JP2005238690A - Client computer, method of controlling the same, and program of controlling therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform displaying in a short time even when an image according to stored image data is redisplayed on a mobile phone as a client computer. <P>SOLUTION: Image data is sent to a camera 1 from a printer 50 in response to a request from the camera 1. The image data received by the camera 1 is subjected to a resizing process so as to be displayed on a display screen provided to the rear face of the camera 1. The resized image data is stored in a cache memory region of the camera 1. When the image represented by the image data stored in the cache memory region is displayed on the display screen of the camera 1, the image data stored in the cache memory region is read without requesting the image data to the printer 50. The image represented by the read image data is displayed on the display screen. As the resized image is stored in the cache memory region, it is unnecessary to carry out the resizing process again in order to display the image so that quick displaying can be achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a client computer, a control method thereof, and a program for performing the control.

  In the client-server model, when a request for image data from a client computer is given to the image server, the image data is transmitted from the image server to the client computer in response to the request. When image data is received at the client computer, an image represented by the received image data is displayed on the display device of the client computer.

When image data is transmitted from the image server to the client computer each time there is a request for transmission of image data from the client computer, it takes a long time to display the image on the display device of the client computer. There is one that stores transmitted image data in a client computer (cache function) (Patent Documents 1 and 2). When displaying an image represented by image data stored in the client computer, there is no need to wait for image data transmitted from the image server. For this reason, the time until the image is displayed becomes relatively short.
JP 2000-137642 A JP 2002-142211

  When the client computer is a mobile phone or the like, the size of the display screen is often smaller than the size of the image represented by the image data transmitted from the image server. In the telephone, the image represented by the received image data is reduced. The reduced image is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone. Even when image data is stored by the cache function of the client computer, the stored image data is the received image data itself, and even when the processed image is displayed, the image before the processing is displayed. Is expressed. For this reason, when the image represented by the stored image data is displayed again, it is necessary to perform the processing again. It is difficult to display an image in a short time.

  It is an object of the present invention to display an image in a short time.

  The client computer according to the present invention has a transmission means for transmitting data requesting image data to the image server, and a reception for receiving the image data transmitted from the image server in response to the request data transmitted from the transmission means. Means, image data processing means for processing the image data received by the receiving means, and a processed image represented by the image data processed by the image data processing means so as to be suitable for display on the image display device. In addition, image display control means for controlling the image display device, processed image data cache memory for storing image data processed by the image data processing means, processed image data representing an image corresponding to a display command, Whether it is stored in the processed image data cache memory Determining means for determining whether or not the processed image data is stored in the processed image data cache memory by the determining means, and in the processed image data cache memory The stored processed image data is read, the display device is controlled to display the processed image represented by the read processed image data, and the processed image data is processed by the determination means. Control means for controlling the transmission means to transmit data requesting image data representing an image corresponding to a display command to the image server in response to a determination that the data is not stored in the data cache memory; It is characterized by having.

  The present invention also provides a method for controlling the client computer. That is, this method transmits data requesting image data to the image server, receives the image data transmitted from the image server in response to the transmitted request data, and is suitable for display on the image display device. The image display device is controlled so as to process the received image data and display the processed image represented by the processed image data, and the processed image data is processed into the processed image data cache memory. To determine whether processed image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is stored in the processed image data cache memory, and the processed image data is stored in the processed image data cache memory. Is stored in the processed image data cache memory according to the determination that it is stored in The processed image data is read, the display device is controlled to display the processed image represented by the read processed image data, and the processed image data is stored in the processed image data cache memory. In response to the determination that the image data has not been received, data requesting image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is transmitted to the image server.

  The present invention also provides a program for controlling the client computer.

  According to the present invention, the image data is transmitted from the image server to the client computer in accordance with the request data of the image data. When the image data transmitted from the image server is received by the client computer, the received image data is processed (reduction processing, compression processing, color conversion processing, etc.) so that it is suitable for display on the display device of the client computer. Processing for generating an image that has been changed so as to be different from the image itself represented by the received image data, such as trimming processing, is performed. The processed image is displayed on the display device of the client computer. Further, processed image data representing the processed image is stored in the processed image data cache memory.

  When a display command is given, it is determined whether processed image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is stored in the processed image data cache memory. If stored, the processed image data is read from the processed image data cache memory. A processed image represented by the read processed image data is displayed on the display device. Since no processing is required, it is displayed quickly. If not stored, request data for image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is transmitted to the image server. Image data corresponding to the request is transmitted from the image server that has received the request data to the client computer. The received image data is processed in this way, and the processed image data is stored in the processed image data cache memory.

