JPH0934035A - Image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily instruct a printer part to perform printout without performing complicated operation in a photographing device provided with a printer by using an operating member executing the recording of the photographing device also as an operating member executing the print output of the printer. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a control means 1 making one operating member perform the recording operation of the photographing device and the printing operation of the printer in common. By connecting the control means 1 to a camera part 3 through a camera control part 2, the camera part 3 is driven by the control means 1 through the camera control part 2 so as to decide conditions necessary for the exposure operation of the camera. Simultaneously, the control means 1 is connected to an image pickup part 5, a printer engine part 6 and a memory part 18 through a printer control part 4, thereby, the image pickup part 5 is driven by the control means 1 through the printer control part 4 so as to fetch image information in the memory part 18. Furthermore, the printer engine part 6 is driven by the control means 1 so that printing operation for the image information stored in the memory part 18 is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording system in which a still camera using, for example, a silver salt film and a photographing device with a printer are integrated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a demand for seeing photographic prints on the spot where they are photographed.
09122, U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,529, U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,500, U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,811, U.S. Pat. , A system is disclosed in which prints can be viewed in a short time after shooting.

However, the above conventional imaging system has the following problems.

(1) All the images taken at the moment of shooting are recorded only on the instant film, and it is possible to leave them on a recording medium of high image quality which is excellent in storability represented by a silver salt film or the like. Since it is not possible, even when trying to obtain a plurality of prints, there is no choice but to copy the image formed on the instant film, which is inconvenient as compared with a silver salt film and the like for storing the original image.

(2) Not all shooting scenes need to be printed out on the spot. However, it is not possible to print out instant photos at once without printing them out on the spot.

As a method of compensating for the shortcomings of such instant photography, the image information picked up by the solid-state image pickup device is taken into the memory at a timing substantially equivalent to the exposure of the silver salt film, and this is arbitrarily printed out. A camera with a printer like this has been proposed. Generally, a) a fusion type thermal transfer printer, b) a sublimation type thermal transfer printer, c) an ink jet type printer or the like is suitable as a printer used for printing out such color image information. Among them, the ink jet printer is excellent in running cost, downsizing, power saving, output speed and the like, and is very effective as a printer-equipped camera which requires portability.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the operability is prevented from becoming complicated by integrally configuring the device for taking a still image and the printer for outputting the image information on the medium such as paper. However, it does not provide a sufficient solution for the user to easily perform the intended shooting and print output, such as the device configuration and cost.

In an image recording system which can be said to be a compound camera device having a plurality of different functions as described above, in general, the number of operation members for executing each function often increases in accordance with the number of functions. .

For example, as an example of a compound camera, a still camera video camera in which a still camera and a video camera are integrally formed is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-261336.
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242242 discloses that a shutter button for a still camera and a trigger button for a video camera are arranged on different exterior surfaces of the device, respectively, so as to prevent usability and erroneous operation.

When a printer-equipped camera is considered in this way, the photographer has a shutter button for exposing the camera portion and a print button for instructing the printing operation of the printer portion separately so that the photographer can timely It is common to use the shooting of the camera part and the start of the printing operation separately. However, in such a case, there were the following problems.

(1) It is necessary for the photographer to always recognize which finger is the shutter button of the camera section and which is the print button of the printer section under the use condition in which the photographer is enthusiastic about shooting. If you press the other button by any chance, you may miss an important photo opportunity.

(2) When the function of the camera section is enhanced, it is effective to arrange operation buttons for exposure correction, exposure value fixing, etc. on a surface different from the shutter button, and a print instruction is given. If the print button is placed close to this, there will be many erroneous operations, such as pressing the button incorrectly for other functions. Alternatively, in the worst case, it may be difficult to arrange the print button in terms of space.

(3) If a series of operations of photographing by the camera section and printing out the photographed scene are instructed by different operation buttons, the execution of both operations is interrupted. The rhythm of shooting comes to me because I am tired or dub.

A first object of the invention according to the present application is to provide an image recording system in a photographing device with a printer, which can easily issue a printout instruction of the printer section without complicated operation. .

A second object of the invention according to the present application is to easily perform a photographing operation, a photographed image storage operation, and a photographed image print operation in a series of operations.

A third object of the invention according to the present application is that the printing operation can be performed in exactly the same manner as the existing shutter button,
The purpose is to keep the operation feeling.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing device for recording photographing information on a recording medium, and a photographing information recording device. An image recording system in which a printer for outputting to a member is integrated, wherein the image recording system has a control means for allowing one operation member to perform both the recording operation of the photographing device and the print output operation of the printer. It is in.

