JP2002218314A - Imaging apparatus and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus for photographing by an operation suitable for a quality of an image, capable of being displayed by a printer. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus for imaging the image comprises a communicating I/F unit 80 connected to the printer, a printer information receiver 206 for receiving printer information based on the printer when the unit 80 is connected to the printer, and an operation content setting unit 214 for setting the operation content at an imaging time of the apparatus, based on the received printer information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a printer. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging device and a printer including a communication unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When the quality of an image that can be photographed by a digital camera is lower than the quality of an image that can be printed by a mobile printer, the quality of an image that can be displayed by a mobile printer is lower than the quality of an image that can be photographed by a digital camera. In some cases, such as when the quality is lower than the quality of the two, the quality of both may not match. In this case, the size of the image to be printed is determined according to the resolution of the image to be captured. In another embodiment, a captured image is converted once and printed.

[0003]

However, when the quality of a photographed image is higher than the quality of an image for printing, the amount of data transmitted is larger than the amount of data required for printing. It took a long time to send. In addition, if the resolution or the like of a captured image is converted, the image quality is reduced.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus and a printer which can solve the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: a connecting portion connected to a printer; and a connecting portion connected to the printer. A printer information receiving unit that receives printer information based on the printer; and an operation content setting unit that sets the operation content of the imaging device at the time of imaging based on the received printer information.

[0006] An operation content setting unit for setting the operation content of the operation unit in the imaging apparatus based on the printer information received by the printer information reception unit, and an input from the operator based on the operation content set by the operation content setting unit. And an operation input unit for performing the operation. A display unit for displaying the operation content set by the operation content setting unit may be further provided.

[0007] The printer information is type information indicating the type of the printer. The image capturing apparatus communicates with a server that stores the specific operation content of the image capturing apparatus suitable for the printer, and the type received by the printer information receiving unit. A type information transmitting unit that transmits information to the server; and an operation content receiving unit that receives, from the server, a specific operation content suitable for the printer indicated by the type information, the operation content setting unit includes: The operation content may be set based on the operation.

[0008] The operation content receiving unit may receive, from the server, a specific operation content based on the quality of an image printable by the printer. The operation content receiving unit may receive the specific operation content based on the resolution of the printer from the server. The operation content receiving unit may receive the specific operation content based on the gradation of the printer from the server. The operation content receiving unit may receive a specific operation content based on the number of colors of the printer from the server.

[0009] The printer information receiving unit may further receive information indicating the current status of the printer, and the display unit may display the received information indicating the status of the printer. The information indicating the status of the printer may be information indicating that the printer has run out of print paper when the printer runs out of print paper. The information indicating the status of the printer may be information indicating that the ink or toner in the printer has run out when the ink or toner in the printer runs out.

The image processing apparatus further includes an instruction input unit for inputting an operation instruction for operating the printer from an operator based on the operation content set by the operation content setting unit. Printing may be started.

The operation content setting section may change the initial setting of the imaging apparatus based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving section. The operation content setting unit may set the resolution at the time of shooting of the imaging device based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving unit. The operation content setting unit may set the gradation at the time of shooting by the imaging device based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving unit. The operation content setting unit, based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving unit, includes at least one of hue, lightness, and saturation at the time of shooting by the imaging device.
One setting may be changed.

An image pickup apparatus having means for communicating with a printer, wherein the input section inputs printer type information, and the type information input by the input section is transmitted to a server storing unique operation contents suitable for the printer. A type information transmitting unit, an operation content receiving unit that receives the specific operation content from the server, and an operation content setting unit that sets the operation content based on the received specific operation content.

An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: a connection portion connected to a printer; a printer information reception portion for receiving printer information based on the printer when the connection portion is connected to the printer; An operation content setting unit configured to set the operation content of the operation unit in the imaging apparatus based on the printer information.

As a second embodiment, there is provided a printer provided with means for communicating with an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, and the operation content for causing the printer to perform an image pickup operation is set in the image pickup apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a setting unit, a receiving unit that receives a printing operation based on the operation content set by the setting unit from the imaging device, and a printing unit that performs printing based on the printing operation received by the receiving unit. The setting unit may change at least one of the hue, lightness, and saturation of the imaging device at the time of shooting based on the operation content.

