JP3217100B2 - Image printing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for printing an index image recorded on an optical disk, particularly a compact disk (CD).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of high-resolution images can be recorded on an optical disk conforming to a format (photo CD standard) for inserting images into a so-called compact disk by Kodak Phillips. According to this standard, one frame of index image formed by gathering a predetermined number of frames of reduced images obtained by reducing the image recorded thereon is recorded in a specific section of the recording track. Each reduced image has a size of 192 pixels in the horizontal direction of the screen and 128 pixels in the vertical direction, that is, a so-called Base / 16 size. For example, 24 images are arranged in an image area of one frame to form an index image.

[0003] The index image is printed on paper by, for example, a printer, and stored as an index print sheet in a plastic case containing a compact disc. By doing so, the recorded images on the compact disc can be visually checked at a glance, which is convenient.

According to the above-mentioned standard, if an appropriate number of reduced images having the number of pixels are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions of the index image, if the reduced image is printed by a printer having a specific dot resolution, it becomes a standard compact image. The index print sheet of the size just to fit the disk case is completed. More specifically, in the case of an index image in which five reduced images of the above-described image size are arranged in the horizontal direction and seven in the vertical direction, printing with a printer having a dot resolution of 200 dpi (dot / inch) results in the entire index image. The size is 1
2.2 x 11.4 [cm]. This size is suitable for an index print sheet in a standard compact disc case.

[0005]

However, when printing is performed by a printer having a resolution other than the resolution described above, particularly, a printer having a higher dot resolution, the size of the printed index image is reduced. When printed on print sheet paper proportional to its size, this index print sheet does not fit well in a standard compact disc case. For example, there is a possibility that the storage position is shifted or the case is easily dropped from the case.

However, simply adjusting the interval between the printing positions of the individual reduced images simply results in an index image with poor balance and poor visibility. Also, correcting the image size of each reduced image individually in accordance with the dot resolution of the printer used, that is, adjusting the reduction ratio of each image, has problems such as complicated image processing and a long time. is there. Heretofore, appropriate measures have not been taken for these problems.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and provides an image printing apparatus and method capable of printing an index print sheet of a size suitable for a compact disk case even when a printer having a high dot resolution is used. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image data read from a recording medium is read.
Receiving means, and image data received by the input means.
Represents an index image composed of a number of reduced images
Identification means for extracting index image data;
Represented by index image data extracted by means
The reduced images that make up the index image to be
Calculation means for calculating the actual print dimensions when printing with a linter
And the actual print size when printing with a printer
Generates frame image data for a frame image that is equal to
Each reduced image based on the image data and the image data of the reduced image
Of the index image whose periphery is surrounded by the frame image
Combining means for generating index image data, and calculating means
The actual print size of the reduced image calculated in
The index image data extracted by the identification means.
Data and print the reduced image calculated by the calculation means.
If the dimensions are smaller than the specified dimensions,
Selection means for selecting the selected index image data,
The index image data selected by the selection means
And output means for outputting to

According to the present invention, it is also possible to read from a recording medium.
An input process for receiving the input image data,
Image data composed of multiple reduced images
Extract index image data representing a dex image
Identification process and index images extracted in the identification process
Construct an index image represented by image data
Actual size of the print when the reduced image is printed by the specified printer
Calculation process for calculating the value and printing when printing with a printer
Frame image data of the frame image whose actual size is equal to the specified size
Is generated, and the frame image data and the image data of the reduced image are generated.
Of each reduced image based on the frame image
When generating index image data for index images
Actual size of the reduced image calculated in the forming process and the calculation process
If is equal to the specified size, it was taken out in the identification process
Select the index image data and calculate it in the calculation process.
If the actual size of the printed reduced image is smaller than the specified size
Selects the index image data generated in the synthesis process
Selection process and the index image selected in the selection process
And outputting the image data to a printer.
Features .

[0010]

The control means causes the printer to print the first image data representing the index image recorded on the optical disk. Prior to the printing, the control unit checks the dot resolution of the printer to be used. If the resolution of the printer is not a predetermined value, an auxiliary image such as a frame image is synthesized with the reduced image forming the index image. Thereby, the size of the printed index image is set to a predetermined value.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG.
The image printing apparatus according to the embodiment is an apparatus that reads out image data recorded on the optical disk 26, particularly data of the index image 122, and prints it as a visible image on the index print sheet 120 by the printer 30. For this purpose, the present apparatus has a CD reproducing apparatus 20, which is an image data reading apparatus to which an optical disk 26 is detachably mounted and which reads image data recorded on the optical disk 26. The CD playback device 20 is interfaced to the central processing unit 10 by a connection line 82 by a small computer system interface (SCSI). These constitute an input system to the central processing unit 10.

