JP2007004398A - Relay device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an adapter, which is already reserved for printing, from being connected to a printer different from that desired by the user for printing. <P>SOLUTION: Image information acquired from an image supply source is stored in association with apparatus information of a target printer for printing, and when connected to the printer, apparatus information of the printer is acquired for determining whether the apparatus is the target printer for printing or not (S304). When it is determined that the apparatus is the target printer for printing, the image information is transformed into print data for carrying out printing (S308). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay apparatus that receives image information from an image supply source, outputs the image information to an image forming apparatus, and performs image formation, and a control method therefor.

  In recent years, digital cameras (imaging devices) that can take an image and convert the image into digital image data have been widely used. In order to print images taken with such cameras and use them as photographs, direct printing systems that can directly transmit digital image data from a digital camera to a printer for printing have been developed. Widely used in cameras and printers.

  Direct printing systems are usually built-in, and digital cameras and printers that are compatible with direct printing once marketed are often difficult or impossible to update to accommodate new direct printing. In general, there is no compatibility between a plurality of different direct printing systems. For example, direct printing by wireless connection and direct printing by USB connection have been individually defined and commercialized, and have been developed individually. As a result, there are a large number of devices on the market that only support wireless connection direct printing and devices that support only USB connection direct printing. At present, it is expected that a conversion adapter for direct printing that enables printing by connecting a plurality of different direct printing functions and connecting them will be expected.

A print conversion adapter in a conventional PC environment is called a print server. First, a printer exists, and is designed for the purpose of complementing or expanding the function of the printer or sharing it by a plurality of users. Since such a print server is designed after the specification of the printer is determined, more advanced functions can be supported. Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which a high-function print server functions as an adapter for a plurality of low-function printers. Patent Document 2 discloses an example of a print server that registers functions of a plurality of printers and selects a printer suitable for a print job. Patent Document 3 discloses a conversion adapter for direct printing instead of a print server. In this direct printing adapter, image processing up to quantization is executed in the adapter, and after printing data is generated, the data is transmitted to the printer. In this case, the printer to which the adapter itself is connected must be processed. As one of the methods, Patent Document 4 proposes to acquire color information that can be printed by a printer and perform printing based on the acquired color information.
JP-A-11-184649 Japanese Patent No. 0349845 Japanese Patent No. 3593820 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-200766

  In such an adapter, when printing data from an image supply source such as a camera, the printer, the adapter, and the image supply source must be connected at the same time. Therefore, for example, when the image supply source and the printer are installed at a remote location, a very long cable is required to connect the two, which is not practical. In addition, when the cable length is limited by the standard like USB, the cable connection itself becomes impossible. As a solution, if you want to print from an image supply source, connect the adapter to the image supply source first, transfer the image you want to print from the image supply source to the adapter and make a print reservation. There is a method of connecting to a printer and performing printing based on a print reservation. However, in this case, if the adapter does not correctly grasp the Capability of the printer that is actually used for printing at the time of print reservation, the print reservation that reflects the Capability of the printer cannot be performed.

  Considering a user who owns a plurality of printers, there is a case where printing is desired using different printers depending on images. In such a case, depending on the UI function and performance of the adapter, it is impossible to confirm the contents of the image until image data is transferred from the image supply source to the adapter and then connected to the printer for printing. Cases are also conceivable. In this case, the user may connect the adapter to a printer different from the printer that wants to print.

  The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

  A feature of the present invention is to provide a relay apparatus capable of receiving and storing image information from an image supply source and outputting the image information to a designated image forming apparatus, and a control method therefor. is there.

A relay apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A relay device that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information;
A connection terminal that can be exclusively connected to the image forming apparatus and the image supply source;
When an image supply source is connected to the connection terminal, image storage means for storing image information acquired from the image supply source and device information of an image forming apparatus that is an image formation target;
An acquisition unit configured to acquire device information of the connected image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the connection terminal;
Determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired by the acquiring means;
When the determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, the image information stored in the image storage unit is stored in the image forming unit in accordance with device information of the image forming target image forming apparatus. Image forming control means for converting into image forming data for the apparatus and supplying the image forming data to the image forming apparatus.

A relay apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A relay device that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information;
A first communication terminal for communicating with the image supply source;
A second communication terminal for connecting to an external device;
Obtaining means for obtaining device information of an external device connected to the second communication terminal;
Determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired by the acquiring means;
When the determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, it is acquired from the image supply source via the first communication terminal according to the device information of the connected image forming apparatus. Image formation control means for converting image information into image formation data and supplying the image formation data;
An image storage means for storing image information acquired from the image supply source via the first communication terminal when it is determined that an image forming apparatus is not connected to the second communication terminal;
It is characterized by having.

A control method for a relay device according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following steps. That is,
A control method for a relay apparatus that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information,
When the image supply source is connected to a connection terminal that can be exclusively connected to the image forming apparatus and the image supply source, the image information acquired from the image supply source and the device information of the image forming apparatus to be image formed are An image storage step for storing in a memory;
An acquisition step of acquiring device information of the connected image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the connection terminal;
A determination step of determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired in the acquisition step;
When it is determined in the determining step that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, the image information stored in the image storing step is stored in the image forming process in accordance with device information of the image forming target image forming apparatus. And an image forming control step of converting the image forming data into apparatus image forming data and supplying the image forming data to the image forming apparatus.

A control method for a relay device according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following steps. That is,
A control method for a relay apparatus that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information,
An image acquisition step of acquiring image information from the image supply source via a first communication terminal;
An acquisition step of acquiring device information of the external device connected to the second communication terminal for connecting to the external device;
A determination step of determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired in the acquisition step;
When it is determined in the determination step that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, the image is acquired from the image supply source via the first communication terminal according to the device information of the connected image forming apparatus. An image formation control step of converting image information into image formation data and supplying the image formation data;
An image storage step of acquiring image information from the image supply source by the image acquisition step and storing the image information in a memory when it is determined that no image forming apparatus is connected to the second communication terminal. Features.

  According to the present invention, the image information from the image supply source can be received and stored, and the image information can be output to the designated image forming apparatus to form an image.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, adapter 1200 according to the present embodiment is attached to a USB terminal of a PD (Photo-Direct) printer 1000, and an infrared image is transmitted from infrared transmission / reception unit 1101 of mobile phone 1100 with a camera to infrared transmission / reception unit 1202 of adapter 1200. This shows a case where data is transmitted and printing is performed. As will be described later, when the adapter 120 receives image information, it is not necessarily connected to the printer. However, in this case, the adapter 1200 needs to have a power source.

  In FIG. 1, the adapter 1200 receives image data by infrared rays. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a mode in which the adapter 1200 is connected to a device having a USB terminal such as a camera via a USB cable. included. When the adapter 1200 has a nonvolatile memory having a memory capacity capable of storing image data, the adapter 1200 is connected to a device having a USB terminal such as a camera to store the image data, and then the adapter 1200 is stored. It is also assumed that the printer is attached to the USB terminal of the PD printer 1000 for printing.

  Further, as will be described later, even when the adapter 1200 is in an offline state, that is, not connected to the PD printer 1000, the image information from the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 is received and stored. If it is confirmed that the printer is the printer to which the image information is printed when connected, the printer can send print data based on the stored image information to be printed.

  2A and 2B are external views of the adapter 1200 according to the first embodiment.

  The adapter 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU and a memory, and has an intelligent function capable of performing various controls in accordance with operation instructions from various operation buttons. Reference numeral 1201 denotes a print continuation button for instructing resumption of printing when printing is interrupted. The print continuation button 1201 may have other functions except during the execution of the print job. For example, the print continuation button 1201 may function as a paper size selection button for selecting a paper size at the time of printing. In addition, separate operation buttons may be prepared for selection of paper size and resumption of printing. In addition to the paper size, operation buttons for performing various settings related to the layout, the number of printed sheets, date settings, and other print results may be prepared separately. 1202 is an infrared transmission / reception unit for infrared communication. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a USB terminal for connection to the direct printing terminal of the PD printer 1000. A status display LED 1204 indicates the status of the adapter 1200. The LED 1204 display can be changed by changing its emission color, lighting, or blinking pattern according to the print standby state, print acceptance state, image transfer state, print execution state, print error state, transfer error state, etc. The state of 1200 is notified to the user. The LED 1204 may include those that function as various UIs in addition to representing the state of the adapter 1200. For example, an LED that displays a paper size may be considered (not shown). In that case, a character string (A4, postcard, card, etc.) indicating the paper size is printed above each LED (not shown), and the LED display is switched by pressing the operation button 1201. Also good. In addition to the paper size, LEDs for displaying various setting results related to the layout, the number of printed sheets, date setting, and other printing results may be separately facilitated. Moreover, in order to display a numerical value suitably, you may use LED, LCD, etc., such as 7 segments.

