JP2006060487A - Print system and image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate print image degradation caused by electronic zoom photographing and to improve handleability for a user. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera DC provided with an image pickup means for converting optical images to electronic image signals and a printer unit 1 capable of visibly printing and outputting the electronic image signals picked up by the digital camera DC to recording paper sheets are connected. The digital camera DC is provided with an electronic zoom function for electronically segmenting and photographing a part of images and controls at least one of the electronic zoom photographing and the print output of the images for which the electronic zoom photographing is performed on the basis of information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer unit 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print system, an image pickup apparatus, a control method thereof, and a computer program suitable for printing out electronic information picked up by an image pickup apparatus such as a still camera or a video camera that records a still image.

  Conventionally, heat-sensitive paper has been used as printing paper, and a plurality of heating elements arranged in the main scanning direction are selectively driven to convey the paper in the sub-scanning direction, thereby printing dots on the paper. There is a line thermal transfer type printer device that performs the above.

  In recent years, with the development of digital cameras and digital video cameras on the input side, or input devices that handle images such as scanners, thermal transfer type printer apparatuses have attracted attention as printing means.

  The reason why thermal transfer printers are attracting attention is that inkjet printers have only two choices: whether or not to drop droplets. Whereas an attempt is made to obtain an apparent resolution and gradation by a technique such as diffusion, a thermal transfer printer can easily change the controllable heat value in one pixel. Since a large amount of tonality can be obtained, it is possible to obtain a smooth and high-quality image as compared with an ink jet printer.

  In addition, the performance of thermal heads and paper materials has been improved, and it is possible to obtain image prints that are as good as silver halide photographs with a finished quality, especially natural images to keep pace with the progress of recent digital cameras. It is attracting attention as a printer for use.

  On the other hand, even with inkjet printer devices, techniques such as droplet size reduction have progressed, and products with higher image quality have also appeared.

  Therefore, such a printer device and an imaging device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera are directly connected or integrally configured, and a device that processes the captured image information such as a computer is processed. There are also systems that print out without intervention. According to such a system, image information from a digital camera or digital video can be easily printed out as a photograph, which is very convenient.

  As an example of these, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connection between an image input device and an image output device. According to Patent Document 1, an image input / output system is formed by connecting an image output device and an image input device, and the image output device receives and outputs an image signal from the image input device, and A power supply unit configured to supply power to the image input device, wherein the image output device transmits image data to the image output device, and the connection cable for receiving supply of power from the image output device; A determination unit that is connected to the image output device and determines whether or not the power supply from the image output device can be received; and a power supply unit, and the determination unit determines that the power supply can be received from the image output device. If it is determined that the power from the image output apparatus is used, and it is determined that the power cannot be supplied, the power from the power supply unit is used. According to this, since power can be supplied from the image output apparatus, it is possible to print out without worrying about the remaining power of the image input apparatus such as a digital camera, which is very effective.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses power saving at the time of printing in a composite camera. According to Patent Document 2, a composite camera having an electronic viewfinder and integrating a photographing unit for recording video information on a recording medium and a printer unit for printing out the video information on a recording paper, the printer Control means is provided for controlling to stop supplying power to the electronic viewfinder while the means prints video information on the recording paper. According to this, since power is not supplied to the electronic viewfinder during printing, it is useful for power saving, which is very effective.

JP-A-10-243327 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-65182 JP-A-6-27537

  However, in the above-described conventional example, when a system is configured with a printer device and an imaging device such as a digital camera, a sufficient solution is not provided for sufficient operability, miniaturization, low cost, high speed, and the like. .

  That is, there are many digital cameras or the like that are photographing devices that have a trimming function. For example, there is a camera called “digital zoom” that enables photographing as if the optical zoom magnification has increased. This is done by trimming the center from the position on the telephoto side of the actual optical system and cutting it out as it is or by interpolating and enlarging to the number of pixels of the image sensor, making it appear as if the zoom magnification has increased. Is. Using the digital zoom at 2x and 3x while limiting the optical system to 2x and 3x zoom ratios, it is possible to shoot as much as a camera with an overall zoom system of 4 to 9x. This is very effective in terms of enabling large magnification photography while achieving downsizing and cost reduction of the apparatus.