As the control means having the above-mentioned structure, as described in claim 2, in claim 1, the control means determines the photographing condition by the first stroke of the operating member, and records the photographing device by the second stroke. The operation and the storage operation of the output image of the printer, and the print output operation of the output image stored in the third stroke.

Further, the control means according to claim 3 is the control means according to claim 1, wherein the first stroke of the operation member determines the photographing condition, and the second stroke controls the recording operation of the photographing device and the printer. The output image storage operation is performed, and when the second stroke operation is continued for a predetermined time, the print output operation is performed.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the invention according to the present application will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the image pickup apparatus with a printer according to this embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts showing the flow of operation.

The image pickup apparatus with a printer according to the present embodiment employs an ink jet recording system in the printer engine section and an apparatus using a silver salt film in the still camera section.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit, which is connected to the camera unit 3 via the camera control unit 2 so that the control unit 1 drives the camera unit 3 via the camera control unit 2 and is required for the exposure operation of the camera. By determining various conditions and simultaneously connecting the control means 1 to the image pickup section 5, the printer engine section 6, and the memory section 18 via the printer control section 4, respectively,
The image pickup unit 5 via the printer control unit 4 by the control unit 1.
To drive the printer engine unit 6 via the printer control unit 4 by the control means 1 to drive the printer to load the image information into the memory unit 18 so that the image information stored in the memory unit 18 is printed. ing.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shutter button section of the still camera section, showing a cap-shaped shutter button 1.
A hooking portion 10 engaging with the exterior cover 12
a, and the tip portion 1 is formed in the center of the shutter button 10.
0b is provided, a spring 11 is inserted into the tip portion 10b, and the spring 11 urges the shutter button 10 and the outer cover 12 to be interposed and urged so that the shutter button 10 is always returned to the initial position. The outer cover 12 has a ground contact piece 13 and a first switch contact piece 1 that are pressed by the tip portion 10b of the shutter button 10.
4, the second switch contact piece 15 and the third switch contact piece 16 are mounted via a spacer 17 for providing insulation between the contact pieces 13, 14, 15, 16 and for obtaining a sequential pushing stroke of the shutter button 10. I am. As a result, the first stroke of the shutter button 10 causes the tip end portion 10b to press the ground contact piece 13 to come into contact with the first switch contact piece 14 to drive the camera portion 3 and determine various conditions necessary for the exposure operation. For receiving the first switch signal for pushing the first switch contact piece 14 in which the tip portion 10b contacts the ground contact piece 13 in the second stroke to contact and conduct with the second switch contact piece 15 to drive the imaging unit 5. The second switch signal for receiving the image information in the memory unit 18 is received, and the first switch contact piece 14 and the second switch contact piece 15 contacted by the tip end portion 10b with the ground contact piece 13 in the third stroke are The second switch contact piece 15 receives the input of the third switch signal for driving the printer engine unit 6 by contacting and conducting with the third switch contact piece 16 while conducting integrally. So that put.

The operation procedure of this embodiment will be described below.

When the photographer inputs power (S1), the control means 1 determines whether or not three days or more (72 hours or more) have elapsed since the last time the photographing apparatus was used and the power was turned off (S2). .

If more than 3 days have passed,
The control unit 1 issues a recovery pumping instruction to the printer control unit 4 which controls the printer unit, and drives the printer engine unit 6 (S3).

Here, the recovery pumping is to make recording more effective in an ink jet recording type apparatus which will be described later, and to clean the recording head by means such as a suction pump before recording on paper. Is. As a standard for this cleaning, in the present embodiment, when there is an unused period of 3 days or more, this is performed when the power is input.

When the photographer presses the shutter button 10 to the first stroke during photographing, the tip portion 10b of the shutter button 10 pushes the ground contact piece 13 to contact the first switch contact piece 14 for conduction (S4). .

As a result, the control means 1 receives the input of the first switch (SW1) signal 7. The control unit 1 drives the camera unit 3 via the camera control unit 2 to determine various conditions necessary for the exposure operation of the camera, such as the exposure control value determination, the distance measurement information determination, and the presence or absence of strobe light emission. S5).

