JP2000261745A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent defective printing by a photosensitive printer in advance without wasting a photographed picture with an electronic camera incorporating the photosensitive printer. SOLUTION: The electronic camera 1 incorporates a photosensitive printer section 23 that exposes photosensitive paper in response to an image signal to form a picture on the photosensitive paper. A system controller 115 measures the ambient temperature and humidity with a temperature sensor 210 and a humidity sensor 211 and stores a photographed picture to a removable memory 100 in the case that the measured ambient temperature is at the outside of a prescribed printable temperature range where the picture is formed onto the photosensitive paper or dew condensation takes place while avoiding immediate print after the photographing as its control. Since the printing is newly made after obtaining a printable environment, occurrence of defective prints can be prevented in advance without wasting the photographed pictures.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera device, and more particularly to an electronic camera device having a built-in printer mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital video printers for printing out images taken by an electronic camera or the like have been developed. In this type of printer, printing can be easily performed only by inputting an image to be printed to the printer via a memory card or the like.

As a printing method, a sublimation type in which three colors of YMC are superposed, an ink jet type,
Furthermore, a photosensitive type that forms an image by exposing a photosensitive paper is used, and its print resolution is set very high. For this reason, although a relatively long time is required for the printing process, a high-quality print similar to a silver halide photograph can be easily realized at home.

In recent years, the development of an electronic camera having a built-in printer mechanism as described above has been demanded in order to allow a photographed image to be printed out on the spot.

[0005] In this case, the above-described photosensitive printer is suitable as a printer built in the electronic camera. This is because a photosensitive printer consumes less power than a sublimation type or an inkjet type, and it is easy to reduce the size.

[0006]

However, in a photosensitive printing method in which an image is formed by exposing a photosensitive paper, an image is formed by a chemical reaction of the photosensitive paper that gradually proceeds after the exposure. Therefore, after exposure, the image quality of the printed image may be reduced depending on the ambient temperature where the photosensitive paper is placed. There is not much problem with stationary video printers that are intended for indoor use, but electronic cameras and portable printers are often used outdoors, so they are easily affected by temperature. . Therefore, for example, when used outdoors in cold areas,
A problem arises in that the image formation after exposure does not proceed sufficiently, resulting in defective printing.

Further, even if there is no problem in the ambient temperature, if moisture adheres to the photosensitive paper or if the photosensitive paper absorbs moisture, uneven reaction may occur to cause defective printing. For example, when an electronic camera is used by suddenly bringing it from a cold outdoor to a warm indoor, or when an electronic camera cooled at night is taken out to a humid place during the day when the temperature rises, the electronic camera is used. However, if printing is performed in such a state where condensation has occurred, there is a risk that defective printing will occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera device capable of preventing occurrence of defective printing without wasting a photographed image. And

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electronic camera apparatus having electronic image pickup means for generating image information by photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing optical system. Printing means for exposing photosensitive paper loaded in the electronic camera device in accordance with image information obtained by the electronic imaging means to form a predetermined image on the photosensitive paper; and the electronic camera device A temperature measuring means for measuring an ambient temperature of the electronic camera, wherein when the measured ambient temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range, execution of printing of the image information by the printing means is prohibited, and the image information is transmitted to the electronic camera. Control means for controlling recording on a recording medium mountable on the apparatus.

This electronic camera apparatus is provided with a temperature measuring means for measuring an ambient temperature. When the measured ambient temperature is out of a predetermined temperature range at which an image can be formed on a photosensitive paper, a photographing operation is performed. Later, the photographed image is recorded on the recording medium without printing immediately. As described above, in the case of a temperature at which printing cannot be performed on the spot where shooting has been performed, by temporarily storing the shot image in the storage medium, it becomes possible to print again after the printing environment has been established. .
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective printing without wasting the photographed image.

In addition, since defective printing is also caused by dew condensation, a dew condensation detecting means is provided, and when the occurrence of dew condensation is detected, execution of printing is inhibited and recording is performed on a recording medium. Is preferred. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of defective printing due to the attachment of dew condensation without wasting the photographed image.

Further, by using such printing control based on the presence or absence of dew condensation in combination with the above-described printing control based on the ambient temperature, the occurrence of defective printing can be more reliably prevented.

