JP2004320743A - Printer multifunction machine, image data integrated processing system, processing program, and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel printer multifunction machine capable of performing various processing operations on image data by a single printer multifunction machine, an image data integrated processing system, a processing program, and a processing method.
SOLUTION: A digital image data group is attached with an identification code and stored, and a thumbnail card C with an identification code is sequentially created for each of the image data groups, and a thumbnail card C arbitrarily selected from the thumbnail cards C is created. The image data managed by discriminating the identification code is read out, displayed as a list of thumbnail images, and image data corresponding to the thumbnail image arbitrarily selected from the list is read out and printed. Thus, various processing operations such as storage, reproduction, management, editing, and printing of image data can be performed by the printer multifunction peripheral 100 alone without using an information processing terminal such as a PC.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called home printer multifunction machine (also referred to as an SPC server) in which a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like are compactly integrated in a single housing. The present invention relates to an image data integration processing system, a processing program, and a processing method to be used and implemented.

Such a multifunction printer has the minimum functions required for performing DPT (disk-top publishing) and the like in a compact housing and is excellent in cost performance, so that it can be used by individual users and SOHO users. Demand is growing, especially at the center.
On the other hand, digital cameras have recently become popular due to their ease of use, higher image quality, lower prices, and the like, and the number of units sold has exceeded that of conventional film cameras.

For this reason, it has become possible to easily print out photographs at a general home by using a PC (personal computer) or the above-described printer multifunction peripheral, which had to be delegated to a specialist in DEP. In the future, with the spread of digital cameras, it is considered that this printer multifunction machine will spread more and more.
JP-A-8-44835

By the way, in order to print out (print) a photograph taken by a digital camera using such a multifunction printer, an information processing device (terminal) such as a PC or a workstation for processing the image data is required. Met.
Therefore, as described above, in order for a user of a digital camera to print out at home, there is a problem that an expensive PC or the like must be prepared in addition to at least the above-described printer multifunction peripheral.

  Even when the printer multifunction peripheral and the PC are prepared in this way, in order to perform various processing operations such as editing, storing, and managing the image data, an image processing application must be installed on the PC or the like. However, in order to perform necessary image processing using the application, it is necessary to have some knowledge and familiarity with a PC or the like, and at present, it is not yet possible for anyone to easily perform desired printing.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to store, reproduce, and store image data in a multifunction printer alone without using an information processing terminal such as a PC. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel printer multifunction peripheral, an image data integrated processing system, a processing program, and a processing method capable of performing various processing operations such as management, editing, and printing.

[Invention 1] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printer multifunction peripheral according to Invention 1 comprises:
An analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capture unit that captures the converted digital image Image input means, digital image input means for inputting digital image data, identification code assigning means for assigning an identification code to each group of digital image data input by the analog image input means and the digital image input means, A data storage unit for storing the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the code assignment unit; and an analog image input from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit. Image display media that can be entered by means and listed Image display medium creating means for creating a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code based on the identification code of a specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation means. Image data search means for searching from the data storage means, and image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means on a display unit; Printing means for printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display means.

  That is, first, an analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image converting unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capturing unit that captures the converted digital image. After a digital image data group stored in a storage medium such as an IC memory card of a digital camera is fetched by digital image input means such as a scanner, an identification code is assigned to each digital image data group by identification code assigning means. Then, the digital image data group is stored in the data storage unit, and an image display medium (thumbnail card) that displays a list of analog images that can be input by the analog image input means is generated by the image display medium generating means.

This allows the multifunction printer to function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and to create a thumbnail card displaying a list of the image data. Just by looking, the contents of the image stored in the storage of the multifunction printer can be easily determined and recognized.
Next, the user selects a favorite thumbnail image from these thumbnail cards, that is, a thumbnail card on which a thumbnail image desired to be printed out is printed by using the printing means of the printer multifunction peripheral, and transfers the selected thumbnail card to the printer multifunction peripheral. Is read by the analog image input means.

Then, after the image data retrieval means determines the identification code of the thumbnail card and retrieves a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage means, the image display means displays each digital image of the digital image data group. Images corresponding to the data are displayed as a list of thumbnail images on a liquid crystal monitor or the like.
Then, the user looks at the list of thumbnail images displayed on the image display means and selects a desired thumbnail image from the list. When the user selects a desired thumbnail image from the list, the printing means of the multifunction printer sets the digital image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. , And prints the image on a print sheet and outputs it as a printed matter.

