JP4438888B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prints an image taken by, for example, an electronic camera on paper.

  In recent years, a subject image is imaged on a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an imaging optical system and converted into an electrical signal, and the image data of the still image obtained thereby is recorded as in a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. So-called electronic cameras that record on a medium are becoming widespread. With the spread of this electronic camera, an image forming apparatus for printing the photographed image, so-called digital color printer, is also rapidly spreading.

  Images taken with an electronic camera are usually recorded on a recording medium such as a removable card memory. When printing this image with a digital color printer, the removable card memory can be directly attached to the digital color printer. Alternatively, an external output terminal such as an electronic camera or personal computer is connected to an external input terminal of a digital color printer to send an image.

  In addition, many recent digital color printers have a function of reading the shooting date and time recorded as attribute information of each image, and adding the read shooting date and time on the image. It is possible to easily print the printed image on a sheet.

  By the way, conventionally, this shooting date is only attached to a predetermined position on the image using a predetermined font, and an optimal position and font are selected depending on the situation such as the arrangement and orientation of each image on the paper. There was no adaptive control to choose.

  Also, there has been no print control utilizing this shooting date.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances , and it is possible to control a font for recording a shooting date and time according to an operation mode and to select a background image to be combined according to the shooting date and time. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms on a sheet an image recorded on a recording medium together with attribute information including a shooting date and time or an image transferred via a data communication path. In the apparatus, the image processing apparatus includes: a composite image creating unit that creates a composite image in which a main image is arranged on a background image; and an image forming unit that forms the composite image created by the composite image creating unit on a sheet. image forming means, based on the setting of the operation mode determining placement method of each image on the paper sheet, to together by controlling the type of font that referred the photographing date, photographing date and time of the main image indicated by the attribute information based on, if you have a means to select one of the background image from the plurality of background images, arranging a plurality of main images of different shooting month on the background image, it is determined by majority Based on shooting month that, and selects a background image.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to control the font that indicates the shooting date and time according to the operation mode and to select the background image to be combined according to the shooting date and time .

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

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this printer is provided with a card slot 2, an external interface connector 3, and an operation panel 4 on the peripheral wall of the printer main body 1. The card slot 2 is a storage unit that detachably stores a removable card memory that records images, and the external interface connector 3 is an input terminal for connecting a cable when receiving an image from an electronic camera or a personal computer. . The operation panel 4 is provided with an operation unit and a display unit for a user interface.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the operation panel 4 in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 4 includes a mode switching dial 41a, a menu button 41b, a confirmation button 41c, a cross, as an operation unit. A key 41d and a print button 41e are provided, and a liquid crystal panel 42a is provided as a display unit.

  The mode switching dial 41a is a dial for switching the operation mode of the printer, and the menu button 41b is a button for displaying detailed items of each mode on the liquid crystal panel 42a. The confirmation button 41c is a button for setting detailed items of each mode, and the cross key 41d is a key for selecting detailed items and setting contents of each mode. The print button 41e is a button for instructing the start of printing. The liquid crystal panel 42a is a display for simply displaying images to be printed, setting contents, and the like.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the inside of the printer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The overall control of this printer is controlled by a control microcomputer 11, and this control microcomputer 11 controls the operation of each unit while taking a user interface with an operation unit 41 and a display unit 42 provided on the operation panel 4. . Further, the control microcomputer 11 has an image processing unit, and performs various image processing including not only the operation control of each unit but also the synthesis and the shooting date assignment. The image of the removable card memory A stored in the card slot 2 is read by the card interface 12 and temporarily stored in the image buffer memory 13. The image buffer memory 13 is a working memory for temporarily storing images for image processing. Normally, images in the removable card memory A are compressed by JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or the like. The image stored in the image buffer memory 13 is expanded into an uncompressed image by the compression / decompression circuit 14 and then stored in the image buffer memory 13 again.

  The image developed in the compression / decompression circuit 14 and then stored again in the image buffer memory 13 is transferred to the head drive circuit 15, and the image is further transferred from the head drive circuit 15 to the printer head 16. A control signal for printing is sent out. As a result, the printer head 16 prints the image of the removable card memory A on the paper.

  Similarly, an image input to the external interface connector 3 from an electronic camera or a personal computer is captured by the external interface 17, temporarily stored in the image buffer memory 13, and then expanded by the compression / decompression circuit 14 as necessary. The image is transferred to the head drive circuit 15 and printed on the paper by the printer head 16.

  Which of the card slot 2 and the external interface connector 3 is used to input an image is switched by operating the mode switching dial 41a and the cross key 41d of the operation panel 4. More specifically, first, the mode switching dial 41a is set to “input switching”. When the mode switching dial 41a is set to “input switching”, the control microcomputer 11 displays a menu for selecting either the card slot 2 or the external interface connector 3 on the liquid crystal panel 42a. The desired input destination is selected by operating the key 41d.

