JP3537342B2 - Electronic camera device and printer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera device and a printer device, and more particularly to an electronic camera device and a printer device having a built-in printer mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital video printers for printing out images taken by an electronic camera or the like have been developed. In this type of printer, printing can be easily performed only by inputting an image to be printed into the printer via a memory card or the like.

As a printing method, a sublimation type in which three YMC colors are superposed, an ink jet type,
Furthermore, a photosensitive type that forms an image by exposing a photosensitive paper is used, and its print resolution is set to be very high. For this reason, although a relatively long time is required for the print processing, high-quality prints similar to silver halide photographs can be easily realized at home.

[0004] Recently, the development of an electronic camera incorporating the above-described printer mechanism and a portable video printer which can be used outdoors have started to be demanded. This is to enable the photographed image to be printed out immediately after the photographing.

[0005] In this case, the above-mentioned photosensitive type printer is suitable as a printer incorporated in an electronic camera or a portable video printer. This is because a photosensitive type printer consumes less power than a sublimation type or an ink jet type, and it is easy to realize miniaturization.

[0006]

However, in a photosensitive printing method in which an image is formed by exposing a photosensitive paper, an image is formed by a chemical reaction of the photosensitive paper gradually progressing after the exposure. Therefore, after exposure, the image quality of the printed image may be reduced depending on the ambient temperature where the photosensitive paper is placed. There is no problem with stationary video printers that are intended for indoor use, but electronic cameras and portable printers are often used outdoors, so they are easily affected by temperature. . Therefore, for example, when used outdoors in cold areas,
A problem arises in that the image formation after exposure does not proceed sufficiently, resulting in defective printing.

[0007] Even if there is no problem in the ambient temperature, if moisture adheres to the photosensitive paper or if the photosensitive paper absorbs moisture, uneven reaction may occur to cause defective printing. For example, when an electronic camera is used by bringing it from a cold outdoor to a warm indoor suddenly, or when an electronic camera cooled at night is taken out to a humid place during the day when the temperature rises, the electronic camera is used However, if printing is performed in such a state where dew condensation occurs, there is a risk of causing defective printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an electronic camera device capable of restricting the execution of printing in accordance with the use environment and preventing the occurrence of defective printing. It is an object to provide a printer device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electronic camera apparatus having electronic image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing optical system to generate image information. In the print paper loaded in the electronic camera device, the image information obtained by the electronic imaging means, or the image information of the print target read from a recording medium that can be mounted on the electronic camera device, Yes
A printing unit for forming a predetermined image, a temperature measurement unit for measuring a temperature, and a temperature outside the predetermined temperature range.
Warning means for giving a warning in the case of
Force printing by the printing means when a warning is issued
Means for allowing the user to select whether or not to execute .

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

In this electronic camera device, temperature measurement
If the temperature measured by the means is out of the predetermined temperature range
Will be warned, and the warning means will be warned.
User is asked whether to force printing.
Is provided, so that the occurrence of defective printing can be
This makes it possible to prevent the problem beforehand, and allows the user to make a final decision on whether or not to print, so that it is possible to flexibly respond to the user's intention.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a basic structure of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The electronic camera 11 is a digital still camera having a built-in photosensitive printer. The electronic camera 11 not only captures a subject image using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD and records it on a recording medium, but also prints out the captured image. Or
It is possible to print out, for example, photographed image data recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electronic camera 11 as viewed from the rear side. As shown, a release switch (shutter button) 12, a mode changeover switch 13, an optical finder 14, an image display LCD 15, a mode display LCD 16,
A strobe 17, a speaker 18, a paper outlet 19, a temperature sensor window 20, and the like are provided.

Release switch (shutter button) 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation button for instructing execution of photographing, and a mode switch 13 is an operation button for setting and changing the operation mode of the electronic camera 11. The following operation modes are prepared for the electronic camera 11, and the mode to be used can be switched by operating the mode switch 13.

