JP2006227903A - Print controller, print control method, print control program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller capable of efficiently performing direct printing of an image according to capacity of usable power. <P>SOLUTION: A camera-integrated VTR 300 has a CPU 301, a communication part 311, a battery 313, and a battery monitoring part 312, and is connected to a portable printer 200 via a USB cable 120. Printing order is rearranged in ascending order of image size, for example, when a residual amount of the battery 313 is small, and processing for rearranging the printing order is skipped when the residual amount of the battery 313 is not small. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a storage medium, and in particular, an image taken by a digital camera or a camera-integrated VTR (digital video camera) having a recording medium for recording image data. The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a storage medium for directly printing data on a printing apparatus.

  The digital camera records a photographed image on a predetermined recording medium as digital image data. In order to print an image corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium, first, the image data is taken into a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “personal computer”), and is then handled by a printer connected to the personal computer. Output an image.

  Also, a digital camera that can be directly connected to a printer has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This digital camera uses the electric power supplied from the battery of the digital camera to send the image data captured to the connected printer, and controls the printer to print it. Accordingly, the user can easily print the captured image even if he / she does not have a personal computer. Further, by configuring the printer to be portable, the user can print the captured image on the go.

Further, the digital camera is provided with a liquid crystal monitor as a display device for displaying an image corresponding to the image data stored in the recording medium, and the user wants to print from the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. Images can be selected individually.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-065867

  However, if a large number of images are taken using the digital camera on the go, the power supplied from the battery of the digital camera is greatly consumed. In such a case, even if an image taken with a digital camera using the portable printer is to be printed on the spot, the supplied power may be completely consumed during printing. If the supplied power is completely consumed during printing, all the images cannot be printed, and the advantage that the photographed image can be printed on the go cannot be fully utilized.

  If it is expected that not all images can be printed, the digital camera can select an image to be printed with priority from the images displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. The user's operability is poor because it is necessary to select individually. Further, since the liquid crystal monitor is used, the power consumption is further consumed, and as a result, the advantage that the photographed image can be printed on the go cannot be fully utilized.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a storage medium that can efficiently perform direct printing of an image according to the capacity of power that can be used. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, the print control apparatus of the present invention communicates with an external printing apparatus to print an image corresponding to data recorded on a predetermined recording medium on a predetermined printing paper. In the print control apparatus that performs the above, a detection unit that detects a capacity of power that can be supplied to the print control apparatus, and when the capacity falls below a predetermined value, the print order of images to be printed is changed to the predetermined order And changing means.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing control method of the present invention performs control for printing an image corresponding to data recorded on a predetermined recording medium on a predetermined printing sheet by communicating with a printing apparatus. The printing control method includes a detection step of detecting a capacity of usable power, and a change step of changing a printing order of images to be printed to a predetermined order when the capacity is lower than a predetermined value. It is characterized by.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing control program according to the present invention communicates with a printing apparatus and performs control for printing an image corresponding to data recorded on a predetermined recording medium on a predetermined printing paper. And a change module that changes the print order of images to be printed to a predetermined order when the capacity falls below a predetermined value. It is characterized by providing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium of the present invention stores the above print control program.

  According to the present invention, when the capacity of power that can be supplied falls below a predetermined value, the printing order of images to be printed is changed to a predetermined order. Direct printing can be performed efficiently.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a printing system including an imaging apparatus including a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a printing system 100 includes a portable printer 200 as a printing apparatus in FIG. 2 to be described later, and a camera-integrated VTR as an imaging apparatus in FIG. 3 to capture an image data of a subject and acquire the image data. (Digital video camera: DVC) 300 and a USB cable 120 for connecting the printer 200 and the DVC 300.

  The DVC 300 includes a print control device according to the present embodiment, and the DVC 300 functions as an image input device that sends image data to the printer 200 via the USB cable 120. The printer 200 prints an image corresponding to the image data input from the DVC 300 on a predetermined printing paper.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the printer 200 in FIG.

