JP4343858B2 - Printing system, printing apparatus, printing method, and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an image supply device and a printing apparatus, and a printing system for printing a composite image by the printing apparatus based on image data and composite data supplied from the image supply device, and a printing apparatus constituting the printing system , An image apparatus, and a printing method.

  A printer and a digital still camera (DSC) or a camera-equipped mobile phone are directly connected via an interface such as USB, and photographic images stored in a DSC or DSCP storage medium (memory card) are sent to the printer for printing. So-called direct printing systems are becoming common.

  In addition, a date printing function for printing character information such as date on a photographic image is also adopted in many direct printing systems.

  Furthermore, a so-called direct composite printing system is becoming popular in which a composite image such as a frame is transmitted to a printer in addition to a photographic image, and the result of the composite on the printer side is printed.

  In such a printing system, the JPEG file of the image to be printed and the PNG file of the composite image are generally sent from the DSC to the printer, and the JPEG file and PNG file are decompressed on the printer side, The data is converted into a printable data format by performing insertion, color conversion, resizing, rotation, and the like, and processing for printing the result of combining JPEG and PNG is performed.

  On the other hand, proposals, products and applications for printing by combining an image and a frame have been developed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of inserting a character in an easy-to-see position and color by reading an image and determining the composition and color.

  Also, for example, as a frame composition application, a piece of frame data is pasted on a tile with respect to the outer frame of a photographic image, a photographic image and frame data are enlarged to fit the paper size, the same size as the paper size Have been developed and commercialized, such as those that have the same frame data for each paper size and are pasted at the same magnification without enlargement processing.

In addition, PictBridge, which defines the communication procedure in the above-mentioned digital camera direct print system, has made digital camera direct print systems more and more popular. In addition, frame frames have been added to photographic images taken with camera-equipped mobile phones (DSCP). Products that can print synthesized data are also becoming popular. There is also a high possibility that products capable of printing data synthesized by superimposing a plurality of frame frames will be widely used.
JP 2002-010066 A

  However, when synthesizing frames, additional information such as date is printed at a fixed position regardless of the type and characteristics of the frame. In this case, it is difficult to see additional information such as date printing depending on the color and shape of the frame. There is a problem of becoming.

  On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the date print position is determined by judging the color or composition of an image, a CPU or memory capacity with relatively many restrictions used in the direct print system However, there is a problem that it cannot operate at a practical speed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing system capable of arranging additional information in an easy-to-see place while maintaining a practical operation speed of direct printing. A printing method is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing system according to the present invention includes an image supply device and a printing apparatus, and prints an image using the printing apparatus based on image data supplied from the image supply device. A combining position determining means for determining a combining position of additional information to be combined with the image data in relation to the image data supplied from the image supplying device based on characteristics of the supplied frame image; Image generating means for adding the additional information to the composite position determined by the composite position determining means and forming a composite image of the supplied image data, the frame image, and the additional information. And

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an image based on image data supplied from an image supply device, the image data supplied from the image supply device, and a frame combined with the image data. Image data obtaining means for obtaining an image, composition position determining means for determining a composition position of additional information related to the image data to be synthesized with the image data based on characteristics of the frame image, and the composition position Image generating means for adding the additional information to the combining position determined by the determining means, and forming a combined image of the image data, the frame image, and additional information related to the image data. And

Furthermore, frame printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for printing an image based on image data supplied from the image supply device, which is combined with the image data and the image data supplied from the image supply device An image data acquiring step for acquiring an image; a combining position determining step for determining a combining position of additional information related to the image data to be combined with the image data based on characteristics of the frame image; and the combining position An image generation step of adding the additional information to the combination position determined in the determination step, and forming a combined image of the image data, the frame image, and the additional information related to the image data. And Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, in a system in which an image photographed by a mobile phone with a camera or a digital camera is combined with at least one frame or the like and combined data such as a frame is printed by a printing apparatus, the frame is printed without characters. A special effect that can be done is born.

