JP2005110303A - Digital camera, printer, control method of digital camera, and control method of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of printing out a picked-up image without taking time and labor for its operation. <P>SOLUTION: In a digital camera 101, communication connection with a printer 102 is first set via an infrared I/F 103 according to an IrDA communication protocol. Print mode setting dialog data are then indicated on a liquid crystal display part 208, and a setting request of the mode selectively instructed by a depressed switch is transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I/F 103. When an image data transmission request from the printer 102 is received after the setting request of the selectively instructed print mode is transmitted, image data are read from a flash memory 204 and transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I/F 103. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera capable of communicating with a printer and transmitting image data, a printer capable of communicating with the digital camera, a digital camera control method, and a printer control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In general, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) is used for an image print system for printing out an image captured by a digital camera with a printer. The PC takes in image data from an image capturing apparatus, and the image data is transferred to the printer. Is converted into print data that can be printed and output to the printer.

  The image print system will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional image print system.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the image print system includes a digital camera 1001, a PC 1002, and a printer 1003. The digital camera 1001 and the PC 1002 are communicably connected via a communication cable 1004 such as RS232C. The PC 1002 and the printer 1003 are communicably connected via a communication cable 1005 such as Centronics.

  Images captured by the digital camera 1001 are temporarily stored as image data in a flash memory attached to the digital camera 1001. When printing out the captured image, first, the digital camera 1001 and the PC 1002 are connected by the communication cable 1004, and the communication software is activated on the PC 1002. Next, communication is performed with the communication software in the digital camera 1001 using this communication software, and image data stored in the flash memory of the digital camera 1001 is transmitted to the PC 1002 via the communication cable 1004. The transmitted image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk of the PC 1002.

When image data from the digital camera 1001 is captured by the PC 1002, a printer driver for the printer 1003 is activated on the PC 1002, and image data captured from the digital camera 1001 by this printer driver is print data that can be processed by the printer 1003. Is output to the printer 1003 via the communication cable 1005. The printer 1003 takes in the print data via the communication cable 1005, prints an image indicated by the print data based on the print data, and outputs it.
JP-A-8-298612

  However, in the above-described conventional image printing system, the connection of the communication cable 1004 for capturing the image data of the digital camera 1001 to the PC 1002, the activation of the communication software, and the printer for converting the captured image data into print data and outputting it Since operations and operations on the PC 1002 such as driver activation are necessary, the operation for obtaining the print output of the image captured by the digital camera is troublesome and troublesome.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera, a printer, a digital camera control method, and a printer control method capable of printing out a captured image without troublesome operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a digital camera having storage means for storing image data and capable of transmitting image data by communicating with a printer, the display means for displaying an image, and the printer. Display control means for displaying a print mode setting screen on the display means in response to the start of communication, and transmission means for transmitting a print mode setting request selected based on the print mode setting screen The image data stored in the storage means is transferred to the printer based on the image data transmission request transmitted from the printer after the transmission means transmits the setting request for the selected print mode. A digital camera characterized by transmitting is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printer capable of communicating with a digital camera, the receiving means for receiving a print mode setting request from the digital camera after starting communication with the digital camera, and the setting request Transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for image data to the digital camera after receiving the image data, and converting the image data transmitted from the digital camera in response to the transmission request into print data according to the print mode according to the setting request. There is provided a printer comprising conversion means for converting and print means for printing the print data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a method for controlling a digital camera having display means for displaying an image and storage means for storing image data, and capable of transmitting image data by communicating with a printer. A display control step for displaying a print mode setting screen on the display unit in response to the start of communication with a printer; and a transmission step for transmitting a print mode setting request selected based on the screen; Transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the printer based on the image data transmission request transmitted from the printer after transmitting the setting request for the selected print mode in the transmission step A method for controlling a digital camera is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printer control method capable of communicating with a digital camera, wherein after receiving communication with the digital camera, a receiving step of receiving a print mode setting request from the digital camera; A transmission step of transmitting an image data transmission request to the digital camera after receiving the setting request; and image data transmitted from the digital camera in response to the transmission request in accordance with a print mode according to the setting request. There is provided a printer control method comprising a conversion step of converting print data and a print step of printing the print data.

  According to the present invention, since the screen for setting the print mode is displayed on the display unit in response to the start of communication with the printer, the labor required for the operation for image printout is reduced. In addition, since the image data can be transmitted to the printer in response to a request from the printer after transmitting the print mode setting request, the printer can control the digital camera for image transmission. As a result, it is possible to print out the captured image without troublesome operation.