  The printer is further provided with a font memory 18 and a background / frame image storage memory 19. The font memory 18 stores various fonts such as Gothic and Mincho for writing the shooting date attached to the image, while the background / frame image storage memory 19 stores a background image for decorating the image. Frame images are stored. The printer controls the position of the shooting date and the type of font attached to the image by decorating the image with the background image or frame image stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19. Hereinafter, control unique to this printer will be described in detail.

  This printer has a basic mode in which each image is printed without any processing, and an album that performs so-called album printing, in which a plurality of images are printed on one sheet so that they can be stored like an album if they are bound as they are. Mode. In this album mode, the control microcomputer 11 lays out the background image stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19 in a decoration. The selection of the basic mode and the album mode is performed depending on whether the mode switching dial 41a is set to “basic” or “album”.

  The printer also has a function of assigning a shooting date to each image based on attribute information recorded in the removable card memory A. This attribute information is automatically recorded at the time of photographing with the electronic camera, and is recorded together with the image in a predetermined format.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control microcomputer 11 uses a Gothic font as the font indicating the shooting date when the shooting date is assigned to each image in the basic mode, while the album mode When the shooting date is sometimes attached to each image, the font to be used is automatically switched according to the operation mode so that the font of the shooting date uses the Mincho font. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which a shooting date written in Gothic font is attached to each image in the basic mode, and FIG. 5 is a shooting date written in Mincho font in each image in the album mode. It is a figure which shows the example to which is attached | subjected.

  As described above, in this printer, it is possible to change the font type for marking the shooting date for each layout.

  Further, in this printer, in the basic mode, it is possible to set how many images are to be printed on one sheet, and the control microcomputer 11 is a composite image in which the set number of images are arranged. , And the created composite image is transferred to the head drive circuit 15 to cause the printer head 16 to print the image.

  At this time, the control microcomputer 11 mechanically arranges each image regardless of the orientation, but the position of the shooting date attached to each image is automatically switched depending on the orientation. This orientation is also acquired from the attribute information recorded in the removable card memory A, like the shooting date. In this printer, it is possible to select an image on the operation panel 4 and assign vertical and horizontal attributes. In this case, the control microcomputer 11 determines the shooting date attached to each image based on the assigned information. Switch position.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that four images are printed on one sheet. In this case, the control microcomputer 11 mechanically arranges the four images. However, the image in the landscape orientation is given a shooting date at positions a1 to a3, whereas the image in the portrait orientation is a4. Add the shooting date to the position.

  As described above, in this printer, for example, when a plurality of images are arranged in a matrix on a sheet of paper and printed, the shooting date and time are not attached to the same position of each image, but the orientation of each image is considered. Then, the shooting date and time are attached to the optimum positions.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, this printer lays out the background image stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19 in the album mode, and this background image is cross-shaped while looking at the liquid crystal panel 42a. A desired background image is selected by operating the key 41d. This printer also has a function of automatically selecting a background image from the shooting date regardless of the user setting.

  Assume that four background images are stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19 as shown in FIG. Further, (a) to (d) are assumed to be designated for spring, summer, autumn and winter in order.

  Then, in the album mode, the control microcomputer 11 acquires the shooting date of the image from the attribute information, and if the month is from April to June, it is for spring in (a), and if it is from July to September (b ) For summer, and for October to December, select (c) for autumn, and for March to March, select (d) for winter to create a composite image. When different shooting months are mixed among a plurality of images arranged on the same sheet, the shooting month of the first image may be adopted, or the shooting month may be determined by majority vote.

  Thus, in this printer, for example, a background image reflecting the image of spring is selected for an image having the shooting date and time from April to June, and summer is imaged for an image having the shooting date and time from July to September. It is possible to automatically print with fine effects such as selecting a background image.

  Also, in this printer, various frame images for bordering are stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19. FIG. 8 is a diagram exemplifying frame images stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19, and as shown in FIG. 8, different frame images are arranged at the periphery of the same image. This makes it possible to print with various effects.

  However, as shown in FIG. 8, the widths of the frame images arranged at the peripheral edge of each image vary, and the shooting date acquired from the attribute information is determined in advance regardless of the type of the frame image. If the position is fixed, the compositional balance may be lost depending on the frame image, and the finish cannot be satisfied. Therefore, in this printer, the control microcomputer 11 controls the position of the shooting date attached to each image according to the type of the frame image.

  As a result, in this printer, for example, when a thick frame image is placed around as compared with a case where a thin frame image is placed around, the position of the shooting date and time is moved inward. Depending on the type, it is possible to add the shooting date and time to a more attractive position.

  Further, in this printer, each frame image is not stored in the background / frame image storage memory 19 in a complete form, but only two block images of a corner portion and a straight portion are displayed as shown in FIGS. Storing. The control microcomputer 11 assembles a complete frame image from the two block images as necessary.

