JP2000071575A - Printing device, image input device, storage device, printing system, image composition method, image transfer method, background image transfer method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A printing device, an image input device, a storage device, a printing system, an image synthesizing method, an image transfer method, and a method for quickly synthesizing an image and a background and preparing a large number of backgrounds to be synthesized. Provided is a background image transfer method and a storage medium. A digital camera includes a RAM (203) or a memory card (208) for storing captured images, and an infrared transmitting unit (212) for transferring images to a printer.
Has a storage unit 306 for storing a background image and a parallel interface 307 for transferring the background image to a printer. The printer includes an infrared receiving unit 112 for communicating with a digital camera, and a parallel interface 1 for communicating with a PC.
07, a CPU 101 for combining the image transferred from the digital camera with the background image transferred from the PC, and a printing unit 106 for printing the combined image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device, an image input device, a storage device, a printing system, an image synthesizing method, an image transfer method, a background image transfer method, and a storage medium. The present invention relates to a printing device, an image input device, a storage device, a printing system, an image synthesizing method, an image transferring method, a background image transferring method, and a storage medium which are suitable for transferring an image to a printer for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, optical space communication has attracted attention as a means for connecting various devices. Optical space communication
Wireless communication that does not require a cable for connection can be realized relatively inexpensively.

[0003] IrDA (Infrared Data A)
Sociation) is an organization that is promoting the standardization of infrared optical space communication. According to IrDA, 115.2
Physical layer standards and protocols (communications protocols) with transmission rates of Kbps, 1.2 Mbps and 4 Mbps have been created.

As a physical layer standard, “Serial
Infrared (SIR) Physical La
“Yer Link Specification.” As a protocol, “Serial Infrar” is used.
ed Link Access Protocol (Ir
LAP) "," Link Management Pro
tocol (IrLMP) "," AFLow-Con
troll Mechanism for Use with
IrLMP (Tiny TP) "and" Serial
and Parallel Port Emulation
over IR (IrCOMM) ". The infrared light space communication system conforming to these standards and protocols is described as Ir.
Sometimes called DA. According to the current standard, the communication distance is 1
Within m, the irradiation angle is ± 15 degrees.

[0005] Recently, a standard for transferring an image captured by a digital camera using IrDA has been developed. This specification is based on IrTran-P (Infrared Tran)
sfer Picture). According to this specification, images can be transferred between digital cameras of different models. Further, an image can be transferred from a digital camera to a printer and printed.

[0006] IrTran-P has a SCEP (Simple Command Exec) above IrCOMM.
te Protocol) protocol and bFTP (bi
nary File Transfer Protocol
l) Define the protocol. SCEP performs connection management, command management, and packet assembling / disassembling. bFT
P transfers a binary file. IrTran-
P is UPF (Uni Pic) as a format of image data.
cure format) is defined.

Conventionally, a digital camera and a printer have been connected by a serial cable in order to print an image photographed by the digital camera. Recently, a digital camera and a printer may be connected by infrared light space communication such as IrTran-P. The digital camera stores an image input by a CCD or the like in an internal memory. The stored images are transmitted to the printer by IrTran-P or the like. The printer receiving the image prints the image.

An image photographed by a digital camera can be transferred to a PC (personal computer), and a background can be combined with the image on the PC and printed by a printer. In this case, the background to be combined is stored in a large-capacity storage device of the PC in advance.

[0009] Further, after a background is synthesized on an image taken by a digital camera on a digital camera, the synthesized image can be transferred to a printer and printed. In this case, the background to be combined is stored in the storage device of the digital camera in advance.

[0010]

However, in the conventional example described above, when an image and a background are combined on a PC,
There is a drawback that the image is once transferred from the digital camera to the PC, which is troublesome. Further, when an image and a background are combined on a digital camera, there is a disadvantage that a large-capacity storage device cannot be mounted on the digital camera, so that various types of backgrounds cannot be stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a printing apparatus, an image input apparatus, a storage apparatus, and a printing system capable of quickly synthesizing an image and a background and preparing a large number of backgrounds to be synthesized. It is an object to provide an image synthesizing method, an image transfer method, a background image transfer method, and a storage medium.

[0012]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an image input device and a storage device, wherein the printing device communicates with the image input device. One communication means, a second communication means for communicating with the storage device, a synthesis means for synthesizing the image transferred from the image input device and the background image transferred from the storage device, and printing the synthesized image And printing means.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the combining means combines an image with a background image at a position according to information transferred from the storage device. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the synthesizing means synthesizes an image with a background image by enlarging or reducing the size of the image according to the information transferred from the storage device. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the synthesizing means may determine whether an image to be synthesized according to the information transferred from the storage device is above or below a background. The image is synthesized with the background image in a vertical relationship indicating

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 5, wherein the synthesizing means synthesizes a background image with an image by making a background color transparent according to information transferred from the storage device. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the first communication means performs infrared communication with the image input device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the first communication means performs wireless communication with the image input device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the second communication means performs infrared communication with the storage device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the second communication means performs wireless communication with the storage device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that it can be applied to various printers such as an ink jet system, an electrophotographic system, a thermal transfer system, and a sublimation type.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus, comprising: an image storage unit for storing an input image; And image transfer means for transferring the image data to the printing apparatus.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image transfer means transfers the image data to the printing apparatus by infrared communication.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the image transfer means transfers the image data to the printing apparatus by wireless communication.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the present invention is applicable to an imaging device such as a digital camera and a video camera.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device communicable with a printing apparatus, comprising: a background image storage unit for storing a background image; and a background of the background image storage unit. Background image transfer means for transferring an image to the printing apparatus.

[0027] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the background image transfer means transfers information indicating the size and position of the background image to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the background image transfer means transfers information indicating the position of the image to be synthesized on the background to the printing apparatus. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the background image transfer means transfers information indicating the size of the image to be synthesized on the background to the printing apparatus. I do.

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the background image transfer means transfers information indicating whether an image to be combined is above or below the background to the printing apparatus. It is characterized by doing.

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 20, wherein the background image transfer means prints information indicating a color to be transparent in the background when an image to be synthesized is under the background. The data is transferred to the device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the background image storage means can store a plurality of background images, and the background image transfer means can store the plurality of background images from the plurality of background images. The selected background image is transferred to the printing device. In order to achieve the above object, according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the background image transfer means transfers the image to the printing apparatus by infrared communication.

