JP2006115016A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for linking a slide show function mounted on an MFP to various functions of the MFP, so as to enhance operability. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes: a read means for sequentially reading a plurality of image data from a storage medium; a display control means for sequentially displaying the image data read from the read means on a display means; a processing setting means for setting an operation section to apply prescribed processing to the image data displayed on the display means; an image registration means for registering the image data being displayed and the prescribed processing set by the processing setting means in cross-reference with each other; a searching means for searching the image data registered by the image registration means when the sequential display of the image data by the display control means is finished; and a control means for controlling the image data searched by the searching means to be subjected to the prescribed processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a function of reading out image data recorded in a storage medium and displaying it sequentially.

  Recently, a storage medium is inserted into a composite image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) in which a scanner, printer, FAX, and the like are integrated, and a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as “DSC”) is connected to the MFP. MFPs equipped with a function for capturing and printing image data by direct connection have appeared, and there is an increasing demand for printing image data taken by DSC without using a PC. Further, an increasing number of models are equipped with a small liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) for reproducing and displaying image data read from a storage medium inserted in the MFP.

  On the other hand, by installing a slide show function for sequentially displaying still images stored in a storage medium on an LCD or the like, image data in the storage medium can be stored without a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”). Easy browsing.

Further, an image processing apparatus has been proposed that has a function of prohibiting display of an image when a predetermined operation is detected during execution of the slide show function (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .
JP 2003-209809 A

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 prohibits playback as an image playback device, and does not instruct and set image data being displayed for multifunctional processing such as MFP. It has not yet been improved in operability by combining with various functions.

  In this conventional method, it is not easy to select and print image data to be printed from tens or hundreds of image data in a storage medium.

  In addition, a slide show that reads image data in a storage medium and displays it sequentially on the LCD automatically displays a large amount of image data in the storage medium at regular intervals, and what kind of images exist in the storage medium. However, there is a problem that the operability cannot be improved by associating the displayed image with the print processing or the like.

  Furthermore, there is a problem that it is not possible to instruct processing such as printing, FAX transmission, and transfer to an external processing device for display image data during the slide show.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of improving the operability by combining a slide show function installed in an MFP with various functions of the MFP.

The present invention provides a reading means for sequentially reading a plurality of image data from a storage medium, a display control means for sequentially displaying the image data read from the reading means on a display means, and image data being displayed on the display means. Processing setting means for setting a predetermined process to be executed from the operation unit, image registration means for registering the image data being displayed in association with the predetermined process set by the process setting means, When the sequential display of the image data by the display control means ends, a search means for searching for an image registered by the image registration means, and the predetermined processing is executed for the image searched by the search means. An image processing apparatus having control means for controlling.

According to the present invention, it is possible to instruct processing such as printing, FAX transmission, and transfer to an external processing device for display image data during a slide show, and to set detailed settings necessary for such processing. In addition, there is an effect that the operability of the MFP can be improved by combining the slide show function installed in the MFP and various functions of the MFP.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following examples.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The MFP apparatus 100 includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, an image memory 4, a data conversion unit 5, a reading control unit 6, a reading unit 7, an operation display control unit 8, a display unit 9, and communication control. Unit 10, resolution conversion processing unit 11, encoding / decoding processing unit 12, recording control unit 13, recording unit 14, USB function control unit 15, USB host control unit 16, memory card slot 17, And a memory card control unit 18.

  The CPU 1 is a system control unit and controls the entire MFP apparatus 100.

  The ROM 2 stores a control program executed by the CPU 1, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the first embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 2 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 2.

  The RAM 3 is configured by an SRAM (static RAM) or the like, stores program control variables, stores setting values registered by the operator, management data of the MFP apparatus 100, and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas. ing.

  The image memory 4 is composed of a DRAM (dynamic RAM) or the like, and stores image data.

  The data conversion unit 5 converts image data such as analysis of page description language (PDL) or the like, or CG (computer graphics) development of character data.

