JP2005072929A - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and an image input apparatus which can automatically print out photographs of the number of sheets equivalent to persons contained in image data picked up by an image input apparatus such as a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: The image input apparatus 1 is provided with a generating means for generating image data, a head count detecting means for detecting the number of persons contained in the generated image data, and an output means for detecting the same number as the detected number of persons as the number of prints and outputting the generated image data to an image forming apparatus 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and an image input apparatus such as a digital camera. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus or an image input using a technique for analyzing image data to be printed and identifying a person included therein. It relates to the device.

  In recent years, digital cameras have been used for photography in place of film cameras in various places. Image data picked up by a digital camera can be easily printed by being taken into a personal computer or a dedicated printer.

  When taking a group photo of a large number of friends, family, etc. with a digital camera and printing it on print paper, counting the number of people in the photo in order to print for the number of people in the taken photo There is. If there are only a few photos taken or the number of people in the photo is only a few, the burden is small, but there are dozens of photos taken and the number of people in each photo When the number of people reaches tens, the burden of counting becomes large.

By the way, various techniques for detecting a human face or the like from image data are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-167110 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can automatically print as many photographs as the number of persons included in image data captured by an image input device such as a digital camera. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image input apparatus.

  The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit for generating image data, the number of person detection unit for detecting the number of persons included in the generated image data, and the same number as the detected number of persons are designated as the number of print copies. Output means for outputting the generated image data to the image forming apparatus.

  The image input device according to claim 2 is the image input device according to claim 1, wherein the number of people output means for outputting the number of people detected by the number of people detection means and whether or not to approve the number of people output by the means. And a means for designating.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is a receiving unit that receives image data, a number detecting unit that detects the number of persons included in the received image data, and the same number of detected number of the received image data. And printing means for performing printing.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number output means for outputting the number of persons detected by the number of persons detection means and the number of persons output by the means are approved. And a means for designating.

  According to the image input device of the first aspect, the number of persons in the photograph is automatically detected, and a print command for the number of persons is output to the image forming apparatus. This eliminates the trouble of counting the number of people who are present.

  According to the image input device of claim 2, since the detected number of people is output, and the user can specify whether or not to approve the number of people output, the persons shown in the photograph overlap each other. The corrective operation by the user is effective when the correct number of people is difficult to detect.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 3, since the number of persons in the photograph is automatically detected and printing is automatically performed for the number of persons, the number of persons in the photograph by the user The trouble of counting is eliminated.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the detected number of persons is output, and the user can specify whether or not to approve the number of persons output, so that the persons in the photograph overlap each other. The corrective operation by the user is effective when the correct number of people is difficult to detect.

  An image input apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the image input apparatus 1. That is, the image input apparatus 1 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 3 that is an image pickup device, an A / D converter 4, a control unit 5, an image memory 6, a printer interface 7, an operation unit 8, a display unit 9, and the like. .

  The CCD 3 includes a light receiving element that converts light into an electrical signal, and subject light incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD is converted into an amount of signal charge corresponding to the amount of incident light, read out as an image signal, R, G, The signals are separated into B color signals and output to the A / D converter 4.

  The A / D converter 4 converts the image signal output from the CCD 3 into a digital signal. The digitized image data is subjected to processing such as file formation and file compression by the control unit 5 and is stored in the image memory 6.

  The control unit 5 is configured by a microcomputer including an MPU (Microprocessing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and controls each unit of the image input apparatus 1. The control unit 5 functions as a processing unit for image data picked up by the CCD 3 and as a printing data generation unit that generates printing data.

  Further, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 8, the control unit 5 expands the image data stored in the image memory 6 and detects the number of persons included in the image data (hereinafter “number of people”). "Detection process"). Then, print data of the developed image data is generated, and the same number as the number of persons detected by the number detection process is designated as the number of copies to be output to the printer (image forming apparatus) 2. As the number of people detection process, for example, a means for detecting a person's face from image data as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, and the number of detected faces is counted and included in the image data. It can be the number of people. However, the number detection process is not limited to this as long as it can detect the number of persons included in the image data.

  The image memory 6 functions as a storage unit that stores image data. The image memory 6 may be either a built-in memory or a detachable memory.

  The printer interface 7 is an interface with the printer (image forming apparatus) 2 and is connected to the printer and outputs image data, a print command signal, and the like received from the control unit 5 to the printer 2.

