JP2002135560A - Printer, image data processing apparatus, image print system, image data processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer that prints out an image with which a correct date and time at a photographing place is synthesized. SOLUTION: The printer reads image data, acquires data and time information relating to the read image data, receives processing information to process the acquired date and time information, process the data and time information on the basis of the received processing information, attaches the processed date and time information to the read image data in an optional form and prints out the resulting image so as to print out the image with which a correct data and time at a photographing place is synthesized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, an image data processing apparatus, an image printing system, an image data processing method, and a storage medium. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a photograph using a silver halide film,
The date and time and specific comment text were printed directly on the film surface at the time of shooting by the date and time printing mechanism built into the camera. Therefore, at the time of printing, a photographic image including the date and time of pre-printing is printed on photographic paper.

On the other hand, in a digital camera which has become popular in recent years, since an image is recorded digitally, it is not necessary to combine and record the date and time and image data in advance, but to print the image later when printing. It is also possible to print by combining the date and time with the image data.

Some of these digital cameras have some internal memory for storing captured images and further have a removable recording medium. At the time of printing, image data for printing is transferred to the computer using a cable or infrared ray, or a removable recording medium is removed from the digital camera, and the adapter is inserted into the PCMCIA slot of the computer as necessary. And inserts the image data, reads the image data to be printed, and performs printing with a printer or the like connected to the computer.

As a removable recording medium,
Standards, CF (Compact Flash) with different shapes, SSF
Several types of flash memory cards and hard disks such as a DC (Solid State Floppy Disk Card) and a memory stick are used.

Further, a printer having a dedicated slot into which a recording medium can be directly inserted has been commercialized as a single printer, and it is possible to directly print a photographed image without a computer.

On the other hand, in image data photographed by a digital camera or the like, a file name and a recording date and time of the file are recorded as file information in a file management area such as a flash memory or a hard disk as a recording medium.

Also, JPEG, which is one of the image compression methods,
(Joint Photographic Experts Group) J using compression
In an image file such as a PEG file, various table information used for compression / expansion, resolution, image density, arbitrarily usable comment information, and the like are recorded and stored in a header information recording unit in the file itself. .

Here, the comment information varies depending on the application or the like.
It is possible to describe arbitrary information such as longitude and latitude by S (Global Positioning Systems) and (photographing) date and time.
A general digital camera has a date / time timekeeping function and a date / time recording function indicated by the timekeeping function. Information on the shooting date and time is automatically added to the captured image file along with the file name. There are things to be done.

In places where there is a time difference, such as when the digital camera is taken overseas, it is necessary to change the date and time measured by the digital camera itself in consideration of the time difference. It is also considered that only the time difference is input without changing the date and time itself.

[0011]

Under such a background, when photographing at a photographing place with a time difference, as a result of forgetting to change the date and time, the recording date and time of the photographed image is not the time of the photographing place but the time of the departure place. In some cases, it was recorded as it was.

In the conventional silver halide film camera, the date and time are directly imprinted on the film surface, so that it is impossible to change the date and time later. It is not impossible. However, there was a problem in terms of a PC-less printing system and simplicity.

Further, even when considering the processing of synthesizing the date and time on the printed surface of the photographed image based on the recording date and time, if the processing is performed as it is without taking the time difference into consideration, the deviation from the date and time at the photographing place will be obtained. There was an inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is a first object of the present invention to enable an image to be printed by synthesizing a correct date and time at a shooting place later. It is a second object of the present invention to easily and easily correct date and time information based on the time difference at the shooting location during a series of printing operations.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a function of printing image data, the image data reading means for reading the image data, and the image data read by the image data reading means. Date and time information obtaining means for obtaining date and time information related to the information, processing information input means for inputting processing information for processing the date and time information obtained by the date and time information obtaining means, and processing information input by the processing information input means A date / time information processing unit for processing the date / time information obtained by the date / time information obtaining unit; and a data combining unit for combining the date / time information processed by the date / time information processing unit with the image data read by the image data reading unit. And an image stamp for printing the image data synthesized by the data synthesizing means. It is characterized in that it comprises a means. Further, another feature of the present invention includes a character information specifying unit that specifies character information including a print position, a color, a background, a size, and a font design of the date and time information,
The data synthesizing unit combines the date and time information with the image data according to the content of the character information specified by the character information specifying unit. Also,
Another feature of the present invention is that the image processing apparatus further includes image data storage means for storing image data obtained by combining the date and time information in a storage medium. According to another feature of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a margin printing unit that prints a predetermined item in a margin around a print area where the image is printed, and a margin including a back side of the image printing surface. I have. Another feature of the present invention is that date and time information rewriting means for rewriting the date and time information to a header portion of an image data file in which the image data is recorded according to a certain rule, Image data storage means for storing the rewritten image data in a storage medium. Another feature of the present invention is that a management information storage unit for rewriting and storing a file recording date and time recorded in the management information for managing the image data file is provided. Another feature of the present invention is that a name changing means for changing the file name of the image data to a name meaning date and time, and an image storing image data with the file name changed by the name changing means. Data storage means. Another feature of the present invention is that a folder creating means for creating a file directory indicating the date and time related to the image data, and an image storing image data related to the file directory created by the folder creating means. Data storage means. Another feature of the present invention is that a user has means for selecting and deciding a print content designation or storage method.