  The image data processing means performs, for example, at least one of an image reduction process represented by image data received by the receiving means and a compression process of image data received by the receiving means.

  The image data processing means preferably performs fixed length compression processing (compression processing in which the amount of data after compression becomes substantially constant) on the image data received by the receiving means. In this case, the processed image data cache memory has an address corresponding to the data amount of the processed image data obtained by the fixed length compression processing by the image data processing means, and the determined The processed image data obtained by the fixed length compression processing by the image data processing means will be stored in the area specified by the address.

  Since the processed image data is compressed by the fixed length compression process, the data amount of the processed image data is substantially constant. Since the address of the area storing the processed image data can be determined in advance, the processed image data can be searched relatively easily.

  It is preferable to further include a device information memory for storing the device information of the image server in association with the corresponding processed image data stored in the processed image data cache memory.

  The processed image data can be specified for each device of the image server.

    FIG. 1 shows a direct print system.

  The direct print system includes a digital still camera 1 and a printer 50 that can communicate with each other. The digital still camera 1 and the printer 50 are connected to be communicable by radio. Of course, communication may be possible by wire such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

  On the upper surface of the digital still camera 1, a mode selection dial 2 and a shutter release button 3 are provided on the left side. A wireless communication antenna 4 is provided on the right side of the upper surface.

  In front of the digital still camera 1, an imaging lens 6 is provided at a substantially central position. A strobe light emitting device 5 is provided in the upper right corner.

  On the upper surface of the printer 50, a wireless communication antenna 51 is erected on the right back side. A detachable cover 52 is provided in front of the right side to cope with a paper jam or the like of the print paper. Further, a mode selection slide switch 53 and various switch groups 54 are provided on the left side of the upper surface of the printer 50.

  On the front side of the printer 50, a power lamp 58 is provided in the upper left corner. A card slot 59 is formed below the power lamp 58. A memory card 60 can be detachably attached to the card slot 59. On the right side of the front surface of the printer 50, a print paper discharge port 61 is formed. A receiving member 62 that receives the print paper discharged from the print paper discharge port 61 is provided at a position protruding from the print paper discharge port 61 to the front surface of the printer 50.

  FIG. 2A shows the back side of the digital still camera 1. FIG. 2B is an enlarged plan view of the mode selection dial 2.

  Referring to FIG. 2A, a display screen 7 is formed at the center of the back surface of the digital still camera 1. The display screen 7 can display an image of 240 pixels in the horizontal direction and 180 pixels in the vertical direction. Therefore, when displaying an image larger than this display screen, a reduction process is performed. On the display screen 7, the image formed by the imaging lens 6, the image represented by the image data read from the memory card attached to the digital still camera 1, various settings of the digital still camera 1 An image or the like for is displayed. A touch panel is formed on the surface of the display screen 7.

  A power switch 12 is provided on the upper side of the display screen 7. On the right side of the display screen 7, there are provided up / down / left / right keys 8, a menu button 9, an execution button 10, and a cancel button 11 used for selecting a frame to be displayed on the display screen 7, various settings and the like. .

  Referring to FIG. 2B, the mode selection dial 2 is provided in the digital still camera 1 so as to be rotatable.

  On the left side of the mode selection dial 2, an index 2A is formed. On the mode selection dial 2, a Setup character 2a, a Print character 2b, a PC character 2c, a Mov character 2d, a Cam character 2e, and a Play character 2f are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. ing.

  When the setup mode is set, the Setup character 2a is positioned at the index 2A. When the print mode is set, the print character 2b is positioned at the index 2A. When the PC mode is set, the PC character 2c is positioned at the index 2A. When the movie mode is set, the character 2d of Mov is positioned on the index 2A. When the camera mode is set, the Cam character 2e is positioned on the index 2A. When the playback mode is set, the Play character 2f is positioned at the index 2A.

  The setup mode is used for initial settings, the print mode is used for direct printing, the PC mode is used for sending / receiving data to / from a personal computer, and the movie mode is used for movie shooting. The user selects the camera mode when the still image shooting is performed and the playback mode when the moving image or the still image is reproduced.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital still camera 1.

  The overall operation of the digital still camera 1 is controlled by the CPU 20. The CPU 20 and other various circuits and devices included in the digital still camera 1 are supplied with power from the battery 43.

  The digital still camera 1 includes a system memory 34 and a nonvolatile memory 35. The system memory 34 stores a program and data for controlling the operation of the digital still camera 1. The nonvolatile memory 35 stores a browser, various programs, data, and the like which will be described later.

