JP4509139B2 - Image input device and control method thereof, information processing device and method thereof, and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to printing an image acquired by an image input device.

In a printing system including an image input device such as a digital still camera, a host information processing device such as a personal computer, and a printer, the user performs the following operations when printing image data acquired by shooting.
(1) Connect the computer and the image input device by communication means such as a serial cable, transfer the captured image to the computer, and store it in a hard disk as an image data file,
(2) Launch the photo retouching software,
(3) Open the image data file stored on the hard disk etc. with photo retouching software,
(4) Selecting “Print” from the photo retouching software menu causes the printer to print the image represented by the currently opened image data file.

  In the printing system as described above, it is difficult for a user who is unfamiliar with the handling of the computer to operate the computer, and the above operating procedure may not be performed accurately. In view of these problems, printers called “direct printers” have been developed. This direct printer can be directly connected to an image input device, and a photographed image can be printed only by operating the image input device and the printer. For this reason, even a user who is unfamiliar with computer operations can easily print a captured image.

  However, the direct printer requires a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP) for image processing, a module for communicating with the image input device, and the like in the printer itself, and is expensive. Furthermore, the communication module needs to conform to or comply with the communication protocol of the image input device, and there is a problem that the image input device capable of communication is limited.

  In addition, when the printer itself performs image processing such as color correction, dithering, palette creation, brightness correction, gain correction of each color component, contrast correction, color temperature correction, and gamma correction, the printer itself has a high speed to obtain a comfortable printing speed. An arithmetic unit and a lot of memory are required. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost of the printer is significantly increased.

  An object of the present invention is to easily print an acquired or stored image.

  The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

An image input apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image, a storage control unit that stores an image acquired by the acquisition unit in a memory, a communication unit that communicates with an information processing apparatus for print processing, Input means for inputting a print request for an image acquired by the acquisition means or stored in the memory; display means for displaying the acquired or stored image; and display properties for defining display conditions of the display means itself Display property setting means for setting the display property, and display property storage means for storing the set display property. When the print request is input, the communication means receives the image to be printed and the display property. The display property stored in the storage means is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives an image to be printed from an image input device, a display property that defines a display condition of the display unit itself of the image input device , and an image corresponding to the display property. Image processing means for performing processing on the received image, and control means for issuing a print request for the image subjected to the image processing to a printing apparatus and transmitting the image.

The printing system according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image, a storage control unit that stores an image acquired by the acquisition unit in a memory, a first communication unit that communicates with an information processing apparatus, Display means for displaying an image stored in the memory, input means for inputting a print request for the acquired or stored image, and display property setting means for setting display properties for defining display conditions of the display means itself And display property storage means for storing the set display properties. When the print request is input, the first communication means stores the image to be printed and the display property storage means. An image input device for transmitting display properties to the information processing device, the image to be printed, and the display properties; A second communication means for receiving the image processing means for applying the image processing according to the display property to the received image, and issuing a print request for the image subjected to the image processing to the printing apparatus, And an information processing apparatus having control means for transmitting the image.

The control method according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image, a storage control unit that stores an image acquired by the acquisition unit in a memory, a communication unit that communicates with an information processing apparatus for print processing, and the acquisition unit. Display means for displaying an image acquired or stored in the memory, display property setting means for setting display properties for defining display conditions of the display means itself, and display properties for storing set display properties a method of controlling an image input apparatus having a storage unit, and inputs a print request of images the acquired or stored, if the print request is input, stored in the image and the display property storage unit to be printed The display property is transmitted to the information processing apparatus via the communication unit.

An information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method for controlling an information processing apparatus to perform a printing process, wherein an image to be printed from an image input apparatus and display conditions of the display means of the image input apparatus itself. Receiving a specified display property, performing image processing according to the display property on the received image, issuing a print request for the image subjected to the image processing to a printing apparatus, and transmitting the image It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the display property that defines the display condition of the display unit itself of the image input device is used for setting the condition of image processing for printing, so that the image acquired or stored by the image input device can be easily printed. be able to.

  Hereinafter, an image input apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Overview]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image input apparatus and a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the image input apparatus and the printing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image input device 101 shoots in accordance with a user's instruction input, stores a captured image in an image data storage unit 109, a print command user that receives a print request from the user An input unit 105 is provided. Further, when a print request is input from the user, in accordance with the request, the communication command creation unit 106 creates a print command in a predetermined format, and sends the created print command to the connected host information processing apparatus 102. A communication unit 111 is provided. Further, the image display unit 110 that displays the image data and other information stored in the image data storage unit 109 in response to a user request, and the communication command analysis that analyzes the communication command received from the host information processing apparatus 102 A unit 107 is provided. Further, the communication command analysis unit 107 includes a communication command execution unit 108 that executes processing corresponding to the command according to the analysis result.

