JP5824843B2 - Printing apparatus, display control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints an image, a display control method thereof, and a program.

  Conventionally, this type of printing apparatus includes a recording medium that is inserted into a media insertion slot and stores image data, a monitor with a touch panel, a color printer, etc., and has a large number of images read from the recording medium. Has been proposed that displays all thumbnail images divided into a plurality of pages (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, when a user selects an image to be printed, and a display classification such as date, month, or folder is specified, thumbnail images are displayed in page units according to the specified classification (for example, monthly). The thumbnail image of the selected page is displayed according to the selection of the page heading (for example, what year and month).

JP 2004-255740 A

  However, in the above-described apparatus, since all thumbnail images of the image data recorded on the recording medium are displayed, the number of pages increases, and a user may not be able to easily select a page including an image desired to be printed. . For example, if a user needs to select a page from a large number of pages every time he / she wants to print a particular type of image, he / she finds the selection operation cumbersome. End up.

  The main purpose of the printing apparatus, the display control method, and the program of the present invention is to allow the user to select an image group more easily when more than a prescribed number of images are stored in the storage device.

  The printing apparatus, the display control method thereof, and the program of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing device for printing an image,
Storage means for storing a plurality of images;
Display means for displaying information;
An operation means for accepting a user's selection operation;
When images exceeding a predetermined number are stored in the storage unit, a plurality of images stored in the storage unit are divided so that the number of images included in each group is equal to or less than the predetermined number. Image group generating means for generating a plurality of image groups,
Image group specifying means for specifying a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image among the plurality of generated image groups;
Information representing each of the plurality of image groups in a state in which the information representing the specified predetermined image group can be discriminated when the user selects at least one of the plurality of generated image groups by the operation means. Display control means for controlling the display means so that is displayed,
It is a summary to provide.

  In this printing apparatus of the present invention, when the storage unit stores images exceeding a predetermined number, a plurality of images stored in the storage unit are divided and the number of images included in each group is determined. Generate a plurality of image groups so that the number is less than the specified number, specify a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image among the plurality of generated image groups, and operate at least one of the generated plurality of image groups When the user selects by the means, the display means is controlled so that the information representing each of the plurality of image groups is displayed in a state where the information representing the specified predetermined image group can be discriminated. Therefore, when the storage unit stores more than the specified number of images, the information representing the predetermined image group including the predetermined type of image is displayed in a discriminable state. Can be determined from. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for the user to select an image group when more than a prescribed number of images are stored in the storage means. Here, the “predetermined type of image” includes a scanned image, a predetermined type of image, and the like, and includes one type of image and a plurality of types of images.

  In such a printing apparatus of the present invention, the image group specifying unit is configured to determine the order of the plurality of generated image groups and the order of the plurality of images included in the plurality of image groups according to a predetermined order. When image determination processing for determining whether each of the images is the predetermined type of image is executed, and when it is determined by the image determination processing that the image is of the predetermined type, in the image group including the determined image It may be a means that does not execute the image determination process for an image that has not been determined whether it is the predetermined type of image. In this way, it is possible to more quickly identify a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention further includes a scanning unit that optically reads a document, and scan image information indicating that the image is a scanned image generated by reading by the scanning unit is added to the predetermined type of image. The image group specifying unit may be a unit that executes, as the image determination process, a process for determining whether or not the scanned image information is added to each of the plurality of images. In this way, it is possible to more reliably identify the image group including the scanned image. In addition, since the information representing the image group including the scan image is displayed in a discriminable state, the user can select the image group including the scan image more easily.

  Furthermore, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the storage means may be a removable external memory. In this case, the specified number may be the maximum number that can be handled by the printing apparatus in the image stored in the storage unit.

  Alternatively, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the information representing each of the plurality of image groups displays one of the images included in the image group and is the most generated among the generation dates and times of the plurality of images included in the image group. The information indicating the old date and the newest date, and the state that can identify the information representing the specified predetermined image group represents the state in which an icon is added to the information indicating the predetermined image group, and the predetermined image group It may include at least one of a state in which character information is added to the information and a state in which the color is changed from information representing another image group with respect to the information representing the predetermined image group.

