JPH1013582A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily print out image picked up by an electronic still camera by anybody with a simple operation. SOLUTION: When an ON key 22 of a printer 20 is operated, menu image data and a menu display command signal are transferred to a camera 10 and a print menu image is displayed on an LCD 13. When a set key 24 is operated, an image read command signal is transferred to the camera 10 and image data having been picked up and stored already are read and displayed on the LCD 13. When a '+' key 23a and a '-' key 23b are operated, the image switching command signal is transferred to the camera 10, the image data are selected and displayed, and when a print key 27 is operated, the image data displayed on the LCD 13 are read from the camera by the print command signal to the camera 10 and received by the printer 20, in which the data are printed in color on recording paper X corresponding to the set print mode and the printed paper is discharged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for capturing and printing image information captured by an electronic still camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as one of electronic still cameras,
There is a digital still camera with an LCD equipped with a photographing lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and further equipped with a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display) that also serves as a viewfinder for recording images and a monitor for reproducing images. .

Conventionally, when printing image data captured by such an electronic still camera, the electronic still camera is linked to an information device such as a personal computer, and firstly, application software for communication processing is started and the electronic still camera is operated. Captures image data taken by Then, application software for image processing is started, image processing necessary for printing is performed, and the image data is output to a printer connected to the information device to perform printing.

[0004]

However, when printing image data photographed by an electronic still camera in conjunction with an information device such as a personal computer as in the conventional case, expensive dedicated software is prepared. In addition, it is necessary to perform the operation of taking in image data from the camera side and the operation of performing printing over the linked cameras, information devices, and printers, and there is a problem that anyone cannot easily print.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has been developed in consideration of image data captured by an electronic still camera.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that enables anyone to easily print with a simple operation.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: an image memory for storing a plurality of pieces of image information captured by a camera unit; and a display means for displaying the image information. A printing device for printing, by a printing unit, the image information transferred from an electronic still camera including the image memory and a control unit for controlling the display unit, wherein the image information is exchanged with the electronic still camera. Communication means for communicating various command information; input means for inputting various command information; and when display command information is input from the input means, the display command information is controlled by the communication means to control the electronic still camera. First control means for transmitting the plurality of image information stored in the image memory to the display means, and printing from the input means. When the command information is input, the print command information is transmitted to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means, and the control means transmits the image information of the image memory displayed on the display means to the communication means. And a second control means for outputting the image information by the printing means.

That is, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the display command information is input by the input means, the display command information is transmitted to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means, and A plurality of image information stored in the image memory is selectively displayed on the display means, and in a state where desired image information is displayed, when the print instruction information is input by the input means, the print instruction information is transmitted by the communication means. Sent to the control means of the electronic still camera,
Since the image information of the image memory displayed on the display means is transferred via the communication means and printed by the printing means, the user only needs to input an image display command and an image print command on the printing device side. Thus, desired image information can be printed.

[0008] A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising:
When the setting change command information is input from the input means, the setting change command information is transmitted to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means, and the direction of the image printed by the printing means is displayed on the display means. 3rd to change the setting with
Is provided.

That is, in the printing apparatus according to the second aspect,
When the image display command is input and the desired image information is displayed on the display unit of the electronic still camera, when the setting change instruction information is input by the input unit, the setting change instruction information is transmitted to the electronic still camera by the communication unit. It is sent to the control means, and the direction of the image printed by the printing means is changed, for example, upside down on the display means, so even in the case of image information taken in either forward or backward portrait orientation with an electronic still camera, It can be printed as correct vertical image information.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a digital still camera with an LCD and a printer for a digital camera according to an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

The digital still camera 10 with LCD is
It is composed of two blocks divided into a main unit 11 and a camera unit 12. On the rear side of the main body 11, the LCD 1
3 are provided.

The LCD 13 functions as a viewfinder for displaying a subject when capturing an image, and also functions as a monitor for displaying captured image data during image reproduction. An image capturing mode (REC) is provided beside the LCD 13. ) And an image playback mode (PLAY).

The upper surface of the main body 11 has a power supply O.
A power switch 15 for performing N / OFF, a shutter button 16 for photographing a subject displayed on the LCD 13 in the image photographing mode, and a “+” key for selecting image data displayed on the LCD 13 in the image reproducing mode 17a, a "-" key 17b, and a communication terminal 18 for inputting and outputting image data and various command signals are provided.

