JP2006285613A - Image storing device, image output device, and direct output system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user of an image storing device to instruct an image output without being bothered by the operating state of an image output device in a direct output system connecting one or more image storing devices storing image data, and the image output device outputting the image data. <P>SOLUTION: Each of the image storage devices holds output reservation information for outputting image data from the image output device. The image output device collects the output reservation information from the image storing devices. If an image storing device has an output reservation, the image output device receives the image data and outputs it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an output reservation technique for a direct output system in which one or more image storage devices that store image data and an image output device that outputs image data are directly connected.

  There is known a direct output system (such as PictBridge) that outputs an image captured by a digital camera from a printer without using a personal computer (Non-Patent Document 1).

According to the PictBridge standard, a digital camera and a printer are connected one-to-one via a physical interface. At present, USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the mainstream physical interface, but this standard does not depend on the type of physical interface, so in principle it uses a wireless interface. It is also possible to do.
CIPA Standard (CIPA DC-001-2003) CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association), issued February 3, 2003

  By the way, if a wireless interface is adopted as a physical interface, a wireless version of PictBridge can be realized. In this case, it may be possible to connect the printer and the digital camera in a one-to-multiple or multi-to-multiple manner.

  However, in exchange for this advantage, the following problems arise. As described above, in the current PictBridge, since the printer and the digital camera are connected one-to-one, the user can occupy the printer. For this reason, the user can execute the printing process without worrying about other users' trends and the operation status of the printer associated therewith.

  On the other hand, in the wireless version PictBridge, a printer can be shared by a plurality of digital cameras (users). If a printer is in the process of printing for a digital camera but another digital camera tries to print to the same printer, the printing will fail. Therefore, the user has to be concerned about the operation status of the printer (whether it is in the printing process or waiting for printing), and will feel annoyed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve at least one of such problems and other problems. Other issues can be understood throughout the specification. These problems are also common to a direct output system in which an image storage device that stores image data and the like and an image output device that outputs the image data and the like are directly connected via a wireless interface. Needless to say.

  The present invention is a direct output system in which, for example, one or more image storage devices that store image data and an image output device that outputs the image data are connected to each other. A holding unit for holding output reservation information for reserving output from the image output device for data, the image output device collected with the collection unit for collecting the output reservation information from the image storage device; An output unit that receives and outputs the image data from the image storage device in accordance with the output reservation information.

  According to the present invention, the output reservation information is held in the image storage device such as a digital camera and the image output device such as a printer collects the reservation information, so that the user of the image storage device can operate the image output device. It is possible to instruct image output without worrying about.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a direct output system according to an embodiment. In this example, digital cameras 100 to 102 are employed as the image storage device. Note that the image storage device in this specification is a concept excluding a conventional personal computer. That is, the image storage device is, for example, a device having an imaging function (digital camera, digital video camera, camera-equipped mobile phone), or a portable photo storage that stores image data. The image output apparatus is a concept excluding a conventional print server, and is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer 103, a facsimile, or a multi-function peripheral that directly connects to an image storage device and outputs image data. The image storage device and the image output device are directly connected via a wireless interface represented by, for example, IEEE 802.11 series, IEEE 802.15 series, or the like. That is, both are connected without using a personal computer or a print server.

  According to the present invention, each of the image storage devices includes a holding unit that holds output reservation information for reserving output from the image output device for image data. The image output device includes a collection unit that collects output reservation information from the image storage device, and an output unit that receives and outputs image data from the image storage device in accordance with the collected output reservation information. As a result, when the image output device is ready for printing, the image output device sequentially executes output processing for the image storage device holding the output reservation information. That is, the user of the image storage device can make a reservation for output without worrying about the state of another image storage device, another user, or the current image output device. Further, once the user makes a reservation, the image data is output without performing any troublesome operations, so the operability of the image storage device will be improved.

  The image storage device may further include a determination unit that determines whether to make an output reservation based on an operation status of the image output device or an operation input to the image storage device. For example, the image storage device may hold the output reservation information when receiving an output disable notification indicating that it cannot be output immediately from the image output device. The state in which the image output device cannot output immediately is, for example, a busy state meaning that output processing is in progress, a recording medium clogged state, a toner out, an ink out, or a recording medium out state. In addition, the image storage device displays a message for inquiring whether to hold the image or sound from the output unit, and holds output reservation information in response to an operation input input from the operation unit in response to the message. It may be determined whether or not. Thereby, when the image output apparatus is in a state where it cannot be output immediately, or when the user intends to make a reservation, the reservation is suitably executed.

