JP4971484B2 - Image forming apparatus, image printing system, image supply apparatus, and image composition output method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image printing system, an image supply apparatus, and an image composition output that receive an image file transferred from an image supply apparatus connected via an interface and print image data in the image file. Regarding the method.

  Conventionally, in order to print image data taken with a digital still camera, an image file including the image data is once loaded onto a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and then read into an application software for images. After processing and editing, printing was performed from a PC using a printer driver. Such conventional digital image printing requires data transfer to a PC and application software, and has never been easy.

  In recent years, there has been a standard for a direct print system that can directly print out an image file in a digital still camera by connecting a digital still camera as an image supply device and a printer device as an image forming device without using a PC. Products that are defined and support the standard in both digital still cameras and printers are becoming widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to such a digital still camera and a printer device in accordance with the standard of the direct print system, it is possible to directly transfer an image file from the digital still camera to the printer device without using a PC and perform printing.

  On the other hand, in a digital still camera, title and character information corresponding to a captured image can be recorded in the Exif header when the image is captured. For example, Patent Document 2 describes a digital still camera in which a character string related to an image is input on a digital still camera and stored in an Exif header of the image. The information embedded in the Exif header in this way is used for image management and retrieval on the PC.

  By the way, the standard of the direct print system as described in Patent Document 1 is a communication command format common to each company, and is output by selecting from a UI (User Interface) of a digital still camera. Therefore, complicated print designation is not prepared, and only output with limited functions can be performed as compared with output from a PC.

  Specifically, even when only one image is output on one sheet, or even when a plurality of images can be output on one sheet, it is not possible to specify a detailed layout. This is a situation where the desired output result cannot be obtained. In addition, the direct print system by connecting a digital still camera and a printer is basically intended to output a photographed image in the form of a film photographed with a silver halide photograph on a photographic paper. Output that includes an area that allows you to add a note to the output paper, or a standard format (such as reports, meeting minutes, resumes, business cards with photos, etc.) for attaching images It cannot be output. Therefore, in order to create a document such as a report using an image taken with a digital still camera, the application software is launched after the image file is once imported to the PC, and the document is created using the captured image. The trouble of performing printing has occurred.

  On the other hand, when referring to information embedded in an Exif header as described in Patent Document 2, dedicated image browsing application software is required. In addition, in order to output an image to which information set by the user is added with higher convenience, there is no choice but to output from such dedicated application software to the printer apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and image data in an image file according to the configuration of form data stored in advance in a storage unit at the time of direct printing by connection between an image supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus. And an image forming apparatus, an image printing system, an image supply apparatus, and an image composition output method having a convenient output function capable of generating an image in which images and information embedded in an image file are respectively arranged. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an interface configured to connect an image supply apparatus, and capability information of the image formation apparatus. Included in the job information, receiving means for receiving job information from the image supply device, and a print condition input according to the capability information and identification information for identifying image data to be printed Transmitting means for transmitting an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information to the image supply apparatus, and an image supplied from the image supply apparatus via the interface in response to the acquisition request Communication means for receiving a file, and extraction for extracting image data and information associated with the image data from the received image file A storage means for storing data in a format in which a stage and an area for arranging the image data provided adjacent to each other so as not to overlap with each other and an area for arranging information associated with the image data are provided; Image generating means for generating an image in which the image data extracted by the extracting means and information associated with the image data are arranged based on data in a format stored in the storing means; and the image generating means Image output means for outputting the image generated by the above to a recording medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the storage unit stores a plurality of format data, and the plurality of format data stored in the storage unit. It further comprises selection means for selecting one data .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the information associated with the image data is photographing condition information relating to a photographing condition of the image data in the image file .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the photographing condition information includes a manufacturer name of the image supply apparatus, a model name of the image supply apparatus, and a software version of the image supply apparatus. , Exposure program mode, photometry mode, aperture value, full aperture value, shutter speed, focal length, focus distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, date / time, light source discrimination, and strobe use .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect , the photographing condition information includes a manufacturer name of the image supply apparatus, a model name of the image supply apparatus, and a software version of the image supply apparatus. , Exposure program mode, photometry mode, aperture value, full aperture value, shutter speed, focal length, focus distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, light source discrimination, and strobe use .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect , the information associated with the image data is text information .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention , in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the image file has an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format .

