JP2002290880A - Image processor, its control method and computer readable memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for easily grasping the contents of image data which is stored in a storage medium and managing it and also to provide its control method and a computer readable memory. SOLUTION: Image data provided with at least additional information data which is stored in a PC card of a PC card socket 15 is inputted and written in a CD-R in a CD-R disk device 16. Then an image based on additional information data of the image data is printed on a printing sheet of paper by a printer 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for managing and outputting input image data and a control method thereof.
It relates to a computer readable memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the advance of digital technology, digital still cameras that compress digital image data and record the data on a recording medium have begun to spread. Digital image data is
It has the feature that the image quality is not deteriorated by copying or transmission. Because image data is digitized,
Personal computer (hereinafter referred to as personal computer)
It is easier to handle above. To transfer image data to a personal computer, a recording medium such as a card-type flash memory built into the digital camera body must be removed from the camera body and loaded into a personal computer or a card reader connected to the personal computer. There is a method of connecting the main unit and a personal computer with a communication cable and directly transferring the digital camera to the personal computer.

There is also known an electronic album apparatus capable of recording and storing a plurality of image data files photographed by an image input device such as a digital still camera and reproducing a desired image. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-289518, a PC card memory in which image data captured by a digital camera is recorded is mounted on an electronic album device, and the image data recorded in the PC card memory is fixed in the electronic album device. It describes a configuration for copying to an information recording medium.

However, the number of image data that can be recorded on an information recording medium in an electronic album apparatus, for example, a hard disk, is limited. Further, since the PC card memory is used as a recording medium when photographing with a digital camera, image data cannot be recorded and stored for a long time. Therefore, a PC-card memory and a fixed information recording medium are loaded, and a magneto-optical recording medium such as a CD-R is mounted by a magneto-optical recording medium drive incorporating image data recorded in the PC card memory or the fixed information recording medium. There is a need for an electronic album device that can write to a DVD. As a result, necessary image data can be recorded, organized, edited, and stored on a magneto-optical recording medium such as a CD-R for a long time.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in order to preserve the data for a long period of time or to back up a fixed information recording medium built in the electronic album apparatus, a CD-R or the like is used. If image data is recorded on a magneto-optical recording medium, it may not be possible to know what image data has been written on which CD-R unless it is organized by attaching a label or the like. CD-Rs recorded one by one must be inserted into an electronic album device and played back to check the contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has been made in consideration of the above-described problems. It is intended to provide memory.

[0006]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, an image processing apparatus for managing and outputting input image data, an input unit for inputting image data having at least additional information data, a mounting unit for mounting a portable storage medium, and There is provided a writing unit for writing to a portable storage medium, and a printing unit for printing an image based on the additional information data of the image data on a printing sheet.

Preferably, the additional information data includes thumbnail data of the image data.

Preferably, when the additional information data does not include the thumbnail data of the image data, the additional information data further includes generating means for generating thumbnail data of the image data. An image based on the data additional information data and the thumbnail data is printed on the printing paper.

Preferably, the writing means writes the additional information data to the portable storage medium when writing the image data to the portable storage medium.

Preferably, when new second image data is additionally written on the portable storage medium on which the first image data has already been written, the printing means is stored in the portable storage medium. An image based on the first additional information data of the first image data and the second additional information data of the second image data is printed on the printing paper.

Preferably, the printing paper is a label to be attached to the portable storage medium.

A method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is,
An image processing apparatus control method for managing and outputting input image data, comprising: an input step of inputting image data having at least additional information data; and a portable storage medium mounted on a mounting unit of the image processing apparatus. And a printing step of printing an image based on the additional information data of the image data on a print sheet.

