JP3873339B2 - Direct print adapter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image selection method and a direct print adapter used for inputting a video signal from a video or television 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 connected to an interface such as RS232C. If the digital camera uses a memory card for image recording, the memory card is read by a memory card reader (reading device) connected to the personal computer. Thus, the above-described color print output processing is performed after being taken into the personal computer.
[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, when selecting a print image, an index image is displayed on the monitor, the cursor is sequentially followed from the top image by the cursor, the cursor is stopped at a desired image position, a confirmation input is performed, and then output to the printer. Therefore, even if it is known that the desired image is at the end, it is necessary to make the cursor follow the end in order, and there is a problem that it takes too much time to select an image.
[0007]
In order for digital cameras to become widespread in the future and to be used in general households, the processing operation is started when the power switch is turned on with simplified operation and overhead time almost zero during printing processing of photographed results (photos). There is a demand for the development of portable video devices and adapters that can be connected to digital cameras and printers. In addition, for use in general homes, not only the problem of simply improving the functions of the adapter itself, but also the selection of print images There is also a demand for solving user-side issues such as ease of use.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to realize the requirements, and can select a print image that can take in image data and directly output a high-quality image to a printer and has good operability. An object is to provide an image selection method and a direct print adapter that can be realized.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the image selection method of the present invention displays a plurality of image data captured in a memory in a predetermined size and arranged in m × n on the screen of the display device, and stops the cursor. An image selection method using an image displayed at a selected position as a selection image candidate, wherein the cursor can be freely moved within the screen of the display device, and the cursor is moved to a position where an image is not yet displayed. A step of stopping, a step of displaying an image to be displayed at a position where the cursor is stopped, a step of displaying an image retrospectively from the position where the cursor is stopped, and a display at the stop position of the cursor And a step of selecting a selected image as a selected image candidate.
[0010]
In a preferred embodiment, an index is attached to each image arranged in a predetermined size and arranged in m × n in the screen of the display device, the image and the index are stored in association with each other, and the index Selecting an image by designating.
[0011]
The direct print adapter according to the present invention can connect at least a printer, a digital camera, and a video device, and converts a video signal input from the video device into digital data, a data processing unit, and image data. A display processing unit that restores the video signal and displays it on the video monitor, a data transfer direction switching unit that switches the data transfer direction by a switching control signal from the input / output control unit, an input / output control unit, and an instruction to the data processing unit An instruction signal input unit for giving a signal,
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 for color-converting the output image data and outputting it as color print data. A: A plurality of image data captured in a memory is displayed on a video monitor with a predetermined size arranged in m × n. Selected image display means, b: image selection means for selecting an image at the position where the cursor is stopped as a selected image candidate, c: image selection confirmation means, d: freely movable within the screen of the video monitor A cursor configured, and in digital camera mode, when displaying image data on a video monitor screen, When the cursor is moved to a position where an image is not yet displayed and stopped, the image to be displayed is displayed at the current position of the cursor, then the image is displayed retroactively, and the cursor stop position is displayed. The image displayed on the screen is a print output image candidate.
[0012]
In the preferred embodiment, there are provided index assigning means for indexing each image arranged in the screen of the video monitor, and a table in which the image and the index are associated, and the image selecting means designates the selected image as an index. To select. In this case, it is desirable that when printing data corresponding to the selected image is sent to the printer, an index is added to the image data and sent to the printer.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a direct print adapter according to the present invention. A direct print adapter (hereinafter referred to as an adapter main body) 10 includes a video signal processing unit 11, a data transfer direction switching unit 12, an input / output control unit 13, and data processing. Unit 14, display processing unit 15, operation unit 17, serial interface (not shown), parallel interface, and power supply unit (a memory card interface may also be provided).
[0014]
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.
[0015]
The video equipment here refers to equipment capable of outputting video signals, such as a digital VCR, a TV game machine, a VTR, and a VCR. 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.
[0016]
The adapter body 10 includes a digital camera mode (FIG. 6 (b)) and video equipment for taking image data from the digital camera 40 into the memory 142 (FIG. 2), selecting an image and outputting the selected image to a printer. It has a video mode (FIG. 6 (c)) in which video data from 31 and 32 is taken into the memory 142 and output to the printer 60, and is operated on the mode selection screen (FIG. 6 (a)). This can be selected by operating the setting switch 84 on the panel 90.