An image printing system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is an image printing system including an image supply device and an image forming device, and the image forming device includes an interface configured to connect the image supply device; Job information including notifying means for notifying the image supply device of capability information of the image forming device, printing conditions input according to the capability information, and identification information for identifying image data to be printed, the image supply device Receiving means for receiving the image data, transmitting means for sending an acquisition request for the image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information to the image supply apparatus, and the interface in response to the acquisition request Communication means for receiving an image file supplied from the image supply device via the image supply device, and image data from the received image file. And an extraction means for extracting information associated with the image data, an area for arranging the image data provided adjacent to each other so as not to overlap each other, and an area for arranging the information associated with the image data The storage means for storing the data in the format provided with, the image data extracted by the extraction means and the information associated with the image data are arranged based on the data of the format stored in the storage means Image generating means for generating the image, and image output means for outputting the image generated by the image generating means to a recording medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing system according to the eighth aspect , the storage unit stores a plurality of format data, and the plurality of format data stored in the storage unit. It further comprises selection means for selecting one data .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing system according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the information associated with the image data is photographing condition information relating to a photographing condition of the image data in the image file .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image printing system according to the tenth aspect , the photographing condition information includes a manufacturer name of the image supply device, a model name of the image supply device, and a software version of the image supply device. , Exposure program mode, photometry mode, aperture value, full aperture value, shutter speed, focal length, focus distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, date / time, light source discrimination, and strobe use .

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing system according to the tenth aspect , the photographing condition information includes a manufacturer name of the image supply device, a model name of the image supply device, and a software version of the image supply device. , Exposure program mode, photometry mode, aperture value, full aperture value, shutter speed, focal length, focus distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, light source discrimination, and strobe use .

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing system according to the eighth or ninth aspect , the information associated with the image data is text information .

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention , in the image printing system according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects , the image file has an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format .

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image printing system according to any one of the eighth to fourteenth aspects, the image supply device is a digital still camera .

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, an image supply apparatus identifies information receiving means for receiving capability information of an image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, printing conditions input according to the capability information, and image data to be printed. A transmission means for transmitting job information including identification information to the image forming apparatus, and an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information from the image forming apparatus. Request receiving means for receiving, and file transmitting means for transmitting the image file having received the acquisition request to the image forming apparatus.

An image composition output method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is an image composition output method executed by an image forming apparatus including a control unit, a storage unit, and an interface configured to connect the image supply device. A step of notifying the image supply device of capability information of the image forming apparatus , executed in the control unit, a printing condition input in accordance with the capability information, and identification information for identifying image data to be printed Receiving job information from the image supply device; transmitting an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information to the image supply device; and the acquisition request. from step a, the image file received for receiving image file supplied from the image supply device via the interface in accordance with an image Extracting the data and information associated with the image data, an area for arranging the image data provided adjacent to each other so as not to overlap each other, and an area for arranging the information associated with the image data And an image in which the extracted image data and information associated with the image data are arranged based on the format data read from the storage device. And a step of outputting the generated image to a recording medium.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image composition output method according to the seventeenth aspect , the storage device stores a plurality of format data, and the plurality of formats of data stored in the storage device. The method further includes the step of selecting one piece of data .

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image composition output method according to the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect, the information associated with the image data is photographing condition information relating to photographing conditions of the image data in the image file. .

The invention according to claim 20 is the image composition output method according to claim 19 , wherein the photographing condition information includes a manufacturer name of the image supply device, a model name of the image supply device, software of the image supply device. Version, exposure program mode, photometry mode, aperture value, full aperture value, shutter speed, focal length, focus distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, light source discrimination, and strobe use .

