JP2007228133A - System for image print management, camera, and apparatus and method for image print management - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for image print management which hardly have transmission errors of print image data from a camera to an image print management apparatus, even in such a situation that a stable communication state is not necessarily maintained due to a radio wave condition and an electric power condition in wireless communication, and to provide a method for image print management. <P>SOLUTION: In the camera, an appropriate resolution for printing is set up according to the print size of image data to be printed, and a resolution conversion process is applied to the print image data. By transmitting the print image data applied with the resolution conversion process to the image print management apparatus, the image data to be printed can be transmitted in a short time while maintaining an appropriate print image quality even in wireless communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data, an image print management apparatus that receives image data from the camera and prints out the received image data, an image print management system including them, and The present invention relates to the image print management method.

  In recent years, as a result of digitalization of cameras, captured images are sent to various devices through digital communication and used in various forms. Image printout is now easily performed using various printers.

  In particular, in recent years, digital cameras have been installed in various portable devices, and it is becoming possible to place orders for devices that can easily transmit data wirelessly or the like and can print out externally.

  Conventionally, even when printing out with a printer or the like, it has been mainstream that a personal computer (personal computer) once captures digital image data from the camera side and controls the connected printer to print out (FIG. 14A). reference). However, the digital camera is carried around as a portable device for its use, and it is desirable that the digital camera can be viewed on the spot where it was taken.

  A digital camera usually has a display unit such as a liquid crystal and can check the screen, but a printer or the like is required to print out. From this point of view, a communication method for printing has been established so that a printer can be connected directly to a nearby printer without using a personal computer.

As a typical communication standard for printing, there is a standard DC-001 (referred to as PictBridge) of CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association). In order to provide a digital photo solution by directly connecting an image input device (such as a digital camera) and an image output device (such as a printer), various services at the application level have been newly standardized and established. is there. (See Non-Patent Document 1)
As a result, even if the image input device (digital camera or the like) and the image output device (printer or the like) are not a set, devices that are compatible with the PictBridge standard can be directly connected even if they are of different manufacturers and models. Can be printed out (see FIG. 14B).

  As a result, the convenience related to the printout of the photographed image has greatly increased. However, considering the characteristics of a digital camera as a portable device, it is not necessary to connect to an output device such as a printer, but rather to request printing by wireless communication and print out to a specific output device. There is. Then, it is possible to easily connect to a network wirelessly, access a dedicated large-sized image print management apparatus at a remote location, and receive a print service specific to the apparatus.

  Since the standard of wireless communication has already been generalized, if the camera has a function corresponding to the wireless communication, such a system can be realized in combination with the print service standard such as PictBridge described above (see FIG. 14 (c)).

However, high-speed communication similar to wired communication has not yet been established for wireless communication, and there is a current situation that a stable state is not always maintained depending on the radio wave condition and power situation. In particular, when mobile devices are used outdoors or when the battery capacity is limited, it is difficult to stably transmit a large amount of image data.
“White Paper of CIPA DC-001-2003”, Camera & Imaging Products Association, 2003.2.3, http://www.cipa.jp/pictbridge/

  The object of the present invention is to transmit image data for printing in a short time while maintaining appropriate print image quality in wireless communication, and even in a situation where a stable communication state is not always maintained due to radio wave conditions and power conditions, It is an object to provide a camera as an image input device, an image print management device as an image output device, an image print management system including them, and an image print management method that are unlikely to cause transmission errors.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features.

  1. An image print management system comprising: a camera capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data; and an image print management apparatus that receives image data from the camera and prints out the received image data. Are inputted by the photographing means for obtaining image data by photographing, the storage means for storing the image data obtained by the photographing means, the print instruction inputting means for inputting a print instruction for the image data, and the print instruction inputting means. Print image processing means for performing image processing of image data to be printed based on a print instruction, and print image data subjected to image processing by the print image processing means together with the print instruction input by the print instruction input means Transfer means for transferring to the image print management device; The image print management apparatus includes print image storage means for storing transferred print image data and a print instruction, and print control means for controlling a printer based on the print image data and the print instruction. The print instruction input means can input a print size instruction for the image data to be printed, and the print image processing means can print the image data to be printed based on the print size input by the print instruction input means. An image print management system characterized by performing resolution conversion processing.

  2. The print instruction input means can input a resolution change level instruction for image data to be printed, and the print image processing means is based on the print size and resolution change level input by the print instruction input means. 2. The image print management system according to 1, wherein a resolution conversion process is performed on image data to be printed.

  3. The transfer means stores the print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing by the print image processing means in the storage means before transferring the print image data, and erases the print image data from the storage means after the transfer of the print image data is completed. 3. The image print management system according to 1 or 2, wherein

  4). A camera capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data, a photographing means for obtaining image data by photographing, a storage means for storing image data obtained by the photographing means, and a print instruction for inputting a print instruction for the image data An input unit, a print image processing unit that performs image processing of image data to be printed based on a print instruction input by the print instruction input unit, and print image data that has been subjected to image processing by the print image processing unit, And a transfer means for transferring to an external device together with the print instruction input by the print instruction input means. The print instruction input means can input a print size instruction for the image data to be printed. The image processing means uses the print instruction input means. Based on the force has been print size, it performs resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed, a camera, characterized in that.

