JP2006217182A - Image reproducing device, method, system, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten an image retrieval time by inhibiting an image such as a moving picture which can not be printed from being reproduced and displayed in a state wherein an image reproducing device and an image output device are connected. <P>SOLUTION: The image reproducing device which can be connected to external equipment, includes a reproducing means of reproducing an image stored in a storage means; a judging means of judging whether or not external equipment is connected; an image selecting means of selecting an image that the external equipment is adaptive when the external equipment is connected; and a control means for reproducing the image selected by the selecting means by the reproducing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reproduction apparatus and an image reproduction method for reproducing image data in photo direct printing in which an image reproduction apparatus such as a digital camera and an image output apparatus such as a printer are connected.

Conventionally, when playing back an image taken with a digital camera or the like, images to be displayed are sequentially sent or returned by operating an image advance / return key or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Switching between single image reproduction and reduced image index reproduction is also performed by a display switching key or a menu. Regardless of the maximum image width and maximum image data size supported by the printing device, the image is played back according to the specifications of the digital camera. Such playback processing is performed by an external device such as a printing device. It is executed with or without connection.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-243331

  In this way, even if a connection with the printing apparatus is established, a moving image that is not suitable for printing or a large image that cannot be printed is also reproduced, so an image that is unnecessary for a user who wants to select an image to be printed. Must be reproduced, and it takes time to search for images.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a connection with a printing apparatus is established, the present invention provides a technique that can reduce the search time for an image that the user wants to print by prohibiting reproduction of an image that is not suitable for printing. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image reproduction device according to the present invention is an image reproduction device connectable to an external device, wherein the reproduction device that reproduces an image stored in a storage unit, and the external device include: A determination unit that determines whether or not the external device is connected; an image selection unit that selects an image that can be supported by the external device when the external device is connected; and an image that is selected by the selection unit. And control means for reproducing.

  The image reproduction method of the present invention is an image reproduction method for an apparatus connectable to an external device, and includes a reproduction step of reproducing an image stored in a storage means, and whether or not the external device is connected. A determination step of selecting, when the external device is connected, an image selection step of selecting an image that can be handled by the external device, and a control step of reproducing the image selected by the selection means by the reproduction step. It has.

  The image reproduction system of the present invention is an image reproduction system in which an image reproduction apparatus and an image output apparatus are connected. The image reproduction apparatus reproduces an image stored in a storage means, and the image output apparatus. An acquisition stage for acquiring function information that can be supported by the image output means, an image selection means for selecting an image that can be supported by the image output device based on the function information, and an image selected by the selection means by the playback means. Control means for reproducing, wherein the image output device records transmission data for transmitting function information that can be supported by the image output device to the image reproduction device, and image data transmitted from the image reproduction device. Recording means.

  The image playback device of the present invention is an image playback device capable of playing back still image files and media files other than still image files from an information storage medium, and judges whether or not an external device is connected. And control means for prohibiting reproduction of the media file and controlling the still image file to be reproducible when the external device is connected.

  The image reproduction method of the present invention is an image reproduction method for reproducing a still image file and a media file other than a still image file from an information storage medium, and determining whether or not an external device is connected. And a control step of prohibiting reproduction of the media file and controlling the still image file to be reproducible when the external device is connected.

  The present invention can also be applied as a program for causing a computer that controls the image reproducing apparatus to execute the image reproducing method.

  According to the present invention, since the reproduction and display of an unprintable image such as a moving image is prohibited in a state where the image reproduction device and the image output device are connected, it is possible to shorten a search time for a desired image for the user. it can.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of an image reproduction system including an image reproduction apparatus and a printer. The image reproduction apparatus 100 is connected to a printer 200 that is a printing apparatus via a connection cable 101 that communicates information with each other. When the image reproduction apparatus 100 is connected to the printer 200, it is possible to output an image stored in the main body of the image reproduction apparatus 100 or a memory card described later to the printer 200.