The invention according to claim 21 is the image composition output method according to claim 17 or 18 , wherein the information associated with the image data is text information .

According to the present invention, at the time of direct printing by connecting the image supply device and the image forming device, the user can print the information embedded in the image file with a simpler and simpler system. There is an effect that an image forming apparatus having a high output function can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the color laser printer. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a format of a form. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of the digital still camera. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of the digital still camera. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the Exif file format. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure when the digital still camera instructs the color laser printer to print an image. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing print job information. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram relating to characteristic functions exhibited by the system control unit provided in the color laser printer operating according to the control processing program. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a form printing example. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an Exif file format according to the second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram relating to characteristic functions exhibited by the system control unit provided in the color laser printer operating according to the control processing program. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of form printing.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image printing system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
[1. Description of image printing system configuration of the embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing system of the present embodiment includes a color laser printer A as an image forming apparatus and a digital still camera as an image supply apparatus via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable C as an interface. B is connected.

[1-1. Explanation of Color Laser Printer A]
First, the color laser printer A which is an image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the color laser printer A. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the color laser printer A includes a system control unit 1 that performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the color laser printer A and an image forming process. The system control unit 1 is mainly configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) constituting a microcomputer, and the entire color laser printer A according to a control processing program stored in the system memory 2 or the magnetic disk device 10. Responsible for control.

  The system control unit 1 includes a system memory 2, a parameter memory 3, a clock circuit 4, an operation display unit 5, a page memory 6, a printer engine 7, a transport system unit 8, an external device interface circuit 9, and a magnetic disk device 10. Are connected via the internal bus 11, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 11.

  The system memory 2 stores a control processing program executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the control processing program, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. 3 is for storing various kinds of information unique to the color laser printer A.

  The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information. The operation display unit 5 is for operating the color laser printer A, and includes various operation keys and various display devices.

  The page memory 6 holds image data to be printed (print drawing image), and the printer engine 7 records and outputs an image of the image data held in the page memory 6 on a recording sheet (not shown). An image forming unit. The paper feeding / conveying system unit 8 separates the recording paper from a paper cassette or the like (not shown) holding the recording paper, feeds the recording paper to the image recording position of the printer engine 7, and finally the paper discharge tray ( (Not shown). Since the color laser printer A of the present embodiment is a laser printer, the printer engine 7 forms an image by an electrophotographic process method and records it on a recording sheet.

  The external device interface circuit 9 is connected to the digital still camera B via the USB cable C to receive image data and the like, and print capability information (output quality, paper size, paper type, Support image format, date output, file name output, layout information for paper size, etc.).

  The magnetic disk device 10 is for storing various print document information and for storing other appropriate information data. Here, as the information data held by the color laser printer A of the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a predetermined area including a plurality of areas a where images are arranged and areas b where memos can be added are included. There is form data for creating a form D. That is, the magnetic disk device 10 is a storage unit that stores form data for creating the form D.

[1-2. Description of digital still camera B]
Next, the digital still camera B which is an image supply device will be described. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the digital still camera B, and FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the external configuration thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the digital still camera B, which is an image supply device, roughly includes a signal processing unit 12, a memory control unit 13, a main control unit 14, a frame memory 15, an interface 16, A display unit 17, an external storage unit 18 capable of recording / reading various data with respect to a medium 26 that is a storage medium for storing or distributing information outside or obtaining information from the outside, and a shooting mode setting unit 19 An imaging unit 20, a touch panel 27, an operation unit 28, and a microphone 29. The imaging unit 20 includes a lens 21, a diaphragm 22, a shutter 23, a photoelectric conversion element 24, and a preprocessing unit 25.

