JP2005111802A - Printer, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which the number of images selectable by one order sheet is increased and the printing of a plurality of sheets of image selected by the order sheet can be facilitated. <P>SOLUTION: An SPC multifunction apparatus 1 integrally comprises a scanner 2 for creating image data by reading out the image of a document, and a printer 3 for printing the image of the document on a medium based on the image data. The printer 3 prints an index sheet listing respective images corresponding to a plurality of image files stored on a memory card 28 separately from an order sheet having a print select column where a user selects the print of an image file. The printer prints an image corresponding to an image file stored on the memory card 28 based on the read-out result of the order sheet from the scanner section 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program for printing an image selected based on a reading result of an order sheet.

  Recently, relatively inexpensive printers integrated with scanners (printing apparatuses) have been put into practical use and are becoming popular in ordinary households. This printing apparatus is used not only as a printer or scanner by connecting a personal computer, but also as a copier without connecting a personal computer or the like. Also known as the printing apparatus is a model having a so-called direct print function in which each image file stored in a memory card is directly printed without a personal computer.

  When performing the direct printing, the user first mounts a memory card in the slot of the printing apparatus and prints an order sheet 71 as shown in FIG. 9 using plain paper. In the order sheet 71, reduced images 72 of the respective image files stored in the memory card are displayed as a list by index formation, and a print selection field 73 is provided below each image 72. A plurality of size designation fields 74 for designating the print size are provided in the lower area of the order sheet 71, and a check code 76 is set in a predetermined code printing field 75 in the upper right of the order sheet 71. Printed with a pattern.

  Then, the user confirms each image 72 of the order sheet 71, paints the print selection field 73 of the image desired to be printed black, and paints the predetermined size designation field 74 in black. To read. Based on the reading result of the order sheet 71, the printing apparatus reads the image file selected in the print selection field 73 from the memory, and prints the image of the image file on a sheet of the size selected in the size designation field 74. To do.

  By the way, the memory capacity of recent memory cards has been increased, and the number of image files that can be stored has increased with the increase in capacity. Further, in the conventional order sheet 71, a list of reduced images 72 is displayed and a print selection field 73 for selecting each image 72 is provided. The number of images that can be displayed on one order sheet 71 is as follows. For example, since there are 36 images, all images stored in the memory card cannot be displayed as a list. In this case, since it is necessary to print a plurality of order sheets 71 and to scan each order sheet 71, it takes time and effort to select an image on each order sheet 71 and to exchange sheets at the time of scanning. End up.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the number of images that can be selected on one order sheet and to easily print the selected image on the order sheet. A printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program that can be used.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a memory for storing an image file to be printed, a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer for printing an image read by the scanner unit on a medium. The printer unit prints an order sheet for allowing the user to select printing of each image file stored in the memory, and based on the reading result of the order sheet by the scanner unit, A printing apparatus for printing an image of the image file, wherein the printer unit displays an index sheet displaying a list of images corresponding to a plurality of image files stored in the memory, and prints the image file by a user. And an order sheet having a print selection field for causing the user to make a selection.

  According to this, the printer unit separately prints an index sheet displaying a list of each image and an order sheet having a print selection field for allowing the user to select printing of an image file. Then, each image displayed in a list on the index sheet is confirmed by the user, and a print selection column for an image desired to be printed on the order sheet is selected. The order sheet is read by the scanner unit, and a selected image is printed based on the reading result. In this case, since no image is printed on the order sheet, more print selection fields can be provided, and the number of images that can be selected on the order sheet can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of order sheets necessary for selecting all image files stored in the memory and the number of times the order sheet is read by the scanner unit.

  In this printing apparatus, one of a first print mode for separately printing the index sheet and the order sheet and a second print mode for displaying the respective images in a list and printing an order sheet having a print selection field. The operation unit for allowing the user to select the print mode is provided.

  According to this, when the user operates the operation unit, the first print mode for separately printing the index sheet and the order sheet, and the order sheet for displaying each image in a list and having the print selection column are printed. One of the two print modes is selected. In this case, the user can check the number of image files stored in the memory, and can switch to an appropriate print mode according to the number of files.

  In this printing apparatus, according to the number of image files stored in the memory, when the number of files is larger than a predetermined number, the first print mode for separately printing the index sheet and the order sheet is selected. If the number of files is smaller than the predetermined number, the second print mode for printing the order sheet having the print selection column and displaying each image as a list is selected.