At the same time, the control means 1 drives the image pickup section 5 via the printer control section 4, and a diaphragm unit (1039 which will be described later) so as to keep the amount of light input to a solid-state image pickup element (1040 which will be described later) of the image pickup section 5 appropriately. ) Is controlled to determine the imaging condition of the image information for printing out (S6).

Next, when the photographer further presses the shutter button 10 to actually perform photographing, the first switch contact piece 14 in contact with the ground contact piece 13 comes into contact with the second switch contact piece 15 and becomes conductive. Yes (S7).

As a result, the control means 1 receives the input of the second switch (SW2) signal 8. The control unit 1 drives the camera unit 3 via the camera control unit 2 to drive a lens for focusing, speed control of a shutter, aperture amount control, and if necessary, a series of exposures such as stroboscopic light emission. The operation is performed (S8).

At the same time, the control means 1 drives the image pickup section 5 via the printer control section 4, and the solid-state image pickup element (1
The image information input to (040) is loaded into the memory section 18 at the timing of the second switch (SW2) signal (S9).

Here, if the photographer thinks that it is not necessary to print out this photographed image, the shutter button 10 is pushed up by the spring 11 by releasing the finger from the shutter button 10, and the shutter button 10 is released. The hook portion 10a comes into contact with the exterior cover 12 and returns to the initial position.

As a result, the first switch contact piece 14 and the second switch contact piece 14
The contact between the switch contact piece 15 and the ground contact piece 13 also disappears. The control means 1 uses the first switch (SW1) signal 7 and the second
In response to the switch (SW2) signal 8 being turned off, the camera unit 3 is driven via the camera control unit 2 to perform the film winding operation, thus ending a series of operations.

On the other hand, in the case of printing out the image of this photographed image, the photographer further presses the shutter button 10. With this, the ground contact piece 1
3, the first switch contact piece 14 and the second switch contact piece 15 are electrically connected together, and the second switch contact piece 15 is in contact with the third switch contact piece 16 to be electrically connected (S10).

Then, the control means 1 uses the third switch (SW
3) Accept the input of signal 9. The control unit 1 drives the printer engine unit 6 via the printer control unit 4 to perform the printing operation.

Here, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3, the printer control section 4 first makes a preliminary operation in order to make the printing operation more effective at the home position of the recording head (reference numeral 400 shown in FIG. 5 described later). The ejection is performed to eliminate the clogging of the recording head 400, and to recover the evaporated nozzles (S11).

Next, the printer control section 4 has a memory section 18
The image information stored in the printer is subjected to image processing for printer output, and then output from the printer engine unit 6. An error diffusion method or the like is effective for the image processing (S12).

The print paper (reference numeral 1024a shown in FIG. 5 described later) printed by the printer engine unit 6 is automatically cut to a position where it is separated from the printer paper wound in a roll shape (reference numeral 1024 shown in FIG. 5 described later). The paper is fed (S13).

By cutting the printer paper 1024a, the photographer can print out substantially the same image as the film is exposed to the still camera portion and obtain it on the spot.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the ink jet recording device unit (IJRA) in this embodiment. Here, the carriage HC has a pin (not shown) that engages with the spiral groove 1005 of the lead screw 1004 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 1011 and 1009 in association with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 1013. , And is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b.

An ink jet head cartridge 400 is mounted on the carriage HC. A paper pressing plate 1002 presses the paper against the platen 1000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. Reference numerals 1007 and 1008 denote photocouplers, which are levers 100 of the carriage HC.
6 is a home position detecting means for confirming the existence of 6 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 1013.

Reference numeral 1016 is a supporting member for supporting the cap member 1022 for capping the front surface of the recording head.
Is a suction means for sucking the inside of the cap member 1022, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 1023 in the cap member 1022. 1017 is a cleaning blade, 1019 is this cleaning blade 101.
7 is a slide member that allows the device 7 to move in the front-rear direction, and these are supported by the main body support plate 1018.

It is needless to say that the cleaning blade 1017 is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied. Further, 1012 is a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves in accordance with the movement of the cam 1020 that engages with the carriage HC to drive the drive motor 10.
Movement of the driving force from 13 is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are performed by the lead screw 1004 when the carriage HC is positioned in the home position side area.
Although the desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of, the present invention can be applied to any of the present inventions if the desired operation is performed at a known timing.

In the present embodiment, especially in the ink jet recording system, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating heat energy as energy used for ejecting ink is provided, This brings about an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of the type that causes a change in the ink state.