[0013] The image information for which execution of printing by the printing means is prohibited is recorded on the recording medium with identification information indicating that the image is recorded only without printing. Is preferred. As a result, when printing is performed again after the environment in which printing is possible, it is possible to easily search for an unprinted image from the recording medium when printing is stopped.

Further, when the measured ambient temperature is out of the predetermined temperature range or when the occurrence of dew condensation is detected, it is provided to notify that there is a possibility that a good image may not be formed on the photosensitive paper. It is preferable to further include a warning unit that issues a predetermined warning. As a result, even when printing is automatically prohibited, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously recognizing that the printer has failed.

Further, when the above-mentioned warning means is provided,
It is preferable to further provide a means for allowing the user to select whether or not to execute printing by the printing means. This allows the user to make a final decision on whether to print or not, so that it is possible to flexibly respond to the user's intention.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a basic structure of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The electronic camera 11 is a digital still camera having a built-in photosensitive printer. The electronic camera 11 not only captures a subject image using a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD and records it on a recording medium, but also prints out the captured image. Or
It is possible to print out, for example, photographed image data recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electronic camera 11 as viewed from the rear side. As shown, a release switch (shutter button) 12, a mode changeover switch 13, an optical finder 14, an image display LCD 15, a mode display LCD 16,
A strobe 17, a speaker 18, a paper discharge port 19, a temperature sensor window 20, and the like are provided.

Release switch (shutter button) 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation button for instructing execution of photographing, and a mode switch 13 is an operation button for setting and changing an operation mode of the electronic camera 11. The following operation modes are prepared for the electronic camera 11, and the mode to be used can be switched by operating the mode switch 13.

1) Normal shooting mode A subject image is shot using a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD.
The image data obtained by this is recorded on a recording medium. 2) Playback mode. Image data photographed from the recording medium (including image data photographed by another electronic camera, image data created by a computer, etc.). Read and display image 15
3) Playback print mode Reads captured image data (including image data captured by another electronic camera and image data created by a computer) from the recording medium and prints it using the built-in printer. Output 4) Photograph print mode (instant print mode) A subject image is photographed using a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD.
The resulting image data is printed out by the built-in printer. The built-in photosensitive type printer uses the photosensitive paper as the print paper as described above, and exposes the photosensitive paper based on the image data to be printed. The exposure causes a chemical reaction of the photosensitive paper to form an image on the photosensitive paper. The photosensitive paper has an appropriate temperature range (printable temperature range) in which printing can be performed normally. If printing is performed in a temperature environment outside the printable temperature range, defective printing may occur. become.

In order to prevent such defective printing from occurring, the electronic camera 11 of this embodiment has a built-in temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature. If it is determined, control is performed after photographing, such as issuing a warning or recording on a recording medium without performing printing. The temperature sensor window 20 of the main body of the electronic camera 11 is provided so that the ambient temperature of the electronic camera 11, that is, the outside air temperature can be correctly measured by a built-in temperature sensor. For the warning, a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 18 or a warning message is displayed on the image display L.
This is performed by displaying on the CD 15 or the mode display LCD 16.

FIG. 1B shows an electronic camera 1 viewed from the top side.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, in which only essential parts are extracted and shown.

That is, a photographing lens section 21 is attached to the main body of the electronic camera 11 as shown in the figure, and a printed circuit board 22 on which various electronic components are mounted, and a printer The part 23 is accommodated. The printer unit 23 functions as the above-described photosensitive built-in printer, and includes a print cartridge, an optical head unit, and the like as illustrated. The print cartridge contains a plurality of photosensitive papers (photosensitive films) used as print paper.
The print cartridge is a detachable type that can be detachably mounted on the main body of the electronic camera 11, and the supply of the print paper 200 (photosensitive paper) is performed in print cartridge units. At the time of printing, the print paper 200 (photosensitive paper) is taken out one by one from the print cartridge by a transport mechanism provided in the printer unit 23, and is sequentially exposed by the optical head unit while being transported toward the paper outlet 19.

The paper outlet 19 is provided with a paper outlet shutter 24. By closing the paper discharge shutter 24 except during printing, dust and dirt can be prevented from entering from outside.

As shown in the figure, the main body of the electronic camera 11 has a card slot 25 for mounting a removable memory 100 composed of a removable recording medium such as a memory card, and a mounted removable memory 100. A card cover 26 for protection, a battery box for accommodating a plurality of dry batteries 27 used as a power supply of the electronic camera 11, and the like are provided.