  The camera system disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a camera that can obtain prints of optimum exposure corresponding to the trimming shooting mode and the special shooting mode using the split photometry means, and is exposed on the surface of the photographic film. Divided photometry means that divides the shooting area into a plurality of blocks, metering exposure means for calculating the exposure value at the time of shooting based on photometry information in each block of the split photometry means, and printing a full-size screen Shooting mode setting means for appropriately switching between normal shooting mode for specifying to perform and trimming shooting mode for specifying to perform printing by trimming to an area narrower than the full size screen, exposure information in each block, and shooting mode setting means Information to record the trimming information set by the Recording means, and when printing the exposure image of the photographic film, the trimming information and the exposure information of each block are read from the recording medium on the photographic film, and the exposure image of the film is based on the trimming information. A printing range is set, and exposure correction optimal for trimming printing is performed based on the exposure information. According to this, even when an attempt is made to obtain a trimmed print with respect to the photographing area at the time of photographing, there is a merit that the range to be printed is appropriate exposure because the exposure is surely performed, which is effective.

  However, in the camera system disclosed in Patent Document 3 and the like, the performance and functions of the printer device are not considered, and unlike a general silver salt service lab machine, it is used as a home photographing device. When printing by connecting to a printer device that is used by connecting directly, if there is no information on the photographing device side and the printer device side related to the trimming suitable for the performance of these printer devices, it will be excessively enlarged. It has been photographed and has a problem that a visually beautiful print result cannot be obtained.

  Especially in the case of a digital camera, the number of pixels of the image to be taken is smaller than that of a silver halide photograph. Had problems. For example, when the number of pixels of an image photographed by digital zoom on the digital camera side is too small with respect to the number of pixels that can be printed on the printer device side, there is a problem in that the printed printed matter that is output is significantly deteriorated due to excessive enlargement. there were

  As described above, the conventional apparatus has a problem that a user-friendly printing system cannot be provided.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate print image deterioration caused by electronic zoom photography and to improve usability for the user.

The print system of the present invention includes an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, and a printer device that can print out the electronic image signal picked up by the image pickup apparatus so as to be visible on a recording sheet. The image pickup apparatus includes an electronic zoom unit that electronically cuts out a part of an image, a storage unit that stores information related to the number of output pixels of the printer device, and a storage unit And a control means for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of an image photographed by electronic zoom photographing based on the stored information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device. Have.
Another printing system of the present invention includes an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, and a printer apparatus that can print out an electronic image signal picked up by the image pickup apparatus so as to be visible on a recording sheet. The image pickup apparatus includes: an electronic zoom unit that electronically cuts out a part of an image; a storage unit that stores a type of the printer device; and a printer stored in the storage unit It is characterized by comprising control means for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of an image obtained by electronic zoom photographing based on the type selected from the type of apparatus.
An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, and is an image pickup device that can be connected to a printer apparatus, and an electronic zoom unit that electronically cuts out and shoots a part of the image. Storage means for storing information relating to the number of output pixels of the connected printer device, and electronic zoom photographing and electronic zoom photographing based on the information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means. And a control means for controlling at least one of the printed output of the image.
Another image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus that has an image pickup unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal and can be connected to a printer device, and electronically cuts out a part of an image and electronically captures the image. And a storage means for storing the type of the printer device, and an electronic zoom photographing and a print output of the image taken by the electronic zoom photographing based on a type selected from the types of the printer devices stored in the storage means. It is characterized in that it comprises a control means for controlling at least one of them.
An image pickup apparatus control method according to the present invention relates to an image pickup means that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, an electronic zoom means that electronically cuts out a part of an image, and a number of output pixels of a connected printer apparatus. An image pickup apparatus control method for controlling an image pickup apparatus connectable to a printer apparatus, the storage means storing information, and based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer apparatus stored in the storage means Thus, it has a feature in that it has a procedure for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of an image photographed by electronic zoom.
Another imaging apparatus control method according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, an electronic zoom unit that electronically cuts out a part of the image, and a storage that stores the type of the printer device. And an image pickup apparatus control method for controlling an image pickup apparatus connectable to the printer apparatus, the electronic zoom shooting based on a type selected from the types of the printer apparatus stored in the storage means, And it has a feature in that it has a procedure for controlling at least one of print outputs of images taken by electronic zoom.
A computer program of the present invention is a computer program used for an imaging device that has an imaging unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal and that can be connected to a printer device, and electronically cuts out a part of the image and shoots it And at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of the image taken by the electronic zoom photographing based on the information relating to the electronic zoom processing and the information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means. It is characterized in that the processing is executed by a computer.
Another computer program of the present invention is a computer program used for an imaging device that has an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal and can be connected to a printer device, and electronically cuts out a part of the image. Control at least one of electronic zoom shooting and electronic zoom shooting based on the type selected from the type of electronic zoom processing and the type of printer device stored in the storage means It is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute the processing to be performed.