  The host information processing apparatus 102 also includes a communication unit 118 for transmitting and receiving commands and data to and from the image input apparatus 101 and the printing apparatus 103, and a host communication command analysis unit 113 for analyzing commands received from the image input apparatus 101. Is provided. Further, a host communication command creation unit 113 that creates a command to be transmitted to the image input apparatus 101, and a print sequence execution unit 114 that executes a print sequence when the analysis result of the host communication command analysis unit 113 indicates a command requesting printing. Is provided. Further, the print image forming unit 115 that forms a print image to be printed on the recording paper 119 from the print image data received from the image input device 101, stores the received print image data and print image, and other information. A storage unit 116 is provided. The printer driver 117 further drives the printing apparatus 103 in accordance with the rules with the printing apparatus 103 and transmits the print image formed by the print image forming unit 115 to the printing apparatus 103 via the communication unit 118.

  Note that printers (software) are attached to printers that are generally sold at present for each operating system (OS) of a personal computer (PC) to which the printer is connected. Therefore, the application software running on the PC starts and controls the printer driver via the application program interface (API) provided by the OS without being aware of the low-level communication protocol with the printing device. Can be printed. That is, the printer driver 117 shown in FIG. 1 may be such a general printer driver. Further, the printing apparatus 103 visually forms a print image received via the communication unit 120 on the recording paper 119, and may be a printer that is currently widely used.

  In the above configuration, when printing one or more captured images, the user inputs a print request through the print command user input unit 105. In response to this request, the communication command creation unit 106 creates a print request command that conforms to the protocol with the host communication command analysis unit 113, and transmits this command via the communication unit 111. In the host information processing apparatus 102, the command received via the communication unit 118 is analyzed by the host communication command analysis unit 113, and the print sequence is executed by the print sequence execution unit 114. When a plurality of images are stored in the image data storage unit 109, the image displayed on the image display unit 110 can be set as an image to be printed. On the other hand, by operating the image input apparatus 101 in advance, a plurality of images can be designated as images to be printed, and any method for designating the images to be printed may be used.

  In the print sequence of the print sequence execution unit 114, first, the host communication command creation unit 113 creates a print image data transfer request command (print image transfer request command) IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG. The transfer request command is transmitted to the communication unit 111, and the host information processing apparatus 102 waits for image data to be transmitted.

  In the image input apparatus 101 that has received the IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG command, the communication command analysis unit 107 analyzes the transfer request command, and the communication command execution unit 108 is activated. Then, one or more images to be printed are selected from the images stored in the image data storage unit 109, and image data corresponding to these images is sent as print image data to the host information processing apparatus 102 via the communication unit 111. Transferred.

  Upon receiving the print image data, the print sequence execution unit 114 activates the print image forming unit 115 to form a print image having a layout suitable for printing the received print image data. As an example of a preferred layout, two horizontally long images are received as image data to be printed, and when printing on A4 recording paper, an image in which two images are arranged vertically is formed. It is possible, but not limited to this. Further, the print image forming unit 115 also performs image processing such as color correction, dithering, and palette creation in accordance with differences in reproduction characteristics such as colors in the image input device 101 and the printing device 103 in order to obtain a preferable printing result.

  Further, the print sequence execution unit 114 activates the printer driver 117, passes the formed print image to the printer driver 117, and requests to print an image corresponding to the print image. Upon receiving this print request, the printer driver 117 drives the printing apparatus 103 via the communication unit 118 to print a print image on the recording paper 119.

[Image input device]
FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital still camera which is the image input apparatus 101 in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 202 denotes a mode setting dial for setting an operation mode, in which the operation mode of the camera 101 is set according to the dial position. The camera 101 of this embodiment has a photographing mode, a reproduction mode, and a printing mode as operation modes. The camera 101 of this embodiment uses a general LCD 203 as a digital still camera as the image display unit 110. In this embodiment, during the print mode, one of the captured images stored in the image data storage unit 109 is displayed on the LCD 203.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a “+” button, and 205 denotes a “−” button. The user selects an image to be displayed on the LCD 203. By pressing these buttons in the print mode, the next or previous image currently displayed on the LCD 203 is selected from the images stored in the image data storage unit 109 in a predetermined order.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a release button. When this button is pressed, a shooting instruction or a print request is input to the camera 101. That is, in the print mode, a print request is input by pressing the release button 206. In this case, the release button 206 functions as the print command user input unit 105. More specifically, when the release button 206 is pressed, a command IDC_PRINT_IMG for instructing image printing is created by the communication command creation unit 106, and the command is transmitted to the host information processing apparatus 102 via the communication unit 111.

  A communication cable 207 functions as a communication medium with the communication unit 111 and the host information processing apparatus 102 interposed therebetween. For example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller is used for the communication unit 111 and the like in this embodiment, and a USB cable is used for the communication cable 207. Of course, it is also possible to use a serial bus conforming to or conforming to IEEE1394 instead of USB.