  The operation unit 8 includes keys and the like for performing various operations, and various operations by the operator are performed in the operation unit 8. The display unit 9 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in parallel with the operation unit 8 and displays various screen information.

  As the printer (image forming apparatus) 2, various types such as an electrophotographic type and an inkjet type can be used.

  A processing operation of the image input apparatus 1 executed when the image data captured using the image input apparatus 1 having the above configuration and stored in the image memory 6 is output to the printer 2 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Based on The processing operation of the image input apparatus 1 described based on this flowchart is a command issued by the MPU (not shown) of the control unit 5 based on the control program stored in the ROM (not shown) of the control unit 5. Done according to

  An operator connects the image input apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 via a printer cable or the like, and performs an operation for printing image data stored in the image memory 6 from the operation unit 8 of the image input apparatus 1. Then, the image input apparatus 1 receives a print instruction by the operation (S1), and expands the compressed image stored in the image memory 6 on the memory (not shown) of the control unit 5 (S2).

  The control unit 5 analyzes the developed image data, detects the number of persons included in the image data by the number of persons detection process (S3), and stores the number of persons as a variable “detected number of persons” (S4). .

  Next, print data of the developed image data is generated (S5), and screen information for requesting the operator to approve the number of persons detected in S3 is output to the display unit 9 (S6).

  The operator can specify whether or not to approve the number of detected persons output and displayed on the display unit 9 by a predetermined operation in the operation unit 8 of the image input apparatus 1. Furthermore, the correct number of people can be specified by operation. If the operator does not approve the number of detected persons output on the display unit 9 and the correct number of persons is designated by a predetermined operation (S7: number of persons designation), the control unit 5 changes the designated number of persons to the variable “ This is stored as “number of detected persons” (S8).

  Subsequent to the processing of S8 and when the operator performs a predetermined operation for approving the number of detected persons output to the display unit 9 (S7: approval), the stored variable “detection” It is determined whether the “number of people” is “0” (S9). If the variable “number of detected people” is not “0” (S9: NO), the same number as the variable “number of detected people” is designated as the number of copies to be printed in the print number designation command (S10). If “0”, “1” is designated as the number of copies in the print command and designated in the print number designation command (S11).

  Then, the print command including (embedded) the print number command, the print image data generated in S5 is transmitted to the printer 2 (S12), and the number of copies designated in the print number command is sent to the printer 2. Let's do photo printing.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the image input device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the number of persons in the photograph is automatically detected, and a print command for the number of persons is detected. Is output to the image forming apparatus, which eliminates the user's trouble of counting the number of persons in the photograph. The number of people detected by the number of people detection process is displayed on the display unit 9. If the number of people is correct, an approval operation is performed. If the number of people is incorrect, the correct number of people can be input. The corrective operation by the user is effective when it is difficult to detect the correct number of people such as when there are people overlapping each other. In addition, in the case of a landscape photograph that does not include a person, the person included in the image data is naturally not detected, but in such a case, one copy is automatically designated as the number of copies. The troublesome operation of specifying the number of copies to be printed can be omitted.

  Hereinafter, an image input apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 52 according to the second embodiment. That is, the image forming apparatus 52 includes a data receiving unit 53, a control unit 54, an image memory 55, an operation unit 56, a display unit 57, an image recording unit 58, and the like.

  The data receiving unit 53 functions as an interface with the image input device 51 such as a digital camera and is connected to the digital camera to receive a print command, image data for printing, and the like. The received image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 55 via the control unit.

  The control unit 54 includes a microcomputer including an MPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 54 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 52, compresses received print image data, and temporarily stores the image data in the image memory 55. To do. Then, the accumulated image data is developed on a memory (not shown) of the control unit 54 and analyzed, and a number detection process for detecting the number of persons included in the image data is executed. Then, the expanded image data is subjected to decoding processing, and the same number as the number of detected persons is output to the image recording unit 8. In addition, as described in the first embodiment, the number of persons detection process is performed by using a means for detecting a person's face from image data as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. Although the number of faces that have been counted can be counted as the number of persons included in the image data, the number of persons included in the image data may be detected by other means.

  The image memory 55 functions as a buffer that temporarily stores received print image data.

