JP5241933B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof, printing system, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a direct printing technique for printing by directly connecting a digital camera or the like to a printer.

  There is a so-called digital camera direct print system in which a printer and a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as DSC (Digital Still Camera)) are directly connected via an interface such as a USB, and an image stored in the DSC is transferred to the printer for printing. It has become common.

  In the digital camera camera direct print system, an image file stored in the DSC is defined as a standard print designation file called DPOF (Digital Print Order Format). Then, the user designates an image to be printed by the DPOF file and transfers it to the printer for printing.

  In a standard communication standard between a DSC and a printer proposed in such a digital camera direct print system, image data is transferred from the DSC to the printer in an image file format such as JPEG or TIFF.

  In recent years, the resolution of images taken by DSC has increased dramatically, and DSCs having a resolution of 16 million pixels are also commercially available. However, even if image data shot with a high-resolution DSC is transferred as it is to the printer in the JPEG format, depending on the size of the image to be printed, such a large amount of image data is not required by the printer, and transfer is wasted. End up. For a printer having a small memory capacity, such a large amount of image data causes a memory overflow.

  In order to cope with such a situation, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed.

  In Patent Document 1, for the purpose of reducing the processing load on a printer, the JPEG file is decompressed, color converted, resized, etc. by DSC and converted to printable format data, and then transferred to the printer. The image processing load is reduced.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, variations in color reproduction characteristics for each printer are corrected on the DSC side and transferred to a printer as a general image file such as JPEG. This makes it possible to obtain a stable image that does not depend on the printing characteristics of each printer.

JP-A-10-290470 JP 2003-134457 A

  Here, it is known to print by specifying a trimming frame when printing an image taken by the DSC.

  In “trimming” printing, the original image is cut out and the image is printed on the entire photographic paper by specifying “borderless”, or the entire image specified by trimming is specified by specifying “bordered”.

  In addition, it is also known to analyze a captured image and print it with brightness, contrast, and color correction in order to improve image quality.

  Many algorithms for brightness / contrast correction processing create a histogram of RGB or luminance for the entire photographed image and analyze it to correct the original image. However, when trimming is designated, the image is cut out and transferred to the printer, so that there is a problem that the histogram changes depending on the cutout position, and the brightness and contrast change.

  In addition, in “borderless” printing, it is common to print a little larger than the photographic paper so as not to leave a border, but when the image is cut out and processed, there is no data of the protruding area, There is a problem that the image of the protruding part is lost.

  In addition, in order to cope with the above problems, when the original image and trimming information are transferred to the printer and the image is processed on the printer side, unnecessary images other than those designated for trimming are also transferred. This results in a slower printing speed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is that when trimming and printing an image, there is no change in brightness or contrast depending on the cutout position, and the image cut out by trimming can be performed with high accuracy and high speed. It is to realize a technology capable of printing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus that communicates with a printing apparatus that prints an image and transmits the image to the printing apparatus. A designation unit for designating an image to be printed from the image, a setting unit for setting a printing condition including a trimming range and a print size of the image designated as a printing target by the designation unit, and a trimming range set by the setting unit Trimming information storage means for storing the trimming information indicating the image, and processing processing including resizing is performed on the image to be printed based on the printing conditions set by the setting means, and the trimming information storage means stores the trimming information. Processing means for processing the trimming information in accordance with the processing, an image to be printed processed by the processing means, and processed A transfer unit that transfers trimming information to the printing apparatus, and when the resizing is performed by the processing unit, the processing unit resizes the entire image without cutting out the image according to the trimming information. Then, the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage means is resized.

