JP2009137061A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique whereby an image of a user's desired image file can easily and quickly be formed from image files stored in a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is configured to include a time stamp processing part 10b which acquires both a time stamp A wherein the updated time stamp of the image file 2b at the time of the nearest first printing processing while saving any trouble imposed when an unprinted image is printed is stored, and a time stamp B wherein the updated time stamp of the image file 2b at the time of the nearest second printing processing while saving any trouble imposed when an unprinted image is printed before the time of the first printing processing while saving any trouble imposed is stored; a selecting processing part 10c which selects the image file of time stamps after the time stamp B and up to the time stamp A; and a printing control part 10e which makes the image of the selected image file formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image of an image file stored in a recording medium.

  Conventionally, in a printer, a recording medium such as a memory card can be connected to a card slot, and an image is printed (image formation) using an image file stored in the recording medium.

  In such a printer, an image of an image file in a memory card is displayed on a display device, and a user selects a desired image and prints it.

  For example, a plurality of images are grouped in accordance with a technique for selecting and printing an image by designating the date of the image file (see, for example, Patent Document 1) or the shooting date and time attached to the image, and designating the group. There is known a technique for printing (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, there is a problem that the user has to perform various operations for printing, which is troublesome.

  On the other hand, a printer having a function of printing images of all image files in the memory card (all print functions) is also known in order to save a user operation.

JP 2005-349822 A JP 2006-174409 A

  By using the all print function of the printer, the user can easily print images of all image files in the memory card.

  Here, for memory cards used for digital camera shooting, image files are taken and stored until the memory card is full, without being transferred to a PC (Personal Computer) or backup media for each shooting. Often used.

  If all of the memory cards used in this way are used with the print function, a large amount of images other than those desired by the user may be printed, and it is difficult for the user to use the print function. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of easily and quickly forming an image of an image file desired by a user from an image file stored in a recording medium. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on an image file stored in a recording medium. First time specifying information for specifying the latest first time associated with the image file of the recording medium, and the image file of the recording medium when the second image is formed before the first image is formed. Time specifying information acquiring means for acquiring second time specifying information for specifying the latest associated second time, and after the second time specified by the second time specifying information, Selection means for selecting an image file for forming an image from the recording medium on at least one condition associating with the time up to the first time specified by the one-hour specifying information , And an image forming control means for forming an image of the image file selected by said selection means.

  In the image forming apparatus, the determination unit further determines whether or not an image file associated with a time later than the first time specified by the first time information exists on the recording medium. And the selecting means is after the second time specified by the second time specifying information when there is no image file associated with a time after the first time. The image file is selected from the recording medium on the basis of at least one condition that it is associated with the time up to the first time specified by the first time specifying information, and is later than the first time. If there is an image file associated with the time, the image file is recorded from the recording medium on at least one condition that the image file is associated with a time later than the first time. May be selected yl.

  A determination unit configured to determine whether or not an image file associated with a time later than a first time specified by the first time information exists on the recording medium in the image forming apparatus; When there is an image file associated with a time later than the first time, after the image file is selected by the selecting means, the first time specifying information is specified as a new second time specifying. Information is stored in the recording medium, and third time specifying information for specifying the latest third time associated with the image file in the storage medium is stored in the recording medium as new first time specifying information. You may make it further have a time specific information storage means.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus, formed specification information for specifying an image file that has been formed in an image file that is associated with the time up to the first time after the second time. The image forming apparatus may further include a formed specific information acquisition unit to acquire, and the selecting unit may select the image file based on the formed specific information on the condition that the image file is not an image formed image. Good.

  The image forming apparatus may further include formed specific information storage means for storing the formed specific information in the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus, the image forming control unit may form images in order from the image of the target image file associated with the latest time. In the image forming apparatus, the image selection unit may select an image file within a predetermined number.

  In order to achieve the above object, a file management method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image forming method by an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on an image file stored in a recording medium. The time information acquisition means of the apparatus includes first time specifying information for specifying the latest first time associated with the image file of the recording medium at the time of the predetermined first image formation, and at the time of the first image formation. A time specifying information acquisition step for acquiring second time specifying information for specifying the latest second time associated with the image file of the recording medium at the time of the previous second image formation, and selection of the image forming apparatus It is less likely that the means is associated with a time after the second time specified by the second time specifying information and up to the first time specified by the first time specifying information. As at least one condition, a selection step of selecting an image file to be subjected to image formation from the recording medium, and an image formation control unit of the image forming apparatus selects an image of the image file selected by the selection unit. And an image formation control step to form.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the elements and combinations described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention. Is not limited.