  According to the present invention, based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device, for example, when electronic zoom shooting is performed, electronic zoom shooting is restricted, a warning is given, and an image taken by electronic zoom shooting is printed out At this time, by limiting the range in which trimming processing is possible, it is possible to prevent print image deterioration caused by electronic zoom photography and to improve usability for the user.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing system of the present embodiment, in which the digital camera DC and the printer apparatus 1 are connected via a cable 27. Note that the connection between the digital camera DC and the printer apparatus 1 is not limited to the cable 27, and wireless communication may be performed, for example. When the digital camera DC is communicable with the printer apparatus 1, necessary information is communicated from the digital camera DC to the printer apparatus 1 by a predetermined print execution button (not shown). Necessary information includes information for negotiation with the digital camera DC, image information to be printed from the digital camera DC, information added to the image information at or after recording, and the like.

  In the printing system of the present embodiment, a sublimation type thermal transfer system is adopted as the printer device 1 so that electronic image information can be printed out for an arbitrary number of prints.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the printer apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The overall configuration of the printer apparatus 1 will be described. The recording paper P is separated and fed one by one by the paper feed roller 3 from the paper cassette 2 in which the recording paper P is loaded on the apparatus main body. At this time, the recording paper P is in contact with the paper feed roller 3 by the push-up plate 21 biased by the spring 20. The recording paper P conveyed by the paper feed roller 3 is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 4 so as to be able to reciprocate the recording unit.

  In the recording unit, the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 that generates heat according to the recording information face each other across the recording paper conveyance path, and ink coated with hot-melt or heat-sublimable ink stored in the ink cassette 7 is applied. The ink sheet 8 having an overcoat layer that is overcoated on the printing screen in order to protect the layer and the printing screen is pressed against the recording paper P by the thermal head 6 and selectively heated. A predetermined image is transferred and recorded, and a protective layer is overcoated.

  The ink sheet covers the printing area of the recording paper P and is provided with a yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink layer and an overcoat (OP) layer arranged in a size substantially equal to the size. After each layer is thermally transferred, the recording paper P is returned to the recording start position P1 and transferred onto the recording paper P in an overlapping manner. In this way, the recording paper P is reciprocated by the number of inks of each color and the number of overcoat layers by the conveying roller pair 4.

  At this time, the recording paper P after printing of each ink layer is reversed in front of the apparatus main body and guided to the rear of the apparatus main body through the front portion of the paper cassette and the lower guide portion. Since the recording paper P in the middle of printing comes out to the outside because it is reversed in front of the device, there is no waste of space or unintentionally touching it, making it possible to reduce the installation space etc. Yes.

