JP4858754B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an image processing apparatus including an output processing unit that acquires image data stored in a storage medium by a data acquisition unit and prints the image data on a print medium or stores the image data in a storage medium for storage. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for acquiring and processing image data from a plurality of storage media.

  There exists what is described in patent document 1 as a thing relevant to the image processing apparatus comprised as mentioned above. That is, the photographic printing apparatus is configured to perform the printing process of the image data received by the receiving apparatus. The reception device includes a media drive and a display (monitor) having a touch panel, and the customer sets a plurality of storage media in the media drive and performs operations according to the information displayed on the display. The processing mode is set so that the image data acquired from the storage medium can be processed.

  More specifically, when a storage medium is set in the media drive of the receiving apparatus to order a print, the acquired image data is displayed on the display in a thumbnail format after the image data of the storage medium is acquired. In this display, the print size and the number of prints are set for each image data (for each frame), and when this setting is completed, a screen for confirming whether or not the order is continued is displayed on the display. By selecting to continue ordering on this screen and setting the storage medium in the media drive, after the image data of the storage medium is further acquired, the acquired image data is displayed in the thumbnail format on the display, as described above. You can place an order.

JP 2003-121946 A

  As described in Patent Document 1, in the case of processing image data acquired from a plurality of storage media at once, the processing is simpler than that in which reception processing is completed every time one storage medium is set. It is to become. In particular, in the case of performing printing processing by receiving each of a plurality of storage media independently, since one storage medium is processed as one order, the photographic paper finished by the printing processing is placed in a DP bag or the like that differs for each storage medium. Must be housed.

  In the case of generating orders as many as the number of storage media received in this way, it is likely to lead to inconveniences such as forgetting to deliver the DP bag to be delivered to the customer or causing an error in charge calculation. Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, such inconvenience can be avoided by setting the processing mode so as to collectively process image data acquired from a plurality of storage media.

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, when acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media, the image data of one storage medium is displayed on the display and the print size and the number of prints are set. A screen confirming whether or not to continue is displayed on the display, and if you select the process to continue the order according to the display on this screen, you must always perform the specified operation when setting the storage medium. It took.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring and processing image data from a plurality of storage media with a simple operation.

A feature of the present invention is that an image includes an output processing unit that acquires image data stored in a storage medium by a data acquisition unit and prints the image data on a print medium or stores the image data in a storage medium for storage. In the processing device,
The data acquisition unit includes a medium drive that acquires image data from the storage medium, and an input terminal that can input information artificially. When acquiring image data from the storage medium, the data acquisition unit After the quantity of the storage medium to be acquired is input from the input terminal, image data from a plurality of storage media via the medium drive is set by setting the storage medium of the input quantity to the medium drive. Image data acquisition means for acquiring the image data, and order management means for managing the acquired image data as one order.

  With this configuration, the number of storage media from which image data is to be acquired is set in advance via the input terminal, and the number of storage media is set in the media drive so that the image data acquisition means can be connected via the media drive. Thus, the image data is continuously acquired from each storage medium, and it is not necessary to perform an artificial operation prior to the acquisition as in Patent Document 1. The acquired image data is managed as one order by the order management means. As a result, an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media and performing processing as one order with a simple operation has been rationally configured.

  Prior to the process of acquiring image data from the storage medium, the present invention displays on the monitor an input screen for inputting the quantity of the storage medium set in the medium drive, and the input terminal It is also possible to display the numerical value input by and to acquire the numerical value.

  With this configuration, when acquiring image data from a storage medium, the image data can be acquired from the number of storage media by inputting the quantity of the storage media from the input terminal in accordance with the display of the input screen displayed on the monitor. .

  The present invention includes a number of the media drives corresponding to a plurality of types of the storage media, and when the total number of the storage media set in the media drive reaches the number input by the input terminal, Information for confirming completion of acquisition may be output.

  With this configuration, for example, when acquiring image data from multiple types of storage media such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD memory card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark), numerical values are input for each type of storage media. Even if it is not necessary to input the total number of storage media from the input terminal, and after obtaining the image data from the input number of storage media, confirmation information is output. Misoperations such as forgetting to acquire are difficult to occur.

  The present invention stores, as a plurality of control channels including parameters for controlling processing in the output processing unit, a unit that performs processing for acquiring image data from a predetermined amount of the storage medium, and the input When a quantity is input from the terminal, a channel selection unit that selects a control channel for acquiring image data from the quantity of storage media may be provided.

