JP2003224793A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system capable of adjusting a parameter of an image signal processing according to photographic printing performance of a printer to be connected with an electronic camera and constantly performing photographic printing with the optimal image quality. <P>SOLUTION: When photography is performed by a camera 12, information (such as photographing date and time, exposure conditions) at photographing is recorded with a photographed image. When the camera 12 is connected with the printer 14 by a cable or radio communication means, the printer 14 transmits information (such as the number of pixels of photographic printing, color conversion information) regarding the photographic printing to the camera 12. The camera 12 processes image data based on the photographic printing information from the printer 14 and the photographic information recorded at photographing and generates the optimal photographic image. The image data for photographic printing generated in this way is transmitted to the printer 14 and printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly, a digital camera and a printer are directly connected to each other,
The present invention relates to a technique suitable for a direct print system in which an image recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera is transmitted to a printer for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing an image recorded by a digital camera with a printer, generally, as shown in FIG. After performing image selection and necessary image processing, the image data to be printed is output to the printer 94 connected to the personal computer 90 for printing. Note that some printers are provided with an insertion port for a recording medium, and it is also possible to directly read image data from the recording medium and print.

Further, in recent years, in consideration of convenience of a camera user who does not have a personal computer, development of a system capable of printing by directly connecting a camera and a printer (without using a personal computer) has been studied. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1079
Japanese Patent No. 81 discloses a system in which a camera and a printer are connected to each other, and desired data is confirmed and printed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) of the camera.

[0004]

However, the problem here is that since the digital camera and the printer are independent devices (equipment), they do not hold information about the other device, and therefore are appropriate. In order to perform such printing, it is necessary to exchange information such as printing conditions and to perform color correction and other data conversion.

In order to realize the optimum printing on a printer, EPSON Corporation uses "PIM" (Print Image Matchi
ng) file format is proposed. This standard records various kinds of information (information indicating shooting conditions such as shooting conditions) that enables optimal printing when recording images with a digital camera as additional information in the Exif file, and when printing out The purpose is to reproduce the situation at the time of shooting using the additional information.

[0006] However, in this standard, the camera side cannot know at the time of recording what kind of printer is used for printing, so it is unilateral (uniform).
This is information, and it cannot always be said that optimum printing can be achieved for an unspecified printer. That is, the printers have different printing performances (for example, printing size, color reproducibility, etc.), and it is not always possible to obtain a print of optimum image quality in the printing printer using only the photographing information recorded by the camera in advance.

It is difficult for the user to take a picture taking into consideration the printer performance at the time of picture taking, and in a situation where an unspecified printer may be connected, the user should be aware of the printer to be used in advance. Is also difficult.

In order to always realize an optimum print according to the printer, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 32911/1996, when the identification information of the printer is sent to the camera and the image to be printed is supplied from the camera to the printer, the camera There is disclosed a camera system in which an output mode of an image signal is set according to a standard mode of a printer. The standard mode here means "resolution, paper size, paper orientation",
If these settings are not properly made, it is pointed out that there is a problem that an image is missing or cannot be printed at the time of printing.

According to the system disclosed in the publication, an automatic (AUTO) / manual setting switch is provided on the printer side, and when "auto" is selected, the prepared paper is properly used. The image is output so that the image can be printed out, and when “manual” is selected, the output image is set on the camera side based on the printer information.

However, in this publication, the means for outputting the optimum output image from the camera based on the printer information is unclear.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a print system in which image signal processing parameters are adjusted according to a printer to be used, and printing can always be performed with optimum image quality. To aim.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an electronic camera for converting an optical image of a subject into an image signal and recording the image signal on a recording medium, and an image from the electronic camera. A printing system comprising a printer for acquiring a signal and printing an image, the printer comprising: a first communication means for exchanging data with the electronic camera; and a first communication means. Print information providing means for transmitting print information relating to the print performance of the electronic camera to an electronic camera communicably connected via the image data for print received from the electronic camera via the first communication means. A printing unit that prints an image based on the image, and when the electronic camera records the image by shooting, the electronic camera records the shooting information about the image together with the shot image in the recording medium. An information recording unit, a second communication unit for exchanging data between the printer, and a selection for performing an operation for the user to select an image to be printed from images recorded on the recording medium. Based on the printing information received from the printer via the operation means and the second communication means and the shooting information of the image selected by the selection operation means, the data of the image related to the selection is printed by the printer. Image signal processing means for converting into image data suitable for printing, and control means for controlling to transmit the image data for printing generated by the image signal processing means to the printer via the second communication means. It is characterized by having and.