  First, a printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printer 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 13, an input interface unit (input I / F unit) 14, display interface unit (display I / F unit) 15, scanner function unit 16, printer function unit 17, memory card interface unit (memory card I / F unit) 18, and communication interface unit A (communication I / F unit) 19 is connected via a bus 20. Here, the CPU 10, the ROM 11, the RAM 12, and the like correspond to a so-called computer.

  The ROM 11 stores a program such as a boot program. In the present embodiment, the ROM 11 stores a later-described automatic printing process program.

  The RAM 12 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 10. The EEPROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various information that needs to be stored even when the printer 1 is not powered on.

  A key unit 21 is connected to the input I / F unit 14. The input I / F unit 14 outputs the signal from the key unit 21 as data to the CPU 10. The key unit 21 includes an upper key, a lower key, a left key, a right key, an OK key, a start key, a stop key, a numeric key, and the like (not shown) provided on the casing of the printer 1 according to the pressed key. The signal is output to the input I / F unit 14. The display I / F unit 15 includes, for example, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), generates display image data corresponding to a screen to be displayed under the control of the CPU 10, and displays the screen on a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 22. Display output.

  The scanner function unit 16 reads a document such as paper or an OHP sheet placed on a document feed tray (not shown) and generates digital image data. The printer function unit 17 prints (forms) an image on an image forming medium such as paper, an OHP sheet, cardboard, or an envelope.

  The memory card I / F unit 18 has a card slot to which a memory card 2 as an example of a recording medium can be attached and detached, and mediates data exchange between the memory card 2 and the CPU 10. Examples of the memory card 2 include a USB memory, an SD card, a smart media, and a PC card. Here, the memory card 2 can store a print recording file 2a, a plurality of image files 2b, and the like, which will be described later. Date and time information (time stamp) of a DOS (Disk operating system) compliant file system is added to each image file 2b. In this embodiment, the time stamp of this file system is used for processing as the time stamp added to the image file.

  The communication I / F unit 19 is connectable to a network, and mediates data exchange with other devices via the network.

  CPU10 controls operation | movement of each part 11-19. In addition, the CPU 10 reads the program stored in the ROM 11 into the RAM 12 and executes it, whereby the reception processing unit 10a, the time stamp processing unit 10b, the selection processing unit 10c, the display processing unit 10d, and the image formation control unit. The printing control unit 10e is configured to execute various processes. Here, the time specifying information acquiring unit, the time specifying information storing unit, the formed specifying information acquiring unit, and the formed specifying information storing unit are mainly configured by the time stamp processing unit 10b, and the selecting unit is mainly selected processing. It is comprised by the part 10c.

  The reception processing unit 10 a receives various instructions from the user for the key unit 21. In the present embodiment, the reception processing unit 10a receives an instruction input such as a copy process, a scan process, and a print process, an instruction to execute an automatic print process, and the like. Here, the automatic printing process is a process for executing at least a process of printing only an image of an unprinted image file in the memory card 2 without performing a selection operation by the user.

  The time stamp processing unit 10b reads the print recording file 2a stored with a predetermined name in a predetermined folder of the memory card 2, and reads the time stamp A (TS-A) and time stamp B (in the print recording file 2a). TS-B) is taken out and transferred to the selection processing unit 10c. If there is no print recording file 2a in the memory card 2, the selection processing unit 10c is notified of that fact. Further, the time stamp processing unit 10b updates the time stamp A (TS-A) and the time stamp B (TS-B) of the print recording file 2a and stores them in a predetermined folder of the memory card 2 with a predetermined name.

  The selection processing unit 10c uses the notification received from the time stamp processing unit 10b or the image file to be subjected to image formation from the memory card 2 based on the time stamp A (TS-A) and the time stamp B (TS-B). The selected image file (selection target) is acquired from the memory card 2 or the RAM 12 from which the image file has been read in advance, and is transferred to the print control unit 10e. The selection processing unit 10c notifies the time stamp processing unit 10b of new time stamp A and time stamp B to be stored as the print recording file 2a. Detailed processing of the selection processing unit 10c and details of the contents of the time stamps managed by the time stamps A and B will be described later.

  The display processing unit 10d displays a screen that accepts processing for executing the automatic printing processing, a screen that accepts various selections from the user, and the like.

  The print control unit 10e receives an image file from the selection processing unit 10c, and causes the printer function unit 17 to print an image of the image file (image formation).

