JPH1169267A - Image printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image printer without the need for provision of a capture-processing circuit to enter an analog image signal to a computer when connecting the image printer to an external digital device, such as the computer to print out an image. SOLUTION: Image data stored in a capture memory 29 are transferred to an external digital device through a parallel interface 38 from a 2nd CPU 31 without analog conversion, while retaining the data as digital data. Thus, it is not required to provide a capture-processing circuit to the digital device to which image data are transferred and procedures for connecting between the capture-processing circuit and the digital device also becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, the parallel interface 38 is used to make a 2-way transfer, so as to enable with only a connection between the digital device and the printer with the parallel interface 38.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus for printing an image based on an image signal, and more particularly to an image printing apparatus connectable to an image editing apparatus such as a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image printing apparatus which inputs an analog image signal (data) and prints a still image of one screen has been put into practical use (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-121338).
JP-A-6-344604). In such a device, an analog image signal (data) that is displayed as a moving image on a monitor is sequentially input. Therefore, in order to determine (fix) an image to be printed, one screen of digitally converted image data is determined. A so-called capture that is stored in a predetermined memory is performed. In this case, the display of the captured image is a still image display. Then, image printing is performed based on the captured image data.

Usually, an analog image signal is supplied to such a printing apparatus as image data, and the image data is sent to an external monitor separate from the printing apparatus in order to check the supplied image and the captured image. An analog image signal is output. Particularly, due to the nature of the image printing apparatus, even when image data to be printed is input, the image data to be printed is not output to another device.

[0004] Further, with the spread of digital devices such as personal computers, there has been an increasing demand for printing of images taken in or edited on a computer.
An image printing apparatus configured to directly input digital image data and print an image based on the image data has also been put to practical use.

[0005]

However, when an image is taken into a computer, if it is digital image data, it can be taken as it is. However, if the supplied image signal is an analog image signal, the analog image signal is converted. A capture processing circuit (capture board) for digital conversion and further capture was required. Few computers are equipped with such a capture processing circuit from the beginning, and when the image data supply source is an analog image signal, it was necessary to purchase the capture processing circuit separately, and the connection was not easy. . Further, when printing the captured image, the computer needs to be connected to a printing device separately from the image data supply source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when an image printing apparatus is connected to an external digital device such as a computer to print an image, an analog image signal is input to the computer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image printing apparatus which does not need to provide a capture processing circuit for performing the processing.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image printing apparatus which receives an analog image signal, converts the input image signal into digital image data, and converts the converted image data. An image printing apparatus that prints an image based on a storage unit that stores at least one screen of image data among the converted digital image data,
Image data transfer means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means to the outside without performing analog conversion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image printing apparatus comprising:
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data transfer means doubles as a means for inputting digital image data from outside. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image data transfer unit transfers the image data in parallel.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a printing apparatus main body; 2, a camera configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1; an imaging unit 3 that uses a lens and a color-compatible CCD and outputs digital image data; An image processing circuit 4 for performing image processing such as compression and decompression of image data of
A frame memory 5 for storing digital image data, a first selector 6 for selectively outputting either the image data from the imaging unit 3 or the image data stored in the frame memory 5, an output from the first selector 6 A video encoder 7 for converting the image data to be analog-converted, and a first video output terminal 8 for outputting an analog-converted image signal from the video encoder 7 to an external device other than the device main body 1 are provided.

Further, the camera 2 has an image data memory 9 capable of storing image data for a plurality of frames, a first CPU 10 for controlling the entire camera 2, and an on / off switch for displaying operation guides and status guides under the control of the first CPU 10. A screen display (hereinafter referred to as OSD) circuit 11, a monitor 12 using a display device such as a liquid crystal display for performing display and OSD based on image data, and a monitor 12 for selectively displaying image data from the video encoder 7 or the apparatus main body 1. A first video switch 13 for supplying power to the main body 1, a first connector 14 for making an electrical connection with the main body 1, a first connection detecting circuit 15 for detecting a connection state of the first connector 14 with the main body 1, A first operation unit provided with a plurality of switch means for giving an operation instruction in the camera 2 to the first CPU 10 6, a power circuit 17 for supplying power to each unit by switching between the power supply from the battery and the apparatus main body 1 in accordance with the power supply status of the power supplied from a built-in battery apparatus main body 1.

