JP4678606B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for improving a printing apparatus and a printing method, and more particularly to a technique useful for printing an image taken by a digital camera or the like.

In recent years, with the rapid spread of digital cameras and the like and the price reduction of printers, an increasing number of users enjoy printing images taken with a digital camera or the like with a printer at home or the like. In such a case, printing has been generally performed via a personal computer or the like, but recently, an image is directly read from a digital camera or the like (or its recording memory card) without using a personal computer or the like. Printers capable of printing in this manner (hereinafter referred to as “direct printers”) are also becoming popular.

Some of such direct printers have an index printing function capable of printing a plurality of reduced images side by side for the purpose of listing image files stored on a memory card or the like. The user can select an image file desired to be printed in the normal size with reference to such index printing.

FIG. 9 is an example of conventional index printing. As shown in this example, in conventional index printing, information such as an index number, a file name, and a shooting date / time is usually added to a reduced image and printed side by side.

The conventional framework of selecting an image by referring to index printing is not only an inherent problem of index printing itself (consumption of toner and paper for index printing, printing takes time, etc.) There are also the following issues.

In other words, when storing a large number of image files on a memory card, etc., it is necessary to know what kind of situation the image was taken later and save it so that the desired image file can be selected easily. It is common to do.

Typically, the folder name, the file name of the image file, the file name of a file created in an arbitrary format (hereinafter referred to as “non-image file”), etc. It is conceivable to include a word explaining the situation at the time of shooting (hereinafter referred to as “situation information”) such as “birthday of” and refer to it when checking the file.

However, in conventional index printing, the file name is printed with the reduced image, but the folder name is not printed, so even if the folder name includes situation information, it should be used for image selection with reference to index printing. I can't.

In addition, with conventional index printing, non-image files are not subject to printing in principle. Therefore, even if situation information is included in the file name of a non-image file, that information is not printed on index printing. It cannot be used for image selection.

Furthermore, in the conventional index printing, a space in which a file name can be printed for each reduced image is limited due to the layout of a plurality of reduced images on one sheet, and the entire file name may not be printed. For this reason, if situation information is included in the file name of an image file and the file name becomes long, the situation information in the file name is not printed on the index print and may not be used for image selection. is there.

As described above, the conventional framework for selecting an image with reference to index printing has a problem that it is difficult to select an image using situation information.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new framework that can select an image using situation information.

In addition, the conventional index printing has a problem that it is difficult to understand the relationship between the folder name and the file name, for example, the folder name is not printed. In particular, when a file having the same file name is included in a plurality of folders, there is a problem that it is difficult to select an image by a file name.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an image can be effectively selected by printing a folder name and a file name in association with each other.

The printing apparatus of the present invention, when a folder is formed in the storage unit for storing the file, folder information acquisition means for acquiring the folder name of the folder and the file name of the file registered in the folder; Printing control means for executing a process of printing the acquired folder name and file name in association with each other. The storage unit is preferably a portable unit, and the printing apparatus preferably includes a connection interface with the storage unit. In this case, connection detection means for detecting connection of the storage unit to the connection interface is provided, and the folder information acquisition means is triggered by the connection detection means detecting connection of the storage unit. A name and file name acquisition process may be executed.

According to this configuration, when creating a folder for managing image files, the user refers to the result printed by the print control unit by including information explaining the situation at the time of shooting in the folder name. In some cases, such situation information can also be referred to, and as a result, a desired image can be selected and printed while accurately grasping the situation at the time of shooting.

Further, since the file name is printed in association with the folder name for files other than the image file (non-image file), even when situation information is included in the file name of the non-image file, the print control means Situation information can be referred to by the print result.

Preferably, the image processing apparatus includes means for assigning file identification information to the image file from which the file name has been acquired, and the print control means assigns the file identification information assigned to the image file in association with the file name of the image file. Execute the process to print.

According to this configuration, the user can easily designate a desired image file by the file identification number with reference to the print result by the print control unit.

