JPH11275418A - Digital camera system that can be integrated with a printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a system in which a digital camera and a printer are configured so as to be detachably and integrally connectable, and pursues ease of use. In a digital camera system in which a digital camera and a printer are integrally and directly connected to each other, connecting means for exchanging signals in two directions with the digital camera and the printer are provided. Reference numeral 1 denotes a detecting unit 3 for detecting that the digital camera 1 and the printer 11 are connected, and an input processing unit 13 which allows the printer 11 to directly input predetermined information from outside.
When predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit 13 by connection detection of the detection unit 3, the image processing units 5 to 9 of the digital camera 1 are viewed while looking at the liquid crystal monitor 9.
Or the printer 11 can print.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera system comprising a printer and a digital camera which can be integrally connected to the printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A general printer for printing image information is configured to print video information (uncompressed image) from a video device or the like. In particular, the printer handles compressed image information or records image information. No recording means is provided.

On the other hand, a digital camera performs predetermined processing on video information obtained from an image pickup device or the like, compresses the image according to the JPEG method or the like, records the image information on a recording medium such as a memory card, or converts the image information stored on the recording medium. It is known that it can be expanded and monitored as a reproduced image.

[0004]

However, those having both functions have the following problems. In other words, image information recorded on a recording medium such as a personal computer or a digital camera is generally subjected to image compression by a JPEG method or the like that reduces the amount of information because the recording medium is limited. To do so, it is necessary to provide the printer with image compression / decompression processing means.

On the other hand, in order to take out an image from a video device and print it, it is only necessary to output the video information as it is. To store this video information in a recording medium, a video compression / expansion processing means is provided. Information needs to be compressed and stored.

Therefore, having both functions at the same time not only increases the cost, but also makes the system complicated and large, and cannot be said to be simple and convenient at all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a digital camera and a printer which are detachable as required, and pursues ease of use without connecting cables to both. The purpose is to provide a system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital camera system which can print and record and store small and inexpensive image information with good operability.

[0009]

A digital camera system according to the present invention comprises: a digital camera having image processing means for recording or reproducing image information on a recording medium; and a printer for printing the image information. And a digital camera system configured so that the digital camera and the printer can be directly coupled together. The digital camera and the printer have connection means for exchanging signals in two directions, and the digital camera is connected to the digital camera and the printer. Detection means for detecting that the input has been performed; an input processing unit which can directly input predetermined information from outside the printer;
Wherein the image processing unit of the digital camera is operable when predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit by connection detection of the detection unit. Thus, the processing of the digital camera can be automatically performed only by transmitting the information to the input processing unit to the printer without transmitting a plurality of information to both the digital camera and the printer.

Further, when predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit by connection detection of the detection means,
The image processing means of the digital camera is configured to be operable and configured to be displayed on a liquid crystal of the digital camera. As a result, predetermined processing (for example, writing on a recording medium) can be performed while viewing the liquid crystal through the printer, thereby improving usability.

Further, by detecting the connection of the detecting means,
When predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit, the image processing means of the digital camera is configured to be operable and configured to be printable by a printer. Accordingly, the digital camera can be used without using the functions (for example, compression / expansion functions) of the digital camera in the printer itself.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital camera system which can be integrated with a printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation. In the figure, 1 is a main body of a digital camera, 2 is a camera operation unit for taking a picture with the digital camera,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a camera control unit for controlling image information of a photographed image, 4 denotes an image pickup unit for changing optical information of image pickup into electric information, 5 denotes an image processing unit for processing photographed image information, and 6 denotes image processed information. Is an image compression / expansion unit that compresses or expands an image and records it on a recording medium 7, 7 is a recording medium, 8 is a liquid crystal driver, 9 is a liquid crystal monitor, and 10 is a camera side I / F unit. Also, 11
Denotes a printer, 12 denotes a printer operation unit for performing a predetermined operation of the printer, and 13 denotes an input processing unit for directly inputting a predetermined signal from the outside, and is capable of inputting an NTSC signal and compressed data. Reference numeral 14 denotes a printer control unit that controls signals of the digital camera 1, the input processing unit 13, and the like, 15 denotes a printer driver, 16 denotes a printer unit, and 17 denotes a printer-side I / F unit. In particular, the camera-side I / F unit 10 and the printer-side I / F unit 17 can be directly integrated integrally.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. When the digital camera 1 and the printer 11 are directly connected to each other, the camera control unit 3 of the digital camera 1 notifies the camera side I / F unit 10 via the printer I / F unit 17 that the printer 11 has been connected, for example, A connection signal such as a ground signal is detected. Upon detection of the connection, image processing control of the image processing unit 5 is automatically performed by the camera operation unit 2 as follows. Image information input via the camera-side I / F unit 10 and the camera control unit 3 is selectively shown below. Control to a printer mode that allows image recording and image printing.

