JP4306287B2 - Printing system, method and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system, method and program, and more particularly to a technique suitable for a so-called stand-alone printer capable of printing a digital photographic image independently.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a stand-alone printer having a removable memory interface, means for selecting resource data such as digital photographic images stored in the removable memory, and printing means is known. A stand-alone printer is designed with a human machine interface (HMI) specially designed for printing functions, so it can be operated easily even if you are unfamiliar with computer operations, and it is configured by connecting a personal computer and a printer. Compared to a printing system, the entire system can be reduced in size.
[0003]
Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system provided with interfaces of a plurality of types of removable memories. In the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the user selects the type of removable memory used for input and the selected type of removable memory is connected to a predetermined slot, the digital data stored in the removable memory is stored. A menu of photographic images is displayed (see paragraph 0029, FIG. 5, etc.). If there are many digital photographic images stored in the removable memory, the user selects a narrowing condition and displays a menu of only digital photographic images that match the narrowing condition (see FIG. 8 and the like).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-229176 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the printing system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, resource data necessary for performing printing is distributed and stored in a plurality of removable memories, or resource data to be printed is stored in any of the plurality of removable memories. If it is unknown whether it is stored, it is necessary to repeat a series of operations for selecting one removable memory and selecting resource data stored in the selected removable memory for each removable memory.
[0006]
Further, in the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the user starts searching for resource data after starting the selection of resource data and displays a menu of the searched resource data, the menu display of the resource data is slow. .
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing system, a method, and a program that are excellent in operability when selecting resource data.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention includes an input unit that can be connected to a removable memory and inputs data stored in the removable memory through a predetermined channel, and a memory that stores an index of resource data. Means, menu calling means for calling up a menu of resource data, menu display means for displaying the called menu based on the index, selection means for operating the called menu to select resource data, and selection An index of the retrieved resource data by previously retrieving the resource data through a plurality of channels including a printing unit that performs printing based on the retrieved resource data, and a channel that communicates with the input unit before the menu is invoked by the menu calling unit. Create or update Includes an indexing means that, a. Before the resource data menu is called, the resource data is searched in advance through a plurality of channels, and an index of the searched resource data is created or updated in advance. When the menu is called, the menu is displayed based on the index. By displaying, the menu of the resource data can be displayed at high speed, so that the operability of the menu of resource data stored in a plurality of memories is improved.
[0008]
Furthermore, the index creation means of the printing system according to the present invention searches for a predetermined type of resource file and its attributes, and associates the attribute with the searched resource file including the attribute of the searched resource file. An index is created or updated, the menu calling means has means for selecting an attribute of the resource file, and the menu display means displays a menu of the resource file of the selected attribute based on the index. And Before the resource data menu is called, a predetermined type of resource file and its attributes are searched, and the attribute is included in the index in association with the searched resource file so that the user can efficiently You can search for resource files. Specifically, for example, when searching for a template file as a resource file and a theme (for example, New Year's card, Christmas, summer greetings, etc.) as an attribute, the path and theme of each template file are associated and recorded in the index. When the user selects a specific theme, it is possible to display a template file menu of the selected theme that is scattered in a plurality of memories at high speed.
[0009]
Furthermore, the index creation means of the printing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the index is created or updated when a removable memory is connected to the input means. By creating or updating an index when a removable memory is connected to the input means, the index can be created or updated efficiently.
The functions of the plurality of means provided in the present invention are realized by hardware resources whose functions are specified by the configuration itself, hardware resources whose functions are specified by a program, or a combination thereof. The functions of the plurality of means are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other.
[0010]
The present invention can be specified not only as an apparatus invention but also as a program invention, a recording medium recording the program, and a method invention.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.
2A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the printer 1 as a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the display 22 and the operation unit 20 of the printer 1. It is a schematic diagram. The printer 1 is a so-called stand-alone printer that does not require control by a personal computer or the like and can independently print a digital photographic image (hereinafter referred to as “photographic image”). As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing 10 of the printer 1 is provided with a display 22, an operation unit 20, and card slots 11a and 12a.
[0012]
The display 22 as menu display means is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display 22 is controlled by the display control unit 21 (see FIG. 3), and displays a resource data menu, a setting menu for various settings, and the like. The display 22 also functions as a menu calling unit for calling a resource data menu, and displays a call menu for calling the resource data menu.
