JP2002086826A - Consumable material storing container for printer, printer using the container, and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print image information imaged by a digital camera to a variety of layout positions (printing positions and ranges) desired by an operator with only a considerably simple operation required of the operator. SOLUTION: A means (224) for storing layout information indicating printable positions and printing ranges is set inside a consumable material storing container (C100) for a printer. A means for receiving the information in cooperation with the means (224) and, displaying and processing a layout image indicating the printable position and the printing range (1602) based on the information to a display (A105) is set to the digital camera.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera having an image pickup means and a photographed image display means, a printer having a print means for printing a photographed image of the camera, and a consumable container for the printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rapid spread of digital cameras, there is an increasing demand for printing out images taken by digital cameras on the spot. In order to satisfy such a demand, there is a digital camera equipped with a printer having a unit for storing photographed image information and a printer for printing the image information in a visible manner.

As an example of such a camera with a printer, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-136552 discloses a high-speed mode setting in which the printing time can be reduced by the remaining battery capacity and a low-current mode in which the number of printed sheets can be secured. An electronic still camera with an image printer equipped with a drive control system for a printer unit combining both advantages is disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-215456, two modes, a post-shooting print mode and a direct print mode, are set according to the situation at the time of shooting.
An electronic camera with a printer that can be arbitrarily switched by an operator is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-249233 discloses a compact electronic camera with a printer having a small external shape and excellent portability.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-252491 discloses an electronic camera with a printer that has a compact shape and prevents foreign substances and external light from entering through the outlet of the instant film.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-317897 discloses a camera device with a printer whose size is reduced. Further, JP-A-2000-118100
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2005-115122 discloses a camera with a printer that enables a printing operation at a low temperature and expands a use range.

As a mode of supplying a print medium (paper) to a printer for a digital camera, a paper package separated therefrom is used, paper is loaded from the package into a paper cassette, and the cassette is attached to the printer. There is a form in which the paper package itself is formed into a cassette in advance and this is directly inserted into the main body.

[0009]

However, the techniques disclosed in the above publications have the following problems.

That is, in the conventional printer with a camera, the operability due to the integral construction of the photographing device and the printer is avoided, and the image information is fixed on the recording medium in a fixed image size and fixed. It has only a simple function of printing in the layout position and range that has been set. Therefore, the apparatus configuration and operation system do not have a print function for a wide variety of image sizes and layout positions and ranges that can meet a wide range of preferences of the operator.

For example, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-066405, the recording medium for image information is generally rectangular as a whole, and the position and size of the frame depend on the position and size of the hole provided on the recording medium. Printing on complex positions and areas was virtually difficult to determine the range of the frame. As a result, the operator can only print in a monotonous position and range. That is, it is not possible to meet a wide range of preferences of the operator due to the lack of variations.

On the other hand, in a printer camera having an operation system for realizing print output to various image sizes and layout positions and ranges, an image size and a layout position and range desired by an operator are selected or determined. By configuring the operation system so that it can be performed, the operability due to the integrated configuration of the photographing apparatus and the printer may be further increased. For example, in the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-125238, the operability is complicated by the fact that the photographing device and the printer are integrally configured.
When printing additional information on one recording medium (position,
Since the printer control mode is determined by externally inputting the size and color) by the operator, the operation becomes more complicated. Further, such a complicated and complicated operation system causes a problem that the apparatus becomes expensive.

The present invention is regarded as a problem to be solved as described above, and requires only a very simple operation for the operator, and a variety of layout positions (print positions and ranges) desired by the operator. To enable printing on a computer.

[0014]

For this purpose, the present invention provides:
A printer consumable container for storing a print medium to be supplied to a printer, comprising a storage unit for storing information related to a layout of a print performed on the stored print medium. Features.

Here, the layout-related information includes at least one of layout information indicating a printable position and a print range on a stored print medium, and layout identification information defined corresponding to the layout information. It can be.

Further, a plurality of types of print media having different printable positions and ranges are accommodated,
The storage means may store at least one of the plurality of layout information and layout identification information corresponding to the plurality of types of print media.

In the above, the storage means may be a nonvolatile storage means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera provided with image information display means, comprising: information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to a layout of a print medium for printing image information; And display processing means for displaying on the display means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a digital camera having image information display means, an information obtaining step of obtaining information related to a layout of a print medium for printing image information, and the obtaining method. And displaying the layout-related information on the display means.

[0020] In the above, there is provided means for storing photographed image information, and the display means is provided for confirming the photographed image information and confirming the image information in a reproduction function of the image information stored in the storage means. Having a monitor screen to be displayed.

[0021] The display processing means or step may display the layout-related information together with image information on the monitor screen.

Further, the layout-related information includes at least one of layout information indicating a printable position and a print range on the print medium, and layout identification information defined corresponding to the layout information. Means or a process of displaying on the display means a layout image indicating the printable position and the print range based on the layout information, and displaying a layout name on the display means based on the layout identification information; Or at least one of the following.

The image information may further include means or a step of performing image processing for performing printing in a layout based on the layout-related information.

Further, in the printer of the present invention, the printer consumable container of any one of the above-described forms is detachable, and the image data supplied from the digital camera of any one of the above-described forms is used as a print medium supplied from the container. And means for printing on the paper.

Here, the printing means may use an ink jet head for performing printing by discharging ink on the print medium, and the ink jet head is used for discharging ink. As the energy, an element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling of the ink can be provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the printer of any one of the above-mentioned forms and a digital camera are integrally provided.

In addition, the present invention resides in a control program for causing a digital camera of any of the above-described forms or a printer-integrated digital camera to execute the above-described display processing method.

[0028]

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

In this specification, "print" (sometimes referred to as "record") refers to not only the case where significant information such as characters and figures are formed, but also whether a person is visually perceived as significant or insignificant. Regardless of whether or not it is evident, it refers to a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a print medium, or a case where the print medium is processed.

The "print medium" is not limited to paper used in a general printing apparatus, but is widely applicable to inks such as cloth, plastic films, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. In the following, it is also referred to as “paper” or simply “paper”.

In this specification, a "camera" refers to a device or device that optically captures an image and converts an optical image into an electric signal, and is also referred to as an "imaging unit" in the following description.

Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted widely as in the definition of “print” described above. , A pattern, etc., processing of a print medium, or ink processing (for example, solidification or insolubilization of a coloring material in ink applied to the print medium).

One form of the head in which the present invention is effectively used is a form in which film boiling occurs in a liquid using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal transducer to form bubbles.