An image data processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image data processing apparatus having a function of performing predetermined processing on image data, wherein the image data reading means for reading the image data and the image data read by the image data reading means are provided. Date and time information obtaining means for obtaining date and time information related to data, processing information input means for inputting processing information for processing the date and time information obtained by the date and time information obtaining means, and processing input by the processing information input means A date / time information processing unit for processing the date / time information obtained by the date / time information obtaining unit based on the information; and a data combination for combining the date / time information processed by the date / time information processing unit with the image data read by the image data reading unit. Means for outputting the image data synthesized by the data synthesizing means. It is characterized by comprising an image output means for. Further, another feature of the present invention is that the information processing apparatus further includes a character information specifying unit that specifies character information including a print position, a color, a background, a size, and a font design of the date and time information. The date and time information is combined with the image data according to the contents of the character information specified by the character information specifying means. Another feature of the present invention is that the image processing apparatus includes an image data storage unit that stores image data obtained by combining the date and time information in a storage medium. Another feature of the present invention is that date and time information rewriting means for rewriting the date and time information to a header portion of an image data file in which the image data is recorded according to a certain rule, Image data storage means for storing the rewritten image data in a storage medium. Another feature of the present invention is that a management information storage unit for rewriting and storing a file recording date and time recorded in the management information for managing the image data file is provided. Another feature of the present invention is that a name changing means for changing the file name of the image data to a name meaning date and time, and an image storing image data with the file name changed by the name changing means. Data storage means. Another feature of the present invention is that a folder creating means for creating a file directory indicating the date and time related to the image data, and an image storing image data related to the file directory created by the folder creating means. Data storage means. Another feature of the present invention is that a user has means for selecting and deciding a print content designation or storage method.

An image printing system according to the present invention includes a printing apparatus having a function of printing image data, and any one of the image data processing apparatuses described above.

An image data processing method according to the present invention is an image data processing method having a function of printing image data, wherein the image data reading step of reading the image data and the image data reading step of the image data reading step are performed. Date and time information obtaining step of obtaining date and time information to be processed, and a processing information input step of inputting processing information for processing the date and time information obtained by the date and time information obtaining step,
Based on the processing information input in the processing information input step, the date and time information processing step of processing the date and time information obtained in the date and time information obtaining step, and the date and time information processed in the date and time information processing step, the image data reading step A data combining step of combining the image data read with the image data, and an image printing step of printing the image data combined by the data combining step. Further, another feature of the present invention is to have a character information specifying step of specifying character information including a printing position, a color, a background, a size, and a font design of the date and time information, and the data synthesizing step includes: The date and time information is combined with the image data according to the contents of the character information specified in the character information specifying step. Another feature of the present invention is that the image processing apparatus further includes an image data storing step of storing image data obtained by combining the date and time information in a storage medium. Also,
Another feature of the present invention is that the printing apparatus has a margin printing step of printing a predetermined item in a margin around a printing area where the image is printed and a margin including a back side of the image printing surface. Another feature of the present invention is that a date and time information rewriting step of rewriting the date and time information to a header portion of an image data file in which the image data is recorded according to a certain rule, Image data storing step of storing the rewritten image data in a storage medium. Another feature of the present invention is that a management information storing step of rewriting and storing a file recording date and time recorded in the management information for managing the image data file is provided. Another feature of the present invention is that a name change step for changing the file name of the image data to a name meaning date and time, and the image data is saved with the image data file name changed in the name change step And storing the image data. Further, another feature of the present invention is that a folder creating step of creating a file directory meaning a date and time related to the image data,
An image data storing step of storing image data related to the directory created in the folder creating step. Another feature of the present invention is that a user has means for selecting and deciding a print content designation or storage method.