  The character string indicating the paper size may be displayed by attaching a sticker in addition to printing directly on the housing of the adapter 1200 as described above. In this case, we will prepare seals printed with paper sizes suitable for printing culture spheres around the world (for example, A4, L size, postcards in Japan, letters 4x6, cards in the US), and support these sizes. As described above, the internal ROM (described later) of the adapter is replaced. Thus, the adapter can be used more favorably in countries around the world by replacing the seal while keeping the adapter housing in common. 1205 is a logo sticker of the direct printing standard. This allows the user to recognize that the USB terminal 1203 can be connected to the PD printer 1000 that supports the same direct printing standard. In addition to pasting such a logo sticker, the logo may be directly printed or engraved on the housing of the adapter 1200.

  In FIG. 2, an adapter having a UI such as an LED or a button is shown. However, an adapter that eliminates the UI is also conceivable. At this time, in order to clarify that the adapter is an adapter for direct printing, it is more and more useful to attach a logo sticker.

  FIG. 2B shows the adapter 1210 according to the first embodiment, and is an overview when a USB cable described later is used instead of the above-described infrared communication. Reference numerals 1211, 1213 to 1215 correspond to 1201, 1203 to 1205 in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1212 denotes a USB terminal for USB communication with an image supply source such as a digital camera (DSC). Here, the connection between the PD printer 1000 and the image supply source is wired, and the adapter 1210 looks like a cable in terms of convenience of handling. At this time, since the USB terminal of the adapter 1210 has the shape of a USB-A connector, there is a possibility that the user will mistake the connection direction of the adapter. Therefore, in addition to the effects described above, attaching the logo sticker 1215 in the vicinity of the USB terminal 1203 on the side where the adapter 1210 is connected to the PD printer 1000, or printing or engraving may cause the connection direction of the adapter 1210 to be wrong. It is also possible to prevent.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the main part related to the control of the adapter 1200 according to the present embodiment. The parts common to the above-mentioned drawings are given the same symbols, and their explanations are omitted.

  The CPU 3201 is in charge of various control processes to be described later according to a control program stored in the ROM 3203. The ROM 3202 stores a processing procedure (program) executed by the CPU 3201. Here, it is assumed that the program is appropriately upgraded, and the program may be constituted by a writable nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory. The RAM 3203 is used as a work area for the CPU 3201. The RAM 3203 may be a volatile memory whose contents are erased when the power is turned off, or may be a writable nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory. These may be mixed and separate RAMs may be used according to the purpose. As an example, even after the power of the adapter 1200 is shut down, only the area that holds the print image file and the Capability from each printer described later in association with the ID of the printer is allocated to the nonvolatile memory. An image file is held, and reprinting of an image can be realized when the adapter 1200 is turned on again. Reference numeral 3204 denotes a power source for the adapter, which is composed of a battery. However, when the adapter 1200 is always used in a USB connection state, the power source 3204 is not necessary.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct printer (hereinafter referred to as PD printer) 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The PD printer 1000 has a function as a normal PC printer that receives and prints data from a host computer (PC) and directly reads and prints image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, or It has a function of receiving and printing image data from a digital camera or PDA.

  In the figure, the main body forming the outer shell of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment has a lower case 1001, an upper case 1002, an access cover 1003, and an exterior member for a discharge tray 1004. The lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half portion of the PD printer 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half portion of the main body. A storage space for storing each mechanism to be described later by combining both cases. The body has a hollow body structure, and the upper surface portion and the front surface portion each have an opening. Further, one end of the discharge tray 1004 is rotatably held by the lower case 1001, and an opening formed on the front surface of the lower case 1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when executing the recording operation, the discharge tray 1004 is rotated to the front side to open the opening, thereby including sheets (plain paper, special paper, resin sheet, etc.) recorded from here. (Hereinafter simply referred to as “sheets”) can be discharged, and the discharged sheets can be stacked one after another. The paper discharge tray 1004 accommodates two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b. By pulling out each tray as necessary, the sheet support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.

  One end of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the upper case 1002 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1003, the access cover 1003 is accommodated inside the main body. It is possible to replace the print head cartridge (not shown) or the ink tank (not shown). Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 1003 is opened and closed, a protrusion formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening and closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a micro switch or the like. Thus, the open / closed state of the access cover 1003 can be detected.

  A power key 1005 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 1002. An operation panel 1010 including a liquid crystal display unit 1006 and various key switches is provided on the right side of the upper case 1002. The structure of the operation panel 1010 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1007 denotes an automatic feeding unit that automatically feeds sheets into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a paper interval selection lever which is used to adjust the interval between the print head and the sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slot, into which an adapter capable of mounting a memory card is inserted, through which image data stored in the memory card can be directly captured and printed. Examples of the memory card (PC) include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, smart media, and a memory stick. A viewer (liquid crystal display unit) 1011 is detachable from the main body of the PD printer 1000. When searching for an image to be printed from images stored in the PC card, an image or index for each frame is displayed. Used to display images. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a USB terminal for connecting the adapter 1200 described above or a digital camera described later. In addition, a USB connector for connecting a personal computer (PC) is provided on the rear surface of the PD device 1000.

  FIG. 5 is an overview of the operation panel 1010 of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment.

  In the figure, the liquid crystal display unit 1006 displays menu items for setting various data relating to items printed on the left and right. The items displayed here include, for example, the top number of a photo image to be printed, a designated frame number (start frame designation / print frame designation), and the last photo number to be printed (end) among a plurality of photo image files. ), The number of copies (number of copies), the type of sheet used for printing (paper type), the number of photos to be printed on one sheet (layout), the specification of print quality (quality), and the date of shooting For example (date printing), whether to correct a photo for printing (image correction), and the number of sheets required for printing (number of sheets). These items are selected or designated using the cursor keys 2001. 2002 is a mode key, and each time this key is pressed, the type of printing (index printing, full-frame printing, single-frame printing, designated-frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and the LED corresponding to the LED 2003 changes accordingly. Illuminated. A maintenance key 2004 is a key for performing maintenance of the printer such as cleaning of the print head. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a print start key which is pressed when instructing the start of printing or when establishing maintenance settings. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a print cancel key which is pressed when printing is stopped or when maintenance is instructed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the main part related to the control of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part related to the control of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the above-mentioned drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a control unit (control board). Reference numeral 3001 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI). Reference numeral 3002 denotes a DSP (digital signal processor) having an internal CPU, and various control processes to be described later and images such as conversion from a luminance signal (RGB) to a density signal (CMYK), scaling, gamma conversion, and error diffusion. I am in charge of processing. A memory 3003 has a program memory 3003a that stores a control program for the CPU of the DSP 3002, a RAM area that stores a program at the time of execution, and a memory area that functions as a work memory that stores image data and the like. Reference numeral 3004 denotes a printer engine. Here, a printer engine of an ink jet printer that prints a color image using a plurality of color inks is installed. Reference numeral 3005 denotes a USB connector as a port for connecting a digital camera (DSC) 3012. Reference numeral 3006 denotes a connector for connecting the viewer 1011. Reference numeral 1013 denotes a USB connector as a port for connecting the PC 3010. Reference numeral 3008 denotes a USB hub (USB HUB). When the PD printer 1000 performs printing based on image data from the PC 3010, the data from the PC 3010 is directly passed through and output to the printer engine 3004 via the USB 3021. As a result, the connected PC 3010 can directly perform printing by exchanging data and signals with the printer engine 3004 (functions as a general PC printer). Reference numeral 3009 denotes a power connector which inputs a DC voltage converted from commercial AC by a power source 3019. The PC 3010 is a general personal computer, 3011 is the memory card (PC card) described above, and 3012 is a digital camera (DSC: Digital Still Camera). Note that the exchange of signals between the control unit 3000 and the printer engine 3004 is performed via the USB 3021 described above.

