JP2007111905A - Image picking-up unit, portable printer and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a printing system consisting of an image picking-up unit and a portable printer be easy to use. <P>SOLUTION: The image picking-up unit 3 and the portable printer 4 are made freely removable if necessary. When the image picking-up unit 3 is mounted, the image picking-up unit 3 and the portable printer 4 are electrically connected with each other. A grip 20 is provided on the portable printer 4 so that photographing can be performed by holding the portable printer. In addition, a release button 10 is provided on the approximately opposite side of a position where a USB connector 5 is provided, so that the posture of the image picking-up unit 3 is prevented from becoming unstable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging unit, a portable printer, and a print system that combines these.

  A technique is known in which a photographing device such as a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone is connected to a printer, and image data of an image photographed by the photographing device is directly received and printing is performed based on the image data (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to this technique, the image data of the photographing device can be directly received without going through the personal computer, so that the printing operation can be performed relatively easily.

In particular, in recent years, portable printers that can receive image data and perform printing have been put into practical use. By taking a photographing device and a portable printer together, the photographed image can be photographed on the spot. Can be confirmed. Further, since the image data remains in the portable printer, the same number of shot images can be printed as many times as desired. As a portable printer in practical use, an image data is received by infrared communication, an exposure is performed on an instant film stored in the printer based on the image data, and then a developer is developed. Yes.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-275418 JP 2001-230954 A

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, two steps of taking a picture with a photographing device and transmitting image data of the photographing device to the portable printer until a photograph is obtained using the photographing device and the portable printer. Was necessary. For this reason, the photographed image to be printed can be selected, but printing is not immediately performed immediately after photographing. For a user, if a portable printer can be used like a digital version of an instant camera by adding a photographing function in addition to the conventional use, it becomes very convenient. In recent years, an image pickup unit including a photographing lens and a solid-state image pickup device can be manufactured very small and inexpensively.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an image pickup unit and a portable printer can be attached and detached as necessary, and can be printed immediately after shooting, and can be used easily. The purpose is to provide.

  The print system according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit including a photographic lens and an image pickup device, and a portable printer that is electrically connected to the image pickup unit when the image pickup unit is detachably mounted. A release button that is provided on one of the imaging unit and the portable printer, is activated when the imaging unit is mounted, and is operated while holding the portable printer; Control means for acquiring image data by the imaging device in response to an operation of a release button and recording an image on a recording medium housed in the portable printer based on the image data. To do.

  The portable printer is provided with a grip portion for gripping at the time of photographing, and this grip portion is preferably arranged so that the index finger can reach the release button in the gripped state.

  It is preferable that a finder is provided in the imaging unit, and the finder is disposed so as to be positioned on a side closer to the grip portion of the mounted imaging unit with respect to the photographing lens.

  The imaging unit is provided with a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is inserted into a connected portion of the portable printer so that the imaging unit is mounted, and the release button is connected to the imaging unit. It is preferable to be provided on the surface opposite to the surface on which the connection portion is provided.

  It is preferable that the front surface of the imaging unit protrudes from the front surface of the portable printer on the front side that is the subject side when the imaging unit is mounted.

  The portable printer is provided with a connected portion into which the connecting portion of the imaging unit is inserted when the imaging unit is mounted, and a first position that covers the connected portion and a first portion that exposes the connected portion. A cover that moves between two positions is provided, and in the second position, the cover preferably protrudes forward with respect to the front surface on the subject side of the portable printer.

  In the portable printer according to the present invention, an imaging unit including a photographic lens and an imaging element is detachably attached, and is electrically connected to the imaging unit along with the attachment. When a release button provided in the image pickup unit is operated while holding the mold printer, image data of a subject image is acquired by the image pickup device in response to the operation, and the portable type is acquired based on the image data. Control means for recording an image on a recording medium housed in the printer is provided.

