JP2008067019A - Control method of printing system, printing device, electronic apparatus, control program for printing device, and control program for electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable image data desired by a user to be easily selected from the image data stored in a printing device and the memory medium of an external electronic apparatus and printed in a printing system where the printing device is not equipped with enough display devices for selecting printing images. <P>SOLUTION: Image data stored in the memory card 209 of a direct printer 201 and other image data stored in the memory card 229 of a digital camera 221 are selected by a user through the operation keys 232 of the digital camera 221 and an LCD 230, and a user interface is performed to print the selected image data with the direct printer 201. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system control method including an electronic device external to the printing device connected to the printing device, the printing device, the electronic device, a control program for the printing device, and the control of the electronic device. It is about the program.

  In recent years, printers capable of so-called direct printing operations have been rapidly spread. Direct printing refers to a printing operation that is performed by directly connecting a digital camera or a flash memory in which an image captured by the digital camera is recorded directly to a printer without using a host device such as a PC (personal computer).

  The operation flow in this type of printing system is as follows.

  A digital camera converts an optical subject image formed on a photocathode of an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor disposed behind a taking lens into a digital signal and stores it as image data in an electronic storage medium (hereinafter referred to as a flash memory). Remember.

  The flash memory is detachable from the digital camera, and the flash memory is removed from the digital camera and set in the printer. The confirmation of the image stored in the flash memory and the selection for print output are performed using the display device if the display device is provided in the printer.

  Further, when the printer does not have a display unit, a method of selecting an image by printing a thumbnail of an image in a flash memory in a mark sheet format, allowing a user to mark a thumbnail of a desired image, and reading this with a scanner There is also.

  When the print start operation for the selected image is performed, the image data stored in the flash memory is printed on the recording paper in the same manner as the silver halide photograph, and a high-quality photo print can be obtained.

  By using a printer that can be directly connected to the flash memory in this way, the user can easily and easily print a desired image without using a host device such as a PC.

  In the above-described conventional configuration, it is necessary to install a monitor for confirming / selecting an image to be printed on the printer, or to print all the images in the flash memory as thumbnails. If display means capable of confirming / selecting an image with sufficient operability is provided, there is a problem that the apparatus is naturally increased in size and the manufacturing cost is increased. In addition, a user interface that performs thumbnail printing on a mark sheet has a problem of requiring extra ink and paper.

  In view of the above problems, a technique has been proposed in which an image in a flash memory set in a printer is displayed on a mobile phone connected to the printer, and a print image is selected using an interface of the mobile phone (Patent Document 1 below). ).

Also, PictBridge (product name) is known as one of the standards for connecting a printer and a digital camera via a USB interface. In this PictBridge compliant printing system, it is possible to display an image in a flash memory mounted on a digital camera on a monitor of the digital camera, select it by the user, and directly print it with a printer.
JP 2003-54093 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 as well, similarly to the PictBridge standard, it is assumed that a target image that can be selected as a print target is stored in one specific storage medium.

  With the widespread use of digital cameras, camera-equipped mobile phones, etc., one user has a plurality of flash memories in which images are stored, but this alone is not sufficient as a function of the printing system.

  For example, in a certain shooting opportunity, there is a great demand that a user wants to take an image using both a mobile phone and a digital camera, and want to print the images taken by the mobile phone and the digital camera together.

  However, the conventional user interface for selecting a print image has a problem that only a target image stored in one specific storage medium of either a mobile phone or a digital camera can be selected.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to specify an image designation to be printed on a display unit of an electronic device outside a printing apparatus in a printing system using a printing apparatus that does not have a display apparatus sufficient for selecting a print image. The user selects desired image data from the image data stored in the storage medium of the printing apparatus and the external electronic device without being restricted by the storage medium in which the image data is stored, as well as being used for the user interface, It is to be able to print.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system control method including an electronic device external to the printing device connected to the printing device, the printing device, the electronic device, a control program for the printing device, and the electronic device. In the control program, image data stored in the storage medium on the printing apparatus side and image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side using the operation unit and the display unit of the electronic device in the electronic device A configuration is employed in which a user is selected and the user interface for causing the printing apparatus to print the selected image data is employed.

  Alternatively, further, the total number of image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the electronic device, and the electronic device cyclically uses the total number of images. A configuration is adopted in which the user selects image data stored in the storage medium.

  Alternatively, the printing apparatus transmits the path name or shooting date / time information of the image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side to the electronic apparatus, and the electronic device uses the path name or shooting date / time information. Thus, a configuration is adopted in which the order in which the user selects image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side is determined.

