JP4323666B2 - Output image control system, image recording apparatus, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an output image control system, an image recording apparatus, and an information storage medium, and more particularly to an output image control system such as a printer system that outputs image data recorded on an information storage medium, and to record image data on the information storage medium. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording information and an information storage medium on which the image data is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of personal computers and the spread of image input devices such as digital cameras and scanners, individuals can easily handle high-definition digital image data. These image data are recorded on various information storage media in various image file formats such as JPEG and PICT. Such image data is usually output by a personal printer. However, since a printer owned by an individual has limited performance, there is a limit in the case of printing with higher quality and higher definition, and there is a demand for higher quality printing.
[0003]
In order to meet such demands, DTP shops, personal computer shops, photo shops, and convenience stores provide print services that are output by high-performance printers based on image data stored in information storage media.
[0004]
These service shops receive user-provided smart media, compact flash memory, CD-R, and floppy disks that store images, read images from these information storage media from personal computers, etc., and provide high resolution. Output by color printer or sublimation printer.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When receiving an image print service of image data stored in the information storage medium as described above, it is necessary to instruct which image data recorded in the information storage medium is to be output. For this reason, the user who receives the print service needs to instruct the image print service by using a memo or the like to indicate the number or name written in the image data in the information storage medium, so that the user wants to specify the image to be printed. It was.
[0006]
On the other hand, the image print service destination selects the image desired by the user from the image data recorded on the information storage medium based on the number and name written in the memo etc. given by the user. , Print.
[0007]
However, in general, a computer system used for the print service as described above requires a complicated operation, and it is not easy for a general store clerk to select an image to be printed and execute the print. In addition, since it is necessary to select a desired image from image data recorded on an information storage medium, it takes a lot of time to actually print and requires a lot of time to print. was there.
[0008]
Furthermore, for example, when you want to perform double-sided output, or when you want to perform index printing of only an arbitrary image, when you want to enlarge one image onto multiple sheets of paper and create a poster, etc., simple image output is not enough If there is a demand, not only does the store clerk need considerable skill, but it takes a lot of time for the output work. For this reason, there has been a problem of placing a great burden on the user in terms of cost and time.
[0009]
Accordingly, the present invention can solve the above-described problems, and an output image control system such as a printer system that outputs image data recorded on an information storage medium, and an image for recording image data on the information storage medium It is an object to provide a recording device and an information storage medium on which the image data is recorded.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an output image control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of image data, layout information for instructing to output a plurality of images to one recording sheet, and a plurality of image data to be laid out. Mounting means for mounting an information storage medium readable to store image output instruction data including specific information for specifying the image data, and data reading for reading the image data and the image output instruction data from the mounted information storage medium And an output unit that prints out the read image data in accordance with the image output instruction data read by the data reading unit, and includes an area in which the image is not laid out in the recording sheet. The specific information corresponding to the area where the image is not laid out is information indicating a non-image area. To.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of image data, layout information for instructing to output a plurality of images to one recording sheet, and a plurality of image data to be laid out. Storage means for storing readable image output instruction data including specific information to be specified, and the specific information corresponding to an area in which no image is laid out when the recording paper includes an area in which no image is laid out Storage control means for storing in the storage means as information indicating a non-image area.
[0012]
Here, the image output instruction data further includes output image size information, and the image data can be output after being subjected to scaling processing according to the layout information and the output image size.
[0013]
Here, it is possible to record information on whether to divide and output one image into a plurality of recording sheets in the recording means.
[0014]
In order to achieve the above object, an information storage medium according to the present invention stores any one of the above image output instruction data in a readable manner.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0035]
(Printer system overview)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a printer system which is an embodiment of an output image control system according to the present invention.
[0036]
The printer system 11 includes a system display unit 13, a system control unit 14, an image output unit 15, an image processing unit 16, a data reading unit 17, and a data bus 18, whereby an information storage medium such as a memory A desired image can be automatically selected from images recorded on the card 12, and an image represented by the selected image data can be printed out.
[0037]
The data reading unit 17 has a drive function for attaching and driving the memory card 12, reads image output instruction data and image data recorded in the attached memory card 12, and sends the image data to the data bus 18. Send it out. The drive function may be externally attached. The system display unit 13 includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) that displays processing execution instructions and processing status.
