JP2007141152A - Digital camera, printing device, and image supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily preview a result of image correction performed within a printing device when performing image correction processing at the time of direct printing. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an imaging device and a printer responding to direct printing of performing direct printing from an imaging device with imaging element such as a digital camera to a printing device such as a printer, particularly, to an imaging device and a printing device capable of designating execution of image processing at the time of printing. The invention further relates to an image supply device capable of directly transmitting image data stored in a storage device to an image processor, and an image processor capable of processing image data received from the image supply device according to an image processing instruction from the image supply device. Particularly, the invention is adapted to display an image after correction on a transmitting-side LCD when printing is performed with image correction set by a user in direct printing in which the user operates a UI of a digital camera or an image supply device to perform printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a direct print system that transmits an image to be printed out of images stored and held in a storage unit of an image supply apparatus to a printing apparatus and prints the image in the printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for directly printing an image captured by an imaging device such as a digital camera with a printer without using a device such as a computer is known (Patent Document 1). Specifically, there is a format (direct printing) in which an imaging apparatus and a printer are directly connected by a communication cable and printed out. There is also a format (card direct) in which a memory card on which imaging data is recorded is removed from the imaging apparatus, and the memory card is inserted into a memory card slot of the printer and printed out. These two formats are generally known.

  In addition, when printing an image of a digital camera in such a format, it is possible to correct brightness, contrast, and the like. In the case of card direct, for example, the user can display a desired image correction by operating a user interface displayed on a display screen of the printer with keys or buttons. Further, in the case of direct printing, a correction instruction can be issued by switching on / off of automatic image correction processing on the printer side by operating the user interface of the imaging apparatus.

  As described above, conventionally, the setting relating to the execution of the image correction processing is performed by operating the user interface of the imaging apparatus or the printer and setting the image correction processing function of the printer.

  On the other hand, there is also a method in which image correction is performed on the imaging apparatus side and the corrected image data is output to a printer. In this case, even when the printer does not have an image correction function at all or when it is desired to perform image correction that cannot be processed by the image correction function of the printer, desired correction processing can be performed.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a conventional direct print system.

  The direct print system in FIG. 3 is formed by connecting a digital camera 100 and a printer 200.

  Image data read from the image storage device 110 which is a storage medium such as a memory card in the digital camera 100 is stored in the image buffer 111. Since the stored image is normally compressed and encoded in JPEG format, the image is expanded (decoded) by the image expansion unit 114 and then displayed on the display unit 115. When print designation is made for an image displayed on the display unit 115 via the user interface 113 including a plurality of keys and buttons, the communication unit 112 reads the designated image from the image buffer 111 and transmits it to the printer 200. The communication unit 112 also transmits and receives commands to and from the printer.

  Note that the automatic image correction function is activated when execution of automatic image correction processing is set for a print-designated image in a series of operations for performing print designation or by predetermined print settings. Send a signal to At this time, the camera system controller 120 of the digital camera 100 transmits to the printer system controller 210 of the printer 200 a printer automatic image correction signal that enables the image automatic correction function (ImageOptimize) of the printer.

  The image data transmitted from the communication unit 112 is received by the communication unit 201 of the printer 200 and stored in the image buffer 202. The stored image data is compressed and encoded, and is expanded (decoded) by the image expansion unit 203. When the automatic image correction signal is valid (received), the image is corrected by the printer image correction unit 220 and then input to the printer image processing unit 204. When the automatic image correction signal is invalid (not received), it is directly input to the printer image processing unit 204. The printer image processing unit 204 converts the image data into a format suitable for printing, such as color space conversion, outputs the image data to the printing unit 205, and prints out the printing unit 205.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a rough communication sequence when printing is performed by issuing a print request from the digital camera 100 to the printer 200 in the direct print system. This communication sequence is performed under the control of the camera system controller 120 and the printer system controller 210.

