JP2004040214A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output visually invariant images taken from an image output unit, when it outputs them at different aspect ratios. <P>SOLUTION: A radio communication CPU 15 compares the aspect ratio of an image designated to send it to a printer 3, with an aspect ratio calculated from image size data sent from the printer 3. If the aspect ratio of the image designated to send it to the printer 3 is different from the aspect ratio calculated from image size data, it processes to add rectangular regions to the ends of the image designated to send it to the printer 3 along the ends, thereby equalizing the aspect ratio of the image with the rectangular regions to the aspect ratio shown by the image size data. The CPU 15 makes the color of the added rectangular regions equal to that of a paper used for printing the image by the printer 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of outputting an image from an image output device by transmitting data of the captured image to an image output device such as a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an imaging device such as a digital still camera, data of a captured image can be transmitted to the image output device by connecting to the image output device, and the captured image can be output from the image output device. For example, by connecting a digital still camera and a printer and transmitting data of an image captured from the digital still camera to the printer, the printer can print an image captured by the digital still camera.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, in the field of wireless LAN (Local Area Network) systems, a system adopting a Bluetooth system that uses radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band, performs processing in accordance with frequency hopping, and transmits and receives data between devices. Development is taking place.
[0004]
The Bluetooth method is a method for realizing ad hoc wireless networking between a plurality of personal computers and devices. This Bluetooth system was developed by five European and Japanese companies participating in the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group). According to the Bluetooth system, data can be transmitted and received by wireless communication between a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, and the like. That is, with the Bluetooth method, the complexity of connecting a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, and the like with a cable can be avoided.
[0005]
The Bluetooth system described above can be applied to transmission and reception of data between a digital still camera and a printer. When transmitting image data from a digital still camera to a printer using the Bluetooth method, first, the printer transmits size data indicating the size of an image to be output to the digital still camera. Then, the digital still camera transmits image data of the designated size to the printer.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, data of an image captured by a digital still camera usually has an aspect ratio of 4: 3.
[0007]
However, the aspect ratio of an image printed by a printer is not always 4: 3.
[0008]
For example, since a postcard has an aspect ratio of 3: 2, the printer prints an image having an aspect ratio of 3: 2 when printing an image on the postcard. When transmitting image data from a digital still camera to a printer in accordance with the Bluetooth method, the printer first requests the digital still camera to transmit image data having the same aspect ratio as the image to be printed. That is, when a printer prints an image on a postcard, the digital still camera needs to change the aspect ratio of the image to be transmitted to 3: 2 and then transmit the image to the printer.
[0009]
As a method of changing the aspect ratio of an image captured by a digital still camera, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-101912, a method of changing the resolution in accordance with the aspect ratio, and a method of changing the outer peripheral side in accordance with the aspect ratio Examples include a method of deleting image data, and a method of forming a black frame on the outer periphery of an image according to the aspect ratio.
[0010]
However, if the resolution of the image is changed according to the aspect ratio, the image will be distorted. Further, when the image is distorted, there may be a case where it becomes difficult to determine the image, or it becomes impossible to transmit accurate information to a third party using the printed image. .
[0011]
If data on the outer peripheral side of the image is deleted in accordance with the aspect ratio, only the central part of the image captured by the digital still camera is printed, and the outer peripheral side of the image is not printed. That is, it becomes impossible to print the entire image captured by the digital still camera. If the entire image captured by the digital still camera cannot be printed, for example, it is impossible to print the entire subject even though the original image shows all the subjects, When the image is displayed on the outer peripheral side, there is a problem that printing cannot be performed.
[0012]
Further, when a black frame is formed on the outer periphery of the image according to the aspect ratio, the black frame is also formed on the outer periphery of the printed image, which is annoying. Further, since a black frame is formed on the outer periphery of the printed image, the use of the printed image is restricted, and complicated work such as cutting out the black frame when using the printed image is required. Inconveniences such as this may occur.