[Host information processing device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the host information processing apparatus 102 in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, a host information processing apparatus 102 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), and is in an environment where various programs can be executed on an operating system (OS) 302 such as Windows (registered trademark) 98 of Microsoft Corporation. Therefore, each functional unit can be realized by loading the software program corresponding to each functional unit shown in FIG. 1 onto the DRAM 303 as shown in FIG. 3 and executing the program by a CPU (not shown). . Although not shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of the PC 102 is connected to peripheral devices such as a keyboard, a display, and a mouse, and includes storage means such as a hard disk.

  Here, an architecture called “push model” of the Windows (registered trademark) 98 operating system employed in the present embodiment will be described briefly.

  Windows (registered trademark) 98 employs an architecture called a push model. In the push model, when the USB cable is connected to the USB (external connection) terminal provided in the PC 102 and the push model device is connected to the other end of the USB cable, it is detected that the push model device is connected. Then, a program (corresponding program) associated with each device is activated, or if a push model device is connected when the OS is activated, the corresponding program is automatically activated. Further, a command (event) sent from each device is monitored by an event monitor (Still image event monitor) 304, and when an event occurs, this event is transmitted to a control center (Still Image Control Center). A program corresponding to each event has a structure capable of acquiring a command (event) via this control center. In the present invention, “event” is a kind of “command”, and in particular, a command issued in response to an input made by the user to the image input apparatus 101 is referred to as “event”.

  In this embodiment, since the push model architecture is adopted, the image input apparatus 101 is assumed to have a function as a push model device. In addition, although the push model of Windows (registered trademark) 98 was taken up, it is not limited to this. It is only necessary that the host communication command analysis unit 113 is operating in the host information processing apparatus 102 when the user inputs a print request command, and the command received by the communication unit 118 can be acquired and analyzed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to realize a unique structure in which a daemon program for monitoring data received by the communication unit 118 is always run and a print sequence is executed with the recognition of a print request command as a trigger.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 305 denotes a USB controller, which is an embodiment of the communication unit 118. Reference numeral 306 denotes a host communication command creation program, which is an embodiment of the host communication command creation unit 113. A host communication command analysis program 307 is an embodiment of the host communication command analysis unit 113. Reference numeral 308 denotes a print sequence execution program, which is an embodiment of the print sequence execution unit 114. A print image forming program 309 is an embodiment of the print image forming unit 115. A printer driver program 310 is an embodiment of the printer driver 117. Reference numeral 311 denotes a USB cable for connecting to an external device such as the digital still camera 101 or the printer 103.

[Printer]
In general, printers are sold with a printer driver program attached. Normally, a printer driver program is prepared and supplied for each printer model, for each type of communication means, and for each operating system. The printer driver 117 of this embodiment may be such a general one, and the printer driver program 310 in this embodiment is a printer driver program for USB and Windows (registered trademark) 98 for the printing apparatus 103. Also, the printer driver program 310 in this embodiment transfers image data to the printing apparatus 103 via the USB controller 305 and makes a print request. Further, color correction, image format conversion, transmission data packetization, negotiation for data transfer with the printing apparatus 103, and the like are performed as necessary. These functions are also similar to the functions of a printer driver program attached to a commercially available printer.

[Print processing]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing procedure in the PC 102. When the user turns on the power of the PC 102 in a state where the camera 101 and the PC 102 are connected with the USB cable, the PC 102 starts the process shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, the OS 302 is activated, and in step S2, initialization processing of the OS 302 is performed. At this point, the OS 302 detects that the camera 101 is connected via the USB cable, and activates the host communication command creation program 306 and the host communication command analysis program 307.

  In step S3, the event monitor 304 polls for an event received via the USB cable, and enters an event waiting state. If the event monitor 304 detects any event, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the received event is from the camera 101. If the event is received from a device other than the camera 101, the process proceeds to step S5. If the event is received from the camera 101, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S5, processing corresponding to the event received by the event handling program corresponding to the device that generated the event is performed, and then the process returns to step S3.

  After the contents of the event are analyzed by the host communication command analysis program 307 in step S6, the process branches to a process corresponding to the received event contents in step S7. When the received event is IDC_PRINT_IMG, after the print sequence is executed by the print sequence execution program 308 in step S8, the process returns to step S3. IDC_PRINT_IMG is an event issued by the camera 101 when a user inputs a print request through the print command user input unit 105. If the received event is an event other than IDC_PRINT_IMG, processing corresponding to the event is performed in step S9, and the process returns to step S3. Details of the print sequence by the print sequence execution program 308 in step S8 will be described later.

[Procedure for issuing print request events]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for issuing a print request event by the camera 101. The process is started when the user presses the release button 206.