[0038]
The system control unit 14 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (not shown) and the like, controls each part of the system, and controls the operation of the entire system. The image processing unit 16 receives the image data sent from the data reading unit 17 to the read data bus 18 under the control of the system control unit 14, and converts the image data into reproduction output data for printing out. Output. The image output unit 15 receives the reproduction output data and performs print output.
[0039]
(Information storage medium area)
Next, an information storage medium exemplifying the memory card 12 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
An information storage medium 20 which is an embodiment of the information storage medium according to the present invention is readable and writable such as compact flash, smart media, floppy disk, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, MD, and MO. A recording medium can be used. Image processing data is added to the image data input by an image input apparatus such as a digital camera or a scanner which is an embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, and further stored.
[0041]
The internal area of the information storage medium 20 is area-mapped into an image processing data area 21 and an image data area 22 as shown in FIG.
[0042]
The image data area 22 is a storage area of a file having the image data itself as recorded contents as shown in FIG. A name is assigned to each image data, and the file name is IMGxxx in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image data is assumed to be JPEG data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and image data such as TIFF or PICT may be used.
[0043]
The image processing data area 21 is a storage area of a file in which instruction information at the time of outputting image data described in ASCII code is recorded. The image processing data area 21 is composed of a HEADER section 23 and JOB sections 24-27 as shown in FIG. The HEADER section 23 describes recording information relating to the entire information recording medium 20 such as data creation date / time, file / save date / time, user address, and name.
[0044]
On the other hand, the JOB sections 24 to 27 record job information for outputting the above-described image data. That is, the ID number indicating what number the image data is, the name of the image file to be output, the number of images to be output, the format of the image file, and the output method are described. In the present embodiment, each JOB file name is JOBxxx.
[0045]
As described above, the shooting date / time, shooting situation, and the like that had to be recorded individually by the photographer in a memo or the like are stored in the same information storage medium as that storing the image file. Can do. Information such as how many images to print out can be further recorded on the same information storage medium, so when printing out the recorded images, it was necessary to write notes Etc. need not be prepared separately.
[0046]
In addition, the output method can be recorded simultaneously on the same medium whether normal single-sided output, double-sided output, output with a reduced layout (index) obtained by reducing multiple images, or output with an enlarged layout. In this case, it is possible to read these information at the time of printing, automatically determine the information, and automatically print out the designated number of images by the designated output method using the designated output method.
[0047]
Next, an example of the image processing data information recorded in the HEADER section 23 and the JOB sections 24-27 on the information recording medium is shown.
[HDR]
SAVE DATA = 1999/12/15
USER NAME = YAMADA TARO
PHONE NUMBER = 03−1234−5678
[JOB]
PRT PID = 001
PRINT TYPE = NORMAL
PRT CNT = 1
PAPER SIZE = A4
IMG FMT = JPG
IMG SRC = "../ABCD/IMG001"
[JOB]
PRT PID = 002
PRINT TYPE = DOUBLE
PRT CNT = 3
PAPER SIZE = A4
IMG FMT = JPG
IMG SRC = "../ABCD/IMG002""../ABCD/IMG003"[JOB]
PRT PID = 003
PRINT TYPE = SHUKU-LAYOUT4
PRT CNT = 5
PAPER SIZE = A4
IMG FMT = JPG
IMG SRC = "../ABCD/IMG004''''../ABCD/IMG005''''../ABCD/IMG006''''../ABCD/IMG007"
[JOB]
PRT PID = 004
PRINT TYPE = SHUKU-LAYOUT4
PRT CNT = 5
PAPER SIZE = A4
IMG FMT = JPG
IMG SRC = "../ABCD/IMG004''''----''''../ABCD/ IMG006 '''' ../ ABCD / IMG007"
[JOB]
PRT PID = 005
PRINT TYPE = KAKUDAI-LAYOUT
PRINT TYPE SUB1 = MAISU
PRINT TYPE SUB2 = 16
PRT CNT = 2
PAPER SIZE = A4
IMG FMT = JPG
IMG SRC = "../ABCD/IMG008"
[JOB]
PRT PID = 006
PRINT TYPE = KAKUDAI-LAYOUT
PRINT TYPE SUB1 = BAIRITSU
PRINT TYPE SUB2 = 400
PRT CNT = 2
PAPER SIZE = A4
IMG FMT = JPG
IMG SRC = "../ABCD/IMG009"
[0048]
In the above data, the first HEADER section [HDR] describes user information such as the date and time of saving (SAVE DATA), the user name (USER NAME), and the user's telephone number (PHONE NUMBER).