[0033] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that the background image transfer means transfers to the printing device by wireless communication.

[0034] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that it can be applied to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system including an image input device, a storage device, and a printing device capable of communicating with the image input device and the storage device. The image input device includes an image storage unit that stores an input image, and an image transfer unit that transfers an image of the image storage unit to the printing device, and the storage device stores a background image that stores a background image. Means, and a background image transfer means for transferring a background image of the background image storage means to the printing device, wherein the printing device has first communication means for communicating with the image input device, and the storage device Second communication means for communicating, combining means for combining the image transferred from the image input device and the background image transferred from the storage device, and printing means for printing the combined image, That.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 26 is an image synthesizing method applied to a printing device capable of communicating with an image input device and a storage device, wherein the method is for communicating with the image input device. A first communication step, a second communication step of communicating with the storage device, a combining step of combining an image transferred from the image input device with a background image transferred from the storage device, and printing the combined image And a printing step.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 27 is characterized in that in the combining step, an image is combined with a background image at a position according to the information transferred from the storage device. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the synthesizing step, the image is enlarged and reduced in size according to the information transferred from the storage device and synthesized with a background image. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 29, wherein in the synthesizing step, whether an image to be synthesized according to the information transferred from the storage device is above or below a background The image is synthesized with the background image in a vertical relationship indicating

In order to achieve the above object, according to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the synthesizing step, the background image is synthesized with the image by making the background color transparent according to the information transferred from the storage device. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 31 is characterized in that in the first communication step, infrared communication is performed with the image input device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 32 is characterized in that in the first communication step, wireless communication is performed with the image input device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 33 is characterized in that in the second communication step, infrared communication is performed with the storage device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 34 is characterized in that, in the second communication step, wireless communication is performed with the storage device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention described in claim 35 is characterized in that it can be applied to various printers such as an ink jet system, an electrophotographic system, a thermal transfer system, and a sublimation type.

To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 36 is an image transfer method applied to an image input device capable of communicating with a printing device, comprising an image storing step of storing an input image. And an image transfer step of transferring an image to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 37 is characterized in that in the image transfer step, the image is transferred to the printing apparatus by infrared communication.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 38 is characterized in that in the image transfer step, the image is transferred to the printing apparatus by wireless communication.

To achieve the above object, the present invention described in claim 39 is characterized in that it can be applied to an imaging device such as a digital camera and a video camera.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 40 is a background image transfer method applied to a storage device capable of communicating with a printing device, comprising: a background image storing step of storing a background image; Transferring a background image to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 41 is characterized in that in the background image transfer step, information indicating the size and position of the background image is transferred to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the background image transferring step, information indicating a position on a background of an image to be synthesized is transferred to the printing apparatus. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the background image transfer step, information indicating the size of the image to be synthesized on the background is transferred to the printing apparatus. I do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the background image transfer step, information indicating whether an image to be combined is above or below the background is transmitted to the printing apparatus. It is characterized by doing.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention as set forth in claim 45, wherein in the background image transfer step, information indicating a color to be transparent in the background when the image to be synthesized is under the background is printed. The data is transferred to the device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the background image storing step, a plurality of background images can be stored in the background image storing step.
A background image selected from the plurality of background images is transferred to the printing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 47 is characterized in that in the background image transfer step, the image is transferred to the printing apparatus by infrared communication.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 48 is characterized in that in the background image transferring step, the background image is transferred to the printing apparatus by wireless communication.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention described in claim 49 is characterized in that it can be applied to an information processing device such as a personal computer.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 50 is readable by a computer storing a program for executing an image synthesizing method applied to a printing device capable of communicating with an image input device and a storage device. A storage medium, wherein the image synthesizing method includes a first communication step of communicating with the image input device, a second communication step of communicating with the storage device, and an image transferred from the image input device. The image processing apparatus further includes a combining step of combining the background image transferred from the storage device, and a printing step of printing the combined image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image transfer method applied to an image input apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus. And
The image transfer method includes an image storage step of storing an input image, and an image transfer step of transferring an image to the printing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a background image transfer method applied to a storage device capable of communicating with a printing device. And
The background image transfer method includes a background image storing step of storing a background image, and a background image transferring step of transferring the background image to the printing device.

[0063]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. A printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a digital camera 401 having a configuration shown in FIG. 2 described below, a PC (personal computer) 402 having a configuration shown in FIG. 3 described below, and a configuration shown in FIG. And a printer 403 having

In FIG. 4, the digital camera 401 and the printer 403 communicate with each other by infrared rays. PC40
2 and the printer 403 are connected by a parallel interface. The image input by the digital camera 401 is transmitted to the printer 403 via infrared rays. PC4
The background image stored in 02 is transmitted to the printer 403 via the parallel interface. Printer 40
3 is an image received from the digital camera 401 and the PC 4
02 can be combined and printed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, an RA
M203, operation unit 204, image input unit 205, image display unit 206, memory card control unit 207, memory card 2
08, UART (Universal Asynchr)
onous Receiver / Transmitte
r: general-purpose asynchronous transmission / reception circuit) 209, modulation section 210, demodulation section 211, infrared transmission section 212, infrared reception section 21
3. A configuration including a bus 214.

The function of each section will be described in detail.
1 controls the entire digital camera. ROM 202
Stores a program executed by the CPU 201.
The RAM 203 stores data used by the CPU 201. The operation unit 204 includes various operation buttons, a touch panel, and the like. The image input unit 205 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) for inputting an image. The image display unit 206 includes, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display). The memory card control unit 207 controls the memory card 208. The memory card 208 is composed of, for example, a compact flash (a flash memory card developed using SanDisk's flash memory technology in the United States) that stores image data.

The UART 209 provides a serial data channel to the CPU 201. Modulator 210
Converts a signal from the UART 209 to the infrared transmission unit 212. The demodulation unit 211 transmits the U
The signal to the ART 209 is converted. Infrared transmitter 212
Is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) for transmitting infrared rays and its driver. Infrared receiver 213
Is composed of a photo detector for receiving infrared rays and its driver. The bus 214
The building blocks 201 to 207 and 209 are connected.

