Digital Camera Patent Abstract
With a digital camera 100, a photographed image 31 is displayed
on a liquid crystal display and the user selects a desired image
and specifies print specifications of the number of print sheets,
a print paper size, a print color mode, etc., then print image data
is prepared. The prepared print image, data is transmitted from
the digital camera 100 to a color printer of an output unit. An
image is printed at the color printer in accordance with the print
image data. Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera for executing photoelectric conversion of image
pickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data,
said digital camera comprising: a display section for displaying
an image; a recording medium for recording the image data; image
data selection means for selecting desired image data out of said
recording medium; and output method specification means for outputting
the selected image data to an external system under predetermined
output specifications, wherein the output method specification means
is contained in the digital camera, and wherein the predetermined
output specifications are selectable by a user and comprise at least
a number of copies.
2. The digital camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image
data selection means reads the image data for each frame and adds
an index to the image data for display on said display section.
3. The digital camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external
system is a color printer and wherein the predetermined output specifications
contain at least one of a print paper size and a print color mode
for printing the image data.
4. The digital camera as claimed in claim 3, wherein the print
color mode is one of full color, single color, and monochrome.
5. The digital camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external
system contains a printer or a facsimile or an image processing
system connected by a communication line.
6. A printing system comprising: a digital camera as claimed in
claim 1; and a color printer as said external system.
7. The digital camera as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an input unit that enables a user to input at least one specification
command, wherein said predetermined output specifications represent
a subset of less than all of available predetermined output specification,
wherein said user is capable of selecting said subset by inputting
said at least one specification command via said input unit, and
wherein said output method specification means outputs said selected
image data from said digital camera to said external system in accordance
with said subset.
8. A digital camera, comprising: a photoelectric conversion device
that converts at least one image into electrical signals; a recording
medium that stores said image data corresponding to at least said
electrical signals; a image selector that selects selected image
data from said image data stored in said recording medium; an output
section that outputs said selected image data from said digital
camera to an external system in accordance with selected output
specifications, wherein said selected output specifications are
selected by a user and constitute a portion of available output
specifications, wherein the output section is contained in the digital
camera, and wherein the available output specifications comprise
at least a number of copies.
9. The digital camera as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
an input device, wherein said user selects said selected output
specifications by inputting at least one command via said input
device.
10. The digital camera as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
a display; and an input device, wherein said user can display said
selected image on said display by inputting at least a first command
via said input device and can select said selected output specifications
by inputting at least a second command via said input device.
11. The digital camera as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
an input device, wherein the number of copies comprises a number
of print copies of said selected image data, and wherein said selected
output specifications comprise at least one of the number of print
copies of said selected image data, a print paper size of said selected
image data, and a print color mode of said selected image data.
12. The digital camera as claimed in claim 8, wherein said available
output specifications comprise a plurality of available paper sizes
for said selected image data.
13. The digital camera as claimed in claim 8, wherein said available
output specifications comprise a plurality of available print color
modes for said selected image data.
14. The digital camera as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
a display, wherein said image data stored in said recording medium
comprises a plurality of picture image data and a plurality of thumbnail
image data respectively corresponding to said plurality of said
picture image data, wherein said display displays at least one thumbnail
image data of said plurality of thumbnail image data, and wherein
said image selector selects a selected picture image data of said
plurality of picture image data as said selected image data by selecting
said at least one thumbnail image data displayed on said display.
15. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the predetermined output
specifications further comprise at least one of an output size and
a color mode.
16. The digital camera of claim 15, wherein the predetermined output
specifications comprise at least the number of copies, an output
size, and a color mode.
17. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the predetermined output
specifications further comprise a color mode, and wherein the user
can select from among at least two of a full color mode, a single
color mode, and a monochrome mode as the color mode.
18. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the external system
comprises a printer.
19. The digital camera of claim 18, wherein the external system
comprises an ink jet printer.
20. The digital camera of claim 8, wherein the available output
specifications further comprise at least one of an output size and
a color mode.
21. The digital camera of claim 8, wherein the available output
specifications comprise at least the number of copies, an output
size, and a color mode.
22. The digital camera of claim 8, wherein the available output
specifications further comprise at least a color mode, and wherein
the user can select from among at least two of a full color mode,
a single color mode, and a monochrome mode as the color mode.
23. The digital camera of claim 8, wherein the external system
comprises a printer.
24. The digital camera of claim 8, wherein the external system
comprises an ink jet printer.
25. A digital camera for executing image conversion of image pickup
light and then recording the conversion result as image data, said
digital camera comprising: a display that displays an image; a recording
medium that records the image data; and a controller, wherein the
controller selects desired image data out of said recording medium
and outputs the selected image data to an external system under
predetermined output specifications, wherein the controller is contained
in the digital camera, and wherein the predetermined output specifications
are selectable by a user and comprise at least a number of copies.
