JP3667057B2 - Image communication system, communication apparatus, camera, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present inventionPrint images taken with the camera on the communication deviceImage communication system, communication device capable of transmitting to communication line,cameraAnd a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image taken with an image input device such as a digital camera is printed in color or sent to a remote party. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a conventional image communication system in such a usage. In the figure, 101 is a public network, 102 is a network control device such as a modem or terminal adapter, 103 is a personal computer (PC), 104 is a PC printer, 105 is a digital camera, and 106 is a digital camera dedicated printer.
[0003]
2 is a block diagram of the digital camera 105. In FIG. 2, 201 is a CPU, 202 is a memory, 203 is an image input unit, 204 is an operation unit, 205 is a PC interface, 206 is a printer interface, and 207 is a communication adapter interface. 208 are data buses.
[0004]
When printing an image photographed by the digital camera 105, the image data stored in the memory 202 of the digital camera 105 is taken into the personal computer 103 via the PC interface 205, and then the printer 104 is used by application software of the personal computer 103. Can be output.
[0005]
On the other hand, when transmitting image data, the image data is once captured in the personal computer 103, compressed with application software of the personal computer, transmitted to the data network control device 102, and communicated via the network control device 102. Sent to the line.
[0006]
By such a method, it was possible to print an image photographed with a digital camera or transmit it via a communication line.
[0007]
When there is no personal computer, the digital camera is directly connected to the dedicated printer 106 or the dedicated modem via the printer interface 206 or the communication adapter interface 207 to perform printing or transmission to a communication line. It was.
[0008]
In some cases, the digital camera is connected to a printer or modem via a wireless line.
[0009]
In such a configuration, the same wireless line is used when data is transmitted to the printer and when data is transmitted to the communication line via a modem.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the configuration in which the digital camera and the printer or modem are connected by wire as described above, the digital camera needs to have both an interface for the printer and the modem, and the printer and the modem are close to each other. When not installed in the network, there was a problem that switching of the connection was necessary.
[0011]
In addition, when a digital camera is connected to a printer or modem via a wireless line, if the transmission speed of the wireless communication line is high, data transmission to a printer that needs to send a large amount of data Although it is sometimes efficient, data can be sent to the printer even when data can be compressed, such as when accessing public networks such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). There is a problem that a wireless communication line having the same transmission speed as that used is occupied.
[0012]
Also, when accessing a public network such as ISDN or PSTN, using a wireless communication line with a low transmission speed to connect to a printer or modem, if you want to send a large amount of data to the printer, There was a problem that a large amount of data could only be transmitted at low speed.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
    In order to solve the above problems, the present inventionAn object is to make it easy to print an image captured by a camera or transmit it via a communication line.
[0014]
Another object of the present invention is to enable efficient use of a wireless line depending on how the image data is used when the image input apparatus and a communication apparatus capable of visually outputting image data are connected via a wireless line. And
[0015]
Another object of the present invention is to enable efficient use of communication lines by utilizing the characteristics of USB (Universal Serial Bus) that can simultaneously transfer data requiring high speed and data requiring real time. To do.
[0016]
  The present invention provides a communication means for communicating via a communication line and an image.printingOutputprintingA communication device having means;Camera with shooting functionIn an image communication system comprising:Whether the camera has been operated by a user operation to cause the printing unit of the communication device to print an image shot by the shooting function,Transmit via the communication line by the communication meansIdentifying means for identifying whether or not an operation has been performed, an instruction for causing the printing means to print the image, and an instruction for causing the communication means to transmit via a communication line according to the identification result by the identifying means TheAn instruction means for instructing the communication device;photographCompression means for compressing the image;Identification result by the identification meansBased on the compression meansphotographControl means for performing image compression processing and controlling the image to be transmitted to the communication device, wherein the communication devicecameraSent fromphotographReceiving means for receiving an image;In response to an instruction from the instruction means,The image received by the receiving means isprintingBy meansprintingOr control for transmitting via a communication line by the communication means,Control means to executeAn image communication system is provided.
[0017]
  In addition, communication means for communicating via a communication line and imagesprintingOutputprintingCan be connected to a communication deviceCamera with shooting functionInIdentify whether a user operation has performed an operation for printing an image photographed by the photographing function using the printing unit of the communication apparatus or an operation for transmitting the image via the communication line by the communication unit. And an instruction for printing the image by the printing means, and an instruction for transmitting the communication means via a communication line according to the identification result by the identification means.An instruction means for instructing the communication device;photographCompression means for compressing the image;Identification result by the identification meansControl means for performing compression processing of the image by the compression means on the basis of the image and controlling to transmit the image to the communication device.cameraI will provide a.
