JP2002369110A - Photographed image printing system, printer, and portable terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographed image printing system which is capable of sending a photographed picture image from anywhere, printing the photographed picture image through printer and constituting simple structure. SOLUTION: A photographed image printing system is composed of a portable telephone 1 having a digital camera function, a printer 4 which prints out a photographed picture image, and a network 3 which connects the portable telephone to the printer 4. An inherent address is previously allocated to the printer 4, data on the photographed picture image are sent from the portable telephone 1 to the printer 4 on the basis of the address through the network 3, and the picture image is printed by the printer 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a photographed image printing system for printing an image photographed by a portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function, and also relates to a printer and a portable terminal used in this system. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical portable terminal is a portable telephone. Today, mobile phones equipped with various functions have appeared, and one of them is a mobile phone having a digital camera function. Since this portable telephone has a photographing function as a camera and a communication function as a telephone, a photographed image can be directly transferred to another portable telephone or a PC (personal computer). . However, when printing a photographed image, it is difficult to incorporate a printer in the mobile phone itself, so printing is performed using a separately provided printer.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32156 discloses a printing apparatus in which a portable telephone with a digital camera is set so that a photographed image can be printed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-201291 discloses that a portable telephone is set in an image photographing terminal, a photographed image is stored in a media center device via a public line network, and then the image is transmitted from the media center device to a print output terminal. A system that sends data and prints out the data is described.

[0004]

However, the printing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32156 is a dedicated printing apparatus installed in a store or the like. Must be printed. Also, in the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-201291, the image photographing terminal is a dedicated terminal installed in a photo DPE store or the like. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to transmit a photographed image from anywhere and print it with a printer, and to simplify the system configuration. It is in.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention assigns a unique address to a printer, and, based on this address, directs a photographed image from a portable terminal to a printer via a network. Is transmitted and an image is printed by a printer.
By doing so, image data can be sent directly from the portable terminal to the printer, so that image data can be sent to the printer from any location and an image can be printed immediately, and the system configuration can be improved. Extremely simple.

As another means of the present invention, a mail address is set in the printer, and the data of the photographed image is transmitted to the mail server using the mail function of the portable terminal.
When there is image data to be printed by accessing a mail server from a printer, a system that downloads the image data and prints a captured image may be employed. This eliminates the need for a large-capacity memory in the printer.

Further, as another means, a printer may be connected to a host computer having a printer driver, and access to a mail server and download of image data may be performed via the host computer.
This eliminates the need for a printer driver in the portable terminal.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a photographed image printing system according to the present invention. This system is a portable telephone 1 having a digital camera function.
And a printer 4 for printing an image photographed by the mobile phone 1 and a network 3 such as the Internet connecting the mobile phone 1 and the printer 4. Reference numeral 2 denotes a base station connected to the network 3 and communicates with the portable telephone 1. The printer 4 is installed, for example, at the home of the holder of the mobile phone 1 and is connected to the network 3 by wire or wirelessly.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portable telephone 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a key input unit including various keys, 11 denotes a voice input unit including a microphone, 12 denotes a photographing unit constituting a digital camera, 13 denotes a control unit including a CPU and the like, 14 denotes a display unit such as an LCD, and 15 denotes a speaker. And a communication unit 16 for communicating with the base station 2.
Is a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit, and 18 is a RAM or ROM
And the like.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the printer 4. Reference numeral 20 denotes an operation unit including keys and switches, reference numeral 21 denotes a communication unit connected to the network 3 for communicating with the mobile phone 1, reference numeral 22 a control unit including a CPU, and the like.
Denotes a transport unit that transports paper, ink carriers, and the like, 24 denotes a printing unit that prints on paper, 25 denotes a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit, and 26 denotes a storage unit that includes a RAM and a ROM.

In the above system, a unique address such as an IP address is assigned to the printer 4, and this address is stored in the storage unit 26. The mobile phone 1 can access the printer 4 via the network 3 based on the address. The image data captured by the image capturing unit 12 of the mobile phone 1 is directly transmitted to the printer 4 via the network 3, and the printer 4 transmits the image data transmitted from the mobile phone 1 to the communication unit 21. Upon receipt, the printing unit 24 prints the image. In addition,
A printer driver (software) for causing the printer 4 to perform a printing operation is stored in the storage unit 18 of the mobile phone 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the portable telephone 1. First, a subject is photographed by the photographing unit 12 (step S1), and data of the photographed image is stored in the image memory of the storage unit 18 (step S2). Next, the user inputs an IP address using the key input unit 10 and accesses the printer 4 via the network 3 (step S3). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the printer 4 is in a printable state (step S).
4). If the power of the printer 4 is off or if printing is currently being performed (step S4; NO), a display indicating that printing is not possible is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S7).