Further preferably, the print control unit executes a process of printing a reduced image based on the image file in association with the file name of the image file.

Preferably, the print control unit executes a process of printing the file names associated with the same folder name as one group and separating each group by a frame-like line element.

In the printing method of the present invention, when a folder is formed in the storage unit, the folder name of the folder and the file name of the file registered in the folder are acquired, and the acquired folder name and file And a step of executing a process of printing in association with names.

The printing method of the present invention can be implemented by, for example, an information processing unit (computer) included in a printing apparatus, and a program therefor is installed through various media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and a communication network. Or can be loaded. It also includes the case where the program is recorded and distributed on a printer card or a printer option board.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new framework capable of selecting an image using situation information.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment.

The printer 1 includes a power supply mechanism 2 that includes a paper feed mechanism 10 that supplies paper into the printer, a print engine 11 that performs printing, and a paper discharge mechanism 12 that discharges paper to the outside of the printer. The print engine 11 includes a paper feed mechanism, a carriage mechanism, a print head, and the like.

A CPU (processor) 13, ROM 14, RAM 15, LCD panel and LCD controller 16, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface (USB connector, USB controller, etc.) 17, The printer control unit 3 includes a PC card interface (PC card slot, PC card controller, etc.) 18, a communication interface 19, and the like.

The configuration and operation of the power mechanism unit 2 and the printer control unit 3 are basically the same as the configuration and operation of the conventional printer device.

For example, the printer 1 can execute print processing in accordance with a print job sent from the host device via the communication interface 19 as in the past, and has a direct print function for performing printing by itself without using the host device. ing. Specifically, an image file such as a JPEG file is read from the USB device 100 (such as a USB memory or a USB mass storage compatible digital camera) via the USB interface 17 and is decompressed and printed as necessary. It can be performed. Note that an image file or the like may be read from a memory card or the like via the PC card interface 18. Although the USB device 100 will be described below, the same processing is performed for a PC card.

Further, for example, the printer 1 has an index printing function capable of printing a plurality of reduced images side by side on a sheet of an image file stored in the USB device 100 as in the past.

However, the printer 1 is different from a conventional printing apparatus in that it has a folder list printing function for printing a file stored in the USB device 100 in association with a folder name and a file name.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the printer control unit 3 for realizing the folder list printing function. As shown in the figure, the printer control unit 3 includes a folder / file relationship storage unit 20, a panel IF unit 21, a USB driver unit 22, a folder information acquisition unit 23, a print control unit 24, and the like. Each of the above means is realized functionally or using predetermined hardware by the CPU 13 executing a program stored in the memory.

The folder / file relationship storage unit 20 stores information acquired by a folder information acquisition unit 23, which will be described later, such as a correspondence relationship between a folder name and a file name. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a folder name, an image file identification number, and a file name are stored in association with the entry number.

The panel IF unit 21 outputs command menu information and the like to the user via the LCD panel including the LCD and operation keys and the LCD controller 16 and accepts a command for the printer 1 from the user. In this embodiment, as a command received from the user, a command requesting folder list printing is received in addition to a command requesting execution of direct printing or index printing.

The USB driver means 22 provides a read / write function to the USB device 100 connected to the USB interface 17 as in the case of a normal USB driver. Further, the USB driver unit 22 monitors the state of the USB interface, and when detecting that the USB device 100 is connected to the USB interface, for example, notifies the folder information acquisition unit 23 of the fact. The

The folder information acquisition unit 23 acquires the folder name of the folder and the file name of the file registered in the folder via the USB driver unit 22 when a folder is formed in the USB device 100. And stored in the folder / file relationship storage means 20.

The print control unit 24 refers to the folder / file relationship storage unit 20 to generate print data for printing by associating the folder name and the file name acquired in association with each other, and outputs the print data to the print engine. 11, printing is executed while controlling the power mechanism unit 2.