[0018]
  Also,Camera with shooting functionA communication means for communicating via a communication line, and an imageprintingOutputprintingIn a communication apparatus having means,Whether the photographed image of the camera is printed by the printing means or transmitted via the communication line by the communication means, Indicating the instruction signalcameraFirst receiving means for receiving from;Discriminating means for discriminating an instruction based on the instruction signal received by the first receiving means, and photographing performed by the camera based on the content instructed by the instruction signalA second receiving means for receiving an image;According to the discrimination by the discrimination meansTransform the image received by the second receiving meansConversion means to perform;The image received by the second receiving means isprintingBy meansprintingControl for outputting, or control for transmitting an image received by the second receiving means via the communication line by the communication means,Discrimination by discrimination meansThere is provided a communication device characterized by having control means executed in response to
[0019]
  Further, in a camera control method connectable to a communication device having a communication function for performing communication via a communication line and a print function for printing out an image, an image captured by the photographing function by a user operation is stored in the communication device. According to an identification step for identifying whether an operation for printing by the printing function has been performed or an operation for transmitting via a communication line by the communication function, and according to the identification result in the identification step, An instruction step for instructing the communication device to instruct to print an image by the printing function and an instruction to transmit the image through a communication line by the communication function, and an image based on the identification result in the identification step And a control step of performing control so as to transmit an image to the communication device. To provide.
[0020]
  In addition, in a control method of a communication device that can be connected to a camera having a shooting function and has a communication function of performing communication via a communication line and a print function of printing out an image, the print function A first reception step of receiving from the camera an instruction signal indicating whether to print out by the communication function or to transmit via the communication line by the communication function, and the instruction signal received in the first reception step A discriminating step for discriminating an instruction; a second receiving step for receiving a captured image compressed based on the content instructed by the camera in the instruction signal; and a conversion according to the content in the discriminating in the discriminating step. A conversion step performed on the image received in the second receiving step, and a control for printing out the image received in the second receiving step by the printing function. Or a control step of performing control for transmitting the image received in the second reception step via the communication line by the communication function according to the determination in the determination step. Provided is a method for controlling a communication device.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a system configuration diagram of the present embodiment. In the figure, 301 is a public network (ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network), 302 is a facsimile having a communication function for communicating via the public network 301 and a printing function for printing an image, and 303 is a digital for inputting an image. A camera 304 is a personal computer, and the facsimile 302, the digital camera 303, and the personal computer 304 are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.
[0024]
4 is a block diagram of a facsimile constituting the image communication system embodying the present invention. In FIG. 4, 401 is a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) such as a RAM. Is a memory, 403 is a print processing unit that performs data conversion for printing and motor control, and 404 is an RGB that converts RGB (Red, Green, Blue) image data into CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, black) image data. / CMYK conversion unit, 405 is a facsimile encoding processing unit that compresses and encodes image data to be transmitted to a communication line, 406 is an ISDN line, 407 is an ISDN interface unit that assembles / disassembles data frames that transmit ISDN, and 408 H is used to assemble a frame of image data to be transmitted. LC (High Level Data Link Control procedures) controller, 409 is a communication interface for connecting the digital camera USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, 410 is a data bus.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the digital camera 303 constituting the image communication system embodying the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) such as a RAM. , 502 is a memory, 503 is an image input unit, 504 is an operation unit, 505 is a USB interface unit, and 506 is a data bus.
[0026]
In the following, a process when the image data captured by the digital camera 303 is color-printed by the facsimile 302 and transmitted to the ISDN 301 via the facsimile 302 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
First, when the image data of the digital camera 303 is color-printed, the CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 presses a button on the operation unit 504 (S1102) and detects that it is a print button (S1103). A “print request” message is transmitted from 303 to the facsimile 302 via the USB interface unit 505 of the digital camera 303 and the USB interface 409 of the facsimile 302 (S1104). When detecting that the “print request” message has been received, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a “print acceptance” message to the digital camera 303 if printing is possible. When printing is not possible because there is no paper, a “printing impossible” message is transmitted to the digital camera 303 to notify that there is a problem with the printer function.
[0028]
The CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 that has detected the reception of the “print acceptance” message (S1105) starts data transmission to the facsimile 302 (S1106). The digital camera 303 has image data with a resolution of 640 pixels × 480 pixels, and when printing using three colors of RGB, the data amount is 640 × 480 × 3 = 921.6 kilobytes (KB). Become. Considering that the USB effective transmission rate is about 10 Mbps, the transmission time is 921.6 / (10000/8) = 0.74 seconds.
