JP2006319788A - Image transfer system, image receiving device, image supply device, image transfer method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transfer system capable of shortening the time required for printing of an image. <P>SOLUTION: The image transfer system comprises a digital camera 400, and an ink-jet printer 700 connected to the digital camera 400 by a USB. The digital unit control unit 51 of the digital camera 400 notifies DSP 716 of the ink-jet printer 700 of a file size of image data (step S801); and when the file size of the image data is larger than the vacancy capacity of memory area in the ink-jet printer 700 (YES in step S802), the DSP 716 transmits a resizing request for reducing the file size of the image data to the digital unit control unit 51 (step S803). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transfer system, an image receiving apparatus, an image supply apparatus, an image transfer method, a program, and a storage medium, and more particularly to an image transfer system including an image reception apparatus and an image supply apparatus.

  In recent years, digital cameras that can take an image by a simple operation and can convert the taken image into digital image data are widely used. When printing an image photographed by the digital camera as a photograph on recording paper or the like, a PC (personal computer) captures digital image data from the digital camera, and performs predetermined image processing on the digital image data captured by the PC. In general, the processed image data is transmitted to a color printer, and the color printer generally prints an image corresponding to the transmitted image data on a recording sheet.

  On the other hand, in recent years, in order to improve user convenience, a color print in which a digital camera and a color printer are directly connected without using a PC, and digital image data is transferred from the digital camera to the color printer for printing. A color printer that detaches a system (direct print system) (for example, see Patent Document 1) or a memory card that stores image data corresponding to an image captured and mounted on a digital camera from the digital camera. A photo direct (PD) printer or the like that prints an image corresponding to image data stored in the memory card is developed.

In the direct print system described above, in a direct print process in which an image is directly printed from a digital camera by a color printer, first, as shown in FIG. 9, a file of image data that the digital camera desires to print to an inkjet printer as a color printer. The print start request is transmitted by notifying the name and the size of the file (step S901), and the inkjet printer that has received the print start request transmits a file transfer request for a JPEG data file as a file of image data to the digital camera. In step S902, the digital camera that has received the file transfer request transfers a JPEG data file of image data desired to be printed (step S903). Next, until the size of the transmitted Jpeg data reaches the size notified in S901, the inkjet printer repeats transmission of the file transfer request to the digital camera, and the digital camera responds to the Jpeg data file in response to this. Continue the transfer. After that, when the size of the transmitted Jpeg data reaches the size notified in S901, the inkjet printer transmits a JPEG data file transfer end request to the digital camera (step S904), and the digital that has received the transfer end request. The camera ends the transfer of the Jpeg data file and transmits a Jpeg data file transfer end notification to the inkjet printer (step S905).
JP 2002-237974 A

  However, in the above-described direct print processing, the digital camera transfers JPEG data as image data to the inkjet printer as it is. Therefore, when transferring large image data, the image data is stored in the buffer (memory or the like) of the inkjet printer. May not be stored completely. At this time, since retransfer of the image data is necessary, there is a problem that it takes a long time to print the image.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer system, an image receiving device, an image supply device, an image transfer method, a program, and a storage medium that can reduce the time required for printing an image.

  To achieve the above object, an image transfer system of the present invention is an image transfer system comprising an image supply device and an image reception device connected to the image supply device, wherein the image reception device is the image supply device. Receiving the designation information for designating the image data to be transferred, confirming the size of the designated image data based on the received designation information, and according to the size of the confirmed image data, the image data A resize request for reducing the size of the image data is transmitted to the image supply device, and the image supply device that has received the resize request performs a predetermined process on the image data to reduce the size of the image data, and The processed image data is transferred to the image receiving device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image receiving apparatus of the present invention receives specification information for specifying image data to be transferred from the image supply apparatus in an image receiving apparatus connected to the image supply apparatus, and The size of the designated image data is confirmed based on the received designation information, and a resizing request for reducing the size of the image data according to the confirmed size of the image data is transmitted to the image supply device. And

  In order to achieve the above object, an image supply device of the present invention, in an image supply device connected to an image reception device, transmits specification information for specifying image data to be transferred to the image reception device, and A transmission request for information related to the size of the image data designated based on the designation information is received from the image receiving device, and the image receiving device receives the information related to the size of the image data notified from the image supply device. When a resize request for reducing the size of the image data is received, the image data is subjected to predetermined processing to reduce the size of the image data, and the image data subjected to the predetermined processing is transferred to the image receiving device It is characterized by doing.