  First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the currently set mode is the print mode, that is, whether or not the mode setting dial 202 is at the “print” position. If the shooting mode is not the print mode, the shooting process is performed in step S13. Of course, in other modes, processing corresponding to the mode is performed. If the currently set mode is the print mode, the communication command creating unit 106 creates IDC_PRINT_IMG, which is a command (event) indicating a print request, in step S12. Then, after the event is transmitted to the PC 102 via the communication unit 111, the print event issuance process is terminated.

[Print Sequence]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a print sequence executed by the print sequence execution program 308.

  In the printing sequence, first, in step S21, a transfer request for image data to be printed is issued to the camera 101. More specifically, the host communication command creation program 306 creates a command IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG that requests transfer of image data to be printed, and transmits this command to the camera 101 via the OS 302 and the USB controller 305. Thereafter, in step S22, it waits for reception of print image data sent from the camera 101. Meanwhile, the camera 101 performs a print image transmission process shown in FIG. 7 and starts image data transfer to the PC 102. Details of this will be described later.

  When the image data transfer of the camera 101 is started, the print image data received in step S23 is sequentially stored in the DRAM 303. When the transfer of the print image data is completed, the process proceeds to step S24, and the printer driver program 310 corresponding to the currently connected printing apparatus 103 is activated via the OS 302.

  Next, in step S35, the print image formation program 309 converts the print image data stored in the DRAM 303 into a print image that is an image data format that can be processed by the printer driver program 310, and stores the print image data in the DRAM 303. At this time, image correction processing is performed in consideration of printing characteristics such as the resolution, color and density of the printer 103 and image characteristics such as resolution, color and brightness of the camera 101, and the layout and size of the image to be printed are adjusted. A print image is formed in consideration.

  Windows (registered trademark) Operating System has a concept of graphic device interface (GDI). A client program that requests print output acquires the function of the printing apparatus 103 via the GDI function, and constructs a print image on the device context according to the acquired function. In this embodiment, image data constructed in this device context is handled as a print image.

  When the formation of the print image is completed via the OS 302, in step S26, a print request for the print image stored in the DRAM 303 is issued to the printer driver program 310 via the OS 302. Upon receiving the print request, the printer driver program 310 transmits and receives commands to and from the printing apparatus 103 via the OS 302 and the USB controller 305 in step S7. Then, the printing apparatus 103 is driven and the print image is transmitted to print the print image on the recording paper 119. When printing is finished, the printing sequence is finished.

[Send print image data]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data by the camera 101.

  Upon receiving IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG from the PC 102, the camera 101 analyzes the command by the communication command analysis unit 107 in step S31, and determines that the request is a print image data transmission request. Next, in step S2, the communication command execution unit 108 retrieves image data corresponding to the image currently displayed on the LCD 203 from the image data storage unit 109 as print image data. Next, in step S3, the communication command creation unit 106 creates a notification command IDC_START_PRINT_IMG indicating the start of transmission of print image data and transmits it via the communication unit 111. Subsequently, the print command data is transmitted to the communication unit. Send via 111. When the transmission of the print image data is completed, the process ends.

  As described above, the printing system of the present embodiment has an inexpensive configuration using a commercially available printer. However, when printing an image captured by the image input device, the user can easily capture the captured image by simply connecting the camera 101 and the PC 102 without performing complicated operations on the computer. And can be printed with an appropriate layout.

[Constitution]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of the image input apparatus 101 and the printing system according to the second embodiment. The image input apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment includes a display property setting unit 801 and a display property storage unit 802 in addition to the configuration according to the first embodiment.

  The display property setting unit 801 is used to set display properties when a captured image is reproduced and displayed on the image display unit 110 by the user operating a button or a dial of the image input device 101. The contents of the display property include brightness, gain of each color component, contrast, color temperature, gamma value, and the like. A TV monitor, a computer display, a digital cam recorder with a display device, and the like have a setting unit for setting display properties such as brightness when displaying an image, gain of each color component, contrast, color temperature, and gamma value. There are many things. The display property setting unit 801 in the present embodiment may be the same as these.

  The display property storage unit 802 stores the display property value set by the user using the display property setting unit 801. In this embodiment, the image input apparatus 101 transmits the display properties stored in the display property storage unit 802 to the host information processing apparatus 102 together with the print image data. The host information processing apparatus 102 causes the printing apparatus 103 to perform printing after performing image processing according to the display property on the print image data. As a result, the user can adjust the brightness, contrast, and hue of the reproduced image displayed on the image display unit 110 of the image input device 101 without operating the host information processing device 102 to obtain the desired brightness, contrast. And a printed image having a hue can be obtained.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image input device (digital still camera) 101 according to the second embodiment. A brightness setting dial 201 is added to the camera 101 of the first embodiment. The brightness setting dial 201 is an embodiment of the display property setting unit 801. By turning this dial, the display brightness of the image displayed on the LCD 203 can be made brighter or darker. Thus, in this embodiment, it is assumed that brightness can be set as a display property.