[0049]
Each JOB section is managed by a JOBID called PRT PID, and is composed of six [JOB] in the above example. These are designated as JOB sections 1 to 6 in order from the top.
[0050]
In the JOB section 1, an image having an output type (PRINT TYPE) of normal output (NORMAL), an output number (PRINT CNT) of 1, and an image data name (IMG SRC) of IMG001 is a paper size (PAPER S1ZE) A4. Indicates that the data is output on paper. The image data name is written in a relative path, and indicates that the image data format (IMG FMT) is JPEG (JPG).
[0051]
The next JOB section 2 indicates that the job outputs two images of IMG002 and IMG003 by double-sided output (DOUBLE).
[0052]
The next JOB section 3 represents a reduced layout job. There are four types of reduced layouts, and it can be determined whether PRINT TYPE (SHUKU-LAYOUT4) is 2in1 (double-sided), 4in1 (double-sided), 8in1 (double-sided), or 9in1 (double-sided). In the above example, a 4-in-1 job is a job in which four images IMG004, IMG005, IMG006, and IMG007 are reduced and laid out on A4 paper and output five sheets.
[0053]
For example, in the case of a 4-in-1 job, it is not always necessary to have four images. When three images are left and the remaining one is not printed, a non-image area indicating that there is no image is recorded at the image number for the remaining one.
[0054]
Further, this non-image area does not need to be at the end of the image, and when it is in the middle of the image number as in the next JOB section 4, the layout position of the image number corresponding to the IMG005 is output without being printed. Represents.
[0055]
The next JOB section 5 and JOB section 6 indicate that the job is an enlarged layout (KAKUDAI-LAYOUT). There are two modes for the enlarged layout. One is to specify the number of sheets on which the image is to be enlarged and output (MAISU), and the number expansion layout mode that automatically calculates the magnification, and the other is to specify the magnification (BAIRITSU). This is a magnification enlargement layout mode for automatically calculating the number of sheets. These can be determined by PRINT TYPE SUB1 and PRINT TYPE SUB2.
[0056]
For example, the job of JOB section 5 is an example of the number expansion layout, and represents that the IMG008 image is enlarged and output by two copies for eight A4 sheets. The job of JOB section 6 is an example of the magnification enlargement layout mode, and represents that the image of IMG009 is enlarged to 400% and output.
[0057]
(Example of image output type)
An output example when an image is actually output by the output image control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0058]
FIG. 3A is an example of normal output in which one piece of image data 31 is output to one sheet 301. The normal output can be combined with zooming, and can be reduced or enlarged.
[0059]
FIG. 3B shows an example of duplex output in which two image data 31 and 32 are output to the front surface 302 and the back surface 303 of one sheet 301. In the case of both sides, a combination with the scaling process is possible, and the processes on the front surface 302 and the back surface 303 can also be changed.
[0060]
FIG. 3C shows an output example of a reduced layout in which a plurality of images 34 to 37 are reduced and output onto the surface of one sheet 304. The reduced layout can be selected from 2in1, 4in1, 8in1, 9in1, 16in1, and the like. In this example, 4in1 is set. When these layout and paper size are selected, the scaling factor is automatically calculated, and the read image is scaled to the calculated scaling factor and laid out. The reduced layout output can be combined with the above-described double-sided output. In this case, the reduced layout output is output on the front and back surfaces of the paper 304 in a reduced layout.
[0061]
FIG. 3D shows an example of an enlarged layout for enlarging and outputting one image data 31 to a plurality of sheets 311 and 322. As the enlargement layout, either a sheet enlargement layout in which the number of sheets to be output is specified and the enlargement ratio is automatically calculated, or a magnification enlargement layout in which the output number is automatically calculated by specifying the enlargement ratio can be selected. By pasting these papers that have been output as images, it is possible to enlarge and output images that are larger than the paper size, which is normally impossible to output, and can be used when creating large posters and the like.
[0062]
(Editing JOB data)
The job information can be generated and edited by an image input means such as a digital camera, a personal computer or an information storage medium data editing system.
[0063]
In the present embodiment, a case where data is edited by the system display unit 13 on the printer system of FIG. 1 will be described.
[0064]
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display screen of the system display unit 13 serving as a user interface in an embodiment of the output image control system according to the present invention. The system display unit 13 also serves as a data display unit for the printer system.
