JP2006171812A - Image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

When an image size exceeds an area size of an image holding memory of a printer, the user is notified that the printing speed is reduced, and the user is less anxious and stressed.
In an image output system for transferring image data from an imaging apparatus to a recording apparatus and outputting the image data, the imaging apparatus designates an image to be transferred to the recording apparatus, and an image transferred from the recording apparatus. An acquisition unit that acquires information about a holding area for holding data, a comparison unit that compares the designated image data with information about a holding area acquired from the recording apparatus, and a comparison result by the comparison unit are notified. A notification unit configured to receive the image data transferred from the imaging device, and a notification unit configured to notify the imaging device of information regarding a holding area for holding the image data. And output means for outputting the received image data.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output system in which an imaging device such as a digital camera and a recording device such as a printer are connected, and more particularly to a photo direct printing technique.

  In recent years, a color print system that directly transmits digital image data from a digital still camera (DSC) to a color printer or the like without using a PC and a memory card mounted on the DSC are directly attached to the color printer. There is a so-called photo direct (PD) printer that can print a photographed image stored in a memory card.

In such a color print system, digital image data photographed by the DSC is developed into RGB data on the printer side, and necessary image processing is performed to create print data and perform printing. In addition, DSC has become capable of taking high-resolution images year by year, and accordingly, the image size has increased, and the time required for image data reception processing on the printer side has become longer.
JP-A-10-226139

  By the way, if the image size is large enough not to fit in the image receiving memory mounted on the printer side, the image data necessary for image data expansion and color processing is not stored in the memory. In this case, it is necessary to receive unstored image data from the DSC side. Such reception processing may frequently occur depending on the print layout, which causes a decrease in printing speed.

  In particular, the larger the image size, the longer it takes to print. However, as soon as it exceeds the area of the image holding memory of the printer, such as the buffer capacity, it takes a lot of time compared to the image size. This is because the entire image data cannot be acquired, and in order to handle the data in a divided manner, the main reason is that data acquisition and expansion, image processing, and the like are repeated a plurality of times.

  In addition, the decrease in the printing speed causes the user to feel anxious or stressed because the printing speed greatly changes depending on the image even though the printer is the same.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and informs the user that the printing speed will be reduced when the image size exceeds the area size of the image receiving memory of the printer, etc. The purpose is to reduce the above.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a first aspect of the present invention is an image output system for transferring image data from an imaging device to a recording device and outputting the image data, and a control method therefor, the imaging device A designation unit or step for designating an image to be transferred to the recording device, an acquisition unit or step for obtaining information on a holding area for holding the transferred image data from the recording device, and the designated image data And a comparison means or step for comparing information about the holding area acquired from the recording device, and a notification means or step for notifying a comparison result by the comparison means or step, wherein the recording device transfers from the imaging device. Receiving means or process for receiving the processed image data, and notification means for notifying the imaging device of information relating to the holding area for holding the image data Comprising the a step, and an output means or step for outputting the image data received.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus that captures an image or a control method thereof, wherein a transfer unit or process that transfers image data to a recording apparatus that outputs an image and an image to be transferred to the recording apparatus are designated Information specifying unit or process, acquiring unit or process for acquiring information about the holding area for holding the transferred image data from the recording apparatus, and information about the specified image data and the holding area acquired from the recording apparatus And a comparison means or process for comparing the above and a notification means or process for notifying a comparison result by the comparison means or process.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus for outputting image data transferred from an imaging apparatus or a control method thereof, a receiving means or step for receiving image data transferred from the imaging apparatus, and the imaging A notification unit or process for notifying the apparatus of information relating to a holding area for holding image data; and an output unit or process for outputting received image data.

  In any one of the above aspects, the notification unit or process includes a display unit or process for displaying a message indicating that output of the image data is delayed when the image data exceeds the holding area.

  In any one of the above aspects, when the imaging device and the recording device are connected, the notifying unit or process notifies the imaging device of information related to a holding area for holding the image data. To do.

  In any one of the above aspects, the image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the image data transferred from the imaging device, and the information about the holding area includes an upper limit value of a data amount that can be held by the storage unit and a resolution that can be developed. including.

  In any one of the above aspects, the imaging device is a digital camera that captures an optical image of a subject by converting it into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion, and the recording device receives image data transferred from the digital camera. The printer for printing, and the digital camera and the printer are directly connected via a USB interface.

  In any one of the above aspects, the image data is data according to a JPEG format.

