JPH11146308A - Image information recorder and image print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store image data and instruction information efficiently and to use them in the device such as a digital camera with a print order function in which image data and print instruction information inputted while referencing a reproduced image of the image data are recorded as data having a prescribed format in a recording medium. SOLUTION: At a storage area of instruction information on print processing inputted by the user, a tag area 8 of an image file 7 and an order file 6 that is generated separately from the image file 7 are properly used, and a flag in the order file 6 indicates validity of the instruction information of the tag area 8. An image handling device 3 of a laboratory that receives a print order references the flag in the order file 6 and references the information in the tag area 8 when the instruction information stored in the tag area 8 of the image file 7 is valid and executes print processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a digital camera having a print ordering function, which converts image data and instruction information input with reference to a reproduced image of the image data as data of a predetermined format. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium and an image printing system including the image recording apparatus as one of the components.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various services provided by a computer system, service order information is stored as digital data on a removable medium or a hard disk, and the digital data is taken into the system and used.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-282282 discloses an output service store system used when a design office or the like outputs an edited image designed using a computer. This system reads the information from a medium in which the client's address, name, type of output device, method, and the like are recorded as digital data and uses the information to efficiently output and deliver an edited image. .

In recent years, in the field of digital photography services, network photography services using the Internet have been provided. In such a service, an order is placed by a user creating digital order information on a personal computer and transferring the order information to a service provider system via the Internet.

On the other hand, in order to efficiently manage image information recorded in a medium, management information is added to data representing an image. For example, TIFF, which is known as a standard format of an image file, handles management information added to image data in a predetermined form called a tag as one image file. In JPEG, which is known as an image compression format, management information can be recorded in a predetermined data area prepared for an application system.

Exif, which is standardized as an image file format for digital cameras by the Japan Electronics Industry Development Association, has two types of formats: an uncompressed format based on TIFF and a compressed format based on JPEG. Is specified, and in the uncompressed format, the above JP
Additional information can be recorded in a data area prepared for the EG application system in the same format as the TIFF tag.

[0007]

In the network photo service as described above, the user needs to first import the image data into a personal computer, start application software for ordering, and create an order file. On the other hand, it has been proposed to provide an order processing function as one function of a digital camera, or to provide an order receiving terminal in a lab or the like, so that a user who does not have a personal computer can easily place an order.

For example, as a method of incorporating an order processing function into a digital camera, a digital camera having a liquid crystal screen displays a photographed image and a processing menu on the screen, and displays the order information selected and input by a button or the like in the Exif.
A method of describing the tag as a tag is being studied. In this method, the number of prints can be determined and stored in the memory immediately after shooting, so that it is not necessary to review all the photos and determine the number of orders later. In other words, it is a convenient and convenient method for not only users who do not have a personal computer but also users who have a personal computer.

[0009] However, when order information is described in a tag, there is a problem in that it is not possible to designate a process that spans a plurality of images, for example, output of an index print.

[0010] A first object of the present invention is to provide an ordering function that does not lose the simplicity of the method using the tag and that can perform not only ordinary printing but also synthetic printing that requires complicated processing. That is, it is realized on a device that can be used by all users regardless of whether or not they have a personal computer. In other words, without requiring a lot of resources like the order processing software running on a personal computer,
For example, an object of the present invention is to realize a resource-saving order function that can be incorporated as a function of a low-cost digital camera.

In the method of exchanging only digital data between the user and the service provider as described above, the user contradicts the relationship between the data because the system on the service provider side uses the data unexpectedly. May occur, or data may be altered due to a unique operation or an erroneous operation by the user. This may hinder the photographing process and the print process, and may lead to trouble between the user and the service provider.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a system having an ordering function which makes it relatively unlikely that data inconsistency occurs and which can detect even if data has been tampered with. That is.

[0013]

According to the image information recording apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned first problem, instruction information on print processing input by a user is stored in a tag area of an image file, an image file, and an image file. Efficiently stores in two types of order files created separately.