As a result, a user of a digital camera or the like can easily search for any image data stored only in the printer multifunction peripheral of the present invention without preparing a PC or the like, and easily print only a desired photograph from the image data. Can be used out.
Note that the digital image data group referred to in the present invention refers to, for example, a collection of a plurality of digital data of individual image units photographed by a digital camera, and the number of images photographed by the digital camera is ten. In this case, ten pieces of digital data are collectively referred to as a digital image data group (in the following printer multifunction machine, image data integration processing system, image data integration processing program, image data integration processing method, and each embodiment, Is the same). In addition, a set of digital image data is a group of data having some common condition, and the digital data stored in the digital image data group forms one or more blocks.

[Invention 2] Also, a printer multifunction peripheral according to Invention 2 includes:
The printer multifunction peripheral according to the first aspect, further comprising a data association unit that associates digital image data of the analog image input by the analog image input unit with a specific image on the image display medium and saves the data. Is what you do.
Thus, for example, an analog image such as a catalog or a pamphlet is input by the analog image input means and taken in as digital image data, and the analog image is associated with any digital image data already stored, and the data storage unit is provided. The analog image can be read at the same time by reading a specific image on the image display medium associated with the analog image. That is, for example, when a visit is made to a museum at a sightseeing spot, a photograph (digital image data) of the museum and an analog image such as an admission ticket of the museum can be stored in association with each other. When a photo (thumbnail image) of the museum is selected, the image of the admission ticket of the museum can be viewed at the same time. As a result, related data are stored in association with each other, so that effective use of data and data search can be easily performed.

[Invention 3] Further, the printer multifunction peripheral of Invention 3 comprises:
The printer multifunction peripheral according to the first or second aspect, further comprising layout means for laying out the plurality of images on the image display medium according to a predetermined layout template.
According to such a configuration, a plurality of images on the image display medium and a plurality of images on the image display medium are automatically laid out according to the layout template by simply selecting a layout template. Will be printed on top. As a result, a printed matter in which a desired image is laid out according to a desired layout can be reliably obtained from the stored images.

[Invention 4] A multifunction printer according to Invention 4 is
In the printer multifunction peripheral according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, the image display medium is obtained by arranging reduced images corresponding to respective digital image data of the digital image data group on printing paper. Is what you do.
Thus, creation and handling of the image display medium, for example, printing of an image, provision of an identification code, reading, storage, and the like can be easily performed.

[Invention 5] Also, a printer multifunction peripheral according to Invention 5 includes:
In the printer multifunction peripheral according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the printer multifunction peripheral is connected to another printer multifunction peripheral via a network, the data storage unit may store the data of the other printer multifunction peripheral. The data storage means is also a storage target of the digital image data.
As a result, even when the storage capacity (storage capacity) of the own data storage means is limited, the data storage means of another printer multifunction peripheral can be utilized, so that a large amount of data can be stored and used. Becomes possible.

[Invention 6] Also, a printer multifunction peripheral according to Invention 6 includes:
In the printer multi-function peripheral according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image data search means is configured to connect to the other printer multi-function peripheral when the printer multi-function peripheral is connected to another printer multi-function peripheral via a network. The data storage means is also a search target.
This makes it possible to search for data that was originally stored in another MFP, so that the data that was uniquely stored in the other MFP can be used in its own MFP. , The range of use of data can be greatly expanded.

[Invention 7] Also, a printer multifunction peripheral according to Invention 7 includes:
In the printer multifunction peripheral according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the analog image input means, the digital image input means, the identification code adding means, the data storage means, the image display medium creating means, and the image data search means And the image display means and the printing means are housed in one housing.
As a result, the size of the multifunction printer becomes compact, which facilitates storage and transportation, and can be performed even when the installation space is narrow, thereby greatly improving the usability. In addition, by collectively housing the units in one housing, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost as compared with a case where devices provided with the units are separately arranged.

[Invention 8] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 8 includes:
An analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capture unit that captures the converted digital image Image input means, digital image input means for inputting digital image data, identification code assigning means for assigning an identification code to each group of digital image data input by the analog image input means and the digital image input means, A data storage unit for storing the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the code assignment unit; and an analog image input from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit. Image display media that can be entered by means and listed Image display medium creating means for creating a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code based on the identification code of a specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation means. Image data search means for searching from the data storage means, and image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means on a display unit; Printing means for printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display means.

Thus, similarly to the first aspect, the image data integrated processing system of the present invention can function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and can create a thumbnail card displaying a list of the image data. Therefore, the user can easily determine and recognize the content of the image stored in the storage of the MFP only by looking at the thumbnail card.
In addition, a user of a digital camera or the like can easily search for arbitrary image data by using a thumbnail card, and easily print out and obtain only a desired photograph from the image data.

[Invention 9] Further, the image data integration processing system of Invention 9 comprises:
The image data integration processing system according to the eighth aspect, further comprising a data association unit for saving digital image data of the analog image input by the analog image input unit in association with a specific image on the image display medium. It is a feature.
Thus, similarly to the second aspect, the related data is stored in association with each other, so that the data can be effectively used and the data can be easily searched.