  Further, for example, a printer can request image data for printing after preparing an environment according to a print mode.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image print system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing system includes a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) 101 provided with an infrared I / F (infrared interface) 103 and a printer provided with an infrared I / F 104. 102, and communication is performed between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 by exchanging infrared rays 105 via the respective infrared I / Fs 103 and 104. The digital camera 101 stores image data of a captured image in a flash memory, and when the image data stored in the flash memory is printed out, the image data is conveyed by the infrared 105 from the infrared I / F 103. The infrared ray 105 is received by the infrared I / F 104 of the printer 102, and image data is extracted from the infrared ray. The extracted image data is converted into print data that can be printed by print data conversion software activated on the printer 102, and an image corresponding to the data is printed out based on the print data.

  This print data conversion software is installed in the digital camera 101 and is transmitted from the digital camera 101 to the printer 102 via the infrared I / F 103 before printing the image. The printer 102 takes in the print data conversion software transmitted from the digital camera 102 via the infrared I / F 104 and stores it in a memory or the like. The print data conversion software includes a program that converts image data in a data format adopted by the digital camera 101 such as TIFF format or JPEG format into print data in a data format that can be processed by the printer 102. Is the TIFF format and the printer 102 is an inkjet printer, the TIFF image data is converted into YMCK color data. The print data conversion software describes a process for decompressing the image data when the image data is compressed. Furthermore, the print data conversion software includes a mode setting process for setting various print modes, and image data can be converted into print data corresponding to the set mode according to the set mode. is there.

  As described above, the printer 102 directly captures the image data from the digital camera 102 and performs print output. In addition, the printer 102 is connected to a personal computer via a connection cable. It is also possible to configure as a device having versatility by mounting a function for printing out images, documents, and the like created on a personal computer inputted via the computer.

  Next, detailed configurations of the digital camera and the printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an external view showing the back side of the digital camera of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 101 has an imaging unit 205 that captures an image and generates an image signal indicating the image. The image signal generated by the imaging unit 205 is supplied to the color processing conversion unit 206. It is done. The color processing conversion unit 206 converts the image signal into image data by color conversion processing, and this image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 207. The image data stored in the image memory 207 is sent to the liquid crystal control unit 209 or the flash memory 204 via the internal bus 214.

  The liquid crystal control unit 209 drives the liquid crystal display unit 208 so that the image data input from the image memory 207 or the data from the CPU 201 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 208. By this driving, the liquid crystal display unit 208 is displayed in a viewfinder or a monitor. Used as. The data from the CPU 201 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208 includes various setting information such as a shooting mode, time information, and the like. This time information is acquired from the time measuring device 215. This timing device 215 has a calendar function and is backed up by a secondary battery 216 so that the timing operation can be continued when the digital camera 101 is powered off.

  The flash memory 204 stores the image data input from the image memory 207, and the image data stored in the flash memory 204 is transferred to the infrared I / F 103 via the internal bus 214.

  The infrared I / F 103 includes an IrDA communication control unit 212 connected to the internal bus 214 and an infrared transceiver 213. The IrDA communication control unit 212 performs modulation / demodulation and serial communication control based on an IrDA (Infrared Data Association) method, which is one of infrared communication methods, and transmits / receives signals to / from the infrared transceiver 213 according to this communication control. The infrared transceiver 213 converts the signal received from the IrDA communication control unit 212 into a corresponding infrared ray, sends the infrared ray as the infrared ray 105, receives the infrared ray 105, converts it into a signal, and converts the signal into the IrDA communication control unit To 212. This IrDA system is half-duplex communication using infrared rays, and can communicate data bidirectionally.

  Each block described above is connected to the CPU 201 via the internal bus 214, and the CPU 201 reads out and executes a control program stored in the ROM 202 to control each block described above. A RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area for data under the control of the CPU 201 and a work area for arithmetic processing. This control program includes a system program describing control of the entire camera and a plurality of individual programs describing individual control such as a shooting mode, and each program is read according to the operation state of the switch group 211. And executed. The ROM 202 stores print data conversion software in advance together with the above-described control program. The print data conversion software is read in response to a request from the printer 102 and sent to the printer 102.

  As will be described later, the switch group 211 includes switches such as a shutter switch, a mode switch, a power switch, and an image data selection switch. The operation state of each switch in the switch group 211 is sent to the CPU 201 via the input port 210.

