JP3735968B2 - Direct print adapter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a direct print adapter used for inputting a video signal from a video device or a digital image signal from a storage medium such as a digital camera or a memory card and directly outputting it to a printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to print out video images or results taken with a digital camera, a method of converting a video signal into an image signal using a personal computer, displaying it on a monitor, selecting a desired image, and printing it out in recent years has been used. .
[0003]
In this method, if the digital camera uses a fixed memory for image recording, the output terminal of the digital camera and the input signal terminal of the personal computer are connected with a serial cable, and the image signal (image data) is sent via an interface such as RS232C. If the digital camera uses a memory card for image recording, the memory card reader (reading device) is connected to the personal computer. The above-described color print output process is performed after the image data is read into the personal computer and decompressed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a personal computer is used for color printing of video and photographing results, it is usual to have many application programs other than image (or video) printing processing because of the versatility of the personal computer itself. A color conversion module (for example, a printer driver) necessary for a program or image printing processing operates under the management of an OS such as Windows or MS-DOS (both are trade names of OSs for personal computers of Microsoft Corporation).
[0005]
Therefore, when performing image printing processing, the user performs a command input operation defined by the OS, and the printing processing application program, the color conversion module, and the like are stored in a storage device (for example, a magnetic disk) in which they are stored. Although it is necessary to load it into the internal memory of a personal computer and make it executable, it takes time (so-called overhead time) to input commands, print processing application programs, and color conversion modules, and the overhead time is short. However, it took a few minutes and took time to start.
[0006]
In addition, although personal computers are remarkably widespread, there are still many problems to be solved to actually use them, and it is pointed out that there are a large number of people who can not use them even if they have them. If you try to purchase and install an application program for image (video) print processing or a printer driver to print the shooting results, the installation itself may be difficult, or you may not know the command input method. There is also a point.
[0007]
From this background, in order for digital cameras to become widely used in the future, and to be used in general homes, it is possible to simplify the operation during the printing process of photographed results (photographs) and reduce the overhead time to almost zero. There has been a demand for the development of portable video devices in which processing operations are activated and adapters that can be connected to digital cameras and printers.
[0008]
As described above, such an adapter is required to be simplified in operation and quickly started up. However, when used in a general home, not only the problem of simply improving the original function of the adapter but also a printed image is required. There is also a demand for solving problems on the user side, such as ease of selection, and effective use of devices connected to the adapter during image printing.
[0009]
In particular, regarding the use of the latter device, for example, when the adapter is used at home, the adapter is connected to the TV, video and printer each time video or photo is printed, and removed after printing is completed. Rather, it is more natural to leave the adapter connected to the TV, video, and printer, and when it is necessary to print video and photos, the video and images are printed by switching the switch. For example, it is preferable that the device connected to the adapter can be used during image printing, including the use of a video device during printing, such as watching a video program during printing.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to realize the requirements, and can input a video signal input or a digital image signal to directly output a high-quality image to a printer, and during a printing operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a direct print adapter that enables video output to a video device or image selection processing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the direct print adapter of the present invention captures one frame of video data from the video signal processing unit as image data in the memory in the video mode and stores it in the memory of the digital camera in the digital camera mode. Is a direct print adapter that receives image data received in the memory, converts the color of the image data captured in the memory and outputs it as color print data, and the current input video signal based on the presence or absence of a synchronization signal An input video signal determination circuit for determining the signal type of the input signal, and during the print output of color print data, the input signal is connected between the input terminal of the current input video signal and the video monitor according to the determination result of the input video signal determination circuit. To the video monitor, and when printing is complete, the signal flow between the input terminal and the video monitor And having a video output signal switching circuit for blocking.
[0012]
In a preferred embodiment, the video output signal switching circuit further connects between the input terminal of the current input video signal and the video monitor according to the determination result of the input video signal determination circuit until the print video is selected in the video mode. The input signal is applied to the video monitor, and after the print image is selected, the flow of the signal between the input terminal and the video monitor is blocked, and the video output signal of the input signal whose signal type is a separate signal It is desirable to connect the output side line of the switching circuit to a synthesis circuit for synthesizing the luminance signal and the chroma signal, and to provide the output of the synthesis circuit to the video monitor.
[0013]
Furthermore, the direct print adapter of the present invention captures one frame of video data from the video signal processor as image data in the video mode and receives image data stored in the digital camera memory in the digital camera mode. A direct print adapter that converts the color of the image data captured in the memory and outputs it as color print data. A: In the video mode, the print start information of the color print data is obtained and the input video The video output signal switching circuit is controlled according to the determination result of the signal determination circuit, the input signal is connected between the input terminal of the current input video signal and the video monitor, the input signal is given to the video monitor, the print end information is obtained and the input Block the signal flow between the terminal and the video monitor, b: Digital camera mode In, with the print start information of the color print data, the image selection or condition setting next printing, or to perform condition setting for digital cameras, controls the display of the processing selection screen or the setting screen to the video monitor,
It has parallel operation control means.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a direct print adapter according to the present invention. A direct print adapter 10 includes a video signal processing unit 11, a data transfer direction switching unit 12, an input / output control unit 13, a digital data processing unit 14, The display processing unit 15, the output video signal switching unit 16, the operation unit 17, and a serial interface, a parallel interface, and a power supply unit (not shown) are included (a memory card interface may be further provided). Further, it is desirable to provide an input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 as shown in FIG. 4 in the previous stage of the video signal processing unit 11 so as to automatically determine the composite video signal and the S video signal.