In this embodiment, the optical disk 26 is a Kodak optical disk.
The optical disk is a compact disk (CD) standard optical disk manufactured by Philips. A spiral track 140 formed on the optical disk records image data in a format as shown in FIG. Each recording area section 140a of the track 140 has a maximum size of 2048 × 3072 pixels as one frame image.
That is, up to 16 Base images can be recorded. This is recorded on one compact disk 26, for example, for 24 frames. As an example, 35 frames of images are stored on a compact disc
FIG. 2 shows the data format recorded in the section 140a of the 26 tracks 140. As shown in the figure, in the effective last section 140b in the data reading direction A, a reduced image 120a (FIG. 3) obtained by reducing each image recorded on the disk 26 is gathered to form one frame. Image data I representing the index image 122 is recorded. Individual reduced images 120a
Is a Base / 16 size with 192 pixels in the horizontal direction and 128 pixels in the vertical direction. This is one image area 14
0b, the index image 122
Is configured. The identification of whether the index image data I or another image data is recorded in the section 140b is displayed in the header H.

The printer 30 is a device for printing an image on an index print sheet 120. For example, a product name “Pictrography 250” manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
0 "and the model" XL770 "manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company.
"0" is advantageously applied. The former has a dot resolution of 300 dpi (dots / inch) and the latter has a resolution of 200 dpi. The index print sheet 120 is an image recording medium such as paper of a predetermined size. In the present embodiment, the predetermined size is a size that is appropriately accommodated in a standard compact disk case, and is about 12 × 12 cm. Printer 30
Like the CD playback device 20, it is interfaced to the central processing unit 10 by a connection line 83 using a SCSI interface.
These form an output system from the central processing unit 10.

The central processing unit 10 is a control unit that controls and controls the operation of the entire apparatus. In the present embodiment, including the peripheral devices, it is advantageously implemented by a general-purpose processing system such as a commercially available personal computer. Is done. More specifically,
The index image data I in the image signal input from the CD reproducing device 20 is identified, an appropriate frame image 120b is synthesized with each reduced image 120a constituting the index image 122, and the resulting image data is sent to the printer 30. It has a function to transfer and print. The composition of the frame image 120b will be described later in detail. Further, it may have a function of performing image processing such as color correction and gradation correction on an input image signal. Not only the index image 122 but also any type of image recorded on the compact disc 26 may be provided. May be provided in the printer 30. To realize these functions, the central processing unit 10 has a memory (RAM) 12 for temporarily storing image data being processed and a hard disk (H) for storing auxiliary images such as a frame image 120b.
D) 14 is also connected. Further, in a portion particularly related to the present invention, a storage area for registering the dot resolution or type of the printer 30 is also provided in the hard disk 14. The central processing unit 10 further includes a monitor display 40, such as a CRT, for displaying the image being processed and the state of the system to the operator, and a keyboard and / or a mouse for inputting instructions and data of the operator. The operation device 18 including the is also connected. The operating device 18 is also used to designate the dot resolution of the printer 30 connected to the device to the control system of the device, that is, the central processing unit 10.

When the index image 122 is printed by the printer 30, the actual size of the index image 122 formed on the index print sheet 120 depends on the dot resolution of the printer 30. For example, if the dot resolution is 200dpi
Printer, the dot pitch is as shown in FIG.
0.127 mm / d.
The actual size of the 192 and 128 reduced images 120a when printed is approximately 2.44 × 1.63 cm 2. Therefore, the printed reduced image 12 for the dot resolution of a general printer is used.
FIG. 12 shows the relationship between 0a and the calculated actual size of the index image 122. The rightmost column in FIG. 12 shows the actual dimensions of the index image when the reduced image is printed as it is without performing any processing.