According to the present invention, when a picture is taken by the electronic camera, the information at the time of the picture is recorded on the recording medium together with the taken image. The shooting information includes shooting date / time, exposure condition, light source type, number of recorded pixels, compression ratio, and the like, and at least one information content (preferably a plurality of information content) is recorded in association with the image as necessary. .

When the electronic camera and the printer are communicatively connected to each other by a wired or wireless communication means, the printer transmits information about a print to the electronic camera. The print information includes paper size, print direction (vertical and horizontal directions), printer model information, resolution, gradation characteristics, density characteristics, gamma characteristics, etc., and at least one information content (preferably a plurality of information Content) is sent to the electronic camera.

The electronic camera processes the image data based on the received print information and the shooting information recorded at the time of shooting to generate image data suitable for printing. The image data for printing thus generated is sent to the printer and printed.

Since the electronic camera automatically adjusts the parameters for each printer by using the printing information from the printer to be used and the shooting information recorded at the time of shooting, an optimum printing image is automatically generated by the user. It is possible to shoot without being aware of it, and it is possible to obtain the optimum print according to the performance of the printer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera which converts an optical image of a subject into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium, and a printer which acquires the image signal from the electronic camera and prints the image. A printing system comprising
The printer prints information relating to its own printing performance with respect to a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera, and an electronic camera that is communicably connected via the first communication unit. A print information providing means for transmitting the print information, and a print image processing means for processing the print image based on the image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication means and the shooting information on the image data, A printing unit that prints an image based on the image data generated by the printing image processing unit, and the electronic camera, when recording the image by shooting, the shooting information about the image together with the shot image. Information recording means for recording on the recording medium, second communication means for transferring data between the printer and the image recorded on the recording medium. Selection operation means for the user to perform an operation of selecting an image to be printed from among them, and the printing information received from the printer via the second communication means and the image selected by the selection operation means. Image signal processing means for converting data of an image relating to the selection into image data for printing suitable for printing by the printer based on information, image data for printing generated by the image signal processing means, and the image. And a control unit for performing control of transmitting photographing information regarding data to the printer via the second communication unit.

According to the printing system of the present invention,
The electronic camera and the printer perform bidirectional communication, and the electronic camera uses the print information from the connected printer and the shooting information recorded at the time of shooting to generate image data suitable for printing, and the generated print data is used. Image data and shooting information are provided to the printer. The printer further processes the image based on the image data for printing and the shooting information received from the electronic camera, and executes printing. For example, using the date and time information included in the shooting information, print the shooting date and time on the image,
Alternatively, the optimum gain is set for the image based on the exposure condition and printing is performed. As a result, the optimum print can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera which converts an optical image of a subject into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium, and a printer which acquires the image signal from the electronic camera and prints the image. A printing system comprising
The printer provides its own device information to a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera, and an electronic camera that is communicably connected via the first communication unit. A device information providing unit, and a printing unit that prints an image based on image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication unit,
The electronic camera, when recording an image by shooting,
An information recording unit that records the captured image together with the captured image on the recording medium, a second communication unit that exchanges data with the printer, and the second communication unit may be connected. A gradation characteristic data storage unit that stores gradation characteristic data applied to a combination of the printer model and the electronic camera model, and the gradation characteristic data storage unit based on the device information of the printer received from the printer. The gradation characteristic selecting means for selecting the gradation characteristic suitable for the combination of the printer model to be used and the electronic camera model to be used, and the user from the images stored in the recording medium. Selection operation means for performing an operation of selecting an image to be printed, and an image selected by the selection operation means are selected by the gradation characteristic selection means. Image signal processing means for performing signal processing for converting the gradation characteristics according to the gradation characteristics data, and image data for printing generated by the image signal processing means is transmitted to the printer via the second communication means. And a control means for performing control.

