JP2004147249A - Image input device and image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To match processing conditions of an image input device and an image output device without performing troublesome setting. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 as the image input device is provided with a CCD (charge coupled device) 12 which fetches object image data, a memory 15 which stores the image data fetched by the CCD 12, an image display part 14 which displays an image based on the image data fetched by the CCD 12 or the image data stored in the memory 15, an interface 19 which transfers the image data stored in the memory 15 to a printer 2 and a system control part 10 which controls them, wherein the system control part 10 transfers image data fetching conditions in the CCD 12 and information attached to the image data stored in the memory 15 to the printer 2 via the interface 19 and acquires setting information transmitted from the printer 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image input device such as a digital still camera and an image output device such as a printer, and relates to a device that controls each other by exchanging information with each other.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image input devices including digital still cameras, digital video cameras and the like have been remarkably popularized, and ordinary people who have used silver halide compact cameras are also using them.
[0003]
Such people have a strong idea that photographs are what they see and print, so there are methods such as printing at a photo shop by handing over a memory card, but it is expected that the number of home prints will increase in the future. .
[0004]
However, it is difficult to understand a method of capturing image data into a PC by connecting a digital camera to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and printing with a printer software, which is common in conventional home printing. Moreover, even the operation of the PC itself is troublesome.
[0005]
In addition, in a digital camera, various selections and settings such as the number of pixels of an image sensor, the number of pixels to be recorded in a built-in memory and a memory card, and the degree of information compression are possible. When printing an image with a small number of recording pixels on a large piece of paper, the image becomes coarse, or when printing with the L size of a small general silver halide photograph requiring only a small number of pixels, recording pixels larger than necessary There is a possibility that the number of shots may be reduced by recording the number of images, wastefully consuming the capacity of the memory.
[0006]
As a method to print without using a PC, some products have a memory card slot in the printer and automatically print when you specify paper, print size, etc. There is a possibility that the photographing condition may be over-spec or conversely under-spec with respect to the print quality.
[0007]
Further, as a technique for printing without the intervention of a PC, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 discloses a technique in which a photographed image is displayed on a liquid crystal display of a digital camera and printing conditions are transmitted to a printer.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-46331
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, not only for beginners but also for people with some experience, setting the optimal number of recording pixels on the camera side for print size and paper quality, and conversely, setting conditions on the printer side for the number of recording pixels In order to do this, you have to compare the instruction manuals of both parties, which requires considerable knowledge and effort.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. That is, the image input apparatus according to the present invention includes: an imaging unit that captures target image data; a storage unit that stores image data captured by the imaging unit; and image data captured by the imaging unit or image data stored in the storage unit. Display means for displaying an image based on the image data, an interface for transferring image data captured by the imaging means or image data stored in the storage means to the image output device, and system control means for controlling these. The control means transfers, to the image output means, the image data acquisition conditions of the image pickup means and the information attached to the image data stored in the storage means via the interface, and acquires the setting information sent from the image output means. To do.
[0011]
Further, the image output device of the present invention includes an interface for transferring image data sent from an external image input device to the inside, a storage unit for storing the image data acquired via the interface, and an image acquisition device for acquiring the image data via the interface. Printing means for printing out the image data or the image data stored in the storage means, and system control means for controlling the image data. And acquiring information attached to the image data, and transferring the image data printing conditions by the printing means to the image input device.
[0012]
According to the present invention, since the system control means of the image input device transfers, via the interface, the conditions for capturing image data in the imaging means and information attached to the stored image data to the image output means, Then, it becomes possible to set image data printing conditions by the printing means using the image data fetching conditions and information attached to the image data.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, since the system control means of the image output device transfers the image data printing condition by the printing means to the image input device via the interface, the image input device matches the image data printing condition. You can now set the capture conditions.
[0014]
That is, since the information of the image input device and the information of the image output device are exchanged via the interface, it is possible to automatically perform device settings that meet the respective conditions.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a digital camera as an image input device and a printer as an image output device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a direct connection between the digital camera and the printer.
[0016]
That is, the digital camera 1 and the printer 2 according to the present embodiment are directly connected by connecting a connector of the cable C to each interface. In the present embodiment, the case where the connection is established by the cable C is taken as an example. However, the data communication may be performed by wireless or infrared without using the cable C.