  With this configuration, when a quantity is input from the input terminal, the channel selection means selects a control channel corresponding to the quantity, and the control channel thus selected stores a number corresponding to the input quantity. Image data can be acquired from the medium, and the acquired image data can be output to the output processing unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Photo printing device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operating part A (an example of a data acquisition unit) is formed outside a casing 10 having a dark box structure, and a photographic paper P (an example of a print medium) is formed inside the casing 10. An exposure processing unit Ex that performs exposure of image data, a vertical conveyance unit CV that inverts the photographic paper P from the exposure processing unit Ex and exchanges it upside down and conveys it upward, and a photographic paper from the vertical conveyance unit CV A development processing unit De that performs P development processing and a drying processing unit Dr that performs drying of the photographic paper P from the development processing unit De are formed, and the photographic paper P dried by the drying processing unit Dr is disposed in a housing. The sheet is discharged from the discharge unit 11 at the end of 10, received by the transfer belt 12, transferred in the horizontal direction, and provided with a sorter 13 that collects in order on any of the plurality of trays 13 </ b> A, thereby functioning as an image processing apparatus. Photo printing device It has been made.

  In this photographic printing apparatus, the exposure processing unit Ex, the vertical conveyance unit CV, the development processing unit De, and the drying processing unit Dr function as an output processing unit that realizes print processing, and an operation unit as will be described later. A medium drive 26 provided in A functions as an output processing unit that stores image data in a storage medium M such as a CD-R or a DVD-R.

[Operating Department]
The operating unit A has a function for an operator to acquire image data and setting information necessary for print processing. The operating unit A is composed of a general-purpose computer installed on the table unit 20. A print control unit 21, a monitor 22 installed on the upper surface of the print control unit 21, and a film scanner 23 for acquiring image data from a frame image of the photographic film F after development processing, and function as an input terminal Two keyboards 24 and a mouse 25 are provided.

  On the front surface of the print control unit 21 are various types of semiconductor storage media Ms such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), Memory Stick (trademark), and magnetic and optical types such as CD-ROM, DVD, and MO. A plurality of medium drives 26 for accessing information with the disk type storage medium Md. The semiconductor storage medium Ms and the disk storage medium Md are collectively referred to as a storage medium M.

  The film scanner 23 irradiates the photographic film F supported by the film carrier 23B with the light beam from the light source 23A disposed at the lower part, and guides the light beam from the photographic film F from the lens unit 23C to the upper photoelectric conversion unit 23D. In this photoelectric conversion unit 23D, a digital type color-separated into three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by performing photoelectric conversion and A / D conversion of the frame image of the photographic film F. Acquired as image data.

[Vertical transport unit, development processing unit, drying processing unit]
Although the specific structure is not shown in the drawing, the vertical conveyance unit CV receives the photographic paper P exposed by the exposure processing unit Ex by the pressure-bonding roller 15 and converts the posture of the pressure-bonding roller. The front and back sides are interchanged, and the sheet is conveyed upward along the guide rail 16 and functions to be sent out to the development processing unit De.

  The development processing unit De includes a development processing tank 30 in which a plurality of processing tanks including a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a stabilization tank are integrally formed of a resin, and the photographic paper P supplied from the exposure processing unit Ex. Is provided with a transport mechanism 31 having a plurality of pressure-bonding rollers. The drying processing unit Dr includes a plurality of pressure rollers 32 that convey the photographic paper P sent out from the development processing unit De, and a blower 33 that supplies dry air to the photographic paper P conveyed by the pressure roller 32. It has.

[Exposure processing section]
After the exposure processing unit Ex pulls up one of the long photographic paper P (an example of a print medium) accommodated in a roll shape in the two photographic paper magazines 1 by a pressure-feeding type supply conveyance roller 41, It is fed out in the horizontal direction and delivered from the discharge roller 43 of the cutter unit 42 to the chucker C. The chucker C includes a chuck member (not shown) that can be switched between a clamping state in which the photographic paper P is clamped and an open state in which the photographic paper P is opened, and a state in which the photographic paper P is clamped by the chuck member. To move horizontally and transfer the leading end of the photographic paper P to the exposure unit G.

  In the exposure unit G, the exposure mode is set so that the exposure head Gh performs line exposure along the main scanning direction while conveying the photographic paper P in the horizontal direction (sub-scanning direction) by the exposure conveying mechanism Gc. . The exposure transport mechanism Gc includes a first roller 45, a second roller 46, and a third roller 47, which can be switched between a crimping state and an open state, along the transport direction of the photographic paper P. Yes.