  According to this, when the number of image files stored in the memory is larger than the predetermined number, the first print mode is selected, and the index sheet and the order sheet are printed separately by the printer unit. On the other hand, when the number of files is less than the predetermined number, the second print mode is selected, and an order sheet having a print selection field is displayed while displaying each image as a list. In this case, the user can automatically switch to an appropriate print mode corresponding to the number of image files without performing a button operation or the like.

In this printing apparatus, the order sheet is provided with a display unit for determining the printing mode.
According to this, when the scanner unit reads the display unit provided on the order sheet, the order sheet is a sheet for the first printing mode in which each image is not printed, or each image is displayed in a list. It is possible to determine whether the sheet is for the second print mode. Based on the determination result, selection information in the print selection field displayed on the order sheet can be appropriately read.

  The present invention also includes a memory for storing an image file to be printed, a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit for printing an image read by the scanner unit on a medium. In the printing apparatus, the printer unit prints an order sheet for allowing a user to select printing of each image file stored in the memory, and based on a reading result of the order sheet by the scanner unit, A printing method for printing an image of an image file, the index sheet displaying a list of images corresponding to a plurality of image files stored in the memory, and printing for allowing a user to select printing of the image file The order sheet having the selection field is printed separately.

  According to this, similarly to the above-described printing apparatus, the number of order sheets required for selecting all the image files stored in the memory and the number of times the order sheet is read by the scanner unit are reduced. It becomes possible.

  The present invention also includes a memory for storing an image file to be printed, a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit for printing an image read by the scanner unit on a medium. In the printing apparatus, the printer unit prints an order sheet for allowing a user to select printing of each image file stored in the memory, and based on a reading result of the order sheet by the scanner unit, A program for executing a printing process for printing an image of an image file, the step for printing an index sheet listing each image corresponding to a plurality of image files stored in the memory, and Print an order sheet that has a print selection field that allows the user to select image file printing And a step for.

  According to this, as in the printing apparatus and printing method described above, the number of order sheets required to select all the image files stored in the memory, and the number of times the order sheet is read by the scanner unit, Can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an SPC composite having a plurality of functions such as a network scan function (Scanner) for issuing a scan instruction from a personal computer (PC), a network printer function (Printer) for issuing a print instruction from a PC, and a local copy function (Copy). Device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 with the document table cover opened.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 2 for reading an image of a document and inputting it as image data, and a printer unit for printing an image on a medium such as paper based on the image data. 3 and an operation panel unit 4 for a user to operate. In the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, the image data read by the scanner unit 2 is transmitted to the printer unit 3, converted into print data by an internal processing circuit, and an image based on the print data is printed on paper, thereby enabling a local copy function. Realized.

  The scanner unit 2 is disposed on the printer unit 3, and an A4 platen glass plate 6 for placing a document to be read is placed on the scanner unit 2, and when the document is read or not used. A document table cover 7 covering the document table glass 6 is provided. The document table cover 7 is formed to be openable and closable, and has a function of pressing a document placed on the document table glass 6 toward the document table glass 6 when the document table cover 7 is closed.

  Further, a paper supply unit 11 for supplying paper to the printer unit 3 is provided on the back side of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and the paper supply unit 11 includes a paper feed tray 12 that holds cut paper (not shown). Is provided. A paper discharge unit 13 that discharges the paper printed by the printer unit 3 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and the paper discharge unit 13 can block a paper discharge port when not in use. A paper discharge tray 14 is provided. Further, an operation panel unit 4 is provided above the paper discharge unit 13. In the present embodiment, the A4 plate is described as an example of the maximum sheet size of the cut sheet, but this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  A liquid crystal display 16 is provided almost at the center of the operation panel unit 4. The liquid crystal display 16 can display setting items, setting states, operation states, and the like in characters, and can also display images read by the scanner unit 2. On the left side of the liquid crystal display 16, a power button 17, a scan button 18, a setting display button 19, and a clear button 20 are provided.

  The power button 17 is a button for turning on / off the power of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The scan button 18 is a button for starting reading of a document by the scanner unit 2. The setting display button 19 is a button for causing the liquid crystal display 16 to display a setting state for the copy function set by the user. The clear button 20 is a button for clearing the setting for the copy function and changing each setting item to a default value.

