JP2006086744A - Printing system, printer, image pickup device and method for controlling them - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the consumption of the battery of an image pickup device. <P>SOLUTION: This printing system is provided with an image pickup device for imaging the image of an object and a printer for printing an image photographed by the image pickup device, and the image pickup device is communicatively connected to the printing device. The printer is provided with a receiving means for receiving image data from the image pickup device, a holding means for holding the image data received from the image pickup device, a decision means for deciding the residual capacity of the holding means from the image data and the respective capacities of the holding means and a notification means for notifying the image pickup device of power supply stop or power supply resumption. The image pickup device is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the printer, a detection means for detecting power supply stop or power supply resumption notified by the printer and a power source control means for stopping power supply until the power supply resumption notification is detected when the power supply stop notification has been detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique that enables direct printing of an image by directly connecting an imaging device and a printing device.

  Since a conventional digital camera generally operates on a battery, in order to reduce power consumption, a function for automatically stopping power supply is added when no operation is performed for a predetermined time after activation (see FIG. For example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, with direct printing from a conventional digital camera, the digital camera remains activated until an image is printed by the printing device after an image printing instruction is issued from the digital camera, and it is allowed to turn off the power. It wasn't.
JP 2000-209485 A

  As described above, when direct printing is performed from a digital camera, it is necessary to start the digital camera until printing of a plurality of images is completed by a printing apparatus after a printing instruction is issued from the digital camera. is there.

  However, since a full color image that is handled by a digital camera often takes several minutes to print, one digital camera is activated for several tens of minutes when printing a plurality of images. In many cases, it is necessary, and it is a great load in a digital camera that is often driven by a battery.

  Furthermore, the breakdown of the startup time is much longer than the time required for image data transfer itself, and the time to wait for the end of printing is overwhelming, and the digital camera must be started for unnecessary waiting time. It was in a state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing consumption of a battery and a battery of an imaging apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a printing system of the present invention includes an imaging device that captures an image of a subject, and a printing device that prints an image captured by the imaging device, A printing system in which the printing apparatus is communicably connected to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus receiving image data from the imaging apparatus, and holding means for holding image data received from the imaging apparatus; Determination means for determining the remaining capacity of the holding means from the image data and each capacity of the holding means; and notification means for notifying the imaging apparatus of power supply stop or power supply restart; A transmission unit that transmits image data to the printing apparatus, a detection unit that detects power supply stop or power supply notification notified from the printing apparatus, and a case where the power supply stop notification is detected. In, and a power supply control means for stopping power supply to the detection of the power supply resumption notification.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an image received from an imaging device that captures an image of a subject, and includes a receiving unit that receives image data from the imaging device, and an image received from the imaging device. Holding means for holding data, determination means for determining the remaining capacity of the holding means from the image data and the respective capacities of the holding means, and notification means for notifying the imaging apparatus of power supply stop or power supply restart It has.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject and transmits the captured image to a printing apparatus, a transmission unit that transmits image data to the printing apparatus, and a power supply notified from the printing apparatus. Detection means for detecting stop or power supply restart, and power supply control means for stopping power supply until detection of power supply restart notification is detected when the power supply stop notification is detected.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that is communicably connected to an image supply apparatus, and that receives print job information including information specifying a plurality of image data to be printed from the image supply apparatus. Means, request means for sequentially requesting image data specified by the print job information received by the receiving means, holding means for holding image data received from the image supply device, the image data, and the holding means Determining means for determining the remaining capacity of the holding means from the respective capacities, a first notifying means for notifying the image supply device of a signal for stopping power supply in accordance with the determination result of the determining means, and the holding means And a second notifying unit for notifying the image supply device of a signal for resuming the power supply in accordance with the printing status of the held image.

  The printing system control method of the present invention includes an imaging device that captures an image of a subject, and a printing device that prints an image captured by the imaging device, so that the imaging device and the printing device can communicate with each other. A control method for a connected printing system, wherein the printing apparatus receives image data from the imaging apparatus, and each capacity of image data received from the imaging apparatus and holding means for holding the image data A determination step of determining the remaining capacity of the holding unit, and a notification step of notifying the imaging device of power supply stop or power supply restart, and the imaging device transmits image data to the printing device A transmission step, a detection step of detecting a power supply stop or power supply restart notified from the printing apparatus, and a power supply restart notification is detected when the power supply stop notification is detected. And a power control step of stopping the power supply.