26. The digital camera as claimed in claim 25, wherein the predetermined
output specifications further comprise at least one of a color mode
and an output size.
27. The digital camera as claimed in claim 26, wherein the predetermined
specifications further comprise at least the color mode and the
output size.
28. The digital camera of claim 25, wherein the external system
comprises a printer.
29. The digital camera of claim 28, wherein the external system
comprises an ink jet printer.
30. A digital camera for executing image conversion of image pickup
light and then recording the conversion result as image data and
thumbnail image data of the image data, said digital camera comprising:
a display; a recording medium that records the image data and the
thumbnail image data; and a controller, wherein the controller reads
the thumbnail image data from said recording medium and that displays
corresponding thumbnail images on said display, wherein the controller
selects one of the displayed thumbnail images, thereby selecting
image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image data, wherein
the controller outputs the selected image data to an external system
under predetermined output specifications, wherein the controller
is contained in the digital camera, wherein the predetermined output
specifications are selectable by a user and comprise at least one
of a number of copies, an output size, and a color mode, and wherein
the predetermined output specifications comprise at least the number
of copies.
31. The digital camera as claimed in claim 30, wherein the predetermined
specifications comprise at least the number of copies, the color
mode, and the output size.
32. A digital camera for executing image conversion of image pickup
light and then recording the conversion result as image data and
thumbnail image data of the image data, said digital camera comprising:
a display; a recording medium for recording the image data and the
thumbnail image data; and a controller that reads the thumbnail
image data from said recording medium and displays corresponding
thumbnail images on said display, wherein the controller selects
one of the displayed thumbnail images, thereby selecting image data
corresponding to the selected thumbnail image, wherein the controller
outputs the selected image data to an external system under predetermined
output specifications, wherein the controller is contained in the
digital camera, wherein said controller enlarges and displays the
selected thumbnail image, wherein the predetermined output specifications
comprise at least one of a number of copies, a color mode, and an
output size, and wherein the predetermined specifications comprise
at least the number of copies.
33. The digital camera as claimed in claim 32, wherein the predetermined
output specifications comprise at least the number of copies, the
color mode, and the output size.
34. A method performed by a digital camera in which image conversion
of image pickup light is executed and then the conversion result
is recorded as image data, said method comprising: recording corresponding
image data; displaying an image corresponding to the recorded image
data; selecting image data corresponding to the image that has been
display; outputting the selected image data to an external system
under predetermined output specifications, wherein the predetermined
output specifications are selectable by a user and comprise at least
a number of copies.
35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the predetermined
output specifications further comprise at least one of a color mode
and an output size.
36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the predetermined
specifications further comprise at least the color mode and the
output size.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein the external system comprises
a printer.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the external system comprises
an ink jet printer.
39. A method performed by a digital camera in which image conversion
of image pickup light is executed and the conversion result is recorded
as image data and thumbnail image data of the image data, said method
comprising: recording the image data and the thumbnail image data;
reading the recorded thumbnail image data; displaying thumbnail
images corresponding to the read thumbnail image data; selecting
one of the displayed thumbnail images, thereby selecting image data
corresponding to the selected thumbnail image data; and outputting
the selected image data to an external system under predetermined
output specifications, wherein the predetermined output specifications
are selectable by a user and comprise at least one of a number of
copies, an output size, and a color mode, and wherein the predetermined
output specifications comprise at least the number of copies.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the predetermined specifications
comprise at least the number of copies, the color mode, and the
output size.
41. A method performed by a digital camera in which image conversion
of image pickup light is executed and the conversion result is recorded
as image data and thumbnail image data of the image data, said method
comprising: recording the image data and the thumbnail image data;
reading the recorded thumbnail image data; displaying thumbnail
images corresponding to the read thumbnail image data; selecting
one of the displayed thumbnail images, thereby selecting image data
corresponding to the selected thumbnail image; outputting the selected
image data to an external system under predetermined output specifications;
and enlarging and displaying the selected thumbnail image, wherein
the predetermined output specifications comprise at least one of
a number of copies, a color mode, and an output size, and wherein
the predetermined specifications comprise at least the number of
copies.
42. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the predetermined
output specifications comprise at least the number of copies, the
color mode, and the output size.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital camera and in particular to
a digital camera capable of outputting image data directly to a
printer and a printing system using the same.
2. Related Art
In recent years, digital cameras (still-video cameras) have been
developed, sold, and finding spreading use.
The digital camera is configured to execute photoelectric conversion
of image pickup light to provide image data, record the image data
on a recording medium, and output the recorded image data to an
external image processing system such as a personal computer (PC).
The external image processing system performs print image data preparation
processing and outputs the prepared print image data to a printer
for printing or reproducing the picked-up image on paper.
Most digital cameras comprise each a liquid crystal display for
displaying the image pickup result and the image data provided by
photoelectric conversion is compressed and recorded on a recording
medium. To compress the image data, normally JPEG (Joint Photographic
Expert Group) standard is applied.