  To achieve the above object, an image transfer method of the present invention is an image transfer method in an image transfer system comprising an image supply device and an image reception device connected to the image supply device, wherein the image reception device A designation information receiving step for receiving designation information for designating image data to be transferred from the image supply device; and a size of the image data designated by the image reception device based on the received designation information. A resizing request transmitting step for transmitting to the image supplying device a resizing request for confirming and reducing the size of the image data in accordance with the size of the confirmed image data; and the image supplying device that has received the resizing request, The image data is subjected to predetermined processing to reduce the size of the image data, and the image data subjected to the predetermined processing is received by the image And having a processed image data transfer step of transferring to the location.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute an image transfer method in an image transfer system including an image supply device and an image reception device connected to the image supply device. The image receiving device receives designation information for designating image data to be transferred from the image supply device, and the image designated by the image receiving device based on the received designation information. A resizing request transmitting module for confirming a size of the data and transmitting a resizing request for reducing the size of the image data in accordance with the confirmed size of the image data to the image supply device; and the image having received the resizing request. A supply device performs a predetermined process on the image data to reduce the size of the image data, and And having a processed image data transfer module for transferring the image data Engineering has been applied to the image receiving apparatus.

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

  According to the present invention, the resizing request for reducing the size of the image data in accordance with the size of the image data to be transferred is transmitted from the image receiving apparatus to the image supply apparatus. When the size is large, the size of the image data is reduced. As a result, the transferred image data can be completely stored in the buffer of the image receiving apparatus, and it is not necessary to re-transfer the image data, so that the time required for printing the image can be shortened.

  In addition, since the printer as the image receiving apparatus transmits a resizing request to the digital camera as the image supplying apparatus according to the analysis result of the job after receiving the job, the resizing is requested when high image quality is required. It is also possible to request the digital camera to transfer the image data as it is without sending the request. Thereby, processing according to the required image quality, that is, print image quality, for example, processing with priority on image quality is also possible. Of course, in addition to the process that does not perform any resizing, a process that changes the resizing rate according to the designation of the print image quality may be performed.

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

  The image transfer system according to the present embodiment includes an image supply device and an image reception device described later.

  First, an image supply device constituting the image transfer system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera as an image supply apparatus constituting the image transfer system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a digital camera 400 captures an image of a subject, converts a captured image into digital image data, and an interchangeable lens that is connected to the camera body 401 and captures reflected light of the subject. A lens unit 402 of the type, a power supply unit 403 connected to the camera body 401 and supplying power to the camera body 401, two image recording media 404 and 405 connected to the camera body 401 and storing digital image data, Is provided. The camera body 401 includes a camera unit 406 for capturing an image of a subject and a digital unit 407 for converting the captured image into digital image data.

  The camera body 401 and the lens unit 402 are mechanically and electrically connected by a lens mount 106 provided in the camera body 401 and a lens mount 306 provided in the lens unit 402. Further, a connector 122 and a lens unit 402 provided in the camera body 401 are provided. It is electrically connected by a connector 322 provided. The camera body 401 and the power supply unit 403 are electrically and mechanically connected by a connector 82 provided in the camera body 401 and a connector 84 provided in the power supply unit 403. The camera body 401 and the image recording medium 404 are mechanically and electrically connected by a connector 92 provided in the camera body 401 and a connector 206 provided in the image recording medium 404. The camera body 401 and the image recording medium 405 are electrically and mechanically connected by a connector 96 provided in the camera body 401 and a connector 216 provided in the image recording medium 404.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the lens unit in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the lens unit 402 includes a photographing lens 310 that collects reflected light from a subject, and a diaphragm 312 that is disposed on the optical axis of the photographing lens 310. The lens mount 306 is also disposed on the optical axis.

  Furthermore, the lens unit 402 includes an aperture control unit 340 that controls the aperture 312, a distance measurement control unit 342 that controls focusing of the photographing lens 310, a zoom control unit 344 that controls zooming of the photographing lens 310, and the lens unit 402. A lens control unit 350 that controls the whole and an interface (I / F) unit 320 that connects the lens unit 402 to the digital camera 400 are provided. Here, the lens control unit 350 has functions such as a memory for storing operation constants, variables, programs, etc., identification information such as numbers unique to the lens unit 402, management information, an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, and a focal length. It also has a nonvolatile memory function for holding information, current and past setting values, and the like.

  In the lens unit 402, the aperture control unit 340, the distance measurement control unit 342, the zoom control unit 344, and the I / F unit 320 are connected to the lens control unit 350 through the bus 360, and the operation is controlled by the lens control unit 350. . The I / F unit 320 is connected to the connector 322, and receives a control signal and the like from the camera unit control unit 50 described later. The connector 322 has a function as a current supply path of various voltages in addition to a transmission function of a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the camera body 401 and the lens unit 402. The connector 322 may have a transmission function such as optical communication and voice communication as well as electrical communication.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the power supply unit in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the power supply unit 403 includes a connector 84 and a power supply unit 86 connected to the connector 84. The power supply unit 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, or an AC adapter.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording medium in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, an image recording medium 404 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and includes a connector 206, an interface (I / F) unit 320 connected to the connector 206, and the I / F unit 320. And a recording unit 202 connected to the connector 206. The recording unit 202 includes a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk.