  When it is determined that the output reservation information is not held, the image storage device may erase the output reservation information already held in the holding unit. As a result, the print reservation can be canceled according to the user's intention.

  If the image storage device determines to hold the output reservation information, the image storage device may start a timer and repeat the determination of whether to hold the output reservation information every time the timer reaches a certain value. As a result, it is possible to select whether to continue or delete the print reservation at regular intervals, and it is possible to make a reservation according to the user's situation.

  The image storage device may store the output target image data and the output reservation information in association with each other when holding the output reservation information. Further, the image storage device may output the contents of the association from a sound or image output unit. Thereby, the user can easily know which image data is reserved for printing.

  The image storage device may store the output reservation occurrence time in association with the output reservation information, and may send the output reservation occurrence time to the image output device when there is an inquiry as described above. As a result, the image storage device can grasp the future between a plurality of pieces of output reservation information and can schedule the output reservation.

  The collection unit sends an inquiry for selecting an image storage device from which output reservation information is to be collected, and an inquiry for inquiring whether the selected image storage device holds output reservation information. And a transmission unit. When the image storage device receives such an inquiry, the image storage device determines whether or not the output reservation information is held in the holding unit, and if the output reservation information is held, the output reservation information And an output reservation information transmitting unit that transmits the image to the image output apparatus. Since the image output device selects and inquires the image storage device to be collected, the image output device can know whether or not the intended image storage device has a print reservation.

  The image output device may further include a search unit that searches for an image storage device via a wireless interface. Also. The selection unit may select an image storage device found by the search by the search unit. As a result, if the image storage device holds the output reservation information and is on standby, the output process is executed even if there is no special additional print instruction from the user. In addition, since the inquiry is transmitted only to the image storage device found by the search, the processing speed and power consumption are improved.

  By the way, in response to a print output request from any of the image storage devices, the image output device stores a notification transmission unit that transmits an output disable notification when image data cannot be output immediately, and a transmission time of the output disable notification. And a transmission time storage unit. In addition, the selection unit may select an image output device having a relatively early transmission time of the output disable notification among the image output devices to which the output disable notification has been transmitted. Since the transmission disable notification transmission time is related to the order in which reservations are generated, printing processing can be executed in accordance with the reservation destination. Thus, fairness among users can be maintained.

  Note that the image output device may store identification information for identifying the image storage device in a memory or the like together with the transmission time. For example, an image storage device that does not hold output reservation information as a result of an inquiry or an image storage device that has finished outputting can be deleted from the inquiry target by deleting the identification information. This will further improve query efficiency.

  The collection unit may further include a registration unit that registers in advance an image storage device that is a collection target of the output reservation information, and may collect the output reservation information from the image storage device registered in the registration unit. When registering, identification information for identifying the image storage device may be stored in a memory or the like. As a result, the image storage device that has not been registered is not inquired about the reservation. For example, the risk of erroneous printing from an undesired image output device is reduced, and the security is improved.

  The image output device may include a counter that counts the number of times the above-mentioned inquiry has been transmitted or the number of times the inquiry has failed for each selected image storage device. As a result, it is possible to avoid useless inquiries when the image storage device has moved to a place where radio waves do not reach or has been turned off.

  The image storage device may further include a power control unit that shifts to a power saving state when the output reservation information is held by the holding unit. It may be controlled to return to the normal power state when receiving the above inquiry from the image output apparatus. Thereby, the power consumption of the image storage device when waiting for output can be effectively saved.

  While various aspects of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that each aspect can be freely combined as long as there is no contradiction. That is, all the viewpoints may be combined, or only a part may be combined.

