JP2006119871A - Image processing apparatus, method, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To write a message in paper before printing by relating a specific image to certain paper so as to print the image. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processor consisting of a first apparatus and second apparatus, the first apparatus is provided with an image pickup means, a first identification means for reading identification information on a sheet, and a management means for correlating image data picked up by the image pickup means with the identification information read by the identification means. The second apparatus is provided with an output means for outputting the image data, a second identification means for reading the identification information on the sheet, and a management information acquisition means for acquiring information on the first management means. It reads the identification information on the sheet with the second identification means and outputs the image data in correspondence with the identification information from the management information acquisition means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to direct printing in which a digital camera and a printer are combined, and in particular, an image processing apparatus and method capable of acquiring identification information unique to a print sheet and printing an image associated with the identification information, and It relates to the medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a silver salt camera that takes a picture using a silver salt film, it is necessary to perform a development process in order to view the photographed subject image and to print it on photographic paper. For this reason, the silver halide camera has a problem that the photographed subject image cannot be easily printed and viewed on the spot.

  In view of this, an instant camera has been put to practical use as a device for viewing a photographic print on the spot where it has been shot so that the photographed subject image can be directly printed on a special photographic paper and printed at the same time.

  However, the instant camera has the following drawbacks. All the captured images are only recorded on the instant film, and in particular, when trying to obtain a plurality of prints, it is inconvenient to copy the image formed on the instant film. Also, it is not always necessary to print out all scenes on the spot, and it is not possible to print out all at once in an instant photograph without printing out on the spot.

  As a method for compensating for the shortcomings of such an instant photograph, a combination of a digital camera that captures image information of a subject imaged by an image sensor through a lens into a recording medium and a printer that outputs the captured image to a print sheet or the like can be considered. In particular, direct printing has been put into practical use in which a digital camera and a printer can be directly connected without using a personal computer, and an image can be printed on the spot.

  An image taken with a digital camera is temporarily stored in a recording medium included in the digital camera. In order to print out the image from the printer, the user connects the digital camera and the printer with a cable or the like. Next, the image stored in the recording medium is displayed on the display unit of the digital camera, and the image to be printed is selected. At this time, an operation member of the digital camera is used to select an image. When the image to be printed can be selected, the print instruction key assigned to the operation member of the digital camera is pressed. As a result, image processing for printing is executed in the digital camera, and the image can be printed on the spot where it was taken.

  In addition, by printing the image data captured on the recording medium, it is easy to print a plurality of sheets. Further, it is possible to print out by designating only the image to be printed while browsing the image taken after the photographing. In this way, it is possible to compensate for the shortcomings of instant photography.

On the other hand, with an instant camera, paper is discharged immediately after shooting, and an image taken after development processing can be seen. For this reason, for example, at a wedding or party venue, a message is written on paper at the time of shooting.
JP 2003-52767 A JP 2000-76283 A

  However, in the combination of a digital camera and a printer, once the printer starts the print process, the print paper is not discharged until the process is completed. For this reason, it is necessary to wait for a time until the printing process is completed before the message can be written on the printing paper.

  In particular, when shooting and printing must be performed continuously, it is necessary to wait not only for writing a message on the paper but also for the next shooting because of the time-consuming printing process. For this reason, it is possible to complete the shooting process after completing the shooting first, but it is difficult to associate the printed paper with the person who becomes the subject as the subject becomes larger. Met. Under such circumstances, it was difficult for the person who became the subject to receive the print of the image in which he was reflected.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and by associating a certain sheet so as to print a specific image, a message can be written on the sheet before printing. It is what makes it possible.

  In addition, by receiving a print sheet associated with an image taken by the person who is the subject, it is possible to reliably receive a print of an image in which the subject is captured even if a print process is performed later.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes the following components.