  As described above, in the case of the DSC 3012 that can directly receive image data, the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment can directly receive and print data from the DSC 3012 connected to the USB terminal 1012. In the case of a DSC 3012 or a mobile phone that cannot directly receive image data, the image data is input and printed via the adapter 1200 connected to the USB terminal 1012.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are external views of the camera-equipped cellular phone 1100 according to this embodiment, in which FIG. 7A shows an operation surface and FIG. 7B shows a rear surface thereof.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1101 denotes an infrared transmission / reception unit for infrared communication. In addition to infrared transmission / reception with the adapter 1200 described above, infrared transmission / reception with another camera-equipped mobile phone 1100, infrared transmission with respect to an electronic device having a remote control light receiving unit such as a TV, and the like are possible. In addition to displaying various information when used as a mobile phone, the liquid crystal display unit 1102 can also display an image as a finder when the camera is activated, or can display a captured image. The operation button 1103 is used not only for inputting a dial number when used as a mobile phone, but also for creating a mail document or starting a camera. Note that the functions of these operation buttons 1103 vary depending on the internal state of the mobile phone 1100. Reference numeral 1104 denotes an imaging lens, which can perform an optical zoom operation, focus adjustment, etc., or take an image by capturing a subject and operating an operation button 1103. Reference numeral 1105 denotes a memory card slot for connecting a memory card, which can store / reference various information inside the mobile phone in addition to storing / referencing captured images.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part related to the control of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those in the above-mentioned drawings are given the same symbols, and the description thereof is omitted. .

  The CPU 3103 controls the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 as a whole. The ROM 3101 stores the processing procedure (firmware) of the CPU 3103. The ROM 3101 may be composed of a writable nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory, assuming that the program is appropriately upgraded. The RAM 3102 is used as a work area for the CPU 3103. The RAM 3102 may be configured with a normal volatile memory, or may be configured with a non-volatile memory in order to maintain the internal state of the work area even when the power is turned off. Reference numeral 3106 denotes a CCD element. A driver 3107 controls the optical unit 1101 under the control of the CPU 3103. Reference numeral 3109 denotes a memory card which is attached to the memory card slot 1105. As this memory card 3109, a compact flash (registered trademark) memory card, smart media, or the like is usually used.

  9 connects the adapter 1200 according to the embodiment of the present invention to the PD printer 1000, and directs the infrared transmission / reception unit 1101 of the mobile phone with camera 1100 to the infrared transmission / reception unit 1202 of the adapter 1200 as shown in FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a protocol stack constructed by each of a PD printer 1000, an adapter 1200, and a camera-equipped mobile phone 1100.

  The PD printer 1000 uses a USB host terminal as a physical interface, and functions as a SICD (Still Image Capture Device) class USB host defined by USB as a standard. Transport control is realized by PTP using this SICD. The direct printing application in the PD printer 1000 functions as a direct printing printer by exchanging information for direct printing with an image data supply source using this PTP.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 uses an IrDA (Infrared Data Association) SIR device or FIR device as a physical interface, and operates as an infrared wireless terminal device. As an upper protocol, IrLAP (Link Access Protocol) is used for link access, IrLMP (Link Mahagement Protocol) is used for link management, and transport control is realized by IrTinyTP (Tiny Transport Protocol) using this IrLMP. The data transfer application inside the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 functions as an infrared data communication terminal by performing data transfer using IrOBEX (Object Exchange Protocol) on this IrTinyTP.

  Infrared data communication terminals can also be realized with other protocol configurations. For example, a data transfer application can be realized by image transfer using IrTran-P (Transfer Picture) or data transfer using serial / parallel port emulation by IrCOMM. Is possible.

  The adapter 1200 according to the present embodiment includes both protocol stacks corresponding to the PD printer 1000 and the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100, and converts mutual communication protocols by the illustrated Protocol Translator. As an example, image data transmitted by infrared from the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 is received, information for direct printing is generated by the protocol translator using the received image data, and a direct print job is issued to the PD printer 1000.

  In FIG. 9, the camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 provided with the IrDA terminal is shown as the image data supply source. However, a mobile phone without a camera may be used as long as the terminal has an IrDA terminal and can transfer image information. It may be a phone, PHS, PDA, digital still camera or other terminal.

  The communication means provided in the image supply source for transferring image information may be other than IrDA, such as wireless communication means such as BlueTooth and 802.11x, USB, IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc. Wired communication means may be used.

  10 to 13 are diagrams showing an example of a configuration of a protocol stack when these BlueTooth, 802.11x, USB, and IEEE1394 are used.

  Although description of each layer of these protocol stacks is omitted, basically, as in the case of the above-mentioned IrDA example, information for direct printing is generated by the Protocol Translator using the image data received from the image source terminal, and the PD printer 1000 Issue a direct print job. As an image supply source using these various communication means, a car navigation system, a PC, a game machine, a digital TV, and other devices can be considered in addition to the above-described mobile phone.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the flow of communication processing when direct printing is performed by connecting the adapter 1200 and the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment via USB. In this processing flow, a case will be described where direct printing is realized on the PTP architecture on the left side of FIG.

  After the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 are physically connected, first, initialization is performed between the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 at 1401. Here, it is confirmed that each device supports direct printing. Next, at 1402, the adapter 1200 requests Capability from the PD printer 1000 and acquires the Capability of the PD printer 1000. In step 1403, the adapter 1200 issues a job to the PD printer 1000 to request printing. Next, in 1404, the PD printer 1000 notifies the adapter 1200 of the status (status) of the printer at that time, and notifies the start of the printing process. In step 1405, the PD printer 1000 requests the adapter 1200 for an image file, and acquires an image file necessary for print processing. In 1406, the PD printer 1000 executes print processing. When the print processing is completed, in 1407, the PD printer 1000 notifies the adapter 1200 of the printer status, and notifies the completion of the print processing. Reference numerals 1401 to 1404 and 1407 transmit information by exchanging scripts. Reference numeral 1405 denotes pure file transfer using the PTP operation as it is, and has file transfer operations such as GetObject and GetPartialObject. Reference numeral 1406 is purely processing inside the PD printer 1000.

  Hereinafter, the details of each process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flow of initialization processing at the time of direct printing by USB, and is a detailed explanatory diagram of the initialization processing 1401 of FIG.

  After the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 are physically connected, first, in 1501, the PD printer 1000 sends GetDeviceInfo to the adapter 1200, and the adapter 1200 requests information about the held object. Is done. On the other hand, at 1502, the adapter 1200 transmits information on the object held in the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000 by DeviceInfo Dataset. Next, in 1503, an adapter 1200 is allocated as a resource by OpenSession, a handle for assigning a handle to a data object as necessary, or a request for starting a procedure for performing special initialization is issued, and an acknowledgment ( When OK is returned, PTP communication is started.

  Next, at 1504, the adapter 1200 is requested for all handles in script format (Storage ID: FFFFF, Object Type Script). On the other hand, at 1505, all handle lists held in the adapter 1200 are returned. Next, in steps 1506 and 1507, information on the i-th object handle is acquired from the PD printer 1000. Here, if this object includes a keyword indicating the identification of the adapter 1200 (for example, “mountain”), then in 1508, the PD printer 1000 instructs to send object information (SendObjectInfo). If an affirmative response (OK) is received, object information is transmitted from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200 by SendObject. Here, this object includes, for example, “river” as a response keyword (password) for the keyword. In this way, both the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 can recognize each other's connection partner, and thereafter, direct printing can be started.

  FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts for explaining script transfer processing during direct printing by USB, and show common behaviors at the PTP level in 1402 to 1404 and 1407 in FIG.

  FIG. 16A is a processing flow for transmitting a script from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200.