  The image pickup unit of the present invention includes a photographic lens and an image pickup device, and is electrically connected to the portable printer in accordance with the detachable attachment to the portable printer. A release button that is activated when attached to the printer and arranged to be operated while holding the portable printer, and an image of a subject image by the imaging device in response to the operation of the release button. And control means for acquiring data and transmitting the image data to the portable printer.

  The print system according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit including a photographic lens and an image pickup device, and a portable printer that is electrically connected to the image pickup unit when the image pickup unit is detachably mounted. The release button is provided on one of the imaging unit and the portable printer and is activated when the imaging unit is mounted. The release button is operated while holding the portable printer, and the release button is operated. In response to acquiring image data by the image pickup device and recording an image on a recording medium housed in the portable printer based on the image data, when the image pickup unit is not mounted, Can be used as a compact portable printer, while the portable printer can be used when an imaging unit is installed. It can be used like a digital version of an instant camera. In response to the operation of the release button, the acquired image data is automatically sent to the printer, and printing is performed immediately based on this image data. be able to. In addition, since shooting is performed while holding the portable printer, it is possible to perform shooting with a stable posture.

  The portable printer is provided with a grip part for gripping during shooting, and this grip part is arranged so that the index finger reaches the release button in the gripped state, so that the portable printer can be securely gripped. In addition, it is possible to take a picture while preventing camera shake. In addition, since it is possible to secure a place for placing a finger other than the index finger (for example, the middle finger), it is possible to prevent the finger from entering the photographing lens.

  The image pickup unit is provided with a viewfinder, and this viewfinder is arranged on the side closer to the grip portion of the attached image pickup unit with respect to the photographing lens. If the tip of the lens has entered the photographing lens, it can be confirmed through the viewfinder, so that a photographing failure due to the reflection of the finger can be prevented.

  The imaging unit is provided with a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is inserted into the connected portion of the portable printer so that the imaging unit is mounted. The release button is provided with the connecting portion of the imaging unit. Because it is provided on the surface opposite to the surface, when pressing the release button during shooting, this pressing force works in the direction in which the connecting portion is inserted into the connected portion, that is, the direction in which the imaging unit is mounted, The imaging unit can be securely attached.

  Since the front surface of the imaging unit protrudes from the front surface of the portable printer on the subject side when the imaging unit is mounted, the finger (for example, the middle finger) is held when the portable printer is gripped during shooting. The tip is located on the front of the portable printer, but the tip of the finger is not caught by the projecting part of the imaging unit and does not move to the front of the imaging unit. , Can prevent shooting failure.

  The portable printer is provided with a connected portion into which the connecting portion of the imaging unit is inserted when the imaging unit is mounted, and between the first position that covers the connected portion and the second position that exposes the connected portion. In the second position, this cover protrudes forward with respect to the front surface on the subject side of the portable printer, so that when the portable printer is gripped during photographing, The tip of the finger (for example, the middle finger) is located on the front of the portable printer, and the tip of the finger is not caught by the protruding part of the cover and moves to the front of the imaging unit. The camera can be prevented from failing in shooting. The cover may be slid between the first position and the second position, or may be rotated about the rotation axis.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 2 of the present invention has a photographing function, and includes an imaging unit 3 and a portable printer (hereinafter, printer) 4. Both the imaging unit 3 and the printer 4 have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the imaging unit 3 is attached and detached as necessary.

  A USB connector 5 is provided on the lower surface 3 a of the imaging unit 3. The USB connector 5 can be inserted into a USB port 6 provided on the upper surface 4 a of the printer 4. When the USB connector 5 is inserted into the USB port 6, the imaging unit 3 is fixed to the printer 4, and the imaging unit 3 and the printer 4 are electrically connected so that data and power can be exchanged.

