JP4081736B2 - Moving image printer, moving image printing method, and computer-readable recording medium on which moving image printing program is recorded - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a moving image printer, a moving image printing method, and a moving image printing program in which moving image data including correlation between frames such as a differential signal can be directly input and converted into a still image for printing. It relates to the medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the development of various electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as host devices) such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) and word processors, the demand for printers as output devices has increased, and higher performance has been attempted. Yes. For example, it is widely known that text data created by a word processor or the like, image data of a still image created or downloaded using a computer or the like is output to a printer, and printing is performed based on the print data received by the printer. It has been.
[0003]
By the way, in recent years, it has become possible to process moving image digital data even in a practical device such as a personal computer by increasing the memory capacity of a computer or the like and expanding the moving image media source. In a personal computer or the like capable of processing such moving image data, a video captured by a home video camera or the like is stored in a flexible storage means such as a memory stick and taken as data into the personal computer. It can also be processed and edited using input operation means such as a mouse, joystick, etc. One method is to convert a specific frame of video digital data to a still image screen and transfer it to a printer. The still image data has also been printed.
[0004]
Therefore, the conventional moving image printing is not the printing of the moving image when viewed from the printer side, but the normal printing of the still image sent from the host-side device, and whether or not the moving image can be processed as a still image. These functions depended on the functions of the personal computer. Also, unless such a high-performance personal computer is used, moving image digital data cannot be printed. In addition, even when still images are continuously printed based on moving image data, still image data converted by the host side device from the moving image data is continuously sent to the printer side memory and sequentially printed. It was.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, a conventional printer that prints moving images cannot print moving image digital data as a still image unless a moving image / still image conversion processing function is provided in a host-side device such as a personal computer. It was. In conventional printers, the difficulty of converting and printing moving image digital data into still image digital data is that the signal configuration of moving image digital data and still image digital data is fundamentally different, compared to still image data. This is due to the fact that the amount of moving image data is enormous and that it is difficult to specify a desired frame in moving image data composed of a large number of continuous frames.
[0006]
That is, the moving image digital signal is not simply a collection of still image digital signals for one frame displayed in one horizontal scanning period, but in order to continuously display a clear image in a stable manner. The correlation is written in the header information as a differential signal, or motion correction information such as intra-frame motion compensation or inter-frame motion prediction is written.
[0007]
In addition, since the amount of information of moving image data is enormous, when data is converted from analog data to digital data, for example, data processing such as compression processing is added, and for this reason, moving image data is in a series of frames. Information such as the correlation of inter-frame data related to compression is also described in the code. Therefore, there is a problem that still image data cannot be obtained by simply cutting out an image of an arbitrary frame of moving image digital data.
[0008]
Also, even if moving image digital data is directly captured and printed on the printer side, moving image digital data is composed of a large number of frames, so that moving image digital data is received and images of a large number of frames are stored. Requires a huge amount of memory and also has to select whether to store the image as it is as moving image data or to convert it into still image data and store it. there were.
[0009]
Furthermore, in relation to the vast amount of moving image frame data, when still image data is stored in the printer, how to output still image data corresponding to which moving image frame, or frame as moving image data If it is stored in a memory or the like, it is difficult to specify which frame image data should be selected and converted to still image data and output, and which frame should be selected by any method There was also the problem of having to decide.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and prints moving image data of a desired frame as a still image without providing a function for converting a moving image into a still image on the host device side. It is an object to provide a moving image printer, a moving image printing method, and a recording medium on which a moving image printing program is recorded.
[0011]
Also, a moving image printer that can store input moving image digital data in the most efficient form and can smoothly convert moving image data of a desired frame into still image data and print it smoothly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a moving image printing method and a recording medium on which a moving image printing program is recorded.
[0012]
Furthermore, by making it possible to update a moving image printing program that stores a predetermined procedure for obtaining a desired still image from moving image data, for example, using a ROM chip, moving image data can be saved without wasting existing hardware resources. It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording medium on which a moving image printing program is recorded that can be printed.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a moving image printer according to the first basic configuration of the present invention provides:In the state of moving image data,Image dataAccepted dataA receiver,The moving image data received by the data receiving unit is stored in units of frames.A storage unit;Stored moving image in frame unitsConvert data to still image dataA conversion unit that performs printing, and a print execution unit that executes printing based on the converted still image dataIt is characterized by that.
[0014]
According to the first configuration, the input image data can be printed as either moving image data or still image data. That is, if the input image data is moving image data, it is determined to be moving image data, converted to still image data, and the converted still image data is printed by a printing mechanism so as to print normal still image data. can do. Therefore, even if a moving image / still image conversion function is not provided on the host device side, a moving image can be printed as a function on the printer side.