  Further, in a system that prints by combining a photograph taken with a camera-equipped mobile phone or a digital camera and composite data such as at least one frame with a printing apparatus, even if a relatively low-speed CPU is used, it is a realistic time. The position of the date can be determined, and since there is no need to install a high-speed CPU, the cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in a system that combines and prints composite data of a plurality of images with a printing apparatus, a special effect that date data that should be prioritized can be automatically selected from the plurality of image data can be printed.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the case where PictBridge that realizes direct printing between a mobile phone with a camera and a printer is used will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

A. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct printer (hereinafter referred to as a PD printer) 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PD printer 1000 functions as a normal PC printer that receives and prints data from a host computer (PC) and directly reads and prints image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, or It has a function to receive and print image data from a camera-equipped mobile phone.

  In FIG. 1, the main body that forms the outer shell of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment includes an outer member of a lower case 1001, an upper case 1002, an access cover 1003, and a discharge tray 1004. The lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half portion of the PD printer 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half portion of the main body. A storage space for storing each mechanism to be described later by combining both cases. The body has a hollow body structure, and the upper surface portion and the front surface portion each have an opening. Further, one end of the discharge tray 1004 is rotatably held by the lower case 1001, and an opening formed on the front surface of the lower case 1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when executing the recording operation, the discharge tray 1004 is rotated to the front side to open the opening, thereby including sheets (plain paper, special paper, resin sheet, etc.) recorded from here. (Hereinafter simply referred to as “sheets”) can be discharged, and the discharged sheets can be stacked one after another. The paper discharge tray 1004 accommodates two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b. By pulling out each tray as necessary, the sheet support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.

  One end of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the upper case 1002 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1003, the access cover 1003 is accommodated inside the main body. It is possible to replace the print head cartridge (not shown) or the ink tank (not shown). Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 1003 is opened and closed, a protrusion formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening and closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a micro switch or the like. Thus, the open / closed state of the access cover 1003 can be detected.

  A power key 1005 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 1002. An operation panel 1010 including a liquid crystal display unit 1006 and various key switches is provided on the right side of the upper case 1002. The structure of the operation panel 1010 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1007 denotes an automatic feeding unit that automatically feeds sheets into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a paper interval selection lever which is used to adjust the interval between the print head and the sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slot, into which an adapter capable of mounting a memory card is inserted, through which image data stored in the memory card can be directly captured and printed. Examples of the memory card (PC) include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, smart media, and a memory stick. A viewer (liquid crystal display unit) 1011 is detachable from the main body of the PD printer 1000. When searching for an image to be printed from images stored in the PC card, an image or index for each frame is displayed. Used to display images. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a USB terminal for connecting a camera-equipped mobile phone to be described later. In addition, a USB connector for connecting a personal computer (PC) is provided on the rear surface of the PD device 1000.