  In addition, by directly using the lower part of the paper cassette 2 as a paper guide, the thickness of the apparatus main body can be reduced, and the recording paper P can be passed through the space between the ink cassette 7 and the paper cassette 2. It is possible to minimize the overall height of the main body of the device, and to reduce the size.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a paper transport guide portion 25 of the paper cassette 2 which reverses the recording paper P that has been reversed from the front of the apparatus main body to the rear of the apparatus main body. By providing the paper cassette 2 with the paper transport guide portion 25, it greatly contributes to downsizing of the entire apparatus main body. Reference numeral 26 also serves as a tray portion of the recording paper P printed on and discharged from the upper surface of the paper cassette 2, which also contributes to downsizing of the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 23 denotes a head cover A, and 24 denotes a head cover B, which are plates for preventing contact with the thermal head 6 when the paper cassette 2 is replaced.

  After the printing of each ink layer is completed, the recording paper P is guided to the paper discharge rollers 1 and 9a and the paper discharge rollers 2 and 9b, and discharged from the rear of the apparatus main body to the front to complete the recording operation. The discharge rollers 2 and 9b are configured to come into pressure contact only during the discharge operation of the recording paper P, and are configured not to be stressed during printing. Note that a guide portion 15 for the recording paper P is configured in the apparatus main body, and the recording paper P is guided.

  Reference numeral 15a denotes a conveyance path switching sheet. After the recording paper P is fed, the recording paper P is guided to the discharge-side path.

  Further, the thermal head 6 for printing is provided integrally with the head arm 22, and when the ink cassette 7 is replaced, the thermal head 6 is retracted to a position where the ink cassette 7 cannot be inserted or removed. The ink cassette 7 can be replaced by pulling out the paper cassette 2. At this time, the head arm 22 is pressed by a cam portion (not shown) in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the paper cassette 2. Is configured to move up and down as it evacuates.

  In a normal thermal transfer recording apparatus, three colors of YMC are recorded three times in a surface sequential manner, so that it is necessary to control to accurately match the recording leading ends of the respective colors. For this purpose, it is necessary to hold the recording paper P firmly with the conveying roller pair 4 shown in FIG. 1 and carry it, and an unrecordable blank portion is required at the end of the recording paper P in the feeding direction. Become. In view of this, finally, in order to easily obtain a print without an edge, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper P is firmly sandwiched by the conveying roller pair 4 at the start of recording and a blank portion that cannot be recorded is left behind. A perforation 12 is provided so that it can be easily cut by hand. The perforation area provided on the recording paper P is overcoated. Further, the area indicated by the slanting left slanting line is the printing area 17 and is controlled so as to print the area including the perforation 12. The overcoat is an area that is substantially printed and is controlled so as to include an area that is printed slightly larger than the area to be printed.

  Hereinafter, the printer device 1 will be described in more detail. The conveyance roller pair 4 includes a pinch roller 42 and a grip roller 42. The grip roller 41 is directly connected to an output shaft of a stepping motor (not shown) via a speed reduction mechanism. The stepping motor is driven to rotate forward and backward by rotation control. Since the recording paper P is firmly sandwiched by the conveying roller pair 4 and reciprocally conveyed, the recording paper P is also accurately position-controlled by rotation control of the stepping motor and is conveyed and driven. As an example, if the recording pitch for one line by the thermal head 6 is 85 μm and the number of steps of the stepping motor for conveying the recording paper P for one line is four, the recording paper P has a stepping motor. By controlling the rotation in four steps, one line (that is, 85 μm) can be conveyed. If the printing range shown in FIG. 3 is 144 mm in the transport direction, 1694 lines can be printed, and in order to transport the recording paper P by this amount, the stepping motor may be rotated by 6776 steps.