  Here, the signal processing unit 12 is connected to the preprocessing unit 25, the memory control unit 13, the main control unit 14, and the interface 16. The memory control unit 13 is connected to the frame memory 15. Further, the main control unit 14 is connected to the memory control unit 13, the shooting mode setting unit 19, and the microphone 29. The microphone 29 is connected to the main controller 14 via an analog-digital converter (A / D converter) 30. The frame memory 15 is connected to the memory control unit 13. The interface 16 is connected to the display unit 17, the external storage unit 18, the touch panel 27, and the operation unit 28. In addition, a USB cable C for communicating with the color laser printer A is also connected to the interface 16.

  On the other hand, in the imaging unit 20, the lens 21, the diaphragm 22, the shutter 23, and the photoelectric conversion element 24 are arranged in this order on the optical axis, and the photoelectric conversion element 24 is connected to the preprocessing unit 25. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used for the photoelectric conversion element 24 of the imaging unit 20. The preprocessing unit 25 includes an analog signal processing unit and an analog-digital converter (A / D converter) including a preamplifier and an automatic gain control circuit (Auto Gain Control-AGC). After the output analog video signal is subjected to preprocessing such as amplification and clamping, the analog video signal is converted into a digital video signal.

  The signal processing unit 12 includes a digital signal processor (DSP processor) and the like, has an image compression function, and performs various functions such as color separation, white balance adjustment, and γ correction on the digital video signal obtained in the imaging unit 20. The image processing is performed.

  The memory control unit 13 performs a process of storing the image signal processed in this way in the frame memory 15 or reading the image signal stored in the frame memory 15.

  The main control unit 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that centrally controls each unit of the digital still camera B, a read only memory (ROM) that stores various control programs used by the CPU, and a RAM that serves as a work area. (Random Access Memory). In place of the control program stored in the ROM, the medium 26 storing the control program is mounted on the external storage unit 18 of the digital still camera B as shown in FIG. A control program may be executed. The frame memory 15 stores at least two images, and a semiconductor memory such as a VRAM, SRAM, or DRAM is generally used.

  Here, the image signal read from the frame memory 15 is subjected to signal processing such as image compression in the signal processing unit 12 and then stored as an image file in the external storage unit 18 via the interface 16. The external storage unit 18 reads and writes various signals such as image signals supplied via the interface 16 and is constituted by an IC memory card, a magneto-optical disk, or the like.

  Conversely, reading of the image signal recorded in the external storage unit 18 is performed by transmitting the image signal to the signal processing unit 12 via the interface 16 and performing image expansion in the signal processing unit 12. On the other hand, the image signal read from the external storage unit 18 and the frame memory 15 is displayed after the signal processing unit 12 performs signal processing such as digital-analog conversion (D / A conversion) and amplification on the image signal. This is performed by transmitting to the display unit 17 via the interface 16. Here, the display unit 17 displays an image in accordance with an image signal supplied via the interface 16 and is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) installed in a casing of the digital still camera B.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the digital still camera B has an appearance of a power switch 31, a shutter 32, a finder 33, a shooting mode setting key 34 for setting a shooting mode in the shooting mode setting unit 19, and a display. Scroll keys 35 and 36 for scrolling the image displayed on the unit 17 in the vertical direction, a determination key 37, and the like are provided. The shutter 32, the shooting mode setting key 34, the scroll keys 35 and 36, and the enter key 37 constitute the operation unit 28 described above.

  By the way, the image file stored in the external storage unit 18 is an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format. As shown in FIG. 6, this Exif file format is composed of an image data portion for recording a JPEG image (TIFF format if uncompressed) as captured image data and an Exif header portion. In the Exif header section, the digital still camera B manufacturer name, model name, digital still camera software version, exposure program mode, metering mode, aperture value, aperture value, shutter speed, focal length, focus distance, exposure compensation Shooting condition information c such as value, ISO sensitivity value, date and time, light source discrimination, and strobe use is stored. Such shooting condition information c is generated and given by shooting condition information generation processing executed in the signal processing unit 12. In addition, in the Exif header section, in addition to the shooting condition information c, additional information (image information, thumbnail images, etc.) recorded in the TIFF format, WAV files that are audio data recorded at the time of shooting, and the like are recorded. Is possible.