  According to the present invention, when trimming and printing an image, there is no change in brightness and contrast depending on the cutout position, and the image cut out by trimming can be printed with high accuracy and high speed.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an overview of an operation panel of the PD printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on control of PD printer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of DSC which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the procedure which issues a printing start request | requirement with respect to PD printer from DSC, and performs printing. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when printing is performed by performing communication between the digital camera and the PD printer according to the present embodiment, supplying image data from the DSC to the PD printer, and printing. Image (a) photographed by DSC, image (b) resized based on the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the image to be printed (a), image (c) resized and rotated (c), printed with a border It is a figure which shows the printing result thing (d) and the printing result thing (e) printed borderless, respectively. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job file creation processing executed by the DSC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for creating a print image file by DSC. 14 is a flowchart showing image file transmission processing in the DSC 3012 in response to an “image file acquisition request” from the PD printer 1000. 10 is a flowchart showing print image resizing processing by the DSC 3012;

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

[System configuration]
In the following, an embodiment of direct printing between a digital still camera (DSC) and a printer will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photo direct printer (hereinafter referred to as PD printer) 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The PD printer 1000 has a function as a normal PC printer that receives and prints data from a host computer (PC). Further, the PD printer 1000 has a function of directly reading and printing image data stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, or a function of printing image data transferred from a DSC, PDA, or the like.

In FIG. 1, the main body that forms the outer shell of the PD printer 1000 of the present embodiment includes a lower case 1001, an upper case 1002, an access cover 1003, and an exterior member for a discharge tray 1004. The lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half of the PD printer 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half of the main body. A combination of both cases has a hollow space having a storage space for storing each mechanism described below. A body structure is formed, and an opening is formed on each of the upper surface portion and the front surface portion. Furthermore, one end of the discharge tray 1004 is rotatably held by the lower case 1001, and the opening formed in the front surface of the lower case 1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation.
Here, when the recording operation is performed, the discharge tray 1004 is rotated to the front side to open the opening, thereby including sheets (plain paper, special paper, resin sheets, etc.) recorded from here. ) Can be discharged, and the discharged sheets can be stacked sequentially. The paper discharge tray 1004 accommodates two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b. By pulling out each tray as necessary, the sheet support area can be expanded or reduced in three stages. It has become.

One end of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the upper case 1002 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1003, a recording head cartridge (not shown) or an ink tank (not shown) housed in the main body can be replaced.
Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 1003 is opened and closed, a protrusion formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening and closing lever. The open / closed state of the access cover 1003 can be detected by detecting the rotation position of the lever with a microswitch or the like.

  A power key 1005 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 1002. An operation panel 1010 including a liquid crystal display unit 1006 and various key switches is provided on the right side of the upper case 1002. The structure of the operation panel 1010 will be described later with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1007 denotes an automatic feeding unit that automatically feeds sheets into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a paper interval selection lever which is used to adjust the interval between the print head and the sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slot into which an adapter capable of mounting a memory card is inserted, and image data stored in the memory card can be directly read and printed via this adapter. Examples of the memory card include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, smart media, and a memory stick. A viewer (liquid crystal display unit) 1011 is detachable from the main body of the PD printer 1000. When searching for an image to be printed from images stored in the PC card, an image or index for each frame is displayed. Used to display images. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a USB terminal for connecting a DSC described later. Further, a USB connector for connecting a PC is provided on the back surface of the PD printer 1000.

[Operation panel configuration]
FIG. 2 is an overview of the operation panel 1010 of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display unit 1006 displays menu items for setting various data relating to items printed on the left and right sides thereof. The displayed items include, for example, the top number of a photographic image to be printed, a designated frame number (start frame designation / print frame designation), and the last photo number (end) to be printed. Number of copies (number of copies), type of sheet used for printing (paper type), setting of number of photos to be printed on one sheet (layout), specification of printing quality (quality), whether to print the date of shooting Designation (date printing), designation of whether to correct a photo (image correction), display of the number of sheets necessary for printing (number of sheets), and the like. These items are selected or designated using the cursor keys 2001.

  2002 is a mode key, and each time this key is pressed, the type of printing (index printing, full-frame printing, single-frame printing, designated-frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and the LED corresponding to the LED 2003 changes accordingly. Illuminated.

  A maintenance key 2004 is a key for performing maintenance of the printer such as cleaning of the print head. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a print start key which is pressed when instructing the start of printing or when establishing maintenance settings.

  Reference numeral 2006 denotes a print cancel key which is pressed when printing is stopped or when maintenance is instructed.