  On the right side of the liquid crystal display 16, a color copy button 22, a monochrome copy button 23, a stop button 24, and a copy number setting button 25 (25a, 25b) are provided. The color copy button 22 is a button for starting color copy, and the monochrome copy button 23 is a button for starting monochrome copy. Therefore, these copy buttons 22 and 23 serve as both a copy operation start instruction and a selection means for selecting whether the image to be output is color or monochrome. The stop button 24 is a button for stopping the copy operation once started. The copy number setting button 25 is composed of two buttons 25a and 25b with “+” or “−” written on the front surface, and the set number is increased by pressing the “+” button 25a, and the “−” button 25b. Press to decrease the set number.

  A menu button 26 for switching setting items displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 is provided on the front side of the liquid crystal display 16. The menu button 26 is composed of two buttons arranged on the left and right, and a left-pointing arrow or a right-pointing arrow is shown respectively. Each time the left or right menu button 26 is pressed, the setting items to be displayed are sequentially switched in the determined order, and when the display is completed, the first setting item is displayed. The left and right arrows are for changing the order in which the setting items are displayed. Both buttons 26 display the setting items in the reverse order of the display order when the other buttons are pressed.

  A memory card slot 27 is provided on the right side of the paper discharge unit 13. The memory card slot 27 conforms to, for example, the PCMCIA standard, and a memory card 28 conforming to such a standard is configured to be detachable. The memory card 28 incorporates a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a plurality of image files to be printed are stored in the memory card 28.

  Further, on the side of the main body of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, connection means for connecting to an external device, for example, a USB port 29 is provided. The USB port 29 connects the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 and the host computer via a USB cable. By connecting the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 to the host computer, the image capturing to the host computer by the scanner function and the print output by the printer function are realized.

  The scanner unit 2 irradiates light on a document through a document table glass 6 from a light emitting unit (not shown) provided therein, and detects light reflected by the document with a CCD (charge coupled device), thereby placing the document on the document table glass 6. Read the description (image or text) of the placed document.

  The printer unit 3 is configured to output a color image. For example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) color inks are printed on a medium such as printing paper. An ink jet method is employed in which an image is formed by forming dots by discharging the ink upward. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration for realizing the copy function, and an interface circuit and the like necessary for functioning as a printer or a scanner connected to a personal computer or the like are omitted.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a main board (not shown) that performs overall control in the case of the printer unit 3. A CPU embedded ASIC (Application Specific IC) 41, a program ROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, and a second SDRAM 44 are mounted on the main board.

  The ASIC 41 includes a CPU 45, a scanner input circuit 46, an image processing circuit 47, a memory card input / output circuit 48, a head control unit 49, and a JPEG decompression circuit 50, which are connected to an internal bus 41a on the ASIC 41. . The internal bus 41a is connected to a program ROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, and an operation panel unit 4 that are externally attached to the ASIC 41. The program ROM 42 stores a control program executed by the CPU 45 and the like. The first SDRAM 43 temporarily stores image data and print data to be processed by executing the control program.

  The second SDRAM 44 is connected to a scanner input circuit 46 and an image processing circuit 47, and temporarily stores image data and print data before and after processing in the circuits 46 and 47. In the second SDRAM 44, a plurality of memory areas (a line buffer 44a, a microweave buffer 44b, an image buffer 44c, etc.) are secured.

  The scanner unit 2 is connected to the scanner input circuit 46. The scanner unit 2 optically reads a document placed on the platen glass 6 and A / D-converts charges stored in a CCD (charge coupled device) 2a by an A / D conversion circuit 2b. The scanner unit 2 inputs the A / D converted data to the scanner input circuit 46 of the ASIC 41.

  The scanner input circuit 46 temporarily stores each raster line data (RGB multi-tone image data) input from the scanner unit 2 in the line buffer 44 a of the SDRAM 44 under the control of the CPU 45. Then, the scanner input circuit 46 sequentially performs inter-line correction processing on the RGB data fetched into the line buffer 44a and sends it to the image processing circuit 47 as RGB data for the same line. The inter-line correction process is a process for correcting the deviation of the reading position between the R, G, and B linear sensors that occurs due to the structure of the scanner unit 2. More specifically, the CCD 2a included in the scanner unit 2 has a linear sensor of one line for each color for three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Since these three linear sensors are arranged in parallel in the scanning direction of the reading carriage (not shown), they cannot simultaneously receive the reflected light applied to the same line of the document. That is, when reflected light irradiated to the same line of the original is received by each linear sensor, a time shift occurs. For this reason, it is a process for synchronizing the data sent with a delay corresponding to the arrangement of the linear sensors.