[0029]
Receiving this image data, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 stores the received data in the memory 402 and sends a “data reception complete” message to the digital camera (S1107).
[0030]
The CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transfers the image data stored in the memory 402 to the print processing unit 403, and performs print processing by controlling the printer head in the print processing unit 403 (S1108). When the printing process is finished, a “printing finished” message is transmitted to the digital camera 303, and the printing operation is finished (S1109).
[0031]
Next, when transmitting image data of the digital camera 303 to an off-site partner connected via ISDN, the CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 detects that the “line transmission” button of the operation unit 504 has been pressed (S1110). ) A “line transmission request” message is transmitted from the digital camera 303 to the facsimile 302 (S1111). The CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 that has detected the reception of the “line transmission request” message transmits a “line transmission request reception” message to the digital camera 303 (S1112).
[0032]
The CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 that has detected the reception of the “line transmission request acceptance” message starts transmission of image data to the facsimile 302 (S1113). Receiving this image data, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 stores the received data in the memory 402 and sends a “data reception complete” message to the digital camera (S1114).
[0033]
  In order to shorten the communication time, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 converts the image data stored in the memory 402 into CMYK data by the RGB / CMYK conversion circuit 404 and transfers it to the facsimile encoding processing unit 405 for image compression. It performs (S1115). Image compression is performed by JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) method, compressed to about 1/8 data amount,115.2It will be about kilobytes. The compressed image data is stored in the memory 402 again.
[0034]
Next, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a call setting message to the ISDN 301 and performs outgoing processing (S1116). When the partner terminal responds and detects that a response message from ISDN 301 has been received (S1117), the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a “line connection complete” message to the digital camera 303 (S1118).
[0035]
After that, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 adds a header according to a predetermined protocol to the image data that has been compressed and stored in the memory 402 and then transfers it to the HDLC controller 409. After the HDLC header is added, The ISDN interface 407 assembles the ISDN frame and transmits the BDN channel (S1119).
[0036]
  The amount of data after compression is115.2Since it is about kilobytes, transmission at 64 kbps can be completed in about 14.4 seconds.
[0037]
As described above, by changing the operation of the digital camera, print output and facsimile transmission to a communication line can be performed without transferring data to a personal computer or reconnecting.
[0038]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the digital camera and the facsimile are connected by a USB serial cable. However, in order to realize an easier-to-use environment, it is conceivable to connect the digital camera and the facsimile via a wireless line.
[0039]
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an image radio communication system embodying the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a public network (ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network), 602 a facsimile, 603 a digital camera, and 604 a personal computer.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a facsimile constituting the image radio communication system embodying the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a CPU that controls the entire apparatus in accordance with a program stored in a memory (not shown) such as a RAM, 702 is a memory, 703 is a print processing unit that performs data conversion and motor control for printing, 704 is an image decompression unit, 705 is an RGB / CMYK conversion unit, 706 is a facsimile encoding processing unit, 707 is an ISDN line, 708 is an ISDN interface unit, 709 is an HDLC controller, and 710 is a channel codec for assembling / disassembling radio frames. , 711 is a wireless module including a high frequency circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, etc., 712 is an antenna, and 713 is a data bus.
[0041]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a digital camera constituting the image radio communication system embodying the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a CPU that controls the entire apparatus according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) such as a RAM. 802 is a memory, 803 is an image input unit, 804 is an operation unit, 805 is an image compression unit, 806 is a channel codec for assembling / disassembling a radio frame, 807 is a wireless module including a high frequency circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, Reference numeral 808 denotes an antenna, and 809 denotes a data bus.
[0042]
FIG. 9 is a frame format of the radio circuit of the image radio communication system embodying the present invention. In the figure, one frame has a length of 6250 bits (10 ms), and includes a total of CNT (system control) channel, LCCH (logical control channel) channel, two SD (low speed data channel), and DCH (data channel). It consists of five time division multiplexing channels and three frequency switching sections for frequency hopping.
[0043]
The CNT channel includes a carrier sense unit (CS), a preamble unit (PR), a frame synchronization word unit (SYN) for the terminal that has received the frame synchronization, a frame number information unit (BF) used to control the hopping pattern, Consists of a next frame frequency number part (NF), an intermittent terminal activation address part (WA) for starting the terminal during intermittent reception, a CRC part (CRC) for error detection, and a guard time (GT) .