  In the digital camera 101, as shown in FIG. 4, a shutter switch 404, a mode switch 405, an image selection switch 406, a power switch 407, a print switch 408, and the like that form a switch group 211 are arranged on the upper surface of the body 401. Yes. The shutter switch 404 is a switch for instructing the imaging timing of the imaging 205, and the mode switch 405 is a switch for switching between the imaging mode / reproduction mode. The image selection switch 406 is a switch for selecting an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit from the images in the flash memory 204 when the playback mode is set, and the power switch 407 is a switch for turning on / off the power. . A print switch 408 is a switch for instructing transmission of image data for print output to the printer 102. In addition, a transmission / reception window 403 through which infrared rays from the infrared transceiver 213 or the printer 102 enters and exits is formed on the side surface of the body 401, and a filter is fitted into the transmission / reception window 403. Further, a liquid crystal display unit 208 is arranged on the back surface of the body 401 so as to expose the screen 402 to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 102 has the infrared I / F 104 as described above. The infrared I / F 104 is connected to the internal bus 310 in the same manner as the infrared I / F 103 of the digital camera 101. The communication control unit 305 and the infrared transceiver 304 are included. The IrDA communication control unit 305 performs modulation / demodulation and serial communication control based on the IrDA method, and transmits and receives signals to and from the infrared transceiver 304 by this communication control. The infrared transceiver 304 converts the signal received from the IrDA communication control unit 305 into a corresponding infrared ray, transmits the infrared ray as the infrared ray 105, receives the infrared ray 105, converts it into a signal, and converts the signal into the IrDA communication control unit. Send to 305.

  When print data conversion software is received from the digital camera 101 via the infrared I / F 104, the print data conversion software is temporarily stored in the RAM 303 via the internal bus 310 and then read out and activated by the CPU 301. An environment in which the image data of the camera 101 can be converted into print data that can be printed is constructed. When image data from the digital camera 101 is received by the infrared I / F 104, the received image data is converted into print data by the processing of the CPU 301 according to the activated print data conversion software, and this printer data is transferred to the printer via the internal bus 310. It is transferred to the engine control circuit 308.

  The printer engine control circuit 308 controls the driving of the printer engine 309 based on the print data. Under this control, the printer engine 309 prints an image corresponding to the printer data on paper and outputs it.

  The CPU 301 is connected to each block described above via the internal bus 310, and executes control for each block in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302 along with execution of the printer data conversion software described above. A RAM 303 is used as a temporary storage area for data under the control of the CPU 301 and a work area for arithmetic processing. The control program stored in the ROM 302 includes a system program describing the control of the entire printer and a plurality of individual programs describing individual control for each block. Each individual program is an operation state of the switch group 307. Is read and executed in response to

  The switch group 307 includes switches such as a mode change switch, a power switch, and a paper discharge switch. The operation state of each switch in the switch group 307 is sent to the CPU 301 via the input port 306.

  The CPU 301 acquires time information from the time measuring device 311 having a calendar function, and manages printer jobs using the time information. The timing device 311 is backed up by a secondary battery 312 so that the timing operation can be continued when the printer 102 is powered off.

  Next, an operation when an image captured by the digital camera 101 is printed out by the printer 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the control operation by the CPU of the digital camera when the image taken by the digital camera of FIG. 1 is printed out by the printer, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are images taken by the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a print mode selection screen display in the digital camera shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 is another example applicable to the digital camera shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a selection screen display of the mode.

  When an image captured by the digital camera 101 is printed out by the printer 102, the digital camera 101 performs a control operation according to a predetermined procedure by the CPU 201. First, as shown in FIG. 5, upon receiving a communication start instruction with the printer 102 issued by pressing the switch 408 in step S501, the IrDA communication control unit 212 of the infrared I / F 103 is instructed to start communication. A communication connection with the printer 102 is set via the infrared I / F 103 in accordance with the IrDA communication protocol.

  In step S502, a print data conversion software request from the printer 102 is waited. When a print data conversion software request is received from the printer 102, the print data conversion software is sent in response to the printer data conversion software request in step S503. The data is read from the ROM 202 and transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I / F 103.

  In the subsequent step S504, the print mode setting dialog data is sent to the liquid crystal control unit 209, and the liquid crystal control unit 209 is controlled to display the print mode setting dialog data on the liquid crystal display unit 208. By this control, a selection screen for each print mode of the HQ mode and the HS mode is displayed on the display screen 402 of the liquid crystal display unit 208, for example, as shown in FIG. The HQ mode is a mode for instructing high-quality printing, and the HS mode is a mode for instructing high-speed printing.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S505, where a monitoring process for monitoring the operation status of each switch of the switch group 211 is started via the input port 210, and in step S506, the switch 408 is assigned as a print mode selection switch after being pressed. It waits for the mode switch 405, the image data selection switch 406, and the print switch 408 to be pressed. When any switch is pressed, it is determined whether or not the mode instructed by the switch pressed in step S507 is the HQ mode. If the mode instructed to select is the HQ mode, the process proceeds to step S508. The HQ mode setting request is transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I / F 103. When the mode instructed to select is not the HQ mode, it is determined that the mode instructed to be selected is the HS mode, and the process proceeds to step S509, where the HS mode setting request is transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I / F 103.

