JP2007027958A - Image forming system, control method of communication means, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system capable of securing connection between an imaging apparatus and an image forming apparatus closest to the imaging apparatus even if a wireless communication means can directly connect the imaging apparatus to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, to provide a control method of the communication means and to provide the imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system wherein the imaging apparatus for compressing image data generated by imaging an object and storing the compressed data and the image forming apparatus for forming a visible image on recording paper on the basis of the image data received from the imaging apparatus are connected in a communicable way with each other is characterized in that the imaging apparatus measures positional information of the image forming apparatuses and secures connection to the image forming apparatus closer or closest to the imaging apparatus even if a plurality of the image forming apparatuses are present in the system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a control method for an image forming system, and more particularly to a printer connection method between direct print systems connected by a wireless I / F, and a direct connection with an image forming apparatus without using a computer or the like. The present invention relates to an image forming system and an imaging apparatus that can be used.

  In recent years, with the advance of image input devices such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, and scanners, thermal transfer printers have attracted attention as image output means for printing out the input images.

  As a thermal transfer printer, for example, a heat-sensitive paper is used as a printing paper, and the paper is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while selectively driving a plurality of heating elements (thermal heads) arranged in the main-scanning direction. Thus, there is a line thermal transfer system that performs dot-line printing on the paper.

  In a general inkjet printer that is currently popular, only a binary selection of whether or not to drop a droplet causes a small droplet to land on the paper and use an error diffusion method or the like for apparent resolution and gradation. Has gained sex. On the other hand, in the case of a thermal transfer type printer, the controllable heat value in one pixel can be easily changed, so that a large gradation can be obtained for one pixel. Smooth high-quality images can be obtained.

  In addition, the performance of the thermal head and the quality of the paper material are remarkably improved, and it is becoming possible to obtain an image quality that is not inferior to a silver salt photograph in the finished quality of the printed image. As described above, in order to keep pace with recent advances in digital cameras, thermal transfer printers are attracting attention as printers for natural images.

  Therefore, such a printer is directly connected to a photographing device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, or the photographed image information is printed out without going through an information processing device such as a computer as an integral configuration. A system that prints out image data from an imaging device by transferring it to a printer through wireless communication has also appeared.

  Here, a camera direct print system in which a digital camera and a printer are directly connected will be described in detail.

  An image taken by a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) is temporarily stored in a recording medium in the camera. In order to print out this image with a printer, the user directly connects the camera and the printer with a dedicated cable.

  Next, the image stored in the recording medium in the camera is displayed on the camera display, and the user selects the image to be printed. At this time, it goes without saying that an operation member of the camera is used to select an image.

  When the image to be printed is selected, the selected image data is transferred to the printer by the user pressing a print instruction key assigned to the operation member of the camera. In the printer device, the received image data is subjected to data processing so as to be in a printable format, and then printed out on paper.

  As described above, in the conventional camera direct print system, the user can perform high-quality printing of a captured image only by operating the operation member of the digital camera several times, and is very excellent in operability (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

  In general, an image taken by a digital camera is compressed by the JPEG method and saved as a JPEG file.

  Therefore, in the conventional camera direct print system, by limiting the transfer file format to a JPEG file, it is possible to construct a system with devices from different manufacturers. For example, even in a system in which a digital camera manufactured by company A and a printer manufactured by company B are connected by a USB cable, high-quality printing can be performed by sending a JPEG file from the digital camera manufactured by company A to the printer manufactured by company B.

A standard called “PictBridge (registered trademark)” based on the idea described above was announced in July 2003.
JP-A-10-243327

  The direct print system is used by connecting a camera and a printer via USB. Because there is a wired connection, even if there are multiple printers, the printers that can be connected are limited to the reach of the cable. For this reason, a printer close to the digital camera that you have is selected as the connection partner.

  However, when the direct print system is applied to wireless communication means in the future, all printers within the wireless reach can be connected, and a printer close to the digital camera that the user has is not necessarily selected as a connection partner. In this case, the printed material may be printed using a printer at a remote location. Further, communication with a node that is too far away has a problem in that the radio wave condition is difficult to stabilize, and a considerable amount of time is required for communication, resulting in lack of convenience.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. Even when an imaging apparatus and a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be directly connected by wireless communication means, the connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the imaging apparatus is established. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, a communication means control method, and an imaging apparatus that can be secured.

