JP2002314906A - Image processing system, method of image processing, printer, and electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an index image display function while suppressing a rise of the cost. SOLUTION: A printer 30 prints an image based on image data stored in an image file recorded on a memory card 50. Then, a CPU 33 takes out thumbnail image data from an image file and gives an instruction to an IF part 38 to transmit the data to a camera 10. In an ASIC 16, data for expressing an index image composed of arranged thumbnail images expressed by the thumbnail image data received in an IF part 19 of the camera 10 is formed. The data is passed to a liquid crystal monitor 11 after the data is stored once in a VRAM 14 to display the index image in the liquid crystal monitor 11. Then, the index image display function is able to offer without integrating the image processing unit in the printer for carrying out the image processing and making the index image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing technique, and more particularly, to an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images obtained by reducing the size of an image recorded on a recording medium.
The present invention relates to a technology provided by a printer that prints an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of electronic cameras called so-called digital cameras, a large number of printers having improved printing performance of images photographed by the electronic cameras have been distributed on the market.

An electronic camera generally records image data obtained by photographing a subject image on a recording medium such as an IC memory card, and records a large number of images according to the recording capacity of the recording medium. Is possible. When printing an image captured by an electronic camera on a print medium such as paper with a printer device, it is rather rare to print all the images recorded on the recording medium, and usually several sheets selected by the user are printed. Printing of the image is performed.

Incidentally, many electronic cameras are equipped with a function called an index image display or the like so that a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium can be quickly checked. The index image display function extracts, for example, image data of a thumbnail image which is a reduced image of an image included in each image data recorded on a recording medium, and extracts a plurality of thumbnail images obtained from each image. An index image is created by arranging images to be arranged, and the created index image is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal) provided in an electronic camera.
This is realized by performing processing for displaying on a display device such as Display).

[0005] A recent printer device or the like which has a function of reading image data recorded on a recording medium to enable image printing without using a computer is equipped with the above-described index image display function. There are also things. However, since most printers do not have a display device, such a printer device uses a home television as a display device, and therefore converts the index image into a video signal and outputs it. Some are equipped with

[0006]

In order to mount an index image display function on a printer device, it is necessary to enable the printer device to perform image processing for creating an index image. However, providing an image processing unit for this purpose in the printer device increases the cost.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an index image display function while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0008]

An image processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is based on an image processing system including a printer and an electronic camera, and the printer is configured to express an image. Image printing means for printing the image based on the image data to be printed, and transmission means for transmitting reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image. A receiving unit that receives the reduced image data transmitted from the apparatus; and an index image creating unit that creates data representing an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data. Solves the above-mentioned problem.

According to the above arrangement, since the electronic camera performs image processing for creating an index image, an index image display function can be provided without providing an image processing unit for this purpose in the printer device. Thus, an increase in the cost of the printer device can be suppressed.

In the above-described image processing system according to the present invention, the electronic camera may be configured to further include display means for displaying the index image. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a display unit for displaying the index image in the printer device, so that an increase in the cost of the printer device can be further suppressed.

In the above-described image processing system according to the present invention, the transmitting means may be configured to transmit, in addition to the reduced image data, attribute information relating to the reduced image data. Here, the attribute information may be, for example, selection information indicating whether or not an image corresponding to the reduced image data is selected to be printed by the printing unit. It may be selection information indicating whether printing is selected by the printing unit.

According to this configuration, it is possible to cause the electronic camera to perform processing such as superimposing a display based on the attribute information on the index image, and to present an image obtained as a result of such processing. Thus, information on each reduced image included in the index image can be provided to the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method, wherein a printer device that prints an image based on image data representing the image expresses a reduced image in which the size of the image is reduced. By transmitting the reduced image data, the electronic camera receiving the reduced image data transmitted from the printer device creates an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data. The same operation and effect as those of the image processing system according to the present invention can be obtained.

[0014] An electronic camera, which is still another aspect of the present invention, includes an electronic camera and a printer device for printing an image based on image data representing the image. A receiving unit for receiving reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image transmitted from the printer device, and a reduced image represented by the reduced image data. And an index image creating means for creating data representing an index image in which a plurality of are arranged.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer apparatus comprising: an electronic camera; and a printer apparatus for printing the image based on image data representing the image. An image printing means for printing an image based on image data representing an image, and transmitting reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image. Means, wherein the reduced image data transmitted by the transmitting means is received by the electronic camera, and data representing an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data is stored in the electronic camera. It is configured to be created in.

These electronic cameras and printers are:
This is an invention of a sub-combination constituting the image processing system according to the present invention described above, and the above-mentioned problem is also solved by these.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an electronic camera system embodying the present invention. The electronic camera system shown in FIG. 1 includes a camera 10 and a printer 30.

This electronic camera system includes a printer 30
Has a function of reading image data recorded on the recording medium, and creates an index image of the image data read from the recording medium by the printer 30 on behalf of the camera 10 having the image processing function. By doing so, it is not necessary to equip the printer 30 with an image processing function for creating an index image, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the printer 30.

The camera 10 is a so-called digital camera, and records an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium as image data which is digital data. The printer 30 has three primary colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
This is a printer device adopting a sublimation-type thermal transfer system in which color printing is performed by a frame-sequential system using an ink ribbon containing three cyan (ink) inks.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 because it is hidden by the camera 10, FIG.
Are connected via a connector, and the camera 10 and the printer 30 are configured to be able to exchange various data via the connector. The printer 30 obtains image data recorded in the camera 10 via the connector, and prints an image represented by the image data.

FIG. 1 will be further described. The camera 10 is provided with a liquid crystal monitor 11 using an LCD.
An image can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. The input switch key button 31a is used to acquire image data of an image to be printed by the printer 30 from the memory card 50 mounted on the camera 1 or from the memory card 50 inserted into the memory card slot 46. A button switch operated to switch and select whether to acquire.