  As the exposure head Gh, a large number of dot-like phosphors are arranged in a line form in three types of vacuum cases corresponding to the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Instead of this, the light source from the light source is guided to the photosensitive surface of the photographic paper P from a liquid crystal type shutter or the like that controls pixel-by-pixel irradiation. The line exposure may be performed in such a manner that a laser beam of three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is scanned.

  The exposure processing unit Ex controls the cutting and conveyance of the photographic paper P in the exposure processing unit Ex, manages the development processing liquid of the photographic paper P in the development processing unit De, and performs the drying. A print management device 36 having a microprocessor for carrying the printing paper P and managing the temperature in the processing section Dr is provided. The print management device 36 carries the exposure by carrying the printing paper P as follows. .

[Exposure processing form]
When the exposure process for the photographic paper P is started, the chucker C is set at a standby position in the vicinity of the cutter unit 42, and in this state, the photographic paper P from any one of the photographic paper magazines 1 is supplied and transported roller 41. Then, it is fed out in the horizontal direction, passed through the part of the cutter unit 42, and delivered to the chucker C set at the standby position.

  The chucker C to which the photographic paper P has been delivered grips the vicinity of the front end of the photographic paper P and starts conveying in the horizontal direction. During the conveyance in the horizontal direction, the supply conveyance roller 41 and the discharge roller 43 are driven at a speed synchronized with the movement speed of the chucker C. When the length of the photographic paper P conveyed with reference to the cutting position of the cutter unit 42 reaches the print size, the conveyance of the photographic paper P is temporarily stopped and the photographic paper P is cut by the cutter unit 42. After cutting, the chucker C is further moved in the horizontal direction, and the photographic paper P is delivered to the exposure transport mechanism Gc.

  In the exposure transport mechanism Gc, the first roller 45 is set to an open state, accepts the photographic paper P from the chucker C, and immediately after this acceptance, the photographic paper P starts to be transported by switching to the crimping state. After this conveyance is started, the second roller 46 is set in the open state to accept the photographic paper P, and immediately after this acceptance, the printing paper P is switched to the pressure-bonding state, and the exposure conveyance of the photographic paper P is started. The first roller 45 is set in an open state. Next, the third roller 47 is set to the open state to receive the photographic paper P. Immediately after the reception, the third roller 47 is switched to the press-bonded state, and in conjunction with this, the second roller 46 is switched to the open state. The exposure transport of the photographic paper P is continued.

[Control structure]
As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the photographic printing apparatus is configured. That is, the print control unit 21 includes a microprocessor CPU and an input / output interface (I / O) 70 connected to the data bus of the microprocessor CPU. The monitor 22, the film scanner 23, the keyboard 24, the mouse 25, the plurality of medium drives 26, and the hard disk HD form a signal system for accessing information, and the input / output interface 70 and the print A communication system for accessing signals with the management device 36 is formed.

  With respect to the data bus of the microprocessor CPU, a semiconductor memory 71 composed of RAM or ROM, GUI control means 72, print channel selection means 73 (an example of channel selection means), order management means 74, and image data acquisition Means 75 and output processing means 76 are connected.

  The GUI control means 72 displays a cursor corresponding to the operation of the mouse 25 on the screen displayed on the monitor 22, and realizes processing for acquiring information based on the operation of the mouse 25 and the operation of the keyboard 24.

  The print channel selection means 73 includes the information acquired in the source screen 50 (an example of the input screen) shown in FIG. 4 and the information acquired in the processing in the detailed processing setting (step # 102) in FIG. Based on this, a corresponding print channel is acquired from a plurality of print channels (an example of a control channel) stored in the hard disk HD. The order management means 74 manages the acquired image data as one order.

  The image data acquisition unit 75 executes a process of acquiring image data from a source (film scanner 23, medium drive 26, etc.) set on the source screen 50. The output processing means 76 transmits image data and order data to the print management device 36 to realize print processing, or transmits image data to the medium drive 26 to store the storage medium M such as a CD-R. The processing for saving the image data is realized.

  The GUI control means 72, the print channel selection means 73, the order management means 74, the image data acquisition means 75, and the output processing means 76 are configured by software. These are configured by hardware. Or may be configured in combination with hardware.

  The print management device 36 controls the conveyance control unit 81 that manages the entire conveyance system from the supply conveyance roller 41 of the exposure processing unit Ex to the pressure roller 32 of the drying processing unit Dr, and the exposure head Gh. An exposure control unit 82 that manages exposure of image data to the photographic paper P, and a development / drying control unit that performs temperature management and liquid level management of the development processing liquid in the development processing tank 30 and performs temperature management of the drying processing unit Dr. 83, and this print management device 36 is configured to receive a signal from a magazine sensor MS that acquires information of ID plates (not shown) provided in the two photographic paper magazines 1. ing.