(System Configuration) Next, referring to FIG.
A specific system configuration of the electronic camera 11 will be described.

The electronic camera 11 includes an operation unit including various operation switches such as the release switch 12 and the mode changeover switch 13 described above, an image display LCD 15, a mode display LCD 16, a strobe 17, a speaker 18, and the like. , Photographing lens system 111, image sensor 11
2. imaging circuit 113, A / D conversion circuit 114, system controller 115, memory card interface (I / F) 116, recording buffer memory 117, image processing unit 119, external interface (I / F) 12
0, a compression / decompression processing unit 121, a power supply unit 122, and the like.

The photographing lens system 111 is an optical system constituting the photographing lens unit 21 described with reference to FIG. The image sensor 112 is a solid-state image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the photographing optical system 111 into an electric image signal, and includes a CCD area sensor in which a color filter is disposed.

The image pickup circuit 113 controls the operation of the image pickup element 112 under the control of the system controller 115 to take in image information from the image pickup element 112 and to control the operation of the image pickup element 1.
The control of the speed of an element shutter (electronic shutter) by 12 and the gain adjustment of the image signal output from the image sensor 112 are performed. The image signal output from the imaging circuit 113 is sent to an A / D conversion circuit 114, where it is converted into a digital image signal.

When the electronic camera 11 is set to the “normal photographing mode” or the “photographing print mode”, image information is fetched from the image sensor 112 by the image pickup circuit 113 at any time, and a finder image to be displayed on the image display LCD 15 is displayed. Image information to be obtained or used as a reference for AE / AF control for photometry / distance measurement can be obtained. Further, when the release switch 12 is pressed in the “normal shooting mode” or the “shooting print mode”, the image information is newly taken in from the image sensor 112 by the imaging circuit 113, and after predetermined image processing is performed, Removable memory 10
0 is recorded or printed out.

The system controller 115 is a CPU for controlling each unit in the electronic camera 11, and
It consists of a chip microcomputer. In the present embodiment, when the system controller 115 is set to the “photographing print mode”, the ambient temperature and humidity of the electronic camera 11 are measured by a temperature sensor 210 and a humidity sensor 211 described later, and the measured ambient temperature is measured. If it is determined that the temperature is outside the predetermined printable temperature range where image formation on photosensitive paper is possible, or if condensation has occurred, printing is automatically prohibited after shooting. ,
The control for recording the captured image on the recording medium is performed.

Memory card interface (I / F)
Reference numeral 116 denotes a detachable memory 10 which is constituted by a recording medium such as a memory card which can be detachably attached to the electronic camera 11.
0 is for read / write access, and writing of image information to the removable memory 100 and fetching of image information from the removable memory 100 are performed via the memory card interface (I / F) 116.

The recording buffer memory 117 is a buffer area used for temporarily storing image information to be recorded, and this buffer area is also used as a work area for image processing. Image processing such as color correction by the image processing unit 119 and compression / expansion processing by the compression / expansion processing unit 121 are performed by the recording buffer memory 117.
Run on

The external interface 120 is, for example, R
This is for communicating with an external personal computer or other electronic devices via a communication interface such as S232C or IEEE1394, and is used for transmitting and receiving various control information and image information.

The compression / decompression processing unit 121 converts the image information of the recorded image to be recorded into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding) image.
Experts Group) or for expanding compressed image information to be reproduced or printed, which is fetched from the removable memory 110.

The power supply unit 122 is a power supply for supplying operating power to each unit of the electronic camera 11 from the above-described dry battery 27 and a cartridge battery 208 described later housed in the electronic camera 11 and an external AC power supply. Circuit.

The electronic camera 11 includes a print image processing circuit 20 as a constituent unit of the printer unit 23 described above.
1. Printing buffer memory 202, head drive circuit 2
03, an optical head unit 204, a drive control circuit 205, a drive unit 206, a print cartridge 207, and a battery 20 in the cartridge built in the print cartridge 207.
8, cartridge detection sensor 209, temperature sensor 21
0, a humidity sensor 211, and the like.