[0017]
The video signal processing unit 11 inputs video signals from the composite video device 31 and the S video device 32, passes through the front end, and receives two color differences of the U signal (RY) and V signal (BY) with respect to the chroma signal. In addition to conversion to a signal, the composite synchronization 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 the luminance signal Y and the chroma signal, and then the processing after conversion is performed on the color difference signal. The video signal processing unit 11 also generates a dot lock based on the above-described composite synchronization signal and the timing signal from the input / output control unit 13 and feeds it back to the input / output control unit 13.
[0018]
The data transfer direction switching unit 12 stores video data output from the video system (hereinafter referred to as a system including the video equipment 31 or 32 and the video signal processing unit 11) in the memory 142 of the digital data processing unit 14 (FIG. 5). 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.
[0019]
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.
[0020]
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.
[0021]
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.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital data processing unit 14 includes a memory 142 and a PROM 143 that are configured by an MPU and are connected to a data bus of the CPU 141.
[0023]
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 the video system image data into the memory 142 via the data transfer direction switching unit 12, and the memory 142. Transfer of image data and menu data stored in the display system to the display system via the data transfer direction switching unit 12, fetching of image data from the digital camera 40 via the serial interface 145 or the memory card interface 146, and After 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 60 to the printer via the parallel interface 145 for printing data Feed, operation section operation signal inputted to the based display control from 17, the menu screen based on the designation of the processing mode, the setting screen, such as a warning screen display control and the like.
[0024]
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. Further, menu data, operation input signals from the operation unit 17 and setting data are stored. It is also used as a work area for color conversion processing.
[0025]
The PROM 143 stores the data processing module 100 (FIG. 3), menu data, and initial data.
[0026]
The display processing unit 15 converts the image data (Y ′, U ′, V ′ (digital signal)) from the data transfer direction switching unit 12 into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals U, V (analog signal), and a synthesis circuit. Then, the luminance signal Y and the composite sync signal are combined, and the U and V signals are combined to obtain a chroma signal to obtain an S video signal. The video monitor 50 having the composite video input terminal is further configured to synthesize the luminance signal Y, the composite sync signal, and the chroma signal to output a composite video signal.
[0027]
The display processing unit 15 outputs the S video signal or composite video signal obtained by the above configuration to the video monitor 50.
[0028]
The operation unit 17 receives an operation signal from the operation panel 90 as shown in FIG. 5, converts it into an instruction signal (digital signal), and provides it to the digital data processing unit 14.
[0029]
As the operation signal, for example, a menu screen start / select signal when the setting switch 84 of the operation panel 90 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.
[0030]
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 90 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).
[0031]
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. 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.
[0032]
The video monitor 50 displays image data from the display processing unit 15, a mode selection screen (FIG. 6), an image selection screen (FIG. 7), menu data, and a cursor display on the screen.
[0033]
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.
[0034]
When the power supply is turned on, the power supply unit (not shown) receives power supply from the AC adapter 70 and supplies power to each circuit of the adapter body 10 from there.
[0035]
<Data processing module>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the 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.
[0036]
In FIG. 3, the data processing module 100 includes a control program 101, a screen display program 102 including a selected image display unit 106, a process selection program 103, a cursor control unit 107, an image selection unit 108, and an index assigning unit 109. 104 and a data processing module 105 for printing.
[0037]
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 taken out and can be executed and controlled by the CPU 141.
[0038]
The screen display program 102 includes a mode selection screen (FIG. 6A) to be displayed on the video monitor 50, a digital camera mode processing selection screen (FIG. 6B), and a video mode processing selection screen (FIG. 6C). , The image selection screen (FIG. 7A), etc., and the screens that are displayed and switched by operating the menus and the buttons on the display panel 90 are taken out of the memory 142 and a DMA transfer command request is passed to the CPU 151.
[0039]
The screen display program 102 includes selected image display means 106 that displays a plurality of image data (for example, index images) captured in the memory 142 on the video monitor 50 in an array of m × n.
[0040]
Further, when the selected image display means 106 is in the digital camera mode and the image data is displayed on the screen of the video monitor 50, if the cursor moves to a position where an image is not yet displayed and stops, the current position of the cursor is displayed. After the image to be displayed is displayed, the image is displayed retroactively.