  On the upper surface of the imaging unit 3, an inclined surface 3c that is inclined with respect to the upper surface is formed. The inclined surface 3c is provided with a release button 10 that is pressed during photographing. The release button 10 is located almost on the opposite side of the position where the USB connector 5 is provided. On the front surface 3b of the imaging unit 3, an object side window 11a, a photographing lens 12, and a mirror 13 of the finder 11 are provided in order from the side closer to the release button 10. The mirror 13 is used when photographing itself. An eyepiece side window 11b of the finder 11 is provided on the back surface of the imaging unit 3 (see FIG. 2).

  A grip 20 is provided on the front surface 4 b of the printer 4. The grip 20 is made of rubber, and is provided on the left side when viewed from the front so as to extend in the vertical direction. The grip 20 is positioned below the release button 10 when the imaging unit 3 is mounted. An index finger can reach the release button 10 while holding the printer 4. The material and shape of the grip 20 are not limited to the above.

  Further, on the front side 4 b of the printer 4, an IrDA transmission / reception unit 21, a power button 22, a repeat button 23, and a counter 24 are provided on the right side when viewed from the front. The IrDA transmission / reception unit 21 can perform infrared communication conforming to IrDA, and can receive image data from, for example, a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone. The repeat button 23 is operated when performing printing similar to the previous printing. The counter 24 displays the remaining number of instant films 26 (see FIG. 2) stored in the printer 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a film door 25 for opening and closing a film loading chamber (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the printer 4. A plurality of instant films 26 can be loaded in the film loading chamber with the film door 25 opened. A film discharge port 27 for discharging the instant film 26 after printing is provided on the lower surface of the printer 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3 which is a side view of the main part of the printer 4 to which the image pickup unit 3 is mounted, the front surface 3b of the image pickup unit 3 projects from the front surface 4b of the printer 4 by L1. Thereby, when the photographer holds the printer 4, the finger (for example, the middle finger) can be prevented from being caught on the protruding portion of the imaging unit 3 and entering the lens surface of the photographing lens 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, which is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system 2, a CCD image sensor 50 is disposed behind the photographing lens 12 on the imaging unit side. The CCD image sensor 50 is connected to a CCD drive unit 51, and the drive is controlled by the CCD drive unit 51. The CCD image sensor 50 converts an optical subject image into an electrical imaging signal and outputs it. The imaging signal is amplified to an appropriate level by the amplifier 53, and then digitally converted by the A / D converter 54 to become image data. This image data is input to the image processing unit 55 and subjected to various image processing such as gradation conversion, white balance correction, and γ correction. Note that the image processing unit 55 may be provided on the printer side.

  The imaging unit system control unit 52 controls imaging processing on the imaging unit side while communicating with the printer system control unit 60. The release button 10 is connected to the imaging unit system control unit 52. When the release button 10 is pressed, image data subjected to image processing is sent to the printer side via the USB connector 5 and the USB port 6, and this image data is written in the memory 61.

  Even when the IrDA transmission / reception unit 21 receives image data by infrared communication, the image data is written in the memory 61.

  The printer system control unit 60 controls print processing on the printer side while communicating with the imaging unit system control unit 52. A power button 22 and a repeat button 23 are connected to the printer system control unit 60. The printer system control unit 60 instructs printing when the image data from the imaging unit 3 is received, the image data is received via the IrDA transmission / reception unit 21, or the repeat button 23 is operated.

  The printer 4 includes a transport mechanism 63 that transports the instant film 26, and the transport mechanism 63 is controlled by a transport mechanism driving unit 64. The transport mechanism 63 includes a transport roller and a developing roller. The transport roller transports the instant film 26 on the foremost side toward the film discharge port 27. The developing roller nips the instant film 26 to be conveyed, thereby crushing the developing pool provided in the instant film 26 and developing the developer.

  Further, the printer 4 is provided with a print head 65 for writing an image on the instant film 26, and the print head 65 is controlled by a head drive unit 66. The print head 65 includes three color LEDs having emission colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), a light guide, and a liquid crystal shutter. The three color LEDs emit light sequentially, and each color light is guided onto the instant film 26 through a light guide. Here, a liquid crystal shutter is arranged in the middle of the optical path, and the transmission amount of each color light is controlled according to the image data by this liquid crystal shutter. A latent image of one line extending in the main scanning direction (instant film width direction) is recorded on the instant film 26 irradiated with each color light. The instant film 26 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and lines are sequentially recorded on the instant film 26. When the developer is developed in the area where the latent image is recorded, the image becomes obvious.