[Print processing]
In this photographic printing apparatus, an outline of a processing form when image data is acquired from the storage medium M and printing processing is performed on the photographic paper P can be shown as a flowchart of FIG. In this flowchart, as an example of output processing, a processing mode is shown in which a plurality of media (storage medium M) is selected as a source and print processing is selected as an output mode.

  That is, in this photo printing apparatus, the source screen 50 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed prior to the printing process for printing the image data on the photographic paper P and the output process for writing the image data to a storage medium such as a CD-R. Is done.

  In this source screen 50, the operator needs to check either “media” (storage medium M) or “film scanner” as a source of image data. If “media” is checked, In the media number setting unit 51, an operation for setting the quantity of the media (storage medium M) is required. When “Film Scanner” is checked, an operation for selecting a film size in the film size selection unit 52 is required. When this selection is finished and the OK button 53 is operated, the selection is finished (step # 101).

  Although “1” is set as a default value in the media number setting unit 51, the quantity set when acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media M is the total number of media regardless of the type of the storage media M. Matches. Although the control mode will not be described, when the “film scanner” is checked, scanning of the photographic film F is performed with the film carrier 23B corresponding to the film size selected by the film size selection unit 52 mounted on the film scanner 23. Is done.

  After the selection is completed as described above, an order screen (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 22, and on this order screen, the operator sets the print size, sets whether or not index printing is performed, and sets automatic correction and the like. (Step # 102). The order information is determined by this setting, and the print channel selection means 73 selects a corresponding print channel (an example of a control channel) based on the order information (step # 103).

  In steps # 101 to # 103, the GUI control unit 72 displays necessary screens and information on the monitor 22 based on the information from the print channel selection unit 73, and acquires information based on the operation of the operator. Based on the acquired information, the print channel selection means 73 selects the print channel as described above.

  The details of the print channel, such as the source and output form, are set in the form of parameters. When a medium is selected as the source, the image data acquisition means 75 sets the media drive 26 based on the print channel parameters. Acquisition of image data from the storage medium M thus started is started. Further, when 2 or more (a plurality) is set as the number of media in the source screen 50 and the storage medium M is not set in the medium drive 26, the image data acquisition means 75 displays the remaining amount screen 55 shown in FIG. Is displayed on the monitor 22 to prompt the user to set the storage medium M (step # 104).

  The remaining amount screen 55 displays the quantity of the storage medium M that is not set in the remaining amount display unit 56. Also, if a large quantity is entered by mistake in the media number setting section 51 of the source screen 50, or if you want to round up the process before setting all the storage media M, stop the acquisition and move to the next process. The button 57 for operating is operated.

  Further, when the storage medium M is set after the remaining amount screen 55 is displayed, the image data acquisition unit 75 acquires image data from the storage medium M regardless of the type of the storage medium M. Start processing.

  When acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media M, the image data can be acquired continuously regardless of the type of the storage medium M by setting the quantity of the storage medium M in advance. Representative examples of acquisition modes by the data acquisition means 75 are shown in the following (A) and (B).

(A) For example, when the total number of storage media M is 3 (when using different storage media M one by one) with CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark). By simultaneously setting each storage medium M in the corresponding medium drive 26, image data is automatically acquired from each storage medium M in a preset order.

(B) When there are a plurality of at least one storage medium M, a storage medium is set in the corresponding medium drive 26, and the next storage medium M is set each time the remaining amount screen 55 is displayed. Thus, the image data is automatically acquired.

  Although not shown in the drawing, in order to avoid the inconvenience of setting the same storage medium M a plurality of times, when acquiring image data from the storage medium M, Exif (Exchangeable Image File) is used in the headers of the plurality of image data. Tag information such as shooting date / time (time stamp) and data amount saved in the format) format is stored in association with the storage medium M, and already saved shooting date and time and data amount are saved. When the image data storage medium M is set again, the processing mode of the image data acquisition means 75 is set so as to display a message (not shown) such as “Image data has already been acquired”. ing.

  When the acquisition of the image data from the number of storage media M set by this processing is completed, the image data acquisition means 75 displays the confirmation screen 60 shown in FIG. When the acquisition of image data is completed in a situation where the confirmation screen 60 is displayed on the monitor 22, the operator operates the OK button 61 to add a storage medium M for acquiring the image data. When the operator operates the add button 62 to newly set the storage medium M in the medium drive 26, image data is acquired from the set storage medium M (steps # 105 to # 108).