  According to the present invention, since the user can be notified of an image whose printing speed is extremely slow, the user is anxious about the user by selecting another printing method (such as printing from a PC) for the image. And stress can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.
<Overview of printer device>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a photo direct printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This photo direct printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as PD printer apparatus) 1000 receives image data from a host computer (PC) and prints it, and directly reads image data from a memory card mounted as a storage medium. A function of printing image data received from a directly connected digital camera.

  In FIG. 1, the apparatus main body that forms the outline of the PD printer apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a lower case 1001, an upper case 1002, an access cover 1003, and a discharge tray 1004 exterior member. The lower case 1001 forms a substantially lower half portion of the PD printer apparatus 1000, and the upper case 1002 forms a substantially upper half portion of the main body. The combination of both cases provides a storage space for storing each mechanism described below. A hollow body structure is formed, and openings are formed on the upper surface portion and the front surface portion, respectively. Further, one end of the discharge tray 1004 is rotatably held by the lower case 1001, and an opening formed on the front surface of the lower case 1001 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when executing the printing operation, by rotating the discharge tray 1004 to the front side to open the opening, it becomes possible to discharge the recording sheets from here and to sequentially stack the discharged recording sheets. It has come to be able to do. The paper discharge tray 1004 stores two auxiliary trays 1004a and 1004b. By pulling out the respective trays to the front as needed, the sheet support area can be expanded and reduced in three stages. It has become.

  One end of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the upper case 1002 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1003, the access cover 1003 is accommodated inside the main body. It is possible to replace the recording head cartridge (not shown) or the ink tank (not shown). Although not particularly shown here, when the access cover 1003 is opened and closed, the protrusion formed on the back surface rotates the cover opening and closing lever, and the rotation position of the lever is detected by a micro switch or the like. Thus, the open / closed state of the access cover can be detected.

A power key 1005 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 1002 so that it can be pressed. On the right side of the upper case 1002, an operation panel 1010 including a liquid crystal display unit 1006 and various key switches is provided. The configuration of the operation panel 1010 will be described later with reference to FIG. An automatic feeding unit 1007 automatically feeds the recording sheet into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a paper interval selection lever which is used to adjust the interval between the recording head and the recording sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slot, into which an adapter capable of mounting a memory card is inserted, through which image data stored in the memory card can be directly captured and printed. Examples of the memory card (PC card) include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, a smart media (registered trademark), and a memory stick (registered trademark). Reference numeral 1011 denotes a viewer (liquid crystal display unit) which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus. When searching for an image to be printed from images stored in a PC card, an image or index image for each frame is displayed. Used to display. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a terminal for connecting a digital camera, which will be described later, and 1013 denotes a USB bus connector for connecting a personal computer (PC).
<Overview of operation panel>
FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation panel 1010 of the PD printer apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display unit 1006 displays menu items for setting various data relating to items printed on the left and right sides thereof. The items displayed here are the first photo number of the range to be printed, the designated frame number (start / -designation), the last photo number of the range where printing has been completed (end), the number of copies (number of copies), and printing. The type of paper (recording sheet) to be used (paper type), the number of photos to be printed on one sheet (layout), the quality of printing (quality), and whether to print the date of shooting (date) Printing), specifying whether or not to print a photograph (image correction), displaying the number of sheets necessary for printing (number of sheets), and the like. These items are selected or designated using the cursor keys 2001. 2002 is a mode key, and each time the key 2002 is pressed, the type of printing (index printing, full-frame printing, single-frame printing, etc.) can be switched, and the corresponding LED of the LED 2003 is lit accordingly. . A maintenance key 2004 is a key for performing printer maintenance such as cleaning of the recording head. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a print start key which is pressed when instructing the start of printing or when establishing maintenance settings. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a print cancel key which is pressed when printing is stopped or when maintenance is instructed.
<Overview of printer hardware>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a configuration of a main part related to control of the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the above-described drawings, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 3000 denotes a control unit (control circuit board). Reference numeral 3001 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI), the configuration of which will be described later with reference to the block diagram of FIG. Reference numeral 3002 denotes a DSP (digital signal processor) having an internal CPU, and various control processes to be described later and images such as conversion from a luminance signal (RGB) to a density signal (CMYK), scaling, gamma conversion, and error diffusion. I am in charge of processing. A memory 3003 has a program memory 3003a that stores a control program for the CPU of the DSP 3002, a RAM area that stores a program at the time of execution, and a memory area that functions as a work memory that stores image data and the like. Reference numeral 3004 denotes a printer engine. Here, a printer engine of an ink jet printer that prints a color image using a plurality of color inks is installed. Reference numeral 3005 denotes a USB bus connector as a port for connecting a digital camera (DSC) 3012. Reference numeral 3006 denotes a connector for connecting the viewer 1011. Reference numeral 3008 denotes a USB bus hub (USB HUB). When this PD printer 1000 prints image data transferred from the PC 3010, the data from the PC 3010 is directly passed through to the printer engine 3004 via the USB bus 3021. Output. As a result, the connected PC 3010 can directly perform printing by exchanging data and signals with the printer engine 3004 (functions as a general PC printer). Reference numeral 3009 denotes a power connector which inputs a DC voltage converted from commercial AC by a power source 3013. A PC 3010 is a general personal computer, 3011 is the memory card (PC card) described above, and 3012 is a digital camera. Note that the exchange of signals between the control unit 3000 and the printer engine 3004 is performed via the USB bus 3021 or the IEEE 1284 bus 3022 described above.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ASIC 3001. In this figure as well, portions common to the above-mentioned drawings are given the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

