JP4407526B2 - Image information storage device and image information communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image information storage device and an image information communication system.

  Digital cameras do not require film or development, and can be confirmed on the spot.

  However, the number of images that can be held by a digital camera has certain limitations due to memory limitations. For this reason, when a user takes a certain number of images with a digital camera, the user needs to transfer the image file to an image information storage device such as a photo storage or a computer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-247431 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for wirelessly transferring an image file from a digital camera to an image information storage device. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-246115 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses a technique for performing printing by transferring an image file from a digital camera to a printer wirelessly.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-247431 JP 2003-246115 A

  In the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is necessary to mount both a user interface and a wireless connection function in a digital camera. That is, as a user interface of the digital camera, it is necessary to create both a screen for transferring the image file to the image information storage device and a screen for printing the image file by the printer.

  Moreover, if the wireless standard between the digital camera and the image information storage device is different from the wireless standard between the digital camera and the printer, the digital camera requires hardware and software that support both. This increases the circuit scale and the program capacity. As a result, there arises a problem that the weight and volume of the digital camera increase and the manufacturing cost increases.

  Such a problem is not limited to wireless communication, and may occur in the same manner even when a digital camera and a printer and a digital camera and an image information storage device are connected by wire.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and avoids an increase in circuit scale and program capacity of an image information acquisition device such as a digital camera, and an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device. It aims at realizing communication between.

In order to solve the above problems, an image information storage device according to the present invention provides:
A first connection establishment unit that behaves as a printer and establishes a connection with the image information acquisition apparatus;
Image information receiving means for receiving image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a print sequence;
First storage means for storing image information received by the image information receiving means in an image information storage unit;
It is characterized by providing.

In this case, the image information storage device
A number-of-prints-acquisition acquisition unit that receives a setting of the number of prints of image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a print sequence;
A folder determining unit for determining a folder in the image information storage unit in which the image information received by the image information receiving unit is to be stored based on the number of printed sheets acquired by the printed number acquiring unit;
And further comprising
The first storage unit may store the image information received by the image information receiving unit in a folder in the image information storage unit determined by the folder determining unit.

Alternatively, the image information storage device
Print mode acquisition means for receiving and acquiring a print mode setting of image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a print sequence;
A folder determination unit for determining a folder in the image information storage unit in which the image information received by the image information reception unit is to be stored based on the setting of the print mode acquired by the print mode acquisition unit;
And further comprising
The first storage unit may store the image information received by the image information receiving unit in a folder in the image information storage unit determined by the folder determining unit.

  In this case, the folder determination unit should store the image information received by the image information reception unit based on the setting of the presence / absence of a border and / or the presence / absence of a date in the print mode. A folder in the image information storage unit may be determined.

  Alternatively, the folder determining unit determines a folder in the image information storage unit in which the image information received by the image information receiving unit is to be stored based on the designation of the type of paper to be printed in the print mode. May be.

The image information storage device
A print instruction file receiving means for receiving a print instruction file including information related to a print setting instruction from the connected image information acquisition device;
A second storage means for storing the print instruction file received by the print instruction file receiving means in a print instruction file storage unit;
May be further provided.

In this case, the image information storage device
A second connection establishment means for acting as a digital camera and establishing a connection with a printer;
A print instruction file acquisition means for acquiring a print instruction file from the print instruction file recording unit;
An image information transmission unit that transmits image information for printing stored in the image information storage unit to a connected printer using a print sequence based on the print instruction file acquired by the print instruction file acquisition unit. When,
May be further provided.

  The print instruction file may be a DPOF file.

  The image information for printing received by the image information receiving unit may be in a file format.

  Further, the image information acquisition device and the image information storage device may be connected wirelessly.

An image information storage device control method according to the present invention includes:
Acting as a printer to establish a connection with the image information acquisition device;
Receiving image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a printing sequence;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit;
It is characterized by providing.

The program according to the present invention is:
Acting as a printer to establish a connection with the image information acquisition device;
Receiving image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a printing sequence;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit;
Is executed by the image information storage device.

The recording medium according to the present invention is
Acting as a printer to establish a connection with the image information acquisition device;
Receiving image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a printing sequence;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit;
Is recorded on the image information storage device.

An image information communication system according to the present invention includes:
An image information communication system having an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device connected to the image information acquisition device,
The image information acquisition device includes:
Image information acquisition means for acquiring image information;
First connection establishing means for establishing a connection with the image information storage device acting as a printer;
A transmission unit that transmits the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit as image information for printing to the connected image information storage device using a print sequence;
With
The image information storage device includes:
A second connection establishment means that behaves as a printer and establishes a connection with the image information acquisition device;
Image information receiving means for receiving, using a print sequence, image information for printing transmitted from the connected image information acquisition device;
Storage means for storing image information received by the image information receiving means in an image information storage unit;
It is characterized by providing.

