JP2004348623A - Image processor, image processing method, and program for image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor whose cost can be reduced by sharing layout processing even when it is connected to various data and devices, and to provide an image processing method and a program for image processing. <P>SOLUTION: Image data are inputted to a BIP profile 4 and temporarily stored in a buffer 5. When the image data are required, a request is outputted to a file system 18, which outputs an image reading instruction to a drive for reading images by using a file name with a drive letter. In the case of document data, a BPP profile 6 accesses a sender by "Bluetooth(R)" and acquires image data on the basis of the reading instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for image processing that share page layout processing even when various types of data to be printed are input.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that print image data input by various communication methods are known. In addition to printing apparatuses that perform printing by directly connecting cables such as RS-232C and USB cables, printing apparatuses that perform printing by wireless communication such as Bluetooth and IrDA (Infrared Data Association) have recently become known. Was. Accordingly, the types of devices connected to the printing apparatus have been increasing.
[0003]
On the other hand, the spread of the Internet has increased the opportunity to print home pages displayed on personal computer screens. Such a homepage is generally described in a structured description language such as an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) language or an XML (extensible Markup Language) language which does not depend on a specific application. Since such a language has no concept of a page, it is necessary to determine a print layout in order to perform printing. For this reason, a technology is disclosed in which a layout is determined on a personal computer, the information is transmitted to a server, and document data in which a print layout is determined based on the information is created and printed (for example, Patent Document 1). ).
[0004]
Also, when printing image data from a digital camera, it is also known that the digital camera transmits image size information to a printing device, and the printing device determines an image layout based on the information and performs printing. (For example, Patent Document 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2002-219845
[0006]
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-33992
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a printing apparatus that can be connected to various devices by various communication methods, it is necessary to perform image data layout processing according to the type of input data, the type of communication method, and the type of device. The increase in the type of communication system, the type of connection device, and the type of input data causes an increase in development costs for layout processing, and further increases the hardware and software modules of the printing apparatus, thereby increasing costs. There was a problem.
[0008]
In particular, the layout processing differs between when image data is directly input by wireless communication and when document data described in the XHTML language or the like is input and image data included in the document is input later. In this case, it is necessary to separately configure the layout processing and the subsequent processing for printing, which also causes a problem of increasing the cost.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for image processing that reduce the cost by sharing layout processing even when connected to various data and devices.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus having a layout determining unit, when the layout determining unit acquires image data from the input unit, the layout generating unit generates drive information on an input destination of the image data, An image is acquired according to:
[0011]
Further, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that the image processing apparatus includes a plurality of the input units. Further, in the image processing apparatus, when the layout determining unit specifies acquisition of image data in a predetermined unit by data including the drive information, the input unit converts the image data from the acquisition destination of the image data indicated by the drive information into a predetermined unit. It is characterized by being acquired by.
[0012]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus, comprising: first input means for inputting first image data; and a first input means for inputting document data described in a predetermined language. Layout determining means for determining the layout of the first image data or document data on the print medium, respectively, and generating drive information on the input destination of the first image data or document data; Instructing the first input means to read image data or the second input means to acquire the second image data specified by the reference character string included in the document data in accordance with the drive information generated by the determining means Image data reading means, and first input means based on information on the layout determined by the layout determining means. Is characterized in that it comprises a printing unit for printing the second image data acquired by the first image data or the second input means read et, a. Thus, for example, the layout processing can be shared regardless of whether the document data is input or the image data is directly input, and an image processing apparatus that reduces costs can be provided.
[0013]
Further, in the image processing apparatus, the first input unit further includes a storage unit for storing first image data input to the first input unit, and the image data reading unit stores the first image data from the drive information. , The first image data is read out, and the printing unit prints the first image data read out from the storage unit. Thus, for example, it is possible to easily read the first image from the storage unit based on the drive information and perform the printing process using the determined print layout.
[0014]
Further, in the image processing apparatus, when the second input unit is instructed to acquire the second image data from the image data reading unit, the second input unit instructs to read the second image data stored in the external device. Data is output to an external device to obtain second image data. As a result, for example, image data stored in a file included in the document data can be read from an external device, and printing processing can be performed on the document data according to the determined layout.
[0015]
Further, in the above-described image processing apparatus, the document data and the second image data input to the second input unit are input by wireless communication. Thus, for example, the image processing apparatus and the external device that stores the second image can perform the printing process without directly using the cable.
[0016]
Further, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that the document data is document data described in the XHTML language. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to print the characters and images displayed on the homepage in the image processing apparatus.
[0017]
Further, in the above image processing apparatus, one layout is selected from a plurality of layouts with respect to the first image data input to the first input means, and layout identification indicating the selected one layout is performed. The information processing apparatus further includes a layout setting unit that outputs information, and the layout determining unit determines a layout for the first image data based on the layout identification information input from the layout setting unit. This allows the user to easily determine the layout, for example, since only a desired layout needs to be selected from a plurality of layouts for the first image.