In FIG. 2, the digital camera inputs an image from the image input unit 205 and stores the image in the RAM 203 or the memory card 208. When printing the input image,
The image stored in the AM 203 or the memory card 208 is transmitted from the infrared transmitting unit 212 to the printer. The memory card control unit 207 and the memory card 208 are separable.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is C
PU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, operation unit 30
4, a display unit 305, a storage unit 306, a parallel interface 307, a communication unit 308, and a bus 309.

The function of each section will be described in detail.
1 controls the entire PC. The ROM 302 includes a CPU 3
01 is stored. RAM303
Stores data used by the CPU 301. The operation unit 304 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The display unit 305 includes, for example, a CRT or an LCD. The storage unit 306 stores a magnetic disk or a CD-
It is composed of a ROM and the like.

The parallel interface 307 is an interface compliant with Centronics (8-bit parallel interface for printer), IEEE1284 (Interface standard of American Electrical and Electronic Engineers Association), and the like. The communication unit 308 includes a LAN interface, a modem, and the like. A bus 309 connects the configuration blocks 301 to 308.

In FIG. 3, the PC stores a background image in the storage unit 306. The background image is transmitted from the parallel interface 307 to the printer.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an operation unit 104, a transport unit 105, a printing unit 106, a parallel interface 107, a UART 108, a modulation unit 109,
Demodulator 110, infrared transmitter 111, infrared receiver 11
2 is provided.

The structure of each part will be described in detail.
1 controls the entire printer. The ROM 102 has a CP
The program executed in U101 is stored. RAM1
03 stores data used by the CPU 101.
The operation unit 104 includes various operation buttons, an LCD, and the like. The transport unit 105 includes a motor for transporting the printing paper. The printing unit 106 includes an ink head for printing on printing paper, a motor for driving the ink head, and the like. The parallel interface 107 is a Centronics or IEEE128
4 and the like.

The UART 108 provides the CPU 101 with a serial data channel. Modulation section 109
Converts the signal from the UART 108 to the infrared transmission unit 111. The demodulation unit 110 transmits the U
The signal to the ART 108 is converted. Infrared transmitter 111
Is composed of an LED for transmitting infrared rays and its driver. The infrared receiver 112 includes a photo detector that receives infrared rays, a driver for the photo detector, and the like. The bus 113 is a component block 101
To 108 are connected.

In FIG. 1, the printer receives the image transmitted from the digital camera by the infrared receiver 112 and stores it in the RAM 103. Also, the background image transmitted from the PC is received by the
It is stored in the AM 103. The image and the background stored in the RAM 103 are combined, output to the printing unit 106, and printed. The printer shown in FIG.
Can be connected to a PC to print the print data received from the PC.

The correspondence between the components in the claims and the components in the embodiment of the present invention is as follows. The first communication means corresponds to the infrared receiving unit 112 of the printer, the second communication means corresponds to the parallel interface 107 of the printer, the combining means corresponds to the CPU 101 of the printer, and the printing means of the printer. The image storage means corresponds to the RAM 203 or the memory card 208 of the digital camera, the image transfer means corresponds to the infrared transmission section 212 of the digital camera, and the background image storage means corresponds to the storage section of the PC. 306, and the background image transfer means corresponds to the parallel interface 307 of the PC.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image of a digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes the entire image.

In FIG. 5, an image 501 has x0 in the horizontal direction.
And y0 in the vertical direction. Image 501
Is input from the image input unit 205 of the digital camera and
It is stored in the AM 203 or the memory card 208. The stored image 501 is transmitted to the printer via the infrared transmission unit 212.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a background in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 601 in the figure
Is the entire background, 602 is the portion of the entire background 601 where the background is printed, and 603 is the image 501 in the entire background 603.
Is the part to be printed.

In FIG. 6, the entire background 601 has a size of x1 in the horizontal direction and a size of y1 in the vertical direction. Image 50
1 is printed from the position x2 from the left end of the entire background 601 and from the position y2 from the upper end of the entire background 601. Image 50
1 is scaled to a size of x3 in the horizontal direction and to a size of y3 in the vertical direction. The entire background 601 is printed below the image 501. The entire background 601 is stored in the storage unit 306 of the PC. The entire stored background 601 is transmitted to the printer via the parallel interface 307.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the background in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7 in the figure
01 is the entire background, 702 is the portion of the entire background 701 where the background is printed, and 703 is the image 5 in the entire background 701.
01 is a portion to be printed.

In FIG. 7, the entire background 701 has a size of x1 in the horizontal direction and a size of y1 in the vertical direction. Image 50
1 is printed from the position x2 from the left end of the entire background 701 and from the position y2 from the upper end of the entire background 701. Image 50
1 is scaled to a size of x3 in the horizontal direction and to a size of y3 in the vertical direction. The entire background 701 is printed on the image 501. The entire background 701 is stored in the storage unit 306 of the PC. The entire stored background 701 is transmitted to the printer via the parallel interface 307.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a composite image of the image 501 (FIG. 5) and the entire background 601 (FIG. 6) in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes the entire synthesized image, 802 denotes a portion of the entire synthesized image 801 where the background is printed, and 803 denotes a portion of the entire synthesized image 801 where the image 501 is printed.

In FIG. 8, an image 501 is synthesized on a background 601. The image 501 is entirely printed. Image 501 received from infrared receiver 112 of printer
And the background 601 input from the parallel interface 107 are combined with the combined image 801 and the printing unit 106
Is output to

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a composite image of the image 501 (FIG. 5) and the entire background 701 (FIG. 7) in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 901 denotes the entire composite image, 902 denotes a portion of the entire composite image 901 where the background is printed, and 903 denotes a portion of the entire composite image 901 where the image 501 is printed.

In FIG. 9, an image 501 is synthesized under a background 701. Only the portion 903 of the image 501 is printed. The image 501 received from the infrared receiving unit 112 of the printer and the background 701 input from the parallel interface 107 are combined into a combined image 901 and output to the printing unit 106.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of printing a composite image 801 in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes the entire printing paper, and 1002 denotes the composite image 801.