[Invention 10] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 10 is
The image data integration processing system according to the eighth or ninth aspect, further comprising layout means for laying out a plurality of pieces of image information of the image display medium according to a predetermined layout template.
As a result, similarly to the third aspect, it is possible to reliably obtain a printed matter in which a desired image is laid out according to a desired layout from the stored images.

[Invention 11] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 11 is
In the image data integrated processing system according to any one of inventions 8 to 10, the image display medium may be one in which reduced images corresponding to respective digital image data of the digital image data group are arranged on a printing paper. It is a feature.
Thus, similarly to the fourth aspect, the creation and handling of the image display medium, for example, printing of an image, provision of an identification code, reading, storage, and the like can be easily performed.

[Invention 12] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 12 is
The image data integration processing system according to any one of inventions 8 to 11, further comprising two or more data storage units, wherein each of the data storage units stores the digital image data to which the other data storage unit is also input. It is characterized by doing.
As a result, similarly to the fifth invention, even when the storage capacity (storage capacity) of the own data storage means is limited, other data storage means can be used, and a large amount of data can be stored and used. It is possible to do.

[Invention 13] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 13 is
In the image data integrated processing system according to any one of inventions 8 to 12, when the image data integrated processing system is connected to another image data integrated processing system via a network, The data storage means of the image data integrated processing system is also a search target.
As a result, similarly to the sixth aspect, the data uniquely stored in another image data integration processing system can be searched, so that the data uniquely stored in the other image data integration processing system can be retrieved from its own. It can be used in the image data integrated processing system, and the range of use of data can be greatly expanded.

[Invention 14] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 14 is
The image data integration processing system according to any one of inventions 8 to 13, wherein the analog image input means, the digital image input means, the identification code adding means, the data storage means, the image display medium creating means, the image data The search means, the image display means, and the printing means are housed in one housing.
As a result, similarly to the seventh aspect, the overall size of the image data integrated processing system becomes compact, which facilitates storage and transportation, and is possible even in a small installation space, so that the usability is greatly improved. I do. In addition, by collectively housing the units in one housing, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost as compared with a case where devices provided with the units are separately arranged.

[Invention 15] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 15 includes:
An image data integrated processing system in which an analog image data input device, a digital image data input device, an image display device, a control device, a printing device, and a server are connected via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other. ,
The analog image data input device includes an analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital device that captures the converted digital image. An image capturing unit, and an analog image input unit having:
The digital image data input device has digital image input means for inputting digital image data,
The server includes: an identification code assigning unit that assigns an identification code to each digital image data group input by the analog image input unit and the digital image input unit; and a digital image to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit. A data storage unit for storing a data group, and a list of image display media that can be input by the analog image input unit from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit and are displayed. The image display medium creating means to be created, and a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code based on the identification code of a specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creating means. Image data search means for searching from the data storage means,
The image display device has image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means of the server on a display unit,
The printing device includes a printing unit that prints and outputs digital image data corresponding to a specific image in an image list displayed by the image display unit of the image display device.

  Thus, similarly to the first aspect, the image data integrated processing system of the present invention can function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and can create a thumbnail card displaying a list of the image data. Therefore, the user can easily determine and recognize the content of the image stored in the storage of the MFP only by looking at the thumbnail card.

In addition, a user of a digital camera or the like can easily search for arbitrary image data by using a thumbnail card, and easily print out and obtain only a desired photograph from the image data.
Furthermore, since most of the devices can use general-purpose devices as they are, the image data integrated processing system of the present invention can be easily constructed.

[Invention 16] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 16 includes:
The image data integration processing system according to aspect 15, wherein the analog image data input device, the digital image data input device, the image display device, the printing device, and the server specify a device and a server that constitute the system. And a use permission ID storing means for storing the use permission ID to be used, and the control device includes a use permission ID issuing means for issuing the use permission ID.

  Thus, even in the case where many devices and servers are connected to one network, it is possible to specify and operate the devices and servers that constitute the system. This makes it possible to construct the image data integration processing system of the present invention by utilizing the existing network system without having to perform any troublesome work such as preparing a new device or server or reassembling the network configuration. Become.

[Invention 17] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 17 is
A computer, an analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capturing unit that captures the converted digital image. Analog image input means having digital image input means for inputting digital image data, identification code providing means for attaching an identification code to each digital image data group input by the analog image input means and the digital image input means, A data storage unit for storing the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit; and a digital image data group of the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit. List that can be input by analog image input means Image display medium creating means for creating an image display medium, and a digital code corresponding to the identification code based on the identification code of a specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation means. An image data search unit for searching the image data group from the data storage unit; and a list of images corresponding to the respective digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search unit. An image display means and a printing means for printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in an image list displayed by the image display means are caused to function.