The apparatus main body 1 includes a second connector 21 electrically connected to the first connector 14, a second connection detecting circuit 22 for detecting an electrical connection state of the second connector 21 with the first connector 14, A video input terminal 23 for inputting an analog image signal from a device other than the camera 2, an input detection circuit 24 for detecting whether or not an image signal is input to the video input terminal 23, a signal from the camera 2 or the video input terminal 23. A second video switch 25 for selectively outputting any one of the image signals, a video decoder 26 for digitally converting the image signal from the second video switch 25 into digital image data, and an image data from the video decoder 26 An illustration memory 27 that stores image data of an image like a background and a frame (frame) to be combined, and a second CPU described later. Illustration overlay circuit 28 for synthesizing the image data from the additional image data and video decoder 26 which is read from the illustrations the memory 27 is your,
A capture memory 29 as storage means for storing image data (the image data stored in the illustration memory 27 may be combined) from the illustration overlay circuit 28; image data for the capture memory 29 controlled by a second CPU described later; Memory controller 30 that performs read / write control of the device, a second device that controls the device body 1 and the camera 2 connected to the device body.
The CPU 31, a second operation unit 32 provided with a plurality of switch means for giving an operation instruction of the entire apparatus to the second CPU 31, and printing of an image based on image data supplied from the capture memory controller 30 under the control of the second CPU 31. A printer 33 is provided as a printing unit that performs printing using a thermal printer or a color printer that ejects ink.

Further, a second selector 34 for selectively outputting one of image data read from the illustration overlay circuit 28 or the capture memory 29 and output from the capture memory controller 30 is provided in the apparatus main body 1. A video encoder 35 for converting the image data output from the selector 34 into an analog image signal into an analog image signal, and an on-screen display for displaying operation guides, status guides, and the like of the entire apparatus synthesized by the video encoder 35 are provided to the second CPU 31. OSD circuit 36 provided under control, second video output terminal 3 for outputting an image signal from video encoder 35 to the outside
7. A parallel interface 38 as an image data transfer unit for transferring digital data such as image data between the second CPU 31 and a digital device (for example, a personal computer) external to the apparatus, and connected to a power supply of AC 100 V and a DC power supply Main power supply circuit 3 for supplying power to each part
9. A power switch 40 for supplying power to the camera 2 when the first connector 14 and the second connector 21 are in a connected state is provided. In the parallel interface 38, digital image data is transferred in parallel without being converted into analog data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the camera. Imaging unit 3
Has a semi-cylindrical shape, is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to one side of the camera 2, and can change the direction of the image capturing unit 3a on which the lens is disposed by 180 °. Further, a built-in switch of a part of the first operation unit 16 is switched depending on the direction of the image capturing unit 3a, and the operation mode of the camera 2 for shooting / reproduction is switched. For example, when the image capturing unit 3a in FIG. 2A faces the opposite side to the surface on which the monitor 12 is provided, or when the image capturing unit 3a in FIG. 2C faces the same side as the surface on which the monitor 12 is provided. 2B, the image capturing section 3a in FIG. 2B faces the inside of the camera 2, and the mode is a reproduction mode of the image data recorded in the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9.
On the upper surface of the camera 2, other switch means of the first operation unit 16 are arranged, and by operating these switch means (buttons), a captured image is recorded in the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9, and image data is stored. An operation instruction such as deletion of recorded image data from the memory 9 or selection of an operation is given to the first CPU 10.

Image data taken and fixed while the camera 2 is detached from the apparatus main body 1 is temporarily stored in a frame memory 5.
Are compressed by the image processing circuit 4 and stored in the image data memory 9. The image data from the imaging unit 3 or the image data stored in the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9 is stored in the first operation unit 16 based on the first operation.
It is displayed on the monitor 12 under the control of the CPU 10. In an independent state not connected to the apparatus main body 1, the apparatus main body 1
Is not electrically connected to the first CPU 10 and the second CPU
The entire camera 2 is controlled without being controlled by the PU 31.