The cross key button 31b is a switch operated to give an instruction to move an index frame, which will be described later, while the index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. The selection key button 31c is used when the index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11.
The button switch is operated to select an image to be printed from the index image and make a print reservation.

The print key button 31d is a button switch operated to instruct the printer 30 to start image printing. Error indication LED (Light Emitting Diode)
Reference numeral 32a denotes a light emitting diode provided for visually notifying a user by light that a printing operation cannot be performed normally.

The power switch 43 is a switch operated to control the supply of power to the printer 30. The paper feed tray 44 is a tray on which print paper, which is a print medium on which the printer 30 performs printing, is set. The upper part of this tray functions as a paper discharge tray when the printed paper is discharged from the printer 30. Also has.

The ink ribbon mounting door 45 is a lid for sealing a mounting portion of a ribbon cassette in which an ink ribbon used for printing by the printer 30 is stored. The memory card slot 46 is a slot into which a memory card 50 for exchanging data with the printer 30 is inserted.

The memory card 50 is a recording medium for recording digital data, and is detachable from the printer 30. When the memory card 50 on which the image data is recorded is inserted into the memory card slot 46, the printer 30 is represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 50 in addition to the image recorded on the camera 10. Images can be printed.

Next, FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the electronic camera system shown in FIG. As described above, by mating the connector 20 of the camera 10 with the connector 39 of the printer 30, various data can be exchanged between the camera 10 and the printer 30.

First, the internal configuration of the camera 10 will be described. Inside the camera 10, the DSP 13 and the VRAM 1
4, CPU 15, ASIC 16, RAM 17, IF unit 1
9 and the IF unit 21 are both connected to the bus line 23, and various kinds of data can be exchanged between these components.

The liquid crystal monitor 11 displays various images as described above. CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
Reference numeral 12 denotes a two-dimensional image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the operation of an imaging lens (not shown) and outputs an electric signal indicating an image of the subject image.

DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 13
Reference numeral denotes a signal processing unit which performs various processes on the electric signal output from the CCD 12, and performs a CDS (Correlated Double Sampler) for reducing a noise component with respect to the input electric signal.
ng) and AGC (Automatic
After performing a process such as Gain Control), the analog signal is converted from analog to digital (AD) to output image data representing an image of the subject image.
Image data output from the DSP 13 is temporarily stored in the RAM 17.

VRAM (Video Random Access Memory)
Reference numeral 14 denotes a so-called video memory for temporarily storing image data output from the ASIC 16 in order to display an image represented by image data on the liquid crystal monitor 11. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the entire camera 10 according to a control program stored in advance.

ASIC (Application Specific Integrator)
The ted circuit 16 functions as an image processing unit that performs various types of image processing on image data. Some examples of image processing performed by the ASIC 16 are as follows.
When an image represented by the image data stored in the AM 17 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11, when the image data is recorded on the memory card 50, or when the image data is represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 50 When an image is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11, differences in brightness, saturation, hue, and the like at the time of image input / output are corrected.
Various correction processes such as gamma correction, color correction, and white balance correction are performed on the image data. Or RAM
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts G) when recording the image data stored in
The data expansion process is performed when the image data recorded on the memory card 50 after being subjected to the data compression process according to the (roup) system or the like and the compression process according to the JPEG system or the like is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. Also, the ASIC 16 performs the process of creating an index image related to the present invention.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 17 is
A memory used as a frame memory for storing image data output from the DSP 13, for temporarily storing image data being processed in image processing by the ASIC 16, or as a work area for executing control processing by the CPU 15. It is.

The operation keys 18 are a general term for various switches operated by the user of the camera 10.
Camera 10 based on the operation status of these switches
The content of the operation instruction to is acquired by the CPU 15.
An IF (Interface) unit 19 includes a camera 10 and a printer 30.
Controls the transfer of data between and.

The connector 20 is the connector 3 of the printer 30.
9 and the camera 10 and the printer 3
It is possible to exchange various data with 0. The IF unit 21 controls writing and reading of data to and from the memory card 50.

The connector 22 electrically connects the memory card 50 so that data can be written to and read from the memory card 50. Memory card 50
Is a recording medium for recording image data, as described above, and is removable from the camera 10. The memory card 50 to be mounted on the camera 10 and the memory card 50 may be of the same standard, or may be of different standards.

Next, the internal configuration of the printer 30 will be described. Inside the printer 30, the CPU 33 and the image R
The AM 34, the IF unit 38, and the IF unit 40 are all connected to the bus line 42, and various types of data can be exchanged between these components.

The operation unit 31 is operated by a user of the printer 30 and is operated by the input switching key button 31 described above.
a, the cross key button 31b, the selection key button 31c, and the print key button 31d are generic names of switches provided on the printer 30, and the contents of operation instructions to the printer 30 based on the operation status of these switches are determined by the CPU.
33.

The display section 32 has the above-mentioned error display LED 3
2a and the like, and is used for notifying various kinds of information from the printer 30 to the user by display. CPU
A central processing unit 33 controls the operation of the entire printer 30 according to a control program stored in advance.

The image RAM 34 sequentially stores print data composed of Y-, M-, and C-color field-sequential data obtained by converting image data of an image to be printed by the control process of the CPU 33. Line R
The AM 35 sequentially stores the print data read from the image RAM 34 for each line corresponding to the print width of one line by the line head 37 of the mechanism engine unit (Mecha) 36.