As described above, the size of the index print sheet 120 is about 12 × 12 cm. From FIG. 12, it can be seen that when the index image 122 is printed by a printer having a dot resolution of 200 dpi, the actual size is 12.2 cm × 11.4 cm, and this numerical value is closest to the actual size of the sheet 120. In other words, the printer 30 of this dot resolution has a maximum of 5 ×
The seven reduced images 120a can be printed on one print sheet 120. If the index image is printed as it is on a printer with another dot resolution, the actual size of the entire index image will be smaller, especially on a printer with a higher dot resolution. As illustrated in FIG. 3, if the size of the index image 122 printed by a printer having a dot resolution of 200 dpi is the size shown in FIG. (B)
An image 130 having the size shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of the corresponding reduced images 120a and 130a. The reason why the individual reduced images 130a are reduced in this way is that the individual reduced images 130a constituting the index image 130 are printed in a size inversely proportional to the dot resolution 300dpi of the printer as shown in FIG. is there. Therefore, if this is printed on a print sheet of a size corresponding to it, the fit in the compact disc case will be poor, and if it is printed on the print sheet 120 of the standard dimensions described above, the margin of the sheet periphery will be widened. , The visibility will be worse.

In this embodiment, the dot resolution is 200 dpi.
When a higher printer is applied to the printer 30, the individual reduced images constituting the index image are printed on the print sheet 120 with the actual size corresponding to the dot resolution, but the actual size of the entire index image is substantially smaller. It is configured to be printed on a print sheet 120 of a predetermined size without being reduced in size. In this embodiment, in order to realize this function, a frame image 120b (FIG. 5) is arranged around each reduced image 120a according to the dot resolution of the printer 30, and the entire size of the index image 122 is determined by the dot density. It is designed to print with the same actual dimensions as when printing with a 200 dpi printer. In other words, the size, that is, the number of pixels, such that the actual printed size of the peripheral edge 120c of the frame image 120b surrounding each reduced image 120a is substantially equal to that of the reduced image 120a when printed by a printer having a dot density of 200 dpi. Frame image 120b is set, and this is the reduced image 12
Combined with 0a. Frame image 12 with the number of pixels set in this way
0b is designed to have the number of horizontal × vertical pixels shown in the second column from the right in FIG. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary image is created with such a number of pixels that the actual printing size of the periphery of the index image 122 is substantially equal to that at the time of printing at the dot density of 200 dpi, or such an auxiliary image is formed. An auxiliary image having the number of pixels is prepared.
In this embodiment, 0b can be considered to be formed by arranging five horizontally and seven vertically.

In the present embodiment, such an auxiliary image is stored in the hard disk 14 as a basic auxiliary image.
The central processing unit 10 converts the auxiliary image into image data having the number of pixels corresponding to the dot resolution of the printer 30 used at that time, and synthesizes each of the reduced images 120a. Alternatively, such an auxiliary image has a number of pixels corresponding to a dot resolution that can be applied as the printer 30.
An auxiliary image including a frame image having the number of pixels shown in the second column from the right of 12 is prepared on the hard disk 14 as image data, and an image corresponding to the dot resolution of the printer 30 used at that time is selected from among them. The individual reduced images 120a may be combined with this. Thus, no matter which dot resolution printer is connected to the apparatus as the printer 30, the index print sheet 120 having a predetermined size can be used.
It is possible to print the index image 122 having a size that conforms to the above and with good visibility. This auxiliary image is frame 12
In addition to or in addition to 0b, characters such as the numbering and title of the reduced image 120a may be included. Frame 120b
Are monochromatic or plain as illustrated in FIG. 7, patterns and stripes as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, and FIG.
There are various forms such as a double frame as exemplified in FIG.

The dot resolution of the printer 30 connected to the present apparatus can be designated from the operating device 18 to the central processing unit 10, for example. When a specific printer 30 is installed in the apparatus, the operator inputs a value of the dot resolution specific to the printer from the operating device 18 and the central processing unit 10 registers this in a specific storage area of the hard disk 14. It is configured as follows. Alternatively, in response to an instruction from the operating device 18, the available printer type or dot resolution data registered in the hard disk 14 is called to the display 40, and the corresponding printer type or dot resolution value is transmitted from the operating device 18. May be configured to be specified. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the dot resolution can be identified by the connector pin arrangement in the connection line 83 of the printer 30.