[0013] A computer readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling an image processing apparatus for managing and outputting input image data, wherein a program code for an input step of inputting image data having at least additional information data, A program code for writing the image data to a portable storage medium mounted on a mounting portion of the apparatus, and a program code for a printing step for printing an image based on the additional information data of the image data on a print sheet And

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic album device of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, 2 denotes a flash memory for writing and storing various programs such as a system program, and 3 denotes an SDRAM which is used for processing operations such as file operation and display, and is also a temporary storage. is there. Reference numeral 13 denotes a remote controller for inputting operation, reference numeral 14 denotes an operation console, and reference numeral 5 denotes an operation control unit which receives a signal from the remote control 13 or controls the operation console 14 to notify the CPU 1 of an operation status. The communication between the console 14 and the operation control unit 5 may be performed wirelessly.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a PC card socket into which a portable PC card mounted on an image input device such as a digital camera can be mounted. Reference numeral 6 denotes a PC connected to the PC card socket 15.
A PC card I / F (interface) control unit that controls reading and writing of the card.

In the present embodiment, a digital camera is taken as an example of an image input device, and a PC card is taken as a portable storage medium for storing images photographed by the digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a smart media, a compact flash (registered trademark), or a multimedia card may be used as a portable storage medium, and a socket / drive capable of mounting the portable storage medium may be configured on the electronic album device side. . When the image input device has a communication port such as a USB port, an IEEE1394 port, a parallel port, and an IrDA, the present invention can be realized by configuring the same communication port on the electronic album device side.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a CD-ROM serving as a storage magneto-optical recording medium.
A CD-R disc drive for reading and writing R,
Reference numeral 17 denotes a hard disk (HD) drive serving as a fixed information recording medium built in the main body, and reference numeral 7 denotes a disk drive control unit that drives the CD-R disk drive 16 and the HD drive 17 to record and reproduce image data. A CD-R disk drive 1 is used as a storage magneto-optical recording medium.
6 instead of CD-RW, MO, CD-RW and DV
A disk drive for various magneto-optical recording media, such as a D-RAM, capable of recording and reproducing image data can be used. Also,
A disk drive for a storage magnetic recording medium such as a ZIP or FD may be used.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an audio / video signal processing unit, which is a PC card connected to the PC card socket 15;
The image data reproduced from the CD-R in the CD-R disk drive 16 and the HD in the HD drive 17 is signal-processed, and converted into a video signal of a predetermined format by the video input / output unit 1.
Transfer to 1. Similarly, the PC card socket 15
Card, CD-R disk drive 1 connected to
The audio data reproduced from the CD-R in the HDD 6 and the HD in the HD drive 17 is signal-processed and transferred to the audio input / output unit 12 as an audio signal of a predetermined format. Further, in order to convert a video signal from the video input / output unit 11 into digital image data and write the digital image data into a PC card, CD-R or HD, a PC card socket 15, a CD-R disk drive 16, and an HD drive Transfer to 17. In order to convert an audio signal from the audio input / output unit 12 into digital audio data and write the digital audio data to a PC card or a CD-R or HD, a PC card socket 15, a CD-R disk drive 16, and an HD drive Transfer to 17.

The video input / output unit 11 can be connected to a video input / output device such as a monitor for displaying various information such as the current state of the image data or the apparatus and operation information for the user, and a video camera for inputting a video signal. I do. The audio input / output unit 12 enables connection of audio input / output devices such as a speaker and a microphone. Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer I / F, and reference numeral 18 denotes a printer, which records additional information data such as the title and date of image data and information such as thumbnail data of the image data on a dedicated CD-R label and outputs the information. .

Next, a specific example and an operation example of a use environment of the electronic album device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example and an operation example of a use environment of the electronic album device of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 31 denotes an electronic album apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. When copying image data and audio data recorded by a digital camera and their additional information data to the HD in the HD drive 17 of the electronic album device 50, or recording them on the CD-R 21 of the CD-R disk drive 16. In this case, the PC card 22 for recording the captured image data is removed from the digital camera, and the PC card socket 1 of the electronic album device 31 is removed.
Insert into 5. Video input / output unit 11 and audio input / output unit 1
2 is connected to the television receiver 32 via a predetermined cable.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a remote controller for operation, and reference numeral 14 denotes a console for wirelessly communicating with the electronic album device 50 of the main body.
Alternatively, a microphone or a video camera may be connected, but the description is omitted because it is not related to the gist of the present invention. P
The C card 22 stores image data, audio data, and their additional information data as individual files or integrated files. The additional information data includes text information. The image data also includes a moving image.