  Reference numeral 4001 denotes a PC card interface unit that reads image data stored in the attached PC card 3011 or writes data to the PC card 3011. Reference numeral 4002 denotes an IEEE 1284 interface unit that exchanges data with the printer engine 3004. The IEEE 1284 interface unit 4002 is a bus used when printing image data stored in the digital camera 3012 or the PC card 3011. A USB interface unit 4003 exchanges data with the PC 3010. A USB host interface unit 4004 exchanges data with the digital camera 3012. Reference numeral 4005 denotes an operation panel / interface unit which inputs various operation signals from the operation panel 1010 and outputs display data to the display unit 1006. A viewer interface unit 4006 controls display of image data on the viewer 1011. Reference numeral 4007 denotes an interface unit that controls an interface with various switches and LEDs 4009. A CPU interface unit 4008 controls data exchange with the DSP 3002. Reference numeral 4010 denotes an internal bus (ASIC bus) that connects these units.

An outline of the operation based on the above configuration will be described below.
<Normal PC printer mode>
This is a print mode in which characters and images are printed based on data sent from the PC 3010. In this mode, when data from the PC 3010 is input via the USB connector 1013, the data is sent directly to the printer engine 3004 via the USB bus hub 3008 and the USB bus 3021, and printing is performed based on the data from the PC 3010.
<Direct print mode from PC card>
When the PC card 3011 is inserted into or removed from (removed from) the card slot 1009, an interrupt is generated. As a result, the DSP 3002 can detect whether the PC card 3011 is inserted or removed. When the PC card 3011 is inserted, compressed image data (for example, image data according to the JPEG format) stored in the PC card 3011 is read and stored in the memory 3003. Next, when printing of the stored image data is instructed using the operation panel 1010, the compressed image data is expanded and stored in the memory 3003 again, and conversion from Ycc or RGB signals to YMCK signals is performed. Then, output γ correction, error diffusion, and the like are executed, converted into print data that can be printed by the printer engine 3004, and output to the printer engine 3004 via the IEEE1284 interface unit 4002 for printing.
<Direct print mode from camera>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a mode in which the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment and the DSC 3012 are connected. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the above-mentioned drawings, and the explanation is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, the cable 5000 includes a connector 5001 connected to the connector 1012 of the PD printer apparatus 1000 and a connector 5002 connected to the connection connector 5003 of the DSC 3012. The DSC 3012 is configured to be able to output image data stored in an internal memory via a connection connector 5003. As the configuration of the DSC 3012, various configurations such as a configuration having a memory as a storage unit inside and a configuration having a slot for mounting a removable memory can be adopted. In this way, by connecting the PD printer 1000 and the DSC 3012 via the cable 5000 shown in FIG. 5, the image data from the DSC 3012 can be directly printed by the PD printer 1000.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the display unit 1006 of the operation panel 1010 when the DSC 3012 is connected to the PD printer 1000 as shown in FIG. 5. In the illustrated example, only the camera mark 6000 is displayed on the display unit 1006. Is displayed, display and operation on the operation panel 1010 are disabled, and display on the viewer 1011 is also disabled. In this case, after that, only the key operation on the DSC 3012 and the image display on the display unit (not shown) of the DSC 3012 are valid, and the user can specify printing using the digital camera 3012.

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining operations in the DSC 3012 when the DSC 3012 and the PD printer 1000 according to the present embodiment are connected via the cable 5000.