The line head 37 is a thermal head arranged in a line. The line head 37 is driven (heated) on the basis of line data sequentially received from the line RAM 35 to be applied to an ink ribbon (not shown). The sublimated dye is sublimated and adsorbed, and printing on printing paper is performed. Three color inks of Y, M, and C are separately applied to the ink ribbon, and the mechanism engine unit 36 controls the ink ribbon so that color printing is performed by superimposing the three color inks. The printing paper is caused to move and reciprocate in the longitudinal direction using rollers (not shown).

The color printing method by the printer 30 will be further described. First, one line data at the head of the print data for a selected color, for example, Y, is read from the image RAM 34 and stored in the line RAM 35. . When this one-line data is read from the line RAM 35 and sent to the mechanism engine unit 36, printing is started. When printing of one line is completed, the next one line data is similarly processed in the mechanism engine unit 36.
And the printing for this one line is performed. When such an operation is repeated and printing of the first color is completed, printing of another color, for example, M is performed in the same manner. When the printing of the second color is completed, printing of the remaining colors, for example, C, is performed in the same manner. As described above, color printing is performed by repeatedly printing three colors on the same printing paper.

Returning to the description of FIG. The IF unit 38 controls transmission and reception of data between the printer 30 and the camera 10.
The connector 39 allows the transmission and reception of various data between the printer 30 and the camera 10 by being fitted with the connector 20 of the camera 10. The connection between the connector 20 and the connector 39 may be performed via a cable.

The IF unit 40 controls writing and reading of data to and from the memory card 50. The connector 41 electrically connects the memory card 50 and the memory card 50.
Data can be written to and read from the.

The memory card 50 is a recording medium for recording digital data as described above. The insides of the camera 10 and the printer 30 are configured as described above. Next, FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a data structure of an image file used in the electronic camera system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the data structure of an image file recorded on the memory card 50. As shown in the figure, the image file includes a main image data section in which image data representing an image is stored, and a data storage area called a header and a thumbnail image data section. .

The header section stores information about this image file, such as the date and time of shooting and shooting conditions. The thumbnail image data section stores data of thumbnail images obtained by reducing the image size of this image file.

FIG. 3B shows the data structure of an image file transferred from the printer 30 to the camera 10 via the connectors 39 and 20. As shown in the figure, the image file has data of one frame having a header part and a thumbnail image data part, for example, nine frames corresponding to one screen of the index image. Be composed. By creating such an image file by the printer 30 and transferring the image file to the camera 10, it is possible to compare with the case where all the image files for each image having the data structure as shown in FIG. As a result, the data transfer amount is greatly reduced. Note that FIG.
The image file shown in (b) may have thumbnail image data for all frames of the image file recorded on the memory card 50.

The header portion differs from the information included in the header portion in FIG. 3A in that a frame added for convenience to identify a plurality of frames of image files read from the memory card 50 is provided. Data indicating the number is stored. In the thumbnail image data portion, data stored in the thumbnail image data portion of the image file recorded on the memory card 50 is directly copied (copied) and stored.

Hereinafter, the CPU 15 of the camera 10 and the C of the printer 30 of the electronic camera system shown in FIG.
Control processing performed by each of the PUs 33 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the control processing performed by the CPU 15 of the camera 10. The control processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 15 executing a control program stored in advance.

Note that the CPU 15 determines whether or not various switches have been operated even when the power switch provided to the camera 10 is off, that is, when the camera 10 is in the standby state. , And the CPU 15 is operating even when the camera 10 is in a standby state. Therefore, C
In the PU 15, the control processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is performed irrespective of the state of the power switch.

First, in S101, information is acquired from the IF unit 19, and it is determined whether or not the printer 30 is electrically connected via the connector 20 and the connector 39. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds from S102. The process proceeds to the printer mode process that starts. On the other hand, if this determination process is No, the CPU 15 performs the control process of the camera 10 alone. Since this control processing has little relation with the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

In S102, it is determined whether or not the data indicating the communication request sent from the printer 30 has been received by the IF unit 19, and the process in S1 is performed until the determination result becomes Yes.
02 is repeated. In S103, a communication process is executed, and the data sent from the printer 30 and received by the IF unit 19 is obtained.

In S104, it is determined whether or not the data obtained in the previous step indicates a request to turn on the power of the camera 10, that is, a request to change the operation state of the camera 10 in a standby state to a normal state. Is determined, and if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S105, and if No, S1 is performed.
Go to 07 respectively.

In S105, it is determined whether or not the current operation state of the camera 10 is a normal state, that is, a state in which the power switch is turned on.
If so, the process returns to S102, and the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is No, a power-on process is performed in S106, that is, a process of transitioning the operation state of the camera 10 from the standby state to the normal state is performed. The description of the power-on process is also omitted.

After completing the power-on process in S106, the process returns to S102, and the above-described process is repeated. In S107, it is determined whether or not the current operation state of the camera 10 is a normal state, that is, a state in which the power switch is turned on, and if the determination result is Yes, S is determined.
The process proceeds to 108. On the other hand, if this determination result is No, the process returns to S102 and the above-described process is repeated.

In S108, it is determined whether or not the data obtained by the communication processing in S103 indicates an index display request for displaying an index image on the liquid crystal monitor 11 of the camera 10, and the determination result is as follows. If Yes, an index display process is performed in S109, and thereafter, the process returns to S102, and the above-described process is repeated. Details of the index display processing will be described later.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination processing in S108 is No, in S110, the data obtained by the communication processing in S103 described above is stored in the liquid crystal monitor 1 of the camera 10.
1 indicates an error display request which is a request for displaying an operation failure of the printer 10. If the result of the determination is Yes, the contents to be displayed are acquired from the printer 30 in S 111 and the contents are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. Error display processing, which is processing for controlling the display at step 11, is performed. Thereafter, the processing returns to S102, and the above-described processing is repeated. The description of the error display processing is omitted.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination processing in S110 is No, the processing returns to S102, and the above processing is repeated. The CPU 15 performs the above control processing. Next, FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of an index display process performed by the CPU 15 as the process of S109 in the control process shown in FIG.