  Note that the image recording medium 405 has the same configuration as that of the above-described image recording medium 404, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the camera unit of the camera body in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, a camera unit 406 is disposed on the optical axis of the photographing lens 310 and a mirror 130 obliquely intersecting the optical axis of the photographing lens 310, and a mechanical shutter 12 that controls the exposure amount to the image sensor 14 described later. A mirror 132 disposed on the optical axis reflected by the mirror 130 and obliquely intersecting the optical axis, an optical viewfinder 104 disposed on the optical axis reflected by the mirror 132, and the optical axis of the photographing lens 310. And an optical system including a lens mount 106 disposed on the surface. Here, the mirror 132 corresponds to a quick return mirror or a half mirror.

  The optical system guides the light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 and focused by the diaphragm 312 to the optical viewfinder 104 by the single-lens reflex method, specifically, by the reflection of the mirror 130 and the mirror 132. The optical finder 104 forms and displays the guided light beam as an optical image. Also, in the optical viewfinder 104, a display device (for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, and an exposure correction display) (Not shown) is arranged.

  In addition, the camera unit 406 includes a camera unit control unit 50 that controls each component described later of the camera unit 406 in order to capture an image of the subject. The camera unit control unit 50 is connected to a digital unit control unit 51 (to be described later) in the digital unit 407 to communicate with each other. In particular, the digital unit control unit 51 determines whether or not a photometric timer (not shown) is operating. Notify

  The camera unit controller 50 includes, as components of the camera unit 406, a mechanical shutter controller 40, a distance measuring unit 42, a photometric unit 46, a flash 48, a memory 52, an interface (I / F) unit 120, a power switch 72, Power control unit 80, mode dial switch 60, shutter switch SWA62, shutter switch SWB64, playback switch 66, single / continuous shooting switch 68, operation unit 70, recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 98, nonvolatile memory 56, display unit 54, A lens attachment / detachment detection unit (not shown) is connected.

  The mechanical shutter control unit 40 controls the mechanical shutter 12 in cooperation with the aperture control unit 340 that controls the aperture 312 based on the photometric information from the photometry unit 46.

  The distance measuring unit 42 performs AF (autofocus) processing. Specifically, the light incident on the photographing lens 310 is incident on the distance measuring unit 42 via the diaphragm 312, the lens mounts 306 and 106, the mirror 130, and the distance measuring sub-mirror (not shown) by a single lens reflex method. The distance unit 42 measures the in-focus state of the image formed as an optical image.

  The photometry unit 46 performs AE (automatic exposure) processing. Specifically, a light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 is incident on the photometry unit 46 through a diaphragm 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, mirrors 130 and 132, and a photometric lens (not shown) by a single lens reflex method. The unit 46 measures the exposure state of the image formed as an optical image. The photometry unit 46 realizes an EF (flash dimming) processing function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  The flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs and the like for operation of the camera unit control unit 50.

  The I / F unit 120 is connected to the connector 122, connects the camera body 401 to the lens unit 402, and transmits a control signal or the like from the camera unit control unit 50 to the lens control unit 350. The connector 122 has a function as a current supply path of various voltages in addition to a function of transmitting control signals, status signals, data signals, and the like between the camera body 401 and the lens unit 402. The connector 122 may have a transmission function such as optical communication and voice communication as well as electrical communication.

  The power switch 72 switches between the power-on and power-off modes of the digital camera 400. Also, the power on and power off settings of various accessory devices such as a lens unit 402 connected to the digital camera 400, an external strobe (not shown), and image recording media 404 and 405 are also switched.

  The power supply control unit 80 is connected to the connector 82 and includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like, whether or not the power supply unit 403 is attached, the type of the power supply unit 86, the power supply The remaining amount of the battery which is the unit 86 is detected, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the camera unit control unit 50, and each component of the digital camera 400 is supplied with a necessary voltage over a necessary period. To supply.

  The mode dial switch 60, the shutter switch SWA62, the shutter switch SWB64, the playback switch 66, the single / continuous shooting switch 68, and the operation unit 70 described above are operations for inputting various operation instructions to the camera unit control unit 50. A single unit or a combination of a plurality of switches, dials, touch panels, pointing by line-of-sight detection, voice recognition devices, and the like. Hereinafter, these will be described in detail.

  The mode dial switch 60 includes an automatic shooting mode, a program shooting mode, a shutter speed priority shooting mode, an aperture priority shooting mode, a manual shooting mode, a depth of focus priority (depth) shooting mode, a portrait shooting mode, a landscape shooting mode, and a close-up shooting mode. Each function shooting mode such as sports shooting mode, night view shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, and the like is switched and set.