[Basic Configuration] First, the basic configuration of the device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An apparatus described in this example includes an imaging unit (hereinafter, also referred to as a “camera unit”) that optically captures an image and converts it into an electrical signal, and an image that records an image based on the captured electrical signal. Recording unit (hereinafter,
(Also referred to as a “printer unit”). Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus described in this example will be described as a “camera with a built-in printer”.

In the apparatus main unit A001, the camera unit A
A printer unit (recording device unit) B100 is integrated with the back side of the unit 100. The printer unit B100 records an image using ink and a print medium supplied from the media pack C100. In this configuration, the device body A
As is clear from FIG. 5 when the exterior is removed from the outer side of FIG. 5, the media pack C100 is inserted into the right side of the apparatus main body A001 in the figure, and the printer unit B100 is inserted into the left side of the apparatus main body A001 in the figure. Is arranged. When recording is performed by the printer unit B100, the camera unit A1
The position of the apparatus main body A001 can be set so that the liquid crystal display unit A105 described later at 00 is located above and the lens A101 is located below. In this printing position, a printing head B120 described later in the printer unit B100 is used.
Is in a posture of discharging ink downward. The recording posture may be the same posture as the posture in the shooting state by the camera unit A100, and is not limited to the above-described recording posture. From the viewpoint of the stability of the printing operation, the printing position in which the ink is ejected downward is preferable.

In the following, the mechanical basic structure of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described by dividing it into A "camera unit", B "media pack", and C "printer unit". Will be described as D “signal processing system”.

A "Camera Unit" The camera unit A100 basically constitutes a general digital camera.
The digital camera with a built-in printer as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 1 to 3, A101 is a lens, A102 is a finder, A1
02a is a finder window, A103 is a flash, A10
Reference numeral 4 denotes a release button, and A105 denotes a liquid crystal display unit (external display unit). As will be described later, the camera unit A100
Processing of data captured using CD, Compact Flash (registered trademark) memory card (CF card) A107
It stores images in the printer unit, displays the images, and exchanges various data with the printer unit B100. A discharge unit A109 discharges a print medium C104 on which an image has been recorded when the photographed image is recorded on a print medium C104 described below. A108 shown in FIG. 5 is a battery as a power source for the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100.

B "Media Pack" The media pack C100 is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body A001. In the case of this example, the medium pack C100 is inserted from the insertion portion A002 (see FIG. 3) of the apparatus main body A001, and thereby, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. The insertion portion A002 is closed as shown in FIG. 3 when the media pack C100 is not mounted, and is opened when the media pack C100 is mounted. FIG. 5 shows the media pack C100.
Shows a state in which the exterior has been removed from the apparatus main body A001 to which is attached. Pack body C101 of media pack C100
As shown in FIG. 4, a shutter C102 is provided so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow D. Shutter C102
When the media pack C100 is not mounted on the apparatus main body A001, it slides to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
When it is attached to the position 1, it slides to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.

The ink pack C is provided in the pack body C101.
103 and a print medium C104 are accommodated. FIG.
In the ink pack C103, the print medium C1
04. In the case of this example, ink pack C
Three 103s are provided so as to individually accommodate Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) inks, and about 20 print media C104 are accommodated in an overlapping manner. Those inks and print medium C104
Means that the best combination for image recording was selected,
They are housed in the same media pack C100. Therefore, various media packs C100 (for example, media packs for ultra-high image quality, normal image quality, seals (split seals), etc.) having different combinations of ink and print medium are prepared, and the images to be recorded are prepared. These media packs C100 are selectively loaded into the apparatus main assembly A0 in accordance with the type and use of the print medium on which the image is formed.
By mounting the ink cartridge on the print medium 01, an image suitable for the purpose can be reliably recorded using the optimal combination of ink and print medium. Further, the media pack C100 is provided with an EEPROM (identification IC) to be described later, and the EEPROM stores identification data such as ink contained in the media pack and the type and remaining amount of the print medium.

When the media pack C100 is mounted on the apparatus main assembly A001, the ink pack C103 has Y,
Through three joints C105 corresponding to the M and C inks, respectively, it is connected to an ink supply system of the apparatus main body A001 described later. On the other hand, the print medium C104
Are separated one by one by a separation mechanism (not shown), and are then sent out in the direction of arrow C by a feed roller C110 (see FIG. 9) described later. The driving force of the paper feed roller C110 is supplied from a transport motor M002 (see FIG. 9), which will be described later, provided on the apparatus main assembly A001 side, via a connecting portion C110a.

Further, the pack body C101 is provided with a wiper C106 for wiping a recording head of a printer section described later, and an ink absorber C107 for absorbing waste ink discharged from the printer section. ing. The recording head in the printer section reciprocates in the main scanning direction indicated by arrow A as described later. When the media pack C100 is detached from the apparatus main body A001, the shutter C102 slides to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, and the joint C105, the wiper C106,
And protect the ink absorber C107 and the like.

C "Printer Unit" The printer unit B100 of this example is a serial type using an ink jet recording head. This printer section B1
00 will be described separately for C-1 "print operation unit", C-2 "print medium transport system", and C-3 "ink supply system".

C-1 "Print Operation Unit" FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the entire printer unit B100, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the printer unit B100 with a part thereof removed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the leading end of the media pack C100 mounted on the apparatus main body A001 is located at a fixed position inside the main body of the printer section B100. The print medium C104 sent out from the media pack C100 in the direction of arrow C is transmitted to
While being sandwiched between the F roller B101 and the LF pinch roller B102, the sheet is conveyed on the platen B103 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow B. A carriage B104 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow A along the guide shaft B105 and the lead screw B106.

On the carriage B104, as shown in FIG.
A bearing B107 for the guide shaft B105 and a bearing B108 for the lead screw B106 are provided. At a fixed position of the carriage B104, as shown in FIG. 7, a screw pin B109 protruding inside the bearing B108 is attached by a spring B110. Then, the tip of the screw pin B109 fits into the spiral groove formed on the outer peripheral portion of the lead screw B106, so that the rotation of the lead screw B106 is converted into the reciprocating movement of the carriage B104.

The carriage B104 has Y, M,
Ink jet recording head B1 capable of discharging C ink
20 and a sub-tank (not shown) for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head B120. The recording head B120 is formed with a plurality of ink ejection ports B121 (see FIG. 8) arranged in a direction intersecting the main scanning direction of the arrow A (in this example, orthogonal to the main scanning direction). The ink discharge port B121 forms a nozzle capable of discharging ink supplied from the sub tank. As a means for generating energy for ejecting ink, an electrothermal converter provided for each nozzle can be used. The electrothermal transducer generates bubbles in the ink in the nozzles by being driven to generate heat, and discharges ink droplets from the ink discharge port B121 by the bubbling energy.