According to the present invention, in order to obtain the print output of the optimum image quality in the combination of the electronic camera and the printer, the data of the optimum gradation characteristic for the combination of the electronic camera and the printer device is stored in the electronic camera. Keep it.
The electronic camera selects the optimum gradation characteristic based on the information from the printer, processes the image, and then transmits it to the printer.
As a result, it is possible to obtain a print with an appropriate image quality.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera which converts an optical image of a subject into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium, and a printer which acquires the image signal from the electronic camera and prints the image. A printing system comprising
The printer prints information relating to its own printing performance with respect to a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera, and an electronic camera that is communicably connected via the first communication unit. And a printing means for printing an image based on the image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication means, the electronic camera When recording an image, an information recording unit that records, in the recording medium, captured information about the image together with a captured image, a second communication unit that exchanges data with the printer, and records in the recording medium. Image display means for displaying the displayed image, and selection operation means for the user to perform an operation of selecting an image to be printed from among the images recorded on the recording medium. The image selected by the selection operation means is displayed on the image display means, and an area in which printing can be performed from the paper size information included in the printing information received from the printer via the second communication means is shown. The display control means for displaying information on the image display means, the print area change operation means for the user to input an instruction to change the printable area, and the designation based on the instruction of the print area change operation means Image signal processing means for converting the image portion of the printed area into image data for printing, and control for transmitting the image data for printing generated by the image signal processing means to the printer via the second communication means. And a control means for performing.

According to the present invention, when the electronic camera and the printer are connected to each other for printing, the image selected as the printing target is displayed on the image display means of the electronic camera, and the printing can be performed based on the information from the printer. Since the user can freely select the print area by freely specifying the print area, it is possible to prevent a print error such as an unintended image loss due to a mismatch between the print image and the print area, and an optimum print can be obtained.

A mode in which the inventions described in claims 1 to 4 described above are appropriately combined is also possible, and the printer and the electronic camera constituting the print system of the invention can be distributed as independent devices.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a print system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print system 10 shown in the figure is a digital camera (hereinafter, simply referred to as a camera).
12 and the printer 14 are directly connected by a cable 16 for data communication. As the communication interface, various communication standards capable of bidirectional communication such as USB and IEEE 1394 can be applied. Further, the communication method is not limited to the wired method, but may be a wireless communication means using electric waves (such as Bluetooth) or infrared rays.

The camera 12 converts an optical image of a subject into an electric signal and records it as a digital image data on a recording medium 18.
It has a function to record in. At the time of recording an image, various information related to the image is recorded together with the captured image data as auxiliary information in association with the image. The attached information includes the model information of the camera used for shooting, shooting date and time, light source information at the time of shooting, white balance information, exposure conditions (AE information), whether or not the flash fires, shooting mode, and the number of pixels at the time of recording. , Compression ratio, maximum and minimum data value of brightness, and the like. Hereinafter, these pieces of information will be collectively referred to as “imaging information”.

The photographing information added to the image is used at the time of printing, for example, the photographing date and time can be printed, and the maximum and minimum data values of brightness are used to expand the dynamic range at the time of printing. , It is also possible to print dark images brightly.

The printer 14 is a digital color printer that prints the image content on paper based on the image data received from the camera 12. The printing method is not particularly limited, and various methods such as a thermo-autochrome (TA) method in which the printing paper itself develops color by heat, an inkjet method in which ink droplets are blown onto the paper by a nozzle, a sublimation method, and a thermal transfer method are used. It is possible. The paper size is also not particularly limited, and an appropriate paper size such as L size for photography, 2L size, postcard size, B5, A4, A3 is used. Not limited to cut paper, there is also a mode in which continuous paper wound in a roll is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the camera 12 and the printer 14. The camera 12 has a taking lens 21 and a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 22, and the light passing through the taking lens 21 is CC.
It is incident on the light receiving surface of D22. The image pickup means is not limited to the CCD 22, and other image pickup elements such as a CMOS image sensor may be used.

A large number of photosensors are arranged in a plane on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 22 in accordance with a predetermined color filter arrangement structure, and the object image formed on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 22 via the taking lens 21 is a photo image. The sensor converts the signal charge into an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light. In addition,
The CCD 22 has a so-called electronic shutter function of controlling the charge storage time (shutter speed) of each photosensor according to the timing of the shutter gate pulse.

The signal charge accumulated in each photosensor is
The voltage signals (image signals) corresponding to the signal charges are sequentially read out based on the pulses given by a CCD driving circuit (not shown). The image signal output from the CCD 22 is sent to the analog processing section 24. The analog processing unit 24 includes a sampling and holding circuit, a color separation circuit, a gain adjustment circuit, and the like, and the input image signal is processed by the analog processing unit 24 in a correlated double sampling (CDS) process and R,
Color separation processing is performed on each of the G and B color signals, and the signal level of each color signal is adjusted (pre-white balance processing).

The image signal processed by the analog processing section 24 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 26 and then sent to the signal processing section 28. The signal processing unit 28 is composed of a digital signal processor (DSP) including image signal processing circuits such as a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a sharpness correction circuit, and a white balance correction circuit. The image signal is processed according to the command from the CPU 30.