[0018]
Further, in the image processing apparatus, the layout information output from the layout determining means includes information on a position of the first image or the second image on the print medium and the first image or the second image to be printed. And information relating to the width of the image. As a result, the layout information can be used in common, such as in the subsequent print processing, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0019]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method, wherein first image data is input via a first input unit or described in a predetermined language via a second unit. A first step in which the document data is input, a layout of the first image data or the document data on the print medium are respectively determined, and drive information on an input destination of the first image data or the document data is generated. In accordance with the second step and the drive information generated in the second step, the image data is read from the first input means or specified by the reference character string included in the document data to the second input means. A third step of instructing acquisition of the second image data, and a first input means based on the information on the layout determined in the second step by the third step Is characterized by comprising a fourth step of printing a second image data acquired by the first image data or the second input means read et, a. Accordingly, for example, the layout processing can be shared even when document data is input or when image data is directly input, and an image processing method that reduces costs can be provided.
[0020]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first image processing apparatus, wherein first image data is input via a first input means or document data described in a predetermined language is input via a second means. And a second process of determining the layout of the first image data or document data on the print medium, respectively, and generating drive information regarding the input destination of the first image data or document data. According to the drive information generated in the processing of the above, reading of the image data for the first input means or acquisition of the second image data designated by the reference character string included in the document data for the second input means The first image data or the second input read out from the first input unit by the third processing based on the third processing to be instructed and the information on the layout determined in the second processing. It is characterized in that a program for image processing to be executed and a fourth process for printing a second image data acquired by the step, to the computer. Thereby, for example, even when document data is input or image data is directly input, layout processing can be shared, and a program for reducing costs without increasing the number of program modules is provided. can do.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied.
[0023]
The image processing apparatus 1 includes a USB interface (I / F) 2, a BIP profile 4, a BPP profile 6, buffers 3, 5, 7, control panels 8, 15, a layout generator 9, a memory card I / F 16, It mainly includes an RGB developing unit 17, a file system 18, a color conversion processing unit 20, and a print engine 21.
[0024]
The USB I / F 2 is connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, serves as an interface with the image processing apparatus 1, and receives data such as image data (for example, JPEG data) via the USB cable. Has become. The input data to be printed (for example, image data) is output to the buffer 3. The USB I / F 2 outputs a control signal for instructing layout data generation to the internal layout data generation unit 10.
[0025]
The buffer 3 is connected to the USB I / F 2 and temporarily stores print target data output from the USB I / F 2. The stored data is output to the RGB developing unit 17 according to a file read command from a file system 18 described later.
[0026]
The BIP profile 4 is connected to a sender side (for example, a digital camera or the like) that transmits image data to be printed or the like by wireless connection using Bluetooth. The BIP profile 4 is also connected to a buffer 5, an internal layout data generation unit 10, and a document creation unit 14. The BIP profile 4 has a function of transmitting and receiving commands and the like by Bluetooth, and can receive image data to be printed by transmitting and receiving a series of commands.
[0027]
Here, Bluetooth will be briefly described. Bluetooth is composed of various profiles, and commands and the like transmitted and received are different for each profile. Among them, BIP (Basic Imaging Profile) is a basic profile for transmitting image data. In particular, for data relating to print control, in the BIP, encoding information of image data (information indicating whether a transmitted image is GIF, bitmap, JPEG, etc.) and its size (the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the image, Information such as the number of bytes of the image itself).
[0028]
On the other hand, BPP (Basic Printing Profile) further stores various information for printing conditions such as the size of printing paper (A4, A3, etc.), printing layout (single-sided printing, double-sided printing, etc.), and the number of copies. The document can be transmitted and received in units, and a document described in XHTML can be printed. The XHTML can describe a file name (reference character string) of a file in which image data is stored. By referring to the file name, a document including an image can be printed. A series of processes from transmission and reception of the BIP and BPP data by Bluetooth to printing will be described later.
[0029]
Returning to FIG. 1, the BIP profile 4 outputs the image data to the buffer 5 upon receiving the image data to be printed transmitted by Bluetooth. Further, it outputs a control signal instructing generation of layout data to the layout selected by the control panel 8 to the internal layout data generation unit 10. Further, a control signal for instructing document creation for the HTML document selected by the control panel 15 is also output. In this manner, since the sender side such as a digital camera and the image processing apparatus 1 are connected by wireless communication, the user can easily perform printing without complicated wiring without directly using a cable. It becomes possible.
[0030]
The buffer 5 temporarily stores the image data output from the BIP profile 4. Like the buffer 3, the stored image data is read by a file read command from a file system 18, which will be described later, and output to the RGB developing unit 17. The buffer 5 is configured to accumulate, for example, image data for one dot line or a plurality of line dots in one image. The BIP profile 4 is configured to receive a predetermined amount of image data for one dot line or a plurality of line dots from a device on the sender side, and the buffer 4 is configured to accumulate the transmitted data. As a result, the storage capacity of the buffer 5 can be suppressed, and the cost of the entire image processing apparatus 1 can be reduced by using an inexpensive buffer. Of course, the present invention may be configured to accumulate image data for one image or a plurality of images without being limited to this.