In FIG. 10, the composite image 801 is printed from the position x4 from the left end of the printing paper 1001 and from the position y4 from the upper end of the printing paper 1001. The composite image 801 has a size of x1 in the horizontal direction and a size of y1 in the vertical direction.
The printing paper 1001 is output from the printing unit 106 of the printer.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure between the digital camera and the printer in the case where there is no background composition in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera transmits Con PDU in step 1101, and the printer transmits Check PDU in step 1102.
As a result, a connection is established between the digital camera and the printer. The digital camera uses Rq in step 1103.
s PDU (Query_Req PDU), and the printer transmits the Rps PDU (Query_Req PDU) in step 1104.
Ppl PDU). This allows the digital camera to know the processing capability of the printer.

In step 1105, the digital camera performs the Req
PDU (Put Req PDU), Int PDU (Put_Req PD) in steps 1106 to 1108
U), in step 1109, the Trm PDU (Put_Req
PDU), and the printer checks in step 1110 for Rps
PDU (Put_Rpl PDU (RPLO)) is transmitted. As a result, the image data is transferred from the digital camera to the printer. The digital camera transmits the Dis PDU in step 1111. As a result, the connection is disconnected.

In FIG. 11, the communication procedure between the digital camera and the printer follows the IrTran_P protocol.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure among a PC, a digital camera, and a printer in a case where background synthesis is performed in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step 1201, the PC sets “ESC,“ z1 ”, x
A command "1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y4" is transmitted to the printer. ESC is a character of code 1Bh. This command causes the PC to change the size and position (x1, y1, x2, y) of the background shown in FIGS.
2, x3, y3, x4, y4). Step 120
2, the PC is "ESC," z2 "," UP "/" DOW
Send an N ", tcolor" command to the printer. “UP” / “DOWN” indicates whether the background is above or below the image. tcolor indicates the color of the background treated as transparent when the background is on the image.

At step 1203, the PC sets “ESC,“ z
Send a 3 ", image" command to the printer. i
“mage” is image data of a background. Steps 1204 to 1214 correspond to steps 1101 to 1 in FIG.
Same as 111. In step 1215, the PC sets “ES
C, “z4” command is sent to the printer. Upon receiving this command, the printer proceeds from step 1201 to step 1
The background data received at 203 is deleted.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of Put_Req PDU in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1301 denotes Att indicating the number of attribute areas.
Num (value is 0003h) 1302 is AttName indicating the attribute area name (value is “CMD” indicating the command
O ") 1303 is AttLengt indicating the length of the attribute
h (value is 00000006h), 1304 is AttType indicating the type of the attribute (value is 00 indicating the binary type)
h), 1305 is AFLG indicating supplementary information (value is 00h indicating no supplementary information), 1306 is AttValue indicating attribute actual data (value is 00000000h indicating Put_Req PDU), and 1307 is AttName (shows attribute name). The value is "FIL" indicating the file name.
O "), 1308 is AttLengt indicating the length of the attribute.
h.

Reference numeral 1309 denotes an AttType indicating an attribute type.
(Value is 01h indicating character type), 1310 is AFLG indicating supplementary information (value is 00h indicating no supplementary information), 1
311 is an AttValue indicating the attribute actual data (the value is
AttNa indicating the attribute area name 1312
me (value is “BDYO” indicating the body), 1313 is AttLength indicating the length of the attribute, 1314 is AttType indicating the type of the attribute (the value is 00 indicating the binary type)
h) and 1315 are AFLG (value is 00h indicating no supplementary information) indicating supplementary information, and 1316 is AttValue (value is image) indicating attribute actual data.

In the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image transferred from the digital camera to the printer is transferred by Put_Req PDU. The image size x0, y0 and the image are stored in the AttValue 1316 (Put_ReqPDU is transferred in Step 1105 to Step 1109 and Step 1208 to Step 1212). Put_Req PDU is IrTran-
Protocol data unit of PD bFTP protocol (PD
U). Put_Req PDU is IrT
RAN-P SCEP PDU (Req PDU, Int
PDU and Trm PDU).

FIG. 14 shows “ESC,“ z1 ”, x1, y1, x” in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is an explanatory view showing the format of a “2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y4” command. 1401 in the figure is an ESC character (the value is
1Bh), 1402 is a character string “z1”, 1403 is FIG.
X1 and 1404 are y1 in FIG. 6, and 1405 is x in FIG.
2, 1406 is y2 in FIG. 6, and 1407 is x3, 1 in FIG.
408 is y3 in FIG. 6, 1409 is x4, 141 in FIG.
0 is y4 in FIG. "ESC," z1 ", x1,
The command “y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y4” is transferred from the PC to the printer in step 1201.

FIG. 15 shows “ESC,“ z2 ”,“ UP ”/“ DO ”in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is an explanatory view showing a format of a WN ", tcolor" command. In the figure, 1501 is an ESC character (value is 1 Bh), 1
502 is a character string “z2”, and 1503 is “UP” / “DOW” indicating whether the background is above or below the image.
N ", 1504 is a tcolor indicating a background color to be treated as transparent when the background is on the image.
The “z2”, “UP” / “DOWN”, tcolor ”command is transferred from the PC to the printer in step 1202.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of the “ESC,“ z3 ”, image” command in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1601 in the figure is ESC
Character (value is 1Bh), 1602 is character string "z3", 1
603 is background image data image. "ES
C, “z3”, image ”command
Is transferred from the PC to the printer.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the format of the “ESC,“ z4 ”” command in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1701 is an ESC character (the value is
1Bh) and 1702 are character strings “z4”. "ES
The C, "z4" command is transferred from the PC to the printer in step 1215.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in the RAM 203 of the digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a variable i for storing the number of the selected image. 180
2 is a variable n for storing the number of stored images. Reference numerals 1803 to 1806 denote an array pict [i] for storing the i-th image.

An image input from the image input unit 205 of the digital camera is stored in an array pict [i]. Although the maximum number of images that can be stored is four in the embodiment of the present invention, the number of images that can be stored can be easily changed. Array pi
The image stored in ct [i] is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 212 of the digital camera to the printer.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in the array pict [i] in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1901 in the figure is a variable pict [i] .x0 that stores x0 in FIG. 1902 is
The variable pict [i] .y0 that stores y0 in FIG. Reference numeral 1903 denotes an array pict for storing image data.
[I] .image.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in the storage unit 306 of the PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 2001 denotes a variable i for storing the number of the selected background. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a variable n for storing the number of stored backgrounds. 2003
To 2006 are arrays back that store the i-th background.
[I].