The image signal input to the signal processor 28 is
It is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal), and after being subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, it is stored in the memory 32. In addition, the image data is sent to the scaling unit 34 as necessary, and the pixel number conversion process, that is, the scaling process by a signal processing method such as pixel interpolation or the scaling process by pixel thinning is performed.

The camera 12 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) 36 as a display means for displaying images and character information. When outputting the image being picked up to the LCD 36,
The image data in the memory 32 is sent to the display control unit 40 via the bus 38. The image signal sent to the display control unit 40 is converted into a signal of a predetermined system for display (for example, a color composite video signal of NTSC system) and then output to the LCD 36. The image data in the memory 32 is periodically rewritten by the image signal read from the CCD 22, and the image signal generated from the image data is supplied to the LCD 36, so that the image being captured is displayed in real time.
It is displayed on the CD 36. The photographer can confirm the photographing field angle by the image (through image) displayed on the LCD 36.

In addition to the image being picked up, the LCD 36 displays
A reproduced image of a recorded image, information about the currently set mode, image compression rate information, date and time information, frame number display, and the like are also displayed. The LCD 36 is also used as a display screen for a user interface when the user performs various setting operations and the like, and menu information such as setting items is also displayed as necessary.

The operation unit 42 of the camera 12 includes a mode switching dial for setting various modes of the camera 12, a release button for inputting an instruction to start shooting, a menu item selection operation (cursor movement operation) and a frame operation. Send /
Cross-direction key for inputting instructions for frame return, execution key for confirming (registering) selection items and executing operations, cancel key used for erasing desired items such as selection items or canceling input operations Various operating means are included.

An instruction signal from the operation unit 42 is input to the CPU 30, and the CPU 30 controls the operation of the corresponding circuit based on the received instruction signal. The CPU 30 functions not only as a control unit that controls the entire camera but also as a calculation unit that performs various calculation processes, and the photographing lens 21.
Auto focus (AF) control, CCD 22 exposure and readout control, image processing control, image data recording control, read / write control of recording medium 18, recording medium 1
8 file management, communication control with printer 14, LC
The display control of D36 and the like are performed.

The CPU 30 is an R which stores an operation program.
An OM (not shown) and a RAM (not shown) as a work area for storing data necessary for calculation and the like are built in, and various calculation processes and control processes are performed in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. Further, the camera 12 is provided with a calendar clock 44 for managing the date and time, and the CPU 30 refers to the calendar clock as necessary to acquire information such as the shooting date and time.

When the "photographing mode" is selected by the mode switching dial of the operation unit 42, the CCD 22 is supplied with power and is ready for photographing. After that, when the photographer presses the release button, a photographing start instruction (release ON) signal is issued. The CPU 30 detects the photographing instruction signal and starts exposure of the CCD 22 and data reading. The data of the captured image thus obtained is sent to the compression / expansion unit 46 after being subjected to required processing in the signal processing unit 28 and the like, and in the compression / expansion unit 46, JPEG.
It is compressed according to another predetermined format.

The CPU 30 creates one image file by associating the compressed image data with the attached information including the shooting information such as the shooting conditions for the image. The image file thus generated is recorded on the recording medium 18 via the media control unit 48.

As the recording medium 18, various media such as smart media (Solid-State Floppy Disk Card), PC card, compact flash (registered trademark), magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk and the like can be applied. Of course, the medium is not limited to the removable medium, and a recording medium (internal memory) built in the camera body can be used.

When the "reproduction mode" is selected by the mode switching dial, the final file recorded on the recording medium 18 (the latest recorded file) is read out. The data of the image file is expanded by the compression / expansion unit 46 and output to the LCD 36 via the display control unit 40. Operation unit 4 during this single-frame playback
By operating the right key or the left key of the cross direction key 2 of FIG. 2, frame-by-frame advance (file-forward) can be performed in the forward direction or the reverse direction, and the image to be reproduced can be changed.

The camera 12 is also provided with a communication interface section 50 for exchanging information with the printer 14 and other external devices by bidirectional communication.
The CPU 30 controls communication (including data transfer control) with external devices such as the printer 14 connected via the communication interface unit 50.

On the other hand, the printer 14 receives a communication interface section 52 for communicating with the camera 12 and other external devices, a CPU 54 functioning as a control section, an information storage section 56 for storing device information and the like. A memory 58 that temporarily stores data, a data conversion unit 60 that converts a received image into a control signal necessary for printing, and a printing processing unit 62 that executes printing based on the converted printing control signal.
And a paper feed control unit 66 that controls the paper feed mechanism 64 that conveys the recording paper. The CPU 54 and the peripheral circuit unit are connected by a bus 68.

