JP2004120416A - Image processing system and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that can output images picked up by means of an image pickup device from a general image forming device by printing the images by only operating an operating section provided in the device, and to provide a method of controlling the system. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing system, in which a digital camera 100 is connected to the image processor 200, such as the general personal computer etc., and a printer 300, is characterized in that the user of the system can print out the image picked up with the digital camera 100 by means of the printer 300 unconsciously of the image processor 200 by only indicating the output of the image from the monitor 105 of the camera 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system in which an image capturing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus are connected and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an image processing system that easily forms an image based on a captured image and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, heat-sensitive paper has been used as printing paper, and a plurality of heating elements arranged in the main scanning direction have been selectively driven to convey the paper in the sub-scanning direction, thereby forming dot lines on the paper. There is a line thermal transfer type printer that performs printing.
[0003]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of input devices that handle images, such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, and scanners, printers of a thermal transfer system have been attracting attention as printing means for the following reasons.
[0004]
In general, in an ink jet printer, since there is only a binary choice of whether or not to eject ink droplets, a small droplet is landed on paper and apparent resolution and gradation are obtained by a method such as error diffusion. To try. On the other hand, in a thermal transfer type printer, the heat value for one pixel can be easily controlled, so that it is possible to obtain more gradation for one pixel, and a smooth high-quality image can be obtained compared to an inkjet printer. Can be obtained.
[0005]
Further, since the performance of the thermal head and the performance of the paper material have also been improved, it is becoming possible to obtain prints having a finished quality that is not inferior to silver halide photographs.
[0006]
As described above, the thermal transfer type printer has attracted attention as a printer for natural images, particularly in keeping with the progress of digital cameras in recent years.
[0007]
On the other hand, ink-jet printers are also being improved in technology such as reducing the size of droplets of liquid droplets, and are improving image quality.
[0008]
In addition, the performance of digital cameras and digital video cameras as input devices has significantly improved, and in recent years digital cameras that can capture images comparable to silver halide photographs have been reduced in price. ing.
[0009]
The high performance and low price of these input devices and print output devices, as well as the high performance and low price of personal computers, have made it possible to easily obtain high-quality prints even in ordinary households. Is coming.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in general, in order to obtain high-quality prints using an image input device such as a digital camera, it is necessary to connect a digital camera to a printer device to configure a system. I was not satisfied enough.
[0011]
For example, although input devices, output devices, and personal computers have been individually improved in performance, in view of print processing as a system, a user has to temporarily copy images captured by a digital camera or the like to a personal computer. After that, a complicated operation of displaying the information on predetermined software of the personal computer, adjusting the size and image quality of the paper to be output, and instructing the printer to print the image is required.
[0012]
Therefore, in order to easily obtain high-quality prints, an input device (digital camera or the like) and an output device (printer device) are directly connected, or these are integrated, and the captured image information is transferred to a personal computer. A so-called direct print system has been proposed in which printing is performed without using an image processing apparatus such as the one described above. According to this direct print system, it is possible to print out a high-quality image such as a photograph while confirming a captured image by a simple operation using an operation unit of a digital camera or a digital video.
[0013]
However, in such a direct print system, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated printer device. Such dedicated printers are more expensive than general printers, and have not yet become widespread.
[0014]
As described above, the conventional print system has a problem that user satisfaction cannot be sufficiently obtained in terms of operability and cost.
[0015]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to print an image captured by an imaging device from a general image forming device only by operating an operation unit on the imaging device. It is an object to provide a possible image processing system and a control method thereof.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As one means for achieving the above object, the image processing system of the present invention has the following configuration.
[0017]
That is, an image processing system in which an imaging device, an image processing device, and an image forming device are connected, wherein the imaging device obtains an image signal by capturing an image of a subject, and an image signal captured by the imaging device. Instruction means for instructing output of the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus has image processing means for performing image processing according to the instruction content on the image signal instructed to be output by the instruction means. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a visible image based on the image signal processed by the image processing unit.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
<First embodiment>
● System overview
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the print system according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting a digital camera 100, an image processing device 200 such as a personal computer, and a printer 300 using a sublimation type thermal transfer recording method. By using the operation unit of the digital camera 100, it is possible to print out an arbitrary number of electronic image information from the printer 300. That is, in the system of the present embodiment, it is the digital camera 100 that executes the print instruction.