First, in S201, S103 in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the index display request acquired by the communication processing of the above is a request to newly display an index image on the liquid crystal monitor 11. If this determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S201, and if No, S207 is performed.
Next, the processing proceeds.

In S202, the CPU 33 of the printer 30
It is determined whether or not the IF unit 19 has received data indicating communication permission for notifying that the creation of the image file as shown in FIG. The determination process of S202 is repeated until the determination result becomes Yes.

In step S203, a communication process is executed, and is transmitted from the printer 30 and received by the IF unit 19.
An image file having a data structure as shown in (b) is obtained and temporarily stored in the RAM 17. S20
In step 4, an instruction is given to the ASIC 16, and the data indicating the frame number of each image and the thumbnail image data are extracted from the image file stored in the RAM 17 by the processing of the previous step, and the data indicating the index image is extracted from these data. The image processing to be created is performed by the ASIC 16. The created data is stored in the VRAM 14 and then passed to the liquid crystal monitor 11 where an index image is displayed.

Subsequently, in step S205, a communication process is executed.
Data indicating the cursor position sent from the printer 30 and received by the IF unit 19 is obtained. In S206,
When an instruction is given to the ASIC 16 and image processing for attaching a cursor frame around one of the index images displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 is performed according to the data acquired in the previous step, and the result of this image processing is performed. After the image data obtained as is stored in the VRAM 14, the image data is transferred to the liquid crystal monitor 11 to display the index image with the cursor frame added.

After the above processing is completed, the index display processing ends, and the processing returns to FIG. FIG. 6A shows a display example of the index image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 by the processing up to S206. As shown in the figure, a frame number is combined with a total of nine reduced images arranged three by three vertically and horizontally, and further, based on the data sent from the printer 30, an index image is formed. A cursor frame is added around any one of the images.

FIG. 6B shows a display example of an index image in a state where all the images in the index image are reserved for printing. In the display example of the index image shown in FIG. 6B, a frame different from the cursor frame shown in FIG. 6A, for example, the cursor shown in FIG. If the frame is a white frame, for example, a different red frame, such as a red frame, is added to indicate that printing of all images is reserved.

Returning to the description of FIG. In S207, S in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the index display request acquired by the communication processing of 103 is a request to change the frame of the reduced image included in the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S208, and if No, the process proceeds to S213.

In step S208, a communication process is executed, and the frame number of the reduced image to be deleted from among the reduced images included in the index image currently displayed, sent from the printer 30 and received by the IF unit 19, is displayed. Is obtained, and the communication process is further performed in the subsequent S209 to obtain image data of a reduced image to be added to the index image instead of the reduced image to be deleted.

In S210, an instruction is given to the ASIC 16, and the ASIC 16 performs image processing for creating data indicating an index image in accordance with the data acquired in the processing of 208 and S209. The created data is stored in the VRAM 14 and then
1 and the index image is displayed.

The processing from S208 to S210 will be further described. For example, currently, the LCD monitor 1
When an instruction to delete the images of frame numbers 1 to 3 is sent from the printer 30 while an index image as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed in FIG. If data indicating that images 1 to 3 are to be erased are obtained and image data with frame numbers 10 to 12 are obtained by the subsequent communication processing in step S209, the data is expressed by data created by the ASIC 16 in the processing in step S210. The index image is an image in which images with frame numbers 4 to 12 are arranged.

In S 211, communication processing is further executed, and data indicating the cursor position sent from the printer 30 and received by the IF unit 19 is obtained. In S212, A
When an instruction is given to the SIC 16 and image processing is performed to move a cursor frame around any of the index images currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 in accordance with the data acquired in the previous step, this image processing is performed. After the image data obtained as a result of is stored in the VRAM 14, the image data is transferred to the liquid crystal monitor 11, and the index image in which the position of the cursor frame is changed is displayed.

After the above processing is completed, the index display processing ends, and the processing returns to FIG. By the way, when the result of the determination processing in S207 is No,
When the result of the determination processing in S201 and S207 is No for the index display request acquired by the communication processing in S103 of FIG. 4, the index display request is currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. It is limited to the one that requests to move the cursor frame displayed on the middle index image to another image in the index image. Then, S213
Then, communication processing is executed, and data indicating the cursor position sent from the printer 30 and received by the IF unit 19 is obtained.

In step S214, an image processing is performed in which an instruction is given to the ASIC 16 and the cursor frame is moved around any of the index images currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 in accordance with the data obtained in the previous step. After the image data obtained as a result of the image processing is stored in the VRAM 14, the liquid crystal monitor 11
And the index image in which the position of the cursor frame is changed is displayed.

After the above processing is completed, the index display processing ends, and the processing returns to FIG. The above processing is the index display processing. Next, processing performed by the CPU 33 of the printer 30 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the control processing performed by the CPU 33. The control processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 33 executing a control program stored in advance. The control process shown in FIG. 7 is started when the power switch 43 is turned on and the supply of power to the printer 30 is started.

First, in S301, a process for causing each part constituting the printer 30 to perform an initial operation is performed. In this initial operation, various initialization processes and functional operation checks are performed. For example, the mechanism engine unit 36 drives the line head 37 to the initial position, and checks whether a paper jam has occurred in the printer 30. Checks and the like are performed, and the display unit 32 sets the LED lighting display and the like to a default state. Further, the operation state of the printer 30 is set to a standby state.