  Thus, similarly to the first aspect, the image data integrated processing system of the present invention can function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and can create a thumbnail card displaying a list of the image data. Therefore, the user can easily determine and recognize the content of the image stored in the storage of the MFP only by looking at the thumbnail card. In addition, a user of a digital camera or the like can easily search for arbitrary image data by using a thumbnail card, and easily print out and obtain only a desired photograph from the image data.

  Further, since the functions can be realized by using a computer system provided in most of the existing devices and servers, it is easier and superior to the case where a dedicated hardware is separately manufactured and realized. It can be economical. Further, by simply rewriting a part of the program, it is possible to very easily perform function modification and improvement such as version upgrade.

[Invention 18] Also, an image data integration processing program according to Invention 18 includes:
The image data integration processing program according to the seventeenth aspect, further comprising a data association unit for saving digital image data of the analog image input by the analog image input unit in association with a specific image on the image display medium. It is a feature.
Thus, similarly to the second aspect, the related data is stored in association with each other, so that the data can be effectively used and the data can be easily searched.
Further, as in the case of the seventeenth aspect, the present invention can be realized by software, so that it is possible to achieve easier and superior economical efficiency as compared with a case where the dedicated hardware is separately manufactured and realized. Further, by simply rewriting a part of the program, it is possible to very easily perform function modification and improvement such as version upgrade.

[Invention 19] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 19 is
The image data integration processing program according to the invention 17 or 18, further comprising layout means for laying out a plurality of pieces of image information of the image display medium according to a predetermined layout template.
As a result, similarly to the third aspect, it is possible to reliably obtain a printed matter in which a desired image is laid out according to a desired layout from the stored images.
Further, as in the case of the seventeenth aspect, the present invention can be realized by software, so that it is possible to achieve easier and superior economical efficiency as compared with a case where the dedicated hardware is separately manufactured and realized. Further, by simply rewriting a part of the program, it is possible to very easily perform function modification and improvement such as version upgrade.

[Invention 20] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 20 is
The image data integration processing program according to any one of inventions 17 to 19, wherein the image display medium has a reduced image corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group arranged on a printing paper. It is a feature.
Thus, similarly to the fourth aspect, the creation and handling of the image display medium, for example, printing of an image, provision of an identification code, reading, storage, and the like can be easily performed.

[Invention 21] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 21 is
In the image data integration processing program according to any one of inventions 17 to 20, when the data storage unit is connected to another data storage unit via a network, the other data storage unit is connected to the other data storage unit. It is characterized in that the means is also a storage target of the input digital image data.

As a result, similarly to the fifth invention, even when the storage capacity (storage capacity) of the own data storage means is limited, other data storage means can be used, and a large amount of data can be stored and used. It is possible to do.
Further, as in the case of the seventeenth aspect, the present invention can be realized by software, so that it is possible to achieve easier and superior economical efficiency as compared with a case where the dedicated hardware is separately manufactured and realized. Further, by simply rewriting a part of the program, it is possible to very easily perform function modification and improvement such as version upgrade.

[Invention 22] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 22 includes:
In the image data integration processing program according to any one of inventions 17 to 21, when the image data search unit is connected to another image data search unit via a network, the other image data search unit is connected to the other image data search unit. The data storage means is also a search target.
As a result, similarly to the sixth aspect, it is possible to search for data uniquely stored in another printer multifunction peripheral or image data integrated processing system or the like. The uniquely stored data can be used in its own printer multifunction device or image data integrated processing system, and the range of use of the data can be greatly expanded.

  Further, as in the case of the seventeenth aspect, the present invention can be realized by software, so that it is possible to achieve easier and superior economical efficiency as compared with a case where the dedicated hardware is separately manufactured and realized. Further, by simply rewriting a part of the program, it is possible to very easily perform function modification and improvement such as version upgrade.

[Invention 23] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 23 is
An image data integration processing program according to any one of inventions 17 to 22, wherein the computer converts an analog image into digital image data and inputs the analog image, and a digital image input unit that inputs digital image data. Image display means for displaying an image corresponding to the digital image data input by the analog image input means and the digital image input means, and corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display means The present invention is characterized in that it is a computer of a printer multifunction peripheral provided with printing means for printing and outputting digital image data.

  As a result, since the software can be realized by using the computer system built in most of the multifunction printers as it is, it is easier and more economical than in the case where the dedicated hardware is separately manufactured and realized. Can be demonstrated. Further, by simply rewriting a part of the program, it is possible to very easily perform function modification and improvement such as version upgrade.

