JPH0946470A - Digital color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a general-purpose digital color image forming device which can easily read the digital image signals received from a digital still camera and also can reproduce and output these image signals. SOLUTION: The digital image signals are recorded in an IC memory card 100 by a digital still camera, and the card 100 can be loaded into and unloaded out of a memory card interface part 31. The part 31 reads the digital image signals out of the card 100, and a signal conversion part 33 expands and restore the digital image signals which are read out of the part 31 to convert them into a data form that can be processed by an image signal processing unit 34. The unit 34 applies such prescribed image processing to the digital image signals as the color conversion, power variation, processing/editing, and temporarily stores these processed image signals in an image memory 43. Under such conditions, a CPU 21 outputs the digital image signals stored in the memory 43 to a write processing part 42 via a selector 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital color image forming apparatus such as a digital color printer or a digital color copying machine, and more particularly to a digital color image forming apparatus capable of reproducing a digital image signal recorded by a digital still camera. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a photographed image is converted into a digital image signal, and the digital image signal is converted into an IC (Integrated Ci).
Digital still cameras (hereinafter referred to as DSCs) that record on a recording medium such as a memory card have become widespread.
In such a DSC, of course, it is also possible to record a captured image as a color image. When recording a color image, digital image signals corresponding to a plurality of colors are recorded on a recording medium, and the digital image of this recording medium is recorded. An image output device that reproduces an image based on an image signal obtains a color image by synthesizing digital image signals corresponding to these plural colors.

As the image output device as described above, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and this PC
There is a system consisting of printers controlled by
Let the PC read the digital image signal from DSC, and
The reproduced image of the digital image signal is displayed on the C display, and the reproduced image of the digital image signal is printed on the recording paper by the printer connected to the PC.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, DSC
Even if shooting is performed by the above method, a dedicated system including the above-described PC and printer is required to reproduce the captured image and print the reproduced image. Since such a system has a large scale and a high cost, it is a factor that makes it difficult for a user who does not have such a system to use the DSC. Further, there is a printer device dedicated to DSC, which is lower in price than a system including a PC and a printer, but if this dedicated printer device is considered as an accessory of DSC, the price of DSC is high. That is, when a DSC is used, a device for reading and outputting a digital image signal of the DSC is required, which causes a problem of a large cost burden, which is a factor that prevents further spread of the DSC. It has become.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to read a digital image signal from a digital still camera easily, reproduce the read digital image signal, and output the general-purpose digital color image. To provide a forming apparatus.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a digital color image forming apparatus according to claim 1 reads an original image and converts it into a digital image signal corresponding to a monochrome or color image. Means, image data processing means for performing preset processing on the digital image signal from the image reading means, and image data storage capable of accumulating digital image signals before or after processing by the image data processing means And a digital color image forming apparatus that visualizes the digital image signal processed by the image data processing means and outputs the visualized image to the outside. Connect to a recording medium on which image signals are recorded and read the digital image signals recorded on this recording medium. Interface unit, and a signal conversion unit for converting the digital image signal read by the interface unit into a data format that can be processed by the data processing unit and outputting the converted digital image signal to the image data processing unit. It is characterized by having and.

Further, in a digital color image forming apparatus according to a second aspect, the interface means is an IC in which a digital image signal is recorded by a digital still camera.
It is characterized by comprising a card slot into which a memory card is detachably mounted and a memory card interface section for reading the recorded contents of the IC memory card mounted in the card slot and outputting the recorded content to the signal conversion section.

Further, in the digital color image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the interface means is connected to a recording medium on which a digital image signal is recorded by a digital still camera via an RS232C standard communication interface unit, and the communication is performed. An RS232C interface unit for reading the recorded content of the recording medium connected by the interface unit and outputting it to the signal conversion unit is provided.

Further, in the digital color image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the interface means is connected to a recording medium on which a digital image signal is recorded by a digital still camera via an RS422 standard communication interface unit, and the communication is performed. An RS422 interface unit for reading the recorded contents of the recording medium connected by the interface unit and outputting the read contents to the signal conversion unit is provided.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital color copying machine which is an embodiment of a digital color image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image data processing unit in the digital color copying machine of the present embodiment. Photoconductor drum, 2 is a charger, 3 is a developing unit having four stages of developing sections 3a to 3d, 4 is an intermediate transfer belt, 5 is a cleaning device, 6 is an optical writing unit, and 7 is a scanner unit as a reading means. , 8 is a fixing device, and 9 is a paper feed cassette in which recording paper is stored. Here, in the digital color copying machine shown in FIG. 1, the image output means is constituted by the portion excluding the scanner unit 7.

Reference numeral 20 is a system control unit, and in the system control unit 20, 21 is a C for controlling the entire apparatus.
PU (Central Processing Unit), 22 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) containing a control program and control data, and 23 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data for control processing.

24 is a scanner unit, a scanner unit
In 24, 25 is a 3-line CCD (charge coupled device), 26
Is a signal conversion unit that converts the analog image signal output from the CCD 25 into a digital image signal, 27 is a signal correction unit that performs correction processing such as shading on the digital image signal, and 28 is an image from the 3-line reduction type CCD 25 A line-to-line correction unit that stores signals and performs line-to-line correction of the stored image signals, and 29 is a scanner γ processing unit.

30 is a DCS interface unit, DC
In the S interface unit 30, 31 is provided with a card slot (not shown) into which the IC memory card 100 is detachably mounted, and a memory card interface section for reading the stored contents of the IC memory card 100 mounted in the card slot, 32 Is RS232C (Recommended Standard
232C) and RS422 (Recommended Standard 422) standard communication interface units are connectable,
RS232C / RS422 interface section for reading the recorded contents of the recording medium connected by the communication interface unit, and 33 for the memory card interface section 31 or R
It is a signal conversion unit that converts a digital image signal read by the S232C / RS422 interface unit 32 into a data format that can be processed by an image signal processing unit described later.

Reference numeral 34 is an image signal processing unit, and in the image signal processing unit 34, 35 is a scanner unit 24 and a DC.
A selector for making circuit connection so that the digital image signal from one of the S interface units 30 is validated, 36
Are digital image signals corresponding to R (red), G (green) and B (blue) selected by the selector 35, and Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and Bk.
A color conversion processing unit for converting to a digital image signal corresponding to (black) and performing filter processing, 37 is a scaling processing unit for scaling in the main scanning direction, 38 is inversion, italics, hollowing, mirroring, etc. Processing / editing processing unit for performing the image processing of 39, 39 is a gradation processing unit for performing filter processing, printer γ processing, gradation processing, etc. for Y, M, C, Bk digital image signals, and 40 is set image processing Is a selector that switches the output destination of the digital image signal that has been subjected to the write processing unit 41 or the display processing unit 42. The write processing unit 41 converts the digital image signal into a drive signal for the optical writing unit 6, and the display processing unit Reference numeral 42 converts the digital image signal into a display signal for a display editor (not shown). An image memory 43 temporarily stores digital image signals before and after image processing or during image processing for image composition and editing.

Next, the image forming operation in the digital color copying machine of this embodiment will be briefly described. The charger 2 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 1 that rotates at a constant speed in the arrow direction, and the optical writing unit 6 uses the laser light corresponding to the drive signal from the writing processing unit 41 to uniformly charge the photosensitive drum 1. To scan. As a result, the photosensitive drum 1
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the digital image signal is formed on it. Here, in the case of color copying, the photosensitive drum 1
, An electrostatic latent image is formed by a digital image signal corresponding to Y. The developing unit 3 develops the Y electrostatic latent image as a toner image by adhering the Y toner to the photosensitive drum 1 by the first developing unit 3a.

The Y toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 4 and held on the intermediate transfer belt 4. Similarly, an M toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1, and the M toner image is superimposed on the Y toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4. Further, the C and Bk toner images are sequentially superposed on the toner images transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 4 to complete a full-color toner image.

On the other hand, the recording paper separated and fed from the paper feed cassette 9 is started to be conveyed by the registration roller pair 10 in synchronization with the completed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4. The transfer roller 11 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4 onto the recording paper by electrostatic force, and the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 8 by a conveying means such as the conveying belt 12. The fixing device 8 fixes the toner image on the recording paper by heating and pressurizing the toner image on the recording paper, and the recording paper after the fixing is discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation section unit in the digital color copying machine according to the present embodiment. In the operation section unit 50, reference numeral 51 is a ten-key pad which is operated when a numerical value such as the number of copies is input, and 52 is already used. A mode clear / preheat key that is operated when canceling the set mode and returning to the initial state, or when setting the device to the preheat state, 53 is for interrupting the process during copying and copying another document The interrupt key that is operated to, 54 is the image quality adjustment key that is operated when adjusting the image quality of the LCD of the liquid crystal / touch panel key 60, 55 is the mode in which frequently used modes are registered, and the registered mode is called To the program key, 56 is a print start key that is pressed to start copying, and 57 is a key to clear the numerical value entered by the numeric keypad 51, Clear / stop key that is operated when copying is interrupted in the middle, 58 is an option key for setting the environment when connecting to an external device such as a projector, printer, scanner, or DSC, 59 is a liquid crystal / touch panel 60 The brightness adjustment knob for adjusting the display brightness of the LCD, 60 is an LCD (liquid crystal display) and L
A liquid crystal touch panel composed of a transparent pressure-sensitive board arranged on a CD, and a key area is set by the pressure-sensitive board in an area facing the various key displays displayed on the LCD, and keys corresponding to the various key displays. It detects that the area is pressed and outputs an operation signal. An area processing key 61 is operated when performing area processing and area editing on a display editor (not shown).

4 to 8 are explanatory views showing operation screens displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel in the digital color copying machine of this embodiment. The screen shown in Fig. 4 shows the LCD / touch panel 60 when the device is in the initial state.
It shows an example of an initial screen displayed by.
The initial screen has a color mode selection, automatic density adjustment setting,
Various mode selection keys such as manual density adjustment setting, image quality setting, automatic paper selection, paper toilet selection, paper automatic scaling setting, normal size setting, sort setting, stack setting, etc. are displayed, and further create screen, color processing screen, Sub screen selection keys such as move / book processing screen and scaling setting screen are also displayed. On the LCD / touch panel 60, a key display indicating the type of key is displayed in a predetermined area of the LCD screen, and at the same time, a key area is set in the area facing the key display on the pressure-sensitive board to support the key display. An operation key having a function to perform is set.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a scaling setting screen which is one of the sub screens. The scaling ratio setting screen is scrolled up from below the initial screen by pressing the scaling key in the initial screen shown in FIG. Since the standard scaling key is set on the LCD / touch panel 60 where the scaling setting screen is displayed, select the standard scaling mode with this standard scaling key and press the 71% key, for example, to scale. "71%" is selected as the magnification. Also, on the LCD / touch panel 60 on which this scaling setting screen is displayed, a zoom key for selecting a scaling mode other than the standard scaling mode, a size scaling key, and an independent scaling / magnification continuous shooting key are set. To be done.

FIG. 6 shows option keys of the operation unit 50.
This is an example of an option setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal / touch panel 60 by pressing 58. A projector selection key, a printer selection key, a scanner selection key, a DSC selection key, and a cancel key are set on the liquid crystal / touch panel 60 on which the option setting screen is displayed. By pressing the DSC selection key on this screen, the screen changes to the DSC input / output setting screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the DSC displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 60 by pressing the DSC selection key shown in FIG.
It is an example of an input / output setting screen. On the liquid crystal touch panel 60 on which this DSC input / output setting screen is displayed,
An input condition setting key for selecting how to read the digital image signal from the DSC, and the DSC
And an output condition setting key for selecting in what format the digital image signal read from is output.

FIG. 8 shows a DS displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 60 by pressing the input condition setting key shown in FIG.
It is an example of a C input condition setting screen. This DS
LCD / touch panel with C input condition setting screen displayed
Is an IC memory card interface selection key, RS
The 232C interface selection key and the RS422 interface selection key are set. By pressing any key, the digital image signal can be read from the interface section corresponding to the pressed key.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a digital still camera for recording digital image signals on the IC memory card shown in FIG. 110 is a D equipped with a card slot (not shown) into which the IC memory card 100 is detachably mounted
SC main body, 111 is an image reading section having a light receiving section composed of CCD (charge coupled device), 112 is an optical lens for forming a subject image on the light receiving section of the image reading section 111, 113 is the DSC main body 1
The communication interface unit is configured to be integrated with the DSC 10 or attachable to and detachable from the DSC main body 110.

In the DSC, a subject image is formed on the light receiving portion of the image reading portion 111 by photographing the subject in the same manner as a normal camera, and the image reading portion 111 converts the subject image into a digital image signal. This digital image signal is compressed and recorded in the IC memory card 100. The communication interface unit 113 is configured as a communication interface unit compatible with both the RS232C standard and the RS422 standard, and is an IC for an interface unit of an external device connected by a dedicated cable IC (not shown) of the RS232C standard or the RS422 standard. The digital image signal recorded in the memory card 100 is output.

In the digital color copying machine of this embodiment,
Since the DSC interface unit 30 is provided, the IC memory card can be operated by the DSC as shown in FIG.
The digital image signal recorded in 100 is reproduced, and the reproduced image of this digital image signal can be output. The digital image signal recorded in the IC memory card 100 is processed by the following method. It is possible to read and reproduce / output.

In the case of the method of directly reading the digital image signal from the IC memory card 100, first, D shown in FIG.
Call the SC input condition setting screen on the liquid crystal / touch panel 60, and press the IC memory card interface selection key on the liquid crystal / touch panel 60 that displays this screen. As a result, the operation unit 50 sends the IC memory card interface selection signal to the CPU of the system control unit 20.
Output to 21. CPU21 which received this selection signal, DS
C interface unit 30 and image signal processing unit 34
The circuit connection condition of the selector 35 is set so that the connection with is valid, and the memory card interface unit 31 is set to the input waiting state.

The IC memory card 100 on which the digital image signal is recorded is attached to the memory card interface section 31 in the input waiting state, and the user depresses a predetermined key of the operation section unit 50, whereby the CPU 21 causes the memory card interface section. The read start command is output to 31. As a result, the memory card interface unit 31 reads the recorded content of the IC memory card 100 and outputs it to the signal conversion unit 33, and the signal conversion unit 33 causes the memory card interface unit 31 to read.
By decompressing and restoring the digital image signal sent from, the compressed and recorded digital image signal is converted into a data format that can be processed by the image signal processing unit 34.

The image signal processing unit 34 performs preset image processing such as color conversion, scaling and processing / editing on the digital image signal sent from the signal processing unit 33 via the selector 35. The digital image signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 43. In this state, when the user presses the print start key 56 of the operation unit 50, the CPU 21 outputs the digital image signal stored in the image memory 43 to the writing processing unit 41 via the selector 40. Here, although the image signal processing unit 34 stores the digital image signal in the image memory 43 after performing the image processing, the digital image signal is stored in the image memory first.
The image processing may be stored in 43 and the set image processing may be performed on the digital image signal in the image memory 43. Further, in the digital color copying machine of the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 33 is provided in the DSC interface unit 30, but it is also possible to provide this signal conversion unit 33 in the subsequent stage of the selector 35.

The writing processing section 41 converts the digital image signal from the image memory 43 into a drive signal as described above and outputs it to the optical writing unit 6. At this time, when printing a full-color image, the image memory 43 outputs the digital image signals corresponding to Y, C, M and Bk to the optical writing unit 6 in four steps to form one image. .

The CPU 21 synchronizes with the output of the digital image signal from the image memory 43 and develops it by the image output means.
By executing an image forming process such as transfer and fixing, a reproduced image of a digital image signal is formed on recording paper and output to the outside.

According to the digital color copying machine of the present embodiment, by reading the digital image signal directly from the IC memory card 100 which is a recording medium and outputting the reproduced image of the digital image signal to the outside, only the IC memory card 100 is obtained. When the is mounted on a digital color copying machine, the reproduced image can be printed out by easily reading the digital image signal obtained by the DSC.

In the case of the method of reading a digital image signal from the IC memory card 100 via the communication interface unit 113, first, the DSC input condition setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is called up on the liquid crystal touch panel 60, and this screen is displayed. Press either the RS232C interface selection key or the RS422 interface selection key of the displayed liquid crystal / touch panel 60. As a result, the operation unit 50 is operated by the RS232C interface selection signal or RS422.
The interface selection signal is output to the CPU 21. Upon receiving this selection signal, the CPU 21 sets the circuit connection condition of the selector 35 so that the connection between the DSC interface unit 30 and the image signal processing unit 34 becomes effective, and
The RS232C / RS422 interface unit 32 is made to correspond to the selection signal and put in an input waiting state corresponding to either the RS232C standard or the RS422 standard. Here, RS232C / RS4
The 22 interface unit 32 is configured to be compatible with both RS232C and RS422 standards in consideration of the case where the communication interface unit 113 on the DSC side is compatible with only one standard.

Communication interface unit 11 on the DSC side
3 and RS232C / RS422 interface section 32 by RS232
The CPU 21 connects to the RS232C / RS422 interface section 32 by connecting with a cable dedicated to the C / RS422 standard and the user pressing a predetermined key of the operation section unit 50.
A read start command is output to. This makes RS232
The C / RS422 interface unit 32 has a preselected R
According to either the S232C or RS422 standard, the recorded contents of the IC memory card 100 are read and output to the signal conversion unit 33. The signal conversion unit 33 is a memory card interface unit.
By decompressing and restoring the digital image signal sent from 31, the compressed and recorded digital image signal is converted into a data format that can be processed by the image signal processing unit 34.

The processing on the digital image signal from here is the same as the case of the signal from the IC memory card 100, and the image signal processing unit 34 performs the image processing preset on the digital image signal, This digital image signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 43. In this state,
When the user presses the print start key 56 of the operation unit 50, the CPU 21 outputs the digital image signal stored in the image memory 43 to the write processing unit 41 via the selector 40. The writing processing unit 41 includes an image memory 43.
The digital image signal from is converted into a drive signal as described above and output to the optical writing unit 6.

The CPU 21 synchronizes with the output of the digital image signal from the image memory 43 to develop the image by the image output means.
By executing an image forming process such as transfer and fixing, a reproduced image of a digital image signal is formed on recording paper and output to the outside.

According to the digital color copying machine of the present embodiment, the recorded contents of the IC memory card 100 mounted on the DSC are read through the RS232C / RS422 standard communication interface unit 113, and the reproduced image of the digital image signal is externally read. By connecting the DSC and the digital color copying machine with a dedicated cable, the digital image signal recorded in the IC memory card 100 can be easily read and the reproduced image can be printed out.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the described digital color image forming apparatus, the interface means is connected to the recording medium on which the digital image signal is recorded by the digital still camera, reads the digital image signal recorded on the recording medium, and the signal conversion unit The digital still camera converts the digital image signal read by the interface unit into a data format that can be processed by the data processing unit, and outputs the converted digital image signal to the image data processing unit. The digital image signal recorded on the recording medium can be subjected to preset processing such as color conversion, scaling, processing and editing, and the digital image signal subjected to the preset processing can be visualized. General-purpose digital color image forming apparatus that can output a visualized image to the outside Since kill, without using the system and DSC dedicated printer device comprising a PC and a printer for printing out images taken in DSC,
It is possible to easily read the digital image signal recorded on the recording medium by the DSC by a digital color image forming apparatus such as a commonly used digital color copying machine and reproduce and output the read digital image signal.

According to another aspect of the digital color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the memory card interface section of the interface means is a card to which an IC memory card on which digital image signals are recorded by the digital still camera is detachably mounted. A digital still camera is provided with a slot, and by reading the recorded contents of the IC memory card mounted in this card slot and outputting it to the signal conversion unit, only the IC memory card can be mounted in the memory card interface unit. The reproduced image can be printed out by easily reading the digital image signal.

Further, according to the digital color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the interface means RS232C.
The interface unit is connected to a recording medium on which a digital image signal is recorded by a digital still camera via a communication interface unit of RS232C standard, and the recorded contents of the recording medium connected by the communication interface unit are read to read the signal conversion unit. When the digital still camera and the digital color image forming apparatus are connected to each other by an RS232C standard cable or the like, the digital image signal recorded on the recording medium can be easily read and the reproduced image can be printed out. .

Further, according to the digital color image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the RS422 interface section of the interface means is connected to the recording medium on which the digital image signal is recorded by the digital still camera via the RS422 standard communication interface unit. If the digital still camera and the digital color image forming apparatus are connected by a cable or the like of the RS422 standard by reading the recorded contents of the recording medium connected by the communication interface unit and outputting the recorded contents to the signal conversion unit, The reproduced image can be printed out by simply reading the digital image signal recorded on the recording medium.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital color copying machine which is an embodiment of a digital color image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image data processing unit in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation unit in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel in the digital color copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a digital still camera that records a digital image signal on the IC memory card shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photosensitive drum, 2 ... Charging device, 3 ... Developing unit, 4 ... Intermediate transfer belt, 5 ... Cleaning device, 6
… Optical writing unit, 8… Fixing device, 20… System control unit, 30… DSC interface unit,
31 ... Memory card interface section, 32 ... RS232
C / RS422 interface section, 33 ... Signal conversion section, 3
4 ... Image signal processing unit, 43 ... Image memory, 50 ...
Operation unit, 60 ... LCD / touch panel, 100 ... I
C memory card, 110 ... DSC main body, 111 ... Image reading unit, 113 ... Communication interface unit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tadao Hayashi 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading an original image and converting it into a digital image signal corresponding to a monochrome or color image, and image data for performing preset processing on the digital image signal from the image reading unit. A processing unit, an image data storage unit capable of temporarily storing a digital image signal before or after processing by the image data processing unit, and a digital image signal processed by the image data processing unit to visualize the image. In a digital color image forming apparatus provided with an image output means for outputting a converted image to the outside, a digital image signal recorded on the recording medium is connected to a recording medium on which a digital image signal is recorded by a digital still camera. And an interface means for reading the digital image signal read by the interface means. A digital color image forming apparatus, comprising: a signal conversion unit that converts the data into a data format that can be processed by the data processing unit and outputs the converted digital image signal to the image data processing unit. 2. The IC in which the interface means records a digital image signal by a digital still camera.
It has a card slot into which a memory card is detachably mounted, and a memory card interface section for reading the recorded contents of the IC memory card mounted in this card slot and outputting it to the signal conversion section. Item 1. A digital color image forming apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The interface means is connected to a recording medium on which a digital image signal is recorded by a digital still camera via a communication interface unit of RS232C (Recommended Standard 232C) standard, and the recording medium connected by the communication interface unit. RS for reading the recorded contents of and outputting to the signal converter
The digital color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a 232C interface unit. 4. The interface means is connected to a recording medium on which digital image signals are recorded by a digital still camera via a communication interface unit of RS422 (Recommended Standard 422) standard, and the recording medium connected by the communication interface unit. RS422 for reading the recorded contents of and outputting it to the signal converter
The digital color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interface unit.