[2. Description of the operation of the image printing system of the present embodiment]
Next, the operation of the image printing system will be described.

[2-1. Explanation of direct print system]
The color laser printer A and the digital still camera B according to the present embodiment comply with a standard of a well-known direct print system that can directly print out an image file in the digital still camera by connecting the digital still camera and the printer device. Supported. That is, according to the color laser printer A and the digital still camera B of the present embodiment, the digital still camera B and the color laser printer A are connected via the USB cable C, and various print settings are made on the digital still camera B side. A print command and an error message from the color laser printer A can be displayed on the digital still camera B.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a communication procedure when the digital still camera B instructs the color laser printer A to print an image.

  First, the user connects the digital still camera B and the color laser printer A with the USB cable C, and instructs the digital still camera B to print an image.

  As a result, the digital still camera B transmits a command “print service request” to the color laser printer A, and then transmits a command “capability request” to the color laser printer A.

  When the color laser printer A receives the command “capability request”, the color laser printer A transmits capability information that can be specified at the time of printing in its own terminal in the response “capability notification”.

  Here, the capability information includes output quality (high speed / normal / high image quality, etc.), paper size, acceptable image format, date output, number of aggregations, and the like. The “number of aggregations” indicates the number of frames (number of images) that can be specified when selecting an aggregation layout that is an arrangement layout in which a plurality of images are arranged on one sheet.

  As a result, the digital still camera B allows the user to input printing conditions (output quality, paper size, date output presence / absence, aggregation number, index printing instruction, etc.) in accordance with the capability information notified from the color laser printer A. The user selects the image to be printed.

  When the user operation is completed, the digital still camera B transmits a command “job start instruction” including print job information as shown in FIG. 8 to the color laser printer A. At this time, when “index printing” is instructed by a user operation, “index printing” is arranged as a print command. The print job information includes a paper size designated by the user, the number of images designated by the user for index printing (number of print images (k)), and a user designated for index printing. K print image data IDs for identifying the image are included. If all images are automatically selected during index printing, the number of print images (k) is set to the number of all images stored in the digital still camera B at that time. As the image data ID, all representing all the images are set.

  Next, the color laser printer A sequentially designates one or more print image data IDs included in the received print job information, and transmits one or more responses “file acquisition request” to the digital still camera B.

  Thereby, the digital still camera B transmits the image data of the designated print image data ID to the color laser printer A one by one.

  The color laser printer A forms index print data based on the received image data, and performs a printing operation as needed. Here, since the received image data is encoded in any one of the image formats, it is decoded to create, for example, RGB format image data, and the RGB format image data is converted to print data. . At this time, the image to be printed is appropriately scaled according to the relationship between the size of the image data (resolution and the number of pixels) and the size of the paper or print area to be printed.

  When all printing operations are completed, the result is sent to the digital still camera B as a response “processing result notification”.

  When the digital still camera B receives the response “processing result notification” from the color laser printer A, the digital still camera B ends the print job.

[2-2. Explanation of characteristic functions of color laser printer A]
Next, characteristic functions that are exhibited when the system control unit 1 of the color laser printer A operates according to the control processing program will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram relating to characteristic functions that are exhibited when the system control unit 1 included in the color laser printer A operates according to a control processing program. As shown in FIG. 9, the system control unit 1 operates in accordance with the control processing program, so that the communication means 41, form data storage means 42, form data selection means 43, information print determination means 44, information analysis means 45, image synthesis. Each function of the means 46 and the image output means 47 is exhibited.

  The communication unit 41 exhibits a function of controlling communication with the digital still camera B connected via the USB cable C, receives image data from the digital still camera B, and receives digital data from the digital still camera B. And print capability information (output quality, paper size, paper type, supported image format, date output, file name output, layout information for paper size, etc.).

  The form data storage means 42 has a function of storing various form data (for example, form data of the form D shown in FIG. 3) in the magnetic disk device 10.