  The shutter switch SWA62 is turned ON during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash dimming) processing are performed. Instruct the start.

  The shutter switch SWB64 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 12 as image data to a RAM 30 described later via an A / D converter 16 and a memory control unit 22 described later. Development processing using the arithmetic functions of the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22, recording that reads the image data from the RAM 30, performs compression by the compression / decompression unit 32 described later, and writes the image data to the image recording medium 404 or 405 The operation start of a series of image digital processing called processing is instructed.

  The playback switch 66 instructs the start of a playback operation in which the captured image is read from the RAM 30 or the image recording medium 404 or 405 and displayed by the image display unit 28 described later in the shooting mode state.

  The single-shot / continuous-shot switch 68 continues shooting while the shutter switch SWB64 is pressed or the single-shot mode in which shooting is performed for one frame when the shutter switch SWB64 is pressed or the shutter switch SWB64 is pressed. Set the continuous shooting mode. The present invention relates to image transfer processing when the digital camera 400 is set to the continuous shooting mode by the single shooting / continuous shooting switch 68.

  The operation unit 70 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. The various buttons include a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, and menu movement. + (Plus) button, menu movement-(minus) button, playback image movement + (plus) button, playback image movement-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, panorama mode, etc. A selection / switch button for setting selection and switching of various functions when executing shooting and playback of images, a determination / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and playback of panorama mode, and the like Image display ON / OFF switch for setting ON / OFF of display unit 28, immediately after shooting CCD RAW mode for setting the quick review function to automatically reproduce the shadowed image data, selecting the quick review ON / OFF switch, selecting the compression rate of JPEG compression, or digitizing the signal of the image sensor as it is and recording it on the image recording medium 404 or the like When the autofocus operation is started and focused when the shutter switch SWA62 is pressed, the compression mode switch for selecting the playback mode, the playback switch for setting each function mode such as multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, etc. An AF mode setting switch for setting a one-shot AF mode for maintaining the in-focus state and a servo AF mode for continuing the autofocus operation while the shutter switch SWA62 is being pressed. The functions of the plus button and the minus button may be realized by the operation unit 70 having a rotary dial switch, which allows the user to select numerical values and functions easily.

  The recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 98 detects whether or not the image recording media 404 and 405 are attached to the connectors 92 and 96. The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory, and corresponds to, for example, an EEPROM.

  The display unit 54 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that transmits an operating state, a message, and the like to the user using characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with the execution of the program by the camera unit control unit 50. At least one is installed at an easily visible position near the operation unit (not shown) of the camera 400. Specifically, it is configured by a combination of an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element (all not shown). The display unit 54 also includes a display device installed in the optical viewfinder 104 that realizes a part of the functions.

  Examples of the display that the display unit 54 performs on the LCD include single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, remaining image number display, shutter speed display, and aperture value. Display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, battery level display for clock, battery level display, error display, information display with multiple digits, image recording media 404 and 405 Display / detachment state display, lens unit 402 attachment / detachment display, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, display showing the connection state with an external computer, and the like.

  The display unit 54 performs display in the optical viewfinder 104, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, and exposure correction. Display, recording medium writing operation display, and the like are applicable.

  Further, the display unit 54 performs display on the LED and the like, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, recording medium writing operation display, and macro shooting. A setting notification display, a secondary battery charge state display, and the like are applicable.

  In addition, examples of display that the display unit 54 performs on a lamp (not shown) or the like include a self-timer notification display. This self-timer notification display, for example, the light emission of the lamp, may be shared with the AF auxiliary light.

  The lens attachment / detachment detection unit detects whether or not the lens unit 402 is attached to the lens mount 106 and / or the connector 122.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital unit of the camera body in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the digital unit 407 is connected to the image sensor 14 arranged on the optical axis of the photographing lens 310, the A / D converter 16 connected to the image sensor 14, and the A / D converter 16. In addition, the memory control unit 22 connected to the digital unit control unit 51 via the bus 605, the timing generation unit 18 connected to the imaging device 14, the A / D converter 16, and the memory control unit 22, and A An image processing unit 20 connected to the / D converter 16 and the memory control unit 22.

  The image sensor 14 converts an optical image incident as a light beam into an electrical signal as an analog signal output. The A / D converter 16 converts the analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. The converted image data as a digital signal is written into a RAM 30 described later through the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22 or only through the memory control unit 22.

  The timing generator 18 supplies an electronic shutter control signal and a clock signal to the image sensor 14 and supplies a control signal and a clock signal to the A / D converter 16. The timing generator 18 is controlled by the memory controller 22 and the digital unit controller 51.