[0015]
  The moving image printer according to the second basic configuration of the present invention includes a receiving unit capable of inputting still image data and moving image data including a correlation between frames, and data input via the receiving unit. Discrimination means for discriminating whether it is moving image data or still image data;SaidThe discriminating means discriminates that the input data is moving image data.CaseInThe moving image data output by the discriminating unit is stored in units of frames, and the moving image storage unit that outputs the stored moving image data in units of frames is stored in the moving image storage unit.Moving image / still image converting means for converting moving image data into still image data, and expansion for outputting the still image data converted from moving image data by the moving image / still image converting means to bitmap data or intermediate data And print data storage means for storing data expanded by the expansion meansA printing unit that prints the print data stored in the print data storage unit;It is characterized by having.
[0016]
According to the second configuration, even if a host device such as a personal computer is not provided with a moving image / still image conversion function, still image data is generated from moving image data only by a printer and a desired scene is directly output. Can do.
[0017]
Further, in the moving image printer according to the first and second basic configurations, the moving image data output by the determining unit after the data determined by the determining unit is determined to be moving image data is stored in units of frames. You may make it further provide the moving image memory | storage means to output the memorize | stored moving image data of the frame unit to the said moving image / still image conversion means. With this configuration, since the data for each frame is converted into still image data and stored, the still image data of a desired frame even for moving image data that may increase the capacity. Until it is output by the moving image storage means.
[0018]
In the moving image printer according to the first and second basic configurations, the print data storage means sequentially stores a plurality of print information converted and expanded from the moving image data in correspondence with the frames of the moving image data. May be stored in the form of bitmap data or intermediate data. With such a configuration, still image data corresponding to a frame of moving image data is stored in the memory, so that still image data of a desired scene in the received moving image data can be printed.
[0019]
Further, in the moving image printer according to the first and second basic configurations, an interpreting unit is configured by the discriminating unit and the developing unit, and the interpreting unit interprets data to be printed by interpreting header information of the moving image data. It may be configured to determine that is video data. With such a configuration, the determination unit can determine that the input image data is moving image data by interpreting the header information, and can use the moving image data that has been conventionally used as it is. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the moving image data itself in order to apply the present invention, and the existing technology can be used without waste.
[0020]
In the moving image printer according to the above configuration, the header information may include a command for designating a frame to be printed in advance among a plurality of still image data converted from moving image data. With such a configuration, still image data converted from moving image data of a frame that does not include a command for designating printing can be erased without being stored in the memory as not printed, and even with a small-capacity memory. It has a unique effect that it can respond.
[0021]
In the moving image printer according to the above configuration, the receiving unit inputs the moving image data including the header information and also inputs still image data accompanied by a print command, and the determination unit inputs the input data to the moving image data. Whether the data is the still image data or not is determined by the header information and the print command, and when the input data is the moving image data, the data is output to the moving image / still image data conversion unit and input When the data is the still image data, the data may be output to the expansion means. With this configuration, even if the image data supplied from the host device is moving image data or still image data, it can be immediately converted into data for printing. Can be printed.
[0022]
In the moving image printer comprising storage means for storing the frame-by-frame moving image data, a selection means for selecting the frame-by-frame moving image data stored in the moving image storage means in accordance with an arbitrary selection criterion may be provided. good. With this configuration, a user can select a desired frame that the user desires to print according to a predetermined standard, and even a moving image data composed of a large number of frames can have a moving image with a frame that complies with the standard desired by the user. Only data can be converted into still image data and printed, and a moving image printer rich in practicality can be provided.
[0023]
  A moving image printing method according to the third basic configuration of the present invention is as follows.A moving image printing method in a moving image printer comprising at least receiving means, determination means, moving image storage means, image data conversion means, expansion means, print data storage means, and printing unit, wherein the receiving meansMovie with movie characteristics including correlation between framesimagedataAnd bothTheIn each data formatStep to enter,The entered dataWhether the video characteristicsBeforeVideoimageIs dataBy the above-mentioned discrimination meansA step of determining;Storing the moving image data determined by the determining unit in the moving image storage unit in units of frames; and moving image data in units of frames stored in the moving image storage unitConverting to still image data;SaidVideoimageConverted from dataSaidStill image dataBy the deployment meansExpanding and outputting bitmap data or intermediate data;In the bitmap data or the intermediate dataExpandedFor printingDataIn the print data storage meansMemorizing step;Printing the printing data stored in the printing data storage means by a printing unit of the moving image printer;It is characterized by having.
With this configuration, after moving image data is directly input and converted to still image data, it is expanded into data for printing and still image data is input.CaseThe desired frame of the moving image data can be printed in the same manner as in FIG.
[0024]
In the moving image printing method according to the third basic configuration, the step of storing the moving image data is to sequentially store a plurality of pieces of print information in the form of bitmap data or intermediate data in association with the frames of the moving image data. Anyway. With this configuration, even if the input image data is moving image data, it can be stored in the same format as still image data, and still image dedicated printer components can be printed as a moving image. Can be diverted to a simple printer, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
[0025]
In the moving image printing method according to the third basic configuration, the step of determining the moving image data may determine that the input data is moving image data by interpreting header information of the moving image data. Anyway. With this configuration, the operation of determining whether the input image data is moving image data or still image data is simplified, and the printing process can be performed quickly.