[0015]
The output video signal switching unit 16 is a characteristic configuration of the direct print adapter (hereinafter referred to as the adapter main body) 10 according to the present invention. The output video signal switching unit 16 includes an output video signal switching circuit configured as shown in FIG. Enables parallel operation during output (described later).
[0016]
In addition, video devices 31 and 32 and a digital camera 40 can be connected as input devices to the adapter main body 10 via a cable, and a video monitor 50 and a printer 60 can be connected as output devices. Connect. Note that a home television apparatus can be used as the video monitor 50.
[0017]
The video equipment here refers to equipment capable of outputting video signals such as digital VCR, TV game machine, VTR, VCR, etc., the video equipment 31 is NTSC composite video, and the video equipment 32 is NTSC separate video (S video). This means that the video monitor 50 is provided with a composite signal input terminal. The connected printer 60 is a printer capable of color printing, and is preferably a dark / light color printer capable of reproducing and printing high-quality color images.
[0018]
<Processing mode>
The adapter body 10 includes a digital camera mode (FIG. 9 (b)) and video equipment for taking in image data from the digital camera 40 into the memory 142 (FIG. 5), selecting an image, and outputting the selected image to a printer. It has a video mode (FIG. 9 (c)) for taking in and displaying video data from 31 and 32 into the memory 142 and outputting to the printer 60, and on the mode selection screen (FIG. 9 (a)). Can be selected by operating the setting switch 84 of the operation panel 80 (FIG. 8) (see the embodiment).
[0019]
In addition, it has a parallel operation mode in which another television program or video program can be viewed using a video monitor during image printing by the printer, or an image to be printed next can be selected on the video monitor 50.
[0020]
<Input video signal processing>
The video signal processing unit 11 inputs video signals from the composite video device 31 and the S video device 32, performs color conversion processing on the chroma signal via the front end, and performs U signal (RY) and V signal (BY). ), The composite sync signal is separated from the luminance signal Y, and these Y, U, and V signals are A / D converted into digital signals. If the input video signal is the output of the composite video device 31 (that is, the composite signal), it is separated into a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal, and then processing after color conversion is performed.
[0021]
Further, the video signal processing unit 11 performs dot lock (13.5 MHz for the luminance signal Y having a large amount of data, U, U, and the like based on the above-described composite synchronization signal and the timing signal from the input / output control unit 13. (1/2 of 6.25 MHz for the V signal) is generated and fed back to the input / output control unit 13.
[0022]
<Signal direction switching between video signal input system, memory, and display system>
The data transfer direction switching unit 12 sends video data, which is an output of a video system (hereinafter referred to as a system including the video equipment 31 or 32, the video signal processing unit 11), to the memory 142 (FIG. 5) of the digital data processing unit 14. Switching of the signal direction and the timing of the video system and the digital data processing unit 14 necessary for capturing or when the signal of the memory 142 is given to the display system (hereinafter referred to as a system including the display processing unit 15 and the video monitor 50). Since the CPU 141 has a different cycle time, it is provided in order to absorb the time difference between the two and to match the timing.
[0023]
The data transfer direction switching unit 12 temporarily transfers the digital signal (that is, the video data) A / D converted by the video signal processing unit 11 when the video data for one frame from the video system is taken into the memory 142. The transfer direction is switched so that the video data captured in the direction switching unit 12 and the video data captured by the timing signal from the input / output control unit 13 flows in the direction of the digital data processing unit 14. As a result, the video data is DMA-transferred to the memory 142 of the digital data processing unit 14 and taken into the memory 142 as image data.
[0024]
In addition, the data transfer direction switching unit 12 receives image data for one frame from the memory 142 (Y, U, V format image data (digital data) created by the digital camera 40, hereinafter the same), menu data, When the selected position data such as a cursor or a display frame is transferred to the display processing unit 15, the image data DMA-transferred from the memory 142 is once taken into the data transfer direction switching unit 12, and the data is input from the input / output control unit 13. The transfer direction is switched so that the video data captured by the timing signal flows in the direction of the display processing unit 15.
[0025]
In the embodiment, the data transfer direction switching unit 12 is configured by a circuit provided with a switch before and after the FIFO, and is configured to switch the data direction by switching the switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dual port ram (Dual port ram) may be used as a component of the data transfer direction switching unit 12 as long as it has a configuration capable of temporarily storing video data and outputting it in the order of input (configuration capable of first-in first-out).
port RAM) can be used.