  The form data selection unit 43 has a function of selecting one form data from various form data held in the magnetic disk device 10 by the form data storage unit 42 based on the print setting information from the digital still camera B side. Demonstrate.

  The information print determination unit 44 exhibits a function of determining whether or not information (imaging condition information c) embedded in the image file received from the digital still camera B by the communication unit 41 is printed.

  The information analysis unit 45 receives information embedded in the image file received from the digital still camera B when the information print determination unit 44 instructs to print information embedded in the image file (imaging condition information c). The function of obtaining the condition information c) is exhibited.

  The image composition means 46 is selected by the form data selection means 43 from the image file received from the digital still camera B by the communication means 41 and the various form data held in the magnetic disk device 10 by the form data storage means 42. The function to compose the composition with one form data is demonstrated. Further, when the information print determining unit 44 instructs to print the information embedded in the image file (shooting condition information c), the information analysis unit 45 acquires the information (shooting condition information c) included in the image file. The information (imaging condition information c) is used as a character to synthesize an image, a form, and a character print.

  The image output unit 47 outputs the image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 46 to the printer engine 7 which is an image forming unit.

  Next, specific examples of characteristic functions that are exhibited when the system control unit 1 as described above operates according to a control processing program will be described.

  For example, when the user designates printing of image shooting conditions (for example, shutter speed) from the digital still camera B by the display unit 17 of the digital still camera B, the color laser printer A outputs an image designated by the user. , Drawing of form data, and shooting condition information c stored in the header of the image file in the Exif file format is referred to, and the shooting condition information c is printed as a character.

  FIG. 10 is an example of form printing when the form data for creating the form D shown in FIG. 3 is selected by the form data selection unit 43, and an image received from the digital still camera B in the area a of the form D. The image data in the file is printed, and the shooting condition information c (shutter speed) included in the image file is printed in the area b of the form D.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an image in which the image data in the image file and the information embedded in the image file are arranged according to the configuration of the form data stored in the magnetic disk device 10 in advance is generated. The generated image is output to the printer engine 7. As a result, when direct printing is performed by connecting the digital still camera B and the color laser printer A, the user can print characters embedded in the image file with a simpler and simpler system, which is highly convenient. A color laser printer A having an output function, an image printing system, a program, and an image composition output method can be provided.

  The information embedded in the image file is the shooting condition information c relating to the shooting condition of the image data in the image file, so that, for example, the shutter speed and the like can be printed out together with the image data.

  The control processing program executed in the system control unit 1 of the color laser printer A that is the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is provided by being stored in advance in the system memory 2, the magnetic disk device 10, or the like. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the control processing program may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The control processing program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the control processing program is provided as a file in an installable or executable format and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. It may be configured.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the same parts as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted. In the first embodiment, the shooting condition information c is printed as information embedded in the image file. The present embodiment is different in that text information that is a memo such as a title name for a captured image input by the digital still camera B is printed.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the Exif file format. As shown in FIG. 11, in the digital still camera B of the present embodiment, in addition to the shooting condition information c, text information d that is a memo such as a title name for the shot image is also displayed in the Exif header portion of the Exif file. It can be recorded as additional information. Such text information d is displayed by, for example, displaying a predetermined character string on the display unit 17 by the CPU of the main control unit 14 according to the control program and selecting it by operating the operation unit 28 of the user. It is created by displaying a software keyboard on the unit 17 and inputting characters by operating the operation unit 28 of the user via the software keyboard.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram relating to characteristic functions that are exhibited when the system control unit 1 included in the color laser printer A operates according to a control processing program. As shown in FIG. 12, the system control unit 1 operates in accordance with the control processing program, so that the communication means 41, form data storage means 42, form data selection means 43, information print determination means 54, information analysis means 55, image composition, Each function of the means 56 and the image output means 47 is exhibited.

  The information print determination unit 54 has a function of determining whether to print information (text information d) embedded in the image file received from the digital still camera B by the communication unit 41.