In the image processing apparatus including the first device and the second device,
The first apparatus includes an imaging unit that generates image data;
Identification means for obtaining the identification information from image data of identification information of the paper imaged by the imaging means;
A management unit that associates the image data captured by the imaging unit with the identification information acquired by the identification unit;
Communication means for communicating with the second device;
The second apparatus includes output means for outputting image data;
Reading means for reading the identification information of the paper;
Communication means for communicating with the first device;
An image processing apparatus that outputs image data managed by the management means of the first apparatus from the identification information of the paper read by the reading means of the second apparatus;
Is provided.

  Since what can be printed on the printing paper can be specified before printing, a message or the like can be written on the printing paper before the time-consuming printing process.

  Also, by receiving the print paper associated with the image taken by the person who is the subject, it is possible to reliably receive a print of the image in which he / she is reflected even if the print processing is performed later. is there.

  Further, by associating with a fixed form, it is possible to definitely arrange a plurality of associated image groups at arbitrary locations.

  Hereinafter, the details of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera as an example of an information storage device according to the present invention. Reference numeral 100 denotes a digital camera body.

  The control unit 101 includes an imaging unit 102, an operation unit 103, a main switch 104, shutter switches 105 and 106, a mode switch 107, a card I / F 109, a cover open / close detection unit 112, a power control unit 113, and a communication I / F 116. Each signal is input. Further, the control unit 101 outputs to the display unit 108, the card I / F 109, and the power supply control unit 113. The control unit 101 is connected to the ROM 114 and the RAM 115.

  The imaging unit 102 forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging element via a plurality of lenses and an aperture, and further an optical filter, performs predetermined arithmetic processing on the image signal, converts the image signal into a digital signal, and the control unit 101. To enter.

  The operation unit 103, the main switch 104, the shutter switches 105 and 106, and the mode change switch 107 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the control unit, such as a switch, dial, touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, and voice recognition. It is composed of a single device or a combination of devices. An operation signal can be instructed to the control unit 101 by operating various operation means.

  The main switch 104 is a switch for instructing switching setting of power on / off of the digital camera. A shutter switch SW1 105 is a switch for instructing start of operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

  A shutter switch SW2 106 transmits a digital signal read from the imaging unit 102 to the card I / F 109 via the control unit 101, and writes image data to the card 117 inserted in the card slot 110. A switch for instructing the start.

  The mode switch 107 is a switch for switching to any one of the function modes such as the shooting mode, playback mode, and communication mode of the digital camera.

  The operation unit 103 including various buttons, dials, touch panels, and the like is a menu button, a selection / changeover switch for setting selection and switching of various functions, and various functions, There are a determination / execution switch for determining and executing user settings, property settings for images, and the like.

  The display unit 108 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, voices, and the like. One or a plurality of display units 108 are easily visible near the operation unit of the digital camera. Installed. For example, it is configured by a combination of an LCD, an optical finder, an LED, a sound generation element, and the like. It is a digital camera finder during shooting and a display during playback.

  As an example of display contents of the display unit 108, various information display of digital camera settings, menu display, error display, card write protection display, card insertion / removal state display, slot cover open / close state display, application operation display, communication I / O F operation display, date / time display, display of image file stored on card, battery status display, display showing connection status with external computer, and the like.

  The card I / F 109 is an interface for recording image data sent from the control unit 101 to the card 117 and reading data in the card 117.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a card slot for storing the card 117. The card slot 110 has a slot cover 111 for card protection and data protection. Further, the slot cover 111 is provided with a cover open / close detector 112, which detects the open / close state of the slot cover.

  The power supply control unit 113 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, The DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the control unit, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  The power source 118 is a power source means including a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li-ion battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  In the ROM 114, constants, variables, programs, and various resources for operating the control unit are written. The RAM 115 is a work area and a data area used by the control program.

  The communication I / F 116 includes various communication such as RS232C, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, modem, LAN (Local Area Network), and other infrared communication such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association), optical communication, and the like. It is a structure provided with either of the functions. Moreover, the structure provided with two or more of various communication functions may be sufficient.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control system portion of the printer. 201 is a CPU that controls the entire printer, 202 is a flash ROM that stores a control program for the CPU 201 and parameters for converting image data into data to be sent to the printer head, 203 is a work DRAM of the CPU 201, and 204 is a digital A communication control circuit 205 for communicating with the camera is an I / F connector unit.

