JP2005349589A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which print time is shortened by decreasing the number of times of reading out an image data file when it is read out from a memory card according to each job of a DPOF file and printing is carried out using the image data file thus read out. <P>SOLUTION: The printer is constituted such that an image data file read out once or a thumbnail image data file formed once is used repeatedly when jobs in the DPOF file are compared and the same image data file is specified in continuous jobs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatible printer.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, a digital camera is directly connected without using a personal computer, or a memory card in which image data is recorded is connected, and image data read from the digital camera or memory card is used. PictBridge and DPOF compatible printers that form images on recording paper have been put into practical use. The DPOF file is created by, for example, a user operating a key according to a menu displayed on the monitor screen of the digital camera, and is a print order that records a job relating to which image is to be printed in what format. It is recorded on the memory card separately from the image data file.

  The printer reads the DPOF file from the memory card via the digital camera or directly, reads the image data file from the memory card according to the job set by the user, and performs printing using the read image data file. The DPOF file includes a normal print that prints one image on one recording sheet, and a multi-image print that prints a plurality of images on one recording sheet.

  By the way, the DPOF file may include a plurality of jobs for performing multi-image printing with different image combinations, or may include a job for printing the same image with different densities and color tones. Generally, these jobs are often described in succession in the DPOF file. Even in these cases, the conventional printer reads the same image data file from the memory card each time according to each job of the DPOF file and prints it, so the time required for reading the image data file or the total time required for printing is reduced. Had the problem of not being able to.

In Patent Document 1, bitmap data of a character once used is registered in a table in a memory, and when the character is used again, the bitmap data of the character is copied to the corresponding place. Discloses a printer that speeds up the printing of character data by reducing the number of times characters are expanded into bitmap data. Patent Document 2 discloses a printer that extracts only web page update information and develops it into a raster image, and omits the development of the other parts in the image, thereby speeding up the printing of the web page. . Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 forms a thumbnail image by thinning out preview image data having a small data size when preview image data exists when creating an index print of an image taken with a digital camera. A printer that shortens the reading time is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-1875 JP 2002-91730 A JP 2003-333513 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When an image data file is read from a memory card according to each job of the DPOF file and printing is performed using the read image data file, the image data file is stored. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that can reduce the number of times of reading and reduce the time required for printing.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper, file reading means for reading DPOF files and image data files recorded on a memory card, and multi-image printing by thinning out image data when performing multi-image printing A reduced image data file creating means for creating a reduced image data file for use, a storage means for temporarily storing the DPOF file, the image data file, and the reduced image data file read from the memory card; In a printer provided with a control data file creating means for developing an image data file or a reduced image data file specified in a job according to a job and creating a control data file for controlling the image forming means.
A table for creating a table including at least a frame number, a file name, a data size, and a shooting date / time in a memory card based on job contents based on job contents and job comparison means for comparing jobs in a DPOF file read from a memory card And a creation means,
The job comparison unit compares the print mode of the job executed this time and the job executed last time in the DPOF file,
(a) If the print mode of the job executed last time is different from the print mode executed this time and is the normal print mode,
The table creating means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time, the file reading means reads the image data file specified by the job from the memory card, and the control data file creating means includes: Expand the read image data file, create a control data file for controlling the image forming means,
(b) If the print mode of the job executed last time is different from the print mode executed this time and is in the multi-image print mode,
The table creating means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time, and the file reading means reads all image data files specified in the job from the memory card, and the reduced image data file creating means Thins out the read image data to create a reduced image data file for multi-image printing, and the control data file creation means develops the created reduced image data file to control the image forming means Create a control data file for
(c) If the print mode of the job executed last time is the same as the print mode executed this time and is the normal print mode,
The table creation means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time and creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time. And the contents of the backup copy stored in the storage means,
When the image data file specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy are the same, the control data file creation means reads the image read from the memory card when executing the previous job from the storage means. Read the data file, expand the read image data file, create a control data file for controlling the image forming means,
If the image data file specified in the table created this time and the backup copy are different, the file reading means reads the image data file specified in the job from the memory card, and the control data file generating means The read image data file is expanded to create a control data file for controlling the image forming means,
(d) If the print mode of the job executed last time is the same as the print mode executed this time and is the multi-image print mode,
The table creation means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time and creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time. And the contents of the backup copy stored in the storage means,
When the same image data file is specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy, the file reading means reads the image data file specified only in the current job from the memory card, and the reduced image data file The creation means creates a reduced image data file for multi-image printing by thinning out the read image data, and the control data file creation means is designated in common in the table and backup copy created this time. For the existing image data file, the corresponding reduced image data file read from the reduced image data file stored in the storage means is used, and for the other image data files, the reduced image data file creating means is used. Reduced image Create the control data file for controlling the image forming means by using a datafile,
If the same image data file is not specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy, the file reading means reads all the image data files specified in the current job from the memory card, and reduces the reduced image data. The file creation means creates a reduced image data file for multi-image printing by thinning out the read image data, and the control data file creation means includes the reduced image data file created by the reduced image data file creation means. A control data file for controlling the image forming means is created by using the.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the printer that reads the DPOF file from the memory card, reads the image data file from the memory card according to the job set by the user, and prints using the read image data file, the job in the DPOF file If the same image data file is specified in successive jobs, the same image data file that has been read once is used repeatedly to reduce the number of times the image data file is read and It can be shortened.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printer of the second aspect, a multi-image print mode for printing a plurality of images on a single sheet of recording paper is provided. And when the same image data file is specified for the previous job and the current job, the previously created thumbnail image is used as it is for the image data file common to the previous job and the current job. And