  FIG. 2 is an overview of the operation panel 1010 of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display unit 1006 displays menu items for setting various data relating to items printed on the left and right sides thereof. The items displayed here include, for example, the top number of a photo image to be printed, a designated frame number (start frame designation / print frame designation), and the last photo number to be printed (end) among a plurality of photo image files. ), The number of copies (number of copies), the type of sheet used for printing (paper type), the number of photos to be printed on one sheet (layout), the specification of print quality (quality), and the date of shooting For example (date printing), whether to correct a photo for printing (image correction), and the number of sheets required for printing (number of sheets). These items are selected or designated using the cursor keys 2001. 2002 is a mode key, and each time this key is pressed, the type of printing (index printing, full-frame printing, single-frame printing, designated-frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and the LED corresponding to the LED 2003 changes accordingly. Illuminated. A maintenance key 2004 is a key for performing maintenance of the printer such as cleaning of the print head. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a print start key which is pressed when instructing the start of printing or when establishing maintenance settings. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a print cancel key which is pressed when printing is stopped or when maintenance is instructed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the main part relating to the control of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the above-described drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part related to the control of the PD printer according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 3000 denotes a control unit (control board). Reference numeral 3001 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI). Reference numeral 3002 denotes a DSP (digital signal processor) having an internal CPU, and various control processes to be described later and images such as conversion from a luminance signal (RGB) to a density signal (CMYK), scaling, gamma conversion, and error diffusion. I am in charge of processing. A memory 3003 has a program memory 3003a that stores a control program for the CPU of the DSP 3002, a RAM area that stores a program at the time of execution, and a memory area that functions as a work memory that stores image data and the like. Reference numeral 3004 denotes a printer engine. Here, a printer engine of an ink jet printer that prints a color image using a plurality of color inks is installed. Reference numeral 3005 denotes a USB connector as a port for connecting a digital camera (DSC) 3012. Reference numeral 3006 denotes a connector for connecting the viewer 1011. Reference numeral 3008 denotes a USB hub (USBHUB). When the PD printer 1000 performs printing based on image data from the PC 3010, the data from the PC 3010 is directly passed through and output to the printer engine 3004 via the USB 3021. As a result, the connected PC 3010 can directly perform printing by exchanging data and signals with the printer engine 3004 (functions as a general PC printer). Reference numeral 3009 denotes a power connector which inputs a DC voltage converted from commercial AC by a power source 3019. A PC 3010 is a general personal computer, 3011 is a memory card (PC card) described above, and 3012 is a mobile phone with camera (hereinafter, DSCP).

  Note that the exchange of signals between the control unit 3000 and the printer engine 3004 is performed via the USB 3021 or the IEEE 1284 bus 3022 described above.

<Overview of camera phone>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of DSCP 3012 according to the present embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 3100 denotes a CPU that controls the entire DSCP 3012, and reference numeral 3101 denotes a ROM that stores a processing procedure performed by the CPU 3100. Reference numeral 3102 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 3100. Reference numeral 3103 denotes a switch group for performing various operations, which includes a shutter, a mode change switch, a selection switch, a cursor key, and the like. Reference numeral 2700 denotes a liquid crystal display unit, which is used to display a video currently captured, an image captured and stored in a memory card, and a menu for performing various settings.

  A wireless unit 3120 includes a transmission / reception circuit for performing transmission / reception processing via the 3121 antenna. 3130BATT is a built-in power supply. Reference numeral 3105 denotes an optical unit mainly composed of a lens and its drive system. Reference numeral 3106 denotes a CCD element, and reference numeral 3107 denotes a driver that drives and controls the optical unit 3105 under the control of the CPU 3100. Reference numeral 3108 denotes a connector for connecting a storage medium 3109 (such as an SD card), and reference numeral 3110 denotes a USB interface (USB slave side) for connecting to a PC or the PD printer 1000 in the embodiment.

<Overview of direct printing>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a rough signal flow when printing is performed by issuing a print request from the DSCP 3012 to the PD printer 1000 in the printing system employing the PictBridge described above.

  This processing procedure is executed after the PD printer 1000 and the DSCP 3012 are connected via a USB cable, or after confirming that they comply with the PictBridge specification by performing wireless communication. First, the DSCP 3012 transmits “ConfigurePrintService” to the PD printer 1000 to check the state of the PD printer 1000 (600). In response to this, the PD printer 1000 is notified of the state of the PD printer 1000 at this point (here, “idle” state) (601). Here, since it is in the “idle” state, the DSCP 3012 inquires about the Capability of the PD printer 1000 (602) and issues a print start request (StartJob) corresponding to the Capability (603). This print start request is issued in 601 from the DSCP 3012 to the PD printer 1000 on condition that “newJobOK” in status information from the PD printer 1000 described later is “True”. The

  In response to this print start request, the PD printer 1000 requests file information from the DSCP 3012 based on the file ID of the image data instructed to be printed (GetFileInfo) (604). In response to this, the file information (FileInfo) is transmitted from the DSCP 3012. This file information includes information such as file capacity. If the PD printer 1000 receives the file information and determines that it can be processed, it requests the DSCP 3012 for the file information (GetFile) (605). As a result, the image data (ImageFile) of the requested file is sent from the DSCP 3012 to the PD printer 1000. As a result, when the PD printer 1000 starts print processing, status information indicating “Printing” is sent from the PD printer 1000 to the DSCP 3012 by “NotifyDeviceStatus” in 606. When the printing process for one page is completed, this is notified by the “NotifyJobStatus” 607 from the PD printer 1000 when the processing for the next page is started. If the printing of only one page is completed, when the printing of the requested one page is completed, the “NotifyDviceStatus” 608 notifies that the PD printer 1000 is in the “idle” state (NotifyDeviceStatus (Idle) ).

  For example, in the case of N-up printing in which a plurality of (N) images are laid out and printed on one page, “NotifyJobStatus” 607 is sent from the PD printer 1000 to the DSCP 3012 every time N images are printed. Will be. The issuance timing of “NotifyJobStatus” and “NotifyDeviceStatus” and the order of image data acquisition in this embodiment are examples, and various cases may occur depending on the product implementation.

<Operation of frame composition print processing>
FIG. 6 illustrates a case where communication is performed between the digital camera (DSCP) 3012 and the PD printer 1000 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and image data is supplied from the DSCP 3012 to the PD printer 1000 to perform frame composition printing. It is a figure explaining the process of. In the figure, steps S1 to S13 indicate processing in the DSCP 3012, and steps S21 to S38 indicate processing in the PD printer 1000.

  In step S1 and step S21, it is confirmed that the DSCP 3012 and the PD printer 1000 mutually comply with the DPS specification and support frame synthesis. In this state, the DSCP 3012 inquires of the PD printer 1000 about the printer state and device information. In response to this, the PD printer 1000 notifies the PD printer 1000 status and device information at that time. In this device information, for example, the version of the connection protocol, the printer vendor name, the model name, etc. are notified. Thus, in step S 2, the DSCP 3012 stores information necessary for the printer status and device information in the RAM 3102. This “information 1” includes information required later when the image file is converted by the DSCP 3012. Next, the DSCP 3012 requests the Capability of the PD printer 1000 as indicated by 602 in FIG.

  Accordingly, the PD printer 1000 creates capability information (Capability) related to the printing function of the PD printer 1000 and transmits it to the DSC 3012 in step S22. The DSCP 3012 receives this capability (step S3). In step S4, a UI is constructed based on this Capability and displayed on the display unit 2700. Here, for example, the paper sizes are A4 size and B5 size, the PD printer 1000 is loaded with plain paper and photographic paper, and 1-up, 2-up, 4-up layout printing is “no border”. Or, when “with border” is possible, and when the date can be printed, a UI screen is displayed on the display unit 2700 such that these items can be arbitrarily selected and other items cannot be selected.

  In step S5, the user of the DSCP 3012 refers to the constructed UI screen, selects images to be printed, and sets the print format of these images. The setting of the print format of the image is based on the Capability of the PD printer 1000 received in step S3, such as the number of prints, the paper size, the layout, the presence / absence of date printing, and the like.

  When the user issues an instruction to start printing using this UI, the process advances to step S6 to create a print job file for instructing the printing. In step S7, the created print job file is stored in the PD printer 1000. Send to. This print job file is received by the PD printer 1000 in step S23. In step S24, the PD printer 1000 analyzes the received print job file and prepares for printing. Then, an “image file information acquisition request” (image file name) to be printed described in the print job file is issued to the DSCP 3012.

  This “image file information acquisition request” corresponds to “GetObjectInfo” defined in the PTP in a service that operates on a PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) on USB such as PictBridge. However, the role of “image file information acquisition request” in this embodiment is to transmit the creation timing of an image file from the PD printer 1000 to the DSCP 3012. In the present embodiment, “image file information acquisition request” is used as one means for transmitting the creation timing. However, such means is not limited to this, and other dedicated commands or existing Communication commands may be used. This embodiment is characterized in that the timing of “image file creation for printing” is notified from the PD printer 1000 to the DSCP 3012.

  In step S8, when this “image file information acquisition request” is received by the DSCP 3012, the process proceeds to step S9 to create an image file for printing to be transmitted to the PD printer 1000, which is a feature of the present embodiment. Execute the process. Information about the created image file for printing (ObjectInfo Dataset: including image file name, data size, directory, date, etc.) is transmitted to the PD printer 1000 in step S9.

  Next, in step S25, when the PD printer 1000 receives the information of the image file for printing, the job file is analyzed in step S26 to determine whether it is normal printing, and the state is stored in the internal flag. Subsequently, in step S27, a print start process such as memory reservation is performed, and an image file reception waiting state is entered from the DSCP 3012. In DSCP 3102, the JPEG image file requested from the PD printer 1000 is transmitted in step S 10.

  The DSCP 3102 performs JPEG image reception processing in step S28, then determines enlargement and rotation directions in step S29, and performs decoding processing and enlargement processing of the received JPEG image in step S30. The enlargement process and the rotation process are obtained by calculation according to the relationship and direction between the size of the JPEG image and the paper size. When the JPEG image printing process is completed, the previously stored internal flag is determined, and in the case of frame composition printing, the process of receiving a PNG image file for composition into JPEG from step S31 to step S34 below. And the synthesis process.

  When the transmission of the JPEG image file is completed, the DSCP 3012 performs a process of transmitting a PNG image file serving as frame data in step S10. Since it is assumed that a plurality of PNG image files are transmitted and overlapped, it is determined whether all PNG images set in the UI in step S11 have been transmitted, and the PNG image file transmission process is repeated until completion. It is processed. As the plurality of PNG image files, for example, frame frames, one-point accent data, character string data, and the like can be considered in practical use.

  On the other hand, the PD printer 1000 in the PNG image file reception waiting state receives the PNG image file in step S31. Subsequently, PNG enlargement and rotation directions are determined in step S32, and based on the result, PNG enlargement and rotation processing is performed in step S33. Thereafter, a composition process with the JPEG image is performed (step S34). The PNG image file has a specification that allows an α value representing the transmittance to be stored for each pixel, but the synthesis process is generally performed by reflecting the transmittance by calculating the α value for the pixel value. Can be considered. As described above, since it is assumed that a plurality of PNG image files are received and combined, the processing from step S31 to step S34 is repeatedly performed on the received PNG image files, and the final processing is performed. As a result, the synthesized data is generated.

  When the synthesized data is created, a character string such as a date and other additional information are inserted in step S38. Details of the character string insertion processing in step S38 will be described later.

  When the RGB-based composition processing is completed, conversion to CMYK format for output to the printer, quantization processing is performed in step S35, and then transmitted to the printer engine in step S36, so that the loaded paper is Printing processing is performed. With the above processing flow, the frame composition printing process for the 1UP layout is completed. Needless to say, in the case of 2UP, 4UP, etc., the above processing is repeated for NUP.

  When the printing process is completed, the DSCP 3102 transmits print end notification information to the PD printer 1000 in step S36, and the frame composition printing process is completed. On the other hand, in step S12, the PD printer 1000 completes the frame composition printing process by receiving the print end notification information.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid the possibility of generating a print image with poor quality by combining the images with the PD printer 1000 without combining the images with the DSCP 3102. This is because DSCP generally has insufficient CPU power and memory capacity, so the image synthesized on the DSCP side has a poor resolution, and even if the result synthesized on the DSCP side is sent to a high-resolution printer, a high-quality print result is obtained. It is because it cannot be obtained.

<Conventional frame composition result: as an object of comparison with the present embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result of a frame composite image by a conventional frame composition method. Conventionally, since the date printing position is fixedly determined from the edge of the paper, the date is printed so as to overlap the frame, or when the frame frame has a complicated shape as shown in FIG. Dates are printed at the borders of the frames, and the result is that the visibility of date printing is impaired.

<Description of frame composition result and composition operation according to this embodiment>
FIG. 8 is an explanation relating to the present invention of frame synthesis in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8A shows the composition of an image and one frame. As shown in FIG. 8A, the frame is composed of a frame portion that hides the image and a transparent portion through which the lower image can be seen through.

  In a frame, when a specific color such as (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 0), which hardly appears in a natural image, is assigned to a transparent color, the portion designated by the transparent color is defined as the transparent portion. Can be considered.

となる。ここでH(x,y)は合成後の画像データ、F(x,y)はフレームデータ、G(x,y)は合成する画像データである。 In this case, the synthesized data is

It becomes. Here, H (x, y) is image data after synthesis, F (x, y) is frame data, and G (x, y) is image data to be synthesized.

Also, if the PNG file has an α value (parameter indicating transparency), the synthesized data is
H (x, y) = αF (x, y) + (1-α) G (x, y)
It is. Where H (x, y) is the combined image data, F (x, y) is the frame data, G (x, y) is the image data to be combined, α is the α value for each pixel (however, normalized by 1) It is).

  When a frame having an α value is divided into a transmissive portion and a frame portion, the α value can be binarized at a certain threshold level, and pixels below the threshold level can be regarded as the transmissive portion.

  Next, a case where a plurality of frames are combined will be described. If frame 1 and frame 2 have α values, assuming that the α values of the respective images are α1 and α2, respectively, after the frames are enlarged to a predetermined enlargement ratio, (α1 + α2) is binarized at a predetermined threshold level. Thus, pixels below the threshold level can be regarded as transmissive portions. Alternatively, a region where both α1 and α2 are below the threshold level can be regarded as a transmission portion.

  Further, when the frame 1 and the frame 2 have a transparent color, an area where both the frame 1 and the frame 2 are transparent color can be regarded as a transparent part. Further, when frame 1 has a transparent color and frame 2 has an α value, an area where frame 1 is a transparent color and the α value of frame 2 is below the threshold level is a transparent portion. Can be considered.

  In these cases, the part that is not the transmission part is regarded as the frame part. With these processes, even a complex frame can be divided into two attributes, a frame portion and a transparent portion, and the date insertion position can be determined by searching for the transparent portion.

  Next, the transparent part is searched for a place where a date character can be inserted. In general, date characters are often arranged at the lower right, but the date insertion position may change depending on the rotation of the image and the type of frame. As a search method, a known algorithm can be used.

  Here, the date character to be inserted is the date information received in step S25, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, data such as shooting date and time embedded in a JPEG file may be read and inserted here. Further, date information embedded in the received PNG data or the storage date and time of the PNG file may be used.

  However, in frame composition printing, since a plurality of files are combined and printed on a single image, one of these dates must be selected. When one JPEG image and at least one PNG image are designated, date information attached to the JPEG image is preferentially selected.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method for determining the date position when the frame has a transparent color in the date insertion in step S38 of the operation flowchart of FIG.

  9A shows a frame to be synthesized, FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a transparent portion of the frame to be synthesized in white and a frame portion in black, and FIG. 9C is a character for the synthesized frame. It is a figure which shows having determined the frame position.

  In FIG. 9A, frame 1 and frame 2 are combined, and the combined frame is divided into a transparent part and a frame part, so that even when two frames are specified, the date is displayed at an appropriate place. Can be printed.

FIGS. 10A to 10C show another example of frame synthesis in the first embodiment. Since the transparent area of the frame is divided into two areas and the transparent portion is relatively narrow, if the character frame is set as the transparent portion, the date of the right person's face will be dated. In such a case, the date printing position of the frame can be specified by setting the place where the date is to be inserted in advance as a transparent color.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure for determining a text frame for printing a date when combining an image and a frame, and shows details of the date insertion processing shown in step S38 described above.

  In step S101, the designated frame is divided into a transparent part and a frame part.

  Subsequently, in step S102, a transparent portion of the frame is searched to search for an area in which a predetermined text frame can be accommodated. A method is conceivable in which the lowest right coordinate where the text frame fits in the transparent portion is searched.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not there is a portion in which the date can be inserted in the transparent portion obtained by the search. That is, it is determined whether there is an area large enough to insert date information in the transparent part. If an appropriate transparent area is not found, it is determined that there is no text frame insertable position. If an insertable position is found, the process proceeds to step S104. If not, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S104, it is determined whether the searched area matches the layout condition of the text frame. With respect to this arrangement condition, an arrangement area is determined in advance. For example, there may be a condition that the start coordinates of the text frame are more than 50% of the short side from the center of the image. This is to avoid overlapping the main subject of the image if the text frame is placed too centrally. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step S105, and if not, the process proceeds to step S106.

  Of these conditions, possible ones may be taken into step S102 in advance, and the search range of the transmission part of the frame in step S102 may be narrowed. By doing so, an effect of shortening the time required for searching is also born.

  In step S105, a text frame is arranged in the area (transparent portion) searched in step S102.

  In step S106, a text frame is arranged at a predetermined portion on the frame. When this arrangement is determined, an operation may be performed in which the color of the frame and the color of the date information are compared to find a position where the contrast is easy to see. Further, when there is no contrast on the frame and there is no easy-to-see place on the frame, the color of the date information may be changed.

  In the first embodiment, the case where two frames are combined has been described, but it goes without saying that the expansion is also possible when a plurality of arbitrary frames are combined.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when at least one frame and a shooting date are combined with an image, the frame and the shooting date do not overlap, and shooting with good visibility is performed. The date can be printed.

  In addition, since the inside of the frame is searched by a relatively simple method such as the transmission color and α value of the frame, high-speed processing can be performed without considering relatively complicated conditions such as the composition and color of the image.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when a plurality of images and shooting dates are combined, a print result in which a plurality of image data is classified into a main image and a frame image and the date of the main image is inserted. Can be obtained.

B. Second Embodiment Next, a case where a JPEG file is transmitted as a frame will be described as a second embodiment. In addition, about 2nd Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part (apparatus structure and operation | movement) similar to 1st Embodiment, and it demonstrates in detail only about a different part.

  In the second embodiment, a JPEG file can be used instead of the PNG file used as a frame in the first embodiment.

  Since a JPEG file generally does not have a different α value for each pixel like a PNG file, a frame is synthesized using a specific transparent designated color.

  In addition, for date information when a plurality of JPEG images are sent continuously, the shooting date and time of the one sent first is selected.

  Further, since all the image files that are sent become JPEG images, the main image, frame image 1, frame image 2,... Can be realized.

C. Other Embodiments In the present invention, the shooting date has been described as additional information to be synthesized. However, the present invention is not limited to this because of the nature of the invention. For example, the title of the image, the name of the subject, some comment on the image, etc. Of course, it may be.

  In the above embodiment, the frame synthesizing apparatus is described as a printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image processing apparatus as a relay apparatus that relays between the printer and an image output apparatus (digital camera, etc.) is used. A synthesis process may be performed. In this case, image data is output to the print unit (printing unit) after performing the above-described image composition processing. As described above, the image processing apparatus and its control method that implement the above-described embodiments can also be applied to an external apparatus that communicates with a printer and its control method.

  In the present invention, a storage medium in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the embodiments is recorded is provided to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It is also achieved by reading and executing the program code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM Etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code Includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU of the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

In addition, by distributing the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments via a network, the program code is stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk or memory of a system or apparatus or a storage medium such as a CD-RW or CD-R. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) stored in the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage means or the storage medium.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a PD printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a general-view figure of the operation panel of PD printer concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of PD printer which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of DSCP which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a rough signal flow when printing is performed by issuing a print request from a DSCP to a PD printer in the printing system according to the present embodiment. Flowchart for explaining processing when communication is performed between a camera-equipped cellular phone (DSCP) and a PD printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and image data is supplied from the DSCP to the PD printer for printing. It is. It is a figure explaining the conventional form which synthesize | combines an image, a frame, and date information. It is a figure explaining the flame | frame and date composition of the printer concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an image synthesis at the time of using the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the additional information (date) printing position determination method concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the additional information (date) printing position determination operation | movement concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Claims (15)

A printing system having an image supply device and a printing apparatus, and printing an image by the printing apparatus based on image data supplied from the image supply device,
A combining position determining means for determining a combining position of additional information to be combined with the image data in relation to the image data supplied from the image supplying device based on characteristics of the supplied frame image;
Image generating means for adding the additional information to the composite position determined by the composite position determining means, and forming a composite image of the supplied image data, the frame image, and the additional information;
A printing system comprising:   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the composite position determination unit searches a transparent area having a specific transparent designated color in the frame image and determines a composite position of the additional information.   2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the combination position determination unit searches a transmission area of the frame image using a parameter indicating the transparency of the frame image and determines a combination position of the additional information. system.   The synthesis position determining means searches for a plurality of transmission areas in the plurality of frame images using parameters indicating a plurality of transparency of the plurality of selected frame images, and determines a synthesis position of the additional information. The printing system according to claim 1. A printing apparatus that prints an image based on image data supplied from an image supply device,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data supplied from the image supply device and a frame image combined with the image data;
A synthesis position determining means for determining a synthesis position of additional information related to the image data based on the characteristics of the frame image;
Image generating means for adding the additional information to the composite position determined by the composite position determining means and forming a composite image of the image data, the frame image, and additional information related to the image data;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the combination position determination unit searches a transmission region having a specific transmission designation color in the frame image and determines a combination position of the additional information. 6. The printing according to claim 5, wherein the composite position determining unit searches a transparent area of the frame image using a parameter indicating the transparency of the frame image and determines a composite position of the additional information. apparatus. The synthesis position determining means searches for a plurality of transmission areas in the plurality of frame images using parameters indicating a plurality of transparency of the plurality of selected frame images, and determines a synthesis position of the additional information. The printing apparatus according to claim 5 . The combining position determining means determines whether the searched transparent area is an area suitable for combining the additional information, and determines that the position other than the transparent area is the position of the additional information when it is determined that the additional area is not suitable. printing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein determining the combined position. A printing method for printing an image based on image data supplied from an image supply device,
An image data acquisition step of acquiring the frame images to be combined with the image data and the image data supplied from the image supply device,
A combining position determining step for determining a combining position of additional information related to the image data based on the characteristics of the frame image;
An image generating step of adding the additional information to the combining position determined in the combining position determining step and forming a combined image of the image data, the frame image, and additional information related to the image data;
A printing method comprising: The printing method according to claim 10, wherein the combining position determining step searches for a transparent area having a specific transparent designated color in the frame image and determines a combining position of the additional information. 11. The printing according to claim 10, wherein the combining position determining step searches for a transparent area of the frame image using a parameter indicating the transparency of the frame image and determines a combining position of the additional information. Method. The combining position determining step searches for a plurality of transmission areas in the plurality of frame images using parameters indicating a plurality of transmittances of the selected plurality of frame images, and determines a combining position of the additional information. The printing method according to claim 10 . The combining position determining step determines whether the searched transparent area is an area suitable for combining the additional information. If it is determined that the additional area is not suitable, a position other than the transparent area is determined as the position of the additional information. the printing method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the determining the synthesis position. An image processing apparatus that outputs an image to a printing unit based on image data supplied from an image supply device,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data supplied from the image supply device and a frame image combined with the image data;
A synthesis position determining means for determining a synthesis position of additional information related to the image data based on the characteristics of the frame image;
Image generating means for adding the additional information to the composite position determined by the composite position determining means and forming a composite image of the image data, the frame image, and additional information related to the image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising:

Images