[Second Embodiment]
In the following, the above-described present invention will be further supplemented and described. It goes without saying that the present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art based on the above description alone.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera according to the embodiment. A control unit 200 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the entire digital camera. Reference numeral 201 denotes a storage circuit such as a ROM, and reference numeral 202 denotes a storage circuit such as a RAM, which stores a control program for the digital camera, imaging data, and other information. Reference numeral 203 denotes an imaging unit such as a CCD sensor or a C-MOS sensor. A display unit 204 such as a liquid crystal display device displays imaging data and various setting items. A wireless unit 205 such as a wireless communication circuit is used for communication with the printer 103. For example, when receiving the device search signal from the printer 103, the wireless unit 205 transmits its own identifier as a response. 206 is a timer. Reference numeral 207 denotes an audio output unit such as a speaker. Reference numeral 208 denotes an operation unit such as a cross key or a button.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printer according to the embodiment. A control unit 300 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the entire printer. Reference numeral 301 denotes a storage circuit such as a ROM, and reference numeral 302 denotes a storage circuit such as a RAM, which stores a printer control program, imaging data, and other information. A printing unit 303 includes an image forming engine. A communication unit 304 such as a wireless communication circuit is used for communication with the digital camera. Reference numeral 305 denotes a counter.

  In the following, after the operations of the printer 103 and the digital cameras 100 to 102 are individually described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, specific examples that are easier to understand will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

  FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart of the printer according to the embodiment. It is assumed that the control program related to this flowchart is stored in the ROM 301.

  In step S400, the control unit 300 of the printer 103 determines whether a print request from any of the digital cameras 100 to 102 has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step S401, and if not received, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S401, the control unit 300 transmits a status notification (printable) to the digital camera that has transmitted the print request, and starts a printing process in accordance with the PictBridge standard.

  In step S402, the control unit 300 determines whether a print request has been received from any digital camera. If received, the process proceeds to step S403, and if not received, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S403, the control unit 300 transmits a status notification (busy) to the digital camera that has transmitted the print request.

  In step S404, the control unit 300 determines whether printing has ended. If completed, the process proceeds to step S405; otherwise, the process returns to step S402.

  In step S405, the control unit 300 controls the wireless unit 304 to execute device search processing. The device search process is a process for discovering whether there is another wireless communication device capable of wireless communication with the printer 103. For the device search, for example, functions such as UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and Rendezvous (Rendezvous) can be used.

  In step S406, the control unit 300 determines whether a digital camera (DSC) has been found by the search process. If found, the process proceeds to step S412; otherwise, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S412, the control unit 300 sets a predetermined value in the counter 305. This counter is used to avoid a useless inquiry to a digital camera that does not respond to the inquiry.

  In step S407, the control unit 300 transmits an inquiry as to whether or not there is a print reservation to the digital camera found by the search.

  In step S408, the control unit 300 determines whether a response to the inquiry has been received. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step S411. If not received, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, the control unit 300 decrements the counter value by one.

  In step S410, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the value of the counter is “0”. If 0, the process returns to step S405 to search for the next device. If it is not 0, the process returns to step S407, and the inquiry is transmitted again.

  In step S411, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the digital camera that has responded has reserved printing. For example, when reservation information indicating that there is a print reservation is received as a response, it is determined that a print reservation has been made. On the other hand, when information indicating no print reservation is received as a response, it is determined that the print reservation has been canceled.

  FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of the digital camera according to the embodiment. It is assumed that a control program related to this flowchart is stored in the ROM 201.

  In step S <b> 500, the control unit 200 of the digital camera transmits a print request from the wireless unit 205 to the printer 103 in response to a print instruction input from the operation unit 208.

  In step S501, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the status notification received from the printer 103 indicates busy (for example, during printing processing). If it is busy, the process proceeds to step S502 to execute the print reservation process. If not, the process proceeds to step S509 to execute the immediate print process.

  In step S <b> 502, the control unit 200 displays an inquiry message as to whether or not to execute print reservation on the display unit 204. Note that the message may be output as audio from the audio output unit 207.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to the embodiment. In this example, the display unit 204 displays image data 700 to be printed, and a yes button 701 and a no button 702 for selecting whether to make a reservation. This allows the user to select whether or not to make a print reservation for the displayed image. “Yes (701)” is selected when making a print reservation, and “No (702)” is selected when not making a print reservation. If the display unit 203 is a touch panel display, the Yes button 701 or the No button 702 can be directly operated. If not, the cross key 703 which is a part of the operation unit 208 is used for selecting yes / no.

  In step S <b> 503, the control unit 200 selects whether to execute print reservation based on an input from the operation unit 208. It should be noted that a print reservation may be executed whenever printing fails without allowing the user to select whether or not to have a print reservation.

