JP2006087021A - Imaging device and control method therefor, and image forming device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device and a control method therefor, and an image forming device and a control method therefor, capable of excluding an image, which is decided not to be printed at the time of photographing, from a selection option at the time of printing. <P>SOLUTION: When preserving an image data photographed by a digital camera, etc., attribute information including a print setting indicating print permission or print inhibition is added. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, an image forming apparatus, and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus capable of easily selecting target image data during image formation, a control method thereof, an image forming apparatus, and It relates to the control method.

  In recent years, digital cameras that record captured images as image data have become widespread. Accordingly, image forming apparatuses such as printers that print image data taken by a digital camera on paper are provided for both home use and business use.

Such an image forming apparatus is generally used alone or connected to a personal computer or the like. Then, a list of image data recorded on the medium is displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus main body or personal computer, and an operator selects a desired image as a print target from the list, thereby performing a desired operation. An image is printed (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).
JP 2000-295562 A JP 2001-312552 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-76772

  By the way, not all images taken with a digital camera are printed. This is because image data of an image taken with a digital camera may be used for purposes other than printing, for example, for posting on a web page. In addition, since many digital cameras can check an image taken on a display screen attached to the digital camera, there is a usage method in which an image is viewed on the spot, but a print is unnecessary. This is one of the reasons for not printing.

  For such an image for which printing is not desired, it may be determined that printing is not performed at the time when the image is captured. However, when printing is performed using a conventional printer, images that are determined not to be printed in advance are also displayed on the screen as options when selecting an image to be printed. .

  When an image that is determined not to be printed in advance is displayed on the screen as an option for selecting an image to be printed, the time required for the printer operator to select a desired image Will become inconvenient. In particular, recently, the storage capacity of media for recording image data tends to increase, and this inconvenience tends to become more prominent.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, an image forming apparatus, and a control method thereof that can exclude an image determined not to be printed at the time of shooting from options at the time of printing. To do.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention of claim 1 generates image data based on optical information received through a lens, and receives the light in an imaging apparatus that records the generated image data on a recording medium. Image generation means for generating image data based on optical information, availability information setting means for setting the availability of image formation processing based on the image data for the image data generated by the image generation means, and the image generation means An image recording unit for generating an image file in which availability information indicating availability of image forming processing set by the availability information setting unit is added to the generated image data, and recording the generated image file on a recording medium. It is characterized by that.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the availability information setting means sets the availability of image forming processing based on an instruction from an operator.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the availability information setting means sets the availability of image forming processing based on the generated image data each time the image generation means generates image data. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus control method for generating image data based on optical information received through a lens and recording the generated image data on a recording medium as the received optical data. Image data is generated on the basis of the target information, an image file is generated by adding availability information indicating whether or not image formation processing is possible based on the image data to the generated image data, and the generated image file is stored on a recording medium. It is characterized by recording.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the image forming process is possible is determined based on an instruction from an operator of the imaging apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, whether or not the image forming process is possible is determined every time the imaging apparatus generates the image data.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that reads an image file recorded on a recording medium and forms an image on a sheet based on the image data included in the image file, the image file is read from the recording medium. An image acquisition unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data included in the image file read by the image acquisition unit, and an image file read from the image acquisition unit are included in the image file. Availability information acquisition means for acquiring availability information that sets availability of image formation based on the image data to be obtained, and availability information acquired by the availability information acquisition means is set to disallow image formation. And image formation prohibiting means for prohibiting image formation based on the image data corresponding to.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein a display means for displaying a reduced image corresponding to the image file read by the image file acquisition means on a screen, and a reduced image displayed by the display means. A selection receiving unit that receives a selection based on the image forming unit, and the image forming unit forms an image on a sheet based on an image file corresponding to the reduced image received by the selection receiving unit, and the image formation prohibiting unit includes: When the availability information acquired by the availability information acquisition unit is set to disallow image formation, the display unit does not display a reduced image corresponding to the image file including the availability information. Features.