The sub-tank has a smaller capacity than the ink pack C103 stored in the media pack C100, and has a size that stores at least an amount of ink necessary for recording an image of one print medium C104.
In the sub-tank, an ink supply portion and a negative pressure introduction portion are formed in the ink storage portions for each of the Y, M, and C inks, and these ink supply portions are individually provided to the corresponding three hollow needles B122. The negative pressure introduction sections are connected to a common supply air port B123. In such a sub-tank, as described later,
When the carriage B104 moves to the home position as shown in FIG. 6, ink is supplied from the ink pack C103 of the media pack C100.

In the carriage B104 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 24 denotes a needle cover. When the needle B122 and the joint C105 are not connected to each other, the needle cover 122 is moved to a position for protecting the needle B122 by the force of the spring as shown in FIG. When connecting, the needle B122 is pushed upward in the figure against the force of the spring to release the protection of the needle B122. The moving position of the carriage B104 is the carriage B1.
04 encoder sensor B131 and printer unit B1
00 linear scale B132 on the main body side (see FIG. 6)
And is detected by. The movement of the carriage B104 to the home position indicates that the carriage B10 has moved.
The HP (home position) flag B133 on the fourth side and the HP sensor B134 (FIG.
See).

In FIG. 7, at both ends of the guide shaft B105, support shafts (not shown) are provided at positions eccentric from the center axis. The position of the carriage 104 is adjusted by rotating and adjusting the guide shaft B105 about its support shaft, so that the recording head B120 and the platen B
The distance between the print medium 103 and the print medium C 104 (also referred to as “paper distance”) is adjusted. The lead screw B106 is driven to rotate by a carriage motor M001 via a screw gear B141, an idler gear B142, and a motor gear B143. Also,
B150 is a flexible cable for electrically connecting a control system described below and the recording head B120.

The recording head B120 includes a carriage B10
By ejecting ink from the ink ejection port B121 in accordance with the image signal while moving in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow A together with 4, the image for one line is recorded on the print medium on the platen B103. By repeating such a recording operation for one line by the recording head B120 and a conveyance operation of a predetermined amount of the print medium in the sub-scanning direction of an arrow B by a print medium conveyance system described later, images are sequentially printed on the print medium. Record

C-2 "Print Medium Transport System" FIG. 9 is a perspective view of components of the print medium transport system in the printer section B100. In FIG. 9, B201
Denotes a pair of discharge rollers, and one of the upper discharge rollers B201 in the figure includes a discharge roller gear B202 and a relay gear B2.
03, and is driven by the transport motor M002.
Similarly, the above-described LF roller B101 is connected to the transport motor M via the LF roller gear B204 and the relay gear B203.
002. The discharge roller B201 and the LF roller B101 convey the print medium C104 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow B by the driving force of the conveyance motor M002 at the time of normal rotation.

On the other hand, when the transport motor M002 rotates in the reverse direction, the switching slider B211 and the switching cam B2
The pressure plate head B 213 and a lock mechanism (not shown) are driven through the drive unit 12, and a driving force is transmitted to the paper feed roller C 110 on the side of the media pack C 100. That is,
The pressure plate head B 213 is driven by the driving force of the transport motor M002 during the reverse rotation, passes through the window C102A of the shutter C102 of the media pack C100 (see FIG. 4), and print media C integrated in the media pack C100.
104 is pressed downward in FIG. As a result, the print medium C104 at the lowermost position in FIG.
The sheet 100 is pressed on the sheet feeding roller C110 in the sheet 100. A lock mechanism (not shown) locks the media pack C100 with respect to the apparatus main body A001 by the driving force of the transport motor M002 at the time of reverse rotation, and
0 removal is prohibited. Media pack C10
The zero-side paper feed roller C110 carries out one print medium C104 at the lowermost position in FIG. 4 in the direction of arrow C by transmitting the driving force at the time of reverse rotation of the transport motor M002.

As described above, when the transport motor M002 rotates in the reverse direction, only one print medium C104 is taken out from the media pack C100 in the direction of the arrow C. Thereafter, when the transport motor M002 rotates forward, the print medium C104 is rotated. Is transported in the direction of arrow B.

C-3 "Ink Supply System" FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the components of the ink supply system in the printer section B100, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state where the media pack C100 is mounted on the components of the ink supply system. It is a top view.

The joint C105 of the media pack C100 mounted on the printer section B100 is connected to the needle B12 on the side of the carriage B104 moved to the home position.
2 (see FIG. 8). The main body of the printer unit B100 is provided with a joint fork B301 (see FIG. 10) located below the joint C105, and the joint fork B301 is connected to the joint C1.
By moving 05 upward, the joint C105 is connected to the needle B122. This forms an ink supply path between the ink pack C103 on the media pack C100 side and the ink supply unit of the sub tank on the carriage B104 side. A carriage B10 moved to the home position is provided on the main body of the printer unit B100.
A supply joint B302 is provided below the fourth supply air port B123 (see FIG. 8). This supply joint B302 is provided via a supply tube B303.
It is connected to a pump cylinder B304 of a pump as a negative pressure source. The supply joint B302 is connected to the supply air port B123 on the carriage B104 side by being moved up by the joint lifter B305. Thus, a negative pressure introducing path is formed between the negative pressure introducing portion of the sub tank on the side of the carriage B104 and the pump cylinder B304. The joint lifter B305 moves the joint fork B301 up and down together with the supply joint B302 by the driving force of the joint motor M003.

The negative pressure introducing portion of the sub tank is provided with a gas-liquid separating member (not shown) that allows the passage of air and prevents the passage of ink. The gas-liquid separation member allows the air in the sub-tank to be sucked through the negative pressure introduction passage, thereby supplying ink from the media pack C100 to the sub-tank. When the ink in the sub-tank reaches the gas-liquid separation member, when the ink is sufficiently replenished, the gas-liquid separation member stops the passage of the ink, so that the ink supply is automatically stopped. The gas-liquid separation member is provided in an ink supply unit in an ink storage portion for each ink in the sub tank, and automatically stops replenishing ink for each of those ink storage portions.

The main body of the printer unit B100 is provided with a suction cap B310 capable of capping the recording head B120 (see FIG. 8) on the carriage B104 moved to the home position. The suction cap B310 has a suction tube B311 inside.
, A negative pressure is introduced from the pump cylinder B304 through the ink discharge port B1 of the recording head B120.
The ink can be sucked and discharged (suction recovery processing) from the ink cartridge 21. The recording head B120 also removes ink that does not contribute to image recording, if necessary, with a suction cap B3.
10 (preliminary discharge processing). Suction cap B
The ink in the ink cartridge C107 in the media pack C110 flows from the pump cylinder B304 through the waste liquid tube B312 and the waste liquid joint B313.
Is discharged.

