JP2004007750A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and system for printing images including photographic images for directly connecting a digital camera to the printing device, for excluding a personal computer from the printing system, and for miniaturizing this system in order to simplify the printing operation of the photographic images. <P>SOLUTION: A printer device 15 is directly connected to a digital camera 1, and a view finder 4 at the digital camera 1 side is used to display a picture for a printer operation for print processing. Also, photographic images are displayed, and not only a format but also photographic images to be printed on the format are selected, and print processing is carried out according to the selection. Thus, it is not necessary to configure any display part at the printer device 15, and it is possible to omit the connection of a personal computer or the like. Therefore, it is possible to make this printing system compact, and to improve the operability of the print processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus using a display unit of a digital camera and a printing system thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Today, multi-media is being promoted among various electronic devices such as personal computers. In particular, the personal computer has realized application software such as a conventional database, word processor, and spreadsheet, as well as an increase in memory, a built-in MPEG circuit and a modem, so that still images such as photos can be reproduced, and television images and moving images such as karaoke can be reproduced. And a communication function such as the Internet can be easily realized.
[0003]
In particular, recently, digital cameras that can directly process photographic images by a personal computer instead of conventional analog cameras have been widely marketed. That is, by incorporating dedicated software into a personal computer, a digital image captured by a digital camera can be easily processed. For example, when printing a photographic image taken from a digital camera to a personal computer, a printer can be connected to the personal computer and a desired photograph can be easily printed by specifying the photographic image.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional printing system, when printing a photographic image of a digital camera, the captured image of the digital camera is once taken into a personal computer, processed by dedicated software, output to a printer device, and printed. . Therefore, a personal computer has conventionally been indispensable for printing a photographic image of a digital camera.
[0005]
Further, in the conventional system, software for capturing a photographic image from a digital camera into a personal computer, performing image processing, and outputting the processed image to a printer device was also required. Therefore, when printing a photographic image of a digital camera, the printing process is complicated.
[0006]
Further, in the conventional printing system, when printing an image taken by a digital camera, three devices of a digital camera, a personal computer, and a printer device are required, and the system becomes large, and the operation is complicated, and operability is increased. Was bad, and nobody could print easily and quickly.
[0007]
The present invention solves the above problems by directly connecting a digital camera to a printing apparatus, excluding a personal computer from the printing system, reducing the size of the system, and simplifying the printing operation of photographic images, and a printing system therefor. It is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, according to the present invention, in a digital camera provided with a viewfinder, means for storing a captured image, a background image stored in the printer device, and the stored image Means for displaying on the viewfinder so that the user can select a digital camera.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera provided with a viewfinder,
A digital camera comprising: means for storing a plurality of captured images; and means for displaying the stored images and a layout for printing the images on the viewfinder so as to allow a user to select the layout. Is provided.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3, further comprising means for transmitting the image to a printer connected to the digital camera and printing the image in accordance with the layout selected by the user. Digital camera.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the second or third aspect, wherein the layout information for displaying the layout is transmitted from a printer connected to the digital camera. Is what you do.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to the second aspect, further comprising means for transmitting the image to a printer device and printing the image in accordance with the layout selected by the user. Things.
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital camera according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the layout is selected by a user from a plurality of layouts.
Further, in the invention according to claim 7, in a digital camera equipped with a viewfinder, a storage unit for storing a plurality of captured images, a background image stored in the printer device and the stored plurality of images, Means for displaying on the viewfinder so that a user can select the digital camera.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are external perspective views showing a state in which a digital camera (electronic still camera) and a printing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a printer apparatus) according to an embodiment are connected. 1 shows a digital camera, and FIG. 1B shows a printer device.
[0014]
First, the digital camera 1 is composed of a camera body 2 and a lens unit 3 as shown in FIG. In the camera body 2, the operation mechanism portion is concentrated on the upper surface and the rear surface (the front side in FIG. 1), and nothing is arranged on the front surface (the other side in FIG. 1) other than the mark and the exterior pattern.
[0015]
On the back of the camera body 2, a view finder 4 made up of a large color LCD is provided at the center, and slide switches 5 and 6 are provided near the view finder 4. First, a power switch 5 is disposed above the viewfinder 4, and a mode switching key 6 for switching an operation mode between an image capturing mode (RE) and an image reproducing mode (PL) is disposed on the right side. Then, on the upper surface of the camera main body 2, a shutter button 9, a "+" key 11 for sequentially retrieving and viewing the captured and recorded video, and a "-" for returning to the previous image of the currently viewed image. A key 12 is provided, and a communication terminal 13 is provided in the vicinity of the key near the front. A plug provided at one end of the communication cable 14 is inserted into the communication terminal 13.
[0016]
The lens unit 3 is not visible because it is on the far side in FIG. The lens unit 3 is provided to be rotatable with respect to the camera body 2, and rotates by 90 ° in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 2 and by 180 ° in a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. When the lens is turned 180 ° in the direction of arrow B and the lens faces the back, the lens position is inverted, but the posture of this lens is detected by the internal circuit, and the image being shot is automatically corrected to an erect image. Is displayed on the screen.
[0017]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the printer device 15 has an insertion slot for inserting the recording paper P on the front surface (front side in the figure) of the main body and an ejection slot for discharging the printed recording paper P. The sheet insertion / discharge port 16 is also provided. An operation panel 17 is formed in front of the upper surface of the printer device 15 so as to be slightly inclined toward the front. On the operation panel 17, seven push-button operation keys 18 (“−” key 18 a, “+” key 18 b , A "SET" key 18c, a "POWER" key 18d, an "EASY" key 18e, a "MENU" key 18f, a "BACK" key 18g), and a communication terminal 19. A plug provided at the other end of the communication cable 14 is inserted into the communication terminal 19.
[0018]
FIG. 2A shows a circuit block diagram of the digital camera 1 and FIG. 2B shows a circuit block diagram of the printer device 15 in the digital camera 1 and the printer device 15 having the above-described external configuration.
In the circuit block diagram of FIG. 2A, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 21 is an image pickup device that converts a video signal into an analog electric signal and outputs the image signal, and captures an image input through a lens (not shown). . The drive circuit (driver 22) is a circuit for driving the CCD 21, and drives the CCD 21 according to a timing signal output from the timing generator 20.