If the printer 4 is in a printable state (step S4; YES), the data of the captured image stored in the storage unit 18 is transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the printer 4 via the network 3 together with a control command and the like. (Step S
5). After that, when the printing is completed, the print result sent from the printer 4 is received, this is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S6), and the operation is ended. On the printer 4 side,
For example, if a paper jam or the like occurs, a message “An error has occurred” is displayed on the display unit 14, and if the printing has been performed normally, “The printing has been completed successfully” is displayed on the display unit 14. Message is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the printer 4. The printer 4 constantly monitors whether printing is possible (step S11). If printing is not possible (step S11; NO), the process ends without doing anything, and if printing is possible (step S11;
Next, it is determined whether image data has been received from the mobile phone 1 (step S12). And
If the image data is received (step S12; YES),
The photographed image is printed by the printing unit 24 based on the data, the control command, and the like (step S13). afterwards,
The normal or abnormal print result is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 via the network 3 (step S14), and the operation is terminated.

In the above-described first embodiment, since image data can be directly transmitted from the portable telephone 1 to the printer 4, image data can be sent to the printer 4 from any place and an image can be printed immediately. Can be. Further, since the system is formed only by the portable telephone 1 and the printer 4 connected to the network 3, the system configuration is extremely simple.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the photographed image printing system according to the present invention. In this embodiment,
A mail server 5 is added to the system of FIG. This mail server 5 is connected to the network 3. Other parts are the same as those in FIG. 1, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The configurations of the mobile phone 1 and the printer 4 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.

In this system, the printer 4 has a mail address, and can access the mail server 5 based on the mail address. The mail address is stored in the storage unit 26. In addition, the mobile phone 1 receives an input of a mail address, and transmits data of an image photographed by the photographing unit 12 to the mail server 5 via the network 3 together with the mail. Then, the printer 4 accesses the mail server 5 and downloads the image data from the mail server 5 to the storage unit 26 via the communication unit 21 and prints the image data when there is a mail to which an image to be printed is attached. An image is printed by the unit 24.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the portable telephone 1. First, the subject is photographed by the photographing unit 12 (step S21), and the data of the photographed image is stored in the image memory of the storage unit 18 (step S22). Next, a mail to which a specific command indicating print data is added is created by the key input unit 10 (step S23).

FIG. 8 shows an example of an input screen on the display unit 14 at this time. 31 is the email address, 32
Is a title, and 33 is a mail text. Here, “***” is added to the end of the title 32 as a specific command. This command 30 may be any command as long as it is a command that can identify print data.
* "Is not limited. For example, the command may be a command such as “###” or “P”. The command 30 may be put at the end of the mail address 31.

After the mail to which the specific command 30 is added is created, the data of the photographed image is attached to the mail, and the mail is transmitted to the mail server 5 via the network 3 together with the image data (step S24). ). Thereafter, the printer 4 receives the print result sent after the printing by the printer 4 is completed, displays it on the display unit 14 (step S25), and ends the operation. Again,
If an error has occurred on the printer side, a message "An error has occurred" is displayed on the display unit 14, and if the printing has been performed normally, "The printing has been completed successfully" is displayed on the display unit 14. Message is displayed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the printer 4. The printer 4 constantly monitors whether printing is possible (step S31). If printing is not possible (step S31; NO), the process ends without doing anything, and if printing is possible (step S31;
Then, it is determined whether or not the mail server 5 checks for the presence or absence of a mail (step S32). Here, if the printer 4 accesses the mail server 5 at regular time intervals and checks for the presence or absence of mail,
In step S32, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has arrived. When it is time to check the mail (step S32; YES), the printer 4 sets the communication unit 21
Access the mail server 5 via the network 3 (step S33). As a result, the mail server 5
If the mail has not arrived from the portable telephone 1 (step S34; NO), the process is terminated as it is. If the mail has arrived (step S34; YES), it is determined whether the mail contains a specific command. A determination is made (step S35).

If the specific command 30 described above is not included in the mail (step S35; NO), there is no image data to be printed, so the process is terminated and the specific command 3 is executed.
If 0 is included (step S35; YES), the image data is downloaded from the mail server 5 to the storage unit 26 via the network 3 (step S36). Then, based on the downloaded data, the printing unit 2
The photographed image is printed according to step 4 (step S37). Thereafter, the normal or abnormal print result is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 (step S38), and the operation is terminated.

In the second embodiment, the image data is transmitted to the mail server 5 by using the mail function of the portable telephone 1, and the printer 4 periodically transmits the image data to the mail server 5.
And if there is image data to be printed, the printing is automatically performed. Therefore, the image data can be sent to the mail server 5 from anywhere and the image can be printed by the printer 4. In addition, since data is stored in the mail server 5, it is not necessary to provide a large-capacity memory in the printer 4. Furthermore, since the existing mail system can be used as it is simply by setting a mail address in the printer 4, the system is not complicated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the photographed image printing system according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, a PC 6 is added to the system of FIG. This P
C6, which constitutes a host computer, is connected to the network 3 and also to the printer 4. The other parts are the same as those in FIG. 6, and the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The configurations of the mobile phone 1 and the printer 4 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The printer driver is PC
6.