  5. The print instruction input means can input a resolution change level instruction for image data to be printed, and the print image processing means is based on the print size and resolution change level input by the print instruction input means. 5. The camera according to 4, wherein resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed is performed.

  6). The transfer means stores the print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing by the print image processing means in the storage means before transferring the print image data, and erases the print image data from the storage means after the transfer of the print image data is completed. 6. The camera according to 4 or 5, wherein

  7). An image print management apparatus that receives image data wirelessly transmitted from a camera and prints out the received image data, and print image storage means for storing print image data and a print instruction received from the camera; Print control means for controlling a printer based on the print image data and the print instruction, and the print control means prints out the print image data according to the print size and resolution designated by the print instruction. And an image print management apparatus.

  8). An image print management method in which an image print management apparatus receives image data from a camera capable of transmitting and receiving image data wirelessly, and prints out the received image data. An imaging process to be acquired, a storage process for storing image data acquired in the imaging process in a storage unit of the camera, a print instruction input process for inputting a print instruction for image data to the camera, and the print instruction input process The print image processing means of the camera performs image processing of the image data to be printed based on the print instruction input in the step, and the print image data processed in the print image processing step Print instruction input in the print instruction input process Both a transfer step of transferring from the camera to the image print management device, a print image storage step of storing the transferred print image data and a print instruction in the image print management device, and the print image data and the print instruction A print control step for controlling the printer, and in the print instruction input step, a print size instruction for image data to be printed is input. In the print image processing step, in the print instruction input step, An image print management method, wherein resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed is performed based on an input print size.

  9. In the print instruction input step, a resolution change level instruction for image data to be printed is input, and in the print image processing step, an image to be printed is based on the print size and resolution change level input in the print instruction input step. 9. The image print management method according to 8, wherein a data resolution conversion process is performed.

  10. In the transfer step, the print image data subjected to the resolution conversion process in the print image processing step is stored in the storage unit of the camera before the transfer of the print image data, and is erased from the storage unit after the transfer of the print image data is completed. 10. The image print management method according to 8 or 9, wherein

  In a camera as an image input device, an appropriate resolution at the time of printing is set according to the print size of image data to be printed, and the print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing is transferred to an image print management device as an image output device. By transferring the data, it is possible to transmit image data for printing in a short time while maintaining appropriate print image quality even in wireless communication.

  As a result, a camera as an image input device, an image print management device as an image output device, and an image provided with them are unlikely to cause transmission errors even in a situation where a stable communication state is not always maintained due to radio wave conditions and power conditions. A print management system and an image print management method can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Image print management system configuration)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image print management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the image print management system will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image print management system according to this embodiment in FIG. 1 is a digital camera 1 capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data, and print management that receives image data from the digital camera 1 and prints out the received image data. And a server 7. That is, the digital camera 1 functions as a camera constituting an image print management system, and the print management server 7 functions as an image print management apparatus.

  In addition to the digital camera 1, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) 2, a mobile phone 3, or the like may be used as a camera constituting the image print management system. Any of them can be used in the same manner as the digital camera 1 as long as it has a function of acquiring captured image data and a function of transmitting and receiving the acquired image data wirelessly, similar to the digital camera 1. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given using the digital camera 1 on the assumption that the PDA 2, the mobile phone 3, and the like also have a digital camera function.

  In this embodiment, the printer 8 is externally connected to the print management server 7 which is an image print management apparatus. However, the print management server 7 may have a built-in printer function.

  The connection and schematic operation of the image print management system will be described.

  The digital camera 1 accesses the nearby wireless LAN access point 4 and wirelessly connects to the network 6 in order to place a print order for the acquired image data from the print management server. This operation is the same when the PDA 2 is used.

  When the mobile phone 3 is used, the mobile phone 3 is connected to the network 6 through the mobile phone antenna 5 of each relay station according to the radio wave used by the mobile phone.

  The digital camera 1 wirelessly transmits print image data and a print instruction for the print image data to the print management server 7, and the print management server 7 receives it through the network 6.

  The print management server 7 executes printout of the print image data based on the received print image data and the print instruction.

  The above is the connection of the image print management system and the schematic image print management method. Details of the image print management method will be described later as operations of the image print management system.

(Appearance structure of digital camera 1)
First, the configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The digital camera 1 functions as a camera that can transmit and receive image data wirelessly.

  The external appearance of the digital camera 1 is shown in FIG. 2, and a perspective view showing the internal structure is shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 2A shows a perspective view from the front side of the digital camera 1, and FIG. 2B shows a perspective view from the back side of the digital camera 1. 3A shows a front perspective view of the digital camera 1, and FIG. 3B shows a rear perspective view of the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG.