  This processing procedure is executed after the digital camera 100 and the printer 200 are connected via a USB cable, or after confirming that they have DPS (Direct Print System) functions by performing wireless communication. The First, the digital camera 100 transmits “ConfigurePrintService” to the printer 200 and checks the status of the printer 200 (600). In response to this, the printer 200 notifies the current state of the printer 200 (here, “idle” state) (601). Here, since it is in the “idle” state, the digital camera 100 inquires about the capability of the printer 200 (602), and issues a print start request (StartJob) corresponding to the capability (603). This print start request is 601 and is issued from the digital camera 100 to the printer 200 on condition that “newJobOK” in status information from the printer 200 described later is “True”. The The print start request includes information for specifying an image to be printed and print setting information set by the user, and the printer performs print processing based on the information.

  In response to this print start request, the printer 200 requests file information from the digital camera 100 based on the file ID of the image data instructed to be printed (GetFileInfo) (604). In response to this, the file information (FileInfo) is transmitted from the digital camera 100. This file information includes information such as file capacity. If the printer 200 receives the file information and determines that it can be processed, it requests the file data from the digital camera 100 (GetFile) (605). As a result, the image data (ImageFile) of the requested file is sent from the digital camera 100 to the printer 200. As a result, when the printer 200 starts print processing, status information indicating “Printing” is sent from the printer 200 to the digital camera 100 by “Notify Device Status” in 606. When the printing process for one page is completed, this is notified by “NotifyJobStatus” 607 from the printer 200 when the processing for the next page is started. If the printing of only one page is completed, when the printing of the requested one page is finished, “Notify Device Status” 608 notifies that the printer 200 has entered the “idle” state (Notify Device Status (Idle)).

A technique is also known in which when image correction processing is performed by a printer, image correction contents such as trimming information designated by the printer UI are previewed on another connected display device. (Patent Document 2) This enables preview of a corrected image by transmitting the image and image correction content to a display device or a control device connected to the display device.
JP 2004-15234 A JP 2005-70862 A

  In the direct print system capable of performing image correction as described above, it is a natural desire to preview and confirm the result of image correction specified by the digital camera on the display screen of the digital camera.

  In such a case, when the image correction is performed in the digital camera, the preview can be performed by simply displaying the correction result. On the other hand, when the image correction is performed in the printing apparatus, it can be realized by transmitting the image from the digital camera to the printer, performing the image correction in the printer, and further transmitting the corrected image to the imaging apparatus. . However, such a method has a problem in that image transmission / reception is performed a plurality of times, and it takes a very long time depending on the communication speed and processing capability.

  Such a method is also effective for simple processing in which image correction contents such as size information such as trimming do not depend on equipment or image parameters. However, in the case of processing that greatly depends on the image correction method and parameters such as automatic gradation correction and brightness correction, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform a preview correctly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art. When image correction processing is performed during direct printing, a digital camera can easily preview the result of image correction performed in the printing apparatus. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the digital camera of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A digital camera for transmitting an image to be printed from images stored in a storage medium to a printing apparatus, display means for displaying the image read from the storage medium, and image correction contents for the image to be printed A setting unit for setting the image, a preview image generating unit for performing image correction processing according to the image correction content set by the setting unit and generating preview image data to be displayed on the display unit, and an image correction process of the printing apparatus Conversion image receiving means for receiving image conversion characteristics from the printing apparatus, wherein the preview image generating means generates preview image data based on the image conversion characteristics of the printing apparatus received by the conversion characteristics receiving means. And