To select an image on a PC, a number of thumbnail images compressed
in JPEG (described later) are previously input and displayed on
a monitor. The picked-up image data corresponding to a selected
thumbnail image is input from the digital camera and is decompressed,
then displayed on the monitor. When the user recognizes it, color
print image data preparation processing is performed and the image
is printed at a printer connected to the PC.
The thumbnail image is a reduced image used for the user to select
a desired image out of the input image data on a PC, etc. For example,
assuming that the size of 1-frame image data is 680.times.480 pixels,
the corresponding thumbnail image is reduced by thinning out the
data to about 80.times.60 pixels; the thumbnail images are recorded
on a recording medium of the digital camera in a one-to-one correspondence
with normal picked-up images.
When color print image data preparation processing is performed,
print image data preparation processing is performed by programs
on the PC to reproduce or print a color image (video) with high
accuracy and bit map data is prepared for each print color required
for drawing and is given to a printer together with a control signal
for performing the color image reproduction operation on recording
paper.
A color print ink jet printer capable of printing a high-quality
image like a picture or a photo is developed and sold as a color
printer.
The above-mentioned print image data preparation processing programs
are contained in a program group called a printer driver in a data
processing module 210 as shown in FIG. 11. A printer driver 220
normally comprises three modules of rasterizer, color correction,
and halftone as means for obtaining binary data.
However, usually the PC comprises a large number of application
programs other than image (video) print processing because of general
versatility. The application programs and the above-mentioned printer
driver operate under the control of Windows, MS-DOS, etc., (PC operating
system (OS) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation).
Therefore, to perform image print processing, the user needs to
enter commands as specified by the OS for reading the print processing
application program and the printer driver into PC internal memory
from a storage unit storing them (for example, magnetic disk) and
placing them in an executable state. However, it takes time (so-called
overhead time) to enter commands and read the print processing application
program and the printer driver; the overhead time requires several
minutes at the shortest, thus it takes time to start.
Although PCs are finding remarkable spreading use, many problems
remain to be solved for users to know how to actually handle PCs;
it is also pointed out that most persons who have PCs cannot master
them. If they attempt to install the image (video) print processing
application program and the printer driver, they may find it difficult
to install the software or may not understand how to enter the commands.
The need for using an expensive PC only for the purpose of printing
picked-up images involves remarkable impairment of user's convenience.
Examining demands for simplifying the print processing operation
and reducing the overhead time almost to zero from the aspect of
the digital camera, preferably, for example, image data can be output
from the digital camera directly to a printer without intervention
of a PC and a desired picked-up image can be printed on a desired
number of print sheets in a desired paper size and print color mode.
More preferably, an external unit to which image data is to be transmitted
including a printer can be specified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a digital
camera having capabilities of outputting image data directly to
an external system and printing a desired image under desired print
specifications of the number of print sheets, paper size, print
color mode, etc. It is another object of the invention to provide
a printing system using the digital camera.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital
camera for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light
and then recording the conversion result as image data, the digital
camera comprising a display section for displaying an image, a recording
medium for recording the image data, image data selection means
for selecting desired image data out of the recording medium, and
output method specification means for outputting the selected image
data to an external system under predetermined output specifications.
The image data selection means reads the image data for each frame
and adds an index to the image data for display on the display section.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided
a digital camera for executing photoelectric conversion of image
pickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data
and thumbnail image data of the image data, the digital camera comprising
a display section for displaying an image, a recording medium for
recording the image data and the thumbnail image data, thumbnail
image display means for reading the thumbnail image data from the
recording medium and displaying thumbnail images on the display
section, image data selection means for selecting one of the displayed
thumbnail images, thereby selecting desired image data corresponding
thereto, and output method specification means for outputting the
selected image data to an external system under predetermined output
specifications. The thumbnail image display means enlarges and displays
the thumbnail image.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided
a digital camera for executing photoelectric conversion of image
pickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data
and thumbnail image data of the image data, the digital camera comprising
a display section for displaying an image, a recording medium for
recording the image data and the thumbnail image data, thumbnail
image print means for printing out the thumbnail image data recorded
on the recording medium at an external printer, thumbnail image
display means for reading the thumbnail image data from the recording
medium and displaying thumbnail images on the display section, image
data selection means for selecting one of the displayed thumbnail
images based on the printed thumbnail images, thereby selecting
desired image data corresponding thereto, and output method specification
means for outputting the selected image data to an external system
under predetermined output specifications. The thumbnail image print
means adds an index to each thumbnail image data piece and outputs
to the external printer and the index of one of the indexed thumbnail
images printed is specified, whereby the image data selection means
selects desired image data corresponding thereto.
With the digital cameras according to the three aspects of the
invention, the external system is a color printer and the predetermined
output specifications contain at least one of the number of print
copies, a print paper size, and a print color mode for printing
the image data. The print color mode is full color, single color,
or monochrome. The external system contains a printer or a facsimile
or an image processing system connected by a communication line.