[0031]
The BPP profile 6 is connected to the sender side (for example, a digital camera) by wireless communication using Bluetooth, and is also connected to the buffer 7. The BPP profile 6 is for transmitting and receiving data to and from the sender side by BPP of the above-mentioned Bluetooth. Data for printing conditions and the like are described in XHTML (extensible Hyper Text Markup Language) language, and the BPP profile 6 that has received this document data outputs this data to the buffer 7.
[0032]
The buffer 7 is connected to the XHTML parser 11 while being connected to the BPP profile 6. When the document data output from the BPP profile 6 is temporarily stored, for example, all the document data to be printed is temporarily stored, the data is output to the XHTML parser 11.
[0033]
The control panel 8 is connected to the card I / F 16 and to the internal layout data generator 10. A layout for printing displayed on the panel 8, for example, a case where one image is printed on paper, a case where a plurality of images are printed on paper, and the like can be set. The user can determine the layout by, for example, operating a button, and output an identification number (layout ID) for each layout to the internal layout generating unit 10. Since it is only necessary to select a desired layout from a plurality of layouts for the image input to the BIP profile 4, the user can easily determine the layout. The card I / F 16 will be described later.
[0034]
The layout generation unit 9 includes an internal layout generation unit 10, an XHTML parser 11, a DOM layouter 12, and an internal layout data conversion unit 13 as a whole.
[0035]
The internal layout data generation unit 10 is connected to the USB I / F 2, the BIP profile 4, and the control panel 8, and is also connected to the RGB development unit 17. A control signal indicating a layout generation instruction from the BIP profile 4 or the USB I / F 2, data indicating a layout ID selected on the panel 8, and a file name of an image file stored in the memory card are input, and a drive letter is input together with the layout data. Generates and outputs the attached file name.
[0036]
The layout data is data composed of position coordinates (two-dimensional coordinates) of a frame for printing an image or a character on a print sheet, and a width and a length of the frame indicating the size of the frame. An example is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows one print sheet as a whole, and shows that predetermined characters and images are printed in a frame having, for example, position coordinates (X1, Y1), horizontal width W1, and vertical width H1. Here, the position coordinates indicate the position of the upper left corner in the frame.
[0037]
The file name with the drive letter is composed of the drive name to which the image data is input and the file name of the image data. Specifically, here, the drive name is expressed, such as whether the image data to be printed is input from the BIP profile 4 or input from the USB I / F 2, and the file name of the image data is displayed. This is the expressed data. For example, if the image data is input from the BIP profile 4 and its file name is “Img.JPG”, the file name with the drive letter is displayed as “BIP: Img.JPG”. Similarly, in the case of USB I / F2, "USB: Img.JPG" is displayed.
[0038]
As for the file name of the image data, for the image data stored in the buffers 3 and 5, a predetermined file name is created in advance by the internal layout data generation unit 10, and the file name is added to the image data. It has become. Of course, it is also conceivable to create a file name with the BIP profile 4 and output it to the internal layout data generation unit 10 to create a file name with a drive letter based on this file name.
[0039]
When a memory card is inserted into the image processing apparatus 1 via the card I / F 16, an image file name is output from the card I / F 16 to the control panel 8, and an image file to be printed is selected by a predetermined operation. The data is output to the internal layout data generation unit 10. Therefore, when printing an image from the memory card, the file name is output from the panel 8.
[0040]
The internal layout data generating unit 10 outputs the internal layout data indicating the position coordinates and the length of the width and the file name with the drive letter to the file system 17.
[0041]
The XHTML parser 11 is connected to the buffer 7 and a document creation unit 14 described later, and is also connected to the DOM layouter 12. The document data described in the XHTML language output from the buffer 7 is input, interprets the data, creates an internal tree, and outputs data of each node of the tree. This example will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0042]
FIG. 2 shows an example of document data described in the XHTML language, which is input from the sender side of a digital camera or the like to the XHTML parser 11 via the BPP profile 6 and the buffer 7. At the beginning and end of the document data in FIG. 2, there are tags <XHTML> and </ XHTML> indicating that the data has been created in the XHTML language. One document data starts with a tag <XHTML> and ends with a tag </ XHTML>. The tag <p> indicates the beginning of a paragraph, and the tag </ p> indicates the end of the paragraph. In the document of FIG. 2, it is composed of three paragraphs. The <IMG> tag indicates that image data is included, and in the example of FIG. 2, indicates that image data is represented by a file name “CCC.JPG”.
[0043]
First, the XHTML parser 11 generates a tree for each attribute, for example, for elements expressed in the XHTML language, and sorts elements having the same attribute into each node to generate a tree structure (tree). Thereby, subsequent printing and the like are effectively performed. FIG. 3 shows an example of this internal tree. Actually, the tree is represented by a predetermined code, but is shown as in FIG. 3 for the sake of simplicity.