  For example, FIG. 9 is a block image of a corner portion (FIG. 9 (a)) and a straight portion (FIG. 9 (b)) for assembling the wood frame of FIG. 8 (f). These are used to assemble the wood frame when it is placed at the periphery of the image. Similarly, FIG. 10 is a block image of a corner portion (FIG. 10A) and a straight line portion (FIG. 10B) for assembling the metal frame of FIG. 8E.

  As a result, this printer can greatly save the consumption capacity of the background / frame image storage memory 19 as compared with the case of holding various frame images in a complete form.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, various operation procedures at the time of printing of this printer will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the printer controls the type of font for marking the shooting date.

  When the control microcomputer 11 is instructed to add the shooting date and time from the operation unit 41 (YES in step A1), the control microcomputer 11 checks whether the mode is the basic mode or the album mode (step A2). In step A2, “basic”), the shooting date obtained from the attribute information recorded with the image is written in Gothic (step A3). On the other hand, in the album mode (“album” in step A2), the shooting date is displayed. After writing in the Mincho style (step A4), image printing is executed (step A5).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the position where the printer attaches the shooting date is controlled according to the orientation of the image.

  When the control microcomputer 11 is instructed to add the shooting date and time from the operation unit 41 (YES in step B1), first, the orientation of each image is examined from the attribute information recorded together with the image (step B2). If the orientation of the image is landscape ("horizontal" in step B2), the shooting date is attached to the lower right of the image (step B3), while if the orientation of the image is portrait ("B" in step B2). "Vertical"), a shooting date rotated 90 degrees to the left is added to the upper right of the image (step B4), and then the image is printed (step B5).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the printer automatically selects a background image from a shooting date.

  When the control microcomputer 11 captures the main image to be arranged on the background image (step C1), the control microcomputer 11 first acquires the shooting date and time from the attribute information recorded together with the main image (step C2). Then, one of the background images that matches the acquired shooting date is selected (step C3), a composite image in which the main image is arranged on the background image is created (step C4), and image printing is executed. (Step C5).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the printer attaches a frame and a shooting date to an image.

  When the control microcomputer 11 is instructed to add a border by a frame image from the operation unit 41 (YES in Step D1), first, the control microcomputer 11 assembles the frame image from the block image (Step D2). When the operation unit 41 instructs to add the shooting date and time (YES in step D3), the position of the shooting date and time is determined according to the presence or absence of the frame and the type of frame and attached to the image (step D4). Then, image printing is executed (step D5).

  As described above, this printer can add the shooting date and time to an appropriate position on the image.

External view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the external appearance of the operation panel of the printer of the embodiment in more detail Detailed configuration diagram of the inside of the printer of the embodiment The figure which shows the example which attaches the imaging | photography date and time described with the font of the Gothic font at the printer of the embodiment at the time of basic mode The figure which shows the example which attaches the imaging | photography date and time described with the font of Mincho in the album mode in the printer of the embodiment The figure which shows the example which the printer of the embodiment changes the position which attaches imaging | photography date according to the direction of each image The figure for demonstrating the example which the printer of the embodiment selects a background image based on the imaging | photography date of each image. The figure which illustrates the various frame images which the printer of the embodiment uses in order to border each image A first diagram illustrating a block image used by the printer of the embodiment for assembling a frame image 2nd figure which illustrates the block image which the printer of the embodiment uses for the assembly of a frame image The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement procedure at the time of controlling the kind of font which describes the imaging | photography date with the printer of the embodiment The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement procedure at the time of controlling the position which the printer of the embodiment attaches a photography date according to the direction of an image. A flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the printer of the embodiment automatically selects a background image from a shooting date. A flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when the printer of the embodiment attaches a frame and a shooting date to an image.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer main body, 2 ... Card slot, 3 ... External interface connector, 4 ... Operation panel, 11 ... Control microcomputer, 12 ... Card interface, 13 ... Image buffer memory, 14 ... Compression / decompression circuit, 15 ... Head drive circuit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Printer head, 17 ... External interface, 18 ... Font memory, 19 ... Background and frame image storage memory, A ... Detachable card memory, 41 ... Operation part, 42 ... Display part, 41a ... Mode switching dial, 41b ... Menu button , 41c, a confirmation button, 41d, a cross key, 41e, a print button, 42, a display unit, 42a, a liquid crystal panel.

Claims (1)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image recorded on a recording medium together with attribute information including shooting date and time or an image transferred via a data communication path on a sheet,
A composite image creating means for creating a composite image in which the main image is arranged on the background image;
Image forming means for forming the composite image created by the composite image creating means on a sheet,
The composite image creating means includes
Based on the setting of the operation mode determining placement method of each image on the paper sheet, to together by controlling the type of font that referred the shooting date, based on the shooting date and time of the main image indicated by the attribute information, a plurality of have a means to select one of the background image from the background image,
An image forming apparatus , wherein when a plurality of main images having different shooting months are arranged on a background image, the background image is selected based on a shooting month determined by majority vote .

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