The information storage unit 56 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and includes unique identification information (ID) of the printer 14 and information relating to printing performance (printer resolution, gradation, gamma characteristics, color conversion characteristics, various constants relating to printing operation, (Setting information, etc.) is stored, and these print information are retained even when the power is cut off.

The CPU 54 of the printer 14 controls communication with the camera 12 via the communication interface section 52, and also controls processing of received data, print control, and the like. The CPU 54 establishes communication with the camera 12 and sends the print information stored in the information storage unit 56 to the camera 12 side.

Image data to be printed is input to the printer 14 via the communication interface section 52,
It is stored in the memory 58. The print data is sent to the data conversion unit 60 and converted into a control signal for controlling the print head and the like of the print processing unit 62. The print processing unit 62 is controlled based on the control signal generated by the data conversion unit 60, and the paper feed mechanism 64 is controlled via the paper feed control unit 66. In this way, the print processing unit 62 and the paper feed mechanism 64 operate in conjunction with each other to execute the print operation, whereby the printed matter 70 is obtained.

Next, the operation of the print system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 shows a print processing sequence.

When the camera 12 and the printer 14 are connected and the CPUs 30 and 54 of the both recognize the printer connection or the camera connection, respectively (step S110, step S2).
10) Then, the necessary negotiation is performed between the two and communication is established.

Upon establishment of communication, the camera 12 is automatically set to the "print mode" (step S11).
2). Note that a mode in which the "print mode" is set by the user operating the mode switching dial or the setting operation from the menu screen is also possible.

When the camera 12 is set to the "print mode", the CPU 30 of the camera 12 sends a print information request command to the printer 14 (step S11).
4). The printer 14 provides the device information (ID) of itself, the type of paper to be printed (plain paper / photo paper / sticker paper, etc.), print size, color conversion information and other information (print information) relating to print performance (print information). To (step S
220).

The camera 12 receives the print information and stores the acquired information in the memory 32 (step S116). Thereafter, the user uses the LCD 36 of the camera 12 to perform operations such as selecting an image to be printed and designating the number of prints (designating whether or not to print the shooting date) (step S118).

The image selected as the print target is held in the memory 32 in the camera 12 and displayed on the LCD 36 (step S120). The user can confirm the print content (print preview) on the screen of the LCD 36. In this state, the CPU 30 of the camera 12 receives the print execution instruction and determines whether or not the print instruction is input (step S1).
22). The printing instruction may be input from the operation unit of the camera 12 or the operation unit on the printer 14 side.

When the print instruction is not input, the process returns to step S118 and the operation such as changing the selection target can be performed. On the other hand, if a printing instruction is input by the user and a YES determination is obtained in step S122, step S1
Proceed to 24.

In step S124, based on the photographing information of the selected image and the print information received from the printer 14,
Image data is processed so that an optimum print image can be obtained. For example, a process of enlarging (or reducing) the captured image according to the print size, a process of cutting a part of the recorded image (trimming process) when the aspect ratio of the recorded image and the aspect ratio of the paper are different is performed. Further, the dynamic range is expanded based on the photographing information, and the color conversion processing suitable for the printer 14 is performed from the luminance and color difference signals according to the color conversion information. The pixel number conversion (resizing) process is performed in the enlargement / reduction unit 34 in the camera 12, and the trimming, dynamic range conversion, and color conversion processes are performed in the signal processing unit 28 in the camera 12.

Thus, the CPU 30 of the camera 12
While performing processing for optimizing the selected image data for the printer 14, a process of sequentially transmitting the obtained image data for printing to the printer 14 is performed (step S126).
Since the printer 14 prints in printable units (for example, in units of one line), necessary data is transmitted from the camera 12 to the printer 14 for each print unit.

If the number of photographed pixels is smaller than the number of pixels to be printed, enlargement processing is performed, but the camera 12 has a storage means (memory) for temporarily storing the entire enlarged image. Not always. In addition, the printer 14
Generally, the printing time in is sufficiently slower than the time required for the enlargement / reduction processing in the camera 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the processed image is not stored in the camera 12 as a whole and the printing data is sequentially sent to the communication path in printing units while performing the processing.