[0019]
An analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an A / D converter) 24 is a circuit that converts an analog signal output from the CCD 21 via the amplifier 23 into a digital signal, and converts the output of the CCD 21 into a digital image signal. . The DRAM 25 temporarily stores the converted digital image signal. The compression / expansion unit 26 compresses the digital image signal by an encoding process. The compression / decompression unit 26 performs a decoding process on the digital image signal and performs a data decompression process on the contrary. The image memory 27 is a memory for storing a large number of screens of digital image signals compressed by the compression / decompression unit 26, and is constituted by, for example, a flash memory.
[0020]
The video signal generator 32 generates a digital video signal by adding a synchronization signal or the like to the digital image signal. The VRAM 33 is a memory that stores a digital video signal. A digital / analog conversion circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a D / A converter) 34 converts the digital video signal output from the video signal generator 32 into an analog video signal, and a color LCD (liquid crystal display) 35 as a display means. Is a circuit for outputting to The color LCD 35 drives a liquid crystal based on an analog video signal input from the D / A converter 34 via the amplifier 36 to display a photographic image.
[0021]
The CG (character generator) 37 stores numerical data, cursor data, and the like for displaying the image data of the image memory 27 on the color LCD 35.
On the other hand, the ROM 28 stores a program for driving and controlling the digital camera 1 and outputs this program to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 operates based on the program stored in the ROM 28 and controls the digital camera 1. Note that the RAM 29 is a memory for temporarily storing intermediate data and the like of the arithmetic processing during the control processing of the CPU 30. As described above, the CPU 30 operates based on the program stored in the ROM 28 and controls each unit according to the key operation signal input from the key input unit 31 using the work area of the RAM 29. The key input unit 31 corresponds to the various keys 5 to 6 arranged on the digital camera 1 described above. The I / O port 38 is an interface that controls input and output of image signals and the like converted into serial signals.
[0022]
Here, the operation of the digital camera 1 having the above configuration will be briefly described. First, an image capturing key (shutter button 9) is repeatedly operated, a timing signal is output from the timing generator 21, and an external image is captured by the CCD 21. Then, it is taken into the CCD 21. The image data captured by the CCD 21 is stored in the DRAM 25 as a digital image signal as described above, and the data is subjected to a process of generating a luminance signal and a color signal, and a luminance signal and a color signal are created from the image signal. The luminance signal and the chrominance signal are transferred to the compression / expansion unit 26, and the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are data-compressed and stored in the image memory 27.
[0023]
Next, when the image data stored in the image memory 27 is reproduced, the reproduction key (RE key 8) is operated to read out the above-mentioned compressed image signal (compressed luminance signal and color signal) from the image memory 27, and / Transfer to the expansion unit 26. The digital image signal composed of the luminance signal and the chrominance signal expanded by the compression / expansion unit 26 is transferred to the video signal generation unit 32, and the video signal generation unit 32 adds a synchronization signal to the digital image signal. Is once written in the VRAM 33, and the written digital video signal is output to the color LCD 35 via the D / A converter 34 and the amplifier 36 and displayed on the color LCD 35.
[0024]
Next, the configuration of the printer 15 shown in FIG. 2B will be described. The printer device 15 includes a CPU 40, an image memory 41 connected to the CPU 40 via a bus 49, a decompression unit 42, a selection unit 43, a key input unit 44, an I / O port 45, a ROM 46, a color printer unit 47, a RAM 48, and the like. It is configured.
[0025]
The I / O port 45 is composed of a circuit having a serial communication function, and is generally built in an LSI of a one-chip CPU, and transmits and receives data to and from the outside. The key input unit 44 is connected to a general-purpose port of the CPU 40 and outputs key operation signals from the seven operation keys 18 of the operation panel 17 shown in FIG. Various processes based on the control of the CPU 40 are performed based on the key operation signal. The function of each of these key operation signals will be described later.
[0026]
The ROM 46 includes a program area storing operation programs such as communication processing, print data creation processing, print processing, calendar creation processing, and the like by the CPU 40, and real image data such as compressed display data, compressed background data, CG, and layout. And an image data area storing compressed data of various printer operation images such as mini labels and post cards. Each of the above-described printer operation images has a plurality of format selection screens.
[0027]
The selection unit 43 operates each of the above-described operation keys 18 based on the above-described printer operation image displayed on the viewfinder 4, and based on a key operation signal input from the key input unit 44, the ROM 46 described below. Each program or printer operation image is selected, and each corresponding format image is selected.
[0028]
The image memory 41 is a memory that temporarily stores compressed image data including a luminance signal and a chrominance signal which are read from the image memory 27 of the camera 1 and transferred.
The decompression unit 42 has a known image decompression function such as MPEG, and decompresses, for example, a background image stored in the ROM 46 or an actual image corresponding to the selected format image. Further, the photographic image read from the digital camera 1 is expanded. That is, since the actual image stored in the ROM 46 and the photographic image output from the digital camera 1 are stored and transferred in the form of compressed data, it is necessary to enlarge the print image to a predetermined size when creating the print image. Because.
[0029]
The RAM 48 includes a work area for arithmetic processing performed by the CPU 40, and yellow (Y) and magenta (Y) created according to a print data creation processing program in the ROM 46 after image data stored in the image memory 41 is expanded by the expansion unit 42. M), a print data storage area for storing print data of each color of cyan (C), an image synthesis processing area for synthesizing these print data and decoration data such as background data for decorating the print data, and a data set by the CPU 40. It has a storage area and the like.
[0030]
The color printer unit 47 is a printer engine unit to which a motor driver for driving a DC motor, a stepping motor, and the like, a print head, and various sensors are connected. The sensor includes an optical sensor, a mechanical contact type sensor, and the like, and detects the positions of three color ink ribbons of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) for color printing, and detects the position of the paper P to be inserted. Perform detection.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of representative members among the above-described drivers and sensors. That is, the head motor 50 is connected to the CPU 40 via the motor driver 50 ', the ribbon motor 51 is connected via the motor driver 51', and the paper feed motor 52 is connected via the motor driver 52 '. I have. The head motor 50 moves the print head between the print position and the non-print position, and at the print position, the print head presses the paper via the ink ribbon. The ribbon motor 51 is a motor that transports the ink ribbon and sequentially feeds ink portions of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) to the print head and the pressing portion of the paper. The paper feed motor 52 is a motor that moves the paper P line by line in the sub-scanning direction.