The pump cylinder B304 constitutes a pump unit B315 together with a pump motor M004 for reciprocating the pump cylinder B304. Pump motor M004 is
It also functions as a drive source for moving the wiper lifter B316 (see FIG. 10) up and down. Wiper lifter B31
No. 6 moves the wiper C106 to a position where the recording head B120 can be wiped by moving the wiper C106 of the media pack C100 mounted on the printer unit B100 upward.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, B321
Is a pump HP sensor for detecting that the operating position of the pump constituted by the pump cylinder B 304 is at the home position. A joint HP sensor B322 detects that the ink supply path and the negative pressure introduction path described above have been formed. B323 is a chassis that forms the main body of the printer unit B100.

D "Signal Processing System" FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100.

In the camera section A100, 101 is a CCD as an image sensor, 102 is a microphone for voice input, 103 is an ASIC for performing hardware processing, 10
Reference numeral 4 denotes a first memory for temporarily storing image data and the like;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a CF card (“CF card A1
07), an LCD (corresponding to the “liquid crystal display unit A105”) for displaying a captured image or a reproduced image, and 120
Is a first CPU for controlling the camera unit A100.

In the printer section B100, 210
An interface 201 between the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100, an image processing unit 201 (2 for binarizing an image)
202, a second memory used for performing image processing; 203, a band memory control unit;
4 is a band memory, 205 is a mask memory, 206 is a head controller, and 207 is a printhead (“printhead B12
0), 208 is an encoder (corresponding to “encoder sensor B131”), 209 is an encoder counter, 2
Reference numeral 20 denotes a second CPU for controlling the printer unit B100;
1 is a motor driver, 222 is a motor (“motor M00
1, M002, M003, M004 ") 223
Is a sensor ("HP sensors B134, B321, B322").
224, an EEPROM built in the media pack C100, 230, an audio encoder unit, 25
0 is a power supply unit ("Battery A108") for supplying power to the entire apparatus.
).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of signal processing in the camera unit A100. In the shooting mode, the lens 107
The image captured by the CCD 101 through the
Signal processing (CCD signal processing) by C103
It is converted into a V luminance two-color difference signal. Further, the image data is resized to a predetermined resolution, JPEG-compressed, and recorded on the CF card 105. The voice is input from the microphone 102 and stored in the CF card 105 via the ASIC 103. Regarding the recording of the sound, it can be stored at the same time as the shooting or as a post-recording after the shooting. In the playback mode, the JPE
The G image is read out, JPEG-decompressed by the ASIC 103, and further resized to the display resolution.
06 is displayed.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of signal processing in the printer section B100.

The image reproduced on the camera unit A100 side, that is, the image read from the CF card 105, is JPEG expanded by the ASIC 103 and resized to a resolution suitable for the printing resolution as shown in FIG. Then, the resized image data (YUV) is sent to the printer unit B100 via the interface unit 210. As shown in FIG. 14, the printer unit B100 performs image processing on the image data sent from the camera unit A100 using the image processing unit 201, converts the image data into RGB signals, performs input γ correction according to the characteristics of the camera, and looks Color correction and color conversion using an up table (LUT), and conversion into a binary signal for printing. At the time of the binarization process, the second memory 202 is used as an error memory in order to perform an error diffusion (ED) process. In the case of this example, the binarization processing unit in the image processing unit 201 performs an error diffusion process, but other processes such as a binarization process using a dither pattern may be performed. The binarized print data is temporarily stored in the band memory 204 by the band memory control unit 203. An encoder pulse from the encoder 208 is input to the encoder counter 209 of the printer unit B100 every time the carriage B104 on which the recording head 207 and the encoder 208 are mounted moves a predetermined distance. Then, in synchronization with the encoder pulse, print data is read from the band memory 204 and the mask memory 205, and based on the print data, the head control unit 206 controls the print head 207 to perform printing.

The band memory control in FIG. 14 will be described as follows.

The plurality of nozzles in the recording head 207 are formed in rows so as to have a density of, for example, 1200 dpi. When the carriage is scanned once in order to print an image using such a recording head 207, the number of nozzles in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter, also referred to as “vertical (Y direction)”) is equal to the number of nozzles in the main scanning direction (hereinafter, referred to as “vertical (Y direction)”). , "Horizontal (X direction)
In this case, it is necessary to create print data for the print area (print data for one scan) in advance.
After the recording data is created by the image processing unit 201,
Band memory 204 by band memory control unit 203
Is stored once. After one scan of print data is stored in the band memory 204, the carriage is scanned in the main scanning direction. At this time, encoder pulses input from the encoder 208 are counted by the encoder counter 209, print data is read from the band memory 204 according to the encoder pulses, and ink droplets are ejected from the print head 207 based on the image data. You. When the bidirectional printing method of printing an image (forward printing and backward printing) at the time of forward scan and backward scan of the print head 207 is adopted, image data is transferred from the band memory 204 according to the scan direction of the print head 207. Is read. For example, at the time of forward pass recording, the address of the image data read from the band memory 204 is sequentially incremented, and at the time of backward pass recording, the address of the image data read from the band memory 204 is sequentially decremented.

Actually, when the image data (C, M, Y) created by the image processing unit 201 is written into the band memory 204 and one band of image data is prepared, the scanning of the recording head 207 is performed. Becomes possible. Then, the recording head 207 is scanned, image data is read from the band memory 204, and the recording head 207 records an image based on the image data. During the recording operation, image data to be recorded next is created in the image processing unit 201,
The image data is written to an area of the band memory 204 corresponding to the recording position.

As described above, the band memory control is performed for the recording data (C, M, Y) created by the image processing unit 201.
Is written in the band memory 204 and the operation of reading out the print data (C, M, Y) to be sent to the head control unit 206 in accordance with the scanning operation of the carriage is performed while switching.

The mask memory control in FIG. 14 will be described as follows.

This mask memory control is necessary when the multi-pass printing method is adopted. In the case of the multi-pass printing method, a print image for one row having a width corresponding to the length of the nozzle row of the print head 207 is printed by dividing the print head 207 into a plurality of scans. That is, the transport amount of the print medium that is transported intermittently in the sub-scanning direction is set to 1 / N of the length of the nozzle row. For example, when N = 2, one row of the recorded image is scanned twice. (N-pass printing), and when N = 4, a print image for one line is printed in four scans (4-pass printing). Similarly, when N = 8, 8-pass printing is performed, and when N = 16, 16-pass printing is performed. Therefore, the recording image for one line is recorded by the recording head 207.
Is completed by multiple scans.