The control method of the image information communication system according to the present invention includes:
A control method for an image information communication system, comprising an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device connected to the image information acquisition device,
In the image information acquisition device, acquiring image information;
Establishing a connection between the image information acquisition device and the image information storage device acting as a printer;
Transmitting the acquired image information as image information for printing from the image information acquisition device to the image information storage device using a print sequence;
Receiving the image information for printing transmitted from the image information acquisition device using the print sequence in the image information storage device;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit of the image information storage device;
It is characterized by providing.

The program according to the present invention is:
A program for controlling an image information communication system having an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device connected to the image information acquisition device,
In the image information acquisition device, acquiring image information;
Establishing a connection between the image information acquisition device and the image information storage device acting as a printer;
Transmitting the acquired image information as image information for printing from the image information acquisition device to the image information storage device using a print sequence;
Receiving the image information for printing transmitted from the image information acquisition device using the print sequence in the image information storage device;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit of the image information storage device;
Is executed by the image information communication system.

The recording medium according to the present invention is
A recording medium having an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device connected to the image information acquisition device, on which a program for controlling an image information communication system is recorded,
In the image information acquisition device, acquiring image information;
Establishing a connection between the image information acquisition device and the image information storage device acting as a printer;
Transmitting the acquired image information as image information for printing from the image information acquisition device to the image information storage device using a print sequence;
Receiving the image information for printing transmitted from the image information acquisition device using the print sequence in the image information storage device;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit of the image information storage device;
Is recorded in the image information communication system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image information communication system according to the present embodiment, an internal configuration of a digital camera 10 that configures the image information communication system, and an internal configuration of an image information storage device 20. It is.

  The digital camera 10 is an example of an image information acquisition device in the present embodiment. This image acquisition apparatus can also be constituted by a digital video camera other than a digital camera, an information portable terminal, a cellular phone, or the like. Further, the image information storage device 20 can be configured from a photo storage, a computer, or the like. Here, it is assumed that the image information storage device 20 is configured by a small portable photo storage.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 includes an optical system 30 for capturing an image to generate an optical signal, a photoelectric conversion unit 32 that converts the captured optical signal into an electrical signal, and an electrical signal of the image. And an image processing unit 34 having a function of converting the image information into image information which is digital image data. Further, the digital camera 10 includes an image storage unit 36 including a memory card that stores image information as an image file, and an image storage control unit 38 that controls writing and reading of the image file to and from the image storage unit 36. Yes.

  In particular, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes at least two SD card slots. In the present embodiment, the above-described image storage unit 36 is configured by inserting a memory card into one SD card slot. However, the image storage unit 36 may be configured by a built-in image memory of the digital camera 10.

  The digital camera 10 also includes a user interface 40 that can be operated by the user, and an image display unit 42 that displays captured images and recorded images. In the present embodiment, the image display unit 42 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and displays an instruction screen, a menu screen, and the like necessary when the user operates the digital camera 10.

  The digital camera 10 further includes a communication control unit 44 that controls a wireless communication protocol such as 802.11g, and a communication interface 46 that performs baseband signal processing and high-frequency signal processing for wireless communication. As described above, in this embodiment, since the digital camera 10 includes at least two SD memory card slots, a wireless LAN is installed in an SD memory card slot different from the SD card slot into which the memory card is inserted. The above-described communication control unit 44 and communication interface 46 are configured by inserting a corresponding SD I / O card. Note that this wireless standard is not limited to the wireless LAN, and for example, the Bluetooth standard can be used.

  Furthermore, the digital camera 10 includes a device control unit 48 that controls the entire digital camera 10. In the present embodiment, the above-described image processing unit 34, image storage control unit 38, user interface 40, image display unit 42, communication control unit 44, and device control unit 48 are connected to each other via an internal bus. The device control unit 48 performs overall control of these units.

  On the other hand, the image information storage device 20 connected to the digital camera 10 also has a communication control unit 50 for controlling a wireless communication protocol such as 802.11g, and baseband signal processing or high-frequency signal processing for wireless communication. And a communication interface 52. In the present embodiment, similar to the digital camera 10, the image information storage device 20 also includes at least two SD memory card slots and is compatible with the SD I / O standard. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the communication control unit 50 and the communication interface 52 described above are configured by inserting a wireless LAN compatible SD I / O card into one SD memory card slot.

