained by synthesizing them.

Further, the inserted image can be rewritten by external input means.

An image processing means for inputting processing conditions of an image input from the image recording means by an operator and processing the input image in accordance with the processing conditions is provided, and the processed image is displayed on the image display means. It is something to do.

An image processing means for reading processing conditions of an image input from the image recording means from input image data and processing the input image in accordance with the processing conditions, and displaying the processed image on the image display means. It is something to do.

The image processing apparatus further includes input information synthesizing means for reading input information of an image input from the image recording means from the input image data and synthesizing the read information with the input image.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a direct connection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 1 is a direct connection device, 2 is a digital camera as image recording means, 5 is an image display device as display means connected to the inside or outside of the direct connection device 1, and 4 is a printer as printing means.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the direct connection device 1. As shown in FIG. In the figure, 35 is a print buffer for temporarily storing image signals from the digital camera 2, 30 is an input information buffer for temporarily storing camera information from the digital camera 2, and 36 synthesizes image signals and input information. An input information synthesizing circuit as means, 31 is an image processing circuit as image processing means, and 27 is a means for synthesizing an input image signal and data from a background data buffer 34 as storage means for an inserted image, for example, a background image. The output of the combining circuit is output to the printer 4 as printing means and printed. Reference numeral 29 denotes an image display circuit to which an image signal from the print buffer 35, background data from the background data buffer 34, and an image / background synthesized signal obtained from the synthesizing circuit 27 are added. Device. 32 is an operation switch, 28 is a CPU,
The operation switch 32 and the CPU 28 constitute an image selecting means. A means 33 for inputting background data to the background data buffer 34 from the outside is a background data input device.

FIG. 2 shows an operation panel of the direct connection device 1. In the figure, 5 is an image display device, 6 is a print key, 7 is a mode switching key, 8 is a left selection key, 9 is a right selection key, 10 is an up selection key, and 11 is a down selection key.

In this operation panel, the image display device 5 is provided inside the direct connection device 1. In FIG. 2, image data is displayed on the screen by the image display device 5. When the digital camera 2 and the printer 4 are connected by the direct connection device 1, the first to fourth image data stored (recorded) in the digital camera 2 on the image display device 5 are read out to the direct connection device 1, The print buffer 35 is entered. The data is sent from the print buffer 35 to a predetermined position on the screen of the screen display circuit 29. Then, a screen display as shown in FIG. 3 is performed on the screen display device 5.

In FIG. 3, the display sub-screen A12 is the first image data, the display sub-screen B13 is the second image data, the display sub-screen C14 is the third image data, and the display sub-screen D15 is the fourth image data. It is. Assuming that the display sub-screen A12 has been selected to be printed, the display sub-screen A12 has a lower brightness than other images, is distinguished from other images, and indicates that this image is selected. .

The selection of a child screen for printing is performed by operating the left selection key 8, the right selection key 9, the upper selection key 10, and the lower selection key 11, thereby selecting an image selection work 26.
To the left, right, up, and down directions.

Here, when the right selection key 9 or the down selection key 11 is pressed while the display sub-screen D15 is selected,
Image data is newly read from the digital camera 2,
The displayed first to fourth images are changed to third to sixth images. The display sub-screen A12 is the third image data,
Display sub-screen B13 is the fourth image data, display sub-screen C
14 displays the fifth image data, and the display sub-screen D15 displays the sixth image data.

Further, when the right selection key 9 or the down selection key 11 is pressed while the display sub-screen D15 is selected,
The displayed third to sixth images are changed to fifth to eighth images. Each time the selection key is pressed, the display image number increases until the final image number is reached.

When the left selection key 8 or the upper selection key 10 is pressed while the display sub-screen A12 is selected, the displayed fifth to eighth images are changed to third to sixth images. Each time the selection key is pressed, the display image number decreases until the first image number is reached.

By operating the selection key to move the image selection box 26 to select and confirm the image to be printed, the user presses the print key 6 to transfer the image data to the printer 4 and print the image.

Embodiment 2 Next, a case where an input image from a digital camera and an inserted image such as a background are synthesized will be described. When the mode switching key 7 is pressed, the screen of the image display device 5 changes from the screen of FIG. 3 to the simultaneous display screen of FIG. From the background data buffer 34, display background images 16 to 23 to be inserted into the input images of the screens 12 to 15 are sent to predetermined positions of the image display circuit 29.
From the display sub-screen A12 to the display sub-screen D15, the first to fourth data read by the digital camera 2 and sent from the print buffer 35 to the predetermined position of the image display circuit 29 are displayed.
The second image data.