[0026]
<Input / output control>
The input / output control unit 13 is composed of a logic circuit, and generates a timing signal (synchronization signal) to be given to the video signal processing unit 11, the data transfer direction switching unit 12 and the display processing unit 15, and generates a DMA transfer timing. It gives to CPU141. Further, output control of output data for printing from the digital data processing unit 14 to the printer 60 is performed.
[0027]
<Digital data processing>
As shown in FIG. 5, the digital data processing unit 14 includes an MPU and a memory 142 and a PROM 143 connected to the data bus of the CPU 141.
[0028]
Upon receiving an instruction signal from the operation unit 17 or a signal from the input / output control unit 13, the digital data processing unit 14 takes in video image data to the memory 142 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12, 142. Transfer of image data and menu data stored in 142 to the display system via the data transfer direction switching unit 12, and capture of image data from the digital camera 40 via the serial interface 145 or the memory card interface 146. Also, expansion processing, setting / changing of setting conditions for the digital camera 40, color conversion processing for converting image data stored in the memory 142 into color printing data, and color conversion processing based on control of the input / output control unit 13 To the printer 60 via the parallel interface 145 for the subsequent print data Transfer, operation section operation signal inputted to the based display control from 17, the menu screen based on the designation of the processing mode, a setting screen, the display control such as warning screen, performs the parallel operation control and the like at the time of printing execution.
[0029]
The memory 142 is accessed by the DMA of the CPU 141, and image-type image data or image data from the digital camera 40 is taken in or read out. Furthermore, menu data and operation input signals (commands) and settings from the operation unit 17 are set. Data is stored and also used as a work area for color conversion processing. In the embodiment, a 16 Mbit D-RAM (Dynamic RAM) is used as the memory 142.
[0030]
The PROM 143 stores a data processing module 100 (FIG. 6), screen display data such as menu data (FIGS. 9 and 10), initial data, and the like. In the embodiment, a 4 Mbit flash ROM is used as the PROM 143.
[0031]
<Display image data>
As shown in FIG. 3, the display processing unit 15 includes a D / A converter 151 and combining circuits 152 and 153, and the D / A converter receives image data (Y ′, U ′, V from the data transfer direction switching unit 12. '(Digital signal)) is converted into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals U and V (analog signals), the synthesis circuit 152 synthesizes the luminance signal Y and the composite sync signal, and the synthesis circuit 153 synthesizes the U and V signals. Thus, a chroma signal is obtained to obtain an S-video signal S. For the monitor television 50 having the composite video input terminal, the composition circuit 154 further combines the outputs of the composition circuit 152 and the composition circuit 153 to output the composite video signal C.
[0032]
The display processing unit 15 outputs the S video signal or composite video signal obtained by the above configuration to the video monitor 50.
[0033]
In the embodiment, only the composite signal terminal is provided as the display output terminal of the adapter body 10, but an S video signal output terminal and a composite signal output terminal may be provided. , Switches 155 and 156 are provided, and the digital data processing unit 14 turns on the switch corresponding to the signal type of the video device that is inputting the video signal using the determination result of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 shown in FIG. It is desirable that the display data is output via the output terminal of the determined signal type. Alternatively, the display data may be simultaneously output to both the S video signal output terminal and the composite video signal output terminal.
[0034]
<Output video signal switching section>
The output video signal switching unit 16 is a switch circuit for directly displaying the input video signal from the video equipment 31 or 32 on the video monitor 60 while bypassing the video signal processing unit 11 and the data transfer direction switching unit 12 during the image printing process. An example thereof is shown in FIG.
[0035]
In FIG. 2, the output video signal switching circuit 16 includes a pair of switches 161 and 162, and the switches 161 and 162 perform digital data processing based on the determination result of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 shown in FIG. The unit 14 performs on / off control at the start of the printing operation of the printer 60.
[0036]
When the adapter body 10 is activated, all the switches 161 and 162 are turned off. Further, on / off control of the switches 161 and 162 at the start of the printing operation of the printer 60 may be performed by a control signal from the input / output control unit 13.
[0037]
In addition, when the video image is a moving image, the video device 31 or 32 does not receive the video image into the memory 142 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12 and then transfers it to the display processing unit 15 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12. The image is directly displayed on the video monitor 50, and the desired image is switched from the image signal processing unit 11 to the memory 142 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12 by the switch operation on the operation panel 80. Then, the image data is preferably transferred to the display processing unit 15 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12 and displayed as a still image on the video monitor 50.
[0038]
Therefore, it is desirable that the switches 161 and 162 are controlled to be turned on / off based on the determination result of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 even in the video selection process. In this case, the switches 161 and 162 are turned off after the video selection process is completed.