  207 is a mechanical control system control circuit of the printer, 208 is a control circuit that converts image data into printer head data, 209 is a control circuit that reads the identification information of the print paper, and 206 is an ASIC that controls the printer. , Mechanical control system control, printer head control, identification information recognition control, and the like.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of the print system of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a digital camera 801 as an imaging device and a printer 803 are directly connected via a cable 802. In this printing system, electronic image information can be printed out for an arbitrary number of prints. The connection between the digital camera and the printer may be not only wired communication using a cable or the like but also wireless communication.

  In the digital camera, image information is held in a card inside the digital camera after shooting, and the card can be freely attached and detached. You can set the mode of the digital camera to play any image, and the playback of image information can be confirmed at any time by the display part of the digital camera, so the user can call up the desired image information that was taken Is possible.

  A user can select a print pattern, an image to be printed, a print designation frame, and the like with an operation member of the digital camera, and can confirm the contents on the display unit of the digital camera.

  When a predetermined print execution button of the digital camera is operated, necessary information is communicated from the digital camera to the printer, and a print output is obtained from the printer. The necessary information includes information on negotiation with the digital camera, information on an image to be printed from the digital camera, information added to the image information at or after recording, and the like.

  Next, a method for associating print sheet identification information with a captured image will be described. There is no restriction on the order, and either the reading of the identification information of the printing paper or the photographing of the subject may be performed first.

  In FIG. 3, the association with the identification information of the print sheet will be described immediately after the image of the subject is captured. First, the digital camera is set to be able to read the identification information of the print paper. This may be one of the shooting modes of the digital camera or one of the shooting mode settings. In step 301, the printing paper identification information is photographed and the content of the printing paper identification information is read. In the next step 302, the process proceeds to setting of corresponding image association. The corresponding image association flow will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, a method for associating corresponding images will be described. In step 401, an image to be associated with the read identification information is selected. If an image to be associated is selected, the process proceeds to step 402. If not selected, the process proceeds to step 403. In step 402, the read identification information and the selected image file name are associated with each other and recorded on the card 117. In step 403, only the read identification information is recorded on the card 117 without performing image association.

  Next, in FIG. 5, the association with the photographed image immediately after the print sheet identification information is recorded on the card 117 will be described. First, the digital camera is set to the shooting mode. In step 501, subject photographing processing is executed. In step 502, the captured image is displayed on the display unit 108. In the next step 503, it is selected whether or not to associate with the print paper identification information recorded on the card 117. If the association is to be performed, the process proceeds to step 504. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 501. In step 504, print paper identification information to be associated with the photographed image is selected. If the identification information of the print paper to be associated is selected, the process proceeds to step 505. If not selected, the process proceeds to step 501. In step 505, the file name of the photographed image is associated with the print paper identification information and recorded on the card 117.

  In FIG. 6, a method for confirming an associated image by reading print sheet identification information will be described. First, the digital camera is set to be able to read the identification information of the print paper. In step 601, the printing paper identification information is photographed, and the contents of the printing paper identification information are read. In the next step 602, the record of the card 117 is searched for an image associated with the read identification information. If there is a related image, the process proceeds to step 603; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 609. In step 609, since there is no related image, the corresponding image association setting described with reference to FIG. 4 is performed. In step 603, an image associated with the identification information is displayed on the display unit 108. In the next step 604, it is confirmed whether to change the associated image. If a change is to be made, the process proceeds to step 605;