(Print folder list)
Hereinafter, an aspect of the folder list printing process will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In addition, each process (including the partial process to which the code | symbol is not provided) can be arbitrarily changed in order within the range which does not produce contradiction in the processing content, or can be performed in parallel.

Folder list printing starts when the panel IF means 21 receives a folder list print command from the user.

However, the configuration is such that the processing is automatically started when the USB device 100 becomes readable by the printer 1 (for example, when the USB driver means 22 detects the connection of the USB device 100). May be. Further, the panel IF unit 21 is configured to receive a command from the user by including a folder list print command in the command menu information presented to the user on condition that the USB device 100 is in a readable state. Also good.

First, the printer control unit 3 initializes variables used for folder list printing (S100). Specifically, for example, 0 is set in the entry number variable N and the image file identification number variable M. Also, a folder name such as “root” or “USB device” is set in the folder name storage variable T. A blank character string or null may be set as the initial value of the folder name.

Next, the printer control unit 3 sets the root of the file system of the USB device 100 as a search target folder, and calls (calls) the folder information acquisition unit 23 (S101).

When called, the folder information acquisition unit 23 accesses the USB device 100 via the USB driver unit 22, analyzes the directory entry information of the file system built in the target USB device 100, and registers it in the search target folder. It is determined whether or not there is an entry (file or folder) that has not yet been processed (corresponding information is not stored in the folder / file relationship storage means 20) (S200).

When there is an unprocessed entry, the folder information acquisition unit 23 sequentially selects one of them and increments the entry number variable N by +1 (S201).

When the selected entry is a file (S202: file), the folder information acquisition unit 23 extracts the file name of the file from the directory entry information (S203). Then, based on information such as the extension of the extracted file name, it is determined whether or not the file is an image file (S204).

If the file is an image file, the folder information acquisition unit 23 increments the image file identification number variable M by +1 (S205).

The folder / file relationship storage means 20 stores the value of the entry number variable N, the value of the folder name storage variable T, the value of the image file identification number variable M, and the extracted file name in association with each other (S206). Return to S200.

On the other hand, if the file is not an image file, the folder information acquisition unit 23 stores the entry number variable N, the folder name storage variable T, and the extracted file name in association with each other in the folder / file relationship storage unit 20 (S207). ), And returns to S200.

On the other hand, when the entry selected in S201 is a folder (S202: folder), the folder information acquisition unit 23 temporarily saves the value of the folder name storage variable T in a predetermined area, and then stores the folder name of the folder from the directory entry information. Is extracted and stored in the folder name storage variable T (S208).

When the folder hierarchy is multiplexed, the folder name may be stored in the folder name storage variable T so that the hierarchy structure is known, such as “parent folder name \ child folder name \ grandchild folder name”. .

Next, the folder information acquisition unit 23 temporarily saves the information of the search target folder in a predetermined area, and then sets the entry (folder) selected in S201 as the search target folder, and makes itself (folder information acquisition unit 23). A recursive call is made (S209).

Then, after the return (return), the temporarily saved information on the search target folder and the value of the folder name storage variable T are restored (S210), and the process returns to S200.

On the other hand, if there is no unprocessed entry in S200, the folder information acquisition unit 23 ends the process for the search target folder and returns to the caller.

In this way, the folder information acquisition unit 23 acquires the folder information of the file system built in the USB device 100 and stores it in the folder / file relationship storage unit 20. The means 24 executes processing for printing the folder name and the file name in association with each other.

That is, the print control unit 24 refers to the folder / file relationship storage unit 20 and reads the value associated with the associated folder name, file name, and image file identification number variable value. However, print data for printing these in association with each other is generated (S102).

Then, the print data is transferred to the print engine 11, and printing is executed while controlling the power mechanism unit 2 (S103).

As a mode of printing by associating the folder name, the file name, and the image file identification number variable value, for example, a mode as shown in FIG. 6 can be considered. When adopting this mode, it is desirable to print after sorting by folder name so that the correspondence between folders and files can be easily understood. Further, when the printing of the file name associated with the same folder name continues, it is desirable to print the corresponding folder name only for the first file name.