  A battery 67 is disposed in the printer, and the battery 67 supplies power to each part of the printer 4. The battery 67 also supplies power to each part of the imaging unit 3 via the USB port 6 and the USB connector 5.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described along the flow charts of FIGS. 5 and 6. When the USB connector 5 is inserted into the USB port 6, the imaging unit 3 is fixed to the printer 4 and the imaging unit 3 and the printer 4 are electrically connected. When the power button 22 of the printer 4 is pressed, the release button 10 is validated, and each part of the image pickup unit 3 is driven, so that photographing can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when gripping the printer 4 with the imaging unit 3 attached, hold the grip 20 on the front surface 4b with the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger of the right hand, place the index finger on the release button 10, and use the thumb. Support the back. Here, since the front surface 3b of the image pickup unit 3 protrudes with respect to the front surface 4b of the printer 4, the middle finger is not caught by the protruding portion of the image pickup unit 3 and moves to the front surface 3b of the image pickup unit 3. This prevents the middle finger from entering the lens surface of the photographic lens 12. Even if the middle finger moves to the front surface 3 b of the imaging unit 3, the finder 11 is disposed on the left side of the photographing lens 12, and it can be noticed that the middle finger has entered through the finder 11.

  When the subject is confirmed through the viewfinder 11 and the release button 10 is pressed with the index finger, the image data of the subject image at that time is acquired, and this image data is subjected to image processing and automatically transmitted to the printer side. And once recorded in the memory 61. When the index finger presses the release button 10, the pressing force F of the index finger works in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface 3c. The pressing force F can be decomposed into a pressing force F1 perpendicular to the lower surface 3a of the imaging unit 3 (upper surface 4a of the printer 4) and a pressing force F2 parallel to the lower surface 3a (upper surface 4a). Of these, the pressing force F <b> 1 works in the direction in which the USB connector 5 is inserted to make the mounting of the imaging unit 3 more reliable. Thereby, even if the release button 10 is operated, the posture of the image pickup unit 3 does not become unstable, and the photographer can continue photographing with peace of mind.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when shooting is performed using the mounted imaging unit 3, image data acquired by the imaging unit 3 is recorded in the memory 61, and this image data is used as print data. The When image data is received by infrared communication from a photographing device other than the imaging unit 3, such as a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, the image data is recorded in the memory 61, and the image data is printed. Data. Further, when the repeat button 23 is operated without receiving the image data, the image data recorded in the memory 61, that is, the same image data as that used in the previous print is set as the print data. The

  The printer 4 performs print processing based on the image data recorded in the memory 61. The transport mechanism 63 is driven to start transporting the instant film 26, and the latent image is recorded line by line by the print head 65 in accordance with the transport of the instant film 26. In the area where the latent image is recorded, the developer is developed in accordance with the conveyance so that the image is made visible, and the printed instant film 26 is discharged from the film discharge port 27. Printing is automatically performed simply by pressing the release button 10, and the photographer can immediately take a photograph immediately after photographing. When printing is performed again, the above operation is repeated. When all the prints are completed and the power button 22 is pressed, the driving of each part of the imaging unit 3 and the printer 4 is stopped.