That is, the image information recording apparatus of the present invention comprises:
What is claimed is: 1. An image information recording apparatus which records image data representing an image on a recording medium together with instruction information on print processing of the image, wherein the data acquisition means acquires image data by imaging or reading the recording medium, and the acquired image data Reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying as a visible image, instruction information receiving means for receiving instruction information relating to the print processing, which is designated and input based on the visible image,
An image file recording unit that records the image data on the recording medium as an image file having a tag area capable of describing at least a part of the instruction information; and at least a part of the instruction information. Creating an order file that describes a format type of the image file and a flag indicating whether or not instruction information in the image file is valid, and records the order file in the recording medium. Order file recording means, and description destination determination means for determining a file describing the instruction information in accordance with the content of the instruction information specified and input, wherein the image file recording means determines the description destination determination means. The instruction information is described in the tag area based on the above, and the order file recording means is based on the determination of the description destination determining means. With describing the value of the serial flag,
The instruction information is described in the order file.

Here, the image information recording apparatus of the present invention is embodied as, for example, a digital camera with an ordering function. The “recording medium” is specifically SSSDC,
A memory card such as a compact flash or a PC card, or a removable medium such as an FD, PictureMD, Zip, or MO. However, in the case of a device that can directly exchange data with another device or system, such as a digital camera with an infrared communication function, the “recording medium” may be a memory built in the device.

[0016] The "data acquisition means" includes an image pickup function of a digital camera or a memory card reading function.
It means a function provided in a known digital camera. The "reproduction display means" refers to a liquid crystal screen provided in a known digital camera and a display function on the liquid crystal screen.

The "instruction information receiving means" has, for example, a function of displaying a print processing menu that can be specified on the liquid crystal screen, and enabling selection of the menu by a button attached to the digital camera. .

The “image file in a format having a tag area” includes, for example, the above-mentioned Exif file,
IFF, JPEG, etc. may be used. Alternatively, other formats may be defined.

The phrase "at least part of the instruction information can be described" means that the instruction information may or may not be described, which is determined by the description destination determining means. .

At this time, "determining a file in which the instruction information is described in accordance with the content of the instruction information specified and input" means, for example, a description of information relating to only individual image data in the instruction information. It is conceivable that the destination is the tag area of the image file and the description destination of the information related to a plurality of image data is the order file. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the instruction information is described in the tag area according to the file format of the image specified as the print target.

The destination to be described can be determined in advance by defining the destination for each content of the instruction information. For example, print instruction information input immediately after photographing is described in a tag area, and after the photographing, Print instruction information input during reproduction of an image may be described in an order file.

Here, as information relating only to individual image data, for example, information specifying the number of prints of image data, information specifying a trimming area of image data, information specifying rotation processing of image data, and the like can be considered.

On the other hand, information relating to a plurality of image data includes information specifying a storage location and / or a file name of an image file in which each image data is stored, and information of a composite print created by synthesizing a plurality of image data. Information that specifies the number of prints, information that specifies the content of the combination of the combined print created by combining a plurality of image data, and the like can be considered.

Here, the "storage location and / or file name" may be specified individually for the file name, or may be specified for the storage location and the file name. This means that only the storage directory may be described as the instruction information so that an index print including all the image files in the directory can be ordered.

The destination of the instruction information may be determined for each item included in the instruction, instead of selecting either the image file or the order file for one instruction. For example, when specifying a process of trimming a predetermined range of each of the images A and B and pasting the trimmed range to a background image template, the trimming range is described in a tag area in each image file, and the template is specified or pasted. The designation of the position may be described in the order file.

The "order file" should be a file such as a text file, which is small enough to be easily recorded on a memory card for a digital camera and has a format in which the instruction information can be easily added. Is desirable.

At this time, the format of the order file may be a format in which the instruction information is described by being divided into sections for each print type. Here, the “print type” refers to a type such as a pattern and a size. For example, when the same image is printed in L size and 2L size, there are two print types. The instruction information is described separately in a section for L size printing and a section for 2L size printing.

In the order file, information such as a delivery address of the completed print and a desired delivery date may be recorded in addition to the information specifically indicating the content of the print processing.

The image data is, for example, stored in a memory only in a predetermined format at the time of shooting, and is re-recorded by the image file recording means as a file in a format in which the instruction information is described in the tag area again. However, re-recording in a different format is not preferable in terms of the efficiency of the recording process.
Therefore, the image file recording means temporarily records the image data immediately after acquisition (at the time of photographing) on a recording medium as an image file in a format having the tag area, and based on the determination by the description destination determining means, After describing the instruction information in the tag area, the image file is desirably re-recorded on the recording medium.