[0020]
It is assumed that the digital camera 100 stores image information in an internal memory after shooting. The memory is preferably a removable memory such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card or a smart media.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image processing apparatus 200. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 200 mainly includes a control unit 201 for controlling the entire apparatus, a connection detection unit 202 for detecting connection with the digital camera 100 as described later, and a main power supply for the apparatus. A power input unit 203 for performing image processing, an image processing unit 204 for performing general image processing, and a program memory 205 in which various programs for image processing are stored in advance.
[0022]
Hereinafter, the print output processing of the captured image in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0023]
● Mode setting (S1)
First, in step S1, the mode dial 101 of the digital camera 100 is set to the camera print mode, thereby enabling reproduction of an arbitrary image. The mode dial 101 of the digital camera 100 has a playback mode for playing back a normal captured image and a print mode for giving a print instruction while viewing the playback image. Can be reproduced. Since the reproduction of the image information in the digital camera 100 can be checked at any time by the monitor 105, the user can arbitrarily call the photographed image information.
[0024]
● Camera connection (S2)
Next, in step S2, the digital camera 100 is connected to the image processing device 200 via the camera connection cable 500. In the control unit 201 in the image processing apparatus 200, the minimum communication control unit is always operating regardless of whether the main power supply of the apparatus is on or off. That is, even when the power switch of the image processing apparatus 200 is turned off by the user, the connection detection unit 202, which is a circuit that consumes a small amount of power, is always started up internally, and a response to an external connection is not generated. It is possible. Therefore, regardless of whether the image processing apparatus 200 is on or off, when the connection detection unit 202 detects that the other terminal of the camera connection cable 500 whose one terminal is connected to the digital camera 100 is connected. First, the main power is turned on using the power input unit 203 and the power of the printer 300 connected by the printer connection cable 400 is also turned on at the same time, thereby starting up the entire system.
[0025]
Note that the camera connection cable 500 is generally connected by an IEEE 1394 or USB signal, and it is assumed that the camera connection cable 500 is also connected by USB in this embodiment. Generally, the USB connection is composed of signal lines D + and D- and Vbus and a ground line, and the power input means of the image processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment constantly monitors the states of the signal lines D + and D-. Although it is possible to detect the connection of the other device by the presence of, the configuration may be such that the insertion of the camera connection cable 500 is physically detected.
[0026]
● Negotiation (S3)
Next, in step S3, after detecting the connection between the digital camera 100 and the control unit 201 in the image processing apparatus 200, the digital camera 100 and the control unit 201 perform negotiation to detect both states.
[0027]
Here, the model information of the digital camera 100 is passed to the control unit 201 of the image processing apparatus 200, and the information of the image processing apparatus 200 itself and the information of the connected printer 300 are transmitted from the control unit 201 to the digital camera 100. Pass to. This is for the purpose of displaying on the monitor of the digital camera 100 such that the printable paper size can be selected according to the model information of the printer 300. For example, if the printer 300 is a model capable of printing up to a postcard size, the monitor 105 of the digital camera 100 displays a user interface capable of selecting up to a postcard size. Further, for example, in the case of a model capable of printing up to A3 size, the monitor 105 of the digital camera 100 is displayed so that recording paper of a larger size can be selected.
[0028]
● Start print driver (S4)
When the control unit 201 in the image processing apparatus 200 obtains the type information of the connected digital camera 100, in step S4, the control unit 201 calls the driver software for the printer adapted to the digital camera 100 from the internal program memory 205 and starts up. I do.
[0029]
In many cases, the processing steps are different depending on the model of the connected digital camera 100, even when outputting to the same printer 300. Therefore, optimal print driver software for the connected digital camera 100 is prepared. This is because it is necessary.
[0030]
For example, if the connected digital camera 100 is of a model that cannot execute image processing for the connected printer 300 therein, the image processing apparatus 200 directly receives the image of the digital camera 100 and In order to perform all image processing in the device 200, appropriate software is started.
[0031]
Further, when the connected digital camera 100 is a model that can perform advanced print image processing in a self-contained manner, the image processing apparatus 200 only needs to control the communication processing to the printer 300. Another software is started.