[0026]
Further, in the above configuration, the header information of the moving image data includes a command for designating a frame corresponding to still image data to be printed after the moving image data is converted into still image data, and determining the moving image data In addition to determining whether or not the input data is moving image data, it is also possible to specify data to be printed out of still image data converted from the moving image data. With this configuration, it is possible to easily print as still image data by simply including a predetermined command in the header information of the moving image data.
[0027]
In the moving image printer according to the third basic configuration, the step of inputting the moving image data includes inputting the moving image data and also inputting still image data accompanied by a print command, and determining the moving image data. It is determined whether the input image data is moving image data or still image data. If the input data is moving image data, the moving image data is converted into still image data and output. When is still image data, the still image data may be directly expanded and output. With this configuration, whether the input image data is moving image data or still image data, it is possible to print by determining the type of the data and outputting it as a still image. It becomes.
[0028]
The moving image printer according to the third basic configuration may further include a step of selecting the stored data according to an arbitrary selection criterion after the step of storing the developed data. By configuring in this way, it is possible to obtain an image converted from a favorite frame by a user with a desired pattern, instead of printing all moving image data that tends to have a large capacity. It is also possible to select an arbitrary number of frames and perform index printing by efficiently arranging a frame pattern having a size that can be identified with the naked eye on one sheet of paper.
[0029]
  In addition, a moving image printing program according to the fourth basic configuration of the present invention is recorded.Computer readableThe recording medium isA computer-readable recording medium that records a moving image printing program that causes a moving image printer that includes at least a receiving unit, a determining unit, a moving image storage unit, an image data conversion unit, a development unit, a print data storage unit, and a printing unit to print. And the receiving means uses the still image data,Movie with movie characteristics including correlation between framesimagedataAnd bothTheIn each data formatinputYouProcedureWhen,The entered dataWhether the video characteristicsBeforeVideoimageIs dataBy the above-mentioned discrimination meansProcedure to determineWhen,A procedure for storing the moving image data determined by the determining unit in the moving image storage unit in units of frames, and the moving image data in units of frames stored in the moving image storage unit.Convert to still image dataYouAnd proceduresBy the expanding means,VideoimageThe still image data converted from the dataBy the deployment meansOutput to bitmap data or intermediate dataYouProcedureAnd the bitmap data or the intermediate dataExpandedFor printingDataIn the print data storage meansMemoryYouProcedure andAnd causing the moving image printer to execute a procedure for printing the printing data stored in the print data storage means by a printing unit of the moving image printer.
With this configuration, if the moving image printing program is recorded on, for example, a flexible disk, and the program is read by a reading unit connected to the printer and the printer control program is rewritten, the existing printer can be used. Even if it exists, the performance can be updated to a moving image compatible printer.
[0030]
In the recording medium on which the moving image printing program according to the fourth basic configuration is recorded, the procedure for storing the data is a plurality of prints in the form of bitmap data or intermediate data sequentially corresponding to the frame of the moving image data. Information may be recorded. With this configuration, as long as a sufficient memory capacity can be secured, all the input moving image data can be converted into printable data and stored in the storage means of the printer.
[0031]
In the recording medium on which the moving image printing program according to the fourth basic configuration is recorded, the procedure for determining the moving image data is that the image data input by interpreting the header information of the moving image data is moving image data. You may make it discriminate | determine. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the input image data is moving image data simply by interpreting the header information of the moving image data, and to perform quick determination processing on the input data. Can do.
[0032]
In the recording medium on which the moving image printing program according to the above configuration is recorded, the header information of the moving image data is a command for designating a frame corresponding to still image data to be printed after the moving image data is converted into still image data. And determining the moving image data includes determining whether or not the input data is moving image data and designating data to be printed out of still image data converted from the moving image data. You may make it. With this configuration, it is possible to immediately determine that the image data is moving image data when the image data is input as long as it is normal moving image data characterized by header information. Can be secured.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of a moving image printer, a moving image printing method, and a recording medium recording a moving image printing program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0034]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a moving image printer according to the first embodiment as a basic concept of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a moving image printer includes a receiving unit (receiving unit) 1 such as a receiving buffer, an interpreting unit 2 that interprets image data received by the receiving unit 1 and develops it into print data, and input image data. Is a moving image data, a moving image processing unit 5 that converts the moving image data into still image data, a print data storage unit 8 such as an image memory that stores the print data developed by the interpretation unit 2, and the print data storage And a printing mechanism 9 such as a printer engine that executes printing based on the print data output from the unit 8.