  The invention of claim 9 is an image forming apparatus control method for reading an image file recorded on a recording medium and forming an image on a sheet based on image data included in the image file. From the image file read from the image file, the availability information that sets whether or not to form an image based on the image data included in the image file is acquired, and if the acquired availability information is set to disallow image formation, Image formation based on image data corresponding to availability information is prohibited.

  According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus displays a reduced image corresponding to the image file on a screen, and selects a reduced image selected from the displayed reduced images. An image is formed on a sheet based on corresponding image data, and the image formation prohibition corresponds to an image file including the availability information when the availability information is set to disallow image formation. The reduced image to be displayed is not displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, since it is configured to set availability information indicating whether image formation is possible or not in image data captured by a digital camera or the like, an image that is determined not to be printed at the time of shooting can be selected at the time of printing. Can be excluded.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, a digital camera 1 to which the present invention is applied includes an imaging processing unit 2, an image processing unit 3, an attribute setting / saving control unit 4, a media control unit 5, an operation unit 6, and a display unit 7. Configured.

  The imaging processing unit 2 includes an optical system component such as a lens, an imaging element such as a CCD, a signal conversion circuit, and the like, and generates image data represented by an electrical signal based on light received by the imaging element. The image processing unit 3 performs processing such as correction on the image data generated by the imaging processing unit 2 and generates an image file including the image data. The attribute setting / save control unit 4 adds attribute information to the image data when the image processing unit 3 generates an image file, or sends the image file generated by the image processing unit 3 to the media via the media control unit 5. To control the recording. The media control unit 5 records the image file generated by the image processing unit 3 on a medium such as a memory. The operation unit 6 receives an imaging instruction, an attribute setting instruction, and the like by the operator. The display unit 7 notifies the operator of a message, displays an image at the time of shooting, and the like.

  The digital camera 1 can include a print setting indicating whether printing is possible as one of the attribute information added to the image data by the operation of the attribute setting / saving control unit 4. This print setting can be set as an Exif tag, for example, when saving to media with an image file in a format such as Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) that is widely used in digital cameras. When “0” is set, printing is prohibited. When the setting is other than “0”, printing is allowed.

  The digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 has the same configuration as that of the conventional digital camera except for the operation of the attribute setting / storing control unit 4, and therefore details other than the operation of the attribute setting / storing control unit 4. The detailed explanation is omitted. In addition, since the attribute setting / saving control unit 3 is such that the processor operates according to software (firmware), its hardware configuration is the same as that of the conventional one.

  Next, the operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations when the digital camera 1 is shooting.

  When the digital camera 1 starts a photographing operation, first, the digital camera 1 displays a photographing screen on the display unit 7 (step 101). In this shooting screen, an image that is currently captured by the imaging processing unit 2 is normally displayed. In this state, when the operator issues a shooting instruction, that is, when a shutter button (not shown) is pressed (YES in step 102), the operation unit 6 accepts the operation and takes a picture, that is, generates an image. (Step 103).

  The captured image is displayed on the display unit 7 via the image processing unit 3 and the attribute setting / saving control unit 4. At this time, the attribute setting / saving control unit 4 determines whether or not to save the image. A save confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 7 to confirm to the operator (step 104). The save confirmation screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 that is displayed alone or superimposed on the confirmation target image.

  As a result of displaying the save confirmation screen on the display unit 7, if the operator instructs to save the image (YES in step 105), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 determines whether or not to permit printing of the image. Is displayed on the display unit 7 (step 106). The print setting confirmation screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 that is displayed alone or superimposed on the confirmation target image.

  As a result, when the operator gives an instruction to permit printing (YES in step 107), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 prints the attribute setting added to the image data by the image processing unit 3 indicating printing permission. Is included (step 108). On the other hand, when the operator instructs printing prohibition (NO in step 107), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 sets print setting indicating printing prohibition in the attribute information added to the image data by the image processing unit 3. Include (step 109).