[0013]
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and has been proposed even when the aspect ratio of an image captured by an imaging device is different from the aspect ratio of an image output from an image output device. It is possible to process the image so that the image whose appearance does not change compared to the captured image can be output from the image output device, and further process the data of the processed image to the image output device. It is an object to provide an imaging device capable of transmitting.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image capturing unit that captures an image; a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from an external image output device; and an image captured by the image capturing unit, along an edge of the image. Rectangular area adding means for adding a rectangular area to the image data and setting the color of the rectangular area to a predetermined color. The communication means receives the size of the image output by the image output apparatus from the image output apparatus. The rectangular area adding unit calculates an aspect ratio based on the size of the image received by the communication unit, and calculates the aspect ratio based on the aspect ratio of the image captured by the imaging device and the size received by the communication unit. When the ratio is different, a rectangular area along the end of the image is added to the end of the image, and after the rectangular area is set to a predetermined color, the rectangular area adding means sets the image pickup device. When the aspect ratio of the captured image is different from the aspect ratio calculated from the image size received by the communication unit, a rectangular area along the edge is added to the edge of the image, and the rectangular area is Is a predetermined color, and the communication means transmits, to the image output device, data of the image to which the rectangular area is added by the rectangular area adding means.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
The present invention is applied to, for example, the image transmission system 1 shown in FIG.
[0017]
The image transmission system 1 includes a digital still camera 2 and a printer 3. The digital still camera 2 and the printer 3 are wirelessly connected via a short-range wireless communication network 4.
[0018]
The image transmission system 1 employs a Bluetooth (hereinafter, referred to as BT) system in order to realize data communication between the digital still camera 2 and the printer 3.
[0019]
The BT method is a name of a short-range wireless communication technology that five Japanese and European companies started standardization activities in May 1998. In the BT system, a maximum data transmission rate is 1 Mbps (effectively 721 Kbps), and a short-range wireless communication network having a maximum transmission distance of about 10 m is constructed to perform data communication. Further, in the BT method, 79 or 23 channels are set in a 2.4 GHz band ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) frequency band that can be used without permission, and the frequency hopping spectrum is switched 1600 times per second. Transmits and receives wireless data using diffusion technology.
[0020]
The digital still camera 2 is wirelessly connected to the printer 3 via the short-range wireless communication network 4 and transmits image data to the printer 3. The digital still camera 2 has a digital camera BT module 2a for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer 3 in the wireless communication system 1 according to the BT method. The digital camera BT module 2a includes a protocol for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer 3 according to the BT method, and a module for executing the protocol.
[0021]
The printer 3 is connected to the digital still camera 2 via a short-range wireless communication network 4. The printer 3 has a printer BT module 3a for transmitting and receiving data to and from the digital still camera 2 in the wireless communication system 1 according to the BT method. The printer BT module 3a includes a protocol for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer 3 according to the BT method, and a module for executing the protocol.
[0022]
A digital camera protocol stack 2b as shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on the digital camera BT module 2a, and a printer protocol stack 3b is mounted on the printer BT module 3a.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera protocol stack 2b and the printer protocol stack 3b include, as lower layers, an RF (Radio Frequency) layer for transmitting and receiving data by frequency hopping modulation in a 2.4 GHz band, and a BB for performing baseband control. (Base Band) layer, LMP (Link Manager Protocol) layer for establishing and releasing connections and handling links, L2CAP (Logical Link Control Protocol) layer for establishing and disassembling multiplexing and segments of various protocols, RS232C serial An RFCOMM layer, which is a simple transport protocol for emulating a line, is implemented. An AP (Application) layer is mounted on the digital camera protocol stack 2b and the printer protocol stack 3b as an upper layer.
[0024]
Since the lower layer of the digital camera protocol stack 2b and the lower layer of the printer protocol stack 3b correspond to each other, the digital still camera 2 can transmit and receive wireless data to and from the printer 3 according to the BT method. It becomes.
[0025]
Hereinafter, the digital still camera 2 included in the image transmission system 1 will be described in detail.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital still camera 2 includes a radio modem 11, a link controller 12, a serial driver 13, a BT-compatible antenna 14, a wireless communication CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15, and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access). Memory 16, a flash memory 17, an imaging unit 18, and a system bus 19.
[0027]
In the digital still camera 2, a part other than the imaging unit 18 corresponds to the BT module 2a.
[0028]
The radio modem 11 includes a switch 21, a receiving unit 22, a transmitting unit 23, and a hopping synthesizer unit 24.
[0029]
The switch 21 operates according to a control signal from the wireless communication CPU 15. More specifically, the switch 21 operates to output the wireless data from the BT-compatible antenna 14 to the receiving unit 22 when receiving the wireless data with the BT-compatible antenna 14, and transmit the wireless data from the BT-compatible antenna 14. When it does, it operates to output wireless data from the transmitting unit 23 to the BT-compatible antenna 14.