As a means for achieving the above object, an image forming system of the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image capturing apparatus that compresses and holds image data generated by capturing an image of a subject and an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on image data received from the image capturing apparatus can communicate with each other. An image forming system connected in such a manner that the imaging apparatus measures position information of the image forming apparatus, and even when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus is close to or closest to the imaging apparatus. An image forming system that secures connection with an apparatus.

  According to the present invention, even when an imaging apparatus and a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be directly connected by wireless communication means, an image forming system and an imaging system that can secure a connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the imaging apparatus Providing the device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a camera direct print system in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a JPEG compressed image captured by a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “camera”) 1 and a JPEG compressed image stored in a memory medium after shooting are stored as JPEG files via an exclusive printer 2 (hereinafter referred to as “JPEG”). The image data is simply sent to “printer”) 3 and subjected to image processing such as JPEG file decompression, resizing, and print data creation in the printer 3 and then color output on paper.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation member provided in the camera 1, and the user uses this to select a print pattern, a print target image, a print designation frame, a paper size, and the like, and the liquid crystal screen 5 provided in the camera 1 also selects the operation member. The operation content can be confirmed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration for creating print data in the camera 1.

  In the figure, 20 is a CCD for converting an image formed through a lens into an electrical signal, 21 is a CPU for system control and arithmetic processing of the camera 1, and 22 is an image for processing an electrical signal sent from the CCD 20. An image processing unit including a processing engine or the like.

  In the image processing unit 22, various image processing such as compression is performed on the captured image data. 23 is a flash ROM for storing a system control program for the camera 1, 24 is an SDRAM used for temporarily storing image data or data processing work, and 25 is a CF (compact flash (registered trademark) memory). This is a recording medium for storing image data files. Reference numeral 26 denotes a CF connector for attaching the CF 25 to the camera 1, 27 denotes an LCD for displaying a photographed image and an operation menu of the camera 1, and 28 denotes an LCD driver for driving the LCD 27. Reference numeral 29 denotes a communication control unit that controls communication between connected printers. An operation unit 30 is used to input instructions from the user.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the use of the direct print system in one embodiment according to the present invention.

General Camera Direct Print FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a standard processing sequence until the first printing is performed in a general camera direct print system.

  Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding of the features of the present embodiment, the operation of the camera direct print system will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that a plurality of captured image data are stored as JPEG files in the storage medium in the camera.

  When a photographed image of a camera is transferred to a printer for printing, the camera and the printer are first negotiated with each other after connection with the USB (A1). In this negotiation, first, function confirmation is performed, and it is confirmed whether or not each other device is a device having a direct print system (DPS) function.

  Thereafter, the service function confirmation (A2) on the printer side is performed on the camera side, and the service function of each device, such as the version information of the direct print system, is confirmed.

  Next, printer capability confirmation (A3) is performed on the camera side, and printer capability information that can be set, such as paper type, paper size, and print quality, is acquired. On the camera side, the acquired information can be appropriately reflected on the own liquid crystal screen, and the user uses the liquid crystal screen and the operation member to select settings for the printer as necessary. As a result, the camera can perform actual print control as a DPS-compatible device.

  Next, the user selects an image desired to be printed using a print instruction button (not shown) on the operation member on the camera side (A4), sets various printing conditions (A5), and instructs the start of the printing operation. (A6). Then, the camera requests the printer to start printing together with the various print settings that have been set (A7).

  Then, the printer side requests information such as the size of the image file necessary for printing from the camera side (A8), and accordingly, file information is transmitted from the camera side to the printer side (A9).

  The printer requests an actual image file based on the file information sent (A10), and the image file is transmitted from the camera in response to the request (A11). Then, the printer generates print data based on the transmitted image file (A12), and performs actual print processing (A13).

  When printing is completed on the printer side, a print end notification is sent to the camera side (A14). Then, the print end message is displayed on the camera side in response to the reception of the notification (A15).