[0032]
The print head 53 connected to the CPU 40 is composed of 960 heating elements formed on a ceramic plate at a density of 300 dpi (dots / inch) and driver ICs for individually driving the heating elements on / off. The sensor 54 is a sensor that detects that the paper P has been inserted into the printer device.
[0033]
Under the control of the CPU 40, the color printer unit 47 turns on the heating element at the position to be printed based on the image data in the RAM 48 for a predetermined period of time at the above-described print timing for each line, and generates a predetermined amount of heat by ink. The image is transmitted to the ribbon, and a predetermined color ink is transferred to paper to create a print image.
[0034]
Next, the function of each key provided on the printer device 15 will be described.
First, a "POWER" key 18d is for turning on / off the power of the printer 15.
Next, the "EASY" key 18e is a key for switching to the "simple print mode" when the initial screen is displayed, when pressed, regardless of the format selection. The “simple print mode” is a processing mode for printing a reproduced image that has been shot and displayed on the viewfinder 4 of the digital camera 1 as it is.
[0035]
Next, the "MENU" key 18f has a function of returning an image displayed on the viewfinder 4 to the initial screen. Therefore, the pressing operation is invalid while the initial screen is being displayed. The “BACK” key 18 g has a function of returning to the screen immediately before the screen displayed on the viewfinder 4.
[0036]
The "SET" key 18c is an enter key. When the "SET" key 18c is pressed during the selection process, the format to be displayed on the viewfinder 4 is established, and a selection screen is displayed.
Further, the "-" key 18a and the "+" key 18b are used to select a format, switch pages to be described later, and the like. The "+" key 18b is, for example, forward feed, and the "-" key 18a is, for example, reverse feed.
[0037]
The processing operation of the above-configured printer device 15 and its printing system will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this embodiment.
First, in FIG. 4, when the "POWER" key 18d of the printer device 15 is turned on, the control process of the printer device 15 starts. That is, when the "POWER" key 18d is turned on, the CPU 40 performs an initial setting process, and first determines whether or not the printer device 15 of the present example is connected to the digital camera 1 (step (hereinafter, shown as S in FIG. 1) 1). . In this determination, the CPU 40 determines the connection of the communication cable 14 by checking the I / O port 45. If the printer device 1 is not connected to the digital camera 1 via the communication cable 14 (S1 is N (No)), the connection of the digital camera 1 is confirmed.
[0038]
On the other hand, if the digital camera 1 is connected to the printer device 15 of the present embodiment, the model of the connected digital camera 1 is confirmed (S2). This model is confirmed by checking the code from information input via the communication cable 14, and the CPU 40 determines the model of the connected digital camera 1 from the code.
[0039]
Next, the CPU 40 instructs the viewfinder 4 to display a top menu screen (S3). Based on this command, the compressed data of the top menu screen is read from the ROM 46 and output to the digital camera 1 via the bus 49 and the communication cable 14. The compressed data of the top menu screen output to the digital camera 1 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 26, converted into the corresponding video data by the video signal generation unit 32, and displayed on the color LCD 35 (viewfinder 4). .
[0040]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a top menu screen is displayed on the viewfinder 4 of the digital camera 1. As shown in the figure, on the top menu screen, a total of six icons are displayed in upper and lower two rows. The icon at the left end of the upper row is accompanied by the letter “LAYOUT” below. In addition, the icon next to the icon "CALENDAR", the icon next to the icon "MINI", the icon below the icon "POSTCARD" is drawn from the left side, and the icon "COLLAGE" An icon with an English character “NIDEX” is displayed. In this initial screen, the linear cursor C indicates a layout icon.
[0041]
Next, the CPU 40 waits for a key input from the operator (S4 is N (No)). In the layout display of the top menu screen displayed on the viewfinder 4, the cursor C is positioned as described above, and the cursor can be moved rightward on the top menu screen by pressing the "+" key 18b, and the "-" key By pressing 18a, the cursor can be moved to the left. Note that the CPU 40 outputs a processing command to the digital camera 1 via the communication cable 14 (S4: Y, S5), reads the display character of the cursor C from the CG 37 in the digital camera 1, and outputs the color LCD 35 ( This is displayed on the top menu screen of the viewfinder 4). When the "MENU" key 18f or the "BACK" key 18g is pressed in the above-described top menu screen display state, the screen returns to the key input wait state (S4: Y, S4), and the screen display state does not change.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the "EASY" key 18e is pressed in the display state of the above-described top menu screen (Y in S4, S6), a display instruction for one screen is output (S7). Operating the "EASY" key 18e means a process of printing the image displayed on the viewfinder 4 as it is, that is, shifting to the "simple print mode" described above. Hereinafter, the printing operation in the “simple print mode” will be described.
<Simple print mode>
In this mode, when the “EASY” key 18 e is pressed, one image (one photographic image) of the images captured by the digital camera 1 is displayed on the viewfinder 4. For example, if 96 picture images are stored as compressed data in the image memory 27, the first picture image "1" is read from the image memory 27, and a predetermined decompression process is performed by the compression / decompression unit 26. After that, the video signal is converted into the corresponding video data by the video signal generator 32, and the first photographic image "1" is displayed on the color LCD 35 (viewfinder 4). FIG. 6A shows this display state.
[0043]
When the "+" key 18b is pressed in this display state (Y in S8, S9), a frame advance command is executed (S9), and the next photographic image "2" stored in the image memory 27 is read out. It is displayed on the viewfinder 4. This display state is the display state of FIG. 6B, and the photographic images stored in the image memory 27 are changed to "3", "4", "5" by sequentially pressing the "+" key 18b. ,... (Y in S8, S9). On the other hand, when the "-" key 18a is pressed, the frame is reversed, and the photograph images "3", "2", and "1" are displayed on the viewfinder 4 (Y in S8, S9). Then, when the photographic image desired to be printed is displayed on the viewfinder 4, the "SET" key 18c is pressed (Y in S8). With this processing, the print image is determined (S10), and the CPU 40 executes the print processing thereafter.