[0030]
The receiving unit 22 outputs the wireless data supplied from the switch 21 to the link controller 12. The receiving unit 22 specifies the hopping frequency pattern by the hopping synthesizer unit 24, removes the 2.4 GHz band carrier according to the frequency pattern at the time of receiving the wireless data, and then converts the wireless data to 0 and 1 data to link controller. 12 is output.
[0031]
The transmission unit 23 outputs the primary modulated 0 and 1 data generated by the link controller 12 to the switch 21. The transmitting unit 23 generates wireless data on which a carrier wave of 2.4 GHz is placed according to the hopping frequency pattern specified by the hopping synthesizer unit 24, and outputs the data to the switch 21. The data generated by the transmission unit 23 is transmitted from the BT-compatible antenna 14 to the printer 3 via the short-range wireless communication network 4.
[0032]
The hopping synthesizer unit 24 specifies a hopping frequency pattern for the receiving unit 22 and the transmitting unit 23 under the control of the link controller 12. More specifically, when receiving wireless data from the BT-compatible antenna 14, the hopping synthesizer unit 24 changes the frequency of the carrier removed by the receiving unit 22 according to the frequency pattern specified by the link controller 12 for each slot. When transmitting wireless data from the BT-compatible antenna 14, the hopping synthesizer unit 24 transmits a carrier wave on the data in the transmission unit 23 according to a frequency pattern for performing frequency conversion on the data from the link controller 12 in the transmission unit 23. Is changed for each slot.
[0033]
The hopping synthesizer unit 24 described above performs frequency control so that, for example, frequency hopping is performed 1600 times per second on 23 channels set by dividing a 2.4 GHz band into 1 MHz.
[0034]
The link controller 12 receives the wireless data from the receiving unit 22 and performs a process of demodulating the wireless data frequency-modulated by the frequency hopping. When transmitting wireless data from the BT-compatible antenna 4, the link controller 12 performs primary modulation on the data to be transmitted and outputs the data to the transmitting unit 23.
[0035]
The link controller 12 controls the hopping synthesizer 24 by giving a hopping frequency pattern to the hopping synthesizer 24. Thereby, the link controller 12 controls the transmission timing of the wireless data transmitted from the digital still camera 2 and the reception timing of the wireless data received by the digital still camera 2. The link controller 12 provides the hopping synthesizer 24 with a hopping frequency pattern of f (k), f (k + 1), f (k + 2),.
[0036]
Further, the link controller 12 has a function of controlling so as to change the transmission output of the transmission unit 23, obtains information indicating the distance between the digital still camera 2 and the printer 3 from the wireless communication CPU 15, and The output power of the generated wireless data is controlled.
[0037]
The serial driver 13 supplies the data received by the BT-compatible antenna 14 and supplied to the link controller 12 via the radio modem 11 to the wireless communication CPU 15. Further, the serial driver 13 reads out image data from the imaging unit 18 and supplies the image data to the DRAM 16. Further, the serial driver 13 reads image data to be transmitted to the printer 3 from the DRAM 16 and supplies the image data to the link controller 12.
[0038]
The BT-compatible antenna 14 transmits and receives wireless data in the 2.4 GHz band. The BT-compatible antenna 14 transmits wireless data supplied from the radio modem 11 to the printer 3 via the short-range wireless communication network 4 and transmits wireless data output from the printer 3 via the short-range wireless communication network 4. Receives and outputs to radio modem 11.
[0039]
The wireless data received by the BT-compatible antenna 14 indicates data transmitted from the printer 3 when a connection is established between the digital still camera 2 and the printer 3 and an aspect ratio of an image printed by the printer 3. And image size data. The wireless data transmitted by the BT-compatible antenna 14 includes data for requesting a connection to the printer 3 and image data to be transmitted to the printer 3.
[0040]
The wireless communication CPU 15 reads a control program for controlling the radio modem 11, the link controller 12, the serial driver 13, and the BT-compatible antenna 14 from the flash memory 17 via the system bus 19, and generates a control signal. When the wireless communication CPU 15 controls the radio modem 11, the link controller 12, the serial driver 13, and the BT-compatible antenna 14, data can be transmitted and received between the digital still camera 2 and the printer 3.
[0041]
The wireless communication CPU 15 reads an aspect ratio change program for changing the aspect ratio of the image data from the flash memory 17 and changes the aspect ratio of the image data designated to be transmitted to the printer 3. Is changed to be the same as the aspect ratio of the image to be printed.