[0065]
In FIG. 4, 41 is a print key, 42 is a program key, 43 is a preview key, 44 is a display screen of a display device such as a monitor, 45 is an arrow key, 46 is an enter key, and 47 is a cancel key.
[0066]
First, an operator such as a photo shop sets the memory card 12 in the data reading unit 17. Next, when the program key 42 is pressed, the display on the display screen 44 is changed to a selection screen 51 as shown in FIG. According to this selection screen 51, processing such as addition of a new job, change of job contents, change of memory card information, and the like can be selected.
[0067]
For example, when the user information recorded in the HEADER section 23 in the memory card 12 is to be changed, the cursor 50 is moved to “change memory card information” with the arrow key 45. When the enter key 46 is pressed here, the display on the display screen 44 is changed as described later, and each user information in the memory card 12 can be changed.
[0068]
When changing the contents of the job information already stored in the memory card 12, for example, adding an image, changing the number of sheets, or deleting J0B, move the cursor 50 to "Change JOB contents" and press the enter key. 46 is pressed. When the enter key 46 is pressed here, the display on the display screen 44 transitions to a job content change screen (not shown), and each job information can be changed.
[0069]
Here, a case where new job information is added is described in detail below.
[0070]
First, when the cursor 50 is moved to “New JOB” with the arrow key 45 on the selection screen 51 and the determination key 46 is pressed, the display on the display screen 44 changes to the print selection screen 52 as shown in FIG. To do. According to the selection screen 52, the output type for outputting the image data stored in the memory card 12 can be selected. For example, when normal output is performed, “normal” is selected with the arrow key 45 and the determination key 46 is pressed to determine. Thereafter, the display screen 44 transitions to a display (not shown) such as a magnification setting, a number setting, etc., and job setting is sequentially performed.
[0071]
In addition, “double-sided” is selected on the selection screen 52 when duplex output is desired, “reduced layout” is selected when output in a reduced layout is selected, and “enlarged layout” is selected when output is performed in an enlarged layout.
[0072]
Here, it is assumed that data is output in a reduced layout, and will be described in detail below.
[0073]
When the operator moves the cursor 50 to “reduced layout” with the arrow key 45 and presses the enter key 46, the display on the display screen 44 transitions to the layout type selection screen 53 in FIG. According to the selection screen 53, the layout type of the reduced layout can be selected. On the selection screen 53, the cursor 50 is moved to the layout to be output using the arrow key 45 and the determination key 46 is pressed. For example, when double-sided output is desired with 4 in 1, the cursor 50 is placed on 4 in 1 and determined with the enter key 46.
[0074]
When the layout is determined on the layout type selection screen 53, the data reading unit 17 reads all the images recorded on the memory card 12, and performs an index display 54 on the display screen 44 as shown in FIG. . The operator selects an image to be output from among these with the arrow key 45 and determines with the enter key 46.
[0075]
When the image to be output (A in the figure) is determined, a transition is made to a screen (not shown) for selecting whether or not to make detailed settings for the selected image. Here, when processing such as trimming or title insertion is necessary for the selected image, transition to a detailed setting selection screen (not shown) is made when execution of detailed settings is selected. On the other hand, when the detailed setting is not performed, default processing is performed on the selected image.
[0076]
When the remaining images are sequentially selected according to the index display 54 and the image selection is terminated, the image selection is terminated when the “selection termination” button 56 is selected.
[0077]
When the image selection is completed, the display on the display screen 44 is changed to a number selection / paper selection screen 55 as shown in FIG. According to this selection screen 55, the number of output sheets and the output paper size are selected, and the enter key 46 is pressed.
[0078]
This completes a series of job settings for reduced layout output. Next, the job information set so far is recorded in the form of adding an ID number (product ID) to the JOB section of the memory card 12.
[0079]
For the jobs set here and the jobs that have already been set, pressing the preview key 43 causes these set JOB sections to be displayed on the display screen 44. On the other hand, when it is desired to display a preview image of another JOB section, when the arrow key 45 is pressed, the other JOB section can be displayed as a preview.
[0080]
Next, the operation up to the output according to the actual operation procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0081]
The operator first sets the memory card 12 in the data reading unit 17. In step S <b> 601, when the print key 41 provided on the system display unit 13 is pressed, it is confirmed whether or not the memory card 12 is set in the data reading unit 17. However, when the image output unit 15 is in the wait state, or when it is impossible to output due to no paper or JAM, the fact is displayed on the system display unit 13 and the print key 41 cannot be pressed.
