JP2004348653A - Portable telephone, printer, its printing system, and method for controlling print - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable telephone which improves printing quality of a composite image and to provide a printer thereof and its printing system. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system can obtain a plurality of images and includes the portable telephone having a display unit for displaying the image and the printer. The portable telephone has a short-distance wireless communication means, a composite display control means for displaying the two images of obtained one image and a decoration image for decorating the image by superposing on the display unit and determining information regarding the relative positions of the two images, and a transmission control means for transmitting one image separately from the decorated image together with the information regarding the relative positions of the two images, and further has a wireless communication means for communicating with a portable telephone, a composite print control means for combining the one image and the decoration image to form the composite print image based on information regarding a relative positions transmitted from the portable telephone, and a print control means for printing the composite print image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile phone having a short-range wireless communication function, a printing device that outputs an image from the mobile phone, a printing system including the mobile phone and the printing device, and a print control method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image captured by a mobile phone with a shooting function is combined with an image obtained from a Web server on the Internet or an image stored in a mobile phone in advance by a mobile phone, and the synthesized image is output from a printing apparatus. A printing system for outputting is known. The image obtained from the Web server or the image stored in advance in the mobile phone is a decoration image (hereinafter, referred to as a frame image) for decorating the image captured by the mobile phone. In this type of printing system, a frame image downloaded by a user to a mobile phone is displayed on a display panel of the mobile phone, and the composition of a shooting target is determined through the frame image and shooting is performed. By doing so, the relative positional relationship between the frame image and the captured image is determined, and the images are combined. Then, when printing of the composite image is desired, the data of the composite image is transmitted to the printing device and printing is performed. Patent documents showing such a printing system include the following.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-285420 A
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a printing system, there is a problem that a print result of executing printing of the combined image is of low image quality. Since image combining processing is performed by a mobile phone, images to be handled are limited to small-capacity images due to limitations on processing speed, memory, and the like, and low-quality images with small volumes have been used as frame images. Such a frame image has a resolution sufficient to be handled by a low-resolution display, but if a composite image synthesized using the image is directly printed on paper, the frame image becomes rough. Therefore, for printing, it is conceivable to download a high-quality, large-capacity frame image to a mobile phone and use this to perform image synthesis processing. However, it takes a long time to synthesize images, which is not practical.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile phone, a printing apparatus, a printing system and a printing control method for solving such a problem and improving the print quality of a composite image.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
The printing system of the present invention employs the following method to solve at least a part of the above problems. That is, a printing system comprising a mobile phone capable of acquiring a plurality of images and having a display unit for displaying the images and a printing device, wherein the mobile phone performs short-range wireless communication means And a combined display control unit configured to superimpose and display two images of the acquired one image and a decoration image decorating the image on the display unit, and determine information on a relative position between the two images. And transmission control means for transmitting the one image separately from the decoration image using the short-range wireless communication means, together with the information on the relative position, wherein the printing device communicates with the mobile phone. Wireless communication means, and synthetic print control means for synthesizing the one image and the decorative image based on the information on the relative position transmitted from the mobile phone to create a synthetic print image , And the gist that a print control means for printing the composite print image.
[0006]
Further, a print control method corresponding to this printing system can acquire a plurality of images, has a display unit for displaying the images, and has a mobile phone capable of short-range wireless communication, and a wireless communication with the mobile phone. A printing control method for a printing system including a printing device, wherein the mobile phone superimposes and combines two images of the acquired one image and a decoration image decorating the image on the display unit. Displaying the image, determining the information related to the relative position of the two images, transmitting the one image separately from the decoration image using the short-range wireless communication together with the information related to the relative position, The gist is that, based on the information on the relative position transmitted from the mobile phone, the one image and the decoration image are combined, a combined print image is created, and the combined print image is printed. I .
[0007]
According to such a printing system and its printing control method, the mobile phone performs a combined display in which one image and a decorative image are superimposed and displayed, and determines information on a relative position of the two combined displayed images, The information about the relative position and the two images are separately transmitted to the printing apparatus. The printing device that has received the data performs a combining process of the two images based on the information about the relative position, and outputs a desired image. In other words, the mobile phone only performs display in which two images are superimposed, but does not perform the combining process of creating one image by combining. The combining process of converting two images into one image is performed by the printing apparatus. Therefore, by performing the synthesizing process in the printing apparatus, it is possible to develop an optimal dot pattern corresponding to the capability of the printing apparatus, and to perform high-quality printing. Further, by synthesizing images with a printing device having high processing capability, rapid processing can be performed.
[0008]
In the printing system having the above configuration, the printing device is configured to store the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone, and the decoration image stored in the storage unit in response to an inquiry from the mobile phone. And a decorative image confirming means for transmitting the presence or absence of a decorative image used for creating the composite print image, wherein the mobile phone, when the decorative image is in the storage means of the printing device, The transmission of the decoration image may not be performed.