A storage medium according to the present invention is characterized in that a program constituting each means described above is stored so as to be readable from a computer. Another feature of the present invention is that a program for executing the processing method according to any one of the above aspects is stored so as to be readable from a computer.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] An embodiment of a printing apparatus, an image data processing apparatus, an image printing system, an image data processing method and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. I will explain it. The number of corresponding claims is not limited to one, but the flow of explanation is substantially common. Also,
This description does not limit the elements of each claim.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus with a date and time information processing function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart for realizing the printing apparatus of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an external interface, which is an interface for inputting image data and the like taken by a digital camera to the apparatus. Usually, the slot of various flash memory cards, serial and U
An SB connector, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, and the like are provided.

Here, it is assumed that a dedicated slot is provided as a physical receiving port for a memory card, such as a PCMCIA slot, which can be physically connected to various flash memory cards. In addition, an IrDA (infrared communication) port as a non-contact interface, and a Bl
Transmission by wireless communication such as ue tooth is also conceivable.

A control unit 102 executes each control procedure according to the present embodiment. Various control procedures as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, are executed. Reference numeral 103 denotes a general-purpose storage unit which stores programs, data, and the like for realizing various control means of the present invention, and is used as a work area as needed for control execution.

A display unit 104 displays the read image data, displays various information such as the date and time of image data shooting, information input by the user from the input operation unit 105, and the like to the user.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an input operation unit, and a display unit 104
It is a touch panel that overlaps with the touch panel. In conjunction with a button or the like displayed on the screen, the user can input by touching the screen with a finger or the like. Of course, there is no problem even if a 10-key, full keyboard, handwriting tablet, or the like is used as the input device. Thus, the user performs operations such as input, item selection, and determination. Reference numeral 106 denotes a printing unit, which is an ink jet printer, which automatically feeds paper. Of course, there is no limitation on the printing method and the like.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2, a processing control method and a printing control method of a date and time and an image in the printing apparatus with date and time information processing function of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

First, at the start of the first step S201, operation waiting from the user is started. Next, in step S202, a medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark) on which an image is recorded is
01 is detected.

Here, assuming that the user inserts a compact flash card into the slot of the compact flash, this is detected and the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, step S202
, The image data is read from the recording medium into the general-purpose storage unit 103 in response to detecting that the recording medium has been inserted by the user. The number of image data to be read is not limited to one, and when a plurality of images are recorded on a recording medium, they are sequentially read.

Next, in Step S204, Step S
The date and time data related to each image data read in 203 is read. Next, in step S205, the image data read in step S203 and the
The date and time information read in step 4 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 104.

Here, when a plurality of sheets are read, a list may be displayed, but here, as shown in FIG.
The case of displaying and handling one by one will be described. Of course, it is easy to perform batch processing on all the read images or to perform processing on an image arbitrarily selected from those displayed in a list.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a display screen of the display unit 104, and the input operation unit 105 and the display unit 301
The touch panel, which can be seen through, overlaps with the touch panel, so that the user can input by touching the display portion viewed from the user. To change the display image 302, touch the left and right arrow keys 307,
It is possible to advance to the next image or return to the previous image. In the read date and time information, in FIG. 3, the date corresponding to the image 302 is displayed in the upper part, and the time is displayed in the lower part 303.

In step S206, the user operates the display unit 1
The date and time information is input using a touch panel corresponding to the input operation unit 105 on the screen of the screen 04. Here, it is assumed that a time difference is input as date and time information. In FIG. 3, the user can input an arbitrary time difference by touching the up and down arrow keys 305. The entered time difference is displayed at 304. In the example of the figure, the user has designated “+12 hours”, and the input is confirmed by touching the portion where the enter button 308 is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S207.

In step S207, step S204
The date / time data read in step S206 is corrected to date / time data corrected if necessary due to the time difference input by the user in step S206. In this example, since the user has specified “+12 hours” in step S206, the date and time displayed on the display unit 303 in FIG. 3 is corrected by “+12 hours”.

Thus, the date and time display portion 3 of the image shown in FIG.
06 is corrected. In our example,
The time is not included, but 20 September 10, 1999
"+12 hours" at 1:30:54 means 0 in 1999
Since it is 08:30:54 on September 11, the date portion of September 11, 1999 is used. Of course, it may be used up to time.

Next, in step S208, the date is combined with the image data read in this embodiment. Here, in order to simplify the synthesizing method, as a predetermined method, the date is represented by replacing pixels at predetermined positions in the image data with orange pixel information to display the date, and displaying the date as an image. Shall be synthesized at the lower right of

The result of the synthesis performed in step S209 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 104. Here, the date at the shooting location after correction is displayed in the date and time display portion 306 on the display image 302 in FIG.