  The host information processing apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment is the same as that according to the first embodiment, but the print sequence executed by the print sequence execution program 308 and the print image forming process executed by the print image forming program 309 are different from the first embodiment.

[Send print image data and display brightness value]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data and display brightness values of the camera 101 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, an example in which only the brightness value is set and transmitted as the display property will be described, but this is not restrictive. Obviously, other display properties can be set and transmitted as well, such as gain, contrast, color temperature and / or gamma value for each color component. That is, the content of image processing to be performed for each property is not different from the content of image processing corresponding to each property performed by a photo retouching software for a general personal computer.

  In FIG. 10, the processing of steps S41 to S43 is the same as the print image data transmission procedure (steps S31 to S33) by the camera 101 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Thereafter, in step S44, the communication command creation unit 106 extracts the display brightness value Lval as the display property from the display property storage unit 802, transmits this value via the communication unit 111, and ends the processing.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that, for example, a value from -50 to +50 can be set as the display brightness value by turning the brightness setting dial 201. It is assumed that a reproduced image is displayed on the image display unit 110 with -50 being 50% lightness of the default display lightness and +50 being 150% lightness of the default display lightness.

[Print Sequence]
The printing process of the PC 102 in this embodiment is almost the same as the printing process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, but the printing sequence by the printing sequence execution program 308 executed in step S8 is different.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a print sequence example according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, steps S51, S52, S54, S56 and S57 are the same as the printing sequence (steps S21, S22, S24, S26 and S27) of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Here, the processing of steps S53 and S55 will be described.

  In step S53, the print image data is received and stored in the DRAM 303, and the display brightness value Lval received following the print image data is received and stored in the DRAM 303. In step S55, the print image forming program 309 performs luminance value conversion on the image data stored in the DRAM 303 based on the display brightness value Lval stored in the DRAM 303.

  Assuming that the print image data is expressed in the YCrCb color space, the print image forming program 309 multiplies the Y data of all the pixels of the print image data by 80/100 when Lval = −20. . Then, the result is stored in the DRAM 303 as a luminance value conversion result. Thereafter, optimization processing, page layout processing, and the like are performed on the Cr and Cb data that are color components, format conversion is performed based on the rules between the printing apparatus 103 and the OS 302, and the print image data is stored in the DRAM 303.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the user can operate the interface of the image input apparatus 101 to perform image processing executed by the host information processing apparatus 102. Can be set. Therefore, by adjusting the brightness, contrast, and hue of the reproduced image displayed on the image display unit 110 of the image input device 101, a printed image having the desired brightness, contrast, and hue can be easily obtained.

[Constitution]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of the image input device 101 and the printing system according to the third embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the image input device 101 of the third embodiment includes one or more images (hereinafter referred to as a simple image) that the user desires to print from the captured images stored in the image data storage unit 109. Therefore, a print image setting unit 1301 for setting “print image” is provided. Further, the print image ID storage unit 1302 that stores the ID information of the print image set by the print image setting unit 1301, and the user inputs and edits the layout for printing the print image stored in the print image ID storage unit 1302 A print layout editing unit 1303 is provided. Further, a print layout storage unit 1304 that stores print layout information input and edited by the user through the print layout editing unit 1303 is provided.

  The image input apparatus 101 transmits print image data to the host information processing apparatus 102 and also transmits print layout information stored in the print layout storage unit 1304, and performs printing according to the print layout information. Request to 102. In response to this request, the host information processing apparatus 102 forms a print image according to the print layout information in the print image formation process of the print image forming unit 115.

  The host information processing apparatus 102 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the print sequence by the print sequence execution program 308 and the print image formation process by the print image formation program 309 are different from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is an external view of the camera 101 according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1201 denotes a pointing cursor, which is used for the user to input a position when editing the print layout. A cross key 1202 is used by the user to indicate the up / down / left / right directions. The pointing cursor 1201 moves up / down / left / right on the LCD 203 in accordance with this instruction. Reference numeral 1203 denotes an input button. By pressing this button, the current position of the pointing cursor 1201 can be input to the image input device 101 as a command. That is, the input button 1203 functions in the same way as a button provided on the mouse. A print mark button 1204 can be toggled as a print image or a non-print image by pressing this button. That is, an image that is not set as a print image is set as a print image, and an image that is already set as a print image is canceled.

  When a print image is displayed on the image display unit 110 in the print mode, a character “P” (hereinafter referred to as “print mark”) is displayed on the upper left of the image display unit 110.

  For example, it is assumed that 100 images are stored in the image data storage unit 109, and five of images 1 to 5 are set as print images. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a memory map in the print image ID storage unit 1302 in this case, in which an ID of an image to be printed and images 1 to 5 are stored together with an index.