[0044]
The LCCH channel includes a carrier sense part (CS0, CS1, CS2), a preamble part (PR), a unique word part (UW), a destination address part (DA), an LCCH control data part (LCCH), a CRC part (CRC), a frequency It is composed of a switching unit (CF).
[0045]
The low-speed data channel includes a carrier sense part (CS), preamble part (PR), unique word part (UW), low-speed data part (SD), CRC part (CRC), and guard time (GT).
[0046]
The high-speed data channel includes a carrier sense part (CS0, CS1, CS2), a preamble part (PR), a unique word part (UW), a destination address part (DA), a data part (DATA), and a guard time.
[0047]
In the above frame, the low-speed data channel has a transmission rate of 32 kbps, the high-speed data channel has a transmission rate of 441.6 kbps, and is transmitted by a spread spectrum communication system in the 2.4 GHz band.
[0048]
In the following, processing when image data captured by the digital camera 603 is color-printed by the facsimile 602 via a wireless line and transmitted to the ISDN 601 via the facsimile 602 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0049]
First, when the image data of the digital camera 603 is color-printed, the CPU 801 of the digital camera 603 detects that the button on the operation unit 804 is pressed (S1202) and that it is a print button (S1203). Transmits a “print request” message to the facsimile 602 (S1204). When transmitting a message, the CPU 801 of the digital camera 603 encodes the message and writes it to the channel codec 806. The channel codec 806 transmits the data in the LCCH field of the frame format shown in FIG. It transmits as a radio wave via.
[0050]
The CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 receives radio waves by the antenna 712 and the wireless module 711, disassembles the received frame at the channel codec 710, extracts the data contained in the LCCH field, and reads the data.
[0051]
When the CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 recognizes that the received message is a “print request” message, it transmits a “print acceptance” message to the digital camera 603 via the LCCH field if printing is possible. When printing is not possible because there is no paper, a “printing impossible” message is transmitted to the digital camera 603 to notify that there is a problem with the printer function.
[0052]
The CPU 801 of the digital camera 603 that has detected the reception of the “print acceptance” message (S1205) starts data transmission to the facsimile 602 (S1206). The image data for printing is transmitted in the DCH field of the radio frame. As described in the first embodiment, since the data amount is 640 × 480 × 3 = 921.6 kilobytes (KB) and the transmission rate of the DCH field is 441.6 kbps, 821.6 / (441 .6 / 816.7) = 16.7 ends transmission. The CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 that has received the image data stores the received data in the memory 702, and sends a “data reception complete” message in the LCCH field to the digital camera (S1207).
[0053]
The CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 transfers the image data stored in the memory 702 to the print processing unit 703, and the print processing unit 703 controls the printer head to perform print processing (S1208). When the printing process ends, a “printing end” message is transmitted in the LCCH field to the digital camera 603, and the printing operation is ended (S1209).
[0054]
Next, when transmitting the image data of the digital camera 603 to an off-site partner connected via the ISDN 601, the CPU 801 of the digital camera 603 detects that the “line transmission” button of the operation unit 804 has been pressed ( In S1210), a “line transmission request” message is transmitted from the digital camera 603 to the facsimile 602 in the LCCH field (S1211). The CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 that has received the “line transmission request” message transmits a “line transmission request acceptance” message to the digital camera 603. The CPU 801 of the digital camera 603 that detects the reception of the “circuit transmission request acceptance” message (S1212) performs JPEG compression on the image data to the facsimile 602 by the image compression unit 805, and the image data is reduced to about 115.2 kilobytes. Compression is performed (S1213). Then, the compressed data is written into the channel codec 806 and output from the channel codec 807 at a transmission rate of 32 kbps in the SD field of the radio frame. Further, it is transmitted as a radio wave via the wireless module 807 and the antenna 808 (S1214). Transmission using this SD field can be transmitted to the facsimile 602 in 115.2 / (32/8) = 28.8 seconds.
[0055]
When receiving the radio wave via the antenna 712 wireless module 711, the CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 stores the data received in the SD field in the channel codec 710 in the memory 702 and sends a “data reception complete” message in the LCCH field to the digital camera. Is sent (S1215).
[0056]
The CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 decompresses the data stored in the memory 702 in the image decompression unit 704 (S1216), converts the data into CMYK data by the RGB / CMYK conversion circuit 705, and transfers the data to the facsimile encoding processing unit 405. Then, image compression is performed again (S1217). Image compression is performed by the JPEG method, and is compressed to a data amount of about 1/8 to be about 115.2 kilobytes. The compressed image data is stored in the memory 702 again.