  According to the above configuration, the image data stored in the storage medium on the printing apparatus side and the image stored in the storage medium on the electronic apparatus side by the user interface using the operation unit and display unit of the electronic apparatus outside the printing apparatus. Data can be selected by the user, and the selected image data can be printed by a printing apparatus. Therefore, according to the present invention, the user can select desired image data from image data stored in a storage medium of a printing apparatus or an external electronic device without being restricted by the storage medium in which the image data is stored. Can be printed.

  Also, the total number of image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the electronic device, and the electronic device is cyclically stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side using the total number of images. According to the configuration that allows the user to select the image data, there is an advantage that the data transfer amount from the printing apparatus to the electronic device during the image selection process can be remarkably reduced.

  In addition, the path name or the shooting date / time information of the image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the electronic device, and the electronic device uses the path name or the shooting date / time information on the electronic device side. According to the configuration in which the order in which the user selects the image data stored in the storage medium is determined, the image selection order is not limited to the storage medium in which the image data is stored. The user can easily select images in the order sorted according to the date and time information.

  Hereinafter, as an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention, an embodiment in a printing system including a printing apparatus that does not have a display device and an electronic device outside the printing apparatus will be described. In the following embodiments, a digital camera is illustrated as an electronic device outside the printing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a printing system employing the present invention. The printing system in FIG. 1 has a USB interface that connects a printer capable of printing images directly from flash memory (direct printing) (hereinafter referred to as a direct printer) and a digital camera with a memory card and an operation unit and display unit. It is comprised by doing.

  The direct printer 101 of FIG. 1 is provided with a memory card slot 102 and a USB interface 103. The direct printer 101 is connected to the digital camera 105 via the USB cable 104 connected to the USB interface 103.

  The digital camera 105 includes a USB interface 106, an operation unit 107, a display unit 108, and a memory card slot 109, and is a standard digital camera as a hardware configuration.

  A memory card 110 can be connected to each of the memory card slots 102 and 109 of the direct printer 101 and the digital camera 105.

  Note that although 110 is used as a reference symbol for this memory card, the memory cards attached to the direct printer 101 and the digital camera 105 do not necessarily mean the same memory card. That is, as described below, for example, two different memory cards can be simultaneously inserted into the memory card slots 102 and 109 to print images of those cards (see the memory cards 209 and 229 in FIG. 2). ).

  The standard of the memory card 110 is arbitrary. For example, a memory card such as a CF (compact flash) standard can be used. Of course, the memory card slots 102 and 109 have interface specifications conforming to the corresponding card standard. Composed.

  The digital camera 105 can record an image file recorded by the image sensor on the memory card 110, and the image recorded on the memory card 110 can be selected by the operation unit 107 and displayed on the display unit 108.

  Further, the direct printer 101 directly prints an image file stored in a memory card installed in the memory card slot 102 and an image file stored in a memory card installed in the memory card slot 109 of the digital camera 105. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the selection of an image file to be printed from each memory card and print control are performed via a user interface using the display unit 108 and the operation unit 107 of the digital camera 105. At this time, the image file stored in the memory card installed in the memory card slot 102 and the image file stored in the memory card installed in the memory card slot 109 of the digital camera 105 are selected separately as in the past. Instead of printing, you can select it on a unified user interface.

  FIG. 2 shows a minimum configuration necessary for the direct printer 201 (direct printer 101 in FIG. 1) to implement the present invention. 2, in order to show the corresponding member in FIG. 1, the reference numerals of the corresponding members in FIG. 1 are shown in parentheses. In the following description, reference numerals in the configuration of FIG. 2 or FIG. 1 are shown in parentheses depending on the context.

  In FIG. 2, the direct printer 201 includes a CPU 202, and the CPU 202 controls the operations of the USB interface 203 (103), the memory card controller 204, and the printer unit 205.

  Further, a ROM 206 and a RAM 207 are connected to the CPU 202, and the ROM 206 stores a control program including a control procedure described later. A RAM 207 is a work area for the CPU 202 to control the USB interface 203 (103), the memory card controller 204, and the printer unit 205.

  The USB interface 203 is electrically connected to the USB interface 223 (106) of the digital camera 221 (105) in a bidirectional manner, and transmits and receives image data, control data, and the like. The memory card controller 204 controls reading / writing of data stored in the removable memory card 209 (110).

  The printer unit 205 includes a print head, a motor, various sensors, operation keys, and display LEDs, and records image data received from the USB interface 203 and image data stored in the memory card 209 on the recording paper 208.