  The information analysis unit 55 receives information (text information) embedded in the image file received from the digital still camera B when the information print determination unit 54 instructs to print information (text information d) embedded in the image file. d) The function to acquire is demonstrated.

  The image composition means 56 is selected by the form data selection means 43 from the image file received from the digital still camera B by the communication means 41 and the various form data held in the magnetic disk device 10 by the form data storage means 42. The function to compose the composition with one form data is demonstrated. When the information printing determination unit 54 instructs printing of information (text information d) embedded in the image file, the information analysis unit 55 acquires information (text information d) included in the image file, The information (text information d) is used as a character to synthesize and output an image, a form, and character printing.

  Next, specific examples of characteristic functions that are exhibited when the system control unit 1 as described above operates according to a control processing program will be described.

  For example, when the user designates printing of a memo such as a title name for a photographed image from the digital still camera B by the display unit 17 of the digital still camera B, the color laser printer A outputs an image designated by the user for output. , Drawing of form data, and text information d stored in the header of the image file in the Exif file format is referred to, and the text information d is printed as a character.

  FIG. 13 is an example of form printing when the form data for creating the form D shown in FIG. 3 is selected by the form data selection unit 43, and an image received from the digital still camera B in the area a of the form D. A file is printed, and text information d included in the image file is printed in an area b of the form D.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an image in which the image data in the image file and the information embedded in the image file are arranged according to the configuration of the form data stored in the magnetic disk device 10 in advance is generated. The generated image is output to the printer engine 7. As a result, when direct printing is performed by connecting the digital still camera B and the color laser printer A, the user can print characters embedded in the image file with a simpler and simpler system, which is highly convenient. A color laser printer A having an output function, an image printing system, a program, and an image composition output method can be provided.

  Also, since the information embedded in the image file is text information d, for example, a camera memo or the like can be printed out together with the image data.

  In each embodiment, the color laser printer A is applied as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an ink jet printer may be applied to the image forming apparatus. When the ink jet printer is applied to the image forming apparatus as described above, it is natural that the printer engine 7 of the image forming apparatus prints out data on a recording medium using a known ink jet printing technique. Is.

  In each embodiment, the digital still camera B is applied as the image supply device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a storage that can hold a large amount of image data may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Memory | storage part 42 Form data storage means 43 Form data selection means 44,54 Information printing determination means 45,55 Information analysis means 46,56 Image composition means 47 Image output means A Image forming apparatus B Image supply apparatus C Interface D Form c Photographing Condition information d Text information

JP 2004-064740 A JP 2003-224750 A

Claims (21)