With regard to its typical structure and principle, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129, US Pat.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 40796 is preferred. In the case of the on-demand type, this method corresponds to the recorded information to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink) and exceeds the nucleate boiling. By applying at least one drive signal that gives a rapid temperature rise, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, resulting in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. Correspondingly, it is effective because bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink).

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. No. 4,633,459 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable.

If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, further excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution (straight liquid passage or right-angled liquid passage) of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, heat U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333, U.S. Pat. No. 44, which discloses a configuration in which the action portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in this embodiment.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 123670/1984, which discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. The present invention is also effective as a structure based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a structure in which the corresponding opening is made to correspond to the discharge portion.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium which can be recorded by the recording device section, by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification, Either the structure satisfying the length or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used, but by adopting these structures, the present embodiment can be more effectively exhibited.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided specially is used.

Further, by adding recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the recording head provided as the configuration of the recording device section of the present embodiment, the effect of the present embodiment can be further stabilized. It is preferable. Specifically, capping means for the recording head,
Cleaning means, pressurization or suction means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or a preheating means by a combination of these, predischarge mode for performing discharge other than recording, stable recording Is effective for doing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording device section is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, it is extremely effective to be a device provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a central cross section of the compound camera of this embodiment. In the still camera section of the compound camera of the present embodiment, a so-called twin-lens reflex camera having a viewfinder for visually recognizing a subject separately from the photographing optical system is arranged at the upper part of the printer section, and a printer is provided between the still camera section and the printer section. A second image pickup optical system using a solid-state image pickup device for image formation is arranged.

In the still camera unit, lens units 1028a and 1028b of the photographic optical system are arranged for retractable two-stage lens barrels 1029 and 1030, respectively.
Reference numeral 1031 denotes a shutter unit that controls the photographing light flux and also controls the exposure amount.
Are located in Reference numeral 1032 denotes a helicoid member for rotating the lens barrel 1030, which is a cam convex portion 1030 of the lens barrel 1030.
By engaging with a, the helicoid member 1032 is driven by a helicoid drive motor (not shown).

The photographing optical systems 1028a and 102 described above
The light flux that has passed through 8b and the shutter unit 1031 forms an image on the film 1033. Film 1033
Is pressed by a pressure plate 1034 urged by a pressure plate spring 1035 in order to maintain its planarity and maintains an optical positional relationship.

1036 is a back cover of the still camera unit,
It is opened and closed when the film 1033 is exchanged. 1037
a, 1037b, 1037c, 1037d, 1037e
Is the lens of the optical system that constitutes the viewfinder. Of these, the lenses 1037b, 1037c, and 1037d move along with the adjustment of the angle of view (zoom operation) of the photographing optical system, and the angle of view substantially the same as the angle of view of the photographing optical system can be confirmed. Reference numerals 1038a and 1038b denote lens units of an image forming imaging optical system for sending image information to the printer unit.

Reference numeral 1039 is a diaphragm unit, which is driven so that the exposure amount of the solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 1040 is properly maintained by feedback control. These lens units 1038a and 1038b also move along with the adjustment of the angle of view (zoom operation) of the photographing optical system of the still camera unit, and it is possible to capture an image of the same angle of view as that of the photographing optical system.

Solid-state image sensor 10 for printer image formation
The image signal from 40 is processed by the signal processing board 1026. When the signal processing board 1026 performs signal processing to generate a printer control signal, the signal is sent to the printer control board 1027 and is combined with information such as the position control signal of the inkjet head cartridge 400 of the printer unit. Drive motor 101 required for printing operation
It will be supplied to 3rd grade.

The printing operation is started by a print start button (not shown), and the printer paper leading edge 1024a is pulled out from the rolled printer paper 1024 via the platen 1000 and printed. Reference numeral 1041 denotes a paper cutter unit formed of an outer cover, which is used when the printer paper 1024 after printing is cut off by hand. Reference numeral 1025 denotes a power supply battery for driving the printer unit, which supplies electric power separately from the still camera unit.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 7 to 11 show a second embodiment of the invention according to the present application. The first
The same step numbers are assigned to the parts that perform the same operations as in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the image pickup device for obtaining image information for printing by the printer unit is arranged on the silver salt film by disposing on the optical path separated from the photographing optical system for forming an image on the silver salt film. This is a form in which it is possible to obtain image information having the same angle of view as the image to be recorded.