  The image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 or the image data from the memory control unit 22, and determines whether or not the image processing is in progress. Notify the control unit 51. The image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using image data corresponding to the captured image, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  In addition, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using image data corresponding to the captured image, and the camera unit control unit 50 performs the mechanical shutter control unit 40, the measurement based on the obtained calculation result. A so-called TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) process, AE (automatic exposure) process, and EF (flash dimming) process for controlling the distance unit 42 may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, since the distance measuring unit 42 and the photometric unit 46 are provided exclusively, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash) are used by using the distance measuring unit 42 and photometry unit 46. By performing each process of the light control), each process of the AF (auto focus) process, the AE (automatic exposure) process, and the EF (flash light control) process based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 20 is not performed. It may be.

  In addition, each of the AF (autofocus) process, the AE (automatic exposure) process, and the EF (flash dimming) process is performed using the distance measuring unit 42 and the photometric unit 46, and the distance measuring unit 42 and the photometric unit 46 are used. AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash dimming) processing are performed, and AF (autofocus) processing, AE (based on the calculation result of the image processing unit 20 is used. You may perform each process of an automatic exposure) process and EF (flash light control) process.

  The memory control unit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the RAM 30, and a later-described compression / decompression unit 32.

  In addition, the digital unit 407 includes a digital unit control unit 51 that controls each component described later of the digital unit 407 in order to convert a captured image into digital image data. The digital unit control unit 51 is connected to the camera unit control unit 50 in the camera unit 406 to communicate with each other.

  The digital unit controller 51 includes, as components of the digital unit 407, an image display unit 28, a ROM 600, a RAM 30, a DMA controller A (DMACA) 601, a DMA controller B (DMACB) 602, a compression / decompression unit 32, an interface (I / I F) unit 90, interface (I / F) unit 94, and communication unit 110 are connected via a bus 605.

  The image display unit 28 includes a TFT, an LCD, and the like including a video controller, and displays a selection menu, captured image data, and the like. The image display unit 28 sequentially displays image data corresponding to the captured image to realize an electronic viewfinder function. Further, the image display unit 28 can turn on / off the display in accordance with an instruction from the digital unit control unit 51. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the digital camera 400 is greatly reduced.

  The ROM 600 is an electrically erasable / storable nonvolatile memory that stores desired data and the like, and the stored contents are retained even when the power of the digital camera 400 is turned off. In particular, a program for controlling the operation of the digital camera 400 is stored, and a shooting mode, shooting information, and various parameters are stored.

  The RAM 30 stores captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, a large amount of images can be stored at high speed. The RAM 30 stores image data corresponding to a captured image or image data read from the image recording medium 404 or the like under the control of the digital unit control unit 51. A part of the RAM 30 is used as a cache area in image transfer processing described later. The RAM 30 can also be used as a work area for the camera unit controller 50.

  When the image display unit 28 displays image data, the DMACA 601 transfers the display image data expanded on the RAM 30 to the image display unit 28 by DMA transfer. The image data transferred by the DMA transfer is displayed on the image display unit 28.

  The DMACB 602 expands the data on the RAM 30 under the control of the digital unit control unit 51 when the image display unit 28 does not display image data and the digital camera 400 receives an image data transfer request from the external PC 102 described later. The displayed image data is transferred to the communication unit 110 by DMA transfer (high-speed transfer mode).

  The compression / decompression unit 32 compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like. The compression / decompression unit 32 reads the image data expanded in the RAM 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and writes the image data subjected to these processing in the RAM 30.

  The I / F units 90 and 94 are connected to the image recording media 404 and 405 via connectors 92 and 96, respectively, and write image data to the image recording media 404 and the like, and read image data from the image recording media 404 and the like. Functions as an interface.

  Here, as the I / F units 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96, it is preferable to use a configuration based on a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card. In this case, by connecting various communication cards such as a LAN card, modem card, USB card, IEEE 1394 card, P1284 card, SCSI card, PHS and other communication cards, it can be connected with other peripheral devices such as a PC 102 and a printer. Image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred.

  In this embodiment, the digital unit 407 has two I / F units and connectors, but the number of I / F units and connectors that the digital unit 407 has is not limited to this, and one or three systems. It may be the above. The digital unit 407 may have systems with different standards.

  The communication unit 110 is a wireless device that conforms to IEEE 1394 for connecting the digital camera 400 and the external PC 102 via wireless communication, and is connected to the antenna 112. The digital camera 400 transmits various types of information such as image data stored in the RAM 30, the ROM 600, the image recording medium 404, or the like to the PC 102 and receives various types of information from the outside via the communication unit 110.

  The communication unit 110 may connect the digital camera 400 and the PC 102 via a wire. In this case, the communication unit 110 includes RS232C, USB, USB2, P1284, SCSI, modem, and LAN.