  The digital camera 1 has an operation button 26a to 26i such as a cross key, a photographing optical system 2, a flash 16, a power switch 18, and a display unit 25 on or inside a camera body 11 made of a material such as metal or synthetic resin. A shutter button 19 is provided.

  The operation buttons 26a to 26i include a zoom button 26a, a cross key 26b, a determination button 26i, a playback / record switching button 26c, a display switching button 26d, a menu button 26e, a delete button 26f, a print button 26g, and a wireless connection button 26h. The cross key 26b is composed of buttons in four directions, up, down, left, and right, for the user to select or set various modes, and 26i is the decision button.

  The power switch 18 is a switch for operating ON / OFF of the operation in the digital camera 1. The shutter button 19 is a two-stage push-in switch that is provided on the upper surface of the main body 11 and can detect a half-pressed state (AF / AE control) by a user and a fully-pressed state (photographing). The camera is activated when the power switch 18 is pressed, and the shooting operation is started when the shutter button 19 is pressed.

  The photographic optical system 12 is a bending type photographic optical unit, and is configured by a plurality of lenses, a drive system, and the like, and has a zoom function. The imaging optical system 12 forms an image on the image sensor 13 with the light received by the lens. The flash 16 emits auxiliary light by a control signal from the flash substrate 17 when the subject brightness is low.

  The display unit 25 is configured by a liquid crystal panel, and a preview image and an image recorded on the recording medium 15 according to a display control signal input from the imaging control unit 31 or the image data processing unit 32 provided on the control board 14. Menu screen, setting screen, etc. are displayed.

  A recording medium 15 for storage (such as an SD memory card or a multimedia card (MMC)) can be inserted into the main body 11, and image data in the main body can be transferred and recorded. Alternatively, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 24, a wireless module 23, and an antenna 22 are provided for transferring to an external device. The wireless module 23 and the antenna 22 are disposed on the opposite side of the camera body circuit with the photographing optical system interposed therebetween so that the camera body circuit (control board 14) is not affected by radio wave noise or the like.

(Functional configuration of digital camera 1)
FIG. 4A shows a functional configuration diagram of the digital camera 1. FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration diagram of the imaging control unit 31 and the image data control unit 32. A functional configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 4A, the photographing optical system 12 forms an image on the image sensor 13 with the light received by the lens as described above. The imaging element 13 converts the imaged light into electric charges. The charge signal is sent to the imaging control unit 31 and subjected to predetermined processing described later to become image data. That is, these elements function as photographing means.

  The captured image data is subjected to image processing such as timely gradation correction in the image data processing unit 32 and then stored in the storage unit 34. The storage unit 34 is a temporary storage location for image data, and is recorded in the storage recording medium 15 via the image input / output unit 36. These elements function as storage means.

  As described above, the display unit 25 displays a preview image, an image recorded on the recording medium 15, a menu screen, a setting screen, and the like according to the display control signal input from the imaging control unit 31 or the image data processing unit 32. . The operation unit 33 includes a power switch 18, a shutter button 19, operation buttons 26 a to 26 i, etc., receives a user operation based on the display on the display unit 25, and sends a signal to the control unit 30.

  The communication unit 35 includes a USB terminal 24, a wireless module 23, an antenna 22, and the like, and has a transmission / reception function such as transferring image data to the outside.

  A detailed functional configuration of the imaging control unit 31 and the image data processing unit 32 will be described with reference to FIG. The shooting control unit 31 performs control related to shooting conditions and processing of a shot image during shooting. The image data processing unit 32 performs image processing of captured image data, input / output, storage, and other processing. Both are functions that operate in the CPU 30 as hardware, and the actual state is mainly a processing program.

<Shooting control unit>
In the imaging control unit 31, the signal processing unit 311 performs pixel interpolation processing for performing interpolation between pixels for each color component in the image sensor 13, and gamma correction for converting the gradation of the captured image to suit the characteristics of the output device. And so on.

  The AF control unit 313 performs automatic control for focusing an image at the time of image shooting. This in-focus control is performed by, for example, detecting the in-focus position by driving the photographing optical system 12 and stopping it according to the position. The optical system driving unit 312 drives the photographing optical system 12 for controlling the focal point.

  The AE control unit 314 automatically controls the exposure amount at the time of image capturing. Normally, the exposure amount control during shooting standby is performed by controlling the shutter speed with the aperture opened, and the exposure amount during shooting is controlled by the aperture and shutter speed.

  The AWB control unit 315 automatically adjusts the white balance in the captured image. By AWB control, it is possible to automatically correct the collapse of the color balance of the entire screen that occurs during shooting, and it is possible to obtain a stable color image regardless of the actual illumination state of the subject.

  The FLASH control unit 316 irradiates the flash 16 with auxiliary light with a control signal from the flash board 17 when the subject brightness is low in photometry during AE control.

  As described above, the shooting control unit 31 performs control related to shooting conditions and processing of a shot image during shooting.