  First, the PD printer 1000 transmits a transmission request for object information to the adapter 1200 by SendObjectInfo. Next, ObjectInfo Dataset is transmitted to notify the object information. The adapter 1200 receives and analyzes the object information, and if the main body of the object is receivable, it responds with an object handle number assigned to the object to be received. Following this OK response, the PD printer 1000 transmits an object body transmission request to the adapter 1200 by SendObject. Then, Object Data is transmitted, and the main body of the object is transmitted to the adapter 1200 in a script format. The adapter 1200 receives the main body of the object, and returns OK when the reception of the object main body is completed.

  FIG. 16B shows a flow of processing for transmitting a script from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000.

  First, RequestObjectTransfer is sent from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000 to prompt the PD printer 1000 to acquire an object having a predetermined object handle. Accordingly, the PD printer 1000 transmits a request for acquiring object information of an object having a predetermined object handle to the adapter 1200 by GetObjectInfo. Upon receiving this GetObjectInfo, the adapter 1200 transmits the object information ObjectInfo Dataset of the object to be transmitted, and returns OK when the transmission is completed. Following this OK response, the PD printer 1000 transmits a transmission request for the object body by GetObject. Upon receiving this GetObject, the adapter 1200 transmits the object body of the object to be transmitted, and returns OK when the transmission is completed.

  As described above, at the time of direct printing by USB, information is exchanged by exchanging scripts between the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200.

  FIGS. 17 to 19 are examples of scripts that are exchanged during direct printing via USB in this embodiment.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams showing an example of a script for acquiring Capability at the time of direct printing by USB, and are used in the Capability request 1402 in FIG.

  FIG. 17A shows a Capability request script transmitted from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000. In this example, the type of image format supported by the PD printer 1000 is requested.

  FIG. 17B shows an example of a response script to the Capability request script (FIG. 17A) transmitted from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200. In this example, the PD printer 1000 has two types of JPEG and PNG. Indicates the case where the following formats are supported.

  This Capability acquisition script includes other supported print paper sizes, print paper types, layout print functions corresponding to each print paper size, fixed size print function, print quality, image correction, image cropping, date printing, Used for exchanging Capability information such as file name printing.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a job issuance script at the time of direct printing by USB, and is used in the job issuance 1403 in FIG.

  FIG. 18A shows a job issuance script transmitted from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000. In this example, printing of one JPEG image with the object handle number “00000001” is requested.

  FIG. 18B shows an example of a response script for a job issuance script (FIG. 18A) transmitted from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200. In this example, the PD printer 1000 accepts a print job, Responding OK.

  FIG. 18C shows an example of another response script to the job issuance script (FIG. 18A) transmitted from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200. In this example, the PD printer 1000 executes a print job. It refuses without being able to respond and responds with NG.

  This job issuance script is also used to specify a paper size other than the image format, as described in the Capability acquisition script. It is also used to specify a plurality of images with a single job issuance script, to specify the number of copies of each image, to specify a cut area, to specify a date, and to specify a file name.

  In addition, the rejection content in FIG. 18C is not only NG but also because the image data from another image supply source is printed or because the setting of the print job is wrong. Also used for notification.

  FIGS. 19A and 19B show an example of a status notification script at the time of direct printing by USB, and are used in the status notifications 1404 and 1407 in FIG.

  FIG. 19A shows a status notification script transmitted from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200. In this example, the status in which the PD printer 1000 is not in a printing state but is in a standby state (IDLE) in which printing can be started. Is informed.

  FIG. 19B shows an example of a response script to the status notification script (FIG. 19A) transmitted from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000. In this example, OK is returned.

  This status notification script also shows the status of the error, the type of error that occurred, the status of the job being printed, such as the number of pages and the number of printed photos, and the status that the PD printer 1000 can complete the print job even if the cable is disconnected. And whether the next print job can be accepted, whether the Capability information has been updated, the reason for termination of the print job, and the like.

  This status is not only notified from the PD printer 1000 to the adapter 1200, but may be requested from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000.

  In addition to the Capability acquisition, job issuance, and status notification described above, the script can be exchanged for print job interruption, return from error, authentication information such as version information, device name, serial number, and vendor name. It is also used for commands such as confirmation and exchange.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a flow of initialization and file transfer processing during IrDA between adapter 1200 and mobile phone 1100 according to the present embodiment. In this flow, a description will be given of a case where file transfer is performed on the IrOBEX architecture on the right side of FIG.

  First, in 2011, the mobile phone 1100 issues a connection confirmation (CONNECT) to the adapter 1200. Accordingly, in 2012, when the adapter 1200 permits the connection, a SUCCESS response is returned. Next, in 2013, the mobile phone 1100 transmits the first packet of the entire data including information such as the file name and size of the file to be transferred and the file body (PUT). When the adapter 1200 receives the head packet normally, it returns a CINTINUE response indicating that the next data can be sent in 2014. Next, in 2015, the mobile phone 1100 transmits the next packet. In 2016, when the adapter 1200 normally receives the next packet, it returns a CONTINUE response indicating that the next data can be sent. Similarly, 2017 to 2018 are processed. In 2019, the cellular phone 1100 transmits the final packet. In 2020, when the adapter 1200 normally receives the last packet, the mobile phone 1100 returns a SUCCESS response indicating that the data reception is completed.

  As described above, the adapter 1200 allocates a PTP object handle to an image transmitted by the PUT from the mobile phone 1100 and requests the PD printer 1000 to perform direct printing using the object handle.

  Note that the processing flow at the time of BT connection on the right side of FIG. 10 is also substantially the same as the description of FIG.

Further, since the processing flow at the time of USB connection on the right side of FIG. 11 uses pure PTP SendObjectInfo / SendObject, description thereof is omitted.
?
FIG. 22 is a process flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention. Here, an initialization process executed by the adapter 1200 when the PD printer 1000 is connected to the adapter 1200 is described. This is started by detecting that the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000 by a detector (not shown).

  First, in step S101, an I / F between the adapter 1200 and the PD printer 1000 is initialized. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 are connected by USB as described above. In this embodiment, the PTP layer is adopted as the transport layer, but this communication specification does not limit the present invention. The initialization method for USB connection by PTP is a known technique, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted here. When the initialization of the USB connection is thus completed, preparations for data transmission / reception between the printer and the adapter are completed.

  In step S102, the direct print capability possessed by the printer is acquired from the PD printer 1000. That is, information on what direct print specifications the printer connected this time has is acquired. The acquisition of Capability is executed in response to a request from the adapter 1200, but may be configured to be pushed from the PD printer 1000. When the acquisition of Capability from the PD printer 1000 is completed, the adapter 1200 disconnects the connection with the printer in software in step S103.

  Here, the reason for cutting in software is as follows. It is assumed that the adapter 1200 is connected to a plurality of types of printers. Depending on the configuration of the printer, communication with other external devices may be rejected while communication for the direct printer is established. In other words, there are printers with specifications that prevent printing from a PC while the adapter 1200 is connected. If the device connected to this type of printer is a digital camera having the same direct printing specifications, the digital camera and the printer are usually separated when the direct printing is completed. There is little possibility of problems such as being unable to print upon receipt of. However, in the case of the adapter 1200 of this embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 1200 is always connected to the printer regardless of the necessity of direct printing. Therefore, in the direct printing in the adapter format, it is desirable that the connection between the adapter and the printer is disconnected unless communication between the printer and the adapter is required. However, since it is difficult to automatically disconnect the adapter and the printer physically, the communication is disconnected here softly (non-physically). In this embodiment, the electrical connection of the adapter 1200 is disconnected (Open), and the adapter 1200 is disconnected in a soft (non-physical) manner by creating a situation similar to that in which the adapter 1200 is disconnected from the printer 1000.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the adapter and the printer are connected via PTP, and the adapter side is connected as a slave. Therefore, it is difficult to disconnect communication programmatically. However, depending on the I / F specifications, it may be possible to disconnect the connection programmatically from the adapter. When such an I / F is adopted, it is of course possible to use a specification for disconnecting the connection programmatically instead of the electrical disconnection described above.

  In step S104, the adapter 1200 constructs a UI display in the adapter 1200 according to the acquired Capability of the printer 1000. Here, for example, “paper size” is one of the Capabilities of the printer 1000. In this case, if the printer 1000 can support the A4 size, the adapter 1200 constructs a UI so that the A4 size can be selected, and if the A4 size cannot be supported, the adapter UI is set so that the A4 size cannot be selected. To construct. Similarly, the UI of the adapter is reconfigured in accordance with each Capability related to direct printing, such as “paper type” and “date printability”. Thereafter, the adapter 1200 provides a direct printing service to the user based on the constructed UI according to the Capability acquired from the PD printer 1000.