[0032]
Further, the connected digital camera 100 expands, for example, an image to be printed, which has been compressed into JPEG therein, into information of luminance (Y) and color difference (Cr, Cb), and further converts the information into RGB color information. Is possible, the image processing apparatus 200 that has received the RGB information converts the RGB image into a YMCK image according to the type of the connected printer 300, for example, if the printer 300 is an inkjet system, and Since a process of performing a value conversion process and then passing the value to the printer 300 can be in charge, software suitable for the process is started.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the mode of the digital camera 100 is not the print mode but the playback mode, and the digital camera 100 is connected to the image processing apparatus 200 as described above, the control unit 201 of the image processing apparatus 200 The software for transferring, storing, and browsing the captured image stored in the digital camera 100 to the image processing apparatus 200, instead of the software for the digital camera 100, is started. This is because, when the digital camera 100 is not in the print mode, connection to the image processing apparatus 200 is considered to be mainly for transferring captured image information. When download of photographed image information to the image processing apparatus 200 is designated using the digital camera 100, the control unit 201 in the image processing apparatus 200 transfers the image information to the image information memory 206.
[0034]
As described above, the processing in the image processing apparatus 200 according to the purpose enables appropriate operation control by a simple input of the mode setting of the digital camera 100 by the user.
[0035]
● Printer activation (S5)
On the other hand, since the model of the connected printer 300 is known in advance, the control unit 201 in the image processing apparatus 200 calls driver software suitable for the model from the program memory 205 and sets it so that it can be driven. Physically, the power inlet of the printer 300 is set to the AC inlet of the image processing apparatus 200 so that the power is turned on in synchronization with the turning on of the main power of the image processing apparatus 200. The printer 300 is also configured to be activated in association with the activation.
[0036]
● Image selection (S6)
When the negotiation of the connection between the digital camera 100 and the image processing apparatus 200 (S3) and the start of the print program (S4) are completed, the digital camera 100 can select a reproduced image. The captured image can be checked on the monitor 105, and an image to be printed is arbitrarily selected using the forward button 102 and the return button 103.
[0037]
At this time, the size of the recording paper that can be output can be set according to the connected printer 300, and in the case of the thermal transfer printer of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the card size and the postcard size can be selected. .
[0038]
On the other hand, when the connected printer 300 is of the ink jet type, the display on the monitor 105 of the digital camera 100 is automatically switched so that the print size up to A4 size can be selected.
[0039]
● Print instruction (S7)
When the user presses the print button 104 on the monitor 105 of the digital camera 100, a print target image is determined and a print instruction is issued, and the digital camera 100 starts print processing.
[0040]
● Image processing on the camera side (S8)
Here, the digital camera 100 performs all image processing for printing inside the digital camera 100 based on the information about the printer 300 exchanged with the control unit 201 of the image processing apparatus 200, when the printer 300 is a thermal transfer type. . This is because the required scale of image processing is relatively small, so that even if processing is performed inside the digital camera 100, the load is small and processing time does not take much. In this case, the load on the image processing apparatus 200 is considerably reduced as compared with the case where the image processing for printing is performed in the image processing apparatus 200, so that other processing can be performed in the image processing apparatus 200 in parallel. .
[0041]
On the other hand, if the connected printer 300 is of the ink jet type, the process of further generating K (black) from the image information decomposed into YMC (yellow, magenta, cyan) and the subsequent binarization process are performed. Since it is necessary, the processing amount becomes enormous. Therefore, when the printer 300 is of the ink jet type, the digital camera 100 sends the selected image to the image information memory 206 of the image processing apparatus 200 as a JPEG image, that is, as a luminance / color difference signal after a print instruction. I do. In this case, the digital camera 100 also sends out information on the size of the recording paper to be printed out, and the control unit 201 in the image processing apparatus 200 controls to perform image processing according to the size.
[0042]
● Image processing on the image processing device side (S9)
When all image processing has been executed in the digital camera 100, that is, when the thermal transfer printer 300 is connected, the control unit 201 of the image processing apparatus 200 transfers data to the driver program.
[0043]
On the other hand, when the image processing device 200 receives the image information from the digital camera 100 without changing the luminance / color difference signal, the image processing device 200 causes the image processing unit 204 to store the image information in the image information memory The image information is read from 206 and all image processing is performed.
[0044]
After that, data corresponding to the printer 300 is transmitted to the printer 300 using driver software unique to the printer 300.
[0045]
● Image processing on the printer side (S10)
The printing process in the connected printer 300 is executed by the control unit 201 driving a predetermined driver program. The driver program implements data correction for printing an optimal color for the printer 300 and information relating to control unique to the printer 300 to realize optimal printing of an image.
[0046]
As described above, a series of printing operations in the present embodiment can be performed only by setting the mode, determining the image to be printed, and determining the recording paper size using the monitor 105 of the digital camera 100. In response, a desired image is output from printer 300.
