JP2006123284A - Printing system and remote control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system including a remote controller for improving convenience and a printing apparatus.
A printing apparatus that prints an order sheet obtained by acquiring an image from an image recording unit that records a plurality of images and displaying the image as an index image with a code obtained by encoding at least information specifying a desired image; A printing system comprising a remote control having an operation button for operating a printing apparatus, the remote control comprising: remote control communication means for communicating with the printing apparatus; code reading means for selectively reading codes on the order sheet; Storage means for storing the information of the stored code, and communication control means for transmitting the stored code information to the printing apparatus using the remote control communication means. The printing apparatus includes communication means for communicating with the remote control, and communication means. A corresponding image is identified from a plurality of images acquired from the image recording unit based on the code information from the remote control received using The printing system includes a control unit that controls the operation of the printing apparatus.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a printing apparatus that prints a sheet on which a predetermined image is displayed as an index image, and a remote controller that operates the printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a sheet on which a plurality of images are displayed as index images is printed, and information for specifying an image for each image, options for selecting a print condition setting operation, a printing operation instruction operation, and the like are represented by barcodes. There are printing systems that perform various printing operations using bar codes. In such a printing system, it is supposed that a printing target and printing conditions can be selected and set by a simple operation of connecting a barcode reader to a printing apparatus and reading a barcode on a sheet with a barcode reader. (See Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2002-316456 A

  In such a printing system, a target image can be selected and printed by a relatively easy operation using a barcode, but when a plurality of images are selected from a sheet and printed, the operation is easy. Was hard to say. For example, when using a barcode reader that communicates with the printing apparatus wirelessly, it is necessary to transmit the read barcode information to the printing apparatus for each image to be selected. Furthermore, when an instruction to the printing apparatus such as selection of printing conditions and execution of printing is performed using a barcode, it is necessary to transmit such information to the printing apparatus every time it is read. Since such repeated communication is required, the system is difficult to say that is highly convenient. This is the same even when a wired bar code reader is used.

  Further, in such a printing system, when a plurality of images are selected, it is necessary to communicate with the printing apparatus every time one image is selected, so even a wireless barcode reader can read barcodes. It was difficult to perform the operation at a location extremely away from the printing apparatus main body. For example, when an index image sheet that has already been output is used, it is necessary to bring the sheet to the vicinity of the printing apparatus and execute printing. In particular, when a plurality of index image sheets are managed like an album, it is inconvenient to bring them.

  In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system including a remote controller that improves user convenience and a printing apparatus that is operated by the remote controller.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the printing system of the present invention employs the following technique. That is, an image is acquired from an image recording unit in which a plurality of images are recorded, and an order sheet on which the acquired image is displayed as an index image is printed with a code obtained by encoding at least information specifying a desired image. A printing system comprising a printing device and a remote control having an operation button for operating the printing device, wherein the remote control selectively selects a code on the order sheet and remote control communication means for communicating with the printing device. Code reading means, storage means for storing the read code information, and communication control means for transmitting the stored code information to the printing apparatus using the remote control communication means, The printing apparatus includes: a communication unit that communicates with the remote control; and a code information received from the remote control using the communication unit. Come from within the plurality of images acquired by the image recording unit, to identify the corresponding image, and summarized in that and a control means for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus.

  The image selection method in the printing system of the present invention acquires an image from an image recording unit that records a plurality of images, and specifies at least a desired image on an order sheet that displays the acquired image as an index image. An image selection method for selecting an image from the order sheet by a printing system including a printing apparatus that prints a code obtained by encoding information and a remote control that includes an operation button for operating the printing apparatus, The remote controller selectively reads the code on the order sheet, sequentially stores and stores the read code information, and transmits the stored code information to the printing apparatus collectively according to a predetermined operation. Based on the code information received from the remote controller, the corresponding image is identified from the plurality of images acquired from the image recording unit. , And summarized in that to select an image.

  According to the printing system and the image selection method of the present invention, the code on the order sheet is read by the remote controller. The remote controller stores the read code information and transmits it to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus receives information from the remote controller and selects a corresponding image. Since the code is read by a remote controller with excellent portability and the information is stored, it is not necessary to perform the code reading operation near the printing apparatus. Furthermore, an image can be selected from the order sheet by a simple operation of reading a code. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  In the printing system having the above configuration, when there are a plurality of desired images, the storage means sequentially stores and stores the read code information, and the communication control means stores the stored code information. Can be collectively transmitted to the printing apparatus according to a predetermined operation.