[PD printer configuration]
Next, the configuration of the main part related to the control of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the above-described drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part related to the control of the PD printer according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 3000 denotes a control unit (control board). Reference numeral 3001 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI). Reference numeral 3002 denotes a DSP (digital signal processor) having an internal CPU, and various control processes to be described later and images such as conversion from a luminance signal (RGB) to a density signal (CMYK), scaling, gamma conversion, and error diffusion. I am in charge of processing.

  A memory 3003 has a program memory 3003a that stores a control program for the CPU of the DSP 3002, a RAM area that stores a program at the time of execution, and a memory area that functions as a work memory that stores image data and the like.

  Reference numeral 3004 denotes a printer engine. Here, a printer engine of an ink jet printer that prints a color image using a plurality of color inks is installed. Reference numeral 3005 denotes a USB connector as a port for connecting a digital camera (DSC) 3012. Reference numeral 3006 denotes a connector for connecting the viewer 1011.

  Reference numeral 3008 denotes a USB hub (USBHUB). When the PD printer 1000 performs printing based on image data from the PC 3010, the data from the PC 3010 is directly passed through and output to the printer engine 3004 via the USB 3021. As a result, the connected PC 3010 can perform printing by directly exchanging data and signals with the printer engine 3004 (functions as a general PC printer).

  Reference numeral 3009 denotes a power connector which inputs a DC voltage converted from commercial AC by a power source 3019. Reference numeral 3010 denotes a general personal computer (PC), 3011 denotes the memory card (PC card) described above, and 3012 denotes a digital still camera (DSC).

  Note that the exchange of signals between the control unit 3000 and the printer engine 3004 is performed via the USB 3021 or the IEEE 1284 bus 3022 described above.

[Description of digital camera]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a DSC (digital camera) 3012 according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, 3100 is a CPU that controls the entire DSC 3012, and 3101 is a ROM that stores a processing procedure performed by the CPU 3100. Reference numeral 3102 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 3100. Reference numeral 3103 denotes a switch group for performing various operations, which includes a shutter, a mode change switch, a selection switch, a cursor key, and the like.

  Reference numeral 2700 denotes an LCD display unit which is used to display a video currently captured, an image captured and stored in a memory card, and a menu for performing various settings. Reference numeral 3105 denotes an optical unit mainly composed of a lens and its drive system. Reference numeral 3106 denotes a CCD element, and reference numeral 3107 denotes a driver that drives and controls the optical unit 3105 under the control of the CPU 3100.

  Reference numeral 3108 denotes a connector for connecting a storage medium 3109 (compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, etc.), and reference numeral 3110 denotes a USB interface (USB slave side) for connecting to a PC or PD printer 1000.

[Explanation of FIG. 5]
FIG. 5 is based on the premise that the DSC 3012 and the PD printer 1000 support a predetermined direct print protocol. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure for issuing a print start request from the DSC 3012 to the PD printer 1000 and performing printing.

  This processing procedure is executed after the PD printer 1000 and DSC 3012 are connected via a USB cable, or after performing wireless communication and confirming that they are compliant with the direct print protocol.

  First, the DSC 3012 transmits “Configure Print Service” to the PD printer 1000 to check the state of the PD printer 1000 (600). In response to this, the PD printer 1000 is notified by the “Notify Device Status” of the state of the PD printer 1000 at this point (here, “Idle” state) (601). Here, since it is in the “idle” state, the DSC 3012 inquires about the Capability of the PD printer 1000 (602: Get Capability) and issues a print start request (Start Job) corresponding to the Capability (603). This print start request is issued in 601 from the DSC 3012 to the PD printer 1000 on condition that “newJobOK” in status information from the PD printer 1000 described later is “True”. The

  In response to this print start request, the PD printer 1000 requests the DSC 3012 for file information based on the file ID of the image data instructed to be printed (604: Get File Info). In response to this, the DSC 3012 transmits the file information (File Info). This file information includes information such as file capacity. If the PD printer 1000 receives the file information and determines that it can be processed, it requests the file information from the DSC 3012 (605: Get File). As a result, the image data (Image File) of the requested file is sent from the DSC 3012 to the PD printer 1000. As a result, when the PD printer 1000 starts printing processing, status information indicating “Printing” is notified from the PD printer 1000 to the DSC 3012 in “606” by “Notify Device Status”. When the printing process for one page is completed, “page1 / 1” is notified by the “Notify Job Status” from the PD printer 1000 at the start of processing of the next page (607). If the printing of only one page is completed, when the printing of the requested one page is completed, it is notified by the “Notify Dvice Status” that the PD printer 1000 has entered the “Idle” state ( 608).