<Image data processing unit>
In the image data processing unit 32, the image processing unit 321 performs general image processing on the captured image data. In addition to the tone conversion processing performed by the tone correction unit 322, image format conversion processing and the like are also performed during recording. Further, temporary image data is stored in the storage unit 34, and image data is output to the storage medium 15 for storage by the image input / output unit 36.

  Further, the image data processing unit 32 is also provided with a print processing unit 40 for performing print ordering processing to the outside. The print processing unit 40 includes a print instruction unit 41, an image conversion processing unit 42, a transfer processing unit 43, and the like.

  The print instruction unit 41 receives a print instruction from the user in cooperation with the display unit 25 and the operation unit 33, associates it with image data to be printed, and stores it for print image processing and transfer processing to the print management server 7. Processing such as temporary storage in the unit 34 is performed. That is, it functions as a print instruction input unit. The contents and procedure of the print instruction will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  The image conversion processing unit 42 performs image processing such as resolution conversion on the image to be printed based on the print instruction output from the print instruction unit 41 to create print image data. That is, it functions as a print image processing means. The created print image data is temporarily stored again in the storage unit 34 in association with the print instruction before the transfer process.

  The transfer processing unit 43 transfers the print image data to the external print management server 7 in association with the print instruction. That is, it functions as a transfer means. The transfer is executed by the communication unit 35, specifically, wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 22 by the wireless module 23. The procedure of wireless connection to the print management server 7 and transfer processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

(Configuration of print management server 7)
FIG. 4B shows a functional configuration diagram of the print management server 7 according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the print management server 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The print management server 7 functions as an image print management device.

  4B, the print management server 7 includes a control unit 60, a storage unit 63, and a communication unit 64. The control unit 60 also includes an image data management unit 61, a print control unit 62, an image input / output unit 65, and the like.

  The communication unit 64 is connected to a terminal having an image data transmission function such as the digital camera 1 through the network 6 and transmits and receives image data and a print instruction. The storage unit 63 temporarily stores received image data and print instructions. That is, it functions as a print image storage means.

  The image data management unit 61 comprehensively controls image data transmission / reception, storage, printer operation, and the like. The print control unit 62 controls the printing operation of the connected printer 8 according to the print instruction according to the printing of the image data. That is, it functions as a print control means. The image input / output unit 65 is an interface for printer output, and sends print image data to the printer 8.

  The printer 8 is externally connected to the print management server 7, but of course the function may be built in the print management server 7, that is, the print management server 7 itself may be a printer.

  The procedure from the print management server 7 to transmission / reception of image data and print instructions to / from the digital camera 1 via the network 6 and printing will be described later with reference to FIG.

(Operation of image print management system)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image print management system. The operation of the image print management system will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operation in the digital camera 1 is shown on the left side of FIG. 6, and the operation in the print management server 7 is shown on the right side.

  First, in the digital camera 1, photographed image data is acquired as a photographing process in step S11, and the image data is stored as a storing process in step S12.

  In photographing, the light received by the lens in the photographing optical system 12 is imaged on the image sensor 13 as described above, and the light imaged by the image sensor 13 is converted into electric charges. The charge signal is sent to the imaging control unit 31 and subjected to predetermined processing described later to become image data. In shooting, various shooting conditions are controlled by the shooting control unit 31.

  Captured image data can be acquired without performing shooting. For example, it can also be obtained by inserting a recording medium 15 for storing photographic image data into the main body 11 and reading it through the image input / output unit 36.

  The image data is stored in the storage unit 34 after the image data processing unit 32 receives image processing such as timely gradation correction. The storage unit 34 is a temporary storage location for image data, and is recorded in the storage recording medium 15 via the image input / output unit 36.

  Subsequently, the print ordering process is performed in the processes after step S21. The print ordering process is performed by transmitting and receiving print image data and a print instruction by connecting to the print management server 7 wirelessly. Details of the print ordering process in the digital camera 1 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 21, the digital camera 1 performs a wireless connection to the network 6. The other party is the print management server 7, and the print management server 7 receives a connection with the digital camera 1 in step S31.

  In step S22, a print instruction is input on the digital camera 1 side as a print instruction input process. Next, in step S23, as a print image processing step, image processing of image data to be printed is performed according to the input content of the print instruction.

  In step S24, the image data processed from the digital camera 1 and the print instruction are transferred to the print management server 7 as a transfer step. In step S <b> 34, the print management server 7 receives the image data transferred by the communication unit 64.

  In step S <b> 35, the print management server 7 temporarily stores the image data received as the print image storage process in the storage unit 63. These processes are controlled by the image data management unit 61.

  In step S <b> 36, the print management server 7 transmits a reception confirmation signal to the digital camera 1 from the communication unit 64 indicating that the reception of the image data has been completed. This process is also controlled by the image data management unit 61.

  In step S26, the digital camera 1 receives the receipt confirmation signal and ends the ordering process. In step S27, the wireless connection is terminated. This completes the print ordering process on the digital camera 1 side.