That is, when the image data is first recorded on the recording medium, whether or not the instruction information relating to printing is described at that time, or even if the content of the instruction information to be described is not determined, the instruction information is described. The area that can be made is secured. In this case, nothing needs to be described in the area reserved for the print instruction information, but default instruction information may be described. For example, when the number of prints is recorded as instruction information in the tag area, data indicating "number of prints 0" is described in the tag area at the time of completion of shooting, and the number of prints 0 is input later based on the reproduced image. The re-recording may be performed by replacing the value of the number of sheets.

In order to solve the second problem, in the image information recording apparatus, the order file recording means may include an error detection code or an error correction code in the order file. It is desirable that a lab system that receives the order file and performs the printing process checks this and detects an error. Exclusive OR, C
A known code widely used in a data transfer system, such as an RC, a Hamming code, and a BHC code, may be applied.

Next, the image printing system of the present invention
A printing system includes the image information recording device as one component. Specifically, it is a system including a digital camera and a reproduction device (photofinishing system) in a lab, or an order receiving terminal device and a photofinishing system installed in a lab or the like.

That is, an image printing system according to the present invention comprises: an image information recording apparatus for recording image data representing an image on a recording medium together with instruction information on print processing of the image; An image print system comprising: a playback device that captures instruction information and performs the print processing, wherein the image information recording device includes: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire image data by imaging or reading a recording medium; and Reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying data as a visible image;
Instruction information receiving means for receiving instruction information relating to the print processing, which is designated and input based on the visible image, and a format having a tag area capable of describing at least a part of the instruction information. Image file recording means for recording on the recording medium as an image file, a file having a format capable of describing at least a part of the instruction information, a format type of the image file, and instruction information in the image file. An order file recording means for creating an order file in which a flag indicating whether the flag is valid or not and writing the order file in the recording medium, and a file describing the instruction information according to the content of the instruction information specified and input And a description destination determining means for determining the destination. The order information is described in the tag area, and the order file recording means describes the value of the flag based on the determination of the description destination determining means, and describes the instruction information in the order file. The playback device is characterized in that the reproducing device is a file capturing unit that captures the image file and the order file, and determines whether or not the instruction information in the image file is valid based on a flag in the order file. Determination flag determination means, instruction information capture means for capturing instruction information described in the image file and / or the order file based on the result of the determination, and storage in the image file based on the instruction information And a printing means for performing a printing process on the selected image data. .

The "file taking means" includes a card reader for reading a memory card, a media drive for reading a removable medium, a communication device for taking in a file transferred by the Internet or infrared communication, and communication software.

Further, "to take in the instruction information described in the image file and / or the order file based on the result of the judgment" means that the instruction information in the tag area of the image file is valid. If there is, the instruction information is also taken in, and if invalid, the instruction information is ignored.

The order file recording means of the image information recording apparatus describes an error detection code or an error correction code in the order file. Alternatively, it is desirable to detect an error in the order file based on an error correction code.

In this case, the playback device simply detects the error,
For example, processing may be interrupted by outputting an error message such as "This order file is an invalid file". In the case of an error correction code such as CRC, a warning message may be output because an error can be corrected. , The error may be automatically corrected, and the printing process may be continued.

Generally, one of the software design techniques is
One method is to use a predetermined default value when the description of data is omitted.
In this specification, "describe instruction information" or "do not describe" does not mean whether or not some data is actually described in a file, but information that is effective for a system interpreting the file. Means whether or not to include them. That is, a case where a default value is automatically set by omitting the description is included in “description”.

[0039]

According to the image information recording apparatus and the image printing system of the present invention, a tag area of an image file and an order file created separately from the image file are stored as storage locations of instruction information relating to print processing input by a user. Two places are properly used, and the validity of the instruction information of the tag area is indicated by a flag in the order file.

In the apparatus and system of the present invention, for example, instruction information relating to only individual image data is described in a tag area of an image file, and instruction information relating to a plurality of image data is described in an order file. Since the storage location of the information is properly used according to the content of the instruction information, the instruction information can be efficiently recorded, and a system for creating a print by referring to the instruction information can also efficiently receive the instruction.