  The digital unit control unit 51 controls the data display of the image display unit 28, receives notification from the camera unit control unit 50 whether or not the photometry timer is activated, stores the state in the RAM 30, and receives the image processing unit 20 from the image processing unit 20. Upon receiving a notification as to whether or not image processing is in progress, the state is stored in the RAM 30, and further whether or not the image display unit 28 is displaying data is stored in the RAM 30.

  When the digital unit control unit 51 receives a data transfer request or various information from the PC 102, the digital unit control unit 51 determines whether the image display unit 28 is displaying data based on the state of each unit stored in the RAM 30 described above. It is determined whether or not the image data is being processed or whether or not the captured image data is being processed. If any one of them is true, the digital unit control unit 51 stores various information directly received by the communication unit 110. Reading, writing the various information read out on the RAM 30, or reading the image data in the RAM 30 and writing the read image data into the communication unit 110 (low-speed transfer mode).

  In the digital camera 400, the camera unit control unit 50 uses the mechanical shutter control unit 40 and the aperture control unit 340 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data corresponding to the image captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing unit 20. Further, exposure control and AF (autofocus) control may be performed using a so-called video TTL method, which is controlled by the distance measurement control unit 342.

  Further, the camera unit controller 50 uses the AF (autofocus) by using both the measurement result by the distance measuring unit 42 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data corresponding to the image captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing unit 20. ) Control may be performed.

  Further, the camera unit control unit 50 performs exposure control using both the measurement result obtained by the photometry unit 46 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data corresponding to the image captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing unit 20. Also good.

  As described above, it is possible to perform photographing using only the optical viewfinder 104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28.

  In the digital camera 400 described above, the light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 is guided by the single-lens reflex system through the aperture 312, the lens mounts 306 and 106, the mirror 130, and the mechanical shutter 12, and is captured as an optical image by the image sensor 14. Image on top.

  Next, an image receiving apparatus constituting the image transfer system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer as an image receiving apparatus constituting the image transfer system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, an ink jet printer 700 includes a control unit (control board) 701 that controls each component of the ink jet printer 700, a printer engine 702 that executes print processing of a color image using a plurality of color inks, A power supply 703 that supplies a DC voltage converted from commercial AC, a viewer 704 that displays the status of the inkjet printer 700, and an operation panel 705 for a user to input a desired operation instruction are provided.

  The control unit 701 includes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI) 710, a DSP (digital signal processor) 716 having a CPU inside, a USB bus hub (USB HUB) 711, a memory 713, a USB bus connector 709, Connectors 707 and 708 and a power connector 715 are provided.

  In the control unit 701, the ASIC 710 is connected to the USB bus connector 709, the connectors 707 and 708, the DSP 716, the memory 713, and the USB bus hub 711, and the DSP 716 is connected to the memory 713.

  In the inkjet printer 700, the printer engine 702 is connected to the ASIC 710 via the IEEE1284 bus 717, or the USB bus 714 and the USB bus hub 711, the ASIC 710 is connected to the operation panel 705, and the USB bus connector 709 is externally connected. The digital camera 400 is connected by USB, the connector 707 is connected to the PC card 706, the connector 708 is connected to the viewer 704, the USB bus hub 711 is connected to the external PC 102, and the power connector 715 is connected to the power source 703.

  The DSP 716 performs various control processing based on a control program stored in a program memory 712, which will be described later, conversion from a luminance signal (RGB) to a density signal (CMYK), image processing such as scaling, gamma conversion, and error diffusion. .

  When the inkjet printer 700 performs printing based on the image data transmitted from the PC 102, the USB bus hub 711 transmits the image data from the PC 102 to the printer engine 702 as it is via the USB bus 714. Accordingly, the PC 102 can execute printing by directly transmitting and receiving image data and control signals to and from the printer engine 702. At this time, the inkjet printer 700 functions as a general PC printer.

  The memory 713 includes a program memory 712 that stores a CPU control program in the DSP 716, a RAM area (not shown) in which a program to be executed is expanded, and a memory area (not shown) that functions as a work memory that stores image data and the like. Have.

  The USB bus connector 709 functions as a port for connecting the digital camera 400. The power connector 715 inputs the DC voltage supplied from the power source 703 to the control unit 701.

  In the above-described ink jet printer 700, transmission / reception of signals between the control unit 701 and the printer engine 702 is performed via the IEEE 1284 bus 717 or the USB bus 714 and the USB bus hub 711.