[0047]
Note that the monitor 207 provided in the image processing apparatus 200 is not used at all during printing in the print mode, so that the power of the monitor 207 may not be turned on in the print mode.
[0048]
The image processing apparatus 200 can also perform the print processing as background processing while simultaneously performing other processing, and thus can use the image processing apparatus 200 efficiently.
[0049]
● Details of thermal transfer printer
Hereinafter, the thermal transfer printer 300 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
[0050]
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the printer 300. First, an outline of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
The recording papers P stacked in the paper cassette 2 are separated and fed one by one to the apparatus main body 1 by the paper feed roller 3. At this time, the recording paper P is in contact with the paper feed roller 3 by the push-up plate 21 urged by the spring 20. Then, the recording paper P conveyed by the paper feed roller 3 is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 4 so as to be able to reciprocate in the recording section. The transport roller pair 4 includes a pinch roller 42 and a grip roller 41.
[0052]
In the recording unit, a platen roller 5 and a thermal head 6 that generates heat in accordance with recording information are opposed to each other across a recording paper conveyance path, and a hot-melt or thermo-sublimable ink stored in an ink cassette 7 is applied. The ink sheet 8 having the formed ink layer and the overcoat layer overcoated on the printing screen to protect the printing screen is pressed against the recording paper P by the thermal head 6 and is selectively heated, thereby A predetermined image is transferred and recorded on the recording paper P, and the protective layer is overcoated.
[0053]
The ink sheet 8 covers the printing area of the recording paper P and has a size substantially equal to the size of the printing sheet P, in which yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink layers and an overcoat (OP) layer are provided side by side. When the recording paper P is returned to the recording start position P1 by thermal transfer for each layer, the recording paper P is sequentially transferred and superimposed on the recording paper P.
[0054]
In this manner, the recording paper P is reciprocated by the transport roller pair 4 by the number of inks of each color and the number of overcoat layers.
[0055]
At this time, the recording paper P on which each ink layer has been printed is inverted at the front of the apparatus main body 1, and is guided to the rear of the apparatus main body 1 via the front part and the lower guide part 15 of the paper cassette 2.
Since the recording paper P is reversed in front of the apparatus in this way, the recording paper P in the middle of printing does not waste outside space and is not inadvertently touched, and the installation space can be saved. Has become.
[0056]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a paper transport guide section of the paper cassette 2, which reverses the recording paper P that has been inverted from the front of the apparatus main body 1 to the rear of the apparatus main body. The guide unit 15 is provided in the paper cassette 2, and the lower part of the paper cassette 2 is directly used as a paper guide, and the recording paper P is passed through the space between the ink cassette 7 and the paper cassette 2. The overall height of the main body 1 is kept to a minimum, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
[0057]
The upper surface of the paper cassette 2 serves as a paper discharge tray 26 for recording papers P discharged after printing, which also contributes to downsizing of the apparatus main body 1.
[0058]
After the printing of each ink layer is completed, the recording paper P is guided to the paper discharge rollers 9 and is discharged from the rear of the apparatus main body 1 to the front, thereby completing the recording operation. The paper discharge roller 9 is configured to be in pressure contact with the recording paper P only during the paper discharge operation, and is configured so that stress is not applied during printing.
[0059]
A transport path switching sheet 16 switches the transport path after the recording paper P is fed so that the recording paper P returned after printing is guided to a path on the discharge side.
[0060]
The thermal head 6 for printing is integrated with the head arm 22, and when the ink cassette 7 is replaced, the thermal head 6 is retracted to a position where it does not hinder the attachment and detachment of the ink cassette 7. This retreat operation becomes possible when the ink cassette 7 is exchanged when the paper cassette 2 is pulled out. At this time, the head arm 22 is moved from the state where the head arm 22 is pressed by the cam portion to the paper cassette 2 Is configured to move up and down with the retraction of the cam section.
[0061]
In general, in a thermal transfer printer, three colors of YMC are recorded three times in a sequential manner, so that control for accurately matching the recording leading edge of each color is required. For this purpose, it is necessary to transport the recording paper P while strongly nipping the recording paper P between the transport rollers 4. Therefore, an unrecordable margin is required at the end of the recording paper P in the feed direction. In view of this, in order to finally obtain a printed matter having no border, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording paper P of the present embodiment is assumed to have a margin 16 in which recording cannot be performed because the recording paper P is nipped by the pair of transport rollers 4. The perforations 12 are provided so that the user can easily cut the margin 16 after the sheet is discharged.