[0009]
According to such a printing system, the decoration image once transmitted from the mobile phone is stored in the printing device. Before transmitting the data to be printed to the printing device, the mobile phone inquires whether there is a corresponding decoration image. As a result of the reply from the printing device, if the decoration image is a decoration image that has been previously synthesized and printed and image data is stored, the decoration image is not transmitted from the mobile phone again. Therefore, when the decoration image used once is used again, the data transmitted from the mobile phone to the printing apparatus can be reduced, and the communication time can be shortened.
[0010]
In the printing system having the above configuration, it is assumed that the mobile phone includes a photographing unit that photographs an image, and includes a decoration image creating unit that reduces the photographed image photographed by the photographing unit and creates the decoration image. Is also good. According to this configuration, the resolution of the decoration image is improved by reducing the image captured by the mobile phone to create the decoration image. The process of synthesizing the high-resolution decorative image and the captured image is performed by a printing device. Therefore, high-quality printing can be performed.
[0011]
In the printing system having the above configuration, the short-range wireless means and the wireless communication means may be wireless communication means using infrared rays. According to such a configuration, by using the directional infrared rays, it becomes easy to specify each other between the mobile phone and the printing device, and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, an existing mobile phone can be used, and a highly versatile system can be constructed.
[0012]
A printing device according to the present invention is a printing device that prints an image obtained by a mobile phone, and a wireless communication unit that communicates with the mobile phone, and a decoration that decorates one of the images obtained by the mobile phone. Storage means for receiving and storing the decoration image when the image is transmitted from the mobile phone; information relating to the one image and the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone and a relative position of the two images; Based on the information, the one image and the decoration image called from the storage unit are combined in accordance with the relative position to create a combined print image, and the combined print image is printed. And a print control unit.
[0013]
Further, a print control method corresponding to this printing apparatus is a print control method of a printing apparatus which can wirelessly communicate with a mobile phone and prints an image obtained by the mobile phone, and which is obtained by the mobile phone. When a decoration image for decorating one image is transmitted from the mobile phone, the mobile phone receives and stores the decoration image, and specifies the one image and the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone. Based on the information and the information on the relative position between the two images, the one image and the stored decorative image are combined in accordance with the relative position to create a combined print image, and the combined print image is printed. The gist is to do.
[0014]
According to such a printing apparatus and its printing control method, the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone is stored, and when the same decoration image is used, only the information specifying the decoration image is received, and the decoration image itself is received. No exchange is required. Therefore, when the same decorative image is used again, the time required for receiving the image to be printed can be reduced. Further, since the combining process of the two images is performed by the printing device, an optimal dot pattern corresponding to the capability of the printing device can be developed, and high-quality printing can be performed.
[0015]
In the printing apparatus having the above configuration, based on the information specifying the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone, the decoration image stored in the storage unit is searched, and information based on the presence or absence of the decoration image is obtained. The mobile phone may be provided with a decoration image search unit for transmitting the image to the mobile phone.
[0016]
According to this configuration, the printing apparatus calls the decoration image in the storage unit from the information specifying the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone, and performs the image combining process. Only when there is no corresponding decoration image in the storage means, the mobile phone requests the transmission of the decoration image. Therefore, the time required for communication with the mobile phone can be reduced.
[0017]
A mobile phone according to the present invention is a mobile phone having a shooting unit for shooting an image and a display unit for displaying the shot image, wherein a short-range wireless communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; A composite display control unit that superimposes and displays two images of a captured image captured by the capturing unit and a decorative image that decorates the captured image, and determines information related to a relative position between the two images; A gist of the invention is that a transmission control unit for transmitting the photographed image to the printing apparatus using the short-range wireless communication unit separately from the decoration image together with the information on the relative position is provided.
[0018]
An image printing control method for a mobile phone corresponding to the mobile phone includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image and a display unit for displaying the captured image, and the image control method for a mobile phone capable of short-range wireless communication. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the display unit superimposes and displays two images of the photographed image photographed by the photographing unit and a decoration image decorating the photographed image, and displays a relative image of the two images. The gist is to determine information on a position and transmit the captured image to the printing apparatus separately from the decorative image, together with the information on the relative position, using the short-range wireless communication.
[0019]
According to the mobile phone and the image print control method in the mobile phone, the mobile phone performs the composite display of the two images of the photographed image and the decorative image, and determines the relative position information only by determining the two images. No synthesis processing is performed for one image. Therefore, processing on the mobile phone is simplified, and handling of images is facilitated.
[0020]
The mobile phone having the above configuration may be provided with a decoration image creating means for reducing the image taken by the imaging unit and creating the decoration image.
According to such a mobile phone, an image captured by the mobile phone is reduced to a decorative image. Therefore, a high-resolution decoration image can be created. Also, an original decorative image can be created in place of the decorative image in a fixed format, and the composite display function of the mobile phone can be improved.
[0021]
In the mobile phone having the above configuration, the decorative image may be a frame image. According to such a mobile phone, a frame image used for composite display of images can be easily created.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing system including a mobile phone and a printing apparatus having a short-range wireless communication function to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a printing system as an embodiment as a whole, including a mobile phone and a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this printing system can be connected to a Web server 50 connected to the Internet 90, a gateway 80 for converting data having different protocols to each other to enable communication, and a Web server 50 via the Internet 90. A mobile phone 20 and a color printer 30 that prints a predetermined image by short-range wireless communication with the mobile phone 20.