Further, at the same time as the printer mode control, the power supply to the imaging unit circuit of the imaging unit 4 which is not required in the printer mode is cut off. This promotes power saving.

The printer 1 operates in the printer mode.
When image information is directly input to the input processing unit 13, the image information is transmitted to the printer control unit 14, the printer I / F unit 17,
The data is input to the camera control unit 3 via the camera-side I / F unit 10. If the camera control unit 3 determines that the image is a compressed image, the camera control unit 3 controls the image processing unit 5 and the image compression / expansion unit 6 to perform predetermined image processing for image expansion on the compressed image. Then, the image information is converted and generated into image information for display on the liquid crystal monitor 9 and image printing. At the same time, a compressed image is recorded on the recording medium 7 by a selective recording operation of the camera operation unit 2. The image information generated by the conversion is supplied from the image processing unit 5 to the liquid crystal driver 8 via the camera control unit 3.
, And becomes a predetermined liquid crystal image output drive signal. On the other hand, the converted and generated image information is transmitted to the camera-side I / F unit 10 and the printer-side I / F unit 17.
Is input again to the printer control unit 14 as a print target image, is input to the printer driver 15 by a selective printing operation of the printer operation unit 12, becomes a predetermined printer output drive signal, and is printed out by the printer unit 16.

If the image information input to the camera control unit 3 from the input processing unit 13 of the printer 11 via the camera-side I / F unit 10 of the digital camera 1 is determined to be an uncompressed image, the camera control The unit 3 inputs the input uncompressed image to the liquid crystal driver 8 and outputs it on the liquid crystal monitor 9, and controls the image processing unit 5 and the image compression / decompression unit 6 by a selective recording operation of the camera operation unit 2. Then, predetermined image processing of image compression is performed, and an image is recorded on the recording medium 7. On the other hand, this image information is an image to be printed, which is input to the printer driver 15 by a selective printing operation of the printer operation unit 12, becomes a predetermined printer output drive signal, and is printed out by the printer unit 16.

In the configuration block diagram of the embodiment of the present invention, the recording medium 7 is provided in the digital camera 1 but may be an external recording medium to be mounted, and the monitoring of image information is not shown in the video of the digital camera 1. Obviously, it can be monitored from the output.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the digital camera and the printer are configured so as to be detachably and integrally connectable without using a connection cord, individual functions can be sufficiently used. Also, when combined as needed, compressed or uncompressed image information can be directly input from the printer, and the image compression / expansion means provided in the digital camera is thereby made operable. It can be easily stored and printed on the recording medium of the camera. In addition, if the liquid crystal of the digital camera is used, an inexpensive and compact digital camera system with excellent visibility and operability can be realized. Further, the image information recorded on the recording medium can be utilized at any time by the digital camera alone.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a first embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: digital camera 2: camera operation unit 3: camera control unit 4: imaging unit 5: image processing unit 6: image compression / decompression unit 7: recording medium 8: liquid crystal driver 9: liquid crystal monitor 10: camera side I / F unit 11 : Printer 12: Printer operation unit 13: Input processing unit 14: Printer control unit 15: Printer driver 16: Printer unit 17: Printer side I / F unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera system in which a digital camera having image processing means for recording or reproducing image information on a recording medium and a printer for printing the image information can be directly and integrally connected. A connection unit for exchanging signals between the camera and the printer in two directions; a detection unit for detecting that the digital camera and the printer are connected to the digital camera; An input processing unit capable of directly inputting the information of the digital camera. When predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit by connection detection of the detection unit, the image processing unit of the digital camera can be operated. A digital camera system capable of being integrated with a printer, wherein 2. The image processing means of the digital camera is operable when predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit by detecting connection of the detection means, and the liquid crystal of the digital camera is operated. A digital camera system capable of being integrated with a printer, characterized in that the digital camera system can be displayed on a digital camera. 3. The image processing unit of the digital camera is configured to be operable when predetermined information is directly input from the input processing unit by connection detection of the detection unit, and the printer is capable of printing. 2. The digital camera system according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera system can be integrated with the printer.