  In step S105, print data corresponding to the connected PD printer 1000 is created based on the image data stored in the RAM 3203, and the print data is transmitted from the adapter 1200 to the PD printer 1000 for printing. . When printing is completed, it is determined in step S106 whether the adapter 1200 is physically separated from the PD printer 1000. If separated, that is, if the adapter 1200 is removed from the PD printer 1000, the process proceeds to step S107. The adapter 1200 cancels the Capability of the PD printer 1000 and updates the adapter UI in step S108. In this embodiment, the UI displayed by the adapter 1200 at this time is returned to the default setting. In other words, the UI selection function is limited to the mandatory function that must be possessed when performing direct printing. In the adapter according to the embodiment described later, when the Capability is canceled in Step S107, the Capability is stored in the RAM 3203 in a nonvolatile manner.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the adapter 1200 according to this embodiment is connected to the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 receives image data from the mobile phone 1100 and performs direct printing. is there.

  First, in step S201, when it is detected that the mobile phone 1100 and the adapter 1200 are connected, the I / F is initialized between the adapter 1200 and the mobile phone 1100. Next, in step S202, after initialization of communication, the adapter 1200 waits for a direct print request from the mobile phone 1100 to be input. When a print request is input, the process proceeds to step S203, where printing from the mobile phone 1100 is performed. Receive data. As the print data, there are cases where image data to be subjected to direct printing, data describing printing conditions for the direct printing, and the like are sent. Therefore, the adapter 1200 can establish communication for performing direct printing with the PD printer 1000 upon receipt of the print command. In this embodiment, however, at this stage, communication with the PD printer 1000 is established. Do not do.

  When the data reception from the mobile phone 1100 is completed in step S204, the process advances to step S205, and the adapter 1200 notifies the mobile phone 1100 that the reception of the print data has been completed normally, and a series of jobs with the mobile phone 1100. End. At this time, the mobile phone 1100 may not understand that direct printing is performed depending on the specification. That is, the mobile phone 1100 may only transfer files to a USB host (in this case, the adapter 1200).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the mobile phone 1100 does not necessarily need to be equipped with a special direct printing application, and simply transfers the selected data (image data) to a connection destination where communication is established. Things can be used. In this case, the adapter 1200 converts the image data into a specification that can be understood by the PD printer 1000 and transfers the data to the PD printer 1000. As a result, direct printing is possible. Particularly in such a case, in the mobile phone 1100 that only transfers image data, the job ends when the data transfer is completed, so the adapter 1200 needs to immediately end the job. Therefore, in this embodiment, when data transfer from the mobile phone 1100 is completed, the job with the mobile phone 1100 is ended.

  In this way, the adapter 1200 that has received all the data for direct printing resumes the I / F connection with the PD printer 1000 at this stage. That is, if the adapter 1200 is physically connected to the PD printer 1000 in step S206, communication is established by initializing the I / F with the PD printer 1000 in step S207. Next, in step S208, the data received from the mobile phone 1100 is converted into the data specification of the direct printing protocol with the PD printer 1000. In step S209, the direct print data is sequentially transferred to the PD printer 1000. In this way, when the transfer of the direct print data is completed in step S210, the process proceeds to step S211. The connection between the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1200 is again disconnected in a software (electrical) manner as described above, and the process returns to step S202 again. Then, it waits for a print request from the mobile phone 1100 to be input. The above is the description of the direct printing operation in the adapter 1200 according to the present embodiment.

  Here, the power supply of the adapter 1200 may be provided in the adapter, but in this embodiment, the power is supplied from the PD printer 1000 via the USB. In this case, the adapter 1200 preferably includes a non-volatile memory for holding print data received from the mobile phone 1100. This is because the power of the PD printer 1000 may be turned off when the adapter 1200 is receiving print data from the mobile phone 1100 and the I / F with the PD printer 1000 is not established. It is effective that the received data can be stored in a nonvolatile manner.

  The data stored in the adapter 1200 may be the data received from the mobile phone 1100 itself, but may be stored after being subjected to processing such as compression for direct printing.

  Although this operation has been described in the case where it is detected that the PD printer 1000 is connected to the adapter 1200, the same processing is executed when the power of the PD printer 1000 is turned on from the off state.

With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) Even when the printer does not have a common direct printing specification protocol between the printer and the mobile phone, direct printing can be performed between the printer and the mobile phone through the adapter.
(B) It is possible to prevent the mobile phone from occupying the printer when the printer cannot enter the direct printing operation, such as during data transfer from the mobile phone, so that the operating rate of the printer can be improved.
(C) During data transfer from a mobile phone, the highest priority is given to data reception from the mobile phone, so the mobile phone can be released quickly. This is particularly effective when the data supply device such as a digital camera is a battery-powered mobile device.
(D) Even if the printer is not in a data receivable state (ready state), data for direct printing can be received from the image data supply source. In particular, it is possible to connect to a mobile phone and receive print data from the mobile phone regardless of the connection to the printer.

  In the above embodiment, even if the printer does not become ready after the adapter 1200 receives print data from the image supply source, the printer is turned off, or the printer is not connected. The case where direct printing can be performed has been described. In this example, a case will be described in which direct printing can be completed even when the PD printer 1000 is unable to return during direct printing.

  If the PD printer 1000 generates an unrecoverable error between the start of direct printing in step S209 in FIG. 22 and the completion of direct printing in step S211, this process is performed in step S207 “I / F between printer and adapter”. The process returns to “INITIALIZE” and waits for the PD printer 1000 to return. Normally, when an error occurs that the printer cannot be restored (printing cannot be continued at this time), the printer is turned off / on to restore the printer, or the printer initialization process corresponding to the printer Is done. At this time, of course, initialization of the I / F is also performed. Therefore, the connection between the adapter 1200 and the PD printer 1000 is once disconnected, and after the printer is restored, the I / F is established again. Therefore, as the direct printing operation, the adapter 1200 is waiting at the stage of “initialization of the I / F between the printer and the adapter” in step S207, so that the direct printing can be resumed.

  At this time, if the adapter 1200 is supplied with power from the PD printer 1000, the power supply is cut off simultaneously with the initialization of the PD printer 1000, and the adapter 1200 may be initialized. In such a case, the adapter 1200 can return from the stage of step S207 if the power is turned on again using the resume function before returning to “initialization of the I / F between the printer and the adapter” in step S207. The specification may be controlled as described above. Since the resume function for returning to the power-off operation when the power is turned on again is a known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In addition, this is not a specification for automatic return, but is a specification for printing using the latest direct print data held only when the user instructs automatic return using the UI of the adapter 1200. Also good. Even in this case, it is possible to save the trouble of starting up the mobile phone again, selecting an image for direct printing, and instructing direct printing, which can greatly contribute to improvement in usability.

  Similarly, when direct print data is received from the mobile phone 1100 without the PD printer 1000 connected (at this time, the adapter 1200 has its own power source 3204), the adapter 1200 By adopting the specification of waiting in the state of “I / F connection between printer and adapter” in S206, direct printing can be automatically started when the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000. Further, instead of the automatic return specification, the specification may be such that printing is performed using the latest direct print data held in the adapter only when the user instructs the automatic return using the UI of the adapter 1200.

With the above configuration,
(A) Even when an error that cannot be recovered occurs during direct printing, direct printing can be resumed without transferring the direct printing job from the mobile phone to the adapter again.
(B) Even when the adapter 1200 is not connected to the PD printer 1000 when the direct printing data is received from the mobile phone, direct printing can be started when the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000. .

  In the above embodiment, the connection between the mobile phone 1100 and the adapter 1200 is a simple direct print connection. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is different from the direct print connection used for the connection between the adapter 1200 and the PD printer 1000. Any connection is acceptable. Therefore, in the above embodiment, the connection between the mobile phone 1100 and the adapter 1200 may be a pure transfer connection.