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the job executed last time is compared with the job executed this time, and it is first determined whether or not the print modes are the same. If the print modes are different, the image data file specified in the job is read from the memory card, and the read image data file is developed to create a control data file, as in the normal print operation. On the other hand, if the print modes are the same, the previous table created based on the contents of the job and the current table are compared to determine whether the same image data file is designated. If the same image data file is specified, the image data file is read out in the previous job without newly reading out the image data file from the memory card, and the image data file stored in the storage means is copied and used. . As a result, the number of reading of the image data file can be reduced, and the time required for printing can be shortened. In particular, in the case of multi-image printing in which multiple images are printed on a single sheet of recording paper, the image data file must be read multiple times to create a single print, and a reduced image data file is created. In order to achieve this, the thinning process of the image data must be performed, so that the effect is great.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the same image data file is specified a plurality of times, the same image data file read once is repeatedly used, so the number of times of reading the image data file from the memory card is reduced. This makes it possible to shorten the reading time of the image data file and the total time required for printing.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in the case of multi-image printing, a reduced image data file created using an image data file is used. Since it can be reduced, the effect of shortening the time required for printing is great.

  A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a printer that drives a thermal head using digital image data and forms an image on color thermal recording paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a paper feed unit 4 for storing a recording paper roll 3 in which a long color thermal recording paper 2 is wound around a core, and a color thermal recording paper 2 from the recording paper roll 3. A recording paper transport mechanism 5 that pulls out the leading end and transports in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as transport direction) of the color thermal recording paper 2 and a downstream side of the recording paper roll 3 in the transport direction. A thermal head 6 for forming an image thereon, first and second ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16 for irradiating the image forming surface of the color thermal recording paper 2 with ultraviolet rays of a predetermined wavelength, and color thermal recording. A cutter 7 for cutting a portion of the paper 2 on which an image is formed, and a recording paper piece cut by the cutter 7, that is, a tray 8 for holding a print on which an image has been formed.

  Further, the printer 1 is connected to the digital camera 9 directly or loaded with a memory card 10 so that a file reading unit 11 for reading digital image data from the digital camera 9 and an image read by the file reading unit 11 are read. Using the data, the image forming control unit 12 that drives the thermal head 6 and the first and second ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16, and the image data read by the file reading unit 11, A recording paper conveyance control unit 13 to be driven and a recording paper cutting control unit 14 to drive the cutter 7 using the image data read by the file reading unit 11 are provided.

  A pair of shaft units 20 are fitted to both ends of the core of the recording paper roll 3, and are rotatably supported with respect to the frame 40. The diameter of the recording paper roll 3 gradually decreases as the color thermal recording paper 2 is consumed. Therefore, the shaft unit 20 that supports the rotation of the recording paper roll 3 is not driven itself, and is configured to be driven and rotated as the color thermal recording paper 2 is transported by the recording paper transport mechanism 5. ing.