  In the printer apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 is disposed at a position in the vicinity of the paper feeding roller pair 4 when viewed from the paper feeding roller 3 to the paper feeding roller pair 4. After the detection, the predetermined line is fed and stopped within a range that can be held by the pair of conveying rollers 4. This position is the position at the start of recording described above. From here, the thermal head is driven to generate heat from the first yellow (Y) according to the recording information, and a predetermined image of each color ink is recorded or an overcoat (OP) layer is transferred. When one color is finished, the recording paper is then returned from this position in the direction of the paper discharge roller 9b and conveyed, the predetermined number of lines is returned again, and YMC each color and overcoat layer transfer is repeated four times. In the printer apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the distance of the position where the recording paper tip detection sensor 10, the platen roller 5, and the thermal head 6 press the recording paper P is a distance on the recording paper in consideration of the arrangement of components in the apparatus. Although set to 20 mm, it is not limited to this.

  At this time, the printed matter shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by transferring and recording each color ink and transferring the overcoat layer. The color ink transfer and overcoat layer transfer sequence will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, the user instructs a print operation by a print button (not shown) or a print instruction from the digital camera DC.

  In step S2, the processing circuit 18 of the printer apparatus 1 starts communication with the device (digital camera DC) that has executed the print instruction, and the processing circuit 18 requires various conditions for printing with the device that has executed the print instruction. Confirm. In the present embodiment, information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer apparatus 1 is also transmitted, and the digital camera DC stores this information. In this way, if the digital camera DC automatically acquires information related to the number of output pixels of the printer device 1 when communication is started, the user cares about the number of output pixels of the printer device. It is possible to automatically print out with optimum image quality.

  Note that, depending on the model of the digital camera DC, the model of the connected printer may be selected and specified from the menu of the digital camera DC. In this case, before the printer device 1 is connected once, electronic zoom shooting can be restricted as described later. The digital camera DC performs optimum color and sharpness processing according to the model of the printer device connected to the image information to be printed, and then interpolates the pixels according to the number of pixels of the digital camera DC and the print size output from the printer device. Image information is sent to the printer 1 after the above.

  In step S3, when the printer device 1 is ready for printing, the motor connected to the paper feed roller 3 is driven to start feeding the recording paper P.

  In step S4, after detecting the leading edge of the recording paper, the stepping motor is rotated by a predetermined step to start printing. At this time, the printing start position was 12.465 mm with reference to the leading edge of the recording paper.

  In step S5, the thermal head is driven to generate heat while continuing to rotate the stepping motor by four steps, and printing for one line is performed. The printing is completed by rotating for a total of 6776 steps (1694 lines). The print end position at this time is 156.455 mm with reference to the leading edge of the recording paper. At this time, the printed matter is separable by the perforation 12. That is, the printing operation is performed by printing to the margin part 16 side of the perforation 12 and separating the non-printed margin part 16 so that there is no margin part. Only 17 prints can be obtained. Therefore, a predetermined amount of the number of printed lines is cut out in an actual printed product and is not printed.

  In step S6, the stepping motor is rotated by about 10 lines (40 steps) and stopped for deceleration to stop.

  In step S7, from this state, the stepping motor is driven in the reverse direction, the recording paper P is conveyed in the opposite direction to that during printing, and is returned by a predetermined number of steps (6776 steps-deceleration). Rotate for about 10 lines (40 steps) and stop.

  In step S8, the desired printed image is transferred and recorded on the recording paper P by repeating three times for the three colors of YMC.

  In step S9, the overcoat layer for protecting the screen once is further transferred.

  In step S10, the stepping motor is driven in reverse to be guided to the discharge rollers 2 and 9b as it is, and the paper is discharged by driving the discharge rollers 2 and 9b to complete a series of operations.

  Note that the number of steps of the stepping motor and the positional relationship during conveyance of the recording paper P are grasped based on the recording paper leading edge detection signal first detected by the recording paper leading edge detection sensor 10 when the recording paper P is fed. Although the recording position is managed by managing the number of steps of the rotational drive of the stepping motor at the time of all print recording, it is not limited to this, and at the time of transfer recording of each YMC color and overcoat layer, A configuration may be adopted in which the recording position is managed by providing a detection sensor, detecting the leading edge of the recording paper, and managing the number of steps of rotation driving of the stepping motor based on the signal.