[0023]
A plurality of Web servers (not shown) and a large number of client computers are connected to the Internet 90. The Web server acquires URL information from a terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone as a client, and distributes a predetermined file corresponding to the information. A file 40 including a plurality of image data is uploaded to the Web server 50. Each image data in the file 40 is frame image data to be superimposed on predetermined image data and decorated. This image data is created by vector data, and is used for composite display of images on a mobile phone. FIG. 2 shows a conceptual diagram of the file 40 including such frame image data. As shown in the drawing, the file 40 includes list data 40a indicating a list of a plurality of frame image data. The list data 40a describes characteristics of each frame image data, for example, comments and names, and the description of the characteristics is associated with the frame image data by an identification number.
[0024]
The Web server 50 distributes the list data 40a in accordance with the URL information from the mobile phone 20. When the user selects a name or the like from the list data 40a, the identification number of the frame image data is selected. Web server 50 distributes the frame image data corresponding to the selected identification number. The processing of this data will be described later.
[0025]
Next, the function and configuration of the mobile phone 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the mobile phone 20. The mobile phone 20 includes a key input unit 705 having a normal call function on-hook key and a numeric keypad, a speaker 702 and a microphone 703 for exchanging voice, a liquid crystal panel 707 for displaying a call state, an antenna 700, and the like. A wireless communication function using infrared rays for exchanging predetermined data between devices, for example, mobile phones, is provided. The mobile phone 20 can be connected to the Internet 90 and has a function of downloading a desired file from a predetermined Web server accessed via the Internet 90. Further, the mobile phone 20 includes a camera 708 for shooting a still image. For example, an image captured by the camera 708 can be transmitted to another mobile phone using wireless communication.
[0026]
The mobile phone 20 has a built-in call control unit 201 that is connected to the speaker 702 and the microphone 703 and controls calls. The call control unit 201 receives data of a key operation by the user via an operation control unit 200 described later, and displays information such as a telephone number of the call destination on the liquid crystal panel 707 via the operation control unit 200. The call control unit 201 is connected to the antenna 700 and exchanges data with the base station 70 for calling and accessing the Internet 90.
[0027]
In addition to the call control unit 201 and the operation control unit 200 that controls a user's operation command by a key operation, the mobile phone 20 shoots images with the camera control unit 207 that controls the camera 708, mainly with the camera 708. A storage unit 202 for storing an image, a command generation / analysis unit 204 for creating a command command recognizable by the color printer 30, a transmission data control unit 203 for processing various data into data communicable by infrared, and an infrared wavelength An infrared transmitting unit 205 that converts the light into light of the same type and causes the light emitting diode 750 to emit light, and an infrared receiving unit 206 that receives light of the infrared wavelength by the photodiode 760 and converts the light into an electric signal.
[0028]
The operation control unit 200 exchanges data with the call control unit 201, the camera control unit 207, the command generation analysis unit 204, and the storage unit 202, respectively. For example, the operation control unit 200 creates a command to instruct the call control unit 201 to download a predetermined frame image data, the camera control unit 207 to issue a shooting operation command to shoot an image, and a command command to the color printer 30. An instruction is output to the command generation analysis unit 204 and an instruction to store the frame image data downloaded via the call control unit 201 is output to the storage unit 202. In response, the call control unit 201 outputs the downloaded frame image and the camera control unit 207 outputs the captured image to the operation control unit 200, and the operation control unit 200 displays the image on the liquid crystal panel 707.
[0029]
The operation control unit 200 retrieves predetermined frame image data from the storage unit 202 and displays it on the liquid crystal panel 707 as necessary. When printing such image data on the color printer 30, the operation control unit 200 determines data necessary for printing and instructs the transmission data control unit 203 to transmit.
[0030]
The camera control unit 207 receives a user command from the key input unit 705 via the operation control unit 200, controls the camera 708 to capture an image, and outputs the captured image to the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 stores the output image and outputs image data to be printed to the transmission data control unit 203 in response to a command from the operation control unit 200.
[0031]
The transmission data control unit 203 receives data transmission processing, image data to be printed, and a print command command from the operation control unit 200, the storage unit 202, and the command generation / analysis unit 204, respectively, and processes the above-described various data to be transmittable. To the infrared transmission unit 205. Upon receiving the data, the infrared transmission unit 205 modulates the light of the infrared wavelength with the data and transmits the light to the color printer 30. On the other hand, the infrared receiving unit 206 receiving the data from the color printer 30 outputs the data to the command generation / analysis unit 204. The command generation analysis unit 204 outputs the analysis contents of the command to the operation control unit 200. The operation control unit 200 determines data necessary for printing from the contents. The communication used by the infrared transmitting unit 205 and the infrared receiving unit 206 is an infrared communication of IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standard. In this type of infrared communication, information is exchanged using infrared rays of 850 nm to 900 nm.