[0035]
Such a configuration is substantially the same as a printer that prints only a still image except that the moving image processing unit 5 is added. However, the moving image printer according to the present invention is used for printing still image data. In addition, the interpretation unit 2 is provided with a configuration for executing printing from moving image data directly supplied from a host-side device or the like. In other words, the interpretation unit 2 determines whether the input image data is moving image data or still image data, and determines that the input image data is still image data by the determination unit 3. When the input image data is determined to be moving image data, the image processing unit 5 converts the image data from the moving image data to the still image data. Deployment means 4 for deploying.
[0036]
  The moving image processing unit 5 is a moving image / still image converting unit that converts the moving image data into still image data when the determining unit 3 determines that the image data input via the receiving unit 1 is moving image data. 6 and moving image storage means 7 such as a frame memory for storing the moving image data input in units of frames for each frame. As the configuration of the moving image processing unit 5, in the one shown in FIG. 1, a moving image storage unit comprising a frame memory for storing the moving image data input via the determination unit and the moving image / still image converting unit 6 for each frame. The moving image / still image converting means 6 is provided with moving image data read out from the moving image storage means 7 for each frame.offlameDecryptAnd sequentially to the expansion means 4 of the interpretation unit 2InIt is the composition to output.
[0037]
With the configuration as described above, the moving image printer according to the first embodiment allows the interpretation unit 2 to discriminate even when image data is directly supplied in the form of moving image data from a host side device such as a personal computer or a video camera. The means 3 determines that the input image data is moving image data and supplies it to the moving image / still image converting means 6 of the moving image processing unit 5. In the moving image / still image conversion means 6, since the moving image data has a larger data amount than the still image data, the frame unit data is sequentially stored in the moving image storage means 7 such as a frame memory.
[0038]
Further, the moving image / still image conversion means 6 reads out the moving image data for each frame from the moving image storage means 7, converts it into still image data, supplies it to the expansion means 4 of the interpretation unit 2, and the expansion means 4 is stationary from the moving image data. The image data converted and supplied to the image data is expanded into print data such as intermediate data or bitmap data and stored in the print data storage unit 8 such as an image memory. The print data output from the print data storage unit 8 is supplied to a printing mechanism 9 such as a printer engine, and can be printed regardless of whether the image data supplied to the receiving unit 1 is a still image or a moving image. it can.
[0039]
Since the moving image printer according to the first embodiment described above is an embodiment according to the most basic concept, what criteria are used to select and print a large number of frames of moving image data having a large amount of data. Although not described in detail, usually when printing image data, even if moving image data is printed for every frame, a large amount of printed material with almost no change in the scene is output. Or frame drop printing is required. For this reason, when moving image data is input and printed as image data, a selection means for selecting a print image may be provided in the moving image processing unit 5 to select an image to be printed based on some criteria.
[0040]
The simplest specific configuration of the selection means is to interpret a code unique to the moving image data such as a differential code or a motion compensation code attached to the header portion of the moving image data at the same time as the determination by the determining means, for example. Thus, printing may be executed every time there is a large change in motion between frames of moving image data. Regardless of the motion between frames of the moving image data, the number of frames is counted and converted into still image data for each frame of a predetermined unit, for example, 30 frames, and then expanded into print data for printing. Anyway. Furthermore, if a mode is provided in which a large number of moving image data is printed in a plurality of rows in a plurality of rows like a so-called solid print of a photograph, the total number of frames of the moving image data sent is 1 Dividing by the number of good solids to be printed on a sheet of paper, and printing by arranging one by one on a solid for each of the divided frames.
[0041]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a moving image printer according to the second embodiment having a more specific configuration than that of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a moving image printer according to the second embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the moving image printer according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an operation of the moving image printer according to the second embodiment. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a moving image printer method.
[0042]
In FIG. 2, a printer system 10 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU-Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls various printing operations, and print data processed in the printer system 10 as a printer engine (printing mechanism). ) 9 and an engine controller 12 for executing printing, and a CPU bus 13 provided between the CPU 11 and the engine controller 12 and to which various components are connected.
[0043]
The CPU bus 13 includes, for example, a panel 14 including a liquid crystal panel and a power switch, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM-Read Only Memory) 15 storing a printing operation program, and data relating to characters such as font data. A character generator (CG) 16 that stores data, a system random access memory (RAM-Random Access Memory) that stores data volatilely based on access from the CPU 11 and outputs stored data as needed 17, a PC card controller 19 having a parallel interface (I / F) 18 for connecting a host side device such as a personal computer or a video camera to the printer system 10 and a PC card slot 19A are connected.
[0044]
The parallel I / F 18 is for incorporating image data including moving image data, which is the gist of the present invention, into the printer system 10, and not only moving image data but also still image data, text data, and the like directly in the printer system 10. And output to the printer engine 9 as print data by the program in the control ROM 15 in the printer and the control routine of the CPU 11.