The print image processing circuit 201 performs various kinds of image processing such as gamma correction for obtaining image data suitable for printing on image data to be printed stored in the buffer memory 117 for recording. The print image data is rasterized and expanded in the print buffer memory 202 in units of one line. The image data developed in the print buffer memory 202 is sent to the optical head unit 204 via the head drive circuit 203.
The optical head unit 204 exposes the photosensitive paper while scanning in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the photosensitive paper transport direction (main scanning direction) by the drive control circuit 205 and the driving unit 206.
The optical head unit 204 includes three optical heads corresponding to R, G, and B lights, respectively. The R optical head is driven by R data, the G optical head is driven by G data, and the B optical head is driven by B data.
As a result, the photosensitive paper is exposed by R, G, and B light corresponding to R, G, and B of the image data, and a color image is formed on the photosensitive paper. As an image forming method by exposure, a well-known diffusion transfer or the like can be used.

A cartridge detection sensor 209 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the print cartridge 207 is mounted. When the print cartridge 207 is mounted, a detection signal indicating the mounting is output to the system controller 115.
Send to

The temperature sensor 210 measures the ambient temperature of the electronic camera 11 by measuring the outside air temperature through the temperature sensor window 20 described above. As the temperature sensor, a thermistor, a radiation temperature sensor using infrared rays, or the like is used.

The humidity sensor 211 is used to measure the humidity on or around the humidity sensor 211. Based on the value of the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 211, it is determined whether or not condensation has occurred in the electronic camera 11. Can be detected. The humidity sensor 211 is arranged on the photosensitive paper transport path or at a position where it comes into contact with the outside air. Note that, even without providing such a humidity sensor 211, it is possible to predict the occurrence of dew condensation in the electronic camera 11 by calculating and calculating the degree of temperature change from the output of the temperature sensor 210.

(Mounting Structure of Temperature Sensor) Next, FIG.
The specific mounting structure of the temperature sensor 210 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A shows that a temperature sensor window 20 having a slit-shaped opening is provided on the exterior 300 of the electronic camera 11 so that the temperature sensor 210 is located at a position facing the temperature sensor window 20. This is an example in which a temperature sensor 210 is provided on a printed circuit board 301. Printed circuit board 301
A printed circuit board on which the components shown in FIG. 2 are mounted can be used.

The mounting structure shown in FIG. 3B is the same as that shown in FIG. The temperature sensor 210 is attached in such a state that the opening under the temperature sensor window 20 is closed and the lower surface of the heat conductive member 302 is in direct contact therewith. Temperature sensor 2
The transmission and reception of signals between the control unit 10 and the control unit 10 are performed by a flexible printed circuit (FPC). With this structure, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering from outside.

FIG. 3C shows that a transparent plate 304 made of glass, acrylic, or the like is disposed on the exterior 300 as the temperature sensor window 20 instead of the slit-shaped opening.
Temperature sensor 210A using infrared light
This is to be measured by: Also in this structure, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering from outside.

(Flow of Processing) Next, a flow of a series of processing executed by the system controller 115 will be described for each mode with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a mode setting process for determining the operation mode of the electronic camera 11 is executed in response to the operation of the mode changeover switch 13 (step S11). The print mode is set to one of “print mode”, “normal shooting mode”, and “playback mode”.

(1) Reproduction print mode When the "reproduction print mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, the system controller 115
Checks the ambient temperature and the presence or absence of dew condensation using the temperature sensor 210 and the humidity sensor 211 to determine whether or not the printing conditions are satisfied (steps S12 and S13). It is determined that the printing conditions are satisfied on condition that the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is within the printable temperature range (YES in step S12) and no dew condensation has occurred (YES in step S13). And step S17
To S20 are started.

On the other hand, when the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is outside the printable temperature range (NO in step S12), or when dew condensation occurs even when the ambient temperature is within the printable temperature range. (N in step S13
O), the system controller 115 determines that the printing condition is not satisfied. In this case, the system controller 115 displays a warning message or an icon indicating that the environment cannot be printed normally on the LCD (displayed on the image display LCD 15 or the mode display LCD 16), and determines whether or not to perform forced printing. An inquiry is made to the user (step S14), and a warning sound is generated from the speaker 18 (step S15). Then, the system controller 115 determines the intention of the user by operating the predetermined operation button by the user (step S16). If execution of forced printing is not instructed by the user (NO in step S16), the system controller 11
No. 5 prohibits the execution of the print processing in steps S17 to S20, and ends the processing in the “reproduction print mode”. If execution of forced printing is instructed by the user (YES in step S16), the system controller 115 proceeds to steps S17 to S17 similarly to the case where the printing conditions are satisfied.
The printing process in S20 is started.