As described above, when a folder is formed in the connected USB device 100, the printer 1 of the present embodiment acquires the folder name of the folder and the file name of the file registered in the folder in association with each other. Then, it is possible to execute folder list printing for printing them in association with each other. According to such a configuration, when creating a folder for managing image files, the user includes situation information in the folder name, and thus refers to such situation information when referring to the folder list printing result. As a result, it is possible to select and print a desired image while accurately grasping the situation at the time of shooting.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the file name is printed in association with the folder name for files other than image files (non-image files), even when situation information is included in the file name of the non-image file, Situation information can be referred to by printing a folder list.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when performing folder list printing, an image file identification number is assigned to an image file, and the number is printed in association with the file name of the image file. The user can designate a desired image file by referring to the folder list print result by the image file identification number. In this case, the printer 1 refers to the folder / file relationship storage unit 20 and extracts the file name of the image file corresponding to the number designated by the user, and the image file from the USB device 100 based on the extracted file name. Can be read and the printing process can be executed.

(Other)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and applied.

For example, in the above embodiment, a folder list is printed by associating a folder name, a file name, and an image file identification number as shown in FIG. 6. For example, as shown in FIG. A reduced image based on the image file may be printed in association therewith. In this case, in step S102, the print control unit 24 reads each image file from the USB device 100, performs decompression processing or the like as necessary, generates image data, and reduces the image data to a predetermined size. Processing is performed, and print data is generated so that the file name corresponding to the same image file and the reduced image are printed in a state of being associated with each other.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the file names associated with the same folder name are set as one group, and each group is separated by a frame-like line element and printed in association with the folder name. Is also possible. In this example, the reduced image is also printed in association with the file name of the image file in the frame separating the groups. According to such a configuration, it is possible to print the situation information included in the folder name and present it to the user while realizing index printing with a layout almost the same as the conventional one.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking an example in which direct printing is performed, but the present invention can be applied to other than a direct printer. In this case, the printer system including the host device may be grasped as the printer 1, and the storage unit managed by the host device may be grasped as the external memory.

Finally, the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes various information processing apparatuses (copiers, fax machines, handy terminals, etc.) having a printing function, in addition to devices generally called printers such as inkjet printers, laser printers, and label printers. ). The usage is not limited to home use. For example, a printer or the like is installed at a convenience store or a party venue, and the user brings an external memory or electronic device and prints on the spot. Is also possible.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of a printer control unit 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of 1 aspect of a folder list printing process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of 1 aspect of a folder list printing process. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a folder / file relationship storage unit 20. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing result of folder list printing. It is a figure which shows the other example of the printing result of folder list printing. It is a figure which shows the other example of the printing result of folder list printing. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing result of the conventional index printing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Power mechanism part, 3 Printer control part, 17 USB interface, 20 Folder / file information storage means, 21 Panel IF means, 22 USB driver means, 23 Folder information acquisition means, 24 Print control means, 100 USB device

Claims (3)

When a folder is formed in the storage unit for storing the file, the folder name of the folder and the file name of the file registered in the folder are acquired, and the acquired folder name is associated with the file name. Information acquisition means stored in the storage means,
Print control means for executing processing for printing the folder name and the file name stored in the storage means in association with each other,
The information acquisition unit assigns a print target file identification number when the file whose file name has been acquired is a print target file, and knows the hierarchical structure when the layers of the formed folders are multiplexed. Get the folder name as
The printing apparatus, wherein the printing control unit executes a process of printing the acquired folder name, file name, and the assigned print target file identification number in association with each other.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a portable unit, and the printing apparatus includes a connection interface with the storage unit. Connection detecting means for detecting connection of the storage unit to the connection interface;
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition unit executes a folder name and file name acquisition process triggered by the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the storage unit.

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