  For example, in the case of N-up printing in which a plurality of (N) images are laid out and printed on one page, “Notify Job Status” (607) is displayed in the PD printer 1000 every time N images are printed. Will be sent to DSC 3012. The issuance timing of “Notify Job Status” and “Notify Device Status” and the order of image data acquisition in this embodiment are examples, and there may be various forms depending on the product implementation.

[Explanation of FIG. 6]
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment.

  In this printing system, the PD printer 1000 and the DSC 3012 are connected so that they can directly communicate with each other via a communication interface 660 such as a USB. The communication interface 660 is not limited to a wired interface but may be a wireless interface such as Bluetooth.

  The PD printer 1000 includes a communication control unit 610 that performs communication control via the communication interface 660, and a print information management memory 611 including a print buffer, a reception buffer, and the like. In addition, the image resizing processing unit 612 that performs image size resizing processing, the PD printer 1000 includes an image rotation processing unit 613 that performs image rotation processing, and an image color processing unit 614 that performs image color conversion. Furthermore, an image expansion / compression processing unit 615 that compresses and expands image data, and a print control unit 616 including a printer engine 3004 (FIG. 3) and the like are provided. In this embodiment, the image resizing processing unit 612, the image rotation processing unit 613, the image color processing unit 614, and the image expansion / compression processing unit 615 are the programs stored in the DSP 3002 and the program memory 3003a shown in FIG. It is realized by.

  The DSC 3012 includes a communication control unit 621 that performs communication control via the communication interface 660, and a print information management memory 622 including a RAM 3102 that temporarily stores image data and the like of a print image file that will be described later. The DSC 3012 also includes an image resizing processing unit 623 that performs image size resizing processing, an image rotation processing unit 624 that performs image rotation processing, an image expansion / compression processing unit 625 that compresses and decompresses image data, and color conversion. An image color processing unit 626 that performs processing. In the present embodiment, the image resizing processing unit 623, the image rotation processing unit 624, the image expansion / compression processing unit 625, and the image color processing unit 626 are realized by the CPU 3100 and the program stored in the ROM 3101 shown in FIG. Is done.

[Explanation of FIG. 7]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the digital camera (DSC) 3012 and the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment directly communicate with each other, supply image data from the DSC 3012 to the PD printer 1000, and perform printing.

  In FIG. 7, steps S1 to S12 indicate processing by the DSC 3012, and steps S21 to S31 indicate processing by the PD printer 1000, respectively.

  In steps S1 and S21, it is confirmed that the DSC 3012 and the PD printer 1000 comply with the direct print protocol. The DSC 3012 inquires of the PD printer 1000 about the printer status and device information. On the other hand, the PD printer 1000 notifies the printer status and device information at that time. The device information includes, for example, a connection protocol version, a printer vendor name, a model name, and the like.

  Next, the DSC 3012 requests Capability from the PD printer 1000 as indicated by 602 in FIG. Accordingly, the PD printer 1000 creates capability information (Capability) related to the printing function of the printer and transmits it to the DSC 3012 in step S22.

  When the DSC 3012 receives Capability from the PD printer 1000 (Step S2), a UI (user interface) screen is constructed based on the Capability and displayed on the display unit 2700 in Step S3. For example, the PD printer 1000 mounts plain paper of A4 size and B5 size and photographic paper, 1-up, 2-up, 4-up, “Borderless / Yes”, rotation, trimming, date Printing or the like can be arbitrarily set by the user via the UI screen of the display unit 2700.

  Next, in step S4, referring to the UI screen of the display unit 2700, the user selects one or more images to be printed, and sets the printing conditions for these images. The printing conditions include, for example, the number of printed sheets, the paper size, the presence / absence of date printing, trimming designation, borderless / present, and the like, and are based on the Capability of the PD printer 1000 received in step S2.