  Next, automatic printing processing in the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of automatic printing processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The automatic printing process is started when the reception processing unit 10a receives an instruction to execute the automatic printing process from the user after the memory card 2 is mounted in the memory card I / F unit 18.

  When execution of the automatic printing process is started, the time stamp processing unit 10b determines whether or not the print recording file 2a exists in the memory card 2 (step S1). Here, the print recording file 2a exists in the memory card 2 when the memory card 2 is connected to the printer 1 capable of performing the automatic printing process and the automatic printing process is executed even once. It is like that.

  As a result, when the print record file 2a does not exist, the oldest limit parameter OB on the RAM 12 indicates 10:00, January 1, 1980, which corresponds to the oldest date and time as the time stamp in the image file. “1980/01/01 00:00:00” is stored (step S2). Here, the oldest limit parameter OB is a parameter indicating the oldest date and time for use as a reference when selecting an image file to be described later. When an image file is selected, an image file having a newer time stamp than the value of the oldest limit parameter OB is selected.

  On the other hand, when the print record file 2a exists (step S1: TRUE), the time stamp processing unit 10b extracts the time stamp A (TS-A) and the time stamp B (TS-B) from the print record file 2a ( Step S3) and pass to the selection processing unit 10c.

  Here, as the time stamp A of the print record file 2a, the latest image file in the memory card 2 at the time of performing the most recent automatic printing process for printing an unprinted image file (when the first image is formed). Are stored (first time: first time specifying information). As the time stamp B of the print recording file 2a, the time stamp stored as the time stamp A before the first image formation, that is, an unprinted image file before the first image formation is printed. The latest time stamp (second time: second time specifying information) of the image file in the memory card 2 at the time of performing the most recent automatic printing process (when the second image is formed) is stored.

  The selection processing unit 10c determines whether or not the image file 2b associated with a time stamp newer than the time stamp A exists in the memory card 2 (step S4).

  As a result, if there is an image file with a newer time stamp than the time stamp A (step S4: TRUE), an image file with a newer time stamp than the time stamp A that has not been printed, that is, the previous automatic printing process. Since this means that there is a new image file that has not been printed, the selection processing unit 10c stores the time stamp A in the oldest limit parameter OB (step S5). On the other hand, if there is no image file with a newer time stamp than the time stamp A, it is considered that it means that the image of the image file within the range to be printed in the previous automatic printing is printed. The selection processing unit 10c stores the time stamp B in the oldest limit parameter OB (step S6).

  After storing the oldest limit parameter OB in step S2, step S5, or step S6, the selection processing unit 10c has a condition that a time stamp that is newer than the oldest limit parameter OB is added as the selection target TGT. All the image files 2b satisfying the conditions are selected from the memory card 2 (step S7). Thereby, for example, when the print recording file 2a does not exist in the memory card 2 (steps S1 and S2), an image file later than 0:00 on January 1, 1980 is selected as the selection target TGT. When the selected image file 2b is newer than the time stamp A and exists in the memory card 2 (steps S4 and S5), the image file 2b newer than the time stamp A is selected and the image file newer than the time stamp A is selected. If there is no 2b (steps S4 and S6), an image file newer than the time stamp B, that is, an image file 2b newer than the time stamp B and up to the time stamp A is selected.

  Next, the selection processing unit 10c passes the image file of the selection target TGT to the print control unit 10e, and the print control unit 10e generates image formation data based on the received image file, and the image formation data is transferred to the printer function. Then, the printer function unit 17 starts processing for printing an image on the image forming medium (step S8). In the present embodiment, the print control unit 10e controls to print from the image of the image file 2b to which the latest time stamp of the selection target TGT is added. For this reason, the user can acquire from the image of the latest image file, and when the image of the older image file is not required, the user can use the key unit 21 to stop the entrusted printing process. It is also possible to prevent printing of an image.

  Next, the selection processing unit 10c determines the time stamp A to be newly stored in the memory card 2 as the latest time stamp in the image file of the selection target TGT, and sets the time stamp B to be newly stored as the oldest limit parameter. The value of OB is determined, new time stamps A and B are notified to the time stamp processing unit 10b, and the time stamps A and B notified by the time stamp processing unit 10b are stored in the memory card 2 as the print recording file 2a. (Step S9).