The above summary of the present invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features may also be an invention.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of an entire image pickup printing system according to the present embodiment. The digital camera 10 as an example of the imaging device is connected to the mobile printer 300 and receives type information indicating the model of the mobile printer 300. The digital camera 10 connects to the Internet 400 via a base station 700 by wireless communication. The digital camera 10 transmits the type information of the mobile printer 300 received from the mobile printer 300 to the server 500 via the Internet 400. Server 50
0 searches the mobile printer 300 information stored in the database 600 in association with the received type information of the mobile printer 300 and transmits it to the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 acquires setting contents suitable for the connected mobile printer 300 from the server 500.

The operation input unit, the instruction input unit, and the input unit in the claims correspond to, for example, an operation unit in the detailed description. The receiving unit described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the communication unit in the detailed description.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 mainly includes an imaging unit 20, an imaging control unit 40, a processing unit 60, a display unit 100, and an operation unit 110.

The image pickup unit 20 includes a mechanism member and an electric member related to photographing and image formation. Imaging unit 20
First, a photographing lens 22 for capturing and processing images,
An aperture 24, a shutter 26, an optical LPF (low-pass filter) 28, a CCD 30, and an image signal processing unit 32 are included. The taking lens 22 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like. With this configuration, the subject image is
Image on the light receiving surface of. Charges are accumulated in each sensor element (not shown) of the CCD 30 according to the amount of light of the formed subject image (hereinafter, the charges are referred to as “accumulated charges”). The accumulated charge is read out to a shift register (not shown) by a read gate pulse, and is sequentially read out as a voltage signal by a register transfer pulse.

Since the digital camera 10 generally has an electronic shutter function, a mechanical shutter such as the shutter 26 is not essential. In order to realize the electronic shutter function, the CCD 30 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate. When the shutter gate is driven, accumulated charges are swept out to the shutter drain. By controlling the shutter gate, the time for accumulating the electric charges in each sensor element, that is, the shutter speed can be controlled.

A voltage signal output from the CCD 30, that is, an analog signal is color-separated into R, G, and B components by an image signal processing unit 32, and a white balance is adjusted first.
Subsequently, the imaging signal processing unit 32 performs gamma correction, sequentially A / D converts the R, G, and B signals at necessary timing, and obtains digital image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as “digital image data”) obtained as a result. ) Is output to the processing unit 60.

The imaging unit 20 further includes a finder 3
4 and a strobe 36. The finder 34 may be equipped with an LCD (not shown). In this case, various information from the main CPU 62 and the like described later can be displayed in the finder 34. The strobe 36 functions by emitting light when energy stored in a capacitor (not shown) is supplied to the discharge tube 36a.

The imaging control unit 40 includes a zoom drive unit 4
2. It has a focus drive unit 44, an aperture drive unit 46, a shutter drive unit 48, an imaging system CPU 50, a distance measurement sensor 52, and a photometry sensor 54. The driving units such as the zoom driving unit 42 each have a driving unit such as a stepping motor. When a release switch 114 described below is pressed, the distance measurement sensor 52 measures the distance to the subject, and
4 measures the object brightness. The measured distance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “distance measurement data”) and the subject luminance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “photometry data”) are stored in the imaging system CP.
Sent to U50. The imaging system CPU 50 controls the zoom driving unit 42 and the focus driving unit 44 based on the imaging information such as the zoom magnification specified by the user, and
Adjust the zoom magnification and focus of 2.

The imaging system CPU 50 determines the R of one image frame.
The aperture value and the shutter speed are determined based on the integrated value of the digital signal of GB, that is, the AE information. According to the determined values, the aperture driving unit 46 and the shutter driving unit 48 adjust the aperture amount and open and close the shutter 26, respectively.

The imaging system CPU 50 controls the emission of the strobe light 36 based on the photometric data, and at the same time adjusts the aperture of the aperture 24. When the user instructs the capture of an image, the CCD 30 starts to accumulate electric charges, and the accumulated electric charges are output to the imaging signal processing unit 32 after a lapse of a shutter time calculated from the photometric data.