  The reading unit 7 is constituted by a CCD, a CIS, or the like, and binarizes or halftones an image signal obtained by optically reading a document and converted into electrical image data via an image processing control unit (not shown). Etc., and outputs high-definition image data.

  The reading control unit 6 corresponds to both a sheet reading control method for reading while conveying a document and a book reading control method for scanning a document on a document table.

  The operation display control unit 8 includes a numeric input key, a character input key, a one-touch telephone number key, a mode setting key, a determination key, a cancel key, and the like, and an operator determines image transmission destination data and registers setting data. .

  The display unit 9 includes an LED (light emitting diode) and an LCD (liquid crystal display). The display unit 9 displays various input operations by the operator, displays the operation status and status status of the MFP apparatus 100 via the operation unit 8, The image data stored in the image memory 4 is displayed.

  The communication control unit 10 is configured by a MODEM (modem / demodulation device), an NCU (network control device), or the like. In the first embodiment, the communication control unit 10 is connected to an analog communication line (PSTN) 31 and performs line control such as communication control using the T30 protocol and outgoing and incoming calls for the communication line.

  The resolution conversion processing unit 11 performs resolution conversion control such as milli-inch resolution conversion of image data. Note that the resolution conversion processing unit 11 can also perform enlargement / reduction processing of image data.

  The code decoding processing unit 12 performs code decoding processing on image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP apparatus 100, and performs enlargement / reduction processing.

  The recording control unit 13 performs various types of image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown), and converts the image data to print image data. And stored in the image memory 4. It also plays a role of periodically acquiring the status information data of the recording unit 14.

  The recording unit 14 is a printing device such as a laser beam printer or an ink jet printer. The recording unit 14 takes out printing image data converted by the recording control unit 13 and stored in the image memory 4, and outputs color image data or monochrome image data. Print on the printing member.

  The USB function control unit 15 performs communication control of the USB interface, performs protocol control in accordance with the USB communication standard, converts data from the USB control task executed by the CPU 1 into a packet, and transmits the data to an external information processing terminal. Packet transmission is performed, or conversely, a USB packet from an external information processing terminal is converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 1.

  The USB host control unit 16 is a control unit for performing communication using a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard capable of performing bidirectional data communication at high speed, and a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). The USB host control unit 16 has a host function in USB communication.

  The memory card slot 17 is connected to the USB host control unit 16 via the USB interface, and a removable memory card is mounted.

  The memory card control unit 18 can access and read data files stored in a memory card installed in the memory card slot 17.

  Next, a slide show process 1 in the case where a print process is instructed to image data during a slide show will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the slide show process 1 in the case where a print process is instructed to image data during the slide show.

  When the start of the slide show is instructed, the display image data stored in the image memory 4 is read and displayed on the display unit 9 (S101). Next, when any key is pressed, it is determined whether or not a key for instructing a specific process has been pressed (S102), and a key for instructing a specific process is pressed and it is determined that this is a print instruction. Then, the currently displayed image data and information representing the printing process are associated with each other and registered in the specific process management table (S103), and the process proceeds to S105. If it is not determined that the key is for instructing a specific process, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S104). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S102.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined whether or not all the image data that has been sequentially displayed has been displayed (S105). If there is undisplayed image data, the next display image data is stored in the image memory. 4 is designated (S106), and it is read out and displayed in S101. If it is determined that the sequential display processing is to be terminated because all the undisplayed data stored in the image memory 4 has been displayed, the process proceeds to S107.

  In S107, the specific process management table is searched, and if all the search for the display image data has not been completed, it is determined whether or not there is a print process registration (S108). The process proceeds to the next image data information in the process management table (S110). If the print process is registered, the print process is executed (S109), and the process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S110).

  In S107, the specific process management table is searched, and when all the search for specific process image data is completed, the slide show process 1 is ended.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the slide show process 2 according to the first embodiment.