  According to such a printing system, the remote controller reads a plurality of codes on the order sheet and stores and stores the code information. The remote controller transmits a plurality of stored information to the printing apparatus together. That is, there is no need to communicate with the printing device every time the code is read. Accordingly, it is possible to construct an efficient system that improves convenience and reduces the number of communications between the remote controller and the printing apparatus.

  The code of the printing system having the above-described configuration may include information obtained by coding a printing condition and / or an operation command of the printing apparatus set when printing the specified image.

  According to such a printing system, a code for printing condition and / or operation command information is added on the order sheet. The remote controller reads the code of the printing condition and / or operation command information together with the code specifying the image, stores the information, and transmits it to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus operates based on such various information. Therefore, the printing apparatus can be controlled by the code information.

  In the printing system having the above configuration, the coded printing condition is at least one of the number of copies, layout, and paper size, and the coded operation command is print execution, the specified image It may be at least one of the backup executions.

  According to such a printing system, codes such as the number of copies, layout, paper size, execution of printing, and execution of backup of the specified image are attached on the order sheet. By selectively reading the codes of these items with a remote controller, each setting operation of the printing apparatus can be facilitated.

  The printing apparatus of the printing system having the above-described configuration further includes an image storage unit that stores a predetermined image, and the code information from the remote control includes a backup execution command for the specified image. Can extract a corresponding image from a plurality of images acquired from the image recording unit, and store the image in the image storage means.

  According to such a printing system, the printing apparatus extracts and stores the image based on the information specifying the image from the remote controller and the information on the backup execution instruction. That is, it is possible to instruct backup as well as printing as the output of the image selected by the remote controller using the code. Therefore, it is possible to construct a printing system with improved user convenience.

  The remote controller of the printing system having the above configuration further includes a display means for two-dimensionally displaying characters, codes, etc., and a display for analyzing the information content of the read code and displaying the information content on the display means And a control means.

  According to such a printing system, the remote controller reads the code on the order sheet and displays the content of the read code. Therefore, the user can visually confirm the reading of the code, and the operability at the time of reading the code can be improved. The display means may also be an existing display means for displaying a remote control operation or the like.

  In the printing system having the above-described configuration, the code includes an image number assigned to each index image as information for specifying the image, and the display control unit of the remote controller reads the code The image number that is the information content of the code may be displayed each time.

  According to such a printing system, the remote controller reads the code on the order sheet and displays the image number included in the code information. Therefore, the user can easily recognize whether the read code corresponds to the image intended for selection.

  The code attached on the order sheet of the printing system having the above-described configuration may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. A one-dimensional barcode can be handled relatively easily, and a two-dimensional barcode can reduce the display area.

  The remote control according to the present invention acquires an image from an image recording unit in which a plurality of images are recorded, and attaches a code obtained by encoding at least information specifying a desired image to an order sheet displaying the acquired image as an index image. A remote controller having an operation button for operating a printing apparatus for printing, remote control communication means for communicating with the printing apparatus, code reading means for selectively reading a code on the order sheet, and the read The gist of the invention is that it comprises storage means for storing code information, and communication control means for transmitting the stored code information to the printing apparatus using the remote control communication means.

  According to the remote controller of the present invention, the code on the order sheet is read, and information on the read code is stored. That is, the remote controller that operates the printing apparatus reads a code and selects an image. By performing an image selection operation using such a code with a remote control excellent in portability, the image selection operation can be performed at the user's hand.

  The remote controller having the above configuration further includes display means for two-dimensionally displaying characters, codes, etc., and display control means for analyzing the information content of the read code and displaying the information content on the display means. Can be provided.

  According to such a remote controller, the code is read and the information content is displayed. Therefore, an image can be selected by the user while confirming the content of the code reading operation.

  When the read code includes an image number assigned to each index image as information for specifying the image, the display control means of the remote control having the above configuration every time the code is read. The image number may be displayed.

  According to such a remote controller, the image number included in the code is displayed along with the reading of the code. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether the intended image is selected.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Configuration of printing system:
B. Order sheet:
C. Image selection processing:
D. Selected image output processing:
E. Variations:

A. Configuration of printing system:
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an ink jet printer 20 capable of printing a color image, and a remote controller 50 for remotely operating the printer 20. The printer 20 can print a plurality of images in a memory card MC that records image data (hereinafter simply referred to as an image) of a digital still camera or the like as an index display image according to a predetermined layout. The sheet printed in this way is called an order sheet 15. The order sheet 15 is provided with a bar code 14 corresponding to each index display image together with a plurality of index display images, for example, 16 frames (4 frames × 4 frames), 20 frames, and 80 frames. The printing system 10 of the present embodiment can print a desired image by the user selecting an image from the order sheet 15 with the barcode 14 using the remote controller 50.