The processing unit 60 includes the digital camera 10
The main C that controls the whole, especially the processing unit 60 itself
PU 62 and memory control unit 6 controlled by PU 62
4. YC processing unit 70, optional device control unit 74, compression / decompression processing unit 78, communication I / F unit 80, wireless unit 12
2 and an antenna 120. Main CPU 62
Exchanges necessary information with the imaging system CPU 50 through serial communication or the like. The operation clock of the main CPU 62 is provided from a clock generator 88. The clock generator 88 includes the imaging system CPU 50 and the display unit 1
00 are provided with clocks of different frequencies.

The main CPU 62 is provided with a character generator 84 and a timer 86. The timer 86 is backed up by a battery and always counts the date and time.
From this count value, information about the shooting date and time and other time information are given to the main CPU 62. The character generation unit 84 generates character information such as a shooting date and time and a title, and the character information is appropriately combined with the captured image.

The memory controller 64 includes a nonvolatile memory 66
And the main memory 68. Non-volatile memory 66
The digital camera 1 includes an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), a flash memory, and the like, and stores setting information by a user and adjustment values at the time of shipment.
The data to be held even while the power supply of 0 is off is stored. The non-volatile memory 66 may have a main CPU
62, a boot program and a system program may be stored. On the other hand, the main memory 68 generally has a DR
It is composed of a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity memory like an AM. The main memory 68 functions as a frame memory for storing data output from the imaging unit 20,
It has a function as a system memory for loading various programs and a function as a work area. The nonvolatile memory 66 and the main memory 68 exchange data with each unit inside and outside the processing unit 60 via the main bus 82.

The YC processing section 70 performs YC conversion on the digital image data, and outputs a luminance signal Y and a color difference (chroma) signal B-
Generate Y, RY. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are temporarily stored in the main memory 68 by the memory control unit 64.
The compression / decompression processing unit 78 sequentially reads out the luminance signal and the color difference signal from the main memory 68 and compresses them. The data thus compressed (hereinafter simply referred to as “compressed data”) is written to a memory card, which is a type of the optional device 76, via the optional device control section 74.

The processing unit 60 further includes an encoder 72
With. The encoder 72 receives a luminance signal and a color difference signal, converts them into a video signal (NTSC or PAL signal), and outputs the video signal from a video output terminal 90. When a video signal is generated from data recorded in the optional device 76, the data is first supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 78 via the optional device control unit 74. Subsequently, the data subjected to the necessary expansion processing by the compression / expansion processing unit 78 is converted into a video signal by the encoder 72.

The optional device control section 74 generates a necessary signal between the main bus 82 and the optional device 76, performs logical conversion, or converts voltage according to the signal specifications recognized by the optional device 76 and the bus specifications of the main bus 82. And so on. The digital camera 10 may include, for example, a PCM as an optional device 76 in addition to the memory card described above.
A standard CIA-compliant standard I / O card may be supported. In that case, the optional device control unit 74
It may be constituted by an IA bus control LSI or the like.

The communication I / F unit 80 is provided for the digital camera 10
Communication specifications supported by, for example, USB, RS-23
2C, Ethernet (registered trademark), Bluetooth, I
It performs control such as protocol conversion according to specifications such as rDA. The communication I / F unit 80 includes a driver IC as necessary, and communicates with the mobile printer 300 via the connector 92. In addition to such standard specifications, data may be exchanged with an external device such as a printer, a karaoke machine, a game machine, or the like by a unique I / F.

Radio unit 122 communicates with base station 700 via antenna 120 and
Is received from the server 500.