[0039]
<Parallel operation during print output>
(1) Video output during printing in video mode
When the processing mode is the video mode, when the input video signal from the video device 31 or 32 is input to the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19, the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 inputs the signal from either the video device 31 or 32. (Ie, the signal type) is determined and a value corresponding to the signal flag is set. Therefore, when the digital data processing unit 14 knows the start time of the printing operation of the printer 60, it checks the value of the signal flag. Accordingly, the switches 161 and 162 can be controlled on / off.
[0040]
That is, if the value of the signal flag means an S video signal, the switch 161 is turned off and the switch 162 is turned on. If the value of the flag means a composite video signal, the switch 162 is turned off and the switch 161 is turned on.
[0041]
Therefore, in the video mode, the user can view the video program on the video monitor 50 during the idle time during color printing by the printer, and can select the video to be printed next.
[0042]
When printing is completed, the data processing unit 14 turns off the switches 161 and 162 to block direct signal flow between the video equipment 31 or 32 and the video monitor 50. Next, the video signal processing unit 11 starts processing an input video signal from the video equipment 31 or 32.
[0043]
(2) Image display and image selection
As pre-processing for image printing by the printer 60, the digital data processing unit 14 executes image data processing such as color conversion by the printer driver. During that time, the digital data processing unit 14 gives priority to the processing, so that display processing is performed. DMA transfer is not performed. However, since the display control signal from the input / output control unit is operating, the data fetched into the data transfer direction switching unit 12 is repeatedly transferred to the display processing unit 15 and continuously displayed as a still image on the video monitor 50.
[0044]
This operation is the same after the print output by the printer 60 is started. However, since the print operation of the printer 60 is controlled by the input / output control unit 13 and the printer controller on the printer 60 side, the CPU 141 is used for another control in the meantime. Can do. That is, a parallel operation is possible during the printing operation of the printer 60.
[0045]
Here, by using a large-capacity memory capable of storing several frames of image data as the memory of the digital data processing unit 14, the menu data and the selection position data are sent to the data transfer direction switching unit 12, and the selection screen and setting are set. In addition to displaying the screen, it is possible to select a menu by operating a switch on the operation panel 80. During print output by the printer 60, a video or image (photo) to be printed next is selected or set from the selection screen. Printing conditions such as size can be set from the screen.
[0046]
(3) Digital camera condition setting / change
Further, as a parallel operation during print output of the printer 60, a setting condition (date) of the digital camera 40 is set for the digital camera 16 by operating a switch on the operation panel 80 while referring to a setting screen displayed on the video monitor 50. , Power-off time, etc.) can be set and changed (see FIG. 10B).
[0047]
<Operation unit>
The operation unit 17 receives an operation signal from the operation panel 80 as shown in FIG. 8, converts it into an instruction signal (digital signal), and provides it to the digital data processing unit 14.
[0048]
As the operation signal, for example, a menu screen start / select signal when the setting switch 84 of the operation panel 80 is pressed, a setting change signal when the setting content change switch 85 is operated, a print start / end instruction signal when the print switch 87 is pressed, and a display There are a monitor screen display switching instruction signal by depressing the changeover switch 88, an instruction signal for taking an image into the memory 142 by depressing the memory switch 89, and the like.
[0049]
The digital data processing unit 14 can send a response signal to the operation instruction to the operation unit 17 and display it on the operation panel (for example, when the operation panel 80 is taken as an example, an operation error display by turning on the LED 83 or the like) And a printable display by turning on the LED 86).
[0050]
<Automatic input video signal determination circuit>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19.
[0051]
The signal input determination circuit 191 detects the synchronization signal a of the input video signal separated by the synchronization signal separation unit 111 and outputs the detection signal b. When the input video signal determination unit 192 receives the detection signal b, the switch 193 Is turned off and the presence or absence of the next detection signal b is checked. If the detection signal b is present, the value of the signal discrimination flag is made to correspond to the “separate signal”, and the switch 195 is turned off to end the judgment operation. When there is no detection signal b, the switch 193 is turned on, and the switch 194 is turned off to check the presence or absence of the next detection signal b. When the detection signal b is output, the value of the signal determination flag is made to correspond to the “composite signal”, and the switch 195 is turned off to end the determination operation. If there is no detection signal b, the switch 194 is turned on to wait for the next detection signal b.
[0052]
Thereby, the data processing unit 14 can determine which signal type is the input video signal, and can switch the subsequent processing depending on the determination result. Note that the switches 193, 194, and 195 are turned on when the adapter body 10 is activated.
[0053]
<Input image data from digital camera>
The photographing result of the digital camera 40 is stored as digital image data consisting of luminance Y and color difference signals U and V in a fixed memory of the camera or a removable memory such as a memory card.
[0054]
A digital camera of a type that stores the shooting result in a fixed memory can be connected to the adapter body 10 with a cable, and image data on the fixed memory is processed via a serial interface such as RS232C in the digital camera mode (described later). It is stored in the memory 142 of the unit 14.