<Configuration of image playback device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  An image reproduction apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a digital video camera capable of recording and reproducing image data such as a still image and a moving image. 1 is an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject, 2 is an image signal processing unit, 3 Is a display control unit for displaying or reproducing the image signal processed by the image signal processing unit 2 on a display such as an LCD or EVF, and 4 is an image display or display based on the display signal output from the display control unit 3. An image display unit for reproduction 5 is a compression / decompression unit that compresses / decompresses the image signal processed by the image signal processing unit 2 and the image data read from the memory card 7, and 6 controls the memory card 7. Memory card interface unit, 7 is a removable memory card represented by a memory stick, etc., 9 is a switch unit, playback / fast forward / rewind switch Display selector switch, the image feed switch, the image back switch, mode setting switch, print start switch, includes an image recording / reading switches and the like. Reference numeral 8 denotes a system control unit including a microcomputer or the like that controls / commands the above-described units of the image reproduction apparatus 100, and 10 denotes a lens unit. Reference numeral 16 denotes a commercial power supply that supplies power to the image reproducing apparatus 100 through an AC adapter. Reference numeral 11 is a constant voltage generating circuit section for controlling (constant voltage) the power supplied to each of the above sections, 12 is a charging circuit section for controlling the power supplied to the battery 18 side, and 13 is power for the battery 18 (secondary battery) side. 14 is a secondary battery that stores electric power supplied from the image reproduction apparatus 100 side. Reference numeral 15 denotes an external device interface unit that controls an interface with an external device by USB or IEEE 1394, and 17 denotes a printer.

  The imaging unit 1 uses an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS sensor, and photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject imaged on the imaging unit 1 via the lens unit 10 and captures it as an electrical signal.

  The image signal processing unit 2 performs noise reduction and signal level adjustment of an image signal converted into an electrical signal as analog processing before A / D conversion, and converts the image signal subjected to analog processing into a digital signal. Convert. Further, the image signal processing unit 2 performs filter processing, color conversion processing, and the like on the image data converted into the digital signal, and outputs it to the compression / decompression unit 5 and the display control unit 3. These image processes are controlled by the system control unit 8.

  The compression / decompression unit 5 performs JPEG compression processing for still image data and MPEG compression processing for moving image data, and stores the data in the memory card 7 via the memory card interface unit 6. Further, the compression / decompression unit 5 reads out the compressed image data from the memory card 7 via the memory card interface unit 6, decompresses it, sends it to the image signal processing unit 2, and sends it to the image display unit 4 via the display control unit 3. Output. The compression / decompression unit 5 creates a reduced image of the image read from the memory card 7 and outputs the reduced image data to the image display unit 4 via the display control unit 3 to list a plurality of reduced images. Display the index. These reproduction display processes are controlled by the system control unit 8.

  The external device interface unit 15 establishes a data transfer communication function with a printer 200 or a PC as an external device, exchanges data, and prints still image data or the like stored in the memory card 7. . The image data is stored in the memory card 7 in a file format that conforms to, for example, a camera file system standard for a digital camera, and can be directly printed from the image playback device 100 (camera direct print). ) Is possible.

  In the camera direct print, the image reproducing apparatus 100 first switches to the communication mode when the printer 200 is connected, and changes to the direct print mode when it is determined that the communication destination is the printer 200. In this state, the user sees and selects an image to be printed out on the image display unit 4, and further instructs the print 17 to start printing with the print start switch of the switch unit 9. Then, the image reproduction apparatus 100 transfers the selected image data to the printer 200, and the printer 200 prints an image based on the transferred image data.

  Further, the image reproduction apparatus 100 acquires function information that can be supported by the printer from the printer 200 via the external device interface unit 15. This function information includes the type and size of printable paper, print quality, image data format, presence / absence of date printing, presence / absence of file name printing, layout, presence / absence of image correction, presence / absence of partial printing, and position and size of part. In addition, information such as the presence or absence of functions corresponding to the specifications of each camera manufacturer is included as an option. The function information is stored in a function information table 47 shown in FIG. The function information may be arbitrarily set by the user on the printer 200 side.

