JP2007179208A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device requiring little effort of even an unskilled operator in acquisition of image data stored in a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: When a storage medium M is set in a medium drive 26, an acquisition auxiliary means 74 displays a check screen for checking whether processing for acquisition of the image data from the storage medium M is necessary or not on a monitor 22 except when the storage medium stores predetermined data. When a button on the check screen is operated, the image data are acquired from the storage medium M. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data from a storage medium set in any of a plurality of medium drives corresponding to the type of storage medium, and an output processing unit that performs an output process of the acquired image data. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus provided.

  There exists what is described in patent document 1 as what is similar to the image processing apparatus comprised as mentioned above. In this Patent Document 1, a photo print apparatus (image processing apparatus of the present invention) is configured in which image data acquired from a storage medium in a media drive (medium drive of the present invention) is exposed on a photographic paper in an exposure unit and developed. (Paragraph numbers [0016] to [0028]).

  When performing print processing of image data stored in a storage medium, the operator specifies the type of storage medium, extracts image information stored in the storage medium from the corresponding drive, and acquires the acquired image data Is displayed as a reduced image on the display (monitor) (paragraph number [0028]), and in this display state, after acquiring information necessary for the print processing of each image data based on the operation of the operator, the image data can be printed. It is configured.

JP 2003-320733 A

  With the spread of digital cameras, the frequency of performing print processing from image data on a storage medium used in digital cameras is increasing. Taking a photo printing device installed at a DP store as an example, a storage medium brought by a customer is set in the medium drive of the photo printing device to acquire image data, and after performing necessary image processing, the print processing is performed. Many things have been done.

  However, when printing the image data stored in the storage medium, as described in Patent Document 1, the operator designates the medium drive in which the storage medium is set, so that it is set in the medium drive. Since this is a processing mode for acquiring image data from the storage medium, there is one aspect that takes time.

  In other words, since there are a plurality of types of storage media used in digital cameras, it is not difficult for a skilled operator to point out the media drive appropriately corresponding to the type of storage medium every time print processing is performed. There was also an annoying aspect. This operation form may cause an erroneous operation for an operator unfamiliar with the operation, and there is room for improvement.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure an image processing apparatus that does not take time to acquire image data stored in a storage medium even for an operator who is unfamiliar with the operation.

The present invention is characterized in that image data acquisition means for acquiring image data from a storage medium set in any of a plurality of medium drives corresponding to the type of storage medium, and output processing means for performing output processing of the acquired image data In an image processing apparatus comprising:
When it is determined that the storage medium is set in any of the plurality of medium drives when the image processing apparatus is started up, or when the image processing apparatus is in operation, the storage is stored in any of the plurality of medium drives. When it is determined that a medium has been newly set, an acquisition assisting means for displaying on the monitor a confirmation screen on which an acquisition button for acquiring image data from the set storage medium is formed is provided.

  With this configuration, when it is determined that a storage medium is set in any of the plurality of medium drives when the image processing apparatus is started up, or when any of the plurality of medium drives is in operation of the image processing apparatus. When it is determined that a new setting has been made, the acquisition assisting means displays a confirmation screen on which an acquisition button for acquiring image data from the set storage medium is displayed on the monitor, so the operator designates the medium drive. Even without performing the operation, the image data can be acquired simply by operating the acquisition button displayed on the monitor. Therefore, even if an operator is unfamiliar with the operation, an image processing apparatus that does not take time to acquire image data stored in the storage medium is rationally configured.

  The present invention stores identification information in a storage medium storing composite data that can be combined with the image data, and when the identification information is acquired from a storage medium set in the medium drive, The processing mode of the acquisition assisting unit may be set so as to exclude the storage medium from the image data acquisition target.

  With this configuration, when a storage medium storing composite data such as a template is set in the medium drive, the acquisition assisting unit excludes the storage medium from the image data acquisition target based on the identification information. Therefore, it can be made not to waste data acquisition.

  In the present invention, when priority is set for the plurality of medium drives and it is determined that the storage medium is set in the plurality of medium drives, the storage set in the medium drive having a high priority The processing form of the acquisition assisting unit may be set so that the medium is set as an acquisition target of image data.