  In the above description, the image supply source is the mobile phone 1100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a DSC 3012, a TV, a game device, a PDA, or the like.

[Embodiment 1]
In the above-described embodiment, the image supply source (such as a mobile phone) and the adapter 1200, and the adapter 1200 provided with the terminal to which the adapter and the PD printer 1000 are separately connected have been described. 1 will be described in the case of an adapter that shares an image supply source and an adapter 1200, and a terminal to which the adapter 1200 and the PD printer 1000 are connected by a single terminal.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the adapter 1220 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same symbols, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In either connection, when the adapter 1220 becomes a USB slave, the adapter 1220 is provided with only one USB-A connector 1203. Therefore, the configuration of the adapter 1220 in this case is that in which the infrared terminal (IrDA) 1202 is omitted in FIG.

  The adapter 1220 is used on the premise that the PD printer 1000, the adapter 1220, and the image supply source are not connected at the same time. In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that print reservation is possible even if the PD printer 1000 and the adapter are not physically connected. That is, assuming that the PD printer 1000 and the adapter are physically connected in a normal state, the print settings that can be made at the time of print reservation when the PD printer 1000 and the adapter are not physically connected are PD This is limited to the mandatory function that the printer 1000 always has for direct printing.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, as described above, since the PD printer 1000, the adapter 1220, and the image supply source are not connected at the same time, the PD printer 1000 and the adapter 1220 are physically connected. At the time of print reservation when not connected to the printer, means for making print settings reflecting the Capability of the PD printer 1000 that will be used to execute printing after that must be prepared.

  Further, when the USB-A connector 1203 of the adapter 1220 is used for both the connection with the PD printer 1000 and the connection with the image supply source, when the adapter 1220 is connected to the USB host, the host is the PD printer 1000. It is necessary to be able to correctly determine whether it is an image source or an image source.

  FIGS. 24A and 24B are diagrams illustrating an outline when the adapter 1220 according to the first embodiment is used. In FIG. 24A, an adapter 1220 is connected to a PC 3010 that is an image supply source, and image data is transferred from the PC 3010 to the adapter 1220, thereby realizing printing reservation for the image. Here, the PC 3010 is illustrated as an image supply source, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is a device that can perform PTP transfer as a USB host, and may be a game machine, for example.

  FIG. 24B shows a case where printing is realized by connecting the adapter 1220 reserved for printing an image to the PD printer 1000. In this case, the reserved image print job is stored in area 1221. When the PD printer 1000 finishes printing based on this print job, the adapter 1220 automatically deletes various information (images, print setting information, etc.) stored in the area 1221 and used for printing.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the adapter when the adapter 1220 according to the first embodiment is connected to a USB host (including an image supply source and a PD printer). A program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 3203 and is executed under the control of the CPU 3201.

  This process is premised on using an adapter in which a print job specifying a printer is stored in advance, and is started by connecting the adapter 1220 to the USB host. When the adapter 1220 is connected to the USB host, the adapter 1220 starts communication with the host through PTP connection. Thereafter, in step S301, the adapter 1220 attempts to establish a direct print connection with the USB host. The operation here corresponds to the initialization processing 1401 in FIG. If a direct print connection is established in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S301, if the direct print connection is not established even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the adapter 1220 is connected to a device (for example, a PC or a camera) other than the PD printer 1000, and the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S302, when the PD printer 1000 that is a USB host is connected, the adapter 1220 obtains and stores the Capability information of the PD printer 1000 that has been connected this time. It is determined whether or not it matches. As this determination method, a method of determining the model name information of the PD printer 1000 connected last time in the RAM 3203 in a nonvolatile manner and comparing it with it can be considered, but without making such a determination, Capability information may be acquired unconditionally from a connected printer each time. In this case, the acquisition process in step S303 is not necessary. If it is determined in step S302 that Capability information can be matched, the process proceeds to step S304, and if not matched, the process proceeds to step S303. Even when the printer information previously connected to the adapter 1220 is not stored in the adapter 1220 as in the first case after purchasing the product, the process proceeds to step S303, and the Capability information is acquired from the connected PD printer 1000. Recorded in the RAM 3203.

  In step S <b> 304, the adapter 1220 determines whether a print reservation job is stored in the RAM 3203. The print reservation job here is information for printing including the image information itself, which is generated and stored when the adapter 1220 is connected to the image supply source before. If there is a print reservation job, the process advances to step S305 to convert the stored image information into print data for a direct print job according to the stored print reservation job, and the print job is transferred to the PD printer 1000. Issue and print. The processing for direct printing here is a known technique between the normal DSC 3012 and the PD printer 1000, and therefore will not be described in detail. When printing is completed in this way, in step S308, the adapter 1220 disconnects from the image supply source. At this time, if possible, only the connection for communication may be canceled while the connection for power supply remains. On the other hand, if there is no print reservation job in step S304, the process proceeds to step S308 to cancel the software connection with the image supply source.

  On the other hand, when the direct printing process is not started in step S301, the process proceeds to step S306. In this case, since the adapter 1220 is connected to a USB host other than the PD printer 1000 by PTP, it accepts file transfer by PTP. Then, a print reservation job is created based on the transferred file. In step S307, the adapter 1220 confirms whether the connection is released from the host. If the connection is not continued, the process returns to step S306, the image transfer is continuously accepted, and if the connection is released, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S306, additional information for the print reservation job may be given by information accompanying the image file transfer. The following can be considered as examples of this additional information.

  Based on the Capability information of the PD printer 1000 held by the adapter 1220, the folder configuration reflecting the paper size that can be printed by the PD printer 1000 is disclosed to the USB host. As an example, if the PD printer 1000 supports A4, postcard, and L size printing, the adapter 1220 has four types of “A4”, “Hagaki”, “L”, and “Default” for the USB host. Publish the folder. At the time of PTP transfer from the USB host, the paper size designation information of the print reservation job is instructed by transferring the image to an arbitrary folder.

  Further, a print reservation job may be set by operating the UI of the adapter 1220. Also in this case, the UI (LED, button, etc.) of the adapter 1220 performs display and operation based on the Capability information of the PD printer 1000. Here, the information disclosed to the USB host depending on the folder configuration is not limited to the paper size capability, but may be the paper type, the number of prints, the print quality, and the like.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining data exchange between the adapter according to the first embodiment and the PD printer 1000 and DSC 3012. In this example, Capability is acquired from the PD printer 1000 to which the adapter 1220 is newly connected, image data is received from the image supply source (DSC 3012 in the figure), a print job is issued to the PD printer 1000, and printing is completed. The flow of operations by the PD printer, the adapter, and the image supply source is described. Note that the image supply source may be the mobile phone 1100 described above.

  In 2601, the adapter 1220 and the PD printer 1000 are physically connected by the user. In 2602, communication for direct printing is established between the adapter 1220 and the PD printer 1000. In 2603, the Capability information is acquired from the PD printer 1000, and the Capability information is stored in a RAM (nonvolatile) 3203. Here, if it is known that the adapter 1220 has already acquired and held Capability information of the PD printer 1000, this acquisition process is omitted. Next, in 2604, the adapter 1220 automatically releases the USB connection with the PD printer 1000.

  In this state, the Capability information of the PD printer 1000 to be directly printed is stored in the adapter 1220.

  When the physical connection between the adapter 1220 and the PD printer 1000 is released by the user, the adapter 1220 is physically connected to the DSC 3012 by the user in step 2605. In step 2606, the adapter 1220 receives image data from the DSC 3012. At this time, as described above, based on the Capability information acquired from the PD printer 1000, the adapter 1220 publishes settable print items (such as paper size) as a folder structure to the DSC 3012, and displays the UI of the adapter 1220 to the user. It is possible to perform print settings for the transfer image by operating. At 2607, the connection between the adapter 1220 and the DSC 3012 is released. The release method at this time may be a physical connection release by a user operation or a logical connection release by the operation of the DSC 3012.

  In step 2608, the adapter 1202 creates a print reservation job based on the image transferred from the DSC 3012. The form of this job may be the script itself that is actually used when executing the print job from the adapter 1220 to the PD printer 1000, or is necessary and sufficient for generating the script that is used when executing the print job. It may be a collection of information.