In the printing process, the system controller 11
5 is a memory card interface (I / F) 116
The image data to be printed is read from the detachable memory 100 via the CPU (step S17), and is read out by the compression / decompression processing unit 1.
21 (step S18), and then write the data into the recording buffer memory 117 (step S1).
9). Thereafter, the system controller 115 controls the built-in printer to execute printing by exposure (step S20).

The image data to be printed is selected by displaying the image data recorded in the removable memory 100 on the image display L.
This can be performed while reproducing and displaying using the CD 15.

(2) Photographing print mode When “photographing print mode” is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, when the release switch 12 is pressed, the system controller 115 responds to this by pressing the release switch 12. Is started by the image pickup device 112 (step S21), and the image data obtained by the image pickup process is written into the recording buffer memory 117 (step S22). After photographing, the system controller 115 checks the ambient temperature and the presence or absence of dew condensation using the temperature sensor 210 and the humidity sensor 211 to determine whether or not the printing conditions are satisfied, as in the case of the “reproduction print mode”. (Steps S23 and S2)
4).

The ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is within the printable temperature range (Y in step S23).
ES) and no dew condensation has occurred (YES in step S24), and it is determined that the printing conditions are satisfied. In this case, the system controller 115 controls the built-in printer to execute printing of the photographed image by exposure (step S30).

On the other hand, when the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is outside the printable temperature range (NO in step S23), or when dew condensation occurs even when the ambient temperature is within the printable temperature range. (N in step S24)
O), the system controller 115 determines that the printing condition is not satisfied. In this case, the system controller 115 displays a warning message or an icon indicating that the environment cannot be printed normally on the LCD (displayed on the image display LCD 15 or the mode display LCD 16), and determines whether or not to perform forced printing. An inquiry is made to the user (step S25), and a warning sound is generated from the speaker 18 (step S26). Then, the system controller 115 determines the intention of the user by operating the predetermined operation button by the user (step S27). If execution of forced printing is not instructed by the user (NO in step S27), the system controller 11
No. 5 does not perform the printing process in step S30, but instead compresses the captured image data in the recording buffer memory 117 using the compression / decompression processing unit 121 (step S28), and records it in the removable memory 100 (step S28). Step S
29).

If execution of forced printing is instructed by the user (YES in step S27), the system controller 115 performs the same processing as when the printing conditions are satisfied.
The printing process in step S30 is started.

(3) Normal shooting mode When the "normal shooting mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, the system controller 11
When the release switch 12 is pressed, the imaging circuit 113 is controlled in response to the depression of the release switch 12 to start a photographing process by the image sensor 112 (step S31), and the image data obtained by the photographing process is stored in a recording buffer. Memory 1
17 (step S32). Thereafter, the system controller 115 transmits the image data to the compression / decompression processing unit 1.
21 (step S33), the compressed image data is transferred to a memory card interface (I /
F) The data is recorded in the detachable memory 100 via 116 (step S34).

(4) Reproduction mode [Reproduction mode] is operated by operating the mode changeover switch 13.
Is selected, the system controller 115
Reads the image data to be played back from the removable memory 100 via the memory card interface (I / F) 116 (step S35), and reads it out from the compression / decompression processing unit 12
After decompressing using No. 1 (step S36), the image is displayed on the image display LCD 15 (step S37).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the control of restricting the execution of printing based on the results of the detection of the ambient temperature and the detection of dew condensation is performed.
In the case where the printing conditions are not satisfied, printing is stopped after photographing, and the photographed image is recorded on a recording medium. Therefore, printing can be performed again after the environment in which printing can be performed, so that occurrence of defective printing can be prevented without wasting a captured image.

Although the printing execution is limited by using both the detection of the ambient temperature and the detection of the dew condensation here, a sufficient effect can be obtained by only either the detection of the ambient temperature or the detection of the dew condensation. it can. Alternatively, printing may be immediately stopped without inquiring of the user whether or not to perform forced printing.