  2, the printer 200 includes a CPU 201 that controls / commands each unit of the printer 200, a ROM 202 that stores a control program, a RAM 203, an operation unit 204, a data processing unit 205, and a printing unit 206. A display unit 207, a communication unit 208 that performs data communication with the print control apparatus according to a predetermined communication protocol, and an internal bus 220 that connects these units. The communication unit 208 includes an interface that can be connected to the USB cable 120. The operation unit 204 includes a power switch for switching the power of the printer 200 on and off, a paper feed switch for sending printing paper, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the DVC 300 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the DVC 300 includes a CPU 301 that controls / commands each unit of the DVC 300, a ROM 302 that stores a control program, a RAM 303, a camera unit 304, an image processing unit 305, and a display control unit 306. A recording medium 307, a display unit 308 for displaying image and character information, an operation unit 309, and an operation mode selection unit 310 for selectively setting one of an operation mode of a photographing mode and a reproduction mode, which will be described later. A communication unit 311 that performs data communication with the printer 200 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, a battery monitoring unit 312 that monitors the capacity of a battery 313 as a power storage device described later, and an internal bus 320 that connects them. Among these components, at least the CPU 301, the communication unit 311, and the battery monitoring unit 312 function as the print control device and control printing by the printer 200.

  The battery monitoring unit 312 is connected to a battery 313 whose maximum capacity of power supplied to the DVC 300 is 1390 mAh, for example. The communication unit 311 includes an interface that can be connected to the USB cable 120. Further, when the DVC 300 and the printer 200 are connected to each other via the USB cable 120, the communication unit 311 connects to the printer 200 when a power switch (to be described later) of the DVC 300 and a power switch of the printer 200 are on. Detect that is established.

  The operation unit 309 causes the display unit 308 to display an image corresponding to predetermined image data from among a plurality of image data, a power switch for switching the power of the DVC 300 on / off, a shooting button for starting shooting, and a plurality of image data. An image display key for displaying the image displayed on the display unit 308, an image advance key for changing the image to be displayed on the display unit 308, an image return key for changing the image displayed on the display unit 308 to the previous image, and the display unit 308. A selection key for selecting a predetermined selection item from the plurality of selection items, a determination key for determining an item selected by the selection key, and the like. Note that selecting a predetermined item via the selection key and determining the selected item via the determination button is hereinafter referred to as “pressing” or “selecting”.

  In the shooting mode, the DVC 300 performs shooting for acquiring light from the subject acquired through the camera unit 304 as image data, and records the acquired image data in the recording medium 307, while in the playback mode, the recording is performed. An image corresponding to the image data recorded on the medium 307 is displayed on the display unit 308 for reproduction. Further, when the DVC 300 is in the reproduction mode and the communication unit 311 detects establishment of a connection with the printer 200, the DVC 300 shifts to the print mode. In the print mode, it is possible to perform print settings for each image displayed on the display unit 308 and to control the printer 200.

  Hereinafter, a print setting process executed when the DVC 300 is in the print mode will be described. This process is executed in steps S901 to S902 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print menu screen displayed on the display unit 308 when the DVC 300 of FIG. 3 is in the print mode.

  The print menu screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes, as menu items related to printing, an all-image print 410 that is an item for performing settings for printing images corresponding to all image data recorded on the recording medium 307; Image designation printing 420, which is an item for selecting predetermined image data from the image data recorded on the recording medium 307 and printing the corresponding image, and print settings described later in FIG. A print setting 430 that is an item for this purpose is provided, and a selection cursor 440 capable of changing a display position via a selection key is displayed on the print menu screen 400.

  In FIG. 4, when any one menu item of the print menu is selected using the selection cursor 440, the print menu screen 400 transitions to a display screen corresponding to the selected menu item.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting screen displayed when print setting 430 is selected as a menu item on the print menu screen 400 of FIG.