[0013]
The operation unit 20 as selection means includes an upper switch 20a, a lower switch 20c, a determination switch 20d, and a return switch 20b. These switches are switches for operating the called menu to select resource data. The operation unit 20 also functions as menu calling means, and these switches are also used as switches for operating the aforementioned calling menu. In addition, it is also used to select items in various menus. The operation unit 20 further includes a print start switch 20e and a cancel switch 20f. The print start switch 20e is a switch for the user to instruct start of printing, and the cancel switch 20f is a switch for instructing to stop printing.
[0014]
The card slot 11a is an opening for detachably connecting the removable memory A to a first input portion 11 (see FIG. 3) provided inside the housing 10. Similarly, the card slot 12a is an opening for connecting the removable memory B to the second input unit 12 (see FIG. 3). The removable memories A and B are detachable storage media, specifically, for example, detachable card type flash memories. The card slot 11a and the card slot 12a have different opening shapes, and removable memories having different standards are inserted.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer 1. The printer 1 includes a control unit 23, a ROM 19, a work memory 13, an image processing unit 14, a printer engine 15, a USB interface 16, a network interface 17, a display control unit 21 and the like in addition to the display 22 and the operation unit 20 described above. They are connected to the interface 18 of the control unit 23 through a data transmission path 28 as a channel.
[0016]
The control unit 23 as a print control unit includes a CPU 24, a RAM 25, and an interface 18. The CPU 24 executes a program stored in the ROM 19 to control the entire printer 1. The control unit 23 also functions as menu calling means, menu display means, selection means, and index creation means by executing a printing program stored in the ROM 19.
[0017]
The RAM 25 as a storage unit is a memory that stores an index of resource data to be described later. The RAM 25 is also used as a memory for temporarily storing various programs and data.
The ROM 19 is a memory in which an operating system (OS), a printing program, one or more template files, and other various programs and data are stored in advance. These programs and various data may be downloaded and input from a predetermined server via a network, or may be read and input from a computer-readable storage medium such as a removable memory.
[0018]
The first input unit 11 and the second input unit 12 as input means include the card slots 11a and 12a described above, respectively, so that a removable memory can be connected thereto. The first input unit 11 and the second input unit 12 input arbitrary data stored in the connected removable memory through the data transmission path 28.
The work memory 13 is a memory for storing a photographic image input from the first input unit 11 or the second input unit 12, a template file described later, and the like. The work memory 13 is also used as a memory for the image processing unit 14 to temporarily store data.
[0019]
The USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 16 includes a USB host controller and a plurality of downstream ports. A USB device capable of storing data, such as a CD-ROM drive, an MO drive, a flexible disk drive, and a hard disk drive, is connected to the USB interface 16 with a USB cable.
[0020]
The network interface 17 includes a modem, a network interface card, and the like. The network interface 17 is connected to a predetermined server 27 via a communication network such as a telephone line or a LAN, and the printer 1 is set so that resource data stored in a predetermined directory of the server 27 can be read.
[0021]
The image processing unit 14 is an ASIC that executes various types of image processing on the photographic images stored in the work memory 13 in cooperation with the control unit 23. Specifically, various types of image processing include, for example, expansion of a photographic image compressed by the JPEG standard, conversion of the color space of the expanded photographic image, gamma correction, color balance adjustment, sharpness adjustment, contrast adjustment, photographic image Interlace that generates print data by rearranging the resolution of the image into the print resolution, binarization processing for binarizing the digital image, and rearranging the binarized digital image in the order to be transferred to the printer engine 15 Processing. Note that whether the image processing is performed by the control unit 23 or the image processing unit 14 is a design matter that can be selected as appropriate.
[0022]
The printer engine 15 performs printing based on the print data generated by the image processing unit 14. The printer engine 15 includes a carriage on which the print head is mounted, a drive mechanism that reciprocates the carriage, a transport mechanism that transports printing paper, and the like, which are controlled by the control unit 23. In addition to the print head, the carriage is equipped with a plurality of ink tanks that store ink discharged by the print head. Note that the printer engine 15 may perform printing by a laser method, for example.
[0023]
The display control unit 21 includes a VRAM, a drive circuit, and the like. The display control unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 23 and displays various menus on the display 22.
The printing unit described in the claims corresponds to the control unit 23, the image processing unit 14, and the printer engine 15 as the printing control unit.
[0024]
The configuration of the printer 1 has been described above. Next, resource data and resource files will be described.