[0045]
The PC card controller 19 reads out a moving image data file stored in a PC card inserted into the PC card slot 19A, MPEG moving image data, JPEG moving image / still image data, still image data shot by a digital camera, and the like. The image data is supplied to the CPU 11 and the control ROM 15, and the CPU 11 develops these image data into print data based on the program in the control ROM 15.
[0046]
Note that MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is an abbreviation for an organization that is working on standardization of an encoding method for storing color moving images, and is also used as a name for an encoding method that is being standardized by this organization. It has been. Therefore, MPEG moving image data is a moving image data format encoded by this MPEG encoding method, and the capacity of large-capacity moving image data is reduced by converting a difference between frames or within a frame with a predetermined code. And can be encoded.
[0047]
JPEG (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group) is an abbreviation for a joint organization of the International Standards Organization (ISO), which promotes the standardization of color still image coding methods, and the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). In other words, it is also used as the name of a color still image encoding method. As the encoding algorithm, ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform) is used, and hierarchical encoding is adopted in which an image with a low resolution is encoded first, and the resolution is gradually increased. The encoding method has already been standardized.
[0048]
Furthermore, motion JPEG is a method for realizing moving image display by continuously reproducing a color still image compressed based on JPEG, which is an international standard for color still image coding. It is used because it is easier to digitize than an encoding method such as MPEG, which has an advanced compression algorithm, and is easy to process for each frame of an image in editing work. However, since the compression ratio is not so high, there is a tendency that a higher transfer speed is required or the file capacity of the digital video is increased.
[0049]
Next, the configuration of the moving image printer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the moving image printer shown in FIG. 3, the same components as those of the moving image printer of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the moving image printer includes a receiving unit 1 that receives image data input via the parallel I / F 18 and the PC card controller 19 shown in FIG. 2, and the image data received by the receiving unit 1 is a still image. Interpretation unit 2 for discriminating whether it is data or moving image data and expanding it into the discriminated image data print data, and in the case of still image data, the interpretation unit 2 directly uses the intermediate data or bitmap data. In the case of moving image data, the control unit 20 that outputs to the moving image processing unit 5 and the operation panel 14 such as a liquid crystal panel for inputting a manual operation command to the control unit 20 are expanded. An image memory 8 that stores print data, a non-volatile memory 21 that stores a format, a command, and the like controlled by the control unit 20, and an output from the control unit 20 And a engine 9 for printing to perform and print input print data.
[0050]
The moving image printer according to the second embodiment differs in configuration from the conventional dedicated still image printer in that the moving image processing unit 5 is provided. Similar to the moving image printer according to the first embodiment, the moving image processing unit 5 includes a moving image / still image converting unit 6 that converts the moving image data determined and transferred from the control unit 20 into still image data, and the input moving image. And a frame memory 7 for storing data in units of frames.
[0051]
Next, a schematic operation of the moving image printer according to the second embodiment will be described. The receiving unit 1 supplies the moving image data or still image data input via the I / F 18 or the like to the interpreting unit 2, and the interpreting unit 2 determines that the image data is moving image data from the header information of the input image data. Whether the still image is data or not is determined. If it is still image data, it is expanded as it is and stored in the image memory 8 in the same manner as a conventional printer. Thereafter, the data is read from the image memory 8 and output to the printer engine 9 for printing.
[0052]
When it is determined that the image data input by the interpretation unit 2 is moving image data, the control unit 20 transfers the moving image data to the moving image / still image conversion unit 6 of the moving image processing unit 5, and the moving image data is frame by frame. It is converted into a still image and stored in the frame memory 7 for each frame. On the other hand, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to print this frame according to the format stored in the rewritable nonvolatile memory 21. In the case of printing, the data is sent to the interpretation unit 2 via the moving image / still image conversion unit, developed into intermediate data or bitmap data, and adjusted to the required size according to the format of the nonvolatile memory 21 by the control unit 20. Converted. The converted data is laid out on the image memory 8 according to the format, and the control unit 20 prints the laid out still image data on the image memory 8 in the same procedure as before.
[0053]
The format stored in the nonvolatile memory 2 includes a print start frame number (or time), a print end frame number (or time), the number of frames (or time), and print layout information. It is set to be rewritable by a command. Note that by rewriting the format and commands stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 using the panel 14, it is possible to select which frame of the moving image data should be printed as still image data. In the second embodiment, the selection means is configured by the panel 14 and the nonvolatile memory 21.
[0054]
  Next, a specific operation of the control unit 20 in the moving image printer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, when the header data is received by the receiving unit 1 (step S1), the interpreting unit 2 interprets the header data (step S2), and in the determination block of step S3, the moving image datasoIf it is determined that there is no, go to step S4,Still image printing is performed by a normal printing routine.