Actually, the mask memory 205 stores mask data for allocating image data to a plurality of scans of the print head 207, and outputs a logical product (AND) data of the mask data and the image data. Then, the recording head 207 ejects ink to record an image.

In FIG. 14, the CF card 105
Are sent to the printer unit B100 via the interface 210 by the ASIC 102 in the same manner as the image data. Printer section B100
Is encoded (encoded) by the audio encoder 230 and recorded as code data in an image to be printed. When it is not necessary to add audio data to a print image, or when printing an image without audio data, naturally, coded audio data is not printed and only the image is printed.

In this embodiment, the description has been given of a camera with a built-in printer in which the camera section A100 and the printer section B100 are integrated. However, the camera unit A100
And the printer unit B100 can be separated into separate devices, and the same configuration can be realized in a configuration in which they are connected by the interface 210, and the same function can be realized.

[Characteristic Configuration] An embodiment of a characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a control system for realizing, in particular, the characteristic configuration of the present invention with respect to the basic configuration described above.

In the figure, a control unit 1101 includes a CPU 120 for executing a processing procedure described later, a ROM for storing a program corresponding to the processing procedure and other fixed data, and a work for executing the program. It has a RAM or the like having an area. Reference numeral 1102 denotes a photographing unit, which includes a CCD 101 and the like, which are photoelectric conversion elements. 11
Reference numeral 03 denotes a photographing control unit that controls the photographing unit 1102.

As described above, the printer section B 100
This is for outputting (printing) a signal (photographed image) and the like photoelectrically converted by the CD 101 to a print medium so that the print medium (visual image) can be visually recognized. ), The printing operation can be performed.
The EEP provided in the media pack C100
The information written in the ROM 224 is also read.
Further, as described above, the media pack C100 may include ink to be supplied to the printer unit B100.
Further, the media pack C1 is stored in the EEPROM 224.
In addition to the size and type of paper stored in 00,
Information such as the number of sheets is stored. A printer control unit 1105 controls the printer unit B100.

The LCD 106 is, as described above, the photographing unit 1
The image information to be captured and taken from the PC 102 is displayed, or the image information stored in the CF card A 107 and captured via the card drive 1110 is reproduced and displayed. A display control unit 1106 controls display on the LCD 106. Reference numeral 1107 denotes a memory unit for storing electronic image information, which has an area for temporarily storing captured image information read from the imaging unit 1102 and an area for temporarily storing image information read from the CF card A 107. , Corresponds to the memory 104 described above.

Reference numeral 1108 denotes a layout information detection unit for detecting information on a printable position and a print range stored in a storage medium (EEPROM 224) in the currently loaded media pack C100, ie, layout information. The display control unit 1106 displays the layout position indicated by the layout information on the LCD 106 by the display control unit 1106 in order to inform the operator of the layout information of the currently loaded media pack C100 detected by the layout information detection unit 1108. This is a layout information display control unit for visually displaying.

Reference numeral 1110 denotes a layout name detection unit for detecting a layout name as layout identification information stored in the EEPROM 224 in the currently loaded media pack C100. However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the layout name is determined one-to-one with respect to the layout information. The display control unit 1106 controls the LCD 1111 to notify the operator of the layout name of the currently loaded media pack C100 detected by the layout name detection unit 1110.
This is a layout name display control unit that is visually displayed above.

Reference numeral 1112 denotes a layout information detection unit 110
8 is a memory unit for temporarily storing the layout information detected by 8 and the layout name detected by the layout name detection unit 1110. Reference numeral 1113 denotes a layout image display control unit that displays image information stored by the memory unit 1107 on the LCD 106 via the display control unit 1106 based on the layout information detected by the layout information detection unit 1108. 1114
Is a layout print control unit that prints the image information stored by the memory unit 1107 on the print medium C104 based on the layout information detected by the layout information detection unit 1108.

Reference numeral 1115 denotes a power switch of the camera with a built-in printer, 1116 and 1117 denote first and second switches which operate during processing in a photographing mode described later, and 111
Reference numeral 8 denotes a button for instructing start of printing, and 1119 denotes a mode setting unit for switching the camera with a built-in printer between a photographing mode and a print mode.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams schematically showing the camera with a built-in printer described in the basic configuration described above. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the camera with a built-in printer substantially from the front, and FIG. FIG. On the front side of the camera with built-in printer, a lens A10
1, a strobe A103, a finder window A102a, etc., and a release button A104 on the upper surface side.

On the back side of the camera with built-in printer, FIG.
, A liquid crystal display A105 and a finder eyepiece A102 corresponding to the LCD 106, and a print button 11
18 and a mode setting button 1119, and a forward button 1207 and a return button 120 used to operate a menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display A105.
8 are provided.

Note that on one side of the camera with a built-in printer,
An insertion section A002 for mounting the media pack C100 on the printer section B100, and a discharge section A104 for discharging a sheet C104 printed by the printer section B100 are provided on the other side opposite to the insertion section A002.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a print medium C104 for printing one sheet of image information, which is stored in a media pack detachably mounted on the camera with a built-in printer according to the present embodiment. Here, reference numeral 1301 denotes a base of the print medium C104 for printing image information;
Reference numeral 2 denotes an entire area of the print medium C104 on which image information is printed, and 1303 denotes an area indicating a position and a range in which image information can be printed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing the above-described media pack C100 in this embodiment. Here, the EEPROM 224 stores a printable position and a range 1303 on the stored print medium C104.
Is stored, and a layout name or the like associated one-to-one with the layout information is stored. Reference numeral 1402 denotes a print medium set in which a plurality (for example, 20) of print media C104 are set. These EEPROMs
224 and the print medium set 1402 are stored in the pack body C101.

First Example of Characteristic Configuration As a first example of the characteristic configuration of the present invention, a media pack C100 that is detachably mounted on a camera with a built-in printer and stores printable position and range information, ie, layout information. The following describes an example of a camera with a built-in printer and a media pack that detects the layout information from a storage medium (EEPROM 224) inside the printer and prints the captured image information on a print medium based on the layout information.

In the following, individual print media C104 (FIG. 1) stored in the same media pack (FIG. 19)
The printable position and range of 8) are assumed to be common.