At this time, since the storage location is automatically determined by the description destination determining means of the image information recording apparatus, the user does not need to be particularly conscious of the description destination, and the user can select a button or the like based on the displayed processing menu. All you have to do is input the instruction.

Specifically, for example, when an image file having a format including a tag area and an image file having a format not including a tag area are mixed, all instruction information is described in an order file, and a tag is used by a tag. By indicating that the information in the area is invalid, it is possible to prevent confusion in the system of the referring lab.

Even when it is known in advance that no instruction information is described in the tag area, the fact that the information in the tag area is invalid is recorded by the flag, and the reference laboratory is recorded. This system eliminates the need to search for image files, and increases the efficiency of the printing process.

When the instruction information is described in the order file, the specification of the template, the arrangement position, etc.
A complicated specification can be easily performed as compared with the specification in the image file.

On the other hand, when the image is printed as it is, if the instruction information is described only in the tag area of the image file, the size of the order file can be reduced.

As described above, the instruction information is stored in an optimum form according to the contents, so that the data transfer efficiency and the print processing efficiency are not reduced.
All orders, from simple prints to complex prints, can be processed easily.

If the order file is described as a text file and only the minimum necessary instruction information is described as a simple code, the size of the order file can be reduced, and the burden of additional processing of the instruction information is reduced. Few.

As information relating to only individual image data, in addition to information for designating the number of prints, designation of a trimming region and designation of a rotation angle in a rotation process are described. If such information describes the storage directory and file name of the image file, the number of prints of the composite print, the content of the composite processing, etc., it is possible to order and create an advanced edited image print only by exchanging instruction information. Can be.

In general, when ordering prints, it is sometimes desired to order several types of prints at once. Therefore, if the format of the order file is such that the instruction information can be described by being divided into sections for each print type, print orders for a plurality of print types can be collectively performed by one order file.

When an image file is recorded on a recording medium, immediately after the image data is obtained, the image data is temporarily recorded on the recording medium as an image file in a format having a tag area, If the instruction information is described in the tag area of the image file after receiving the input of information and re-recording is performed, it is stored in another format at the time of shooting, and the format of the format having the tag area is newly provided later. The recording process is more efficient than re-recording as a file.

Further, if an error detection code or an error correction code is described in the order file, even if the file has been tampered with intentionally or erroneously by the user, it can be detected in the lab system. Therefore, trouble can be prevented beforehand.

[0052]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image information recording apparatus and an image printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a system in which the image information recording apparatus of the present invention is implemented as a digital camera. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system in which the image information recording apparatus of the present invention is implemented as a dedicated terminal for receiving a print order.

First, the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described. In FIG. 1, a digital camera 1a is a type of camera provided with a liquid crystal monitor, and records image data obtained by photographing on a memory card 2 detachable from the digital camera body. On the other hand, the image handling device 3 is a computer provided with peripheral devices and software for capturing an image, performing image processing, and outputting the image to a printer. The digital photograph printer 4 is a known printer that prints out input image data in accordance with a given instruction. The template database 5 is a database for storing and providing background images, illustrations, art characters, and the like used for creating an edited print. The image handling apparatus 3, digital photo printer 4, and template database 5 are all installed as a lab system that provides a print service.

Here, the function of the digital camera 1a corresponding to the image information recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. 2. Description of the Related Art In general, a known digital camera equipped with a liquid crystal monitor has a function of performing shooting, reproducing and displaying an image immediately after shooting on a monitor attached to the camera, and recording the image in a memory in response to an instruction input from a user (hereinafter, referred to as a function). And a function of reproducing and displaying an image recorded in the memory on a monitor and deleting an image in response to an instruction input from a user (hereinafter, referred to as a reproduction mode).

In the image information recording apparatus of the present invention, in addition to these functions, the image recorded in the memory is reproduced and displayed on the monitor, and if necessary, a menu of processing items that can be ordered for printing is displayed on the monitor. It has a function of taking in instruction information on print processing input from the user and describing it in the tag area 8 of the order file 6 or the image file 7. This function may be realized by incorporating the order processing as a part of the shooting mode or the reproduction mode, or may be realized as an order mode different from the shooting mode or the reproduction mode.