When the camera 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1 via a mounting mechanism (not shown), the first connector 14 and the second connector 21 are connected together with the locking of the apparatus main body 1 and the camera 2, and the camera 2 is connected. It is electrically connected to the apparatus main body 1. Then, in the apparatus main body 1, the connection of the first connector 14 is detected by the second connection detection circuit 22, and the second CPU 3
1 turns on the power switch 40 in response to the detection, starts DC power supply to the camera 2, and further sets the second video switch 25 to the video decoder 25
Switch to be supplied to. In camera 2,
The connection to the second connector 21 is detected by the first connection detection circuit 15, and the first CPU 10 disconnects the battery in the power supply circuit 17 and operates the camera 2 by power supply from the apparatus main body 1 in response to the detection. Automatically turn on the power. Further, the first video switch 13 is switched so that the image data from the apparatus main body 1 is supplied to the monitor 12.

When the apparatus body 1 and the camera 2 are connected, the first CPU 10 and the second CPU 31
Communication such as commands is performed via the serial port of the connector 14 and the second connector 21. In the camera 2, when a control command from the second CPU 31 based on the operation of the second operation unit 32 is not given from the apparatus main body 1, an operation based on an instruction from the first operation unit 16 to the first CPU 10, for example, Image recording and the like are possible. However, the operation of the second operation unit 32 causes the second CPU
When an operation instruction such as a menu display for operation, recording of an image, or a print instruction of a recorded image is issued to the first CPU 31, the second CPU 31 performs operation control according to the instruction. Even if an operation instruction is received from the operation unit 16, the instruction is invalidated and the second CPU 31
Is given priority processing. In the present invention, the second CPU 31
Is positioned to control the entire device.
The control by the second CPU 31 is processed with priority over the control by the CPU 10.

Now, the image pickup section 3 is in the state of FIG.
Is connected to the camera, the image data output from the imaging unit 3 is converted into an analog signal by the video encoder 7 via the first selector 6 and the converted image signal is output to the first connector 14 and The power is supplied to the apparatus main body 1 via the second connector 21. Since the input detection circuit 24 has not detected that an image signal is being input to the video input terminal 23, the second video switch 25
Then, an analog image signal from the second connector 21 is supplied to the video decoder 26. The image data digitally converted by the video decoder 26 is again converted to analog by the video encoder 35 via the illustration overlay circuit 28 and the second selector 34, and is supplied to the camera 2 via the second connector 21 and the first connector 14. You. The analog image signal supplied to the camera 2 is transmitted to the first connector 1
4 is supplied to the monitor 12 via the first video switch 13 to display an image. At this time, the monitor 12 is controlled so as to be displayed in a mirror image state in which the left and right sides of the image captured by the imaging unit 3 are reversed (hereinafter, referred to as a mirror image display).

In the apparatus main body 1, the second CPU 31
According to the operation of the operation unit 32, the OSD circuit 36
The display data is output to perform the SD display, and the video data is combined with the image data by the video encoder 35. The monitor 12
When the mirror image display is performed, display data for OSD that can be normally seen in the mirror image display state (a mirror image state)
Is output.

In this state, when the illustration overlay function is activated by operating the second operation section 32 of the apparatus main body 1, the illustration memory 27 is controlled by the second CPU 31.
The additional image data selected from is read and combined with the image data from the video decoder 26 in the illustration overlay circuit 28. And in the above route,
The mirror image is displayed on the monitor 12.

In a state where images captured by the image capturing section 3 are sequentially displayed (moving image display), one frame of image data of the captured image is recorded (captured) to determine an image to be printed. Then, when the switch means (button) of the second operation section 32 is operated, the second CPU 31 causes the capture memory controller 30 to store the image data from the illustration overlay circuit 28 in the capture memory 29. Thus, image data corresponding to one screen immediately after the capture instruction is stored in the capture memory 29. At this time, when the image data stored in the illustration memory 27 is selectively read and combined with the image data supplied from the video decoder 26, the combined image data is stored in the capture memory 29. You.

Further, the capture memory controller 30
Reads the image data stored in the capture memory 29 and outputs it to the second selector 34. Second selector 34
Is also supplied with image data from the illustration overlay circuit 28, but the image data from the capture memory controller 30 is selectively output under the control of the second CPU 31. Then, the image data is converted into an analog signal by the video encoder 35, and is converted into the monitor 1 via the second connector 21 and the first connector 14, and further through the first video switch 13.
2 is supplied. Thus, on the monitor 12, an image based on image data captured as an image to be printed and stored in the capture memory 29 is displayed as a still image. When the image data from the capture memory 29 is converted into an analog signal and supplied to the monitor 12 to display the image, the monitor 12 does not display the mirror image of the image and does not reverse the left and right as in the mirror image display. Is displayed as it is (hereinafter referred to as a normal image display),
The control is performed so that the OSD display by the OSD circuit 11 is not performed. As a result, the monitor 12 functions as a simple monitoring means of the apparatus main body 1.