  The recording method of the printer unit 205 is arbitrary, and the printer unit 205 can be composed of, for example, an ink jet method or an electrophotographic printer engine.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 221 (105) has a built-in CPU 222, and the CPU 222 controls each unit such as the USB interface 223, the memory card controller 224, the LCD driver 225, and the imaging unit 226.

  A ROM 227 and a RAM 228 are further connected to the CPU 222, and a control program for the CPU 222 is stored in the ROM 227.

  The RAM 228 is a work area for the CPU 222 to control the USB interface 223, the memory card controller 224, the LCD driver 225, and the imaging unit 226.

  The USB interface 223 is electrically connected to the direct printer 201 in both directions, and transmits / receives image data, control data, and the like.

  The memory card controller 224 controls reading / writing of data stored in the removable memory card 229. The imaging unit 226 includes a shutter button, an imaging device, an imaging device driving circuit, a timing generator, an A / D converter, and the like.

  In the above configuration, when the user presses the shutter, the analog image generated by the image sensor is converted into digital image data, and the digital image data is stored in the memory card 229 by the memory card controller 224 controlled by the CPU 222. .

  The LCD driver 225 is connected to the LCD 230 (108) and the VRAM 231 and has a function of storing an image designated by the CPU 222 in the VRAM 231 and a function of causing the LCD 230 to display an image stored in the VRAM 231.

  The operation key 232 (107) is operated by the user and is used mainly for image selection and setup of the digital camera 221 as a user interface in combination with the LCD 230.

  Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the following, reference numerals in the 200s used for the members in FIG. 2 are used when necessary.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show images in a memory card connected to a digital camera and a memory card connected to a direct printer using a user interface including a digital camera operation key and a display unit (LCD). A procedure for selectively designating and printing an image is shown.

  The procedure of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes processing performed by the digital camera 221 and processing performed by the printer 201. These processing procedures can be stored in the ROM 227 or 206, respectively, as control programs for the digital camera 221 and the CPUs 222 and 202 of the printer 201, respectively.

  In the printing system of this embodiment, three modes are prepared as shown in FIG. Among these, the first mode is mode 1 (corresponding to conventional Pictbridge) in which only the image in the memory card connected to the digital camera can be selected using the user interface of the digital camera 221. The second mode is a mode 2 in which only an image in a memory card connected to the direct printer 201 can be selected by the user interface of the digital camera 221. The third mode is mode 3 in which images in both memory cards can be continuously selected by the user interface of the digital camera 221.

  3 starts from step S301. First, in step S302, it is determined whether or not the direct printer 201 is a host and the digital camera 221 is connected.

  If it is determined that the digital camera 221 is connected, the mode is selected (step S303). The mode is selected using the operation key 232 and the user interface of the digital camera 221 using the LCD 230.

  As a mode selection in step S303, a method of selecting a mode by operating a mode selection switch (not shown) of the printer 201 every time the digital camera 221 is connected can be considered. Also, an appropriate mode setting may be performed in advance using a DIP switch (not shown) provided on the printer 201 or an operation unit, and modes 1 to 3 used when the digital camera 221 is connected may be determined.

  In FIG. 3, there are three modes as described above. The first mode is mode 1 (corresponding to conventional Pictbridge) in which only images in a memory card connected to the digital camera can be selected. The second mode is a mode 2 in which only images in a memory card connected to the direct printer can be selected. The third mode is mode 3 in which images in both memory cards can be continuously selected.

  Here, when mode 1 (step S304) is selected, processing similar to that of conventional Pictbridge is performed. First, the user inputs an image selection (step S305) and a print command (step S306) in the memory card connected to the digital camera while checking the LCD 230 with the operation key 232 of the digital camera 221.

  When the print command (step S306) is input by the user, the digital camera 221 transmits the specified image data to the printer 201 via the USB interface 223 (step S307). The printer 201 that has received the image data decodes the received data for printing and performs printing (step S308). Note that the communication protocol between the printer and the digital camera conforms to Pictbridge, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, when mode 2 (step S309) is selected in the mode selection (step S303), the image selection mode in the memory card 209 connected to the direct printer 201 is entered.

  At this point, the digital camera 221 has not recognized the image information in the memory card, but an image can be selected with the operation key 232 of the digital camera 221 by using the procedure of FIG.

  The necessary part of the processing in FIG. 4 starts when the direct printer 201 and the digital camera 221 are connected with the USB cable (104 in FIG. 1) before entering the mode 2 (or mode 3 to be described later). be able to. For example, the processes in steps S401 to S404 can be started when the direct printer 201 and the digital camera 221 are connected. Such parallel processing can reduce the overall processing time.