[0044]
In the example of FIG. 2, there are a total of three tags <p> having the same attribute, so three nodes are created for the tag <p>. The elements of each tag are “AAA” and “BBB”, which are character expressions, and “CCC.JPG” which indicates a file name of image data. Therefore, the document data expressed in the XHTML language shown in FIG. 2 generates an internal tree composed of three nodes as shown in FIG.
[0045]
Then, returning to FIG. 1, the XHTML parser 11 sends the data of each node of the created tree (in the example of FIG. 3, three character data “AAA”, “BBB”, and “CCC.JPG”) to the DOM layouter 12. Output.
[0046]
The DOM (Document Object Model) layouter 12 is connected to the XHTML parser 11 and to the internal layout data conversion unit 13. The data of each node (“AAA”, “BBB”, “CCC.JPG” in FIG. 3) output from the XHTML parser 11 is input, and the position information on the printing paper and the It outputs data consisting of width information (length of width and length of width). An example is shown in FIG.
[0047]
As described above, the entire frame in FIG. 4 indicates the frame of the printing paper, and indicates the layout of what position to print for each node. For example, the character "AAA" indicates that the character is to be printed in a frame having a length H1 and a width W1 from the position (X1, Y1) on the printing paper. Similarly, the character "BBB" indicates that printing is to be performed on a frame having a size of vertical H2 and horizontal W2 from the position (X2, Y2). “CCC.JPG” is data indicating a file name in which image data is stored, rather than printing character data, and the size of the image from the position (X3, Y3) to the height H3 and the width W3. Indicates that the image is to be printed in the frame.
[0048]
The position coordinates displayed in the two-dimensional coordinates and the length of the width are output from the DOM layouter 12. Further, data indicating that each character or image is to be inserted into this frame is also output.
[0049]
The internal layout data converter 13 is connected to the DOM layouter 12 and to the file system 17. Data such as position coordinates output from the DOM layouter 12 is input, and data indicating a file name with a drive letter is generated together with the layout data and output to the RGB developing unit 17.
[0050]
The layout data is data indicating the input position coordinates and the width thereof. The file name with a drive letter indicates that the image data is to be input from the BPP profile 6 and is composed of a drive name “BPP” and a file name “CCC.JPG” of the image data. CCC.JPG ". These data are created by the internal layout data conversion unit 13 and output to the RGB development unit 17 together with the internal layout data.
[0051]
The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a document creation unit 14 and a control panel 15. The control panel 15 is connected to the document creation means 14 and allows a user to select a desired HTML document by operating an operation button or the like from a plurality of HTML document templates displayed on the panel. For example, a document as shown in FIG. 2 can be selected. An identification number (template ID) indicating the selected document is generated and output to the document creation means 14.
[0052]
The document creation unit 14 receives the template ID from the control panel 15 and a control signal indicating an instruction to create an XHTML document from the BIP profile 4 and generates an XHTML document selected on the panel 15. Become. The generated XHTML data is output to the XHTML parser 11, where the same processing as the above-described BPP processing is performed, and the internal layout data conversion unit 13 creates a file name with a drive letter.
[0053]
In this case, since the document data (or image data) is from the BIP profile 4, the internal layout data conversion unit 13 creates a file with a drive letter with a drive name of "BIP". It is necessary to distinguish between the data from the BPP profile 6 and the data from the BIP profile 4. However, since information about the image or document acquisition source is also output from the BPP profile 6 and the BIP profile 4, this is input. When creating a file name with a drive letter, the internal layout data conversion unit 13 creates the file name as “BIP” or “BPP” according to the drive name to distinguish them.
[0054]
Further, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a card I / F 16. The card I / F 16 serves as an interface with a memory card inserted into the image processing apparatus 1, and when a memory card is inserted, the file name of an image file stored in the card is transmitted via the card I / F 16. Output to the control panel 8. In the present embodiment, a memory card is described below as a storage device.
[0055]
The image to be printed can be selected from the file name on the panel 8, and information on the selected file name and the selected print layout is output from the panel 8 to the internal layout data generation unit 10. The internal layout data generation unit 10 generates a file name with a drive letter together with the layout data as in the case of BIP or the like. In this case, the file name with the drive letter is expressed, for example, as “card: 001.JPG”. The file name is output to the RGB developing unit 17 together with the layout data.
[0056]
Therefore, in the case of a memory card, the internal layout data generating unit 10 generates a file name with a drive letter from the file name from the panel 8 and, for image data from USB2 or BIP4, uses a file name stored in advance. A file name with a drive letter is created as the file name of the image data.
[0057]
In the case of USB2 and BIP4, it is necessary to create this file name while distinguishing the drive name. In this case, too, for example, information on the acquisition source of the image data is output from the USB I / F2 and the BIP profile 4, respectively. Based on this information, it is possible to create a file name with a drive letter that is distinguished from each other.
