JP2004350301A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera which is freely available even while a captured video image is printed, indicated or communicated, and a print system in which the video image is printed to unify longitudinal directions when multi-picture printing is implemented, and sorting after printing can be easily realized when implementing extra copying. <P>SOLUTION: On a flash memory card 103 of a digital still camera, a management file is created for controlling print processing, display processing and communication processing together with video information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing device.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a conventional digital camera and video printer. To print the video captured by a digital camera without using a personal computer, first connect the digital camera to a video printer with a video cable, and then press the display feed key so that the video signal you want to print is output to the video output of the digital camera. To operate. After output, press the capture key on the video printer side to capture the video signal. When the capture of two video signals is completed by repeating this, pressing the two-screen multi print key prints two videos on one sheet.
FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a conventional digital camera and a home television. The digital camera and the video printer are connected by a video cable. By operating the display feed key of the digital camera, the image projected on the home television can be switched.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration of a conventional digital camera, a mobile phone, and a modem. The digital camera and mobile phone are connected by RS232C interface. The digital camera establishes communication by modem operation using an AT command, and then transmits the selected video.
JP-A-5-145882

  The configurations of FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 have a problem that the digital camera cannot be used during the operation.

  Further, when the two-screen multi-printing is performed in the configuration of FIG. 12, it is necessary to perform a very troublesome operation in order to print the image shot with the camera held horizontally and the image shot vertically without mixing.

  Further, when printing is requested from a plurality of persons, as in the case of performing additional printing work in the configuration of FIG. 12, there is a problem that after printing the required number of sheets, sorting work for each orderer becomes difficult. .

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to freely use a digital camera even while printing, displaying, and communicating with a captured video.

  It is another object of the present invention to print images so that the vertical direction of the image is unified when multi-screen printing is performed.

  Another object of the present invention is to facilitate sorting after printing when performing additional printing.

  An invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is a reading unit that reads a memory in which video information and rotation information related to rotation of the video information are stored, an analysis unit that reads and analyzes rotation information from the memory, Multi-printing means for printing the video information on the same printing surface; number-of-images specifying means for specifying the number of video information to be printed on the same printing surface; rotation information analyzed by the analysis means; and the designated video And a control unit for multi-printing a plurality of pieces of video information on the same printing surface in accordance with the number of pieces of information.

An invention according to a second aspect of the present invention is a reading unit that reads a memory that stores video information and rotation information about rotation of the video information, an analysis unit that reads and analyzes rotation information from the memory, Multi-printing means for printing a plurality of video information on the same printing surface,
The number-of-images specifying means for specifying the number of pieces of video information to be printed on the same printing surface, the rotation information analyzed by the analyzing means, and the specified number of pieces of video information. And a control unit for performing multi-printing.

  In the print system according to the present invention, when the multi-screen printing is performed, the image is printed so that the vertical direction of the image is unified.

  In the print system according to the present invention, when the multi-screen printing is performed, the image is printed so that the vertical direction of the image is unified.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a reading unit that reads a memory that stores video information and rotation information related to rotation of the video information, an analysis unit that reads and analyzes rotation information from the memory, Multi-printing means for printing video information on the same printing surface, number-of-images specifying means for specifying the number of video information to be printed on the same printing surface, rotation information analyzed by the analysis means, and the specified video information Control means for multi-printing a plurality of pieces of video information on the same printing surface according to the number, and when multi-screen printing is performed, printing is performed so that the vertical direction of the video is unified, and reprint printing is performed. At the time of implementation, sorting work after printing can be easily realized.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an objective lens, 2 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), 3 is an A / D converter, 4 is an image compression means, 5 is a video file uniquely specified by a file name by a file name. The switch S1 is a shutter, and constitutes the photographing unit 100.

  9 is a video reading means for reading a video file by designating a file name, 10 is a video decompression means, 11 is a D / A converter, S2 is a reproduction switch, 12 is a liquid crystal, 13 is a display feed key, and 14 is a display rotation key. , 15 are image information acquiring means for acquiring information on an image being displayed on the liquid crystal, 17 is an orderer designation key, and 18 is a print designation key, which constitutes an image selection means 101.

  A print management information storage unit 102 generates print management information and creates a print management information file on a memory card.