[0057]
Next, the CPU 701 of the facsimile 602 transmits a call setting message to the ISDN 601 and performs call processing (S1218). When the counterpart terminal responds and receives a response message from the ISDN 601 (S1219), a “line connection complete” message is transmitted to the digital camera 603 (S1220).
[0058]
Further, the CPU 701 of the facsimile 603 adds a header according to the protocol to the image data compressed and stored in the memory 702 and transfers the image data to the HDLC controller 709. After the HDCL header is added, the CPU 701 uses the ISDN interface 708. It is assembled into an ISDN frame and transmitted on the B1 channel (S1221).
[0059]
Since the amount of data after compression is about 115.2 kilobytes, transmission at 64 kbps can be completed in about 14.4 seconds.
[0060]
As described above, when high-definition printing is performed without causing deterioration due to compression / decompression processing, transmission is performed via a high-speed wireless line, and when compressed and transmitted to a communication line, a low-speed wireless line is used. By using it, radio resources can be used effectively.
[0061]
In the first embodiment, when image data is transmitted from a digital camera to a facsimile, the image data is not compressed.
[0062]
However, the same effect can be obtained even when image data is compressed and transmitted in the case of wired connection with USB. That is, image data may be transmitted without being compressed when printing, and may be compressed when transmitted to a communication line.
[0063]
As a result, when printing, the transmission time is 0.74 seconds as shown in the first embodiment, and when transmitting to the communication line, the transmission time is about 1/8 of 0.09 seconds. Since it can be used, it is effective when many terminals are connected to the USB.
[0064]
In the second embodiment, a radio channel composed of a high-speed data channel and a low-speed data channel is used by a spread spectrum communication system using the 2.4 GHz band. However, the same effect can be obtained when using a wireless line composed of a plurality of low-speed data channels such as PHS (Personal Handy-phone System).
[0065]
FIG. 10 shows a PHS frame format. The PHS frame has eight 32 kbps slots (four in one direction), and one of these slots is used for transmission of control data.
[0066]
In this case, when the image data of the digital camera is printed by facsimile, the image data is compressed to the first compression rate (about 1/2) and transmitted using two slots of 32 kbps. Transmission ends in 6 seconds. Unlike the JPEG used in the second embodiment, this first compression method is a lossless compression and can reproduce exactly the same image data when decompressed on the received facsimile side.
[0067]
On the other hand, when transmitting image data from a digital camera to a communication line via a facsimile, the image data is compressed to a second compression rate (about 1/8) and transmitted using one slot of 32 kbps. The transmission is completed in about 28.8 seconds.
[0068]
Note that prior to transmission of image data, messages are exchanged between the digital camera and the facsimile in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments to determine which slot is to be used.
[0069]
In this way, when it is possible to transmit data compressed at a high compression rate, it is possible to effectively use the wireless communication line by reducing the number of wireless slots to be used.
[0070]
(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, while utilizing data transmission by USB, isochronous transfer that enables real-time transfer and bulk transfer that enables large-capacity data transfer can be performed together. It was not.
[0071]
By using the features of the USB, a greater merit can be obtained.
[0072]
FIG. 13 shows a conceptual diagram of a USB frame configuration. In the figure, the USB frame structure has a header (SOF: Start of Frame) at the beginning of the frame, which secures a transfer time at a certain period in advance, and transfers data periodically at each secured time. , Isochronous transfer slot for real-time transfer of voice, interrupt transfer slot for transferring a small amount of data within a predetermined delay, isochronous transfer and interrupt transfer, and then transferring the data in extra time There is a bulk transfer slot for transferring a large amount of data such as printer data.
[0073]
Hereinafter, when color image printing of digital camera image data is performed by facsimile (that is, when a large amount of data is transmitted from the digital camera to the facsimile), bulk transfer using the bulk transfer slot is performed, and the digital camera image data is transmitted. In the following, an example of performing isochronous transfer using an isochronous transfer slot will be described.
[0074]
Note that the system configuration in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0075]
Further, the configuration of the facsimile 302 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 4), and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0076]
However, the configuration of the digital camera in this embodiment is as shown in FIG.
[0077]
In FIG. 14, a facsimile encoding processing unit 1401 that performs facsimile encoding of the image data input from the image input unit 503 is added to the configuration of the digital camera of the first embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 5), description thereof is omitted.