[0058]
The RGB developing unit 17 is connected to the internal layout data generating unit 10 and the internal layout data converting unit 13, and is also connected to the file system 18 and the color conversion processing unit 20. The internal layout data and data indicating a file name with a drive letter are input from the internal layout data generation unit 10 and the internal layout data conversion unit 13, and a function is called for each predetermined pixel or dot unit to execute RGB (red, green). , Blue) expands and generates 8-bit gradation data.
[0059]
When the image data to be printed is subjected to RGB development, only the internal layout data and the file name with the drive letter are output from the internal layout data generation unit 10 and the internal layout data conversion unit 13, and the image data to be developed Is not output. Therefore, information about the acquisition destination (drive) of the image data to be read is obtained from the file name with the drive letter, and the process of actually reading the image data from the acquisition destination is performed. The read image data is input to the RGB developing unit 17 to perform RGB developing.
[0060]
In order to realize this processing, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a file system 18 and a virtual drive database 19 as shown in FIG.
[0061]
The file system 18 is connected to the RGB development unit 17 and to a virtual drive database 19. From the RGB developing unit 17, a file name with a drive letter is input together with a command for instructing acquisition of image data. The file system 18 that has received this command searches the virtual drive database 19 for a location (drive) to be accessed in order to obtain image data.
[0062]
The virtual drive database 19 is a database including information on a drive name (virtual drive name) and an actual image data acquisition destination (a place where an image data read command is issued). In the example shown in FIG. 1, when the drive name is “BPP”, the destination where the actual image reading command is issued is “BPP profile 6”. Similarly, when the drive name is "BIP", the destination where the read command is issued is "buffer 5", when it is "card", it is "memory card I / F16", and when it is "USB", it is "buffer 3".
[0063]
The file system 18 reads the drive name from the file name with the drive letter, obtains information on the destination of the read command that matches the drive name of the virtual drive database 19, and actually issues an image data read command to the drive. It does.
[0064]
For example, when the file name with the drive letter is “BIP: Img.JPG”, the file system 18 reads “BIP” from this file name and accesses the virtual drive database 19. Then, information “buffer 5” on the acquisition source that matches “BIP” on the database is obtained. Thereafter, the file system 18 issues a read command to the buffer 5 to read the image data (Img.JPG), reads the image data stored in the buffer 5, and outputs the read image data to the RGB developing unit 17.
[0065]
Similarly, in the case of “BPP: CCC.JPG”, the file system 18 reads the drive name “BPP” from the file name with the drive letter, obtains “BPP profile 6” from the virtual drive database 19, and obtains the BPP profile. , A read command is issued to obtain image data (CCC.JPG). Then, the BPP profile 6 acquires image data through a series of Bluetooth communication and outputs the image data to the RGB developing unit 17.
[0066]
If the file name with the drive letter is “card: 001.JPG”, the file system 18 reads the drive name “card”, obtains “memory card I / F16” from the virtual drive database 19, and An instruction to read image data (001.JPG) is issued to the I / F 16. The memory card I / F 16 reads an image file (001.JPG) from the memory card inserted in the image processing apparatus 1 and outputs the image file (001.JPG) to the RGB developing unit 17.
[0067]
Further, when the file name with the drive letter is “USB: Img.JPG”, the file system 18 reads “USB”, obtains “buffer 3” from the virtual drive database 19, and instructs the buffer 3 to read image data. I do. The image data stored in the buffer 3 is read by this command and output to the RGB developing unit 17.
[0068]
Thus, the image data is actually input from the BPP profile 6, the buffer 5, the memory card I / F 16, and the buffer 3 to the RGB developing unit 17. Therefore, the RGB developing unit 17 is also connected to the BPP profile 6, the buffer 5, the memory card I / F 16, and the buffer 3. Then, the RGB developing unit 17 also performs RGB developing on the input image data, for example, generates gradation image data composed of 8 bits for each of RGB, and outputs the gradation image data to the color conversion processing unit 20.
[0069]
The color conversion processing section 20 is connected to the RGB developing section 19 and also to the print engine 21. The RGB gradation data output from the RGB developing unit 19 is input, and is first converted into CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) gradation data. Then, the CMYK gradation data is converted into binary reproduction data using a conversion table such as a threshold matrix, and output to the print engine 21.
[0070]
The print engine 21 receives the reproduction data output from the color conversion processing unit 20 and performs printing on printing paper based on the layout data input from the layout generation unit 9 via the RGB development unit 17. For example, when the HTML data shown in FIG. 2 is input from the BPP profile 6, printing as shown in FIG. 5 can be performed.
[0071]
The overall operation of the image processing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0072]
FIG. 6 shows a timing chart from transmission and reception of a series of data or the like by Bluetooth, input of document data described in the XHTML language to the BPP profile 6, and ending the communication.
[0073]
First, an inquiry command indicating a connection request is input to the BPP profile 6 of the image processing apparatus 1 from the sender side (client) (step S10). When the image processing apparatus 1 establishes a connection with the client by Bluetooth, the connection is established by the BPP profile 6 transmitting a response including the address of the image processing apparatus 1 to the client in response to this command (step S1). S11).