  Furthermore, the image information storage device 20 includes an image storage unit 54 in which an image file transmitted from the digital camera 10 is stored. In the present embodiment, the image storage unit 54 is configured by a hard disk drive that is a typical example of a mass storage device.

  The image information storage device 20 includes an external storage device 56 such as a memory card that stores the image file read from the image storage unit 54 and an external device that controls writing and reading of the image file to and from the external storage device 56. And a storage control unit 58. In the present embodiment, the external storage device 56 is configured by inserting a memory card into an SD card slot different from the SD card slot into which the wireless LAN compatible SD I / O card is inserted. Therefore, the user can store the image file recorded on the memory card in the image storage unit 54.

  The image information storage device 20 includes a user interface 60 that can be operated by the user, and an image display unit 62 that displays images stored in the image recording unit 54 and the external storage device 56. In the present embodiment, the image display unit 62 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and displays an instruction screen, a menu screen, and the like necessary when the user operates the image information storage device 20.

  Further, the image information storage device 20 includes a device control unit 64 that controls the entire image information storage device 20. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 50, the image storage unit 54, the external storage control unit 58, the user interface 60, the image display unit 62, and the device control unit 64 described above are connected to each other via an internal bus. The device control unit 64 performs overall control of these units.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 and the image information storage device 20 are connected by wireless communication, but may be connected by wired communication.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the direct printing process executed by the digital camera 10. This direct printing process is a process executed by the device control unit 48. The direct printing process is started when the user instructs the digital camera 10 to perform direct printing. In normal use, a printer is connected to the digital camera 10 and printing is performed without using a computer. In this embodiment, this processing is used for image file transfer.

  First, in this direct printing process, the digital camera 10 displays a list of connectable printers on the image display unit 42 (step S10). Specifically, the currently connectable printer is investigated and detected via the communication control unit 44 and the communication interface 46. Then, the image display unit 42 displays a list of connectable printers as a printer list screen W10 as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

  Next, the digital camera 10 causes the user to select a printer for printing (step S12). Specifically, the user is allowed to select one printer from the printers displayed on the printer list screen W10 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, “printer 1” and “printer 3” are normal printers, but “printer 2” is an image information storage device 20 that behaves like a printer. Here, it is assumed that the user has selected “printer 2”.

  Next, the digital camera 10 causes the user to select an image to be printed (step S14). Specifically, the digital camera 10 displays the image selection screen W20 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 on the image display unit 42. As shown in FIG. 4, when the user selects “print this screen”, the displayed image is selected at this time. As shown in FIG. 5, when the user selects “print all images”, all images stored in the folder are selected. As shown in FIG. 6, when the user selects “select and print”, the user selects an arbitrary image from the image list displayed thereafter. As shown in FIG. 7, when the user selects “album print”, it means that all the images stored in the folder are selected to be album printed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 causes the user to set the number of prints (step S16). Specifically, the digital camera 10 displays a print number setting screen W30 as shown in FIG. Then, the user sets the number of prints using this print number setting screen W30. This number of prints can be set individually for all images selected for printing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 allows the user to set a print mode (step S18). Specifically, the digital camera 10 displays a print mode setting screen W40 as shown in FIG. Using this print mode setting screen W40, the user sets the type of print paper, the presence / absence of a border, the presence / absence of a date, the image quality, and the like.

  This print mode can also be set individually for all images selected for printing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 generates a print instruction file based on the user settings so far (step S20). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the print instruction file generated in step S20. In the example of FIG. 10, the print instruction file is described in a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) format, and includes information on various print setting instructions.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 executes a printing sequence (step S22). As described above, it is assumed here that the print instruction file is in the DPOF format. In this DPOF format printing sequence, the digital camera 10 requests the printer (here, the image information storage device 20) to establish a link, and notifies that DPOF printing has been performed after the link is established. To do. In this notification, the file name and path of the print instruction file are also notified. In response to this, the image information storage device 20 requests the digital camera 10 to acquire a print instruction file. Upon receiving this request, the digital camera 10 transmits a print instruction file to the image information storage device 20.

  Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, the image information storage device 20 that has received the print instruction file analyzes the print instruction file and requests the digital camera 10 for a necessary image file. Upon receiving this request, the digital camera 10 transmits the image file to the image information storage device 20. These requests and transmissions are repeated until the image information storage device 20 acquires all the image files described in the print instruction file. In this print sequence, the image information storage device 20 according to the present embodiment behaves as if it is a printer. For this reason, the digital camera 10 merely executes a print sequence for a normal printer.