  The printer 20 mainly includes a liquid crystal display 16 as a user interface, an operation panel 17, a card slot 18 in which a memory card MC for storing images such as a digital still camera is mounted, a USB connected to a personal computer, an external storage device, and the like. Port 19 and the like are provided.

  The liquid crystal display 16 displays an image in the memory card MC, a screen for setting printing conditions, and the like in color by a user operation. The operation panel 17 includes a plurality of buttons and is used for selecting a print image and print conditions and performing an operation. By using such a user interface, the printer 20 can set a print image and print conditions on the printer 20 side, and can directly print an image in the memory card MC without using a computer.

  The card slot 18 includes a slot corresponding to, for example, an SD memory card (registered trademark), compact flash (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark), and the like, and can handle a plurality of types of storage media. . Such a card slot 18 may be provided as a device independent of the printer 20. In this case, the printer 20 and the card slot 18 may be connected by various cables.

  The USB port 19 is connected to a hard disk (HDD) 45 as an external storage device. The printer 20 can store images in the memory card MC in the hard disk 45 as necessary. In the present embodiment, the external hard disk 45 is provided via the USB port 19, but a configuration in which a storage device is provided inside the printer 20 itself may be employed. The USB port 19 may be connected to an MO, a CD-ROM / RW, a DVD / RW, or the like to store an image.

  The remote controller 50 mainly includes a remote control operation unit 52 as a user interface, a remote control display unit 54, and the like. The remote control operation unit 52 has various buttons for instructing a printing operation of the printer 20, for example, execution of printing or setting of printing conditions, and is mainly used for an operation command of the printer 20. The remote control display unit 54 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays a print condition setting screen, various operation contents, and the like according to various button operations of the remote control operation unit 52. By setting printing conditions and the like with the remote controller 50, an operation command can be issued to the printer 20 from a remote location.

  Further, the remote controller 50 of the present embodiment includes a barcode reading unit 59 on the back surface side opposite to the front surface side including the remote control operation unit 52 and the remote control display unit 54. The barcode reading unit 59 includes a light source that emits a barcode and an optical sensor that detects the reflected light, and reads the barcode by converting the detected light into an electrical signal. That is, the user can read the barcode 14 with the remote controller 50 by performing the reading operation of the barcode 14 with the barcode reader 59 of the remote controller 50 aligned with the position of the barcode 14 on the order sheet 15. . That is, the remote controller 50 has a function as a barcode reader in addition to the original function of the remote controller that gives an operation command to the printer 20.

  For communication between the printer 20 and the remote controller 50, infrared communication conforming to the IrDA standard, which is bidirectional wireless communication, is used. As the bidirectional communication function, for example, various bidirectional communications such as a wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

  In this embodiment, the image in the memory card MC is configured to be printed on the order sheet 15. For example, the image is directly captured from an imaging device such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera. An image in the imaging device may be printed on the order sheet 15.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the printer 20. As shown in the figure, a printer 20 includes a carriage 30 on which a print head unit 25 that discharges ink onto paper P is mounted, a carriage motor 32 that drives the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction, a paper feed motor 33 that transports the paper P, and printing. The control unit 40 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM that control the operations of the head unit 25, carriage motor 32, and paper feed motor 33.

  The print head unit 25 includes a total of six ink ejection heads for each color of black, cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, and yellow. The carriage 30 is mounted with a black ink cartridge 29a and a color ink cartridge 29b for storing the ink, and the ink from each cartridge is ejected onto the paper P by adjusting the voltage of a piezoelectric element (not shown). Is done. The printer 20 performs color printing by forming minute dots in this way.

  The carriage motor 32 reciprocates the carriage 30 installed on the sliding shaft 34 parallel to the platen 28 axis by rotating the drive belt 36. The origin position of the carriage 30 that reciprocates is detected by a position detection sensor 39, and the detected value is output to the control circuit 40. The control circuit 40 controls the carriage motor 32 based on the detected value and the like.