A display control method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A display control method for a printing apparatus for printing an image, comprising storage means for storing a plurality of images, display means for displaying information, and operation means for accepting a user's selection operation,
(A) When an image exceeding a predetermined number is stored in the storage unit, a plurality of images stored in the storage unit are divided and the number of images included in each group is the predetermined number Generating a plurality of image groups such that:
(B) identifying a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image among the plurality of generated image groups;
(C) When the user selects at least one of the generated plurality of image groups by the operation means, each of the plurality of image groups in a state in which information representing the specified predetermined image group can be determined. Controlling the display means to display information representing
It is made to include.

  In the display control method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention, as in the printing apparatus described above, information representing a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image is discriminated when an image exceeding a prescribed number is stored in the storage means. Since the image is displayed in a possible state, the user can distinguish the predetermined image group from other image groups. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for the user to select an image group when more than a prescribed number of images are stored in the storage means. Here, the “predetermined type of image” includes a scanned image, a predetermined type of image, and the like, and includes one type of image and a plurality of types of images. In the display control method of the printing apparatus, various aspects of the printing apparatus described above may be adopted, and steps for realizing the functions of the printing apparatus described above may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the above-described display control method of the printing apparatus. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.) or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or if each computer is assigned to each step and executed, each step of the above-described display control method of the printing apparatus is executed. The effect is obtained.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a multifunction printer 20. FIG. 3 is an external view of the printer 20 in a state where a housing cover 22 is opened. The flowchart which shows an example of an image file search process routine. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the folder structure in the memory card MC. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the file information to which the scan image information was added. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the temporary file list by the file information of an image file. The flowchart which shows an example of the display control routine for group selection. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the group produced | generated by dividing | segmenting a temporary file list. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen when the information showing two image groups is displayed. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a screen when the information showing all the image groups is displayed. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a screen when the information showing all the image groups is displayed.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a multifunction printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer 20 with a housing cover 22 opened. FIG.

  The printer 20 of the present embodiment includes a housing 21 and a housing cover 22 that can open and close the upper surface of the housing 21, and a scanner unit 30 that optically reads a document and generates image data; A printer unit 40 that feeds, prints, and discharges paper set in the cassette 23 to the paper discharge tray 24, an operation panel 46 that allows various operations by the user, and a memory inserted in the memory card slot 50 A memory card controller 52 that controls input / output of data to / from the card MC and a main controller 60 that controls the entire apparatus are provided.

  The scanner unit 30 includes a scanner ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 32 and a scanner mechanism 34. The scanner ASIC 32 is an integrated circuit that controls the scanner mechanism 34. Upon receiving a scan command from the main controller 60, the scanner ASIC 32 uses a document placed on the glass table 26 (see FIG. 2) on the upper surface of the housing 21 as image data. The scanner mechanism 34 is controlled to read. The scanner mechanism 34 is configured as a well-known image scanner, and separates the reflected light after emitting light toward the original into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors to generate image data. A known color image sensor.

  The printer unit 40 includes a printer ASIC 42 and a printer mechanism 44. The printer ASIC 42 is an integrated circuit that controls the printer mechanism 44. When the printer ASIC 42 receives a print command from the main controller 60, the printer ASIC 42 controls the printer mechanism 44 to print an image on a sheet based on image data that is a target of the print command. The printer mechanism 44 is configured as a well-known inkjet color printer mechanism that performs printing by discharging ink from a print head onto a sheet.

  The operation panel 46 includes a display unit 47 disposed in the center and a power button 48 disposed on the left side of the display unit 47. The display unit 47 is configured as a touch panel type liquid crystal display, a mode button for selecting a mode, a selection / setting button for selecting a menu or an item by touching according to a guide displayed on the display, copying or printing Display a start button or the like to start the touch and accept a touch operation. Here, as modes that can be selected by the mode button, a copy mode in which a document placed on the glass table 26 is scanned and printed on paper, or a document placed on the glass table 26 is scanned and converted into data. In addition, there are a scan mode in which an image file is stored in the memory card MC, a memory print mode in which an image is printed using the image file stored in the memory card MC, and the like.

  The memory card controller 52 performs data input / output with the memory card MC inserted into the memory card slot 50. When the memory card MC is inserted into the memory card slot 50, the memory card controller 52 reads a file stored in the memory card MC and transmits it to the main controller 60, or sends a command from the main controller 60. Input data and write data to the memory card MC based on the command.