[0017]
The digital camera 1 includes a lens 11, a lens driving unit 110, a CCD 12, a CCD driver 120, a signal processing unit 13, an image display unit 14, a memory 15, an operation unit 16, a memory card 17, a memory interface 170, a power supply unit 18, and an external interface. 19 and a system control unit 10.
[0018]
The digital camera 1 captures a subject image via a lens 11 and a CCD 12 serving as an image pickup device, processes the signal by a signal processing unit 13, adjusts recording conditions such as the number of recording pixels and compression quality as image data, and displays an image. The information is displayed by the unit 14 or stored in the memory 15.
[0019]
The image data captured by the CCD 12 and processed by the signal processing unit 13 and the image data stored in the memory 15 are sent to the printer 2 via the external interface 19 according to an instruction from the operation unit 16.
[0020]
The printer 2 includes a printer head 21, a display unit 22, a paper transport unit 23, a memory 24, an operation unit 25, a power supply unit 26, an external interface 27, and a system control unit 20.
[0021]
In the printer 2, the size and quality of the paper to be recorded are determined by the system control unit 20 or specified by the operation unit 25. Further, the operation unit 25 can be used to make settings for changing the printing quality such as the type and resolution of ink, bordered printing, borderless printing, and the like. Image data sent from the digital camera 1 is captured via the interface 27 and stored in the memory 24.
[0022]
In the digital camera 1 and the printer 2 described above, in the present embodiment, when the digital camera 1 and the printer 2 are connected by the cable C, or when the power is turned on after the connection by the cable C, the digital camera 1 and the printer 2 2 can exchange information with each other and automatically set the initial setting and the conditions of subsequent operations (photographing and printing).
[0023]
For example, when the digital camera 1 and the printer 2 are connected and the power is turned on, the digital camera 1 is capable of setting a resolution that can be set from the printer 2, a printable paper size, whether roll paper can be used, and borderless printing. Whether or not, what kind of ink can be used, what kind of combination can be used, and information such as the paper size and type and the number of ink colors set at that time. Obtain.
[0024]
In the digital camera 1, the information obtained from the printer 2 and the settings of its own performance and photographing conditions, and the like, and the printing image data and printing conditions need only match when printing, but do not match. In this case, the setting of the digital camera 1 is changed while confirming the user's intention.
[0025]
Further, it is also possible to display the printing conditions and the like acquired from the printer 2 on the image display unit 14 of the digital camera 1 and change the settings of the printer 2 while confirming the user's intention. In this case, the system control unit 10 of the digital camera 1 sends the changed settings of the printer 2 to the printer 2.
[0026]
When printing is performed by the printer 2, an optimum print is performed according to print data such as print pixels and compression ratio. Further, if the user desires, it is possible to print on a large sheet of paper, knowing that the image will be rough, or to print only on the set sheet of paper.
[0027]
The above description is directed to the case where the digital camera 1 having the image display unit 14 is mainly used. However, if there is sufficient display means on the printer 2 side, the printer side is mainly used and the digital camera 1 Performs initial setting and printing of the printer 2 and the digital camera 1 while receiving information of the performance on the side, setting and image information data, comparing the performance of the user with the setting, and confirming the user's intention. Is also good.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart by the digital camera and the printer according to the present embodiment. In this flowchart, a program process executed on the digital camera side is taken as an example.
[0029]
First, when the digital camera and the printer are connected, or when the power is turned on after the connection, data communication with the printer is performed (step S1), and it is determined whether there is image data to be output to the printer (step S1). Step S2).
[0030]
Next, if there is image data, the process proceeds to step S3, where the first image data is displayed on the image display unit of the digital camera. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not this image data is to be printed (step S4). If it is to be printed, the process proceeds to step S5. If no printing is performed, the process proceeds to step S15.
[0031]
When printing, it is determined whether or not the image data and the print settings match (step S5). If they match, printing is performed (step S6). Further, it is determined whether or not there is the next image data (step S7). If there is, the image data is displayed on the image display unit of the digital camera (step S8), and the process returns to step S4.
[0032]
On the other hand, if the image data and the print settings do not match in step S5, the flow advances to step S9 to determine whether to change the printer settings. If the printer setting is to be changed, the process proceeds to step S10, and the setting item to be changed is displayed on the image display unit of the digital camera.