When the PC card I / F control unit 6 detects that the PC card 22 is inserted into the PC card socket 15,
The CPU 1 is notified that communication with the PC card 22 is possible. Similarly, the disk drive controller 7 controls the CD-R
When the loading of the CD-R 21 into the CD-R disk drive 16 is detected, the CPU 1 is notified that reading and writing of the CD-R 21 is possible. The CPU 1 controls each unit according to the operation of the console 14 and the remote controller 13. That is, the operation control unit 5 successively notifies the CPU 1 of the operation status from the console 14. The operation control unit 5 receives an infrared control signal from the remote controller 13 and converts the infrared control signal into an electric signal. The operation content of the user indicated by the control signal is transmitted to the CPU 1.
Notify.

The CPU 1 displays the operation status of the apparatus on the screen of the television receiver 32 by connecting the television receiver 32 to the video input / output unit 11. Therefore,
A confirmation that operation commands from the console 14 and the remote controller 13 have been received, a state of the apparatus, information indicating a next operable state, and the like are displayed on the screen of the television receiver 32. For example, when the user wants to copy image data from the PC card 22 to the HD in the HD drive 17 built in the main body (copy mode),
When recording the image data recorded in D on the CD-R 21 (recording mode), the operation is instructed to the CPU 1 by the console 14 or the remote controller 13. In response, the CPU 1 shifts the operation to the image data copy / record mode. At this time, the image data recorded on the PC card 22 can be directly recorded on the CD-R 21 without being temporarily stored on the HD in the HD drive 17 built in the main body.

For example, when the CPU 1 shifts the operation to the recording mode, before writing the image data to the CD-R 21,
The additional information data of the image data to be written is stored in SDRAM3.
To be stored temporarily. This additional information data can be added by input from the console 14 and the remote controller 13. For example, in a case where a group of image data shot at a certain destination is to be collectively written to the CD-R 21, information such as a destination name, a date, a period, and information on a subject is added as additional information data of the image data. And enter it. Furthermore, the first few pieces of data obtained by compressing the image data to a small size are also used as thumbnail data as SD data.
It is temporarily stored in the RAM 3.

These additional information data and thumbnail data are stored in a CD-R label format for printing these data on a CD-R label when the CPU 1 shifts the operation to the recording mode for the CD-R 21. After converting the print data, the CPU 1 transfers the print data to the printer 18 via the printer I / F 8. And the printer 18
An image based on the additional information data and the thumbnail data is printed on the CD-R label based on the CD-R label format print data. This printed CD-R
By sticking and storing the label for CD-R21,
The user can easily grasp the contents by looking at the CD-R label without reading out the image data recorded on the CD-R 21 with a terminal such as an electronic album device or a personal computer.

FIG. 3 shows an example of printing a CD-R label on the CD-R 21.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of printing a CD-R label according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 3, in the CD-R label 23, reference numeral 23a denotes an additional information data printing area,
The additional information data of the image data to be written to R21 or the additional information data separately input by the user is recorded. Reference numeral 23b denotes a thumbnail data print area, and as shown in the figure, a plurality of thumbnail data print areas identical to the thumbnail data print area 23b are prepared.

Returning to the description of FIG.

On the other hand, when the CD-R 21 still has free space and the image data is written in the recordable recording mode, when the image data is written later, the label for the CD-R at the time of the first writing is used. The printed additional information data is needed again. Therefore, the CD-
When writing to the R21, the additional information data is written together with the image data in another area of the CD-R21. Then, next time, when the image data is additionally written on the CD-R 21 and writing is performed, before the CPU 1 shifts the operation to the recording mode, the CPU 1 writes the image data in the previous writing already recorded on the CD-R 21. The printed additional information data is read and temporarily stored in the SDRAM 3. Then, when it is desired to newly add additional information data to be printed on the CD-R label, the additional information data is added by input from the console 14 and the remote controller 13 as described above. Thereafter, the operation of printing the label follows the same procedure as that described above.