[0042]
More specifically, first, the wireless communication CPU 15 compares the aspect ratio calculated based on the image size data received by the BT corresponding antenna 14 with the aspect ratio of the image printed by the printer 3. When the aspect ratio of the image specified to be transmitted to the printer 3 is different from the aspect ratio of the image size specified by the printer 3, the wireless communication CPU 15 Then, a process of adding a rectangular area along two opposing edges of the image is performed, and the aspect ratio of the image including the rectangular area is made to match the aspect ratio of the image printed by the printer 3. Further, the wireless communication CPU 15 sets the color of the added rectangular area to the same color as the color of the paper used when an image is printed by the printer 3.
[0043]
For example, when the aspect ratio of an image captured by the digital still camera 2 is 4: 3 and the printer 3 prints the image on a white postcard, the wireless communication CPU 15 performs the operations shown in FIGS. As shown in (1), processing for adding rectangular areas A1 and A2 along both ends of the image P to the image P is performed, and the aspect ratio of the image including the rectangular area is set to 3: 2. The wireless communication CPU 15 sets the color of the rectangular area to white.
[0044]
Further, the wireless communication CPU 15 supplies the image data to which the rectangular area is added to the serial driver 13.
[0045]
The wireless communication CPU 15 matches the aspect ratio including the rectangular area of the image to be transmitted to the printer 3 with the aspect ratio of the image printed by the printer 3 by the method described above, so that the printer 3 When printing an image captured by the user, it is possible to print the image without any change such as distortion or partial deletion. Further, the wireless communication CPU 15 sets the color of the added rectangular area to the same color as the paper used when the image to be transmitted to the printer 3 is printed, so that the rectangular area becomes obstructive when the image is printed. It is possible to reduce problems such as printing in a state, restricting use of a printed image, and necessity of performing complicated work when using a printed image. Become.
[0046]
The RAM 16 serves as a work area when the wireless communication CPU 15 executes a program stored in the flash memory 17, and stores data as needed.
[0047]
The flash memory 17 stores a control program for controlling the radio modem 11, the link controller 12, the serial driver 13, and the BT-compatible antenna 14, an aspect ratio changing program for changing the aspect ratio of image data, and the like. .
[0048]
The imaging unit 19 includes an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an image storage unit for storing a captured image, and the like, and captures a subject to create an image.
[0049]
Next, a method of transmitting image data from the digital still camera 2 to the printer 3 will be described. In the present embodiment, a Basic Imaging Profile is used as a Bluetooth profile.
[0050]
First, as shown in FIG. 5, in step ST1, the user selects an image to be printed from images captured by the digital still camera 2.
[0051]
Next, in step ST2, the user selects a destination of the selected image on the digital still camera 2. In the present embodiment, the printer 3 is selected.
[0052]
Next, in step ST3, a connection according to the BT method is established between the digital still camera 2 and the printer 3.
[0053]
In step ST3, first, the digital still camera 2 transmits a BT connection request (S1) for requesting connection with the printer 3 via the short-range wireless communication network 4 to the printer 3. Next, the digital still camera 2 performs the processing according to the lower layer of the protocol stack 2a, and the printer 3 recognizes the BT connection request (S1) and performs the processing according to the lower layer of the protocol stack 3a. Thus, a connection according to the BT method is established between the digital still camera 2 and the printer 3. Then, the printer 3 transmits a BT connection completion message (S2) to the digital still camera 2.
[0054]
Next, in step ST4, the digital still camera 2 receives image size data from the printer.
[0055]
In step ST4, first, the digital still camera 2 transmits an image size data transmission request (S3) to the printer 3 so as to transmit data of the requested image size. Then, the printer 3 recognizes the image size data transmission request (S3) and transmits the image size data (S4) to the digital still camera 2.
[0056]
Next, in step ST5, the digital still camera 2 changes the aspect ratio of the image transmitted to the printer 3.
[0057]
In step ST5, first, the digital still camera 2 calculates an aspect ratio from the image size data (S4). Next, the digital still camera 2 compares the calculated aspect ratio with the aspect ratio of the image specified to be transmitted to the printer 3. When the aspect ratio of the image specified to be transmitted to the printer 3 is different from the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data, the digital still camera 2 sets a rectangular shape along the edge at both ends of the selected image. An area is added, and the color of the rectangular area is the same as the color of paper used when an image is printed by the printer 3.