Although the maximum number of backgrounds that can be stored is four in the embodiment of the present invention, the number of backgrounds that can be stored can be easily changed. The images stored in the array back [i] are transmitted from the parallel interface 307 of the PC to the printer.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in the array back [i] in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 2101 denotes a variable back [i] .x1 for storing x1 in FIG. 2102 is
This is a variable back [i] .y1 that stores y1 in FIG. 2103 is a variable back that stores x2 in FIG.
[I] .x2. Reference numeral 2104 denotes a variable back [i] .y2 for storing y2 in FIG. 2105 corresponds to FIG.
X3 is a variable back [i] .x3 that stores x3. 2
106 is a variable back [i] for storing y3 in FIG.
y3. Reference numeral 2107 denotes a variable back [i] .x4 for storing x4 in FIG. 2108 corresponds to y in FIG.
4 is a variable back [i] .y4 that stores “4”.

[0109] Reference numeral 2109 denotes a variable back [i] .up for storing whether the background is above or below the image. 2
Reference numeral 110 denotes a variable back [i] .tcolor for storing the color of the background to be treated as transparent when the background is on the image. 2111 is an array b for storing background image data
ack [i] .image.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in the RAM 103 of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 2201 denotes a variable i for storing an array index. Reference numeral 2202 denotes a variable j for storing an array index. 2203 is a variable k for storing the index of the array. 2204
Is a variable 1 that stores the index of the array. 22
05 is a variable x0 that stores x0 in FIG. 220
6 is a variable y0 for storing y0 in FIG.

2207 is a variable x storing x1 in FIG.
It is one. 2208 is a variable y1 for storing y1 in FIG.
It is. Reference numeral 2209 denotes a variable x2 for storing x2 in FIG. Reference numeral 2210 denotes a variable y2 for storing y2 in FIG. Reference numeral 2211 denotes a variable x3 for storing x3 in FIG. Reference numeral 2212 denotes a variable y3 for storing y3 in FIG. Reference numeral 2213 denotes a variable x4 for storing x4 in FIG. Reference numeral 2214 denotes a variable y4 for storing y4 in FIG.

Reference numeral 2215 denotes a variable up that stores whether the background is above or below the image. Reference numeral 2216 denotes a variable tcolor for storing the color of the background to be treated as transparent when the background is on the image. Reference numeral 2217 denotes an array pict for storing images received from the digital camera. 22
An array back 18 stores the background received from the PC.
It is. Reference numeral 2219 denotes an array print for storing print data obtained by combining pict and back.

It is assumed that the contents of the memory map shown in FIG. 22 are initialized to 0 when the printer is started. Images received from the digital camera are stored in an array pict. PC
Are stored in the array back. The contents of the array pict and the array back are synthesized into the array pr
Stored in int. The contents of the array print are output to the printing unit 106 of the printer.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart executed when an image is transmitted to the printer from the programs stored in the ROM 202 of the digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

At step S2301, Con PDU is transmitted to infrared transmitting section 212. Step S2301
ACK PDU is received from the infrared receiver 213. In step S2303, Query_Req PD
U is transmitted to the infrared transmission unit 212. Step S230
4, the infrared receiving unit 213 sends the Query_Rpl P
Receive a DU. In step S2305, the operation unit 204
Put_R in the image in the array pict [i] selected in
The data is transmitted to the infrared transmitting unit 212 in eq PDU. In step S2306, Put_Rp is output from the infrared receiving unit 213.
l Receive the PDU. In step S2307, Dis
_PDU is transmitted to the infrared transmitting unit 212, and the process ends.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart executed when the background is transmitted to the printer from the programs stored in the ROM 302 of the PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In step S2401, “ESC,“ z
1 ", x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y
4 "command is transmitted to the parallel interface 307. In step S2402, “ESC,“ z2 ”,“ U
A “P” / “DOMN”, tcolor ”command is transmitted to the parallel interface 307. Step S240
In step 3, an "ESC," z3 ", image" command is transmitted to the parallel interface 307, and the processing ends.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart executed when deleting the background transmitted to the printer from the programs stored in the ROM 302 of the PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In step S2501, “ESC,“ z
4 "" command is transmitted to the parallel interface 307, and the processing is terminated.

FIGS. 25 to 28 are flowcharts which are executed when a program stored in the ROM 102 of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is received from a digital camera or a PC.

In step S2601, the infrared receiving unit 11
If Con PDU is received from Step 2, Step S260
Proceed to 2. If not, the process proceeds to step S2617.
In step S2602, the PDU is transmitted to the infrared transmitting unit 111. In step S2603, Query_Req PDU is received from infrared receiving section 112. In step S2604, Query_Rpl PD
U is transmitted to the infrared transmission unit 111. Step S260
In step 5, the image size is received as variables x0 and y0 by the Put_ReqPDU from the infrared receiving unit 112, and the image is received in the array pict. In step S2606, Put_Rpl P
DU (RPLO) is transmitted to the infrared transmission unit 111. In step S2607, the infrared receiving unit 112 sends Dis_
Receive a PDU.

In step S2608, the array print is cleared. In step S2609, if the variable x1 is 0, the process proceeds to step S2610. If not, step S
It proceeds to 2611 (x1 = 0 indicates that there is no background). In step S2610, the images in the array pict are developed into an array print, and the flow advances to step S2616.
If the variable up is “UP” in step S2611, the process proceeds to step S2612. If not, step S261
Go to 4 (up = “UP” indicates that the background is above the image). In step S2612, the background in the array “back” is expanded to the array “print”. Step S2613
Then, the image in the array pict is expanded into the array print,
Proceed to step S2616. In step S2614, the image in the array pict is developed into the array print. In step S2615, the background in the array back is changed to the array pri.
Expand to nt. In step S2616, the array prin
The content of t is output to the printing unit 106, and the process ends.