[Invention 24] An image data integration processing method according to Invention 24 includes:
An analog image input step of converting an analog image into digital image data and inputting the digital image data; a digital image input step of inputting digital image data; and a digital image data group input in the analog image input step and the digital image input step. An identification code assigning step of assigning an identification code to a digital image data group to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code assigning means; An image display medium creating step of creating a list of image display media that can be input and displayed in the analog image input step from each digital image data of the image data group, and a plurality of image display media created in the image display medium creating step Identification code of specific image display medium from An image data retrieval step of retrieving a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage step on the basis of the digital code data group corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the retrieval in the image data retrieval step Image display step of displaying a list of images to be displayed on a display unit, and a print processing step of printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed in the image display step It is characterized by the following.

  Thus, similarly to the first aspect, the image data integrated processing system of the present invention can function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and can create a thumbnail card displaying a list of the image data. Therefore, the user can easily determine and recognize the content of the image stored in the storage of the MFP only by looking at the thumbnail card.

  In addition, a user of a digital camera or the like can easily search for arbitrary image data by using a thumbnail card, and easily print out and obtain only a desired photograph from the image data.

[Invention 25] An image data integration processing method according to Invention 25 is
The image data integration processing method according to Claim 23, further comprising a data association step of saving digital image data of the analog image input in the analog image input step in association with a specific image on the image display medium. It is a feature.
Thus, similarly to the second aspect, the related data is stored in association with each other, so that the data can be effectively used and the data can be easily searched.

[Invention 26] Also, the image data integration processing method of Invention 26 includes:
The image data integration processing method according to the invention 24 or 25, further comprising a layout step of laying out a plurality of pieces of image information of the image display medium according to a predetermined layout template.
As a result, similarly to the third aspect, it is possible to reliably obtain a printed matter in which a desired image is laid out according to a desired layout from the stored images.

[Invention 27] Also, an image data integration processing method according to Invention 27 is
In the image data integration processing method according to any one of inventions 24 to 26, the image display medium may be one in which reduced images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group are arranged on printing paper. It is a feature.
Thus, similarly to the fourth aspect, the creation and handling of the image display medium, for example, printing of an image, provision of an identification code, reading, storage, and the like can be easily performed.

[Invention 28] Also, an image data integration processing method according to Invention 28 includes:
In the image data integration processing method according to any one of the inventions 24 to 27, the data storing step is performed when the printer multifunction peripheral is connected to another printer multifunction peripheral via a network. The data storage means of the device is also a storage target of the input digital image data.
As a result, similarly to the fifth invention, even when the storage capacity (storage capacity) of the own data storage means is limited, other data storage means can be used, and a large amount of data can be stored and used. It is possible to do.

[Invention 29] Also, an image data integration processing method according to Invention 29 includes:
In the image data integration processing method according to any one of inventions 24 to 28, the image data search means is configured to, when the printer multifunction peripheral is connected to another printer multifunction peripheral via a network, The data storage means of the multifunction peripheral is also searched.
As a result, similarly to the sixth aspect, the data uniquely stored in another image data integration processing system can be searched, so that the data uniquely stored in the other image data integration processing system can be retrieved from its own. It can be used in the image data integrated processing system, and the range of use of data can be greatly expanded.

[Invention 30] To solve the above problem, an image data integration processing system according to Invention 30 comprises:
An image data integrated processing system used in a printer multifunction peripheral including at least an analog image reading unit, a print execution unit, and an image display unit, wherein a digital image capturing unit captures a digital image data group stored in a storage medium. A data storage unit for attaching and storing an identification code for each image data group captured by the digital image capturing unit or the analog image reading unit; and a digital image data group captured by the digital image capturing unit. A thumbnail card creating means for sequentially creating a thumbnail card with the identification code by attaching an identification code to the thumbnail card; and identifying the identification code of the selected thumbnail card from the plurality of thumbnail cards created by the thumbnail card creation means. And retrieves a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage means. Image data retrieval means, digital image data groups retrieved by the image data retrieval means, read from the data storage means, and displayed as a list of thumbnail images on the image display section as thumbnail images. Print processing means for printing digital image data corresponding to a thumbnail image arbitrarily selected from a list of thumbnail images displayed on the means by using the print execution unit. .

  That is, first, after the digital image capturing means captures a digital image data group stored in a storage medium such as an IC memory card of a digital camera, the data storage means attaches an identification code to each digital image data group. At the same time, the thumbnail card creating means creates a thumbnail card with an identification code assigned to each digital image data group thus taken in.

  This allows the multifunction printer equipped with the system of the present invention to function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and to create a thumbnail card displaying the image data as a thumbnail. By simply looking at the thumbnail card, the user can easily determine and recognize the content of the image stored in the storage of the printer multifunction peripheral.