  In addition, the transfer of the overcoat layer is described to be performed only by turning on / off the heat drive of the thermal head. However, at the start of the overcoat transfer, the amount of heat generation is gradually increased and the transfer of the overcoat is completed. Sometimes it is also possible to add control that is obtained by gradually decreasing the amount of heat generation.

  It is assumed that the digital camera DC holds image information in a memory inside the digital camera DC after shooting. As the memory, a removable memory such as a compact flash (registered trademark) card or smart media is convenient. It is assumed that an arbitrary image is reproduced by setting a mode of the digital camera DC. Since the reproduction of the image information can be confirmed at any time by the liquid crystal display device included in the digital camera DC, the user can arbitrarily call the photographed favorite image information.

  FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration of the digital camera DC. Reference numeral 501 denotes a lens. Reference numeral 502 denotes an image pickup unit having an image pickup element such as a CCD, which converts an optical image formed through the lens 501 into an electronic image signal. A signal processing unit 503 processes an electronic image signal output from the imaging unit 502 as photographed image data and records it on a detachable recording medium 504, image data recorded on the recording medium 504, or immediately after photographing. The captured image data and the like are output to the monitor 505.

  Reference numeral 506 denotes a control unit that controls the whole. Reference numeral 507 denotes a data memory, which records information such as the number of recording pixels that the printer apparatus 1 has. Reference numeral 508 denotes a communication control unit, and communication with the printer apparatus 1 is performed via the communication control unit 508.

  Now, contents related to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the printer device 1 of the present embodiment, the print area has a print density of about 300 dpi and is about 102 mm × 144 mm, and the number of pixels is 1205 × 1694 pixels. That is, in the mode in which the entire area is printed out, if the number of pixels photographed by the digital camera DC is 1205 × 1694 pixels or more, it is not necessary to perform an enlargement interpolation process on the photographed pixels. Can be printed out without deteriorating.

  Here, it is assumed that the digital camera DC of the present embodiment is a camera having an image sensor of 6 million pixels as an example. In this case, about 2000 × 3000 pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions are the maximum pixels of the digital camera DC.

  In the case of such a camera with many pixels, in addition to optical zoom, there are many cameras that can be zoomed electronically by cutting out a part of the image sensor. Specifically, a part is cut out from the telephoto end point of the optical zoom, and the electronic zoom magnification is represented by the ratio to the maximum of 2000 × 3000 pixels of the image sensor according to the number of cut out pixels, as if the zoom ratio further increased That is why. For example, if a portion of 1000 × 1500 pixels is cut out and interpolated to 2000 × 3000 pixels, an image as if double zooming can be obtained.

  However, when the electronic zoom is set to a higher magnification, the pixels to be cut out become smaller. For example, in the case of the camera of this embodiment, the electronic zoom can be performed 4 times. This is about 500 × 1000 pixels.

  If this is interpolated to 2000 × 3000 pixels, which is the file writing size of the digital camera DC, it causes an error due to excessive enlargement processing, and if an image in this state is to be printed, in this case a file of 2000 × 3000 pixels The number of pixels is reduced to 1205 × 1694 pixels in the print process, so degradation of image quality is minimal, but since the digital camera DC is first greatly interpolated and enlarged when creating a file, There is a high possibility that the print result will be poor in image quality due to the influence.

  Therefore, by limiting or warning the magnification to be electronically zoomed in accordance with the number of output pixels of the connected printer device 1, an excessively enlarged image is printed, thereby preventing deterioration in image quality. .