The operator sets the compact disk 26 on which the index image 122 is recorded in the CD player 20, and operates the operation device 18 to instruct reading of the index image 122. In response, the central processing unit 10 controls the CD reproducing device 20 to read image data from the compact disk 26. The read image data is sent to the central processing unit 10 via the connection line 82. The central processing unit 10 identifies the header H from the read image data, and identifies the image data I of the index image 122. Upon detecting the index image data I, the central processing unit 10 stores the received image data I in the temporary storage memory 12, and
122 is displayed on the monitor display 40. The operator checks the display image on the monitor display 40 and inputs an index print instruction from the operation device 18 (step 2 in FIG. 11).
02). In response, the central processing unit 10 performs image editing for synthesizing the index image 122 with the auxiliary image, and the resulting image data is transferred to the printer 30 via the connection line 83. Printing is executed. The details will be described below with reference to FIG.

In response to the print instruction 202 input from the operation device 18, the central processing unit 10 checks the dot resolution of the printer 30 (204). This confirmation is performed by referring to the dot resolution value or the printer type of the printer 30 registered in the hard disk 14 in advance. If the registered dot resolution of the printer 30 is a predetermined value, that is, 200 dpi in the present embodiment, the central processing unit 10 leaves the index image 122 stored in the temporary storage memory 12 as it is, that is, synthesizes the auxiliary image. Print without processing (218). In step 204, if the dot resolution of the connected printer 30 is other than the predetermined value of 200 dpi,
The central processing unit 10 calculates the actual size of the reduced image 120a when printing at the dot resolution (206). In this calculation, a frame image 12 arranged around each reduced image 120a is calculated.
0b is also converted into image data of the number of pixels according to the dot resolution of the printer 30. Alternatively, the frame image 120b having the number of pixels according to the dot resolution of the printer 30 is selected. The index image that is finally synthesized by this conversion or selection 1
Auxiliary image data of the number of pixels that can be printed with substantially the same actual dimensions as when printed by a printer having a dot density of 200 dpi is obtained. In other words, index image 12
An auxiliary image with the number of pixels is obtained such that the actual print size of the periphery of the second dot is substantially equal to that at the time of printing at a dot density of 200 dpi. In other words, the auxiliary image is appropriately printed on the index print sheet of the standard size corresponding to the dot resolution of the printer 30 confirmed in step 204. Regarding the form of the frame image 120b, the display 40
A desired form can be selectively designated from the operating device 18 in accordance with the display of () (208). If a special frame is not selected, the process proceeds to the image synthesis 212 as it is.

In the image synthesizing process 10, the central processing unit 10
The image data of the frame image 120b having the number of pixels corresponding to the print size calculated in step 206 is read from the hard disk 14 to the storage area of the memory 12, and is synthesized with the index image 122 stored in the memory 12. Central processing unit 10
Displays the image of the synthesized result on the monitor display 40, and displays an option for confirming the quality (21).
4) Wait for operator's instruction (218). The operator checks the displayed image and inputs a confirmation instruction from the operation device. If no change is made, the central processing unit 10 instructs the printer 30 to print 218 the index image 122 by inputting the option “good”. Thus, the printer 30 prints the index image 122 at the dot resolution at a size that fits the index print sheet 120 having the predetermined size.
Therefore, the index image 122 with good visibility is printed.

Note that a standard frame corresponding to an image of the actual print size of each dot density may be determined in advance, and the standard frame may be automatically selected for the first time.
In this case, after the image synthesizing 212, the image after the synthesizing is displayed 214 on the monitor display device 40, and the operator can
The user can check the displayed image and instruct to change or print.

When a user wants a frame other than the standard frame, the central processing unit 10 performs a selection setting 210 of a special frame in response to the operator's input of "NO". This special frame is
In response to the operation instruction of the operator, the central processing unit 10 downloads the image data from the registered image data, and displays the downloaded image data on the monitor display 40. The operator
Select and set one of the displayed special frame images
(210). After the selection setting 210, the central processing unit 10 again performs image synthesis 212 of the index image and the selected frame image.
Execute the following sequence. If the option “good” is supported for the image of the synthesis result, the process proceeds to printing 218.

With the above operation, when the dot resolution of the printer 30 is higher than 200 dpi, the index image 122 having the same size as the standard can be printed by effectively utilizing a portion that can be a margin around the reduced image 120a. Experimental examples of each index image 120a and its frame image 120b are shown in FIGS.
Is shown in FIG. 4A shows a dot resolution of 200 dpi.
(B) is a reduced image obtained by the printer 30 having a resolution of 300 dpi.
13 shows a printing example of 130b.