A standard lens and a close-up lens are switchably provided on the front side (not shown) of the camera unit 12, and a photographing mode for switching between two photographing modes, standard and close-up, is provided on the left side (not shown). A changeover switch is provided.

The camera section 12 includes a main body 11
Is mounted to be rotatable forward by 90 ° and rearward by 180 °. On the upper side of the printer 20, a recording paper confirmation window 21 is provided, a power key 22 for turning on / off the power, selection of menu data on a menu screen, and selection of image data to be printed. Key 23a, "-" key 23b for performing image data, a set key 24 for confirming image data selected as a print target, and changing and setting of the vertical direction of image data shot vertically. , A menu key 26 for displaying a menu screen for selecting a print menu for standard printing / postcard printing / calendar printing, and a print key 27 for instructing the start of image data printing. A communication terminal 28 for inputting and outputting data and various command signals is provided.

A print outlet 30 for discharging the printed recording paper X is provided on the right side of the printer 20.
Is provided. A communication cable 2 is provided between the communication terminals 18 and 28 of the digital still camera 10 and the printer 20.
9.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuits of the digital still camera with LCD and the printer for the digital camera. The electronic circuit of the digital still camera with LCD 10 includes a CCD 31 for converting an image signal into an electric signal, an A / D converter 32 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and a driving circuit 34 for driving the CCD 31.
, A compression / decompression circuit 35 for compressing / decompressing a digital image signal by encoding / decoding, a DRAM 56 for temporarily storing a captured digital image signal, a compressed image signal Flash memory 37 for storing the
Writing to AM 36 and flash memory 37
Memory control circuit 38 for controlling read address, RO
A CPU 42 that operates based on a system program stored in M39 and uses a RAM 40 as a work RAM to control and operate based on an input from a key input unit 41; Signal generator 4 that generates
3. VRAM 44 for storing digital video signals, D / A converter 45 for converting digital video signals output from signal generator 43 to analog signals, driving liquid crystal based on the converted analog video signals to form images LCD 13 for display, printer 2 for digital camera of image data converted to serial data by CPU 42
0 and an input / output of various command signals from the digital camera printer 20.
Consists of

In the digital still camera with an LCD constructed as described above, the timing signal is output from the timing generator 33 at a predetermined cycle, and the driving circuit 34 is controlled to correspond to the subject image formed by the CCD 31. The imaging signal is captured, the analog signal is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 32, and is temporarily stored in the DRAM 36 as a digital image signal.

In this case, the CC stored in the DRAM 36
The imaging signal from D31 has passed through the color filter of the CCD 31, and has color components such as Ye, Cy, and Gr.

Then, based on the image pickup signal stored in the DRAM 36 by the CPU 42, an image signal for video through display on a monitor by image processing in high-speed mode and an image signal for image recording by image processing in high-quality mode are generated. Is done.

In this case, first, a luminance signal generation process with a reduced amount of information is executed. The luminance signal is generated by a DRAM
The signal is generated by using, for example, only the Ye component among the Ye, Cy, and Gr components of the signal read from 36,
A pixel of the imaging signal stored in the DRAM 36 is illuminated, and a pre-filter including an LPF is applied to the corresponding signal and Ye component data of a total of three pixels from both sides of the corresponding signal,
Gamma correction (because the luminance and the characteristics of the image display device are not linear, the luminance and the characteristics of the image display device are corrected in advance so as to be linear when displayed on the image display device). To generate a luminance signal.

Then, a color signal generation process corresponding to the luminance signal with reduced image quality is executed. The generation of the color signal is DR
The signal of the Ye, Cy, and Gr components read from the AM 36 is spread to 1/6, and the corresponding signal and data of a total of six pixels from both sides of the corresponding signal are generated and prefiltered.
Then, the prefiltered Ye, Cy, Gr
The component signals are subjected to white balance (to correct the variation of the color signal due to the variation of the color filters, and to correct the white color to white), and the color calculation is performed to obtain RY and BY. Generate a color signal.

Then, the generated luminance signal and chrominance signal are transferred to the signal generator 43 and converted into a video signal, and displayed on the LCD 13 as a monitor through video.

Next, when an operation signal from the shutter button 16 is input from the key input unit 41, a high-quality luminance signal generation process is executed. In this case, the generation of the luminance signal
For the signal read from the DRAM 36, first, the corresponding signal and data of a total of 7 pixels from both sides of the corresponding signal are generated, pre-filtered, γ-corrected, and moire balance is obtained. The variation in the luminance signal due to the variation in the color filter is corrected by the moiré balance.

