JP2002176607A - Imaging device usable in combination with printer for printing out picked-up image, its control method, and its control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device, usable in combination with a printer printing out photographed image that can enhance operability by which wrong selection of desired image data hardly takes place, when a user selects the desired image data such as image data to be printed among stored image data, and to provide its control method and its control program. SOLUTION: A monitor 16 is placed to an outside of a rear side of the body of a camera 11, a printer 19 is located in the inside of the rear face of the body, an a memory 22 and a camera microcomputer 17 are placed in the inside of the body. The camera microcomputer 17 identifies whether image data of an image file selected from a memory 22 have already been printed, on the basis of a print identification signal of the image file and displays a print identification character string 21, which denotes the image data that are already printed on a monitor 16 at the lower right position of the image data displayed on full screen on the screen of the monitor 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus which can be used in combination with a printer for printing a picked-up image, a control method therefor, a control program therefor, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, US Pat. No. 3,709,122 discloses an apparatus or system for viewing a photographed image on the spot.
No.3,727,529, No.4,000,500, No.4,249,811, No.4,212,524, etc., and so-called instant cameras and films immediately after shooting. No. 3,707,116 discloses a system in which a photographed image can be viewed.

[0003] However, the conventional apparatuses and systems have the following disadvantages. That is, 1) Since the photographed image is merely recorded on the instant film, when a print in which a plurality of photographed images are printed is required, the instant film on which the photographed image is recorded is copied by another device. In addition, the method of storing the instant film on which the photographed image is recorded is inconvenient as compared with the silver halide film. 2) Even when it is not necessary to record all of the captured images on the instant film on the spot, they cannot be collectively recorded on the instant film later.

As a means for compensating for the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional apparatus and system, an image photographed by an electronic image pickup means such as a solid-state image pickup device is stored in a built-in memory as image data, and arbitrary data stored in the memory is stored. 2. Description of the Related Art A camera provided with a printer that prints image data using a built-in printer has been considered.

[0005] As a printer capable of printing image data, a fusion type thermal transfer printer, a sublimation type thermal transfer printer, an ink jet type printer, and the like are usually used, especially for color images. However, they are excellent in running cost, miniaturization, power saving, and output speed, and are very effective for use as a printer of a camera having a printer.

US Pat. No. 4,074,324 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-200181, a camera equipped with a printer that supports several types of ink ribbons and several types of recording paper is disclosed. It has been disclosed.

[0007]

However, despite the fact that a camera equipped with the above-described printer is a user-oriented camera in which the camera and the printer are integrated, information on the print history of image data is provided to the user. Since the user does not provide the image data, the user can print the same image data again, or the user can mistakenly print the desired image data and print another image data. When selecting data, there is a problem that a mistake in selecting image data is likely to occur.

The present invention improves operability such as making it difficult for a user to make a mistake in selecting image data when selecting desired image data such as image data to be printed from stored image data. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device which can be used in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, a control method thereof, a control program thereof, and the like.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a camera provided with a printer having a printing means for printing a photographed image, comprising: a storage means for storing a print history of the photographed image; It is characterized by having identification means for identifying whether or not the photographed image has been printed based on the stored print history, and display means for displaying the identification result by the identification means.

Further, the present invention provides a control method of a camera having a printer having a printing means for printing a photographed image, wherein a storing step of storing a print history of the photographed image, The image processing apparatus further comprises an identification step of identifying whether or not the photographed image has been printed, and a display step of displaying an identification result of the identification step.

Further, the present invention is a readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control method of a camera provided with a printer having a printing means for printing a photographed image, wherein the program stores the program of the photographed image. A storage module for storing a print history, an identification module for identifying whether or not the photographed image has been printed based on the stored print history, and a display module for displaying an identification result by the identification module. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus which can be used in combination with a printer for printing a picked-up image.
Recording means for recording the state of the image forming apparatus, and changing means for changing the first state recorded by the recording means indicating the printed state to a second state indicating the non-printed state. I do.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an imaging apparatus usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, wherein a first state indicating that the captured image has been printed is recorded, and The recorded first state indicating that printing has been completed is changed to a second state indicating that printing has not been completed.