The display unit 100 includes an LCD monitor 10
2 and an LCD panel 104. LCD monitor 102
The LCD panel 104 is controlled by a monitor driver 106 and a panel driver 108 which are LCD drivers. The LCD monitor 102 has a size of, for example, about 2 inches and is provided on the back of the camera, and has a current shooting and playback mode, a zoom ratio for shooting and playback, a remaining battery level, a date and time, a screen for mode setting, a subject image, and the like. Is displayed. The LCD panel 104 is, for example, a small black and white LCD provided on the upper surface of the camera, and has an image quality (FINE / NORMAL /
BASIC, etc.), information on strobe light emission / non-light emission, standard number of recordable images, resolution, battery capacity, and the like are simply displayed.

The operation unit 110 includes mechanisms and electrical members necessary for the user to set or instruct the operation of the digital camera 10 and its mode. The power switch 112 determines whether the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on or off. The release switch 114 has a two-stage pressing structure of half pressing and full pressing. As an example, AF and AE are locked by pressing halfway, captured images are taken by pressing fully, and are recorded in the main memory 68, the optional device 76, etc. after necessary signal processing, data compression, and the like. The operation unit 110 may receive a setting using a rotary mode dial, a cross key, or the like in addition to these switches, and these are collectively referred to as a function setting unit 116 in FIG. Examples of operations or functions that can be specified by the operation unit 110 include “file format”, “special effects”, “printing”, “determine / save”, and “display switching”. The zoom switch 118 determines a zoom magnification.

The main operation of the above configuration is as follows.

First, the power switch 112 of the digital camera 10 is turned on, and power is supplied to each part of the camera. The main CPU 62 determines whether the digital camera 10 is in the shooting mode or the playback mode by reading the state of the function setting unit 116.

When the camera is in the shooting mode, the main C
The PU 62 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 114. When the half-pressed state is detected, the main CPU 62
Obtains photometry data and distance measurement data from the photometry sensor 54 and the distance measurement sensor 52, respectively. The imaging control unit 40 operates based on the obtained data, and the focus, aperture, and the like of the photographing lens 22 are adjusted. Once the adjustment is complete,
Characters such as "standby" are displayed on the LCD monitor 102 to inform the user of the fact, and then the release switch 114 is fully pressed. Release switch 11
When the button 4 is fully pressed, the shutter 26 is closed after a predetermined shutter time, and the accumulated charges of the CCD 30 are swept out to the image signal processing unit 32. The digital image data generated as a result of the processing by the imaging signal processing unit 32 is output to the main bus 82. The digital image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 68, thereafter processed by the YC processing unit 70 and the compression / decompression processing unit 78, and recorded in the optional device 76 via the optional device control unit 74. The recorded image is frozen for a while on the LCD monitor 1
02, the user can know the captured image. Thus, a series of photographing operations is completed.

On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the reproduction mode, the main CPU 62 reads out the last photographed image from the main memory 68 via the memory control unit 64,
This is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100.

In this state, when the user instructs “forward” or “reverse” in the function setting section 116, images taken before and after the currently displayed image are read out and displayed on the LCD monitor 102. You.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the imaging setting section 200 in the digital camera 10. As shown in FIG. The imaging setting unit 200 includes a type information transmitting unit 202, an operation unit 110, a printer information receiving unit 206, a communication I / F
Unit 80, display unit 100, operation content receiving unit 21
2, an operation content setting unit 214, and an operation content setting unit 216
And

Type information transmitting section 202, printer information receiving section 206, operation content receiving section 212, operation content setting section 21
4 and the operation content setting unit 216 are realized by, for example, cooperation of the main CPU 62 of FIG. 2 and a program stored or loaded in the main memory 68 or the nonvolatile memory 66. When the main CPU 62 has a built-in memory, necessary programs may be stored in the built-in memory, and various functions may be realized as firmware. In FIG.
Although the functions of the imaging setting unit 200 have been described as a unitary configuration, they do not need to be physically a unitary unit.

The communication I / F unit 80 is connected to the mobile printer 3
Connect to 00. The printer information receiving unit 206 has a communication I
The type information of the mobile printer 300 is received from the mobile printer 300 via the / F unit 80. The printer information receiving unit 206 transmits the received type information to the type information transmitting unit 2
Send to 02. The type information transmitting unit 202 transmits the received type information to the server 500 via the base station 700 and the Internet 400. The operation unit 110 may input the type information of the mobile printer 300. The operation unit 110 transmits the input type information to the type information transmitting unit 2
Send to 02.