Next, in S302, information is obtained from the IF unit 38, it is determined whether or not the camera 10 is electrically connected via the connector 39 and the connector 20. Until the connection is confirmed (determination). The determination processing of S302 is repeated until the result becomes Yes).

In step S 303, the IF unit 38 is controlled, and data indicating a request to turn on the power of the camera 10 is transmitted to the camera 1.
Sent to 0. In S304, information is acquired from the IF unit 40, and the memory card 50 is inserted into the memory card slot 46.
Is determined to be inserted into the connector 41 and is connected to the connector 41. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S305.
Is determined whether or not an image file is recorded on the memory card 50. Then, if the result of this determination is also Yes, index data transfer processing is performed in S306, and thereafter the processing is shifted to S308.
Proceed to. Details of the index image data transfer processing will be described later.

If at least one of the results of the determination processing in S304 and S305 is No, S307
, A card error display process is performed. Details of the card error display processing will also be described later. Subsequent processes from S308 to S315 are processes for, when various switches of the operation unit 31 are operated, performing processes corresponding to the operated switches.

First, in step S308, the print key button 3
It is determined whether or not 1d has been operated, and if it is determined that the operation has been performed, the printing process of S309 is performed. In S310, it is determined whether or not any of the cross key buttons 31b has been operated. When it is determined that the operation has been performed, the cross key processing in S311 is performed.

Further, in S312, the selection key button 3
It is determined whether or not 1c has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, in S313, the printing of the image currently surrounded by the cursor frame among the index images displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 is performed. Selection key processing for reservation is performed.

In S314, it is determined whether or not the input switch key button 31a has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, in S315, the image data of the image to be printed by the printer 30 is deleted. An input switching process is performed to switch between acquisition from the memory card 50 mounted on the camera 10 and acquisition from the memory card 50 inserted into the memory card slot 46.

Of the above processes, the printing process and the cross key process will be described in detail later, and the selection process and the input switching process, which are not related to the present invention, will not be described in detail. The printer 30 also has other operation key switches, which are not described, as the operation unit 31. However, since the operation unit 31 is not directly related to the present invention, processing performed in response to the operation of these operation key switches is performed. The explanation of is omitted.

The above S309, S311, S313, S
When the processes in 315 are completed, or when no operation on the operation unit 31 is detected, the process returns to S304 and the above-described processes are repeated. The CPU 33 performs the above control processing.

Next, FIG. 8 will be described. FIG.
CPU as the processing of S306 in the control processing shown in FIG.
33 is a flowchart showing the contents of an index image data transfer process performed by the controller 33. First, S
In 401, an instruction is given to the IF unit 40, and image files for nine frames from the head recorded on the memory card 50 connected to the connector 41 are read and acquired, and acquired in the CPU 33. FIG. 3
Data of the thumbnail image data portion is extracted from each image file having the data structure shown in FIG.

In subsequent S402, the thumbnail image data extracted in the previous step is
An image file for transfer having a data structure as shown in FIG. In step S403, the image file created by the processing in the previous step is
And causes the image file to be transmitted to the camera 10.

After the above processing is completed, the index image data transfer processing ends, and the processing returns to FIG. Next, FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of a card error display process performed by the CPU 33 as the process of S307 in the control process shown in FIG.

First, in S501, information is obtained from the IF unit 40, and it is determined whether or not the memory card 50 is connected to the connector 41. If not, an error indicating "no card" is made in S502. The data including the code is set, and the process proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if it is determined that the memory card 50 is connected as a result of the determination processing in S501, the processing proceeds to S503.
, Data consisting of an error code indicating "there is no image file in the card" is set.

In S504, the data set by the processing in S502 or S503 described above is
And causes the image file to be transmitted to the camera 10. In S505, an error display based on the data set by the above-described processing of S502 or S503 is performed by the error display LED 32a of the display unit 32 or the like.

After the above processing is completed, the card error display processing ends, and the processing returns to FIG. Next, FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 13 shows the S in the control processing shown in FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a printing process performed by the CPU 33 as the process of 309.

First, in S601, the memory card 5
0 is read out, the information stored in the header portion of each image file is referred to, and information indicating that a reservation for printing is set in the reference content is displayed. The file name given to the included image file is used by the CPU 33 as the print selection setting.
Are temporarily stored and stored in the order.

Next, in step S602, one of the image files set for printing is selected as image data to be printed in accordance with the order held in the CPU 33. In S603, print data creation processing for converting the image data selected in the previous step into a printable data format is performed. The processing content of the print data creation processing will be described more specifically. For example, if the original image file has been subjected to data compression processing in the JPEG format, JPEG which performs data decompression on the image file Expansion processing, resizing processing that processes the vertical and horizontal size of the image represented by the image data after the expansion processing into printable vertical and horizontal sizes, and ink colors based on the image data obtained by performing these processing , A conversion process for converting each color component of Y, M, and C into image data, and a masking process, a γ conversion process, and the like are performed. Y, M, created as a result of these processes,
Print data for each color component of C is stored in the image RAM 34.

Next, in step S604, the number of prints for printing this image in the current printing process, which is set in the header of the image file to be printed in the current printing process, is called. Then, the value of this number is substituted for a variable m.

In S605, the current value of the variable m is reduced by 1, and the resulting value is substituted into the variable m again. S
At 606, an instruction is given to the mechanism engine unit 36, the printing paper is fed from the paper feed tray 44, and the printing paper is initialized at the start of printing, that is, the printing start position of the printing paper is opposed to the line head 36. And the mechanism engine unit 36 is driven such that the head position of the Y color portion of the ink ribbon is set at the position where the line head 36 is provided.