  The printing apparatus control method of the present invention is a printing apparatus control method for printing an image received from an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject, and includes a reception step of receiving image data from the imaging apparatus; A determination step of determining the remaining capacity of the holding unit from the image data received from the imaging device and the respective capacities of the holding unit holding the image data, and a notification step of notifying the imaging device of power supply stop or power supply restart Is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image pickup apparatus that picks up an image of a subject and transmits the image to a printing apparatus, a transmission step of transmitting image data to the printing apparatus, and the printing A detection step of detecting power supply stop or power supply notification notified from the apparatus, and a power supply control step of stopping power supply until a power supply restart notification is detected when the power supply stop notification is detected.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a printing apparatus that is communicably connected to an image supply apparatus, and includes information that specifies a plurality of pieces of image data to be printed from the image supply apparatus. A receiving step for receiving job information, a request step for sequentially requesting image data designated by the print job information received in the receiving step, and a holding step for holding the image data received from the image supply device in a holding unit A determination step of determining a remaining capacity of the holding unit from the image data and the respective capacities of the holding unit, and a first notification of a signal for stopping power supply to the image supply device according to a determination result of the determination step A first notification step, and a second notification step of notifying the image supply device of a signal for resuming power supply in accordance with the printing status of the image held in the holding unit.

  Note that the present invention can also be realized by a program for causing a computer to execute the above control method or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when direct printing is performed from an imaging device, the imaging device automatically shuts down according to an instruction from the printing device after receiving as much image data as the printing device can receive. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the imaging apparatus until image printing is completed.

  In addition, when there is no image data in the printing apparatus, the imaging apparatus is automatically activated by a WakeUp message from the printing apparatus, and subsequent image data is received, so that there is no problem in continuing printing.

  As a result, the image pickup apparatus is activated for a time necessary for transmitting image data, and it is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery and the battery.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and the modes illustrated below should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Further, the present invention supplies a storage medium (or recording medium) storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiments described later to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU or MPU). Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a typical printing system employing the present invention, a printing apparatus such as a printer and an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera can communicate. A directly connected camera direct print system is configured.

  The printing apparatus includes a printing mechanism 1 that is a printer engine, a print image storage RAM 2 that holds image data, a storage unit 3 that stores an image final reception position, a determination unit 4 that determines an image amount in the RAM 2, and a connected imaging device. Receiving means 5 for receiving image data from the apparatus, notifying means 6 for notifying the imaging apparatus of a shutdown message, notifying means 7 for notifying the imaging apparatus of a WakeUp message, and an external I / F 8 connected to the imaging apparatus The CPU 21 manages each component in the printing apparatus and controls the operation on the printing apparatus side in the present embodiment.

  The imaging device as an image supply device detects an imaging mechanism 9, a power supply 10, a power supply control unit 11, a transmission unit 12 that transmits image data to be printed to a connected printing device, and a shutdown message notified from the printing device. Detecting means 13, detecting means 14 for detecting a WakeUp message notified from the printing apparatus, external I / F 15 connected to the printing apparatus, and each component in the imaging apparatus are managed, and on the imaging apparatus side in this embodiment A CPU 22 for controlling the operation is provided. The imaging mechanism 9 generates digital image data from a video signal of a subject obtained by an imaging lens, a photoelectric conversion element (CCD), or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus and the imaging apparatus are logically connected in a wired or wireless manner via external I / Fs 8 and 15 provided in each apparatus. Note that the imaging device has a function of controlling the stop (power supply stop) or start (power supply restart) of its own power upon receiving a Shutdown notification or WakeUp notification from the printing device.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the first embodiment showing the operation of the printing apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the printing apparatus first receives print job information including information specifying a plurality of image data to be printed from the imaging apparatus prior to the printing operation. The CPU 21 of the printing apparatus analyzes the received print job, requests image data of an image to be printed from the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus transmits the image data according to this request. The printing apparatus starts receiving the image data from the imaging apparatus, thereby monitoring the remaining capacity of the RAM while storing the received image data in the image storage RAM 2 (step S201). The printing apparatus sequentially discards the image data of the finished print portion.

  Here, it is confirmed whether or not there is a remaining capacity in the RAM (step S202). If there is no remaining capacity (or less than a predetermined capacity), the reception buffer is full and data reception is temporarily stopped (step S203). In order to resume, the final position of the received image data is stored (step S204). Then, a shutdown message is notified to the imaging device, and power supply to the imaging device is stopped. As a result, the imaging apparatus maintains the power-off state until the printing apparatus finishes printing the image data received at this time (until the WakeUp message is notified again (until the remaining capacity of the RAM is restored)). .