Next, at step S210, the display unit 104
The user is asked whether printing can be executed or not on a part of the screen. If the user selects print execution by the input operation unit 105, the process proceeds to step S
Proceeding to 211, an image obtained by synthesizing the date is printed.

On the other hand, if the print execution is rejected by the user, the process proceeds to step S212, and the process ends. Then, the processing is started again in step S201 as necessary.

As described above, in a printing apparatus that conventionally merely prints image data, not only can the date and time information be combined with the image and printed, but also the read date and time information can be used. Even if it is not the correct date and time information at the shooting location due to time difference etc., the user can input only the time difference information at the time of printing, correct it to the correct date and time of the shooting location, and then combine it with the shot image and print it Becomes possible.

[Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the printing apparatus with date and time information processing function according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that not only the date and time data is synthesized in the image by a specific method, but also the user can freely set the synthesis method such as the print position and the font design of the date and time. The feature is that it is selectable.

As in the case of the first embodiment, in a printing apparatus with a date and time information processing function as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, the apparatus of the second embodiment is executed by the control procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. To achieve.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, steps S401 to S409 are performed in step S201.
To Step S209. That is, at the start of step S401, waiting for an operation from the user is started.

In step S402, it is detected whether or not a medium such as a compact flash on which an image is recorded has been inserted into the external interface 1101. Here, if the user inserts a compact flash card into the slot of the compact flash, this is detected and the process proceeds to step S403.

In step S403, step S402
, The image data is read from the recording medium into the general-purpose storage unit 103 in response to detecting that the recording medium has been inserted by the user. The number of image data to be read is not limited to one, and when a plurality of images are recorded, they are sequentially read.

In step S404, step S403
Read the date and time data associated with each image data read in. In step S405, step S40
The image data read in step 3 and the date and time information read in step S404 are displayed on the screen of the display unit 104.
When a plurality of sheets are read, a list may be displayed. However, here, a case where one sheet is displayed and handled as shown in FIG. 3 will be described. Of course, it is easy to perform batch processing on all the read images or to perform processing on an image arbitrarily selected from those displayed in a list.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit 104, and a touch panel is overlapped as an input operation unit 105 to enable an input by a user. To change the display image 302, the user can touch the left and right arrow keys 307 to advance to the next image or return to the previous image.

In FIG. 3, the read date and time information includes the date corresponding to the image 302 in the upper part and the time in the lower part in three.
03 is displayed. In step S406, the user inputs date and time information using the touch panel corresponding to the input operation unit 105 on the screen of the display unit 104. Here, it is assumed that a time difference is input as date and time information, and in FIG.
By touching the up and down arrow keys 305, the user can input an arbitrary time difference. The entered time difference is displayed at 304.

Here, the user has designated "+12 hours", and the input is confirmed by touching the enter button 308, and the flow advances to step S407. Step S407
Then, the date / time data read in step S404 is corrected to date / time data that is corrected if necessary due to the time difference input by the user in step S406. Since the user has designated “+12 hours” in step S406, the date and time displayed at 303 in FIG. 3 is corrected by “+12 hours”.

Thus, the date and time display portion 3 of the image shown in FIG.
06 is corrected. In our example,
The time is not included, but 20 September 10, 1999
"+12 hours" at 1:30:54 means 0 in 1999
Since it is 08:30:54 on September 11, the date portion of September 11, 1999 is used. Of course, it may be used later until time.

In step S408, the date is combined with the image data read in the present embodiment. Here, in order to simplify the synthesizing method, as a predetermined method, the date is displayed at the lower right corner in the image by replacing the pixel at the position where the image data is determined to display the date with orange pixel information. To be synthesized.

In step S409, the result of the synthesis is displayed on the display unit 1.
04 is displayed on the screen. Here, the display image 3 in FIG.
The date at the shooting location after correction is displayed at the position indicated by the date and time display portion 306 of the image on 02.

In step S410, although not particularly described in the figure, the combining position of the date and time information, the character color, the background color,
The user selects whether to change the character size, font design, and the like. If the user selects the change, the process proceeds to step S411, and the display surface is changed from FIG.
Switch to

In step S411, step S410
The user inputs an instruction for making a change. Here, for example, assuming that the combining position of the character of the date and time is changed, it is detected by the touch panel corresponding to the input operation unit 105 that the user touches the cursor key 503 displayed on the display unit 104 as shown in FIG. The date display 502 is moved in the image 501. Display image 501
Can also be moved to a margin 506 around.