[0032]
Next, a schematic configuration of the color printer 30 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the color printer 30. The color printer 30 is an inkjet printer having a card slot 35 to which a memory card 37 for storing image data of a digital still camera is directly connected. The color printer 30 has an operation display panel 820 for setting printing, printing paper, and the like, and can print image data in the memory card 37 without going through a computer.
[0033]
The color printer 30 mainly receives the photographed image data from the mobile phone 20 via a reception data analysis unit 307, which will be described later, from the user operation control unit 300 which controls printing conditions set via the operation display panel 820. An external I / F control unit 301, a synthesis control unit 302 that performs a synthesis process of combining two images of the photographed image data and the frame image data selected by the mobile phone 20 into one image, and converts the image data to be printed into dots. A print image creation unit 303 for developing a pattern and a print unit 304 for printing by the operation of various actuators are provided. The user operation control unit 300 sets printing conditions set by the user via the operation panel 820, for example, paper size, number of prints, print quality, and the like, and outputs such setting data to the external I / F control unit 301. The external I / F control unit 301 receives the photographed image data from the reception data analysis unit 307 and information necessary for the composition processing of the photographed image data and the frame image data, and combines the image data with the setting data described above. 302.
[0034]
Upon receiving the photographed image data, the information necessary for the synthesizing process, and the setting data, the synthesizing control unit 302 calls a frame image necessary for the synthesizing process from a frame storage unit 305 described later, and performs image processing based on the information necessary for the synthesizing process. It has a function of performing a synthesis process of The information necessary for the synthesizing process includes an identification number for specifying the frame image data to be synthesized, and information on the relative positional relationship between the captured image data and the frame image data. From such information, one piece of combined image data that has been combined is output to the print image generation unit 303 together with the setting data.
[0035]
The print image creating unit 302 that has received the composite image data and the setting data outputs the composite image data to the printing unit 303 as print execution data in which the composite image data is developed to be printable in accordance with the printing conditions included in the setting data. The printing unit 303 controls various actuators based on the data, and forms a desired image on various recording media, for example, on paper or a print surface of a CD-R. In the color printer 30 according to the present embodiment, the image data acquired by the external I / F control unit 301 is not limited to the acquisition from the reception data analysis unit 307, but may be performed in the memory card 37 and a USB connection terminal. It can also be obtained from an external device such as a personal computer via the port 830.
[0036]
The color printer 30 has, in addition to the above-described functions, an infrared receiving unit 306 that receives light having an infrared wavelength by the photodiode 860 and converts the light into an electric signal, a received data analyzing unit 307 that analyzes received data, and a frame image. A frame storage unit 305 for storing data, a command analysis unit 308 for analyzing command contents of received command data, a frame management unit 309 for managing frame image data stored in the frame storage unit 305, and data to be transmitted to the mobile phone 20 Is provided to an infrared transmitting unit 310 for converting light into infrared light and causing the light emitting diode 850 to emit light.
[0037]
Infrared receiving section 306 demodulates the light of the infrared wavelength received from mobile phone 20 and outputs the data to received data analyzing section 307. The data includes a request command to the color printer 30, photographed image data, frame image data, and information necessary for the composition processing. The received data analysis unit 307 that receives such data analyzes the data. The captured image data and the information necessary for the synthesizing process are output to the external I / F control unit 301, the frame image data is output to the frame storage unit 305, and the request command is output to the command analysis unit 308.
[0038]
The request command received by the command analysis unit 308 is, for example, a print execution command for instructing the color printer 30 to execute printing, a request command for returning whether or not the color printer 30 has frame image data to be used for image synthesis. It is. When the request command is a print execution command, the command analysis unit 308 issues a print instruction to the print image generation unit 303, and when the request command is a return request command, issues a confirmation instruction of frame image data. It is sent to the frame management unit 309.
[0039]
Upon receiving the confirmation instruction, the frame management unit 309 confirms whether or not the corresponding frame image data is stored in the frame storage unit 305 based on the identification number of the frame image data included in the reply request command. If the frame management unit 309 confirms that the frame image data to be used for the image synthesizing process has already been stored, the frame management unit 309 confirms that the reply command indicating that the frame image is “present” is not stored. In this case, a reply command indicating “not present” is created, and the command data is output to the infrared transmission unit 310. Upon receiving the command data, the infrared transmitting unit 310 modulates the light of the infrared wavelength and transmits the data to the mobile phone 20. Note that this data is received by the mobile phone 20 via the infrared transmission unit 206 and is used to determine transmission of frame image data.
[0040]
The flow of image data synthesized and displayed on the mobile phone 20 in the printing system including the Web server 50, the mobile phone 20, and the color printer 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows data processing performed by the mobile phone 20. The mobile phone 20 connects to the Internet 90 and accesses the Web server 50 on the Internet 90 by a user's operation via the key input unit 705 (step S100). This operation is performed when the user inputs a URL from the key input unit 705 to the browser displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707.