  When the transmission of all the image files is completed, this direct printing process ends.

  Next, the image file storage process executed in the image information storage device 20 in correspondence with the execution of the printing sequence in step S22 will be described in detail.

  The image file saving process executed by the image information storage device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This image file saving process is a process that is started when a connection establishment is requested from the digital camera 10 in the printing sequence in step S22 described above. The image file storage process is a process executed by the device control unit 64.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image information storage device 20 behaves as a printer and establishes a link with the digital camera 10 (step S28). In the present embodiment, when this link is established, the image information storage device 20 is notified that DPOF printing is being performed.

  Next, the image information storage device 20 requests the digital camera 10 to transmit a print instruction file and acquires it (step S30). Subsequently, the image information storage device 20 analyzes the print instruction file, requests the digital camera 10 to transmit an image file to be stored, and acquires it (step S32). Next, the image information storage device 20 stores the acquired image file in the image storage unit 54 (step S34).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the directory configuration of the image storage unit 54 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, “favorite”, “album 1”, “album 2”, and “transfer image” are provided as holders under the root. In step 34, all acquired image files are stored under “transfer images”.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the image information storage device 20 analyzes the print instruction file and determines whether all the image files to be stored still remain (step S36). If there are still image files to be saved (step S36: YES), the above-described steps S32 and after are repeated. The processing from step S32 to step S36 appears to the digital camera 10 as if the printer is executing a printing sequence.

  On the other hand, if there are no image files to be stored (step S36: NO), all the image files have been acquired and stored, so the image information storage device 20 stores the image in the print instruction file. The path of the image file is changed (step S38). For example, in the example of FIG. 10, for example, “IMG SRC =“ ../ DCIM / 101EPSON / EPSN0001.JPG ”” is specified as the path of the image file, but this is designated as “IMG SRC =“ EPSN0001.JPG ”. "

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the print instruction file whose path has been changed in step S38 is saved (step S40). In this embodiment, this print instruction file is also stored in the folder “transfer image”. Thereby, the image file storing process according to the present embodiment is completed.

  Next, an image file printing process executed when printing an image file stored in the image information storage device 20 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the image file printing process executed by the image information storage device 20 according to the present embodiment. This image file printing process is a process started when the user instructs the image information storage device 20 to print an image file stored under the folder “transfer image” via the user interface 60. . The image file printing process is a process executed by the device control unit 64.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the image information storage device 20 first behaves as a digital camera and establishes a connection with a printer (step S50). FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining a connection relationship between the image information storage device 20 and the printer 70. As shown in FIG. 14, the printer 70 includes a communication interface 72 and a printer main body 74. Therefore, a connection between the image information storage device 20 and the printer 70 is established between the communication interface 52 of the image information storage device 20 and the communication interface 72 of the printer 70. In the example of FIG. 14, the image information storage device 20 and the printer 70 are connected wirelessly, but may be connected by wire.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the image information storage device 20 acquires a print instruction file from the image storage unit 54 (step S <b> 52). Specifically, since the print instruction file is stored under the folder “transfer image” as described above, the image information storage device 20 reads it.

  Next, the image information storage device 20 executes a printing sequence (step S54). In the present embodiment, printing is executed in accordance with the DPOF printing printing sequence as in step S22 described above. With this print sequence, the image file is received by the printer main body 74 via the communication interface 72 of the printer 70, and printing is executed. Further, during execution of this print sequence, the image information storage device 20 behaves as a digital camera. Therefore, when viewed from the printer 70, it appears that the image file is transmitted from the digital camera according to the normal printing sequence. When this step S54 ends, the image file printing process according to the present embodiment ends.

  As described above, according to the image information communication system according to the present embodiment, the image information storage device 20 behaves like a printer and transfers an image file from the digital camera 10 to the image information storage device 20. Therefore, it is not necessary to incorporate hardware or software dedicated to image file transfer into the digital camera 10. For this reason, the development man-hour of the digital camera 10 can be reduced, and the weight and volume of the digital camera 10 can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, since the image file is transferred from the digital camera 10 to the image information storage device 20 by wireless communication, the image storage unit 36 that is an area for storing the image file in the digital camera 10 is full. Even if the image information storage device 20 is within the range where wireless communication is possible, the user can easily transfer the image file. For this reason, after the image file is transferred, the image file stored in the image storage unit 36 can be deleted, and photographing with the digital camera 10 can be continued.