When the date is to be printed on the back side of the image printing side, the date 502 can be designated by moving the date 502 to the area 505 displaying "back side printing" by using the cursor key 503. . Of course, as an operation mode for the user, an operation of touching the back print 505 and performing back print may be performed. Further, a screen mode for designating a print position of the date on the back surface, a font, and the like may be provided.

In this case, the position of the date is designated. However, similarly, selection of the character color, character size, font design, etc. is performed. It is possible to embed in the image. According to various changes, step S409
Return to and display the result. In step S412, the display unit 1
If the user is asked about whether or not to execute printing on a part of the screen of the screen No. 04, and if the user selects printing by the input operation unit 105, the process proceeds to step S413.
To print an image in which the date is combined (including an image in which the date is printed in the margin 506), or print an image on the front side and print the date on the back side.

On the other hand, if the print execution is rejected by the user, the process proceeds to step S414 and ends. And
The process is started again in step S401 if necessary. As described above, in a printing apparatus that simply conventionally prints image data, not only can the date and time information be combined with an image and printed, but also the read date and time information can be used in a time difference relationship. Even if it is not the correct date and time information at the shooting location, the user can input only the time difference information at the time of printing and correct it to the correct date and time of the shooting location, and then combine / arrange inside and outside the captured image according to the user's specification It becomes possible to print.

Further, by designating the position of the date and time to be combined, the character color and font design, the background color and the combining position, the user can arbitrarily lay out the date and time suitable for the print image. Become.

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the printing apparatus with date and time information processing function according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that not only is the date and time data synthesized / arranged inside and outside the image and printed, but also the synthesis result is stored by the user in a form associated with the print image. The feature is that it is possible.

As in the first and second embodiments, in a printing apparatus with a date / time information processing function as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, this embodiment is executed by the control procedure shown in one flowchart of FIG. To achieve.

Steps S601 to S613 are basically the same as steps S401 to S413. At the start of step S601, waiting for an operation from the user is started. In step S602, it is detected whether or not a medium such as a compact flash on which an image is recorded has been inserted into the external interface 101.

Here, assuming that the user inserts a compact flash card into the slot of the compact flash, this is detected and the process proceeds to step S603.

In step S603, step S602
, The image data is read from the recording medium into the general-purpose storage unit 103 in response to detecting that the recording medium has been inserted by the user. The number of image data to be read is not limited to one, and when a plurality of images are recorded, they are sequentially read.

In step S604, step S603
Read the date and time data associated with each image data read in. Next, in step S605, the image data read in step S603 and step S604
Is displayed on the screen of the display unit 104. In this display, when a plurality of sheets are read, a list display may be used. Here, a case where one sheet is displayed and handled as shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

Of course, it is easy to perform batch processing on all the read images or to perform processing on an image arbitrarily selected from those displayed in a list. In FIG.
Reference numeral 301 denotes the display unit 104, and the input operation unit 105
The overlapping touch panels allow the user to input.

To change the display image 302, the user can touch the left and right arrow keys 307 to advance to the next image or return to the previous image. Also, the read date and time information is displayed in FIG. 3 in a date 303 corresponding to the image 302 in the upper part and a time in the lower part.

In step S606, the user operates the display unit 1
The date and time information is input using a touch panel corresponding to the input operation unit 105 on the screen of the screen 04. Here, it is assumed that a time difference is input as date and time information. In FIG. 3, the user can input an arbitrary time difference by touching the up and down arrow keys 305. The entered time difference is displayed at 304. Here, the user designates “+12 hours”, and the input is confirmed by touching the enter button 308, and the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S607, step S604
The date / time data read in step S606 is corrected to date / time data corrected if necessary due to the time difference input by the user in step S606. Since the user has designated “+12 hours” in step S606, the date and time displayed at 303 in FIG. 3 is corrected by “+12 hours”.

Thus, the date and time display portion 3 of the image shown in FIG.
06 is corrected. In our example,
The time is not included, but 20 September 10, 1999
"+12 hours" at 1:30:54 means 0 in 1999
Since it is 08:30:54 on September 11, the date portion of September 11, 1999 is used.

Of course, it may be used later until time. In step S608, the date is combined with the image data read in this embodiment. Here, in order to simplify the synthesizing method, as a predetermined method, the pixel at a predetermined position of the image data is replaced with orange pixel information to display the date, so that the date is displayed on the right side of the image. It is synthesized below.