Further, the image reproduction apparatus 100 can set the memory image reproduction mode by the mode setting switch of the switch unit 9. When the memory image playback mode is set, the image playback device 100 selects, for example, a printable image (for example, a JPEG image or a still image file recorded in a normal state) from the image data stored in the memory card 7. ) Is automatically selected, and the selected images are sequentially reproduced on the image display unit 4 (for example, in order of date). Note that a function that allows the user to arbitrarily set the type of image to be reproduced may be added to the switch unit 9.
In addition, data that cannot be printed, for example, data other than still images such as audio files and moving image files will be described as media files below.

<Printer configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer controller 31 receives a print interrupt from a connection partner (the image playback apparatus 100 or a PC) and receives image data for printing, and the print controller 31. And a print engine 32 that prints an image in accordance with data supplied from the printer.

  The print controller 31 includes an interface circuit 44, a CPU 34 that executes a program for a print sequence, a memory for storing image data including an SDRAM 40, and a control unit 33 that controls the CPU 34 and the SDRAM 40 and manages a bus. Have The control unit 33 performs predetermined image processing in response to the execution of the control sequence program of the CPU 34, and supplies a print drive signal corresponding to the image data for printing to the print engine 32.

  The control unit 33 is connected to the flash ROM 41, the ROM 42, the EEPROM 48, and the interface circuit 44 via a bus. The ROM 42 is composed of a program memory or the like, and stores a program to be loaded at startup. Further, the image processing circuit 37 includes a compression / decompression circuit 38 and an image processing circuit 37 that performs color conversion, halftone processing, and the like. The SRAM 36 stores table data necessary for color conversion and halftone processing. The program memory stores a program for appropriately processing image data, an interface control program for processing an interrupt instruction received by the interface circuit 44, a print engine control program for controlling the print engine 32, and the like. Further, each controller 35 and 39 for controlling the CPU 34 and the SDRAM 40 is provided. The EEPROM 48 stores, for example, information such as the count number of ink consumption, the number of printed sheets of each paper, and the serial number. In addition, it has a BuF 43 connected to an optional additional memory. In addition, when performing direct printing from the image reproducing apparatus 100, a function information table 47 for transmitting the function information that can be supported by the printer 200 to the image reproducing apparatus 100 is provided.

  The interface circuit 44 is composed of, for example, an ASIC, and includes various ports 45 such as serial and IEEE1284. Further, it is connected to the target device via the bus by the USB port 46 or the like.

<Memory image playback mode>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing image selection / reproduction processing in the memory image reproduction mode of the first embodiment according to the present invention. In this flowchart, each step is abbreviated as “S”.

  S1: When processing is started, first, the system control unit 8 determines whether or not the memory image reproduction mode is set by the mode setting key of the switch unit 9. If the memory image reproduction mode is set, the process proceeds to S2.

  S2: Next, the system control unit 8 controls the memory card interface unit 6 to read out image data from the memory card 7 and store it in a buffer memory (not shown) or the like.

  S3: Next, the system control unit 8 determines whether a connection with the printer 200 is established. If the printer 200 as an external device is connected, the process proceeds to S3. If not connected, the process proceeds to S10.

  S4: Here, the system control unit 8 selects an image printable by the printer 200 from the file read from the memory card 7. Here, an image is selected based on whether the image designated by the image advance / return switch operation is other than a media file such as a still image, and if it is not a media file, the process proceeds to S5. If it is a media file that is not a still image or the like, the process proceeds to S8 to wait for a next image sending / returning operation.

  S5: Here, the system control unit 8 outputs a display signal to the display control unit 3, and reproduces an image other than the selected media file on the image display unit 4.

  S6: Here, the system control unit 8 determines whether the print start switch of the switch unit 9 has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to S7, and if not, the process proceeds to S8.

  S7: The system control unit 8 transfers the still image data and the like currently displayed on the image display unit 4 to the printer 200 via the external device interface unit 15 and gives a print instruction.

  S8, S9: The system control unit 8 performs the forward / backward operation to the next image according to the image forward / backward switch operation of the switch unit 9, and thereafter performs the same processing from S3.

  S10: When the printer 200 as an external device is not connected, the system control unit 8 outputs a display signal to the display control unit 3, and sequentially displays the image including the still image and the media file read from the memory card 7. Play to part 4.