  Next, when the user gives an instruction to start printing via the UI screen, the process proceeds to step S5 to create a print job file for issuing a print instruction to the PD printer 1000. In step S6, the created print job file Is transmitted to the PD printer 1000. The print job file is received by the PD printer 1000 in step S23.

  Next, in step S 24, the PD printer 1000 analyzes the print job file received from the DSC 3012 and transmits an “image file information acquisition request” to be printed described in the print job file to the DSC 3012. This image file information is not data of the image file body but attribute information such as a file name, image format information, and image data amount. The type of attribute information is not limited to this, and any information can be applied as long as the information is managed accompanying the image. Here, the “image file information acquisition request” corresponds to “Get Object Info” defined in the PTP in a service that operates on the PTP (Pictutre Transfer Protocol) on the USB. The “image file information acquisition request” is also used to transmit the creation timing of the image file to be transmitted in S 11 from the PD printer 1000 to the DSC 3012.

  Next, when the “image file information acquisition request” is received by the DSC 3012 in step S 7, the DSC 3012 creates a print image file to be transmitted to the PD printer 1000 in step S 8. Detailed processing in step S8 will be described later.

  Next, the printing image file information (image file name, data size, etc.) created in step S8 is transmitted to the PD printer 1000 in step S9.

  In step S25, upon receiving the print image file information from the DSC 3012, the PD printer 1000 transmits an acquisition request for the image file body to be printed to the DSC 3012 (step S26). Upon receiving an image file acquisition request from the PD printer 1000 (step S10), the DSC 3012 transmits the requested image file to the PD printer 1000 (step S11).

  In step S27, when the PD printer 1000 receives the image file to be printed, the image file is decrypted and subjected to image processing, converted into data in a format that can be printed by the PD printer 1000, and based on the converted image data. Printing is performed (S28, S29).

  In step S30, the PD printer 1000 determines whether printing has been completed to the end of the image data. If the printing has not been completed, for example, a sufficient buffer area for storing the image data received by the PD printer 1000 cannot be secured. In step S27, the received image file information is divided and received. It can be considered. For this reason, the process returns to step S24, and an “image file information acquisition request” is transmitted again to the DSC 3012. In the same procedure as described above, the partial data of the image data is received and printed in step S27.

  In step S30, when the printing of the image data is completed to the end, the process proceeds to step S31 to notify the DSC 3012 that the printing of the image file is completed. When the DSC 3012 receives this print end notification in step S12, the process ends.

  FIG. 8A shows an image (4992 pixels (width) × 3328 pixels (height)) photographed by the DSC 3012, and when trimming is designated in a trimming frame (3774 pixels (width) × 2496 pixels (height)). Indicates.

  FIG. 8B shows an image (3774 pixels (width) × 2496 pixels (height)) resized based on the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the image printed by the PD printer 1000 from the image of FIG. Yes. FIG. 8B shows an example in which the trimming frame is resized to a size (2830 pixels (width) × 1886 pixels (height)).

  8C is an image resized and rotated based on the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the image printed by the PD printer 1000 (2496 pixels (width) × 3774 pixels (height)). Is shown. Further, FIG. 8C shows an example in which the trimming frame is also resized and rotated to a size (1886 pixels (width) × 2830 pixels (height)).

  FIG. 8D shows a print result output by bordered printing, and FIG. 8E shows a print result output by borderless printing.

[Explanation of FIG. 9]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing print job file creation processing executed by the DSC 3012 of this embodiment, and corresponds to steps S2 to S4 of FIG.

  First, in step S101, Capability is received from the PD printer 1000, and a paper size, resolution, and the like that can be printed by the PD printer 1000 are acquired. The PD printer 1000 of this embodiment calculates the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of image data necessary for printing with this capability, and notifies the DSC 3012 of the calculation result. The calculation of the number of pixels is performed based on the size of the paper loaded in the PD printer 1000, the print settings set in the operation unit of the PD printer, and the capacity of the PD printer memory and the like. Information regarding the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the image to be printed notified to the DSC 3012 is stored in the RAM 3102 of the DSC 3012. When the PD printer 1000 is a model that cannot notify the DSC 3012 of the number of pixels of an image, the DSC 3012 refers to a table or the like based on information obtained from the printer such as the vendor name, model name, and version number of the printer. Then, information such as the number of vertical and horizontal pixels and the rotation direction for each printing paper is obtained, and the number of pixels of the image to be printed is calculated.