  When the direct printer 201 detects the connection with the digital camera 221, it scans all the image files in the memory card 209 attached, and assigns numbers to all the images (step S402). When the allocation of the numbers is completed, the direct printer 201 transmits the thumbnail of the image 1 and the total number n (the number of image files or the number of images) n in the memory card to the digital camera 221 (step S403). Here, the thumbnails transmitted to the digital camera 221 may be those stored in an EXIF specification JPEG file, or may be of other sizes.

  Here, it is assumed that image 1 has the youngest path name and image file name in the memory card (in order of dictionary of path name / file name). Alternatively, numbers may be assigned in ascending order in the order of the shooting date and time of the image of the image file.

  When the digital camera 221 receives the thumbnail image of the image 1 from the direct printer 201, the digital camera 221 displays the received image on the LCD 230 and stores the total number n of images (step S404).

  Next, the digital camera enters a key input waiting state (step S405), and when any key is input, the type of the operated key is determined (step S406).

  The types of key operations possible here are the previous image selection (step S407) and the next image selection (step S414).

  First, when it is determined in the key type determination (step S406) that the previous image is selected (step S407), the digital camera 221 subtracts 1 from the image number requested next, that is, the image number received last time from the direct printer 201. The number is calculated (step S408). It is determined whether the calculation result is 0 (step S409). If it is 0, an image number n is requested to the printer (step S410), and if it is not 0, an image file of the previous image number-1 is requested ( Step S411).

  The direct printer 201 that has received the request transmits a thumbnail of the requested number of images to the digital camera (step S412), and the digital camera 221 that has received the thumbnail displays the thumbnail on the LCD 230 (step S413). Return to the key input waiting state (step S405).

  If it is determined in the key type determination (step S406) that the next image is selected (step S414), substantially the same processing as the previous image selection described above is performed. The difference from the previous image selection described above is that the next requested number calculation (step S415) obtains the previous image number +1. At this time, if the calculation result is n + 1 (n: maximum number of images), request the image number 1 to the direct printer (step S417), and if not n + 1, request the previous image number +1 (step S418). )

  According to the configuration in which the total number n of images is transmitted from the direct printer 201 to the digital camera 221 and the thumbnails of the image numbers 1 to n are cyclically displayed / selected by the digital camera 221 as shown in FIG. There is an advantage that the data transfer amount from the direct printer 201 to the digital camera 221 can be remarkably reduced.

  Note that the thumbnails used for image selection may be transmitted from the direct printer 201 to the digital camera 221 at each display timing as shown in FIG. 4, but if possible, thumbnails of all image files are displayed. You may send it. Alternatively, thumbnails can be transmitted from the direct printer 201 to the digital camera 221 in appropriate units.

  In FIG. 3 again, when mode 2 (step S309) is selected in mode selection (step S303), an image is selected in the procedure described in FIG. 4 (step S310), and the user inputs a print command (step S311). Then, the digital camera 221 transmits a print command specifying the image number to the direct printer (step S312). The direct printer that has received the print command prints a predetermined image (step S313). The print command needs to include at least an image number for designating an image file to be printed. In addition, an appropriate paper size / type and variable magnification set through an appropriate user interface on the digital camera 221 side. Print control data such as information may be included.

  If mode 3 (step S314) is selected in the mode selection (step S303), the image in the memory card 229 connected to the digital camera 221 and the memory card 209 connected to the direct printer 201 are displayed. A mode is entered in which both of the images within can be selected continuously.

  In mode 3, image selection in mode 1 (step S305) and image selection in mode 2 (step S310) are sequentially performed (step S315). That is, when an operation for selecting the next image after the last image in the memory card 229 of the digital camera 221 is performed by selecting an image with the operation key 232 of the digital camera 221, the next operation is the same as that shown in FIG. Enter the image selection mode in the direct printer. The details of each selection method are the same as those described in the above-described mode 1 and mode 2.

  When the selection (step S315) is completed and the user inputs a print command (step S316), the digital camera 221 prints an image in the memory card 229 connected to the digital camera 221 or the direct printer 201. It is determined whether the image is in the memory card 209 connected to (step S317).

  When the image to be printed is not an image in the memory card connected to the digital camera, that is, an image in the memory card connected to the direct printer, the image number designation is included for the printer as in the mode 2. A print command is transmitted (step S318). The direct printer that has received this print command prints the designated image (step S319).