  A flash memory card 103 is a non-volatile memory that can be removed from the digital camera. This flash memory card constitutes removable nonvolatile storage means. A video file 7 and a print management information file 8 are stored in the DOS format inside the flash memory card.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 51 denotes a print management information acquisition unit that acquires the print management information file 8 on the memory card 103. Reference numeral 52 denotes a printing order adjustment unit that groups images to be printed for each rotation angle of the image for each rotation angle and adjusts the printing order so that images with different rotation angles are not mixed as much as possible. Reference numeral 53 denotes print control means for controlling the two-screen multi-print means 56 so as to perform printing in the designated printing order and frame line color. After the printing of all the images is completed, the print control unit prints the orderer list according to the instruction of the orderer list forming unit 55. Reference numeral 54 denotes a frame designating unit that instructs the print control unit to change the color of the frame line for each orderer. Reference numeral 55 denotes an orderer list forming unit that instructs printing of video information indicating the orderer using the frame line of the color used by the frame specifying unit.

  Hereinafter, the operation will be described. Now, it is assumed that the shutter button S1 is pressed. Then, the video signal captured from the CCD 2 is written to the flash memory card 103 by the A / D converter 3, the video compression means 4, and the video writing means 5 as a file which can be uniquely specified in the memory card. Now, six files "A.JPG", "B.JPB", "C.JPG", "D.JPG", "M.JPG", "N.JPG" are stored in the flash memory card by taking six shots. It is assumed that it is stored in Of these, “M.JPG” and “N.JPG” are images obtained by photographing the users M and N, respectively.

  By turning on the reproduction switch S2, the user can view the captured video on the liquid crystal. That is, the image reading means 9 reads one file, and the image is displayed on the liquid crystal via the image expanding means 10 and the D / A converter 11. When the user presses the display feed key 13, the image reading means reads a file different from the currently displayed image and starts displaying.

  Furthermore, when the user presses the display rotation key 14 when an image shot with the camera held vertically during display is displayed as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the image reading means 9 displays the same image as the image being displayed. Is called again, and the rotation switch S3 is switched to the rotation means 6 side. Then, the decompressed image is rotated 90 degrees to the right by the rotation key 14 and is displayed vertically on the liquid crystal 12 as shown in FIG. 3B. When the next feed key is pressed, the display rotation switch S3 returns to the opposite side.

  To register an image to be printed by the user M, first, an image of the image of Mr. M is displayed using the display feed key 13 and the orderer designation key 17 is pressed. Then, the video information obtaining unit 15 obtains the file name of the video being displayed from the video reading unit 9. The print management information storage unit 102 stores a character string “ORDER” in front of the file name in the flash memory card 103 as the first line of the print management information file “PRINT”.

  Next, it is assumed that Mr. M first displayed “A.JPG” as a video to be printed using the display feed key 13. At this time, when the print designation key 18 is pressed, the video information obtaining means 15 obtains the name of the video file being displayed and the state of the rotation key from the video reading means 9. If the rotation key is not used, the print management information storage unit 102 stores the character string “A.JPG 0” in the flash memory card 103 as the second line of the print management information file “PRINT”. The last "0" indicates the state of the rotary key. If the rotation key is pressed, set "90". After that, similarly, after rotating "B.JPG", press the print designation key 18, display "C.JPG", press the print designation key 18, display "D.JPG", rotate, and then print the designation key. When 18 is pressed, up to the fifth line in FIG. 4 is created.

  Next, similarly, Mr. N selects a video to be printed, and creates a print management information file for the sixth to eighth lines in FIG.

  The user inserts a flash memory card into the printing device 300 to print the selected video. Then, the print management information acquisition unit 51 searches for the file “PRINT” and notifies the contents of the file to the print order adjustment unit 52, the frame designation unit 54, and the orderer list construction unit 55. The print order adjusting means 52 divides images having the same rotation angle into groups, and adjusts the print order so that images of different groups are not mixed on one sheet as much as possible. As a result, the printing order of FIG. 6 is determined.

  Upon receiving the contents of the print management information file "PRINT", the frame specifying means 54 specifies the color of the print frame for each orderer. Since the orderer changes on the fifth sheet, the print control unit is instructed to change the color of the frame from gray to blue. Further, it notifies the orderer list composing means 55 that a gray frame is used for the first orderer and a blue frame is used for the next orderer.

  The orderer list forming means 55 extracts the video file name of the line starting with "ORDER" of the print management information file "PRINT", and prints the video file using the color of the frame received from the frame specifying means 54. The print control unit 53 is designated.

  The print control unit 53 first executes the instruction received from the print order adjustment unit 52.

  As a result, the two-screen multi-printing means 56 prints three sheets as shown in FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (b) and 7 (c). Next, one sheet is printed as shown in FIG.

  In addition, although only the rotation angles of 0 ° and 90 ° can be selected, any angle may be selectable. In addition, 90 ° and 270 ° images can be printed on the same paper by printing either of them by rotating them by 180 °.