Next, the processing in the recording mode executed in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing in the recording mode according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, when the television receiver 32 is connected to the video input / output unit 11, the CPU 1 displays the operation status of the electronic album device on the screen of the television receiver 32, and the next operation is possible. It is assumed that an operation screen for instructing a proper state is displayed.

First, in step S101, the user uses the remote controller 13 or the console 14 to instruct a transition to the recording mode. In step S102, the CPU 1 receives the instruction and sends the PC card socket 1 of the electronic album device.
An image data reference screen for displaying the contents of the image data stored in the PC card 22 attached to the PC card 5 is displayed. This image data reference screen is used to switch the contents of image data, display a list of a plurality of image data, select image data to be written to the CD-R 21, and the like in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 13 or the console 14 by the user Various types of processing realized by the general-purpose electronic album device can be accepted. When the user selects image data to be written to the CD-R 21 by operating the remote controller 13 or the console 14, the CPU 1 causes the CPU 1 to write the image data to be written to the CD-R 21 stored in the PC card 22. Preparations for reading the image data and the additional information data are started.

In the case of the copy mode, at this point, H
Copying to the HD in the D drive 17 is started.

In step S103, the CPU 1 determines whether the CD-
With reference to R21, it is determined whether or not there is already recorded image data. That is, it is determined whether the image data to be written is additional data. If it is additional recording (YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104, and C
The additional information data of the image data recorded in the DR 21 is read. On the other hand, if it is not additional writing (step S10
(NO in 3), the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, if it is not additional writing,
PC card 2 for additional information data of the image data to be written
2 and stored in the SDRAM 3. When the thumbnail data exists as the additional information data, the thumbnail data is also stored. When the thumbnail data does not exist, the image data is read out from the PC card 22, and the thumbnail data of the image data is created in the electronic album apparatus. Stored in the SDRAM 3. On the other hand, in the case of additional recording, the additional information data read from the CD-R
Store in RAM3. If the thumbnail data exists as the additional information data, the thumbnail data is also stored. If the thumbnail data does not exist, the image data is stored in the CD-R.
The thumbnail data of the image data is created in the electronic album device and stored in the SDRAM 3.

In step S106, the additional information data and the thumbnail data stored in the SDRAM 3 are formed into CD-R label format print data. Step S
At 107, the image data to be written is read from the PC card 22, and recording on the CD-R is started. After the recording is completed, in step S108, the label format print data for CD-R stored in the SDRAM 3 is copied to the printer 1.
8, the label printing is started in the printer 18.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the additional information data of the image data to be written to the CD-R and the thumbnail data, the information for specifying the content of the image data is stored in the CD-R. Print and output labels. By attaching the output CD-R label to the CD-R and managing the output, the user can easily grasp and manage the contents without reproducing the image data stored on the CD-R. can do.

In the above embodiment, the image data CD
Although writing to -R is configured to perform writing without compression as it is, image data recorded by selecting no compression in the image recording method of the digital camera is compressed,
It may be possible to select to perform writing to a CD-R. By doing so, a large amount of image data can be stored even in a storage medium with a small storage capacity (for example, FD).

In the above embodiment, the image data CD
Although writing to -R is performed without performing compression, writing to CD-R may be performed after image data is compressed. By doing so, a large amount of image data can be stored even in a storage medium with a small storage capacity (for example, FD).

The label for a CD-R has the same shape as the CD-R, but is not limited to this.
Any label may be used as long as it can be attached to the surface area on the DR and has at least an area in which additional information data and thumbnail data can be recorded. That is, any storage storage medium having a surface or an exterior member to which a label can be attached may be used. Further, instead of printing the additional information data and the thumbnail data on a label that can be attached to the storage medium for storage, the additional information data and the thumbnail data are printed on printing paper such as ordinary paper, and this is set with the storage medium for storage. It may be managed by.