  When the attribute information is added to the image data by the image processing unit 3, the attribute setting / storing control unit 4 instructs to store the image data, and the image processing unit 3 that receives the instruction sets the image including the image data. The file is recorded on the media via the media control unit 5 (step 110), and the digital camera 1 displays a shooting screen on the display unit 7 to prepare for the next shooting instruction.

  Next, an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 20, a media reading unit 30, a display / operation unit 40, and an image forming unit 50.

  The control unit 20 is a part to which the present invention is applied, and controls each part of the image forming apparatus 10. The media reading unit 30 reads image data from various types of memories and media that are portable storage media such as optical disks. The display / operation unit 40 is configured with a touch panel display or the like, presents various types of information to the user, and accepts an instruction operation from the user. The image forming unit 50 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data.

  Next, the control unit 20 will be described. The control unit 20 includes a read processing unit 21, a print setting confirmation unit 22, an enlargement / reduction processing unit 23, a display control unit 24, a correction processing unit 25, and an image formation control unit 26.

  The reading processing unit 21 controls the media reading unit 30 to read an image file including image data from the medium and acquire the image data therefrom. The print setting confirmation unit 22 confirms the contents of the print setting of the attribute information added to the image data. The enlargement / reduction processing unit 23 reduces or enlarges the image data to the size of the image displayed by the display / operation unit 40. The display control unit 24 generates a screen to be displayed by the display / operation unit 40 based on the image data or the like reduced or enlarged by the enlargement / reduction processing unit 23. The correction processing unit 25 performs correction processing such as color, brightness, and luminance on the image data. The image formation control unit 26 generates a job to be executed by the image forming unit 60 based on the image data subjected to the correction processing by the correction processing unit 25, and sends the generated job to the image forming unit 60 to form an image. Is executed.

  The control unit 20 can also be realized by operating software on a personal computer or the like. Further, in FIG. 5, portions of the functional configuration of the control unit 20 that are not related to the present invention are omitted, but actually, the control unit 20 has various other functions.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, when a medium such as a memory is inserted into the media reading unit 30 (YES in step 201), the reading processing unit 21 controls the media reading unit 30 to record an image recorded on the medium. The file is read and the image data included in the image file is acquired (step 202).

  Subsequently, the print setting confirmation unit 22 confirms the print setting of the attribute information added to the image data (step 203). If the print setting is set to allow printing (YES in step 204). The enlargement / reduction processing unit 23 reduces or enlarges the image data, and the display control unit 24 displays the reduced image as a list image on the display / operation unit 40 (step 205). On the other hand, when the print setting of the attribute information added to the image data is set to print prohibition (NO in step 204), display processing on the display / operation unit 40 is performed for the image. Absent.

  Then, the control unit 20 executes these processes for all the images recorded on the medium (NO in step 206).

  When the list image display processing is completed for all images recorded on the medium (YES in step 206), the image forming apparatus 10 waits for an input of a print instruction or the like by the operator. A print instruction or the like is issued after the operator selects a desired image from the list image displayed on the display / operation unit 40 as a print target, but an image for which printing prohibition is set is displayed on the display / operation unit 40. Since it is not displayed, it is impossible for the operator to select it as a printing target.

  Note that the processing of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to a print instruction or the like is the same as the processing of the conventional image forming apparatus, and thus description of the following processing is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which, in the digital camera 1 described in the first embodiment, when setting printing prohibition, a password for canceling the setting is set. Since the configuration of the digital camera described in the second embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 1 described in the first embodiment, only the operation thereof will be described here.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow when the digital camera 1 performs shooting in the second embodiment.

  When the digital camera 1 starts a photographing operation, first, the digital camera 1 displays a photographing screen on the display unit 7 (step 301). In this state, when the operator issues a shooting instruction, that is, presses a shutter button (not shown) (YES in step 302), the operation unit 6 accepts the operation and takes a picture, that is, generates an image. (Step 303).