According to the present invention, in a control program for an imaging device usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, a first state indicating that the captured image has been printed is recorded, and It has a feature of changing the recorded first state indicating that printing has been completed to a second state indicating that printing has not been completed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus which can be used in combination with a printer for printing a picked-up image, a recording means for recording at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing, and Display means for displaying at least one of the number of printed images to be displayed and the date of printing in accordance with the recorded contents of the recording means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an imaging apparatus usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, wherein at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing of the captured images is recorded, According to a feature of the present invention, at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing of the image to be displayed is displayed in accordance with the recorded contents of the recording means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a control program for an imaging apparatus usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image records at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing the captured images, According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided a display device for displaying at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing according to the recorded contents of the recording means.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a camera provided with a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a camera provided with a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a camera 1 having a printer
1 is a photographing lens barrel 12 on the front of the main body, an opening 15 on the side of the main body, a monitor 16 (display means) on the outside of the rear of the main body, and an ink jet printer described below on the inside of the rear of the main body.
In addition, a camera Q2 (storage means) described later and an image pickup device (not shown) are provided inside the main body.

FIG. 2 shows a camera 1 equipped with the printer of FIG.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of FIG.

In FIG. 2, a camera 1 having a printer
A monitor 16 displays an image of a subject to be photographed or image data (captured image) of an image file stored in the camera Q2, an imaging device 18 for capturing an image of the subject to be photographed, A printer 19 (printing means) for printing, an identification operation inhibition device 20 for outputting a command for inhibiting display of a print identification character string 21 (identification result) described later displayed on the monitor 16, and an image file described later are stored. It is composed of a memory 22 and a camera icon 17 (identification means) connected thereto. Printer 1
Reference numeral 9 includes an ink tank (not shown), a carriage (not shown), and a motor (not shown) for driving the carriage.

When a camera 11 equipped with a printer captures an image of an object, an image of the object existing on an extension of the optical axis 13 is captured via the image capturing lens barrel 12 and the captured image of the object is captured by the image sensor. The camera microcomputer 17 forms an image.
The formed subject image is written in an image file as image data, and the image file is stored in the memory 22. When the printing process of the image data is started based on a user's print instruction operation, the image data is printed. The print paper 14 is discharged from the opening 15 as the printing progresses.

Further, the camera microcomputer 17 causes the printer 19 to print the image data displayed on the monitor 16 based on the user's print instruction operation, and executes a print character string display process shown in FIG. Execute image data display processing.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining full-screen display of image data on the monitor 16 of the camera 11 having a printer.

When printing of the image data is completed on the monitor 16 in FIG. 3, a print identification character string 21 indicating that the image has been printed is displayed at the lower right of the image data displayed on the full screen.

Hereinafter, the print identification character string display processing and the printed image data display processing executed by the camera microcomputer 17 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a print identification character string display process executed by the camera microcomputer 17 of FIG.

First, printing of image data is started based on a user's print instruction operation (step S401). Thereafter, it is determined whether the printing of the image data has been completed (step S402).

If the result of the determination in step S402 is that printing of the image data has been completed, a print identification signal (print history) indicating that printing has already been performed is written in the image file in which the image data has been written. (Step S4
03), the print identification character string 21 is displayed at the lower right of the image data displayed on the full screen (step S404), and this processing ends. As a result of the determination in step S402, when the printing of the image data is not completed, the printing state of the image data in the printer 19 is normal based on the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank of the printer 19 or the driving load of the motor of the printer 19. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S405).

If the result of determination in step S405 is that the printing state of the image data is normal, the processing from step S402 is repeated. If the printing state of the image data is not normal, the printing state of the image data is normal. Printing failure identification character string such as "printing failure" that indicates that it is not (identification result)
Is displayed at the lower right of the image data displayed on the full screen (step S406), and this processing ends.

According to the processing of FIG. 4, when the printing of the image data is completed normally (YES in step 402), the print identification character string 21 is displayed at the lower right of the image data displayed on the full screen ( In step S404, the user can know that the image data does not need to be reprinted. If the printing of the image data is not completed normally (NO in step 402), the printing failure identification character string is displayed on the full screen. Since the image data is displayed at the lower right of the displayed image data (step S40)
6) The user can know that the image data needs to be reprinted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the printed image data display processing executed by the camera microcomputer 17 of FIG.