Next, when a print instruction is issued to the second CPU 31 by operating the second operation unit 32, the second CPU 31
Causes the capture memory controller 30 to supply the image data read from the capture memory 29 to the printer 33, and further causes the printer 33 to print an image based on the supplied image data. When the printing by the printer 33 is completed, the apparatus returns to the moving image display state of the image captured by the imaging unit 3 of the camera 2.

When the image pickup unit 3 is in the state shown in FIG. 2A, substantially the same control as that in FIG. 2C is performed except that the display on the monitor 12 is controlled to be a normal image display instead of a mirror image display. . Next, a case where the imaging unit 3 is connected to the apparatus main body 1 in the state of FIG. 2B will be described.

This state is the reproduction mode of the image data recorded in the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9. When the first CPU 10 determines that the reproduction mode is set from the direction of the image capturing section 3a, the first CPU 10 sets the first reproduction mode. The selector 6 outputs image data supplied from the image processing circuit 4 instead of the imaging unit 3. From the image processing circuit 4, the first
The image data stored in the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9 by the operation of the operation unit 16 is alternatively selected and read, and is supplied to the first selector 6. From the first selector 6, an image signal that has passed through the inside of the apparatus main body 1 is selected by the first video switch 13 and supplied to the monitor 12 via the first connector 14 in the same manner as described above. And since it is the playback mode, the monitor 12
The display image is controlled to be a normal image display, and the still image in the normal image display state is displayed.

As described above, in this state, when the illustration overlay function is activated by operating the second operation unit 32 on the apparatus main body 1 side, the additional CPU selected from the illustration memory 27 is controlled by the second CPU 31. The image data is read out and combined with the image data from the video decoder 26 in the illustration overlay circuit 28. At this time, the display on the monitor 12 based on the combined image data is a normal image display.

When a capture instruction for deciding an image to be printed is issued by operating the second operation unit 32 in the apparatus main body 1, the second CPU 31
By controlling the capture memory controller 30 to store and read image data in the capture memory 29, the second selector 34 and the video encoder 35,
Furthermore, the monitor 12 is supplied with image data captured via the second connector 21, the first connector 14, and the first video switch 13. At this time, the monitor 12 functions as a mere monitor unit of the apparatus main body 1, and the captured image is displayed as a still image in a normal image display state without performing the OSD display by the OSD circuit 11.

Further, when a print instruction is issued to the second CPU 31 by operating the second operation section 32, the second
The CPU 31 causes the capture memory controller 30 to supply the image data read from the capture memory 29 to the printer 33, and prints an image based on the image data supplied by the printer 33. And printer 3
When the printing in 3 is completed, the apparatus returns to the reproduction state of the image data recorded in the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9.

Next, a case where external image data from a device other than the camera 2 is input to the video input terminal 23 will be described. The supply of the image signal to the video input terminal 23 is monitored and detected by the input detection circuit 24. When the input detection circuit 24 detects that the image signal has been input to the video input terminal 23, the second CPU 31 In response to the detection, the second video switch 25 is set to the video input terminal 23.
Is switched to output the image signal from. Since the second video switch 25 is switched to output the image signal from the video input terminal 23, the image signal (data) from the imaging unit 3 or the frame memory 5 or the image data memory 9 is not processed by the apparatus main body 1. Thus, the image signal from the video input terminal 23 is processed with priority over the image signal from the camera 2.

The second CPU 31 further controls the first operation unit 16.
Is disabled, the OSD display and the mirror image display by the OSD circuit 11 on the monitor 12 are prohibited, and the monitor 1
2 functions as a simple monitor means of the apparatus main body 1.
For example, in FIG. 2C, when the image from the camera 2 is displayed as a mirror image on the monitor 12, the video input terminal 2
When an image signal is input to the terminal 3, the display on the monitor 12 is switched to a normal image display based on the image signal input to the video input terminal 23.