  According to the above configuration, particularly in a state where the connection between the image playback device 100 and the printer 200 is established, playback of media files that cannot be printed, such as audio files and moving image files, is prohibited, and playback of media files other than media files is prohibited. Therefore, the time for searching for a desired still image or the like for the user can be shortened.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing image selection / reproduction processing in the memory image reproduction mode of the second embodiment according to the present invention. In this flowchart, each step is abbreviated as “S”. Also in this flowchart, each step is abbreviated as “S”.

  The second embodiment is characterized in that a function for indexing a list of a plurality of (for example, six) reduced images on the same screen is added, and this index is operated by operating an index reproduction switch of the switch unit 9. Set to playback mode. Note that the configuration of the image playback device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  S11: When the processing is started, first, the system control unit 8 determines whether or not the memory image reproduction mode is set by the mode setting key of the switch unit 9. If the memory image reproduction mode is set, the process proceeds to S12.

  S12: Next, the system control unit 8 determines whether or not the index reproduction mode is set by the index reproduction switch of the switch unit 9. If the index reproduction mode is set, the process proceeds to S13. If not set, the same process as S2 and subsequent processes in FIG. 4 is performed.

  S13: The system control unit 8 controls the memory card interface unit 6 to read image data from the memory card 7 and store it in a buffer memory (not shown).

  S14: Next, the system control unit 8 determines whether the connection with the printer 200 is established. If the printer 200 is connected, the process proceeds to S15. If not connected, the process proceeds to S23.

  S15: Here, the system control unit 8 selects an image printable by the printer 200 from the file read from the memory card 7. Here, an image is selected based on whether the image designated by the image advance / return switch operation is other than a media file such as a still image. If the image is not a media file, the process proceeds to S16. If the media file is not a still image or the like, the process proceeds to S20, the file path of the next image is set, and the process from S15 is performed.

  S16: The system control unit 8 creates a reduced image obtained by reducing the selected image, that is, a still image other than the media file.

  S17: Here, the system control unit 8 counts the number of images (for example, 6) of the reduced images generated in S16. If the sixth reduced image is generated, the process proceeds to S18. If the number is less than 6, the process proceeds to S20, the file path of the next image is set, and the process from S15 is performed.

  S18: Here, the system control unit 8 outputs a display signal to the display control unit 3, and the list of the generated reduced images is index-reproduced on the image display unit 4.

  S19: Here, the system control unit 8 determines whether one image is selected from the reduced image list and the print start switch of the switch unit 9 is operated. If it is operated, the process proceeds to S21 and must be operated. If so, the process proceeds to S22.

  S 21: The system control unit 8 transfers the still image data selected in S 19 to the printer 200 via the external device interface unit 15 and gives a print instruction.

  S22: The system control unit 8 determines whether the image advance / return switch of the switch unit 9 has been operated. If the operation has been performed, the remaining images that have not been index-reproduced (when there are 6 or more still images) start from S14. Similar processing is performed.

  S23: When the printer 200 is not connected, the system control unit 8 creates a reduced image including the still image and the media file read from the memory card 7.

  S24: Here, the system control unit 8 counts the number of the reduced images generated in S23 (for example, six), and if the sixth reduced image is generated, the process proceeds to S26. If the number is less than 6, the process proceeds to S25, the file path of the next image is set, and the process from S23 is performed.

  S26: Here, the system control unit 8 outputs a display signal to the display control unit 3, and reproduces the list of the generated reduced images on the image display unit 4 as an index.

  According to the above configuration, particularly in a state where the connection between the image reproduction apparatus 100 and the printer 200 is established, a reduced image is created for a still image excluding an unprintable media file such as an audio file or a moving image file. Since the reduced image corresponding to the media file is not displayed by the index reproduction, the extra time can be reduced both when the print designation such as the DPOF mark is performed and when the desired still image is searched.

  Although the above reduced image is created from the corresponding still image file, a thumbnail image recorded in advance associated with the still image file may be read and displayed.

  The reduced images corresponding to the still image file, the audio file, and the moving image file may be icon images prepared in advance.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing image selection / reproduction processing in the memory image reproduction mode of the third embodiment according to the present invention. In this flowchart, each step is abbreviated as “S”. Also in this flowchart, each step is abbreviated as “S”.