1) Normal shooting mode A subject image is shot using a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD.
The obtained image data is recorded on a recording medium. 2) Playback mode. Image data captured from a recording medium (including image data captured by another electronic camera, image data generated by a computer, etc.). Read out and display image 15
3) Playback print mode Reads captured image data (including image data captured by another electronic camera, image data created by a computer, etc.) from the recording medium and prints it by the built-in printer. 4) Photographing print mode (instant print mode) The subject image is photographed using a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD.
The built-in printer of the photosensitive type, which prints out the image data obtained by the built-in printer, uses the photosensitive paper as the print paper as described above, and exposes the photosensitive paper based on the image data to be printed. And
The exposure causes a chemical reaction of the photosensitive paper to form an image on the photosensitive paper. The photosensitive paper has an appropriate temperature range (printable temperature range) where printing can be performed normally. If printing is performed in a temperature environment outside the printable temperature range, defective printing may occur. become.

In order to prevent such defective printing from occurring, the electronic camera 11 of this embodiment has a built-in temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature. If you decide, give a warning,
Control such as automatically prohibiting printing is performed. The temperature sensor window 20 of the main body of the electronic camera 11 is provided so that the ambient temperature of the electronic camera 11, that is, the outside air temperature, can be accurately measured by a built-in temperature sensor. The warning is performed by issuing a warning sound from the speaker 18 or displaying a warning message on the image display LCD 15 or the mode display LCD 16.

FIG. 1B shows an electronic camera 1 viewed from the top side.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, in which only essential parts are extracted and shown.

That is, a photographing lens unit 21 is attached to the main body of the electronic camera 11 as shown in the figure, and a printed board 22 on which various electronic components are mounted, and a printer The part 23 is accommodated. The printer unit 23 functions as the above-described photosensitive built-in printer, and includes a print cartridge and an optical head unit as illustrated. The print cartridge contains a plurality of photosensitive papers (photosensitive films) used as print paper.
This print cartridge is a detachable type that can be detachably mounted on the main body of the electronic camera 11, and the supply of the print paper 200 (photosensitive paper) is performed in print cartridge units. At the time of printing, the print paper 200 (photosensitive paper) is taken out one by one from the print cartridge by a transport mechanism provided in the printer unit 23, and is sequentially exposed by the optical head unit while being transported toward the paper outlet 19.

The paper outlet 19 is provided with a paper outlet shutter 24. By closing the sheet outlet shutter 24 except during printing, dust and dirt can be prevented from entering from outside.

As shown in the figure, the main body of the electronic camera 11 has a card slot 25 for mounting a removable memory 100 composed of a removable recording medium such as a memory card, and a mounted removable memory 100. A card cover 26 for protection, a battery box for accommodating a plurality of dry batteries 27 used as a power supply of the electronic camera 11, and the like are provided.

(System Configuration) Next, referring to FIG.
A specific system configuration of the electronic camera 11 will be described.

The electronic camera 11 includes an operation unit including various operation switches such as the release switch 12 and the mode changeover switch 13 described above, an image display LCD 15, a mode display LCD 16, a strobe 17, a speaker 18, and the like. , Photographing lens system 111, image sensor 11
2. imaging circuit 113, A / D conversion circuit 114, system controller 115, memory card interface (I / F) 116, recording buffer memory 117, image processing unit 119, external interface (I / F) 12
0, a compression / decompression processing unit 121, a power supply unit 122, and the like.

The taking lens system 111 is an optical system constituting the taking lens unit 21 described with reference to FIG. The image sensor 112 is a solid-state image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the photographing optical system 111 into an electrical image signal, and includes a CCD area sensor having a color filter disposed thereon.

The image pickup circuit 113 controls the operation of the image pickup element 112 under the control of the system controller 115 to fetch image information from the image pickup element 112 and to control the operation of the image pickup element 1.
The control of the speed of an element shutter (electronic shutter) by 12 and the gain adjustment of the image signal output from the image sensor 112 are performed. The image signal output from the imaging circuit 113 is sent to an A / D conversion circuit 114, where it is converted into a digital image signal.

When the electronic camera 11 is set to the “normal photographing mode” or the “photographing print mode”, image information is fetched from the image pickup device 112 by the image pickup circuit 113 at any time, and a finder image to be displayed on the image display LCD 15 is displayed. Image information to be obtained or used as a reference for AE / AF control for photometry / distance measurement can be obtained. Further, when the release switch 12 is pressed in the “normal shooting mode” or the “shooting print mode”, after the image information is newly fetched from the image sensor 112 by the imaging circuit 113 and predetermined image processing is performed, Removable memory 10
0 is recorded or printed out.