[0058]
Next, in step ST6, the digital still camera 2 transmits the image data (S5) with the rectangular area added to the printer 3.
[0059]
Then, in step ST7, the printer 3 prints the image transmitted from the digital still camera 2.
[0060]
As described above, in the digital still camera 2 to which the present invention is applied, first, the aspect ratio of the image specified to be transmitted to the printer 3 is compared with the image size and the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data. . When the aspect ratio of the image designated to be transmitted to the printer 3 is different from the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data, the image designated to be transmitted to the printer 3 extends along both ends. A process of adding a rectangular area is performed, and the aspect ratio of the image including the rectangular area is made to match the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data. Further, the wireless communication CPU 15 sets the color of the added rectangular area to the same color as the color of the paper used when an image is printed by the printer 3.
[0061]
By making the digital still camera 2 match the aspect ratio including the rectangular area of the image to be transmitted to the printer 3 with the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data by the method described above, the printer 3 When printing the captured image, the image can be printed without any change of the image such as deformation or deletion. In addition, by making the color of the added rectangular area the same color as the paper used when the image to be transmitted to the printer 3 is printed, the rectangular area in the printed image becomes obstructive, Problems such as the restriction on the use of images can be reduced.
[0062]
That is, according to the digital still camera 2, even when the aspect ratio of the image specified to be transmitted to the printer 3 is different from the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data, the image captured by the digital still camera 2 is different from the image captured by the digital still camera 2. It is possible to print an image whose appearance does not change in comparison.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
In the imaging device according to the present invention, first, the aspect ratio of the image specified to be transmitted to the image output device is compared with the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data received by the transmission / reception unit. When the aspect ratio of the image designated to be transmitted to the image output device is different from the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data, the image is designated to be transmitted to the image output device at both ends. A process for adding a rectangular area along the rectangular area is performed, and the aspect ratio of the image including the rectangular area is made to match the aspect ratio calculated from the image data.
[0064]
The imaging device according to the present invention, by matching the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data and the aspect ratio including the rectangular area of the image transmitted to the image output device by the method described above, the image output device, When an image captured by the imaging device is output, the image can be output without any change in the image. Further, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention sets the color of the added rectangular area to the same color as the background color when the image to be transmitted to the image output apparatus is output from the image output apparatus. It is possible to reduce problems such as an obstruction of an area and restriction on use of a printed image.
[0065]
That is, according to the imaging device of the present invention, even when the aspect ratio of an image specified to be transmitted to the image output device is different from the aspect ratio calculated from the image size data, the image captured by the imaging device It is possible to print an image whose appearance does not change as compared with.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image transmission system to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 2 illustrates a protocol stack of a digital still camera and a protocol stack of a printer.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which rectangular regions along the edges are added to both ends of an image specified to be transmitted to a printer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a communication control sequence performed between a digital still camera and a printer to which the present invention has been applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 image transmission system, 2 digital still camera, 3 printer, 4 short-range wireless communication network, 11 radio modem, 12 link controller, 13 serial driver, 14 BT compatible antenna, 15 wireless communication CPU, 16 DRAM, 17 flash memory, 18 Imaging unit, 19 system bus, 21 switch, 22 receiving unit, 23 transmitting unit, 24 hopping synthesizer unit

Claims (3)

Imaging means for capturing an image;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external image output device;
To the image captured by the image capturing means, while adding a rectangular area along the end of the image, a rectangular area adding means to make the color of the rectangular area a predetermined color,
The communication means receives, from the image output device, a size of an image output by the image output device,
The rectangular area adding unit calculates an aspect ratio based on the size of the image received by the communication unit, and calculates the aspect ratio of the image captured by the imaging device and the aspect ratio calculated from the size received by the communication unit. Are different, a rectangular area along the edge is added to the edge of the image, and after the rectangular area has a predetermined color,
When the aspect ratio of the image captured by the imaging device and the aspect ratio calculated from the image size received by the communication unit are different from each other, the rectangular area adding unit may be positioned along an edge of the image along the edge. While adding a rectangular area, the rectangular area has a predetermined color,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the communication means transmits, to the image output device, data of an image to which a rectangular area has been added by the rectangular area adding means. The image output device is a printer,
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rectangular area adding unit sets the color of the rectangular area to the same color as the paper on which an image is printed. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits and receives data to and from the image output apparatus according to a Bluetooth method.

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