First, the display sub-screen A of the simultaneous display screen of FIG.
12 and a display background screen E16 are provided with an image selection box 26 and a background selection box 25, indicating that they are selected. The composite screen M24 displays an image obtained by compositing the display sub-screen A12 and the display background screen E16. The display sub-screen A12 has a lower brightness than the other images, indicating that it is selected. At this time, if the right selection key 9 is pressed, the image selection area 26 moves, and the display sub-screen B13 is selected and fitted into the composite screen M24.

When the left selection key 8 is depressed, the display sub-screen A12 is selected again, the brightness is reduced, and the image selection window 26 is displayed.
Moves to the periphery of the image. Then, the display sub-screen B1
The luminance of 3 returns to the original. With the left selection key 8 and the right selection key 9, the image to be selected can be moved right and left.

When the display sub-screen D15 is selected and the right selection key 9 is pressed, the displayed first to fourth images of the digital camera 2 change from second to fifth. The selected location is the same on the display sub-screen D15, but the displayed image is the fifth image. Each time the right selection key 9 is pressed at the location of the display sub-screen D15, the display image number increases until the last image number is reached.

When the display sub-screen A12 is selected and the left selection key 8 is pressed, the displayed second to fifth images of the digital camera 2 change from first to fourth. The selected location is the same on the display sub-screen A12, but the displayed image is the first image. Each time the left selection key 8 is pressed at the location of the display sub-screen A12, the displayed image number decreases until the image number becomes the first.

When the upper selection key 10 is pressed, the luminance of the image selected by the image selection function 26 on the display sub-screen returns to the original state, and the luminance of the display background screen E16 having the background selection function 25 decreases, and the background is reduced. Indicates that image selection is to be performed. As with the selection of the input image from the digital camera 2, a background image is selected using the left selection key 8 and the right selection key 9.

When the right selection key 9 is pressed while the display background screen E16 is selected, the display background screen F17 is selected. Each time the right selection key 9 is pressed, the selected display background screen changes to 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23.

When the left selection key 8 is pressed while the display background screen L23 is selected, the display background screen K22 is selected. Each time the left selection key 8 is pressed, the selected display background screen changes to 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, and 16.

Since the composite image M24 changes in accordance with the change in the selected display screen and the background screen, the image actually printed can be seen. In FIG. 4, an image obtained by synthesizing the display child screen A12 and the display background screen E16 is displayed on the synthesized image M24.

When the lower selection key 11 is pressed from the background image selection state, the input image is selected, and the brightness of the image selected with the background selection box 25 on the display background screen returns to the original state.
The luminance of the display sub-screen with the image selection box 26 decreases,
Indicates that image selection is to be performed. By pressing the upper selection key 10 and the lower selection key 11, it is possible to switch between image selection and background selection. Therefore, after confirming the print image with the composite image M24, the print key 6 is pressed and the printer 4
Print with.

The operation of the direct connection device during the simultaneous display screen shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the block circuit diagram of FIG. First,
The first to fourth image data and image information from the digital camera 2 are stored in the print buffer 35 of the direct connection device 1.
Is input to the input information buffer 30. The first to fourth image data are sent from the print buffer 35 to a predetermined position on the screen of the image display circuit 29. on the other hand,
Display background images 16 to 23 to be inserted are sent from the background data buffer 34 to a predetermined position on the screen of the image display circuit 29. The image of the image display circuit 29 is displayed on the image display device 5 as shown in FIG.

Next, the selection key 8 of the operation switch 32,
By operating 9, 10, and 11, an input image is selected. The selected input image is sent from the print buffer 35 to the input information synthesizing circuit 36, and is synthesized with the information of the selected image from the image input information of the input information buffer 30. The input information from the digital camera 2 includes a date, a time, camera setting conditions, an image number, and the like.

The camera setting conditions input to the input information buffer 30 are transferred from the input information buffer 30 to the CPU 28.
The CPU 28 controls the image processing circuit 31 according to the conditions, and processes the image output from the input information synthesizing circuit 36. For example, the image processing circuit 31 is controlled so as to have an appropriate color depending on whether the photographing light is sunlight or fluorescent light or the like under the setting conditions of the camera.