[Edit layout]
When the user presses the release button 206 in the print mode and the print image ID storage unit 1302 is in the state of FIG. 14, the camera 101 displays the image 1 to the image 5 on the LCD 203. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display state of the LCD 203 at this time. A detailed description will be given of how the user edits the print layout in the print layout editing unit 1303 with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 15, the entire area of the LCD 203 represents a printable area of one sheet of recording paper, and image 1 to image 5 are printed on the recording sheet 119 with the layout shown in FIG. Handles 1401 are displayed at the four corners of each image on the LCD 203. The cursor 1201 is moved to the position of the handle 1401 by operating the cross key 1202, and the position of the handle 1401 can be moved by moving the cursor 1201 while pressing the button 1203. The image in which the handle 1401 has been moved is enlarged or reduced so as to fit into a rectangle having the moved handle 1401 and the handle 1401 at the diagonal position as two vertices. The position of the image can be moved by moving the cursor 1201 onto a desired image using the cross key 1202 and moving the image together with the cursor 1201 while pressing the button 1203.

  The print layout edited by the print layout editing unit 1303 in this way is stored in the print layout storage unit 1304. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display state of the LCD 203 after the layout is edited by the user.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a memory map in the print layout storage unit 1304. The position information of the index number image stored in the print image ID storage unit 1302 as a print image is the XY coordinates of the upper left corner and the lower right corner. Is stored in the format. In this embodiment, the X and Y axes are defined as shown in FIG. 16, and the position on the recording paper 119 is expressed in millimeters. The memory map example shown in FIG. 17 shows the storage contents of the print layout storage unit 1304 when the user has edited the layout shown in FIG.

  When the user presses the release button 206 in the state shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the camera 101 issues a print event IDC_PRINT_IMG as in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, after receiving IDC_PRINT_IMG, the PC 102 issues a command IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG for requesting transmission of print image data. Upon receiving IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG, the camera 101 transmits print image data and print layout information to the PC 102 according to the processing procedure shown in FIG.

[Send print image data and print layout information]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data and print layout information by the camera 101.

  Upon receiving IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG from the host information processing apparatus 102, the camera 101 analyzes the command by the communication command analysis unit 107 in step S61, and recognizes that the received command is a request for transmitting print image data and print layout information. In step S62, the variables are initialized such that the variables Index = 1 and k = number of print images. As shown in FIG. 14, when the number of print images is “5”, the variable k is initialized to “5”.

  Next, in step S63, the communication command creation unit 106 refers to the print image ID storage unit 1302 and acquires the ID of the image indicated by the variable Index. Then, the image data corresponding to the ID is read from the image data storage unit 109 and transmitted as print image data to the host information processing apparatus 102 via the communication unit 111.

  Next, in step S64, the communication command execution unit 108 refers to the print layout storage unit 1304 and sets the layout information (coordinate information) corresponding to the variable Index to the upper left X and Y coordinates, and the lower right X and Y coordinates. Get in the order. Then, the coordinate information is sequentially transmitted to the host information processing apparatus 102 via the communication unit 111.

  Subsequently, in step S65, the variable Index is incremented, and in step S66, the variable Index is compared with the variable k. If Index ≦ k, there is an untransmitted image, and the process returns to step S63. If Index> k, all images and layout information have been transmitted. In this case, in step 67, the communication command creation unit 106 transmits a message command IDM_END_PRINT_IMG indicating the end of transmission of print image data and layout information to the host information processing apparatus 102 via the communication unit 111. Thereafter, the transmission process of the print image data and the print layout information ends.

[Print Sequence]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of a print sequence by the print sequence execution program 308 of the host information processing apparatus 102.

  In FIG. 19, steps S71, S72, S74, S76 and S77 are the same as the printing sequence (steps S21, S22, S24, S26 and S27) of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Here, the processing of steps S73 and S75 will be described.

  When the reception is started, the print image data sent from the camera 101 and the layout information sent following this are stored in the DRAM 303 in step S73. When the message IDM_END_PRINT_IMG indicating the end of transmission of print image data and print layout information is received, the process proceeds to step S74.

  In step S75, the print image forming program 309 forms a print image in which the print images stored in the DRAM 303 are arranged on one page in accordance with the layout information stored in the DRAM 303. Then, format conversion based on the rules of the printing apparatus 103 and OS 302 is performed, and the print image is stored in the DRAM 303.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state of an image printed on the recording paper 119 by the above printing sequence, and is printed according to the layout shown in FIG.

[Constitution]
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of the image input apparatus 101 and the printing system according to the fourth embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the image input device 101 of the fourth embodiment includes a template image storage unit 1801 that stores a plurality of template images such as a frame image that borders an image during printing. Furthermore, a template image selection unit 1802 is provided for the user to select a template image to be used from among a plurality of template images.