[0055]
On the other hand, image data on a removable memory such as a memory card is read by a memory card reader (not shown) and is stored in the memory 142 of the digital data processing unit 14 via a memory card interface. The image data obtained by the digital camera 40 is usually compressed to save memory capacity. In such a case, the digital data processing unit 14 decompresses the received compressed data and restores it. The image data is stored in the image data area of the memory 142.
[0056]
The video monitor 50 includes image data from the display processing unit 15, a selection screen (FIG. 9), a setting screen (FIG. 10B), a warning screen (FIG. 10C), menu data, and a selection position on the screen. Identification display (for example, a cursor or a special display frame) is performed.
[0057]
The printer 60 receives each data from the adapter main body 10 and performs a printing process. Output control to the printer 60 is performed by the input / output control unit 13. The input / output control unit 13 controls the transmission timing of the bitmap data and the drawing control data from the digital data processing unit 14 to the printer 60 via the parallel interface.
[0058]
When a power source is turned on, a power source unit (not shown) receives power from the AC adapter 70 and supplies power to each circuit of the main body 1 from there.
[0059]
<Data processing module>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing module for executing processing by the digital data processing unit 14. Each program constituting the data processing module 100 is stored in the PROM 143. In this embodiment, the data processing module 100 is configured by a program group, but may be configured as firmware.
[0060]
In FIG. 6, the data processing module 100 includes a control program 101, a parallel operation control program 102, a screen display program 103, a processing selection program 104, a processing program group 105, and a printing data processing module 106. The process selection program 104 includes a digital camera mode process selection program 108 and a video mode process selection program 109.
[0061]
The control program 101 receives an instruction signal from the operation unit 17, sends a control signal to the input / output control unit 13 and the memory 142 so that the adapter body 10 performs an operation corresponding to the instruction signal, and is necessary for the execution from the PROM 143. A simple program is extracted and can be executed and controlled by the CPU 141 (see the embodiment).
[0062]
In the video mode, the parallel operation control program 102 checks the value of the signal flag when the CPU 142 receives a print start instruction signal from the operation unit 17 and switches the switches 161 and 167 of the output video signal switching unit 16 according to the contents. Is turned on / off to bypass the input video signal from the video equipment 31 or 32 to the video monitor 50 side. Thus, a video program can be viewed during printing, and a desired video can be selected. In this case, when printing is completed, the switches 161 and 162 are simultaneously turned off, and the switches 193 and 194 are turned off to cut off the direct flow of the input video signal from the video equipment 31 or 32 to the video monitor 50 side. Subsequently, the video signal processing unit 11 starts processing of the input video signal from the video equipment 31 or 32.
[0063]
In the case of the digital camera mode, the parallel operation control program 102 transfers control to the process selection program 104 to perform image selection processing from the index display screen (FIG. 10A) displayed on the video monitor during printing. To do.
[0064]
As described above, during printing by the printer 60, the digital data processing unit 14 prioritizes transfer of print data and does not perform DMA transfer of display image data, but the display control signal from the input / output control unit is Since it is operating, the data fetched by the data transfer direction switching unit 12 is repeatedly transferred to the display processing unit 15 and is continuously displayed as a still image on the video monitor 50. Also, the printing operation of the printer 60 is input / output controlled. Since it is controlled by the printer controller on the part 13 and the printer 60 side, the CPU 141 can be used for another control during that time. That is, the parallel operation is possible during the printing operation of the printer 60.
[0065]
Thus, even during image printing, the digital data processing unit 14 sends menu data and selection position data to the data display / transfer direction switching unit 12 to select image data by the processing selection program 104 and display a selection screen by the screen display program 103. At the same time, it is possible to select a menu by operating a switch on the operation panel 80, and during printing output by the printer 60, an image (photograph) to be printed next is selected from the index screen, or a print size or the like is printed from the setting screen. You can set conditions.
[0066]
Further, as a parallel operation during print output of the printer 60, a setting condition (date) of the digital camera 40 is set for the digital camera 16 by operating a switch on the operation panel 80 while referring to a setting screen displayed on the video monitor 50. , Power-off time, etc.) can be set and changed (see FIG. 10B).
[0067]
The screen display program 103 includes a mode selection screen (FIG. 9A) to be displayed on the video monitor 50, a digital camera mode processing selection screen (FIG. 9B), and a video mode processing selection screen (FIG. 9C). The condition setting screen (FIG. 10 (b)) and warning screen (FIG. 10 (c)) and the screens switched by the button operation of each menu and display panel 80 are taken out from the memory 142 and a DMA transfer command request is issued to the CPU 141. To pass.