  The paper feed motor 33 conveys the paper P supplied to the printer 20 by rotating the platen 28. That is, the sheet P is fed by a predetermined amount according to the rotation angle of the platen 28. The control circuit 40 performs this predetermined amount of paper feed by controlling the rotation angle of the paper feed motor 33 in accordance with various printing conditions.

  The control circuit 40 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal display 16, the operation panel 17, the card slot 18, the USB port 19, the communication unit 21, and the like in addition to actuators such as various motors. The communication unit 21 includes an issuing diode that transmits infrared light and a photodiode that receives infrared light, and performs the above-described infrared communication with the remote controller 50. The ROM in the control circuit 40 stores a printer driver that is a device driver of the printer 20 and various programs related to printing, such as a program for order sheet printing processing and selected image output processing.

  The printer driver has a function of executing various processes such as rasterization, color correction, halftoning, and rearrangement, and an image represented by input RGB format data is in a CMY format that can be printed by the printer 20. The data is actually converted into dot data for each ink of C, M, Y, LC, LM, and K.

  The order sheet printing processing program is a processing program for acquiring a plurality of images in the memory card MC and printing an order sheet 15 to which a barcode 14 in which information for specifying an image is encoded is attached to each image. The selected image output processing program obtains a selected image from the memory card MC or the hard disk 45 based on the barcode 14 on the order sheet 15 read by the remote controller 50, and executes printing or the like. It is. That is, the control circuit 40 having such a program manages a plurality of images to be handled and the barcode 14 in association with each other. The order sheet printing process and selected image output process will be described in detail later.

  In this embodiment, an inkjet printer 20 using a piezo element is used. However, other inkjet printers (for example, Bubble Jet (registered trademark)), thermal transfer printers, sublimation printers, laser printers, Alternatively, various types of printers such as a multifunction peripheral can be employed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the remote controller 50. As shown in the figure, the remote controller 50 mainly includes a control unit 55, a remote controller communication control circuit 56, the above-described remote controller operation unit 52, a remote controller display unit 54, a barcode reading unit 59, and the like.

  The control unit 55 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the entire remote controller 50. The CPU of the control unit 55 calls various processing programs from the ROM, develops them in the RAM, and executes the processing. In the ROM, a processing program for setting printing conditions such as paper type, paper size, image quality, and layout, an image selection processing program for selecting a desired image using the barcode 14 on the order sheet 15, etc. Is remembered. The control unit 55 is connected to the remote control communication control circuit 56, the remote control operation unit 52, the remote control display unit 54, the barcode reading unit 59, and the like via an internal bus. For example, when executing image selection processing, the control unit 55 The barcode information read through the code reading unit 59 is temporarily stored in the internal RAM. By executing each processing program in the ROM via the remote control operation unit 52 or the like, the user can set printing conditions, images to be printed, and the like. The image selection process will be described in detail later.

  The remote control communication control circuit 56 is electrically connected to the communication unit 57 that performs infrared communication with the printer 20, and receives an instruction from the control unit 55, print conditions set on the remote control 50, execution of printing, and read bar Code information and the like are transmitted to the printer 20 and reception completion information from the printer 20 is received.

  The control unit 55 is also electrically connected to the buzzer circuit 58, and controls the buzzer circuit 58 to generate a buzzer sound at the time of an error in transmission to the printer 20 or when a barcode is read.

  The remote control operation unit 52 includes a plurality of buttons such as a power button 52a, a menu button 52b, an OK button 52c, a four-direction button 52d, a barcode reading button 53a, and a barcode information transmission button 53b. By operating these buttons, the user can perform operations such as setting printing conditions and reading barcodes.

B. Order sheet:
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an order sheet printing process for printing the order sheet 15 with a barcode. In this process, when the user inserts the memory card MC into the card slot 18 and executes an order sheet output instruction operation (order sheet output mode selection operation), the CPU in the control circuit 40 is stored in the ROM. It is executed by reading the program. In the present embodiment, the order sheet output mode selection and setting operations are described as being performed by the user interface of the printer 20, but of course, the order sheet output mode may be performed by the user interface of the remote controller 50.

  As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the control circuit 40 displays a setting screen for setting a print target image and printing conditions on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S400). Specifically, a screen for selecting the number of frames (layout) to be printed on one order sheet 15 and a screen for selecting a target image to be printed on the order sheet 15 are displayed. , OK button 17b is used to determine the target image and printing conditions.

  Subsequently, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the setting of the target image and printing conditions has been completed (step S410). Specifically, setting completion is selected on the liquid crystal display 16, and the OK button 17b on the operation panel 17 is pressed to determine completion of setting.