  When the start of the slide show is instructed, the display image data stored in the image memory 4 is read and displayed by the display unit 9 (S201). Next, if any key is pressed, it is determined whether or not a key for instructing a specific process has been pressed (S202), and a key for instructing a specific process is pressed, and it is determined that this is a print instruction. Then, the currently displayed image data and the information representing the printing process are associated with each other and registered in the specific process management table (S203), and the process proceeds to S205. If it is determined that the key is not a key for instructing a specific process, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S204). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S202.

  If the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined whether all the image data that has been sequentially displayed has been displayed (S205). If there is undisplayed image data, the next display image data is displayed. Is designated from the image memory 4 (S206), and is read and displayed in S201. If it is determined that the display processing is to be terminated sequentially because all the undisplayed data stored in the image memory 4 has been displayed, the process proceeds to S207.

  In S207, the specific process management table is searched, and if all the search for the specific processing image data has not been completed, it is determined whether there is a print process registration (S208). The process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S213). If the print process is registered, the process shifts to the process detail setting mode, and the key is accepted. In step S209, it is determined whether or not a key related to detailed settings has been pressed. If the key related to detailed settings is pressed, detailed settings corresponding to the processing of the image to be printed, for example, the number of prints, print resolution designation, or print size are set. Setting is performed (S210), and the process proceeds to S211.

  If the key related to the detailed setting has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S211. In S211, it is determined whether or not the specific process execution key has been pressed. If it is not determined that the specific process execution key has been pressed, the process returns to S209. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, a specific process is executed (S212), and the process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S213).

  In S207, the specific process management table is searched, and when all the search for the display image data is completed, the slide show process 2 is ended.

  Next, the slide show process 3 in the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the slide show process 3 according to the first embodiment.

  When the start of the slide show is instructed, the display image data stored in the image memory 4 is read and displayed by the display unit 9 (S301). Next, if any key is pressed, it is determined whether or not the key that shifts to the setting mode is pressed (S302). If it is determined that the key is not the key that shifts to the setting mode, a predetermined time has elapsed. (S303), and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S302. If it is determined that the key is for shifting to the setting mode, the mode is switched to the setting mode and the setting mode screen is displayed (S304).

  In S305, it is determined whether or not a key related to detailed settings has been pressed. If a key related to detailed settings has been pressed, detailed settings are made according to the image processing to be specified (S306), and the settings are specified. The process is registered in the process management table (S307), and the process proceeds to S308. If the key relating to the detailed setting has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S308. In S308, it is determined whether the setting mode end key has been pressed. If it is determined that the key has been pressed, the process proceeds to S309. If not, the process returns to S305 to accept the key.

  In S309, it is determined whether or not all image data that has been sequentially displayed has been displayed. If there is undisplayed image data, the next display image data is designated from the image memory 4 ( In S310) and S301, the data is read and displayed. If it is determined that the display process is to be terminated sequentially because all the undisplayed data stored in the image memory 4 has been displayed, the process proceeds to S311.

  In S311, the specific process management table is searched, and if all the search for the display image data has not been completed, it is determined whether or not there is a specific process registered (S312). Then, the process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S314). If there is a registration of a specific process, the specific process is executed (S313), and the process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S314). In S311, the specific process management table is searched, and when all the search for the display image data is completed, the slide show process 3 is ended.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the slide show process 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the start of the slide show is instructed, the display image data stored in the image memory 4 is read and displayed by the display unit 9 (S401). Next, when any key is pressed, it is determined whether or not a key for instructing a specific process is pressed (S402). When it is determined that the key is for instructing a specific process, the displayed image is displayed. A screen for confirming whether or not to perform specific processing for data is displayed (S404).

  In this state, a certain key is awaited, and it is determined whether or not a key for registering to perform specific processing on the displayed image data is pressed (S405). When the key for instructing not to perform the specific process is pressed, the process proceeds to S403. When a key for registering to perform a specific process is pressed, the currently displayed image data and information representing the specific process are associated and registered in the specific process management table (S406), and the process proceeds to S407. . In S402, if it is not determined that the key is a key for instructing a specific process, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S403). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S402.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined whether all the image data that has been sequentially displayed has been displayed (S407). If there is undisplayed image data, the next image data for display is displayed as an image. Designation is performed from the memory 4 (S408), and the data is read and displayed in S401. If all the undisplayed data stored in the image memory 4 has been displayed and it is determined that the sequential display processing is to be terminated, the process proceeds to S409.