  In the third embodiment, printing is performed from images stored in the memory card 7 based on function information (maximum printable image size information) acquired from the printer 200 in a state where the connection with the printer 200 is established. A possible image is automatically selected, and the selected image is sequentially reproduced on the image display unit 4 (for example, in order of date).

  S31: When the process is started, first, the system control unit 8 determines whether or not the memory image reproduction mode is set by the mode setting key of the switch unit 9. If the memory image reproduction mode is set, the process proceeds to S32.

  S32: Next, the system control unit 8 controls the memory card interface unit 6 to read out image data from the memory card 7, and stores it in a buffer memory (not shown) or the like.

  S33: Next, the system control unit 8 determines whether the connection with the printer 200 is established. If the printer 200 is connected, the process proceeds to S34. If not connected, the process proceeds to S43.

  S34: Here, the system control unit 8 acquires, from the printer 200, the maximum value of the maximum image height and width that the printer 200 can print as function information. Here, the maximum horizontal width A and the maximum vertical width B are assumed.

  S35: Here, the system control unit 8 selects an image other than a media file such as a still image from the files read from the memory card 7.

  S36: Next, the system control unit 8 calculates image size information (horizontal width value X, vertical width value Y) from the selected image.

  S37: Here, the system control unit 8 determines whether the image size (X, Y) is within the range of the maximum vertical width (A, B) acquired from the printer 200, and the image size is within the maximum vertical width range. If there is, the process proceeds to S38, and if it exceeds that, the process proceeds to S41 to wait for the next image sending / returning operation. Specifically, the maximum horizontal width A, the maximum vertical width B acquired in S34, and the horizontal width value X and vertical width value Y acquired in S36 are respectively compared. If A> X and B> Y, the range of the maximum vertical width. The process proceeds to S38.

  S38: Here, the system control unit 8 outputs a display signal to the display control unit 3, and reproduces the selected image on the image display unit 4.

  S39: Here, the system control unit 8 determines whether the print start switch of the switch unit 9 has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to S40, and if not, the process proceeds to S41.

  S40: The system control unit 8 transfers the still image data currently displayed on the image display unit 4 to the printer 200 via the external device interface unit 15 and gives a print instruction.

  S41, S42: The system control unit 8 performs the forward / backward operation to the next image in accordance with the image forward / backward switch operation of the switch unit 9, and thereafter performs the same processing from S33.

  S43: When the printer is not connected, the system control unit 8 outputs a display signal to the display control unit 3, and sequentially reproduces the image display unit 4 including the still image and the media file read from the memory card 7. .

  According to the above configuration, the user selects the images to be reproduced sequentially or the reduced images to be index-reproduced according to the printing capability conditions specific to the printer, and prohibits the reproduction of large-sized still images that cannot be printed by the printer. It is possible to avoid the reproduction / selection of images unnecessary for the user.

  In the third embodiment, instead of reproducing a single image, a reduced image may be created and index reproduced as in the second embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, an image that can be printed out of images stored in the memory card 7 based on paper size information that can be printed as function information acquired from the printer 200 in a state where the connection with the printer 200 is established. Are automatically selected, and the selected images are sequentially reproduced on the image display unit 4 (for example, in order of date).

  Specifically, the minimum paper size information (for example, A4 size and A3 size) that can be printed is acquired from the printer 200 in S34 of FIG. 5, and an image suitable for printing is acquired based on the acquired minimum paper size information in S37. The minimum horizontal width X0 and the minimum vertical width Y0 of the size are calculated, and the minimum vertical width X0 and Y0 acquired in S34 are compared with the vertical and horizontal width values X and Y calculated in S36, respectively, and X0 <X and Y0 <Y. If there is, the process proceeds to S38 assuming that it is within the range of the minimum vertical width.

  According to the above configuration, the images to be sequentially reproduced or the reduced images to be index-reproduced are selected according to the printing capability conditions specific to the printer, and the reproduction of a small size image that is not suitable for printing by the printer is prohibited. Thus, reproduction / selection of an image unnecessary for the user can be avoided.