  On the other hand, it is confirmed whether or not there is a remaining capacity in the RAM (step S202). If there is a remaining capacity, it is subsequently determined whether or not image data remains in the RAM (step S206). Here, if image data remains, it is determined that printing is still in progress, and monitoring of the RAM capacity is repeated again. However, if there is no image data, it is determined whether printing of all the image data designated by the imaging device has been completed. Is performed (step S207). If all the images have been printed, the process ends.

  If printing of all the images has not been completed, a shutdown message has been previously notified to the imaging apparatus, and it is determined whether or not the imaging apparatus is in a power-off state (step S208). Here, if the imaging apparatus is not in the power-off state, the data processing speed by image printing simply exceeds the image data reception speed, and therefore the RAM capacity monitoring is repeated again.

  If the imaging device is in a power-off state, in order to resume receiving image data from the imaging device, a WakeUp message is notified to the imaging device, and the image data is continuously recorded from the last position of the previously stored image data. Resume reception.

  In this way, in the direct printing of the imaging device, after the image data transmitted from the imaging device is received to the full RAM (reception buffer), printing is performed with the imaging device stopped and the reception buffer becomes empty. Then, by restarting the image pickup device and restarting reception, it becomes unnecessary to start the image pickup device meaninglessly until the printing of the printing device is finished, and it becomes possible to suppress the consumption of the battery and battery of the image pickup device. .

  In the above embodiment, power supply stop and power supply restart are determined by looking at the RAM capacity (buffer). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, every time printing of one image is completed, the image data is erased or discarded, and the free space obtained by this processing is a predetermined capacity (as this predetermined capacity). When the size of the image data to be received or a certain capacity is exceeded, the power supply may be resumed.

  By configuring in this way, for example, it is possible to erase from an image that has been completely printed, and by holding an image that has not been completely printed, it is possible to cope with printing again when an error occurs. become.

In this way, it is very useful to notify the resumption of power supply according to the printing status. Of course, not only checking the free space each time printing of one image is completed, but also when, for example, printing a plurality of images on one sheet, the image to be arranged on that one sheet It is also useful to check the free space each time printing of the number of sheets is completed. This is because, in this case, when one sheet on which a plurality of images are arranged is reprinted, it is not necessary to re-receive data.
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the second embodiment showing the operation of the printing apparatus of FIG.

  In the following, description of the same processing steps as those in FIG. 2 will be simplified, and description will be made mainly with the characteristic part as the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the printing apparatus starts receiving image data from the imaging apparatus in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and monitors the remaining capacity of the RAM while storing the received image data in the image storage RAM 2 (steps). S301). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not there is a remaining capacity in the RAM (step S302). If there is no remaining capacity, the reception buffer is full and data reception is temporarily stopped (step S303).

  Here, the RAM remaining capacity is continuously monitored even after the data reception is stopped, and the RAM remaining capacity change Δχ per unit time t determined in advance is determined (step S304). This means that the amount of data processed by printing per unit time is determined.

  If Δχ is larger than the constant N determined in advance by an operation experiment or the like (step S305), the RAM is not notified to the imaging device and waits to finish processing the image data in the RAM. Repeat capacity monitoring. Then, when the processing of the image data in the RAM is completed and the RAM becomes empty, data reception is resumed (step S314). This means that when the data processing speed by the printing process of the printing apparatus is high, the operation from the power supply stop to the start-up (power supply restart) of the imaging apparatus is not performed.

  In this way, in direct printing from the imaging apparatus, when the data processing of the printing apparatus is faster by performing power control of the imaging apparatus in accordance with the printing processing speed as compared with the first embodiment, the imaging apparatus Thus, it is possible to prevent the frequent operation from the power supply stop to the restart.

  In general, since an electronic device such as a digital camera often takes a certain amount of time to start up, the above-described effects result in the digital camera not actually operating until the end of printing, and thus starting up meaninglessly. The time can be shortened, and the consumption of the battery and battery of the digital camera can be further suppressed as compared with the first embodiment.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart of the first embodiment showing the operation of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart of a second embodiment illustrating an operation of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printing mechanism 2 Print image storage RAM
3 Image position storage means 4 Image amount determination means 5 Image data reception means 6 Shutdown notification means 7 WakeUp notification means 8, 15 External I / F
9 Image pickup mechanism 10 Power supply 11 Power supply control means 12 Image data transmission means 13 Shutdown notification detection means 14 WakeUp notification detection means 21, 22 CPU

Claims (16)