After the LPF is applied, the noise of the high frequency component is reduced, and then an enhancer process is performed to generate a luminance signal. Then, a color signal generation process corresponding to the high-quality luminance signal is performed.

In this case, the color signal is generated by the DRAM 36
From the Ye, Cy, and Gr component signals read out, a prefilter is applied to the corresponding signal and data of a total of 12 pixels from both sides of the corresponding signal. Then, the pre-filtered Ye, Cy, and Gr component signals are white-balanced, color calculation is performed, and RY and BY color signals are generated.

Next, the generated luminance signal and color signal are compressed /
The luminance signal and the chrominance signal are encoded and compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 35, and the compressed image signal (luminance signal and chrominance signal) is transmitted to the flash memory 37 for recording. .

On the other hand, when reproducing the image signal, the key input unit 4
When a switching signal to the image reproduction mode is input by operating the function switching key 18 in 1, predetermined compressed image signals (compressed luminance signal and color signal) are read out from the flash memory 37 and sent to the compression / decompression circuit 35. Will be transferred.

Then, the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are expanded, a synchronizing signal is added by the signal generator 43 to generate a digital video signal, and the D / A converter 4
5 is displayed on the LCD 13.

In this case, "+" in the key input section 41
The compressed image signal read from the flash memory 37 is switched according to the operation of the keys 17a and the "-" key 17b, and the image data displayed on the LCD 13 is selected.

On the other hand, the electronic circuit of the digital camera printer 20 operates based on the system program stored in the ROM 53 and stores the RAM 54 in the work RA.
CPU 51 that is used as M and performs a control operation based on an input from a key input unit 52; outputs various command signals obtained by the CPU 51 to the digital still camera 10 according to a signal from the key input unit 52; I / O interface 55 for inputting image data from 10, clock circuit 5 for measuring the current date and time
6. A timing generator 57 for outputting a timing signal for synchronizing image signals input / output to / from the CPU 51, an image memory 58 for storing compressed image data input via the I / O interface 55, and an image memory A decompression circuit 59 for decoding and decompressing the compressed image read from 58, a print buffer 60 for storing the image data decompressed by the decompression circuit 59 as print data, and a print data stored in the print buffer 60. A color printer unit 61 for printing out image data to be printed on recording paper X is provided.

The RAM 54 has a mode data register (M) set to "0" in the menu display mode, "1" in the standard print mode, "2" in the postcard print mode, and "3" in the calendar print mode. ) 54a, a menu selection register (K) 54b in which flag data corresponding to the print menu selected and designated on the menu screen is set as "1" in standard printing, "2" in postcard printing, and "3" in calendar printing. “0” when printing horizontally shot image data as it is, “1” when printing the right side of photographed image data with reference to the upper, lower, left and right of the digital still camera 10 as “1”, and when printing left side as upper Is provided with a print direction setting register (P) 54c for setting the print direction to "2".

In addition to the various system programs, the ROM 53 previously stores format pattern data for setting the format of image data to be printed.

FIG. 3 shows the R of the digital camera printer.
FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a print format pattern stored in the OM 53 in advance. FIG. 4A shows a format pattern for postcard printing, and FIG. 5B shows a format pattern for calendar printing.

The format pattern for printing postcards shown in FIG. 3A is a horizontal composite area A of image data.
1 and a ruled line print area A2, and the format pattern for calendar printing is a left / right combination of a vertical composite area A1 of image data and a calendar print area A3.

That is, the digital camera printer 20
The compressed image data read from the flash memory 37 of the digital still camera 10 and fetched through the I / O interface 46 → 55 in accordance with the command from
Once stored in the image memory 58, it is decoded by the expansion circuit 59 and expanded, and the print format pattern in the ROM 53 corresponding to the print mode specified by the mode data register (M) 54a in the RAM 54 Is developed and stored in the print buffer 60 in combination with
The printout is performed by the color printer unit 61.

In this case, the date data corresponding to the calendar print format pattern is arranged and processed based on the current year, month, day, and day of the week measured by the clock circuit 56, and is combined with the calendar print area A3.

Next, the printing operation of the image data by the digital camera printer 20 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process of image data by the digital camera printer 20.

A desired object is photographed by the digital still camera 10 with LCD, and the communication terminal 18 of the digital still camera 10 and the digital camera 10 are stored in a state in which the respective compressed image data are stored in the flash memory 37. Terminal 28 of the printer 20 is connected by a communication cable 29, and the ON key 22 of the printer 20 is connected.
Is operated, the mode data register 5 in the RAM 54 is
The mode flag M of 4a is initially set to "0", and the print menu flag K of the menu selection register 54b is initially set to "1" (steps S1 → S2).
S3).