  The recording paper transport mechanism 5 is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral portion of the recording paper roll 3 and is rotated and driven in a predetermined direction to feed the color thermal recording paper 2 in the transport direction and feed it back. A rotational force is applied to the roller 51, the driving roller 52 that reciprocates the vicinity of the leading end of the color thermal recording paper 2 pulled out from the recording paper roll 3 in the transport direction at a constant speed, and the paper feed roller 51 and the driving roller 52 And a driving force transmission mechanism 54 such as a gear train or a timing belt. The shaft unit 20 is urged by a torsion spring 41 and a pressing lever 42 in a direction in which the outer peripheral surface of the recording paper roll 3 is pressed against the paper feed roller 51.

  The thermal head 6 has a micro heat generating portion array arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, controls heat generation and non-heat generation of the micro heat generating portion array based on digital image data, and forms an image on color thermosensitive recording paper. An image is formed line by line on the surface. The first and second ultraviolet lamps 15 and 16 irradiate the image forming surface of the color thermosensitive recording paper 2 with ultraviolet rays having the first and second wavelengths, respectively, and react with the ultraviolet rays having the first wavelength. The M layer that reacts with the ultraviolet light of the second wavelength is fixed so as not to develop any further color.

  The printer 1 can connect the digital camera 9 directly to the file reading unit 11 or can be loaded with a memory card 10 and is compatible with PictBridge and DPOF. In the case of a DPOF-compatible digital camera, the user can input which image is to be printed in what format by operating keys according to a menu displayed on the monitor screen of the digital camera. In addition to the image data file, the memory card 10 stores a DPOF file in which a job (print order) input by the user is described. When the memory card 10 is loaded, the file reading unit 11 first reads the DPOF file from the memory card 10. Then, the printing operation is performed according to the job described in the DPOF file.

  The DPOF compatible printer has a multi-image print mode in which a plurality of images are formed on one recording sheet in addition to a normal print mode in which one image is formed on one recording sheet. FIG. 2 shows a so-called index print in which thumbnail images are arranged in a matrix as an example of a multi-image print. For example, it is possible to arrange a maximum of 25 thumbnail images of 5 rows × 5 columns. In FIG. 2, (a) shows an example of the index print created last time, and (b) shows an example of the index print created this time. Comparing both, in this example, in the index print created this time, several (two in the figure) thumbnail images are added to the index print created last time.

  An example of printing the contents of the DPOF file is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, for example, “PRT TYP = STD” represents a standard print, and “PRT TYP = IDX” represents an index print. “PRT QTY = 002” represents the number of prints. Further, “IMG SRC =“ .. DCIN / 100FUNAI / FUNAI001.JPG ”or the like represents an image data file read from the memory card. By referring to the contents of such a DPOF file, the printer 1 can print an image designated by the user in a designated format.

  Next, a printing operation in the printer 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When the memory card 10 is loaded in the file reading unit 11, the file reading unit 11 reads the DPOF file from the memory card 10 (S 1) and transfers it to the image formation control unit 12. The image formation control unit 12 functions as a job comparison unit, and sequentially reads jobs described in the DPOF file (S2). Then, it is determined whether or not the print mode described in the job executed this time is the same as the print mode of the job executed last time (S3). In the case of the first job, there is no job executed last time, so “NO” is automatically set. At the same time, the image formation control unit 12 can determine whether the print mode is the normal print mode, index print, or other multi-image print mode.

  When the print mode of the job executed last time is different from the print mode executed this time and is the normal print mode, the image formation control unit 12 functions as a table creation unit, and creates a table based on the contents of the job executed this time. Create (S4). An example of the table in the normal print mode is shown in FIG. 5A shows a previously created table stored in the memory, and FIG. 5B shows a table created this time including the same frame field. In this case, since only one image is formed on one sheet of recording paper, only one image data file is described on the table. The image formation control unit 12 functioning as a table creation unit indicates a frame number in the memory card, a file name, a data size, a shooting date and time, and, if necessary, the same frame number in the previously created table based on the contents of the job. Create a table containing the same frame field. As will be described later, when one job is completed, the frames are deleted in the order of the frame number written in the same frame column. Therefore, the previously created table shown in FIG.