[0062]
The thermal transfer printer 300 of the present embodiment performs printing and overcoating on the printing paper P shown in FIG.
[0063]
Hereinafter, the thermal transfer printer 300 will be described in more detail.
[0064]
In the apparatus main body 1 of the printer 300 shown in FIG. 4, the output shaft of a stepping motor (not shown) is directly connected to the grip roller 41 of the transport roller pair 4 including the pinch roller 42 and the grip roller 41 via a speed reduction mechanism. The rotation of the stepping motor is controlled so that the motor can be freely rotated forward and backward. Since the recording paper P is nipped and transported back and forth by the transport roller pair 4, the recording paper P is also accurately position-controlled by the rotation control of the stepping motor, and is transported and driven.
[0065]
Here, as an example, assuming that the recording pitch for one line by the thermal head 6 is 85 μm and the number of steps of the stepping motor for conveying the recording paper P by one line is four steps, the recording paper P becomes four steps. , It is possible to carry one line (that is, 85 μm). For example, if the printing area 17 shown in FIG. 5 is 144 mm in the transport direction, printing of 1694 lines is possible. To transport the recording paper P by this amount, the stepping motor is rotated by 6,776 steps. Just do it.
[0066]
In FIG. 4, a recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 is provided near the paper feeding roller pair 4, thereby detecting the leading edge of the recording paper. Is sent for a predetermined line and stopped. This position is the above-described position at the start of recording.
[0067]
From this recording start position, first, the thermal head 6 is driven to generate heat according to the recording information from the first yellow (Y) to transfer a predetermined image of each color ink or an overcoat layer. When one color is completed, the recording paper P is conveyed from this position in the direction of the paper discharge roller 9 and the predetermined number of lines are returned again to transfer the YMC color and the overcoat layer four times. Repeat.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, the distance between the recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 and the position where the recording paper P is pressed by the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 is determined by the distance on the recording paper P in consideration of the arrangement of components in the apparatus. Is set to 20 mm, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0069]
Hereinafter, a print sequence in the thermal transfer printer 300 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0070]
First, in step S100, a printing operation is started in response to pressing of a print button (not shown) of the printer 300 or a print instruction from the digital camera 100. Then, in step S110, the printer 300 starts communication with the device that has issued the print instruction by the control circuit 18 inside the apparatus main body 1, confirms various conditions necessary for printing, and if necessary, prints image information to print information. Image processing such as conversion.
[0071]
When the preparation for printing is completed, in step S120, the control circuit 18 drives the motor connected to the paper feed roller 3 to start feeding the recording paper P. Then, in step S130, after the leading edge of the recording paper P is detected by the recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10, the stepping motor is rotated by a predetermined step to start printing. The print start position at this time was set at a position of 12.465 mm from the leading end of the recording paper.
[0072]
Subsequently, in step S140, while rotating the stepping motor by four steps, the thermal head 6 is driven to generate heat to perform printing for one line. By rotating a total of 6776 steps (1694 lines), all printing is completed. The print end position at this time is a position of 156.455 mm from the leading end of the recording paper.
[0073]
Next, in step S150, the stepping motor is rotated by about 10 lines (40 steps) and stopped for deceleration until the printing operation is stopped. Then, from this state, the recording paper P is conveyed in the direction opposite to the printing direction by driving the stepping motor in the reverse direction in step S160, and is returned by a predetermined number of steps (6776 steps minus the deceleration). Rotate a predetermined number of lines (10 lines: about 40 steps) and stop.
[0074]
Then, in step S170, the printing operation in steps S130 to S160 is repeated for three colors of YMC. Thereby, a desired image is transferred and recorded on the recording paper P.
[0075]
Thereafter, in step S180, the overcoat layer is transferred once more to protect the printed screen. In step S190, the stepping motor is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the recording paper P is directly guided to the discharge roller 9, and the recording paper P is discharged by driving the discharge roller 9, thereby completing a series of printing operations.
[0076]
As described above, the control circuit 18 of the printer 300 determines the step number of the stepping motor and the recording paper P based on the leading edge detection signal of the recording paper P detected by the recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 when the recording paper P is fed. It has been described that the positional relationship at the time of conveyance can be grasped, and thereby the actual recording position management is performed by managing the number of rotation drive steps of the stepping motor during the entire printing period. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. At the time of transfer recording of each color of YMC and the overcoat layer, the leading end of the recording paper P is detected by a detection sensor provided at the leading end of the recording paper, and a stepping motor is detected based on the detection signal. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the number of rotation drive steps is managed, ie, the recording position is managed.