Next, the user selects a favorite thumbnail image from these thumbnail cards, that is, a thumbnail card on which a thumbnail image desired to be printed out using the MFP is loaded, and causes the analog image reading means to read the thumbnail card. .
Then, after the image data search means determines the identification code of the thumbnail card and searches the data storage means for a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code, the thumbnail image display means stores the digital image data group in the data. It is read out from the storage means and displayed as a list on the image display unit as thumbnail images.

Then, the user sees the list of thumbnail images displayed on the image display unit, selects a desired thumbnail image from the list, and the print processing means prints the digital image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. The print is performed using the set.
As a result, the user of the digital camera or the like can easily search for any image data stored only by the printer multi-functional peripheral having the image data integration processing system of the present invention without preparing a PC or the like, and from the image data. A desired photograph can be easily printed out.

[Invention 31] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 31 comprises:
30. The image data integration system according to claim 30, further comprising data association processing means for associating the analog image data read by the analog image reading means with thumbnail image data arbitrarily selected from the thumbnail cards and storing the data. It is characterized by the following.
This allows any analog image to be stored as digital image data in the data storage unit in association with any image data already stored, and by reading out the associated thumbnail image, this analog image can also be read. They can be read at the same time.

[Invention 32] An image data integration processing system according to Invention 32 comprises:
The image data integration system according to the invention 30 or 31, further comprising layout means for automatically laying out and printing a plurality of arbitrarily selected thumbnail images according to a predetermined template.
Thus, by simply selecting a thumbnail image and an arbitrary template, printing can be performed on one print sheet in a state of being laid out according to the template.

[Invention 33] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 33 is
A computer of a multifunction printer having at least an analog image reading unit, a print execution unit, and an image display unit, a digital image capturing unit that captures a group of digital image data stored in a storage medium, the digital image capturing unit or the digital image capturing unit A data storage unit for attaching and storing an identification code for each image data group captured by the analog image reading unit; and an identification code for each digital image data group captured by the digital image capturing unit. Thumbnail card creating means for sequentially creating attached thumbnail cards, and a digital image corresponding to the identification code by identifying an identification code of a thumbnail card selected from a plurality of thumbnail cards created by the thumbnail card creation means Image data search means for searching a data group from the data storage means; A thumbnail image display unit for reading a digital image data group retrieved by the image data retrieval unit from the data storage unit and displaying a list as thumbnail images on the image display unit; and a thumbnail image list displayed on the thumbnail image display unit A print processing unit that prints digital image data corresponding to a thumbnail image arbitrarily selected from the above using the print execution unit.

  As a result, the same effect as the invention 30 can be obtained, and the function can be exhibited by using the computer system provided in the printer multifunction peripheral. Therefore, a separate new dedicated computer system can be prepared or a dedicated dedicated computer system can be prepared. Compared to the case where hardware is prepared and realized, the function can be easily realized and at the same time, excellent economic efficiency can be exhibited.

[Invention 34] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 34 is
In the image data integration program according to the invention 33, the computer of the printer multifunction peripheral stores analog image data read by the analog image reading means in association with thumbnail image data arbitrarily selected from the thumbnail cards. It is characterized by further functioning as data association processing means.
As a result, the same effect as that of the thirtieth aspect can be obtained, and the computer of the printer multifunction peripheral can be used similarly to the thirty-third aspect, so that the function can be easily and economically realized.

[Invention 35] An image data integration processing program according to Invention 35 is
In the image data integration program according to the invention 33 or 34, the multifunction peripheral computer further functions as a layout unit for automatically laying out and printing a plurality of arbitrarily selected thumbnail images according to a predetermined template. It is characterized by the following.
As a result, the same effect as that of the thirty-first aspect can be obtained, and the computer of the multifunction printer can be used similarly to the thirty-third aspect, so that the function can be realized easily and economically.

[Invention 36] The image data integration processing method according to Invention 36 is
An image data integration processing method using a multifunction printer having at least an analog image reading function, a digital image capturing function, a data saving function, an image displaying function, and a printing function, wherein the digital image capturing An identification code is assigned to each data group of the digital image stored in the storage medium captured by using the function or each data group of the analog image read by using the analog image reading function, and the data is stored. A thumbnail card with an identification code is sequentially created for each image data group, and then the identification code of the thumbnail card arbitrarily selected from among the plurality of thumbnail cards is determined and the identification code is determined. The image data managed by the code is read out from the data storage function, and the thumbnail image is read by the image display function. Then, image data corresponding to a thumbnail image arbitrarily selected from the displayed thumbnail image list is read out from the data storage function, and printing is performed using the printing function. It is characterized by the following.