  In step S37, the print management server 7 receives the end of the wireless connection and confirms the shift to the printout.

  Subsequently, in step S38, as a print control process, in the print management server 7, the print control unit 62 performs printout control based on the print instruction, and print image data is sent from the image input / output unit 65 to the printer 8, A printout based on the print instruction is executed.

(Print instruction and resolution conversion processing)
Before describing the print ordering process, the contents of the print instruction and the resolution conversion process for print image data based thereon will be described.

  The image to be printed, its print size, and the number of copies are designated. In this case, in this embodiment, the resolution is automatically set according to the print size, the resolution conversion process is performed, and the print image data is obtained. Transfer to the print management server. Therefore, the image is printed out with the resolution converted.

  The purpose of performing resolution conversion is to reduce the amount of print image data and to end wireless transmission in a short time.

  In recent years, digital cameras have been installed in various portable devices, and data can be easily transmitted wirelessly and printouts can be ordered. However, high-speed communication similar to wired communication has not yet been established for wireless communication, and a stable state is not necessarily maintained due to radio wave conditions and power conditions. In particular, when mobile devices are used outdoors or when the battery capacity is limited, it is difficult to stably transmit a large amount of image data.

  Therefore, the necessary minimum data is transmitted, the communication is completed in a short time, and the resolution is reduced according to the print size so as to be reliable and consume less power.

  The reason why there is no practical problem by reducing the resolution and the resolution setting method will be described below.

  The resolution of the human eye changes with visual acuity. For example, if the visual acuity is 1.0, it is defined that the resolution is 1 minute in angle. Assuming that the general visual acuity of modern humans can be considered to be about 1.0, if the resolution of 1 minute is satisfied, it cannot be discerned by human eyes even if the resolution is higher than that. It seems safe to reduce the data resolution.

  However, when actually setting the resolution, the resolution of 1 minute is an expression in angle, and the resolution changes depending on the distance to view the image. Therefore, an appropriate resolution is set by assuming a distance in viewing a normal print image.

  For example, the viewing distance is assumed to be about 30 cm for L size prints and about 60 cm for A4 prints.

  When the viewing distance is d and each circle of confusion δ at a resolution of 1 minute is obtained, it is as follows.

δ = 2d · tan (1 / (2 × 60))
Therefore,
When d = 30cm δ30 = 0.087mm
When d = 60 cm δ60 = 0.175 mm
Here, each print size is
L version = 89 x 127 mm
A4 = 210 × 297mm
Therefore, when calculating the pixels necessary for each print size based on δ,
In the L version,
89 / 0.087 x 127 / 0.087 = 1023 x 1460 = 1.49 million pixels In A4,
210 / 0.175 x 297 / 0.175 = 1200 x 1697 = 2.04 million pixels In other words, even if the number of effective pixels of the digital camera is 5 million pixels, the resolution is reduced to about 1.5 million pixels when ordering prints for the L version. If the print size is A4 and the print size is A4, it is understood that the data may be converted and transmitted so that the resolution is reduced to about 2 million pixels.

  In accordance with this concept, the resolution is automatically set as described above according to the print size in the print instruction, and the communication is completed in a short time by transferring the resolution-converted print image data to the print management server. Thus, a print ordering process that is reliable and consumes less power is realized.

  In addition, the resolution may be arbitrarily changed by the user so that it can be transmitted as soon as possible for a person with good vision or a person who desires a higher resolution, or when the battery capacity is low. In this embodiment, as described later, in addition to the automatic resolution setting, a higher resolution “fine” setting and a lower resolution “rough” setting can be selected as the default resolution change level.

  Hereinafter, the print ordering process including the resolution conversion process will be described.

<Print order processing>
The order processing operation in the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ordering process in the digital camera 1.

  First, in step S41, a wireless connection with the network 6 is performed. When the wireless connection button 26h of the digital camera 1 is pressed, the wireless connection is started. It transmits from the antenna 22 by the wireless module 23. The processing is performed by the communication unit 35.

  The wireless connection process is executed in step S42, and details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S43, a connection with the print management server 7 is prepared for the print ordering process. By pressing the print button 26g of the digital camera 1, the print ordering mode is started.

  In step S44, the print instruction unit 41 of the print processing unit 40 executes a process of specifying a print instruction, that is, the order contents of the print order. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 9, but what is instructed to print is selection of a print image, designation of print size, designation of resolution, designation of the number of prints, and the like.

  In step S45, the image conversion unit 42 of the print processing unit 40 selects a resolution corresponding to the print size for each selected print image in accordance with a print instruction (particularly, print size designation, resolution designation) and prints the image to be printed. Data resolution conversion processing is performed.

  In step S46, the print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing is temporarily stored in the storage unit 34 together with a print instruction.

  In step S47, the transfer processing unit 43 of the print processing unit 40 transfers the print image data together with the print instruction to the print management server 7 through the communication unit 35.

  Thereafter, in step S48, a receipt confirmation signal from the print management server 7 is waited. When the receipt confirmation signal is received through the communication unit 35, the process proceeds to the next step. In the next step S49, the print image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 34 in step S46 is deleted. The purpose of the temporary storage is to retransmit when the transmission is not successful, and when receiving the receipt confirmation signal, there is no reason to hold the image data subjected to resolution conversion processing.

  In step S50, the print ordering process ends, that is, the print ordering mode is canceled, and the wireless connection is also canceled in the next step S51. These are finished by the print processing unit 40. Thereafter, as described above, only the printout process is executed on the print management server 7 side.

<Wireless connection processing>
The details of the operation of the wireless connection process in step S42 of the print order process flow (FIG. 7) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the wireless connection process, and FIG. 10 is a display example on the display unit 25 during the wireless connection process.

  The following flow is based on the IEEE 802.3 communication protocol. Similarly, it is possible to perform connection processing using the display unit 25 and the operation buttons 26 even in other communication methods.

  For example, when connecting to an output device such as a printer using the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) wireless communication system, the USB terminal 24 of the main body 11 and the printer are connected by USB in advance and automatically when the wireless connection button 26h is pressed. After the setting is completed, the PtoP connection with the corresponding apparatus can be completed wirelessly by pressing the wireless connection button 26h from the next time.

  In step S61, in response to pressing of the wireless connection button 26h, a nearby wireless access point is searched. Specifically, the radio module 23 of the communication unit 35 transmits the radio signal from the antenna 22. As a result, an access point selection screen is displayed on the display unit 25 in the next step S62.

  FIG. 10A shows an access point selection screen displayed on the display unit 25. The ID of the connectable network SS, the communication mode, and the presence / absence of encryption key (WEP) support are displayed, and selection and determination are made using the cross key 26b and the determination button 26i. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an encryption method for wireless communication, and uses an encryption key defined for each access point for encryption.

  In step S63, an access point is selected and designated. Select with the up and down buttons of the cross key 26b and confirm with the enter button 26i. When determined, an encryption key input screen for the access point is displayed on the display unit 25 in the next step S64.

  FIG. 10B shows an encryption key input screen displayed on the display unit 25. An encryption key (WEP) input field is displayed at the bottom of the screen, and a list of characters and numbers that can be selected is displayed at the top. Entering the encryption key (WEP) using the cross key 26b and the enter button 26i. The characters and numbers to be entered in the fields are selected and determined.

  In step S65, an encryption key (WEP) is input and determined. Characters and numbers to be input are selected with the up / down / left / right buttons of the cross key 26b and determined with the enter button 26i. When the input to the encryption key (WEP) input field is completed, the input field is designated and determined, and the process proceeds to the next step S66. If the encryption key input to the access point is valid, it is automatically performed. Connect to the network through the access point.

  This completes the connection to the wireless network.

<Order content specification processing>
Details of the print instruction in step S44 of the print ordering process flow (FIG. 7), that is, the operation of the print ordering content designation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 to 13. FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print order content designation process. FIGS. 11 to 13 are display examples on the display unit 25 during the order content designation process.

  The following flow exemplifies a case where an image is selected by multi-image printing by the function of PictBridge, which is a communication protocol to the printer, and a print size is designated by a print size designation command. In this embodiment, the resolution is designated and the resolution conversion process is performed. However, in the PictBridge system, no resolution is designated for the printer. Regardless of the resolution conversion process, the image data is printed as it is according to the resolution of the transferred image data.

  Similarly, even with other communication methods, it is possible to perform processing for specifying order contents using the display unit 25 and the operation buttons 26.

  In step S71, when the print button 26h is pressed, the print ordering mode starts. First, a print size / resolution selection screen is displayed on the display unit 25.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B show examples of print size and resolution selection screens displayed on the display unit 25.

  In step S72, a print size designation method is selected. Either “print with all the same size” or “print with different sizes” is selected with the up / down buttons of the cross key 26b, and determined with the decision button 26i. FIG. 11A shows a case where “print with the same size” is selected, and FIG. 11B shows a case where “print with different size” is selected.

  In step S73, it is determined which designation method has been selected. As a result, the subsequent steps and the display content of the display unit 25 change.

  If “print with all the same size” is selected in step S73 (step S73: YES), step S74 is executed. When “print with different size” is selected (step S73: NO), step S84 is executed.

  In step S74, the print size to be printed with the same size and the resolution corresponding to the print size are selected. FIG. 11A shows an example of selection. The print size is L or A4, and the resolution is automatically set or selected from “fine” or “rough” (predetermined resolution change level) using the cross key 26b and the decision button 26i. In the figure, an example in which the print size L and the automatic resolution setting are selected is shown. Thereafter, the “OK” or “Return” button at the bottom of the screen is selected and determined.

  In the subsequent step S75, it is determined which of the “OK” or “Return” button has been determined. If “OK” (step S75: YES), step S76 is executed. In the case of “return” (step S75: NO), the process returns to step S74 and the print size and resolution are selected again.