The following processing is involved in FIG.
Of the layout information detection unit 110
8, layout information display section 1109, layout name detection section 1110, layout name display section 11
11, a layout image display control unit 1113, and a layout print control unit 1114.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view schematically showing a camera with a built-in printer for explaining the mode for carrying out the first example. Here, reference numeral 1503 denotes a printer built-in camera 1501
Is the direction in which the media pack C100 is loaded. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a discharge direction of the print medium C104 on which image information has been printed out of the media pack C100.

As shown in FIG.
A first example in which the present invention is applied to the camera with built-in printer and the media pack when a media pack C100 is loaded in the camera 1 and a photographing / printing operation is performed by an operator will be described. Note that the insertion portion or the insertion direction of the media pack C100 and the ejection portion or the ejection direction of the printed print medium C104 are opposite to the above-described basic configuration in the example of FIG. However, they can be arbitrarily determined in consideration of the operability according to the configuration of the camera with built-in printer and the media pack, and are not limited to the basic configuration and the example of FIG.

FIG. 21 shows a storage medium (EE) in the media pack C100 when the first example of the characteristic configuration of the present invention is carried out.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for describing a display example of an LCD (liquid crystal display A105) based on printable position and range information stored in a PROM 224). Here, a case where the media pack C100 storing the print medium C104 shown in FIG. 18 is loaded is illustrated. In FIG. 21, reference numeral 1602 denotes an area displaying a printable position and a layout position indicating a range, and 1603 denotes an area displaying a layout name associated with layout information on a one-to-one basis.

The processing procedure in the first example of the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that these procedures are also applicable to the second and third examples.

First, FIG. 22 shows an example of a processing procedure when the power is turned on. In step S2, the operator sets the power switch 1 to ON.
It is determined whether or not 115 has been turned on. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S3, while if the determination is negative, the standby state is continued. In step S3, it is determined whether the operator has loaded the media pack C100 into the insertion section A002. Here, if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, while if the determination is negative, the loading is awaited. At this time, a display process for urging the user to load a media pack may be performed.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode has been set by shooting / print mode setting section 1119. If the determination is affirmative, the processing proceeds to the processing procedure of FIG. 23. If the determination is negative, the processing proceeds to the processing procedure of FIG. In this procedure, it is possible to branch to the photographing mode and the print mode after detecting the insertion of the media pack, but the apparatus of this example is simply used as a camera without mounting the media pack, that is, without assuming printing. In consideration of such a case, a process for forcibly shifting to the shooting mode may be added. In this case, steps S5 to S9 in FIG. 23 may be skipped.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a processing procedure in the photographing mode. First, in step S5, the layout information detecting unit 1
At 108, printable position / range information stored in the EEPROM 224 in the loaded media pack C100, that is, layout information is detected. Next, in step S6, the layout name detecting unit 1110 detects a layout name associated with the layout information on a one-to-one basis. In step S7, the layout information and layout name detected in steps S4 and S5 are stored in the memory unit 1112.
To temporarily memorize.

In step S8, the layout information is displayed to the operator in order to clearly indicate the printable position / range information of the print medium C104 in the currently loaded media pack C100, ie, the layout information. The LCD 106 is controlled by the control unit 1109.
(Liquid crystal display A105). In step S9, a layout name corresponding to the layout information in a one-to-one correspondence with the layout information is displayed in order to clearly indicate the layout name of the print medium C104 in the currently loaded media pack C100 to the operator. Control unit 1
An image is displayed on the LCD 106 (liquid crystal display A105) by the user 111. That is, for example, if a print medium C104 whose layout is determined as shown in FIG. 18 is used and a layout name “for business card printing” is given to the layout information, the printable position as shown in FIG. The layout name “for business card printing” is displayed together with the layout position indicating the range.

Next, in step S10, the control unit 1101 detects whether or not the first switch 1116 has been operated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11, and if the determination is negative, the process waits. In step S11,
The photographing unit 1102 is driven via the photographing control unit 1103,
Various conditions necessary for the exposure operation, such as determination of an exposure control value, determination of distance measurement information, and presence / absence of strobe light emission, are performed.

In step S12, the second switch 111
7 is detected. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S13, and if the determination is negative, the process waits. In step S13, a series of exposure operations such as driving a lens for focusing by driving the photographing unit 1102 via the photographing control unit 1103, controlling the speed of the shutter, controlling the aperture of the aperture, and if necessary, strobe light emission. I do.

The operation of the first and second switches does not necessarily have to be in the form of a switch that can be directly operated by the operator. For example, a release button A104
The switch may be in the form of a switch that can be closed in accordance with the amount of operation in association with the operation of. For example, when the operator presses the release button A104 shallowly, the first switch 11
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the second switch 1117 is operated when the button 16 is operated and the key is further pressed down.

Next, in step S14, the photographing unit 110
The information of the image captured in Step 2 is temporarily stored in the memory unit 1107. In step S15, in order to perform a layout based on the layout information stored in the memory unit 1112, appropriate image processing is performed on the currently captured image information.

In step S16, the display control unit 1106
On the LCD 106 (liquid crystal display A105),
The image information subjected to the appropriate image processing in step S15 is displayed at the layout position and range indicated by the layout information stored in the memory unit 1112.

In the photographing mode, the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, when the determination of the shooting mode is denied in step S4 of FIG. 22, the process of FIG. 24 is performed.

In step S17 of FIG. 24, first, it is determined whether or not the print mode has been set by the operator to desire to print the photographed image. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S18, while if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S4 to wait for the mode setting.

In step S18, the forward button 1207
Alternatively, while appropriately operating the return button 1208, the operator sequentially displays the image information stored in the memory unit 1107 on the LCD 106 via the display control unit 1106, and searches for a desired image while viewing the image information. Then, when the desired image is displayed, it is detected whether or not the print button 1118 has been operated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S19, and if the determination is negative, the process stands by.

In step S19, the printer controller 11
The printer unit 1004 is driven via the printer unit 05 to perform a process for improving the ink ejection performance of the recording head, such as preliminary ejection and suction recovery for eliminating clogging.

In step S20, in order to perform a layout based on the layout information stored in the memory unit 1112, the selection is made in step S18 and the memory unit 112 is selected.
Appropriate image processing is performed on the image information stored by 107. Then, in step S21, the printer unit 1104 is driven via the printer control unit 1105, and the image information subjected to appropriate image processing in step S20 is printed. Further, in step S22, the printed print medium C104 is discharged from the discharge unit A109.

[0110] The second example of the characteristic structure In the present invention, the type of printing medium C104 to be housed in the media pack C100 is not limited to those shown in FIG. 18, it is possible to adopt a variety of Needless to say. For example, the print medium is not limited to plain, but may be a print medium. further,
Accordingly, while the layout information and the layout name are stored in the media pack, the display or print processing corresponding to the layout information and the layout can be performed in the camera with a built-in printer.