According to this apparatus, a print output having substantially the same angle of view as that obtained by printing the image recorded on the silver salt film after development is obtained, so that an image closer to a silver salt photographic print can be immediately printed. It is available at.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of operation of the apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the shutter button section of the still camera section.

In this embodiment, the shutter button of the still camera section and the shutter button 2035 which also serves as a print instruction of the printer section are pressed for the second stroke, that is, the ground contact piece 13, This is a type in which execution and non-execution of the print instruction are selected depending on the conduction time of the first switch contact piece 14 and the second switch contact piece 15. Since the flow from S1 to S9 in FIG. 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment, it is omitted.

When the photographer pushes the shutter button 2035 to the second switch (SW2) 15 to perform the exposure operation of the camera section 3 and the image capture of the image pickup section 5, the control means 1 activates the internal counter timer. If the photographer wants to print out the scene photographed, the photographer holds the shutter button 2035 up to the second switch (SW2) 15 for a certain period of time. In addition, in the present embodiment, the counter timer of the control means 1 is set to 3 seconds, but it is not limited to this time.

Thus, the second switch (SW
2) If the signal 8 is continuously input, the control unit 1 issues a print command to the printer control unit 4 on the assumption that there is an intention to print out (S20). As a result, the operation feeling of the shutter button 2035 can be made to be the same as that of the shutter button of the existing still camera.

FIG. 9 is a left side view for explaining the function of the compound camera of the second embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 2001 denotes an exterior cover that constitutes this apparatus, which is composed of several parts such as fastening parts such as screws, 2002 is a lens unit for capturing an image on a silver halide film, and 2003 is a lens unit 2002.
And a lens barrel for holding the lens element.
Reference numeral 004 is an iris diaphragm for silver salt still photography, and 2005 is a silver salt film. In the present embodiment, the lens unit 2003 is a zoom lens, and is driven by a variable magnification lens element group that can move on the optical axis in association with automatic or manual zoom operation, and information from an automatic focus adjustment device described later. It has a focusing lens element group.

Reference numeral 2006 denotes a shutter device arranged immediately in front of the silver salt film 2005, which is composed of a shutter curtain of 2006a, a shutter frame of 2006b, and the like.
In 2007, images from the subject are silver salt film 2 respectively.
005 side and semi-transparent thin film mirror for allocating to the video image pickup device side, 2007a is an optical axis that is incident from the subject side, 2007b is an optical axis that is transmitted through the semi-transparent thin film mirror 2007 and reaches the silver salt film 2005 side , 2007
Reference numeral c, 2007d denotes the optical axis reflected by the semitransparent thin film mirror 2007.

Reference numerals 2008a and 2008b denote optical axes 2007c.
A field lens is provided on the upper side to adjust the pupil of the subject image, 2009 is a reflecting mirror for deflecting the photographing optical axis 2007c, and 2010 is a reduction lens unit provided on the optical axis 2007d. A video aperture unit 2011 for image capturing is included. Reference numeral 2012 is an optical low-pass filter, and 2013 is a solid-state image sensor. 20
Reference numeral 14 is an aerial image formed at a position equivalent to that of the silver salt film 2005, and is re-imaged on the solid-state image sensor 2013 via the reduction lens unit 2010.

Reference numeral 2014 denotes the semitransparent thin film mirror 2007.
At the time of shooting in the rear of, a part of the shooting light is guided to the automatic focus detection device 2015 by the retractable sub-mirror. The automatic focus detection device according to the present embodiment uses a conventionally known phase difference shift detection method to compare a plurality of images generated by light fluxes that have passed through a plurality of different regions of a photographing lens and compare the defocus amount on the film surface 2005. However, since a subject image is obtained on the solid-state image sensor 2013 at all times, blur-type automatic focus adjustment may be performed based on a high-frequency video signal from the solid-state image sensor 2013.
Further, it may be a composite method with the deviation method of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 2016 denotes the semitransparent thin film mirror 2007.
This is a light-shielding plate that can be retracted at the time of shooting in order to prevent light leakage due to the use of. 2017 is a silver salt film 200
This is a back lid unit that is opened and closed when 5 is loaded. In the present embodiment, the 135 type silver salt film is used, but the invention is not limited to this, and a drop-in type film or a disc type film may be used. Reference numeral 2018 denotes an electronic viewfinder unit, which outputs an image to a small liquid crystal 2019 to monitor the image signal from the solid-state image pickup device 2013, and observes it via a reflection mirror 2020 and an eyepiece 2021. The viewfinder unit 2018 has a rotary shaft 20.
It is rotatable about 22 as a spindle.