[0044]
On the other hand, when the user wants to print the multi-screen display, the user further presses the "EASY" key 18e in the above-described one-screen display state (Y in S8). When the "EASY" key 18e is pressed, the CPU 40 issues a multi-screen display command (S11). When this command is output, the first four frames of images "1" to "4" are transferred from the image memory 27 to the compression / expansion unit 26, and after performing predetermined expansion processing, a 4-split screen is displayed on the color LCD 35. I do. FIG. 6C shows a display state of the first four photographic images “1” to “4”. In the case of this four-split screen, similarly to the above-described processing, pressing the "+" key 18b displays the next images "5" to "8" ((d) in FIG. 6). By pressing the “+” key 18b, images “9” to “12”, “13” to “16”,... Are sequentially displayed. On the other hand, when the "-" key 18a is depressed, frame reversal is performed in reverse, and "9" to "12", "8" to "5", and "4" to "1" are displayed ( S8 is Y, S9). Then, when the image desired to be printed is displayed on the viewfinder 4, the "SET" key 18c is depressed as described above (S8), and the print image is determined (S10).
[0045]
If the user wants to print a 9-split multi-screen display, the user presses the “EASY” key 18e again in the above-described 4-split multi-screen display (Y in S8), and issues a 9-split multi-screen display command. Is performed (S11). With this command, the first nine photographic images "1" to "9" are output from the image memory 27, and after the corresponding decompression processing is performed, a nine-split screen is displayed on the color LCD 35, and the first nine photographic images are displayed. Frame images "1" to "9" are displayed as shown in FIG. Pressing the "+" key 18b or the "-" key 18a allows the image to be updated every nine frames, as in the case of single-screen display or quad-screen display (S8, S9). Further, when the image desired to be printed is displayed on the viewfinder 4 in the state of a nine-split screen, the "SET" key 18c is pressed (Y in S8) and the print image is determined (S10) as described above. It is.
[0046]
After the determined photographic image is displayed on the viewfinder 4 in this way, when the paper P is inserted into the paper insertion / ejection port 16 of the printer device 15, the sensor 54 detects the insertion of the paper P and outputs a detection signal to the CPU 40. , The CPU 40 starts the printing process.
[0047]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart specifically illustrating this printing process. After the "SET" key 18c is pressed as described above, when the sheet P is inserted from the sheet insertion / discharge port 16 (step (hereinafter, shown as ST in the figure) 1), the CPU 40 executes a printing process (ST2). ). In this process, image data corresponding to one screen or multiple screens to be displayed on the viewfinder 4 is read from the image memory 27 and taken into the printer 15 via the communication cable 14. The image data captured by the printer 15 is temporarily stored in the image memory 41. Since the image data transferred from the camera 1 is compressed data of image data composed of a luminance signal and a color signal, the image data is subjected to a predetermined decompression process in a decompression unit 42, and is further subjected to print data of Y, M, and C colors. And stores it in the print data storage area of the RAM 48.
[0048]
After that, the print data of each color of Y, M, and C is sequentially output from the print data storage area of the RAM 48 to the print head 53, and the printing process on the paper P is performed. During this time, the above-described ribbon motor 51 and paper feed motor 52 are driven to sequentially send the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink ribbons to the print head, and send the paper P to the print unit. The dot pattern data developed in the image memory 41 is transferred to the paper P, and color printing is performed on the paper P.
[0049]
The sheet P on which printing has been performed in this manner is returned to the sheet insertion / discharge port 16 by a sheet feeding mechanism (not shown), and is discharged outside the apparatus. The discharge of the sheet P is detected by the sensor 54, and the CPU 40 knows the end of the printing (ST3).
On the other hand, if there is a key input after the above-mentioned “SET” key 18c is pressed until the paper P is inserted into the paper insertion / ejection port 16, the pressed key is determined from the key operation signal ( ST4 is Y). For example, if the key pressed at this time is the "BACK" key 18g, the display state is returned to the image immediately before displayed on the viewfinder 4 (Y in ST5, ST6). For example, in the case of one-screen display, if the display state is as shown in FIG. 6B, the display state is returned to the display state as shown in FIG. In the case of the 4-split screen display (multi-screen display) shown in FIG. 6D, the display state is returned to that shown in FIG. If the "MENU" key 18f is pressed (Y in ST7), the screen returns to the first top menu screen. If the “EASY” key 18e has been pressed (Y in ST8), the screen returns to the above-described “EASY” processing selection screen state.
[0050]
By performing the processing as described above, the image displayed on the viewfinder 4 by the printer device 15 of the present embodiment can be printed as it is. A photographic image to be displayed on the finder 4 can be printed.
<Layout and background printing>
Next, returning to the description of FIG. 4, the menu selection processing will be described. This menu selection processing can be shifted by directly pressing the "SET" key 18c from the above-mentioned top menu screen. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, by pressing the "SET" key 18c, it is possible to shift to a selected process such as a layout / background print process, a calendar print process, and the like (S12).
[0051]
First, FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the layout / background printing process. As described above, when the "SET" key 18c is pressed from the top menu screen and the layout / background printing process is selected, the CPU 40 issues a display instruction of a layout selection image (step (hereinafter, shown as STP in FIG. 1) 1). . In this process, the compressed data of the layout selection image is read from the ROM 46, sent to the digital camera 1 via the communication cable 14, expanded by the compression / expansion unit 26, and displayed on the viewfinder 4 after the layout selection image. is there.
[0052]
FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a state where the above-described layout selection image is displayed on the viewfinder 4. For example, layout 1 is an example in which one image 56 is printed on the background portion 55, layout 2 is a layout example in which a plurality of photographic images 58 arranged in the horizontal direction on the background portion 57, and layout 3 is Is a layout example in which a plurality of photographic images 60 arranged in the vertical direction on the background portion 59 are superimposed. Hereinafter, layouts 4 to 6 are also as shown in FIG. In this display state, the operator selects a layout desired to be printed.
[0053]
This selection is made by pressing the "+" key 18b or the "-" key 18a and moving the cursor C to the desired layout (STP2 is Y, STP3), as described above. The layout is determined by pressing the "SET" key 18c at the point of time when it is moved to the position (STP2 is Y, STP4). It should be noted that there are three layout selection screens as shown in FIG. 9, and when the display 6 of the first layout selection screen (1/3) is exceeded by operating the "+" key 18b, the second layout selection screen The display becomes (2/3) display 1. Similarly, when the display exceeds the display 6 of the second layout selection screen (2/3), the display becomes the display 1 of the third layout selection screen (3/3). When a new layout selection screen is displayed on the viewfinder 4, compressed data of the second or third layout selection screen is sent from the ROM 46 to the digital camera 1 under the control of the CPU 40, and compressed / decompressed. After being decompressed by the unit 26, it is displayed. The operator presses the "SET" key 18c to select a desired layout from the format screens of the three layout selection screens.