Hereinafter, specific examples of various print controls applicable to the "photographing print mode" will be described.

(Shooting Print Mode: Part 2) First, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a case where only the ambient temperature is used as a printing condition and the process is ended without final confirmation with the user will be described. I do.

When the "photographing print mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, when the release switch 12 is pressed, the system controller 115 controls the image pickup circuit 113 in response to the depression of the release switch 12, thereby controlling the image pickup device. The photographing process by 112 is started (step S10)
1) Write the image data obtained by this photographing process into the recording buffer memory 117 (step S10)
2). After the photographing, the system controller 115 measures the ambient temperature using the temperature sensor 210 (step S10).
3) It is determined whether the measured ambient temperature is within a predetermined printable temperature range (step S104).

If the temperature is within the printable temperature range (step S
If YES in step 104, the photographed image is printed using the built-in printer (step S105).

On the other hand, if the temperature is outside the printable temperature range (YES in step S104), the system controller 115
Does not print, but instead reads out the captured image data from the recording buffer memory 117 (step S106) and compresses it using the compression / decompression processing unit 121 (step S107). Then, an “unprinted identification code” is added to the data file of the compressed image data and recorded in the removable memory 100 (steps S108 and S109). "Unprinted identification code"
The corresponding image data is identification information indicating that the image data is recorded only without photographing after photographing, and is embedded in the header of the image data file.
FIG. 6 shows the structure of the image data file recorded in the removable memory 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image data file includes a file header section, thumbnail image data,
And main image data. The thumbnail image data is reduced image data used to display an overview of the main image data at high speed, and the compressed main image data is the main image data. Both the thumbnail image data and the main image data are compressed in a compression format such as JPEG. "Playback mode" and "Playback print mode"
In, the main image data is read from the detachable memory 100 and decompressed.

The file header section holds various kinds of information about the corresponding image file, and includes information such as a file name, a file size, a compression format, and a pixel size of main image data. I have.
In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned “unprinted identification code” is written in the file header section. In the “reproduction print mode”, the unprinted identification code is reproduced and displayed on the image display LCD 15 together with the image data. Therefore, when printing is performed again after the environment in which printing is possible, the printing is stopped and the printing is not performed. It is possible to easily find an image from the removable memory 100.

(Shooting Print Mode: Part 3) Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 7, if only the ambient temperature is used as the printing condition and the printing condition is not satisfied, whether the printing is to be finally performed or not. A processing procedure for allowing the user to select whether or not to perform the determination will be described.

When the "photographing print mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, the system controller 115 proceeds to steps S101 to S101 in FIG.
In the same procedure as in step 104, a photographing process and a process of determining whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range are performed (steps S111 to S111).
114), if the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, print processing of the photographed image is executed using the built-in printer (step S1)
18).

On the other hand, if the temperature is out of the predetermined temperature range (NO in step S114), a process for selecting whether to perform a warning display, a warning sound, and a forced print is performed in the same procedure as in steps S25 to S27 in FIG. (Steps S115 to S11
7). If the forced printing is not instructed (NO in step S117), the captured image data is compressed, and the “unprinted identification code” is added thereto and recorded in the removable memory 100 as in the case of FIG. (Step S119
-S122), when the forced printing is instructed (YES in step S117), the printing process in step S118 is executed.

(Shooting Print Mode: Part 4) Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, only the presence or absence of dew condensation is used as a printing condition, and if the printing condition is not satisfied, the printing is finally performed. A processing procedure when the user selects whether or not to perform the processing will be described.

That is, in FIG. 8, step S1 in FIG.
Steps S201 and S20 instead of S13 and S114
2 are provided. The system controller 115
After the photographing process (steps S111 and S112), the humidity is detected using the humidity sensor 211 (step S201),
It is determined whether or not condensation has occurred (step S201). If condensation has not occurred (N in step S202)
O), it is determined that the printing conditions are satisfied, and the printing process in step S118 is performed. On the other hand, if condensation has occurred (YES in step S202), it is determined that the printing conditions are not satisfied, and the processing in step S115 and subsequent steps is executed.

(Shooting Print Mode: Part 5) Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 9, a case where dew condensation is detected using the temperature sensor 210 instead of the humidity sensor 211 will be described.