  The scanner input circuit 46 also performs resolution conversion processing for converting the RGB data reading resolution [dpi] into the printing resolution [dpi] for printing by the printer unit 3 in parallel with the interline correction processing. That is, when the reading resolution of RGB data is lower than the printing resolution, new data is generated between the adjacent data by performing linear interpolation or the like, and conversely when it is higher than the printing resolution, a certain ratio For example, the resolution of RGB data is made equal to the print resolution by thinning out the data. The same applies to enlargement or reduction copying.

  The image processing circuit 47 takes in image data that has undergone resolution conversion processing, and performs image processing such as color conversion, halftone processing, and microweave processing. The color conversion process is a process of converting RGB multi-tone image data into CMYK four-color multi-tone image data. Halftone processing is processing for converting multi-gradation data into area gradation data. The microweave process is a process of adjusting a dot line forming method in order to prevent stripes (banding) between rows.

  In the image processing circuit 47, the data subjected to the microweave process is stored in the microweave buffer 44b. Further, the image processing circuit 47 reads out the data stored in the buffer 44b for each predetermined size and rearranges the data based on various information (for example, the number of nozzles for each color, the number of head scans, etc.), and then the image buffer 44c. Forward to. As a result of this data transfer, the image buffer 44c stores head drive data for ejecting ink to each nozzle for each scan of a writing carriage (not shown) provided in the printer unit 3.

  The head drive data (print data) for each scan stored in the image buffer 44 c is read by the CPU 45 and transferred to the head control unit 49. The head control unit 49 drives the printer head 51 based on the head drive data under the control of the CPU 45, and controls whether or not ink droplets are ejected and the amount of ink droplets to be ejected. As a result, copy printing for the image read by the scanner unit 2 is realized.

  The memory card input / output circuit 48 functions as an interface circuit when the memory card 28 is inserted into the memory card slot 27. The memory card 28 of the present embodiment stores an image file taken with a digital camera (not shown), an image file edited with a personal computer, and the like. These image files are files obtained by compressing RGB image data in, for example, the JPEG format, and the CPU 45 reads the image file from the memory card 28 via the memory card input / output circuit 48 and transfers it to the JPEG decompression circuit 50.

  The JPEG decompression circuit 50 decompresses (decodes) the image file into RGB multi-gradation image data by performing a decoding process on the image file read from the memory card 28 under the control of the CPU 45. The image data is stored in the SDRAM 43. The image data is transferred to the image processing circuit 47 under the control of the CPU 45, and converted into print data by the image processing described above. Then, by driving the printer head 51 based on the print data, an image corresponding to the image file on the memory card 28 is printed.

  Next, a process for performing direct printing on the memory card 28 in the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 will be described. In the direct printing of this embodiment, a mode (batch designation mode) for separately printing the index sheet 60 of FIG. 4 and the order sheet 61 of FIG. 5 and a mode for printing the conventional order sheet 71 shown in FIG. (Confirmation mode).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the index sheet 60 displays a list of reduced images 62 of image files stored in the memory card 28 in an index format, and an image number is assigned below each image 62. . For example, when 80 images 62 are printed on the index sheet 60 and 160 image files are stored in the memory card 28, two index sheets 60 are printed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the order sheet 61 is provided with a plurality of (for example, 160) print selection fields 63, and an image number is assigned below. The image number in the print selection field 63 in the order sheet 61 corresponds to the image number in the index sheet 60, and the user can select a print image by painting the print selection field 63 with a predetermined image number in black. . A plurality of size designation fields 64 for designating the print size are provided in the lower area of the order sheet 61. Similarly to the print selection field 63, the size designation field 64 has an elliptical shape and can be designated by blacking out the paper size.