[0068]
The process selection program 104 determines the meaning of the position menu when there is selection information specified in the menu on each screen or selection position information such as a cursor or a display frame, and the determination result is displayed in the control program 101 or in parallel. Delivered to the motion control gram 102. For example, in this embodiment, when the mode is specified on the mode selection screen shown in FIG. 9A, the video mode is pressed by pressing the icon [<] of the key 85 on the operation panel 80, and the digital mode is pressed by pressing the icon [>]. Since the camera mode is defined, when the user presses the icon [>], the instruction signal is given to the CPU 141 via the operation unit 17, and the CPU 141 executing the processing selection program 104 is digitally selected by the user. You can know that you have selected the camera mode. Based on this determination, the CPU 141 can shift to the next process (see FIG. 7).
[0069]
The digital camera mode processing selection program 108 can select processing as displayed on the setting menu screen of the digital camera mode in FIG. Processes that can be executed in digital camera mode are:
(1) Print condition setting processing for setting conditions such as print paper size and type,
(2) Digital camera condition setting process for setting or changing conditions on the digital camera side,
(3) Digital camera special printing condition setting processing such as thumbnail (solid printing) and extra printing,
(4) Transition to video mode,
When the user selects an item by pressing the setting switch 82 of the operation panel 80 while looking at the menu of FIG. 9B and confirms execution of the selected item by pressing the icon [>] of the key 85, the screen display is displayed. Since the corresponding menu screen is displayed by the program 103, the user can select and execute a desired process by operating a switch on the operation panel 80 while viewing the menu on the displayed menu screen. it can. A corresponding processing program is provided for executing the processes (1), (2), and (3). The process (4) is performed by the video mode process selection program 109.
[0070]
The video mode processing selection program 109 can select processing as displayed on the video mode setting menu screen of FIG. Processes that can be performed in video mode are:
(1) Print condition setting processing for setting conditions such as print paper size and type,
(2) Video capture range setting, type setting processing,
(3) Transition to digital camera mode,
When the user selects an item by pressing the setting switch 85 of the operation panel 80 while looking at the menu in FIG. 9C, and confirms execution of the selected item by pressing the icon [>] of the key 85, The corresponding menu screen is displayed by the screen display program 101, and the user can select and execute a desired process by operating a switch on the operation panel 80 while viewing the menu on the displayed menu screen. it can. A corresponding processing program is provided for executing the processes (1) and (2). Also, (3) is performed by the digital camera mode processing selection program 108.
[0071]
The processing program group 105 is a processing program including a procedure necessary for executing the process selected from each selection menu, and is provided corresponding to the selected process.
[0072]
The print data processing module 106 includes a data expansion program that expands compressed image data captured from a digital camera, a pixel interpolation program, and a printer driver that performs color conversion processing, and the image captured in the memory 142. Convert data to print data and output.
[0073]
【Example】
An embodiment of the adapter body 10 will be described below.
[0074]
The adapter main body 10 accommodates an operation panel board, a main board, and an AC adapter in a box-shaped casing having an outer width of 240 to 250 mm, a height of 50 mm, and a depth of 140 to 160 mm. An operation panel 80 as shown in FIG. 8 is provided, and a terminal portion (not shown) is provided at the rear of the casing.
[0075]
On the operation panel 80, a power supply display LED 81 that is turned on when the power is turned on, a power on switch 82 of the adapter body 10, an error display LED 83, and a menu screen activation for activating a menu screen for performing various settings using the video screen Switch 84, setting change switch 85 on the menu screen, print display LED 86, print switch 87, display switch 88 for switching the image to be displayed on the video monitor, and memory switch 89 for taking the image data into the memory 142 Etc. are provided.
[0076]
The terminal section includes a printer output terminal, a digital camera input output terminal, a composite video monitor output terminal, a composite video input terminal, an S video input terminal, a power input terminal, and the like.
[0077]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of parallel operations during image selection and printing, which are basic operations of the adapter main body 10.
[0078]
When the adapter main body 10 is activated, the digital data processing unit 14 displays a processing mode selection screen 101 as shown in FIG. 9A on the display video monitor 50 by the screen display program 103.
[0079]
In accordance with the guidance on the processing mode selection screen 101, the user presses the icon [<] or [>] of the key 85 on the operation panel 80 to select one of the digital camera mode and the video mode. When the selection result is the digital camera mode, the process proceeds to step S2, and when the selection is a video monitor, the process proceeds to step S21 (step S1).
[0080]
<Digital camera mode>
When the digital camera mode is selected, the adapter main body 10 takes in all the image data as a result of photographing by the digital camera 40 into the memory 142 via the serial interface (step S2). The captured image data is decompressed and stored in the memory 142 as 80 × 60 pixel image data.
[0081]
The CPU 141 transfers the image data in the memory 142 by DMA transfer to the display processing unit 15 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12, and the display processing unit 15 converts the image data (digital data) and uses the image display program in FIG. An image selection screen (index screen) as shown is displayed on the video monitor and a desired image is selected. The selected image is taken in from the digital camera, decompressed to obtain image data having a pixel density of 640 pixels × 480 pixels, and is displayed on the full screen via the data transfer direction switching unit 12 and the display processing unit 15. (Step S3).