A printing system provided according to the invention comprises
any of the three types of digital cameras described above and a
color printer as an external system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIGS. 1(a)-1(b) are block diagrams to show a configuration example
of a digital camera of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of control
means stored in ROM;
FIGS. 3(a)-3(b) are block diagrams to show a configuration example
of image selection means;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram to show the relationship among image
selection means, print image data preparation programs, and control
means;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart to show brief operation of a control section;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of output
method specification means;
FIGS. 7(a)-7(b) are examples of a rear part view of the digital
camera;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart to show an operation example from image selection
to print image data preparation;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart to show another operation example from image
selection to print image data preparation;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart to show another operation example from image
selection to print image data preparation; and
FIG. 11 is a block diagram to show an example of print image data
preparation programs used to prepare print data on a personal computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of a
digital camera of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 1a, a digital camera 100 comprises an optical
system consisting of a lens, an iris mechanism, etc., through which
reflected light from an image to be photographed is incident on
a CCD 2, the CCD 2 for converting image pickup light from the optical
system 1 into an electric signal, a signal processing section 3
for processing the signal from the CCD 2 and outputting the processed
signal to a frame memory 6 as multiple-valued (R, G, B) raster data
(image data), a control section 4 for controlling the operation
of the signal processing section 3, frame memories 6 and 6', a signal
processing section 7, and a recording medium control section 8,
image processing, image compression/decompression processing, etc.,
input means 5 for inputting a command entered by the user operating
a switch, etc., converting the command into a digital signal, and
feeding the digital signal into the control section 4, the signal
processing section 7 for converting R, G, B raster data in the frame
memory into brightness component Y and color difference components
U and V, compressing the data in JPEG, and performing reduction
processing for preparing a thumbnail image, a recording medium control
section 8 for receiving output of the signal processing section
7 and controlling writing of the image data compressed in JPEG,
which will be hereinafter referred to as JPEG image data, and thumbnail
image data into predetermined locations of a recording medium 9
or an expanded recording medium 10, read of the recorded JPEG image
data therefrom, etc., the recording medium 9 and expanded recording
medium 10 for storing image data, an interface 11 used to transfer
data to and from an external system, display means 15 of a LED lamp,
etc., for displaying the switch state, functional specifications,
etc., and display means 16 made of a liquid crystal display, etc.,
for displaying a photographed image or an object to be picked up.
The frame memory 6 normally is used as an image display memory
of the liquid crystal display 16 and image data is expanded in bit
map image. The frame memory 6' normally is used as a menu display
memory of the liquid crystal display 16. At the display time on
the liquid crystal display 16, the contents of the frame memories
6 and 6' are superimposed on each other on the display.
The recording medium 9 is made of a 4-MB flash memory fixed in
the camera 100. It can be configured to record not only image data,
but also programs, etc. Compact flash (trademark of Sun Disk) having
a capacity of 4-40 MB is used as the expanded recording medium 10
in the embodiment.
A serial interface is used as the interface 11 in the embodiment
to receive a program sent from a computer such as a PC 200, transmit
image data to the PC 200, send image data via a modem 150 to a communication
line 160, etc., and transmit print image data to a printer 240 or
a facsimile machine.
FIG. 1b shows the configuration of the control section 4 which
consists of a CPU 41, a RAM 42, and a ROM 43. The ROM 43 stores
control means 430 made up of programs required for operation control
of the digital camera 100 and data processing in the digital camera
such as data compression processing (FIG. 2).
Print data preparation programs including a printer driver may
be stored in the ROM 43. Alternatively, they can also be read from
an external recording medium such as magnetic disk, CD-ROM, or a
memory card into the recording medium 9 or the expanded recording
medium 10 and be read therefrom for execution at a desired time.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of the
control means 430 stored in the ROM 43. The control means 430 consists
of means required for operation control of the digital camera 100,
image data processing means required in the process of storing image
data such as compression of image data, and means for decompressing
compressed image data and preparing print data. Normally, the means
are made of programs.
The control means 430 comprises a control system 431, input command
determination means 432, an internal program group 433, external
program reception means 434, data management means 435, and display
data output means 436.
The control system 431 controls the whole operation of the digital
camera 100, for example, an aperture motor drive section (not shown)
in the optical system, the operation of the signal processing section
3, the frame memory 6, the signal processing section 7, and the
recording medium control section 8, and execution of the input command
determination means 432 to the display data output means 436.
When the user selects desired operation or processing by operating
a switch, etc., disposed on the digital camera 100, the input command
determination means 432 determines a digital signal output from
the input means 5 and determines what the user-entered command operation
is. According to the determination result, the input command determination
means 432 transfers control to the corresponding program in the
internal program group 433 or transfers control to the control system
431 for the external program reception means 434 to receive an external
program.