In step S607, if the paper cannot be fed (print paper out) or the ink ribbon Y
When the initial position of the color cannot be detected (the end of the ink ribbon)
It is determined whether any of the cases has occurred, and it has been determined that either of the cases has occurred (the determination result is Ye
If s), the process proceeds to S608, and it is determined that neither case has occurred (the determination result is No).
If so, the process proceeds to S617.

In step S608, an error display corresponding to the case that occurred in the previous step is performed by turning on the error display LED 32a. Further, an instruction is given to the IF unit 38 and the printer 10
Indicating a request to display a malfunction of the camera 10
Sent to.

Next, in step S609, an instruction is given to the mechanism engine unit 36, and the paper feed tray 44
The line head 36 is returned to the initial position to enable the setting of the ribbon cassette and the replacement of the ribbon cassette. Here, in step S610, it is determined whether new paper has been set in the paper feed tray 44 when printing paper has run out, or whether the ribbon has been replaced with a ribbon cassette storing a new ink ribbon when ink ribbon has ended. If the determination result is Yes, in S611, the process of canceling the error display performed by the process of S608, that is, turning off the error display LED 32a and stopping the display of the operation failure of the printer 10 on the liquid crystal monitor 11 of the camera 10 is stopped. Camera 10 of data indicating a request to be made
Is transmitted.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination processing in S610 is No,
That is, when either the state of running out of printing paper or the end of the ink ribbon continues, the process proceeds to S612. Here, it is determined whether or not the power switch 43 has been operated in S612, and if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S612.
At 613, information indicating that the power switch 43 has been operated is held in the CPU 33.
The process proceeds to 615.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination processing in S612 is No, it is determined in S614 whether the memory card 50 storing the image file to be printed has been removed from the electronic camera system. .
If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S615, while if the determination result is No, the process returns to S610, and the determinations in S610, S612, and S614 are performed until some improvement for the malfunction of the printer 30 is performed. The processing is repeated.

In S615, an inquiry is made to the mechanism engine unit 36 to determine whether or not the printing paper is fed to the position of the line head 36.
Only in the case of es, in S616, an instruction to discharge the print sheet is given to the mechanism engine unit 36, and the discharge processing is executed.

After the above processing is completed, the current printing processing is completed, and the processing returns to FIG. By the way, S6 described above
If the result of the determination process in step 07 is No,
At 617, printing processing for the Y color is performed.
The printing process will be described first.
The print data for the Y color component stored in is stored on a line-by-line basis and sequentially transferred to the line RAM 35. The line head 37 generates thermal energy of a calorific value corresponding to the value of the color density indicated for each dot in the data of one line read from the line RAM 35. Then, on the ink ribbon, an amount of the Y color ink corresponding to the calorific value sublimates and is absorbed by the ink receiving layer of the printing paper. Thus, printing for the Y color is completed.

When the printing process for the Y color is completed, S
At 618, an instruction is given to the mechanism engine unit 36 to convey the printing paper on which the printing for the Y color has been performed to the initial position of printing, and also to convey the ink ribbon to the initial position of the M color. Then, in S619, printing processing for the M color is performed. The processing content of this print processing is the same as the print processing performed in S617 for the Y color.

When the printing process for the M color is completed, S
At 620, an instruction is given to the mechanism engine unit 36 again, and the printing paper on which the printing for M color has been performed is transported to the initial position of printing, and the ink ribbon is transported to the initial position of C color. Then, in S621, the printing process for the C color is performed. The processing content of this print processing is the same as the print processing performed in S617.

Here, in S622, an inquiry is made to the mechanism engine unit 36, and the currently used ink ribbon forms a material for forming an overcoat layer for protecting the ink receiving layer of the printing paper on the surface of the printing paper. Is determined by, for example, a method of reading a bar code attached to the ribbon cassette storing the ink ribbon. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S623, and if No, the process proceeds to S625. Each process proceeds.

In S623, the mechanism engine unit 36
Is given, and the printing paper on which Y, M, and C colors have been printed is transported to the initial printing position, and the ink ribbon is transported to the initial position of the portion where the overcoat layer forming material is applied. Let it. In step S624, a process of printing the overcoat layer forming material on printing paper to form an overcoat layer is performed.

In step S625, an instruction is given to the mechanism engine unit 36, and the print paper on which printing has been completed is sent to the paper feed tray 4.
4, a process of discharging the paper to the upper paper discharge tray is performed. Here, in S626, it is determined whether or not the value of the above-described variable m has reached 0. If the determination result is Yes, it is considered that the number of prints set for this image file has been completed, and the process proceeds to S627. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is No, the process returns to S605 and printing for this image file is repeated.

In S627, the setting of the print reservation set in the header of the image file which has been printed by the above processing is released. In S628, the CPU 3
It is determined whether or not the printing of the images for all the reserved image files held in 3 has been completed. If the determination result is Yes, the current printing process ends, and the process returns to FIG. . On the other hand, if the result of this determination is No, S60
The process returns to 2, and printing of the unprinted image file is performed.

The processing described above is the printing processing. Next, FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the cross key processing performed by the CPU 33 as the processing of S311 in the control processing shown in FIG.

First, in step S701, the current input mode of the printer 30 is a selection mode in which selection of a print frame can be set by the selection key button 31c, or printing of all images recorded in the memory card 50 is reserved. It is determined whether the current mode is the all-frame selection mode. If the determination result is Yes (the input mode is the selection mode), the process proceeds to step S70.
2. If No (input mode is all frame selection mode), S
The processing advances to 723, respectively.

In S702, it is determined what kind of operation was performed on the cross key button 31b determined to have been operated by the above-described determination processing of S310 in FIG. As a result of the determination processing in S702, when it is determined that the upward part of the cross key button 31b has been pressed, in S703, the cursor position, which is a code for specifying the display position of the cursor frame in the index image, 3 is subtracted from the code, and then the process proceeds to S707.