  The print setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes, as setting items related to printing, a print setting 510 for each image described with reference to FIG. 6 to be described later, a print priority setting 520 to be described with reference to FIG. 8 is provided, and a “return” button 590 for returning the display on the display unit 308 to the print menu screen 400 is provided. On the setting screen 500, a selection cursor 550 configured in the same manner as the selection cursor 440 is displayed.

  In FIG. 5, by selecting any one setting item, the print setting screen 500 transitions to a display screen corresponding to the selected setting item.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the print setting screen for each image displayed when the print setting 510 for each image is selected as a setting item on the print setting screen 500 in FIG.

  In the print setting screen 600 for each image shown in FIG. 6, a preview image 610 of one image among a plurality of images to be printed is displayed, and the image is printed as a setting item for printing the preview image 610. A paper size 620 that is a setting item for setting the size of the printing paper to be printed, a print image quality 630 that is a setting item for setting the image quality (quality) of the image to be printed, and the number of the printing papers are set. The number of prints 640 that is a setting item for the setting is provided, a “setting” button 650 for determining settings related to printing of the preview image 610, and a display for returning the display of the display unit 308 to the print setting screen 500. A “return” button 690 is provided.

  In FIG. 6, predetermined settings are made regarding necessary setting items among the paper size 620, the print image quality 630, and the number of printed sheets 640, and then the “setting” button 650 is pressed to record the information on the recording medium 307. In order to print an image corresponding to the preview image 610 from among the plurality of image data, image data corresponding to the preview image 610 (hereinafter referred to as “print data”) is selected. Further, the setting contents set for the print data are written in a print setting file for storing the setting contents.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print priority setting screen that is displayed when the print priority setting 510 is selected as a setting item on the print setting screen 500 of FIG.

  The print priority setting screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 displays a plurality of print priority parameters as parameters used in the print order rearranging process for a plurality of print data in step S907 of FIG. A “return” button 790 for returning the display of the section 308 to the print setting screen 500 is provided.

  The print priority parameters include an image size indicating the size of the image to be printed, a print image quality indicating the image quality of the image to be printed, a paper size indicating the size of the print paper on which the image is to be printed, There are a number of printed sheets indicating the number of sheets and a creation date and time indicating the date and time when the image data was created.

  The print priority setting screen 700 is provided with buttons for setting either descending order or ascending order for each print priority parameter. Specifically, a “large” button 710 and a “small” button 720 for the image size, a “high” button 730 and a “low” button 740 for the print image quality, and a “large” button for the paper size. 750 and a “small” button 760 are provided, and a “many” button 770 and a “small” button 780 are provided for the number of printed sheets.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the “small” button 720 for the image size is selected, whereby the print priority parameters are set in ascending order of the image size (print order setting means).

  When no print priority parameter is selected on the print priority setting screen 700, the print priority parameter is the image data creation date and time, for example, the newest or oldest recording date and time when the image data was recorded on the recording medium 307. Set in order. Instead of this, the print priority parameter may be set in the new order or the oldest order of the creation date and time of the print data, that is, the selection date and time when the image data corresponding to the image to be printed is selected.

  Or, if it is set to print by rotating the image depending on the vertical / horizontal size of the image data and the print layout, it is possible to print from something that does not involve image rotation. Good. As a result, more printing is possible while reducing the power consumption associated with the rotation process as much as possible.

  According to FIG. 7, since the print priority parameter can be set easily, the operability for the user can be improved.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram exemplifying a configuration of a battery remaining amount warning setting screen displayed when the battery remaining amount warning setting 530 is selected as a setting item on the print setting screen 500 of FIG.

  A battery remaining amount warning setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 displays a battery remaining amount warning setting indicator 810 for adjusting a setting value to be described later, and returns the display on the display unit 308 to the print setting screen 500. The “return” button 890 is provided.

  In FIG. 8, the predetermined set value indicated by the battery remaining amount warning setting indicator 810 is adjusted to, for example, 20% (278 mAh) (capacity predetermined value setting means). Thereby, when the battery monitoring unit 312 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 313 has reached the adjusted value, it is possible to perform a setting for performing a warning indicating that the remaining amount of the battery 313 is low. The battery remaining amount warning setting indicator 810 may display the current remaining amount of the battery 313 in addition to the set value.