First, the image data of the image file selected from the memory 22 is displayed on the monitor 16 based on the display instruction operation of the user (step S501). Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the identification operation inhibiting device 20 has output a command to inhibit the display of the print identification character string 21 (step S502).

As a result of the discrimination in step S502, when the discrimination operation prohibiting device 20 has output the command to prohibit the display, the present process is terminated as it is, and the discrimination operation prohibiting device 20 outputs the command to prohibit the display. If not,
It is determined whether a print identification signal has been written in the selected image file (step S503).

If the result of determination in step S503 is that the print identification signal has not been written to the selected image file, this process ends. If the print identification signal has been written to the selected image file, By displaying the print identification character string 21 at the lower right of the image data displayed on the full screen (step S504), the user is notified that the image data of the selected image file has been printed, and then executes this processing. To end.

According to the processing of FIG.
Identifies whether or not the image data of the selected image file has been printed based on the print identification signal of the selected image file (step S503), and displays the print identification character string 21 on the full-screen image data. (Step S504), it is possible to prevent the user from reprinting the same image data or printing other image data by mistake for the desired image data, and to prevent the user from printing the already-printed image data. When it is desired to print the same image data, the image data can be easily identified.

Further, the camera microcomputer 17 receives the print identification character string 2 based on a command of the identification operation prohibition device 20 in response to the display prohibition command of the print identification character string 21 from the user.
1 is prohibited (YE in step S502).
S), when the user is bothered by the display of the print identification character string 21, the display of the print identification character string 21 can be prohibited. When the user needs to display the print identification character string 21, the print identification character string 21 is displayed. Prohibition of display of the column 21 can be released.

In the processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the printing state of the image data is not normal, the camera microcomputer 17 sends a print defect identification signal (print history) to the image file in which the image data is written. When the image data of the image file is displayed on the monitor 16 later, the print failure identification character string may be displayed at the lower right of the image data displayed on the full screen based on the print failure identification signal. When the user reprints image data that has not been printed normally, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly printing other image data with the desired image data.

Next, a camera equipped with a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The schematic configuration of the camera provided with the printer according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the camera provided with the printer according to the first embodiment, and only a part of the configuration is different. .

Hereinafter, a camera equipped with a printer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera provided with a printer according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 6, a camera 6 having a printer
0 is basically the same as the camera 11 provided with the printer, except that the identification reset device 61 and the date count device 62 are newly connected to the camera microcomputer 17.

When the user issues a reset operation instruction, the identification reset device 61 prints a later-described print identification frame 70 (identification result) surrounding each image data displayed on the monitor 16 and a later-described print total number of each image data. In addition to outputting a command to stop displaying the number of sheets 71 and the final print date 72 of each image data described later, a print identification signal of each image file in which each image data is written, a print failure identification signal,
The data of the total number of prints and the data of the last print date are also reset to the initial state, and when the image data is printed again, the print identification signal is written into the image file, and the data of the total number of prints of the image file is changed from 1 to 1. It counts and updates the data of the last print date of the image file by the date read by the date count device 62.

The camera microcomputer 17 performs an image data printing process shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the index display of a plurality of image data on the monitor 16 of the camera 60 equipped with a printer.

In FIG. 7, a plurality of image data shot so far are displayed on the monitor 16, and each of the printed image data among the plurality of image data has been printed. , A print total number 71 indicating the number of prints of the image data, and a final print date 72 indicating the last date on which the image data was printed are attached and displayed.

Hereinafter, the image data printing process executed by the camera microcomputer 17 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the image data printing process executed by the camera microcomputer 17.

In this process, the user selects desired image data displayed on the monitor 16 and prints the image data, or prints the image data displayed on the monitor 16 immediately after shooting. When executed.

First, a user's print instruction operation (print instruction)
This process is started based on the total number of prints obtained by adding the number of prints desired by the user to the data of the total number of prints of the image file in which the data to be printed is written.
1 is attached to the image data on the monitor 16 and displayed.
Similarly, the date of the print instruction operation read by the date counting device 62 is attached and displayed on the image data as the final print date 72, and the print / print identification frame 70 is attached and displayed on the image data (step S801).

Then, in step S802, the data of the total number of prints of the image file is updated with the total number of prints 71 attached and displayed, and the data of the last print date of the image file is updated with the final print date 7 of the attached display.
2 and write a print identification signal in the image file.