  After transmitting the print mode setting request instructed to be selected, in step S510, the image data transmission request from the printer 102 is waited. When the image data transmission request from the printer 102 is received, the process proceeds to step S511 shown in FIG.

  In step S511, image data is read from the flash memory 204, and the image data is transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I / F 103. Specifically, the image data stored in the flash memory 204 is transferred to the IrDA communication control unit 212 via the internal bus 214, and the image data transferred by the IrDA communication control unit 212 is converted into a modulated signal. The image data is transmitted to the printer 102 by outputting to the infrared transceiver 213 and transmitting the infrared 105 corresponding to the signal modulated by the infrared transceiver 213 later.

  When the transmission of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S512, and a communication disconnection request between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 is transmitted to the printer 102 via the infrared I / F 103. In the subsequent step S513, communication with the printer 102 is performed. Infrared communication disconnection processing for disconnecting the connection is performed according to the IrDA communication protocol, and this processing ends.

  On the other hand, in the printer 102, the CPU 301 performs a control operation according to a predetermined procedure. First, as shown in FIG. 7, in step S601, upon receiving a communication start instruction with the digital camera 101, the IrDA communication control unit 305 of the infrared I / F 104 is instructed to start communication, and the digital camera is in accordance with the IrDA communication protocol. A communication connection with the terminal 101 is set via the infrared I / F 104.

  In step S602, a print data conversion software request is transmitted to the digital camera 101 via the infrared I / F 104. In step S603, reception of print data conversion software from the digital camera 101 is awaited. When reception of the print data conversion software is started, the process proceeds to step S604, where the printer data conversion software is received, and the received print data conversion software is stored in the RAM 303.

  When the reception of the print data conversion software is completed, the process proceeds to step S605, where the print data conversion software is activated, and an image data printable environment of the digital camera 101 is built in the printer 102.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S606, waits for a print mode setting request from the digital camera 101, and receives the print mode setting request, determines whether or not the print mode requested in step S607 is the HQ mode, and is requested. When the print mode is the HQ mode, the process proceeds to step S608 shown in FIG. 8, and when the requested print mode is not the HQ mode, it is determined that the requested print mode is the HS mode, and the process proceeds to step S614 shown in FIG. move on.

  In step S608, as shown in FIG. 8, the print mode is set to the HQ mode for the print data conversion software. By setting the HQ mode, an environment for converting image data from the digital camera 101 into print data corresponding to the HQ mode is set. In the subsequent step S609, an image data transmission request is transmitted to the digital camera 101 via the infrared I / F 104.

  Next, in step S610, the infrared ray 105 transmitted from the digital camera 101 in response to the image data transmission request is received, the image data is extracted from the infrared ray 105, and in the subsequent step S611, the image data is converted into print data corresponding to the HQ mode. In step S612, the printer engine control corresponding to the HQ mode is performed, and the print data in the HQ mode is transferred to the printer engine control circuit 308 via the internal bus 310. Next, in step S613, it is determined whether or not the reception of the image data is completed. If the reception of the image data is not completed, the process returns to the above-described step S610, and the processing from the step to step S613 is performed. Repeat until finished.

  When the reception of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S620 and waits until a communication disconnection request from the digital camera 101 is received. When the communication disconnection request is received, the communication connection with the digital camera 101 is set to the infrared I / F 104 in step S621. Infrared communication disconnection processing is performed according to the IrDA communication protocol, and this processing ends.

  In step S614, as shown in FIG. 8, the print mode is set to the HS mode for the print data conversion software. By setting the HS mode, an environment for converting image data from the digital camera 101 into print data corresponding to the HS mode is set. In subsequent step S615, an image data transmission request is transmitted to the digital camera 101 via the infrared I / F 104.

  Next, in step S616, the infrared ray 105 transmitted from the digital camera 101 in response to the image data transmission request is received, the image data is extracted from the infrared ray 105, and in the subsequent step S617, the image data is converted into print data corresponding to the HS mode. In step S618, printer engine control corresponding to the HS mode is performed, and print data in the HS mode is transferred to the printer engine control circuit 308 via the internal bus 310. Next, in step S619, it is determined whether or not the reception of the image data has been completed. If the reception of the image data has not been completed, the process returns to the above-described step S616, and the processing from the step to the step S619 is performed. Repeat until finished.

  When the reception of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S620 and waits until a communication disconnection request from the digital camera 101 is received. When the communication disconnection request is received, the communication connection with the digital camera 101 is set to the infrared I / F 104 in step S621. Infrared communication disconnection processing is performed according to the IrDA communication protocol, and this processing ends.