  The timing for creating a print reservation job (2608) is not necessarily immediately after 2607. Immediately after the transfer of image data from the DSC 3012 (2606), the PD printer 1000, which will be described later, is notified of the start of printing ( Any timing until immediately before 2610) may be used. In creating the reserved print job, the UI function of the adapter 1202 may be used, or when connected to the DSC 3012, it may be created using the UI function of the DSC 3012. .

  In this manner, the physical connection between the adapter 1220 and the DSC 3012 is released by the user, and then the adapter 1220 and the PD printer 1000 are physically reconnected in 2609. At this time, the Capability information held by the adapter 1220 matches the Capability information of the PD printer 1000 that is the reconnection destination, so Capability information is not acquired. Next, in 2610, the adapter 1220 notifies the PD printer 1000 of the start of printing based on the generated print reservation job. As a result, the PD printer 1000 requests the adapter 1220 to transfer image data for printing in 2611. As a result, the image data is transferred from the adapter 1220 to the PD printer 1000 in 2612. In this way, in 2613, the PD printer 1000 performs printing based on the received image data.

  When printing is completed in this way, in 2614, the PD printer 1000 notifies the adapter 1220 that printing has ended. Accordingly, the adapter 1220 automatically cancels the USB connection with the PD printer 1000 in 2615. In step 2616, the adapter 1220 deletes the print image and print reservation job used for printing from the RAM 3203.

  In the first embodiment, it has been described that the adapter 1220 holds one type of Capability information at the same time. For example, it is conceivable that a print reservation job is generated by connecting the DSC 3012 and the adapter 1220 and then connected to another printer at the time of printing. In such a case, since the reserved print job is not the printer assumed, the Capability may be different. In such a case, it is not possible to obtain a printed matter as expected in the print reserved job. Therefore, in step S304 in the flowchart of FIG. 25, if there is no reserved print job using the connected printer, the processing is ended as it is.

  As another solution, when the adapter 1220 issues a print job to the PD printer 1000, it is checked again whether the setting contents of the print job to the PD printer are consistent with the capability information of the PD printer. If they do not match, consider revising the corresponding setting location to its Capability, or changing it to a setting value (default setting) that can be realized by any printer and issuing a print job. It is done. Further, when the alignment is not achieved, the user may be prompted to reconnect the adapter 1220 to a printer capable of alignment by displaying an error on the UI without performing printing.

  Some users have a plurality of printers. In the case of using the adapter according to the second embodiment, in order to make a print reservation reflecting the Capability of each printer, before connecting to the image supply source, connect the printer to be printed and the adapter. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire Capability information of the printer again. For example, when the user has three printers A to C, the adapter 1220 already holds the Capability information of the printer A. In this state, only the print reservation reflecting the Capability of the printer A can be performed. In other words, when there is an image to be printed by the printer B, it is necessary to connect the adapter 1220 to the printer B and then connect the image supply source and the adapter 1220.

  In order to solve this problem, Capability of a plurality of printers that have been connected in the past is stored in the adapter 1220, and any of the plurality of printers is used when the image supply source and the adapter are connected. A method of allowing the user to select whether or not to print is available. As a selection method by the user in this case, there is a method by designating a transfer destination folder as described in step S306 of the flowchart of FIG. In this case, for example, if the printers A to C and the adapter 1220 were connected in the past, when the image supply source and the adapter 1220 are connected, the adapter 1220 sets the folders of the printers A to C to the image supply source. Publish. The printer name in this case can be specified based on information of “DeviceDescription” defined by USB, information exchanged at the time of connection initialization on the direct printing protocol, and the like. Further, even printers of the same model can be distinguished by acquiring serial number information in addition to the model name of the printer.

  In these folders, items that can be set for printing (paper size, etc.) are configured in a folder structure in the same manner as in step S306 (FIG. 25) of the above-described flowchart so that print reservations reflecting the Capability of each printer can be performed. It can be expressed. In addition to the disclosure of such a folder, a printer name to be printed may be selected using a UI on the adapter 1220.

  With the above method, when the image supply source and the adapter are connected, the user can clearly specify which printer is used to print the image.

  When the printer used for printing is designated and the print reservation is made, the adapter holds the print reservation job information in association with the model information of the printer to be printed. Then, the corresponding print reservation job can be executed only when the adapter is connected to a printer that should execute printing.

  Here, a printer defined as “AnyPrinter” may be selected even when an adapter that has never been connected to the printer in the past is used for print reservation. In this case, as the Capability of “AnyPrinter”, only the mandatory function that is always possessed when performing direct printing is provided. The print reservation job for which “AnyPrinter” is selected can be printed by any printer. Note that an adapter that is already connected to the printers A to C may be further selected by adding “AnyPrinter”. Even in this case, the behavior of “AnyPrinter” is as described above.

  Further, when a user introduces a new printer, if the printer is always registered in the adapter, a print reservation job in which “AnyPrinter” has been selected is considered to be executed by one of the printers A to C. Therefore, Capability that can be executed by all registered printers may be provided as Capability of “AnyPrinter”. For example, if “L size” and “2L size” can be selected as the paper size in all Capability information of the printers A to C, the “A size”, “ “2L size” may be selectable.

[Embodiment 2]
Although the adapter according to the first embodiment has only one USB terminal, the second embodiment will be described in the case of the adapter 1200 having an IrDA terminal in addition to the USB terminal.

  FIGS. 27A to 27D are diagrams showing an outline when the adapter 1200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is used.

  The adapter 1200 includes an IrDA terminal, so that the printing method according to the second embodiment and the method according to the first embodiment, that is, the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000 and printing is performed based on the image data received at the IrDA terminal. Printing can be performed by any of the methods. FIG. 27A shows a state in which an adapter 1200 is connected to the PC 3010 to make a print reservation. FIG. 27B shows a state in which the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000 and a print job reserved for printing is executed. When the print job is executed in this way, the print job stored in the area 1221 is deleted. FIG. 27C shows a state in which after the print reservation by the print data received from the IrDA terminal, the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000 and a print job is executed. Also in this case, when the print job is executed, the print job stored in the area 1221 is deleted. Further, FIG. 27D shows a state in which the image data received from the IrDA terminal is transferred to the PC 3010 via the adapter 1200. Specifically, the adapter 1200 receives an image file transferred by infrared from another terminal with an IrDA terminal such as the mobile phone 1100, holds the received image file in the area 1221, and sends it to a USB host that supports PTP connection. Forward. In this case, since the print job has not ended, the print job stored in the area 1221 is retained without being erased.

  In such a case, a file received by the IrDA terminal while the adapter 1200 is connected to the PD printer 1000 needs to be handled as an image file for direct printing. In addition, the adapter 1200 cannot directly print, but the file received by the IrDA terminal in a state where the adapter 1200 is connected to a USB host that supports PTP communication is disclosed by the adapter 1200 to the USB host through a PTP connection. It is necessary to save it in a readable / writable area.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an operation when the adapter 1200 according to the second embodiment is connected to a USB host (including an image supply source and a PD printer) and an image file is received via the IrDA terminal.

  This process is started by receiving a file by the IrDA I / F 1202, and first, in step S401, it is determined whether the adapter 1200 has already established a USB connection with the USB host. If the connection has been established, the process proceeds to step S403. If the connection has not been established, the process proceeds to step S402, behaves as a SIC device class for the USB host, and attempts to start a PTP connection with the USB host. The process proceeds to step S403. Refer to Picture Transfer Protocol (PIMA 15740) for details of the procedure for PTP connection.

  In step S403, the adapter 1200 determines whether a PTP connection is established with the USB host. If it is determined that the PTP connection is established, the process proceeds to step S404. If it is determined that the PTP connection is not established, the process is terminated.

  In step S404, the adapter 1200 starts communication connection for direct print connection with the USB host. In step S405, the adapter 1200 determines whether a communication connection for direct printing has been established with the USB host. If necessary, this procedure may be repeated within a certain time (for example, 30 seconds) from the process of step S404, or may be realized by waiting for a signal indicating that it has been established. When it is determined in step S405 that a communication connection for direct printing has been established, the process proceeds to step S406. The adapter 1200 treats the file received via the IrDAI / F 1202 as an image file for printing, and performs direct printing. Printing is performed (see the previous embodiment). Then, the IrDA transfer process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the communication connection for direct printing has not been established in step S405, the process advances to step S407, and the adapter 1200 stores the file received via the IrDAI / F 1202 in the storage memory area 1221 of the adapter 1200. . The file stored here can be handled from the USB host by PTP connection with the USB host. As an example of the protocol stack at this time, FIG. 29 shows an example in which the USB host is a PC corresponding to PTP.