  Although not particularly described in the above embodiment, a cover 100 that protects the USB port 6 may be attached to the upper surface 4a of the imaging unit 3 as shown in FIG. The cover 100 slides between a protection position (first position) indicated by a solid line in the drawing and a protruding position (second position) indicated by a two-dot chain line. The cover 100 covers the USB port 6 in the protected position, and exposes the USB port 6 so that the USB connector 5 can be inserted in the protruding position. The cover 100 moves to the protruding position when and after the image pickup unit 3 is attached. As shown in FIG. 9, the cover 100 protrudes forward by L2 with respect to the front surface 4b of the printer 4 at the protruding position. As a result, when shooting with the printer 4 held, the middle finger of the right hand is not caught on the lower surface of the cover 100 and moved to the front surface 3b of the imaging unit 3, so that the middle finger is on the lens surface of the photographing lens 12. Intrusion is prevented. Instead of the cover 100 that slides, a cover that rotates may be used. As shown in FIG. 10, the cover 200 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 201 and moves between a protection position and a protruding position, like the cover 100.

  In the above embodiment, the release button is provided in the image pickup unit, but may be provided in the printer. In the above embodiment, the imaging unit and the printer are connected using the USB connector, but other connectors may be used. In addition, instead of an electrically connected connector, the imaging unit is provided with an attachment portion that can be mechanically attached to the printer, an IrDA transmission / reception unit and a battery are provided, and image data is sent via the IrDA transmission / reception unit. It may be.

It is a front view of an imaging unit and a portable printer. It is a rear view of an imaging unit and a portable printer. It is a principal part side view of the portable printer equipped with the imaging unit. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printing system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of image data reception operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing explaining the usage example of the portable printer equipped with the imaging unit. It is a top view of a portable printer when a slide-type cover is provided on a USB port. It is a principal part side view of the portable printer equipped with the imaging unit. It is a top view of a portable printer when a rotary cover is provided on a USB port.

Explanation of symbols

2 Print System 3 Imaging Unit 4 Portable Printer 5 USB Connector 6 USB Port 10 Release Button 11 Finder 20 Grip 100, 200 Cover

Claims (8)

An imaging unit including an imaging lens and an imaging element, and a portable printer that is electrically connected to the imaging unit when the imaging unit is detachably mounted,
A release button that is provided on one of the imaging unit and the portable printer, is activated when the imaging unit is mounted, and is operated while holding the portable printer;
Control means for acquiring image data by the imaging device in response to an operation of the release button and recording an image on a recording medium housed in the portable printer based on the image data. And a printing system.   The gripping part for gripping at the time of photographing is provided in the portable printer, and the gripping part is arranged so that an index finger reaches the release button in a gripped state. 1. The printing system according to 1.   The image pickup unit is provided with a viewfinder, and the viewfinder is disposed so as to be located on a side closer to the grip portion of the image pickup unit attached to the photographing lens. Item 3. The printing system according to Item 2.   The imaging unit is provided with a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is inserted into a connected portion of the portable printer so that the imaging unit is mounted, and the release button is connected to the imaging unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is provided on a surface opposite to the surface on which the connection portion is provided.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein a front surface of the imaging unit protrudes from a front surface of the portable printer on a front surface that is a subject side when the imaging unit is mounted.   The portable printer is provided with a connected portion into which the connecting portion of the imaging unit is inserted when the imaging unit is mounted, and a first position that covers the connected portion and a first portion that exposes the connected portion. A cover that moves between two positions is provided, and the cover protrudes forward with respect to the front surface on the subject side of the portable printer in the second position. The printing system according to claim 1. A portable printer in which an imaging unit including a photographic lens and an imaging element is detachably mounted, and is electrically connected to the imaging unit along with the mounting.
When a release button provided in the imaging unit is operated while holding the portable printer, image data of a subject image is acquired by the imaging element in response to the operation, and the image data is based on the image data. A portable printer comprising control means for recording an image on a recording medium housed in the portable printer. An imaging unit that includes a photographic lens and an imaging element, and is electrically connected to the portable printer as it is detachably attached to the portable printer,
A release button that is activated as it is attached to the portable printer, and is arranged so that it can be operated while holding the portable printer.
An imaging unit comprising: control means for acquiring image data of a subject image by the imaging element in response to an operation of the release button and transmitting the image data to the portable printer.

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