  Further, the image information storage device 20 stores the print instruction file transmitted from the digital camera 10 so that printing can be executed later based on the print instruction file. The file can be printed easily.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, all the image files transferred from the digital camera 10 to the image information storage device 20 are stored under the folder “transfer image”. However, in the second embodiment, the user The folder in which the transferred image file is stored is changed according to the set number of prints. That is, the user can designate the folder in which the transferred image file is stored by designating the number of prints. Hereinafter, only different parts from the above-described first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory configuration in the image storage unit 54 of the image information storage device 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, folders “1”, “2”, “3” and a folder “print instruction file” are formed under the folder “transfer image”. Folders “1”, “2”, and “3” respectively correspond to the number of prints designated at the time of image file transfer. For example, if the number of prints is set to 2 at the time of image file transfer, it means that the image file is stored in the folder “2”. The folder “print instruction file” stores the print instruction file transmitted at the time of image file transfer.

  The direct printing process according to the present embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment described above. However, in the setting of the number of printed sheets in step S16, as described above, the user designates the folder to be stored by setting the number of printed sheets.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining the contents of the image file saving process according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the processes up to step S32 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. In step S100 following step S32, the image information storage device 20 acquires the number of prints of the image file acquired in step S32 (step S100). For example, in the print instruction file illustrated in FIG. 10, since the number of prints of the first image file is designated as “PRT QTY = 001”, the number of prints = 1 is acquired. As described in the first embodiment, the user can set the number of prints for each image file. Therefore, the user needs to acquire the number of prints for each image file.

  Next, the image information storage device 20 determines whether or not a folder corresponding to the number of prints acquired in step S100 exists in the image storage unit 54 (step S102). If there is no corresponding folder (step S102: NO), a folder corresponding to the number of prints is created (step S104).

  After step S104 or when it is determined in step S102 that the corresponding folder exists (step S102: YES), the image file acquired in step S32 is stored in the folder corresponding to the designated number of prints. (Step S106). In the above example, since the number of printed sheets is 1, the image file is stored in the folder “1”.

  Thereafter, the processing in step S36, step S38, and step S40 is the same as that in the first embodiment described above. However, when the path of the image file in the image instruction file is changed in step S38, it is stored for each image file. The folder is different, so change the path accordingly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, before saving the print instruction file in step S40, the number of prints of each image file in the print instruction file is changed (step S108). That is, in the present embodiment, the number of prints in the print instruction file transmitted from the digital camera 10 is not the number that the user desires to print. Therefore, the image information storage device 20 changes all the number of prints of each image file in the print instruction file to 1. The changed print instruction file is stored in the folder “print instruction file” (step S40).

  Note that the number of prints to be changed is arbitrary, such as two or three, and may be set in advance in the image information storage device 20 by the user. Alternatively, the processing in step S108 may be omitted. In that case, the folder in which the image file is stored is determined by the actual number of printed sheets.

  As described above, according to the image information communication system according to the present embodiment, the user can designate the folder in which the transferred image file is stored by designating the number of prints. For this reason, it is easy to organize the image files in the image information storage device 20, and the convenience for the user is improved.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, all the image files transferred from the digital camera 10 to the image information storage device 20 are stored under the folder “transfer image”. However, in the third embodiment, the user The folder in which the transferred image file is stored is changed according to the set print mode. That is, the user can designate the holder in which the transferred image file is stored by setting “with / without border” and “with / without date”. Hereinafter, only different parts from the above-described first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory configuration in the image storage unit 54 of the image information storage device 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, folders “favorite”, “album 1”, “album 2”, “album 3”, and “print instruction file” are formed under the root. Yes. The folders “favorite”, “album 1”, “album 2”, and “album 3” respectively correspond to the print modes designated at the time of image file transfer. For example, if “No Border / No Date” is selected during image file transfer, the image file is stored in the folder “Favorites”, and if “No Border / With Date” is selected. The image file is stored in the folder “album 1”, and if “with border / without date” is selected, the image file is stored in the folder “album 2”. If “/ with date” is selected, the image file is stored in the folder “Album 3”. The folder “print instruction file” stores the print instruction file transmitted at the time of image file transfer. As described in the first embodiment, the presence / absence of a border and the presence / absence of a date can be specified for each image file.

  Using the print instruction file based on the DPOF standard shown in FIG. 10, examples of commands with / without borders and with / without dates will be described. In the DPOF standard, a command with / without a border is not defined. For this reason, it is necessary to specify separately as a vendor unique command.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the presence / absence of a border is defined by the command “CFG BORDER = FREE”. If this command is described, borderless printing is executed. If this command is not described, bordered printing is executed.