  In step S504, the control unit 200 determines whether to make a print reservation according to the selection result. For example, when the above-mentioned yes button 701 is selected, a print reservation is made. When making a print reservation, the process proceeds to step S505. If no print reservation is made, the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S <b> 505, the control unit 200 stores print reservation information in the RAM 202.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of print reservation information according to the embodiment. In this example, print reservations are managed using the print reservation table 800. The table 800 stores a print reservation flag 800 indicating that a print reservation has been completed and a file name 801 of image data to be printed in association with each other. According to FIG. 8, the image data abc. jpg and def. jpg is reserved for printing.

  In step S506, the control unit 200 activates the timer 206. The timer 206 is used to determine an inquiry timing for continuing or canceling the print reservation.

  In step S <b> 507, the control unit 200 determines whether a print reservation inquiry has been received from the printer 103. If received, the process proceeds to step S509, and if not, the process proceeds to step S508.

  In step S508, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the timer 206 has timed out. If it has timed out, the process returns to step S502 to allow the user to select whether to continue the print reservation or cancel it. As a result, once a print reservation has been made, it becomes easy to cancel the print reservation due to a change in the circumstances of the user. On the other hand, if no time-out has occurred, the process returns to step S507.

  In step S509, the control unit 200 transmits image data to be printed to the printer 103, and executes print processing.

  If no print reservation is made and the print reservation information is already stored in the RAM 202, the control unit 200 deletes the print reservation information from the RAM 202 in step S510, thereby making the print reservation information. cancel.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of print reservation information according to the embodiment. In this example, in the print reservation table 800, the print reservation flag 900 for the image data 901 is set to “0”, so that the print reservation is canceled. Needless to say, setting the print reservation flag 900 to “0” is equivalent to deleting the print reservation information.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, a specific processing example when the printer 103 receives a print request from the second and third digital cameras 101 and 102 while executing a print job from the first digital camera 100. Will be explained.

  In step S600, the digital camera 100 transmits a print request to the printer 103 (S500), the printer 103 transmits a status notification (printable) to the digital camera 100 (S401), and the digital camera 100 A status notification is received (S501).

  In step S602, printing processing by PictBridge is started between the digital camera 100 and the printer 103 (S401, S509).

  In step S603, the digital camera 102 transmits a print request to the printer 103 (S500).

  In step S604, upon receiving a print request (S402), the printer 103 is currently printing with the digital camera 100, and therefore transmits a status notification (busy) to the digital camera 102 (S403). The digital camera 102 that has received the status notification (busy) executes the above-described steps S501 to S508. In this example, it is assumed that print reservation is executed in the digital camera 102.

  In step S605, the second digital camera 101 transmits a print request to the printer 103 (S500).

  In step S606, when the printer 103 receives the print request (S402), the printer 103 is in the process of printing, and returns a status notification (busy) to the digital camera 101 (S403). Here, it is assumed that no print reservation is made in the digital camera 102 (S504 => S510).

  In step S607, when the printing process for the digital camera 100 is completed in step S607 (S404), the printer 103 searches for a device (S405). In this example, it is assumed that the second digital camera 101 is found by device search (S406 => S412).

  In step S608, the printer 103 transmits a print reservation inquiry to the digital camera 101 (S407).

  In step S609, upon receiving a print reservation inquiry, the digital camera 101 refers to the print reservation table (FIG. 9), grasps that no print reservation has been made, and transmits an inquiry response (no reservation) to the printer 103. To do. These processes are omitted in FIG. 5, but will be executed after S510. Since the response from the digital camera 101 means that there is no print reservation (S408 => S411), the printer 103 returns to step S400.

  In step S610, the printer 103 searches for a device (S405, S406, S412).

  In step S611, the printer 103 inquires of the third digital camera 102 found by the search whether there is a print reservation (S407). If there is no response from the digital camera 102 (NO in S408), an inquiry is executed again in step S612 (S409 => S410 => S407).

  In step S613, when the printer 103 receives an inquiry response (reserved) from the digital camera 102 (S408 => S411), in step 614, the printer 103 executes print processing on the digital camera 102 (S401, S509).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a user of a digital camera can print without worrying about the operation status of the printer 103 even when the printer 103 is shared by a plurality of digital cameras 100 to 102. You will be able to give instructions. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the user of the digital camera can suitably realize the print reservation only by executing the print request instruction and the print reservation selection instruction, so that the operation burden on the user can be reduced.