  Since the digital still camera 1 has a cache function, a cache memory area 35A is defined in the nonvolatile memory 35 for this purpose. As will be described later, the digital still camera 1 displays an image represented by image data transmitted from the printer 50. The image data once transmitted from the printer 50 and received by the digital still camera 1 is stored in the cache memory area 35A. When the same image as the image once displayed is displayed, the image data requested data is not transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50, and the image data stored in the cache memory area 35A is not transmitted. Is read. An image represented by the read image data is displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1.

  In particular, in the digital still camera 1 according to this embodiment, image data that can only be displayed on the digital still camera 1 from the printer 50 (for example, more data than can be displayed on the display screen 7). When image data having a data amount or vice versa is transmitted, the processed image data processed into a data amount suitable for display is stored in the cache memory area 35A. Is done. Since the processed image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A, when the image data stored in the cache memory area 35A is read and displayed on the display screen 7, it is necessary to perform the processing again. Because there is no, it becomes possible to display quickly.

  The timer 36 is used to measure the elapsed time during self-timer shooting. The date and time are measured by the calendar and clock 37.

  The output signals from the above-described mode selection dial 2, shutter release button 3, up / down / left / right key 8, menu button 9, execution button 10, cancel button 11 and the like (indicated by reference numeral 39 in FIG. 3) are I / O The data is input to the CPU 20 via the (Input / Output) unit 38. When the digital still camera 1 is provided with a light emitting diode, a light emission signal is output to the light emitting element via the I / O unit 38.

  The strobe light emitting device 5 is controlled to emit light by the strobe control device 24.

  When the camera mode is selected by the mode selection dial 2, the subject is imaged by the CCD included in the imaging circuit 21. A video signal representing the subject image is output from the imaging circuit 21 to the signal processing circuit 22, and predetermined signal processing is executed in the signal processing circuit 22. The video signal output from the signal processing circuit 22 is converted into digital image data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 23.

  The digital image data is input to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) control circuit 31 via a frame memory 29, and converted into data suitable for LCD display by the LCD control circuit 31. Output data from the LCD control circuit 31 is given to the liquid crystal display device 32. An image is displayed on the display screen 7.

  An on-screen signal is also input to the LCD control circuit 31 from an OSD (On Screen Device) 30. Characters representing the date and time represented by the on-screen signal, images representing characters, and the like can be superimposed on the captured image and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 32 (display screen 7).

  As described above, the touch panel 32 </ b> A is formed on the display screen 7 of the liquid crystal display device 32. An output signal from the touch panel 32A is input to the CPU 20 via the touch panel control circuit 33.

  When the shutter release button 3 is pressed while the camera mode is selected by the mode selection dial 2, the image data obtained as described above is temporarily stored in the frame memory 29. Image data is read from the frame memory 29 and compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 25. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 42 installed in the memory card slot 41 via the card interface 40.

  When the reproduction mode is selected, the image data recorded on the memory card 42 is read out and applied to the compression / decompression circuit 25 via the card interface 40. The decompression process is performed in the compression / decompression circuit 25, and the decompressed image data is input to the LCD control circuit 31 via the frame memory 29. An image represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 42 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 32 (display screen 7).

  As described above, the digital still camera 1 includes the antenna 4 for wireless communication with the printer 50. A radio interface 26 is connected to the antenna 4. Data is transmitted and received between the digital still camera 1 and the printer 50 via the antenna 4.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the mode selection slide switch 53 of the printer 50.

  On the right side (the back side in FIG. 1) of the mode selection slide switch 53, a Card character 53a, a Wireless PC character 53b, a Wireless Cam character 53c, a USB PC character 53d, and a USB Cam character 53e are formed. ing. The mode selection slide switch 53 is slidable. When the card mode is set, the switch 53 is positioned at the card character 53a. When the wireless PC communication mode is set, the switch 53 is positioned at the wireless PC character 53b. When the wireless camera communication mode is set, the switch 53 is positioned at the wireless cam character 53c. When the USB PC communication mode is set, the switch 53 is positioned at the character 53d of the USB PC. When the USB camera communication mode is set, the switch 53 is positioned at the USB Cam character 53e.

  The card mode is selected when an image represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 60 mounted in the card slot 59 is printed. The wireless PC communication mode is selected when data is transmitted / received wirelessly to / from a personal computer (not shown) via the antenna 51 and an image represented by image data transmitted from the personal computer is printed. The wireless camera communication mode is selected when data is transmitted / received wirelessly to / from the digital still camera 1 via the antenna 51 and an image represented by the image data transmitted from the digital still camera 1 is printed. . The USB PC communication mode and the USB camera communication mode are selected when data is transmitted to and received from a personal computer using a USB cable and an image represented by image data transmitted from the personal computer is printed. The

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 50.