  A check code 66 used for matching the sheet 61 and the image file on the memory card 28 is printed in a predetermined pattern in the code print field 65 on the upper right of the order sheet 61. Further, a mode designation field 67 is provided above the code printing field 65 in the order sheet 61. Since this order sheet 61 is a sheet for the batch designation mode, the mode designation column 67 is painted black in advance.

  In the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, one of a batch designation mode (first print mode) for separately printing the index sheet 60 and the order sheet 61 and a confirmation mode (second print mode) for printing the conventional order sheet 71. One print mode is selected by a button operation on the operation panel unit 4 by the user.

Next, a method for printing the order sheets 61 and 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step 100, the CPU 45 sends predetermined display data to the operation panel unit 4 to display a print mode selection screen on the liquid crystal display 16. Here, when the user confirms the selection screen and performs a predetermined button operation, either the batch designation mode in which the index sheet 60 and the order sheet 61 are separately printed or the conventional confirmation mode in which the order sheet 71 is printed. Is specified.

  In step 110, the CPU 45 determines whether or not the designated mode is the batch designation mode based on the operation signal notified from the operation panel unit 4. If it is the batch designation mode, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 120. The index sheet 60 is printed. Specifically, the CPU 45 sequentially reads the image files stored in the memory card 28 and transfers the image files to the JPEG decompression circuit 50. In the JPEG decompression circuit 50, each image file is decoded into multi-gradation image data, and the image data is stored in the SDRAM 43. The CPU 45 transfers the image data to the image processing circuit 47 and converts it into print data by performing the above-described image processing. The CPU 45 drives the printer head 51 based on the print data, and prints the index sheet 60 displaying a list of images of each image file on the memory card 28.

  Thereafter, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 130 and prints the order sheet 61. Here, the CPU 45 generates print data for printing the print selection field 63 of each image based on each image file read from the memory card 28, and further, a size designation field, a check code 66, and a mode designation field. Print data for printing 67 etc. is generated and sent to the head control unit 49. The CPU 45 drives the printer head 51 based on the print data, thereby printing the order sheet 61 displaying the print selection field 63, the size designation field 64, the check code 66, the mode designation field 67, and the like. The CPU 45 ends the process of FIG. 6 after printing the order sheet 61.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 110 that the designated mode is the confirmation mode, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 140 and adds to the conventional order sheet 71 shown in FIG. After the order sheet displaying 73, the size designation column 74, and the like is printed, the processing of FIG.

  Next, a process for printing a selected image using the order sheets 61 and 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the case of using the order sheet 61 at the time of printing, after confirming each reduced image 62 of the index sheet 60, the user paints the print selection column 63 of the image number desired to be printed black on the order sheet 61. At the same time, the size designation field 64 is painted black. In the case of using the order sheet 71, each reduced image 72 displayed in a list on the order sheet 71 is confirmed, and the print selection field 73 desired to be printed is painted black and the size designation field 74 is painted black. Then, the user places the order sheets 61 and 71 on the platen glass 6 and sets the paper of the size specified in the size specification fields 64 and 74 on the paper supply tray 12 of the paper supply unit 11 and then copies it. Button 22 is turned on. The CPU 45 starts the process of FIG. 7 when detecting the button operation of the copy button 22. Hereinafter, a case where the user sets the order sheet 61 on the platen glass 6 will be described.

  First, in step 200, the CPU 45 outputs a control signal to the scanner unit 2, and scans the order sheet 61 placed on the platen glass 6 by the scanner unit 2. At this time, the order sheet 61 is irradiated with light from the inside of the scanner unit 2 through the original table glass 6, the reflected light from the order sheet 61 is detected by the CCD 2a, and the read data converted by the A / D conversion circuit 2b is obtained. Output from the scanner unit 2.

  In step 210, the CPU 45 takes in the read data through the scanner input circuit 46, and reads the pattern of the check code 66 encoded based on the data. Here, the CPU 45 determines whether or not the read check code 66 is a normal code corresponding to each image file of the memory card 28, and proceeds to step 220 if it is a normal code. On the other hand, when the read check code is not a normal code (when the order sheet 61 is not a sheet corresponding to each image file stored in the memory card 28), the present process is terminated without performing the processes after step 220. .