  In step 605, an image newly associated with the read identification information is selected. If a new image to be associated is selected, the process proceeds to step 606. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 607. In step 606, the read identification information and the newly selected image file name are associated with each other and recorded on the card 117. In step 607, it is selected whether to delete image information related to the read identification information. If deletion is to be performed, the process proceeds to step 608; otherwise, the process ends. In step 608, the image information related to the read identification information is deleted, and the process ends.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow from the reading of the print sheet identification information to the execution of printing by the printer connected to the digital camera. It is assumed that an identification information reading unit is set in the paper feeding mechanism of the printer. First, in step 701, the paper is fed into the paper feed mechanism of the printer, and the print paper identification information is read. In the next step 702, the read identification information is transmitted to the digital camera. In step 703, information of the image associated with the transmitted identification information is notified. If there is a related image, the process proceeds to step 704, and if not, the process proceeds to step 706. In step 704, the associated image data is received, and in the next step 705, the corresponding image is printed and the process ends. On the other hand, in step 706, since the associated image is not found, the process ends without executing the printing process.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the identification information of the printing paper is written by a two-dimensional barcode. Conventional barcodes have been widely used due to features such as reading speed, accuracy, and high operability, but 2D barcodes have been developed to meet the needs of more information and smaller space. ing. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a two-dimensional barcode.

  A bar code has information in only one direction, whereas a two-dimensional bar code has information in two directions, vertical and horizontal, thereby storing information at a higher density. In addition, the size of the code itself can be reduced. Typical two-dimensional barcodes include QR code, PDF417, Data Matrix, Maxi Code, and the like.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print sheet 1001 on which a two-dimensional barcode 1002 is printed. The two-dimensional barcode includes identification information unique to the printing paper such as a manufacturer name, a product name, and a serial number. The digital camera or printer reads this information and identifies each printing paper. This figure shows an example in which a two-dimensional barcode is printed on the same surface as the print surface, but it does not matter if it is printed on the front side or the back side of the print surface as long as the identification information can be read. .

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the digital camera 1101 reads the identification information 1104 written in the two-dimensional barcode on the print paper 1103. After setting the digital camera 1101 to be able to read the identification information of the printing paper, the identification information 1104 is photographed, and the identification information 1104 written on the printing paper is read. In this figure, the read identification information 1104 is displayed on the display unit 1102 of the digital camera, and it is confirmed whether it is recorded on the card of the digital camera.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a handwritten message 1203 is written on a print sheet 1201 before printing, in which identification information 1202 written in a two-dimensional barcode is read by a digital camera and associated with a photographed image. It is. Since an image to be printed is associated with the print paper, a message or the like can be written on the print paper before printing.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an image associated with identification information is printed on a print sheet 1305 on which a message has been written before printing. A digital camera 1301 and a printer 1304 are directly connected via a cable 1303. The printer 1304 reads the identification information on the print paper 1305 and transmits the identification information to the digital camera 1301. The digital camera 1301 searches for an image associated with the identification information from the identification information and the image management information, displays the image on the display unit 1302, and transmits image data for printing to the printer 1304. The printer 1304 receives the image data and prints out the print paper 1305.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the configuration of the print system is the same as that of the first embodiment, the following description will focus on the differences.

  In the first embodiment, the identification information of the printing paper is described by a two-dimensional barcode, but in this embodiment, the identification information is realized by an IC tag.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera in the present embodiment. The difference from FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment is that an IC tag reader / writer 1401 is provided. Conventionally, a two-dimensional bar code is photographed by an imaging unit and identification information is read, but an IC tag reader / writer 1401 reads / writes an IC tag.

  As for the printer, the ID CTL 209 of the control circuit for reading the identification information of the printing paper shown in FIG. 2 is replaced with a reader for an IC tag instead of reading a two-dimensional barcode.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a print sheet 1501 having an IC tag 1502. The IC tag includes identification information unique to the printing paper such as a manufacturer name, a product name, a serial number, and an associated image. The digital camera or printer reads this information and identifies each printing paper.

  FIG. 16 shows an example in which the digital camera 1601 reads the identification information 1604 written on the IC tag of the print paper 1603. When the printing paper 1603 is held over the digital camera 1601, the identification information 1604 included in the printing paper is read. In this figure, the read identification information 1604 is displayed on the display unit 1602 of the digital camera, and it is confirmed whether or not to update the information on the IC tag of the printing paper.

  The other identification information reading flow and print output flow are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
In the first and second embodiments, it is possible to write a message on the paper before printing by associating the print paper with a specific image to be printed. . Writing a message means that you want to give someone the paper that you printed out.