  On the other hand, in step S84, the resolution for each print size to be printed at a different size is selected. FIG. 11B shows an example of selection. The print size is a predetermined L size or A4, and the resolution is selected for each print size. The resolution is selected and determined from the automatic setting or “fine” or “rough” (predetermined resolution change level) using the cross key 26b and the decision button 26i. In this example, the automatic resolution setting is selected and the resolution “fine” setting is selected for the print size A4. Thereafter, the “OK” or “Return” button at the bottom of the screen is selected and determined.

  In a succeeding step S85, it is determined which of the “OK” or “Return” button is determined. If “OK” (step S85: YES), step S86 is executed. In the case of “return” (step S85: NO), the process returns to step S84 and the resolution selection for the print size is performed again.

  In step S76, an image selection / number specification screen is displayed on the display unit 25. FIG. 12A shows an example of an image selection and number designation screen displayed on the display unit 25. On the screen, thumbnails of each image are displayed in a list so that the number of prints can be entered.

  In step S77, an image to be printed is selected and the number of prints is designated. The image to be printed is selected by the left and right buttons of the cross key 26b, and the number of prints is designated by increasing / decreasing it with the up and down buttons of the cross key 26b. When all print images have been selected and the number of prints has been specified, the decision button 26i is used for decision.

  In a succeeding step S78, it is determined whether or not the decision button 26i is pressed. If it is pressed (step S78: YES), step S79 is executed. If it has not been pressed (step S78: NO), the process returns to step S77, and selection of the image to be printed and designation of the number of prints are performed again.

  On the other hand, in step S86, an image selection, size, and number designation screen is displayed on the display unit 25. FIG. 12B shows an example of an image selection, size, and number designation screen displayed on the display unit 25. A list of thumbnails of each image is displayed on the screen, and the print size and number of prints can be entered.

  In step S87, an image to be printed is selected, and the print size and number of prints are designated. The image to be printed is selected by the left and right buttons of the cross key 26b, the print size is selected by using T and W of the zoom button 26a, and the number of sheets is specified by increasing / decreasing with the up and down buttons of the cross key 26b. . When all print images have been selected and the print size and number of prints have been designated, the decision button 26i is used for decision.

  In a succeeding step S88, it is determined whether or not the decision button 26i is pressed. If it is pressed (step S88: YES), step S79 is executed. If it has not been pressed (step S88: NO), the process returns to step S87, and the selection of the image to be printed, the print size and the number of sheets are specified again.

  In step S79, a print order confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 25. FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show examples of a print order content confirmation screen displayed on the display unit 25. FIG. 13A shows a screen when the processes from step S74 to step S78 are performed, in which the designated print size, the resolution designation for the designated print size, and the total order quantity are displayed in a list. FIG. 13B is a screen when the processes from step S84 to step S88 are performed. The resolution designation for each print size and the total order quantity for each print size are listed.

  An "OK" or "Return" button is displayed at the bottom of the screen, and either one is selected with the left and right buttons of the cross key 26b and determined using the decision button 26i.

  In the subsequent step S80, it is determined which of the “OK” and “Return” buttons has been determined. In the case of “OK” (step S80: YES), the set print order content becomes a print instruction, and the print order is placed. That is, a series of print ordering processes up to the next resolution conversion process and transfer process are executed, and an order is placed on the print management server 7. In the case of “return” (step S80: NO), the process returns to step S71, and the print order content designation process is performed again from the display of the print size / resolution selection screen.

  This completes the print order content designation process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the camera as the image input device, print image data in which an appropriate resolution at the time of printing is set according to the print size of image data to be printed and resolution conversion processing is performed. Is transferred to an image print management apparatus as an image output apparatus, so that it is possible to transmit image data for printing in a short time while maintaining appropriate print image quality even in wireless communication.

  As a result, a camera as an image input device, an image print management device as an image output device, and an image provided with them are unlikely to cause transmission errors even in a situation where a stable communication state is not always maintained due to radio wave conditions and power conditions. A print management system and an image print management method can be provided.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified forms are also included in the scope thereof as long as the gist of the present invention is met.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image print management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (a) from the front side showing an example of the appearance of the digital camera 1 and a perspective view (b) from the back side. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view (a) and a rear perspective view (b) showing an internal configuration example of the digital camera 1. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example (a) of a digital camera 1 and a functional configuration example (b) of a print management server 7. FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of an imaging control unit 31 and an image data control unit 32 in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image print management system. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of print ordering processing in the digital camera 1. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of wireless connection processing in the digital camera 1. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of print order content designation processing in the digital camera 1. It is a figure which shows the example (a) of selection screen display of an access point in the display part 25 at the time of a wireless connection process, and the example (b) of encryption key input screen display. It is a display example of a print size and resolution selection screen on the display unit 25 at the time of order content designation processing. It is an example of a display of the image selection in the display part 25 at the time of order content designation | designated processing, and a (size) number designation screen. It is a display example of a print order content confirmation screen on the display unit 25 at the time of order content specification processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a form which connects an image input device (camera) and an image output device (printer).