Describe in order file 8 or tag area 8
Is previously determined for each item of instruction information. Alternatively, for example, the instruction information input in the photographing mode is described in the tag area 8 and the instruction information input in the reproduction mode is described in the order file 8. Good. In any case, the user only needs to input the instruction information according to the processing menu displayed on the liquid crystal monitor, and does not need to be particularly conscious of the description destination.

The order file 6 and the image file 7 recorded on the memory card 2 by the above-described function of the digital camera 1a are set in the card reader provided in the image handling device 3 by removing the memory card 2 from the digital camera 1. By doing so, it is passed to the lab system. The image handling device 3 takes in the order file 6 and the image file 7 from the memory card 2 and
Alternatively, template data is obtained from the template database 5 as necessary in accordance with the instruction information described in the tag area 8 of the image file 7, and color, gradation conversion, After performing image processing such as conversion and various editing processes, the processed image data is transferred to the photographic printer 4. The photo printer 4 converts the processed image data into a so-called ordinary photo print in accordance with an instruction from the image handling device.
10a, an index print 10b, an edit print 10c, and the like are created.

Next, the embodiment of FIG. 2 will be described. In FIG. 2, a digital camera 1b is a known digital camera having functions of a shooting mode and a playback mode. The digital camera 1b does not necessarily have to include a liquid crystal monitor. Further, the format for recording the image data 9 is not particularly limited, and may be any format determined by the manufacturer of the digital camera 1b, or may be the same format as the embodiment of FIG. On the other hand, the image handling apparatus 3, digital photo printer 4, and template database 5 may all be the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the image file 7 recorded on the memory card 2 is taken into the lab system via the order receiving terminal 11. This order receiving terminal 11 corresponds to the image information recording device of the present invention. Order reception terminal 11
Is a card reading unit 12 that reads the memory card 2 and obtains the image file 7;
And a display screen 13 for displaying various processing menus, and an instruction button 14 for selecting and inputting the displayed processing menu. This enables the order mode of the digital camera 1a shown in FIG. It provides equivalent functionality.

The order receiving terminal 11 directly contacts the image handling device 3
Alternatively, they are connected via a public line or the Internet, and transfer the created order file 6 and image file 7 to the image handling device 3 using these means. Alternatively, the memory card 2 on which the image file 7 was recorded
Then, the order file 6 and the like may be recorded again, and the data may be transferred to the image handling apparatus 3 via the memory card 2 as in the embodiment of FIG.

Next, the details of the data structure will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a storage form of an image file and an order file on a recording medium by the image information recording apparatus of the present invention. Here, the recording medium is the memory card 2 in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and is a built-in memory or a disk of the order receiving terminal 11 in the embodiment of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image information recording apparatus of the present invention classifies files into a plurality of directories and stores them in a manner similar to the file system of a personal computer. These directories may be fixed in advance, or the digital camera 1a or the order receiving terminal 11 may be provided with a directory creation function so that the user can create them. In the example of FIG. 3, the order file 6 (ORDER.TXT) and the directory IMFIDX10 exist under the root directory, and the image file 7 in the Exif compression format is stored in the directory IMFIDX10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the image file 7. As shown in the figure, the image file 7 is a file having a format in which tag data 8 describing various additional information of the image is added to image data 9 representing the image. In the tag area 8, in addition to the format type 21 of the image file, for example, a low-resolution thumbnail image 15 and shooting information such as shooting date and camera exposure.
16 and an area for describing the order information 17 which is a feature of the present invention.

The order information 17 includes, in addition to the order quantity 18,
Various items such as the trimming range 19, the center of rotation and the angle 20 can be described. The image information recording apparatus of the present invention stores print instruction information received from a user in each area according to the format.

The specific items of the order information described in the tag area 8 and the number of bits allocated to each item are as follows:
It should be determined as a design item, and is not limited to the above example.

Next, the format of the order file 6 will be described. The format of the order file 6 may be a format in which an area of a predetermined size is assigned to each descriptable item, similarly to the tag area.