Next, in step S803, printing of the image data is started, and thereafter, it is determined whether or not printing of the image data is completed (step S80).
4).

If the result of determination in step S804 is that printing has been completed, this processing ends. If printing has not been completed, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank of the printer 19 or the drive of the motor of the printer 19 has been completed. It is determined whether the printing state of the image data in the printer 19 is normal based on the load (step S805).

If the result of determination in step S805 is that the printing state of the image data is normal, step S804
When the printing state of the image data is not normal, the display cumulative number 71, the last printing date 72, and the print identification frame 70 attached to the image data are hidden, and The identification character string is displayed attached to the image data on the monitor 16, and it is determined whether or not the image data has been printed before the current process (step S806).

As a result of the determination in step S806, if the image data has been printed before, the print identification signal of the image file, the data of the total number of prints, and the data of the last print date (hereinafter collectively referred to as " The print information is returned to the state prior to step S802 (step S807). If the image data has not been printed before, the print information of the image file is deleted (step S808). The process ends.

According to the second embodiment, the camera microcomputer 17 displays the print identification frame 70 and the total number of prints 71 attached to the image data (step S801). And the presence or absence of distribution omission of prints on which image data is printed,
Further, the camera microcomputer 17 displays the last print date 72 attached to the image data (step S801), so that the user can remember the storage location of the print on which the photographed image is printed and the distribution destination to which the print has already been distributed. Can be.

Further, the camera microcomputer 17 hides the attached display of the print identification frame 70, the total number of prints 71 and the last print date 72 on the image data based on the instruction of the identification reset device 61, so that the user is old. When the image data is used again, it is possible to easily determine how many sheets have been printed this time without being misled by the old print history.

The monitor 16 of the camera 60 equipped with a printer may display only one image data on the full screen.
At this time, it goes without saying that the total number of prints 71 and the last print date 72 are attached to the lower right of the image data in which the print identification character string 21 is displayed on the full screen.

Further, the user may select desired image data and print the image data while the plurality of image data shown in FIG. At this time, when a print instruction operation for the selected image data is performed, the print identification frame 70, the total number of prints 71, and the last print date 72 are attached and displayed to the selected image data.

A camera 1 having the above-described printer
A program for executing the method of these processing instead of storing the print identification character string display processing of FIG. 4, the printed image data display processing of FIG. 5, and the image data print processing of FIG. Any storage medium that stores
The above program is supplied to the cameras 11 and 60 having the above-described printer, and the camera microcomputer 17 of the cameras 11 and 60 having the printer, the CPU (not shown) or the MP (not shown) is provided.
Any one of U may execute the above program.
As a storage medium for supplying the above-mentioned program, for example,
Floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or a ROM.

The camera microcomputer 17, CPU or MP
Instead of any one of U, a circuit (not shown) that operates similarly to these may implement the above-described embodiment.

[0064]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the user selects desired image data such as image data to be printed from the stored image data, the user can select the image data. It is possible to provide an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, a control program thereof, and the like that can be used in combination with a printer that prints a captured image and can improve operability such as making it difficult to make a mistake.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera including a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera 11 including the printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating full-screen display of image data on a monitor 16 of a camera 11 including a printer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a print identification character string display process executed by the camera microcomputer 17 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a printed image data display process executed by the camera microcomputer 17 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera including a printer according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating index display of a plurality of image data on a monitor of a camera provided with a printer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of image data printing processing executed by the camera microcomputer 17;

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 60 Camera equipped with printer 12 Photographing lens barrel 13 Optical axis 14 Print paper 15 Opening 16 Monitor 17 Camera microcomputer 18 Imaging device 19 Printer 20 Identification disable device 21 Print identification character string 22 Memory 61 Identification reset device 62 Date count Device 70 Print identification frame 71 Total number of prints 72 Last print date

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 F 5/907 B 5/907 101: 00 // H04N 101: 00 B41J 3 / 04 101Z F term (reference) 2C055 CC00 CC05 EE00 2C056 EB13 EB29 EC26 2C061 AQ04 AQ05 CQ24 CQ34 CQ41 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC11 AC13 AC18 AC42 AC69 5C052 AA12 DD02 EE08 GA02 GA03 GA05 GA06 GB01 GE08