  In step 220, the CPU 45 determines whether or not the mode designation field 67 is painted black based on the read data of the scanner unit 2, thereby determining the type of order sheet. Here, in the case of the order sheet 61 for the batch designation mode, the mode designation column 67 is painted black, and in the case of the order sheet 71 for the confirmation mode, the designation column 67 is not provided. Accordingly, the CPU 45 determines that the mode designation field 67 is painted black based on the read data of the scanner unit 2 and recognizes that the read sheet is the order sheet 61 for the batch designation mode.

  In step 230, the CPU 45 determines an image to be printed based on the selection information in each print selection field 63. In step 240, the CPU 45 executes print processing based on the determination result. Specifically, based on the read data of the scanner unit 2, selection information such as whether or not the print selection column 63 and the size designation column 64 for selecting a print image are painted black is read. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, since the setting positions of the print selection fields 63 and 73 differ depending on the types of the order sheets 61 and 71, the CPU 45 determines each print selection based on the determination result in step 220. The selection information is read by appropriately determining the position of the column 63.

  Based on the selection information in the print selection field 63, the CPU 45 determines an image file to be printed from among the image files stored in the memory card 28, reads the image file, and transfers it to the JPEG decompression circuit 50. . Then, the CPU 45 sends the image data decoded by the JPEG decompression circuit 50 to the image processing circuit 47 and notifies the image processing circuit 47 of the print size corresponding to the selection information in the size designation field 64. As a result, the image processing circuit 47 performs image processing according to the print size and generates print data according to the print size. The CPU 45 sends the print data to the head control unit 49, and drives the printer head 51 based on the print data, thereby printing the image selected in the print selection field 63 of the order sheet 61. Here, for all the images selected by the order sheet 61, each image data is sequentially converted into print data, and printing is performed based on the print data. Then, the CPU 45 ends this process when all the selected images have been printed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since no image is printed on the order sheet 61 in FIG. 5, it is possible to provide more print selection fields 63. Therefore, when the number of files to be printed stored in the memory card 28 is large (for example, when hundreds of image files are stored), the order sheet 61 required to select all the image files is stored. The number of sheets can be reduced. In this case, the number of reading of the order sheet 61 by the scanner unit 2 can also be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to easily print a plurality of selected images using the order sheet 61.

  (2) A batch designation mode in which the index sheet 60 in FIG. 4 and the order sheet 61 in FIG. 5 are separately printed by the user operating the operation panel unit 4, and a confirmation mode in which the order sheet 71 in FIG. 9 is printed. Either of the print modes can be selected. In this case, the user can switch to an appropriate print mode according to the number of image files stored in the memory card 28. Specifically, the user selects the batch designation mode when the number of files is large in consideration of the number of printed sheets 60, 61, 71 and the number of scans of the order sheets 61, 71, and the number of files is small. Select the confirmation mode. In this way, direct printing of the memory card 28 can be performed appropriately.

  (3) The order sheet 61 of FIG. 5 is provided with a mode designation field 67 as a display unit for discriminating each print mode. Then, by reading the presence / absence of the mode designation column 67, it is possible to determine whether or not the scanned order sheets 61 and 71 are sheets for the batch designation mode. Further, the selection information in the print selection fields 63 and 73 displayed on the order sheets 61 and 71 can be appropriately read based on the determination result.

  (4) Since the order sheets 61 and 71 have size designation fields 64 and 74 in addition to the print selection fields 63 and 73, the sheet size to be printed by the printer unit 3 is selected according to the selection information in the size designation fields 64 and 74. Can be specified.

In addition, you may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
In the above embodiment, the batch designation mode for separately printing the index sheet 60 and the order sheet 61 and the confirmation mode for printing the conventional order sheet 71 are selected by operating the buttons on the operation panel unit 4. It is not limited to this. For example, if the number of image files stored in the memory card 28 is larger than a predetermined number, the index sheet 60 and the order sheet 61 may be printed separately.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the printing process. That is, the CPU 45 obtains the number of image files to be printed by referring to the memory card 28 in step 300, and determines whether or not the number of files is equal to or greater than a predetermined number N in step 310. . If the number of files is equal to or greater than the predetermined number N, the CPU 45 prints the index sheet 60 of FIG. 4 in step 320 and the order sheet 61 of FIG. On the other hand, if the number of files is smaller than the predetermined number N, the process proceeds to step 340 and the conventional order sheet 71 of FIG. 9 is printed. In addition, the process of step 320-340 is the same as the process of step 120-140 of the said embodiment. In this way, the print mode can be automatically switched according to the number of files.