[0041]
The Web server 50 distributes a file corresponding to the URL information to the mobile phone 20. This file is list data 40a describing characteristics of the above-described plurality of frame images, and is a list for selecting one frame image. The mobile phone 20 displays the distributed list data 40a (acquired via the call control unit 201) on the liquid crystal panel 707 (step S110). Subsequently, a process of selecting one frame image from the list is performed (step S110). This selection operation is performed when the user moves the cursor by a corresponding key operation and presses a key for instructing determination. This selection operation may be performed by inputting a list number corresponding to the description of the feature of the desired frame image.
[0042]
When the feature description of one frame image is selected, the operation control unit 200 instructs the communication control unit 201 to start downloading frame image data for the selected feature description. This command is an instruction to download the frame image data from the corresponding Web server 50 based on the URL information corresponding to the selected feature description. The mobile phone 20 that has downloaded the corresponding frame image data displays the frame image on the liquid crystal panel 707 (step S120). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the downloaded frame image data is desired (step S125). If it is determined that the displayed frame image is the desired one according to the determination command through the key operation of the user, the process proceeds to a process of taking an image while the frame image is displayed (step S130). ). At this time, the liquid crystal panel 707 of the mobile phone 20 is in a composite display state in which the frame image and the shooting target image are displayed in a superimposed manner.
[0043]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which a frame image and a captured image are combined and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707. As shown in the drawing, while displaying the selected frame image (for example, a frame image of a heart) on the liquid crystal panel 707, the camera 708 is directed toward a shooting target (for example, a person), and the composition is determined, and shooting is performed. The relative positional relationship between the frame image and the captured image is determined by the imaging operation, and the operation control unit 200 creates information data on the relative position. This information data is, for example, coordinate data having the origin at the upper left corner of the liquid crystal panel 707, and is data for specifying a coordinate position at which the captured image and the frame image are overlapped.
[0044]
The frame image and the photographed still image are stored in separate layers, respectively, and are temporarily stored in the storage unit 202 as independent images. The composite display on the liquid crystal panel 707 is a display in which the layers stored separately are simply superimposed. For example, if the image of the layer storing the frame image data is rewritten to another frame image data, the same photographed image is displayed differently. Can be displayed with the frame image.
[0045]
Next, it is determined whether or not to print the image synthesized and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 (step S135). This determination is made by the user pressing a key corresponding to print execution. When print execution is instructed through key operation, the mobile phone 20 returns a reply including an identification number attached to the frame image data. The request command is transmitted to the color printer 30 (step S140). Specifically, the operation control unit 200 that has received the print execution instruction outputs the frame image identification number to the command generation analysis unit 204 before the instruction to create the print execution command, and receives the command generation The analysis unit 204 creates a command for requesting a reply as to whether the color printer 30 has the frame image data corresponding to the identification number. This reply request command is output to the transmission data control unit 203 and transmitted to the color printer 30 via the infrared transmission unit 205. The color printer 30 checks the presence or absence of the frame image data based on the identification number, and returns a command indicating “present” or “absent” of the corresponding frame image data to the mobile phone 20. The processing at the color printer 30 will be described later.
[0046]
Based on the reply command from the color printer 30, the mobile phone 20 determines whether or not there is the corresponding frame image data (step S145). If it is determined that the frame image data already exists in the color printer 30, the mobile phone 20 transmits the photographed image data, the relative position information data, and the print execution command to the color printer 30 (step S150). , And the process ends.
[0047]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S145 that there is no corresponding frame image data based on the content of the reply command from the color printer 30, the mobile phone 20 adds the captured image data, the relative position information data, and the print execution command. Then, the frame image data is transmitted to the color printer 30 (step S180), and the process ends. The transmitted frame image data is stored in the color printer 30 in association with the previously transmitted identification number.
[0048]
In the above process, if the frame image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 is not desired in step S125, the process returns to step S110, and the list, which is the list, is displayed again. If it is determined in step S135 that printing of the composited image is not to be performed, the process ends.
[0049]
The processing performed on the color printer 30 side corresponding to the processing performed on the mobile phone 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process of combining and printing images transmitted from the mobile phone 20. This processing is performed after the compatibility between the captured image and the frame image is confirmed by the mobile phone 20 and the printing of the synthesized and displayed image is determined.
[0050]
The color printer 30 receives the reply request command (the identification number of the frame image) transmitted from the mobile phone 20 (step S400). The received data analysis unit 307 that has received this data via the infrared reception unit 306 determines that the command is a command from the header information of the data, and outputs the command to the command analysis unit 308. The command analysis unit 308 analyzes this command and instructs the frame management unit 309 to search for the identification number of the transmitted frame image.
[0051]
The frame management unit 309 that has received the instruction from the command analysis unit 308 searches the frame storage unit 305 for the identification number. The frame management unit 309 transmits the search result, that is, the presence or absence of the corresponding frame image data to the mobile phone 20 via the infrared transmission unit 310. The color printer 30 performs such a frame confirmation process (step S410), and as a result, receives various data from the mobile phone 20 (step S420). This data includes captured image data, relative position information data, a print execution command, and in some cases, frame image data. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the received data includes frame image data (step S430). If frame image data is included, the frame image data is stored in the frame storage unit 305 in association with the identification number for which the search request has been received (step S440). Thereafter, when printing is performed using this frame image data, the frame image data is not transmitted from the mobile phone 20 because it is already stored in the color printer 30.