  The printer 50 includes a CPU 70. The CPU 70 controls the overall operation of the printer 50.

  The printer 50 includes a non-volatile memory 71. The nonvolatile memory 71 stores image data, xml (extensible markup language) scripts, printer information such as printer model names, data, and the like. In the system memory 72, a program and data for controlling the operation of the printer 50 are stored.

  The print engine 73 is used for profile setting and other processing. The print engine 73 is connected to a print unit (not shown). When image data output from the print engine 73 is given to the print unit, the print unit prints an image (including characters) on the print paper. . The print paper on which the image is printed is discharged from the discharge port 62 to the outside of the printer 50.

  Output signals from the above-described mode selection slide switch 53 and switch group 54 (collectively referred to as operation switch group 77) are input to the CPU 70 via the I / O unit 75. The display group 76 including the power lamp 58 is given a display signal via the I / O unit 75.

  When the card mode is selected by the mode selection slide switch 53, an image represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 60 mounted in the card slot 59 is printed. Image data read from the memory card 60 in the card slot 59 is temporarily stored in the frame memory 80 via the card interface 74. The image data read from the frame memory 80 is input to the print engine 73. Image data is input from the print engine 73 to the printing unit, and printing is performed on printing paper by the printing unit.

  The image data stored in the frame memory 80 can be provided to the external monitor 82 provided in the printer 50 or connected to the printer 50 via the display controller 81. An image represented by the image data is displayed on the display monitor 82.

  As described above, the printer 50 includes the antenna 51 for communicating with the digital still camera 1, and the wireless interface 79 is connected to the antenna 51. Data is transmitted and received between the printer 50 and the digital still camera 1 via the antenna 51. The printer 50 includes a USB interface 78 and a connector 79 connected to the USB interface 78.

  6 to 9 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure between the digital still camera 1 and the printer 50. FIG. As will be described later, it is assumed that the digital still camera 1 is set to the print mode and the printer 50 is set to the wireless camera mode. 10 to 17 show images and the like displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1.

  In the processing procedure shown below, image data is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 in response to a request from the digital still camera 1, but once transmitted to the digital still camera 1. The image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A of the digital still camera 1, and the image data representing the image displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1 is cached without requesting the printer 50. Read from the memory area 35A.

  First, the digital still camera 1 is set to the print mode using the mode selection dial 2 of the digital still camera 1 (step 91 in FIG. 6), and the printer 50 is set using the slide selection switch 53 of the printer 50. The wireless camera mode is set (step 131 in FIG. 6).

  The printer selection image shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1 (step 92 in FIG. 6).

  Referring to FIG. 10, the printer selection image includes the printer information set in the digital still camera 1 (printer manufacturer name: XXXXX, printer model name: NC-100, MAC (Media access control) address: 0123456789AB etc.) is displayed. Among these pieces of printer information, one piece of printer information is surrounded by a cursor C. When the up arrow of the up / down / left / right key 8 of the digital still camera 1 is pressed, the cursor C encloses the printer information one level above the currently enclosing printer information, and when the down arrow is pressed, the cursor C Encloses printer information one level below printer information. When the execution button 9 is pressed, the printer is selected so that communication with the printer having the printer information surrounded by the cursor C can be performed.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the execute button 9 is pressed, a connection command is transmitted to the printer having the printer information surrounded by the cursor C (referred to as printer 50) (step 93 in FIG. 6).

  When the printer 50 receives the connection information transmitted from the digital still camera 50 (step 132 in FIG. 6), the printer 50 performs connection processing with the digital still camera 50. When the connection process is completed, connection completion data is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 50 (step 133 in FIG. 6).

  When the connection completion data transmitted from the printer 50 is received by the digital still camera 1, a startup file get command is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 95 in FIG. 6). .

  When the startup file get command transmitted from the digital still camera 1 is received by the printer 50 (step 135 in FIG. 6), the startup file stored in the nonvolatile memory 71 of the printer 50 is read out. . The read startup file is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 (step 136 in FIG. 6).

  When the digital still camera 1 receives the startup file, its contents are analyzed (step 96 in FIG. 6).

  FIG. 11 shows the contents of the startup file, and FIG. 12 is an example of a start image (a single frame of the entire start image) represented by the startup file shown in FIG.