  When the table is created, the file reading unit 11 reads the image data file designated by the job from the memory card 10 (S5). The image formation control unit 12 functions as a control data file creation unit, develops the read image data file (S7), performs further predetermined image processing, and the recording paper transport mechanism 5 and the thermal constituting the image formation unit. A control data file for controlling the head 6 and the like is created (S8).

  Similarly, when the print mode of the job executed last time is different from the print mode executed this time and the print mode is the index print mode, the image formation control unit 12 similarly creates a table based on the contents of the job executed this time. (S4). An example of the table in the index print mode is shown in FIG. 6A shows a previously created table stored in the memory, and FIG. 6B shows a table created this time including the same frame field. In this case, since a plurality of images are formed on one sheet of recording paper, a plurality of image data files are described on the table. The same frame field is the same as in FIG.

  When the table is created, the file reading unit 11 reads all the image data files designated by the job from the memory card (S5). The image formation control unit 12 functions as a reduced image data file creating unit, and creates a thumbnail image data file for index printing (a reduced image data file for multi-image printing) by thinning out the read image data (S6). . Next, the image formation control unit 12 functions as a control data file creation unit, expands the created thumbnail image data file (S7), and creates a control data file (S8).

  When the control data file is created, the image formation control unit 12 controls the recording paper transport mechanism 5 and the thermal head 6 using the control data file to form an image on the color thermal recording paper 2. (S9). This flowchart is repeated until all jobs in the DPOF file are completed (S10).

  When the print mode of the job executed last time is the same as the print mode executed this time and is the normal print mode, the image formation control unit 12 functions as a table creation unit and is created based on the job executed last time. A table (for example, the table shown in FIG. 5A) is backed up and copied to the memory (storage means) (S11), and a table is created based on the contents of the job to be executed this time (S12). Next, the image formation control unit 12 functions as a job comparison unit, and compares the contents of the table created this time with the contents of the backup copy stored in the storage unit (S13).

  When the image data files specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy are the same (YES in S14), the image formation control unit 12 functions as a control data file creation unit, and performs the previous job from the memory. The image data file read from the memory card at the time of executing is read (S15), the read image data file is expanded (S7), and a control data file is created (S8).

  If the image data file specified in the table created this time and the backup copy are different (NO in S14), the process jumps to step S5 to read out the image data file specified in the job from the memory card. The image data file is expanded (S7), and a control data file is created (S8).

  Similarly, when the print mode of the job executed last time is the same as the print mode executed this time and the print mode is the index print mode, the image formation control unit 12 stores the table created based on the job executed last time in the memory. In addition to making a backup copy (S11), a table is created based on the contents of the job to be executed this time (S12), and the contents of the table created this time are compared with the contents of the backup copy stored in the storage means (S13). .

  When the same image data file is specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy (for example, in the example shown in FIG. 6B, the current frame numbers 3 to 11 and the previous frame numbers 1 to 9 are the same) For the image data file that is commonly specified in the table and backup copy created this time, the corresponding thumbnail image data file is read from the thumbnail image data files stored in the memory (S15). For other image data files, the image data file is read from the memory card (S5), and the image formation control unit 12 thins out the read image data to create a thumbnail image data file for index printing (S6). ). Then, the thumbnail image data file created last time and the thumbnail image data file created this time are expanded (S7), and a control data file is created (S8).

  If the same image data file is not specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy (NO in S14), the process jumps to step S5, and all the image data files specified in the job are read from the memory card. A thumbnail image data file is created by thinning out the read and read image data (S6), the read image data file is expanded (S7), and a control data file is created (S8).

  It should be noted that the frame number described in the same frame column at the right end of the table shown in FIG. 6B is deleted when the thumbnail image data file is expanded in step S7. By erasing all the same frame fields, finally, the next job is prepared without the same frame field as shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the previously executed job and the currently executed job are compared, and when the same image data file is designated a plurality of times, the same image data file read once or created once Since the thumbnail image data file is repeatedly used, the number of times of reading the image data file from the memory card can be reduced, and the reading time of the image data file and the total time required for printing can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, a printer that forms an image on color thermal recording paper is shown as an example of a DPOF-compatible printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a sublimation thermal transfer printer, an inkjet printer, Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to other types of DPOF compatible printers such as laser printers.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an index print in which thumbnail images are arranged in a matrix as an example of a multi-image print, where (a) is a diagram illustrating an index print created last time, and (b) is a diagram illustrating an index print created this time. The figure which shows an example which printed the content of the DPOF file. 6 is a flowchart showing an image forming operation in the printer. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a table in a normal print mode, where FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a previously created table stored in a memory, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a table created this time including the same frame field. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a table in the index print mode, in which FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a previously created table stored in a memory, and FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Color thermal recording paper 3 Recording paper roll 4 Paper feed part 5 Recording paper conveyance mechanism 6 Thermal head 7 Cutter 9 Digital camera 10 Memory card 11 File reading part 12 Image formation control part 13 Recording paper conveyance control part 14 Recording paper cutting | disconnection Control unit