Next, in step S609, the synthesis result is displayed on the screen of the display unit 104. Here, the corrected date at the shooting location is displayed at the position indicated by the date and time display portion 306 of the image on the display image 302 in FIG. Step S6
In 10, it is determined whether or not the user selects whether or not to change the combination position of the date and time information, the character color, the background color, the character size, the font design, etc. .

If the result of determination in step S610 is that the user has selected a change, the process proceeds to step S611, where the display image is switched from FIG. 3 to FIG. In step S611, the user inputs an instruction for making a change in step S610. Here, for example, assuming that the combining position of the character of the date and time is changed, the display unit 104 as shown in FIG.
When the user touches the cursor key 503 displayed above, the date display 502 moves in the image 501.

When the date is to be printed on the back side of the image printing side, the area 505 displayed as “back side printing” is displayed.
The date can be designated by moving the date 502 using the cursor key 503. Of course, as an operation mode for the user, an operation of touching the back print 505 and performing back print may be performed. Further, a screen mode for designating a print position of the date on the back surface, a font, and the like may be provided.

Although the position of the date has been designated here, it is very easy to select a character color, a character size, a font design, and the like. With various changes, the process returns to step S609 to display the result.

In step S612, the user is asked a part of the screen of the display unit 104 about whether or not to execute printing, and if the user selects printing to be executed by the input operation unit 105, the process proceeds to step S612. Proceeding to S613, the image in which the date has been synthesized is printed.

In step S 614, although not specifically shown, the user is inquired of whether or not the storage of the composite image can be executed on a part of the screen of the display unit 104, and the input operation unit 105 prompts the user to execute the storage. If it is selected by the touch panel, the process proceeds to step S615, and an image or the like obtained by synthesizing the date is stored.

In step S615, the synthesis result is stored. Here, it is assumed that the image data read in step S604 is stored in a storage medium storing the image data. When saving a composite image, overwriting with the same file name may be possible, but considering the reusability of digital data,
It is desirable to save with a different file name. Here, there is no particular limitation on how to create another file name.

In this case, the date and time information is combined with the image, and the image itself is stored as image data. However, this is included, as shown in (a) to (d) below. Can be stored in association with the image.

(A) As the storage date and time information of the image file in which the date and time information is combined, what is combined with the image as a visible number is stored. Alternatively, the digital watermark information may be stored by embedding it in image information in a form that cannot be recognized by human eyes.

(B) The date and time information is written in the header information section of the image data file, and the date and time information in the header information section of the image data file is replaced with the corrected date and time information and stored.

(C) Writing date and time information to file management information When image information is managed, for example, a FAT (File Allocation Tabl
e) The date and time information related to the image information is corrected by rewriting the storage date and time of the file name and the storage date and time of the file recorded in the area. The above FAT is
The storage area of the disk is managed in cluster units, and the correspondence between files and clusters is recorded in FAT. The contents of the FAT are updated at the same time that the application updates the file. If the FAT is destroyed, the recorded information of the file will be lost and the file will not be readable. For this reason,
Preventing trouble by preparing multiple FATs.

(B) The image file name is changed to include the date and time information. If the file name of the changed image file is, for example, “abcd.jpg”,
As the date and time information, a file name reflecting 1999.11.12, such as “abcd19991112.jpg”, is used.

Also, without directly changing the file name,
A directory (folder) reflecting the date and time information is newly created, for example, a directory named 19991212 is created, and related image information is moved under the directory. According to these methods, once the date and time information related to the image information is corrected by a time difference or the like, the information can be easily used without being corrected again. There are many ways to reflect date and time information by numbers,
It is not limited to numbers as long as it means date and time.

The above-described processing ends in step S616. Then, the processing is restarted in step S601 if necessary.

As described above, in a printing apparatus that conventionally merely prints image data, not only can the date and time information be combined with the image and printed, but also the read date and time information can be displayed. Even if it is not the correct date and time information at the shooting location due to time difference etc., the user can input only the time difference information at the time of printing, correct it to the correct date and time of the shooting location, and then combine it with the shot image and print it Becomes possible.

Further, by designating the position of the date and time to be combined, the character color and font design, the background color and the combination position, the user can arbitrarily lay out the date and time suitable for the print image. Become.

In addition, it is possible not only to print the image by synthesizing the date and time with the image, but also to store the synthesized image by the user's selection. As a result, an image can be displayed or printed without correcting the date and time data or changing the layout again.