[0054]
When the "BACK" key 18g is pressed while the above-described layout selection screen is displayed on the viewfinder 4, the CPU 40 changes the layout selection screen displayed on the viewfinder 4 to the first layout selection screen ( 1/3) or not (STP5). If the layout selection screen is the second or third screen (2/3, 3/3) (STP5 is N), the display state is changed to the layout of the first screen. The display returns to the selection screen (1/3) (STP6). On the other hand, if the layout selection screen displayed on the viewfinder 4 is the first layout selection screen (1/3) (Y at STP5), it is determined that the layout / background printing process has been stopped, and the display state is determined. To the top menu screen (STP5 is Y, S3 in FIG. 4).
[0055]
Also, when the "MENU" key 18f is pressed at the time when any one of the above-described layout selection screens of 1/3 to 3/3 is displayed on the viewfinder 4, the screen returns to the top menu screen (STP2 is Y, S3 in FIG. 4).
After the layout screen is set as described above, the background image is selected. If a background image is not added to the layout screen (N in STP7), the process immediately proceeds to an image selection process described later (STP8). On the other hand, when a background image is added, the following processing is performed (Y at STP7, STP9 to STP14).
[0056]
That is, first, the CPU 40 issues a display instruction of the background image selection screen (STP 9), sends the compressed data of the background image selection screen stored in the ROM 46 to the digital camera 1, performs decompression processing, and displays it on the viewfinder 4. . FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the display state. However, there are four background image selection screens, and the background image selection screen (1/4) shown in the figure is displayed as an initial screen. Then, the background image selection processing is the same as the above-described layout screen selection processing, and the cursor is moved on the first background image selection screen (1/4) by pressing the "+" key 18b. As a result of this processing, the cursor moves from background 1 → 2 → 3 →... When the cursor reaches background 6, the second background image selection screen (2/4) is read out to the viewfinder 4, and two more When the background 6 of the eye background image selection screen (2/4) is reached, the third background image selection screen (3/4) is read out to the viewfinder 4. By pressing the "-" key 18a, the background of each background image selection screen is returned (background 6 → 5 → 4 → ...), and by pressing the "BACK" key 18g, the background image selection screen itself is pressed. Are displayed as 4/4 → 3/4 →... (STP10 is Y, STP12, STP13). Then, when the desired background image is displayed, the background image indicated by the cursor can be selected by pressing the "SET" key 18c (Y for STP10, STP14).
[0057]
If the background image selection screen displayed on the viewfinder 4 when the above-mentioned "BACK" key 18g is pressed is the first image (1/4), the display returns to the top menu screen (STP10 is Y, STP12 is Y), and Also when the "MENU" key 18f is pressed, the screen returns to the top menu screen (Y in STP10, S3 in FIG. 4).
[0058]
After selecting the layout screen and its background image as described above, the photographed image to be displayed on the actual layout screen is selected. This processing is the next image selection processing (STP8). FIG. 11 shows a specific flowchart of this process.
First, the first photographic image recorded in the image memory 27 is read out, decompressed to a predetermined size by the compression / decompression unit 26, converted into a video signal by the video signal generation unit 32, and transmitted to the viewfinder 4. The first photographic image is displayed (step (hereinafter, indicated by U in the figure) 1). Here, the first recorded image displayed on the viewfinder 4 is, for example, the above-described photographic image “1”. Then, for example, if the layout screen selected by the above-described processing is the layout 1 shown in FIG. 9 described above, this is processing for selecting a photographic image to be printed on the layout “1”.
[0059]
On the other hand, when selecting another photographic image, the user operates the "+" key 18b or the "-" key 18a to execute the image selection process (U3). For example, when performing the image selection processing by operating the “+” key 18b or the “−” key 18a, the “+” key 18b is pressed to sequentially update the recorded images (“1” → “2” → “3”). ) And press the "-" key 18a to sequentially update the recorded images in reverse order (for example, "96" → "95" → "94" → ...), and the desired recorded image is displayed. Then, the "SET" key 18c is depressed to fix the recorded image (U2 is Y, U4).
[0060]
Pressing the "BACK" key 18g on the recorded image selection screen returns to the background image selection screen (U2 is Y, STP9 in FIG. 8), and pressing the "MENU" key 18f returns to the top menu screen (U2 is Y , S3 in FIG. 4).
Next, an image direction setting process is performed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining this processing. When there is an instruction to display the image direction setting screen (step (hereinafter, denoted by V in the figure) 1), the compressed data of the image direction setting screen stored in the ROM 46 is sent to the digital camera 1 and displayed on the viewfinder 4. . FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display state. In this state, the user presses the "+" key 18b, moves the cursor C left and right, and selects the direction of the photographic image to be printed (V2 is Y, V3). Note that, in the figure, the letter "A" indicates a photographic image. Then, when the cursor C moves to the desired image direction, the direction of the photographic image is determined by pressing the "SET" key 18c (V2 is Y, V4).
[0061]
Note that when the above-mentioned "BACK" key 18g is pressed, the display returns to the previous display state, and when the "MENU" key 18f is pressed, the display returns to the top menu screen (STP10 is Y, S3 in FIG. 4). The same is true.
When the photographic image is also determined as described above, a printing process for layout / background printing is performed. As shown in FIG. 14, the printer 15 first performs a transfer process of a print start screen to the digital camera 1 and receives transfer of the selected image data from the digital camera 1 (step (hereinafter, denoted by W in FIG. 14)). 1).
[0062]
The printer 15 stores the compressed image data transferred from the camera 1 in the image memory 41, decompresses the decompressed data by the decompression unit 42, converts the decompressed data into Y, M, and C print data and stores the data in the print data storage area of the RAM 48 Remember. Then, the print data is combined with the selected background data in accordance with the layout position determined by the layout data selected in the image combining area of the RAM 48. Since the background data is stored in the ROM 46 as compressed data, the data is subjected to decompression processing by the decompression unit 42 and is synthesized with image data. Further, the synthesizing process is sequentially performed for each printing of the Y, M, and C print data. After the print data is created in the RAM 48 in this way, the process waits for insertion of the paper P (W2).