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A camera provided with a printer having a printing unit for printing a photographed image, wherein a storage unit for storing a print history of the photographed image, and wherein the photographed image has been printed based on the stored print history. A camera equipped with a printer, comprising: identification means for identifying whether or not there is an image; and display means for displaying an identification result by the identification means. 2. A camera equipped with a printer according to claim 1, further comprising identification initialization means for initializing the stored print history and hiding the identification result. 3. A camera equipped with a printer according to claim 1, further comprising identification operation inhibiting means for inhibiting display of said identification result in response to a display inhibition command of said identification result from a user. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display the number of the printed photographed images. . 5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display a print date of the printed captured image. camera. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display the identification result according to a case where the printing by the printing unit is normally completed and a case where the printing is not normally completed. A camera comprising the printer according to claim 1. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display the identification result when a print command is issued to the printing unit. A camera comprising the printer as described. 8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display the identification result together with the corresponding photographed image. Camera. 9. A control method for a camera including a printer having a printing unit for printing a photographed image, wherein a storage step of storing a print history of the photographed image, and a step of storing the photographed image based on the stored print history. A control method for a camera provided with a printer, comprising: an identification step of identifying whether or not printing has been performed; and a display step of displaying an identification result of the identification step. 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising an identification initialization step of initializing the stored print history and hiding the identification result. 11. The camera according to claim 9, further comprising an identification operation inhibition step of inhibiting the display of the identification result in response to a display inhibition instruction of the identification result from a user. Control method. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the displaying step displays the number of the printed photographed images.
A control method for a camera comprising the printer according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the display step displays a print date of the printed captured image. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the displaying step displays the identification result according to a case where the printing by the printing unit is normally completed and a case where the printing is not normally completed. A control method of a camera provided with the printer according to any one of the above. 15. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the displaying step displays the identification result when a print command is issued to the printing unit. Camera control method. 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein in the displaying step, the identification result is displayed together with the corresponding photographed image. 17. A readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control method of a camera including a printer having a printing unit for printing a captured image, wherein the program stores a print history of the captured image. And an identification module for identifying whether or not the captured image has been printed based on the stored print history, and a display module for displaying an identification result by the identification module. Storage medium. 18. An image capturing apparatus usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, a recording unit for recording a first state indicating that the captured image has been printed, and a recording unit for recording the first state. Changing means for changing the first state indicating that printing has been completed to a second state indicating that printing has not been completed. 19. The imaging apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising display means for displaying an image to be displayed so as to identify that the image has been printed according to the first state recorded by the recording means. 20. The imaging apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising an instruction unit that instructs the display unit not to perform a display for identifying the printed state. 21. The recording means records at least one of the number of printed sheets and the date of printing, and the display means displays at least one of the number of printed sheets and the date printed by the recording means. 21. The imaging device according to claim 19, wherein one of the plurality of images is displayed. 22. The imaging device according to claim 18, wherein the printer is provided integrally with the imaging device. 23. A method for controlling an imaging device usable in combination with a printer that prints a captured image, wherein the first method indicates that the captured image has been printed.
And controlling the recording apparatus to change the first state indicating that the printing has been completed to the second state indicating that the printing has not been completed. 24. A control program for an imaging device usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, wherein a first state indicating that the captured image has been printed is recorded, and the recorded print is recorded. A control program for an image pickup apparatus, characterized by having a content for changing a first state indicating that printing has been completed to a second state indicating that printing has not been completed. 25. The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the storage medium stores a control program for an imaging device. 26. A recording device for recording at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing of an imaged image in an imaging device usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, and recording of the recording device. Display means for displaying at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing according to the contents. 27. The imaging device according to claim 26, wherein the printer is provided integrally with the imaging device. 28. A control method of an imaging device usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, wherein at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing of the captured images is recorded, and A method of controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: displaying at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing of an image to be displayed according to recorded contents. 29. A control program for an imaging device usable in combination with a printer for printing a captured image, wherein at least one of the number of printed images and the date of printing of the captured images are recorded, and A control program for an imaging apparatus, characterized by displaying at least one of the number of printed images to be displayed and the date of printing according to recorded contents. 30. The storage medium according to claim 29, wherein the storage medium stores a control program for an imaging device.