[0074]
Next, a Service Discovery command is transmitted from the client (Step S12). This is because, even after the connection is established, the information of the other party such as which profile to communicate with the image processing apparatus 1 is to be obtained. The BPP profile 6 that has received this transmits a Response indicating that communication by BPP is to be performed to the client (step S13).
[0075]
Next, an OBEX Connect command is transmitted from the client (step S14). This is a command for establishing a connection by communication at the OBEX (OBject Exchange) protocol level. The OBEX protocol constitutes a lower protocol layer of BIP and BPP. For example, when image data is transmitted, transmission is performed in packets of a predetermined unit to transmit the entire image data. The BPP profile 6 that has received this command returns a response to OBEXConnect (step S15), thereby establishing a connection at the OBEX level.
[0076]
Next, the BPP profile 6 receives a CreateJob command from the client (step S16). This command includes various information to be printed, for example, information such as the number of prints, paper size, quality (draft, normal, high image quality, etc.) and is transmitted in print job units. The BPP profile 6 that has received this returns a response including an identification number (ID) for each print job to which this condition is applied to the client (step S17).
[0077]
Then, the document data described in the XHTML language shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted from the client according to the SendDocument command (step S18). The BPP profile 6 that has received this returns a Response indicating that it has been received to the client (step S39).
[0078]
Next, the client that has transmitted the document data transmits an OBEX Disconnect command in order to end the communication at the OBEX level (step S40), and the BPP profile 6 that has received this transmits a Response indicating that the command has been received. Upon return (step S41), the communication is temporarily terminated.
[0079]
On the other hand, the BPP profile 6 that has received the XHTML data by the SendDocument command temporarily stores the received document data in the buffer 7 and outputs it to the XHTML parser 11 as shown in FIG. Next, as described above, the XHTML parser interprets the document data, generates an internal tree, generates data of each node, and outputs the data to the DOM layouter 12. The DOM layouter 12 generates position information and the like on the printing paper for the data of each node, and the internal layout data converter 13 generates data indicating a file name with a drive letter. Then, in the file system 18, the virtual drive database 19 is used to search for a drive to be accessed from the data, and the image data of the image file included in the document data is read out from the BPP profile 6 in order to read out from the client. Outputs a data read command.
[0080]
The BPP profile 6 that has received this command returns to FIG. 6 and transmits an OBEXConnect command to the client side to restart the once completed OBEX level communication session (step S42). When the client returns a response to this command (step S43), the communication session at the OBEX level is actually restarted.
[0081]
Next, the BPP profile 6 transmits a GetObject command to the client to acquire image data included in the XHTML document data (Step S44). The client receiving this returns a Response including the image data (step S45), so that the image processing apparatus 1 actually acquires the image data. Actually, at the OBEX level, image data is transmitted for each predetermined packet, and a success command indicating that the image data has been received is transmitted to the sender side, and by repeating this, the entire image data is received. Then, the acquired image data is output to the RGB developing unit 17, and the above-described processing is performed.
[0082]
Next, the BPP profile 6 transmits an OBEXDisconnect command to the client to end the communication session (step S46), and a response is returned from the client (step S47), thereby ending a series of BPP communication.
[0083]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of a process from printing of image data input to the BIP profile 4 to completion of communication by a series of Bluetooth communication.
[0084]
First, similarly to FIG. 6, an Inquiry command is input from the client to start Bluetooth communication (step S30). By returning a response to this (step S31), a communication session is established. Next, similarly to FIG. 6, a Service Discover command is transmitted (step S32), and the BIP profile 4 transmits a Response indicating that communication by BIP is performed (step S33). As a result, communication with the client side is performed by BIP.
[0085]
Next, an OBEXConnect command is transmitted from the client to establish a communication session at the OBEX level as in FIG. 6 (step S34), and the BIP profile returns a Response to this command (step S35). As a result, a communication session at the OBEX level is established.
[0086]
Next, SendImageData is transmitted so that the client transmits the image data to be printed (step S36). Actually, image data is stored and transmitted in a predetermined packet at the OBEX level, and each time a transmission is received, a Success command is output to the sender side, and by repeating this, the entire image data is received. .
[0087]
The BIP profile 4 that has received the image data outputs this image data to the buffer 5 and is temporarily stored. Next, the BIP profile 4 transmits a response indicating that the image data has been received (step S37).
[0088]
Next, when the transmission of the image data ends, the client outputs an OBEXDisconnect command to the image processing apparatus 1 to end a series of communication sessions (step S38). The BIP profile 4 that has received this will actually end the communication by returning a Response (step S39).