  The main controller 60 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 62, and includes a ROM 64 that stores various processing programs, various data, various tables, a RAM 66 that temporarily stores scan data, print data, and the like. And an internal communication interface (I / F) 68 that enables communication with the panel 46. The main controller 60 inputs various operation signals and various detection signals from the printer unit 40 and the scanner unit 30, and inputs operation signals generated in response to a touch operation on the operation panel 46. In addition, an image file is read from the memory card MC installed in the memory card slot 50, a command is output to the printer unit 40 to execute printing of image data, and a document is read based on a scan command from the operation panel 46. A command is output to the scanner unit 30 to read as image data, or a control command for the display unit 47 is output to the operation panel 46.

  Next, the operation of the printer 20 of this embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when an image file exceeding a prescribed number including the image file generated by the scanner unit 30 is stored in the memory card MC will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image file search processing routine executed by the main controller 60. This routine is executed when the memory card MC is inserted into the memory card slot 50. The specified number will be described later.

  When the image file search processing routine of FIG. 3 is started, the CPU 62 of the main controller 60 first searches the image files stored in the memory card MC one by one according to the order determined by the file system in advance (eg, FAT order). (Step S100) A process for determining whether or not the searched image file is an image file generated by the scanner unit 30 (hereinafter referred to as a scanned image file) is executed (Step S110). FIG. 4 shows an example of the folder structure in the memory card MC. In the example of FIG. 4, a plurality of image files photographed and generated by a digital camera (not shown) are stored in a “100 ABC” folder below the “DCIM” folder below the root directory. Further, a plurality of scanned image files are stored in folders such as “001” and “002” having folder names consecutively numbered in the “EPSCAN” folder layer below the root directory. As described above, in the embodiment, the scan image file is stored as an image file having a specific name with a serial number in a folder having a specific name according to a predetermined naming rule. Therefore, in the embodiment, whether or not the searched image file is a scanned image file is determined by examining the name of the folder in which the image file is stored and the name of the image file.

  If the searched image file is not a scanned image file, the file information associated with the searched image file is registered in the temporary file list as it is in the search order (step S130). On the other hand, when the searched image file is a scanned image file, the scanned image information indicating that it is a scanned image is added to the file information accompanying the retrieved image file (step S120), and the scanned image information is added. File information is registered in the temporary file list in the order of search (step S130). FIG. 5 shows an example of file information to which scan image information is added. In the example of FIG. 5, file information (hereinafter referred to as original file information) including a pointer to an image file indicating the storage position of the image file stored in the memory card MC, a file creation date, and a file creation time is referred to as each image file. At the same time, it is stored in the memory card MC, and the original file information added with the scan image information is registered in the temporary file list as new file information. In the following, the original file information and the new file information are simply referred to as file information unless otherwise distinguished. The temporary file list is a file information list generated in the RAM 66 (hereinafter referred to as the “file list”) before the image file stored in the memory card MC is handled as a print target by the printer 20. A list of file information generated temporarily in a predetermined shared area of the RAM 66 (for example, an area in which the scanner unit 30, the printer unit 40, the memory card controller 52, and the main controller 60 can be temporarily used). is there.

  When the file information is registered in the temporary file list in this way, it is determined whether or not the search of all the image files stored in the memory card MC has been completed (step S140). If the search has not been completed, the process of step S100 is performed. When the search is completed, the image file search processing routine is ended. FIG. 6 shows an example of a temporary file list including file information of image files stored in the memory card MC. As shown in the figure, when this routine is completed, either the original file information or new file information obtained by adding scanned image information to the original file information is stored in the number of image files stored in the memory card MC. The temporary file list is generated in the shared area of the RAM 66 as being arranged in the search order (that is, the order determined by the file list in advance such as the FAT order). The image file search process has been described above.

  Next, display control when an image file exceeding a specified number is stored in the memory card MC will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a group selection display control routine executed by the main controller 60. This routine is subsequently executed when the image file search processing routine of FIG. 3 is completed.

  When the group selection display control routine of FIG. 7 is started, the CPU 62 of the main controller 60 first determines whether or not the number of image files stored in the memory card MC exceeds a specified number (step S1). S200) If the specified number is not exceeded, it is determined that it is not necessary to execute special display control, and the group selection display control routine is terminated as it is. When this routine is finished in this way, the temporary file list is copied as a main file list to the storage area dedicated to the main file list in the RAM 66, and the temporary file list is deleted. A mode button for selecting a mode is displayed, and the printer 20 stands by in an idle state. Whether or not the specified number is exceeded can be determined, for example, by examining the number of file information registered in the temporary file list. Here, the specified number will be described. In the embodiment, the specified number is a predetermined number (for example, a value of 999) that is predetermined as the maximum number that can be handled as a print target by the printer 20 in the image file stored in the memory card MC. This corresponds to the upper limit of the capacity allowed for the storage area of the RAM 66 dedicated to the file list. In recent years, as the storage capacity of the memory card MC increases, the number of image files stored in the memory card MC also increases. This group selection display control is a process for coping with such an increase in the number of image files.