  In the fourth embodiment, instead of reproducing a single image, a reduced image may be created and index-reproduced as in the second embodiment.

[Other Embodiments]
In the present embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium (or storage medium) that records a program code of software that implements each function of the image selection / reproduction processing of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or individual devices. This can be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

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

  When the present embodiment is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

  Note that, even if the present embodiment is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) ).

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of an image reproduction system including an image reproduction apparatus and a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an image reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image selection / reproduction | regeneration process in the memory image reproduction | regeneration mode of 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image selection / reproduction | regeneration process in the memory image reproduction | regeneration mode of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image selection / reproduction | regeneration process in the memory image reproduction | regeneration mode of 3rd Embodiment concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up part 2 Image processing part 3 Display control part 4 Image display part 5 Compression / decompression part 6 Memory card interface part 7 Memory card 8 System control part 9 Switch part 10 Lens part 11 Constant voltage generation circuit part 12 Charging circuit part 13 Switching Part 14 Secondary battery (Li etc.)
15 External Device Interface Unit 16 Commercial Power Supply (AC) Unit 17 Printer 18 Battery 100 Image Playback Device (Digital Video Camera)
200 printer

Claims (19)

In an image playback device that can be connected to an external device,
Reproduction means for reproducing the image stored in the storage means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the external device is connected;
When the external device is connected, image selection means for selecting an image that can be supported by the external device;
An image reproduction apparatus comprising: a control unit that reproduces the image selected by the selection unit using the reproduction unit.   The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing unit further includes an image sending unit that sequentially reproduces only the selected image. An image creating means for creating an index image obtained by reducing the image selected by the image selecting means;
3. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction unit reproduces the reduced images created by the image creation unit as a list. It further comprises an acquisition stage for acquiring function information that can be handled by the external device,
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image selection unit selects an image based on the function information. The external device is a printing device;
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether a connection with the printing apparatus is established.   The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the function information is information related to a maximum value or a minimum value of a vertical and horizontal width of an image printable by the printing apparatus.   6. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the function information is information relating to a maximum or minimum image data size that can be printed by the printing apparatus.   6. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the function information is paper size information that can be printed by the printing apparatus.   The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image selecting unit selects an image compressed by a predetermined method.   9. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image selection unit selects an image stored in a normal state.   The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an instruction unit that instructs the printing apparatus to print the image selected by the selection unit. An image playback method for an apparatus connectable to an external device,
A reproduction step of reproducing the image stored in the storage means;
A determination step of determining whether or not the external device is connected;
When the external device is connected, an image selection step of selecting an image that can be supported by the external device;
And a control step of reproducing the image selected by the selection means by the reproduction step. In an image reproduction system in which an image reproduction apparatus and an image output apparatus are connected,
The image reproduction device includes:
Reproduction means for reproducing the image stored in the storage means;
An acquisition stage for acquiring functional information that can be handled by the image output device;
Image selecting means for selecting an image that can be supported by the image output device based on the function information;
Control means for reproducing the image selected by the selection means by the reproduction means,
The image output device includes:
Transmitting means for transmitting function information that can be supported by the image output device to the image reproduction device;
An image reproduction system comprising: recording means for recording image data transmitted from the image reproduction apparatus. An image playback device capable of playing back still image files and media files other than still image files from an information storage medium,
A determination means for determining whether an external device is connected;
An image playback apparatus comprising: control means for prohibiting playback of the media file and controlling the still image file to be playable when the external device is connected. A plurality of reduced images for selecting the still image file and the media file, a display unit for displaying on the same screen,
The reduced image corresponding to the still image file is displayed without displaying the reduced image corresponding to the media file when the determination unit is connected to the external device. 14. An image reproducing device according to 14. 16. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the media file is a moving image file or an audio file. An image reproduction method for reproducing a still image file and a media file other than a still image file from an information storage medium,
A determination step of determining whether or not an external device is connected;
And a control step of prohibiting the reproduction of the media file and controlling the still image file to be reproducible when the external device is connected.   A program for causing a computer that controls the image reproduction apparatus to execute the image reproduction method according to claim 12 or 17.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 18.

Images