[0089]
On the other hand, when the BIP profile 4 receives the image data to be printed by SendImageData (step S36), the BIP profile 4 temporarily stores the image data in the buffer 5, and sends the image data to the internal layout data generation unit 10 to generate the layout data. Make instructions. The internal layout data generation unit 10 generates layout data including position information on printing paper from the ID of the print layout selected on the control panel 8 and uses a file name determined in advance by the generation unit 10 to generate a drive letter. Create data indicating the file name of the file. These two data are output to the file system 17, the virtual drive database 18 is searched in the file system 17, and an image data read command is output to the buffer 5. Then, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer 5 is read out, and the image data input from the BIP profile 4 is printed by the print engine 21 via the RGB developing unit 19 and the color conversion processing 20.
[0090]
The operation when processing image data received by SendimageData using the XHTML document data selected on the control panel 15 is as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in a series of BIP communication sessions, until the image data is temporarily stored in the buffer 5 from the BIP profile 4 in SendImageData (step S36), it is the same as the case where the processing is performed by the internal layout data generation unit 10. It is.
[0091]
On the control panel 15, a desired XHTML document is selected in advance from a plurality of XHTML document templates, and data indicating its ID is output to the document data creation means 14. On the other hand, an instruction for generating XHTML document data is output from the BIP profile 4, and the document creating means 14 generates the selected document data based on the instruction.
[0092]
The generated document data is output to the XHTML parser 11, similarly to the processing in the case of the BPP, generating an internal tree to generate data of each node, and the DOM layouter 12 generating data such as position information and the like. The data is output to the layout data conversion unit 13. Then, the internal layout data conversion unit 13 converts the layout data such as the position information into a data format that can be processed internally, and creates a file name with a drive letter (for example, “BIP: Img.JPG”).
[0093]
The created data is output from the RGB developing unit 17 to the file system 18. The file system 18 searches the virtual drive database 19, selects a drive to which the image data read command is to be issued, and issues a read command to the buffer 5. Is output. As a result, the image data stored in the buffer 5 is read out, and the printing engine 21 actually performs printing on the printing paper via the RGB developing unit 19 and the color conversion processing unit 20.
[0094]
Next, processing for printing image data from a memory card is as follows. That is, when the memory card is inserted into the image processing apparatus 1, the file name of the image data stored in the card is output to the control panel 8. In the control panel 8, the user selects a file to be printed, and information on the selected file name is output to the internal layout data generation unit 10. Further, the control panel 8 allows a user to select a print layout, and outputs an ID relating to the selected layout to the internal layout generation unit 10.
[0095]
The internal layout data generation unit 10 generates layout data (for example, data including position information as shown in FIG. 4) and a file name with a drive letter from the layout ID and the image file name. Output. When image data is required during RGB development, information on image data readout and a file name with a drive letter are output to the file system 18, and the file system 18 searches the virtual drive database 19 and reads the memory card I / F 16. , A file read command is issued, image data is read from the memory card, image data is output from the memory card I / F 16 to the RGB developing unit 17, and processing such as color conversion is performed. Can be printed.
[0096]
As image data from the USB cable, image data transmitted from the USB I / F 2 to the buffer is temporarily stored, and a control signal for generating layout data from the USB I / F 2 is output. Upon receiving this, the internal layout data generation unit 10 uses USB as a drive name and generates data of a file name with a drive letter based on a predetermined file name.
[0097]
On the other hand, the user selects a print layout on the panel 8, and the selected layout ID is input to the data generator 10. Based on these data, the internal layout data generation unit 10 generates layout data and data of a file name with a drive letter with USB as a drive name, and outputs the data to the RGB development unit 17. The RGB developing unit 17 outputs information relating to reading of image data and a file name with a drive letter to the file system 18 when image data is required to be acquired. The file system 18 issues a command to read image data from the virtual drive database 19. (Buffer 3) regarding the destination to be executed, and a read command is issued to the buffer 3. The stored image data is read out from the buffer 3 and output to the RGB development unit 17 to perform processing such as RGB development and color conversion, and print data transmitted via a USB cable.
[0098]
As described above, according to the present invention, when image data is directly input by wireless communication, when document data described in XHTML language or the like is input, image data included in the document is input later. Since the layout processing is shared between the two cases, it is possible to use the same layout processing in the subsequent print processing, and the development cost and the cost of the image processing apparatus are reduced by reducing the number of components and the number of program modules. Can be achieved.
[0099]
Further, the layout data output from the internal layout data generating unit 10 is commonly used in subsequent processing as data composed of position information and width information, so that cost can be similarly reduced. .
[0100]
In the above-described example, the specific drive name is used as the file name with the drive letter. However, the file name is expressed using a code expression (for example, “00” in the case of a BPP profile) (for example, “00: CCC.JPG”). ") Is also possible.
[0101]
Further, in the above-described example, the case where the memory card is used as the storage device has been described. However, for example, when the image data stored in the CD-ROM or the MO is connected to the CD-ROM drive or the MO drive and printed, By performing the same processing as that of the memory card, the above-described effects can be obtained. In this case, if the memory card I / F has a function as an I / F for these storage devices, another CD-ROM, MO, or the like can be used as an image processing device via the memory card I / F. 1 may be input with image data or the like.