[0055]
If it is determined in step S3 that the received image data is moving image data, layout information is acquired from the nonvolatile memory 21 in step S5. Thereafter, in step S6, it is determined whether there is received data. Since there is moving image data to be printed at the time of reception, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether the data is intra-frame encoded data. . If it is determined in step S7 that the moving image data is intra-frame encoded image data, variable-length encoded data is decoded in step S8A, inverse quantization is performed in step S9A, and in step S10A. After performing the inverse DCT calculation process, it is expanded on the frame memory 7 in step S11.
[0056]
If it is determined in step S7 that the received moving image data is not intra-frame encoded image data but, for example, compressed encoded data such as MPEG difference data, steps S8B, S9B, and S10B are performed. After processing similar to S8A, S9A, and S10A is performed, only the difference is developed on the frame memory 7 in step S12.
[0057]
In step S13, it is determined whether the image data developed in this way is a frame to be printed by applying to the layout information described above. If it is determined that the image data is a frame to be printed, step S13 is performed. In S14, the layout of the print data is developed on the image memory 8 according to the layout information. If it is determined in step S15 that the print data expanded on the image memory 8 is printable, printing is executed in step S16, and when the print data is output on the printing paper, the process proceeds to step S6. Returning, it is determined again whether there is received data, and the printing operation from step S6 to S16 is repeated as long as the received moving image data exists.
[0058]
When there is no received moving image data, step S6 determines that there is no received data, and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether there is print data. If it is determined in step S17 that there is print data, the print data to be output is printed in step S18. If it is determined that there is no print data, the print operation routine is terminated.
[0059]
In the above printing routine, if it is determined in step S7 that an arbitrary frame of the input moving image data is intra-frame encoded image data, data decoding and inverse quantization are performed in steps S8A to S10A. After the inverse DCT operation is performed, if the moving image of the frame is a frame to be printed as it is on the frame memory as it is as a still image, layout is performed and printing is performed. When it is determined that the data is compression data such as data, only the difference is developed in step S12.
[0060]
As described above, according to the moving image printer according to the second embodiment, the printing operation routine is divided and processed depending on whether it is intra-frame encoded data, so even when the memory capacity of the frame memory is limited. The development data for the difference data can be saved.
[0061]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a moving image printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the moving image printer according to the third embodiment, when the input image data is moving image data, the moving image printer saves the capacity of the memory and allows the selection means 25 to select print data corresponding to a desired frame. It is provided. In the first and second embodiments, for example, when interpreting the header information of the moving image data, the frame information corresponding to which frame is output is selected by the header information. In the third embodiment, image data of a desired frame is printed by a manual operation by the selection unit 25.
[0062]
In FIG. 5, the moving image printer according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the moving image printer according to the first and second embodiments, such as a receiving unit 1, an interpreting unit 2, a print data storage unit 8, and a printing mechanism 9. It has the composition of. The interpretation unit 2 includes a determination unit 3 and a development unit 4, and only image data that is determined to be moving image data by the determination unit 3 is sent to the moving image processing unit 5, and the moving image data is converted into still image data. After the conversion, it is returned to the expansion means 4 for printing processing.
[0063]
As in the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the moving image processing unit 5 includes a moving image / still image converting means 6 for converting moving image data to still image data, and when moving image data is input, the moving image data is converted for each frame. For example, a moving image storage means 7 comprising a frame memory. In the second embodiment of FIG. 3, the moving image / still image converting unit 6 sequentially reads out the moving image data stored in the frame memory 7 and outputs it to the engine 9 via the control unit 20, so that the frame to be printed The selection is automatically made based on the interpretation of the header information. In the third embodiment, the selection is a selection provided between the moving image / still image converting means 6 and the moving image storage means 7. This is done by means 25.
[0064]
The selection means 25 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. For example, the control unit 20 is provided between the operation / display panel 14 and the non-volatile memory 21 that stores a print routine such as a print execution procedure and moving image data selection criteria. It is the structure by which the calculating part 26 which consists of is provided. This calculation unit 26 print image data selected by manual operation of the display / operation panel 14 from the image data converted from the moving image data and stored in the moving image storage means 7 as still image data corresponding to the frame. Is calculated and selected by a predetermined algorithm stored in the non-volatile memory 21, and moving image data of a symmetric frame is read from the frame memory 7 and output to the moving image / still image conversion means 6.
[0065]
As described above, the moving image data of a desired frame can be selected and printed also by a manual operation. Further, according to the moving image printer according to the third embodiment, a scene in which the number of frames and the scene of the moving image data stored in the frame memory 7 at that time on the display screen of the display / operation panel 14 change rapidly. By configuring so that data such as the number of changes can be displayed, for example, a series of 300 frames of moving image data can be output as 10 still image data, one for every 30 frames, or for each scene change. One piece of still image data can also be output. In addition, it can be used for index printing in which a series of 10 moving image data is reduced and applied to an area obtained by dividing a sheet of paper into 10 parts, and various operational flexibility can be provided. Has a unique effect.