  Further, the host information processing apparatus 102 according to the fourth embodiment includes a host template image storage unit 1803 that stores a template image corresponding to the template image stored in the template image storage unit 1801 of the image input apparatus 101. The template image storage unit 1801 and the host template image storage unit 1803 may store template images used for printing. However, in this embodiment, the template image storage unit 1801 stores a reduced image of the template image stored in the host template image storage unit 1803. The image reduction ratio at this time may be any as long as it can maintain a resolution that allows the user to recognize what kind of template image is displayed on the image display unit 110. Thereby, the storage capacity of the template image storage unit 1801 can be reduced.

  The host information processing apparatus 102 in the present embodiment is assumed to use a personal computer as in the first embodiment. The block diagram is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference lies in the processing content of the print sequence by the print sequence execution program 308 and the processing content of the print image formation processing by the print image formation program 309. In the present embodiment, the host template image storage unit 1803 uses a part of the storage area of the DRAM 303, and is realized by reading a template image file into the DRAM 303 from a hard disk device not shown in FIG. And

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a template image. In this embodiment, it is assumed that three template images of Template 1, Template 2, and Template 3 are stored.

  The appearance of the camera 101 in this embodiment is the same as that of the camera 101 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but in this embodiment, the template selection mode can be set by the mode setting dial 202. By pressing the “+” key 204 or “−” key 205 in the template selection mode, one of Template 1 to Template 3 stored in the template image storage unit 1801 is combined with the image and displayed on the LCD 203. Is done.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of image composition in the template selection mode, and shows a state in which image 1 is selected, Template 2 is further selected, and image 1 and Template 2 are synthesized and displayed.

Issue print request event
When the user presses the release button 206 with the composite image shown in FIG. 23 displayed on the LCD 203, the camera 101 executes a print request event issuing process shown in FIG.

  First, in step S81, it is determined whether or not the current mode is the template selection mode. If the current mode is the shooting mode, the shooting process is performed in step S83. If the mode is the template selection mode, a command (event) IDC_PRINT_IMG indicating a print request is created by the communication command creation unit 106 and transmitted to the PC 102 via the communication unit 111 in step S82, and then the print event issuance processing ends. To do. Of course, in other modes, processing corresponding to the mode is performed.

[Send print image data and template ID]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data and a template ID by the camera 101.

  Upon receiving IDC_GET_PRINT_IMG from the PC 102, the camera 101 analyzes the command by the communication command analysis unit 107 in step S91, and recognizes that the received command is a request for transmitting print image data and template ID.

  Next, in step S92, the communication command execution unit 108 extracts the image data being displayed on the LCD 203 from the image data storage unit 109, and transmits it as print image data to the PC 102 via the communication unit 111.

  Next, in step S93, the communication command execution unit 108 transmits the template ID of the template image currently displayed on the LCD 203 to the PC 102 via the communication unit 111, and this process ends.

[Print Sequence]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a printing sequence performed by the printing sequence execution program 308 of the PC 102.

  In FIG. 26, steps S101, S104, S106, and S107 are the same as the printing sequence (steps S21, S24, S26, and S27) of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Here, the processes of steps S102, S103, and S105 will be described.

  In step S102, the PC 102 waits for the print image data and the ID of the template image to be synthesized to be received from the camera 101. When these receptions are started, the received print image data and template image ID are stored in the DRAM 303 in step S103. Note that the camera 101 performs the processing shown in FIG. 25 while the print sequence execution program 308 waits for the print image data and the template ID to be received in step S2, and transmits image data and the like to the PC 102. Start.

  In step S105, the print image forming program 309 converts the print image data stored in the DRAM 303 into a print image that is an image data format that can be processed by the printer driver program 310, and stores the print image data in the DRAM 303. At this time, an image correction process taking into account the resolution, color and density characteristics of the printing apparatus 103 and the resolution, color and brightness characteristics of the camera 101, and a print image is formed in consideration of the layout and size of the print image. The

  The processing so far in step S105 is substantially the same as the processing in step S5 in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a print image is formed by further combining a template image corresponding to the template ID stored in the DRAM 303 with the print image data extracted from the DRAM 303. Note that the composition processing in this embodiment may be the same as a general multiple image composition processing as a function of photo retouch software for a personal computer.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a composite image printed on the recording paper 119 by the above printing sequence, and an image similar to the image displayed on the LCD 203 when the user presses the release button 206 is printed. Which indicates that.