A printing system comprising: an imaging device that captures an image of a subject; and a printing device that prints an image captured by the imaging device, wherein the imaging device and the printing device are communicably connected.
The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving image data from the imaging device;
Holding means for holding image data received from the imaging device;
Determining means for determining a remaining capacity of the holding means from the image data and each capacity of the holding means;
Notification means for notifying the imaging apparatus of power supply stop or power supply restart,
The imaging device
Transmitting means for transmitting image data to the printing apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting power supply stop or power supply restart notified from the printing apparatus;
A printing system comprising: power supply control means for stopping power supply until a power supply restart notification is detected when the power supply stop notification is detected.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether to notify the imaging apparatus of power supply stoppage based on a degree of change per unit time of the remaining capacity of the holding unit and the remaining capacity at that time. The printing system described. The printing apparatus includes storage means for storing a final holding position of image data held in the holding means,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining capacity of the holding unit is restored, the imaging apparatus is notified of resumption of power supply, and the image data received from the imaging apparatus is held from the stored final holding position. The printing system according to 2. A printing device that prints an image received from an imaging device that captures an image of a subject,
Receiving means for receiving image data from the imaging device;
Holding means for holding image data received from the imaging device;
Determining means for determining a remaining capacity of the holding means from the image data and each capacity of the holding means;
A printing apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies the imaging apparatus of power supply stop or power supply restart.   5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether to notify the imaging apparatus of power supply stoppage based on a degree of change per unit time in the remaining capacity of the holding unit and the remaining capacity at that time. The printing apparatus as described. The printing apparatus includes storage means for storing a final holding position of image data held in the holding means,
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the remaining capacity of the holding unit is recovered, the imaging apparatus is notified of resumption of power supply and the image data received from the imaging apparatus is held from the stored final holding position. 5. The printing apparatus according to 5. An imaging device that captures an image of a subject and transmits it to a printing device,
Transmitting means for transmitting image data to the printing apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting power supply stop or power supply restart notified from the printing apparatus;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a power supply control unit configured to stop power supply until a power supply restart notification is detected when the power supply stop notification is detected.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the power control unit receives the power supply restart notification and cancels the power supply stop, and the transmission unit restarts transmission of the image data. A printing device communicably connected to an image supply device,
Receiving means for receiving print job information including information specifying a plurality of image data to be printed from the image supply device;
Request means for sequentially requesting image data specified by the print job information received by the receiving means;
Holding means for holding image data received from the image supply device;
Determining means for determining a remaining capacity of the holding means from the image data and each capacity of the holding means;
First notification means for notifying the image supply device of a signal for stopping power supply according to a determination result of the determination means;
A printing apparatus comprising: a second notifying unit that notifies the image supply device of a signal for resuming power supply in accordance with a printing state of the image held by the holding unit. The said 2nd notification means has a discrimination | determination means which discriminate | determines whether the signal for electric power supply restart is notified to the said image supply apparatus, whenever printing of one image is complete | finished. The printing apparatus as described. A control method for a printing system, comprising: an imaging device that captures an image of a subject; and a printing device that prints an image captured by the imaging device, wherein the imaging device and the printing device are communicably connected.
The printing apparatus includes:
A receiving step of receiving image data from the imaging device;
A determination step of determining the remaining capacity of the holding unit from the image data received from the imaging device and each capacity of the holding unit holding the image data;
A notification step of notifying the imaging apparatus of power supply stop or power supply restart,
The imaging device
A transmission step of transmitting image data to the printing apparatus;
A detection step of detecting power supply stop or power supply restart notified from the printing apparatus;
And a power supply control step of stopping power supply until a power supply restart notification is detected when the power supply stop notification is detected. A method of controlling a printing apparatus that prints an image received from an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject,
A receiving step of receiving image data from the imaging device;
A determination step of determining the remaining capacity of the holding unit from the image data received from the imaging device and each capacity of the holding unit holding the image data;
A notification step of notifying the imaging apparatus of power supply stop or power supply restart. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject and transmits the captured image to a printing apparatus,
A transmission step of transmitting image data to the printing apparatus;
A detection step of detecting power supply stop or power supply restart notified from the printing apparatus;
And a power supply control step of stopping power supply until detecting a power supply restart notification when the power supply stop notification is detected. A control method of a printing apparatus connected to be communicable with an image supply apparatus,
Receiving a print job information including information specifying a plurality of image data to be printed from the image supply device;
A request step for sequentially requesting image data designated by the print job information received by the receiving step;
A holding step of holding image data received from the image supply device in a holding unit;
A determination step of determining a remaining capacity of the holding unit from the image data and each capacity of the holding unit;
A first notification step of notifying the image supply device of a signal for stopping power supply according to a determination result of the determination unit;
And a second notification step of notifying the image supply device of a signal for resuming power supply in accordance with the printing status of the image held in the holding means.   A program for realizing the control method according to claim 9 by at least one of the printing apparatus and the imaging apparatus.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 15.

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