In this system, access to the mail server 5 and download of image data are performed via the PC 6. In this case, the operation of the mobile phone 1 is as follows.
This is the same as FIG. 7 and FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the PC 6. The PC 6 determines whether the mail server 5 checks for the presence or absence of a mail (step S41). Here, if the mail server 5 is accessed at regular time intervals to check for the presence or absence of mail, in step S41, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has arrived. When it is time to check the mail (step S41; YES),
The PC 6 accesses the mail server 5 via the network 3 (Step S42). As a result, if the mail has not arrived from the mobile phone 1 to the mail server 5 (step S43; NO), the processing is terminated as it is, and if the mail has arrived (step S43; YES), the mail transmits a specific command. It is determined whether or not it is included (step S44).

If the specific command 30 is not included in the mail (step S44; NO), there is no image data to be printed, and the process ends. If the specific command 30 is included (step S44; YES), The image data is downloaded from the mail server 5 to the PC 6 via the network 3 (Step S45). Next, the PC 6 determines whether or not the printer 4 is in a printable state (step S46), and if printing is possible (step S4).
6; YES), sends the downloaded image data to the printer 4, and causes the printing unit 24 of the printer 4 to print the captured image (step S47). Thereafter, a message regarding the print result is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 (step S4).
8) End the operation. If the printer 4 is not in a printable state (step S46; NO), a message indicating that printing is not possible is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 (step S48), and the operation ends.

In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the image data is transmitted to the mail server 5 using the mail function of the portable telephone 1, and the PC 6 periodically transmits the image data to the mail server 5. And if there is image data to be printed, the printer 4 automatically prints the image data. Therefore, the image data can be sent to the mail server 5 from anywhere and the image can be printed by the printer 4. Also,
Since data is stored in the mail server 5, it is not necessary to provide a large-capacity memory in the printer 4. Furthermore, since the printer driver is provided in the PC 6, the mobile phone 1 only needs to handle the image data and the specific command 30, and the burden on the mobile phone 1 is reduced.

The present invention can adopt various forms other than the above-described embodiment. For example, printer 4
The value of the resolution in the case of printing by the mobile phone 1 may be set in the mobile phone 1. In addition, the second and third
In the embodiment, only the image of the mail to which the specific command 30 is added is targeted for printing. However, a specific mail address for printing is prepared in the mail server 5, and the specific mail address is transmitted from the mobile phone 1. May be printed.

Further, the portable telephone 1 and the printer 4 in the system of the present invention are connected so as to be able to directly communicate with each other by using a wireless / infrared / cable connection or the like. Is transmitted directly, the photographed image can be printed by the operation of the mobile phone 1.

The portable terminal of the present invention is not limited to a portable telephone, but may be, for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with a digital camera function.

[0032]

According to the present invention, it is possible to transmit a photographed image and print it with a printer from any place without going to the place where the printing apparatus is installed, and it is possible to realize the system with a simple system configuration. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a photographed image printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile phone.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the mobile phone.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in the printer.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a second embodiment of the photographed image printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the mobile phone.

FIG. 8 is an example of an input screen on a display unit of a mobile phone.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in the printer.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the photographed image printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the PC.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mobile phone 3 network 4 printer 5 mail server 6 PC 30 specific command

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function, a printer for printing an image photographed by the portable terminal, and a network connecting the portable terminal and the printer. A unique address is assigned to the printer, the portable terminal can access the printer based on the address, and data of an image captured by the portable terminal can be directly transmitted through the network. A photographed image printing system for transmitting to a printer, the printer receiving data of an image sent from a portable terminal, and printing the image. 2. A portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function, a printer for printing an image photographed by the portable terminal, a network connecting the portable terminal and the printer, A mail server connected to the printer, the printer has a mail address, and can access the mail server based on the mail address. When the image data is transmitted to a mail server via a network together with the mail, the printer accesses the mail server and downloads the image data when there is a mail attached with an image to be printed. And a photographed image printing system for printing a photographed image. 3. The photographed image printing system according to claim 2, wherein the portable terminal receives an e-mail address and an input of a specific command indicating print data.
The data of the captured image is transmitted to a mail server via a network together with the mail to which the specific command is added, and the printer accesses the mail server, and when there is a mail including the specific command, A photographed image printing system, which downloads image data attached to the mail and prints the image. 4. The photographed image printing system according to claim 2, wherein the printer transmits a result of the printing to a portable terminal via a network. 5. The photographed image printing system according to claim 2, wherein the printer is connected to a host computer, and accesses a mail server and downloads image data via the host computer. Image printing system. 6. A printer which is connected to a portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function via a network and is assigned a unique address, and which is transmitted from the portable terminal via the network according to the address. A printer which receives data of a captured image and prints the image. 7. A portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function and a mail server for storing an image photographed by the portable terminal are connected via a network and a mail address is set. A printer that accesses a mail server based on the mail address to search for a mail sent from the portable terminal, and that there is a mail to which a photographed image to be printed is attached; A printer for downloading the image data and printing the image. 8. A portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function, wherein the printer is capable of accessing a printer to which a unique address is assigned via a network and causing the printer to perform printing. A portable terminal comprising a driver and transmitting data of a captured image directly to a printer according to the address. 9. A portable terminal having a photographing function and a communication function, wherein the portable terminal receives an e-mail address and an input of a specific command indicating print data, and determines data of a photographed image. A portable terminal characterized in that it is transmitted to a mail server via a network together with the mail to which the command (1) is added.