The cursor position code will be described more specifically. A code as shown in FIG. 12 is assigned in advance to each of the display positions of the nine reduced images displayed in the index image, and the cursor frame is It is added around the reduced image corresponding to the position code setting.

If it is determined in step S702 that the leftward portion of the cross key button 31b has been pressed, the cursor position code is decremented by one in step S704. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S707. . Alternatively, as a result of the determination processing in S702, when it is determined that the downward part of the cross key button 31b is pressed, 3 is added to the cursor position code in S705, and thereafter the processing proceeds to S715.

Alternatively, as a result of the determination processing in S702, when it is determined that the rightward portion of the cross key button 31b has been pressed, 1 is added to the cursor position code in S706, and thereafter the processing proceeds to S715. . In S707, the immediately preceding S703 or S704
It is determined whether or not the current value of the cursor position code has become smaller than 1 by the processing of. If the result of this determination is Yes, the processing proceeds to S708;
Each process proceeds.

When the result of the determination in S707 is Yes, it indicates that the cursor frame is to be moved to a reduced image that is not included in the index image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11, and at this time, another index image is displayed. It needs to be changed to something. S708 to S71
In the process up to 3, the process for changing the index image is also performed.

In S708, it is determined whether or not the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 includes a reduced image of the image data recorded on the memory card 50 as the first frame. If the result is Yes, the process proceeds to S709, and if No, the process proceeds to S710.

When the result of the determination in S708 is Yes,
An index image including a reduced image of the image data recorded on the memory card 50 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 as the last frame so that a cursor frame is attached to the last frame. Therefore, in S709,
The position where the reduced image of the last frame is displayed in the index image is set in the cursor position code.
Specifically, the value of the remainder obtained by dividing the frame number of the last frame by 9 is set in the cursor position code. However,
When the frame number is divisible by 9, the cursor position code is set to 9. For example, when the frame number of the image of the last frame is 14, 14 ÷ 9 = 1, the remainder is 5, and the index image including the reduced image of the last frame shows five reduced images. Is set to 5 in the cursor position code.

After the completion of the process of S709, the process proceeds to S711. In S710, the cursor position code is set to 9, and the lower right reduced image in the index image is set as the cursor position. In step S711, all the reduced images included in the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 are deleted, and instead, an index image (a currently displayed nine images) of reduced images immediately before the displayed reduced image is displayed. If the index image is for the first nine frames, the recorded image
An index display request is generated to display an index image consisting of reduced images of 9 frames or less, which is finally displayed when the frame is index-displayed, and an instruction is given to the IF 38 in S712.
The created index display request is transmitted to the camera 10.

At S713, the same index image data transfer processing as that shown in FIG. 8 is performed. However, the processing here is not limited to the processing performed on the image files of nine frames from the head recorded on the memory card 50, and is included in the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. Image file for the reduced image of 9 frames immediately before the reduced image of 9 frames (when the index image being displayed is for the first 9 frames, the recorded images are index-displayed 9 frames at a time) The data of the thumbnail image data portion is extracted from the image file of the reduced image within nine frames included in the index image to be finally displayed, and the image file for transfer is created and transmitted.

In step S714, data indicating the current position of the cursor frame indicated by the cursor position code on the index image is transmitted to the camera 10. Thereafter, the cross key processing ends, and the processing proceeds to FIG. Return to S
At 715, it is determined whether or not the current value of the cursor position code has become greater than 9 by the immediately preceding processing of S705 or S706, and the determination result is Yes.
If so, the process proceeds to S716, and if No, the process proceeds to S720. The processing from S716 to S719 is the same as the processing from S708 to S713 described above.
This is a process for changing the reduced image included in the index image.

In S716, 1 is set to the cursor position code, and the reduced image at the upper left in the index image is set as the cursor position. In step S717, all the reduced images included in the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 are deleted, and instead, a reduced image of nine frames immediately after the displayed reduced image (when the last frame is included). Indicates that the number of frames may be less than 9 frames (when the index image being displayed includes that of the last frame, 9 frames from the top recorded on the memory card 50). An index display request indicating that a reduced image (an index image) is to be displayed is created. In step S718, an instruction is given to the IF 38, and the created index display request is transmitted to the camera 10.

In S719, the same index image data transfer processing as that shown in FIG. 8 is performed. However, the processing here is not limited to the processing performed on the image files of nine frames from the head recorded on the memory card 50, and is included in the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11. Image file for the reduced image of 9 frames immediately after the reduced image of 9 frames (the number of frames may be less than 9 if the last frame is included) (the index image being displayed is the last frame) Memory card 5
The data of the thumbnail image data portion is extracted from the image file of the reduced image of 9 frames from the beginning recorded in 0, and the image file for transfer is created and transmitted.

In S720, data indicating the current position of the cursor frame indicated by the cursor position code on the index image is transmitted to the camera 10, and thereafter, the cross key processing is terminated, and the processing proceeds to FIG. Return to The result of the determination processing in S701 is No, that is, the setting of the relationship between the operation on the cross key button 31b and the method of moving the cursor frame in the index image to be moved according to the operation is a reduced image. If it is determined that the setting has not been set so as to be moved in units of one frame, this setting is regarded as the movement of the cursor frame in units of all frames of the reduced image. Note that, at this time, the cursor frame is not moved on the index image, and the reduced image included in the index image is changed.

In S721 executed when the result of the determination processing in S701 is No, the above-mentioned S31 in FIG.
The operation of the cross key button 31b determined to have been operated by the determination process of 0 is performed by the cross key button 31.
It is determined whether or not the pressing operation of the part indicating the upward direction or the part indicating the left direction in b is performed. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S722, and if No, the process proceeds to S725.