  As described above, in the image print system according to the present embodiment, when an image captured by the digital camera 101 is printed out by the printer 102, the infrared I / Fs 103 and 104 are connected between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102. A communication connection is set by exchanging infrared rays 105 via the printer 102, print data conversion software is transmitted to the printer 102 by infrared rays 105, and after the print data conversion software is activated on the printer 102, image data is transferred from the digital camera 101 to infrared rays. 105, the image data is converted into print data by the print data conversion software activated on the printer 102, so that a personal computer is interposed between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 as in the prior art. Image captured by the digital camera 101 without able to be printed out directly from the printer 102, is not applied troublesome operation for purine-out of an image captured by the digital camera 101.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which one of the HQ mode and the HS mode is selected in setting the print mode has been described. However, another mode may be set. It is. For example, when the printer is an ink jet printer, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone processing. There are several types of pseudo halftone processing, examples of which include ED (Error Diffusion Method), dither method, and the like. It is also possible to select the type of pseudo halftone processing. In order to select the type of pseudo halftone processing, as shown in FIG. 10, the ED and dither dialogs are displayed on the display screen 402 of the liquid crystal display unit 208 as shown in FIG. By selecting the switch by operating the switch, it is possible to set the type of pseudo halftone processing desired by the user.

  In addition to the above settings, other mode settings such as a color matching setting can also be performed. A dialog corresponding to each mode setting is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208 according to the switch operation. If a selection instruction is given, various mode settings can be easily made.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, print data conversion software is installed in the digital camera 101, and when the image captured by the digital camera 101 is printed out by the printer 102, the print data conversion software is transmitted to the printer 102. However, instead of this, print data conversion software corresponding to the image data of the digital camera 101 may be installed in the printer 102 in advance. In addition, when all of the print data conversion software is mounted on the printer 102 without mounting it on the printer 102, the other part is mounted on the digital camera 101, and an image captured by the digital camera 101 is printed out by the printer 102. Other portions of the print data conversion software may be transmitted to the printer 102. For example, only the software part for decompressing image data compressed in the JPEG format may be transferred from the digital camera 101, and the software part for converting the decompressed image data into print data may be installed in the printer 102.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an IrDA infrared communication system is used, but an ASK infrared communication system, for example, may be used instead. In addition, other wireless communication methods using sound waves and radio waves can be used. For example, a time division digital communication method such as PHS and a radio wave method such as a spectrum spread method can be used.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, printer data conversion software is stored in the RAM 302 in the printer 102. Instead, storage means such as a hard disk or a memory card is provided, and print data conversion software is installed in this storage means. You may make it store.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which an image captured by a digital still camera is printed out has been described. However, it can be applied to a case where an image captured in a still mode of a digital video camera is printed out. Nor.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image print system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that print data conversion software is transferred from a personal computer to a printer.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image print system according to the present embodiment is provided with a digital camera (not shown) provided with an IrDA infrared I / F and an IrDA infrared I / F 104. A printer 102 is provided, and communication is performed between the digital camera and the printer 102 by exchanging infrared rays via respective infrared I / Fs. When printing out an image captured by the digital camera, the image data of the digital camera is transmitted via the infrared I / F, and the printer 102 receives the image data via the infrared I / F 104. The extracted image data is converted into print data that can be printed by print data conversion software activated on the printer 102, and an image corresponding to the data is printed out based on the print data.

  This print data conversion software is installed in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 901, and is transmitted as infrared rays 903 from the PC 901 via the infrared I / F 902 in response to a print data conversion software transmission request from the printer 102. The printer 102 receives the infrared 903 transmitted from the PC 901 via the infrared I / F 104, and takes out print data conversion software from the infrared 903. This printer data conversion software is held in a RAM in the printer 102. The infrared I / F 902 provided in the PC 901 is based on the IrDA method, and the communication protocol for transmitting the print data conversion software is based on the IrDA method as in the first embodiment. .

  The timing of issuing the print data conversion software transmission request is set, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of the printer power-up. In place of this timing, for example, it may be set so that a print data conversion software transmission request is issued at another time before reception of image data. Also, a print data conversion software reception request can be issued from the PC 901, and the printer 102 can send a transmission permission message to the PC 901 in response to this request.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image print system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  This embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that communication between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 is performed via serial wired communication means, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The form is the same.

  In the image print system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a digital camera 101 and a printer 102 are connected by a serial communication cable 1201, and serial communication between the digital camera 101 and the printer 102 is performed by USB (Univesal Serial Bus) method. It is also possible to supply power from the printer 102 to the digital camera 101 by this USB communication method. Note that a communication system defined in IEEE 1394 can be used instead of the USB system.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13 to 15 are flowcharts showing the control operation by the CPU of the digital camera when an image captured by the digital camera in the image printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is printed out by the printer. FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control operation by a printer CPU when an image captured by a digital camera is printed out by a printer in an image printing system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 17 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an image output from the printer in the image printing system concerning.