  To describe the characteristic points in the contents of the startup file, the second line indicates that it is for the selected printer 50, and the third line indicates that it is a startup file. Yes. The fourth line shows the file name of the start image (file name to be found: 000.1jpg) specified by the startup file, and the width (w = 320) and height (h = 240) of the start image. . The fifth to seventh lines define the size and position of the active area (area where processing according to the touch from the user is performed) included in the start image and the link destination. Regarding the fifth line, if the origin x = 0, y = 0 of the start image is the upper left corner point, the position of x = 32, y = 32 has the upper left origin, width w = 112, height A first active region P11 having a size of h = 72 is defined. It can also be seen that the first active area P11 is linked to standard.xml. Similarly, the sixth and seventh lines define the second active area P12 and the third active area P13 in the start image.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the start-up file is analyzed and image data representing the corresponding start image (representing a start image having a file name of 000.1jpg corresponding to the printer NC-100 manufactured by XXXXX). It is confirmed whether (image data) is already stored in the cache memory area 35A of the digital still camera 1 (step 97 in FIG. 6). If image data representing the start image has already been transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1, the start image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A, but the start image data is transferred from the printer 50 to the digital still camera. If it has not been transmitted to the camera 1, the start image data is not stored in the cache memory area 35A.

  If no start image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A (NO in step 97 in FIG. 6), a start image get command is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 98 in FIG. 6). When the start image get command is received by the printer 50 (step 137 in FIG. 6), the corresponding start image data is read from the nonvolatile memory 71 and transmitted to the digital still camera 1 (step 138). When the start image data transmitted from the printer 50 is received by the digital still camera 1, the start image (see FIG. 13) represented by the received start image data is displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1. It is displayed above (step 100 in FIG. 6). As described above, since the display screen 7 displays an image of 240 pixels in the horizontal direction and 180 pixels in the vertical direction, in order to display a start image of 320 pixels in the horizontal direction and 240 pixels in the vertical direction on the display screen, A process (for example, a thinning process) is performed to reduce the start image so that it becomes an image of 240 pixels vertically 180 pixels. The reduced start image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A of the digital still camera 1. Since the start image data after the reduction process is stored in the cache memory area 35A, it is not necessary to perform the reduction process again when the start image is displayed again. Rapid display can be achieved.

  When the start image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A (YES in step 97 in FIG. 6), the start image data is read from the cache memory area 35A. A start image represented by the read start image data is displayed on the display screen 7 (step 100 in FIG. 6). Since the start image data that has already been reduced is stored in the cache memory area 35A, the start image can be displayed quickly.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a start image displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1.

  The start image I1 includes the active areas P11, P12, and P13 as described above. The print menu is selected by touching these active areas P11, P12 or P13 (step 101 in FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the print menu includes standard print, multi-print, and index print. Standard printing prints an image on a single piece of printing paper. In multi-printing, two, four, or nine frames of images are printed on one print sheet. Index printing prints images of many frames of 16 frames or more on one print sheet. When any of the active areas P11, P12 or P13 is touched, the color of the touched area changes (print menu update) (step 102 in FIG. 7). For example, the color of the touched active area changes from blue to red. Here, it is assumed that the active area P12 is touched and multi-print is selected. The multi-print href is read from the startup file (step 103 in FIG. 7). Then, a sub menu file get command corresponding to multi-printing is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 104 in FIG. 7).

  When the sub menu get command is received by the printer 50 (step 131 in FIG. 7), the sub menu file stored in the nonvolatile memory 71 of the printer 50 is read. The read sub menu file is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 (step 140 in FIG. 7).

  FIG. 14 is an example of a multi-print sub menu file.

  To describe the characteristic points of the sub menu file, the second line indicates that it is for the selected printer 50, and the third line indicates that it is a sub menu file. ing. The fourth line shows the file name of the sub-new image defined by the sub-menu file (file name to be found: 0010.jpg) and the width (w = 320) and height (h = of the sub-menu image). 240). The fifth to seventh lines indicate the size and position of the active area included in the sub menu image and the link destination. The image select included in the 5th to 7th lines indicates the number of frames to be selected.

  When the sub menu file transmitted from the printer 50 is received by the digital still camera 1, the sub menu file is analyzed (step 105 in FIG. 7). Similar to the start image described above, it is confirmed whether image data representing a sub menu (image) designated by the sub menu file is stored in the cache memory area 35A of the digital still camera 1 or not. (FIG. 7, step 106).

  If the sub menu image data is not stored in the cache memory area 35A (NO in step 106 in FIG. 7), a sub menu get command is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (FIG. 7). Step 107). When the sub menu get command is received by the printer 50 (step 141 in FIG. 7), the sub menu image data stored in the non-volatile memory 71 of the printer 50 is read, and the digital still It is transmitted to the camera 1 (step 142 in FIG. 7). When the sub menu image data transmitted from the printer 50 is received by the digital still camera 1, as shown in FIG. 14 on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1, the sub menu for multi-printing is displayed. An image is displayed (step 109 in FIG. 7). Also in this case, it goes without saying that processing such as reduction processing is performed as necessary, and the processed sub menu image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A.