  The operation unit 56 includes keys and the like for performing various operations, and various operations by the operator are performed in the operation unit 56. The display unit 57 includes, for example, an LCD juxtaposed with the operation unit 56, and displays various screen information.

  The image recording unit 58 receives the decoded image data output from the control unit 54 and forms an image on the recording paper.

  The image input device 51 may be any digital camera, digital video camera, or the like that can output image data for printing that can be interpreted by the image forming device 52.

  Hereinafter, processing operations executed when the image forming apparatus 52 having such a configuration receives image data from the image input apparatus 51 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. The processing operation of the image forming apparatus 52 described based on this flowchart is a command issued by an MPU (not shown) of the control unit 54 based on a control program stored in a ROM (not shown) of the control unit 54. Done according to

  When the image forming apparatus 52 receives the print image data together with the print command (S51), the print image data is temporarily compressed and stored in the image memory 55 (S52). Then, the stored image data for printing is sequentially developed on a memory (not shown) of the control unit 54 (S53).

  The control unit 54 analyzes the developed image data, detects the number of persons included in the print image data by the number-of-persons detection process (S54), and stores the number as a variable “number of detected persons” (S54). S55).

  Next, screen information for requesting the operator to approve the number of persons detected in S54 is output to the display unit 57 (S56).

  The operator can specify whether or not to approve the number of detected persons output and displayed on the display unit 57 by a predetermined operation in the operation unit 56 of the image forming apparatus 52. Furthermore, the correct number of people can be specified by operation. If the operator does not approve the number of detected persons output and displayed on the display unit 57 and the correct number of persons is specified by a predetermined operation (S57: number of persons specified), the specified number of persons is set as a variable “detected number of persons”. Store (S58).

  Subsequent to the process of S58 and when the operator performs a predetermined operation for approving the number of detected persons output to the display unit 57 (S57: approval), the variable “number of detected persons” is “ A determination is made as to whether it is “0” (S59). When determining that the variable “number of detected people” is “0”, the control unit 54 stores 1 as the variable “number of detected people” (S60).

  Subsequent to the processing of S60 and if it is determined in S59 that the variable “number of detected people” is not “0” (S59: NO), the image data is output to the image recording unit 8 and printing is started. The printing process is repeated until the same number of printings as the variable “number of detected persons” are completed (S61, S62).

  Then, it is determined whether or not all the print image data received in S51 has been printed (S58). If all the print image data has been printed (S58: YES), a series of processing operations have been completed and all have been printed. If not (S58: NO), the process proceeds to S53, and the processing operations from S53 to S62 are repeatedly executed until all the print image data is printed.

  According to the image forming apparatus 52 according to the second embodiment, the number of persons in the photograph is automatically detected, and printing is automatically performed for the number of persons. The trouble of counting the number of people is eliminated. The number of people detected by the number of people detection process is displayed on the display unit 57. If the number of people is correct, an approval operation is performed. If the number of people is incorrect, the correct number of people can be input. The corrective operation by the user is effective when it is difficult to detect the correct number of people such as when there are people overlapping each other. In addition, in the case of a landscape photograph that does not include a person, the person included in the image data is naturally not detected, but in such a case, one copy is automatically designated as the number of copies. The troublesome operation of specifying the number of copies to be printed can be omitted.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an image input apparatus such as a digital camera and an image forming apparatus such as a printer.

It is the figure which showed the structural example of the image input device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the processing operation which the image input device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed by an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 51 Image input device 2, 52 Image forming device 5 Image input device control unit 8 Image input device operation unit 9 Image input device display unit 54 Image forming device control unit 56 Image forming device operation unit 57 Image formation Device display section 58 Image recording section

Claims (4)

  Generating means for generating image data; number-of-persons detecting means for detecting the number of persons included in the generated image data; and outputting the generated image data to the image forming apparatus by designating the same number as the detected number of persons as the number of copies And an output means.   2. The image input according to claim 1, further comprising: a number output means for outputting the number of persons detected by the number of persons detection means; and a means for designating whether to approve the number of persons output by the means. apparatus.   Receiving means for receiving image data; number-of-persons detecting means for detecting the number of persons included in the received image data; and printing means for printing the received image data in the same number as the detected number of persons. An image forming apparatus.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a number output means for outputting the number of persons detected by the number of persons detection means; and a means for designating whether to approve the number of persons output by the means. apparatus.

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