  In the DPOF standard, a vendor-unique command must be described between “VUQ RGN = BGN” that indicates the beginning of the vendor-unique command and “VUQ RGN = END” that indicates the end of the vendor-unique command. It is a rule that must be done. In addition, a vendor-specific command must be preceded by a command that specifies the vendor name and processing contents. For this reason, in this embodiment, a command “VUQ VNM =“ EPSON ”-ATR“ Border Control ”” is described.

  Therefore, in the example of the print instruction file in FIG. 10, the first image file (PRT PID = 001) and the second image file (PRT PID = 002) are designated for borderless printing. The third image file (PRT PID = 003) and the fourth image file (PRT PID = 004) are designated for bordered printing.

  On the other hand, commands with / without dates are defined in the DPOF standard. For example, “CFG DSC =“ 2004.12.10 ”-ATR DTM” in the second image file is designated to print the date “2004.12.10”. “CFG DSC =“ 2004.12.11 ”-ATR DTM” is designated to print the date “2004.12.11”. Conversely, the first image file and the third image file without this command are specified not to print the date.

  As can be seen from the above, in the print instruction file of FIG. 10, the first image file is set to “Borderless / No date”, and the second image file is “Borderless”. / Date is set, the third image file is set to “Bordered / No date”, and the fourth image file is set to “Bordered / Dated”. It has become.

  The direct printing process executed by the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment described above. However, in the print mode setting in step S18, a print mode setting screen W200 as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the image display unit 42 of the digital camera 10.

  When this print mode setting screen W200 is displayed, the user can select “No border / No date”, “No border / Date”, “No border / No date”, and “No border” via the user interface 40. Select one from "/ Date". By this selection, the folder in which the transferred image file is stored designates “favorite”, “album 1”, “album 2”, or “album 3”, respectively.

  It should be noted that the paper type such as the L plate / photo paper, the image quality, etc. may be set on a screen different from the print mode setting screen W200. Further, the dedicated print mode setting screen W200 as shown in FIG. 18 is not necessarily provided. In this case, for example, a normal print mode setting screen W40 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. The settings for the presence / absence of a border and the presence / absence of a date in the print mode setting screen W40 are transferred. Since the folder in which the image file is stored is set, it is necessary for the user to grasp this correspondence in advance.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the image file saving process according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the processes up to step S32 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. In step S200 subsequent to step S32, the image information storage device 20 acquires the print mode setting of the image file acquired in step S32 (step S200). That is, the print instruction file acquired in step S30 is analyzed, and the print mode setting of the image file acquired in step S32 is acquired. As described above, since the user can set the print mode for each image file, it is necessary to acquire the print mode setting for each image file.

  Next, the image information storage device 20 stores the image file acquired in step S32 in a folder corresponding to the designated print mode (step S202). In the present embodiment, as described above, if “No Border / No Date” is selected, the image file is saved in the folder “Favorites”, and if “No Border / With Date” is selected, the image is saved. If the file is saved in the folder “Album 1” and “With Border / No Date” is selected, the image file is saved in the folder “Album 2”, and “With Border / With Date” is selected. The image file is saved in the folder “Album 3”.

  Thereafter, the processing in step S36, step S38, and step S40 is the same as that in the first embodiment described above. However, when the path of the image file in the image instruction file is changed in step S38, it is stored for each image file. The folder is different, so change the path accordingly.

  In this embodiment, the print mode setting of each image file in the print instruction file is changed (step S204) before the print instruction file is saved in step S40. That is, in the present embodiment, of the print mode settings in the print instruction file transmitted from the digital camera 10, the presence / absence of a border and the presence / absence of a date match the user's desire. is not. For this reason, the image information storage device 20 changes these settings in the print instruction file to default. Here, the default can be arbitrarily determined in advance by the user. That is, the setting of the print mode of each image file in the print instruction file is changed based on the presence / absence of a border and the presence / absence of a date specified by the user. Then, the changed print instruction file is stored in the folder “print instruction file”.

  Note that the processing in step S204 may be omitted. In this case, the folder in which the image file is stored is determined by the actual print mode setting.

  As described above, according to the image information communication system according to the present embodiment, the user can specify the folder in which the transferred image file is stored by specifying the print mode. For this reason, it is easy to organize the image files in the image information storage device 20, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In this embodiment, the folder in which the transferred image file is stored is designated based on the presence / absence of the border and the presence / absence of the date in the print mode settings. Of these, a holder to be stored may be specified using other settings. For example, a folder for storing image files may be designated based on designation of the type of paper to be printed.