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera 2 PDA
3 Cellular Phone 4 Wireless LAN Access Point 5 Cellular Phone Antenna 6 Network 7 Print Management Server 8 Printer 11 Camera Body 12 Imaging Optical System 13 Imaging Element 14 Control, Image Processing, Power Supply Board 15 Storage Recording Medium (Memory Card)
16 Flash 17 Flash board 18 Power switch 19 Shutter button 22 Antenna 23 Wireless module 24 USB terminal 25 Display unit 26a to 26i Operation button 30 Control unit (CPU)
Reference Signs List 31 Imaging control unit 32 Image data processing unit 33 Operation unit 34 Storage unit 35 Communication unit 36 Image input / output unit 40 Print processing unit 41 Print instruction unit 42 Image conversion processing unit 43 Transfer processing unit 60 Control unit 61 Image data management unit 62 Print Control unit 63 Storage unit 64 Communication unit 65 Image input / output unit

Claims (10)

An image print management system comprising: a camera capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data; and an image print management apparatus that receives image data from the camera and prints out the received image data,
The camera
Photographing means for obtaining image data by photographing; storage means for storing image data obtained by the photographing means;
Print instruction input means for inputting a print instruction for image data;
Print image processing means for performing image processing of image data to be printed based on the print instruction input by the print instruction input means;
A transfer means for transferring the print image data image-processed by the print image processing means to the image print management apparatus together with the print instruction input by the print instruction input means;
The image print management device includes:
Print image storage means for storing the transferred print image data and print instructions;
Print control means for controlling a printer based on the print image data and the print instruction, and the print instruction input means includes:
You can enter print size instructions for image data to be printed,
The print image processing means includes
Based on the print size input by the print instruction input means, performs resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed.
An image print management system. The print instruction input means
You can enter the resolution change level instruction for the image data to be printed,
The print image processing means includes
Based on the print size input by the print instruction input means and the resolution change level, resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed is performed.
The image print management system according to claim 1. The transfer means includes
Print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing by the print image processing unit is stored in the storage unit before transfer of print image data, and is erased from the storage unit after transfer of print image data is completed;
The image print management system according to claim 1, wherein the image print management system is an image print management system. A camera capable of transmitting and receiving image data wirelessly,
Photographing means for acquiring image data by photographing;
Storage means for storing image data acquired by the photographing means;
Print instruction input means for inputting a print instruction for image data;
Print image processing means for performing image processing of image data to be printed based on the print instruction input by the print instruction input means;
A transfer unit that transfers the print image data image-processed by the print image processing unit to an external device together with the print instruction input by the print instruction input unit;
The print instruction input means
You can enter print size instructions for image data to be printed,
The print image processing means includes
Based on the print size input by the print instruction input means, performs resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed.
A camera characterized by that. The print instruction input means
You can enter the resolution change level instruction for the image data to be printed,
The print image processing means includes
Based on the print size input by the print instruction input means and the resolution change level, resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed is performed.
The camera according to claim 4. The transfer means includes
Print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing by the print image processing unit is stored in the storage unit before transfer of print image data, and is erased from the storage unit after transfer of print image data is completed;
The camera according to claim 4 or 5, wherein An image print management apparatus that receives image data wirelessly transmitted from a camera and prints out the received image data,
Print image storage means for storing print image data and print instructions received from the camera;
Print control means for controlling a printer based on the print image data and print instructions, and the print control means,
Controlling the printer to print out the print image data according to the print size and resolution designated by the print instruction;
An image print management apparatus. An image print management method in which an image print management apparatus receives image data from a camera capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving image data, and prints out the received image data.
A photographing step of photographing with the camera and acquiring image data;
A storage step of storing the image data acquired in the photographing step in a storage unit of the camera;
A print instruction input step for inputting a print instruction for image data to the camera;
A print image processing step in which the print image processing means of the camera performs image processing of image data to be printed based on the print instruction input in the print instruction input step;
A transfer step of transferring the print image data image-processed in the print image processing step together with the print instruction input in the print instruction input step from the camera to the image print management device;
In the image print management apparatus, a print image storage step for storing the transferred print image data and a print instruction;
A print control process for controlling a printer based on the print image data and the print instruction,
In the print instruction input step,
The print size instruction for the image data to be printed is input,
In the print image processing step,
Based on the print size input in the print instruction input step, resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed is performed.
An image print management method. In the print instruction input step,
The resolution change level instruction for the image data to be printed is input,
In the print image processing step,
Based on the print size and resolution change level input in the print instruction input step, resolution conversion processing of image data to be printed is performed.
The image print management method according to claim 8. In the transfer step,
Print image data subjected to resolution conversion processing in the print image processing step is stored in the storage unit of the camera before transfer of the print image data, and is erased from the storage unit after the transfer of the print image data is completed.
10. The image print management method according to claim 8, wherein the image print management method is provided.

Images