Then, menu screen data for selecting a print menu stored in the ROM 53 of the printer 20 in advance is read out by the CPU 51, and is sent to the communication cable 29 via the I / O interface 55 together with a menu display command signal. Output to the digital still camera 10
(Step S4).

The menu screen data and the menu display command signal from the printer 20 are transmitted to the digital still camera 1.
0, the video signal corresponding to the menu screen is generated by the signal generator 43 and displayed on the LCD 13 via the D / A converter 45 (step S5).

Thus, the L of the digital still camera 10
When the "+" key 13a or the "-" key 23b of the key input unit 52 of the printer 20 is operated while the print menu screen is displayed on the CD 13, the RAM 54 is displayed.
It is determined whether or not the mode flag M stored in the mode data register 54a is “0”, that is, whether or not the mode is the menu display mode (steps S6 → S7).

In step S7, when the mode flag M stored in the mode flag register 54a in the RAM 54 is "0" and it is determined that the mode is the menu display mode, the menu selection register 54 in the RAM 54
When the "+" key 23a is operated, the menu selection flag K set to "b" is incremented by (+1) and incremented, and when the "-" key 23b is operated, the menu selection flag K is decremented by (-1). (Step S7
→ S8).

Then, in response to a change in the menu selection flag K in the menu selection register 54b in the RAM 54, a cursor movement command signal is output from the CPU 51 and transferred to the digital still camera 10 via the I / O interface 55. (Step S9).

Then, in the digital still camera 10,
A cursor indicating a print menu is moved and displayed on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 13, and the standard print / postcard print / calendar print in accordance with the operation of the "+" key 23a and the "-" key 23b of the printer 20 is performed. One of the print menus is arbitrarily selected (step S10).

For example, a calendar print menu is selected and designated by a cursor moving operation on the menu screen.
When the set key 24 in the key input section 52 of the printer 20 is operated in a state where the menu selection flag K "3" is set in the menu selection register 54b in the RAM 54 of the printer 20, the mode flag M of the mode data register 54a is set. It is determined that the value is "0" indicating the menu display mode, and the menu selection flag K
According to "3", the mode flag M is also set to "3" indicating the calendar print mode (step S13 → S1).
4 → S15).

Then, a command signal for reading the first image is output from the CPU 51 of the printer 20 and transferred to the digital still camera 10 via the I / O interface 55 (step S16).

Then, the first compressed image data stored in the flash memory 37 of the digital still camera 10 is read out, decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 35, and converted into a video signal by the signal generator 43. After that, it is displayed on the LCD 13 via the D / A converter 45 (step S17).

The image data captured by the digital still camera 10 and stored in the flash memory 37 is displayed on the LCD 13 while the printer 2
When the "+" key 23a or the "-" key 23b of the key input unit 52 of "0" is operated, the mode data register M in the RAM 54 stores the flag "1" indicating any of the print modes other than the menu display mode "0". When it is determined that “2” or “3” is set, the CPU
An image switching command signal is output from 51 and transferred to the digital still camera 10 via the I / O interface 55 (steps S6 → S7 → S11).

Then, the image data read from the flash memory 37 of the digital still camera 10 and displayed on the LCD 13 is switched according to the operation of the "+" key 23a and the "-" key 23b of the printer 20. The photographed image desired by the user is selectively displayed (step S12).

As described above, the “+” in the printer 20
When the direction switching key 25 is operated in a state where the photographed image data stored in the flash memory 37 of the digital still camera 10 is arbitrarily selected and displayed by operating the keys 23a and the "-" key 23b, the RAM 54 It is determined whether the print direction flag P set in the print direction setting register 54c is “0”, “1” or “2” (steps S18 → S19).

FIG. 5 shows the digital camera printer 20.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a print direction switching display state accompanying the print processing of image data by the printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a calendar composite printing state associated with image data printing processing by the digital camera printer 20.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG.
Image data taken vertically by the digital still camera 20 is L
When it is determined that the printing direction flag P set in the printing direction setting register 54c in the RAM 54 is "0" in a state where the selection direction is displayed on the CD 13, that is,
If it is determined that the image data currently being selected and displayed is to be printed as horizontal image data as it is, the printing direction flag P is switched to "1" in response to the operation of the direction switching key 25. , Display data indicating that the right side of the image is upward is output from the CPU 51.
Transferred to the digital still camera 10 via the I / O interface 55 (steps S19 → S20, S2
1).