  If it is determined in step S410 that the setting is not completed (No), that is, if the OK button is not operated and the setting operation is selected again, the process returns to step S400 to display the setting screen. to continue. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S410 that the setting has been completed (Yes), the target image is read from the memory card MC (step S420).

  For each target image to be read, the control circuit 40 attaches a serial number (image number) as information for specifying the image, and sets a barcode obtained by encoding the serial number (step S430). The correspondence between the image number assigned in this way and the target image is stored in the EEPROM of the control circuit 40. Note that a one-dimensional barcode is used as the barcode set here.

  The control circuit 40 prints the order sheet 15 displaying the corresponding barcode along with the image displaying the target image as an index according to the set printing conditions (step S440), and ends the series of processing.

  Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to an image in one attached memory card MC, the image in the hard disk 45 connected to the printer 20 may be the target. For example, the image in the memory card MC or the digital still camera may be temporarily stored in the hard disk 45, and the target image of the order sheet 15 may be read from the hard disk 45. In this case, as information for specifying an image, an infinite serial number is assigned in the order of image capture when the image is stored in the hard disk 45, and when the order sheet 15 is printed, the image captured from the hard disk 45 for the order sheet 15 is added. Assign an image number to it. A combination of this image number and an infinite serial number may be used as a barcode. An image can be specified from the hard disk 45 by such unique information for each image. Further, an image can be specified on one order sheet 15 by setting the first to several digits of the barcode as the image number.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the order sheet 15 output through such processing. As shown in the figure, the order sheet 15 includes index images A to P of a total of 20 frames of 4 frames × 4 frames per page, image numbers (also referred to as frame numbers) that are serial numbers of the index images, and each index. Bar codes 14a to 14p corresponding to images and shooting dates are displayed.

  Further, the order sheet 15 shown in the figure includes paper size options such as “photo paper-L plate”, “photo paper-2L plate”, print layout options such as “4 side borderless”, “one side”, Options for operation commands of the printer 20 such as “print execution” and “backup” are displayed together with the barcodes 140a to 140h, 141a and 141b.

  That is, the order sheet 15 includes barcodes 14a to 14p for selecting an index image, barcodes 140a to 140h for setting printing conditions for the selected image, and a barcode for instructing a printing operation. 141a and 141b are respectively displayed. By reading the barcode on the order sheet 15, a desired image can be selected and the printer 20 can be operated according to a predetermined condition.

  Note that the printing condition options and the printing operation command options are stored in advance in the ROM of the control circuit 40 and managed in association with the barcodes 140a to 140h, 141a, and 141b, and the printing in step S400 of FIG. 4 is performed. Whether or not to print on the order sheet 15 can be selected at the condition setting stage. For example, without selecting printing on the order sheet 15, it is also possible to print only options for printing conditions and options for a printing operation command as separate sheets.

  In addition to the printing condition options shown in FIG. 5, for example, “photo paper postcard-postcard”, “photo paper postcard—upper half”, “photomat paper-A4”, “number of copies”, “clean mode”, Items for which conditions can be set, such as “fast mode”, “monochrome printing”, and “color printing”, may be displayed as barcodes.

C. Image selection processing:
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of image selection processing for selecting a desired image using the order sheet 15. When the user presses the menu button 52b of the remote control operation unit 52 and selects a barcode reading operation from the menu screen displayed on the remote control display unit 54, the CPU in the control unit 55 is stored in the ROM. It is executed by reading the program.

  As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the control unit 55 executes the reading process of the image barcode 14 (step S600). Specifically, when the user presses the reading button 53 a, the barcode reading unit 59 reads the barcode 14 of the image and outputs information of the read barcode 14 to the control unit 55. The control unit 55 temporarily stores the input information in the RAM.

  The control unit 55 recognizes the image number corresponding to the barcode 14 together with the storage of the information of the barcode 14, and displays it on the remote control display unit 54 (step S610). The bar code 14 includes image number information corresponding to the frame number on the order sheet 15. The control unit 55 analyzes the information of the stored barcode 14 and acquires the image number.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the appearance of the remote controller 50 centered on the remote controller display unit 54. For example, when the barcode 14e of the index image E of the fifth frame on the order sheet 15 shown in FIG. 5 is read, the image number “05” is displayed on the remote control display unit 54 as shown in FIG. The That is, it can be confirmed whether the barcode 14 read at present is the barcode of the intended index image. For example, when the reading process of the barcode 14 is wrong, the reading process can be performed again by operating the cancel button 53c. In this manner, the barcode 14 reading process is repeated while checking the display screen of the remote control display unit 54, thereby storing information of a plurality of images.