[0052]
Subsequently, a combining process of combining the frame image data and the captured image data into one image based on the relative position information data is performed (step S450). The combining control unit 302 receives the identification number of the frame image for which the search request was previously received, together with the captured image data and the relative position information data from the external I / F control unit, and obtains the frame image in the frame storage unit 305 from the identification number. Recall data. In this case, since the frame image data is stored in the previous step S440, the corresponding identification number exists. The composition control unit 302 develops the various data according to the resolution of the color printer 30 and performs composition processing. The synthesized image is output from the synthesis control unit 302 to the print image generation unit 303, expanded to printable, and output to the print unit 304. The printing unit 304 outputs the desired image, and the process ends (step S460).
[0053]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S430 that the frame data is not included in the received data, the frame image data in the frame storage unit 305 is called from the identification number of the frame image for which the search request has been previously received. (Step S470). Since the received data does not include the frame image data, the frame image data is already stored in the color printer 30. The combining control unit 302 performs an image combining process based on the frame image data, the received captured image data, and the relative position information data (step S450). Similarly, the image subjected to the composition processing is printed in step S460, and this processing ends.
[0054]
In the synthesizing process in step S450 in the above process, the frame image data and the captured image data, which are vector data, are developed in accordance with the performance of the color printer 30. Specifically, the performance specific to the color printer 30, such as resolution, type of ink to be used, size of print dots, processing capability such as halftoning developed by using color correction or error diffusion which is developed into CMYK data. Depending on the situation, the optimum development for printing is performed.
[0055]
According to the first embodiment described above, the mobile phone 20 displays the composite image of the frame image and the captured image, checks the compatibility of the two images, and prints these images without combining the images. 30 separately. The actual image combining process is performed on the color printer 30 side. Therefore, the composite image for printing can be developed according to the performance of the color printer 30, and optimal printing, that is, high quality printing can be performed. The frame image data used once is stored in the color printer 30. Therefore, when the frame image data is used again, there is no need to transmit the frame image data, and the data communication time between the mobile phone 20 and the color printer 30 can be reduced. Further, by performing the image synthesizing process on the side of the color printer 30 having a high processing capability, quick processing is possible.
[0056]
The actual hardware configuration of the mobile phone 20 and the color printer 30 that constitute the printing system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an overall hardware configuration diagram of the mobile phone 20. FIG. 9 is an overall hardware configuration diagram of the color printer 30.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 8, the mobile phone 20 includes an antenna 700, a radio circuit 701 for converting an analog signal from the antenna 700 into a digital signal and processing the signal, a speaker 702, a microphone 703, and key inputs for a user to perform a command operation. Unit 705, a liquid crystal panel 707 for displaying a screen for setting call status and printing conditions, a camera 708 for taking a still image, a rewritable memory 704 for storing a telephone number and a downloaded image file, and transmitting infrared light. An infrared interface 706 provided with a light emitting diode 750 for performing the operation and a photodiode 760 for performing the reception, and a control unit 720 including a CPU 710 for controlling these operations. The infrared interface 706 is capable of performing IrDA infrared communication.
[0058]
The control unit 720 includes, in addition to the CPU 710, a RAM and a ROM 715 in which programs for performing various controls are stored. The control unit 720 performs a process of calling an image file stored in the memory 704 and displaying the image file on the liquid crystal panel 707 in addition to processing a normal call, connection to the Internet 90 line, and mail transmission / reception. Further, the control unit 720 transmits the image data desired to be printed selected by operating the key input unit 705 to the color printer 30 via the infrared interface 706.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 9, the color printer 30 mainly includes a carriage 801 equipped with a print head 800 for discharging ink on paper, a carriage motor 802 for driving the carriage 801 in the main scanning direction, and a paper feed motor for transporting the paper. 803, a control circuit 810 for controlling operations of the print head 800, the carriage motor 802, and the paper feed motor 803.
[0060]
The control circuit 810 includes an operation display panel 820 for setting printing of the color printer 30, a card slot 35 for mounting a memory card 37 of a digital still camera, a light emitting diode 850 for transmitting infrared light, and a photodiode 860 for receiving. Electrically connected to the infrared interface 835. The inside of the control circuit 810 mainly includes a CPU, a RAM (not shown), and a ROM storing a control program. The control circuit 810 exchanges data with the memory card 37 inserted in the card slot 35, exchanges data with the infrared interface 835, and outputs a command signal to each of the above-described motors and the like. Further, a USB port 830 capable of USB connection is provided, and image data can be exchanged with an external device such as a personal computer. The infrared interface 835 is capable of performing IrDA infrared communication.
[0061]
An ink cartridge 840 is mounted on the carriage 801. The ink cartridge 840 contains black ink and three color inks (cyan, magenta, and yellow), and discharges these inks from the print head 800 onto paper to form minute dots to perform color printing. I do.