In order to solve the above-described problems, the digital camera of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A digital camera for transmitting an image to be printed out of images stored in a storage medium to a printing apparatus, display means for displaying the image stored in the storage medium, and image correction contents for the image to be printed A user interface for performing the setting, a conversion characteristic receiving unit that receives image conversion characteristics related to image correction processing of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus, an image correction content set by the setting unit, and a print received by the conversion characteristic receiving unit Image correction processing based on image conversion characteristics of the apparatus, and preview image generation means for generating preview image data to be displayed on the display means. The image preview means is operated by a user interface, and the image correction contents According to the setting, preview image data is generated.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the image supply apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An image supply device capable of communicating with a printing apparatus and transmitting an image to be printed out of images stored in a storage medium to the printing apparatus, and displaying means for displaying the image stored in the storage medium A setting unit that sets image correction content for an image to be printed, and a preview that performs image correction processing according to the image correction content set by the setting unit and generates preview image data to be displayed on the display unit An image generating unit; and a conversion characteristic receiving unit that receives an image conversion characteristic related to an image correction process of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus. The preview image generating unit is configured to display the image conversion characteristic of the printing apparatus received by the conversion characteristic receiving unit. An image correction process is performed based on this.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A printing apparatus capable of communicating with an image supply apparatus and printing an image received from the image supply apparatus, the receiving means receiving image correction contents from the image supply apparatus, and the image correction contents received by the receiving means Correction processing means for performing image correction processing, printing means for printing the image corrected by the correction processing means, and conversion characteristic transmission means for transmitting image conversion characteristics relating to correction processing performed by the correction processing means to the image supply device It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to preview the result of image correction specified by the digital camera on the display screen of the digital camera even when performing image correction in the printing apparatus during direct printing.

  In addition, by sending image correction conversion characteristics from the printing device to the digital camera, even when performing correction processing that greatly depends on the image correction method and parameters, the characteristics of the printing device that actually performs the correction processing and print output processing It is possible to preview according to.

  Further, since only the image correction conversion characteristics are transmitted from the printing apparatus to the digital camera, it is not necessary to transmit the corrected image, and communication and processing time can be shortened.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital camera and printer in the first embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration is the same as in FIG. 3, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configuration. Hereinafter, a different part from FIG. 3 is demonstrated.

  In FIG. 2, an image stored in the image storage device 110 is read from the image storage device 110 to the image buffer 111 when a specific image is designated by the user interface 113. Next, the image expansion / resize unit 114 performs image expansion processing and resizing processing to a size suitable for the display unit, and the image is re-recorded in the image buffer 111 again.

  When the image correction setting is made by the user interface 113, the image correction setting content is notified to the camera system controller 120. When notified of the image correction setting contents, the system controller 120 acquires the image conversion characteristics from the printer 200 and transmits the image conversion characteristics to the image correction unit 130. The image correction unit 130 acquires the display image in the image buffer 111 and performs image correction according to the image correction content set by the user and the image correction characteristics acquired from the printer. Thereafter, the image is resized to an appropriate size for the display unit by the image expansion / resize unit 114 and then transmitted to the display unit 115. The display unit converts the data into display data and displays an image.

  The camera system controller 120 reads a program from a program memory (not shown) and controls processing in each unit of the digital camera 100 based on the read program.

  Similarly, for the printer 200, the printer system controller 210 reads a program from a memory (not shown) and controls processing in each unit of the printer 200 based on the read program.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the camera system controller 120. When the image correction is set by the user interface 113, the image correction processing determination unit 121 sets the correction information, for example, correction contents such as contrast, sharpness, white balance, color density, and the correction amount (auto / strong / high). Medium / weak). Further, the image correction processing determination unit 121 determines whether the image correction processing is performed by a printer or a camera as a determination unit. Then, the image correction information including the image correction content is transmitted to the image conversion characteristic acquisition unit 122.

  The image conversion characteristic acquisition unit 122 receives information about image correction. If it is determined that the image correction content is processing performed by the digital camera, the digital camera image processing information acquisition unit 124 acquires the image conversion characteristics of the digital camera from a non-volatile storage device (not shown). On the other hand, when it is determined that the image correction content is processing performed by the printer, the printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 transmits the image correction content acquired by the correction processing determination unit 121 to the connected printer. . The printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 communicates with the printer system controller 210 via the communication unit, and requests and receives image conversion characteristics of the printer.