  In this embodiment, the folder in which the transferred image file is stored is specified based on both the presence / absence of the border and the presence / absence of the date. Based on this, the folder to be stored may be specified, or the folder to be stored may be specified based only on the presence / absence of a date.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the setting of the number of prints and the print mode is transmitted from the digital camera 10 to the image information storage device 20 using the print instruction file. There is no need to send print mode settings. For example, the setting of the number of prints and the print mode may be transmitted from the digital camera 10 to the image information storage device 20 as single information in the print sequence.

  Further, the direct printing process executed by the device control unit 48 of the digital camera 10 in each of the above-described embodiments can be realized in hardware or can be realized in software. When the direct printing process is realized by hardware, the device control unit 48 may be configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC) or the like. When the direct printing process is realized by software, the device control unit 48 is constituted by, for example, a CPU and a ROM, a program for realizing the direct printing process is stored in the ROM, and the CPU reads the program. This can be realized by executing.

  Similarly, the image file saving process and the image file printing process executed by the device control unit 64 of the image information storage device 20 in each of the above-described embodiments can be realized in hardware or realized in software. You can also. When the image file saving process and the image file printing process are realized by hardware, the device control unit 64 may be configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC) or the like. When the image file saving process and the image file printing process are realized by software, the device control unit 64 is constituted by, for example, a CPU and a ROM, and a program for realizing the image file saving process and the image file printing process is stored in the ROM. It can be realized by storing the program and reading and executing the program by the CPU.

  Furthermore, when these processes are realized by software, a program for executing each process is recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a ROM, or a memory card. Thus, it can be distributed in the form of a recording medium. In this case, the above-described embodiment can be realized by causing the digital camera 10 and / or the image information storage device 20 to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium.

  The digital camera 10 and / or the image information storage device 20 may include other programs such as an operating system and another application program. In this case, in order to utilize other programs included in the digital camera 10 and / or the image information storage device 20, the programs included in the digital camera 10 and / or the image information storage device 20 are equivalent to the above-described embodiments. A program including an instruction for calling a program for realizing the above process may be recorded on a recording medium.

  Furthermore, such a program can be distributed not as a recording medium but as a carrier wave through a network. The program transmitted in the form of a carrier wave on the network is taken into the digital camera 10 and / or the image information storage device 20, and the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing this program.

  Also, when a program is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted as a carrier wave on a network, the program may be encrypted or compressed. In this case, the digital camera 10 and / or the image information storage device 20 that read the program from the recording medium or the carrier wave needs to execute the program after decoding or decompressing the program.

The block diagram explaining the structure of the image information communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment thru | or 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating direct printing processing executed by the digital camera according to the first to third embodiments. The figure which shows an example of the printer list screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of the image selection screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of the image selection screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of the image selection screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of the image selection screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of the printing number setting screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of the printing mode setting screen displayed on a digital camera. The figure which shows an example of a printing instruction file. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the image file preservation | save process which the image information storage apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment performs. The figure which shows an example of the directory structure in the image information storage device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the image file printing process which the image information storage apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment thru | or 3rd Embodiment performs. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relationship between an image information storage device and a printer. The figure which shows an example of the directory structure in the image information storage device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the image file preservation | save process which the image information storage apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment performs. The figure which shows an example of the directory structure in the image information storage device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the printing mode setting screen displayed with the digital camera which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart explaining the print file preservation | save process which the image information storage apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 20 Image information storage apparatus 30 Optical system 32 Photoelectric conversion part 34 Image processing part 36 Image storage part 38 Image storage control part 40 User interface 42 Image display part 44 Communication control part 46 Communication interface 48 Equipment control part 50 Communication control part 52 Communication Interface 54 Image Storage Unit 56 External Storage Device 58 External Storage Control Device 60 User Interface 62 Image Display Unit 64 Device Control Unit

Claims (11)

A first connection establishment unit that behaves as a printer and establishes a connection with the image information acquisition apparatus;
Image information receiving means for receiving image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a print sequence;
First storage means for storing image information received by the image information receiving means in an image information storage unit;
A print instruction file receiving means for receiving a print instruction file including information related to a print setting instruction from the connected image information acquisition device;
A second storage means for storing the print instruction file received by the print instruction file receiving means in a print instruction file storage unit;
A second connection establishment means for acting as a digital camera and establishing a connection with a printer;
Print instruction file acquisition means for acquiring the print instruction file from the print instruction file storage unit;
Image information transmission for transmitting image information for printing stored in the image information storage unit to a connected printer using a print sequence based on the print instruction file acquired by the print instruction file acquisition unit Means,
An image information storage device comprising: A number-of-prints-acquisition acquisition unit that receives a setting of the number of prints of image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a print sequence;
A folder determining unit for determining a folder in the image information storage unit in which the image information received by the image information receiving unit is to be stored based on the number of printed sheets acquired by the printed number acquiring unit;
And further comprising
The first storage unit stores the image information received by the image information receiving unit in a folder in the image information storage unit determined by the folder determination unit.
The image information storage device according to claim 1. Print mode acquisition means for receiving and acquiring a print mode setting of image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a print sequence;
A folder determination unit for determining a folder in the image information storage unit in which the image information received by the image information reception unit is to be stored based on the setting of the print mode acquired by the print mode acquisition unit;
And further comprising
The first storage unit stores the image information received by the image information receiving unit in a folder in the image information storage unit determined by the folder determination unit.
The image information storage device according to claim 1.   The folder determining unit is configured to store the image information received by the image information receiving unit on the basis of the setting of the presence / absence of a border and / or the presence / absence of a date in the print mode. 4. The image information storage device according to claim 3, wherein a folder in the section is determined.   The folder determining unit determines a folder in the image information storage unit in which the image information received by the image information receiving unit is to be stored, based on designation of a paper type to be printed out of print modes. The image information storage device according to claim 3. It said print instruction file are DPOF files, image information storing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in. Image information for printing is received by the image information receiving means is a file format that the image information storing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in. Wherein between the image information acquisition device and the image information storing devices are connected by radio, that the image information storing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in. Acting as a printer to establish a connection with the image information acquisition device;
Receiving image information for printing from a connected image information acquisition device using a printing sequence;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit;
Receiving a print instruction file including information related to a print setting instruction from the connected image information acquisition device;
Storing the received print instruction file in a print instruction file storage unit;
Behaving as a digital camera and establishing a connection with a printer;
Obtaining the print instruction file from the print instruction file storage unit;
Transmitting image information for printing stored in the image information storage unit to a connected printer using a print sequence based on the acquired print instruction file;
A control method for an image information storage device. An image information communication system having an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device connected to the image information acquisition device,
The image information acquisition device includes:
Image information acquisition means for acquiring image information;
First connection establishing means for establishing a connection with the image information storage device acting as a printer;
First image information transmission means for transmitting the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means as image information for printing to the connected image information storage device using a print sequence;
A print instruction file transmitting means for transmitting a print instruction file including information relating to a print setting instruction to the connected image information storage device;
With
The image information storage device includes:
A second connection establishment means that behaves as a printer and establishes a connection with the image information acquisition device;
Image information receiving means for receiving, using a print sequence, image information for printing transmitted from the connected image information acquisition device;
Storage means for storing image information received by the image information receiving means in an image information storage unit;
A print instruction file receiving means for receiving the print instruction file transmitted from the connected image information acquisition device;
A second storage means for storing the print instruction file received by the print instruction file receiving means in a print instruction file storage unit;
A third connection establishment means for acting as a digital camera and establishing a connection with a printer;
Print instruction file acquisition means for acquiring a print instruction file from the print instruction file storage unit;
Second image information that transmits image information for printing stored in the image information storage unit to a connected printer using a print sequence based on the print instruction file acquired by the print instruction file acquisition unit A transmission means;
An image information communication system comprising: A control method for an image information communication system, comprising an image information acquisition device and an image information storage device connected to the image information acquisition device,
In the image information acquisition device, acquiring image information;
Establishing a connection between the image information acquisition device and the image information storage device acting as a printer;
Transmitting the acquired image information as image information for printing from the image information acquisition device to the image information storage device using a print sequence;
Receiving the image information for printing transmitted from the image information acquisition device using the print sequence in the image information storage device;
Storing the received image information in an image information storage unit of the image information storage device;
Transmitting a print instruction file including information related to a print setting instruction from the image information acquisition apparatus to the image information storage apparatus;
Receiving the print instruction file transmitted from the image information acquisition device in the image information storage device;
Storing the received print instruction file in a print instruction file storage unit of the image information storage device;
The image information storage device acting as a digital camera to establish a connection between the image information storage device and a printer;
The image information storage device obtaining a print instruction file from the print instruction file storage unit;
Transmitting image information for printing stored in an image information storage unit from the image information storage device to the printer using a print sequence based on the acquired print instruction file;
A control method for an image information communication system.

Images