  Next, an image transfer method according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the image transfer process as the direct print process corresponding to the image transfer method is performed by the digital unit control unit 51 and the DSP 716 based on the image transfer process program developed in the RAM area of the RAM 30 and the memory 713. Executed.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of image transfer processing executed by the digital unit controller in the digital unit of FIG. 6 and the DSP in the inkjet printer of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, first, the digital unit control unit 51 of the digital camera 400 has image data designation information such as a file name of image data desired to be printed on the DSP 716 of the inkjet printer 700 (hereinafter simply referred to as “print image data”). Then, a print start request is transmitted by notifying the job describing the print form such as the layout of the print image data, the presence / absence of the combination of the print image data and the additional information (step S801), and the print start request corresponding to the job The DSP 716 inquires of the digital camera 400 about the size of the image data file from the inkjet printer 700 (step S801 ′), and acquires and recognizes attribute information such as the size of the image data file that the digital camera 400 has (see FIG. Step S801 "). Te, determines whether or not it is necessary to resize the file of the print image data is compared with the free space of the memory area in the size and the memory 713 of the file of the print image data (step S802).

  As a result of the determination in step S802, if the file size is equal to or less than the free space in the memory area and it is unnecessary to resize the print image data file (NO in step S802), the process proceeds to step S806 as it is, and the file size is determined. When the print image data file needs to be resized (YES in step S802), the DSP 716 issues a resize request to reduce the size of the print image data file to the digital unit control unit 51. (Step S803). At this time, the DSP 716 notifies the digital unit control unit 51 of the free space in the memory area.

  The digital unit control unit 51 that has received the resize request transmits the print image data expanded in the RAM 30 to the image processing unit 20, and causes the image processing unit 20 to execute the size reduction process of the print image data, thereby printing the print image. The data file is processed (step S804). The size reduction processing applied to the print image data includes image rotation, image division, image data compression, or image resolution reduction. The digital unit controller 51 selects an appropriate process from the above-described size reduction processes according to the notified free space in the memory area.

  Next, when the size reduction process is performed on the print image data, the digital unit control unit 51 transmits a file processing completion notification indicating that the processing of the print image data file is completed to the DSP 716 (step S805). At this time, the digital unit control unit 51 also notifies the file size of the print image data subjected to the reduction process.

  The DSP 716 that has received the file processing completion notification transmits a file transfer request for the print image data file to the digital unit control unit 51 (step S806), and the digital unit control unit 51 that has received the file transfer request performs a reduction process. The file of the applied print image data (print image data that has not been subjected to the reduction process when the resize request has not been transmitted) is transferred (step S807).

  Next, the DSP 716 transmits the file transfer request to the digital unit control unit 51 until the size of the transmitted print image data reaches the size notified in S805 (S801 if the resize request is not transmitted). The digital unit control unit 51 continues to transfer the print image data file accordingly. After that, when the size of the transmitted print image data reaches the size notified in S805 (S801 when the resize request is not transmitted), the DSP 716 transfers the print image data file to the digital unit control unit 51. The digital unit control unit 51 that has received the end request (step S808) ends the transfer of the print image data file and also transmits a transfer end notification of the print image data file to the DSP 716 (step S808). Step S809), the process is terminated.

  According to the processing of FIG. 8 described above, a resizing request for reducing the size of the print image data is issued from the DSP 716 to the digital unit control unit 51 according to the size of the print image data notified from the digital unit control unit 51 (step S802). In step S803, if the size of the transferred print image data file is larger than the free space in the memory area of the memory 713 in the direct print process (YES in step S802), the print image data File processing of print image data whose size is reduced is performed (step S804). As a result, the DSP 716 can completely store the transferred print image data in the memory area in the memory 713, thereby eliminating the need for retransfer of the print image data, thereby reducing the time required for printing the image. it can.

  In the processing of FIG. 8 described above, when the size reduction processing is performed on the print image data, a file processing completion notification indicating that the processing of the print image data file has been completed is transmitted to the DSP 716 (step S805). The DSP 716 can transmit a file transfer request at an appropriate timing, thereby further reducing the time required for printing an image.

  In the process of FIG. 8 described above, after the file processing completion notification is transmitted to the DSP 716, the DSP 716 transmits a file transfer request for the print image data file to the digital unit control unit 51 (step S806). The unit control unit 51 can transfer the print image data file at an appropriate timing, thereby further reducing the time required for printing the image.

  In the processing of FIG. 8 described above, as the size reduction processing applied to the print image data, an image rotation, image division, image data compression, or image resolution reduction is appropriately selected according to the free space in the memory area. Therefore, the free space in the memory area can be used efficiently, and the time required for image printing can be reliably shortened.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 700 transmits a resizing request to the digital camera 400 in accordance with the analysis result of the job after receiving the job describing the printing form. It is also possible to request the digital camera 400 to transfer the image data as it is without intentionally transmitting it. Thereby, processing according to the required image quality, that is, print image quality, for example, processing with priority on image quality is also possible. Of course, in addition to the process that does not perform any resizing, a process that changes the resizing rate according to the designation of the print image quality may be performed.

  In the image transfer system according to the present embodiment, since the inkjet printer 700 is connected to the digital camera 400 via the USB, the image data file can be transferred quickly, and the time required for printing the image. Can be shortened more reliably.