  Thereby, for example, when there is no print recording file 2a, the new time stamp A becomes the latest time stamp in the image file of the memory card 2, and the time stamp B is 0:00 on January 1, 1980. "1980/01/01 00:00:00" indicating 0 minute 0 second is obtained. If an image file 2b that is newer than the time stamp A exists in the memory card 2 (steps S4 and S5), the new time stamp A is an image file of the memory card 2 that is newer than the original time stamp A. The latest time stamp (third time: third time specifying information) is included, and the time stamp B has the same value as the original time stamp A. If no image file newer than the time stamp A exists in the memory card 2 (steps S4 and S6), the new time stamp A becomes the same time stamp as the original time stamp A, and the new time stamp B Becomes the same time stamp as the original time stamp B.

  With the above-described automatic printing process, the user can print only an image of an image file that is newer than the image file at the time of previous printing without performing any operation after the process is executed.

  In addition, the image file that has been the selection target TGT in the previous automatic printing process can be printed again. For example, after the printing of the image file of the selection target TGT is started in the previous automatic printing process, ink replenishment is performed for the image of the image file that has not been printed because the printing has been stopped due to the occurrence of ink shortage or power failure. After performing the above, by performing the automatic printing process again, the image of the image file that has not been printed can be printed without any trouble.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the automatic printing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print record file 2a of the memory card 2 has “2007/04/11 14:57:30” as the time stamp A and “2007/04/01 21:25” as the time stamp B. : 15 ″ is stored. The memory card 2 stores the latest image file with a time stamp of “2007/04/11 14:57:30”. In FIG. 3, the time stamps are newer in the image files arranged in the left direction of the drawing.

  When such a memory card 2 is inserted into the time slot of the printer 1 and the automatic printing process is executed, there is no image file with a newer time stamp than the time stamp A (steps S4 and S6). An image file that is newer than the stamp B, that is, an image file that is newer than the time stamp B and to which the time stamp up to the time stamp A is added is selected as the selection target TGT and printed.

  Next, a printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the printer 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 focusing on differences from the printer 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The printer 1 according to the second embodiment further stores a time stamp C (formed identification information) in the print record file 2a of the memory card 2, and reads and uses the time stamp C.

  Specifically, the time stamp processing unit 10b acquires not only the time stamp A and time stamp B but also a new time stamp C from the memory card 2 and passes it to the selection processing unit 10c. The time stamp C received from is also stored in the memory card 2 as the print recording file 2a. Here, the time stamp C is the time stamp of the image file of the last image that has actually been printed when the execution of printing is started and the printing is completed or stopped. With this time stamp C, it is possible to identify an image file of an image that has not actually been printed when printing is stopped. In the present embodiment, an image file of a time stamp that is newer than the time stamp B and older than the time stamp C can be specified as an image file that could not be printed.

  Based on the notification received from the time stamp processing unit 10b or the time stamp A (TS-A), the time stamp B (TS-B), and the time stamp C (TS-C), the selection processing unit 10c 2 is selected, the selected image file is acquired from the memory card 2 or from the RAM 12 from which the image file has been read in advance, and transferred to the print control unit 10e. The selection processing unit 10c notifies the time stamp processing unit 10b of the time stamp A, the time stamp B, and the time stamp C to be stored as the print recording file 2a. The detailed processing of the selection processing unit 10c will be described in the entrusted printing process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of automatic printing processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same steps as those in the automatic printing process according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the automatic printing process, when the print recording file 2a exists (step S1: TRUE), the time stamp processing unit 10b uses the time stamp A (TS-A) and time stamp B (TS-B) from the print recording file 2a. And the time stamp C (TS-C) are extracted (step S11) and transferred to the selection processing unit 10c.

  In step S6, after storing the oldest limit parameter OB, the selection processing unit 10c determines whether or not an image file having a time stamp that is newer than the time stamp B and older than the time stamp C exists in the memory card 2. However (step S12), when there is no image file of the time stamp that is newer than the time stamp B and older than the time stamp C in the memory card 2 (step S12: FALSE), the process proceeds to step S7.

  On the other hand, when an image file with a time stamp that is newer than the time stamp B and older than the time stamp C exists in the memory card 2 (step S12: TRUE), the reception processing unit 10a performs the operation by the user key unit 21. A selection is made as to whether the image file to be selected is “same as the previous one” or “the one that could not be printed last time” (step S13).

  When the reception processing unit 10a receives a selection “same as the previous time” from the user, the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if the selection of “what could not be printed last time” is received from the user, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the selection processing unit 10c selects, from the memory card 2, an image file that satisfies the condition that a time stamp that is newer than the time stamp B and older than the time stamp C is added as the selection target TGT. Proceed to step S8. In this case, in step S8, printing of only the image that could not be printed last time is started.