In S722, it is determined whether or not the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 includes a reduced image of the image data recorded on the memory card 50 as the first frame. If the result is Yes, the process proceeds to S723, and if No, the process proceeds to S724.

When the result of the determination in S722 is Yes,
In step S723, in order to display an index image including a reduced image of the image data recorded on the memory card 50 as the last frame on the liquid crystal monitor 11 so that a cursor frame is attached to the last frame, The position where the reduced image of the last frame is displayed in the index image is set in the cursor position code, and thereafter the process proceeds to S726.

In S724, the cursor position code is set to 9, and the reduced image at the lower right of the index image is set as the cursor position.
The process proceeds to 6. In S725, 1 is set to the cursor position code, and the reduced image at the upper left in the index image is set as the cursor position.

In step S726, all the reduced images included in the index image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 are erased, and instead, the reduced image is composed of nine frames immediately before or immediately after the displayed reduced image. Index image (within 9 frames when the displayed reduced image includes the first frame or when the 9 reduced images immediately after the displayed reduced image include the last frame) An index display request is generated, which indicates that an index image composed of the reduced images of the images is to be displayed in response to the operation of the cross key button 31b.
At S727, an instruction is given to the IF 38, and the created index display request is transmitted to the camera 10.

In S728, the same index image data transfer processing as that shown in FIG. 8 is performed. However, the processing here is not limited to the processing performed on the image files of nine frames from the head recorded on the memory card 50, and is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 by the index display request created by the processing of S726. The data of the thumbnail image data portion is extracted from the image file for the reduced image included in the index image requested to be made, and the image file for transfer is created and transmitted.

When the above processing is completed, the cross key processing is completed, and the processing returns to FIG. The processing up to this point is the cross key processing. Camera 1 of the electronic camera system shown in FIG.
CPU of the printer 30 and CPU 3 of the printer 30
3, the control process described above is performed, so that the camera 10 having the image processing function can create the index image for the image data read from the memory card 50. This becomes possible in this electronic camera system.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified and changed. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sublimation type thermal transfer method is adopted as the printing method in the printer 30, but the present invention can be implemented even if other printing methods such as an ink jet method or a laser beam method are adopted. It is.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the index image created by the ASIC 16 of the camera 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 11 provided in the camera 10. The camera 10 is provided with a generator for generating a video signal to be displayed on a television or the like for use, and the generated index image is converted into a video signal by the generator and output to the television. However, the present invention can be implemented even if it is displayed on the screen.

[0131]

As described in detail above, the present invention provides
A printer device that prints an image based on image data representing an image transmits reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image, and receives the reduced image data transmitted from the printer device. Is configured to create an index image in which a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data are arranged.

According to the present invention, since the electronic camera performs image processing for creating an index image according to the present invention, an index image display function can be provided without providing an image processing section for this purpose in the printer device. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the cost of the printer device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an electronic camera system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of an image file.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents of control processing performed by a CPU of the camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of an index display process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an index image.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of control processing performed by a CPU included in the printer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing contents of an index image display processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of a card error display process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of a print process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a printing process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a cross key processing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a cursor position code.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 camera 11 liquid crystal monitor 12 CCD 13 DSP 14 VRAM 15, 33 CPU 16 ASIC 17 RAM 18 operation keys 19, 21, 38, 40 IF section 20, 22, 39, 41 connector 23, 42 bus line 31 operation section 31a input switching Key button 31b cross key button 31c selection key button 31d print key button 32 display section 32a error display LED 34 image RAM 35 line RAM 36 mechanism engine section 37 line head 43 power switch 44 paper feed tray 45 ink ribbon mounting door 46 memory card slot 50 memory card

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/765 H04N 5/907 B 5C076 5/907 5/91 H 5/91 LF term (Reference) 2C087 AA15 AA18 AB01 AC05 AC07 AC08 BA03 BB16 BD06 BD36 BD40 CB20 2C187 AC05 AC07 AC08 AE01 CD17 5C022 AA11 AA13 AB65 AC03 AC69 AC77 5C052 AA11 AB02 AC08 CC11 DD04 EE08 5C053 FA04 GA11 GB36 HA29 KA04 A24A02 LA01

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising a printer device and an electronic camera, wherein the printer device prints an image based on image data representing the image, and Transmitting means for transmitting reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image, wherein the electronic camera receives reduced image data transmitted from the printer device; An index image creating means for creating data representing an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images represented by data. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera further includes a display unit that displays the index image. 3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, in addition to the reduced image data, attribute information on the reduced image data. 4. The attribute information according to claim 3, wherein the attribute information is selection information indicating whether printing of an image corresponding to the reduced image data is selected by the printing unit. Image processing system. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is number information indicating the number of reduced images represented by the reduced image data when the plurality of reduced images are represented by the reduced image data. The image processing system according to claim 3. 6. A printer device that prints an image based on image data representing an image transmits reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image, and the printer device transmits the reduced image data transmitted from the printer device. An image processing method, wherein an electronic camera that has received reduced image data creates an index image in which a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data are arranged. 7. An electronic camera constituting an image processing system comprising an electronic camera and a printer device for printing the image based on image data representing the image, wherein the electronic camera transmits the image data from the printer device. Receiving means for receiving reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image, and creating an index image for creating an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data Means, and an electronic camera comprising: 8. An image processing system, comprising: an electronic camera; and a printer that prints the image based on image data representing the image. Image printing means for printing the image based on the data, and transmission means for transmitting reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the size of the image, wherein the reduction transmitted by the transmission means is provided. A printer apparatus, wherein image data is received by the electronic camera, and data representing an index image formed by arranging a plurality of reduced images represented by the reduced image data is created in the electronic camera.