[0082]
If it is confirmed that the memory card 12 has been set, whether there is a HEADER section and a JOB section in the image processing area with reference to the recorded contents of the memory card 12 set in the data reading unit 17 in step S602. Please search. At this time, when these actions are not found, the operation ends as it is.
[0083]
When the HEADER section and the JOB section are confirmed in step S602, the display on the system display unit 13 is switched to the “printing” display. In step S603, the information on the HEADER section in the memory card 12 is acquired, and the system control unit 14 is written in a RAM (not shown). Next, in step S604, it is searched whether there is information on the JOB section in the memory card 12, and if it cannot be confirmed, the process ends.
[0084]
When the job section information is confirmed in step S604, the job section information is acquired in step S605. In step S606, the system controller 14 analyzes data of the read HEADER section and the contents of the next JOB section. In accordance with this analysis result, in step S607, it is determined whether or not the read JOB section is to be printed. If no print is to be performed, the process returns to step S604 to shift to reading the next JOB section.
[0085]
If the JOB section is to be printed, the process advances to step S608 to read the image data file in the memory card 12 specified by the JOB section by the data reading unit 17 and perform image processing via the data bus 18. Send to part 16. Here, when processing such as compression is applied to the image data, the image data is read after being expanded according to the image. For example, when the data processing of the JOB section is a double-sided output job, two image data are read, and when the job is a 4-in-1 job, four image data are read into a JOB file.
[0086]
In step S609, the image processing unit 16 performs output image processing such as enlargement, reduction, and layout on the read image according to information from the system control unit 14. In step S610, output processing for image output (printing) is performed on the processed image data together with step output number information and the like, and the output processed data is sent to the image output unit 15 and printed out.
[0087]
When the output is performed, the process returns to step S604 to check whether there is a next JOB section. If there is, the output process is performed according to the same procedure (S605 to S610). This loop process is repeated until there is no JOB section.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image output instruction data for instructing the image output is stored in the information recording medium by the image recording apparatus, and the image output instruction data is read out by the output image control system and read out. The image data is automatically output according to the specified instruction data, so it has been difficult to process with memo writing etc. so far, and it is possible to automatically perform a long time-consuming print job. There is an effect that can be easily.
In addition, in the case where an area where an image is not laid out is included in the recording paper, specific information corresponding to the area where the image is not laid out is included in the image output instruction data as information indicating a non-image area, so that a plurality of images When the user does not want to fill the entire area even when printing on one sheet of paper, it can be output in the layout intended by the user.
[0089]
In addition, image data layout information in an output job to a recording medium is added to the image output instruction data, and the output method for both sides and layout data is instructed so that an image can be automatically output with the layout intended by the user. There is an effect that can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a printer system which is an embodiment of an output image control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of memory mapping in an embodiment of an information storage medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example when an image is actually output by the output image control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display screen of a system display unit in an embodiment of the output image control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation display example displayed on a system display unit in an embodiment of an output image control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation up to output in an embodiment of the output image control system according to the present invention in an actual operation procedure.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Printer system
12 Memory card
13 System display section
14 System controller
15 Image output unit
16 Image processing unit
17 Data reading part
18 Data bus
21 Image processing data area
22 Image data area
23 HEADER section
24-27 JOB section

Claims (5)

A plurality of image data, layout information for instructing to output a plurality of images to one sheet of recording paper, and image output instruction data including specific information for specifying a plurality of image data to be laid out are stored in a readable manner. Mounting means for mounting the information storage medium,
Data reading means for reading the image data and the image output instruction data from the mounted information storage medium;
Output means for printing out the read image data according to the image output instruction data read by the data reading means;
The output image control system according to claim 1, wherein when the recording sheet includes an area where an image is not laid out, the specific information corresponding to the area where the image is not laid out is information indicating a non-image area. A plurality of image data, layout information for instructing to output a plurality of images to one sheet of recording paper, and image output instruction data including specific information for specifying a plurality of image data to be laid out are stored in a readable manner. Storage means for
And a storage control unit that stores the specific information corresponding to the non-layout area in the storage unit as information indicating a non-image area when the recording sheet includes a non-layout area. An image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output instruction data further includes output image size information, and performs a scaling process on the image data in accordance with the layout information and the output image size. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2,
Further, the image recording apparatus can record information on whether to divide and output one image into a plurality of recording sheets in the recording means.   5. An information recording medium storing the image output instruction data according to claim 2 in a readable manner.

Images