  The above-described print reservation method can be applied not only when the printing process is being performed (busy) but also when the printer 103 is in a state where the recording paper is jammed, toner or ink is out, or the recording paper is out. Needless to say.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the printer 103 performs device search by unicast. In this embodiment, a case where device search is performed by multicast will be described.

  FIG. 10 is another exemplary flowchart of the printer according to the embodiment. In addition, the duplicated description is avoided by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark to the already demonstrated location. Moreover, it is devised so that the changed part can be clearly understood.

  In FIG. 10, step S1001 is adopted instead of step S405 in FIG. That is, in step S1001, the control unit 300 executes device search processing by multicast. This search makes it possible to find a plurality of digital cameras at once. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406, and if it is determined that a digital camera is found, the process proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S <b> 1002, the control unit 300 stores the identifier (for example, IP address) of the found digital camera in the RAM 302. At this time, a print reservation list may be created and stored. In the print reservation list, the identifier of the digital camera may be described in a format that indicates the order in which it was found.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print reservation list according to the embodiment. In the print reservation list 1100, the IP addresses of the digital cameras found by the search are described in order from the earliest found. In this example, since the IP address “192.2.5” of the digital camera 102 is described higher than the IP address “192.2.2.15” of the digital camera 101, the digital camera 102 It will be found first.

  In step S1003, the control unit 300 selects a digital camera to be inquired about. For example, a print reservation list stored in the RAM 302 is referred to, and a digital camera that is found in a relatively early order is selected. In the example of FIG. 11, the digital camera 102 is selected before the digital camera 103.

  Thereafter, when the counter value is 0 as a result of executing steps S412 to S410, the process proceeds to step S1014, and the control unit 300 deletes the identifier of the digital camera currently inquired from the print reservation list 1100. As a result, it is possible to avoid a useless inquiry to a digital camera that has failed in the inquiry. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1003.

  On the other hand, when a digital camera whose print reservation has been canceled is found in step S411, the process advances to step S1004, and the control unit 300 deletes the identifier of the digital camera from the print reservation list 1100. Thus, it is possible to avoid an extra inquiry process for a digital camera whose print reservation has been canceled. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S400.

  In step S1005, the control unit 300 deletes the identifier of the digital camera that has finished printing from the print reservation list 1100. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1006, and if the identifier of another digital camera is registered in the print reservation list 1100, the control unit 300 proceeds to step S1003 and executes a process for selecting another digital camera. On the other hand, when the identifier of another digital camera is not registered in the print reservation list 1100, the control unit 300 proceeds to step S1001 and executes device search.

  FIG. 12 is an exemplary sequence diagram regarding another print reservation process according to the embodiment. In addition, description is simplified by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark to the already demonstrated location. Moreover, it is devised so that the changed part can be clearly understood.

  This sequence shows an example in which the second and third digital cameras 101 and 102 make print reservations while the printer 103 is executing print processing for the first digital camera 100. In particular, in this embodiment, the above-described multicast device search is applied.

  As described with reference to FIG. 6, as a result of executing steps S600 to S606, the print reservation information is stored in the RAM 202 of the digital cameras 101 and 102 that have made print reservations.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print reservation information held by the digital camera 101 according to the embodiment. Since the flag 1300 indicating whether or not there is a print reservation is “1” and the file name 1301 of the image data is “abc.jpg”, abc. jpg is reserved for printing.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of print reservation information held by the digital camera 102 according to the embodiment. Since the flag 1400 indicating whether or not there is a print reservation is “1” and the file name 1401 of the image data is “def.jpg”, the def. jpg is reserved for printing.

  In step S1200, the printer 103 executes multicast type device search (S1001). If the digital cameras 101 and 102 are found as a result of the search, the control unit 300 registers the IP addresses of the digital cameras 101 and 102 in the print reservation list according to the order of finding, and stores the print reservation list in the RAM 302 (S406). => S1002). An example of the print reservation list in this case is as shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1201, the printer 103 selects a digital camera for inquiring whether there is a print reservation from the print reservation list 1100. For example, the digital camera 102 found first is selected (S1103). The printer 103 transmits a print reservation inquiry to the selected digital camera (S407).

  In step S1202, the printer 103 receives a response (with reservation) to the inquiry from the digital camera 102 (S408 => S411).