The internal program group 433 consists of programs for controlling
storage of picked-up image data in the recording medium 9, read
or write of data from or into the expanded recording medium 10,
LED display at the image picking up time, etc.,; the programs are
contained in the ROM 43 as basic processing programs. For example,
the internal programs include a JPEG compression program required
for writing image data into the recording medium 9.
The external program reception means 434 is started when he input
command determination means 432 outputs an external program introduction
command.
The external program reception means 434 determines which of the
PC or the like, the expanded recording medium 10, and the communication
line a program is to be introduced from by the contents of the external
program introduction command and performs corresponding reception
processing, then transfers control to the data management means
435.
When picked-up image data is written into the recording medium
9, deleted, or added or program code introduced from the outside
is written, deleted, or added, the data management means 435 performs
data management equivalent to file management widely performed in
a computer such as the PC.
The image data (data compressed in JPEG) and thumbnail image data
are processed by the internal program 433 or its equivalent circuit
and are written into the recording medium 9 by the recording medium
control section 8.
The display data output means 436 outputs LED display data, image
data, or display data of a menu, etc., to the LED display means
15 or the liquid crystal display 16 of the digital camera 100.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of image
selection means 45.
Image selection means 45A shown in FIG. 3a comprises print image
selection means 453 for displaying picked-up image data on the liquid
crystal display 16 in order for the user to select a desired print
image and output method specification means 454 for specifying print
specifications of the number of print sheets, print paper size,
print color mode (full color, single color, monochrome), etc., and
an external system to which the image data is to be transmitted.
(See first embodiment.)
Image selection means 45B shown in FIG. 3b comprises thumbnail
image display means 452 for displaying thumbnail image data on the
liquid crystal display 16 in a fast forward manner, print image
selection means 453' for requesting the user to select a desired
image from among displayed thumbnail images and displaying the image
data corresponding to the user-selected thumbnail image for the
user to recognize it, and output method specification means 454
for specifying print specifications and an external system to which
the image data is to be transmitted. (See second embodiment.)
Image selection means 45C shown in FIG. 3c comprises thumbnail
image print means 452' for adding index code to thumbnail image
data and transmitting to a printer for printing thumbnail images,
print image selection means 453" for displaying a thumbnail
image selection screen on the liquid crystal display 16 for the
user to specify a desired image based on the printed thumbnail images
and displaying the specified image data for the user to recognize
it, and output method specification means 454 for specifying print
specifications and an external system to which the image data is
to be transmitted. (See third embodiment.)
Image selection means 45D shown in FIG. 3d comprises additional
image selection method specification means 451 for the user to select
either the image selection means 45B or 45C.
The image selection means 45A, 45B, 45C, or 45D may be introduced
from the outside or can also be stored in the ROM 43 as one of the
internal programs 433 making up the control means 430 (FIG. 2).
The output method specification means 454 has a setup value registration
table comprising setup values and image index numbers provided in
a one-to-one correspondence with each other.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation to execute a direct print
function for transmitting print image data to a printer, showing
the relationship among the image selection means 45, the print image
data preparation program group 50, and the control means 430. FIG.
5 is a flowchart to show the operation of the control section 4
when the direct print function is executed.
In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the user turns on an image selection
processing switch, the input command determination means 432 gives
code meaning image selection to the control system 431, which then
reads the image selection means (program) 45 from the ROM 43 or
the recording medium 9 through the recording medium control section
8 at step P1.
When the image selection means 45 is expanded in the RAM 42, the
control system 431 transfers control to the image selection means
45. When the user selects a desired image and specifies a desired
output method, the image selection means 45 goes to step P3 if the
external system to which image data is to be transmitted is the
printer 240 or a facsimile machine. If the external system is the
PC 200 or image data is sent to the communication line through the
modem 150, the image selection means 45 goes to step P5 and transfers
control to the control system 431 (P2).
The control system 431 gives an instruction for reading the print
image data preparation program group 50 stored in the ROM 43 or
the recording medium 9 through the recording medium control section
8. The programs. (51, 52, 531, 532, 533, 54) in the print image
data preparation program group 50 are read in the instruction order
of the control system 431 and are expanded in the RAM 42 at step
P3.
The control system 431 transfers control to the programs in the
print image data preparation program group 50 in order for preparing
print image data. At the termination of preparing the print image
data at step P4, control goes to step P5. The 1-frame image data
can also be divided into several blocks in the subscanning direction
for preparing the print image data.
If the specified external system is the printer 240, the image
data transmission means 54 transmits print image data and print
control data via the interface 11 to the printer 240. If the specified
external system is a facsimile machine, the image data transmission
means 54 transmits monochrome print image data. If the external
system is the PC 200 or image data is sent to the communication
line through the modem 150, the image data transmission means 54
transmits image data or print image data and print control data
at step P5.