Resource data refers to data such as photographic images and scripts that define photographic image print settings, and resource files refer to files that store resource data in a predetermined format. The predetermined format is a format that can be interpreted by the printer 1. Specifically, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a JPEG format, an Exif format that is an image file format for a digital still camera, a TIFF format, or a bitmap format. Can be interpreted. It is also assumed that a file (template file) that stores a script as resource data in a predetermined format can be interpreted. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which an Exif format file and a template file are predetermined as resource files of a predetermined type among resource file formats in these formats.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of an Exif format resource file. The Exif format resource file includes an attached information area 31 for storing attached information related to a photographic image such as a shooting date / time, exposure, and shutter speed, and an image data area 32 for storing the photographic image. When an Exif file (hereinafter referred to as “Exif file”) is used as a resource file, information stored in the attached information area 31 may be used as an attribute. One or more pieces of arbitrary information stored in the attached information area 31 can be used as an attribute. In this embodiment, a case where the shooting date and time is used as an attribute will be described as an example. Note that a shooting location, a subject name, and the like may be stored in the attached information area 31, and such information may be used as attributes.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the template file. The script stored in the template file in the example shown in the figure defines the layout for printing a photographic image on paper, and the script in the example in the figure in addition to them is a background image that is combined with the photographic image as a background. Is also defined. Specifically, the script includes, for example, a print size (for example, “postcard”), information for specifying the orientation of the printing paper (for example, “portrait”), and information for specifying a frame (photo image frame) for arranging a photographic image (for example, The upper right coordinate “(x1, y1)” of the frame and the lower left coordinate “(x2, y2)” of the frame), information for specifying the background image to be combined with the photographic image (for example, “birthday.eff as an identifier of the background image) )), Define themes, etc. The theme is, for example, information representing the subject of a background image if a background image is defined in the script, or information indicating the size or shape of a photographic image frame if no background image is defined. Specifically, the theme of the background image is, for example, “winter” if the background image represents a winter landscape, or “birthday” if the image represents a message or illustration related to a birthday. . In addition, themes are appropriately set according to the contents such as “New Year's card”, “Christmas”, “Hot summer greeting”. As the attribute of the template file, one or more arbitrary information defined in the script may be used, but in this embodiment, a case where a theme is used as an attribute will be described as an example.
[0027]
FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram for explaining printing of a photographic image using a template file, and FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a postcard printed using the template file. The background image in the illustrated example is an image representing a birthday message. Therefore, a theme such as “birthday” is set as the theme of the template file used for printing.
[0028]
FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram of the printing program. The print program causes the control unit 23 to execute an index creation process 40, a menu call process 41, a menu display process 42, and a print process 43.
The index creation process 40 searches for a predetermined type of resource data and its attributes in advance through a plurality of channels including channels leading to the first input unit 11 and the second input unit 12 before the resource data menu is called. This is a process of creating or updating an index that includes the attribute of the resource data that has been searched and associates the attribute with the retrieved resource data. The index creation process 40 is not executed by the user instructing to call a menu of resource data, but before the instruction is given. Specifically, for example, it is executed when the OS detects that a removable memory is connected to the first input unit 11 or the second input unit 12. When the removable memory is connected, the OS detects the connection by an interrupt generated by a device driver that controls the first input unit 11 or the second input unit 12 and calls the index creation process 40. In this example, an index is created when a removable memory is connected. However, when a USB device is connected, a medium such as a CD-ROM is attached to the connected USB device. Or when connected to a network or immediately after the printer 1 is started. When the execution is started, the index creation process 40 searches a predetermined type of resource data stored in the removable memory, and acquires the path and attribute of the searched resource file. Specifically, the file name of the file stored in the removable memory is acquired via the OS, and it is determined whether or not the file is of a predetermined type based on the extension included in the file name. If there is, the file is read through the OS and the attribute is acquired. Next, an index that associates the path and attribute of the found resource file with each other is created and stored in the RAM 25. After creating an index for the resource data stored in the removable memory, the index creation process 40 searches the resource data through other channels and adds their path and attributes to the previously created index. This is repeated for a predetermined plurality of channels. Here, the predetermined channel refers to a data transmission path 28 that communicates with a device such as a ROM, a USB device, or a removable memory that can store a resource file. If an index has already been created and stored in the RAM 25, when the removable memory is connected, the resource data is searched only for the input unit to which the removable memory is connected and added to the already stored index. Alternatively, another channel may be newly created including another channel and overwritten and updated. If the index creation process 40 is executed when a removable memory is connected to the first input unit 11 or the second input unit 12 or a USB device is connected, the user instructs to call a menu. Since the index can be created or updated using the time until, it is efficient. Also, for example, if the resource file is a template file, the template file and the theme as its attribute are searched, and the path and theme of each template file are associated and recorded in the index, and the user selects a specific theme. When this is done, it is possible to display at high speed a menu of the template file of the selected theme that is scattered in a plurality of memories such as the ROM 19 and the removable memories A and B. Therefore, a desired resource file can be searched efficiently.