  Subsequently, the control unit 55 determines whether another image is selected, that is, whether the barcode 14 is read (step S620). Specifically, when the barcode reading button 53a is pressed, it is determined that another image is selected, and when the OK button 52c is pressed, it is determined that no other image is selected.

  If it is determined in step S620 that another image is selected (Yes), the process returns to step S600 and the barcode 14 reading process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S620 that no other image is to be selected (No), the selection of the image is terminated, and the reading process of the barcodes 140a to 140h of the printing conditions is executed (step S630).

  Specifically, similar to the reading process of the barcode 14 of the image, necessary print conditions such as paper size and layout are selected using the remote control operation unit 52 and the remote control display unit 54. The control unit 55 temporarily stores the print condition barcodes 140a to 140h in the RAM each time it is selected, and recognizes the end of the print condition selection by operating the OK button 52c.

  Subsequently, the control unit 55 executes a reading process of the barcodes 141a and 141b of the operation command (Step S640). Specifically, when either the “print execution” barcode 141a or the “backup” barcode 141b is selected, the barcode is temporarily stored in the RAM.

  The images, printing conditions, and operation commands thus selected are collectively transmitted to the printer 20 (step S650). Specifically, when the transmission button 53 b is pressed, the control unit 55 transmits information stored in the EEPROM to the printer 20 via the remote control communication control circuit 56 and the communication unit 57. When the printer 20 receives information from the remote controller 50, the printer 20 transmits reception completion information to the remote controller 50. Upon receiving this information, the remote controller 50 erases the information in the RAM and ends a series of image selection processes.

  According to the above image selection processing, various bar codes on the order sheet 15 are read by the remote controller 50, and the read bar code information is collectively transmitted to the printer 20. Since the barcode reading operation is executed by the remote control 50 excellent in portability, operations relating to printing, particularly image selection operations can be performed by the user. The image selection operation can be performed by a relatively simple barcode 14 reading operation. Further, since the information content of the read barcode can be displayed on the remote controller 50 side, the barcode reading operation can be performed while visually confirming the content. Therefore, user convenience can be improved. In addition, since the read information is transmitted collectively, an efficient system with a small number of communications can be constructed.

  If a read error occurs during the barcode reading process (steps S600, S630, and S640), or if a transmission error occurs during the transmission in step S640, a buzzer sound is generated via the buzzer circuit 58. It is ringing. Such a buzzer sound may be generated not only when an error occurs but also when a barcode is successfully read. This ensures a barcode reading operation.

  Further, the barcode reading process for printing conditions in step S630 is not necessarily required. In other words, when it is desired to “backup” the selected image, no printing condition is required. Therefore, this step is a necessary step only when “print execution” is selected.

D. Selected image output processing:
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of selected image output processing for outputting an image selected by the remote controller 50. When the printer 20 determines that the information received from the remote controller 50 is due to the operation of the send button 53b, the CPU in the control circuit 40 reads the processing program stored in the ROM and executes this processing.

  As illustrated, the control circuit 40 receives information transmitted from the remote controller 50 and analyzes it (step S800). Specifically, information is input via the communication unit 21, and various kinds of information included therein, for example, information specifying a target image, information on printing conditions, and information on operation commands are analyzed.

  As a result of the analysis, the control circuit 40 reads the selected image based on the information specifying the received image (step S810). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the memory card MC corresponding to the order sheet 15 is mounted in advance, and the memory is based on the correspondence between the image number stored in the EEPROM when the order sheet 15 is created and the target image. Select an image from the card MC and read it.

  Subsequently, the control circuit 40 determines whether or not the transmitted operation command information is “print execution” (step S820).

  If it is determined in step S820 that the transmitted operation command information is “print execution” (Yes) based on the analysis result, conditions are set according to the received print condition information (step S830). ). The control circuit 40 prints the read image in accordance with a predetermined layout of the set printing conditions (step S840), and ends a series of processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S820 that the transmitted operation command information is not “print execution” (No), it is determined that the backup is an image, and the read image is stored and stored (step S850). Then, a series of processing is completed. More specifically, the image read from the memory card MC is stored in the hard disk 45 connected to the printer 20, and the process ends without printing.