In step S2617, “ESC,“ z1 ”, x1, y1, x
2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y4 ”command, the variables x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, x
4, y4, and the flow advances to step S2618. If not, the process proceeds to step S2620. Step S2618
Then, "ESC," z
2 ”,“ UP ”/“ DOMN ”, tcolor” command are received in the variable up and the variable tcolor. In step S2619, “E
SC, “z3”, image command in array back
And ends. If an “ESC,“ z4 ”” command has been received from the parallel interface 107 in step S2620, the flow advances to step S2621. If not, exit. In step S2621, the array back
Clear and exit.

FIGS. 29 to 30 are flowcharts showing in detail the processes of steps S2610, S2613 and S2614 in the program stored in the ROM 102 of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. .

In step S2901, 1 is set to variable i and variable j. If it is determined in step S2902 that the variable j is larger than the variable y0, the process ends. If not, the process advances to step S2903. If it is determined in step S2903 that the variable i is larger than the variable j, the process advances to step S2908. If not, the process proceeds to step S2904. Step S2
At 904, the variable k is set to x4 + x2 + i × (x3 / x0). In step S2905, the variable l is set to y4 + y
2 + j × (y3 / y0) is set. Step S29
06, the array pict is added to the array print [k] [l].
[I] [j] is set. In step S2907, i
Is increased by 1 and the process returns to step S2903. Step S29
At 08, j is incremented by 1 and the process returns to step S2902.

In FIGS. 29 and 30, the size of the image in the array pict is expanded or reduced from x0, y0 to x3, y3, and is expanded into the array print.

FIGS. 31 to 32 are flowcharts showing in detail the processing of steps S2612 and S2615 in the program stored in the ROM 102 of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In step S3101, the variable i and the variable j are set to 1. In step S3102, if the variable j is larger than the variable y0, the process ends. If not, the process proceeds to step S3103. If it is determined in step S3103 that the variable i is larger than the variable j, the process advances to step S3110. If not, the process proceeds to step S3104. Step S3
If the variable up is “UP” in step S104, step S3105
Proceed to. If not, the process proceeds to step S3106. In step S3106, x4 + i is set to the variable k.
In step S3107, y4 + j is set to the variable l. In step S3108, the array print [k]
The array back [i] [j] is set in [l]. In step S3109, i is incremented by 1 and the process returns to step S3103. In step S3110, j is incremented by 1 and step S
Return to 3102.

In FIGS. 31 to 32, when the background is developed on the image, the portion having the same background color as tcolor is not set from the array back to the array print.

As described above, according to the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera can store the photographed image in the RAM 203 or the memory card 2.
08 and an infrared transmission unit 212 for transferring an image to a printer
The PC has a storage unit 306 that stores a background image.
And a parallel interface 307 for transferring a background image to the printer. The printer includes an infrared receiver 112 for communicating with a digital camera, a parallel interface 107 for communicating with a PC, and an image transferred from the digital camera and a PC. CPU for synthesizing the transferred background image
Since the printer 101 includes the printing unit 106 that prints a composite image, the following operations and effects are achieved.

In the above configuration, the digital camera stores the captured image in the RAM 203 or the memory card 208, and transmits the image from the infrared transmission unit 212 to the printer. The PC also stores the background image in the storage unit 306, and transmits the background image from the parallel interface 307 to the printer. The printer combines the image transferred from the digital camera and the background image transferred from the PC and performs printing. In this case, the printer combines the image with the background image at a position according to the information transferred from the PC, and
The image is enlarged and reduced in size according to the information transferred from the PC, and is synthesized with the background image. Also, it is determined whether the image to be synthesized according to the information transferred from the PC is above or below the background. The image is synthesized with the background image in the vertical relationship shown
The background image is combined with the image with the background color being transparent according to the information transferred from the image processing device.

As a result, in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect that the image and the background can be quickly synthesized and a large number of backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

In addition to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following (1) to (7) can be carried out as other embodiments of the present invention.

(1) In the above embodiment of the present invention, IrDA is used as the optical space communication system, but ASK (Am
The present invention can also be implemented in other optical free space communication systems such as a private shift keying (amplitude shift keying) system.

(2) In the above embodiment of the present invention, the optical space communication system is used to connect the digital camera and the printer. However, the present invention can be implemented by a radio communication system using electromagnetic waves such as a spread spectrum system.

(3) In the above embodiment of the present invention, the optical space communication system is used for connecting the digital camera and the printer. However, the invention can be easily implemented by using a parallel interface such as Centronics or IEEE1284. Also,
RS-232C, USB (Universal Ser
ial Bus) or a serial interface such as IEEE 1394.

(4) In the above embodiment of the present invention, a parallel interface is used for connection between a PC and a printer. However, RS-232C, USB (Universal S
serial bus) or a serial interface such as IEEE1394. Also,
The present invention can also be implemented by an optical space communication system or a wireless communication system.

(5) Although a digital camera is used as an image input device in the above embodiment of the present invention and in the above (1) to (4), the present invention can be implemented by a video camera having a still image photographing function. .

(6) In the above embodiment of the present invention and the above (1) to (4), a compact flash is used as a memory card, but a smart media (a flash memory card name) or a PCMCIA (a personal computer memory card) is used. International Association) cards can be used.

(7) In the above embodiment of the present invention and the above (1) to (4), the ink jet system is used as the printing system of the printer. But it can be implemented.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing the reading.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS and the like running on the computer are actually executed based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0146]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect, the image transferred from the image input apparatus and the background image transferred from the storage apparatus are combined to combine the image and the background. Since the background image is transferred from the storage device, a large number of backgrounds to be combined can be prepared.

According to the printing apparatus of the second to fourth aspects, the image is synthesized with the background image in accordance with the position, size, vertical relationship, or the like according to the transfer information, so that the image and the background can be synthesized quickly. Can be done.

According to the printing apparatus of the fifth aspect,
By combining the background image with the image with the background color being transparent according to the transfer information, the image and the background can be quickly combined.

According to the printing apparatus of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth aspects, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized as described above, and the background image is transferred from the storage device. There is an effect that many backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

According to the printing apparatus of the tenth aspect, an ink jet system, an electrophotographic system, a thermal transfer system,
In various types of printers such as a sublimation type, it is possible to quickly combine an image and a background, and since the background image is transferred from a storage device, there is an effect that a large number of backgrounds to be combined can be prepared.