In the configuration shown in the figure, normally, the iris diaphragm 2004 for silver salt still photography is always maintained in an open state, and is narrowed down to a predetermined diameter when a release switch for silver salt still photography described later is pressed. Be done. Also, when capturing the image for printer output, the reduction lens unit 2
The video aperture unit 2011 in 010 is also exposure controlled, and if necessary, the accumulation time of the image sensor and the gain of the signal processing system are changed to obtain proper exposure.

Reference numeral 2023 denotes a secondary battery which is detachably attached to the lower portion of the apparatus, and is a common single power source for supplying all power used by the apparatus. In front of the lens unit 2003, an openable and closable barrier 2025 incorporating a strobe 2024 is provided. Reference numeral 2027 denotes an external terminal as an interface with an external device such as a television or a stereo device.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the second embodiment.

In the figure, 2028 is a cartridge chamber for the silver salt film 2005, and 2029 is a spool for winding the film. In this embodiment, a prewind method is adopted in which the last frame is wound up on the spool in advance when the film is loaded, and the exposed frames are sequentially rewound during shooting. Reference numerals 2030 and 2031 denote a zoom driving motor and a focus driving motor of the taking lens. Reference numeral 2032 denotes a zoom button arranged at a position operable by a photographer's right hand, reference numeral 2033 denotes a main mode selection switch which also serves as a power switch, and reference numeral 2035 denotes a silver salt photographing operation or a print starting operation. It is a still shutter button that can be used.

On the opposite side of the operation member, a mode selection dial 2036 is provided which can selectively use a program exposure mode, a portrait mode with many open apertures, a sports mode with priority on shutter speed, a backlight mode and the like. The photometry is feedback-controlled according to the luminance signal level of the solid-state image pickup device 13 corresponding to the various modes. In the present embodiment, the image pickup device for the printer is electrically divided into areas and also serves as the photometric element, but a dedicated photometric element may be separately arranged.

Reference numeral 2037 denotes a printer engine unit arranged to the right of the lens unit 2022. In this embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus having the same structure as that of the first embodiment is used. It's not limited. A control panel 2038 for controlling the image quality adjustment of print, shading, and the like, a discharge button 2039 for instructing discharge of paper, and the like are arranged on the upper surface thereof. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 2040 denotes an exterior cover that covers the printer engine unit 2037, and is used for replacing the printer paper 2041 and the inkjet head cartridge 400.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 12 to 14 show a third embodiment of the invention according to the present application. The first
The same members as those of the embodiment and the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The present embodiment is of a type in which the printer engine portion including the image pickup system for the printer can be detachably attached to the still camera portion. According to this apparatus, it is possible to use only the still camera unit or only the printer unit.

12 and 13, the lower surface 3000a of the exterior cover 3000 of the still camera section SC has a fixed section 3000b that engages with the fixed section 3001b of the printer section P. Still camera section SC
When the sheet is inserted into the printer portion P, the sheet is fixed and integrated by a leaf spring 3014 that also functions as a side-by-side displacement and a positioning.

In the present embodiment, the lower surface portion 3000 of the still camera section SC is arranged so that the printer image can be captured in conjunction with the shutter operation of the still camera section SC.
a and the upper surface portion 3001a of the printer unit P have communication contacts.

Fixed contacts 3002 to 3007 made of SUS material, phosphor bronze plate or the like are arranged in parallel on the printer section P side. On the other hand, on the side of the still camera section SC, rod-shaped movable contacts 3008 to 3013, which are also made of SUS material or phosphor bronze rod, are fixed contacts 3002 to 30.
It is arranged corresponding to 07. The movable contacts 3008 to 3013 are biased by a spring while being guided by the lower surface portion 3000a to enable reliable contact with the fixed contacts 3002 to 3007 of the printer unit P.

In the present embodiment, there are 6-terminal contacts, which are arranged according to the specifications of FIG. However, the amount of information to be communicated is not limited to this, and the number of terminals, the contact means, the type of signal, and the like do not limit the present embodiment.

In FIG. 14, NO. Reference numeral 1 is a ground (GND) contact that takes a common ground for other signals. N
O. 2 is the first shutter button of the still camera section SC
The first switch (SW that occurs when the stroke is pressed)
1) It is a signal. Since the still camera section SC determines the photographing exposure condition based on the first switch (SW1) signal, the condition determination for capturing the data of the image pickup section of the printer section P is also performed based on the first switch (SW1) signal. NO. Reference numeral 3 denotes a second switch (SW2) signal at which the still camera section SC actually starts the exposure operation, and the image pickup section of the printer section P takes in print data at the input timing of this signal.

NO. Reference numeral 4 is a control signal when a print output instruction is issued on the side of the still camera section SC. In the present embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the signal of the second switch (SW2) is a signal output when the signal is continued for a predetermined time. NO. 5 and NO. 6 is a still camera unit S
This is a signal that informs the printer unit P of the selection state of the photographing mode of C, and in this case, four kinds of photographing modes can be input.
As a result, the exposure condition selection of the still camera unit SC and the image pickup condition of the image pickup unit of the printer unit P can be made substantially the same.

Reference numeral 3016 denotes a print trigger button used when the printer section P is used alone for printing out. Similar to the shutter button of the still camera unit SC, the print trigger button 3016 also determines the image capturing condition of the image to be captured by the first switch (SW1) generated when the first stroke is pressed, and is pressed until the second stroke. The second switch (SW2) which is sometimes generated captures an image and prints it out.

Reference numeral 3015 is an input terminal for supplying driving power to the printer section P. As a result, power can be supplied from various power sources such as household power sources and automobile power sources, which is more effective for long-term use.

In each of the above embodiments,
Although a silver salt film is used, the present invention can be applied to an image recording medium other than a film.

The present invention can also be applied to a cartridge having an image recording medium other than a film.

Further, the present invention may be made by combining the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, or their technical elements as needed.

The present invention is also applicable to various types of cameras such as single-lens reflex cameras, lens shutter cameras, video cameras, optical devices other than cameras, and other devices, and those cameras, optical devices, and other devices. The present invention can also be applied to a device applied to the above, or elements constituting these.

[0097]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation member for executing the recording of the photographing device and the operation member for executing the print output of the printer are used in common, thereby performing the recording operation and the print output. I made a mistake with the operation,
The shooting operation can be performed reliably without losing the shooting opportunity.

Further, the operating members for achieving the various functions of the photographing apparatus can be arranged at the most suitable position, and the conventional operating members for performing print output can be arranged at different positions. On the other hand, the operability is improved. Furthermore, since a single operation member can perform a series of operations from shooting to printing, it is possible to fully concentrate on shooting.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a series of operations such as determination of photographing conditions, output image storage operation, and output image print output operation can be easily performed with a single operation member for each stroke. Can be done

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the second stroke pressing state is continued for a certain period of time, the control means can output a print command signal on the assumption that the control means is willing to perform print output. The printing operation can be performed exactly like the existing shutter button, and the operation feeling is not impaired.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation based on the block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram branched from FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shutter button portion showing the first embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus section showing a first embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 6 is a central sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a shutter button section showing a second embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the image pickup apparatus with a printer showing the second embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the image capturing apparatus with a printer showing the second embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a photographing device with a printer showing a second embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

FIG. 12 is an overall perspective view of the separable printer-equipped photographing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a state where the photographing apparatus and the printer apparatus are separated.

FIG. 13 is a central cross-sectional view of the separable printer-equipped photographing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention in which the photographing apparatus and the printer apparatus are combined.

FIG. 14 is a contact signal chart showing a third embodiment of the invention according to the present application.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control means 2 ... Camera control part 3 ... Camera part 4 ... Printer control part 5 ... Imaging part 6 ... Printer engine part 7 ... 1st switch (SW1) signal 8 ... 2nd switch (SW2) signal 9 ... 3rd switch (SW3) signal 10 ... Shutter button

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04N 5/765 H04N 5/91 L

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image recording system in which a photographing device for recording photographing information on a recording medium and a printer for outputting photographing information to a recording member are integrated, and a recording operation of the photographing device and a print output operation of the printer. An image recording system, comprising: a control unit that allows both and to be combined with a single operation member. 2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the first stroke of the operation member determines the photographing condition, the second stroke causes the recording operation of the photographing apparatus and the operation of storing the output image of the printer, and the third stroke causes the control unit to store. The image recording system is characterized in that a print output operation of the output image is performed. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the first stroke of the operation member determines the photographing condition, the second stroke performs the recording operation of the photographing apparatus and the storage operation of the output image of the printer, and the predetermined time is set. An image recording system, wherein a print output operation is performed when a two-stroke operation is continued.