  In step S1203, the printer 103 executes print processing for the digital camera 102 (S411 => S401). When the printing process is completed, the printer 103 deletes the IP address (192.2.2.15) of the digital camera 102 from the print reservation list 1100 (S404 => S1005).

  In step S1204, the printer 103 continues to have the IP address (192.2.2.5) of the digital camera 101 in the print reservation list 1100 (S1006). Is selected (S1003), and an inquiry is made as to whether or not there is a print reservation (S407).

  In step S1205, the printer 103 receives a response (with reservation) to the inquiry from the digital camera 101 (S408 => S411).

  In step S1206, the printer 103 executes print processing for the digital camera 101 (S411 => S401). When the printing process ends, the printer 103 deletes the IP address (192.2.5.2.5) of the digital camera 101 from the print reservation list 1100 (S404 => S1005). Then, since the IP address of the digital camera does not remain in the print reservation list 1100, the control unit 300 executes device search again (S1006 => S1001).

  In step S1202 or S1205 described above, when the printer 103 receives an inquiry response (no reservation) from the digital camera, the IP address of the digital camera is deleted from the print reservation list 1100 (S411 => S1004). In this way, for a digital camera that has once sent a print request to the printer 103 but has not made a print reservation or canceled the print reservation, delete the IP address from the print reservation list. In this way, useless inquiries can be suppressed.

  According to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the number of times of device search can be reduced as compared with the above-described embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the print reservation inquiry is executed in the order found by the device search. However, since the order in which they are found and the order in which print reservations are made do not necessarily match, there is a need for fairness. Therefore, in the present embodiment, fairness is maintained by executing printing in the order in which printing is requested.

  FIG. 15 is another exemplary flowchart of the printer according to the embodiment. In addition, the duplicated description is avoided by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark to the already demonstrated location. Moreover, it is devised so that the changed part can be clearly understood.

  In step S403, when the printer control unit 300 transmits a status notification indicating that immediate printing is impossible to the digital camera, the process proceeds to step S1500.

  In step S1500, the control unit 300 additionally registers the IP address of the digital camera in the print reservation list 1100. Note that the control unit 300 may acquire the transmission time from the timer and register the acquired transmission time in the reservation list together with the IP address. The transmission time may be the time when the print request is received.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of the print reservation list according to the embodiment. The IP address 1600 of the digital camera that is the destination of the status notification (busy) and the transmission time 1601 are associated with each other and registered in the print reservation list 1100.

  Thereafter, Steps S404 and S1005 are executed, and the process proceeds to Step S1501. The control unit 300 refers to the print reservation list 1100 and selects the digital camera with the earliest time 1601. As a result, fairness among users can be secured according to the print reservation.

  Then, the control part 300 performs step S408-S411 etc. according to FIG. Note that for a digital camera that has failed inquiries or for which a print reservation has been canceled, the control unit 300 deletes the identifier from the print reservation list 1100 in step S1004. Thereby, useless inquiry can be suppressed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1006, and if there remains an identifier registered in the print reservation list 1100, the process returns to step S1501.

  FIG. 17 is an exemplary sequence diagram of print processing according to the embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the digital cameras 102 and 101 make a print request when the printer 103 is performing printing processing with respect to the digital camera 100.

  In step S604, when the printer 103 transmits a status notification (busy) to the digital camera 102, the printer 103 registers the IP address of the digital camera 102 and the transmission time in the print reservation list 1100 (S1500). Similarly, in step S606, when the printer 103 transmits a status notification (busy) to the digital camera 101, the printer 103 registers the IP address of the digital camera 102 and the transmission time in the print reservation list 1100 (S1500). According to the example of FIG. 16, the transmission time of the digital camera 102 is “10:14”, and the transmission time of the digital camera 101 is “10:15”.

  Thereafter, when the printing process with the digital camera 100 is completed, the printer 103 makes an inquiry to the digital camera 102 in accordance with the print reservation list 1100 in step S1701. In step S1702, the printer 103 receives a response (reserved) from the digital camera. In step S1703, the printer 103 performs printing for the digital camera 102.

  Similarly, in step S1704, the printer 103 makes an inquiry to the digital camera 101 having the next highest priority, receives a response (reserved) in step S1705, and executes printing in step S1706.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to select a digital camera having a high priority (an early print request time) in the print reservation list 1100. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the above-described embodiment, an effect of ensuring fairness among users can be obtained. Also, since the device search process can be omitted, it will be effective in terms of processing efficiency and power consumption.