The printer 14 receives the image data for printing sent from the camera 12 (step S230), and executes printing based on the received data (step S23).
2). The CPU 54 of the printer 14 determines the end of printing (step S234). If printing is in progress, the process returns to step S230 to continue printing.

When the printing of one screen (or a plurality of designated screens) is completed and the determination in step S234 is YES, the printer 14 sends an end command (step S240), and the printing process ends.

According to this embodiment, the image data most suitable for the print output by the printer 14 is obtained by the camera 1 by using the print information from the printer 14 and the shooting information recorded at the time of shooting.
2 side, and the generated image data is generated by the printer 14
Since it is provided to the user, the user can take a picture without being aware of the performance of the printer 14, and the optimum printing can be performed according to the performance of the printer 14 used.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the information on the paper size is acquired from the printer 14 side and the printed image is automatically enlarged or reduced according to the paper size has been described. When the size is relatively small, the print quality is deteriorated when the enlargement process is performed. Therefore, in order to prevent such printing, there is also a mode in which the desired paper size (print pixel number) is designated from the camera 12 side.

Further, in step S118, an operation of further designating the presence / absence of a date print may be accepted. When "with date print" is specified, step S126 is performed.
At, the information of the photographing date and time is transmitted to the printer 14 side together with the image data. The printer 14, which has received the information of the shooting date and time, prints the date together with the image in step S232. In addition to specifying whether or not to print the date,
It is also possible to specify the display format and the printing position, and the specified information is transmitted to the printer 14, and the printer 14 performs the data conversion necessary for the date printing.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As described above, in order to obtain the optimum print in the direct print system in which the camera 12 and the printer 14 are directly connected, the printer 14
In addition to the paper size, printer performance, etc., the information recorded by the camera 12 at the time of shooting (shooting information added to the image file) is also required. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the printer 14 side sends information about the paper size and printer performance to the camera 12, and the camera 12 side provides the printer 14 with the shooting date and time, the exposure condition, and the like.

The camera 12 uses the information from the printer 14 to generate a print image suitable for the printer 14. On the other hand, the printer 14 prints the shooting date and time by using the information from the camera 12, and sets the optimum gain for the image based on the received exposure condition and prints.

The procedure of the printing process in this case is shown below.

[Procedure 1] When the camera 12 and the printer 14 are connected, the printer 14 sends its own ID, the size of the paper to be printed, and other information indicating the printing performance (printing information) to the camera 12 side.

[Procedure 2] The user operates the camera 12 to select an image to be printed. At this time, it is possible to specify the number of prints, the presence / absence of date printing, the date display format, and the printing position. The image to be selected and the specified content are displayed on the screen of the LCD 36.

[Procedure 3] In the camera 12, the number of pixels and vertical / horizontal information of the selected image are recognized from the attached information of the selected image, and the optimum printing is performed based on the paper size from the printer 14 and the printing performance information. Perform image processing such as size enlargement / reduction and rotation.

[Procedure 4] The image optimized in Procedure 3 and camera information necessary for printing (for example, photographing date and time, exposure condition, etc.) are transmitted from the camera 12 to the printer 14.

[Procedure 5] The printer 14 further processes an image using the camera information received from the camera 12 and prints. For example, if the date print is selected,
The shooting date and time is printed on the image, and the optimum gain is set for the image based on the exposure conditions to print.

By the above [Procedure 1] to [Procedure 5], it is possible to perform optimum printing corresponding to the performance of the printer 14.

In carrying out the date printing, the data of the shooting date and time may be provided to the printer 14 on condition that "there is a date printing" is specified. Data may be provided to the printer 14 and information designating the presence / absence of a date print may be transmitted to the printer 14 so that the printer 14 makes a usage decision on the shooting date / time data based on the designation information.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The print system 10 shown in FIG. 5 determines the combination of the devices of both the camera 12 and the printer 14 in order to obtain the optimum image quality in the combination of the camera 12 and the printer 14, and the inside of the camera 12 is determined in advance. After selecting the stored optimum gradation characteristic and processing the image in accordance with the gradation characteristic, the data of the image is transmitted to the printer for printing.

For example, in the case of a system in which the camera model A and the printer model A are connected, the optimum gradation characteristic is A, and the optimum gradation in the system combining the camera model A and the printer model B is set. The characteristic is B, and the optimum gradation characteristic of the system combining the camera model A and the printer model C is C.
It is assumed that optimum gradation characteristic data is prepared for each combination pattern, such as. Such data is stored in a non-volatile memory (such as a ROM built in the CPU 30) in the camera 12.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the camera 12 in the print system shown in FIG. Set the camera 12 to the print mode (step S
310), communication from printer 14 to printer 14
Is acquired (step S312). The CPU 30 of the camera 12 recognizes the model of the printer 14 from the printer ID, determines the combination of its own model and the model of the printer 14, and selects the optimum gradation characteristic (step S31).
4).