[0029]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an index created by the index creation process 40. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that the resource file is stored only in the removable memory A, the removable memory B, and the ROM 19. 8A shows a resource file stored in the ROM 19, FIG. 8B shows a resource file stored in the removable memory A, and FIG. 8C shows a resource file stored in the removable memory B. ing. The characters in parentheses indicate the attributes of the resource file. A file with an extension “.exif” indicates that the file is an Exif file, and a file with “.usd” indicates a template file.
[0030]
FIG. 9 shows the indexes created by the index creation process 40 for the resource files shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, the index associates a path of a predetermined type of resource file stored in a device connected to the channel and its attributes for a plurality of channels in a table format. As shown in the figure, the path includes a device name, directory information on the device, and resource data identifiers. For example, in the case of the path “¥¥ first input unit ¥ image ¥ S0001.exif”, the character string “first input unit” described between “¥¥” and “¥” corresponds to the device name. “Image” corresponds to a directory, and “S0001.exif” corresponds to an identifier. Therefore, it is possible to uniquely identify the resource file from the path.
[0031]
The menu call process 41 is a process for calling a resource data menu. The menu calling process 41 is also a process for selecting the attribute of the resource file. The menu calling process 41 is executed by being called from a higher-level menu displayed after the power is turned on.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a call menu displayed by the menu call process 41. The call menu is configured as a hierarchical menu including a type selection menu shown in FIG. 10A and an attribute selection menu shown in FIG. When the execution is started, the menu calling process 41 displays a type selection menu for selecting a specific type from predetermined types. In this embodiment, the predetermined types are an Exif file and a template file, and either the Exif file or the template file is selected as the type in the type selection menu. In FIG. 10A, “image selection” means selection of an Exif file, and “frame selection” means selection of a template file. When one type is selected by the user by operating the operation unit 20, the menu calling process 41 acquires the attribute associated with the resource file corresponding to the selected type from the index, and selects the attribute. Display as an attribute selection menu. As shown in FIG. 10B, the attributes are displayed in the attribute selection menu without duplication. When one attribute is selected by the user, the menu call process 41 outputs the selected attribute to the menu display process 42. This invokes the resource data menu.
[0032]
The menu display process 42 is a process for displaying the menu of the resource file having the selected attribute based on the index.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a menu of resource data displayed by the menu display process 42. When the attribute is output from the menu calling process 41, the menu display process 42 acquires the identifier of the resource data having the selected attribute from the index, and displays it as the resource data menu. For example, assume that “winter” is output as an attribute. In the index, for example, “¥¥ first input unit ¥ frame ¥ template 07.usd” is stored as a path of a template file in which “winter” is specified as an attribute. Therefore, the identifier “template 07.usd” is acquired as one of the identifiers of the resource file having the selected attribute. As shown in the figure, the resource data menu displays identifiers of all resource files having the selected attribute regardless of which device stores the resource data. For this reason, the user can search the desired resource data more efficiently.
[0033]
The resource data menu is displayed by a device selection menu for selecting a device shown in FIG. 12A and a resource file having a selected attribute shown in FIG. You may comprise as a hierarchical menu which consists of the identifier selection menu for selecting the resource data memorize | stored in the selected device. The hierarchical menus may be displayed as a pop-up menu so as to be superimposed on one screen as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, or in FIGS. 13A and 13B. As shown, the screen may be switched for each menu.
[0034]
The printing process 43 is a process for performing printing based on selected resource data. The printing process 43 is a process executed after at least one Exif file is selected as a resource file. When printing a photographic image based on a template file, the user repeatedly executes the menu display process 42 described above before executing the printing process 43 to select at least one Exif file and at least one template file. It is necessary to keep it. The print process 43 is executed when the user presses the print start switch 20e. When the execution is started, the control unit 23 that executes the printing process 43 cooperates with the image processing unit 14 based on the photographic image and, if the template file is selected, further based on the template file. The image processing is executed, and the created print data is output to the printer engine 15. When the print data is output, the printer engine 15 performs printing based on the print data.
[0035]
FIG. 1 is a sequence chart showing a processing flow of the printer 1. Here, the processing of the printer 1 will be described taking as an example the case where a removable memory is connected. In S <b> 105, the user connects a removable memory storing resource data to be printed to the first input unit 11 or the second input unit 12.
In S110, the printer 1 detects that the removable memory is connected, searches the resource file from the removable memory through the channel connected to the first input unit 11 or the second input unit 12, and creates an index.