  When the number of image files stored in the memory card MC exceeds the specified number, the temporary file list generated in the shared area of the RAM 66 is used to store the memory card using a pointer to the image file included in the file information. Sorting is performed in ascending order (for example, ascending order of ASCII character codes) by the full path file name consisting of the folder name and file name from the root directory of each image file stored in the MC (step S210), and the sorted temporary file list is displayed. A plurality of groups are generated by being divided for each specified number (step S220). FIG. 8 shows an example of a plurality of groups generated by dividing the temporary file list for each specified number. As shown in the figure, in the embodiment, the file information constituting the temporary file list is sorted into a specified number after being sorted in the sort order, and group numbers from group 1 to group N (N is a positive integer) are sorted according to the sort order. Was attached. More specifically, a value (N-1) group consisting of just a specified number of file information and a group consisting of file information equal to or less than the specified number are generated. Therefore, the groups 1 to N are arranged in ascending order according to the sort order, and the file information in each group is also arranged in ascending order according to the sort order. Further, the last group N is configured by file information of a number equal to or less than a specified number (for example, a value 10 or a value 100 or a value 100 or a value 500 or less). In this way, the process of generating a plurality of groups constituted by file information is because one file information is attached to one image file, so that a plurality of image files stored in the memory card MC are divided and each group is divided. This can be said to be a process of generating a plurality of image groups so that the number of image files included in the group is equal to or less than a specified number.

  Thus, when the temporary file list is sorted and divided to generate a plurality of groups, one of the generated plurality of groups and one of the file information included in the group are set as the current determination target in the sort order (step S230). It is determined whether or not scan image information has been added to the file information that is currently determined (step S240).

  When it is determined that the scanned image information is not added to the current determination target file information, it is determined whether the current determination target file information is the last of the current determination target group including the file information (step S250) When the current determination target file information is not the end of the group, the process returns to step S230, and the next file information is determined in the sort order in the current determination target group.

  When the current determination target file information is the last of the group, it is determined that the determination process for the current determination target group is finished, and information indicating the image group in the memory card MC corresponding to the current determination target group is displayed on the display unit 47. (Step S260), it is determined whether or not the current determination target group is the last of all groups (step S270), and if the current determination target group is not the last of all the groups, the process of step S230 Returning to, the file information of the next group is determined in the sort order. Therefore, when it is determined that the scan image information is not added to each file information of the plurality of groups generated by sorting and dividing the temporary file list, for example, when the determination process in some groups is completed, the determination target Information representing the image groups in the memory card MC corresponding to these groups is sequentially displayed on the display unit 47 according to the sort order for each image group. FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen when information representing two image groups is displayed in this way. As shown in the drawing, in the embodiment, the information representing the image group displays the thumbnail image of one representative image file (for example, the one with the oldest generation date) included in the image group and the image included in the image group. It is assumed that the oldest day and the newest day of the file generation date are displayed as characters (dates). The display unit 47 sequentially displays this information for each image group in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the screen. When displaying information on image groups exceeding four image groups, The display is made over a plurality of screens (pages).