The operation content receiving section 212 receives from the server 500 specific operation contents suitable for the mobile printer 300 indicated by the type information. Here, the specific operation content is a setting of the digital camera 10 suitable for the mobile printer 300, and is, for example, information indicating resolution, hue, and saturation. The operation content setting unit 214 receives the specific operation content from the operation content receiving unit 212. The operation content setting unit 214
The operation content is set based on the received specific operation content.

The operation content setting section 216 receives the specific operation content from the operation content receiving section 212. Operation content setting section 2
16 sets the operation content of the digital camera 10 based on the received specific operation content. For example, an imaging resolution suitable for the mobile printer 300 is added to the imaging resolution setting menu. Further, an operation content setting unit 216
Sends the set operation content to the display unit 100. The display unit 100 displays the received operation content.
The user can input an instruction from the operation unit 110 based on the operation content displayed by the display unit 100. The operation unit 110 sends the input instruction to the operation content setting unit 214. The operation content setting unit 214 sets the operation content according to the received instruction.

The operation unit 110 inputs an instruction to the mobile printer 300 from a user. The operation unit 110 sends the input instruction to the communication I / F unit 80. The communication I / F unit 80 sends the received instruction to the mobile printer 300.

The communication I / F unit 80 receives status information indicating the current status of the mobile printer 300, such as the presence or absence of printing paper and the presence or absence of toner, and sends it to the printer information receiving unit 206. The printer information receiving unit 206 sends the received status information to the display unit 100. The display unit 100 displays the received status information.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile printer 300. Mobile printer 300
Are a communication unit 320, a printing unit 330, an image data conversion unit 340, a remaining toner detection unit 350, and a paper detection unit 360
And The communication unit 320 transmits and receives information to and from the digital camera 10. The communication unit 320 is, for example, a US
B, RS-232C, Ethernet, Bluetooth,
It may communicate with the digital camera 10 via IrDA or the like.

The communication unit 320 is connected to the digital camera 10.
For example, instruction information of a printing operation, such as a print command, is received. The communication unit 320 transmits the received instruction information to the printing unit 33.
Send to 0. The printing unit 330 operates based on the received instruction. The image data conversion unit 340 receives an image captured by the digital camera 10 from the digital camera 10 via the communication unit 320. The image data conversion unit 340
The image data is converted into image data for printing, and the printing unit 330
Send to The printing unit 330 prints the received print image data. When the toner in the mobile printer 300 runs out, the remaining toner detection unit 350 sends information indicating that the toner runs out to the digital camera 10 via the communication unit 320. The paper detection unit 360 sends information indicating that the paper has run out to the digital camera 10 via the communication unit 320 when the printing paper of the mobile printer 300 runs out.

FIG. 5 shows a data format of the database 600. The database 600 stores operation contents unique to the digital camera 10 in association with the model of the digital camera 10. The database 600 includes a table prepared for each type of the mobile printer 300. Each table has a type field of the digital camera 10 and a unique operation content field of the digital camera 10. The unique operation content fields of the digital camera 10 include a resolution field, a hue field, a lightness field, a saturation field, and a gradation field.

In the mobile printer 300, the quality of a printable image is determined. Therefore, the quality of the image captured by the digital camera 10 is
In the case where the quality of the image is higher than the quality of the image for 00, the amount of data to be transmitted is larger than the amount of data required for printing, so that it takes a long time to transmit the data. In addition, if the resolution or the like of a captured image is converted, the image quality is reduced. Therefore, when the mobile printer 300 prints an image captured by the digital camera 10, it is desirable that the quality of the image to be printed matches the quality of the mobile printer 300. Therefore, by adjusting the resolution, hue, lightness, and saturation, which are factors that determine the quality of an image, in advance, the digital camera 10
Can be captured with a printable image quality.