Next, the data is read from the recording medium 18 mounted on the camera 12 and the image is reproduced and displayed (step S316). In this state, the camera 12 receives the selection of the image to be printed (step S31).
8). The user can select an image desired to be printed while looking at the reproduced image displayed on the LCD 36. When the selection of the image to be printed is completed, the above step S3 is performed.
The calculation processing is performed according to the gradation characteristic selected in 14, and the print image subjected to the optimum gradation conversion is generated in the printer 14,
The print image is transmitted to the printer 14 (step S32).
0).

The printer 14 receives the image data for printing sent from the camera 12, and executes printing based on the received data. This allows the camera 12 and the printer 1 to
It is possible to obtain the optimum print image quality corresponding to an unspecified combination of four.

Next, the print preview technique applied in each of the above-described embodiments will be described.

When the camera 12 and the printer 14 are connected for printing, a part of the screen may be cut off at the time of printing due to the relationship between the paper size set in the printer 14 and the number of pixels of the image to be printed. . like this,
In order to prevent a printing error in which a necessary part in the image is not printed by the cutting process, in the embodiment of the present invention, the printing state is displayed on the LCD 36 of the camera 12 before printing, and the user can confirm the printing area and It is possible to make adjustments.

Examples thereof are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing area 82 is set for the recorded image 80, the person at the right end is missing during printing, and it cannot be said to be an optimum image. In view of this situation,
In the camera 12 of this example, the print area 82 can be moved on the LCD 36.

That is, the print area 8 is displayed on the LCD 36 of the camera 12 based on the print information received from the printer 14.
A frame line indicating 2 is displayed, and the user uses the cross-direction key provided on the camera 12 to display the frame as shown in FIG.
The print area 82 can be selected at any position and size. Although the aspect ratio is maintained in the selection operation of the printing area 82 in this example, a mode in which the aspect ratio is arbitrarily changed is also possible.

In FIG. 8, the frame line of the print area 82 is moved vertically and horizontally according to the operation of the cross key, but it is possible to realize the display in which the print area 82 is relatively moved with respect to the recorded image. Alternatively, the display position of the frame line of the print area 82 may be fixed (for example, displayed in the center of the screen) and the image side may be moved.

When the printing area 82 is set by the user, the camera 12 generates image data for printing in the printing area 82 according to the setting and sends it to the printer 14.

FIG. 9 shows a print example. 9A shows a print example printed in the fixed print area shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9B shows a print example printed in the print area selected by the user described in FIG. 9 (a), (b)
As is clear from comparison between the above, the user can confirm the print area in advance and make desired adjustments so that the person at the right end is not missing, and a good print with good up-down balance can be obtained. .

[0087]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the electronic camera automatically generates the optimum print image based on the print information from the printer to be used and the shooting information recorded at the time of shooting. Since it is generated and transmitted to the printer, the user can take a picture without being aware of the printer, and can obtain the optimum print according to the performance of the printer.

According to the second aspect of the invention, image data suitable for printing is generated using the printing information from the printer and the shooting information recorded at the time of shooting, and the generated image data for printing While the shooting information is provided from the electronic camera to the printer, the printer further processes the image based on the image data for printing and the shooting information received from the electronic camera, and prints the image. In addition, it is possible to obtain a print with optimum image quality.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the data of the optimum gradation characteristic for the combination of the electronic camera and the printer device is stored in the electronic camera, and the electronic data is stored based on the information from the printer. Since the camera selects the optimum gradation characteristic, processes the image, and then transmits the image to the printer, it is possible to obtain an image output with an appropriate image quality corresponding to the combination of the electronic camera and the printer.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the image content to be printed is displayed on the image display means of the electronic camera, the printable area is displayed based on the information from the printer, and the user can Since the print area can be freely selected while checking the print range, it is possible to prevent a print error such as a necessary image portion being omitted and obtain an optimum print.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing internal configurations of a camera and a printer in the print system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a sequence of printing processing.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a print system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a print system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a camera in the print system shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a print area.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a print area is changed.