  In step S102, the user selects an image to be printed on the UI screen displayed on the display unit 2700.

  Next, in step S103, a paper size for printing the image to be printed is selected.

  In step S104, a print layout such as “with / without border” and “rotation direction of image” is set.

  In step S105, the trimming frame size and position are designated when trimming is performed.

  Next, in step S106, parameters necessary for printing are set, and when print start is instructed via the UI screen, creation of a print job file is started in the DSC 3012. The print job file includes information for specifying an image to be printed, trimming setting information, information about a print size and image correction processing. Note that the trimming information is included in the image data and recorded.

  The processes in steps S102 to S106 correspond to step S4 in FIG. 7, and the created print job file is transmitted to the PD printer 1000 to issue a print start request (603 in FIG. 5).

[Explanation of FIG. 10]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a print image file creation process executed by the DSC 3012 of this embodiment, and corresponds to steps S7 to S9 in FIG.

  The processing in FIG. 10 is started by receiving an “image file information acquisition request (S24 in FIG. 7)” from the PD printer 1000. First, in step S201, the processing is included in the print job file that is the basis of the acquisition request. Get image information.

  Next, in step S202, based on the printing conditions to be printed by the PD printer 1000 and the image data of the image file to be printed, it is determined whether processing such as resizing, rotation, and clipping of the image data is necessary. If processing is not required, the process proceeds to step S215, where information on the image file to be printed is read from the memory card 3109 and transferred to the PD printer 1000.

  On the other hand, if processing is necessary, the process proceeds to step S203, where the image file to be printed is read. If the image needs to be decoded, in step 204, the image data is decoded and converted to the original image data.

  Next, in step S205, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels necessary for printing by the PD printer 1000 determined by the paper size is compared with the trimming frame size of the image to be printed, and it is determined whether resize processing of the image data is necessary. Here, for example, a trimming frame of 3774 × 2496 is designated for the original image size (4992 × 3328) in FIG. 8A, and the number of pixels necessary for printing in FIG. 8B is 2830 × 1886. And That is, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels (3774 × 2496 in FIG. 8A) of the trimming frame of the original image is larger than the number of vertical and horizontal pixels necessary for printing in the PD printer 1000 (2830 × 1886 in FIG. 8B). In this case, it is determined that resizing processing is necessary. If resizing is necessary, the process proceeds to step S206. If resizing is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In S206, the image resizing processing unit 623 calculates a magnification calculated from the trimming frame size of the image to be printed and the number of pixels necessary for printing (described later in FIG. 12).

  In step S207, the image resizing processing unit 623 resizes the image data at the calculated magnification.

  In step S208, it is determined whether a print image rotation process is necessary based on the print paper size, print layout, and trimming frame size set in steps S103 to S105 in FIG. That is, it is determined whether or not image data rotation processing is involved in printing according to the orientation of the paper set in the printer and the orientation of the image to be laid out. If rotation processing is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S211, and if rotation processing is necessary, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In steps S209 and S210, the image rotation processing unit 624 rotates the print image and rotates the trimming frame in the same direction as the rotation direction of the print image. That is, the coordinates of the trimming frame set by the user in S105 are rotated in the same manner as the image. The coordinates of the converted trimming frame are recorded together with the image data. Here, the recording method is to record the attribute information of the JPEG image together with the JPEG file.

  In step S211, the image data that has been subjected to the resizing and / or rotating process is compressed by the image expansion / compression processing unit 625. The compression method is not particularly mentioned here, but generally there are compression formats that can be handled by the PD printer 1000 such as reversible compression represented by PackBits and the like, and irreversible compression method represented by JPEG and the like. Applied. In step S212, it is determined whether the encoded image data is EXIF-tagged image data. If it is EXIF-tagged, the EXIF information is matched with the processing in steps S202 to S211 in step S213. Update. On the other hand, if there is no EXIF tag in step S212, orientation information is added to the encoded image data in step S214.