  If it is determined in step S240 that the scan image information has been added to the current determination target file information, information representing the image group in the memory card MC corresponding to the current determination target group is set in advance for highlighting. The displayed icon is displayed on the display unit 47 (step S280), and it is determined whether the current determination target group is the last of all the groups (step S290), and the current determination target group is all the groups. If it is not the last, the group and file information of the current determination target are reset by skipping the determination target from the current determination target group to the first file information of the next group in the sort order (step S300), and the step Returning to the process of S240, the subsequent determination process is performed. When it is determined in step S270 or step S290 that the current determination target group is the last of all the groups, the group selection display control routine is terminated. Here, the reason why the determination target is skipped from the current determination target group to the first file information of the next group in the sort order is that the existence of the scan image information is confirmed in the image group that is the determination target before the skip. This is because it is determined that the information indicating the image and the icon for highlighting are to be displayed, so that it is not necessary to perform any further processing for determining the presence of the scan image information in the same group. As a result, the determination process for the scanned image information can be performed more quickly, and the group selection screen can be displayed more quickly. Note that the process of repeatedly determining whether or not scan image information has been added to the current determination target file information in step S240 to the end of all groups and file information is performed for one file information in one image file. Since it accompanies, it can be said to be processing for specifying an image group including a scanned image file among a plurality of image groups formed of a plurality of image files stored in the memory card MC.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen when the determination process is completed to the end of all (here, four) groups and file information, and information representing all image groups is displayed. In the bottom of the figure, four image groups are displayed by a touch operation (selection operation) of a “select” button (not shown) displayed on the display unit 47 and a touch operation (decision operation) of an “OK” button. Information indicating that the user can select one is displayed. In the embodiment, by causing the user to select one image group according to such information, even when an image file exceeding the specified number is stored in the memory card MC, only the image file of the specified number or less is set as a print target by the printer 20. It shall be handled. Specifically, when the user selects one image group, a main file list corresponding to one image group selected in a predetermined area in the RAM 66 is generated as a storage area dedicated to the main file list. At the same time, the temporary file list is deleted from the shared area of the RAM 66, mode buttons for selecting various modes such as the memory printing mode are displayed on the display unit 47, and the printer 20 stands by in an idle state. In the example of FIG. 10, a star-shaped icon for highlighting is added to the information representing the fourth image group at the lower right of the screen. As described above, among the plurality of image groups generated by dividing the plurality of image files stored in the memory card MC, the image group including the scan image file generated by the scanner unit 30 is displayed so as to be distinguishable by highlighting. Therefore, the user can discriminate between an image group including the scanned image file and another image group not including the scanned image file. As a result, the user can easily select an image group. In the example of FIG. 10, the icon for highlighting is added only to information representing one image group, but depending on the number of scanned image files, it is added to information representing two or more image groups. .

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The memory card MC of the present embodiment corresponds to “storage means” of the present invention, the display unit 47 configured as a touch panel type liquid crystal display corresponds to “display means” and “operation means”, and sorts the temporary file list. The main controller 60 that executes the processing of step S220 of the display control routine for group selection shown in FIG. 7 for generating a plurality of groups including a plurality of image files by dividing is equivalent to the “image group generating means” and generated. Group selection display control in FIG. 7 that sets one of a plurality of groups and one of file information as a current determination target and determines whether or not scan image information is added to each of the plurality of file information in each group. The main controller that executes the processing of steps S230 to S250, S270, S290, and S300 of the routine The main controller 60 that executes the processing of steps S260 and S280 of the group selection display control routine of FIG. 7 for displaying information and icons representing the image group on the display unit 47 corresponds to the “image group specifying means”. It corresponds to “display control means”. The scanner unit 30 corresponds to “scanning means”. In the present embodiment, an example of the display control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the printer 20.

  According to the printer 20 of the present embodiment described above, when an image file exceeding a specified number is stored in the memory card MC, a plurality of image files stored in the memory card MC are divided and included in each group. A plurality of image groups are generated so that the number of image files to be generated is equal to or less than a specified number, and an image group including a scanned image file is identified from among the plurality of generated image groups. When the user selects one via the display unit 47, information representing each of the plurality of image groups is displayed on the display unit 47 in a state where the image group including the scanned image file can be identified. Easier selection of groups can be possible.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the information representing the image group displays the representative thumbnail image of the image file included in the image group, and the oldest date and the newest date among the generation dates of the image file included in the image group. However, any information may be used as long as the information represents an image group composed of a plurality of image files, such as not displaying the generation date of the image file.

  In the embodiment described above, an icon is added to the information representing the image group in order to make it possible to determine the information representing the image group. Instead of or in addition to this, character information is included in the information representing the image group. (For example, “SCAN” or “with scan image”) is added, or the color of the thumbnail image in the information representing the image group is changed (for example, from the black color that uses the outer frame of the thumbnail image in another image group) Or change it to red or blue).

  In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the scan image information is added to the current determination target file information, the determination target is skipped from the current determination target group to the first file information of the next group in the sort order. However, the determination may be continued in the sort order without performing such skipping.