  In the present embodiment, first, the type of the printer device 1 to be connected is automatically determined by communication at the time of connection with the printer device 1, or the printer device 1 is displayed from the display unit of the digital camera DC. The digital camera DC stores the number of output pixels of the printer device 1 (step S101). As a method for automatically discriminating, it may be considered that model information, device ID, etc. are exchanged at the time of negotiation after connecting the device, and the type is specified based on this information.

  The digital camera DC stores a maximum value of a predetermined electronic zoom magnification determined by the model of the printer device 1, and is configured to be able to select whether to restrict or to allow zooming only by displaying a warning. Setting is made according to the usage of the user (steps S102 and S103). For example, when the restriction is applied, the electronic zoom is automatically restricted when a print output is scheduled, so that the user can concentrate on shooting. On the other hand, when the warning is selected, it is possible to shoot even when it is not necessary to print out and want to perform electronic zoom shooting, and the shooting is not suitable for print output to the user. It becomes possible to inform.

  When the user performs electronic zoom shooting (step S104), the digital camera DC determines whether to display a warning instead of the restriction or restriction of the electronic zoom magnification determined earlier (step S105). S106, S107).

  In the present embodiment, the limit is set so that the photographing base pixel is approximately the same size as the pixel size to be printed. That is, in this case, the electronic zoom magnification is doubled so that the basic information is about 1000 × 1500 pixels. Here, if the enlargement process is not made too large, the degradation in the actual print output is minimized, so that some enlargement process is allowed.

  The digital camera DC performs interpolation enlargement processing according to the electronic zoom magnification obtained after photographing and converts it to the maximum pixel size, and then saves it in the digital camera DC in a file format such as a JPEG file (step S108).

  Here, a file size may be prepared in which a pixel itself cut out by the electronic zoom is saved as a Jpeg file and interpolation enlargement processing is not performed. In this case, since the enlargement interpolation process is not performed to the maximum pixel size of the digital camera DC, when the image is transferred to the printer apparatus 1, the reduction process according to the pixel size of the printer apparatus 1 is not necessary again. However, there is less degradation in image quality due to the addition of processing, and the time required for processing for the printer can be saved.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when determining a print range when printing an image taken with an electronic zoom. When the digital camera DC and the printer apparatus 1 are connected, the information on the print pixels of the printer apparatus main body 1 is transmitted to the digital camera DC at the time of negotiation communication between them (step S201).

  The user selects an image to be printed while reproducing the digital camera DC (step S202). Here, the control unit 506 of the digital camera DC determines the number of output pixels of the printer device 1 and the electronic zoom state of the selected image. If the selected image is electronically zoomed and the printer device 1 Restriction is made so that trimming is not performed in a range where the number of pixels at the time of electronic zoom photographing is smaller than the number of output pixels.

  Here, trimming is an operation of cutting out a part of a selected image, and is a function that can arbitrarily cut out a range to be printed when an image is selected with the digital camera DC and enlarge and print only that part. is there. When the photographed image is not in the electronic zoom area, the number of photographed pixels exceeds the number of output pixels of the printer apparatus 1, and it is preferable because sufficient image quality can be obtained even by performing trimming processing to cut out part of the photographed pixels. However, if all images that have been electronically zoomed and trimmed at the time of shooting are allowed to be further trimmed at the time of printing, the image is often excessively enlarged and the image quality is significantly deteriorated. In other words, the trimming area is limited when printing a captured image in the electronic zoom area. In the present embodiment, the limitation of the trimming range is limited to the basic pixel information to be extracted by electronic zoom photography and the trimming in which the number of output pixels of the printer apparatus 1 is less than 0.8 times. The zooming area may be selected within a range where there is no deterioration (steps S203 and S204).

  When setting the trimming range, after performing this operation (step S205), a print instruction is input from the digital camera DC (step S206). Thereafter, the control unit 506 of the digital camera DC performs processing for printing on the image in the designated range, and sends the Y, M, and C plane data to the printer apparatus 1 to perform printing (step S207).