  When the sub menu image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A (YES in step 106 in FIG. 7), the sub menu image data is read from the cache memory area 35A. A sub menu represented by the read image data is displayed on the display screen 7 (step 109 in FIG. 7).

  FIG. 15 is an example of the multi-print sub menu image I2.

  The sub menu image I2 includes frame number designation areas P21, P22 and P23. The first frame number designation area P21 is touched by the user when printing two frames of images on one print sheet. The second frame number designation area P22 is touched by the user when printing four frames on one print sheet. The third frame number designation area P23 is touched by the user when printing nine frames of images on one print sheet.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when the number of print frames is selected from the sub-menu image (touching frame number designation area P21, P22 or P23) (step 110 in FIG. 8), the number of frames corresponding to the selected frame number is selected. The href is read from the sub menu file (step 111 in FIG. 8). Here, it is assumed that the two-frame printing is selected by the user (the number-of-frame designation area P21 is touched).

  In the digital still camera 1, href (= multi2.hml) and image select (= 2) corresponding to two-frame printing are read from the sub menu file (step 111 in FIG. 8).

  Subsequently, an acceptance confirmation file get command is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 112 in FIG. 8).

  In response to the receipt of the acceptance confirmation file get command in the printer 50 (step 143 in FIG. 8), the acceptance confirmation file is read from the nonvolatile memory 71. The read acceptance confirmation file is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 (step 144 in FIG. 8). Then, the printer 50 prepares for printing (step 145 in FIG. 8), and prepares to receive image data for two frames according to the user setting (step 146 in FIG. 8).

  When the digital still camera 1 receives an acceptance confirmation file transmitted from the printer 50, a print image selection process is performed (step 113 in FIG. 8).

  FIG. 16 is an example of an image displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1 when a print image is selected.

  A reproduced image is displayed on the entire display screen 7. In the upper left portion A1 of the display screen 7, a message for instructing the user to select a frame is displayed. In the upper right portion A2 of the display screen 7, the number of remaining frames to be selected is displayed. In the lower left portion A3 of the display screen 7, the date (which may be either the date of reproduction or the date of shooting) is displayed, and the left arrow area A4 and the right are displayed at the upper center of the display screen 7. An arrow area A5 is displayed. When the left arrow or left arrow area A4 of the up / down / left / right key is pressed, an image one frame before the displayed image is displayed on the display screen 7. When the right arrow or right arrow area A5 of the up / down / left / right key is pressed, an image one frame after the displayed image is displayed on the display screen 7. When the execution button 10 of the digital still camera 1 is pressed, the image displayed on the display screen 7 is selected.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when the first frame image is selected, the image data representing the selected image is read from the memory card 42. The read image data is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 114 in FIG. 8).

  When the first frame of image data transmitted from the digital still camera 1 is received by the printer 50, OK data indicating that it has been received is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 (step in FIG. 8). 147).

  Subsequently, the second image is selected by the user, and image data representing the selected image is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 115 in FIG. 8). When the second frame image data transmitted from the digital still camera 1 is received by the printer 50, OK data indicating that it has been received is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 (step in FIG. 8). 148).

  In the digital still camera 1, the acceptance confirmation file is analyzed (step 116 in FIG. 9), and it is confirmed whether image data representing the acceptance confirmation image is stored in the cache memory area 35A of the digital still camera 1. (Step 117 in FIG. 9).

  If the reception confirmation image data is stored in the cache memory area 35A (YES in step 117 in FIG. 9), the reception confirmation image data is read from the cache memory 35A. An acceptance confirmation image represented by the read image data is displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1 (step 120 in FIG. 9). If the reception confirmation image data is not stored in the cache memory area 35A (NO in step 117 in FIG. 9), a reception confirmation get command is transmitted from the digital still camera 1 to the printer 50 (step 118 in FIG. 9). . When the reception confirmation get command is received by the printer 50 (step 149 in FIG. 9), the reception confirmation image data is read from the nonvolatile memory 71. The read acceptance confirmation image data is transmitted from the printer 50 to the digital still camera 1 (step 150 in FIG. 9). Thereafter, print processing is executed.

  FIG. 17 is an example of an acceptance confirmation image I4 displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1.