However, in the example shown in FIG. 5, since the number of items described in the order file is large, and not all items are always specified, an area is not allocated in advance. Then, only the necessary items are described as text to minimize the size of the order file. In this case, for each item,
Default values are defined for each item, and items not described in the order file 6 are assigned to the image handling device 3
Automatically uses default values.

For example, a low-cost digital camera uses a CP
Because resources such as U and memory are limited to some extent,
It is practically difficult to incorporate complex order functions. However, the method of describing the order file as text does not require much resources, and can be easily incorporated into a low-cost digital camera.

The format of the order file shown in FIG. 5 is a format including a management information section that describes information on the order file itself and the like and a print instruction section that literally describes a print instruction.

In the management information section, in addition to the version of the order file, a creation date of the order file, a tag flag for indicating whether or not the order information in the tag area 8 should be referred to, an error detection code, and the like are described. That is, the content described in the management information section is information that is first confirmed when the order file 6 is loaded into the image handling device 3. For example, the image handling device 3 checks a version and an error control code, and executes a print process if the order file is a handleable file.
The error control code may be a code that simply detects an error, such as an exclusive OR, but it is preferable to adopt a code that can correct the error, such as a CRC.

On the other hand, information designated individually for each print is described in the print instruction section. For example, when it is specified that only image data satisfying a certain condition is output as an index print, the condition is described in a print instruction section. In addition,
The description of the print instruction section is not mandatory. For example, if the tag flag is ON and all the instruction information regarding the print processing is described in the tag area 8 of the image file 7, only the management information section is described in the order file.

Hereinafter, the order file will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples. FIG. 6 shows an order file created when it is instructed to print out all Exif files recorded in the recording medium as ordinary photographic prints (hereinafter referred to as normal prints). In this case, only the management information section ([General] section) is described in the order file. POF_Revision in the figure indicates the version of the order file described above, and F_DI_Revision indicates the version of the print service. These version information are automatically described irrespective of the contents of the user's designated input. PrintTypeLis
t indicates the type of print, and “Normal” is described when normal print is designated, and “Index” is described when index print is designated. ExifODR is the aforementioned tag flag. In the example of FIG. 6, since this flag is set to ON, the image handling apparatus 3 that has received this order file outputs all the Ex recorded in the recording medium.
The print processing is performed with reference to the order information 17 (FIG. 4) in the tag area 8 of the if file.

FIG. 7 shows an order file created when it is instructed to output only an image file satisfying a predetermined condition among the image files recorded in the recording medium as a normal print. In this case, the predetermined condition is described as a part of the setting of the tag flag ExifODR. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, all the files named DSC * .JPG (where "*" is an arbitrary character) under the directory "/ \ IMFIDX10" and DSC * .TIF under the directory "/ \ IM_FUJI" Is specified to output all files with the name "Normal Print".

In this case, the image handling apparatus 3 that has received the order file first searches for files satisfying the above-mentioned conditions from the files recorded in the recording medium, and writes the files described in the tag areas of those files. File format type 25 (FIG. 4). Thereby, the image handling apparatus 3 determines whether the file having the extension .JPG is a compressed file of the Exif format,
Alternatively, since it is possible to identify whether or not the file is a general JPEG file, the image handling apparatus 3 thereafter treats the image file as a file of the format type, and when the order information 17 is described in the tag, The print processing is performed with reference to the order information 17.

That is, in this example, the image handling apparatus 3 identifies the file format based on two pieces of information of the extension of the file name described in the order file and the format type 25 of the tag area of the image file. However, if it can be identified only by the extension, it is not always necessary to refer to the file format type 25 of the tag.

In FIG. 7, Creator is the name and version of the program that created the order file.
Generally, in order to be able to flexibly cope with a change in the content of the print service, it is desirable that the program for realizing the order receiving function in the image information recording apparatus be replaceable. However, in such a case, errors due to version inconsistency are likely to occur, so the name of the program that created the order file should be described so that the type and version of the order file creation program can be confirmed. Good. DateTime indicates the date and time when the order file was created. Further, a character string input as a volume label of a medium is described in VolumeLabel.

Next, an example of an order file including a management information section ([General] section) and a print instruction section ([Print] section) will be described. FIG.
DSC under the directory / \ IMFIDX10
This specifies that all files named * .JPG and all files named DSC * .TIF under the directory / \ IM_FUJI are output as normal prints. However, the order file of FIG. 8 is an order file created when it is instructed to output the target file of the normal print as an index print. In this case, besides Normal, Index
Is set.