The type field stores the model of the digital camera 10. The resolution field stores the imaging resolution of the digital camera 10 suitable for printing with the mobile printer 300. The hue field stores a hue to be set in the digital camera 10 to capture an image suitable for printing by the mobile printer 300.
The brightness field is used by the digital camera 10 to capture an image suitable for printing on the mobile printer 300.
Stores the lightness (exposure degree) to be set. The saturation field stores the saturation to be set in the digital camera 10 in order to capture an image suitable for the mobile printer 300.
The gradation field stores the gradation to be set in the digital camera 10 in order to capture an image suitable for the mobile printer 300. Hue stored in each field,
Digital camera 10 with lightness, saturation, gradation and resolution
Shoot.

Here, one value is stored in the resolution field or the like, but a plurality of values may be stored as another example. The digital camera 10 can select any one of a plurality of values. As described above, since the database 600 stores the settings of the digital camera 10 in association with the type information of the digital camera 10, the digital camera 10 transmits the type information of the digital camera 10 and the mobile printer 300 to the server 500. With only this, it is possible to receive the specific operation content from the database 600 and take an image with settings suitable for the mobile printer 300.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing the processing of the imaging and printing system. Mobile printer 300
Transmits the type information of the mobile printer 300 to the digital camera 10 on condition that the mobile printer 300 is connected to the digital camera 10 (S100). Next, digital camera 1
0 transmits the type information of the mobile printer 300 and the type information of the digital camera 10 received from the mobile printer 300 to the server 500 (S102). Next, the server 500 uses the type information of the mobile printer 300 and the type information of the digital camera 10 received from the digital camera 10 to store the specific operation content of the digital camera 10 suitable for the mobile printer 300 in the database 600.
(S104). Next, the server 500 transmits the extracted specific operation content to the digital camera 10 (S
106). Next, the digital camera 10 sets the operation content based on the received specific operation content (S108). Next, the digital camera 10 sets operation contents based on the received specific operation contents (S110). For example, a shooting mode in which the resolution, hue, saturation, brightness, and gradation that can be printed by the mobile printer 300 are added. The digital camera 10 inputs an instruction from the user based on the set operation content (S112), and sets, for example, a print mode for performing imaging suitable for printing. Thus, the operation ends. Thereby, the digital camera 10
Can be photographed with settings suitable for the mobile printer 300.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 10 when a photographing instruction is input from the user. The digital camera 10 captures an image (S202). Next, when the operation unit 110 inputs an instruction to print the captured image from the user (S
204), and transmits a print instruction together with the image data to the mobile printer 300 (S206). If the user does not input an instruction to print an image captured by the digital camera 10 in S204, the process ends without transmitting an instruction to print the image.

As another form, the digital camera 10
May request the type information of the mobile printer 300. In this case, the mobile printer 300 may perform the operation of S100 in FIG. 6A on condition that the request for the type information is received from the digital camera 10.

As another mode, the type of the mobile printer 300 is set by the user in the operation unit 11 in S102.
0 may be directly input to the digital camera 10.
As a result, the type information of the mobile printer 300 can be obtained without communication or connection with the mobile printer 300.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation content received in S106 is the content of the operation at the time of shooting, but as another example, the CCD 30 of the digital camera 10
May be the content of the operation with respect to the electric signal output from. In this case, after shooting, the image data can be converted into image data suitable for the mobile printer 300 based on the operation content. As still another example, S20
4, when a print instruction is issued, the image data may be converted into image data suitable for the mobile printer 300.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show S1 of FIG.
10 shows a display example of the operation content set in FIG. S1
When the operation content is set in 10, the display unit 1
00 displays the screen of FIG. LCD monitor 1
02 is FINE, PRINT, NORMAL, and B
Display ASIC. When the user selects FINE,
The digital camera 10 shoots in the FINE mode, that is, in the high resolution mode. If the user does not change the mode after turning on the power, the digital camera 10
A mode, for example, a mode for photographing with the highest displayable image quality among image quality suitable for the mobile printer 300 is selected.

Here, the initial setting is changed, but as another form, the setting may return to the state before the change when the power of the digital camera 10 is turned off. When the digital camera 10 is connected to the mobile printer 300, the settings of the digital camera 10 may be changed. After the setting is changed, the digital camera 10 can shoot with the changed setting.