  With this configuration, it is possible to store image data such as a floppy disk (trademark) by setting a high priority order of media drives corresponding to storage media that are frequently used in digital cameras. Even if a floppy disk (trademark) is set in a low medium drive, image data can be preferentially acquired from a storage medium used in the digital camera.

  The present invention may further comprise priority order setting means for displaying a registration screen on which the list of the plurality of medium drives is displayed on the monitor and requesting the operator to set the priority order in order to set the priority order.

  With this configuration, the operator can arbitrarily set the priority order of the medium drive on the registration screen displayed on the monitor. For example, the operator can use a high priority order for a request with a high frequency of print processing. It is also possible to match the actual situation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Photo printing device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operating unit A is formed outside the casing 10 having a dark box structure, and an exposure processing unit Ex that exposes image data onto the photographic paper P inside the casing 10; By reversing the photographic paper P from the exposure processing unit Ex, the vertical conveyance unit CV that exchanges the front and back and conveys it upward, the development processing unit De that performs development processing of the photographic paper P from the vertical conveyance unit CV, and this A drying processing unit Dr for drying the photographic paper P from the development processing unit De, and the photographic paper P dried by the drying processing unit Dr is discharged from the discharge unit 11 at the end of the housing 10 and conveyed. A photographic printing apparatus as an image processing apparatus is configured by including a sorter 13 which is received by the belt 12 and conveyed in the horizontal direction and collected in units of orders on any of the plurality of trays 13A.

[Operating Department]
The operating unit A functions as an operation terminal for an operator to acquire image data and perform operations necessary for print processing. The operating unit A is composed of a general-purpose computer installed on the table unit 20. A print control unit 21, a monitor 22 installed on the upper surface of the print control unit 21, a film scanner 23 for acquiring image data from a frame image of the photographic film F after development processing, two keyboards 24 and a mouse 25 It has. On the front surface of the print control unit 21 are various types of semiconductor storage media M such as CompactFlash (trademark) and Memory Stick (trademark), and magnetic and optical storage media M such as CD-ROM, DVD, and MO. A plurality of media drives 26 for accessing information between them are provided.

  The film scanner 23 irradiates the photographic film F supported by the film carrier 23B with the light beam from the light source 23A disposed at the lower part, and guides the light beam from the photographic film F from the lens unit 23C to the upper photoelectric conversion unit 23D. In this photoelectric conversion unit 23D, a digital type color-separated into three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by performing photoelectric conversion and A / D conversion of the frame image of the photographic film F. Acquired as image data.

[Vertical transport unit, development processing unit, drying processing unit]
Although the specific structure is not shown in the drawing, the vertical conveyance unit CV receives the photographic paper P exposed by the exposure processing unit Ex by the pressure-bonding roller 15 and converts the posture of the pressure-bonding roller. The front and back sides are interchanged, and the sheet is conveyed upward along the guide rail 16 and functions to be sent out to the development processing unit De.

  The development processing unit De includes a development processing tank 30 in which a plurality of processing tanks including a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a stabilization tank are integrally formed of a resin, and the photographic paper P supplied from the exposure processing unit Ex. Is provided with a transport mechanism 31 having a plurality of pressure-bonding rollers. The drying processing unit Dr includes a plurality of pressure rollers 32 that convey the photographic paper P sent out from the development processing unit De, and a blower 33 that supplies dry air to the photographic paper P conveyed by the pressure roller 32. It has.

[Exposure processing section]
The exposure processing unit Ex pulls up the long photographic paper P accommodated in a roll shape in the two photographic paper magazines 1 by the press-fed supply / conveying roller 41 and then sends it out in the horizontal direction, and discharges the cutter unit 42. Transfer from roller 43 to chucker C. The chucker C includes a chuck member (not shown) that can be switched between a holding state in which the photographic paper P is held and an open state in which the photographic paper P is opened. To move horizontally and transfer the leading end of the photographic paper P to the exposure unit G.

  In the exposure unit G, the exposure mode is set so that the exposure head Gh performs line exposure along the main scanning direction while conveying the photographic paper P in the horizontal direction (sub-scanning direction) by the exposure conveying mechanism Gc. . The exposure transport mechanism Gc includes a first roller 45, a second roller 46, and a third roller 47, which can be switched between a crimping state and an open state, along the transport direction of the photographic paper P. Yes.