  According to the above selected image output processing, various operations of the printer 20, particularly image selection and extraction, can be controlled based on the bar code information collectively transmitted from the remote controller 50. Further, the barcode on the order sheet 15 can be used for backup of the selected image. Therefore, it is possible to construct a system that improves user convenience and expands the availability of the order sheet 15. In particular, in a printer (for example, a stand-alone type printer) that performs various printing-related operations using a relatively small display on the printer side without using a display such as a personal computer, detailed operations using the small display are performed. The operation using the order sheet 15 can be replaced.

  Further, the order sheet 15 can be used any number of times, unlike an order sheet with a mark sheet check box. By using such an order sheet 15, an image desired to be printed can be selected by a bar code again or at a later date, such as reprinting a photograph.

  In this embodiment, a relatively simple one-dimensional barcode is used, but a two-dimensional barcode in which information is arranged vertically and horizontally may be used. Since the two-dimensional barcode has a high information density, the display area can be reduced, and the space on the order sheet 15 can be used effectively. In this case, a bar code reading unit 59 of the remote controller 50 may be a two-dimensional one.

  In this embodiment, the reading destination of the selected image in step S810 is the memory card MC that is mounted in advance, but the reading destination may be the hard disk 45 connected to the printer 20. In this case, as described above, the images in the memory card MC and the digital still camera are stored in the hard disk 45 when the order sheet 15 is created, and each image is managed with an infinite serial number. In step S810, when the selected image is read, the image is read from the hard disk 45 based on the correspondence relationship with the image stored in the EEPROM based on the information specifying the image acquired from the barcode. It ’s fine.

  Further, the storage of the selected image in step S850 may be performed by another recording device or recording medium such as MO, CD-ROM / RW instead of the hard disk 45. For example, every time the storage capacity of one memory card MC reaches the limit, the operation of printing the order sheet 15 and saving the image in the memory card MC on the hard disk 45 is repeated. A plurality of images to be selected are selected by the remote controller 50 and stored in the CD-ROM / RW. In this way, a medium on which desired images are collected can be created.

E. Variations:
In the present embodiment, the remote control display unit 54 displays the image number from the selected barcode, but in addition to this, various information may be displayed. As various kinds of information, for example, the information of the selected barcode such as “photo paper-L version”, “four-sided borderless”, “print execution” shown in FIG. 5 may be displayed or transmitted. Information associated with an operation such as “during transmission” or “transmission completed” may be displayed by operating the button 53b.

  Such a remote control display unit 54 is not always necessary. For example, the successful reading of the barcode can be confirmed only with a buzzer sound.

  In this embodiment, the wireless communication is used for the communication between the printer 20 and the remote controller 50. However, the communication between the two may be a wired communication. For example, the remote controller 50 reads a plurality of barcodes and stores the information. Thereafter, the remote controller 50 may be brought to the place of the printer 20 and both may be connected by wire. In this case, communication between the two can be performed reliably.

  Further, a barcode for instructing “folder creation” is provided on the order sheet 15, and when this barcode information is transmitted from the remote controller 50, the image is saved in the image saving process in step S 850 shown in FIG. At this time, a folder may be created. For folder creation, for example, the creation date and time may be used.

  Although the printing system of the present embodiment is configured to include the liquid crystal display 16 that displays the image in the memory card MC on the printer 20, for example, a printing system including a printer, a remote controller, and a TV monitor may be used. In this case, the image in the memory card MC attached to the printer is displayed on the TV monitor, and print settings using the remote controller are also executed on the TV monitor screen. By doing so, the printer and the remote controller do not need a display unit having functions up to image display, and a display unit capable of displaying simple status information such as graphics is sufficient.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, Of course, it can implement with various forms within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. is there. In the present embodiment, in the image selection process by the remote controller 50 shown in FIG. 6, the printing condition and the operation command are selected by the barcode. However, for example, these selections may be performed by button operation of the remote controller. . In this case, for example, frequently used printing conditions are set as default values on the remote controller 50 side, and setting items are changed using the remote controller operation unit 52 and the remote controller display unit 54 as necessary. If there is no need to change, only the information of the selected image is transmitted to the printer 20 as it is. By doing so, the order sheet 15 can be simplified, and the amount of information during communication between the remote controller 50 and the printer 20 can be reduced.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration inside the printer. It is the block diagram which showed schematic structure inside the remote control. It is a flowchart of an order sheet printing process for printing an order sheet with a barcode. It is an example of an order sheet. It is a flowchart of the image selection process which selects a desired image using an order sheet. It is an example of the external appearance of the remote control centering on a remote control display part. It is a flowchart of the selection image output process which outputs the image selected with the remote control.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Printing system 14, 14a, 14e, 14p ... Bar code 15 ... Order sheet 16 ... Liquid crystal display 17 ... Operation panel 17a ... Direction key 17b ... OK button 18. Card slot 19 USB port 20 Printer 21 Communication unit 25 Print head unit 28 Platen 29a Black ink cartridge 29b Color ink cartridge 30 ... carriage 32 ... carriage motor 33 ... paper feed motor 34 ... sliding shaft 36 ... drive belt 39 ... position detection sensor 40 ... control circuit 45 ... hard disk 50. Remote control 52 ... Remote control operation part 52a ... Power button 52b ... Menu button 52c ... OK button 52d ... Direction button 53a ... Read button 53b ... Send button 53c ... Cancel button 54 ... Remote control display 5 ... control unit 56 ... remote communication control circuit 57 ... communication unit 58 ... Buzzer circuit 59 ... Bar code reader 140a, 140h ... barcode 141a, 141b ... Barcode