[0066]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the first to third embodiments described above, it has been described that moving image data is directly supplied to the receiving unit 1 in the same manner as still image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and moving image data is transferred to the printer side. A reproducing unit for reproducing data may be provided. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a moving image printer according to the fourth embodiment as an example. In the drawing, a moving image processing unit 50 including a moving image / still image converting unit 6 and a moving image storage unit 7 is shown. Further, moving image data reproducing means 27 is provided.
[0067]
As a specific configuration of the moving image data reproducing means 27, for example, when moving image data is recorded on a VTR tape, it can be implemented by incorporating a reproduction dedicated VTR (Video Tape Recorder) or the like. In addition, it can be implemented by incorporating a video stick playback device or the like for moving image data recorded on a recording medium such as a video stick used for data exchange between a VTR camera and a personal computer proposed in recent years. is there.
[0068]
The moving image data reproducing means 27 provided in the moving image processing unit 50 executes a reproducing operation after the recording medium is loaded by a user operation. The moving image data reproduced by this reproduction operation is supplied to the receiving unit 1 as the receiving means as in the first embodiment of FIG. 1, and the operation after being supplied from the receiving unit 1 to the interpreting unit 2 is the first embodiment. It is the same as the form. Similar to the first embodiment, the receiver 1 can supply either moving image data or still image data from a host device (not shown).
[0069]
With this configuration, even when only a host-side device that does not have a playback unit is connected, a printer with a playback unit that plays back a recording medium frequently used by the user is purchased. Thus, there is a specific effect that a desired image can be printed by reproducing moving image data directly from, for example, a video tape or a video stick.
[0070]
(Fifth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment may be combined with the manually operable printer of the third embodiment. That is, like the moving image printer according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the moving image processing unit 51 includes the moving image data reproduction unit 27 in addition to the moving image / still image conversion unit 6, the moving image storage unit 7, and the selection unit 25. And a display means 28. In the fifth embodiment, the display means 28 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is provided except for the display function of the operation panel 14 of the selection means 25. The calculation unit 26 is configured to be supplied with a control signal that has been calculated based on the input of the operation panel 14.
[0071]
The moving image printer according to the fifth embodiment having the above-described configuration is configured such that a moving image data recording medium such as a video tape or a video stick is set in a reproducing unit and a reproduction instruction or a print instruction is input from the operation panel 14. It is possible to display a reproduced image on the display means 28 while reproducing the data, and simultaneously print a desired screen from the frames before and after the scene to be printed. At this time, it is possible to reliably and easily input a screen that the user desires to print by displaying information that is a clue to search for a scene by time, frame number, or the like on the display means 28.
[0072]
(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a recording medium on which a moving image printing program according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is recorded will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are a perspective view and a block diagram showing an example of a computer system 30 in which a recording medium on which a moving image printing program is recorded is used. In FIG. 8, a computer system 30 includes a computer main body 31 including a CPU, a display device 32 such as a CRT, an input device 33 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a printer 34 that executes printing.
[0073]
As shown in FIG. 9, the computer main body 31 includes an internal memory 35 composed of a RAM and a memory unit 36 that can be built in or externally attached. The memory unit 36 is a flexible or floppy disk (FD). A drive 37, a compact disk (CD) -ROM drive 38, and a hard disk drive (HD) unit 39 are mounted. As shown in FIG. 6, the recording medium 40 used in these memory units 36 is a flexible or floppy disk (FD) 41 used by being inserted into a slot of the FD drive 37 and a CD-ROM drive 38. A compact disc (CD) -ROM 42 or the like is used.
[0074]
8 and 9 exemplify the FD 41 and the CD-ROM 42 as the recording medium 40 used in a general computer system. However, since the present invention particularly relates to the print execution program of the printer 34, the recording medium exemplified above is used. For example, the moving image printing program according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may be recorded in a ROM chip as the nonvolatile memory 21 incorporated in the printer 34, and the ROM chip may be replaced by replacement.
[0075]
The recording medium 40 is determined to be moving image data, a procedure for inputting moving image data having moving image characteristics including correlation between frames, a procedure for determining that the data input from the moving image characteristics is moving image data, and the moving image data. A procedure for removing the moving image characteristics from the captured data and converting it to still image data, a procedure for expanding the still image data converted from the moving image data into bitmap data or intermediate data, and outputting the expanded data, Is stored.
[0076]
Further, in the procedure for storing the data, a plurality of pieces of print information may be stored sequentially in the form of bitmap data or intermediate data corresponding to the frame of the moving image data. Further, the procedure for determining the moving image data may determine that the input data is moving image data by interpreting header information of the moving image data. The header information of the moving image data includes a command for designating a frame corresponding to still image data to be printed after the moving image data is converted into still image data. The procedure for determining the moving image data includes the input data It is possible to include a procedure for determining whether or not the image data is moving image data and designating data to be printed out of still image data converted from the moving image data.
[0077]
By recording on a moving image printing program recording medium as described above, even existing printers dedicated to still image data can be used as printers that support moving image data, and the existing hardware resources can be used effectively. Can do.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the moving image printer of the present invention, moving image data is determined by converting the moving image data to still image data and outputting it to a printing mechanism such as a printer engine. Since the moving image / still image conversion processing function is not provided on the host device side, the moving image data can be directly input and converted into still image data for printing.
[0079]
In addition, by using the header information of the moving image data to determine that the input image data is moving image data, the moving image data is stored for each frame together with the determining means, so that the most efficient form is obtained. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a special configuration and to select and print an arbitrary frame from continuous moving image data using this header information, thereby speeding up data conversion and printing. And a smooth processing operation can be realized.
[0080]
In addition, by selecting a desired scene by manual operation and selecting it, you can print all the video data with a large amount of information, or remove the scene you want to print the most. Printing can be prevented, the desired screen can be printed reliably and easily, and the flexibility of the printing process can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving image printer according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of a moving image printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving image printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a moving image printer and a moving image printer method according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving image printer according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving image printer according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving image printer according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a computer system that implements a recording medium on which a moving image printing program according to a sixth embodiment is recorded.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system that implements a sixth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Receiving means (receiving unit)
2 Interpreter
3 discrimination means
4 deployment means
5 Movie processing part
6 Video / still image conversion means (part)
7 Movie storage means (frame memory)
8 Print data storage (image memory)
9 Printing mechanism (printer engine)
25 Selection means

Claims (8)

Receiving means capable of inputting still image data and moving image data including correlation between frames;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether the data input via the receiving means is moving image data or still image data;
When the determination unit determines that the input data is the moving image data, the moving image data output by the determination unit is stored in units of frames, and the stored moving image data in units of frames is output. Video storage means;
A moving image / still image converting means for converting the moving image data stored in the moving image storage means into still image data;
Expansion means for expanding and outputting the still image data converted from the moving image data by the moving image / still image conversion means into bitmap data or intermediate data;
Print data storage means for storing print data expanded by the expansion means;
A printing unit for printing the print data stored in the print data storage unit;
A moving image printer comprising: The print data storage means stores a plurality of print information converted and expanded from the moving image data and stored sequentially in the form of bitmap data or intermediate data in correspondence with frames of the moving image data. The moving image printer according to claim 1, wherein: An interpreting unit is configured by the determining unit and the developing unit, and the interpreting unit determines that data to be printed is moving image data by interpreting header information of the moving image data. The moving image printer according to claim 1 . 4. The moving image printer according to claim 3 , wherein the header information includes a command for designating a frame to be printed in the still image data converted from the moving image data . The receiving unit inputs the moving image data including the header information and also inputs still image data accompanied by a print command. The determining unit determines whether the input data is the moving image data or the still image data. Whether the input data is the moving image data is output to the moving image / still image data conversion means, and the input data is still image data. 5. The moving image printer according to claim 4 , wherein in some cases, the image is output to the developing means . 6. The moving image data according to claim 1, wherein the moving image data includes at least one of a moving image data file, MPEG moving image data, and JPEG moving image data stored in moving image data storage means . Video printer. A moving image printing method in a moving image printer comprising at least receiving means, determination means, moving image storage means, image data conversion means, expansion means, print data storage means, and printing unit,
The step of inputting both still image data and moving image data having moving image characteristics including correlation between frames in the respective data formats by the receiving means;
Determining the input data from the moving image characteristics as the moving image data by the determining means;
Storing the moving image data determined by the determining means in the moving image storage means in units of frames;
Converting the frame-based moving image data stored in the moving image storage means into still image data;
Expanding the still image data converted from the moving image data into bitmap data or intermediate data by the expansion means and outputting the data;
Storing the print data expanded into the bitmap data or the intermediate data in the print data storage means;
Printing the printing data stored in the printing data storage means by a printing unit of the moving image printer;
A moving image printing method comprising: Computer-readable recording recording a moving image printing program for causing a moving image printer including at least receiving means, determination means, moving image storage means, image data conversion means, expansion means, print data storage means, and printing unit to perform printing A medium,
A procedure for inputting both still image data and moving image data having moving image characteristics including correlation between frames in the respective data formats by the receiving means;
A procedure for discriminating input data from the moving image characteristics as the moving image data by the discriminating means;
Storing the moving image data determined by the determining means in the moving image storage means in units of frames;
A procedure for converting the frame-based moving image data stored in the moving image storage means into still image data;
A procedure for outputting the still image data converted from the moving image data to bitmap data or intermediate data by the expanding means;
Storing the print data expanded into the bitmap data or the intermediate data in the print data storage means;
Printing the print data stored in the print data storage means by a printing unit of the moving image printer;
A computer-readable recording medium on which a moving image printing program is recorded.

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