[0063]
However, if there is a key input while waiting for the insertion of the paper P, it is determined that the printing process has been stopped (Y in W3), and the designated key process is performed. For example, if the "BACK" key 18g is pressed, the screen returns to the previous screen (W4 is Y, W5). If the "MENU" key 18f is pressed, the screen returns to the top menu screen (W4 is N, W6). If the "EASY" key 18e is pressed, the screen shifts to the simple print screen described above (W6 is N, W7 is Y).
[0064]
On the other hand, when the paper P is inserted into the paper insertion / ejection port 16 of the printer device 15 (W2 is Y), the printer device 15 executes a printing process (W8). In this printing process, the paper feed motor 52 is driven under the control of the paper feed CPU 40 to feed the paper P to the printing section, the layout / background print image is transferred from the RAM 48 to the print head, and the ribbon motor 51 is driven to drive the yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) ink ribbons are sent to the printing unit. By this process, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are sequentially printed on the paper P, and a color image is printed on the paper P (W9).
[0065]
Therefore, by performing the above processing, the printer device 15 performs the layout processing of the photographic image and the selection processing of the background image using the viewfinder 4 of the digital camera 1 without having the display itself. , It is possible to perform a printing process based on the selection result.
<Calendar printing process>
Next, the calendar printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that this calendar printing process can be shifted by pressing the "SET" key 18c from the above-described top menu screen. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, after the cursor is moved to the display of calendar printing, the user presses the "SET" key 18c to shift to calendar printing processing (S12).
[0066]
When the process shifts to the calendar printing process, the CPU 40 issues a display instruction of a format selection screen (step (hereinafter, indicated by T in the figure) 1). In this process, the compressed data of the format selection screen is read from the ROM 46, sent to the digital camera 1, and subjected to the same decompression processing as described above, and then the format selection screen is displayed on the viewfinder 4.
[0067]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the above-described format selection screen is displayed on the viewfinder 4. For example, the display 1 has a configuration in which the photo image section 60 is disposed on the left side of the screen, and the calendar section 61 is disposed on the right side of the screen. The display 2 has a photo image section 62 slightly wider than the display 1 on the left side of the screen. The display 3 has a configuration in which the calendar section 63 is arranged on the right side of the screen, and the display 3 has a configuration in which the photographic image section 64 is arranged on the upper side of the screen and the calendar section 65 is arranged on the lower side of the screen. The display 4 has the same configuration as shown in FIG.
[0068]
In this display state, the operator selects a calendar format desired to be printed. This selection process is performed by pressing the "+" key 18b or the "-" key 18a and moving the cursor to a desired layout (T2 is Y, T3), as described above, and the cursor is set in a desired format. When the user has moved to the position, the user presses the "SET" key 18c to determine the calendar print format (T2 is Y, T4). Returning to the top menu screen by pressing the "MENU" key 18f or the "BACK" key 18g is the same as described above (T2 is Y, S3 in FIG. 4).
[0069]
After the calendar print format is determined in this way, an image selection process is performed as described above (T5). This process is a process of selecting a photographic image to be fitted into the photographic image portions 60, 62, etc. in the calendar format. Specifically, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed. That is, first, the first recorded image recorded in the image memory 27 is read out, decompressed to a predetermined size by the compression / decompression unit 26, and then the first recorded image "1" is displayed on the viewfinder 4. (U1). Here, the first photographic image displayed on the viewfinder 4 is “1”. For example, if this photographic image “1” is selected, the image after printing will be the photographic image portions 60 and 62 in the calendar format. Thus, the photographic image “1” is printed.
[0070]
If another photo is to be inserted, an image selection process (U3) is executed, and the "+" key 18b and the "-" key 18a are operated as described above, and the "+" key 18b is depressed for recording. The images are sequentially updated (“1” → “2” → “3” →...), And the “−” key 18a is pressed to sequentially update the recorded images in reverse order (for example, “96” → “95”). → “94” → ...), and select a photo image. Then, the selected photographic image is confirmed by pressing the “SET” key 18c.
[0071]
Next, an image direction setting process is performed (T6). This process is the same as that described in the flowchart of FIG. 12, and determines the direction of the photographic image to be printed.
After selecting the calendar print format and the photographic image as described above, the year setting process is performed. In this process, a command to display the year setting screen is issued (T7), and under the control of the CPU 40, the compressed data of the year setting screen is read from the ROM 46, sent to the digital camera 1, expanded to a predetermined size, and then viewed. It is displayed on the finder 4. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing this display state (T8 is Y, T9). In this display state, for example, when the “+” key 18b is pressed, the display on the cursor C indicating the position of the year 2000 is updated as 2001 → 2002 → 2003 →. Is pressed, on the other hand, the data is updated from 1999 → 1998 → 1997 →. Then, when the desired year is displayed, the "SET" key 18c is pressed to determine the year of the calendar (T8 is Y, T10).
[0072]
When the setting process of the year of the Christian era is completed in this way, the CPU 40 performs a process of selecting a “month” to be printed (T11). In this process, for example, display data of, for example, "month" indicating December is output from the ROM 46 to the viewfinder 4, and is displayed as shown in FIG. 16C (T12 is Y, T13). In this state, when the “+” key 18b is pressed, the display on the cursor C changes from December → January → February →... When the “−” key 18a is pressed, the display on the cursor C is displayed. Changes from December to November to October and so on.
[0073]
In this way, when the sequentially changing month on the cursor C displays the desired "month", the "month" to be printed is determined by pressing the "SET" key 18c.
When the year and the month of the year are determined in this way, a process of creating calendar data is performed (T15). That is, the CPU 40 knows the year of the year displayed on the viewfinder 4 and the “month” of the year indicated by the year, reads, for example, the compressed data of the corresponding calendar from the ROM 46, and decompresses the compressed data by the decompression unit 42. , Expands the calendar data in the RAM 48. This calendar creation processing automatically creates calendar data of the designated month by designating the year and month by a calendar creation program stored in the ROM 46, and uses the CG character pattern data of the ROM 46 as character data of the calendar data. You may make it.
[0074]
The calendar data is combined with the selected image transferred from the camera 1 in accordance with the selected calendar format in the print data creation area of the RAM 48 for each color of Y, M, and C to create print data. And FIG.
As shown in (c), a print processing waiting state is displayed.