Then, the LC of the digital still camera 10
In the image data displayed in D13, as shown in FIG. 5A, a print direction instruction mark m indicating the right side as the upper side of the print direction is combined and displayed (step S).
22).

Here, the key input unit 5 of the printer 20
When the direction switching key 25 in step 2 is operated again, the current printing direction flag P is determined to be “1”, and the printing direction flag P is switched to “2”. Display data indicating that the left is upward is output, and the I / O interface 55
Is transferred to the digital still camera 10 through the step (steps S18 → S19 → S23, S24).

Then, the LC of the digital still camera 10
As shown in FIG. 5B, the image data displayed in D13 is combined with a print direction instruction mark m whose left side is set as the upper part of the print direction and displayed (step S).
22).

Here, the key input unit 5 of the printer 20
When the direction switch key 25 in step 2 is operated again, the current print direction flag P is determined to be “2”, and the print direction flag P is switched to “0” and set. 10 LCDs 13
Then, the print direction instruction mark m which is combined with the image data and displayed is deleted, and the state is switched to the state where the image data being selectively displayed is printed as it is as the horizontal image data (steps S18 → S19 → S25).

Then, for example, the RAM 54 of the printer 20
The mode flag M =
FIG. 5A shows an example of the calendar print mode in which “3”, the menu selection flag K = “3” is set in the menu selection register 54b, and the print direction flag P = “1” is set in the print direction setting register 54c. When the print key 27 in the key input unit 52 of the printer 20 is operated in the selected display state of the image data in which the print direction mark m whose right side is the upper side of the print as shown in FIG. The signal is output and transferred to the digital still camera 10 via the I / O interface 55 (step S32 → S33).

Then, the image data read from the flash memory 37 by the digital still camera 10 and selectively displayed on the LCD 13 is transmitted from the CPU 42 to the I / O.
The data is transferred to the printer 20 via the interface 46 and stored in the image memory 58 of the printer 20 (steps S34 and S35).

Then, the image data stored in the image memory 58 is expanded by the expansion circuit 60 and stored in the ROM 53 in accordance with the mode flag M = "3" of the mode data register 54a in the RAM 54. Format pattern for calendar printing [Figure 3
(B) is read out, combined as print data, and stored in the print buffer 60 (steps S36 and S3).
7).

In this case, the mode data register 54
With respect to the format pattern for calendar printing read from the ROM 53 according to the mode flag M = “3” of “a”, the image data expanded by the expansion circuit 59 is stored in the print direction flag P of the print direction setting register 54c. = “1”, the image is synthesized in the vertical synthesis area A1 of the format pattern with the right side of the image facing upward,
Also, date data is arrayed and synthesized in the calendar print area A3 of the format pattern according to the current date, day, and weekday obtained by the clock circuit 56.

As a result, the composite print data of the selected image data created and stored in the print buffer 60 and the format pattern for calendar printing is output to the color printer unit 61 and printed as shown in FIG. The paper is discharged from the print outlet 30 to the outside (step S
38).

On the other hand, when the menu key 26 in the key input section 52 of the printer 20 is operated, a mode flag M other than "0" is set in the mode data register 54a in the RAM 54, that is, standard printing / postcard printing / If it is determined that any of the printing modes of the calendar printing is set, the mode flag M is reset to "0" and the print menu flag K of the menu selection register 54b is also reset to "1". (Steps S26 → S27 → S28, S29).

Then, menu screen data for selecting a print menu stored in the ROM 53 of the printer 20 in advance is read out by the CPU 51 again, and together with the menu display command signal, the communication cable 29 via the I / O interface 55. And transferred to the digital still camera 10 (step S30).

Then, in the digital still camera 10,
A video signal corresponding to the menu screen transferred from the printer 20 is generated by the signal generator 43, and the print menu is displayed again on the LCD 13 via the D / A converter 45 (step S31).

It should be noted that no key operation signal is input at the key input section 52 of the printer 20 and the CPU 51
When the state in which no control operation is performed continues, the power supply of the printer 20 is cut off (step S39).