  In the present embodiment, the orderer is identified by changing the color of the print frame. However, the thickness and shape of the print frame line may be changed. Further, a mark of a specific shape (for example, a red square or a blue square) may be used as an identification method. Also, a specific mark may be printed on the back side of the paper.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation angle can be confirmed by a user's operation. However, the rotation angle may be automatically obtained by the posture detection unit.

  In the present embodiment, the information on the orderer is used for the purpose of facilitating the sorting operation. However, the additional charge may be calculated and printed or displayed.

  In the present embodiment, a video symbolizing the orderer is selected, but a character string for identifying the orderer may be input and included in the print management information. Then, the character string may be printed.

  Thus, after the memory card is inserted into the printing apparatus, the image can be automatically printed without a digital camera.

  Further, even if images having different rotation angles are printed in various orders, it is possible to easily print the images so that the vertical directions of the images are unified.

  In addition, when performing additional printing, sorting after printing can be easily realized by printing a list of printing frames or marks distinguished for each orderer and a list of the orderers.

(Embodiment 2)
8 and 9 show the configuration of a display system using a digital camera. As with the print system, the file name of the video selected by the user on the digital camera is created on the memory card as a display management information file. The display control unit of the display device in FIG. 9 obtains the file name of the video to be displayed from the memory card based on the display management information, and sequentially displays the file name on the display unit 212.

  At this time, the name of the display management file is set to "DISPLAY" or the like. Thus, after the memory card is inserted into the display device, the display can be performed while automatically switching the images without a digital camera.

(Embodiment 3)
10 and 11 show the configuration of a display system using a digital camera. As with the print system, the file name of the video selected by the user on the digital camera is created on the memory card as a communication management information file. The communication control means of the communication device shown in FIG. 11 obtains the file name of the video to be transmitted from the memory card from the communication management information file, and instructs the communication means 312 to transmit in order.

  At this time, the name of the display management file is set to "SEND" or the like. Thus, after the memory card is inserted into a communication device such as a mobile phone or a modem, images can be automatically transmitted without a digital camera.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera constituting a digital camera print system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus constituting a digital camera print system according to the present invention. Operation explanatory diagram of the rotation key of the display selection means according to the present invention FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a print management information file according to the present invention. Flow chart of the operation of the printing order adjusting means 52 according to the present invention FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of instructions given by the print order adjusting means 52 to the print control means 53 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an output result of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera constituting a display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a display device constituting a display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera constituting a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a communication device included in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Configuration diagram of a print system using a conventional digital camera Configuration diagram of a display system using a conventional digital camera Configuration diagram of a communication system using a conventional digital camera

Explanation of reference numerals

1 Objective lens 2 CCD (charge coupled device)
Reference Signs List 3 A / D converter 4 Video compression means 5 Video writing means 6 Rotation means 7 Video file 8 Print management information file 9 Video reading means 10 Video decompression means 11 D / A converter 12 Liquid crystal 13 Display feed key 14 Rotation key 15 Video Information acquisition means 17 Orderer designation key 18 Print designation key 51 Print management information acquisition means 52 Printing order adjustment means 53 Print control means 54 Frame designation means 55 Orderer list construction means 56 Two-screen multiprint means 60 Multiprint means 100 Photographing means DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image selection means 102 Print management information storage means 103 Flash memory card 200 Display management information file 201 Display management information storage means 202 Display video selection means 210 Display management information acquisition means 211 Display control means 212 Display means 300 Communication management information file 01 communication management information storing unit 302 sends the image selection unit 310 communication control information acquisition unit 311 communication control unit 312 communication unit

Claims (2)

Reading means for reading a memory in which video information and rotation information about the rotation of the video information are stored,
Analysis means for reading and analyzing rotation information from the memory;
Multi-printing means for printing the video information on the same printing surface,
A number designating means for designating the number of pieces of video information to be printed on the same printing surface,
A printing unit comprising: a control unit configured to multi-print a plurality of pieces of video information on the same printing surface with reference to the rotation information analyzed by the analysis unit and the designated number of pieces of video information. Reading means for reading a memory in which video information and rotation information about the rotation of the video information are stored,
Analysis means for reading and analyzing rotation information from the memory;
Multi-printing means for printing a plurality of video information on the same printing surface,
A number designating means for designating the number of pieces of video information to be printed on the same printing surface,
A printing device comprising: a control unit configured to multi-print, on the same printing surface, video information having the same rotation angle with reference to the rotation information analyzed by the analysis unit and the designated number of video information.

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