In the following, in addition to the form of the first example, the layout of a printable business card and the layout of a message card with a photo are taken into consideration, and a frame surrounding a printable position and range, and a ruled line for writing a message are considered. like,
An example will be described in which a media pack C100 containing a print medium on which a certain pattern is printed in advance is loaded, and a layout is displayed based on printable position / range information stored in an EEPROM 224 in the media pack C100.

FIG. 25 shows such a media pack C100.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print medium C104 stored in the printer. Here, reference numeral 1801 denotes a base of the print medium C104 on which image information is printed, 1802 denotes the entire area of the print medium C104 on which image information is printed, 1803 denotes a range in which image information can be printed, and 1804 denotes a print medium that is previously printed on the print medium C104. It seems to be.

FIG. 26 shows a liquid crystal display A1 when a media pack containing such a print medium is loaded.
It is a display example of 05. Here, an area 1902 displays a layout position indicating a printable position / range,
An area 1903 displays a layout name associated with the layout information on a one-to-one basis, and an area 1904 displays a pattern printed on the print medium C104 in advance.

As described above, various print media can be stored in the media pack C100, and accordingly, the layout information and the layout name are stored in the media pack side, while the first camera in the printer built-in camera side holds the layout information and the layout name.
By performing the same processing (FIGS. 22 to 25) as in the example, it is possible to execute display or printing corresponding to the processing.

In the second and third examples of the characteristic configuration, all the print media C104 included in the media pack C100 are described as being of the same type. However, even if different types of print media are stored. Good. That is, each print medium C104 may correspond to a different layout. Print medium C
As for 104, one corresponding to a variety of layouts, such as the one shown in FIG. 18 or the one shown in FIG. 25 described in the second example, or one in which some pattern is printed in advance is used. be able to. In this case,
The EEPROM 224 in the media pack C100 includes:
The layout-related information of all the print media C104 stored in the media pack C100 may be held in association with the loading position. Further, by performing the same processing (FIGS. 22 to 24) as in the first example, the layout position is changed according to the layout-related information acquired from the media pack C100 in association with the print medium C104 to be printed. The image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display A105 and further printed.

As described above, by providing layout information printable on a print medium to be stored on the media pack side, the operator can perform the media pack having desired layout-related information without performing complicated operations. It is possible to perform printing with a variety of layouts only by loading the camera into a camera with a built-in printer.

Further, the operator visually recognizes the layout information of the print medium stored in the media pack loaded in the camera with a built-in printer by using the liquid crystal display A105 (LCD1).
06) By displaying it on the top, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing inconvenience such as printing on a print medium not intended by the operator. Further, by displaying a layout name corresponding to the layout information on a one-to-one basis, the operator's recognizability is increased, and the above-described effect can be further improved.

Further, when a media pack containing a print medium on which a certain pattern is printed in advance is loaded into a camera with a built-in printer, the object to be photographed and the pattern on the print medium are simultaneously displayed on the liquid crystal display A10.
By displaying the image on the LCD 5 (LCD 106), the composition can be checked, which helps to obtain a printed matter as desired by the operator.

That is, in combination with these effects, the above-described printer built-in camera and media pack can easily perform various prints even by an unskilled operator.

[0120] Other In the above-described embodiment, the storage layout information indicating the printable position and the print area of the print medium, both the layout name as layout identification information determined to correspond to the layout information Are presented or displayed, but either one may be used. For example, if the operator can clearly determine the printable position and range from the layout name and can perform appropriate processing, only the layout name may be stored, presented, or displayed. In addition, various types of layout identification information and layout information indicating printable positions and ranges are tabulated and provided in the digital camera main body, and when the layout identification information is presented, the corresponding layout information is read out and the same as described above. Processing may be performed.

The configuration of the storage means on the media pack side for storing the layout information is EEPR in the above example.
OM was used. This is because when necessary information is received from the printer unit B100 side and the held information is appropriately rewritten, for example, the print medium C stored in accordance with the progress of recording is used.
This is effective when the number of 104 is reduced. However, if it is sufficient for the media pack C100 to simply present the layout-related information, it is not always necessary to use storage means such as an EEPROM capable of rewriting the stored contents. That is, a ROM or the like may be used.

In addition, in the above example, the case where the present invention is applied to a camera with a built-in printer or a printer with a built-in camera has been described. However, the present invention is connected to a printer or a host device such as a personal computer which holds layout-related information. The present invention can also be applied to a digital camera that can acquire layout-related information.

The program for performing the processing of the present embodiment described above may not necessarily be incorporated in advance, and may be directly or indirectly transmitted from a host computer or the like that supplies image data to a printing apparatus. May be supplied. For example, the scope of the present invention includes a configuration in which the program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a host computer, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing settings from the computer to the camera. include.

In this case, the program code itself realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer through communication or a storage medium are also included in the scope of the present invention. included.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk and a CD-ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk,
A magneto-optical disk, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

[0126]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With extremely simple operation for the operator, printing at a variety of layout positions (print positions and ranges) desired by the operator becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a camera with a built-in printer to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the front.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the camera of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a media pack that can be mounted on the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement relationship of main components inside the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a printer unit in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 6 with a part removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a carriage in the printer unit of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of components of a print medium transport system in the printer unit of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of components of an ink supply system in the printer unit of FIG.

11 is a plan view when a media pack is mounted on a component of the ink supply system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a camera unit and a printer unit in the camera of FIG. 1;

13 is an explanatory diagram of signal processing in the camera unit in FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram of signal processing in the printer unit of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system for realizing a characteristic configuration of the present invention, particularly for the basic configuration of the camera with a built-in printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing the camera with a built-in printer described in the basic configuration, and is a perspective view showing the camera with a built-in printer substantially from the front.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing the camera with a built-in printer described in the basic configuration, and is a perspective view showing the camera with a built-in printer substantially from the back.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print medium for printing one sheet of image information stored in a media pack that is removably mounted on the camera with a built-in printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating a media pack according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a camera with a built-in printer for explaining a mode for carrying out a first example of a characteristic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the present invention.
It is a conceptual diagram for explaining the example of a display on a display based on the printable position and range information memorize | stored in the storage medium in a media pack.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the power is turned on in the first example of the characteristic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a photographing mode in a first example of a characteristic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a print mode in a first example of a characteristic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of a print medium for printing one sheet of image information stored in a media pack that is removably mounted on the camera with a built-in printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. is there.

FIG. 26 illustrates a second example of the characteristic configuration of the present invention.
It is a conceptual diagram for explaining the example of a display on a display based on the printable position and range information memorize | stored in the storage medium in a media pack.