[0078]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 15, when image data captured by the digital camera 303 is bulk transferred and color-printed by the facsimile 302, or isochronously transferred to the facsimile 302 and transmitted to the ISDN 301 via the facsimile 302 in real time. The process will be described.
[0079]
In FIG. 15, when the image data of the digital camera 303 is color-printed, the CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 detects that the button on the operation unit 504 is pressed (S1502) and is a print button (S1503). A “print request” message is transmitted from the digital camera 303 to the facsimile 302 via the USB interface unit 505 of the digital camera 303 and the USB interface unit 409 of the facsimile 302 (S1504). Since this message is not required to be real-time, it is transmitted in the bulk transfer slot.
[0080]
The CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 that has received the “print request” message transmitted using this bulk transfer slot transmits a “print acceptance” message to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot if printing is possible. When printing is not possible because there is no paper, a “printing impossible” message is transmitted to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot to notify that there is a problem with the printer function.
[0081]
When receiving the “print acceptance” message transmitted using the bulk transfer slot (S1505), the CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 starts transmitting image data (S1506). This image data is not required to be real-time and has a large capacity, so it is transmitted in the bulk transfer slot. The digital camera 303 has image data with a resolution of 640 pixels × 480 pixels, and when printing using three colors of RGB, the data amount is 640 × 480 × 3 = 921.6 kilobytes (KB). . Considering that the USB effective transmission rate is about 10 Mbps, the transmission time is 921.6 / (10000/8) = 0.74 seconds.
[0082]
Receiving this image data, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 stores the received data in the memory 402 and sends a “data reception complete” message to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot (S1507).
[0083]
The CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transfers the image data stored in the memory 402 to the print processing unit 403, and the print processing unit 403 controls the printer head to perform print processing (S1508). When the printing process is finished, a “printing finished” message is transmitted to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot, and the printing operation is finished (S1509).
[0084]
Next, when transmitting the image data of the digital camera 303 to an off-site partner connected via ISDN, the CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 detects that the “line transmission” button of the digital camera 303 is pressed ( In step S1510, a “line transmission request” message is transmitted to the facsimile 302 using the bulk transfer slot (S1511). The CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 that has received the “line transmission request” message transmitted using the bulk transfer slot transmits a “line transmission request acceptance” message to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot (S1512).
[0085]
Next, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a call setting message to the ISDN 301 and performs a calling process (S1513). When the counterpart terminal responds and the response message from ISDN 301 is received by CPU 401 of facsimile 302, CPU 401 of facsimile 302 transmits a “line connection complete” message to digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot (S1514). .
[0086]
The CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 that has received the “line connection complete” message transmitted using this bulk transfer slot starts transmission of image data to the facsimile 302. However, the CPU 501 of the digital camera encodes the image data with the facsimile encoding processing unit 1401 in the digital camera 303 (S1515), and transmits the encoded data as it is to the facsimile 302 using the isochronous transfer slot ( S1516). The CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits the data transmitted using the isochronous transfer slot to the partner terminal via the ISDN 301 (S1517). The encoded data has a maximum of 64 Kbps and is required to be transmitted in real time according to the facsimile protocol. Therefore, the encoded image data is transmitted in the isochronous transfer slot.
[0087]
As described above, by changing the operation of the digital camera, print output and facsimile transmission to a communication line can be performed without transferring data to a personal computer or reconnecting. In particular, when transmitting to a communication line, it is possible to transmit other data in the bulk transfer slot while transmitting image data to the communication line by using USB isochronous transfer. It realizes efficient use of communication lines.
[0088]
In addition, depending on how the data to be transmitted from the image input device is output, by using the USB bulk transfer slot and isochronous transfer slot properly, the communication line can be used efficiently, and transmission suitable for the application can be performed. It can be carried out.
[0089]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the first to third embodiments, the digital camera only handles image data. However, as shown in FIG. 16, the digital camera according to the present embodiment normally has a sound that requires real-time performance. Has a voice input / output unit 1601 constituted by a handset or the like for performing input / output of.
[0090]
Other configurations of the digital camera, the system configuration, and the configuration of the facsimile are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 4), and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0091]
Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a case where audio from the digital camera 303 is communicated in real time via the facsimile 302 and the ISDN 301 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0092]
In FIG. 17, when the image data of the digital camera 303 is printed by the facsimile 302, it is transmitted from the digital camera 303 to the facsimile 302 using the USB bulk transfer slot as in the third embodiment (S1701 to S1709). ).