  In step S15, the selection processing unit 10c determines the time stamp A to be newly stored in the memory card 2 as the latest time stamp in the image file of the selection target TGT, and sets the time stamp B to be newly stored as the oldest time stamp B. The value of the limit parameter OB is determined, new time stamps A and B are notified to the time stamp processing unit 10b, and the time stamp A and time stamp B notified by the time stamp processing unit 10b are stored as a print recording file 2a. Store in card 2. Further, when printing under the control of the printing control unit 10e is completed or interrupted, the selection processing unit 10c displays the oldest time stamp among the image files that have been printed up to that point (in this embodiment, the interruption or The time stamp processing unit 10b is notified of the time stamp C as the time stamp C, and the time stamp processing unit 10b adds the notified time stamp C to the memory card. 2 (step S15).

  By the above-mentioned automatic printing process, after the printing of the image file of the selection target TGT was started in the previous automatic printing process, the image of the image file that was not printed because the printing was interrupted due to the occurrence of running out of ink or the like After the ink replenishment, etc., the automatic printing process is performed again, so that the user can easily select only the image of the image file that has not been printed or the image that includes the image that has not been printed. Can be printed without any problems.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the automatic printing process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the print recording file 2a of the memory card 2 has “2007/04/11 14:57:30” as the time stamp A and “2007/04/01 21:25” as the time stamp B. : 15 ”is stored as the time stamp C“ 2007/04/09 10:10:15 ”. The memory card 2 stores the latest image file with a time stamp of “2007/04/11 14:57:30”. In FIG. 5, the image files arranged in the left direction of the drawing have newer time stamps.

  When such a memory card 2 is inserted into the time slot of the printer 1 and the automatic printing process is executed, there is no image file with a newer time stamp than the time stamp A (step S4: FALSE). Since there is an image file of a time stamp that is newer than the stamp B and older than the time stamp C in the memory card 2 (step S12: TRUE), all the image files that are newer than the time stamp B or images that are newer than the time stamp B Of the images in the image file that is newer and older than the time stamp C, the image selected by the user is printed.

  Next, a printer 1 according to a modification of the second embodiment will be described. The printer 1 according to this modification is such that when the image file is printed in the printer 1 according to the second embodiment, the images of the image file to which the old time stamp is added are printed in order.

  In this modification, the time stamp C is the time stamp of the latest image file among the image files that have been printed.

  Regarding the automatic printing process according to this modification, a different part from the automatic printing process according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  In step S12, the selection processing unit 10c determines whether there is an image file in the memory card 2 that is newer than the time stamp C and up to the time stamp A depending on whether or not the time stamp A matches the time stamp C. Determine whether or not. Here, when the time stamp A and the time stamp C coincide with each other, it can be determined that there is no image file of the time stamp that is newer than the time stamp C and up to the time stamp A exists in the memory card 2. If C does not match, it can be determined that there is an image file in the memory card 2 that is newer than the time stamp C and up to time stamp A.

  In step S14, the selection processing unit 10c selects, from the memory card 2, an image file that is newer than the time stamp C and satisfies the condition that it is a time stamp image file up to the time stamp A as the selection target TGT. Proceed to step S8.

  In step S15, when the printing under the control of the printing control unit 10e is completed or interrupted, the selection processing unit 10c determines the time stamp (newest image file among the image files that have been printed so far). In the present embodiment, the time stamp processing unit 10b is notified of the time stamp C) as the time stamp C, and the time stamp C notified is added to the time stamp processing unit 10b. The print recording file 2a is stored in the memory card 2.

  Also in the automatic printing process according to this modification, as in the automatic printing process according to the second embodiment described above, after the printing of the image file of the selection target TGT is started in the previous automatic printing process, the ink out, etc. For images in image files that were not printed because printing was interrupted due to occurrence, after performing ink replenishment, etc., only the images in the image files that were not printed or not printed by performing the automatic printing process again When the user performs a simple selection operation, the image including the printed image can be printed without any trouble.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.

  For example, in the above embodiment, another condition may be added and selected as a condition for selecting an image file. For example, a condition that the number of image files is within a predetermined number may be added, and image files within the predetermined number may be selected. The predetermined number may be arbitrarily set by the user. In addition, it may be determined whether or not there is a defect such as camera shake, blurring, or poor exposure for an image file, and a condition for removing the image file from the selected image file when there is such a defect may be added.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the user is allowed to select whether to print the same image as the previous time or only the image of the image file that was not printed last time. Only the image that could not be printed may be printed.