  The image conversion characteristic acquisition unit 122 transmits the acquired image conversion characteristic to the image conversion characteristic setting unit 123, and the image conversion characteristic setting unit 123 sets the image conversion characteristic to the image correction unit 130. The image correction unit 130 performs image correction processing based on the set image conversion characteristics, and generates preview image data. The preview image data after the image correction processing is transmitted to the display unit and displayed. If the image conversion characteristic acquisition unit 122 determines that the image correction is performed by the digital camera, the image corrected by the image correction unit 130 is transmitted to the printer 200 by the communication unit 112. become.

  In the present embodiment, a description will be given of processing for previewing on the digital camera side when image correction processing is set by the user during direct printing.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic direct printing system of the digital camera 100 and printer 200 of the present invention.

  First, when communication between the digital camera 100 and the printer 200 is established (S11, S21), the camera system controller 120 of the digital camera transmits GetCapability to the printer. Upon receiving the GetCapability command, the printer system controller 210 acquires information (Capability information) indicating the printer capability and transmits it to the digital camera (S22). The camera system controller 120 receives the capability information of the printer (S12), and constructs a user interface for performing direct printing according to the capability information of the printer and the capability of the digital camera body (S13). At this time, for example, if a command indicating automatic gradation correction is returned in the capability information of the printer, a screen for setting image correction as shown in FIG. 4 can be displayed.

While viewing the screen displayed on the display unit 115 of the digital camera, the user operates the user interface such as operation keys and buttons to select an image to be printed, perform print settings, and issue a print start instruction. You can do it. (S14)
In S14, when a print image selection operation is performed, the selected image is read from the storage device 110 (S16), display data is created based on the read image data, and is displayed on the display unit 115 (S14). S17). If a print setting operation is performed in S14, a print setting content change process is performed in accordance with the operation (S15). Then, display data is created based on the print settings changed in S15 and displayed on the display unit 115. When an instruction to start printing is given in S14, the printing process is started based on the print settings set by the user (S18). That is, the processing after 603 in FIG. 5 is performed.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an image correction setting screen displayed on the digital camera. The image correction setting screen shows a state in which a user selects and sets a desired correction type (for example, “contrast”) and a correction amount (for example, “high”) from the setting screen in the process of performing print settings, for example. .

  In the following, a detailed description will be given of a process for acquiring image deformation characteristics from a printer when image correction print settings have been made in S14 of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the digital camera and the printer. The image conversion from the printer until the display screen generation and display are performed in S17 after the image correction print setting is made by the user in S14 of FIG. The process for acquiring the characteristics is shown in detail.

  The camera system controller 120 transmits the image correction content to the printer when the print settings for the image correction are made on the user interface 113 (S101). Subsequently, image correction characteristic request transmission (S102) is performed. Upon receiving the image correction content and the image conversion characteristic request from the printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 of the digital camera, the printer system controller 210 interprets the received command (S201, S202). If the command is an image conversion characteristic request, the printer system controller 210 calculates the image correction characteristic (S203) and returns it to the printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 (S204). Alternatively, the image correction characteristics may be read out from the image correction data storage unit 222 according to the received image correction content and returned to the printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 without being calculated. The printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 receives image conversion characteristics from the printer (S103). When the image conversion characteristic is received, the image correction unit 130 serving as a preview image generation unit performs image correction processing according to the received image conversion characteristic, and generates preview image data (S104). Here, the image correction process is performed only on the image displayed when the print setting for the image correction is made. However, image correction processing may be performed on all images to generate preview images. The preview image data generated in S104 is resized to an appropriate size by the image expansion resizing unit 114 and then transmitted to the display unit 115. Then, it is converted into display data by the display unit, and a preview image is displayed (S105).