Claims (3)

Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper, file reading means for reading DPOF files and image data files recorded on a memory card, and multi-image printing by thinning out image data when performing multi-image printing A reduced image data file creating means for creating a reduced image data file for use, a storage means for temporarily storing the DPOF file, the image data file, and the reduced image data file read from the memory card; In a printer provided with a control data file creating means for developing an image data file or a reduced image data file specified in a job according to a job and creating a control data file for controlling the image forming means.
A table for creating a table including at least a frame number, a file name, a data size, and a shooting date / time in a memory card based on job contents based on job contents and job comparison means for comparing jobs in a DPOF file read from a memory card And a creation means,
The job comparison unit compares the print mode of the job executed this time and the job executed last time in the DPOF file,
(a) If the print mode of the job executed last time is different from the print mode executed this time and is the normal print mode,
The table creating means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time, the file reading means reads the image data file specified by the job from the memory card, and the control data file creating means includes: Expand the read image data file, create a control data file for controlling the image forming means,
(b) If the print mode of the job executed last time is different from the print mode executed this time and is in the multi-image print mode,
The table creating means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time, and the file reading means reads all image data files specified in the job from the memory card, and the reduced image data file creating means Thins out the read image data to create a reduced image data file for multi-image printing, and the control data file creation means develops the created reduced image data file to control the image forming means Create a control data file for
(c) If the print mode of the job executed last time is the same as the print mode executed this time and is the normal print mode,
The table creation means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time and creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time, while making a backup copy of the table created based on the previously executed job to the storage means. And the contents of the backup copy stored in the storage means,
When the image data file specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy are the same, the control data file creation means reads the image read from the memory card when executing the previous job from the storage means. Read the data file, expand the read image data file, create a control data file for controlling the image forming means,
If the image data file specified in the table created this time and the backup copy are different, the file reading means reads the image data file specified in the job from the memory card, and the control data file generating means The read image data file is expanded to create a control data file for controlling the image forming means,
(d) If the print mode of the job executed last time is the same as the print mode executed this time and is the multi-image print mode,
The table creation means creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time and creates a table based on the contents of the job to be executed this time. And the contents of the backup copy stored in the storage means,
When the same image data file is specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy, the file reading means reads the image data file specified only in the current job from the memory card, and the reduced image data file The creation means creates a reduced image data file for multi-image printing by thinning out the read image data, and the control data file creation means is designated in common in the table and backup copy created this time. For the existing image data file, the corresponding reduced image data file read from the reduced image data file stored in the storage means is used, and for the other image data files, the reduced image data file creating means is used. Reduced image Create the control data file for controlling the image forming means by using a datafile,
If the same image data file is not specified in the table created this time and in the backup copy, the file reading means reads all the image data files specified in the current job from the memory card, and reduces the reduced image data. The file creation means creates a reduced image data file for multi-image printing by thinning out the read image data, and the control data file creation means includes the reduced image data file created by the reduced image data file creation means. A printer is used to create a control data file for controlling the image forming means.   In a printer that reads a DPOF file from a memory card, reads an image data file from the memory card according to a job set by the user, and prints using the read image data file, the jobs in the DPOF file are compared and continuous. If the same image data file is specified in the job, the same image data file that has been read once can be used repeatedly to reduce the number of times the image data file is read and to shorten the time required for printing. Features printer. It has a multi-image print mode that prints multiple images on a single sheet of recording paper. Both the previously executed job and the upper part to be executed this time are in the multi-image print mode, and the same image data is used for the previous job and the current job. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein when a file is specified, a previously created thumbnail image is used as it is for an image data file common to the previous job and the current job.

Images