As a result, similarly to the thirtieth aspect, the multifunction printer can function as a storage for image data taken by a digital camera or the like, and can create a thumbnail card displaying the image data as a thumbnail. Just by looking at the thumbnail card, the contents of the image stored in the storage of the multifunction printer can be easily identified and recognized.
In addition, a user of a digital camera or the like can easily search for arbitrary image data stored only by the printer multifunction peripheral without preparing a PC or the like and easily print out a desired photograph from the image data. Can be.

[Invention 37] The image data integration processing method of Invention 37 is as follows.
In the image data integration processing method according to the invention 36, after an arbitrary analog image is read by the analog image reading function and converted into digital image data, the digital image data is arbitrarily selected from the thumbnail cards. It is characterized in that it is stored in association with one or two or more pieces of image data.
Thus, similar to the thirty-first aspect, any analog image can be stored as digital image data in the data storage unit in association with any already stored image data, and can be read out at the same time.

[Invention 38] The image data integration processing method of Invention 38 is as follows.
The image data integration processing method according to the invention 36 or 37, characterized in that a plurality of arbitrarily selected thumbnail images are automatically laid out and printed according to a predetermined template.
Thus, just by selecting a thumbnail image and an arbitrary template, printing can be performed on a single sheet of printing paper in a state of being laid out according to the template, just as in the invention 32.

[Invention 39] An image data integration processing method according to Invention 39 comprises:
In the image data integration processing method according to any one of the inventions 36 to 38, the identification code of the arbitrarily selected thumbnail card is an alphanumeric character, a barcode, Braille, or a stamp printed on the thumbnail card together with the thumbnail image. , RF-ID, or magnetism, or a combination of two or more of them.
As described above, by using known identification means such as alphanumeric characters, barcodes, Braille, engraving, RF-ID, and magnetism printed together with the thumbnail images as identification codes of the thumbnail cards, the identification of the codes can be reliably performed. In addition to this, information necessary for identification can be displayed compactly and reliably.

[Invention 40] The image data integration processing method of Invention 40 is as follows.
In the image data integration processing method according to any one of inventions 36 to 38, the identification code of the arbitrarily selected thumbnail card is determined by reading the thumbnail card by the analog image reading function unit. It is assumed that.

  As a result, the identification code can be determined by using the analog image reading function unit originally provided in the printer multifunction peripheral, so that it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated identification code reading unit separately, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. It is possible to suppress the rise.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a printer multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the multifunction printer 100 includes an analog image input unit 10, a digital image input unit 12, an identification code providing unit 14, a data storage unit 16, an image display medium creating unit 18, an image data search unit The unit 20, the image display unit 22, and the printing unit 24 are integrally provided in one housing 200.

  The analog image input unit 10 includes an analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital device that captures the converted digital image. And an image capturing unit, which provides a function of acquiring an analog image as digital image data. That is, an analog image recorded on a physical medium such as a photograph printed out on photographic paper, a document in which characters and the like are written on plain paper, a pamphlet on which a photograph or picture is drawn (printed), a drawing, etc. The surface is optically scanned (scanned) using an imaging sensor such as a Charge Coupled Device (CMOS) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), and the intensity of the reflected light or transmitted light is measured. It provides a function of performing AD (analog-digital) conversion and acquiring it as digital image data composed of respective pixel data of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). , So-called scanner part is equivalent to You. As a conventionally known scanner method, a so-called flatbed type scanner in which an object to be scanned is placed on a contact glass surface and a so-called flatbed type scanner is fixed, and the object to be scanned is fixed, and a small scanner is used to scan the object. There are two typical examples of the so-called hand-held scanner of the scanning type, but the scanner employed in the present invention is preferably the former flat-bed scanner which is particularly excellent in scanning accuracy. In the following embodiments, the analog image input unit 10 may be simply referred to as a “scanner” for convenience.

  The digital image input means 12 provides a function of capturing (inputting) a digital image data group stored in a storage medium. For example, if the storage medium is separable, such as a memory card of a digital camera, To insert data into a memory slot to read its contents, or to read data from a CD, DVD drive, or storage medium that reads this if the storage medium is a CD-ROM, DVD, etc. directly via a cable or wireless signal And an input / output interface. Other examples of the storage medium include a CF card, Memory Stick (registered trademark), SD card, smart card, xD picture card, USB memory, and HDD card. If a wired / wireless network, infrared communication, RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification), or the like is used, digital image data can be captured without using a storage medium.

  The identification code assigning unit 14 has a function of assigning an identification code (ID or the like) for identifying each digital image data group input by the analog image input unit 10 and the digital image input unit 12 from another digital image data group. The analog image input means 10 is configured to display the information in a readable manner, for example, a bar code or the like.