[0075]
Thereafter, when the paper P is inserted into the paper insertion / ejection port 16 of the printer device 15, the printer device 15 executes a printing process (T16). In this printing process, the paper feed motor 52 is driven under the control of the CPU 40, the paper P is sent to the printing unit, and calendar print data obtained by synthesizing the photographed image and the month calendar is transferred from the RAM 48 to the print head, as described above. The printing motor 51 is driven to sequentially print yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink ribbons on the paper P, perform a fixing process, and print a color image on the paper P.
[0076]
Accordingly, by performing the above-described processing, the printer device 15 does not have a display device in itself, and performs calendar printing in a format selected based on the calendar printing selection image displayed on the viewfinder 4 of the digital camera 1. It can be performed.
<Card printing process>
Next, the card printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this card printing process is also shifted by pressing the "SET" key 18c from the above-described top menu screen.
[0077]
When the process proceeds to the card printing process, first, a display process command of a format selection screen is issued (step (hereinafter, referred to as K in FIG. 1) 1), and after the compressed data of the format selection screen stored in the ROM 46 is decompressed, the viewfinder 4 is displayed.
[0078]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a format selection screen for the card printing process described above. For example, in the display 1, a photographic image section 67 is located at the center of the screen, and a background is drawn around the photographic image section 67. In the display 2, a photographic image portion 68 is located at the center of the screen (within a circular background), and the background is drawn around the photographic image portion 68. The display 3 and the display 4 are also as shown in FIG. In this display state, the operator selects a postcard format desired to be printed. This selection process is performed by pressing the "+" key 18b or the "-" key 18a and moving the cursor to a desired layout, as described above. For example, when the "+" key 18b is pressed (K2 is Y, K3 is N, K5 is Y), the cursor C is sequentially shifted, and the display is sequentially moved from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4. When the cursor C indicates the display 4 of the first format selection screen (1/2), the determination (K3) becomes Y and the screen is switched to the next selection screen (K3 is Y, K4).
[0079]
Conversely, the "-" key 18a is depressed to sequentially shift the cursor C and sequentially move the display 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 (K2 is Y, K6 is N, K8). When the cursor C indicates the display 1 of the second format selection screen (2/2), the judgment (K6) becomes Y and the screen is switched to the previous selection screen (K7).
[0080]
After the cursor C is moved to the desired format image in this way, by pressing the "SET" key 18c, the card printing format is determined (K9). Next, an image selection process is performed (K10). This image selection process is a process according to the above-described flowchart shown in FIG. 11, in which a photographic image to be recorded in the image memory 41 is read out, displayed on the viewfinder 4, and printed on the above-described photographic image portions 67, 68 and the like. This is a process for selecting a photographic image. In this process as well, the user operates the "+" key 18b and the "-" key 18a to select a photographic image to be selected, and then presses the "SET" key 18c to confirm the processing.
[0081]
Next, an image direction setting process is performed (K11). This process is also performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 12 described above, and the direction of the photographic image is selected.
After the format of the card printing process and the photographic image to be inserted therein are determined as described above (K12), the year setting process is performed. In this process, similarly to the above, the display instruction of the year setting screen is performed (K13), the "+" key 18b is pressed, the year is incremented by +1 (K14 is Y, K15), and the "-" key 18a is pressed. When the key is pressed, the year is decremented by one (K14 is Y, K16), and when the desired year is displayed, the "SET" key 18c is pressed to determine the year to be set in the card printing process (K17). ). The year fixed in this way can be read out from the character generator CG of the ROM 46 as character pattern data.
[0082]
Further, the CPU 30 instructs the CPU 30 of the digital camera 1 to read out the compressed data of the selected photographic image from the image memory 27 and transfer it. The compressed image data transferred from the camera 1 is temporarily stored in the image memory 41, decompressed by the decompression unit 42, converted into Y, M, and C print data and stored in the print data storage area of the RAM 48. The print data of Y, M, and C are combined with the character pattern data of the year set in the image combining processing area of the RAM 48. Thereafter, a print processing waiting state is displayed. During this time, the processing when the "EASY" key 18e, the "MENU" key 18f, and the "BACK" key 18g are pressed is the same as in the above-described example.
[0083]
Thereafter, when the paper P is inserted into the paper insertion / ejection port 16 of the printer device 15, the printer device 15 executes a printing process (K18). This printing process is also the same as described above. The paper feed motor 52 and the ribbon motor 51 are driven under the control of the CPU 40 to sequentially print the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink ribbon ink on the paper P. And a color image is printed on the paper P.
<Mini label printing process>
Next, the mini label printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the mini label printing process also shifts by pressing the “SET” key 18c from the above-described top menu screen.
[0084]
When the process shifts to the mini-label printing process, first, a display process command of a mini-label illustration selection screen is issued (step (hereinafter, referred to as M) 1), and the compressed data of the mini-label format selection screen stored in the ROM 46 is decompressed. After the processing, it is displayed on the viewfinder 4.
[0085]
FIG. 21A is a diagram showing a state in which a mini label format selection screen is displayed. There are two mini-label format selection screens, and the format selection screens (1/2, 2/2) depict six mini-label format screens with backgrounds 1 to 6, respectively.
[0086]
In this display state, the operator selects the format of the mini label desired to be printed. This selection process is performed by pressing the "+" key 18b or the "-" key 18a and moving the cursor C to the desired mini-label, as described above. For example, the "+" key 18b is pressed (M2 is Y, M3 is N, K4), and the cursor is sequentially shifted from display 1 to 2 to 3 to 4. When the cursor C indicates the display 4 of the first format selection screen (1/2), the judgment (M3) becomes Y, and the screen is switched to the next selection screen (M3 is Y, M5).
[0087]
On the contrary, the "-" key 18a is depressed to sequentially shift the cursor C and sequentially move the display 6 → 5 → 4 →... (M2 is Y, M6 is N, M7). When the cursor points to display 1 of the second format selection screen (2/2), the determination (M6) becomes Y and the screen switches to the previous selection screen (M8).
[0088]
After moving the cursor to the desired format image in this way, the user presses the "SET" key 18c to determine the format of the mini label print (M9).
Next, a photographic image is displayed (M11). This display is the same as that described above. The photographic image is read from the image memory 27 and displayed on the viewfinder 4 after the decompression processing. The desired photographic image is operated by operating the "+" key 18b and the "-" key 18a. (M11 is Y, M12 or M13). Then, by pressing the "SET" key 18c, the photographic image is determined (M14).