  In the above-described embodiment, the specified number is determined in advance as the maximum number that can be handled by the printer 20 as a print target for the image file stored in the memory card MC. It may be determined in advance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing when the number of image files stored in the memory card MC exceeds the specified number has been described. However, instead of the memory card MC, other types of external devices such as a flash memory connected via USB are used. It may be applied to processing when the number of image files stored in the memory exceeds a specified number, or may be applied to processing when the number of image files stored in an internal memory such as the RAM 66 exceeds a specified number. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, in order to specify an image group including a scanned image file, it is determined whether scanned image information is added to file information of a plurality of groups generated by sorting and dividing the temporary file list. However, it may be determined whether the image file is a scanned image file based on the full path file name of the image file.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image group including the scanned image file is specified and the information indicating the specified image group is displayed so as to be discriminable. For example, “SCENE” in which the user represents the landscape in the memory card MC is used. A specific type (landscape) other than the scanned image is created by creating a “CHILD” folder representing a folder or a child, an “EVENT” folder representing an event such as an athletic meet, and storing a corresponding image file in each folder. Or an image group including image files of children, events, etc.) and information representing the specified image group may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. In this case, for example, a mountain-shaped icon for a landscape is included in an image group including a landscape image file, and an image group including a child-shaped icon for a child is included in an image group including a child image file. For example, a flower icon or the like for an event may be displayed, and a plurality of icons may be displayed side by side on information representing one image group as illustrated in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the multi-function printer (printer) 20. However, a display control method for a printing apparatus such as a printer or a program for executing this method may be used.

  20 Multifunction Printer (Printer), 21 Case, 22 Case Cover, 23 Cassette, 24 Output Tray, 26 Glass Stand, 30 Scanner Unit, 32 Scanner ASIC, 34 Scanner Mechanism, 40 Printer Unit, 42 Printer ASIC, 44 Printer mechanism, 46 Operation panel, 47 Display, 48 Power button, 50 Memory card slot, 52 Memory card controller, 60 Main controller, 62 CPU, 64 ROM, 66 RAM, 68 Internal communication interface (I / F), MC memory card.

Claims (6)

A printing device for printing an image,
Storage means for storing a plurality of images;
Display means for displaying information;
An operation means for accepting a user's selection operation;
When images exceeding a predetermined number are stored in the storage unit, a plurality of images stored in the storage unit are divided so that the number of images included in each group is equal to or less than the predetermined number. Image group generating means for generating a plurality of image groups,
Image group specifying means for specifying a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image among the plurality of generated image groups;
Information representing each of the plurality of image groups in a state in which the information representing the specified predetermined image group can be discriminated when the user selects at least one of the plurality of generated image groups by the operation means. Display control means for controlling the display means so that is displayed ,
The information representing each of the plurality of image groups displays one of the images included in the image group and displays the oldest date and the newest date among the generation dates of the plurality of images included in the image group. Information,
The state in which the information representing the specified predetermined image group can be determined is a state in which a plurality of icons are added to the information representing the predetermined image group.
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The image group specifying means includes
Whether or not each of the plurality of images is the predetermined type of image according to a predetermined order that defines an order of the plurality of generated image groups and an order of the plurality of images included in the plurality of image groups. Execute the image determination process to determine,
When it is determined by the image determination process that the image is of the predetermined type, the image determination process is executed for an image that has not been determined whether the image is the predetermined type in an image group including the determined image. Is a means not to,
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
Scanning means for optically reading a document,
Scan image information indicating that the image is a scan image generated by reading by the scanning unit is added to the predetermined type of image,
The image group specifying unit is a unit that executes a process of determining whether or not the scanned image information is added to each of the plurality of images as the image determination process.
Printing device. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The storage means is a removable external memory.
Printing device. A display control method for a printing apparatus for printing an image, comprising: a storage unit that stores a plurality of images; a display unit that displays information; and an operation unit that receives a user's selection operation. A plurality of images stored in the storage means so that the number of images included in each group is equal to or less than the specified number when images exceeding a predetermined number are stored in (B) identifying a predetermined image group including a predetermined type of image among the plurality of generated image groups; and (c) at least one of the plurality of generated image groups. When the user selects one by the operation means, information representing each of the plurality of image groups in a state in which the information representing the specified predetermined image group can be determined. Comprising the steps of: controlling said display means as shown, a,
The information representing each of the plurality of image groups displays one of the images included in the image group and displays the oldest date and the newest date among the generation dates of the plurality of images included in the image group. Information,
The state in which the information representing the specified predetermined image group can be determined is a state in which a plurality of icons are added to the information representing the predetermined image group.
A display control method for a printing apparatus. A program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the display control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 5 .