  In S409, the specific process management table is searched. If all the search for the display image data has not been completed, it is determined whether or not there is a specific process registered (S410). If there is no specific process registered. Then, the process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S413). If there is a registration of a specific process, the process shifts to a process detail setting mode and a key is accepted.

  In S411, it is determined whether or not a key related to the detailed setting has been pressed. If the key related to the detailed setting is pressed, the detailed setting corresponding to the processing of the image for which the specific processing is performed is performed (S412), and the process proceeds to S413. If the key related to the detailed setting has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S413. In S413, it is determined whether or not the specific process execution key has been pressed. If not, the process returns to S411. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the specific process is executed (S414), and the process proceeds to the next image data information in the specific process management table (S415).

  In S409, the specific process management table is searched, and when all the search for the display image data is completed, the slide show process 4 is ended.

  In the slide show processes 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the first embodiment, the specific process is a process other than the print process, for example, a process of erasing image data in a removable memory card attached to the memory card slot 17 In this process, the image data for printing stored in the image memory 4 is taken out, and the USB function control unit 15 transmits the image data to an external information processing terminal. The communication control unit 10 performs an analog communication line ( (PSTN) 31 is a process for performing facsimile transmission.

  According to the first embodiment, even when the image data stored in the storage medium is sequentially displayed, when the detection unit detects a key and identifies a key that instructs a specific process, Information indicating the processing is set and managed in association with the information of the currently displayed image data, and when it is determined that the sequential display operation has ended, the presence or absence of specific processing information for each image data is determined from the processing information table. If there is specific processing information, the processing corresponding to the processing information is performed on the image data associated with the processing information, so that desired image data can be easily obtained from a large number of image data in the storage medium. It is easy to select and instruct to perform a desired process, and the operability of the MFP can be improved by combining the slide show and various functions of the MFP.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that the sequential display operation has been completed, the processing information table is checked for the presence of specific processing information for each image data, and if there is specific processing information, the setting mode is entered. Since the key for setting the details of the specific process is accepted and the detailed setting corresponding to the specific process can be performed, the specific process according to the detailed setting is performed on the image data associated with the processing information. By doing this, it is possible to confirm again what kind of specific processing has been performed on which image by the key pressed during the slide show. Further, it is possible to make detailed settings for specific processing that was not performed during the slide show, improving operability.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when it is determined that the sequential display operation has been completed, the processing information table is checked for the presence of specific processing information for each image data, and if there is specific processing information, the setting mode is entered. When a key for setting details of a specific process is received, a detailed setting corresponding to the specific process is performed, and a key for executing the specific process is pressed, the specific process according to the detailed setting is associated with the processing information. Therefore, the specific processing for the image data displayed during the slide show and the detailed setting of the specific processing can be executed at one time, and the operability is improved.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, during sequential display processing execution, a key for instructing specific processing for image data is not accepted, and when it is identified that the key is for instructing to shift to a setting mode, sequential display is interrupted. Then, while continuing to display the currently displayed image, the mode shifts to a setting mode for accepting key operations, and only during this state, a key for instructing a specific process for image data is accepted. In addition, if the information instructing specific processing is set and managed in association with the information of the image data being currently displayed, and the key received during the setting mode is a key instructing to resume display sequentially, Since the display process is resumed, it is possible to reduce the number of keys received during the slide show execution, prevent an erroneous operation, and instruct the process for the image data after reliably shifting to the setting mode.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a slide show process 1 when a print process is instructed to image data during a slide show. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a slide show process 2 in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a slide show process 3 according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the slide show process 4 of the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100: MFP apparatus,
1 ... CPU,
2 ... ROM,
3 ... RAM,
4 ... Image memory,
5 ... Data converter,
6 ... Reading control unit,
7: Reading unit,
8 ... operation display control unit,
9 ... display part,
10: Communication control unit,
11: Resolution conversion processing unit,
12: Code decoding processing unit,
13 ... Recording control unit,
14 ... Recording section,
15 ... USB function controller,
16: USB host controller,
17 ... Memory card slot,
18: Memory card control unit.