According to the image input device of the present invention, the image input by the image input device is transferred to the printing device, so that the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. There is.

Further, according to the image input device of the present invention, by transferring an image input by an imaging device such as a digital camera or a video camera to a printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. There is an effect that can be done.

According to the storage device of the present invention, by transferring the background image stored in the storage device to the printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized and synthesized. There is an effect that many backgrounds can be prepared.

According to the storage device of the present invention, by transferring information indicating the size and position of the background image to the printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized and synthesized. There is an effect that many backgrounds can be prepared.

According to the storage device of the present invention, information indicating the position, size, or upper / lower relationship of the image to be synthesized on the background is transferred to the printing device, so that the image and the background can be synthesized. The effect is that it can be performed quickly and that many backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

According to the storage device of the twentieth aspect, when an image to be synthesized is under the background, information indicating a color to be transparent in the background is transferred to the printing device, so that the image and the background are synthesized. Can be done quickly.

According to the storage device of the present invention, the background image selected from the plurality of background images is transferred to the printing device, so that the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. The effect is that many backgrounds can be prepared.

According to the storage device of the present invention, when a background image is transferred from an information processing device such as a personal computer to a printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. There is an effect that many backgrounds can be prepared.

According to the printing system of the twenty-fifth aspect, the image input by the image input device is transferred to the printing device, and the background image stored in the storage device is transferred to the printing device. By synthesizing the transferred image and the background image transferred from the storage device by the printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized.In addition, since the background image is transferred from the storage device, the background to be synthesized can be changed. There are effects that can be prepared in large numbers.

According to the image synthesizing method of the present invention, the image transferred from the image input device and the background image transferred from the storage device are synthesized in the same manner as in the above embodiments. The image and the background can be quickly synthesized, and the background image is transferred from the storage device, so that many backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

According to the image transfer method of the present invention, by transferring the image input by the image input device to the printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. .

According to the background image transfer method of the present invention, by transferring the background image stored in the storage device to the printing device, the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. There is an effect that many backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

According to the background image transfer method of the present invention, the information indicating the size and position of the background image is transferred to the printing device, so that the image and the background can be synthesized quickly. There is an effect that many backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

According to the background image transfer method of the present invention, information indicating the position, size or vertical relationship of the image to be synthesized on the background is transferred to the printing apparatus, so that the image and the background can be transferred. The effect is that the composition can be performed quickly and that many backgrounds to be composed can be prepared.

According to the background image transfer method of the present invention, when the image to be combined is under the background, the information indicating the color to be transparent in the background is transferred to the printing apparatus.
Image and background can be synthesized quickly.

According to the background image transfer method of the present invention, the background image selected from the plurality of background images is transferred to the printing device, so that the image and the background can be quickly synthesized. The effect is that many backgrounds can be prepared.

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, the image transferred from the image input device and the background image transferred from the storage device are combined to quickly combine the image and the background. Since the background image is transferred from the storage device, there is an effect that a large number of backgrounds to be synthesized can be prepared.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image of a digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a background in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the background in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a composite image of an image and a background in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a composite image of an image and another background in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of printing a composite image in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure between the digital camera and the printer when there is no background composition in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure among a PC, a digital camera, and a printer in a case where background synthesis is performed in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of Put_Req PDU in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention; “ESC,“ z1 ”, x1, y1, x2, y2, x
It is an explanatory view showing the format of a “3, y3, x4, y4” command.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the “ESC,“ z2 ”,“ UP ”/“ DOMN ”, t” in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a “color” command.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of an “ESC,“ z3 ”, image” command in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of an “ESC,“ z4 ”” command in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in a RAM of the digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in an array pict [i] in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in a storage unit of the PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in an array back [j] in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map in a RAM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart executed when transmitting an image to a printer from among programs stored in the ROM of the digital camera in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart executed when transmitting a background from a program stored in the ROM of the PC to the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart executed when the background transmitted to the printer is deleted from the programs stored in the ROM of the PC in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart executed when a program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is received from a digital camera or a PC.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart executed when a program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is received from a digital camera or a PC.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart executed when a program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is received from a digital camera or a PC.

FIG. 29 shows steps S2610, S2613 and S in the program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
26 is a flowchart illustrating the process of H.2614 in detail.

FIG. 30 shows a program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
26 is a flowchart illustrating the process of H.2614 in detail.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of steps S2612 and S2615 in the program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of steps S2612 and S2615 in the program stored in the ROM of the printer in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 106 Printing unit 107 Parallel interface 111 Infrared transmitting unit 112 Infrared receiving unit 205 Image input unit 203 RAM 208 Memory card 212 Infrared transmitting unit 213 Infrared receiving unit 306 Storage unit 307 Parallel interface 401 Digital camera 402 Personal computer 403 Printer

Claims (52)