When the user selects the PRINT mode, a screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. PRIN
As the T mode, the high resolution mode and the low resolution mode are L
It is displayed on the CD monitor 102. PRINT mode is 1
In addition to one setting content, a plurality of setting contents may be provided as described above. The user can select either the high resolution mode or the low resolution mode. This allows
The digital camera 10 can be set not only to settings suitable for the mobile printer 300 but also to settings that suit the user's preference.

FIG. 8 shows a display example displayed on the LCD monitor 102 when the digital camera 10 receives the current state of the mobile printer 300 from the mobile printer 300. The digital camera 10 can always communicate with the mobile printer 300, and can always receive a change in the state of the mobile printer 300 in real time. FIG. 8A is a display example when the printer runs out of print paper. When the paper detection unit 360 detects that the paper has run out, the communication unit 320 sends a notification to the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 receives this notification and the LCD monitor 102 displays "The connected mobile printer has run out of paper. Please replenish the paper."

FIG. 8B is a display example when the printer runs out of ink or toner. When the remaining toner detecting unit 350 detects that the toner has run out,
This is sent to the digital camera 10. Digital camera 1
0 receives this, and the LCD monitor 102 of the digital camera 10 displays "Please replace the toner of the connected mobile printer."

Thus, the user can check the LC of the digital camera 10 without checking the mobile printer 300.
From the display contents of the D monitor 102, the mobile printer 300
You can know the state of.

FIG. 9 shows a display example of the LCD monitor 102 for displaying an operation instruction for operating the mobile printer 300. The LCD monitor 102 displays "play", "print", and "shooting" as operation instructions. When the user selects “play”, the captured image is played. When the user selects “print”, the mobile printer 300
Starts printing. When the user selects “shooting”,
The digital camera 10 takes a picture. When the operation instruction is
It can be displayed at any time in the state of N. For example, it may be displayed when the power is turned on, may be displayed after shooting, or may be displayed after printing.
The user selects a desired operation instruction from the displayed operation instructions. The operation unit 110 inputs the selected operation instruction. When the user selects print, the mobile printer 300 starts printing.

As described above, since the operation of the mobile printer 300 can be operated from the digital camera 10, even when the mobile printer 300 is not near the digital camera 10 or the user, the user can operate the mobile printer 300 from the digital camera 10. 300 can be remotely controlled.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the digital camera 10 receives the specific operation content from the server 500. In the second embodiment, the digital camera 10 receives the specific operation content from the mobile printer 300. Mobile printer 300 according to second embodiment
Has a setting unit in addition to the functional configuration shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the mobile printer 300 transmits to the digital camera 10 the same specific operation content as the specific operation content transmitted to the digital camera 10 by the server 500. Mobile printer 30 in the present embodiment
The setting unit of 0 sends the specific operation content for causing the mobile printer 300 to perform an imaging operation suitable for the mobile printer 300 to the digital camera 10 via the communication unit 320 and sets the digital camera 10. For example, the setting unit changes the initial settings of the gradation, hue, lightness, and saturation of the digital camera 10. Other configurations and operations of the mobile printer 300 according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the mobile printer 300 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

Next, a digital camera 10 according to a second embodiment will be described. Communication I of digital camera 10
The / F unit 80 receives the specific operation content from the setting unit of the mobile printer 300. The operation content setting unit 214 receives the specific operation content from the communication I / F unit 80. The operation content setting unit 216 receives the specific operation content from the communication I / F unit 80. Further, the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment does not need to include the type information transmitting unit 202 and the operation content receiving unit 212. Other configurations and operations of the digital camera 10 in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Description is omitted.