The [Print] section in FIG. 8 describes instruction information relating to the index print. PrintI
D is an ID for distinguishing sections. PrintType
Is set with a print type. In IndexSource, the source of the file to be index-printed is set. In the example of FIG. 8, since the target of normal printing is specified to be output as an index print,
Described as rmal. Further, in the Quantity, a numerical value input as the number of ordered index prints is set.

The example of FIG. 9 is a file for specifying the output of the normal print and the index print similarly to the example of FIG. 8, but unlike the example of FIG. 8, the file of the index print is the file of the normal print. Not the same as In this case, the IndexSource is set to FileLocation instead of Normal. Where FileLocation
Is an instruction to import a file satisfying the condition described in the format of “FileLocation =” into the order file as an index print target. In the example of FIG.
Three conditions are described as FileLocation, and an index print is created for all files that satisfy any of these three conditions.

The above description has been made with reference to four description examples.
In the order file, in addition, for example, settings such as whether or not to print a date, a title character, and a frame number, a position, a character attribute, and the like, or settings for a surface finish such as a print size, whether or not a white border, and gloss, are described. . Alternatively, the center coordinates of the rotation processing and the rotation angle may be included.

The content that can be described in the tag area 7 of the image file and the content that can be described in the order file may overlap, but when actually describing the print information, either one is selected. You. In that case, the image handling device 3 determines information to be referred to by setting the tag flag.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently record and operate image data and print instruction information on a medium even in an image information recording apparatus such as a low-cost digital camera having limited memory resources and the like. Can be.

A digital camera which creates an information management file (control file) and records it in a memory together with an image file is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-266156. This control file is a file created for the purpose of collective management of image data in the memory, and the file names of all image files recorded in the memory are recorded as a list classified by date and event. It is a thing.

The invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-266156 is the same as the invention of the present application in that a file in which the file name of an image file is recorded is recorded in the same memory as the image file. Since the order file of the present application is created for the purpose of transmitting the user's instructions to the laboratory, the purpose is different from the control file, and unless it contains information on all image files like the control file There is no restriction to not be.

That is, since the control file is a file for managing data in the recording medium on which the file is recorded, it cannot be operated completely separately from the recording medium. On the other hand, since the order file of the present invention is intended to convey the user's will,
After being imported into the lab system, the control file is completely independent of the control file in that it is operated independently of the recording medium on which the order file was recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a storage format of an image file and an order file on a recording medium.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image file format.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a format of an order file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of description contents of an order file.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of the description content of the order file.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third example of the description content of the order file.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the description content of the order file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Memory card 3 Image handling device 4 Digital photo printer 5 Template database 6 Order file 7 Image file 8 Tag area 9 Image data 10 Photo print 11 Order reception terminal 12 Card reading part 13 Display screen 14 Instruction button