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a configuration of a printer device. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a color ink transfer and an overcoat layer transfer sequence. It is a figure which shows a recording paper. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a print system. It is a figure which shows the structure of a digital camera. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing operation at the time of imaging | photography with a digital camera. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when determining a print range when printing an image taken with an electronic zoom.

Explanation of symbols

DC digital camera 1 printer device 27 cable 501 lens 502 imaging means 503 signal processing unit 504 recording medium 505 monitor 506 control unit 507 data memory 508 communication control unit

Claims (13)

A printing system comprising: an imaging device having an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal; and a printer device capable of visually printing out an electronic image signal captured by the imaging device on a recording sheet.
The imaging device
Electronic zoom means for electronically cutting out and shooting a part of an image;
Storage means for storing information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device;
Control means for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of the image taken by electronic zoom photographing based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means. A printing system characterized by that.   When the electronic zoom magnification exceeds the electronic zoom magnification determined on the basis of the information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means, the control means The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is limited.   The control means issues a warning when the electronic zoom photographing exceeds the electronic zoom magnification determined based on the information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means. The printing system according to claim 1.   At the time of electronic zoom shooting, if the electronic zoom magnification exceeds the electronic zoom magnification determined based on the information related to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means, the electronic zoom shooting is limited, The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user can select whether to permit electronic zoom photographing itself only with a warning.   The control means limits the range in which trimming processing is possible based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means when printing out an image that has been photographed with an electronic zoom. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: An acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the number of output pixels from the printer device when the imaging device and the printer device are connected;
6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device acquired by the acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit. A printing system comprising: an imaging device having an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal; and a printer device capable of visually printing out an electronic image signal captured by the imaging device on a recording sheet.
The imaging device
Electronic zoom means for electronically cutting out and shooting a part of an image;
Storage means for storing the type of printer device;
Control means for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photography and print output of an image taken by electronic zoom photography based on a type selected from the types of printer devices stored in the storage means. A printing system characterized by An imaging device having an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal and connectable to a printer device,
Electronic zoom means for electronically cutting out and shooting a part of an image;
Storage means for storing information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device to be connected;
Control means for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of the image taken by electronic zoom photographing based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means. An imaging apparatus characterized by that. An imaging device having an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal and connectable to a printer device,
Electronic zoom means for electronically cutting out and shooting a part of an image;
Storage means for storing the type of printer device;
Control means for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photography and print output of an image taken by electronic zoom photography based on a type selected from the types of printer devices stored in the storage means. An imaging apparatus characterized by the above. An image pickup unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, an electronic zoom unit that electronically cuts and captures a part of the image, and a storage unit that stores information related to the number of output pixels of the printer device to be connected An imaging apparatus control method for controlling an imaging apparatus connectable to a printer apparatus,
And a procedure for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of the electronic zoom photographed image based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means. A control method for an imaging apparatus. An image pickup unit that converts an optical image into an electronic image signal, an electronic zoom unit that electronically cuts and captures a part of the image, and a storage unit that stores the type of the printer device can be connected to the printer device. An image pickup apparatus control method for controlling an image pickup apparatus, comprising:
And a procedure for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of an image taken by electronic zoom photographing based on a type selected from the types of printer devices stored in the storage unit. A method for controlling the imaging apparatus. A computer program for use in an imaging apparatus that has an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal and can be connected to a printer apparatus,
An electronic zoom process that electronically cuts out and shoots part of an image;
Based on information relating to the number of output pixels of the printer device stored in the storage means, the computer executes electronic zoom photographing and processing for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing print output A computer program characterized by causing A computer program for use in an imaging apparatus that has an imaging means for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal and can be connected to a printer apparatus,
An electronic zoom process that electronically cuts out and shoots part of an image;
Based on the type selected from the types of the printer device stored in the storage unit, the computer is caused to execute processing for controlling at least one of electronic zoom photographing and print output of the image taken by electronic zoom photographing. A computer program characterized by the above.

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