  As the exposure head Gh, a large number of dot-like phosphors are arranged in a line form in three types of vacuum cases corresponding to the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Instead of this, the light source from the light source is guided to the photosensitive surface of the photographic paper P from a liquid crystal type shutter or the like that controls pixel-by-pixel irradiation. The line exposure may be performed in such a manner that a laser beam of three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is scanned.

  In the exposure processing unit Ex, the exposure processing unit Ex performs cutting and conveyance control of the photographic paper P, the development processing unit De manages the development processing liquid of the photographic paper P, and the drying processing unit A print management device 36 having a microprocessor is provided for carrying the printing paper P and managing the temperature by Dr. The print management device 36 carries the exposure by carrying the printing paper P as follows.

[Exposure processing form]
When the exposure process for the photographic paper P is started, the chucker C is set at a standby position in the vicinity of the cutter unit 42, and in this state, the photographic paper P from any one of the photographic paper magazines 1 is supplied and transported roller 41. Then, it is fed out in the horizontal direction, passed through the portion of the cutter unit 42, and delivered to the chucker C at the standby position.

  The chucker C to which the photographic paper P has been delivered pinches the vicinity of the tip of the photographic paper P and starts conveying in the horizontal direction. During the conveyance in the horizontal direction, the supply conveyance roller 41 and the discharge roller 43 are driven at the same speed as the movement speed of the chucker C. When the length of the photographic paper P conveyed with reference to the cutting position of the cutter unit 42 reaches the print size, the conveyance of the photographic paper P is temporarily stopped and the photographic paper P is cut by the cutter unit 42. After the cutting, the chucker C is further moved in the horizontal direction, and the photographic paper P is delivered to the exposure transport mechanism Gc.

  In the exposure transport mechanism Gc, the first roller 45 is set to an open state, accepts the photographic paper P from the chucker C, and immediately after this acceptance, the photographic paper P starts to be transported by switching to the crimping state. After this conveyance is started, the second roller 46 is set in the open state to accept the photographic paper P, and immediately after this acceptance, the printing paper P is switched to the pressure-bonding state, and the exposure conveyance of the photographic paper P is started. The first roller 45 is set in an open state. Next, the third roller 47 is set to the open state to receive the photographic paper P. Immediately after the reception, the third roller 47 is switched to the press-bonded state, and in conjunction with this, the second roller 46 is switched to the open state. The exposure transport of the photographic paper P is continued.

  Such an output processing form is not fundamentally different from that of a conventional photographic printing apparatus, and the present invention acquires image data from a storage medium M set in any of the plurality of medium drives 26 and prints it. This is characterized in that it is possible to reduce the trouble of acquiring image data when printing processing or the like is performed on the paper P. A control system for that purpose is shown below.

[Control structure]
As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the photographic printing apparatus is configured. That is, the print control unit 21 includes a microprocessor CPU and an input / output interface (I / O) 70 connected to the data bus of the microprocessor CPU. Between the monitor 22, the film scanner 23, the film carrier sensor 23S for discriminating the film carrier 23B set in the film scanner 23, the keyboard 24, the mouse 25, the plurality of medium drives 26, and the hard disk HD. A signal system for accessing information is formed, and a communication system for accessing signals between the input / output interface 70 and the print management device 36 is formed.

  With respect to the data bus of the microprocessor CPU, a semiconductor memory 71 such as RAM or ROM, GUI control means 72, image data acquisition means 73, acquisition auxiliary means 74, priority order setting means 75, order setting means. 76 and output processing means 77.

  The GUI control unit 72 realizes a cursor operation corresponding to the operation of the mouse 25 on the screen of the monitor 22 and a process of acquiring information via the keyboard 24. The image data acquisition unit 73 realizes processing for acquiring image data from the film scanner 23 or the medium drive 26.

  The acquisition assisting unit 74 includes an acquisition prohibition determination unit 74A and a priority order determination unit 74B. When the image data acquisition unit 73 acquires image data from the storage medium M, an acquisition prohibition determination unit 74A The priority order determination unit 74B implements a process for reducing operator operations.

  The priority order setting means 75 realizes the setting of the priority order of the storage medium M to be acquired when the acquisition assisting means 74 acquires image data from the storage medium M. The order setting means 76 acquires the output form (print process or storage process) of the acquired image data and information related to the output.

  The output processing unit 77 includes a print processing execution unit 77A and a storage processing execution unit 77B. The image processing unit 77A transmits the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 73 to the print management device 36. Thus, the print processing is realized, and the storage processing execution unit 77B transmits the data to the medium drive 26, thereby realizing the processing for storing the data in the storage medium M such as a CD-R or DVD-R.

  The GUI control means 72, the image data acquisition means 73, the acquisition auxiliary means 74, the priority order setting means 75, the order setting means 76, and the output processing means 77 are configured by software. May be configured by hardware or a combination with hardware.

  The print management device 36 controls the conveyance control unit 81 that manages the entire conveyance system from the supply conveyance roller 41 of the exposure processing unit Ex to the pressure roller 32 of the drying processing unit Dr, and the exposure head Gh. An exposure control unit 82 that manages exposure of image data to the photographic paper P, and a development / drying control unit that performs temperature management and liquid level management of the development processing liquid in the development processing tank 30 and performs temperature management of the drying processing unit Dr. 83, and this print management device 36 is configured to receive a signal from a magazine sensor MS that acquires information of ID plates (not shown) provided in the two photographic paper magazines 1. ing.

[Output processing]
When it is determined that the storage medium M is set in any of the plurality of medium drives 26 when the photo printing apparatus is started up, or when the photo printing apparatus is in operation, the plurality of medium drives 26 When it is determined that the storage medium M is newly set in any of the above, the print control unit 21 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  As a process for determining that the storage medium M is set in any of the medium drives 26, for example, if a sensor that detects that the storage medium M is set in each medium drive 26 is provided. The process of acquiring the signal of the sensor of each medium drive 26 in a short cycle is performed, and the presence / absence is determined based on the signal of the sensor, or the command for acquiring the data such as the directory to the medium drive 26 is a short cycle. It is conceivable to determine whether or not there is data acquisition from each medium drive 26.

  The acquisition assisting means 74 determines whether or not the storage medium M is set in all the medium drives 26, and if it is determined that the storage medium M is set, displays the confirmation screen 50 shown in FIG. The operator is asked to determine whether data acquisition is necessary (steps # 101 to 103).

  The confirmation screen 50 displays information for confirming the necessity of output processing from the storage medium M in the message area 51, and the acquisition prohibition data (an example of identification information) is stored in the storage medium M as identification data. Exclude from acquisition. In addition, when there are a plurality of storage media M set, information indicating the type of the storage medium M having the highest priority is displayed, and an NO button 52 (an example of an acquisition button) that is selected when output processing is not performed. ) And a YES button 53 to be selected when executing the output process.

  Since the storage medium M storing the composite data such as the template has basically the same data structure as the image data stored in the storage medium M used for photographing with the digital camera, for example, the image data is acquired. When the processing mode of the image data acquisition unit 73 is set as described above, it is conceivable to recognize and acquire composite data such as a template from the storage medium M as a print target. For this reason, storing the prohibition data as identification information in the storage medium M avoids the inconvenience of acquiring image data from the storage medium M.

  This identification information is assumed to be a file having a simple structure such as a text file with a file name indicating identification information. This file is stored in the storage medium M and stored. After determining that the medium M is set in the medium drive 26, if it is determined that a file as identification information exists from the file name in the storage medium M, it is determined whether or not there is acquisition-prohibited data in the file. If the acquisition prohibition data exists, it is excluded from acquisition targets. The acquisition prohibition determination unit 74A realizes the process of excluding the storage medium M in which the acquisition prohibition data is stored from the acquisition target.

  The priority order is an order for preferentially obtaining image data when the storage medium M is set in the plurality of medium drives 26. The priority order is given for each storage medium on the option registration screen 60 shown in FIG. Is set as the image data acquisition target, and the type of the storage medium M is displayed in the message area 51. The priority order determination unit 74B realizes the process for setting the image data acquisition target having a high priority as described above.

  In the option registration screen 60, all media drives 26 provided in the print control unit 21 are displayed on the list screen 61, and the type of the storage medium M (media) corresponding to the media drive 26 selected on the list screen 61 is displayed. It is configured to be displayed in the media display area 62 so that the priority order can be input to the priority order setting area 63. Further, information such as drive information, output image quality, and output image size is displayed in the information area 64, and a YES / OK button 65 and a NO cancel button 66 are formed at the bottom of the screen.