A system controller 115 is a CPU for controlling each unit in the electronic camera 11.
It consists of a chip microcomputer. In the present embodiment, the system controller 115 measures the ambient temperature and the humidity of the electronic camera 11 by using a temperature sensor 210 and a humidity sensor 211 described later, and the measured ambient temperature is a predetermined value at which an image can be formed on photosensitive paper. When it is determined that the temperature is out of the printable temperature range, or when it is determined that dew condensation has occurred, control for automatically prohibiting printing is performed.

Memory card interface (I / F)
Reference numeral 116 denotes a removable memory 10 including a recording medium such as a memory card that can be removably mounted on the electronic camera 11.
0 is for read / write access, and image information is written to the removable memory 100 and fetched from the removable memory 100 via the memory card interface (I / F) 116.

The recording buffer memory 117 is a buffer area used to temporarily hold image information to be recorded, and this buffer area is also used as a work area for image processing. Image processing such as color correction by the image processing unit 119 and compression / decompression processing by the compression / decompression processing unit 121 are performed by the recording buffer memory 117.
Run on

The external interface 120 is, for example, R
It is for communicating with an external personal computer or other electronic devices via a communication interface such as S232C or IEEE1394, and is used for transmitting and receiving various control information and image information.

The compression / decompression processing unit 121 converts the image information of the captured image to be recorded into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding) image.
Experts Group) or for expanding compressed image information to be reproduced or printed, which is fetched from the removable memory 110.

The power supply unit 122 is a power supply for supplying operating power to each unit of the electronic camera 11 from the above-described dry battery 27 and a battery 208 in a cartridge, which are housed in the electronic camera 11, and an external AC power supply. Circuit.

The electronic camera 11 includes a print image processing circuit 20 as a constituent unit of the printer unit 23 described above.
1. Print buffer memory 202, head drive circuit 2
03, an optical head unit 204, a drive control circuit 205, a drive unit 206, a print cartridge 207, and a battery 20 in the cartridge built in the print cartridge 207.
8, cartridge detection sensor 209, temperature sensor 21
0, a humidity sensor 211, and the like.

The print image processing circuit 201 performs various image processes such as gamma correction for obtaining image data suitable for printing on image data to be printed stored in the recording buffer memory 117, The print image data is rasterized and expanded in the print buffer memory 202 on a line-by-line basis. The image data developed in the print buffer memory 202 is sent to the optical head unit 204 via the head drive circuit 203.
The optical head unit 204 exposes the photosensitive paper while scanning in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the photosensitive paper transport direction (main scanning direction) by the drive control circuit 205 and the driving unit 206.
The optical head unit 204 includes three optical heads corresponding to R, G, and B lights. The R optical head is driven by R data, the G optical head is driven by G data, and the B optical head is driven by B data.
As a result, the photosensitive paper is exposed by R, G, and B light corresponding to the R, G, and B of the image data, and a color image is formed on the photosensitive paper. As an image forming method by exposure, a well-known diffusion transfer or the like can be used.

The cartridge detection sensor 209 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the print cartridge 207 is mounted. When the print cartridge 207 is mounted, a detection signal indicating the mounting is output to the system controller 115.
Send to

The temperature sensor 210 measures the ambient temperature of the electronic camera 11 by measuring the outside air temperature through the temperature sensor window 20 described above. As the temperature sensor, a thermistor, a radiation temperature sensor using infrared rays, or the like is used.

The humidity sensor 211 is used to measure the humidity on or around the humidity sensor 211. Based on the value of the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 211, it is determined whether or not condensation has occurred in the electronic camera 11. Can be detected. The humidity sensor 211 is arranged on the photosensitive paper transport path or at a position where it comes into contact with the outside air. It should be noted that the presence or absence of dew condensation in the electronic camera 11 can also be predicted by calculating the degree of temperature change from the output of the temperature sensor 210 without providing the humidity sensor 211.

(Mounting Structure of Temperature Sensor) Next, FIG.
A specific mounting structure of the temperature sensor 210 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A shows that a temperature sensor window 20 having a slit-shaped opening is provided on the exterior 300 of the electronic camera 11 so that the temperature sensor 210 is located at a position facing the temperature sensor window 20. This is an example in which a temperature sensor 210 is provided on a printed circuit board 301. Printed circuit board 301
A printed circuit board on which the components shown in FIG. 2 are mounted can be used.