That is, the image signal input to the video input terminal 23 is supplied to the camera 2 via the video decoder 26, the illustration overlay circuit 28, the second selector 34, the video encoder 38, and the second connector 21. 2, the first connector 14 and the first video switch 13
The image is displayed on the monitor 12 via the, and an image is displayed (normal image display).

In this state, by operating the second operation section 32, the operator selectively selects desired additional image data stored in the illustration memory 27 with the image data from the video input terminal 23 and the illustration overlay circuit 28. Are synthesized. The synthesized image data is similarly displayed on the monitor 12. When printing an image displayed on the monitor 12, a print instruction is issued to the second CPU 31 by operating the second operation unit 32 as described above. Then, the second CP
U31 sends the image data read from the capture memory 29 to the capture memory controller 30 by the printer 3.
3 and print the image based on the image data supplied by the printer 33. When the printing in the printer 33 is completed, the apparatus returns to the image display state based on the image signal supplied to the video input terminal 23.

When an external monitor is connected to the second video output terminal 37, the same display as that on the monitor 12 can be viewed. By the way, when an external digital device (not shown), for example, a personal computer is connected to the apparatus main body 1 via the parallel interface 38, the apparatus main body 1 functions as one of the output devices of the personal computer as a matter of course. When the camera 2 is connected or an image signal is supplied to the video input terminal 23, it also functions as an input device for a personal computer.

That is, an image signal based on an image captured by the image pickup section 3 or an image signal input to the video input terminal 23 is converted into digital image data by the video decoder 26, and is converted to the illustration memory 27 as necessary. In a state where the stored additional image data is selectively synthesized, the image data is captured in the capture memory 29, and the second CPU 31 reads out the image data stored in the capture memory 29, and reads the image data through the parallel interface 38. Parallel transfer to personal computer. In a personal computer, image data to be transferred is digital data that can be handled as it is by a normal computer. Therefore, image data is input without a capture processing circuit for inputting and capturing an analog image signal.

Further, serial transfer is performed between the first CPU 10 and the second CPU 31 via the first connector 14 and the second connector 21, and the image data sent to the second CPU 31 is stored in the capture memory 29. ,
As described above, the image data sent directly from the first CPU 10 by serial transfer is transferred to the parallel interface 38.
Via a personal computer. The image data serially transferred between the first CPU 10 and the second CPU 31 includes the image data compressed in the image data stored in the image data memory 9,
Image data stored in an image data memory 9 and expanded in an image processing circuit 4 and stored in a frame memory 5;
Some image data captured by the imaging unit 3 is stored in the frame memory 5.

In the personal computer to which the image data has been input from the parallel interface 38, the input image is confirmed and processed / edited as necessary. When printing, the image data is transferred to the parallel interface 38. Is transferred in parallel to the second CPU 31 via the. The second CPU 31 stores the transferred image data in the capture memory 29, and causes the printer 33 to print an image based on the image data stored in the capture memory 29 in the same manner as described above.

[0036]

According to the present invention, as is apparent from the above description, image data stored in a capture memory can be transferred from a second CPU to an external digital device as it is via a parallel interface. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a capture processing circuit for digitally converting an analog image signal and further capturing the digital image signal in a digital device to which image data is transferred. That is, there is no need to purchase a capture processing circuit, and no need to connect the capture processing circuit to a digital device.

Further, since image data for printing is transmitted from the digital device to the printing device via the same parallel interface, the connection between the digital device and the printing device can be made only by the connection with the parallel interface. An easy-to-use image printing apparatus can be provided.

[0038]

[Brief description of the drawings]

[0039]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0040]

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the camera in FIG.

[0041]

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Camera 3 Imaging part 5 Frame memory 7 Video encoder 10 1st CPU 12 Monitor 14 1st connector 21 2nd connector 23 Video input terminal 26 Video decoder 29 Capture memory (storage means) 31 2nd CPU 33 Printer 35 Video encoder 38 Parallel interface (image data transfer means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image printing apparatus which receives an analog image signal, converts the input image signal into digital image data, and prints an image based on the converted image data. Characterized by comprising a storage means for storing at least one screen of image data out of the image data, and an image data transfer means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means to the outside without analog conversion. Printing device. 2. An image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image data transfer means also serves as means for inputting digital image data from outside. 3. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data transfer means transfers the image data in parallel.