[0036]
In S115, the printer 1 searches for a resource file through a channel connected to other than the first input unit 11 and the second input unit 12, that is, a channel connected to the ROM 19, the USB interface 16, and the network interface 17, and adds the resource file to the index.
In S120, the user calls the call menu by operating the operation unit 20, and calls the resource data menu by selecting an attribute from the call menu.
[0037]
In S125, the printer 1 displays the called menu, that is, the resource data menu based on the index.
In S130, the user operates the called menu to select resource data.
In S135, the user determines whether to select resource data with other attributes. For example, when an Exif file is selected as the resource data in the first operation and a template file is selected as the resource data in the second operation, the user goes back to the menu from the attribute selection after the first operation. Repeat the operation.
[0038]
In S140, the user presses the print start switch 20e to instruct to print resource data.
In S145, printing is performed based on the selected resource data. Specifically, for example, the photographic image selected by the first operation is printed based on the template file selected by the second operation.
[0039]
According to the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, before the resource data menu is called, the resource data is searched in advance through the plurality of channels 28, and the index of the searched resource data is created or updated in advance. In addition, when the menu is called, the menu is displayed based on the index. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from when the menu is called to when it is displayed, compared to when the index is created or updated after the menu is called. Accordingly, the menu of resource data can be displayed at high speed, and the operability of the menu is improved. When the resource data is distributed and stored in a plurality of memories such as a ROM and a removable memory and the selection of the memory and the selection of the resource data must be repeated, the operability of the menu is particularly improved.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, a stand-alone printer has been described as an example of a printing system. However, for example, a printing system may be configured by a personal computer and a printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sequence chart illustrating a processing flow of a printing system.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printing system. (B) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged menu display means and selection means.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing system.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a resource file.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a resource file.
6A is a schematic diagram for explaining using a resource file, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a printed result.
FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram of a printing program.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are schematic views showing resource files stored in a ROM and a removable memory.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an index.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a menu as menu calling means.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a menu of resource data.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the resource data menu.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the resource data menu.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer (printing system), 11 1st input part (input means), 12 2nd input part (input means), 14 Image processing part (printing means), 15 Printer engine (printing means), 20 Operation part (menu call) Means, selection means), 21 display control section (menu call means, menu display means), 22 display (menu call means, menu display means), 23 control section (print control means, menu call means, menu display means, index creation) Means), 25 RAM (storage means), 28 channels, A removable memory, B removable memory

Claims (4)

An input means that can connect a removable memory and inputs resource data stored in the removable memory through a predetermined channel;
Storage means for storing an index of a resource file storing resource data in a predetermined format ;
A menu calling means for calling a resource file menu;
Menu display means for displaying the called menu based on the index;
A selection means for operating the called menu to select a resource file ;
Printing means for performing printing based on the selected resource file ;
Before the menu is called by the menu calling means, the resource file is searched in advance through a plurality of channels including the channel leading to the input means, the path and attribute of the searched resource file are obtained , and the path and the attribute are obtained. Index creating means for creating or updating the associated index; and
The menu calling means has means for selecting an attribute of a resource file,
The menu display unit displays a menu of a resource file having a selected attribute based on the index.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the index creating unit creates or updates the index when a removable medium is connected to the input unit. An input means that can connect a removable memory and inputs resource data stored in the removable memory through a predetermined channel;
A printing method using a computer functioning as a print control means for controlling printing based on a resource file storing selected resource data in a predetermined format ,
An index that pre-searches a resource file through a plurality of channels including a channel leading to the input means before a menu of the resource file is called , acquires a path and an attribute of the searched resource file, and associates the path with the attribute Creating or updating
When the menu of the resource file is called, the attribute of the resource file is selected, and the menu of the selected resource file is displayed based on the index;
A printing method comprising: An input means that can connect a removable memory and inputs resource data stored in the removable memory through a predetermined channel;
Storage means for storing an index of a resource file storing resource data in a predetermined format ;
A menu calling means for calling a resource file menu;
Menu display means for displaying the called menu based on the index;
A selection means for operating the called menu to select a resource file ;
Print control means for controlling printing based on the selected resource file ;
Before the menu is called by the menu calling means, the resource file is searched in advance through a plurality of channels including the channel leading to the input means, the path and attribute of the searched resource file are obtained, and the path and the attribute are obtained. Causing the computer to function as index creation means for creating or updating the index to be associated ;
The menu calling means has means for selecting an attribute of a resource file,
The menu display unit displays a menu of a resource file having a selected attribute based on the index .

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