[Fifth Embodiment]
When there are a plurality of printers capable of wireless communication with a digital camera, the digital camera may be connected to an unintended printer. For example, when company A and company B are close to each other, a print request for the digital camera of company A may be executed by the printer of company B. This leaks important image data to other companies, which is not preferable in terms of security. Therefore, in this embodiment, unintended printing is suppressed by registering the identifier of the digital camera in advance in the printer.

  FIG. 18 is an exemplary sequence diagram of a printing process according to the embodiment. In this example, the IP address of the digital camera 100 is “192.2.5.5”, the IP address of the digital camera 101 is “192.2.2.15”, and the IP address of the digital camera 102 is “192. 2.2.10 ".

  In step S1800, when a registration instruction is input from the operation unit 208 or the like, the control unit 200 of the digital camera 100 executes a registration process by transmitting its own IP address to the printer 103. Note that this processing is executed before a print request in the flowchart of the digital camera described above. The control unit 300 of the printer 103 registers the IP address of the digital camera 100 in the registration list, and stores the registration list in the RAM 302.

  In step S <b> 1801, the control unit 200 of the digital camera 101 performs registration processing by transmitting its own IP address to the printer 103. The control unit 300 of the printer 103 registers the IP address of the digital camera 101 in the registration list.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration list according to the embodiment. According to FIG. 19, the IP address “192.2.5. 5” of the digital camera 100 and the IP address “192.2.2.15” of the digital camera 101 are registered in the registration list 1900.

  In step S <b> 1802, the control unit 200 of the digital camera 100 transmits a print request to the printer 103. The printer 103 receives the print request.

  In step S <b> 1803, the printer 103 transmits a status notification (printable) to the digital camera 100.

  In step S <b> 1804, the printer 103 starts print processing for the digital camera 100.

  In step S <b> 1805, the printer 103 receives a print request from the digital camera 102. However, the printer 103 is in the process of printing. Therefore, in step S 1806, the printer 103 transmits a status notification (busy) to the digital camera 102.

  In step S1807, the printer 103 receives a print request from the digital camera 101, but is in the process of printing. Therefore, in step S1808, the printer 103 transmits a status notification (busy) to the digital camera 101.

  When the printing process is finished, in step S1809, the printer 103 searches for a device. Here, when the digital camera 102 is found, the control unit 300 of the printer 103 refers to the registration list 1900 stored in the RAM 302 and determines whether the IP address of the found digital camera 102 is registered in the registration list 1900. Determine. This determination process is desirably executed between step S406 and step S412. As a result of the determination, the print reservation inquiry (F407) is omitted for unregistered digital cameras, and the print reservation inquiry (F407) is executed for registered digital cameras. The IP address of the digital camera 102 is “192.2.2.10” and is not included in the registration list 1900. Therefore, in step S1810, the printer 103 searches for a device again.

  When the digital camera 101 is found by device search, the printer 103 determines whether or not the registration list 1900 includes the IP address of the digital camera 101. Since the IP address of the digital camera 101 is included in the registration list 1900, the printer 103 executes a print reservation inquiry to the digital camera 101 in step S1811. If the digital camera 101 transmits a response (reserved) in step S1812, the printer 103 executes print processing in step S1812.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the printer 103 executes the printing process only for the registered digital camera, the risk of erroneous printing from an undesired printer 103 is reduced. Can do. This will also improve security.

Note that the above-described registration process is performed in cooperation between the digital camera and the printer, but may be executed only by the printer 103. For example, the control unit 300 may create the registration list 1900 by inputting the IP address of the digital camera using an operation unit and a display unit (not shown).
(Sixth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a case where the control unit 200 of the digital camera has at least a normal power mode and a power saving mode will be described.

  FIG. 20 is another exemplary flowchart of the digital camera according to the embodiment. In addition, the duplicated description is avoided by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark to the already demonstrated location. Moreover, it is devised so that the changed part can be clearly understood.

  Compared with the flowchart of FIG. 5, a process for shifting to the power saving mode (S2000) is inserted between S505 and S506, and a process for determining whether or not a device search is executed between S506 and S507 ( S2001) is inserted, and a process for returning to the normal power mode (S2202) is inserted between S507 and S509.

  When the print reservation is executed, in step S2000, the control unit 200 shifts to a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal power mode.