  If it is determined (step S317) that the image to be printed is in the memory card 229 connected to the digital camera 221, the image data to be printed is transmitted to the direct printer 201 as in the case of Pictbridge in mode 1 (step S317). S320). The direct printer 201 that has received the image data prints the received image (step S321).

  In steps S315 to S321 in FIG. 3, images in the memory card 229 of the digital camera 221 are grouped as images, and images in the memory card 209 of the direct printer 201 are grouped as images. This is done sequentially.

  However, if information for identifying an image on the other direct printer 201 side is transmitted to the digital camera 221 (not for every one file, but to some extent), an image selection user interface different from the above can be realized.

  For example, in steps S402 to S404 in FIG. 4, the shooting date / time data of each image file (for example, in the time data format expressed by the elapsed time from a predetermined date / time in the past), the path name or the file name is digitally transmitted from the direct printer 201 Transmission to the camera 221 can be considered.

  When sending a path name or a file name, since the image file can be accessed with these names, the cyclic image file designation process based on the total number n of images as described above is not necessarily required. In addition, image selection can be performed by transmitting thumbnails from the direct printer 201 to the digital camera 221 (at a necessary timing or in a plurality).

  In such a configuration, the display order of images on the LCD 230 of the digital camera 221 can be determined using the shooting date / time data or the path name or file name in step S315 of FIG. For example, the images can be displayed on the LCD 230 in the order sorted by the shooting date or time, or the images can be displayed in the order of path name / file name. Since image selection and printing can naturally be performed in this order, this makes it easier for the user to perform image selection operations or to organize photographs after printing.

  In particular, if the path name / file name contains characters related to shooting opportunities such as “athletic meet” and “family trip”, and the name of the subject, etc. The display (presentation) order of the images can be sorted, and the user's image selection operation or the work of organizing photographs after printing becomes easier.

  When performing the sort processing as described above, it is necessary to transmit the shooting date / time and the path name / file name collectively for all image files or an appropriate number of image files.

  In the above, a digital camera has been exemplified as an external electronic device of a printer (printing apparatus) that executes a user interface for selecting image data to be printed. However, the external electronic device that executes the image selection user interface is not limited to a digital camera, and any electronic device such as a mobile phone or an MP3 player can be used.

  The present invention can be implemented in various printing systems using a printing apparatus that does not have a display device sufficient for selecting a print image. A control program for implementing the present invention can be stored in advance in a storage medium such as a ROM of a printing apparatus and electronic equipment. Further, it can be installed / updated from a storage medium such as HDD or MO or CD-ROM. If the printing apparatus or electronic device has a network interface, it can be supplied from any server via the network.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the printing system which employ | adopted this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the printing system which employ | adopted this invention in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing in the printing system of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing in the printing system of FIGS. 1 and 2, particularly image data selection processing in a memory card connected to a direct printer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Direct printer 102 Memory card slot 103 USB interface 104 USB cable 105 Digital camera 106 USB interface 107 Operation part 108 Display part 109 Memory card slot 110 Memory card 201 Direct printer 202 CPU
203 USB interface 204 Memory card controller 205 Printer unit 206 ROM
207 RAM
208 Recording paper 221 Digital camera 222 CPU
223 USB interface 224 Memory card controller 225 LCD driver 226 Imaging unit 227 ROM
228 RAM
229 Memory card 230 LCD
231 VRAM
232 Operation keys

Claims (7)

In a control method of a printing system including a printing apparatus and an electronic device external to the printing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus,
In the electronic device, using the operation unit and the display unit of the electronic device, the user selects image data stored in the storage medium on the printing apparatus side and image data stored in the storage medium on the electronic device side. And executing a user interface for causing the printing apparatus to print the selected image data.   The control method for a printing system according to claim 1, wherein the total number of image data stored in a storage medium on the electronic device side is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the electronic device, and the electronic device transmits the total number of images. A control method for a printing system, which causes a user to select image data stored in a storage medium on the electronic device side cyclically using a computer.   2. The printing system control method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device transmits a path name or shooting date / time information of image data stored in a storage medium on the electronic device side from the printing apparatus to the electronic device. A method for controlling a printing system, comprising: determining an order in which a user selects image data stored in a storage medium on the electronic device side using the path name or shooting date / time information.   A printing apparatus that operates as a printing apparatus in the method for controlling a printing system according to claim 1.   An electronic apparatus that operates as an electronic apparatus in the method for controlling a printing system according to claim 1.   A printing apparatus control program for controlling hardware of the printing apparatus to implement the printing system control method according to claim 1.   An electronic device control program for controlling hardware of the electronic device so as to perform the control method of the printing system according to claim 1.

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