[Other embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus executes the program. Is done. In this case, the program itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  In addition, the above functions are not only realized by executing a program read by a computer. In other words, based on the instructions of the program, the operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  Further, after the program read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion card or It goes without saying that the CPU of the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

Block diagram showing a configuration example of an image input device and a printing system of Example 1, External view of a digital still camera that is an image input device in Example 1, Block diagram showing a configuration example of a host information processing apparatus in the first embodiment, Flowchart showing a procedure example of a printing process in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, A flowchart showing an example of a procedure for issuing a print request event by the image input apparatus according to the first embodiment. Flowchart showing a print sequence example by the print sequence execution program in the first embodiment, A flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data by the image input apparatus according to the first embodiment. Block diagram showing a basic configuration example of an image input apparatus and a printing system in Example 2, The figure which shows the image input device in example 2, Flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission procedure of print image data and display brightness value of the image input device according to the second embodiment; Flowchart showing an example of a print sequence in Example 2, Block diagram showing a basic configuration example of an image input device and a printing system in Example 3, External view of the image input device in Example 3, A diagram showing a memory map in the print image ID storage unit, The figure which shows the display state example of LCD, The figure which shows the display state example of LCD after the layout is edited by the user, The figure which shows the memory map in a print layout memory | storage part, Flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data and print layout information by the image input device according to the third embodiment; Flowchart showing a procedure example of a printing sequence in the embodiment 3, The figure which shows the mode of the image printed on the recording paper by the printing sequence shown in FIG. Block diagram showing a basic configuration example of an image input apparatus and printing system in Example 4, The figure which shows an example of a template image, The figure which shows an example of image composition, Flowchart showing a print request event issuance processing example in the fourth embodiment, Flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for transmitting print image data and a template ID by the image input device according to the fourth embodiment; Flowchart showing a print sequence example in Example 4, FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a state of a composite image printed on recording paper by the printing sequence shown in FIG.

Claims (14)

An acquisition means for acquiring an image;
Storage control means for storing the image acquired by the acquisition means in a memory;
Communication means for communicating with an information processing apparatus for print processing;
Input means for inputting a print request for an image acquired by the acquisition means or stored in the memory;
Display means for displaying the acquired or stored image;
Display property setting means for setting display properties defining the display conditions of the display means itself ;
Display property storage means for storing the set display properties;
When the print request is input, the communication unit transmits an image to be printed and a display property stored in the display property storage unit to the information processing apparatus.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the print request is input, the communication unit transmits the image displayed on the display unit to the information processing apparatus as the image to be printed. Input device.   3. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the display property is at least one of brightness, gain of each color component, contrast, color temperature, and gamma value.   And a layout setting unit configured to set a layout for printing an image. When the print request is input, the communication unit includes information indicating the layout together with the image to be printed. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image input device transmits the information to the information processing device. The apparatus further comprises cursor display means for displaying a pointing cursor together with the acquired or stored image, and the layout setting means sets the layout in accordance with movement of the pointing cursor. 4. The image input device described in 4.   6. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image input device is a digital still camera.   7. The image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit performs communication via a serial bus. A communication unit that receives an image to be printed from the image input device, and a display property that defines a display condition of the display unit itself of the image input device ;
Image processing means for performing image processing according to the display property on the received image;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that issues a print request for an image subjected to the image processing to the printing apparatus and transmits the image.   9. The information processing according to claim 8, wherein the image processing includes at least one of luminance correction, color correction, error diffusion, dither, gain correction of each color component, contrast correction, and gamma correction. apparatus.   10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image input apparatus is a digital still camera.   11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit performs communication via a serial bus. Acquisition means for acquiring an image, storage control means for storing the image acquired by the acquisition means in a memory, first communication means for communicating with an information processing apparatus, display of an image acquired by the acquisition means or stored in the memory Display means for inputting, input means for inputting a print request for the acquired or stored image, display property setting means for setting display properties for defining display conditions of the display means itself , and set display properties Display property storage means for storing the image, and when the print request is input, the first communication means sends the image to be printed and the display property stored in the display property storage means to the information processing apparatus. An image input device for transmission;
Second communication means for receiving the image to be printed and the display property, image processing means for performing image processing according to the display property on the received image, and applying the image processing to a printing apparatus. A printing system comprising: an information processing apparatus having a control unit that issues a print request for an image and transmits the image. Acquisition means for acquiring an image, storage control means for storing an image acquired by the acquisition means in a memory, communication means for communicating with an information processing apparatus for print processing, images acquired by the acquisition means or stored in the memory An image input apparatus having display means for displaying a display property, display property setting means for setting a display property for defining display conditions of the display means itself, and display property storage means for storing the set display property A control method,
Enter the print request for the acquired or stored image,
When the print request is input, the control method characterized by transmitting a display property stored in the image and the display property storage unit to be printed to the information processing apparatus through the communication means. An information processing method for controlling an information processing apparatus to perform print processing,
Receiving an image to be printed from the image input device and a display property defining a display condition of the display means itself of the image input device ;
Applying image processing according to the display property to the received image,
An information processing method, wherein a print request for an image subjected to the image processing is issued to a printing apparatus, and the image is transmitted.

Images