  The print image file created as described above is transmitted as response data to the “image file information acquisition request (S24 in FIG. 7)” from the PD printer 1000 (S9 in FIG. 7).

  If the image subjected to the rotation process in step S209 is transferred to the PD printer 1000, the EXIF information is rewritten in step S213 if the image is an EXIF-tagged image in the determination in step S212. Otherwise, orientation information indicating rotation is added in step S214.

[Explanation of FIG. 11]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing image file transmission processing in the DSC 3012 in response to the “image file acquisition request” from the PD printer 1000 in S26 of FIG. 7, and corresponds to S10 and S11 of FIG.

  When “image file acquisition request” is received from the PD printer 1000 in step S10 of FIG. 7, it is determined in step S301 whether resizing and / or rotation processing of image data to be printed is necessary. If necessary, the process proceeds to step S303, and the image file to be printed created by the processing shown in FIG. 10 is read. If not necessary, the image file to be printed stored in the memory card 3109 is read in step S302.

  Thereafter, in step S304, the image file read in step S302 or S303 is stored in the transfer data area of the RAM 3102 and transferred to the PD printer 1000 via the communication control unit 621 and the communication control unit 610.

  If the image file created in FIG. 10 is stored in the transfer data area of the RAM 3102, the processing in steps S 301 to S 304 in FIG. 11 is not necessary, and the processing in FIG. 11 is simply stored in the transfer data area. The transferred image file may be transferred.

[Explanation of FIG. 12]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing print image resizing processing by the DSC 3012 in steps S206 and S207 of FIG.

  First, in step S501, the trimming frame information recorded together with the image is referred to, the trimming frame size and the number of pixels necessary for printing are acquired, the image size of the printed image is set to (Ix, Iy), and the trimming is performed. Assume that the frame size is (Tx, Ty) and the number of pixels necessary for printing is (Px, Py).

  8A and 8B, Ix = 4992, Iy = 3328, Tx = 3774, Ty = 2696, Px = 2830, and Py = 1886. The trimming frame size (Tx, Ty) is compared with the number of pixels (Px, Py) required for printing, and the magnification formula is (Z) = (Tx) / (Px) or (Z) = (Ty) / ( Py).

  If the magnification formula is (Z)> 1 in step S502 (that is, if the trimming frame size exceeds the number of pixels necessary for printing), the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, since the print image is resized at the above magnification, the image size (Ix × Iy) is changed to approximately 3774 × 2496 from the equation X = (Ix) / (Z).

  Note that whether to use the vertical magnification or the horizontal magnification may or may not depend on the printer and layout, and is not described here.

  According to the present embodiment, by resizing the image size of 4992 × 3328 to approximately 3774 × 2496, the number of pixels is reduced from 16 million pixels to 9 million pixels, so the transfer time can be reduced and high-speed printing is realized. it can.

  In addition, since the image is resized, not cut out, the amount of image data is reduced without depending on the cutout position. Therefore, changing the trimming position or size has little effect on the histogram, and even when a printer that automatically adjusts brightness and contrast is connected, stable image quality can be maintained. Become.

  That is, the correction process based on the characteristics of the original image can be executed in the same manner whether or not the image is trimmed. If an image trimmed by DSC is sent and the correction processing is left to the printer, this cannot be done, and the color changes depending on whether trimming is performed.

  Furthermore, since the image is not cut out in borderless printing, the present embodiment is particularly effective for a system that prints out of the actual paper size so that no border appears. That is, there is data outside the trimming frame, and an image is not lost from the trimming frame as shown in FIG. That is, it is possible to prevent the trimmed portion from being printed out of the paper. On the other hand, if the trimmed image is designated for transmission from the DSC to the PD printer, a print result in which the image at the protruding portion is missing even in the data in the trimming frame is obtained during borderless printing. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the entire trimmed area can be arranged on the print sheet regardless of the presence or absence of the edge.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention includes a case where the computer program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is achieved by supplying the system or apparatus directly or remotely. In that case, a computer such as a system reads and executes the computer program.