  The order sheet 61 is printed with a mode designation field 67 as a display unit for discriminating the print mode. However, other codes or numbers for designating the print mode may be printed. Good.

  In the index sheet 60 and the order sheet 61 printed in the batch designation mode, sheet information such as the same sheet number is printed so that the order sheet 61 corresponding to the index sheet 60 can be confirmed by the sheet information. May be.

  The order sheets 61 and 71 are provided with size designation fields 64 and 74, and the paper size is designated by the selection information in the size designation fields 64 and 74. You may change to specify the size. In this case, the size designation fields 64 and 74 in the order sheets 61 and 71 are omitted.

  In the above embodiment, a JPEG format file is stored in the memory card 28 as an image file to be printed. However, for example, an Exif format, a TIFF format, which are image file formats for digital still cameras, An image file such as a bitmap format may be stored.

  In the above embodiment, the SPC composite apparatus 1 having the three functions of the scanner, the printer, and the copy is embodied. However, the printing that realizes the function as a copier by connecting the scanner and the printer, which are separate devices, is performed. It may be embodied in a device.

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sheet size designation field is provided in the order sheet in addition to the print selection field.

  (2) The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein sheet information for associating each of the index sheet and the order sheet printed separately in the first printing mode is printed. .

  (3) The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the scanner unit and the printer unit are integrated, and have a plurality of functions of a scanner function, a printer function, and a copy function. .

The perspective view which shows a SPC compound apparatus. The perspective view which shows the SPC composite apparatus of the state which opened the cover of the scanner part. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a SPC compound apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows an index sheet. Explanatory drawing which shows an order sheet. 6 is a flowchart illustrating order sheet printing processing. The flowchart which shows the printing process of the selection image by an order sheet. The flowchart which shows the printing process of the order sheet of another example. Explanatory drawing which shows the conventional order sheet.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... SPC compound apparatus as printing apparatus, 2 ... Scanner part, 3 ... Printer part, 4 ... Operation panel part as operation part, 28 ... Memory card as memory, 60 ... Index sheet, 61, 71 ... Order sheet, 62, 72 ... image, 63, 73 ... print selection field, 67 ... mode designation field as a display unit.

Claims (6)

A memory for storing an image file to be printed; a scanner unit for reading an image of a document; and a printer unit for printing an image read by the scanner unit on a medium. A printing apparatus that prints an order sheet for allowing a user to select printing of each image file stored in a memory, and prints an image of the image file based on a reading result of the order sheet by the scanner unit There,
The printer unit includes an index sheet displaying a list of images corresponding to a plurality of image files stored in the memory, and an order sheet having a print selection field for allowing a user to select printing of the image file. A printing apparatus for printing. The user can select either one of a first print mode for separately printing the index sheet and the order sheet and a second print mode for displaying the respective images in a list and printing an order sheet having a print selection field. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit configured to cause the user to select the operation unit. According to the number of image files stored in the memory, when the number of files is larger than a predetermined number, the first print mode for separately printing the index sheet and the order sheet is selected, and the number of files 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number is less than a predetermined number, the second printing mode for displaying the respective images in a list and printing an order sheet having a print selection field is selected. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the order sheet is provided with a display unit for determining the print mode. A printer comprising: a memory for storing an image file to be printed; a scanner unit for reading an image of a document; and a printer unit for printing an image read by the scanner unit on a medium. Prints an order sheet for allowing the user to select printing of each image file stored in the memory, and prints an image of the image file based on a reading result of the order sheet by the scanner unit Printing method,
Printing separately an index sheet displaying a list of images corresponding to a plurality of image files stored in the memory and an order sheet having a print selection field for allowing the user to select printing of the image file. A printing method characterized by the above. A printing apparatus comprising: a memory for storing an image file to be printed; a scanner unit for reading an image of a document; and a printer unit for printing an image read by the scanner unit on a medium. Prints an order sheet for allowing the user to select printing of each image file stored in the memory, and prints an image of the image file based on a reading result of the order sheet by the scanner unit A program for executing print processing,
An order sheet having a step for printing an index sheet displaying a list of images corresponding to a plurality of image files stored in the memory, and a print selection field for allowing a user to select printing of the image file. A program comprising: a step for printing.

Images