[0041]
The processing selection program 103 determines the meaning of the menu and passes the determination result to the control program 101 when there is selection information specified in the menu on each screen or selection position information such as a cursor or a display frame.
[0042]
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 presses the setting switch 84 of the operation panel 90 while selecting the item while viewing the menu of FIG. 6B and presses the icon [>] of the key 85 to confirm execution of the selected item, the screen display is displayed. Since the corresponding menu screen is displayed by the program 102, the user can select and execute a desired process by operating a switch on the operation panel 90 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 process selection program 103.
[0043]
The process selection program 103 can select a process 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,
(3) Transition to digital camera mode,
When the user selects an item by pressing the setting switch 84 of the operation panel 90 while viewing the menu of FIG. 6C, and confirms execution of the selected item by pressing the icon [>] of the key 85, the screen display is displayed. A corresponding menu screen is displayed by the program 102, and the user can select and execute a desired process by operating a switch on the operation panel 90 while viewing the menu on the displayed menu screen. A corresponding processing program is provided for executing the processes (1) and (2). Further, (3) is performed by the process selection program 103.
[0044]
The processing program group 104 is a processing program including procedures necessary for executing the processing selected from each selection menu, and is provided corresponding to the selected processing, and can be freely moved within the screen of the video monitor 50. Cursor means 107 for displaying the cursor and obtaining its position (coordinates), image selection means 108 for setting the image at the position where the cursor is stopped as a print output image candidate, and each of the images arranged in the screen of the video monitor 50 Index adding means 109 is provided for creating an index for an image and creating a table in which the image is associated with the index.
[0045]
Further, when sending print data corresponding to the selected image to the printer 60, the index assigning means 109 assigns an index to the image data and sends it to the printer.
[0046]
The print data processing module 105 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.
[0047]
【Example】
An embodiment of the adapter body 10 will be described below.
[0048]
The adapter main body 10 accommodates an operation panel board, a main board, and an AC adapter in a box-shaped housing having an outer width of about 240 to 250 mm, a height of 50 mm, and a depth of 140 to 160 mm. An operation panel 90 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided, and a terminal portion (not shown) is provided at the rear of the casing.
[0049]
On the operation panel 90, a power supply display LED 81 which is turned on when the power is turned on, a power supply 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 a video screen. Switch 84, setting content change switch 85 on the menu screen, print display LED 86, print switch 87, display switch 88 for switching the image displayed on the video monitor 50 according to the mode, and memory switch for taking the image data into the memory 142 89 etc. are provided.
[0050]
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.
[0051]
<Image selection operation>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image selection operation in the digital camera mode by the adapter body 10.
[0052]
When the adapter main body 10 is activated, a screen display program is activated, and a mode selection screen shown in FIG. 6A is displayed to prompt selection of a processing mode (step S1).
[0053]
When the icon [>] on the operation panel 90 is pressed, the digital camera mode is set (step S2), the selected image display means 106 extracts image data (index image) from the memory 142, and the data transfer direction switching unit 12 and the display processing unit 15 are selected. The image is displayed on the video monitor 50 as an image selection screen 200 as shown in FIG. 7A (step S3). In step S2, when the icon [<] switch of the key 85 on the operation panel 90 is pressed, the video mode is entered.
[0054]
When the number of images stored in the digital camera 40 exceeds the number that can be displayed on the image selection screen, the screen of the next page can be referred to by pressing the icon [>] switch.
[0055]
The user moves the cursor to specify a desired image from the displayed thumbnail images. The cursor is indicated by a thick frame and is moved by operating the icons [>] and [<] switches. The image displayed at the location where the cursor is currently located becomes a selected image candidate selected for printing (step S4).
[0056]
When the cursor passes the display screen (for example, when the cursor is moved with approximate registration when the position of the image is known), the cursor means 107 is the position (coordinates) where the cursor is stopped. Is given to the selected image display means 106 (step S5).
[0057]
The selected image display means 106 preferentially takes out the image scheduled to be displayed at the cursor stop position, displays it at the cursor stop position, and displays it in reverse from the previous and subsequent images close to the cursor stop position (step S6).