  The acceptance confirmation image I4 includes an end area P31 and a continuation area P32. When the print process is finished, the end area P31 is touched by the user. When the print process is continued, the continuation area P32 is touched by the user. These areas P31 and P32 are active areas where link destinations are set as described above.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the end area P31 is touched (NO in step 121 in FIG. 9), the printing process is ended. When the continuation process P32 is touched (YES in step 121 in FIG. 9), the href in the continuation area P32 is read from the acceptance confirmation file (step 122 in FIG. 9). Thereafter, the processing from step 95 in FIG. 6 is continued.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an image display processing procedure in the digital still camera 1 (the processing procedure in step 100 in FIG. 6, step 109 in FIG. 7, step 120 in FIG. 9). It is assumed that both the image data transmitted from the printer 50 and the image data stored in the cache memory area 35A are compressed.

  It is confirmed whether the image data is read from the cache memory area 35A (step 161). If it is from the cache memory area 35A (YES in step 161), the read image data is expanded (step 171). In the cache memory area 35A, the image is processed (reduced) from the size of the original image represented by the image data transmitted from the printer 50 to the size of the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1. . For this reason, the image represented by the decompressed image data can be displayed on the display screen without performing the processing again (step 172). Rapid image display can be achieved. Further, the date and time are read from the calendar / clock 37 (step 173). The last use date and time of the image data stored in the management table (this table will be described later) in the cache memory area 35A is updated (step 174).

  If the image data is not read from the cache memory area 35A (NO in step 161), the received image data is decompressed (step 162). The expanded image data often does not correspond to the size of the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1 (usually larger than the size of the display screen 7). Resizing is performed on the size (including processing, reduction, and enlargement if necessary) (step 163). The image obtained by resizing is displayed on the display screen 7 of the digital still camera 1 (step 164).

  The image data representing the resized image is subjected to fixed length compression processing so that the data amount is 32 KB (not necessarily 32 KB) (step 165). Further, the date and time are read from the calendar / clock 37 (step 166).

  If there is no free space in the cache memory area 35A (NO in step 167), the image data having the oldest date and time last used is erased from the cache memory area 35A (step 168). If there is an empty area in the cache memory area 35A (YES in step 167), the compressed resized image data is recorded in the cache memory area 35A (step 169). Regardless of whether or not there is an empty area in the cache memory area 35A, printer information corresponding to the compressed resized image data recorded in the cache memory area 35A (stored in the volatile memory 35 in advance). ) Is stored in the cache management table in the cache memory area 35A (step 169).

  FIG. 19 shows a cache management table stored in the volatile memory 35.

  The cache management table manages information about the printer 50, addresses of image data stored in the cache memory area 35A, and the like.

  The cache management table includes a model name, a MAC address, a file name (image data name stored in the cache memory area 35A), a head address (the head of the cache memory area 35A in which image data having a file name is stored). Address), size (data amount of image data stored in the cache memory area 35A), and last use date and time are stored.

  The model name and MAC address are stored in the non-volatile memory 35 of the digital still camera 1 and read. Data representing the file name is transmitted from the printer 50 as described above. The head address is stored in the management table in response to the image data being stored in the cache memory area 35A. The size is obtained by calculating the amount of image data after fixed length compression. The last use date is updated in response to reading from the cache memory area 35A.

  FIG. 20 shows the cache memory area 35A.

  The cache memory area 35A is divided for each address corresponding to 32 KB. As described above, the resized compressed image data is stored in each area. Since the data amount of the compressed image data is fixed to be approximately 32 KB, the image data is read and cached from the cache memory area 35 A in which the area is divided for each address corresponding to 32 KB. -Writing image data in the memory area 35A is relatively easy. Data representing the model name of the corresponding printer is also stored in the cache memory area 35A.

  When reading the image data stored in the cache memory area 35A, the management table is referred to, and the corresponding head address is read from the model name, MAC address and file name stored in the management table. The compressed image data is read from the cache memory area designated by the read head address.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print menu selection (the process of step 101 in FIG. 7).

  First, the active area in the print menu image is recalculated according to the resizing magnification (step 181). If there is a touch or key input on the touch panel 32A (step 182), if the cancel key is not pressed (NO in step 183), it is confirmed whether or not the active area is touched (step 184). When the active area is touched (YES in step 184), the color of the selected active area is inverted (step 185). The color-inverted active area print menu image is displayed on the display screen 7 (step 186).

  When the cancel key is pressed (YES in step 183), the communication with the printer 50 is disconnected and the start image is displayed.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the print image selection processing procedure (step 113 in FIG. 8).

  The number n of remaining frames to be selected is set to N (the number of images to be printed on one sheet, N = 2 since two-frame printing is selected in the above-described embodiment) (step 191). As described above, the number of remaining frames is displayed on the upper right of the display screen 7 (step 192). The current frame number is set to the newest frame number (step 193). The current frame number image is displayed (step 194). That is, the last captured image is displayed.