  Next, a method for determining whether the image correction process is performed by the printer or the camera performed by the image correction process determination unit 121 will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a command for transmitting information related to the image correction function of the printer to the digital camera in the described communication method. In this embodiment, image correction function information describing the type of image correction, image correction content, correction version, correction processing time, and type of image processing LSI is transmitted to the digital camera. In addition, such a command is transmitted from the printer to the digital camera as a response to GetCapability (602) in the communication sequence of FIG. 5 described above, and is received by the camera system controller 120.

  By performing such communication in advance, the image correction processing determination unit 121 can determine whether the image correction processing is performed by the printer or the digital camera based on information regarding the image correction function of the printer. it can. If it is determined in advance whether the digital camera or the printer performs the image correction process, it is possible to acquire only the image conversion characteristics relating to the image correction process performed by the printer. At this time, by transmitting only the image correction content related to the image correction processing performed on the printer side to the printer, the printer can transmit only the image conversion characteristics of the image correction processing performed by itself to the digital camera. It goes without saying that image conversion characteristics may be acquired only for those that can be displayed on the UI of the digital camera at that time.

  Next, image conversion characteristics in this embodiment will be described.

  The image conversion characteristics acquired by the printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 are expressed by an image correction method such as how to perform an image correction process designated by the user and its image correction amount. It may be any information that can be a material for performing the above. For example, the image correction method may be a type of an image correction processing circuit or version information of an image correction software library (a collection of modules). Also, version information for each software module that performs individual correction such as contrast correction and white balance correction may be used. Further, information regarding a processing method (hardware processing / software processing) may be used, or a specific correction capability such as a correction accuracy or a correction range such as the number of grids of a 1D-LUT or a 3D-LUT (lookup table) may be used. . The image correction amount may be a correction value corresponding to the correction method.

  The printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 further creates an image conversion table based on the image conversion characteristics including the image correction method and the image correction amount, and the image correction unit 130 performs image correction processing using the image conversion table. You may do it.

  Here, an example of image conversion characteristics acquired by the printer image processing information acquisition unit 125 will be specifically described. Since these processes are generally performed, a simple method will be described.

  For example, if the image data is in JPEG format, the contrast correction can be realized by a method of correcting the S-shaped luminance conversion table on the Y (luminance) signal according to the correction amount.

  In this case, it is only necessary to acquire a one-dimensional lookup table that is a conversion characteristic of Y (luminance) and information regarding the conversion method.

  In the case of brightness correction, correction can be performed by applying a gain corresponding to the correction amount to the JPEG Y signal. A method for performing luminance table conversion is also common. In this case, the information regarding the brightness correction amount may be a gain value for luminance or a one-dimensional lookup table (1DLUT).

  The color gain can be realized by applying a certain gain to the JPEG CrCb (color difference) signal. The hue can also be realized by performing a rotation calculation such as the following equation on the CrCb signal.

  In this case, the information about the image correction amount 2 may be hue rotation angle information.

  Regarding gray balance, white point correction can be performed by offsetting the CrCb signal as described below.

Also,
R ′ = LutR (R)
G ′ = LutG (G)
B ′ = LutB (B)
It is also possible to change the gray balance by the RGB one-dimensional conversion table. In such a case, it can be realized by transmitting information that conversion is performed using a one-dimensional lookup table and the table itself from the printer to the digital camera.

  With regard to sharpness, for example, sharpness correction can be performed by adding a gain to an original image by applying a gain to a bandpass filter of an image, for example, a digital filter result of (−1 2 −1). The sharpness can be varied by varying the gain value. In that case, the filter coefficient and the gain value become the image conversion method and the image correction value.

  Also, when the sharpness setting is made by the user, the strength of sharpness and edge enhancement are performed. For example, the edge detection filter characteristic may be multiplied by the gain setting value and added to the original image. .