FIG. 7 shows the rear surface of the DSC 3012, 7002 a playback button for instructing playback of a captured image recorded in the DSC 3012, 7003 a liquid crystal display unit for displaying images and menus, and 7004 a print menu. Reference numeral 7001 denotes a finder. The designation of the print target image in the DSC 3012 is basically the same as the operation when creating the DPOF file when requesting the print shop to print the photographed image. That is, by pressing the play button 7002 and designating printing of recorded images one by one or all images, it is possible to instruct the printing of those images. However, when connected to the PD printer 1000, a print menu 7004 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7003, and an image selection or print designation is performed using this menu. Depending on the selection items prepared in this print menu 7004, the paper size to be printed, color or black-and-white print, the type of paper used for printing (plain paper, fine paper, etc.), and the print with margin / ant can be selected. Can be specified. In addition to this, it is possible to designate index printing, date printing, trimming printing, layout printing, and the like as described later.
<Notification operation from printer to camera>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for notifying the area information of the image holding memory from the PD printer to the DSC.

  When the DSC is connected, the PD printer apparatus according to the present embodiment notifies the DSC of the image storage memory area information secured on the printer apparatus side using a Vendor request conforming to the USB specification.

  First, in step S8002, the PD printer issues a GetDescriptor request to the DSC and receives a DeviceDescriptor. In step S8003, a SetAddress request is issued. In step S8004, a GetDescriptor request is issued to receive a ConfigurationDescriptor. In step S8005, a SetConfig request is issued to determine the configuration to be used. In step S8006, a GetDescriptor request is issued to receive a StringDescriptor. In step S8007, a Vendor request is issued, the image storage memory size secured on the printer device side, the upper limit value of the horizontal resolution and vertical resolution of the image that can be developed on the printer device, and the area information of the image holding memory. To the DSC.

9 and 10 illustrate the detailed contents of the Vendor request, and FIG. 9 illustrates the specific contents of the setup data of the Vendor request issued in step S8007. That is,
The row indicated by 9001 shows the contents of the size (Size) and data (Value) of bmRequestType (Field) in the first column in the second and third columns, respectively. The Vendor request issued in step S8007 Indicates the data transfer direction from the host to the device.

  In the row indicated by 9002, the size of bRequest (Field) and the contents of the data are shown in the second and third columns, respectively, but have no particular meaning and are set to eigenvalues.

  The row indicated by 9003 shows the size of wValue (Field) and the contents of the data in the second and third columns, respectively, and the Vendor request issued in step S8007 is an image storage secured in the printer apparatus. This is for notifying the upper limit of the horizontal memory size and the vertical resolution of the image that can be developed by the printer device.

  In the row indicated by 9004, the size of wIndex (Field) and the contents of the data are shown in the second and third columns, respectively, indicating that wIndex is unused.

  In the row indicated by 9005, the size of wLength (Field) and the contents of the data are shown in the second and third columns, respectively, and the image storage memory size secured in the printer and the printer can be expanded. The data size of the upper limit value of the horizontal resolution and vertical resolution of a simple image is shown.

  FIG. 10 illustrates the specific contents of the data of the Vendor request issued in step S8007. The data shown in FIG. 10 is transferred by the control out pipe.

  In the row indicated by 10001, the data size of the image storage memory size data secured in the printer and the contents of the data are shown in the second and third columns, respectively. “ANY” is an arbitrary value and indicates that the value changes depending on the printer.

  In the row indicated by 10002, the data size of the upper limit data of the horizontal resolution of the image that can be developed by the printer and the contents of the data are shown in the second and third columns, respectively. “ANY” is an arbitrary value and indicates that the value changes depending on the printer. The unit of data is pixels.

  In a row indicated by 10003, the data size of the upper limit data of the vertical resolution of the image that can be developed by the printer and the contents of the data are shown in the second and third columns, respectively. “ANY” is an arbitrary value and indicates that the value changes depending on the printer. The unit of data is pixels.

  FIG. 11 exemplifies a print menu 7004 displayed on the display unit 7003 of the DSC, which is a feature of the present embodiment. When the user selects a print target image on the DSC side, the DSC displays a file of this print target image. The size is compared with the area information of the image holding memory notified from the printer in step S8007 in FIG. 8, and the file size of the image to be printed is the above area (the image storage memory size and the expandable image horizontal resolution). And a warning message 11001 is displayed on the display unit 7003. As shown in the figure, this warning message 11001 indicates to the user that when printing the image to be printed, there is an inconvenience in printing such as “printing time will be longer” and “printing speed will be reduced”. For example, a text message to the effect is displayed together with a warning sound or the like.