  After acquiring the image data from the storage medium M in this way, one order for managing the acquired plurality of image data is generated, and a pre-judge screen (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 22, and this pre-judge screen is displayed. On the other hand, the image data acquired from the storage medium M is displayed in a list in a reduced size such as a thumbnail format, and the operator sets what is to be printed, the number of prints, etc., and corrects if necessary. When the processing on the pre-judge screen is finished and printing is performed, printing processing is executed according to the parameters set in the print channel (steps # 109 to # 112).

  The process for displaying the pre-judge screen on the monitor 22 is not necessarily performed. For example, when one image data is printed on one photographic paper P as in simultaneous printing, each image data is automatically corrected. The print channel may be set so as to perform the printing process.

  Thus, according to the present invention, when image data is acquired from a plurality of storage media M and output processing is performed, the operator sets the number of storage media M in advance and sets the processing mode of the image data and the like. Thus, the print channel is automatically selected, control is performed according to the print channel parameters, and the remaining amount screen 55 displayed on the monitor 22 is displayed. In accordance with this display, the operator simply sets a plurality of storage media M in the corresponding media drive 26, and continuously acquires image data regardless of the type of the storage media M, and the acquired plurality of image data as one order. Reach the state to manage. By outputting a plurality of image data managed in this order according to the parameters of the print channel, printing on the photographic paper P and processing such as saving the image data in a storage medium M such as a CD-R or DVD-R can be performed. It will be realized.

  In particular, even when an incorrect quantity is input in the media number setting unit 51 of the source screen 50, it is possible to change the quantity of the storage medium M from which image data is to be acquired on the remaining screen 55 or the confirmation screen 60. The image data is acquired from an appropriate number of storage media M so that the processing can be performed.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) The present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus having a receiving terminal operated by a customer. A specific example will be described. The reception terminal includes a monitor having a touch panel and a medium drive. Even when a customer places a plurality of storage media M in the reception terminal and orders print processing, By displaying a necessary screen and inputting the quantity of storage media to be set, image data is acquired from the plurality of storage media, and output processing is realized.

(B) When acquiring image data from a plurality of different types of storage media, for example, the processing mode is set so that the number of SD cards (trademark) and the number of memory sticks (trademark) can be set. By setting the processing mode in this way, for example, the remaining amount corresponding to the type of the storage medium M can be displayed on the remaining amount screen 55, and a specific message is displayed to the operator. Operation without error.

(C) When image data is acquired from a plurality of storage media, the image data is printed in the acquired order or stored in a storage medium such as a CD-R. Are managed as one group, and the processing mode is set to change the order of the groups in the order. By setting the processing form in this way, the processing order may be changed.

Perspective view of photo printing device Longitudinal front view of photo printing device Block diagram of control system Diagram showing source screen Figure showing the remaining amount screen Figure showing a confirmation screen Output processing flowchart

Explanation of symbols

22 Monitor 24 Input terminal (keyboard)
25 Input terminal (mouse)
26 Media drive 50 Input screen (source screen)
73 Channel selection means (print channel selection means)
74 Order management means 75 Image data acquisition means 76 Output processing means A Data acquisition part (operating part)
M Storage medium P Print medium (photographic paper)

Claims (4)

An image processing apparatus including an output processing unit that acquires image data stored in a storage medium by a data acquisition unit and prints the image data on a print medium or stores the image data in a storage medium for storage,
The data acquisition unit includes a medium drive that acquires image data from the storage medium, and an input terminal that can input information artificially. When acquiring image data from the storage medium, the data acquisition unit After the quantity of the storage medium to be acquired is input from the input terminal, image data from a plurality of storage media via the medium drive is set by setting the storage medium of the input quantity to the medium drive. An image processing apparatus comprising: image data acquisition means for acquiring image data; and order management means for managing the acquired image data as one order.   Prior to the process of acquiring image data from the storage medium, an input screen for inputting the quantity of the storage medium to be set in the medium drive is displayed on the monitor, and the input screen is input to the input terminal. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a numerical value is displayed and the numerical value is acquired.   When the total number of the storage media set in the media drive reaches the number input by the input terminal, the acquisition of image data is completed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information to be confirmed is output.   As a plurality of control channels including parameters for controlling processing in the output processing unit, one that performs processing for acquiring image data from a predetermined amount of the storage medium is stored, and the quantity is obtained from the input terminal. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising channel selection means for selecting a control channel for acquiring image data from the quantity of storage media when input.

Images