  The first print is completed by sequentially performing the sequence of A1 to A15, and the sequence of A4 to A15 is repeatedly executed for the second and subsequent prints.

Direct Print of the Present Embodiment FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standard processing sequence until the first printing is performed in the camera direct print system in which the DPS compatible devices in the present embodiment are connected to each other.

  Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding of the features of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of captured image data is stored as JPEG files in a storage medium in the camera.

  In this embodiment, first, immediately after the connection request (FIG. 5-B2), the electric field strength measurement of each node (in this case, the printer) is performed (FIG. 5-B3) before performing a series of DPS connection processing. This connection request is started by an operation member (not shown) on the camera side. This measurement result is determined on the camera side (FIG. 5-B4), and a node that is too weak or does not reach a certain threshold value closes the connection immediately without performing subsequent processing (FIG. 5-B5). ). This threshold value is set by the operation member on the camera side (FIG. 5-B1). If the threshold is reached, a series of DPS connection processing is entered (FIG. 5-B6).

  When the search of each node is completed, the nearest printer is displayed on the liquid crystal screen by the camera side UI. A printer whose electric field strength is too weak is not displayed on the liquid crystal screen. When there are a plurality of close printers, all of them may be displayed so that the user can select them.

  On the liquid crystal screen, processing such as blinking or displaying in bold type is performed so that the printer that can be used by the user can be clearly understood.

  In addition, measurement of electric field strength (FIG. 7) is normally used as the position measurement means. However, when there are a plurality of wireless LAN nodes whose self position or relative position is known, triangulation (FIG. 8) or You may apply the method as shown by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-215258.

  FIG. 6 is a flow when the camera and the printer are too far as a result of the position measurement. After the request (C1) for connecting the camera to the printer, the result of the position measurement (C2) indicates that the distance is long. , C3 (similar to the processing of A1-A15 in FIG. 4) is to be stopped.

[Other embodiments]
It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a scanner, a printer, etc.) or an apparatus composed of a single device (for example, a multifunction device). May be.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and to perform a computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

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

  Further, by executing the program code read out by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

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

  When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the sequence described above.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the camera direct print system in one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows notionally use of the direct print system in one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the camera direct print system which consists of general DPS corresponding | compatible apparatuses. Flowchart showing processing on the camera side in the present embodiment The figure which shows the process sequence of the camera direct print system which consists of DPS corresponding apparatuses in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows notionally the position measurement process by electric field strength measurement. It is a figure which shows notionally the position measurement process by a triangulation.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Dedicated Cable 3 Inkjet Printer 4 Camera Operation Member 5 LCD Screen 20 CCD
21 CPU
22 Image processor 23 Flash ROM
24 SDRAM
26 CF connector 27 LCD
28 LCD driver 29 Communication control unit 30 Operation unit

Claims (6)

An image capturing apparatus that compresses and holds image data generated by capturing an image of a subject and an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on image data received from the image capturing apparatus can communicate with each other. An image forming system connected to be
The imaging apparatus measures positional information of the image forming apparatus, and ensures connection with an image forming apparatus close to or closest to the imaging apparatus even when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a wireless connection. An image capturing apparatus that compresses and holds image data generated by capturing an image of a subject and an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on image data received from the image capturing apparatus can communicate with each other. A control method of communication means in an image forming system connected to be
In the imaging apparatus,
Enter threshold information for position measurement,
Measuring position information of the image forming apparatus,
If the position information does not reach the threshold value, immediately disconnect from the image forming apparatus,
Select output image data to be output only when the threshold is reached,
A method for controlling communication means, comprising: transmitting output image data to the image forming apparatus. An imaging apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on recording paper based on image data,
Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
Image compression means for compressing the image data;
Image holding means for holding the compressed image data;
Image selecting means for selecting output image data from a plurality of image data held in the image holding means;
Wireless communication means for transmitting the output image data to a connected image forming apparatus;
Position measuring means for measuring position information of the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication means;
Have
An imaging apparatus comprising: determining whether the communication unit is connected or disconnected based on information obtained by the position measuring unit.   3. A program for operating an imaging device as an imaging device constituting the image forming system according to claim 1 by controlling the imaging device.   6. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 5 is recorded.