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 F 5/91 5/91 H

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An image information recording apparatus for recording image data representing an image on a recording medium together with instruction information on print processing of the image, comprising: data acquisition means for acquiring image data by imaging or reading the recording medium; A reproduction display unit that reproduces and displays the acquired image data as a visible image; an instruction information receiving unit that receives instruction information relating to the print processing that is designated and input based on the visible image; and Image file recording means for recording on the recording medium as an image file having a tag area capable of describing at least a part of the instruction information; and a file having a format capable of describing at least a part of the instruction information. The format type of the image file and the instruction information in the image file are An order file recording means for creating an order file in which a flag indicating whether the instruction information is valid is described and recording the order file on the recording medium; and determining a file describing the instruction information according to the contents of the instruction information inputted and specified. The image file recording means describes the instruction information in the tag area based on the determination of the description destination determination means, and the order file recording means includes: An image information recording apparatus, wherein the value of the flag is described based on the determination, and the instruction information is described in the order file. 2. The description destination determining means sets a description destination of information relating to only individual image data in the instruction information to a tag area of the image file, and designates a description destination of information relating to a plurality of image data to the order information. 2. The image information recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image information recording device is a file. 3. The image information recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information relating only to the individual image data includes information designating the number of prints of the image data. 4. The image information recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information relating only to the individual image data includes information designating a trimming area of the image data. 5. The image information recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information relating only to the individual image data includes information designating a rotation process of the image data. 6. The information according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the plurality of image data includes information designating a storage location and / or a file name of an image file in which each image data is stored. Image information recording device. 7. The image according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the plurality of image data includes information designating the number of prints of a combined print created by combining the plurality of image data. Information recording device. 8. The information according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the plurality of image data includes information designating the content of the composition of the composite print created by combining the plurality of image data. Image information recording device. 9. The image information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order file is a file in a text format. 10. The format of the order file is:
2. A format in which the instruction information is described by being divided into sections for each print type.
10. The image information recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. The image file recording unit temporarily records image data immediately after acquisition as an image file in a format including the tag area on a recording medium, and stores the image data of the image file based on the determination of the description destination determining unit. 11. The image information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image file is re-recorded on the recording medium after the instruction information is described in a tag area. 12. The image information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said order file recording means describes an error detection code or an error correction code in said order file. 13. An image information recording apparatus for recording image data representing an image on a recording medium together with instruction information relating to print processing of the image, and acquiring the image data and the instruction information recorded on the recording medium to execute the print processing. An image printing system comprising: a reproduction device that performs image data recording; a data acquisition unit that acquires image data by imaging or reading a recording medium; and reproduces and displays the acquired image data as a visible image. Reproduction display means; instruction information receiving means for receiving instruction information relating to the print processing, which is designated and input based on the visible image; and a tag area which can describe the image data at least partially in the instruction information. Image file recording method for recording on the recording medium as an image file in a format having And a file in a format that can describe at least a part of the instruction information, wherein a format type of the image file and a flag indicating whether or not the instruction information in the image file is valid are described. An order file recording unit that creates an order file and records it on the recording medium; and a destination determining unit that determines a file that describes the instruction information in accordance with the content of the instruction information that has been designated and input, wherein the image A file recording unit describes the instruction information in the tag area based on the determination by the description destination determining unit, and the order file recording unit describes a value of the flag based on the determination by the description destination determining unit And the instruction file is described in the order file; and the playback device includes the image file and the order file. File capturing means for capturing a file; flag determining means for determining whether or not instruction information in the image file is valid based on a flag in the order file; and image file based on a result of the determination. and/
Alternatively, the apparatus includes an instruction information capturing unit that captures instruction information described in the order file, and a printing unit that performs print processing on image data stored in the image file based on the instruction information. An image printing system characterized by the following. 14. The description destination determining means sets a description destination of information relating to only individual image data in the instruction information to a tag area of the image file, and designates a description destination of information relating to a plurality of image data to the order information. 14. The image print system according to claim 13, wherein the image print system is a file. 15. The image printing system according to claim 14, wherein the information relating only to the individual image data includes information designating the number of prints of the image data. 16. The image printing system according to claim 14, wherein the information relating only to the individual image data includes information designating a trimming area of the image data. 17. The image printing system according to claim 14, wherein the information relating only to the individual image data includes information designating a rotation process of the image data. 18. The information according to the plurality of image data,
15. The image printing system according to claim 14, wherein information for designating a storage location and / or a file name of an image file in which each image data is stored is included. 19. The information according to the plurality of image data,
15. The image printing system according to claim 14, further comprising information for designating the number of prints of a combined print created by combining a plurality of pieces of image data. 20. The information on the plurality of image data,
15. The image printing system according to claim 14, further comprising information for designating the content of the combined print created by combining a plurality of pieces of image data. 21. The image printing system according to claim 13, wherein the order file is a text file. 22. The format of the order file is:
2. A format in which the instruction information is described by being divided into sections for each print type.
22. The image printing system according to any one of 3 to 21. 23. The image file recording unit temporarily records the image data immediately after acquisition as an image file in a format including the tag area on a recording medium, and stores the image data of the image file based on the determination of the description destination determining unit. 23. The image printing system according to claim 13, wherein the image file is re-recorded on the recording medium after the instruction information is described in a tag area. 24. An order file recording means of the image information recording device describes an error detection code or an error correction code in the order file. 24. The image printing system according to claim 13, wherein an error in the order file is detected based on an error correction code.