  The captured image is displayed on the display unit 7 via the image processing unit 3 and the attribute setting / saving control unit 4. At this time, the attribute setting / saving control unit 4 determines whether or not to save the image. A save confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 7 to confirm to the operator (step 304). The save confirmation screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 that is displayed alone or superimposed on the confirmation target image.

  As a result of displaying the save confirmation screen on the display unit 7, when the operator instructs to save the image (YES in step 305), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 determines whether or not to permit printing of the image. Is displayed on the display unit 7 (step 306). The print setting confirmation screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 that is displayed alone or superimposed on the confirmation target image.

  As a result, when the operator gives an instruction to permit printing (YES in step 307), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 prints the attribute information added to the image data by the image processing unit 3 to indicate printing permission. Is included (step 308). On the other hand, when the operator instructs printing prohibition (NO in step 307), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 displays a password input screen for inputting a password used when canceling the printing prohibition setting. The information is displayed on the unit 7 (step 309) and the input of the password by the operator is waited (NO in step 310). The password input screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 8 displayed alone or superimposed on the confirmation target image. When the password is input by the operator (YES in step 310), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 includes the print setting and password indicating printing prohibition in the attribute information added to the image data by the image processing unit 3. (Step 311).

  When the attribute information is added to the image data by the image processing unit 3, the attribute setting / storing control unit 4 instructs to store the image data, and the image processing unit 3 that receives the instruction sets the image including the image data. The file is recorded on the media via the media control unit 5 (step 312), and the digital camera 1 displays a shooting screen on the display unit 7 to prepare for the next shooting instruction.

  Next, the flow of print setting change processing by the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print setting change processing by the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment.

  When the operator instructs to change the print setting, the digital camera 1 displays a setting change screen on the display unit 7 (step 401). The setting change screen is a screen on which the operator can select an image for which the print setting is desired to be changed. When the operator selects a desired image from the setting change screen (YES in step 402), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 sends attribute information included in the image file recorded on the medium via the media control unit 5. Is displayed on the display unit 7 (step 403).

  If the operator instructs to change the print setting (YES in step 404), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 prints if the current print setting is print permission (YES in step 405). A password input screen for inputting a password to be used when canceling the prohibition setting is displayed on the display unit 7 (step 406), and the input of the password by the operator is waited (NO in step 407). When the password is input by the operator (YES in step 407), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 includes the print setting and password indicating printing prohibition in the corresponding attribute information (step 408). On the other hand, if the current print setting is print prohibition (NO in step 405), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 displays a password input screen on the display unit 7 for inputting the password input at the time of print prohibition setting. Display (step 409) and wait for the password input by the operator (NO in step 410). If the operator inputs a password (YES in step 410) and the input password matches the password included in the attribute information together with the print prohibition setting (YES in step 411), the attribute setting / save control unit 4 includes print setting indicating print permission in the corresponding attribute information (step 412).

  In the third embodiment, an example in which the operation method of the image forming apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment is partially changed will be described. The configuration of the image forming apparatus in the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment, and only the operation thereof will be described here.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, when a medium such as a memory is inserted into the media reading unit 30 (YES in step 501), the reading processing unit 21 controls the media reading unit 30 to record an image recorded on the medium. The file is read, and image data included in the image file is acquired (step 502).

  Subsequently, the print setting confirmation unit 22 confirms the print setting of the attribute information added to the image data (step 503). If the print setting is set to print permission (YES in step 504). The enlargement / reduction processing unit 23 reduces or enlarges the image data, and the display control unit 24 displays the reduced image as a list image on the display / operation unit 40 (step 505). For example, the reduced image is displayed as a reduced image 601 on a screen 600 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the print setting of the attribute information added to the image data is set to print prohibition (NO in step 504), the display control unit 24 replaces the list image with the display / operation unit 40. A symbol representing printing prohibition is displayed (step 506). This symbol is displayed as a symbol 602 on a screen 600 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the control unit 20 executes these processes for all the images recorded on the medium (NO in Step 507), and when the process is completed for all the images recorded on the medium (Step S507). The image forming apparatus 10 waits for an input of a print instruction or the like by the operator. A print instruction or the like is issued after the operator selects a desired image from the list image displayed on the display / operation unit 40 as a print target, but an image for which printing prohibition is set is displayed on the display / operation unit 40. Since it is not displayed, it is impossible for the operator to select it as a printing target.