An image forming apparatus,
An interface configured to connect the image supply device;
Notification means for notifying the image supply apparatus of capability information of the image forming apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving, from the image supply apparatus, job information including printing conditions input according to the capability information and identification information for identifying image data to be printed;
Transmitting means for transmitting an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information to the image supply device;
Communication means for receiving an image file supplied from the image supply device via the interface in response to the acquisition request ;
Extraction means for extracting image data and information associated with the image data from the received image file;
Storage means for storing data in a format in which an area in which the image data provided adjacent to each other so as not to overlap with each other and an area in which information associated with the image data is provided are stored;
Image generation means for generating an image in which the image data extracted by the extraction means and information associated with the image data are arranged based on data in a format stored in the storage means;
Image output means for outputting the image generated by the image generation means to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The storage means stores a plurality of format data, and further comprises a selection means for selecting one data from a plurality of formats stored in the storage means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The information associated with the image data is shooting condition information related to shooting conditions of the image data in the image file.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:   The photographing condition information includes the manufacturer name of the image supply device, the model name of the image supply device, the software version of the image supply device, the exposure program mode, the metering mode, the aperture value, the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the focal length. , Focus distance, exposure compensation value, ISO sensitivity value, date and time, light source discrimination, strobe use,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   The photographing condition information includes the manufacturer name of the image supply device, the model name of the image supply device, the software version of the image supply device, the exposure program mode, the metering mode, the aperture value, the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the focal length. , Focusing distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, light source discrimination, strobe use,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   The information associated with the image data is text information.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:   The image file is an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An image printing system comprising an image supply device and an image forming device,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An interface configured to connect the image supply device;
Notification means for notifying the image supply apparatus of capability information of the image forming apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving, from the image supply apparatus, job information including printing conditions input according to the capability information and identification information for identifying image data to be printed;
Transmitting means for transmitting an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information to the image supply device;
Communication means for receiving an image file supplied from the image supply device via the interface in response to the acquisition request ;
Extraction means for extracting image data and information associated with the image data from the received image file;
Storage means for storing data in a format in which an area in which the image data provided adjacent to each other so as not to overlap with each other and an area in which information associated with the image data is provided are stored;
Image generation means for generating an image in which the image data extracted by the extraction means and information associated with the image data are arranged based on data in a format stored in the storage means;
Image output means for outputting the image generated by the image generation means to a recording medium;
An image printing system comprising:   The storage means stores a plurality of format data, and further comprises a selection means for selecting one data from a plurality of formats stored in the storage means.
The image printing system according to claim 8.   The information associated with the image data is shooting condition information relating to shooting conditions of the image data in the image file.
The image printing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein   The photographing condition information includes the manufacturer name of the image supply device, the model name of the image supply device, the software version of the image supply device, the exposure program mode, the metering mode, the aperture value, the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the focal length. , Focus distance, exposure compensation value, ISO sensitivity value, date and time, light source discrimination, strobe use,
The image printing system according to claim 10.   The photographing condition information includes the manufacturer name of the image supply device, the model name of the image supply device, the software version of the image supply device, the exposure program mode, the metering mode, the aperture value, the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the focal length. , Focusing distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, light source discrimination, strobe use,
The image printing system according to claim 10.   The information associated with the image data is text information.
The image printing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein   The image file is an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format.
The image printing system according to claim 8, wherein the image printing system is an image printing system.   The image supply device is a digital still camera.
The image printing system according to claim 8, wherein the image printing system is an image printing system.   Information receiving means for receiving capability information of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
  Transmission means for transmitting job information including printing conditions input according to the capability information and identification information for identifying image data to be printed to the image forming apparatus;
  Request receiving means for receiving an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information from the image forming apparatus;
  File transmission means for transmitting the image file that has received the acquisition request to the image forming apparatus;
An image supply apparatus comprising: An image composition output method executed in an image forming apparatus including a control unit, a storage unit, and an interface configured to connect the image supply device, and executed in the control unit.
Notifying the image supply device of capability information of the image forming device;
Receiving job information from the image supply device including printing conditions input according to the capability information and identification information for identifying image data to be printed;
Transmitting an acquisition request for an image file including the image data identified by the identification information included in the job information to the image supply device;
Receiving an image file supplied from the image supply device via the interface in response to the acquisition request ;
Extracting image data and information associated with the image data from the received image file;
A step of reading from a storage device data in a format in which an area for arranging the image data provided adjacent to each other so as not to overlap with each other and an area for arranging information associated with the image data are provided;
Generating an image in which the extracted image data and information associated with the image data are arranged based on data in a format read from the storage device;
Outputting the generated image to a recording medium;
An image composition output method comprising:   The storage device stores a plurality of format data, and further includes a step of selecting one data from a plurality of format data stored in the storage device.
The image composition output method according to claim 17.   The information associated with the image data is shooting condition information relating to shooting conditions of the image data in the image file.
The image composition output method according to claim 17 or 18,   The photographing condition information includes the manufacturer name of the image supply device, the model name of the image supply device, the software version of the image supply device, the exposure program mode, the metering mode, the aperture value, the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the focal length. , Focusing distance, exposure correction value, ISO sensitivity value, light source discrimination, strobe use,
The image composition output method according to claim 19.   The information associated with the image data is text information.
The image composition output method according to claim 17 or 18,

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