[0082]
Here, conditions such as the number of prints and print size can be set, or setting conditions for the digital camera can be set or changed (step S4).
[0083]
When the print switch 87 is pressed, the CPU 141 receives a print instruction signal from the operation unit 17 and transmits the instruction to the input / output control unit 13 to activate the printer driver of the print data processing module 106 and perform color conversion of image data. Execute the process.
[0084]
When the color conversion processing is completed, the CPU 141 starts the parallel operation control program 102 and prints the image data for color conversion for each band through the parallel interface every time there is an image data transfer request signal from the input / output control unit 13. Are sequentially transferred from the memory 142 to the printer 60. The printer 60 receives the image data, performs a printing operation, and prints the image on a recording paper having a set size (step S6).
[0085]
<Parallel operation during printing in digital camera mode>
The parallel operation control program 102 checks whether printing is in progress. If printing is in progress, the screen display program 103 is used to display the image selection screen in FIG. 10A and the setting mode screen in FIG. 9B. Thus, the user can perform the same image selection process as in step S3 (step S8) or perform the condition setting process (step S9).
[0086]
The parallel operation control program 102 checks the printing operation state at regular intervals even during the parallel operation (step S10). If the printing is finished, the current parallel operation is finished and the presence of a mode change instruction is checked. If there is no change instruction, the process returns to step S2 to start taking in the image selected by the parallel operation. If there is a mode change instruction, the process is transferred to the process selection program 104 to enter the video mode in step S21. The processing mode is switched (step S11).
[0087]
<Video mode>
When the mode is switched to the video mode, the CPU 141 checks the signal flag storing the determination result of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 by the processing selection program 104 and controls the switches 161 and 162 of the output video signal switching unit 16 on / off.
[0088]
When the output of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 is an S video signal, the luminance signal and the chroma signal are combined by the combining circuit 154 of the display processing unit 15 and supplied to the video monitor 50 as a composite signal. When the output 19 is a composite signal, it is directly applied to the video monitor 50 (see FIG. 2B and FIG. 3), so the video monitor 50 displays a video (moving image) (step S21).
[0089]
When the user looks at the video on the video monitor 50 and there is a video to be printed, when the memory switch 89 of the operation unit 80 is pressed, the switches 161 and 162 of the output video signal switching unit 16 are turned off and the video signal processing is performed. The image data is taken into the memory 142 via the unit 11 and the data transfer direction switching unit 12 (step S23), and the fetched image data is DMA transferred to the display processing unit 15 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12. The still image is displayed on the video monitor 50 (step S24).
[0090]
When the user sets conditions such as print size and print range, the user selects a setting screen as shown in FIG. 10D, designates a menu, operates the corresponding processing program 105, and sets the conditions. This is performed (step S25).
[0091]
When the print switch 87 is pressed, the CPU 141 receives the print instruction signal from the operation unit 17 and transmits the instruction to the input / output control unit 13, and activates the printer driver of the print data processing module 106 to activate the image data. The color conversion process is executed.
[0092]
When the color conversion processing is completed, the CPU 141 starts the parallel operation control program 102 and prints the image data for color conversion for each band through the parallel interface every time there is an image data transfer request signal from the input / output control unit 13. Are sequentially transferred from the memory 142 to the printer 60. The printer 60 receives the image data, performs a printing operation, and prints the image on a recording paper having a set size (step S27).
[0093]
<Parallel operation during printing in video mode>
The parallel operation control program 102 checks whether printing is in progress (step S28). If printing is in progress, the signal flag storing the determination result of the input video signal automatic determination circuit 19 is checked, and the switch of the output video signal switching unit 16 is checked. On / off control of 161 and 162 is performed.
[0094]
When the output of the output video signal switching unit 16 is an S video signal, the luminance signal and the chroma signal are synthesized by the synthesis circuit 154 of the display processing unit 15 and given to the video monitor 50 as a composite signal. Is output to the video monitor 50 as it is, the video monitor 50 displays a video (moving image) (step S29). As a result, the user can watch the video program or check the video to be printed during the free time during printing.
[0095]
The parallel operation control program 102 checks the printing operation state at regular intervals even during the parallel operation (step S30). If the printing is finished, the current parallel operation is terminated, and the mode change instruction is checked to determine whether or not there is a mode change mode. If there is no change instruction, the process returns to step S2 to start taking in the image selected by the parallel operation. If there is a mode change instruction, control is passed to the process selection program 104, and the digital camera mode in step S1 is started. The processing mode is switched to (Step S31).