  These image conversion characteristics may be other similar methods such as a three-dimensional lookup table for converting colors.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user gives an instruction to perform image correction, the image conversion characteristics of image correction performed by the printer are acquired, and image conversion is performed by the digital camera based on the acquired image conversion characteristics. Thus, it is possible to easily preview the image correction.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, if the image conversion characteristics are acquired after the image correction printing instruction is issued from the user, the correction contents are fixed, so that the image conversion necessary for the image correction set by the user is performed. Only properties can be acquired.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the image conversion table is acquired from the printer 200 when an image correction print instruction is issued from the user. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the conversion table is acquired before the print instruction. This eliminates the need for the digital camera 100 and the printer 200 to perform communication for acquiring image conversion characteristics after the image correction print settings have been made, so that the preview is displayed after the user performs the print settings. Can be shortened.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a communication flow of the direct print system in the second embodiment. Since this figure is almost the same as FIG. 7, detailed description is omitted and only different parts will be explained.

  In FIG. 9, when the digital camera 100 receives the capability from the printer in step S12, the digital camera 100 requests acquisition of image conversion characteristics according to the content of the capability (S31). For example, when the content of Cability is as shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, a request for image conversion characteristics corresponding to the type is made. The printer receives the image conversion characteristic request (S32), and calculates and transmits the image conversion characteristic according to the request (S33). The transmitted image conversion characteristics are received by the digital camera 100 (S34) and stored in a storage area (not shown). By acquiring the image conversion characteristic information at the start of DPS connection in this way, it is not necessary to acquire the image conversion characteristic every time the user selects image correction. Become.

  In this embodiment, the image conversion characteristic is requested at the start of connection, but when the image conversion characteristic information is acquired on the camera side, it is stored in the memory, so that the data is acquired again at the start of the next communication. Needless to say, it is unnecessary and efficient.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether the image correction processing is performed by the printer or the camera, and the digital camera may acquire only the image correction characteristics related to the image correction processing performed by the printer. Good. Alternatively, only the image conversion characteristics required by the digital camera may be stored in the memory. At this time, only necessary image conversion characteristics can be acquired, and the communication time for acquiring the image conversion characteristics is shortened. Further, since unnecessary image conversion characteristics are not stored in the memory, memory is saved.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, for example, as in the case where an automatic image correction is instructed, the printer performs image analysis for each image in the printer with respect to the correction target image received from the digital camera. The case of determining the correction content and the correction amount will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a communication flow of the direct print system in the third embodiment. Since this figure is almost the same as FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, detailed explanation is omitted, and only different parts will be explained.

  Upon receiving the image correction table request (S202), the printer determines whether or not the correction content received in S101 is automatic image correction (S300). If it is not automatic image correction, the image conversion characteristic is read from the storage unit or calculated by calculation (S203). On the other hand, if it is automatic image correction, the digital camera 100 is requested for an image to be corrected (S301). When the digital camera 100 receives the request (S302), the correction target image is transmitted in response to the request (S303). The correction target image to be transmitted may be an image size sufficient to use the image size for the automatic image correction analysis. For example, the correction target image may be resized and transmitted to the printer 200. Also, the image size may be specified in the correction target request (S301), or an image of a predetermined size may be used. Alternatively, the correction target image itself stored in the digital camera or a thumbnail image of the correction target image may be used.

  The transmitted image is received in the printer and stored in the storage area (S304). The stored correction target image is subjected to image analysis for automatic image correction (S305), image correction parameters and image conversion characteristics are calculated (S306), and transmitted to the digital camera (S204).

  Since there are many general methods for the automatic correction method, only the representative method will be described for this embodiment.

  For example, as an automatic gradation correction method, a histogram of an image is acquired, and an image ratio of a dark part and a highlight part is calculated. The method of doing is generally known.

  As an automatic brightness correction method, there is a method of calculating the average brightness of the screen and correcting it so that the value becomes a constant level.