UV components of the image data (YUV component data) transferred
to the print image data preparation program group 50 are set to
U=u and V=v (-1<u<1 and -1<v<1), whereby the image data
output from the print image data preparation program group 50 can
be made single-color (for example, sepia, blue, or green) image
data. U=0 and V=0 are set, whereby the image data output from the
print image data preparation program group 50 can be made monochrome
image data.
The print image data preparation program group 50 contains a data
decompression program 51 for decompressing compressed data read
from the recording medium 9, an RGB conversion program 52 for converting
image data consisting of YUV components into RGB components, a printer
driver 53, and image data transmission program 54 for transmitting
print data.
The printer driver 53 has the same configuration as a printer driver
for preparing print data in PC, etc., and comprises three modules
of rasterizer, color correction, and halftone to provide binary
data.
Preferably, a color conversion parameter is added to the RGB conversion
program 52 and a UV value conversion routine for setting U=0 and
Y=0 at the preceding stage of RGB conversion when the color conversion
parameter is set to a given value (for example, `0, 0`) is added.
The image data transmission program 54 can also be configured to
transmit print image data with the digital camera 100 connected
to the communication line through the modem connected to the interface
11. Further, it can also be configured to transmit print image data
by wireless with the digital camera 100 connected to a radio unit
such as a portable telephone through the modem connected to the
interface 11.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram to show the configuration of the output
method specification means 454. The output method specification
means 454 comprises output method specification screen display means
4541 for displaying an output method specification screen for specifying
print specifications and an external system to which image data
is to be transmitted (FIG. 7b), number-of-print-sheets specification
means 4542 for specifying the number of print sheets, print size
specification means 4543 for specifying a print paper size, print
color mode specification means 4544 for specifying a print color
mode, and output unit specification means 4545 for specifying an
external system to which image data is to be transmitted.
Preferably, the print size specification means 4543 comprises a
table in which print paper sizes, such as A4, A6, and postcard or
business card size, L format, and E format used with normal silver
salt photos, are previously registered.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the rear part of the digital camera
100. The digital camera 100 is provided on the rear with the liquid
crystal display 16 for displaying an image or a function menu, etc.,
buttons 19 and 20 for scrolling the screen of the liquid crystal
display 16 up and down and from side to side, and function selection
buttons 17 and 18. FIG. 7a provides an image display example and
7b provides an output method specification screen example.
EMBODIMENT
Embodiments of image selection means 45 (45A, 45B, 45C, 45D) will
be discussed.
First Embodiment
FIG. 8 is a flowchart to show an operation example of image selection
means 45A. In the operation example, photographed image data pieces
are displayed in order on a liquid crystal display and the user
is requested to select a desired print image and specify print specifications
of the number of print sheets, print paper size, print color mode
(color, single color, or monochrome), etc., then print image data
is prepared and transmitted to an external system.
When the image selection means 45A is transferred to a RAM 42,
a control system 431 transfers control to the image selection means
45A. Print image selection means 453 reads 1-frame image data, transfers
the image data to a frame memory 6, uses a data decompression program
to decompose JPEG image data, and displays a candidate image 31
on a liquid crystal display 16 at step S1. In this case, an index
number is added to the candidate image on the display.
If the user continues to press a button 19, the print image selection
means 453 displays candidate images in order. When the user releases
the button, the print image selection means 453 stops the display
at the current image. If the user continues to press a button 20,
the print image selection means 453 displays the preceding candidate
images in order. When the user releases the button, the print image
selection means 453 stops the display at the current candidate image
at step S2.
If the user presses either the button 17 or 18, the print image
selection means 453 assumes the candidate image to be selected and
transfers control to output method specification means 454 at step
S3.
The output method specification means 454 displays an output method
specification menu as shown in FIG. 7b by output method specification
screen display means 4541, prompting the user to select or enter
the print specifications and the external system to which image
data is to be transmitted.
At this time, initial display is, for example, "number of
print sheets=1, print paper size=A4, print color mode=full color,
output unit=color printer." The inside of a box 21 that can
be specified or selected is displayed in a color different from
the colors of other boxes at step S4.
First, when the user presses the button 17 or 18, number-of-print-sheets
specification means 4542 goes to a step for specifying the number
of print sheets. Each time the user presses a button 19, the number
of print sheets is incremented by one starting at the initial value
and the resultant number of sheets is displayed. Each time the user
presses a button 20, the number of print sheets displayed is decremented
by one. If the user presses either the button 17 or 18, the current
display value is set as the number of print sheets and is stored
in the location corresponding to the image index number in a setup
value registration table at step S5 and control goes to the next
step.
When the user presses the button 17 or 18, print size specification
means 4543 goes to a step for selecting a print paper size and displays
the contents of a print size registration table in which print paper
sizes are previously registered. If the user presses the button
19 or 20 to select a desired print paper size and presses the button
17 or 18, the select ed print paper size is set and is stored in
the location corresponding to the image index number in the setup
value registration table at step S6 and control goes to the next
step.