[0093]
When it becomes necessary to make a call via ISDN while transmitting these image data, the CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 detects that the “call” button of the operation unit 504 has been pressed (S 1710). A “line transmission request” message is transmitted to the facsimile 302 using the transfer slot (S1711). Receiving the “line transmission request” message transmitted using the bulk transfer slot, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a “line transmission request acceptance” message to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot (S1712).
[0094]
Next, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a call setting message to the ISDN 301 and performs a calling process (S1713). When the partner terminal responds and the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 receives the response message from the ISDN 301, the CPU 401 of the facsimile 302 transmits a “line connection complete” message to the digital camera 303 using the bulk transfer slot (S1714).
[0095]
The CPU 501 of the digital camera 303 that has received the “line connection complete” message transmitted in the bulk transfer slot starts transmission of audio data to the facsimile 302 using the isochronous transfer slot. This voice is input from a microphone attached to the voice input / output unit 1601 of the digital camera 303, and after analog / digital conversion (S1715), is transmitted to the facsimile 302 as data at a transmission rate of 64 kbps through the isochronous transfer slot. (S1716), the data is transmitted to the partner terminal via the facsimile 302 and ISDN 301 (S1717). Audio data is required to be transmitted in real time. Therefore, this audio data is transmitted in the isochronous transfer slot.
[0096]
As described above, USB bulk transfer is used when printing non-real-time and large amounts of image data, and USB isochronous transfer is used when transmitting audio data that requires real-time performance. By using it, the communication line can be efficiently used to enable simultaneous image / sound transmission.
[0097]
In the present embodiment, the case has been described where audio data that requires real-time property is communicated in an isochronous transfer slot while image data is communicated using a bulk transfer slot. Communication and audio data communication using the isochronous transfer slot need not be performed simultaneously.
[0098]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the USB is assumed as a connection line for connecting the digital camera and the facsimile apparatus. However, high-speed data transfer and real-time data transfer are performed simultaneously. The same effect can be obtained with other communication lines such as IEEE1394.
[0099]
In the first to fourth embodiments, a facsimile is assumed as the network control device. However, if the apparatus has a function of connecting to a communication line and a function of printing, it is possible to perform the same processing with a device other than a facsimile.
[0100]
In the first to third embodiments, ISDN is assumed as the communication line. However, the same processing can be performed even with an analog public line.
[0101]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to perform an operation of printing image data of an image input device such as a digital camera or transmitting it to a communication line with a simple operation.
[0102]
Further, when an image input device such as a digital camera and a visible output device such as a printer or a communication device are connected by a wireless line, the wireless line can be used efficiently.
[0103]
The USB bulk transfer slot is used when printing image data from an image input device such as a digital camera, and the USB isochronous transfer slot is used when transmitting image data or audio data to a communication line in real time. By using this, it is possible to transmit various media while efficiently using a connection communication line that connects the image input device and the communication device.
[0104]
In other words, depending on how the data to be transferred is output, for example, by changing the transfer method such as USB bulk transfer and isochronous transfer, the connection line connecting the image input device and the communication device can be efficiently connected. Available.
[0105]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention,Images taken with the camera by operating the cameraPrint using the function of a communication device such as a facsimile machine, or send to a communication lineAs a result, printing and transmission can be easily performed even in an environment without a personal computer. Also cameraThe image is transferred based on the content of instructions from the device to the communication device.Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional image communication system.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera in a conventional image communication system.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image communication system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile in the image communication system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera in the image communication system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image radio communication system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile in the image radio communication system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera in the image radio communication system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 shows a radio frame format in the image radio communication system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows a radio frame format in the image radio communication system when PHS is used.
FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the image communication system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of the image radio communication system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a USB frame configuration in the image communication system according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera in an image communication system according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart of the image communication system according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera of an image communication system according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart of the image communication system according to the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
301 Public Network (ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network)
302 Facsimile
303 Digital camera
304 Personal computer

Claims (16)

In an image communication system having a communication device that performs communication via a communication line and a communication device that includes a printing unit that prints and outputs an image, and a camera having a photographing function
The camera
Identify whether the user has performed an operation for printing an image captured by the imaging function by the printing unit of the communication apparatus or an operation for transmitting the image via the communication line by the communication unit Identification means for
An instruction unit for instructing the communication device to instruct the image to be printed by the printing unit, and to transmit the image to the communication unit via a communication line according to the identification result by the identification unit;
Compression means for compressing the captured image;
Control means for performing compression processing of the captured image by the compression means based on the identification result by the identification means, and controlling to transmit the image to the communication device,
The communication device
Receiving means for receiving a captured image transmitted from the camera ;
Depending on the instruction by said instruction means, the received image by the receiving means, control for printing by the printing unit, or the control for transmitting through the communication line by the communication means, the control to be executed image communication system characterized by having means. In a camera having a photographing function that can be connected to a communication device having a communication means for communicating via a communication line and a printing means for printing out an image,
Identify whether a user operation has performed an operation for printing an image photographed by the photographing function using the printing unit of the communication apparatus or an operation for transmitting the image via the communication line by the communication unit. Identification means for
An instruction unit for instructing the communication device to instruct to print the image by the printing unit and to transmit the image through the communication line by the communication unit according to the identification result by the identification unit;
Compression means for compressing the captured image;
Wherein based on the identification result by the identifying means performs compression processing of the image by the compression means, camera, comprising a control means for controlling so as to transmit the image to the communication device. In claim 2,
Wherein, when the operation for printing the image is performed by the user, and transmits the image to the communication device without performing compression processing by the compression means when the image transmission, the communication line via a when the operation for the transmission has been performed, performs image compression processing by the compression means when the image transmission, a camera and transmits the image the compressed to the communication device. In claim 2,
The control means performs image compression at different compression rates when an operation for printing an image is performed by a user and when an operation for transmission via a communication line is performed. Features a camera . In claim 2,
The camera, camera and performs communication with the communication device using a wireless communication line. In claim 5,
The camera uses a wireless communication line having a different capacity when an operation for printing an image is performed by a user and when an operation for transmission via a communication line is performed. A camera characterized by transmitting an image to a device. In claim 5,
The camera uses a different number of wireless communication lines when a user performs an operation for printing an image and when an operation for transmission via a communication line is performed. A camera characterized by transmitting. In claim 2,
The camera, camera, wherein said communication device, to be connected using a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In claim 8 ,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls to transmit the image using a transfer slot of a different type of USB according to the identification by the identification unit . In a communication device that can be connected to a camera having a photographing function and has a communication unit that communicates via a communication line and a printing unit that prints and outputs an image.
First receiving means for receiving from the camera an instruction signal indicating whether the photographed image of the camera is printed by the printing means or transmitted by the communication means via a communication line ;
Determining means for determining an instruction by the instruction signal received by the first receiving means;
Second receiving means for receiving a captured image that has been compressed based on the content instructed by the camera by the instruction signal ;
Conversion means for performing conversion according to the determination by the determination means on the image received by the second reception means ;
The second control for printing output by the printing means an image received by the receiving means, or the control for transmitting the image received by said second receiving means via said communication line by the communication means And a control unit that executes the control according to the determination by the determination unit. In claim 10 ,
The second receiving means receives an image transmitted from the camera without performing image compression processing at the time of image transmission when the camera instructs printing, and the camera is connected via the communication line. When instructing the transmission , the communication apparatus receives an image compressed at the time of transmission. In claim 10 ,
The second receiving unit receives images compressed at different compression rates depending on whether the camera instructs printing or sends data via the communication line. . In claim 10 ,
The communication apparatus performs communication with the camera using a wireless communication line. In claim 10 ,
The communication apparatus is connected to the camera using a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In a control method of a camera connectable to a communication device having a communication function of performing communication via a communication line and a print function of printing out an image,
Identify whether the user has performed an operation for printing an image captured by the photographing function using the printing function of the communication device or an operation for transmitting the image via the communication line using the communication function. An identification process to
An instruction step of instructing the communication device to instruct to print the image by the print function and to transmit the image through a communication line by the communication function according to the identification result in the identification step; ,
Control method for a camera, wherein the performs compression processing of the image based on the identification result in the identifying step, and a control step of controlling so as to transmit the image to the communication device. In a control method of a communication device that is connectable to a camera having a photographing function and performs communication via a communication line, and a printing function that prints and outputs an image.
A first receiving step of receiving from the camera an instruction signal for instructing whether to print out a photographed image of the camera by the print function or to transmit the image through the communication line by the communication function ;
A determination step of determining an instruction by the instruction signal received in the first reception step;
A second receiving step of receiving a photographed image compressed based on the content instructed by the camera in the instruction signal ;
A conversion step for converting the image received in the second reception step according to the content in the determination in the determination step;
The second control for printing output by the print function images received at the receiving step, or the control for transmitting the image received in said second receiving step through said communication line by the communication function And a control step of executing according to the determination in the determination step .

Images