  29, the adapter 1200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the PD printer 1000, and the infrared transmission / reception unit 1101 of the mobile phone with camera 1100 is connected to the infrared transmission / reception unit 1202 of the adapter 1200 as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of protocol stacks constructed by each of a PD printer 1000, an adapter 1200, and a camera-equipped mobile phone 1100 when directed.

  In FIG. 28, when the adapter 1200 receives the IrDA file, the process may proceed to step S401 after completion of the actual file reception process. However, at this point, no response indicating that the file transfer is accepted is not sent. In step S407 or S406, a reply may be sent when the file storage destination is determined. In this case, if the PTP connection is not established in step S403, the file transfer to the adapter 1200 is not performed. Therefore, when the process is terminated in step S403, the acceptance of the file is rejected via the IrDAI / F 1202. Reply to that effect. As a result, it is possible to prevent the IrDA transfer of files that are not actually required from being performed wastefully.

  In the above, in the adapter 1200 according to the second embodiment, the method of switching the operation when receiving the IrDA file transfer by the USB host to which the adapter is connected has been described.

  Here, for example, when an IrDA file can be accepted even if the adapter has a built-in battery and is not connected to the USB host, the handling of the received file cannot be determined by the USB host. In such a case, as a method of handling the received file, simply when the file is received by IrDA without being connected to the USB host, the file may be stored in the storage area of the adapter 1200. .

  Further, when the file path of the received file is described as being located below a specific folder (eg, ForPrinting), it may be handled as an image file for direct printing reservation. In this case, the adapter 1200 generates a print reservation job with print settings based on the UI settings of the adapter.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, direct printing that reflects the Capability of an image forming apparatus between an image forming apparatus (printer) and an image supply source (such as a camera or a mobile phone) located at a distance. It can be performed.

  Further, as an effect of detecting the connection destination of the adapter and switching the operation of the adapter, when an IrDA terminal is mounted on the adapter, an operation corresponding to the connection destination of the adapter is performed when a file is received from IrDA. be able to.

It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the printing system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is an external view of the adapter which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of the adapter which concerns on this Embodiment. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an overview of an operation panel of the PD printer according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part related to control of the PD printer according to the embodiment. 1 is an external view of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of the mobile phone with a camera which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication protocol stack of PD printer, an adapter, and the mobile phone with IrDA based on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication protocol stack | stuck according to the Example of this invention with PD printer, an adapter, and a mobile telephone with a BlueTooth function. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication protocol stack of PD printer, an adapter, and PC with a USB host terminal based on the Example of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication protocol stack of a PC with a PD printer, an adapter, and an IEEE 1394-1995 terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication protocol stack | stuck of PDA with a PD printer, an adapter, and an 802.11 apparatus based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the flow of a communication process in case the adapter and PD printer which concern on a present Example are connected by USB, and direct printing is performed. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a flow of initialization processing at the time of direct printing by USB, and is a detailed explanatory diagram of the initialization processing 1401 of FIG. 14. It is a flowchart explaining the script transfer process at the time of direct printing by USB. It is a figure which shows an example of the script for acquiring Capability at the time of direct printing by USB. It is a figure explaining the job issue script at the time of direct printing by USB. It is a figure which shows an example of the status notification script at the time of direct printing by USB. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process of the initialization at the time of IrDA, and file transfer between the adapter which concerns on a present Example, and a mobile telephone. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization process executed by the adapter when the PD printer according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the adapter. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in a case where the adapter according to the embodiment is connected to a PD printer and the adapter receives image data from a mobile phone and direct printing is performed. 2 is an overview of the adapter according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the outline at the time of use of the adapter concerning this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the adapter at the time of connecting the adapter which concerns on this Embodiment 1 to a USB host. 4 is a diagram for explaining data exchange between the adapter according to the first embodiment, a PD printer, and a DSC. FIG. It is a figure showing the outline at the time of use of the adapter which concerns on this Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when an adapter according to the second embodiment is connected to a USB host and an image file is received via an IrDA terminal. The adapter according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the PD printer, and each of the PD printer, the adapter, and the cellular phone when the infrared transceiver unit of the cellular phone is directed to the infrared transceiver unit of the adapter as shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the protocol stack to construct.

Claims (14)

A relay device that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information;
A connection terminal that can be exclusively connected to the image forming apparatus and the image supply source;
When an image supply source is connected to the connection terminal, image storage means for storing image information acquired from the image supply source and device information of an image forming apparatus that is an image formation target;
An acquisition unit configured to acquire device information of the connected image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the connection terminal;
Determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired by the acquiring means;
When the determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, the image information stored in the image storage unit is stored in the image forming unit in accordance with device information of the image forming target image forming apparatus. Image formation control means for converting into image formation data for the apparatus and supplying it to the image forming apparatus;
A relay apparatus comprising:   The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication protocol with the image forming apparatus uses PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol).   The relay apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a holding unit that holds a plurality of pieces of device information of an image forming apparatus that has been connected through the connection terminal.   The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device information includes at least one of a vendor name, a vendor code, a model name, a model code, a serial number, and an image forming capability. apparatus. A relay device that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information;
A first communication terminal for communicating with the image supply source;
A second communication terminal for connecting to an external device;
Obtaining means for obtaining device information of an external device connected to the second communication terminal;
Determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired by the acquiring means;
When the determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, it is acquired from the image supply source via the first communication terminal according to the device information of the connected image forming apparatus. Image formation control means for converting image information into image formation data and supplying it to the image forming apparatus;
An image storage means for storing image information acquired from the image supply source via the first communication terminal when it is determined that an image forming apparatus is not connected to the second communication terminal;
A relay apparatus comprising:   6. The relay device according to claim 5, wherein the second communication terminal is a USB connector compliant with an A connector.   The relay device according to claim 5, wherein the first communication terminal is an infrared transmission / reception terminal. A control method for a relay apparatus that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information,
When the image supply source is connected to a connection terminal that can be exclusively connected to the image forming apparatus and the image supply source, the image information acquired from the image supply source and the device information of the image forming apparatus to be image formed are An image storage step for storing in a memory;
An acquisition step of acquiring device information of the connected image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the connection terminal;
A determination step of determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired in the acquisition step;
When it is determined in the determining step that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, the image information stored in the image storing step is stored in the image forming process in accordance with device information of the image forming target image forming apparatus. An image formation control step of converting the image formation data for the apparatus and supplying it to the image forming apparatus;
A control method for a relay device, comprising:   9. The method according to claim 8, wherein PTP is used as a communication protocol with the image forming apparatus.   10. The relay device control method according to claim 8, further comprising a holding step of holding a plurality of pieces of device information of image forming apparatuses that have been connected via the connection terminals.   The relay according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the device information includes at least one of a vendor name, a vendor code, a model name, a model code, a serial number, and an image forming capability. Device control method. A control method for a relay apparatus that receives image information from an image supply source and causes an image forming apparatus to form an image based on the image information,
An image acquisition step of acquiring image information from the image supply source via a first communication terminal;
An acquisition step of acquiring device information of the external device connected to the second communication terminal for connecting to the external device;
A determination step of determining whether the image forming apparatus is an image forming target based on the device information acquired in the acquisition step;
When it is determined in the determination step that the image forming apparatus is the image forming target, the image is acquired from the image supply source via the first communication terminal according to the device information of the connected image forming apparatus. An image formation control step of converting image information into image formation data and supplying the image formation data;
An image storage step of acquiring image information from the image supply source by the image acquisition step and storing the image information in a memory when it is determined that no image forming apparatus is connected to the second communication terminal. A control method for a relay device.   The relay device control method according to claim 12, wherein the second communication terminal is a USB connector compliant with an A connector.   The relay device control method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first communication terminal is an infrared transmission / reception terminal.

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