The method of storing the corrected date and time information and reusing it for printing is not limited to simple synthesis and digital watermarking, but also to writing of image data into a header portion, FAT (File Alloc
Date and time information in the printing method, etc. in various cases in the printing method at the time of printing by correcting the date and time information to the etc., and making the file name and the directory name where the file is placed the name related to the date and time information, etc. Can be used.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a general computer system capable of configuring the printing apparatus and the image data processing apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 7, 12
00 is a computer PC. PC 1200 is a CP
U1201 and executes device control software stored in the ROM 1202 or the hard disk (HD) 1211 or supplied from the floppy disk drive (FD) 1212 to execute the system bus 1204.
To control each device connected to

CPU 1201 of PC 1200, RO
M1202 or a program stored in the hard disk (HD) 1211 constitutes each unit of the above-described embodiment.

Reference numeral 1203 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1201. Reference numeral 1205 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC),
B) Control input of instructions from 1209 and devices not shown.

Reference numeral 1206 denotes a CRT controller (CRT)
In C), the display of the CRT display (CRT) 1210 is controlled. 1207 is a disk controller (DK
C), a hard disk (HD) 1211 for storing a boot program (a boot program: a program for starting execution (operation) of hardware and software of a personal computer), a plurality of applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like; The access to the floppy disk (FD) 1212 is controlled.

Reference numeral 1208 denotes a network interface card (NIC), which is connected to a network printer, another network device, or another P via a LAN 1220.
Exchange data bidirectionally with C. 1213 is a PC
The MCIA controller 1214 is a PCMCIA slot.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) The present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and is applied to an apparatus composed of one device. May be applied.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented in an apparatus connected to the above-described various devices or a computer in a system so that various devices are operated so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Supplies the software program code for performing the
The invention implemented by operating the various devices according to the program stored in U) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

In this case, the program code of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer,
For example, a storage medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
A magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions described in the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or the operating system in which the program code runs on the computer. It goes without saying that such a program code is included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions described in the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with other application software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is operated based on the instruction of the program code. The present invention also includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the apparatus performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0100]

As described above, according to the invention of the present application, at the time of printing, the user can arbitrarily input the information for correcting the recording date and time, thereby synthesizing the correct date and time at the shooting location. / It is possible to print the arranged image. According to another feature of the present invention, the user can arbitrarily apply a print image by specifying the position of the date and time to be combined, the character color and font design, the combination position including the background color and the electronic watermark, and the like. It is possible to lay out the date and time. Further, according to another feature of the present invention, it is possible not only to print the image by synthesizing the date and time with the image, but also to store the synthesized image according to the user's selection. As a result, an image can be displayed or printed without correcting the date and time data or changing the layout again. How to save and reuse the corrected date and time information is not limited to simple synthesis and digital watermarking, but also writes image data to the header, corrects date and time information to FAT, etc. Diversification, such as using names related to date and time information, has the advantage that it can be used for correcting and utilizing date and time information in various cases. With these, in a series of flows in the printing operation, the user can easily correct the date and time information based on the time difference at the shooting location later,
In addition, the data after the correction can be reused.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer system capable of executing the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 external interface unit 102 control unit 103 general-purpose storage unit 104 display unit 105 input operation unit 106 printing unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 B 5C062 5C076 F term (reference) 2C061 AR03 JJ02 2C087 AC07 BA03 BA05 BA09 BA14 BB03 BC12 BD07 BD10 BD52 CB12 2C187 AC08 AF01 DC01 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB02 DD15 FF03 JJ05 LG05 LG07 LL07 PP08 5B057 AA11 CE08 5C062 AB22 AC24 AF06 BA00 5C076 AA16 AA17 BA02 BA03 BA06 CA09