  As for automatic sharpness correction, there are methods such as performing frequency analysis and determining as noise when a high frequency component is above a certain level and applying a low-pass filter, or conversely sharpening when it is below a certain level.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which automatic correction of an image is instructed by a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a mode in which each image is analyzed in the printer according to the correction content designated by the user on the digital camera, and an image conversion characteristic to be transmitted to the digital camera is calculated from the result is also included in the present invention. included.

(Other embodiments)
Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included.

  In the above embodiment, the direct print system including the digital camera and the printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As an image supply device in a direct print system such as a digital camera, for example, an image reproduction device such as a DVD player, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, and the like are also included in the present invention.

  Also, when a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied from a recording medium directly to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed Are also included in the present invention.

  Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

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

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD- RW etc. can be considered. Further, it may be an optical / magneto-optical storage medium or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, the following method can be considered. That is, a computer program itself or a program data file forming the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network, and the program data file is downloaded to a connected client computer.

  Here, the program data file includes a file compressed with a computer program forming the present invention and including an automatic installation function.

  In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be arranged on different servers.

  That is, the present invention includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

  In addition, the program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is encrypted, stored in a storage medium, distributed to the user, and the key information to be decrypted is downloaded via the network to the user who satisfies a predetermined condition. It is also possible to use a method that supplies the product. By using the key information, the encrypted program can be executed and installed in a computer to realize the present invention.

  The functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by executing the program code supplied by the computer. The program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the function of the above-described embodiment is realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. included.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes the case where the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Further, when the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. It goes without saying that it is included in the present invention.

It is a functional block diagram explaining the functional structure of the camera system controller of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera and a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a direct print system figure. 6 shows an example of an image correction setting screen displayed on the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence of a direct print system. It is a figure which shows the example of a command which shows the image correction command which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and its correction content. It is the figure which showed the flowchart of the basic direct print system of the digital camera and printer which concern on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the digital camera and the printer from when the print setting for image correction according to the first embodiment of the present invention is performed until display screen generation and display are performed. It is the figure which showed the flowchart of the basic direct print system of the digital camera and printer which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a digital camera and a printer from when a print setting for image correction according to a third embodiment of the present invention is made until display screen generation and display are performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 110 Image storage device 111 Image buffer 112 Communication part 113 User interface 114 Image expansion resizing part 115 Display part 116 Image compression part 120 Camera system controller 121 Image correction process determination part 122 Image conversion characteristic acquisition part 123 Image conversion characteristic setting part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 124 Camera image processing information acquisition part 125 Printer image processing information acquisition part 130 Image correction part 200 Printing apparatus 201 Communication part 202 Image buffer 203 Image expansion part 204 Printer image processing part 205 Printing part 210 Printer system controller 220 Printer image correction part 222 Image Correction data storage recording unit

Claims (22)