When the user presses the button 17 or 18, print color mode specification
means 4544 goes to a step for selecting a print color mode and displays
the contents of a print color mode registration table in which print
color modes are previously registered. If the user presses the button
19 or 20 to select a desired print color mode and presses the button
17 or 18, the selected print color mode is set. If full color is
selected as the print color mode, a print color mode parameter in
an RGB conversion program 52 is set to 1. If a single color is selected
as the print color mode, the print color mode parameter in the RGB
conversion program 52 is set to 2. If monochrome is selected as
the print color mode, the print color mode parameter in the RGB
conversion program 52 is set to 3. The print color mode parameter
is stored in the location corresponding to the image index number
in the setup value registration table at step S7.
When the user presses the button 17 or 18, output unit specification
means 4545 goes to a step for selecting an output unit and displays
the contents of an output unit registration table in which output
units are previously registered. If the user selects a color printer
as the output unit, an output unit parameter in an image data transmission
program 54 is set to 1. If the user selects a facsimile as the output
unit, the output unit parameter in the image data transmission program
54 is set to 2. If the user selects a PC as the output unit, the
output unit parameter in the image data transmission program 54
is set to 3. If the user selects a communication terminal as the
output unit, the output unit parameter in the image data transmission
program 54 is set to 4. If the user presses the button 17 or 18,
the selected output unit is set and the setup value corresponding
to the selected output unit is stored in the location corresponding
to the image index number in the setup value registration table,
then control returns to step S1 to display another candidate image.
If another candidate image does not exist, the output unit parameter
value is checked. If the value is 1 or 2, control goes to step S9;
if the value is 3 or 4, control goes to step S16.
The control system 431 expands programs contained in a print image
data preparation program group 50 in the RAM 42 in order and transfers
control to a compressed data decompression program 51 at step S9.
The compressed data decompression program 51 reads image data (JPEG
image data) selected by the print image selection means 453 into
the RAM 42 and decompresses the data at step S10.
At the termination of decompressing the compressed image data,
the RGB conversion program 52 checks the print color mode parameter
at step S11. If the print color mode parameter has a value of 1,
control goes to step S12. If the print color mode parameter has
a value of 2, all UV components of the image data are converted
into U=u and V=v. If the print color mode parameter has a value
of 3, all UV components of the image data are converted into U=0
and V=0.
The RGB conversion program 52 converts the image data consisting
of YUV components into image data consisting of R (red), G (green),
and B (blue) components at step S12. When the UV components are
U=u and V=v, the image data is converted into single-color image
data. When the UV components are U=0 and V=0, the image data is
converted into monochrome image data.
A rasterizer 531 converts the image data into RGB continuous-tone
(for example, 256-gray-level) bit image data undergoing raster conversion
for each of R, G, and B at step S13.
A color correction module 532 applies color correction processing
to the RGB continuous-tone bit image data to relate the data to
print colors and converts the data into CMYK continuous-tone bit
image data for K (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow)
printing at step S14.
A halftone module 533 uses a dither method or an error diffusion
method to perform halftone processing for the CMYK continuous-tone
bit image data at step S15, whereby a bit map binarized for each
color (binary data table) is prepared.
At the termination of the halftone processing, the image data transmission
program 54 checks the print color mode parameter. If the value of
the print color mode parameter is 1, the image data transmission
program 54 transmits the setup values of the number of print sheets
and the print paper size, a print control signal, and binary bit
map data to a color ink jet printer 240, for example, through an
interface 11 at step S16. The color ink jet printer 240 can receive
the print control signal and print data directly from the digital
camera 100 and print a desired number of sheets of the photographed
image on recording paper of a desired size.
If the user specifies a single color or monochrome as the print
color mode, the image is printed in the single color or monochrome
if it is color-photographed. If the value of the print color mode
parameter is 2, the image data transmission program 54 transmits
the setup values of the number of print sheets and the print paper
size, a print control signal, and binary bit map data to a facsimile
through an interface 11. If the value of the print color mode parameter
is 3 or 4, the image data transmission program 54 transmits JPEG
image data or the setup values of the number of print sheets and
the print paper size, a print control signal, and binary bit map
data to PC 200 through the interface 11 or a terminal connected
to a communication line 160 through a modem 150.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a flowchart to show an operation example of image selection
means 45B (FIG. 3B) wherein thumbnail images are displayed and the
user selects a desired image and specifies print specifications
of the number of print sheets, print paper size, print color mode,
etc., and an output unit to which image data is to be transmitted.
When the image selection means 45B is transferred to a RAM 42,
a control system 431 transfers control to the image selection means
45B. Thumbnail image display means 452 reads all thumbnail image
data and expands the data in the RAM 42 at step S21.
The thumbnail image display means 452 uses a data decompression
program to decompose the thumbnail image data, enlarges the image
data, adds an index number to the enlarged thumbnail image data,
and displays the thumbnail image on a liquid crystal display 16
at step S22. A number of thumbnail images may be displayed on the
liquid crystal display 16 without enlarging the thumbnail image
data.