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having a function of printing image data, comprising: image data reading means for reading the image data; and date and time information obtaining for obtaining date and time information related to the image data read by the image data reading means. Means, processing information input means for inputting processing information for processing the date and time information obtained by the date and time information obtaining means, and obtained by the date and time information obtaining means based on the processing information input by the processing information input means Date and time information processing means for processing the processed date and time information, data combining means for combining the date and time information processed by the date and time information processing means with the image data read by the image data reading means, and image data synthesized by the data combining means Image printing means for printing Printing device. 2. A character information designating means for designating character information including a print position, a color, a background, a size, and a font design of the date and time information, wherein the data synthesizing means designates the character information by the character information designating means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the date and time information is combined with the image data according to the content of the character information. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image data storage unit configured to store image data obtained by combining the date and time information in a storage medium. 4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: margin printing means for printing a predetermined matter in a margin around a printing area for printing the image and a margin including a back side of the image printing surface.
The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A date and time information rewriting means for rewriting the date and time information in a header portion of an image data file in which the image data is recorded according to a certain rule, and a storage medium for storing the image data in which the date and time information in the header portion has been rewritten. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image data storage unit configured to store the image data in the printer. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a management information storage unit configured to rewrite and save a file recording date and time recorded in the management information for managing the image data file. Printing equipment. 7. A computer system comprising: a name changing unit for changing a file name of the image data to a name indicating date and time; and an image data storing unit for storing image data with the file name changed by the name changing unit. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. A system comprising: folder creation means for creating a file directory indicating the date and time related to the image data; and image data storage means for storing image data related to the file directory created by the folder creation means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. 9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a user to designate and determine a print content and a storage method.
The printing device according to any one of claims 8 to 13. 10. An image data processing apparatus having a function of performing predetermined processing on image data, comprising: image data reading means for reading the image data; and date and time information related to the image data read by the image data reading means. Date and time information obtaining means for obtaining, processing information input means for inputting processing information for processing the date and time information obtained by the date and time information obtaining means, and the date and time based on the processing information input by the processing information input means Date and time information processing means for processing the date and time information obtained by the information obtaining means; data combining means for combining the date and time information processed by the date and time information processing means with image data read by the image data reading means; Image output means for outputting image data synthesized by An image data processing device characterized by the following. 11. The printing position, color, background,
A character information designating unit for designating character information including a size and a font design, wherein the data synthesizing unit combines the date and time information with the image data according to the contents of the character information designated by the character information designating unit. The image data processing device according to claim 10, wherein: 12. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising image data storage means for storing image data obtained by combining the date and time information in a storage medium. 13. A date and time information rewriting means for rewriting the date and time information in a header portion of an image data file in which the image data is recorded according to a predetermined rule, and a storage medium for storing the image data in which the date and time information in the header portion has been rewritten. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising: an image data storage unit that stores the image data. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a management information storage unit configured to rewrite and save a file recording date and time recorded in the management information for managing the image data file. Image data processing device. 15. An image processing apparatus comprising: a name changing means for changing a file name of the image data to a name indicating date and time; and an image data storing means for storing image data with the file name changed by the name changing means. The image data processing device according to claim 10, wherein: 16. A system comprising: folder creation means for creating a file directory indicating the date and time related to the image data; and image data storage means for storing image data related to the file directory created by the folder creation means. The image data processing device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein: 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a user to specify and determine a print content and a storage method.
The image data processing device according to any one of 0 to 16. 18. An image printing system comprising: a printing device having a function of printing image data; and the image data processing device according to claim 10. Description: 19. An image data processing method having a function of printing image data, comprising: an image data reading step for reading the image data; and a date and time for obtaining date and time information related to the image data read in the image data reading step. An information obtaining step, a processing information input step of inputting processing information for processing the date and time information obtained in the date and time information obtaining step, and a date and time information obtaining step based on the processing information input in the processing information input step. A date and time information processing step of processing the date and time information obtained by the data processing step; a data combining step of combining the date and time information processed by the date and time information processing step with the image data read by the image data reading step; Having an image printing step of printing image data An image data processing method characterized in that: 20. A printing position, color, background,
A character information designating step of designating character information including a size and a font design, wherein the data synthesizing step combines the date and time information with the image data according to the contents of the character information designated by the character information designating step. 20. The image data processing method according to claim 19, wherein: 21. The image data processing method according to claim 19, further comprising an image data storing step of storing image data obtained by combining the date and time information in a storage medium. 22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a margin printing step of printing a predetermined matter in a margin around a printing area for printing the image and a margin including a back side of the image printing surface. 2. The image data processing method according to claim 1. 23. A date and time information rewriting step of rewriting the date and time information to a header portion of an image data file in which the image data is recorded according to a certain rule; 23. The image data processing method according to claim 19, further comprising a step of storing image data. 24. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising a management information storing step of rewriting and storing a file recording date and time recorded in the management information for managing the image data file. Image data processing method. 25. A method for changing a file name of the image data to a name indicating date and time, and an image data storing step of storing image data with the image data file name changed in the name changing step. The image data processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein: 26. A method according to claim 26, further comprising: a folder creating step of creating a file directory indicating a date and time relating to the image data; and an image data storing step of storing image data related to the directory created by the folder creating step. The image data processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 25. 27. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a user to designate and determine a print content and a storage method.
The image data processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 26. 28. A storage medium storing a program constituting each means according to claim 1 so as to be readable from a computer. 29. A storage medium storing a program for executing the processing method according to claim 18 so as to be readable from a computer.