That is, in FIG. 9, step S2 in FIG.
01 and S202, steps S301 to S30
3 are provided. The system controller 115
Using the temperature sensor 210, the ambient temperature is continuously detected for a certain period of time (step S301), and a predetermined calculation for checking the degree of temperature change is performed to predict the presence or absence of dew condensation (step S302, S303). In general, dew condensation occurs on electronic cameras 1 cooled outdoors where the temperature is low.
This occurs when the device 1 is suddenly brought into a warm room and used. Therefore, by measuring the temperature change in this way, it is possible to correctly detect the presence or absence of dew condensation.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In consideration of the characteristics of the photosensitive printer, the execution of printing is restricted according to the usage environment.In addition, when printing is not performed after shooting, the shot image is automatically recorded on the recording medium, so After the printing environment is established, printing can be performed again. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective printing without wasting the photographed image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic structure of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the system configuration of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a specific mounting structure of a temperature sensor provided in the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing a series of processing procedures executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment for each mode.

FIG. 5 shows a second example of the print control process in the “photographing print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
The flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing an example of a file structure when recording image data captured by the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a third example of the print control process in the “photographing print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
The flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 8 is a fourth flowchart of the print control process in the “photographing print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
The flowchart which shows the procedure of.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary fifth printing control process performed by the electronic camera according to the embodiment in a “photographing print mode”;
The flowchart which shows the procedure of.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Electronic camera, 12 ... Release switch, 13 ... Mode changeover switch, 15 ... Image display LCD, 16 ... Mode display LCD, 19 ... Paper discharge port, 20 ... Temperature sensor window, 23 ... Printer part, 100 ... Detachable memory, 112 ...
Image sensor 113 Image sensor 114 A / D converter 115 System controller 116 Memory card interface 204 Optical head 207
Print cartridge, 210 ... temperature sensor, 211 ...
Humidity sensor.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/765 H04N 5/907 B 5/781 5/781 510C 5/907 5/91 H 5 / 91F Term (reference) 2C061 AP10 AS11 HV07 HV32 HV36 HV44 HV50 2H104 AA19 BB01 5C022 AA11 AB00 AC18 AC54 AC69 CA00 5C052 AA12 FA01 FA03 FB01 FC01 FC06 FD05 FE01 5C053 FA04 GA11 GB21 KA03 LA03

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera device having electronic imaging means for generating image information by photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing optical system, wherein the photosensitive paper loaded in the electronic camera device is A printing unit for exposing according to image information obtained by the electronic imaging unit to form a predetermined image on the photosensitive paper; a temperature measuring unit for measuring an ambient temperature of the electronic camera device; If the temperature is out of the predetermined temperature range,
Control means for inhibiting printing of the image information by the printing means and controlling the image information to be recorded on a recording medium mountable on the electronic camera device. apparatus. 2. An electronic camera device having electronic image pickup means for generating image information by photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing optical system, wherein the photosensitive paper loaded in the electronic camera device is A printing unit for exposing in accordance with image information obtained by an electronic imaging unit to form a predetermined image on the photosensitive paper; a condensation detecting unit for detecting whether or not dew condensation occurs in the electronic camera device; When the occurrence of is detected, control means for inhibiting execution of printing of the image information by the printing means, and controlling to record the image information on a recording medium mountable on the electronic camera device, An electronic camera device comprising: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adds identification information indicating that the printing is not performed by the printing unit and the image information is only recorded without performing printing. 3. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera device records the image on a medium. 4. A warning means for giving a predetermined warning for notifying that there is a possibility that a good image may not be formed on the photosensitive paper, wherein the warning means is configured to determine whether the measured ambient temperature is a predetermined value. When the temperature is out of the temperature range or when the dew condensation is detected,
The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the warning is issued. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: means for allowing a user to select whether or not to force printing by said printing means when a warning is issued by said warning means. Camera device. 6. An electronic camera device having electronic image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing optical system to generate image information, wherein the photosensitive paper loaded in the electronic camera device is A printing unit for exposing according to image information obtained by the electronic imaging unit to form a predetermined image on the photosensitive paper; a temperature measuring unit for measuring an ambient temperature of the electronic camera device; and a measured ambient temperature. An electronic camera device comprising: a warning unit that issues a predetermined warning for notifying that there is a possibility that a good image may not be formed on photosensitive paper when the temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range.