  In the present embodiment, in contrast to the first embodiment described above, the digital camera 101 converts image data into print data using print data conversion software, and additional information including date data such as the shooting time together with the print data. A digital camera is different in that an image corresponding to the data is printed on a sheet based on the print data transmitted to the printer and received by the printer 102, and the received additional information is printed on an area outside the image print area on the sheet. The configurations of the printer 101 and the printer 102 and the communication system between them are the same.

  First, details of a control operation by the CPU 201 of the digital camera 101 when an image captured by the digital camera 101 is printed out by a printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the digital camera 101 waits for the power switch 408 (shown in FIG. 4) to be pressed in step 1301, and when the power switch 408 is pressed, the press of the power switch 408 is input in step S1302. Recognizing via the port 210, power is supplied to each block.

  Next, in step S1303, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is set based on the operation state of the mode switch 405 (shown in FIG. 4). If the shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S1304, and the imaging unit 205 is set. The image picked up by the above is converted into image data and temporarily stored in the image memory 207, and the image data is supplied to the liquid crystal control unit 209 and controlled to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208. By displaying the image data on the liquid crystal display unit 208, the liquid crystal display unit 208 plays the role of a finder.

  In the following step S1305, it is monitored whether or not the shutter switch 404 (shown in FIG. 4) has been pressed via the input port 210, and when the pressing of the shutter switch 404 is not detected, the process returns to step S1303 again. Repeat the process. If it is detected that the shutter switch 404 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1306, where the image data in the image memory 207 is transferred to the first area of the flash memory 204 via the internal bus 214 and stored. In a succeeding step S1307, date data is acquired from the timing device 215, and the date data is stored in a second area associated with the first area of the flash memory 204.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S1308, where the presence / absence of pressing of the power switch 404 is detected again via the input port 210. When pressing of the power switch 404 is not detected, the process returns to step S1303 and the setting of the shooting mode is continued. If so, the processing from step S1304 is repeated. Note that the repeatable number, that is, the number of shootable times is determined by the capacity of the flash memory 204. If it is detected that the power switch 404 has been pressed, the process advances to step S1309 to stop the power supply to each block, and the process ends. In addition, since the timing device 215 is backed up by the secondary battery 216, the timing operation is continued regardless of the power supply stop to each block.

  If it is determined in step S1303 that the shooting mode is not set, that is, the playback mode is set, the process proceeds to step S1310 shown in FIG. In step S1310, as shown in FIG. 14, image data is read from the flash memory 204, and this image data is supplied to the liquid crystal control unit 209 and controlled to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208. By displaying the image data on the liquid crystal display unit 208, the liquid crystal display unit 208 plays a role of a monitor.

  In the subsequent step S1311, it is detected whether or not the print switch 408 (shown in FIG. 4) has been pressed via the input port 210. If the press of the print switch 408 is not detected, the process proceeds to step S1318 shown in FIG. In step S1318, it is detected whether or not the image selection switch 406 (shown in FIG. 4) has been pressed via the input port 210. If it is detected that the image selection switch 406 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1319, and the image selection switch is selected. If pressing of 406 is not detected, the process returns to step S1303. In step S1319, the next image data is read from the flash memory 204, and this image data is supplied to the liquid crystal control unit 209 and controlled to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208. After this image data is displayed, the process returns to step S1311. .

  If the pressing of the print switch 408 is detected in step S1311, the process proceeds to step S1312, where image data is read from the flash memory 204 by the print data conversion software and converted to print data. In step S1313, the printer data is converted to the infrared I / F 103. To the printer 102 by infrared 105. Transmission of print data from the infrared I / F 103 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  After the print data is transmitted, the process proceeds to step S1314, the date data associated with the image data is read from the flash memory 204, converted into a character code, and the character code is transmitted from the infrared I / F 103 to the printer 102 by the infrared 105. In step S1315, the digital camera name stored in advance in the ROM 202 is read and converted into a character code, and the character code is transmitted from the infrared I / F 103 to the printer 102 by infrared rays.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S1316, and the presence or absence of pressing of the power switch 404 is detected again via the input port 210. When the pressing of the power switch 404 is not detected, the process returns to the above-described step S1318 (shown in FIG. 15). If it is detected that the image selection switch 406 is pressed, the process advances to step S 1319 to read the next image data from the flash memory 204, and supply the image data to the liquid crystal control unit 209 so as to display it on the liquid crystal display unit 208. After this image data is displayed, the process returns to step S1311, and if the print switch 408 is pressed here, the next image data is converted into print data and then transmitted to the printer 102.