[0102]
Furthermore, the card I / F 16 has been described as being connected to the control panel 8, but may be configured to be connected to the control panel 15. In this case, the image file name of the memory card is output to the panel 15, and the same processing as in the case of BPP is performed in the layout generation unit 9 based on the selected file name and the HTML document.
[0103]
In addition, although a digital camera has been described as a sender-side device for transmitting image data, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), or another information mobile terminal may be used.
[0104]
In addition, although an example in which the document data input to the BPP profile 6 is described in the XHTML language is shown, other than this, SGL (Standard Generalized Markup Language) language, XML (Extensible Markup Language) language, and other structured descriptions are used. It may be.
[0105]
Further, the description has been given of the case of BIP and BPP as the communication protocol. However, the case where image data is directly input, the case where document data including layout information and the image data referred to by the document are input, are used. As long as it is not BIP or BPP, it may be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of document data described in the XHTML language.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal tree.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the concept of print position information.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of printing on a printing sheet.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a timing chart when BPP is used.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a timing chart when a BIP is used.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 image processing apparatus 2 USB I / F 3 buffer 4 BIP profile 5 buffer 6 BPP buffer 7 buffer 8 control panel 9 layout generator 10 internal layout data generator 11 HTML parser 12 DOM layouter 13 internal layout data converter 14 document creation means 15 Control panel
16 Card I / F 17 File System 18 Virtual Drive Database 19 RGB Expansion Unit 20 Color Conversion Unit 21 Print Engine
26 Control Panel

Claims (14)

In an image processing apparatus having a layout determining unit,
When the layout determining means obtains image data from the input means, generates drive information regarding an input destination of the image data,
An image processing apparatus for acquiring an image according to the drive information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An image processing apparatus comprising a plurality of the input units. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When the layout determining unit specifies acquisition of image data in a predetermined unit by data including the drive information, the input unit acquires the image data in the predetermined unit from an acquisition destination of the image data indicated by the drive information. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. First input means for inputting first image data;
Second input means for inputting document data described in a predetermined language;
A layout determining unit that determines a layout with the first image data or the document data on a print medium, respectively, and generates drive information regarding an input destination of the first image data or the document data;
According to the drive information generated by the layout determining means, the first input means is read out of the image data or the second input means is specified by a reference character string included in the document data. Image data reading means for instructing acquisition of image data of
The first image data read from the first input unit by the image data reading unit or the second image data acquired by the second input unit based on the information on the layout determined by the layout determining unit. Printing means for printing image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The first input unit further includes a storage unit that stores first image data input to the first input unit, and the image data reading unit transmits the first image data to the storage unit based on the drive information. An image processing apparatus for reading out first image data, wherein the printing means prints the first image data read from the storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The second input means, when instructed to acquire the second image data from the image data reading means, sends data instructing to read the second image data stored in the external device to the external device. An image processing apparatus, which outputs and obtains the second image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document data and the second image data input to the second input unit are input by wireless communication. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said document data is document data described in an XHTML language. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:
A layout setting unit that selects one layout from a plurality of layouts for the first image data input to the first input unit and outputs layout identification information indicating the selected one layout; , Prepared,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout determining unit determines a layout for the first image data based on the layout identification information input from the layout setting unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The layout information output from the layout determining unit includes information on a position of the first image or the second image on the print medium and a width of the first image or the second image to be printed. An image processing apparatus comprising: information; In an image processing method in an image processing apparatus having a layout determining unit,
When the layout determining means obtains image data from the input means, generates drive information regarding an input destination of the image data,
An image processing method comprising: acquiring an image according to the drive information. A first step in which first image data is input via first input means or document data described in a predetermined language is input via second means;
A second step of determining a layout with the first image data or the document data on a print medium, respectively, and generating drive information regarding an input destination of the first image data or the document data;
According to the drive information generated in the second step, reading of the image data with respect to the first input means or designation of a second character designated by a reference character string included in the document data with respect to the second input means A third step of instructing acquisition of image data of No. 2;
The first image data read from the first input unit in the third step or the second image data acquired by the second input unit based on the information on the layout determined in the second step. A fourth step of printing the image data of
An image processing method comprising: When the layout determining means obtains the image data from the input means, generates drive information regarding the input destination of the image data,
Obtaining an image according to the drive information;
A program for causing a computer to execute the above. A first process in which first image data is input via a first input unit or document data described in a predetermined language is input via a second unit;
A second process of determining a layout with the first image data or the document data on a print medium, respectively, and generating drive information regarding an input destination of the first image data or the document data;
According to the drive information generated in the second processing, the first input unit is read out of the image data or the second input unit is designated by a reference character string specified by a reference character string included in the document data. A third process for instructing acquisition of image data of No. 2;
The first image data read from the first input unit by the third process or the second image data acquired by the second input unit based on the information on the layout determined in the second process. A fourth process of printing the image data of
A program for image processing characterized by causing a computer to execute the program.

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