  Even if it is not premised on writing a message as in the above-described embodiment, it can be applied to reliably receiving a print of an image that the user wants to receive by associating a print sheet with a specific image. In other words, by receiving a print sheet associated with an image taken by the person who becomes the subject, it is possible to reliably receive a print of an image in which the subject is photographed even if print processing is performed later. The association between the identification information and the image is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  In the embodiments described so far, one image is printed on one sheet of print paper. However, if the image can be associated with the content of the identification information, a plurality of print sheets can be printed on one print sheet. It is also possible to associate images.

  Thus, by associating with a certain form paper or the like, it is possible to definitely arrange a plurality of designated image groups at designated positions.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera by embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing association with identification information of a print sheet in a state where an image of a subject has already been taken. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating association setting of a corresponding image with print sheet identification information. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an association with a photographed image in a state where identification information of a print sheet is recorded. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating confirmation of an associated image by reading print sheet identification information. FIG. 5 is a flowchart from printing paper identification information reading to printing execution in a printer. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of a two-dimensional barcode. It is a figure which shows the printing paper on which the identification information of the two-dimensional barcode was printed. It is the figure which showed the example of the method of image | photographing a two-dimensional barcode and reading identification information. It is the figure which showed the example which wrote the message previously with respect to the printing paper before printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a printer prints an image corresponding to identification information of a two-dimensional barcode on print paper. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera by a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the printing paper which has the identification information of an IC tag. It is the figure which showed the example of the method of reading identification information, holding up the printing paper with an IC tag.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 101 Control part 102 Imaging part 103 Operation part 104 Main switch 105 Shutter switch SW1
106 Shutter switch SW2
107 Mode change switch 108 Display 109 Card I / F
110 Card slot 111 Slot cover 112 Cover open / close detection unit 113 Power supply control unit 114 ROM
115 RAM
116 Communication I / F
117 Memory card 118 Power supply 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 Camera CTL (communication control circuit)
205 Camera I / F (I / F connector part)
206 ASIC
207 Motor CTL (Mechanical control system control circuit)
208 Print data CTL (control circuit)
209 ID CTL (control circuit)
801 Digital camera 802 Cable 803 Printer 1001 Print paper 1002 Two-dimensional barcode 1101 Digital camera 1102 Display unit 1103 Print paper 1104 Two-dimensional barcode (identification information)
1201 Print paper 1202 Two-dimensional barcode (identification information)
1203 Handwritten message 1301 Digital camera 1302 Display unit 1303 Cable 1304 Printer 1305 Print paper 1401 IC tag R / W
1501 Print paper 1502 IC tag 1601 Digital camera 1602 Display unit 1603 Print paper 1604 IC tag (identification information)

Claims (9)

In the image processing apparatus including the first device and the second device,
The first device includes imaging means;
First identification means for reading identification information of the paper;
A management unit that associates the image data captured by the imaging unit with the identification information read by the identification unit;
The second apparatus includes output means for outputting image data;
Second identification means for reading identification information of the paper;
Management information acquisition means for acquiring information of the first management means;
An image processing apparatus, wherein the second identification unit reads sheet identification information, and the management information acquisition unit outputs image data corresponding to the identification information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper identification information is a two-dimensional barcode.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information of the sheet is information stored in an IC tag. An imaging step of capturing and generating image data;
An identification step for obtaining identification information of the paper;
A management step for associating the identification information acquired in the identification step with the image data;
An image processing method comprising: an output step of outputting the image data associated by the management step by acquiring the identification information again.   The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is a two-dimensional barcode.   The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is information stored in an IC tag. An imaging step of capturing and generating image data;
An identification step for obtaining identification information of the medium;
A management step of associating the identification information acquired in the identification step with the image data;
A medium for providing a program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute a process including an output step of outputting image data associated with a management step by acquiring the identification information again.   The medium according to claim 7, wherein the identification information is a two-dimensional barcode.   The medium according to claim 7, wherein the identification information is information stored in an IC tag.