  If there is a touch or key input on the touch panel (step 196), if it is a press of a cancel button (YES in step 196), communication with the printer 50 is cut off and a start image is displayed.

  If the cancel button is not pressed (NO in step 196), the right frame of the up / down / left / right key is pressed (YES in step 197) or the right arrow area is touched (YES in step 201), the current frame number is It is incremented (steps 198 and 202). When the left / right arrow key is pressed (YES in step 199) or the left arrow area is touched (YES in step 203), the current frame number is decremented (steps 200 and 204).

  When the execute button is pressed (YES in step 205), the image data of the current frame number is temporarily stored in the nonvolatile memory 35 (step 206). Further, the number of remaining selected frames is decremented (step 207), and the number of remaining frames is displayed on the display screen 7 (step 208). Until the remaining frames become 0 (step 209), the processing from step 194 is repeated.

A direct print system is shown. (A) is a perspective view of the digital still camera, and (B) is a top view of the mode selection dial. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital still camera. A slide selection switch is shown. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a digital still camera and printing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a digital still camera and printing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a digital still camera and printing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a digital still camera and printing. It is an example of the image displayed on a digital still camera. It is an example of the xml file transmitted from a printer to a digital still camera. It is an example of a start image. It is an example of the image displayed on a digital still camera. It is an example of the xml file transmitted from a printer to a digital still camera. It is an example of the image displayed on a digital still camera. It is an example of the image displayed on a digital still camera. It is an example of the image displayed on a digital still camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an image display. It is an example of a cache management table. It is an example of a cache memory area. It is a flowchart which shows a print menu selection processing procedure. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print image selection processing procedure.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital still camera 4,51 Wireless antenna 7 Display screen
20, 70 CPU
35, 71 Non-volatile memory
35A Cache memory area
50 printer

Claims (6)

Transmitting means for transmitting data requesting image data to the image server;
Receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the image server in response to the request data transmitted from the transmitting means;
Image data processing means for processing the image data received by the receiving means so as to be suitable for display in an image display device;
Image display control means for controlling the image display device so as to display a processed image represented by the image data processed by the image data processing means;
Processed image data cache memory for storing image data processed by the image data processing means;
Determining means for determining whether processed image data representing an image corresponding to a display command is stored in the processed image data cache memory; and the processed image data by the determining means is the processed image data The processed image data stored in the processed image data cache memory is read in response to the determination that the image is stored in the cache memory, and the processing represented by the read processed image data The display device is controlled to display a finished image, and the display unit responds to a display command in response to determining that the processed image data is not stored in the processed image data cache memory by the determining means. The transmission so that data requesting image data representing an image is transmitted to the image server. Control means for controlling the means,
Client computer with The image data processing means performs at least one of a reduction process of an image represented by the image data received by the receiving means and a compression process of the image data received by the receiving means;
The client computer according to claim 1. The image data processing means performs fixed length compression processing on the image data received by the receiving means,
The processed image data cache memory has an address corresponding to the amount of processed image data obtained by the fixed length compression processing by the image data processing means, and is specified by the determined address. The processed image data obtained by the fixed length compression processing by the image data processing means is stored in the area to be processed,
The client computer according to claim 1.   2. The client computer according to claim 1, further comprising: a device information memory for storing device information of the image server in association with corresponding processed image data stored in the processed image data cache memory. . Send data requesting image data to the image server,
In response to the transmitted request data, the image data transmitted from the image server is received,
Process the received image data so that it is suitable for display on the image display device.
Controlling the image display device to display the processed image represented by the processed image data;
Store the processed image data in the processed image data cache memory,
Determining whether processed image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is stored in the processed image data cache memory;
When the processed image data is determined to be stored in the processed image data cache memory, the processed image data stored in the processed image data cache memory is read and read. The display device is controlled to display the processed image represented by the processed image data, and it is determined that the processed image data is not stored in the processed image data cache memory. In response, data requesting image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is transmitted to the image server.
Client computer control method. Send data requesting image data to the image server,
In response to the transmitted request data, the image data transmitted from the image server is received,
Process the received image data so that it is suitable for display on the image display device,
Controlling the image display device to display the processed image represented by the processed image data;
Store the processed image data in the processed image data cache memory,
Determining whether processed image data representing an image corresponding to the display command is stored in the processed image data cache memory;
When the processed image data is determined to be stored in the processed image data cache memory, the processed image data stored in the processed image data cache memory is read and read. The display device is controlled to display the processed image represented by the processed image data, and it is determined that the processed image data is not stored in the processed image data cache memory. A program for controlling the client computer to cause the image server to transmit data requesting image data representing an image corresponding to the display command.

Images