[0058]
When the cursor is stopped, when the memory switch 89 as the image selection confirmation means is pressed (step S7), the image is selected, and high-resolution image data (80 × 60 pixels) corresponding to the selected thumbnail image (80 × 60 pixels). 640 × 480 pixels) is taken into the memory 142 from the digital camera 40, DMA-transferred from the memory 142, and displayed on the video monitor 50 as an image for one frame via the data transfer direction switching unit 12 and the display processing unit 15. (Step S8).
[0059]
When the print switch 87 is pressed, print data is transmitted to the printer 60 through printing preprocessing (color conversion processing by a printer driver, etc.) in the data processing unit 14 (step S9), and printing is started (step S10).
[0060]
FIG. 4B is a flowchart for indexing an image. Steps S8-1 to S8-4 are provided between steps S9 and S10 in FIG. 4A, and the display image and the print image are indexed (for example, , Number, symbol, character string, etc.).
[0061]
In step S8-1, the index assigning means 108 indexes the selected thumbnail image and the corresponding image read (step S8-1) and displays it together with the image on the video monitor 50 (step S8-2: FIG. 7). (B)), a correspondence table is created (step S8-3). In addition to the index and serial number, information necessary as an index is registered in the correspondence table. An index is also attached to the print data for the selected image, and the index is printed on the print image (photograph) (step S8-4).
[0062]
Thereby, it can also comprise so that a desired image may be selected (searched) from display images using an index. In addition, thumbnail images indexed using the thumbnail print menu in FIG. 7C can be collectively printed and used for subsequent searches.
[0063]
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. The control unit 13, the digital data processing unit 14, the display processing unit 15, the operation unit 17, and a board provided with a serial interface, a parallel interface, etc. may be incorporated in a video device, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a digital camera. Needless to say, modifications can be made.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, 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 the operation is simple, no special knowledge is required, and it is possible to easily print a color print of a video image from a video device or an image taken with a digital camera in a general home using a printer.
[0065]
In addition, when printing a digital camera shooting result to obtain a photo, it is not necessary to follow the order with the cursor on the screen as in the past, and the desired performance can be specified, so the usage performance is improved. . In addition, since an index can be assigned, browsing and searching are more convenient than receiving.
[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 illustrating a configuration example of a digital data processing unit.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a data processing module.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image selection operation in a digital camera mode.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel.
FIG. 6 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. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image selection screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Adapter body (Direct printer adapter)
11 Video signal processing unit 12 Data transfer direction switching unit 13 Input / output control unit 14 Digital data processing unit 15 Display processing unit 17 Operation unit 90 Operation panel 100 Data processing module 101 Control program 102 Screen display program 103 Processing selection program 104 Processing program 105 Data processing module for printing 106 Selected image display means 107 Cursor means 108 Image selection means 109 Index assignment means 141 CPU
142 Memory 143 PROM

Claims (3)

At least a printer, a digital camera, and a video device can be connected, and a video signal processing unit that converts a video signal input from the video device into digital data, a data processing unit, and a video signal that is restored from the image data Display processing unit for displaying on monitor, data transfer direction switching unit for switching data transfer direction by switching control signal from input / output control unit, input / output control unit, and instruction signal input unit for giving instruction signal to data processing unit When,
With
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: selected image display means for displaying a plurality of image data captured in the memory in a predetermined size and arranged in m × n on a video monitor;
b: image selection means for selecting an image at a position where the cursor is stopped as a selected image candidate;
c: image selection confirmation means;
d: a cursor configured to be freely movable within the screen of the video monitor;
When image data is displayed on the video monitor screen in digital camera mode, if the cursor is moved to a position where no image is displayed yet and stopped, the image to be displayed at the current position of the cursor is displayed. Then, the direct print adapter is characterized in that the image is displayed retroactively and the image displayed at the cursor stop position is set as a print output image candidate. The direct print adapter according to claim 1 , further comprising index assigning means for attaching an index to each image arranged in the screen of the video monitor, and a table corresponding to the image and the index,
A direct print adapter, wherein an image selected by an image selection means is selected by specifying an index. 3. The direct print adapter according to claim 2 , wherein when printing data corresponding to the selected image is sent to the printer, an index is added to the image data and sent to the printer.

Images