[0033]
Then, the setting item displayed by the operation unit is changed, and it is determined whether the setting has been changed (step S11). If it has been changed, the process proceeds to step S12, where the changed setting content is sent from the interface to the printer, and image data is sent to execute printing (step S12).
[0034]
If the printer settings are not changed in step S9, or if the settings are not changed in step S11, the process proceeds to step S13, where the format of the image data is changed in accordance with the settings of the printer. Is sent to the printer to execute printing (step S14).
[0035]
If it is determined in step S2 that there is no image data to be printed, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the settings of the digital camera and the printer match, and if so, the process ends.
[0036]
On the other hand, if the settings do not match, the process proceeds to step S16, and the maximum paper size to be printed is determined. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the settings of the digital camera and the printer match, and if so, the process ends. If not, the flow advances to step S18 to change the settings of the digital camera.
[0037]
Then, it is again determined whether or not the settings of the digital camera and the printer are the same. If the settings are correct, the process is terminated. If the settings are not correct, the process proceeds to step S20 to set the maximum paper size that can be set. Is displayed on the image display unit of the digital camera, and the process returns to step 16.
[0038]
According to such processing, printing of 1.5 million pixels, which is said to be limited to L-size printing, can be performed as long as L-size paper is set. Also, A4 (JIS standard) paper is set, and A4 printing is possible if the user desires. Even if various numbers of recording pixels are mixed, it is possible to print on paper optimal for the number of recording pixels, or to print only on the paper size set in the printer.
[0039]
Also, the digital camera 1 and the printer 2 can be connected to perform only initial settings. At this time, the settings of the digital camera 1 are set to be optimal for the maximum size of the paper used by the user. Of course, if the user desires, it is also possible to shoot with a smaller number of pixels at the time of shooting to save memory and increase the number of recorded images.
[0040]
Further, the operation described in the above-described flowchart is configured by a program, and may be stored in the digital camera 1 or the printer 2 in advance, or may be separately downloaded from a network or a PC, stored, and executed.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has the following effects. That is, when an image input device and an image output device are directly connected and an image is printed without using a personal computer, the settings of each device can be automatically adjusted. It is possible to set image capturing conditions that match the printing conditions of the image output device without performing cumbersome settings, and it is possible to set printing conditions that match the shooting conditions of the image input device in the image output device. As a result, even a user who is not used to various devices can easily obtain an optimal print output.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera and a printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a direct connection between a digital camera and a printer.
FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 2 ... Printer, 10 ... System control part, 11 lens, 12 ... CCD, 13 ... Signal processing part, 14 ... Image display part, 15 ... Memory, 16 ... Operation part, 17 ... Memory card, 18 ... Power supply unit, 19 interface, 20 system control unit, 21 printer head, 22 display unit, 23 paper transport unit, 24 memory, 25 operation unit, 26 power unit, 27 interface

Claims (7)

Imaging means for capturing target image data;
Storage means for storing the image data captured by the imaging means,
Display means for displaying an image based on image data captured by the imaging means or image data stored in the storage means,
An interface for transferring image data captured by the imaging unit or image data stored in the storage unit to an image output device;
The imaging means, the storage means, the display means, comprising a system control means for controlling the interface,
The system control unit transfers the image data capturing condition in the imaging unit and the information attached to the image data stored in the storage unit to the image output unit via the interface, and sends the information from the image output unit. An image input device for acquiring setting information obtained from the image input device. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays setting information of the image output unit obtained by the system control unit via the interface. 2. The image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the system control unit sets an image data capturing condition of the image capturing unit in accordance with setting information of the image output unit acquired via the interface. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a signal processing unit configured to convert a format of the image data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the setting information of the image output unit acquired by the system control unit via the interface. 2. The image input device according to 1. An interface for internally transferring image data sent from an external image input device,
Storage means for storing the image data obtained via the interface,
A printing unit that prints out image data acquired via the interface or image data stored in the storage unit,
System control means for controlling the interface, the storage means, and the printing means, wherein the system control means transmits, via the interface, image data capture conditions by the image input device and information attached to the image data. And an image output device for acquiring image data printing conditions by the printing means to the image input device. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: display means for displaying information attached to the image data acquired via the interface and the image data capturing condition. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the system control unit sets image data printing conditions of the printing unit in accordance with image data capturing conditions of the image input unit acquired through the interface.

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