[0077]
Also, the example in which the transfer of the overcoat layer is controlled by turning on / off the heat generation drive of the thermal head 6 has been described. However, the heat generation amount is gradually increased at the start of the transfer of the overcoat layer, and is gradually increased at the end of the transfer. May be controlled to reduce the value of.
[0078]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a system in which a digital camera is connected to an image processing apparatus such as a general personal computer and a printer, the image processing apparatus can be operated by simply performing a simple operation from a monitor of the digital camera. It is possible to obtain a printout from the printer without being conscious. That is, printout can be performed as if direct printing from a digital camera is being performed without using a dedicated printer having a direct printing function.
[0079]
Further, since the work for the print processing is unnecessary in the image processing apparatus, the print processing can be performed as the background processing in the image processing apparatus. Therefore, the user can perform other operations in parallel without being aware of the print processing in the image processing apparatus.
[0080]
[Other embodiments]
Note that the present invention is applicable to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a digital camera, a host computer, an interface device, a printer, etc.), but also to a device including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.). ) May be applied.
[0081]
Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to store the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading out and executing the program code stored in the.
[0082]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0083]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. I can do it.
[0084]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where a part of the actual processing is performed and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.
[0085]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an image captured by an imaging apparatus can be printed out from a general image forming apparatus only by operating the operation unit on the imaging apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating print output processing of a captured image according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the printer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording sheet according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print sequence in the printer of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 digital camera
101 mode dial
102 feed button
103 Back button
104 Print button
105 monitor
200 Image processing device
201 control unit
202 Connection detector
203 Power input section
204 Image processing unit
205 Program memory
206 Image information memory
207 monitor
300 printer
400 Printer connection cable
500 Camera connection cable

Claims (18)

An image processing system that connects an imaging device and an image processing device, and an image forming device,
The imaging device,
Imaging means for photographing a subject to obtain an image signal;
Instruction means for instructing output of an image signal imaged by the imaging means,
The image processing device includes:
Image processing means for performing image processing according to the content of the instruction on the image signal whose output is instructed by the instruction means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An image processing system comprising: an image forming unit that forms a visible image based on an image signal processed by the image processing unit. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit of the imaging device includes a monitor screen of the imaging device. The instructing means in the imaging device instructs an output mode of the image signal,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit in the image processing device performs image processing according to the output mode. The image processing system according to claim 3, wherein the image processing unit in the image processing device executes a predetermined image processing program according to the output mode. When the imaging device and the image processing device are connected to each other,
The imaging device notifies the image processing device of its own model information,
By notifying the image processing apparatus itself and information of the image forming apparatus to the imaging apparatus,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the negotiation is performed. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the imaging device includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image signal in accordance with the model information of the image forming device notified by the negotiation. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the image processing unit of the imaging device performs all image processing necessary for output to the image forming apparatus on the image signal. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image processing unit of the image processing apparatus performs only a transfer process to the image forming apparatus for the image signal on which all the image processing has been performed by the image processing unit of the imaging apparatus. The image processing system as described. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is a thermal transfer printer. The image processing device further includes:
Connection detection means for detecting the connection of the imaging device,
When the connection of the imaging device is detected by the connection detection unit, a main power supply of the image processing apparatus itself, and a power supply control unit that turns on a main power supply of the image forming apparatus;
The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: The image processing system according to claim 10, wherein the connection detection unit detects a connection of the imaging device via a cable conforming to a USB standard. The image processing system according to claim 10, wherein the connection detection unit detects the connection of the imaging device via a cable conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus further includes an image forming control unit that controls the image forming apparatus based on an image signal processed by the image processing unit. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit of the imaging apparatus instructs a recording paper size for outputting a captured image signal. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit of the imaging apparatus instructs the number of output imaged image signals. An imaging apparatus and an image processing apparatus, and a control method of an image processing system that connects the image forming apparatus,
In the imaging device,
Instruct the output of the image signal obtained by shooting the subject,
In the image processing apparatus,
For the image signal whose output has been instructed by the imaging device, perform image processing according to the content of the instruction,
In the image forming apparatus,
A control method for an image processing system, wherein a visible image is formed based on an image signal processed by the image processing device. A program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to operate as the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 17 is recorded.

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