[0062]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described using the hardware configuration described above. In the first embodiment, the mobile phone 20 downloads the frame image data from the web server 50 to obtain the frame image data. In the second embodiment, the frame image data itself is created from the image data captured by the mobile phone 20. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the frame image data creation processing. This flowchart is executed by the control unit 720 (CPU) in the mobile phone 20.
[0063]
The mobile phone 20 selects captured image data for which creation of frame image data is desired (step S600). As the photographed image data, image data stored in the memory 704 which has previously photographed may be selected, or image data photographed on the spot may be selected. Subsequently, frame image reduction processing for converting the selected image data into frame image data is performed (step S610). In this process, as shown in FIG. 11, a framed image data is created by compressing a captured image PG by the JPEG method and inserting a thumbnail image SG reduced by thinning out at a predetermined interval into a predetermined model. It is.
[0064]
In this embodiment, a template A in which the thumbnail images SG are arranged at equal intervals along the four sides of the liquid crystal panel 707, a template B in which the thumbnail images SG are continuously arranged without any interval, and a random arrangement in advance. Three types of templates, a template C for inserting the thumbnail image SG in the place where the setting is made, are prepared in advance. When the user performs a corresponding key operation on the liquid crystal panel 707 in which the captured image PG is selected, a frame creation window is opened, and one of three types of models can be selected. When one model is selected by a key operation of the user, the created frame image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 (step S620). When this frame image is stored in the memory 704, a title and a date can be input, and the index becomes an index when the frame image is used again.
[0065]
Subsequently, the process proceeds to a process of capturing a target image while the frame image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707. The user determines compatibility between the shooting target displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 via the camera 708 and the frame image displayed together, determines the composition, and performs shooting. Thus, the created frame image and the captured image are combined and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 (step S630). At this stage, information on the relative position between the frame image and the captured image is determined.
[0066]
The mobile phone 20 determines whether to execute printing of the image synthesized and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 (step S660). If a print execution instruction has been received through a key operation by the user, the created frame image data, captured image data, and relative position information data are transmitted to the color printer 30 (step S670), and the process ends. Here, the transmitted frame image data includes the original image data before the thumbnail image, the template data of the selected frame, and the reduction ratio data of the original image to be inserted into the template. . Based on such data, the color printer 30 performs a combining process. If printing is not to be performed in step S660, the process ends.
[0067]
In this way, the various data transmitted to the color printer 30 is subjected to a combining process in which the two images are combined into one image by the control circuit 810, and the images are developed into printable data. Specifically, processing such as rasterization, color correction, and halftoning is performed to develop dots to be printed by the print head 800, and a voltage applied to the print head 800, a combination of ink colors, and the like are determined. The carriage motor 802, the print head 800, and the paper feed motor 803 are driven based on a command from the control circuit 810, and a target image or the like is output.
[0068]
According to the second embodiment described above, image data captured by the mobile phone 20 is reduced to create frame image data. The frame image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 707 of the mobile phone 20 is a thumbnail image that can be easily handled by the mobile phone 20, and can be easily displayed in a composite with the captured image. What is transmitted to the color printer 30 as a component of the frame image data is the original image data that has not been reduced. Since the image data is reduced to form a frame image, high-resolution image data is obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to perform printing appropriately corresponding to the performance of the color printer 30, and in particular, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on a frame portion of an image. Furthermore, since a frame image is created from a captured image, a unique frame image can be created, and the function of the composite display of the mobile phone 20 is improved.
[0069]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. is there. For example, in the first embodiment, one image to be combined with an image captured by the mobile phone 20 is used. However, an image may be downloaded from a predetermined Web server and combined and displayed. In addition, although the list is used for selecting the frame image, the selection operation may be performed as, for example, displaying a thumbnail image. In the second embodiment, the decorative image created by the mobile phone 20 is a frame (frame). However, the created image may be pasted at an arbitrary coordinate position on the screen, such as a stamp. In particular, when the decoration image is a stamp, it is possible to perform chroma key processing of the captured image and paste a person image or the like excluding the background at an arbitrary position. In this case, the same effect can be obtained by performing the combining process of the two images on the color printer 30 side. Further, the short-range wireless communication is not limited to the infrared communication, and the same effect can be obtained by using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of list data.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mobile phone.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color printer.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by the mobile phone.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a composite display of an image displayed on a mobile phone.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed by the color printer.
FIG. 8 is an overall hardware configuration diagram of a mobile phone.
FIG. 9 is an overall hardware configuration diagram of the color printer.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a frame image creation process performed by the mobile phone.
FIG. 11 shows a model of a frame image created by a mobile phone.