The mounting structure shown in FIG. 3B is the same as that shown in FIG. 3A in that the temperature sensor window 20 having a slit-shaped opening is provided on the exterior 300 of the electronic camera 11, but the heat conducting member 302 is provided. The temperature sensor 210 is attached in such a state that the opening under the temperature sensor window 20 is closed and the lower surface of the heat conductive member 302 is in direct contact therewith. Temperature sensor 2
The transmission and reception of signals between the control unit 10 and the control unit 10 are performed by a flexible printed circuit (FPC). With this structure, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering from outside.

FIG. 3C shows that a transparent plate 304 made of glass, acrylic, or the like is disposed on the exterior 300 as the temperature sensor window 20 instead of the slit-shaped opening.
Temperature sensor 210A using infrared light
Is measured by the Also in this structure, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering from outside.

(Flow of Process) Next, a flow of a series of processes executed by the system controller 115 will be described for each mode with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

First, a mode setting process for determining the operation mode of the electronic camera 11 is executed in response to the operation of the mode changeover switch 13 (step S11). The print mode is set to one of “print mode”, “normal shooting mode”, and “playback mode”.

(1) When the "reproduction print mode" is selected by operating the reproduction print mode mode switch 13, the system controller 115
Checks the ambient temperature and the occurrence of dew condensation using the temperature sensor 210 and the humidity sensor 211, and determines whether or not the printing conditions are satisfied (steps S12 and S13). It is determined that the printing conditions are satisfied on condition that the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is within the printable temperature range (YES in step S12) and no dew condensation has occurred (YES in step S13). And step S17
To S20 are started.

On the other hand, when the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is outside the printable temperature range (NO in step S12), or when dew condensation occurs even when the ambient temperature is within the printable temperature range. (N in step S13
O), the system controller 115 determines that the printing condition is not satisfied. In this case, the system controller 115 displays a warning message or an icon indicating that the environment cannot be normally printed on the LCD (displayed on the image display LCD 15 or the mode display LCD 16) and determines whether or not to perform forced printing. An inquiry is made to the user (step S14), and a warning sound is generated from the speaker 18 (step S15). Then, the system controller 115 determines the intention of the user by operating the predetermined operation button by the user (step S16). If execution of forced printing has not been instructed by the user (NO in step S16), the system controller 11
No. 5 prohibits the execution of the printing process in steps S17 to S20, and ends the “reproduction print mode” process. If execution of forced printing is instructed by the user (YES in step S16), the system controller 115 proceeds to steps S17 to S17 similarly to the case where the printing conditions are satisfied.
The printing process in S20 is started.

In the printing process, the system controller 11
5 is a memory card interface (I / F) 116
The image data to be printed is read out of the removable memory 100 via the CPU (step S17), and is read out by the compression / decompression processing unit 1.
21 (step S18), and then write the data into the recording buffer memory 117 (step S1).
9). Thereafter, the system controller 115 controls the built-in printer to execute printing by exposure (step S20).

The image data to be printed is selected by displaying the image data recorded in the removable memory 100 on the image display L.
This can be performed while reproducing and displaying using the CD 15.

(2) When the “photographing print mode” is selected by operating the photographing print mode mode switch 13, the system controller 115 sets the temperature sensor 210 and the humidity in the same manner as in the “reproduction print mode”. The sensor 211 is used to check the ambient temperature and the occurrence of dew condensation to determine whether the printing conditions are satisfied (steps S21 and S22). Temperature sensor 2
It is determined that the printing conditions are satisfied on condition that the ambient temperature measured by step 10 is within the printable temperature range (YES in step S21) and no dew condensation has occurred (YES in step S22). Steps S26 to S2
8 is started.

On the other hand, when the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor 210 is outside the printable temperature range (NO in step S21), or when dew condensation occurs even when the ambient temperature is within the printable temperature range. (N in step S22
O), the system controller 115 determines that the printing condition is not satisfied. In this case, the system controller 115 displays a warning message or an icon indicating that the environment cannot be normally printed on the LCD (displayed on the image display LCD 15 or the mode display LCD 16) and determines whether or not to perform forced printing. An inquiry is made to the user (step S23), and a warning sound is generated from the speaker 18 (step S24). Then, the system controller 115 determines the intention of the user by operating the predetermined operation button by the user (step S25). If execution of forced printing is not instructed by the user (NO in step S25), the system controller 11
5 prohibits execution of the photographing / printing processing of steps S26 to S28, and terminates the processing of the "photographing print mode".
If execution of forced printing is instructed by the user (YES in step S25), system controller 115
Is the same as in the case where the printing conditions are satisfied.
The photographing / printing process from 26 to S28 is started.

In the photographing / printing process, when the release switch 12 is pressed, the system controller 115 controls the image pickup circuit 113 to start the photographing process by the image pickup device 112 in response to the depression of the release switch 12 (step S26).
The image data obtained by this photographing process is written into the recording buffer memory 117 (step S27). Thereafter, the system controller 115 controls the built-in printer to execute printing by exposure (step S2).
8).

(3) When the “normal shooting mode” is selected by operating the normal shooting mode mode switch 13, the system controller 11
When the release switch 12 is pressed, the imaging circuit 113 is controlled in response to the depression of the release switch 12 to start a photographing process by the image sensor 112 (step S29), and the image data obtained by the photographing process is stored in a recording buffer. Memory 1
17 (step S30). Thereafter, the system controller 115 transmits the image data to the compression / decompression processing unit 1.
21 (step S31), the compressed image data is transferred to a memory card interface (I /
F) The data is recorded in the removable memory 100 via the memory 116 (step S32).

(4) "Reproduction mode" by operating the reproduction mode mode switch 13
Is selected, the system controller 115
Reads the image data to be reproduced from the removable memory 100 via the memory card interface (I / F) 116 (step S33), and reads it out from the compression / decompression processing unit 12
1 (step S34), and is displayed on the image display LCD 15 (step S35).

As described above, in the present embodiment,
"Playback print mode" and "Shoot print mode"
In, by restricting the execution of printing based on the results of the detection of the ambient temperature and the detection of dew condensation, it is possible to prevent inadvertently performing defective printing.

Although the printing execution is limited by using both the detection of the ambient temperature and the detection of the dew condensation, it is possible to obtain a sufficient effect by either the detection of the ambient temperature or the detection of the dew condensation. it can. Alternatively, the process may be immediately terminated without inquiring of the user whether or not to perform forced printing.

Hereinafter, specific examples of various print controls applicable to the “reproduction print mode” and the “photographing print mode” will be individually described using the “reproduction print mode” as an example.

(Reproduction Print Mode: 2) First, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a description will be given of a case where only the ambient temperature is used as a printing condition and the process is terminated without final confirmation with the user. I do.

When the "reproduction print mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, the system controller 115 measures the ambient temperature using the temperature sensor 210 (step S101). It is determined whether the temperature is within a predetermined printable temperature range (step S102).

If it is within the printable temperature range (step S
102, YES), image data reading, decompression, writing to the buffer memory, and printing are executed in the same procedure as steps S17 to S20 in FIG. 4 (step S).
103 to S106).

On the other hand, if it is out of the printable temperature range (YES in step S102), steps S14 and S1 in FIG.
After performing processing for displaying a warning and generating a warning sound in the same procedure as in step 5 (steps S107 and S108), the processing ends.

(Reproduction Print Mode: Part 3) Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 6, only the presence / absence of dew condensation is used as a printing condition. A description will be given of a processing procedure in the case where the user selects whether or not to perform.

When the "reproduction print mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, the system controller 115 detects the humidity using the humidity sensor 211 (step S111), and determines whether or not dew condensation has occurred. (Step S112).

If no condensation has occurred (NO in step S112), image data reading, decompression, writing to the buffer memory, and printing are executed in the same procedure as in steps S17 to S20 in FIG. Step S
116-S119).

On the other hand, if condensation has occurred (NO in step S112), steps S14 to S16 in FIG.
In the same procedure as that described above, a process of selecting whether to display a warning, generate a warning sound, and perform forced printing is performed (steps S113 to S1).
15) In the case where the forced printing has not been instructed (NO in step S115), the processing ends without executing the processing in steps S116 to S119. When the forced printing is instructed (YES in step S115), the processing in steps S116 to S119 is executed.

(Reproduction Print Mode: No. 4) Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 7, a case where dew condensation is detected using the temperature sensor 210 instead of the humidity sensor 211 will be described.

That is, in FIG. 7, step S1 of FIG.
Steps S121 to S12 instead of steps S11 and S112
3 are provided. The system controller 115
The ambient temperature is continuously detected for a certain period of time using the temperature sensor 210 (step S121), and a predetermined calculation for examining the degree of temperature change is performed to predict the presence or absence of dew condensation (step S122). S123). In general, dew condensation occurs on electronic cameras 1 cooled outdoors where the temperature is low.
This occurs when the device 1 is suddenly brought into a warm room and used. Therefore, by measuring the temperature change in this way, it is possible to correctly detect whether or not dew has occurred. Alternatively, the electronic camera 11 may continuously detect the temperature during the power-on period, and may detect the presence or absence of dew condensation using the history of the detection result.

(Reproduction Print Mode: No. 5) Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, if only the ambient temperature is used as the printing condition and the printing condition is not satisfied, whether the printing is to be finally performed or not. A processing procedure for allowing the user to select whether or not the processing will be described.

If the "reproduction print mode" is selected by operating the mode changeover switch 13, the system controller 115 measures the ambient temperature by using the temperature sensor 210 (step S131), and the measured ambient temperature is It is determined whether the temperature is within a predetermined printable temperature range (step S132).

If the temperature is within the printable temperature range (YES in step S132), steps S17 to S2 in FIG.
The readout, decompression, writing into the buffer memory, and printing of the image data are executed in the same procedure as in step S0 (steps S136 to S139).

On the other hand, if the temperature is outside the printable temperature range (NO in step S132), steps S14 to S14 in FIG.
In the same procedure as in S16, a process of selecting whether to display a warning, generate a warning sound, or perform forced printing is performed (step S133).
To S135), when the forced printing is not instructed (NO in step S135), steps S136 to S1
The processing is terminated without executing the processing of 39. If forced printing is instructed (YE in step S135)
S), the processes of steps S136 to S139 are executed.

(Portable Printer) Next, a configuration of a portable printer to which the print control of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

The portable printer 51 is a photosensitive printer similar to the printer unit 23 of the electronic camera 11 described above, reads image data to be printed from a detachable memory, and exposes photosensitive paper according to the image data. Thus, a print function corresponding to the above-described “reproduction print mode” of performing print output is provided.

The portable printer 51 has a configuration in which an image pickup function is removed from the configuration of the electronic camera 11 shown in FIG. 2, and as shown in the figure, a system controller 501,
Operation unit 502, display LCD 503, speaker 504, power supply unit 505, memory card interface (I / F)
506, a buffer memory 507, a decompression processing unit 508,
Print image processing circuit 509, head drive circuit 510, optical head unit 511, drive control circuit 512, drive unit 513, print cartridge 514, cartridge sensor 51
5, a temperature sensor 516, and a humidity sensor 517.

The system controller 501 is a CPU for controlling each unit in the portable printer 51, and executes the same print control processing as the system controller 115 in FIG. An operation unit 502 is an operation button for instructing execution of printing and the like. Display LCD 50
3, the speaker 504, the power supply unit 505, the memory card interface (I / F) 506, and the buffer memory 507 are respectively the mode display LCD 16, the speaker 18, the power supply unit 122, the memory card interface (I / F) 116, And the recording buffer memory 117.

The decompression processing unit 508 is used to decompress the image data to be printed read from the removable memory. Also, a print image processing circuit 509, a head drive circuit 510, an optical head unit 511, a drive control circuit 512, a drive unit 513, a print cartridge 514, a cartridge sensor 515, a temperature sensor 516, and a humidity sensor 5
17 denotes a print image processing circuit 201, a head drive circuit 203, an optical head unit 204, and a drive control circuit 2 in FIG.
05, a drive unit 206, a print cartridge 207, a cartridge detection sensor 209, a temperature sensor 210, and a humidity sensor 211.

Also in the portable printer 51, the system controller 501 performs the same print control as the print control in the "reproduction print mode" described in the flowcharts of FIGS. This makes it possible to prevent defective printing due to dew condensation or defective printing due to out of the printable temperature range.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Configuration to restrict printing execution according to usage environment
This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of defective printing
And the final decision on whether to print
To respond flexibly to the wishes of the user.
Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic structure of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the system configuration of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a specific mounting structure of a temperature sensor provided in the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing a series of processing procedures executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment for each mode.

FIG. 5 shows a second example of the print control process in the “reproduction print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a third example of the print control process in the “reproduction print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a fourth flowchart of the print control process in the “reproduction print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a fifth flowchart of the print control process in the “reproduction print mode” executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a portable printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Electronic camera, 12 ... Release switch, 13 ... Mode changeover switch, 15 ... Image display LCD, 16 ... Mode display LCD, 19 ... Paper discharge port, 20 ... Temperature sensor window, 23 ... Printer part, 100 ... Detachable memory, 112 ...
Image sensor 113, Image sensor 114, A / D converter 115, System controller 116 Memory card interface 204 Optical head 207
Print cartridge 210 temperature sensor 211
Humidity sensor.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5 / 225,5 / 76-5/956

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electronic camera device having electronic imaging means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing optical system to generate image information, wherein a print sheet loaded in the electronic camera device includes : A printing unit for forming a predetermined image corresponding to image information obtained by the electronic imaging unit or image information of a printing target read from a recording medium mountable on the electronic camera device; and measuring a temperature. A temperature measuring means for issuing a warning when the measured temperature is out of a predetermined temperature range;
Warning means, and when a warning is issued by the warning means,
Select whether to force printing by manual or not
An electronic camera apparatus characterized by comprising a means for, an. 2. The electronic camera device according to claim 1 , wherein
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ambient temperature of the device is measured.
Electronic camera device. 3. A subject image formed by a photographing optical system.
Electronic imaging means for photoelectrically converting
Electronic camera device, wherein the print paper loaded in the electronic camera device,
Image information obtained by electronic imaging means, or
Read from a recording medium that can be mounted on the electronic camera device
Printing that forms a predetermined image according to image information to be printed
Means for detecting whether or not condensation has occurred in the electronic camera device.
Condensation detecting means, and a warning means for giving a warning when the occurrence of the condensation is detected
When a warning is issued by the warning means,
Select whether to force printing by manual or not
An electronic camera apparatus characterized by comprising a means for, an. 4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein
2. A predetermined image is formed on optical paper.
An electronic camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . 5. A printer device capable of printing and outputting image data.
A printing object to be printed on the printing paper loaded in the printer device.
A printing means for forming a predetermined image corresponding to the image information of the image forming apparatus, a temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature, and a warning when the measured temperature is out of a predetermined temperature range.
Warning means, and when a warning is issued by the warning means,
Select whether to force printing by manual or not
Printer apparatus characterized by comprising a means for, an. 6. The printer device according to claim 6 , wherein
The printer device according to claim 5, wherein an ambient temperature of the printer is measured . 7. A printer device capable of printing out image data, comprising: printing means for forming a predetermined image on print paper loaded in the printer device in accordance with image information to be printed ; Detecting the occurrence of condensation
Dew condensation detecting means, and a warning means for giving a warning when the occurrence of the dew is detected
When a warning is issued by the warning means,
Select whether to force printing by manual or not
Printer apparatus characterized by comprising a means for, an. 8. The printing means according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is a printing paper.
6. A predetermined image is formed on optical paper.
8. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A subject image formed by a photographing optical system.
Electronic imaging means for photoelectrically converting
Electronic camera device, wherein the print paper loaded in the electronic camera device,
Image information obtained by electronic imaging means, or
Read from a recording medium that can be mounted on the electronic camera device
Printing that forms a predetermined image according to image information to be printed
Means and a heat conducting member provided in an exterior opening of the electronic camera device
And a temperature sensor mounted in contact with the heat conducting member.
And measuring the ambient temperature of the electronic camera device.
Temperature measuring means, and warning when the measured ambient temperature is out of a predetermined temperature range
An electronic camera device comprising: a warning unit that performs the following . 10. An object formed by a photographing optical system.
Electronic imaging means for photoelectrically converting an image to generate image information
An electronic camera device having the print paper loaded in the electronic camera device,
Image information obtained by the electronic image pickup means or said,
Read from a recording medium that can be mounted on the electronic camera device
Printing that forms a predetermined image according to image information to be printed
Means, a transparent member provided in an exterior opening of the electronic camera device,
Ambient temperature of the electronic camera device through the transparent member
Temperature measuring means having a temperature sensor for measuring, and a warning when the measured ambient temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range
An electronic camera device comprising: a warning unit that performs the following .