  According to FIG. 8, since the set value indicated by the battery remaining amount warning setting indicator 810 can be easily adjusted, the operability for the user can be improved.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of print processing executed by the print control apparatus when the DVC 300 of FIG. 3 is in the print mode.

  In FIG. 9, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not print settings have been made for predetermined print data via the print setting screen 500 in FIG. The contents are written in the print setting file (step S902), and the process proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, if the print setting is not performed, the process of step S902 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S903. When the print setting is not performed, a default value is written in the print setting file.

  Subsequently, until print execution is determined (NO in step S903), another print data is selected from the plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium 307 by repeating the processes in steps S901 to S902. Then, print settings are made for the selected print data.

  When printing execution is determined (YES in step S903), the print setting file is read to acquire the contents of the print setting (step S904), and the power supply information of the DVC 300, that is, the remaining amount of the battery 313 is obtained from the battery monitoring unit 312. Is acquired (step S905) (detection means), and whether the remaining amount of the battery 313 is smaller than the set value by comparing the acquired power supply information with the set value on the battery remaining amount warning setting screen 800 of FIG. (Step S906), and when the remaining amount of the battery 313 is low, a plurality of print data is set in accordance with the print priority parameters set via the print priority setting screen 700 of FIG. For example, the print order of the corresponding images 1001 to 1004 (FIG. 10A) is as shown in FIG. 10B. That Sort in ascending order of the image size (step S907) (changing means), first executes a print job in which the image size corresponding to the smallest image 1004 (step S908). At this time, since execution of all the print jobs has not been completed (NO in step S909), the print jobs corresponding to the image 1002, the image 1001, and the image 1003 are subsequently obtained by repeating the processing in steps S905 to S909. Are executed sequentially. When all print jobs have been executed, this process ends.

  On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the battery 313 is not small, the printing order rearrangement process in step S907 is skipped, and the printing process in step S908 and subsequent steps is executed.

  According to the processing in FIG. 9, when the remaining amount of the battery 313 is low (YES in step S906), the printing order is rearranged so that the printing order is, for example, in ascending order of the image size (step S907). Depending on the remaining amount of the battery 313, it is possible to efficiently print the captured image directly. Specifically, it is possible to preferentially print an image corresponding to image data that the user desires to print until the power of the battery 313 is completely consumed. Further, when the remaining amount of the battery 313 is not small (NO in step S906), the printing order rearrangement process is skipped, so that the captured image can be directly printed.

  In addition, since it is unnecessary to select an image desired to be printed while viewing the display screen of the display unit 308, the power of the display unit 308 is turned off to suppress the consumption of power supplied from the battery 313. Can do.

  Note that the processing of FIG. 9 may be configured to skip the processing of steps S905 to S907 when there is one print data.

  In the above embodiment, the battery 313 of the DVC 300 is used as the power storage device that supplies power to the print control apparatus, but the battery of the printer 200 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus is the portable printer 200. However, the printing apparatus is not limited to the portable type. The image input device is the DVC 300, but any device that can input image data to the printing device, such as an imaging device such as a digital camera, may be used. Although the USB cable 120 is used to connect the printing apparatus and the image input apparatus to each other, the present invention is not limited to this, and any wired or wireless network may be used.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. It is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD. -RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board 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.

  The print control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an image input apparatus capable of inputting image data to a printing apparatus that prints an image, such as a digital camera or a camera-integrated VTR.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a printing system including an imaging device including a printing control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of a printer in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of a camera-integrated VTR in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print menu screen displayed on the display unit when the camera-integrated VTR in FIG. 3 is in a print mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting screen displayed when print setting is selected as a menu item on the print menu screen of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting screen for each image displayed when a print setting for each image is selected as a setting item on the print setting screen in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print priority setting screen displayed when print priority setting is selected as a setting item on the print setting screen of FIG. 5. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the battery remaining amount warning setting screen displayed when the battery remaining amount warning setting is selected as a setting item in the print setting screen of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of print processing executed by the print control apparatus when the camera-integrated VTR in FIG. 3 is in a print mode. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a print order rearrangement process executed in step S907 in FIG. 9, in which FIG. 9A shows a state before the print order is rearranged, and FIG. 9B shows a state after the print order is rearranged. Show.