Alternatively, the operator can operate the operation switch 32 to send a processing condition signal to the CPU 28 to control the image processing circuit 31 irrespective of the instruction from the input information buffer 30.

The image data processed by the image processing circuit 31 is combined with the selected background in the background data buffer 34 by the combining circuit 27. Background data can be input to the background data buffer 34 from an external background data input device 33. The input method is RO
The configuration is also possible by replacing M or the like, mounting a memory card, or the like.

The image processed by the synthesizing circuit 27 is sent to a predetermined position on the screen of the image display circuit 29,
9 is displayed on the image display device 5 as a composite image M24. Further, the input information synthesizing circuit 36, the image processing circuit 31,
The image display circuit 29 displays images in various cases in which the circuits of the synthesizing circuit 27 are operated or stopped.
And stored in an arbitrary position on the screen and simultaneously displayed on the image display device 5.

After confirming the print image with the composite image M24, the print key 6 in the operation switch 32 is pressed, and the processed image is sent from the composite circuit 27 to the printer 4 and printed. In the first and second embodiments, the printer and the direct connection device are shown as separate bodies. However, the printer and the direct connection device are integrally configured, and the printer is connected to the direct connection device integrated with the printer by connecting a digital camera. And a digital camera.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, from the image recorded in the digital camera as the recording means,
The user can easily select an image while viewing the image on the image display device and print the image with a printer serving as a printing unit.

Further, it is possible to easily combine the background images while checking them with the image display device, and to print the combined images.

Further, by processing the image to be printed based on the information of the image held by the recording means, a print with higher added value can be obtained.

Furthermore, the operator can easily adjust the printing conditions of the image according to the processing conditions of the image by using the operation switches, and can print a clearer image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the direct connection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of the direct connection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a simultaneous display screen of the direct connection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the direct connection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional direct connection device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation panel of a conventional direct connection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 direct connection device, 2 digital camera, 4 printer, 5 image display device, 6 print key, 7 mode switching key, 8 left selection key, 9 right selection key, 10 upper selection key, 11 lower selection key, 12 display sub-screen A , 13 display sub-screen B, 14 display sub-screen C, 15 display sub-screen D, 16 display background screen E, 17
Display background screen F, 18 Display background screen G, 1
9 display background screen H, 20 display background screen I,
21 display background screen J, 22 display background screen K,
23 display background screen L, 24 composite screen M,
25 Background selection, 26 Image selection,
27 synthesis circuit, 28 CPU,
29 image display circuit, 30 input information buffer, 31 image processing circuit, 32 operation switch, 33 background data input device, 34 background data buffer, 35 print buffer, 3
6 Input information synthesis circuit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AR01 HH03 HJ06 HJ07 HN15 5B021 AA25 AA30 PP08 5C062 AA01 AB17 AB22 AB23 AB42 AC06 AC24 BA00

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A direct connection device for connecting an image recording means and a printing means, comprising: an image display means for displaying an image sent from the image recording means to the printing means. 2. A direct connection device for connecting an image recording means and a printing means, wherein: an image display means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images input from the image recording means; A direct connection device comprising: an image selection unit for sending to a printing unit. 3. A direct connection device for connecting an image recording means and a printing means, wherein said image display means simultaneously displays a plurality of images inputted from said image recording means and an inserted image synthesized with said input image. A direct connection device comprising: an image selection unit that selects one of the input images and one of the insertion images and sends the selected image to the printing unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image display means simultaneously displays the selected input image, the selected insertion image, and an image obtained by combining the input image and the selected insertion image. 5. The direct connection device according to claim 3, wherein the insertion image is rewritable by an external input means. 6. An image processing means for inputting a processing condition of an image input from the image recording means and processing the input image in accordance with the processing condition, and displaying the processed image on the image display means. The direct connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the direct connection device is used. 7. An image processing unit for reading processing conditions of an image input from an image recording unit from input image data and processing the input image according to the processing conditions, and displaying the processed image on an image display unit. The direct connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the direct connection device is used. 8. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input information synthesizing means for reading input information of an image input from the image recording means from the input image data and synthesizing the read information with the input image. 8. The direct connection device according to claim 7.