  The medium drive 26 is selected on the list screen 61 of the option registration screen 60, and the YES / OK button 65 is operated in a state where the operation for inputting the numerical order of priority in the priority order setting area 63 is performed for each medium drive 26. The priority is set and saved. These processes are realized by the priority order setting means 75.

  Next, when the NO button 52 is operated on the confirmation screen 50, image data is not acquired, and when the YES button 53 is operated, the storage medium displayed in the message area 51 of the confirmation screen 50 A process of acquiring image data from M is executed, and subsequently, an order screen (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 22, and information on the output form is acquired on the order screen based on the operation of the operator ( Steps # 104 to # 106).

  The output form is a print process (process by the print process execution unit 77A) for printing the acquired image data on the photographic paper P, and the acquired image data is stored in a storage medium M such as a CD-R or DVD-R. Two types of storage processing (processing by the storage processing execution unit 77B) are stored. The setting of the selected process is realized by the order setting means 76.

  When print processing is selected on the order screen, the print size, presence / absence of index printing, composition processing with the template, etc. are set on the order screen. After this setting, the pre-judge screen is displayed as necessary. Is displayed, and the number of prints can be set and correction processing can be performed on the pre-judge screen. When the saving process is selected, setting of the number of pixels when saving to the storage medium M, setting of image data to be saved, and the like can be performed.

  After acquiring the output form information in this way, output processing is executed according to the set output form (steps # 107 and # 108). By this processing, the above-described print processing (processing by the print processing execution unit 77A) and storage processing (processing by the storage processing execution unit 77B) are realized, and these are realized by the output processing means 77.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the image data of the storage medium M is subjected to print processing or the like, the operator simply sets the medium drive 26 corresponding to the storage medium M to determine the type of the set storage medium M. The confirmation screen 50 is displayed on the monitor. In this confirmation screen 50, the storage medium M for which acquisition is prohibited is excluded, and the one having a higher priority is displayed. Therefore, the operator performs a process of acquiring image data based on the display of the confirmation screen 50. Image data can be acquired simply by performing the selection operation, and it is not necessary to perform the operation of selecting the medium drive 26 in which the storage medium M is set as in the prior art, thereby saving the labor of the operation. ing.

  Furthermore, after selecting an operation for acquiring image data on the confirmation screen 50, an order screen is automatically displayed, and the operator can select the output form of the acquired image data, thus realizing a sequential operation form. This saves the trouble of displaying the order screen.

Perspective view of photo printing device Longitudinal front view of photo printing device Block diagram of control system Figure showing a confirmation screen Figure showing the option registration screen Output processing flowchart

Explanation of symbols

22 Monitor 26 Media drive 50 Confirmation screen 60 Registration screen (Option registration screen)
73 Image data acquisition means 74 Acquisition auxiliary means 77 Output processing means M Storage medium

Claims (4)

An image comprising image data acquisition means for acquiring image data from a storage medium set in any of a plurality of medium drives corresponding to the type of storage medium, and output processing means for performing output processing of the acquired image data A processing device comprising:
When it is determined that the storage medium is set in any of the plurality of medium drives when the image processing apparatus is started up, or when the image processing apparatus is in operation, the storage is stored in any of the plurality of medium drives. An image processing apparatus, comprising: an acquisition assisting means for displaying, on a monitor, a confirmation screen on which an acquisition button for acquiring image data from a set storage medium is formed when it is determined that a medium is newly set.   When the identification information is stored in a storage medium storing composite data that can be combined with the image data, and the identification information is acquired from the storage medium set in the medium drive, the storage medium is The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a processing mode of the acquisition assisting unit is set so as to be excluded from acquisition targets of image data.   When priority is set for the plurality of medium drives and it is determined that the storage medium is set in the plurality of medium drives, the storage medium set in the medium drive having a high priority is image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a processing mode of the acquisition assisting unit is set so as to be set as an acquisition target.   4. The image according to claim 3, further comprising priority order setting means for displaying a registration screen on which the list of the plurality of medium drives is displayed on the monitor and for requesting the operator to set the priority order in order to set the priority order. Processing equipment.

Images