9A is a diagram showing a print example printed in a fixed print area, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a print example printed in a print area selected by a user.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a conventional print system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Printing system, 12 ... Camera, 14 ... Printer, 16 ... Cable, 18 ... Recording medium, 22 ... CC
D, 28 ... Signal processing section, 30 ... CPU, 34 ... Enlargement / reduction section, 36 ... LCD, 50 ... Communication interface section, 5
2 ... Communication interface section, 54 ... CPU, 60 ... Data conversion section, 62 ... Print processing section

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing system comprising: an electronic camera that converts an optical image of an object into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium; and a printer that acquires the image signal from the electronic camera and prints the image. The printer prints information about its printing performance with respect to a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera, and an electronic camera that is communicably connected via the first communication unit. And a printing means for printing an image based on the image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication means, the electronic camera When an image is recorded, data is transferred between the printer and the information recording unit that records the captured image with the captured image on the recording medium. Second communication means, selection operation means for the user to perform an operation of selecting an image to be printed from among the images recorded on the recording medium, and the printer from the printer via the second communication means. Image signal processing means for converting data of the image relating to the selection into image data for printing suitable for printing by the printer, based on the received printing information and shooting information of the image selected by the selection operation means. And a control unit that controls to transmit the image data for printing generated by the image signal processing unit to the printer via the second communication unit. 2. A printing system comprising: an electronic camera that converts an optical image of a subject into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium; and a printer that acquires an image signal from the electronic camera and prints an image. The printer is a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera; Print image information providing means for transmitting a print image, and print image processing means for processing a print image based on image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication means and shooting information related to the image data, A printing unit that prints an image based on the image data generated by the printing image processing unit; and the electronic camera records the image by shooting. At this time, an information recording means for recording the photographed image together with the photographed information on the image in the recording medium, a second communication means for exchanging data with the printer, and an image recorded in the recording medium. Selection operation means for the user to perform an operation of selecting an image to be printed from among the images, and the printing information received from the printer via the second communication means and the image selected by the selection operation means. Image signal processing means for converting image data relating to the selection into image data for printing suitable for printing by the printer based on photographing information; image data for printing generated by the image signal processing means; Control means for controlling the transmission of photographing information related to image data to the printer via the second communication means. Print system to be. 3. A printing system comprising: an electronic camera that converts an optical image of a subject into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium; and a printer that acquires the image signal from the electronic camera and prints the image. The printer provides its own device information to a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera, and an electronic camera that is communicatively connected via the first communication unit. The electronic camera includes an apparatus information providing unit and a printing unit that prints an image based on image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication unit, and the electronic camera records an image by shooting. A second communication means for exchanging data between the information recording means for recording the photographed image and the photographed information on the image in the recording medium, and the printer. A gradation characteristic data storage unit that stores gradation characteristic data applied to a combination of a printer model and an electronic camera model that can be connected via the second communication unit; and a printer received from the printer. Gradation characteristic selection means for selecting a gradation characteristic suitable for a combination of a model of a printer to be used and a model of the electronic camera, by referring to the data of the gradation characteristic data storage means based on the device information of Selection operation means for the user to perform an operation of selecting an image to be printed from images stored in the recording medium; and the gradation characteristic selection means for the image selected by the selection operation means. Image signal processing means for performing signal processing for converting gradation characteristics according to selected gradation characteristics data, and image data for printing generated by the image signal processing means. Printing system, characterized in that serial via the second communication means includes a control means for performing control to transmit to the printer. 4. A printing system comprising: an electronic camera that converts an optical image of a subject into an image signal and records the image signal on a recording medium; and a printer that acquires the image signal from the electronic camera and prints the image. The printer prints information about its printing performance with respect to a first communication unit that exchanges data with the electronic camera, and an electronic camera that is communicably connected via the first communication unit. And a printing means for printing an image based on the image data for printing received from the electronic camera via the first communication means, the electronic camera When an image is recorded, data is transferred between the printer and the information recording unit that records the captured image with the captured image on the recording medium. Second communication means, image display means for displaying an image recorded on the recording medium, and a user's operation for selecting an image to be printed from among the images recorded on the recording medium. The selection operation means and the image selected by the selection operation means are displayed on the image display means, and the image is printed from the paper size information included in the printing information received from the printer via the second communication means. Display control means for displaying information indicating a possible area on the image display means, print area changing operation means for the user to input an instruction to change the printable area, and based on the instruction of the print area changing operation means Image signal processing means for converting an image portion of the designated printing area into image data for printing, and an image for printing generated by the image signal processing means. A printing system, comprising: a control unit that controls data transmission to the printer via the second communication unit.