Therefore, according to the digital camera printer 20 having the above configuration, when the ON key 22 of the printer 20 is operated, the menu screen data and the menu display command signal are transferred to the digital still camera 10 and the LCD screen is displayed.
13, a print menu screen is displayed, and a "+" key 23
When the "a" key 23b is operated, a cursor movement command signal is transferred to the digital still camera 10, the cursor on the print menu screen is moved, an arbitrary print menu is selected and designated, and the set key 24 is operated. The image read command signal is transferred to the digital still camera 10, and the image data already taken and stored is read and displayed on the LCD 13, and the "+" key 23a,
When the "-" key 23b is operated, an image switching command signal is transmitted to the digital still camera 10, and image data is selectively switched and displayed. When the direction switching key 25 is operated, data for setting a printing direction is displayed on the digital still camera 10. Is displayed on the image display screen of the LCD 13, and when the print key 27 is operated, a print command signal to the digital still camera 10
Is read out from the camera 10 and taken in by the printer 20, and is color-printed on the recording paper X in accordance with the set print mode and print direction, and is discharged. By simple key operation on the side, the photographed image data of the camera 10 can be selectively displayed and printed.

[0068]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the display command information is input by the input means, the display command information is transmitted to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means. When a plurality of pieces of image information stored in the image memory of the electronic still camera are selectively displayed on the display unit, and the desired image information is displayed, when the print instruction information is input by the input unit, The print command information is sent to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means, and the image information of the image memory displayed on the display means is transferred via the communication means and printed by the printing means. The user can print desired image information only by inputting an image display command and an image print command on the printing apparatus side.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, when the image display command is input and desired image information is displayed on the display device of the electronic still camera, the setting change is performed by the input device. When the command information is input, the setting change command information is sent to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means, and the direction of the image printed by the printing means is changed, for example, upside down on the display means. In addition, even if image information is captured by the electronic still camera in either the forward or reverse vertical direction, it can be printed as correct vertical image information. Therefore, according to the present invention, anyone can easily print the image data captured by the electronic still camera with a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an external configuration of a digital still camera with an LCD and a printer for a digital camera according to an embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of electronic circuits of the digital still camera with LCD and a printer for digital camera.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing print format patterns stored in advance in the ROM of the digital camera printer, wherein FIG. 3A shows a format pattern for postcard printing, and FIG. 3B shows calendar printing; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format pattern for use.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process of image data by the digital camera printer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a print direction switching display state accompanying image data printing processing by the digital camera printer.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a calendar composite printing state accompanying the printing processing of image data by the digital camera printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital still camera with LCD, 11 ... Body part, 12 ... Camera part, 13 ... LCD (liquid crystal display), 14 ... Function switching key, 15 ... Camera ON key, 16 ... Shutter button, 18 ... Communication terminal with printer Reference numeral 20 printer digital camera 21 recording paper confirmation window 22 printer ON key 23a "+" key 23b "-" key 24 set key 25 direction switch key 26 menu key 27, a print key, 28, a communication terminal for a camera, 29, a communication cable, 30, a print outlet, 31, a CCD (solid-state imaging device), 35, a compression / expansion circuit, 36, a DRAM, 37, a flash memory, 38: memory control circuit, 39: camera ROM, 40: camera RAM, 41: camera Lakey input unit, 42: Camera CPU, 44: VRAM, 46: Printer I / O interface, 51: Printer CPU, 52: Printer key input unit, 53: Printer ROM, 54: Printer RAM, 54a: Mode data register ( M), 54b: Menu selection register (K), 54c: Printing direction setting register (P), 55: Camera I / O interface, 56: Clock circuit, 58: Image memory, 59: Expansion circuit, 60: Print buffer , 61 ... color printer section, m ... print direction instruction mark.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an image memory for storing information of a plurality of images captured by a camera unit; a display unit for displaying the image information; and a control unit for controlling the image memory and the display unit. A printing apparatus for printing the image information transferred from a still camera by a printing unit, comprising: a communication unit for communicating image information and various kinds of command information with the electronic still camera; and inputting various kinds of command information. Input means, when display command information is input from the input means, sends the display command information to the control means of the electronic still camera by the communication means, and the control means stores a plurality of display command information stored in the image memory. First control means for selectively displaying the image information on the display means, and when print instruction information is input from the input means, the print instruction information is transmitted by the communication means. The image data is sent to the control unit of the electronic still camera, and the control unit outputs the image information of the image memory displayed on the display unit via the communication unit, and the image information is printed by the printing unit. A second control means for causing the printing apparatus to perform the control. 2. When the setting change command information is input from the input unit, the setting change command information is sent to the control unit of the electronic still camera by the communication unit, and the image printed by the printing unit is transmitted. The direction of setting is changed on the display means.
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit.