JP2004312293A - Picture recording device, generating method of index print and index print generated thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture recording device for generating a plurality of index prints with high utility values by a series of simple operations and to provide a generating method of the index prints and the index prints. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of index print generating means 25 and 26 are arranged. A plurality of index prints different in forms such as a photograph index print and a recording medium index print are collectively generated with a series of simple operations and workability can be improved by using respective pictures generated in a display picture generating means 23. An additional information generating means 24 for generating additional information specifying frame pictures corresponding to respective thumb nail pictures is disposed. Additional information is associated by a plurality of the index prints. Thus, the utility value of the index print itself can be improved. When the index print is generated, various conditions can be set, and the index print which is easily handled can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, an index print creating method, and an index print, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus and an index print creating method for creating an index print based on images of a plurality of input units such as a photographic film and a digital camera. And index prints.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At the time of a simultaneous print service for printing original images on photographic film on photographic paper, a service for digitizing the original images on the photographic film and storing them on a recording medium such as a CD-R at the same time, or in a recording medium attached to a digital camera (Hereinafter referred to as a CD-R writing service) for storing or backing up the image data in another recording medium such as a CD-R or the like is being generalized.
[0003]
In addition, at the time of the simultaneous print service, there is also provided a service of providing an index print in which images recorded on a photographic film are arranged as thumbnail images (reduced images). Since the index print can be checked at a glance with the images recorded on the photographic film, the index print is used again when ordering a photographic print or organizing photographs.
[0004]
The service for creating the index print may be performed in conjunction with the CD-R writing service. For example, the image to be written on the CD-R may be reduced and fitted into a template of the index print created by the simultaneous print service. An index print for -R is created. However, since the index prints created by this method do not match the size of the CD-R and thus have difficulty in being integrated as a product, the label surface of the CD-R (the opposite side of the CD-R from the data writing surface). A service for directly printing a thumbnail image on a print surface, and a service for creating an index print using a template adapted to the shape of a recording medium have also been proposed.
[0005]
For example, JP-A-2002-372755 discloses a first storage unit that stores a plurality of original image data acquired from an image forming medium, a second storage unit that stores a template for creating an index image, A recording apparatus comprising: an index image data creating unit that creates index image data by synthesizing each thumbnail image data of a plurality of original image data with a template; and a writing unit that writes the index image data together with the original image data to a recording medium. A medium writing device has been proposed, and a user can create an index print for a CD-R by himself using index image data recorded on a recording medium.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-372755 (page 3-5, FIG. 2)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the index print is performed in association with the simultaneous print service and the CD-R writing service. However, in the method of printing a thumbnail image on the label surface of the CD-R, the number of frames to be written is limited. In the method of writing index image data on a medium, the user must create an index print by himself, and cannot create a high-definition index print.
[0008]
In addition, the index print for displaying the image recorded on the photographic film and the index print for displaying the image recorded on the recording medium are independent, and must be created separately when using the simultaneous print service or the CD-R writing service. Therefore, there is a problem that work efficiency is low, such as the need to scan the film twice.
[0009]
In addition, since the plurality of index prints created by independent orders are not correlated with each other, for example, it is difficult to understand the correspondence between the thumbnail image of the photo index print and the thumbnail image of the CD-R index print. For users who use various services, even if a plurality of index prints are created, they cannot be used effectively. Further, in the conventional apparatus and method, since various conditions cannot be set when creating an index print, there is a problem that an index print that is easy to handle cannot be provided.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus and an index capable of creating a plurality of useful index prints in a plurality of forms by a series of simple operations. An object of the present invention is to provide a print creating method and an index print created by the method.
[0011]
[Means to solve the problem]
In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image input unit that reads an image recorded on an image recording medium to obtain image data; and an image that converts the input image data by predetermined image processing. Conversion means, print creation means for printing the image converted by the image conversion means, image recording means for recording the image converted by the image conversion means on the image recording medium or another image recording medium, In an image recording device having at least a plurality of processes corresponding to the plurality of processes, creating an index print in which thumbnail images created based on images used in the plurality of processes executed in the image recording device are created. The index prints are collectively created.
[0012]
In the present invention, at least one kind of the plurality of index prints is created in association with print creation processing for printing the image, and at least one other kind of the plurality of index prints is the image print. May be created in association with the recording process of recording the image on the image recording medium.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, the apparatus further comprises means for creating information for identifying the image that is the basis of the thumbnail image, wherein the plurality of index prints include the thumbnail image created based on the same image. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the same information or the information associated with each other is added.
[0014]
Further, in the present invention, the thumbnail image of the index print created along with the print creation process is obtained by converting the image to be printed into a resolution, and the index image created along with the recording process. The print thumbnail image may be a resolution-converted version of the image recorded on the image recording medium.
[0015]
In addition, the method of the present invention includes an image input unit that reads an image recorded on an image recording medium and obtains the image data as image data; an image conversion unit that converts the input image data by a predetermined image processing; A print creation unit for printing the image converted by the unit, and an image recording device having at least an image recording unit for recording the image converted by the image conversion unit on the image recording medium or another image recording medium. A method of creating an index print, wherein for each of a plurality of processes executed by the image recording device, a thumbnail image is created based on an image used in each of the processes, and the thumbnail images are arranged. A plurality of index prints are created collectively.
[0016]
The index print of the present invention is a plurality of index prints in which thumbnail images created based on an image obtained by reading a photographic film or an image obtained by photographing with a digital camera are arranged. In the index print, the thumbnail images created based on the same image have the same or the information associated with each other added thereto.
[0017]
As described above, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a screen on which an index print creation instruction and creation conditions can be set can be displayed by a simple operation, and the image recorded on the photographic film can be simply set by following this screen. A plurality of index prints having different forms, such as an index print for displaying information and an index print for displaying image data to be written on a CD-R, can be collectively created. Therefore, it is not necessary to read the photographic film or take in the image data again, so that the workability can be improved.
[0018]
When creating each index print, the size and layout of the index print can be set, and the index print can be created with image data that matches the image of the photographic print or the image to be recorded on the recording medium. It is possible to provide an index print that is easy to handle according to the user's preference.
[0019]
Further, in the thumbnail image of each index print, additional information specifying the image is recorded, and since the additional information is associated with a plurality of index prints, a plurality of index prints are used in combination. This makes it possible to increase the utility value of the index print itself as compared with a separate and independent index print.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As described in the related art, a service for storing image information read from a photographic film or image data obtained by a digital camera on an image recording medium such as a CD-R has become widespread, and thumbnail images are arranged in each service. There is also a service that provides index prints, but these index prints are created in an order independent of each other, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
[0021]
This problem is caused by the fact that index prints are created independently of each service, but the index prints not only list images used in a given service, but also various services. It is also useful as a means for associating the images used in each other with each other, and especially in today's increasing number of users who use image data in various forms, it is possible to easily obtain index prints that can be widely used. It is necessary to build a simple system.
[0022]
Therefore, in the present invention, using an image recording apparatus having various functions such as development, reading, print creation, recording on a recording medium, and the like of photographic film, image information recorded on photographic film by a series of simple operations In order to improve workability, a plurality of index prints having different forms, such as an index print for displaying an image print and an index print for displaying image data to be written on a CD-R, can be collectively created. In addition to simply arranging the thumbnail images, additional information for specifying each frame image is recorded, and the additional information is associated with a plurality of index prints, thereby increasing the utility value of the index print itself. . Furthermore, various conditions can be set when creating an index print, thereby providing an index print that is easy for a user to handle.
[0023]
【Example】
In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a specific method of creating an index print using an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. I do. FIG. 1 is an external view showing the structure of an image recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration thereof. FIG. 3 is a block diagram in which the means relating to the creation of an index print in the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment has been extracted. FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the procedure for creating the index print of the present embodiment. . 6 to 11 are diagrams showing examples of screen configurations displayed on the display unit of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 12 to 15 are created by the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an index print.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image recording device 1 of the present embodiment includes an image recording unit 2 that records image data captured using various image input means on an image recording medium such as a CD-R, A print creator 3 for developing a photographic film and printing image data on photographic paper to create a photographic print; these are interconnected, and the image recording unit 2 can control the print creator 3 It has become.
[0025]
The image recording unit 2 includes a film scanner unit 4 that reads image information from a developed photographic film 16, a reflection document input device 5 that reads image information from a document such as a photo print 17, and a photograph such as a digital camera 19 or a camera-equipped mobile phone. Reads image data from a shooting device equipped with a shooting function, and stores image data on a shooting device such as a smart media, a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), an SD memory card, a multimedia card, etc. An image input unit such as an image reading unit 6 that reads image data from an input image recording medium 18, and a display unit 8 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal that displays the read image data or displays various screens described later. And an operation unit 9 such as a keyboard, a touch panel and a mouse, and the read image data. A control unit 7 for performing image processing and controlling the operation of the image recording unit 2; and reading image data read out under image recording conditions such as CD-R, DVD-R, and MO under predetermined image recording conditions. An image recording medium 20) and a storage unit 11 for storing a plurality of index print templates and captured image data. Although not shown, the image input unit may have a function of acquiring image data from another computer terminal or server via a communication network using the Internet (wireless / wired), infrared rays, or the like. .
[0026]
The print making unit 3 includes a magazine loading unit 15 for exposing a photosensitive material such as a negative film or a positive film, and an exposure processing unit 13 for developing and drying the exposed photosensitive material, and printing it on photographic paper. A print creation unit 14 for creating a photographic print 21 or an index print 22, a control unit 12 for controlling these operations, a display unit and an operation unit (not shown), and the print creation unit 3 alone performs exposure, development, and printing. Creation processing is possible, and remote operation from the image recording unit 2 is possible.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the image recording apparatus 1 in which the image recording unit 2 and the print creation unit 3 are separately described will be described as an example. However, the image recording unit 2 and the print creation unit 3 are integrated. The image recording apparatus 1 configured as described above can also be used.
[0028]
Next, a configuration of a part related to the creation of an index print in the control unit 7 of the image recording unit 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 7 creates various screens (a home screen, an index setting screen, a first pop-up screen, a second pop-up screen, an image recording condition setting screen, etc., to be described later) displayed on the display unit 8 and clicks the operation unit 9. A display screen creating means 23 for displaying these screens on the display unit 8 in accordance with the operation, and an index print (hereinafter referred to as a photograph) for displaying image information recorded on a photographic film with reference to the template stored in the storage unit 11 Index print creating means 25 for creating an index print (hereinafter referred to as index print), and an index print (hereinafter, referred to as an index print) for displaying image data to be written on a recording medium such as a CD-R with reference to a template stored in the storage unit 11. A second index print creating unit 26 for creating an index print for a recording medium); And additional information creating means 24 for creating additional information associating the thumbnail image of the index print and the recording medium for index print comprises at least. In this case, two index print creation units, the first index print creation unit 25 and the second index print creation unit 26, are provided as index print creation units.
[0029]
FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts of a procedure for creating a plurality of index prints using the image data read from the input image recording medium 18 or the photographic film 16 using the image recording apparatus 1 having the above configuration. 11 to 11 and the configuration example of the index print in FIGS. 12 to 15.
[0030]
First, in step S101, when the image recording unit 2 having the above configuration is activated, in step S102, a reference screen (hereinafter, referred to as a home screen 28) in which processing performed by the image recording unit 2 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. The home screen 28 includes, for example, an exposure / print condition setting column 28a in which items set for a photographic film on which exposure processing and print creation processing are performed in the print creation unit 3 are displayed. , A print setting display column 28c for setting prints to be created and functions to be executed in addition to the prints, a print creation unit operation column 28d for performing setup and maintenance of the print creation unit 3, and the like. Is done.
[0031]
Specifically, for example, in the exposure / print condition setting column 28a, a film mask column for selecting a mask used when exposing the film, a film type column for setting a film type such as negative, positive, black and white, and the like, A print direction column for setting a print direction and a reprint column for setting reprinting are provided. The detailed setting column 28c includes a status column for displaying set conditions, an L size, and a 2L format. Print size field for setting print size such as size, print service field for setting print services such as normal print, ID photo print, etc., and functions that can be performed by using functions associated with print creation and read image data (Hereinafter referred to as the print additional function.) Set the print additional function field and the output type such as color, black and white, sepia, etc. An output type field, an input media space for setting equipment and media for inputting image data such as a digital camera 19 and the input image recording medium 18 is provided that.
[0032]
Next, in step S103, the user selects an image data input method. For example, when the image recording unit 2 is provided with the film scanner unit 4 as a standard, the image data read by the film scanner unit 4 is usually input. A desired button (for example, a digital camera button when reading from the digital camera 19 or another photographing device, a media button when reading from the input image recording medium 18, and an original such as a photo print 17) from the input media column of the screen 28. From the computer, a storage image button when using image data stored in the storage unit 11, and an external PC button when using image data from another computer terminal or server connected via a communication network. Etc.).
[0033]
Next, in step S104, it is selected whether or not to create a photo print 21 using the captured image data. For example, when the photograph print 21 is created, a print size column, a print service column, an output type column, and the like in the detailed setting column 28c of the home screen 28 are set in step S105. If the photograph print 21 is not created, the user selects no printing in the print size field of the detailed setting field 28c of the home screen 28.
[0034]
Next, in step S106, a print additional function is selected. In the image recording unit 2 of the present embodiment, as a print additional function, for example, a function of creating a photograph index print in which read image data is arranged in a reduced size (index button), from photographic film exposure processing to print creation processing (Auto button), a function to create two photo prints 21 (double button), a trial printing function (trial printing button) for confirming the quality of the photo prints 21, A function of outputting to another computer terminal connected via a communication network (external PC button), a function of recording image data on an output image recording medium 20 such as a CD-R (CD-R button), and the like are provided. The image data can be used in various forms. In the following description, a case will be described in which the functions of creating a photo index print and recording on a CD-R are selected from among the above print addition functions. The basic configuration and operation method are the same.
[0035]
First, when the user operates the operation unit 9 such as a mouse to select an index button, an index setting screen 27 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed in step S107. On the index setting screen 27, it is possible to set conditions for creating a photo index print for each of a plurality of input media, and for each setting screen, for example, a layout field for selecting an array of reduced images, A pass frame print field for selecting whether or not to print a frame image (pass frame image) for which no image was created, a date print field for selecting whether or not to print date information on the index print, and an output for selecting a printer to be output A printer column, a sort column for rearranging the arrangement of frame images of a photographic film having a different photographing order like a clear camera in the same manner as a normal photographic film, and a form of the photograph (for example, standard, high-definition, panorama, etc.) Select a CHP display field for selecting whether or not to describe information that can identify the print, and select an output size (width) of the index print. Register the input conditions, an output size field, a number field for selecting the number of index prints to be printed, an index print size setting field for selecting an index print size that can be set for the width set in the output size field. Buttons for setting buttons and input items to default values are displayed. Then, in step S108, the user selects these items and sets the conditions for creating an index print, and then returns to the home screen 28 by clicking a "return" button, a "home" button, or the like.
[0036]
Although it was possible to create index prints for photographs with a conventional image recording apparatus, the conditions that can be set are limited, and it was not possible to create index prints in a form that is easy for the user to use. In the image recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, since a large number of conditions can be set as shown in FIG. 7, an index print customized for each user can be created, and the utility value of the photograph index print itself can be reduced. Can be enhanced.
[0037]
Next, when the user operates the operation unit 9 such as a mouse to move the pointer over the CD-R button and right-clicks, in step S109, the first pop-up screen 29 as shown in FIG. Is displayed so as to be overlapped with a part of the CD-R button on the home screen 28 so as to understand the correspondence. On the first pop-up screen 29, a list of menus that can be set by the selected print additional function is displayed. For example, in the case of the CD-R button, "service selection" for selecting a pre-registered image recording condition, and image data read in a plurality of orders (for example, read from a plurality of photographic films 16) are stored in one CD. "Collective writing" for selecting whether to collectively write to R, "CD-R number" for setting the number of CD-Rs for recording image data, and "Index for designating the number of index prints for recording media""Number of prints", "Index print size" to specify the size of the index print for the recording medium, and "Preview display" to select whether to display on the screen image data to be written before starting recording on the CD-R. "Service setting" to set specific items of image recording conditions displayed in "Service selection", and index print "Indexing" and is displayed for detailed settings related.
[0038]
Next, when the user moves the pointer and selects a desired menu from the first pop-up screen 29, in step S110, the second pop-up screen 30 is displayed corresponding to the menu selected on the first pop-up screen 29. Is done. For example, when "index print number" is selected on the first pop-up screen 29 as shown in FIG. 9, the number of index prints can be selected, and as shown in FIG. When "size" is selected, it is possible to select whether to automatically set the size of the index print or to set a desired size. When “index setting” is selected on the first pop-up screen 29, an index setting screen configured in the same manner as in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the conditions for creating an index print for a recording medium can be set.
[0039]
The settings such as the number of index prints and the index size can also be made on the image recording condition setting screen. For example, when "service setting" is selected on the first pop-up screen 29, an image recording condition setting screen 31 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In the image recording condition setting screen 31, a plurality of image recording conditions (here, ten types of services 1 to 10) can be set, and in each setting screen, for example, a name field for registering a service name And the order No. for selecting the numbering method of the order number. Column, a resolution column for selecting a scan resolution, a BL border cut column for setting recorded image data in the same area as an image to be actually printed, and a save for selecting a folder configuration when saving to a CD-R. A format column, an image format column for selecting a conversion format of image data, a JPEG compression ratio column for selecting a compression ratio when JPEG is selected in the image format column, a scan format column for selecting a scan format, and a CD-ROM. A file system field for selecting an R writing method, and whether or not to perform image processing such as rotation in six frames, color correction, and image format conversion when the input type is the input image recording medium 18 of the digital camera 19. Digital camera / media processing field to be set, and software selection when writing application software along with image data to the recording medium A bundle software field for setting the folder name of the copy destination, a file format field for selecting the format for generating the file name used for the folder configuration, and the paper width of the index print for the recording medium and the number of index prints are specified. An index size field and an index print field, a CDR write number field for setting the number of CD-Rs to be written, a preview display field for setting whether to perform preview display, and the like are displayed. Then, in step S111, items relating to the writing of the CD-R and the creation of the index print for the recording medium are set.
[0040]
In this way, after setting the exposure / printing conditions, the photographic print preparation conditions, the CD-R writing conditions, and the photographic index print and recording medium index print preparation conditions, the photographic film 16 is set in the film scanner unit 4. Is loaded, the input recording medium 18 is loaded into the image reading unit 6, or the execution of the process is instructed using the operation unit 9 or the display unit 8, the process is sequentially performed according to the predetermined conditions.
[0041]
For example, in step S112, the image is captured according to the settings in the exposure / print condition setting field 28a of the home screen 28 and the input media field in the detailed setting field 28c, and when the image is read from the photographic film 16, the process proceeds to step S113. The pre-judgment is performed to judge the suitability of the photographic film 16. Next, in step S114, it is determined whether print creation has been designated by referring to the print size column of the detailed setting column 28c. If print creation has been designated, in step S115, the detailed setting column 28c is determined. Is printed according to the settings in the print size column, print service column, and output type column.
[0042]
Next, in step S116, it is determined whether or not a photo index print is to be created by referring to whether or not the index print button in the detailed setting field 28c has been selected. In accordance with the settings on the index setting screen 27, for example, the photographic index print 32 as shown in FIG.
[0043]
For example, in the photo index print 32, thumbnail images 32a obtained by resolution-converting frame images recorded on the photographic film 16 are displayed in an array, and each thumbnail image 32a has a frame image number of the photographic film 16 and a thumbnail image 32a. The additional information 32b created by the additional information creating means 24, such as a number assigned according to a predetermined rule, is displayed, and each thumbnail image 32a can be specified. Also, index identification information 32c for specifying the photo index print 32, date and time information 32d when the photo index print 32 was created, and the like are displayed so that the user can easily use the index print 32. Note that FIG. 12 is an example, and the image conversion conditions and size of the photo index print 32, the size and arrangement of the thumbnail images 32a, the information to be displayed together with the thumbnail images 32, and the like can be arbitrarily set. Further, the photo print 21 and the thumbnail image 32a created using the predetermined frame image may be the same image or different image conversions. However, when the same image is displayed, the photo index print 32 When a photo print is ordered again by using, the effect of eliminating an order error is obtained.
[0044]
In addition, although the index identification information 32c is described in the photograph index print 32 of FIG. 12, when a large number of photograph index prints 32 are created using a large number of photographic films 16, the correspondence between them is not known. It is thought that it will disappear. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a photographic film storage section 32e for storing the photographic film 16 is provided in the photographic index print 32 so that the photographic index print 32 and the photographic film 16 can be stored integrally. Can also be configured.
[0045]
Next, in step S118, it is determined whether or not the image data is to be written on the CD-R by referring to whether the CD-R button in the detailed setting field 28c has been selected. Writes the selected image data on the output image recording medium 20 such as a CD-R in step S119 according to the “service selection” on the first pop-up screen 29 and the settings on the image recording condition setting screen 31.
[0046]
Next, in step S120, it is determined whether or not to create an index print for a recording medium by referring to the index print number field and the index size field of the first pop-up screen 29 and the image recording condition setting screen 31 to create the index print. In step S121, according to the settings of the above items, the printing of the recording medium index print 33 as shown in FIG. 13, for example, is performed using the second index creating means 26.
[0047]
The index print 33 for a recording medium is displayed, for example, by arranging frame images recorded on a CD-R as thumbnail images 33a obtained by converting the resolution, and each thumbnail image 33a has additional information for specifying the frame image. Are also displayed, and index identification information 33c for specifying the recording medium index print 33 and date and time information 33d when the image data was written are displayed. The configuration of FIG. 13 is also an example, and the size of the recording medium index print 33, the image conversion conditions, the size, the arrangement of the thumbnail images 33a, the information recorded together with the thumbnail images 33a, and the like can be arbitrarily set. In the case where image data is recorded on the MO, the index print 33 for the recording medium can be created according to the size of the MO. Also, if the index identification information 33c or information corresponding thereto is described on the label surface of the CD-R, the correspondence between the recording medium index print 33 and the CD-R can be clarified. Similarly to the photo index print, the image recorded on the recording medium and the thumbnail image 33a may be the same image or different image conversions may be performed. When the service is used using the index print 33, an effect of eliminating an order error can be obtained.
[0048]
Here, in the conventional index print for a recording medium, additional information for specifying a frame image may be described in each thumbnail image, but the additional information is not unified among a plurality of index prints. It was not possible to identify which frame image of the photographic film 16 was written on the CD-R. On the other hand, in the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the additional information of the photograph index print 32 and the recording medium index print 33 is associated by the additional information creating unit 24, and the same name or the associated name is assigned. Since each thumbnail image is described in correspondence with the thumbnail image, for example, the user can easily determine which frame image of the photographic film 16 is recorded on the CD-R just by looking at the recording medium index print 33. can do.
[0049]
Further, in order to clarify the correspondence between the photo index print 32 and the recording medium index print 33, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, as information to be added to the thumbnail image 32a of the photo index print 32, Information (for example, characters, markers, etc.) that can identify the frame image recorded on the CD-R is displayed, and, conversely, the frame image in which the photo print 21 is created on the recording medium index print 33 can be identified. It can also be displayed. The association information in FIG. 15 is an example, and may have any configuration such as inserting a predetermined character into the additional information, displaying a predetermined marker before the additional information, and adding a frame to the corresponding thumbnail image. can do. By associating the photo index print 32 and the recording medium index print 33 in this manner, the utility value of each index print can be increased, and an index print that is easy for the user to handle can be provided.
[0050]
In FIG. 5, each process is shown in time series for convenience. However, printing of the print 21, printing of the index print for photo 32, writing to the CD-R, and printing of the index print for recording medium 33 are performed in this order. It is not necessary to perform any of the processes (for example, writing to a CD-R and burning the index print 33 for a recording medium) at the same time. Can be shortened.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image recording apparatus and the index print producing method of the present invention, and the index print produced by the method, the following effects can be obtained.
[0052]
A first effect of the present invention is that a plurality of index prints having different forms, such as a photo index and a recording medium index, can be created by a series of simple operations, and labor saving during processing can be achieved. It is possible.
[0053]
The reason is that a plurality of index print creation conditions can be set on a screen displayed by the image recording apparatus, and a plurality of index prints are created collectively according to the set conditions.
[0054]
A second effect of the present invention is that the utility value of the index print itself can be increased.
[0055]
The reason for this is that additional information creating means is provided in the image recording apparatus, and additional information unified by a plurality of index prints is recorded in a thumbnail image of each index print. Also, when creating an index print, various creation conditions can be set on a screen provided in advance.
[0056]
A third effect of the present invention is that error-free processing can be performed even when a photographic print is created again.