  In the above embodiment, the time stamps A and B (or A, B, and C) are stored. However, for example, the time stamps A and B (or A, B, and C) are at least shifted. The file name, the image number, and the like of the corresponding image may be stored instead of one, and what is essential is that the information can specify the time stamp of the corresponding image file.

  In the above embodiment, the time stamps A and B (or A, B, and C) are stored in the memory card 2 and used. However, the time stamps A and B (or A, B, and C) are stored in a recording medium (for example, EEPROM 13) in the printer 1. May be used.

  In the second embodiment, the time stamp C is used as an example of the formed identification information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of printed sheets, the name of a printed file, and the like may be used. In short, the information may be any information that can identify an image file that has undergone image formation.

  In the above embodiment, the date / time information (file time stamp) of the DOS-compliant file system is used as the time stamp of the image file. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the date / time information in the image file format, for example, If the image file conforms to the digital camera standard format (Exif), any of the generation date / time of the original image data (original date / time), the creation date / time of digital data (digitization date / time), the file modification date / time, etc. May be used.

  In the above embodiment, the memory card 2 directly connected to the printer 1 is shown as an example of the recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a PC (Personal Computer) connected to the printer 1, The recording medium may be a mobile phone, a recording medium provided in the mobile terminal, or a recording medium connected to these devices. In short, any recording medium capable of recording a plurality of image files may be used.

1 is a functional configuration diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of automatic printing processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining selection of an image file concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the automatic printing process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining selection of an image file concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Memory card, 2a Print recording file, 2b Image file, 10 CPU, 10a Reception processing part, 10b Time stamp processing part, 10c Selection processing part, 10d Display processing part, 10e Print control part, 11 ROM, 12 RAM 13 EEPROM, 14 input I / F section, 15 display I / F section, 16 scanner function section, 17 printer function section, 18 memory card I / F section, 19 communication I / F section, 20 bus, 21 key section, 22 LCD.

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image based on an image file stored in a recording medium,
First time specifying information for specifying the latest first time associated with the image file of the recording medium at the time of the predetermined first image formation, and at the time of the second image formation before the first image formation Time specifying information acquisition means for acquiring second time specifying information for specifying the latest second time associated with the image file of the recording medium;
At least one condition is that the second time specified by the second time specifying information is later than the second time specified by the first time specifying information and is associated with the time until the first time specified by the first time specifying information. Selecting means for selecting an image file to be an object for forming an image from the recording medium;
An image forming control unit configured to form an image of the image file selected by the selecting unit; A determination means for determining whether or not an image file associated with a time later than the first time specified by the first time information exists on the recording medium;
The selection means includes
When there is no image file associated with a time later than the first time, the first time specifying information is after the second time specified by the second time specifying information. The image file is selected from the recording medium, with at least one condition being associated with the time until the first time specified by
When there is an image file associated with a time later than the first time, from the recording medium, at least one condition is that the image file is associated with a time later than the first time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image file is selected. Determining means for determining whether or not an image file associated with a time later than the first time specified by the first time information exists on the recording medium;
When there is an image file associated with a time later than the first time, after the image file is selected by the selection means, the first time specifying information is changed to new second time specifying information. And the time for storing the third time specifying information for specifying the latest third time associated with the image file of the storage medium as new first time specifying information in the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specific information storage unit. Formed specific information acquisition means for acquiring formed specific information for specifying an image file for which image formation has been completed in an image file associated with the time up to the first time after the second time. Further comprising
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the selection unit selects the image file based on the formed specific information on the condition that the image file is not an image formed. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising formed specific information storage means for storing the formed specific information in the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formation control unit forms images in order from the image of the image file associated with the latest time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image selection unit selects an image file within a predetermined number. An image forming method by an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on an image file stored in a recording medium,
Time information acquisition means of the image forming apparatus; first time specifying information for specifying the latest first time associated with the image file of the recording medium at the time of predetermined first image formation; and the first image A time specifying information acquisition step for acquiring second time specifying information for specifying the latest second time associated with the image file of the recording medium at the time of forming the second image before the forming;
The selection unit of the image forming apparatus is associated with a time after the second time specified by the second time specifying information and until the first time specified by the first time specifying information. A selection step of selecting an image file to be image-formed from the recording medium, with at least one condition being:
An image forming method, comprising: an image forming control step in which an image forming control unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image of the image file selected by the selecting unit.

Images