[Explanation of symbols]

A001 Main unit A002 Insertion section A100 Camera section A101 Lens A102 Viewfinder A102a Viewfinder window A103 Strobe A104 Release button A105 Viewfinder A106 Liquid crystal display (external display) A107 Compact flash memory card (CF card) A107 Battery A109 Ejector B100 Printer (Recording unit) B101 LF roller B102 LF pinch roller B103 Platen B104 Carriage B105 Guide shaft B106 Lead screw B107 Bearing B108 Bearing B109 Screw pin B110 Spring B120 Recording head B121 Ink ejection port B122 Needle B123 Supply air port B124 Needle cover Needle cover Linear scale B133 HP flag B134 HP sensor B141 Screw gear B142 Idler gear B143 Motor gear B150 Flexible cable B201 Discharge roller B202 Discharge roller gear B203 Relay gear B204 LF roller gear B211 Switching slider B212 Switching cam B213 Pressure plate head B301 Joint supply fork B302 Pipe fork B302 Cylinder B305 Joint lifter B310 Suction cap B311 Suction tube B312 Waste liquid tube B313 Waste liquid joint B315 Pump unit B316 Wiper lifter B321 Pump HP sensor B322 Joint HP sensor B323 Chassis C100 Media pack C101 Pack body C102 Shut -C102A Window part C103 Ink pack C104 Print medium C105 Joint C106 Wiper C107 Ink absorber C110 Feed roller C110a Connecting part M001 Carriage motor M002 Transport motor M003 Joint motor M004 Pump motor 101 CCD 102 Microphone 103 ASIC 104 First memory 105 CF card (Corresponding to “CF card A107”) 106 LCD (corresponding to “liquid crystal display unit A105”) 107 Lens 120 First CPU 201 Image processing unit 202 Second memory 203 Band memory control unit 204 Band memory 205 Mask memory 206 Head control unit 207 Recording head (corresponding to “recording head B120”) 208 Encoder (corresponding to “encoder sensor B131”) 209 en Dakaunta 210 interface 220 first 2-CPU 221 motor driver 222 a motor ( "motor M001, M002, M00
223 sensor (“HP sensor B134, B321, B
322 ”) 224 EEPROM 230 Audio encoder unit 250 Power supply unit (corresponding to“ battery A108 ”) 1101 Control unit 1102 Imaging unit 1102 Imaging control unit 1105 Printer control unit 1106 Display control unit 1107, 1112 Memory unit 1108 Layout information detection unit 1109 Layout information display control unit 1110 Layout name detection unit 1111 Layout name display control unit 1113 Layout image display control unit 1114 Layout print control unit 1115 to 1118 Switch (button) 1302, 1802 All area on print medium 1303, 1803 Printable position and range 1602, 1902 Layout position display area 1603, 1903 Layout name display area 1804 Print pattern 1904 Print pattern display area

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 E 5C053 5/91 101: 00 5C076 // H04N 101: 00 5/91 H F term ( Reference) 2C059 AA05 AA22 AA26 AA76 2C087 AA09 AB01 AC07 CA02 CB20 2C187 AC08 AE01 CD17 5C022 AA13 AC00 AC03 AC13 AC77 AC78 5C052 FA03 FC06 FD06 FE01 FE08 5C053 FA04 FA08 LA03 5C076 AA17 BA02 BA03 BA03

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A printer consumable container for storing a print medium to be supplied to a printer, the storage means for storing information relating to a layout of a print performed on the stored print medium. A consumables storage container for a printer, comprising: 2. The layout-related information includes at least one of layout information indicating a printable position and a print range on a stored print medium, and layout identification information defined corresponding to the layout information. The consumables storage container for a printer according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A storage device for accommodating a plurality of types of print media having different printable positions and ranges, and wherein the storage unit stores at least one of the plurality of layout information and layout identification information corresponding to the plurality of types of print media. 3. The consumable material storage container for a printer according to claim 2, wherein 4. The consumables storage container for a printer according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 5. A digital camera provided with image information display means, wherein: information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the layout of a print medium for printing image information; and said display means for displaying the acquired layout-related information. A digital camera characterized by display processing means to be displayed on the top. 6. A device for storing information of a photographed image, wherein the display unit is used for confirming the image information to be photographed and for confirming the image information in a reproduction function of the image information stored in the storage unit. The digital camera according to claim 5, further comprising a monitor screen. 7. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the display processing means displays the layout related information together with image information on the monitor screen. 8. The display processing, wherein the layout-related information includes at least one of layout information indicating a printable position and a print range on the print medium, and layout identification information defined corresponding to the layout information. Means for displaying, on the display means, a layout image indicating the printable position and print range based on the layout information; and displaying a layout name on the display means based on the layout identification information. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein one of the operations is performed. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means for performing image processing for printing the image information in a layout based on the layout related information. Digital camera. 10. A consumable material storage container for a printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said container is detachable. The container stores image data supplied from the digital camera according to any one of claims 5 to 9. A means for printing on a print medium supplied from a printer. 11. The printer according to claim 10, wherein the printing unit uses an ink jet head that performs printing by discharging ink onto the print medium. 12. The printer according to claim 11, wherein the ink-jet head has an element for generating thermal energy for causing film boiling of the ink as energy used for discharging the ink. 13. A printer according to claim 10, wherein said printer is integrated with said printer.
10. The digital camera according to any one of claims 9 to 9. 14. A data processing method for a digital camera having image information display means, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring information related to a layout of a print medium for printing image information; And displaying on the display means, and a data processing method of the digital camera. 15. A device for storing photographed image information, wherein the display unit is used for confirming image information to be photographed and for confirming image information in a reproduction function of the image information stored in the storage unit. The data processing method for a digital camera according to claim 14, further comprising a monitor screen. 16. The data processing method for a digital camera according to claim 14, wherein the display processing step displays the layout related information together with image information on the monitor screen. 17. The display processing, wherein the layout-related information includes at least one of layout information indicating a printable position and a print range on the print medium, and layout identification information defined corresponding to the layout information. At least, a process of displaying a layout image indicating the printable position and the print range on the display unit based on the layout information and a process of displaying a layout name on the display unit based on the layout identification information are included. 17. The data processing method for a digital camera according to claim 14, wherein one of the operations is performed. 18. The image processing method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of performing image processing on the image information for printing in a layout based on the layout related information. Digital camera data processing method. 19. A control program for causing a digital camera according to any one of claims 5 to 9 or claim 13 to execute the display processing method according to any one of claims 14 to 18.