  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 embodiments, 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 RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD (DVD). -ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, other ROM, etc., as long as they can store the program code. Alternatively, the program code may be supplied by downloading from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

  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. 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 is also included.

 Further, after the program code read from the storage 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 is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the 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 program code may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera as an image supply apparatus that constitutes an image transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the lens unit in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the power supply unit in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image recording medium in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the camera unit of the camera main body in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the digital unit of the camera main body in FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer as an image receiving device that constitutes an image transfer system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of image transfer processing executed by a digital unit controller in the digital unit of FIG. 6 and a DSP in the inkjet printer of FIG. 7. It is a sequence diagram of conventional direct print processing.

Explanation of symbols

20 Image processing unit 30 RAM
51 Digital Unit Controller 400 Digital Camera 401 Camera Body 700 Inkjet Printer 713 Memory 716 DSP

Claims (19)

In an image transfer system comprising an image supply device and an image reception device connected to the image supply device,
The image receiving device receives designation information for designating image data to be transferred from the image supply device, confirms the size of the designated image data based on the received designation information, and the confirmed A resizing request to reduce the size of the image data according to the size of the image data is sent to the image supply device;
The image supply device that has received the resizing request performs predetermined processing on the image data to reduce the size of the image data, and transfers the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined processing to the image receiving device. An image transfer system.   The image transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the image supply device notifies the image receiving device of the completion of the processing of the image data after performing the predetermined processing on the image data.   3. The image transfer according to claim 2, wherein the image receiving device transmits a transfer request of the processed image data to the image supply device after receiving the notification of the completion of the processing of the image data. system.   The image transfer according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined processing corresponds to at least one of image rotation, image division, image data compression, and image resolution reduction. system. In the image receiving device connected to the image supply device,
Receiving designation information for designating image data to be transferred from the image supply device;
Check the size of the specified image data based on the received specification information,
An image receiving apparatus, wherein a resizing request for reducing the size of the image data according to the confirmed size of the image data is transmitted to the image supply apparatus.   6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein after receiving a notification of completion of processing of the image data for reducing the size of the image data, a transfer request for the processed image data is transmitted to the image supply device. Image receiving device.   The image receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image receiving apparatus is a printer.   The image receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image receiving apparatus is connected to the image supply apparatus via a USB.   9. The image reception according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined processing corresponds to at least one of image rotation, image division, image data compression, and image resolution reduction. apparatus. In the image supply device connected to the image receiving device,
Sending designation information for designating image data to be transferred to the image receiving device;
Receiving a transmission request for information on the size of image data designated based on the designation information from the image receiving device;
When a resize request for reducing the size of the image data is received from the image receiving device according to the information about the size of the image data notified from the image supply device, the image data is subjected to predetermined processing and the image Reduce the size of the data,
An image supply apparatus that transfers the image data subjected to the predetermined processing to the image receiving apparatus.   The image supply device according to claim 10, wherein after the predetermined processing is performed on the image data, the end of processing of the image data is notified to the image receiving device.   12. The image supply device according to claim 10, wherein the image receiving device is a printer.   13. The image supply according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined processing corresponds to at least one of image rotation, image division, image data compression, and image resolution reduction. apparatus. An image transfer method in an image transfer system comprising an image supply device and an image reception device connected to the image supply device,
A designation information receiving step in which the image reception device receives designation information for designating image data to be transferred from the image supply device;
The image receiving apparatus confirms the size of the designated image data based on the received designation information, and supplies the resize request to reduce the size of the image data according to the confirmed size of the image data. Resizing request sending step to send to the device;
The image supply device that has received the resizing request performs predetermined processing on the image data to reduce the size of the image data, and transfers the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined processing to the image receiving device An image data transfer step.   15. The image data processing end notification step of notifying the image receiving device of the end of processing of the image data after the image supply device performs the predetermined processing on the image data. Image transfer method.   The image receiving device further includes a processed image data transfer request transmission step of transmitting a transfer request for the processed image data to the image supply device after receiving the notification of the completion of the processing of the image data. The image transfer method according to claim 15.     The image transfer according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the predetermined processing corresponds to at least one of image rotation, image division, image data compression, and image resolution reduction. Method. A program for causing a computer to execute an image transfer method in an image transfer system including an image supply device and an image reception device connected to the image supply device,
A designation information receiving module for receiving designation information for the image receiving device to designate image data to be transferred from the image supply device;
The image receiving apparatus confirms the size of the designated image data based on the received designation information, and supplies the resize request to reduce the size of the image data according to the confirmed size of the image data. A resizing request sending module to send to the device;
The image supply device that has received the resizing request performs predetermined processing on the image data to reduce the size of the image data, and transfers the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined processing to the image receiving device An image data transfer module.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 18.

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