  If it is detected in step S1316 that the power switch 404 is pressed, the process advances to step S1317 to stop the power supply to each block, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the printer 102 first waits for reception of infrared rays in step S1601, and when infrared rays are received, it is determined whether or not the data indicated by the infrared rays received in step S1602 is print data. To do. If it is print data, the received print data is temporarily stored in the RAM 303 in step S1603, and the print data stored in the RAM 303 is transferred to the printer engine control circuit 308 via the internal bus 310 in the next step S1604. Upon receiving the print data, the printer engine control circuit 308 controls the printer engine 309 to print a corresponding image on a sheet based on the print data.

  In step S1605, it is determined whether printing of the print data is completed. If printing of the print data is not completed, the process returns to step S1601, and the processing from step S1601 to step S1605 is performed. Repeat until finished.

  When the printing of the print data is completed, the process proceeds to step S1606, waits until the character code information transmitted next to the print data is received from the digital camera 101. When the character code information is received, the process proceeds to step S1607, and the received character code is received. Font data corresponding to the information is read from the ROM 302, and the font data read in step S1608 is transferred to the printer engine control circuit 308 via the internal bus 310. Upon receiving the font data, the printer engine control circuit 308 controls the printer engine 309 to print the corresponding character on the outside area of the image print area on the paper based on the font data.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S1609, where it is determined whether or not printing of character code information has been completed. The processes up to are repeated until the printing of the character code information is completed.

  When the printing of the character code information is completed, the process proceeds to step S1610, the communication connection with the digital camera 101 is disconnected according to the IrDA communication protocol, the paper is output, and this process is terminated.

  In this way, a paper on which an image captured by the digital camera (selected image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit) and date information and the digital camera name are printed outside the print area of the image is output from the printer. Is done. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, an output sheet 701 is printed with an image (selected image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit) 702 captured by a digital camera, and a print area of the printed image 702 is displayed. A digital camera name (ABC) 703 is printed together with date information in the outer area (lower area in the figure).

  As described above, in the image print system according to the present embodiment, when an image captured by a digital camera is printed out by a printer, a personal computer is connected as in the past by performing infrared communication between the digital camera and the printer. The image captured by the digital camera can be directly printed out from the printer without intervening between the digital camera and the printer, and the additional information associated with the image is recorded together with the image captured by the digital camera. Since the additional information of the image is automatically printed on the outside of the image print area of the paper by the printer, it is possible to know the shooting date of the image, the camera used, etc. from the additional information. Can easily manage images captured using the same paper. .

  In this embodiment, additional information consisting of date data such as the shooting date and the name of the digital camera is used. However, the set shooting mode and the number of pixels of the digital camera shutter speed, close-up, wide angle, telephoto, etc. It is also possible to store additional information including the compression rate of the image data in association with the image data, and set this additional information to be printed together with the image data. In this case, more detailed imaging conditions The setting contents can be grasped from the printout result.

  Further, it is possible to provide the digital camera with means for making it possible to appropriately select the item of the additional information.

  In addition, items to be entered by key input, such as title, shooting location, weather, memo, etc., can be set in the additional information items, and the corresponding information can be written by key entry by selecting this item. it can.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts showing the control operation by the CPU of the printer when an image captured by the digital camera in the image printing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is printed out by the printer. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an image output from the printer in the image printing system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in contrast to the above-described fourth embodiment, when additional information is not transmitted from the digital camera to the printer, the printer generates additional information, and the generated additional information is used as an image print area on a sheet. The configuration of the digital camera and the printer and the communication system between them are the same.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, except for step S1806, the processing contents from step S1801 to step S1811 are changed to the processing contents from step S1601 to step S1610 shown in FIG. 16 in the fourth embodiment described above. The description of the same steps is omitted or briefly described, and different steps are described in detail.

  Referring to FIG. 18, when the printing of the print data is completed, it is determined in step S1806 whether additional information is transmitted together with the print data from the digital camera 101. If the additional information is not transmitted, FIG. It progresses to step S1812 shown. In step S1812, date data is acquired from the timing device 312 as shown in FIG. 19, and in the subsequent step S1813, the acquired date data is converted into a character code.

  In step S1814, the font data corresponding to the character code is read from the ROM 302, and the font data read in step S1815 is transferred to the printer engine control circuit 308 via the internal bus 310. Upon receiving the font data, the printer engine control circuit 308 controls the printer engine 309 to print the corresponding character (printed date) on the outside area of the image print area on the paper based on the font data.

  In step S1816, the character code of the printer name is acquired from the ROM 302. In the subsequent step S1817, the font data corresponding to the character code acquired from the ROM 302 is read, and the font data read in step S1818 is read by the printer engine control circuit. Transfer to 308 via internal bus 310. Upon receiving the font data, the printer engine control circuit 308 controls the printer engine 309 to print the corresponding character (print name) on the outside of the image print area on the paper based on the font data.

  In step S1811, the communication connection with the digital camera is disconnected according to the IrDA communication protocol, the sheet is output, and the process ends.