Each time the user presses a button 19, print image selection means
453' displays one enlarged thumbnail image. If the user stops pressing
the button 19, the print image selection means 453' continues to
display the current thumbnail image. Each time the user presses
a button 20, the print image selection means 453' displays the preceding
thumbnail image. If the user stops pressing the button 20, the print
image selection means 453' continues to display the current thumbnail
image at step S23.
If the user stops pressing the button 19 or 20 and presses either
the button 17 or 18 with the thumbnail image displayed, the print
image selection means 453' assumes the image to be selected. When
the user selects images from among the thumbnail images and completes
selection of desired images, the print image selection means 453'
transfers control to the control system 431.
The control system 431 transfers control to output method specification
means 454. At step S25, the output method specification means 454
handles output method specification processing of print specifications,
an output unit to which image data is to be transmitted, etc., and
checks the value of an output unit parameter at step S25. If the
parameter value is 1 or 2, control goes to step S26; if the parameter
value 3 or 4, control goes to step S27.
The control system 431 expands print image data and programs contained
in a print image data preparation program group 50 in the RAM 42
in order and transfers control to the print image data preparation
program group 50 at step S26.
The print image data preparation program group 50 performs similar
processing to steps S10 to S15 in FIG. 8, namely, performs decompression
processing of image data (JPEG image data) selected by the print
image selection means 453', RGB conversion processing, rasterizing,
color correction processing, and halftone processing at step S27.
At the termination of the halftone processing, as at step S16 in
FIG. 8, an image data transmission program 54 checks the output
unit parameter and transmits the print image data or JPEG image
data to the specified output unit at step S28.
Third Embodiment
FIG. 10 is a flowchart to show an operation example of image selection
means 45C (FIG. 3c) wherein thumbnail image data is printed at a
printer and the user selects a desired image from among the printed
thumbnail images and specifies print specifications of the number
of print sheets, print paper size, print color mode, etc., and an
output unit to which image data is to be transmitted.
A control system 431 expands programs contained in a print image
data preparation program group 50 in a RAM 42 in order and transfers
control to the image selection means 45C at step S31.
Thumbnail image print means 452' reads all thumbnail image data,
expands the image data in the RAM 42, decompresses the thumbnail
image data in the RAM 42, and adds an index number to each thumbnail
image data piece at step S32.
As described at steps S12 to S15 in FIG. 8, the print image data
preparation program group 50 performs RGB conversion processing,
rasterize processing, color correction processing, and halftone
processing to prepare print thumbnail image data and transmits the
image data to a painter 240 at step S33. In this case, the thumbnail
image print means 452' may set U and V components of the thumbnail
image data in the RAM 42 to U=0 and V=0 to print a monochrome thumbnail
image at the printer 240.
Thumbnail images each with an index number are printed at the printer
240 at step S34.
Print image selection means 453" displays a message on a liquid
crystal display, prompting the user to select a desired image from
among the printed thumbnail images and enter the index number of
the selected image at step S35.
If the user presses a button 19 as many times as the number of
digits of the index number of the desired image and then presses
a button 17 or 18, the print image selection means 453" reads
the image data corresponding to the index number from a recording
medium 9 into a frame memory 6 and displays the image on a liquid
crystal display 16 at step S36.
If the user furthermore presses the button 17 or 18, the print
image selection means 453" assumes the image to be selected
and transfers control to output method specification means 454 at
step S37.
The output method specification means 454 handles setting of print
specifications and specification of an output unit to which image
data is to be transmitted at step S38 as at steps S4 to S8 in FIG.
8. To select another candidate image, control returns to step S35.
If another candidate image does not exist, the value of an output
unit parameter is checked. If the parameter value is 1 or 2, control
goes to step S39; if the parameter value is 3 or 4, control goes
to step S40.
The print image data preparation program group 50 performs decompression
processing of selected image data (JPEG image data), RGB conversion
processing, rasterize processing, color correction processing, and
halftone processing at step S39 as at steps S10 to S15 in FIG. 8.
At the termination of the halftone processing, as at step S16 in
FIG. 8, an image data transmission program 54 checks the output
unit parameter and transmits the print image data or JPEG image
data to the specified output unit at step S40.
It is understood that the foregoing description is preferred embodiments
of the invention and that various changes and modifications may
be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof.
As described above, according to the invention, images are displayed
on display means such as a liquid crystal display of the digital
camera and the user selects a desired image from among the displayed
images and specifies the print specifications of the number of print
sheets, a print paper size, a print color mode, etc., then can transmit
the print image data prepared based on the user's selection and
specification from the digital camera to a printer. Therefore, a
photographed image can be printed without intervention of another
processing system such as a PC and it can be expected that digital
cameras w-ill come into wider use for those who do not have a PC,
etc., or who have a PC, but are unfamiliar with handling the PC.
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