[Claims] 1. A printing device capable of communicating with an image input device and a storage device, comprising: a first communication unit communicating with the image input device; a second communication unit communicating with the storage device; A printing apparatus, comprising: synthesizing means for synthesizing an image transferred from an input device and a background image transferred from the storage device; and printing means for printing the synthesized image. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combining unit combines the image with a background image at a position according to the information transferred from the storage device. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synthesizing unit enlarges or reduces the image by a size according to the information transferred from the storage device and synthesizes the image with a background image. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combining unit combines the image with the background image in a vertical relationship indicating whether the image to be combined is above or below the background according to the information transferred from the storage device. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synthesizing unit synthesizes a background image with an image by setting a background color to be transparent according to the information transferred from the storage device. Printing device. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit performs infrared communication with the image input device.
The printing device according to any one of the above. 7. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit performs wireless communication with the image input device. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit performs infrared communication with the storage device. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit performs wireless communication with the storage device. 10. An ink jet system, an electrophotographic system,
10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is applicable to various printers such as a thermal transfer type and a sublimation type. 11. An image input device capable of communicating with a printing device, comprising: an image storage device for storing an input image; and an image transfer device for transferring an image of the image storage device to the printing device. Characteristic image input device. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer means transfers the image data to the printing apparatus by infrared communication.
2. The image input device according to 1. 13. The image transfer device according to claim 11, wherein the image transfer unit transfers the image data to the printing apparatus by wireless communication.
The image input device according to the above. 14. The image input device according to claim 11, which is applicable to an image pickup device such as a digital camera and a video camera. 15. A storage device communicable with a printing device, comprising: a background image storage unit for storing a background image; and a background image transfer unit for transferring a background image of the background image storage unit to the printing device. A storage device characterized by the above-mentioned. 16. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein said background image transfer means transfers information indicating a size and a position of a background image to said printing device. 17. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein the background image transfer unit transfers information indicating a position on the background of an image to be combined to the printing device. 18. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein said background image transfer means transfers information indicating a size of an image to be synthesized on a background to said printing device. 19. The printing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the background image transfer unit transfers information indicating whether an image to be combined is above or below the background to the printing apparatus. A storage device as described. 20. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image transfer unit transfers information indicating a color to make the background transparent when the image to be combined is under the background to the printing apparatus.
20. The storage device according to any one of 5 to 19. 21. The background image storage means is capable of storing a plurality of background images, and the background image transfer means transfers a background image selected from the plurality of background images to the printing device. 21. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein: 22. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein the background image transfer unit transfers the image to the printing device by infrared communication. 23. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein the background image transfer means transfers the print data to the printing device by wireless communication. 24. The storage device according to claim 15, wherein the storage device is applicable to an information processing device such as a personal computer. 25. A printing system comprising: an image input device, a storage device, the image input device, and a printing device communicable with the storage device, wherein the image input device includes an image storage unit that stores an input image. Image transfer means for transferring the image of the image storage means to the printing device, the storage device stores a background image storing a background image, and stores the background image of the background image storage means in the printing device. Having a background image transfer means for transferring to the, the printing device, a first communication means for communicating with the image input device, a second communication means for communicating with the storage device,
A printing system comprising: combining means for combining an image transferred from the image input device and a background image transferred from the storage device; and printing means for printing the combined image. 26. An image synthesizing method applied to a printing device communicable with an image input device and a storage device, wherein the first communication step communicates with the image input device, and the second communication step communicates with the storage device. An image synthesizing method, comprising: a communication step, a synthesizing step of synthesizing an image transferred from the image input device and a background image transferred from the storage device, and a printing step of printing the synthesized image. 27. The image synthesizing method according to claim 26, wherein in the synthesizing step, an image is synthesized with a background image at a position according to the information transferred from the storage device. 28. The image synthesizing method according to claim 26, wherein in the synthesizing step, the image is enlarged and reduced in size according to the information transferred from the storage device and synthesized with a background image. . 29. In the combining step, the image is combined with the background image in a vertical relationship indicating whether the image to be combined according to the information transferred from the storage device is above or below the background. The image synthesizing method according to any one of claims 26 to 28. 30. The image processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein in the synthesizing step, a background image is synthesized with an image with a background color being transparent according to the information transferred from the storage device. Image composition method. 31. The image synthesizing method according to claim 26, wherein in the first communication step, infrared communication is performed with the image input device. 32. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the first communication step performs wireless communication with the image input device.
31. The image synthesizing method according to any one of 6 to 30. 33. The method according to claim 26, wherein in the second communication step, infrared communication is performed with the storage device.
31. The image combining method according to any one of claims 30 to 30. 34. The image synthesizing method according to claim 26, wherein the second communication step performs wireless communication with the storage device. 35. An ink jet system, an electrophotographic system,
35. The image synthesizing method according to claim 26, wherein the image synthesizing method is applicable to various printers such as a thermal transfer system and a sublimation type. 36. An image transfer method applied to an image input device capable of communicating with a printing device, comprising: an image storing step of storing an input image; and an image transferring step of transferring an image to the printing device. An image transfer method, characterized in that: 37. The image transfer method according to claim 36, wherein in the image transfer step, the image data is transferred to the printing device by infrared communication. 38. The image transfer method according to claim 36, wherein in the image transfer step, the image data is transferred to the printing apparatus by wireless communication. 39. The image transfer method according to claim 36, wherein the method is applicable to an imaging device such as a digital camera or a video camera. 40. A background image transfer method applied to a storage device capable of communicating with a printing device, comprising: a background image storing step of storing a background image; and a background image transferring step of transferring a background image to the printing device. A background image transfer method, comprising: 41. The background image transfer method according to claim 40, wherein, in the background image transfer step, information indicating a size and a position of the background image is transferred to the printing apparatus. 42. The background image transfer method according to claim 40, wherein in the background image transfer step, information indicating a position on the background of an image to be combined is transferred to the printing apparatus. 43. The background image transfer according to claim 40, wherein, in the background image transfer step, information indicating the size of the image to be combined on the background is transferred to the printing apparatus. Method. 44. The method according to claim 40, wherein in the background image transferring step, information indicating whether an image to be combined is above or below the background is transferred to the printing apparatus. The described background image transfer method. 45. The method according to claim 40, wherein, in the background image transfer step, information indicating a color to be transparent in the background is transferred to the printing apparatus when the image to be combined is under the background. The background image transfer method according to any one of the above. 46. The background image storing step, wherein a plurality of background images can be stored, and the background image transfer means transfers a background image selected from the plurality of background images to the printing device. Claims 40 to 4
5. The background image transfer method according to any one of 5. 47. The background image transfer method according to claim 40, wherein in the background image transfer step, the transfer is performed to the printing apparatus by infrared communication. 48. The background image transfer method according to claim 40, wherein in the background image transfer step, the transfer is performed to the printing apparatus by wireless communication. 49. The background image transfer method according to claim 40, wherein the method is applicable to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. 50. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image synthesis method applied to a printing device capable of communicating with an image input device and a storage device, wherein the image synthesis method includes A first communication step of communicating with an input device, a second communication step of communicating with the storage device, and a combining step of combining an image transferred from the image input device and a background image transferred from the storage device; A printing step of printing a composite image. 51. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program for executing an image transfer method applied to an image input apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus, wherein the image transfer method stores an input image. A storage medium, comprising: an image storage step of transferring an image; and an image transfer step of transferring an image to the printing apparatus. 52. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program for executing a background image transfer method applied to a storage device capable of communicating with a printing apparatus, wherein the background image transfer method stores a background image. A storage medium comprising: a background image storing step of transferring a background image to the printing apparatus;