  In this way, when additional information is not transmitted from the digital camera, additional information (print date, printer name) is generated in the printer, and the above-described generation is performed on the image captured by the digital camera and the area outside the print area of the image. A sheet on which the additional information is printed is output from the printer. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, an image (selected image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208) 902 captured by the digital camera 101 is printed, and an area outside the print area of the printed image 902 (in the drawing) A sheet 901 on which the printing date and the printer name (XYZ) 903 are printed in the lower area) is output.

  As described above, in the image print system according to the present embodiment, when the additional information is not transmitted from the digital camera 101, the additional information is generated in the printer 102, and the generated additional information is placed in an area outside the image print area on the paper. Since printing is performed automatically, it is possible to know the printing date of the image, the printer used, and the like from the additional information, and it is possible to estimate the date of image capturing from the printing date.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image print system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer in FIG. 1. It is an external view which shows the back side of the digital camera of FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation by a CPU of a digital camera when an image captured by the digital camera of FIG. 1 is printed out by a printer. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation by a CPU of a digital camera when an image captured by the digital camera of FIG. 1 is printed out by a printer. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation by a CPU of a printer when an image captured by the digital camera of FIG. 1 is printed out by the printer. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation by a CPU of a printer when an image captured by the digital camera of FIG. 1 is printed out by the printer. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a print mode selection screen display example in the digital camera of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example of a selection screen display of the other mode applicable to the digital camera of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image printing system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image printing system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation by CPU of a digital camera in the case of printing out the image imaged with the digital camera in the image printing system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention with a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation by CPU of a digital camera in the case of printing out the image imaged with the digital camera in the image printing system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention with a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation by CPU of a digital camera in the case of printing out the image imaged with the digital camera in the image printing system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention with a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation by CPU of a printer in the case of printing out the image imaged with the digital camera in the image printing system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention with a printer. It is a figure which shows the example of an image output from the printer in the image printing system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation by CPU of a printer in the case of printing out the image imaged with the digital camera in the image printing system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention with a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation by CPU of a printer in the case of printing out the image imaged with the digital camera in the image printing system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention with a printer. It is a figure which shows the example of an image output from the printer in the image printing system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional image print system.

Explanation of symbols

101 Digital Camera 102 Printer 103, 104 Infrared I / F
105 Infrared 201, 301 CPU
202, 302 ROM
203,303 RAM
204 Flash Memory 205 Imaging Unit 208 Liquid Crystal Display Unit 211,307 Switch Group 215,311 Timing Device 308 Printer Engine Control Circuit 309 Printer Engine 901 Personal Computer 1201 Serial Communication Cable

Claims (11)

A digital camera having storage means for storing image data and capable of transmitting image data by communicating with a printer;
Display means for displaying an image;
Display control means for displaying a print mode setting screen on the display means in response to the start of communication with the printer;
Transmission means for transmitting a print mode setting request selected based on the print mode setting screen,
After transmitting the setting request for the selected print mode by the transmission unit, the image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the printer based on the image data transmission request transmitted from the printer. A featured digital camera.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the print mode includes a setting relating to a print image quality.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the print mode includes a setting relating to a print speed.   4. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for instructing start of communication with the printer.   5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the communication disconnection request is transmitted to the printer in response to completion of transmission of the image data of the printer. A printer capable of communicating with a digital camera,
Receiving means for receiving a print mode setting request from the digital camera after starting communication with the digital camera;
Transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for image data to the digital camera after receiving the setting request;
Conversion means for converting image data transmitted from the digital camera in response to the transmission request into print data according to a print mode according to the setting request;
And a printer for printing the print data.   The printer according to claim 6, wherein the print mode includes a setting relating to a print image quality.   The printer according to claim 6, wherein the print mode includes a setting relating to a print speed.   9. The transmission unit according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission request in response to setting of an environment for converting image data into print data in a print mode corresponding to the setting request. A printer according to any one of the above. A control method of a digital camera having a display means for displaying an image and a storage means for storing image data, and capable of transmitting image data by communicating with a printer,
A display control step for displaying a print mode setting screen on the display unit in response to the start of communication with the printer;
A transmission step of transmitting a print mode setting request selected based on the screen;
Transmitting image data stored in the storage means to the printer based on an image data transmission request transmitted from the printer after transmitting the setting request for the selected print mode in the transmission step; A control method for a digital camera, comprising: A printer control method capable of communicating with a digital camera,
A reception step of receiving a print mode setting request from the digital camera after starting communication with the digital camera;
A transmission step of transmitting a transmission request for image data to the digital camera after receiving the setting request;
A conversion step of converting the image data transmitted from the digital camera in response to the transmission request into print data according to a print mode according to the setting request;
And a printing process for printing the print data.

Images