Claims (12)

Printing apparatus that acquires images from an image recording unit in which a plurality of images are recorded, and prints an order sheet on which the acquired images are displayed as index images with a code that encodes at least information for specifying a desired image A printing system comprising a remote control having an operation button for operating the printing apparatus,
The remote control is
Remote control communication means for communicating with the printing device;
Code reading means for selectively reading the code on the order sheet;
Storage means for storing information of the read code;
Communication control means for transmitting the stored code information to the printing apparatus using the remote control communication means;
The printing apparatus includes:
Communication means for communicating with the remote control;
Control means for identifying a corresponding image from a plurality of images acquired from the image recording unit based on code information from the remote controller received using the communication means, and for controlling operation of the printing apparatus; Equipped printing system. The printing system according to claim 1,
If there are multiple desired images,
The storage means sequentially stores and stores the read code information,
The communication control unit is a printing system that collectively transmits the stored code information to the printing apparatus according to a predetermined operation. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
A printing system in which the code includes information obtained by coding a printing condition and / or an operation command of the printing apparatus set when the specified image is printed. The printing system according to claim 3,
The coded printing condition is at least one of the number of copies, layout, and paper size,
The printing system in which the coded operation command is at least one of printing execution and backup of the specified image. The printing system according to claim 4,
The printing apparatus further includes image storage means for storing a predetermined image,
When the code information from the remote control includes a backup execution command for the specified image, a corresponding image is extracted from the plurality of images acquired from the image recording unit, and the image is extracted from the image. A printing system for storing in image storage means. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The remote control further includes:
Display means for two-dimensionally displaying characters, codes, etc .;
A printing system comprising: display control means for analyzing information content of the read code and displaying the information content on the display means. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein
The code includes an image number assigned to each index image as information for specifying the image,
The printing system in which the display control means of the remote controller displays the image number which is the information content of the code every time the code is read. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The printing system, wherein the code is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. Printing apparatus that acquires images from an image recording unit in which a plurality of images are recorded, and prints an order sheet on which the acquired images are displayed as index images with a code that encodes at least information for specifying a desired image A remote control with operation buttons to operate
Remote control communication means for communicating with the printing device;
Code reading means for selectively reading the code on the order sheet;
Storage means for storing information of the read code;
A remote control comprising: communication control means for transmitting the stored code information to the printing apparatus using the remote control communication means. The remote control according to claim 9, further comprising:
Display means for two-dimensionally displaying characters, codes, etc .;
A remote controller comprising: display control means for analyzing the information content of the read code and displaying the information content on the display means. The remote control according to claim 10, wherein
When the read code includes an image number assigned to each index image as information for specifying the image, the display control unit displays the image number every time the code is read. Remote control to do. Printing apparatus that acquires images from an image recording unit in which a plurality of images are recorded, and prints an order sheet on which the acquired images are displayed as index images with a code that encodes at least information for specifying a desired image And an image selection method for selecting an image from the order sheet by a printing system including a remote controller having an operation button for operating the printing apparatus,
The remote control selectively reads the code on the order sheet,
The information of the read code is sequentially stored and stored,
The stored code information is sent to the printing apparatus according to a predetermined operation.
An image selection method for selecting an image by specifying a corresponding image from a plurality of images acquired from the image recording unit based on information on a code received from the remote controller.

Images