[0089]
After selecting the format of the mini-label printing process and the photographic image to be inserted therein as described above, the printing process is performed (M15). This process is the same as the process shown in FIG. 14 described above. When the paper P is inserted into the paper insertion / ejection port 16 of the printer device 15, the printer device 15 executes a printing process. FIG. 21B shows an example of a mini-label printed by the above-described mini-label printing.
<Index (list display) print processing>
Next, the index printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this index printing process also shifts by pressing the “SET” key 18c from the above-described top menu screen.
[0090]
First, in the index printing process, the CPU 40 receives information of a recorded image stored in the image memory 27 from the digital camera 1 side (step (hereinafter, indicated by N in FIG. 1) 1). Then, when the reception of the information of the photographic image is completed, a transfer output and a display instruction of the frame information display screen are performed (N2 is Y, N3). With this command, the CPU 40 outputs the compressed index screen from the ROM 46 to the digital camera 1 and displays it on the viewfinder 4. The CPU 40 calculates the number of photographic images transferred in the normal mode and the number of photographic images transferred in the fine mode from the above-described photographic image information, and displays this data on the index screen read from the ROM 46. In order to output the data to the digital camera 1, the data is displayed on the index image displayed on the viewfinder 4 (N4). FIG. 23A shows a display state on the viewfinder 4 at this time.
[0091]
FIG. 6B shows a display example in the case of a digital camera capable of storing a photographic image only in the normal mode, depending on the model connected to the printer device 15 of this embodiment.
In this display state, the operator presses the "SET" key 18c to determine the list screen (N5 is Y) and outputs a print start screen transfer command (N6). The compressed data of the print start screen read from the ROM 46 in accordance with this command is output to the digital camera 1 and displayed on the viewfinder 4. FIG. 23C shows a display state on the viewfinder 4 at this time.
[0092]
Thereafter, when the sheet P is inserted into the sheet insertion / ejection port 16 of the printer device 15, the printer device 15 executes a printing process (N7 is Y, N9). The printing process is the same as described above, and the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink ribbons are sequentially printed on the paper P by driving the paper feed motor 52 and the ribbon motor 51, respectively. A fixing process is performed, and a color image is printed on the paper P (N10).
[0093]
During this time, the processing when the "EASY" key 18e, the "MENU" key 18f, and the "BACK" key 18g are pressed is the same as the above-described example (N8 is Y).
By performing the processing as described above, the printer device 15 can print the list image by the printer device 15 without having the display device itself.
[0094]
Since the printer device 15 can obtain the information of the photographic image stored in the image memory 27 from the digital camera 1 as described above, for example, the CPU 40 further calculates the number of images that can be photographed and displays it on the viewfinder 4. You can also. By displaying in this way, efficient use of the digital camera 1 is also possible. In the description of the above-described embodiment, the example of the collage is not specifically described. In this case, however, the processing is almost the same as the postcard printing processing, and the image for printer operation displayed on the viewfinder 4 is, for example, The display state is as shown in FIG. Then, a format is selected, a photographic image is selected, and printing processing is performed by the printer device 15.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the background and the captured image can be displayed on the viewfinder of the digital camera.
Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of captured images and various layouts can be displayed on a viewfinder of a digital camera.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which an electronic still camera and a printer according to an embodiment are connected, (a) is a diagram showing an electronic still camera, and (b) is a diagram showing a printer.
FIG. 2A is a circuit block diagram of a digital camera, and FIG. 2B is a circuit block diagram of a printer device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of a representative member among drivers and sensors.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a top menu screen is displayed on a viewfinder of the digital camera.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display state of a viewfinder.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a printing process in a “simple print mode”.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a layout / background printing process.
FIG. 9 is a layout image selection screen.
FIG. 10 is a selection screen of a background print image.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an image selection process.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an image direction setting process.
FIG. 13 is a selection screen for selecting an image direction.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating print processing during menu processing.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a calendar printing process.
FIG. 16 is a display screen for calendar printing.
FIG. 17 is an image for selecting an era and a “month” of the era.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating card printing processing.
FIG. 19 is a selection screen for card printing.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating processing of mini-label printing.
21A is a diagram illustrating a mini-label printing selection screen, and FIG. 21B is a diagram illustrating an example of a mini-label after a printing process.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a list printing process.
23A is a diagram illustrating a display example of list printing, FIG. 23B is a diagram illustrating a display example of list printing, and FIG. 23C is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print waiting state.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a selection screen for a collage print.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital camera
2 Camera body
3 Lens unit
4 Viewfinder
5 Power switch
6 Mode switch
9 Shutter button
11 "+" key
12 "-" key
13 Communication terminal
14 Communication cable
15 Printer
P Recording paper
16 Paper insertion and discharge port
17 Operation panel
18 Operation keys
18a "-" key
18b "+" key
18c "SET" key
18d "POWER" key
18e "EASY" key
18f "MENU" key
18g "BACK" key
19 Communication terminal
20 Timing Generator
21 CCD
22 Driver
24 A / D converter
25 DRAM
26 Compression / decompression unit
27 Video memory
28 ROM
29 RAM
30 CPU
31 Key input section
32 video signal generator
33 VRAM
34 D / A converter
35 Color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
36 amplifier
37 CG
38 I / O port
40 CPU
41 Image memory
42 Extension
43 Selector
44 Key input section
45 I / O port
46 ROM
47 Color Printer
48 RAM
49 bus
50 Ribbon motor
51 Head motor
52 Paper feed motor
53 print head
54 sensors
55, 57, 59 Background section
56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 67, 68 Photo image
61, 63, 65 Calendar section

Claims (7)

In a digital camera with a viewfinder,
Means for storing the captured image;
Means for displaying the background image stored in the printer device and the stored image on the viewfinder so that a user can select the background image and the stored image. In a digital camera with a viewfinder,
Means for storing a plurality of captured images;
Means for displaying the stored image and a layout for printing the image on the viewfinder so that the user can select the layout. 3. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising: a unit that transmits the image to a printer connected to the digital camera and prints the image according to the layout selected by a user. 4. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the layout information for displaying the layout is sent from a printer connected to the digital camera. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising: a unit that transmits the image to a printer device and prints the image according to the layout selected by a user. The digital camera according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the layout is selected by a user from a plurality of layouts. In a digital camera with a viewfinder,
Storage means for storing a plurality of captured images;
Means for displaying the background image stored in the printer device and the plurality of stored images on the viewfinder so as to allow a user to select the background image.

Images