[Explanation of symbols]
20… Mobile phone
30 ... Color printer
35 ... Card slot
37… Memory card
40 ... File
40a ... list data
50: Web server
70 ... Base station
80 ... Gateway
90 ... Internet
200: operation control unit
201: Call control unit
202: storage unit
203: transmission data control unit
204: Command generation analysis unit
205 ... Infrared transmitter
206 ... Infrared receiver
207 ... Camera control unit
300: User operation control unit
301 ... External I / F control unit
302: Synthesis control unit
303 print image generation unit
304 print section
305 ... Frame storage unit
306 ... Infrared receiver
307: Received data analysis unit
308 ... Command analysis unit
309: Frame management unit
310 ... Infrared transmitter
700 ... antenna
701 ... Wireless circuit
702 ... Speaker
703 ... Microphone
704 ... Memory
705 key input section
706 ... Infrared interface
707 ... Liquid crystal panel
708 ... Camera
710 ... CPU
715 ... ROM
720: control unit
750 ... light emitting diode
760 ... photodiode
800 ... Print head
801 ... carriage
802: carriage motor
803 ... motor
810: control circuit
820: Operation display panel
830 ... USB port
835 ... Infrared interface
840: Ink cartridge
850: Light emitting diode
860 ... photodiode

Claims (12)

A printing system comprising a mobile phone and a printing device capable of acquiring a plurality of images and having a display unit for displaying the images,
The mobile phone is
Short-range wireless communication means for performing short-range wireless communication;
Synthetic display control means for superimposing and displaying two images of the obtained one image and a decoration image for decorating the image on the display unit, and determining information relating to a relative position of the two images,
Along with the information on the relative position, a transmission control means for transmitting the one image separately from the decoration image using the short-range wireless communication means,
The printing device,
Wireless communication means for communicating with the mobile phone;
Based on the information on the relative position transmitted from the mobile phone, the one image and the decorative image are combined, and a combined print control unit that creates a combined print image,
A print control unit for printing the composite print image. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein
The printing device,
Storage means for storing the decoration image transmitted from the mobile phone,
In response to an inquiry from the mobile phone, the image processing apparatus further includes a decoration image checking unit that checks the decoration image stored in the storage unit and transmits the presence or absence of a decoration image used to create the composite print image.
A printing system in which the mobile phone does not transmit the decoration image when the decoration image is stored in the storage unit of the printing device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein:
The mobile phone has a shooting unit for shooting an image,
A printing system comprising: a decoration image creating unit configured to reduce the image captured by the image capturing unit and create the decoration image. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The printing system, wherein the short-range wireless means and the wireless communication means are wireless communication means using infrared rays. A printing device for printing an image obtained by a mobile phone,
Wireless communication means for communicating with the mobile phone;
A storage unit that receives and stores the decoration image when a decoration image for decorating one image among the images obtained by the mobile phone is transmitted from the mobile phone,
Based on the one image transmitted from the mobile phone, the information for specifying the decoration image, and the information on the relative position of the two images, the one image and the decoration image called from the storage unit are compared with each other. A composite print control unit that composites according to the position to create a composite print image;
A printing apparatus comprising: a print control unit configured to print the composite print image. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein
A decorative image for retrieving the decorative image stored in the storage unit based on information specifying the decorative image transmitted from the mobile phone, and transmitting information based on the presence or absence of the decorative image to the mobile phone. A printing device provided with a search unit. A mobile phone having a shooting unit for shooting an image and a display unit for displaying the shot image,
Short-range wireless communication means for performing short-range wireless communication;
On the display unit, two images of a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit and a decoration image decorating the photographed image are superimposed and displayed, and a composite display for determining information on a relative position of the two images is displayed. Control means;
A mobile phone comprising: transmission control means for transmitting the photographed image separately from the decoration image to the printing apparatus using the short-range wireless communication means together with the information on the relative position. The mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein
A mobile phone comprising a decoration image creating means for reducing the image captured by the imaging unit and creating the decoration image. The mobile phone according to claim 7 or 8,
The mobile phone, wherein the decoration image is a frame image. A print control method for a printing system, which is capable of acquiring a plurality of images, has a display unit for displaying the images, and includes a mobile phone capable of short-range wireless communication and a printing device capable of wireless communication with the mobile phone So,
The mobile phone is
On the display unit, two images of the obtained one image and a decoration image for decorating the image are superimposed and displayed, and information regarding a relative position of the two images is determined.
Along with the information on the relative position, the one image is transmitted separately from the decorative image using the short-range wireless communication,
The printing device,
Based on the information on the relative position transmitted from the mobile phone, the one image and the decorative image are combined to create a combined print image,
A print control method for a printing system that prints the composite print image. A print control method of a printing apparatus capable of wireless communication with a mobile phone and printing an image acquired by the mobile phone,
Among the images obtained by the mobile phone, when a decorative image for decorating one image is transmitted from the mobile phone, the decorative image is received and stored,
The one image and the stored decorative image are aligned with the relative position based on the information specifying the one image and the decorative image transmitted from the mobile phone and information on a relative position between the two images. To create a composite print image,
A print control method for a printing apparatus that prints the composite print image. An image printing control method for a mobile phone that has an imaging unit that captures an image and a display unit that displays the captured image, and that can perform short-range wireless communication,
On the display unit, two images of a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit and a decoration image decorating the photographed image are superimposed and displayed, and information on a relative position between the two images is determined.
A method for controlling printing of an image in a mobile phone, wherein the captured image is transmitted to a printing device using the short-range wireless communication separately from the decoration image together with the information on the relative position.

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