Explanation of symbols

100 Printing System 120 USB Cable 200 Portable Printer 300 Integrated Camera VTR (DVC)
301 CPU
307 Recording medium 311 Communication unit 312 Battery monitoring unit 313 Battery 700 Print priority setting screen 800 Battery remaining amount warning setting screen

Claims (22)

  Power that can be supplied to the print control apparatus in a print control apparatus that communicates with an external printing apparatus and performs control for printing an image corresponding to data recorded on a predetermined recording medium on predetermined printing paper A printing control apparatus comprising: a detecting unit that detects a capacity of the image; and a changing unit that changes a printing order of images to be printed to a predetermined order when the capacity falls below a predetermined value.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a predetermined capacity setting unit configured to set the predetermined value.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a print order setting unit that sets the predetermined order.   The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print order setting unit performs the setting so that the predetermined order is an order in which the image size of the image to be printed is large or small.   The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print order setting unit performs the setting so that the predetermined order is an order of high or low image quality of the image to be printed.   The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print order setting unit performs the setting so that the predetermined order is a descending order of the size of the printing paper.   4. The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print order setting unit performs the setting so that the predetermined order is an order in which the number of printed images to be printed is large or small.   4. The print control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print order setting unit performs the setting so that the predetermined order is a new order or an old order of the recording date and time of the data.   Selecting means for selecting at least one data from data recorded on the recording medium, wherein the printing order setting means is arranged such that the predetermined order is a new order or an old order of the data selection date and time. The printing control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting is performed on the printing apparatus.   The print control device includes a power storage device that can supply power to the print control device and is provided in an image input device that inputs image data to the print device, and the capacity is a remaining power that can be supplied from the power storage device. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus comprises a quantity.   A detection step of detecting a capacity of usable power in a print control method for performing control for printing an image corresponding to data recorded on a predetermined recording medium on a predetermined printing paper by communicating with the printing apparatus And a changing step of changing a printing order of images to be printed to a predetermined order when the capacity falls below a predetermined value.   12. The print control method according to claim 11, further comprising a capacity predetermined value setting step for setting the predetermined value.   13. The printing control method according to claim 11, further comprising a printing order setting step for setting the predetermined order.   14. The print control method according to claim 13, wherein, in the printing order setting step, the setting is performed so that the predetermined order is an order of increasing or decreasing the image size of the image to be printed.   The print control method according to claim 13, wherein in the print order setting step, the setting is performed so that the predetermined order is an order of high or low image quality of the image to be printed.   The print control method according to claim 13, wherein in the printing order setting step, the setting is performed so that the predetermined order is a descending order of the size of the printing paper.   14. The print control method according to claim 13, wherein, in the printing order setting step, the setting is performed so that the predetermined order is an order in which the number of printed images to be printed is large or small.   14. The print control method according to claim 13, wherein in the print order setting step, the setting is performed so that the predetermined order is a newest order or an oldest order of the recording date and time of the data.   A selection step of selecting at least one data from data recorded on the recording medium, and in the printing order setting step, the predetermined order is a new order or an old order of the data selection date and time. The print control method according to claim 13, wherein the setting is performed as described above.   The printing control method according to claim 11, wherein the capacity includes a remaining amount of electric power that can be supplied by a power storage device included in an image input device that inputs image data to the printing device.   Detects available power capacity in a print control program that communicates with a printing device and causes a computer to execute control for printing an image corresponding to data recorded on a predetermined recording medium on a predetermined printing paper. A print control program comprising: a detection module that performs a change; and a change module that changes a print order of images to be printed to a predetermined order when the capacity falls below a predetermined value.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the print control program according to claim 21.

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