Printer with dot resolution of 300 dpi
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described focusing on the case where the present invention is applied to the embodiment 30, the print image of the index image 122 can be appropriately obtained on an index print sheet of a predetermined size in the case of other dot resolutions. Also, an example in which the index image 122 is composed of the reduced images 120a of 35 frames has been described. However, of course, an index image in which the number of reduced images of other frames, for example, 4 frames in the horizontal direction and 6 columns in the vertical direction, is arranged. The present invention is similarly applied to Further, although the present embodiment is directed to a compact disk having a diameter of 12 cm, the present invention can be similarly applied to disks of other sizes such as a mini disk (64 mm).

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an index image recorded on a compact disc is printed, an index image sheet of substantially the same size can be printed by a printer having a dot resolution different from a predetermined dot resolution. Is obtained. Therefore, maintenance of the index sheet is good and an index image with good visibility can be obtained. Further, by selecting the type of the auxiliary image according to the user's preference, a customized index print image can be provided to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a system of an embodiment of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a division of a recording area where image data is recorded on a compact disc.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing relative dimensions of an index print sheet when one index image is printed as it is by a printer having a dot resolution of 200 dpi and 300 dpi.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually comparing relative dimensions when one reduced image is printed by a printer having a dot resolution of 200 dpi and 300 dpi.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image in which a frame image is combined with a reduced image when a printer having a different dot resolution from a predetermined value is used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index image in which a frame image is combined with a reduced image when a printer having a dot resolution different from a predetermined value is used in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a solid frame image in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a frame image of a pattern in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a striped frame image in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a double frame image in the embodiment.

11 is a flowchart showing an operation until the image printing system shown in FIG. 1 attaches an index image to printing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the dot resolution of the printer and the number of pixels of a frame image in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Central processing unit 20 CD playback device 30 Printer 40 Monitor display 120 Index print 120a Reduced image 120b Frame image 122 Index image 130 Index print printed with 300 dpi printer 130a Reduced image printed with 300 dpi printer

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] (1)Read from recording mediumImage data
Input means to receive,A plurality of reduced images from the image data received by the input means;
Index image representing the index image composed of
Identification means for extracting image data; According to the index image data extracted by the identification means.
The reduced image that constitutes the index image
Calculation to calculate the actual print size when printing with a fixed printer
Delivery means, The actual print size when printing with the printer is the specified size
Generate frame image data of a frame image that is equal to
Each reduced image based on the data and the image data of the reduced image.
An index image whose image is surrounded by the frame image
Combining means for generating index image data of the image; The actual print size of the reduced image calculated by the calculation means is
If it is equal to the predetermined size, it is taken out by the identification means.
Selected index image data and calculated by the calculation means.
The actual print size of the output reduced image is smaller than the predetermined size.
In this case, the index image generated by the
Selecting means for selecting image data; The index image data selected by the selecting means is
Output means for outputting to a printer Characterized by
Image printing device. 2. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing apparatus includes a printer connected to said output means. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: said printing apparatus, image printing, characterized in that connected to said input means including a recording medium reading means for reading or al picture image data and the recording medium apparatus. 4. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium includes a negative film. 5. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium includes a write-once optical disc. 6.The image data read from the recording medium
Input to receiveProcess andFrom the image data received in the input step, a plurality of reduced images
Index image representing the index image composed of
An identification step of extracting image data; According to the index image data extracted in the identification step.
The reduced image that constitutes the index image
Calculation to calculate the actual print size when printing with a fixed printer
Out process and The actual print size when printing with the printer is the specified size
Generate frame image data of a frame image that is equal to
Each reduced image based on the data and the image data of the reduced image.
An index image whose image is surrounded by the frame image
A combining step of generating index image data of the image; The actual print size of the reduced image calculated in the calculation step is
If it is equal to the predetermined size, it is taken out in the identification process.
Selected index image data, and
The actual print size of the output reduced image is smaller than the predetermined size.
In this case, the index image generated in the synthesis
A selection step of selecting image data; The index image data selected in the selecting step is
Output step of outputting to a printer Characterized by
Image printing method. 7. The image printing method according to claim 6, wherein a negative film is used as the recording medium. 8. The image printing method according to claim 6, wherein an optical disk which can be written on the recording medium is used.