Further, the second image data is further added to the storage medium in which some first image data has already been written, and the first additional information data and the first thumbnail data of the first image data are usually In the case where the second additional information data and the second thumbnail data of the second image data are additionally printed on the print paper, the print data is stored in the storage medium. The first image data and the first additional information data thereof are read, and the position of the printed end of the first additional information data and the first thumbnail data of the first image data on the printing paper is specified. Then, based on the second additional information data and the second thumbnail data, the second additional information data and the second thumbnail data of the second image data are printed from the specified end position or the subsequent position. Generate print data. This makes it possible to print the second additional information data and the second thumbnail data of the second image data at an appropriate position following the first additional information data and the first thumbnail data of the first image data on the printing paper. Will be possible. If the surface of the CD-R is printable,
By fixing the orientation of the CD-R installed in the printer 18 and determining the print position of the additional information data and the thumbnail data, the additional information data and the thumbnail data of the image data are printed on the surface of the CD-R. be able to.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.) May be applied.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system or an apparatus with a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R / RW, DVD-ROM / RAM, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable memory capable of easily grasping and managing the contents of image data stored in a storage medium can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic album device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example and an operation example of a use environment of the electronic album device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a print example of a CD-R label according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a recording mode according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Flash memory 3 SDRAM 4 Audio / video signal processing unit 5 Operation control unit 6 PC card I / F control unit 7 Disk drive control unit 8 Printer I / F 11 Video input / output unit 12 Audio input / output unit 13 Remote control 14 Operation Desk 15 PC card socket 16 CD-R disk drive 17 Hard disk drive 18 Printer

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for managing and outputting input image data, comprising: input means for inputting image data having at least additional information data; mounting means for mounting a portable storage medium; An image processing apparatus comprising: a writing unit that writes data to the portable storage medium; and a printing unit that prints an image based on the additional information data of the image data on printing paper. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information data includes thumbnail data of the image data. 3. When the additional information data does not include the thumbnail data of the image data, the additional information data further includes a generation unit that generates thumbnail data of the image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image based on the information data and the thumbnail data is printed on the printing paper. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the writing unit writes the additional information data to the portable storage medium when writing the image data to the portable storage medium. Item 2. The image processing device according to Item 1. 5. In a case where new second image data is additionally written on the portable storage medium on which the first image data has already been written, the printing unit is configured to store the second image data on the second storage medium. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image based on the first additional information data of one image data and the second additional information data of the second image data is printed on the printing paper. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing paper is a label to be attached to the portable storage medium. 7. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for managing and outputting input image data, comprising: an input step of inputting image data having at least additional information data; A writing step of writing the image data to a portable storage medium, and a printing step of printing an image based on the additional information data of the image data on a printing sheet. Method. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the additional information data includes thumbnail data of the image data. 9. When the additional information data does not include the thumbnail data of the image data, the image processing apparatus further includes a generating step of generating thumbnail data of the image data. The method according to claim 7, wherein an image based on the information data and the thumbnail data is printed on the printing paper. 10. The writing step of writing the additional information data to the portable storage medium when the image data is written to the portable storage medium. Item 8. A method for controlling an image processing device according to Item 7. 11. When the new second image data is additionally written on the portable storage medium on which the first image data has already been written, the printing step includes the step of storing the second image data stored in the portable storage medium. The first additional information data of one image data and the second additional information data
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein an image based on the second additional information data of the image data is printed on the printing paper. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the printing paper is a label to be attached to the portable storage medium. 13. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling an image processing apparatus for managing and outputting input image data, wherein a program code for inputting image data having at least additional information data is provided. And a program code for a writing step of writing the image data to a portable storage medium mounted on a mounting unit of the image processing apparatus; and printing an image based on the additional information data of the image data on a print sheet. A computer readable memory comprising a program code for a printing process.