Claims (11)

Reading means for sequentially reading a plurality of image data from the storage medium;
Display means for displaying an image;
Display control means for sequentially displaying the image data read from the reading means on the display means;
An operation unit;
Processing setting means for setting the image data being displayed on the display means to execute predetermined processing from the operation unit;
Image registration means for associating and registering the image data being displayed and the predetermined process set by the process setting means;
Search means for searching for an image registered by the image registration means when the sequential display of the image data by the display control means is completed;
Control means for controlling to execute the predetermined processing on the image searched by the search means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
Condition setting means for setting a condition for executing a predetermined process for the image data searched by the search means via the operation unit,
The control means validates the condition setting means after the sequential display of the image data by the display means, and executes the predetermined processing when the condition setting is performed on the image data by the operation unit. An image processing apparatus characterized in that it is a means for controlling as described above. In claim 2,
Sequential display stop means for temporarily stopping the sequential display of image data performed by the display control means,
The control means activates the processing setting means and the condition setting means when the sequential display stopping means temporarily stops the display, and performs predetermined processing and conditions on the image data being displayed on the display means. An image processing apparatus, wherein after the setting is performed, the processing setting unit and the condition setting unit are invalidated and control is performed so as to restart the sequential display by the sequential display stop unit. In claim 3,
The sequential display stop means has display resumption means for instructing resumption of sequential display,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is means for resuming the sequential display in response to the display resuming means instructing the sequential display. In claim 1,
Having an analysis means for analyzing the predetermined processing;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is means for executing a predetermined process in accordance with the result of analysis by the analysis means. In claim 1,
Having printing means for printing image data;
The control means is a means for controlling the printing means to print image data associated with the predetermined processing when the predetermined processing analyzed by the analyzing means is a print instruction. An image processing apparatus. In claim 1,
An erasing unit for erasing the image data;
The control means controls the erasure means to erase the image data associated with the predetermined process from the storage medium when the predetermined process analyzed by the analysis means is an erasure instruction. An image processing apparatus characterized by being a means. In claim 1,
Having communication means for communicating with external devices;
The control means is a means for controlling the communication means to transmit image data associated with the predetermined process when the predetermined process analyzed by the analyzing means is a transmission instruction. An image processing apparatus. A reading step of sequentially reading a plurality of image data from a storage medium;
A display control step of sequentially displaying the image data read in the reading step on the display unit;
A process setting step for setting the image data being displayed on the display unit to execute a predetermined process from the operation unit;
An image registration step of registering the image data being displayed in association with the predetermined processing set in the processing setting step;
A search step for searching for images registered in the image registration step when sequential display of image data is completed in the display control step;
A control step of controlling the image searched in the search step to execute the predetermined process;
An image processing method comprising: In claim 9,
For the image data searched in the search step, it has a condition setting step for setting a condition for executing a predetermined process via the operation unit,
The control step enables the condition setting step after the sequential display of the image data on the display unit is completed, and executes the predetermined processing when the condition setting is performed on the image data by the operation unit. An image processing method characterized in that it is a control step. In claim 10,
The sequential display of image data performed in the display control process has a sequential display stop process for temporarily stopping,
The control step enables the processing setting step and the condition setting step when the sequential display stop means temporarily stops the sequential display, and performs predetermined processing and conditions for the image data being displayed on the display unit. An image processing method, wherein after the setting is performed, the process setting step and the condition setting step are invalidated and control is performed so as to resume sequential display by the sequential display stop step.

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