[0057]
The reason is that the index print is created using image data that matches the image printed on the photographic print or the image recorded on the image recording medium, so that the correspondence between them can be clarified. Because.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating units related to index print creation of the image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an index print according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an index print according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen (home screen) displayed on the image recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen (index setting screen) displayed on the image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen (first pop-up menu screen) displayed on the image recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of a screen (second pop-up menu screen) displayed on the image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a screen (second pop-up menu screen) displayed on the image recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen (image recording condition setting screen) displayed on the image recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a photo index print according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of an index print for a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another configuration of a photo index print according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another configuration of a photo index print according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image recording device 2 image recording unit 3 print creation unit 4 film scanner unit 5 reflective original input device 6 image reading unit 7 control unit 8 display unit 9 operation unit 10 image writing unit 11 storage unit 12 control unit 13 exposure processing unit 14 Print creation unit 15 Magazine loading unit 16 Photo film 17 Photo print 18 Input image recording medium 19 Digital camera 20 Output image recording medium 21 Photo print 22 Index print 23 Display screen creation means 24 Additional information creation means 25 First index print creation Means 26 Second index print creation means 27 Index setting screen 28 Home screen 28a Exposure / print condition setting field 28b Print status display field 28c Detailed setting field 28d Print creation device operation means 29 First pop-up screen 30 Second pop-up screen 31 Image recording Condition setting section 32 photographic index print 32a thumbnail image 32b additional information 32c index identification information 32d date information 32e photographic film storing unit 32f association information 33 recording medium for index print 33a thumbnail image 33b additional information 33c index identification information 33d date information

Claims (15)

Image input means for reading an image recorded on an image recording medium to obtain image data, image conversion means for converting the input image data by predetermined image processing, and printing the image converted by the image conversion means In the image recording apparatus having at least an image recording unit for recording the image converted by the image conversion unit and a print creation unit for performing the image conversion on the image recording medium or another image recording medium,
Create an index print in which thumbnail images are created based on images used in a plurality of processes executed by the image recording apparatus. Create a plurality of index prints corresponding to the plurality of processes collectively An image recording apparatus, comprising: At least one type of the plurality of index prints is created in association with a print creation process for printing the image, and at least one other type of the plurality of index prints stores the image on an image recording medium. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is created in association with a recording process for recording. Means for creating information that identifies the image that is the basis of the thumbnail image, wherein the plurality of index prints are the same or associated with each other with the thumbnail image created based on the same image. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information is added. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image of the index print created in association with the print creation processing is a resolution-converted image of the image to be printed. 5. apparatus. The thumbnail image of the index print created in association with the recording process is obtained by converting the resolution of the image recorded on the image recording medium. An image recording apparatus as described in the above. Image input means for reading an image recorded on an image recording medium to obtain image data, image conversion means for converting the input image data by predetermined image processing, and printing the image converted by the image conversion means And an image recording device for recording an image converted by the image converting device on the image recording medium or another image recording medium. ,
For each of the plurality of processes executed by the image recording apparatus, a thumbnail image is created based on the image used in each of the processes, and a plurality of index prints in which the thumbnail images are arranged are created collectively. A method for creating an index print, comprising: At least one type of the plurality of index prints is created in association with a print creation process for printing the image, and at least one other type of the plurality of index prints stores the image on an image recording medium. 7. The index print creating method according to claim 6, wherein the index print is created in association with a recording process for recording. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein a recording process of recording the image on the image recording medium and a process of creating the index print accompanying the recording process are simultaneously performed. Method. When creating the plurality of index prints, create information identifying the image that is the basis of the thumbnail image, and the thumbnail images created based on the same image are the same or associated with each other. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein information is added. The index print according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the thumbnail image of the index print created in association with the print creation process is a resolution-converted image of the image to be printed. How to create The thumbnail image of the index print created in association with the recording process is obtained by converting the resolution of the image recorded on the image recording medium. How to make the described index print. A plurality of index prints in which thumbnail images created based on images obtained by reading photographic film or images obtained by photographing with a digital camera are arranged,
The plurality of index prints are characterized in that the same or associated information is added to the thumbnail images created based on the same image. At least one type of the plurality of index prints is created in association with a print creation process for printing the image, and at least one other type of the plurality of index prints stores the image on an image recording medium. 13. The index print according to claim 12, wherein the index print is created in association with a recording process for recording. 14. The index print according to claim 12, further comprising means for storing the photographic film on which the image is recorded in the index print created in association with the print creation processing. The identification information identical to or associated with the identification information recorded on the image recording medium main body is recorded in the index print created in association with the recording process, according to claim 12 or 13, wherein The index print described.

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