  Thereafter, in step S2001, the control unit 200 determines whether the device search has been executed by the printer 103. If not, the process returns to step S2001 to continue the power saving mode.

  On the other hand, if execution of device search is detected, the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, when a print reservation inquiry is received, the process advances to step S2002, and the control unit 200 returns to the normal power mode.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the digital camera shifts to the power saving mode after making a print reservation, it is possible to reduce power consumption. Of course, it goes without saying that the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Other Embodiments]
Although various embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments (in this embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, 5, 10, 15 or 20). ) Is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer included in the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions and processes of the present invention are implemented by a computer, the program code itself installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functions and processes is also one aspect of the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer may be a constituent requirement of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in 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.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a direct output system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of the digital camera according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of print reservation information according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of print reservation information according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is another exemplary flowchart of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print reservation list according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is an exemplary sequence diagram regarding another print reservation process according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print reservation information held by the digital camera 101 according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of print reservation information held by the digital camera 102 according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is another exemplary flowchart of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of the print reservation list according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is an exemplary sequence diagram of print processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is an exemplary sequence diagram of a printing process according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration list according to the embodiment. FIG. 20 is another exemplary flowchart of the digital camera according to the embodiment.

Claims (14)

A direct output system in which one or more image storage devices that store image data and an image output device that outputs the image data are connected,
Each of the image storage devices
A holding unit for holding output reservation information for reserving output from the image output device for the image data;
The image output device includes:
A collection unit for collecting the output reservation information from the image storage device;
A direct output system including an output unit that receives and outputs the image data from the image storage device according to the collected output reservation information. The image storage device includes:
The direct output system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether to make an output reservation based on an operation state of the image output device or an operation input to the image storage device.   The direct output system according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines that an output reservation is made when the image output apparatus cannot output the image data immediately. The image storage device includes:
4. The direct output system according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit for erasing the output reservation information already held in the holding unit when it is determined not to make an output reservation. . The collector is
A selection unit for selecting an image storage device to be collected from the output reservation information;
An inquiry transmission unit that transmits an inquiry for inquiring whether or not the output reservation information is held for the selected image storage device,
The image storage device includes:
When the inquiry is received, a determination unit that determines whether the output reservation information is held in the holding unit;
5. The direct output system according to claim 1, further comprising: an information transmission unit configured to transmit the output reservation information to the image output device when the output reservation information is held. . The image output device includes:
A search unit for searching for an image storage device;
The selection unit includes:
6. The direct output system according to claim 5, wherein the image storage device found by the search by the search unit is selected. The image output device includes:
In response to an output request from any of the image storage devices, a notification transmission unit that transmits an output disable notification when the image data cannot be output immediately;
A transmission time storage unit that stores a transmission time of the output impossible notification,
The selection unit includes:
6. The direct output system according to claim 5, wherein the image output device having a relatively early transmission time of the output disable notification is selected from the image output devices to which the output disable notification is transmitted. The image output device includes:
2. The output reservation information is further collected from the image storage device registered in the registration unit, further including a registration unit that registers in advance an image storage device that is a collection target of the output reservation information. The direct output system according to any one of 7 to 7. The image storage device includes:
The direct output system according to claim 1, further comprising a power control unit that shifts to a power saving state when the output reservation information is held by the holding unit. An image storage device for storing image data,
An image storage device comprising the direct output system according to claim 1. An image output device that receives and outputs image data from an image storage device that stores image data,
An image output apparatus comprising the direct output system according to claim 1. An image output method in a direct output system in which one or more image storage devices that store image data and an image output device that outputs the image data are connected,
In the image storage device, holding output reservation information for reserving output from the image output device for the image data;
In the image output device, collecting the output reservation information from the image storage device;
Receiving the image data from the image storage device according to the collected output reservation information and outputting the image data in the image output device. A control program for an image output device connected to one or more image storage devices for storing image data and outputting the image data,
Collecting output reservation information held in the image storage device from the image storage device;
A control program for executing the step of receiving and outputting the image data from the image storage device in accordance with the collected output reservation information. A control program for an image storage device connected to an image output device for outputting image data,
Holding output reservation information for outputting the image data from the image output device;
A control program for executing the step of transmitting the output reservation information and the image data to the image output device when the collection processing of the output reservation information in the image output device is executed.

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