  In addition to determining whether to issue a warning by comparing the capabilities of the printer on the DSC side, the job notified from the DSC on the printer device side is analyzed, and the image to be printed A configuration may be adopted in which the DSC side is notified to issue a warning by obtaining and determining the size from the image data.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the image size exceeds the area size of the image holding memory or the like, the user can be notified that the printing speed is extremely reduced. By selecting another printing method (printing from a PC, etc.), it is possible to reduce anxiety, stress, etc. that the user receives.
[Other Embodiments]
In the present embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium (or storage medium) in which a program code of software that realizes each function of the printing system of the above-described embodiment is recorded is supplied to the system or individual apparatus. This can be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present embodiment is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

  Note that the present embodiment can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. ).

1 is an external perspective view of a PD printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of an operation panel of a PD printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part related to control of the PD printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ASIC of a PD printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the aspect which connected the PD printer apparatus and digital camera which concern on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display on the display part of an operation panel when the PD printer which concerns on this Embodiment and a digital camera are connected. It is a figure explaining operation with a camera in case the PD printer concerning this embodiment and a digital camera are connected. 4 is a flowchart for notifying the digital camera of area information in an image holding memory from a PD printer. It is a figure which shows the specific content of the setup data of a vendor request. It is a figure which shows the specific content of the data of a vendor request. It is a figure which illustrates the print menu displayed on the display part of the digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1000 PD Printer 1006 Liquid Crystal Display Unit 1010 Operation Panel 1011 Viewer (Liquid Crystal Display Unit)
2001 Cursor key 2002 Mode key 2003 LED
2004 Maintenance key 2005 Print start key 2006 Print stop key 3000 Control unit (control circuit board)
3001 ASIC (Dedicated Custom LSI)
3002 DSP (Digital Signal Processor)
3003 Memory 3004 Printer engine 3010 PC
3011 Memory card (PC card)
3012 Digital camera 5000 Cable 7001 Viewfinder 7002 Play button 7003 Liquid crystal display 7004 Print menu

Claims (13)

In an image output system for transferring and outputting image data from an imaging device to a recording device,
The imaging device
Designating means for designating an image to be transferred to the recording device;
Obtaining means for obtaining information relating to a holding area for holding transferred image data from the recording device;
A comparison means for comparing the designated image data with information about the holding area acquired from the recording device;
Informing means for informing the comparison result by the comparing means,
The recording device comprises:
Receiving means for receiving image data transferred from the imaging device;
A notification means for notifying the imaging device of information relating to a holding area for holding image data;
An image output system comprising: output means for outputting received image data.   2. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display unit that displays a message indicating that output of the image data is delayed when the image data exceeds the holding area.   3. The notification unit, when the imaging device and the recording device are connected, notifies the imaging device of information related to a holding area for holding the image data. The image output system described in 1. The receiving means includes storage means for storing image data transferred from the imaging device,
4. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the information about the holding area includes a data amount that can be held by the storage unit and an upper limit value of a resolution that can be developed. 5. The imaging device is a digital camera that captures an optical image of a subject by converting it into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion,
The recording device is a printer that prints image data transferred from the digital camera,
The image output system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the digital camera and the printer are directly connected via a USB interface.   6. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the image data is data according to a JPEG format. An imaging device that captures an image,
Transfer means for transferring image data to a recording device for outputting an image;
Designating means for designating an image to be transferred to the recording device;
Obtaining means for obtaining information relating to a holding area for holding transferred image data from the recording device;
A comparison means for comparing the designated image data with information about the holding area acquired from the recording device;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: an informing unit for informing a comparison result by the comparison unit. A recording device that outputs image data transferred from an imaging device,
Receiving means for receiving image data transferred from the imaging device;
A notification means for notifying the imaging device of information relating to a holding area for holding image data;
A recording apparatus comprising output means for outputting received image data. An image pickup apparatus and a recording apparatus control method for communicating as an image output system,
The imaging device
Designating an image to be transferred to the recording device;
Obtaining information about a holding area for holding transferred image data from the recording device;
Comparing the designated image data with information about the holding area acquired from the recording device;
A step of notifying a comparison result by the comparison means,
The recording device comprises:
Receiving image data transferred from the imaging device;
Notifying the imaging device of information related to a holding area for holding image data;
And a step of outputting received image data. An image pickup apparatus control method for picking up an image,
Transferring image data to a recording device for outputting an image;
Designating an image to be transferred to the recording device;
Obtaining information about a holding area for holding transferred image data from the recording device;
Comparing the designated image data with information about the holding area acquired from the recording device;
And a step of notifying a comparison result by the comparison means. A method of controlling a recording apparatus that outputs image data transferred from an imaging apparatus,
Receiving image data transferred from the imaging device;
Notifying the imaging device of information related to a holding area for holding image data;
And a step of outputting received image data.   The program for making the computer which controls the said imaging device or the said recording device perform the control method of any one of Claims 9 thru | or 11.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 12.

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