  Therefore, in order to realize the functional processing of the present invention with a computer, the computer program itself installed in the computer also implements the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium (storage medium) for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. In addition, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser can be used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention can be downloaded from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the computer program constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and a user who satisfies predetermined conditions downloads key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. You can also. In this case, the downloaded key information is used to execute the encrypted program and install it on the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS or the like operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program may be a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU of the board or the like performs a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

Claims (9)

An imaging device that communicates with a printing device that prints an image and transmits the image to the printing device,
Designation means for designating an image to be printed from a plurality of images stored in the storage means;
Setting means for setting a print condition including a trimming range and a print size of an image designated as a print target by the designation means;
Trimming information storage means for storing trimming information indicating the trimming range set by the setting means;
A processing unit that performs processing including resizing on the image to be printed based on the printing conditions set by the setting unit, and processes the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage unit according to the processing When,
An image to be printed processed by the processing means, and transfer means for transferring the processed trimming information to the printing apparatus,
When resizing is performed by the processing unit, the processing unit resizes the entire image without cutting out the image according to the trimming information, and resizes the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage unit. An imaging apparatus characterized by that.   The processing unit determines a resizing rate according to the trimming range set by the setting unit, the print size, and the image size of the image specified as a print target by the specifying unit, and the determined resizing rate The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image designated as the print target is resized.   When the number of pixels in the region corresponding to the trimming range in the image to be printed is larger than the number of pixels necessary for printing determined by the print size, the processing unit and the number of pixels in the trimming range The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image to be printed is resized based on a magnification calculated from the number of pixels necessary for printing.   When the number of pixels necessary for printing determined by the print size is equal to or less than the number of pixels in a region corresponding to a trimming range in the image to be printed, the processing unit includes the image to be printed The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trimming information is not processed. The processing means performs a rotation process on the image to be printed according to the print layout set by the setting means,
The trimming information processing unit rotates the trimming information in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotation processing by the processing unit when the rotation processing is performed. The imaging device described. A method of controlling an imaging apparatus that communicates with a printing apparatus that prints an image and transmits the image to the printing apparatus,
A designation step for designating an image to be printed from a plurality of images stored in the storage means;
A setting step for setting a printing condition including a trimming range and a printing size of an image designated as a printing target by the designation unit;
A trimming information storage step for storing trimming information indicating the trimming range set in the setting step;
A processing step of performing processing including resizing on the image to be printed based on the printing conditions set in the setting step, and processing the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage step according to the processing; ,
An image to be printed processed in the processing step, and a transfer step of transferring the processed trimming information to the printing device,
When resizing is performed in the processing step, in the processing step, the entire image is resized without trimming the image according to the trimming information, and the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage step is resized. A control method characterized by the above. In a printing system in which an imaging device and a printing device communicate directly, and the printing device prints an image supplied from the imaging device,
The imaging device
Designation means for designating an image to be printed from a plurality of images stored in the storage means;
Setting means for setting a print condition including a trimming range and a print size of an image designated as a print target by the designation means;
Trimming information storage means for storing trimming information indicating the trimming range set by the setting means;
A processing unit that performs processing including resizing on the image to be printed based on the printing conditions set by the setting unit, and processes the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage unit according to the processing When,
An image to be printed processed by the processing means, and transfer means for transferring the processed trimming information to the printing apparatus,
When resizing is performed by the processing unit, the processing unit resizes the entire image without cutting out the image according to the trimming information, and resizes the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage unit. ,
The printing apparatus includes:
A printing system that prints the image to be printed transferred by the transfer unit according to the trimming information. A computer of an imaging device that directly communicates with a printing device for printing an image and supplies image data to the printing device;
Designation means for designating an image to be printed from a plurality of images stored in the storage means;
Setting means for setting a print condition including a trimming range and a print size of an image designated as a print target by the designation means;
Trimming information storage means for storing trimming information indicating the trimming range set by the setting means;
A processing unit that performs processing including resizing on the image to be printed based on the printing conditions set by the setting unit, and processes the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage unit according to the processing When,
A program for functioning as a transfer unit that transfers an image to be printed processed by the processing unit and the trimming information processed to the printing apparatus,
When resizing is performed by the processing unit, the processing unit resizes the entire image without cutting out the image according to the trimming information, and resizes the trimming information stored in the trimming information storage unit. A program characterized by that.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 8.

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