[0096]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the video signal processing section 11, the data transfer direction switching section 12, and the input / output, which are the main parts of the present invention. A substrate provided with a control unit 13, a digital data processing unit 14, a display processing unit 15, an output video signal switching unit 16, an operation unit 17, an input video signal automatic determination circuit 19, a serial interface, a parallel interface, etc. Needless to say, it may be incorporated in a facsimile machine or a digital camera, and various other modifications are possible.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since A / D conversion is performed only once, image quality deterioration due to signal conversion does not occur, and the digital processing is stable. Further, the data transfer direction switching unit can take in data from the video system to the memory and transfer data from the memory to the display system, so that the control is simple. In addition, the user can start up when the power is turned on, and the user can select or set according to the guidance menu displayed on the monitor screen. In addition, since it is easy to operate, there is no need for special knowledge, so it is possible to easily print color images from video equipment and images taken with a digital camera at home, using a printer. You can watch the program, select the video or image to be printed next, and set the conditions, so you can effectively use the waiting time for color printing.
[0098]
In addition, since it can be used while connected to a video device or the like, it does not place an extra burden on the connection or the like for users in ordinary households.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a direct print adapter of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an output video signal switching circuit.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display processing unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an input video signal automatic determination circuit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital data processing unit.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a data processing module.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of parallel operation during image selection and printing, which are basic operations of the direct print adapter.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mode selection screen, a digital camera mode processing selection screen, and a video mode processing selection screen.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image setting screen, a condition setting screen, and a warning screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Adapter body (Direct print adapter)
11 Video signal processor
12 Data transfer direction switching part
13 Input / output control unit
14 Digital data processor
15 Display processing section
16 Output video signal switching section
17 Operation unit
19 Input video signal automatic judgment circuit
90 Operation panel
100 Data processing module
101 Control program
102 Concurrent operation control program
103 Screen display program
104 Processing selection program
105 Processing program
106 Data conversion module for printing
141 CPU
142 memory
143 PROM

Claims (4)

At least a printer, a digital camera, and a video device of different signal types can be connected, and a luminance signal and a color difference signal are generated from a video signal input from the video device, and a synchronization signal of the video signal is taken out. Video signal processing unit that converts the signal into digital data, a data processing unit, a display processing unit that restores the video signal from the image data and displays it on the video monitor, and a data transfer direction by a switching control signal from the input / output control unit A data transfer direction switching unit for switching, an input / output control unit, and an instruction signal input unit for giving an instruction signal to the data processing unit,
In the video mode, the video data for one frame from the video signal processing unit is taken into the memory as image data. In the digital camera mode, the image data stored in the memory of the digital camera is received, taken into the memory, and taken into the memory. A direct print adapter that converts the color of the image data and outputs it as color print data.
An input video signal determination circuit that determines the signal type of the current input video signal based on the presence or absence of a synchronization signal;
During the print output of the color print data, the input signal is connected between the input terminal of the current input video signal and the video monitor according to the determination result of the input video signal determination circuit, and the input signal is given to the video monitor. And a video output signal switching circuit for blocking a signal flow between the video monitor and the video monitor. 2. The direct print adapter according to claim 1, wherein the video output signal switching circuit further includes a video monitor and an input terminal for a current input video signal according to a determination result of the input video signal determination circuit until a print video is selected in the video mode. A direct print adapter characterized in that the input signal is supplied to a video monitor by connecting between the input terminals and the flow of the signal between the input terminal and the video monitor is cut off after selection of a print image. 3. The direct print adapter according to claim 1, wherein when the signal type is a separate video signal, the output side line of the video output signal switching circuit is connected to a synthesis circuit for synthesizing the luminance signal and the chroma signal, Direct print adapter characterized by providing the output of a video monitor. At least a printer, a digital camera, and a video device of different signal types can be connected, and a luminance signal and a color difference signal are generated from a video signal input from the video device, and a synchronization signal of the video signal is taken out. Video signal processing unit that converts the signal into digital data, a data processing unit, a display processing unit that restores the video signal from the image data and displays it on the video monitor, and a data transfer direction by a switching control signal from the input / output control unit A data transfer direction switching unit for switching, an input / output control unit, and an instruction signal input unit for giving an instruction signal to the data processing unit,
In the video mode, the video data for one frame from the video signal processing unit is taken into the memory as image data. In the digital camera mode, the image data stored in the memory of the digital camera is received, taken into the memory, and taken into the memory. A direct print adapter that converts the color of the image data and outputs it as color print data.
a: In the video mode, the print start information of the color print data is obtained and the video output signal switching circuit is controlled based on the determination result of the input video signal determination circuit to connect between the input terminal of the current input video signal and the video monitor. And applying the input signal to the video monitor, obtaining the print end information and blocking the signal flow between the input terminal and the video monitor,
b: In the digital camera mode, the process selection screen or setting screen of the video monitor is selected so that the print start information of the color print data is obtained and the next image to be printed is selected or the condition is set or the condition is set for the digital camera. Control the display,
A direct print adapter comprising parallel operation control means.

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