By receiving the specific operation content from the mobile printer 300 as described above, the digital camera 1
In the case of 0, the setting suitable for the mobile printer 300 can be obtained only by communication with the mobile printer 300 without communicating with the server 500.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that such modified or improved embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

[0072]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image pickup apparatus that performs photographing with an operation suitable for the quality of a displayable image of a mobile printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an entire imaging and printing system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the digital camera 10.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an imaging setting unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile printer 300.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data format of a database 600.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the imaging printing system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of operation contents set in S110.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a state of the mobile printer 300.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation instruction for operating the mobile printer 300.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 digital camera 20 imaging unit 40 imaging control unit 60 processing unit 62 main CPU 68 main memory 80 communication I / F unit 100 display unit 110 operation unit 202 type information transmission unit 206 printer information reception unit 212 operation content reception unit 214 operation content setting Section 216 operation content setting section 300 mobile printer 400 internet 500 server 600 database

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: a connection portion connected to a printer; and printer information reception device receiving printer information based on the printer when the connection portion is connected to the printer. And an operation content setting unit configured to set an operation content of the imaging device at the time of imaging based on the received printer information. 2. An operation content setting unit for setting operation content of an operation unit in the imaging apparatus based on the printer information received by a printer information reception unit, and the operation content setting unit is set by an input from an operator. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation input unit configured to receive the operation content. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that displays the operation content set by the operation content setting unit. 4. The printer information is type information indicating a type of the printer. The image capturing apparatus communicates with a server that stores a specific operation content of the image capturing apparatus suitable for the printer; A type information transmitting unit that transmits the type information received by the information receiving unit to the server; and an operation content receiving unit that receives the specific operation content suitable for a printer indicated by the type information from the server, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation content setting unit sets the operation content based on the received specific operation content. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation content receiving unit receives the specific operation content based on a quality of an image printable by the printer from the server. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation content receiving unit receives the specific operation content based on a resolution of the printer from the server. 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation content receiving unit receives the specific operation content based on a gradation of the printer from the server. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation content receiving unit receives the specific operation content based on the number of colors of the printer from the server. 9. The printer information receiving unit further receives information indicating the current status of the printer, and the display unit displays the received information indicating the status of the printer. 4. The imaging device according to 3. 10. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the information indicating the status of the printer is information indicating that the printer has run out of print paper when the printer runs out of print paper. Imaging device. 11. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the information indicating the status of the printer is information indicating that the ink or toner in the printer has run out when the printer runs out of ink or toner. Imaging device. 12. An image processing apparatus further comprising: an instruction input unit for inputting an operation instruction for operating the printer from an operator based on the operation content set by the operation content setting unit; 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer starts printing based on the information.
An imaging device according to claim 1. 13. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the operation content setting unit changes initial settings of the imaging device based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving unit. 14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the operation content setting unit sets a resolution at the time of shooting of the imaging apparatus based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving unit. apparatus. 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation content setting unit sets a gradation at the time of photographing of the imaging device based on the operation content received by the operation content receiving unit.
4. The imaging device according to 3. 16. The operation content setting unit, based on the operation content received by the operation content reception unit, at least one of hue, lightness, and saturation at the time of shooting of the imaging device.
14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of the settings is changed. 17. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: an input unit for inputting the type information of the printer; and a server for storing the type information input by the input unit in a specific operation content suitable for the printer. A type information transmitting unit that transmits the specific operation content from the server; and an operation content setting unit that sets the operation content based on the received specific operation content. Imaging device. 18. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: a connection portion connected to the printer; and printer information for receiving printer information based on the printer when the connection portion is connected to the printer. An imaging apparatus comprising: a receiving unit; and an operation content setting unit configured to set an operation content of an operation unit in the imaging device based on the received printer information. 19. A printer, comprising: means for communicating with an image capturing apparatus that captures an image, wherein: a setting unit that sets, in the image capturing apparatus, an operation content for performing an image capturing operation suitable for the printer; A receiving unit that receives the printing operation based on the operation content set by the setting unit from the imaging device; and a printing unit that performs printing based on the printing operation received by the receiving unit. Printer. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the setting unit changes at least one of hue, lightness, and saturation at the time of shooting by the imaging device based on the operation content. Printer. 21. The printer according to claim 19, wherein the setting unit changes a setting of a gradation at the time of shooting by the imaging device based on the operation content. 22. The printer according to claim 19, wherein the setting unit changes a setting of a resolution at the time of shooting by the imaging device based on the operation content.