A digital camera that transmits an image to be printed out of images stored in a storage medium to a printing apparatus,
Display means for displaying an image read from the storage medium;
Setting means for setting image correction content for an image to be printed;
Preview image generation means for performing image correction processing according to the image correction content set by the setting means, and generating preview image data to be displayed on the display means;
Conversion characteristics receiving means for receiving image conversion characteristics relating to image correction processing of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the preview image generation unit generates preview image data based on the image conversion characteristic of the printing apparatus received by the conversion characteristic reception unit. Furthermore, it has correction content transmission means for transmitting the image correction content set by the setting means to the printing apparatus,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the conversion characteristic receiving unit receives an image conversion characteristic corresponding to the image correction content transmitted by the transmission unit.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image conversion characteristic is an image conversion characteristic generated according to a result of analyzing an image to be printed by the printing apparatus. Furthermore, function information receiving means for receiving information related to the image correction function of the printing apparatus;
Determination means for determining which of the printing apparatus and the digital camera performs image correction processing based on the information regarding the image correction function of the printing apparatus received by the function information receiving means;
4. The conversion characteristic receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the conversion characteristic receiving unit receives, from the printing device, an image conversion characteristic related to an image correction process determined to be performed by the printing device by the determination unit. The digital camera described in 1. Furthermore, function information receiving means for receiving information related to the image correction function of the printing apparatus;
Determination means for determining which of the printing apparatus and the digital camera performs image correction processing based on the information regarding the image correction function of the printing apparatus received by the function information receiving means;
4. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the correction content transmitting unit transmits image correction content related to an image correction process determined to be performed by the printing apparatus by the determination unit to the printing apparatus. 5.   6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein an image correction method and an image correction amount are described in the image conversion characteristics. Furthermore, it has means for creating an image conversion table according to the image correction method and the image correction amount,
7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein preview image data is generated by the preview image generation means based on the created image conversion table.   6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image conversion characteristic is a three-dimensional lookup table.   6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image conversion characteristic is a one-dimensional lookup table relating to luminance conversion.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image conversion characteristic is a one-dimensional lookup table for each of RGB signals. A digital camera that transmits an image to be printed out of images stored in a storage medium to a printing apparatus,
Display means for displaying an image stored in the storage medium;
A user interface for setting image correction content for an image to be printed;
Conversion characteristics receiving means for receiving image conversion characteristics relating to image correction processing of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;
A preview that performs image correction processing based on the image correction content set by the setting means and the image conversion characteristics of the printing apparatus received by the conversion characteristic receiving means, and generates preview image data to be displayed on the display means Image generating means,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image preview means generates preview image data in response to the user interface being operated and image correction content being set. An image supply device capable of communicating with a printing device and transmitting an image to be printed from images stored in a storage medium to the printing device,
Display means for displaying an image stored in the storage medium;
Setting means for setting image correction content for an image to be printed;
Preview image generation means for performing image correction processing according to the image correction content set by the setting means, and generating preview image data to be displayed on the display means;
Conversion characteristics receiving means for receiving image conversion characteristics relating to image correction processing of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus;
The image supply device, wherein the preview image generation means performs image correction processing based on the image conversion characteristics of the printing apparatus received by the conversion characteristics reception means. A printing apparatus capable of communicating with an image supply apparatus and printing an image received from the image supply apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving image correction content from the image supply device;
Correction processing means for performing image correction processing based on the image correction content received by the receiving means;
Printing means for printing the image corrected by the correction processing means;
A printing apparatus comprising: conversion characteristic transmission means for transmitting image conversion characteristics relating to correction processing performed by the correction processing means to the image supply apparatus. Furthermore, it has conversion characteristic calculation means for calculating image conversion characteristics,
The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the conversion characteristic calculation unit calculates an image conversion characteristic according to the image correction content received by the reception unit. Image analysis means for analyzing the image received from the image supply device;
The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the conversion characteristic calculation unit calculates an image conversion characteristic according to an analysis result of the image analysis unit. Image conversion characteristic request receiving means for receiving an image conversion characteristic request from the image supply device;
16. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an image conversion characteristic is transmitted to the digital camera in response to reception of the image conversion characteristic request. A control method for an image supply device, which is communicable with a printing device and transmits an image to be printed from images stored in a storage medium to the printing device,
A display step of displaying an image stored in the storage medium;
A conversion characteristic receiving step of receiving, from the printing apparatus, image conversion characteristics related to image correction processing performed in the printing apparatus;
An image supply apparatus comprising: a preview image generation step of performing image correction processing based on the image conversion characteristic received in the conversion characteristic reception step and generating preview image data to be displayed on the display means. Control method.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image supply device according to claim 17.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image supply device according to claim 18. A control method of a printing apparatus that can communicate with an image supply apparatus and prints an image received from the image supply apparatus,
A receiving step of receiving an image and image correction content from the image supply device;
A correction processing step for performing image correction processing based on the image correction content received in the reception step;
A printing step of printing the image corrected in the correction processing step;
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: a conversion characteristic transmission step of transmitting image conversion characteristics relating to correction processing performed in the correction processing step to the image processing apparatus.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 20.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 21.

Images