  Note that the processing of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to a print instruction or the like is the same as the processing of the conventional image forming apparatus, and thus description of the following processing is omitted.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a functional structure of the digital camera to which this invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations when the digital camera 1 is photographing. It is the figure which showed the example of the preservation | save confirmation screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting confirmation screen. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image forming apparatus 10. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations at the time of photographing of the digital camera 1 in Embodiment 2. It is the figure which showed the example of the password input screen. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print setting change processing by the digital camera 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 10 in Embodiment 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Imaging processing part 3 Image processing part 4 Attribute setting / save control part 5 Media control part 6 Operation part 7 Display part 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Control part 21 Reading process part 22 Print setting confirmation part 23 Enlargement / reduction processing part 24 Display Control unit 25 Correction processing unit 26 Image formation control unit 30 Media reading unit 40 Display / operation unit 50 Image formation unit 600 Screen 601 Reduced image 602 Symbol

Claims (10)

In an imaging device that generates image data based on optical information received through a lens and records the generated image data on a recording medium,
Image generating means for generating image data based on the received optical information;
Availability information setting means for setting availability of image formation processing based on the image data to the image data generated by the image generation means;
Image recording means for generating an image file in which availability information indicating availability of image forming processing set by the availability information setting means is added to the image data generated by the image generation means, and recording the generated image file on a recording medium An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the availability information setting unit sets availability of image forming processing based on an instruction from an operator.   3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the availability information setting unit sets the availability of image forming processing based on the generated image data every time the image generation unit generates image data. An image pickup apparatus control method for generating image data based on optical information received through a lens and recording the generated image data on a recording medium,
Image data is generated based on the received optical information, an image file is generated by adding availability information indicating whether image formation processing is possible based on the image data to the generated image data, and the generated image file is A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: recording on a recording medium.   5. The method according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the image forming process is possible is determined based on an instruction from an operator of the imaging apparatus.   6. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein whether or not the image forming process is possible is determined each time the imaging apparatus generates the image data. In an image forming apparatus that reads an image file recorded on a recording medium and forms an image on a sheet based on image data included in the image file.
Image acquisition means for reading an image file from a recording medium;
Image forming means for forming an image on paper based on image data included in the image file read by the image acquisition means;
Availability information acquisition means for acquiring availability information that sets availability of image formation based on image data included in the image file from the image file read by the image acquisition means;
Image formation prohibiting means for prohibiting image formation based on image data corresponding to the availability information when the availability information acquired by the availability information acquisition means is set to disallow image formation. An image forming apparatus. Display means for displaying on the screen a reduced image corresponding to the image file read by the image file acquisition means;
Selection receiving means for receiving a selection based on the reduced image displayed by the display means,
The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet based on an image file corresponding to the reduced image received by the selection receiving unit;
If the availability information acquired by the availability information acquisition unit is set to disallow image formation, the image formation prohibiting unit displays a display of a reduced image corresponding to an image file including the availability information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is not displayed. A control method for an image forming apparatus that reads an image file recorded on a recording medium and forms an image on a sheet based on image data included in the image file,
When the availability information that sets the availability of image formation based on the image data included in the image file is acquired from the image file read from the recording medium, and the acquired availability information is set to disallow image formation An image forming apparatus control method for prohibiting image formation based on image data corresponding to the availability information. The image forming apparatus displays a reduced image corresponding to the image file on a screen, forms an image on a sheet based on image data corresponding to a reduced image selected from the displayed reduced images,
The image formation is prohibited by not displaying on the screen a reduced image corresponding to an image file including the availability information when the availability information is set to not permit image formation. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

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