The data storage means 16 provides a function of storing the digital image data group to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code assignment means 14 in a readable manner. More specifically, the data storage means 16 stores and reads a large amount of data. It is composed of a storage represented by a hard disk device (HDD) capable of performing the following operations, a large-capacity storage medium such as a DVD-R and a DVD-RW.
The image display medium creating means 18 is provided for each digital image data group taken in by the analog image input means 10 and the digital image input means 12 for each image display medium, that is, for example, a thumbnail card with an identification code as shown in FIG. A function of creating C using its own printing means 24 is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of thumbnail cards C obtained by the image display medium creating means 18 constitute one digital image data group on one side or both sides of a postcard-sized card paper 300, for example. In this example, 12) thumbnail images G are arranged and printed in an arbitrary arrangement, and an identification code S (a barcode in the example of FIG. 3) is printed on a part of the card paper 300. When the user directly looks at the thumbnail card C with his / her hand, it is possible to easily determine the outline, date, and the like of each image constituting one digital image data group actually captured. Has become. In the present embodiment, the thumbnail card C can be read out from the data storage unit 16 at the same time as the digital image data is loaded, or at any time specified by the user thereafter, and created. I can do it. In the following embodiments, this image display medium may be referred to as “thumbnail card C” for convenience.

The image data search means 20 determines the identification code S of the specific thumbnail card C arbitrarily selected by the user or the like from the plurality of thumbnail cards C created by the image display medium creation means 18, and identifies the identification code. A function of retrieving a group of digital image data corresponding to S from the data storage unit 12 is provided.
For example, when the selected thumbnail card C uses a bar code type identification code S as shown in FIG. 3, the thumbnail card C is again placed on the scanner (analog image input means 10) contact glass K surface. Just by setting and scanning the identification code S portion, the identification code S is instantaneously and accurately read, and the corresponding digital image data group is instantaneously read from the plurality of thumbnail cards C stored in the data storage means 12. Can be retrieved and read.

The identification code S printed together with the thumbnail card C is not particularly limited. In addition to the barcode as described above, alphanumeric characters, Braille, engraving, RF-ID (wireless tag), magnetic By using a known identification means such as this, the identification of the code can be reliably performed, and the information necessary for the identification can be displayed compactly and reliably.
Therefore, the method of determining the identification code S also depends on the type of the identification code S. For example, alphanumeric characters can be used for character recognition by scanning. It is possible to perform quick discrimination by inputting, and it is needless to say that a special discriminator or the like needs to be separately prepared for RF-ID or magnetism.

  The image display means 22 provides a function of displaying a list of images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group searched by the image data search means 20 on a monitor. It is composed of a liquid crystal (LCD) monitor and the like, which are installed in an easy part, and an image display circuit for displaying an image on the monitor. That is, the actual thumbnail image corresponding to the thumbnail image printed on the thumbnail card C selected by the user is displayed on the monitor so that the user himself can confirm the thumbnail image. For example, if the thumbnail card C selected by the user is as shown in FIG. 3, thumbnail images similar to 1 to 12 thumbnail images displayed on the thumbnail card C are displayed on the monitor. Become. Note that this monitor has a screen as large as possible so that each image can be easily distinguished when a large number of images are displayed as thumbnails, or a high-definition and high-quality image such as a color monitor or VGA display like a PC monitor. Is desirable.

  The printing unit 24 provides a function of printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display unit 22 on printing paper using ink, toner, or the like. More specifically, it is composed of known parts such as a print control circuit, a paper feed mechanism, an ink head, a cartridge, and a photosensitive drum, which are provided in a conventional printer multifunction peripheral. Then, for example, by giving a touch panel function to the monitor of the image display means 22 and selecting an arbitrary thumbnail image displayed as a thumbnail on the monitor by the user, a printed matter on which the corresponding image is printed can be obtained. Become.

  The multifunction printer 100 is provided with a computer system including a CPU, a main memory, a bus, and the like (not shown). Specific processing functions of the means 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 are realized on software.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a hardware configuration for realizing the printer multifunction peripheral 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that is a central processing unit that performs various controls and arithmetic processing, and a main storage device ( RAM (Random Access Memory) 41 used for Main Storage, ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 as a read-only storage device, an analog image input mechanism 43 corresponding to the analog image input means 10, a digital image input means A digital image input mechanism 44 and an input / output interface (I / F) 46 corresponding to the H.12 include a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an ISA (Industrial Stan). and an internal / external bus 45, such as a processor bus, a memory bus, a system bus, and an input / output bus. The input / output interface (I / F) 46 A printing mechanism 47 corresponding to the image display medium creating means 18 and the printing means 24; an (auxiliary) storage device (secondary storage: data storage means 16) 48 comprising a hard disk drive (HDD) and a semiconductor memory; And an operation panel (image data search means 20 and the like) 49 and a display unit (monitor (image display means 22)) 50 as one of the output devices.

  Then, for example, various control programs and data supplied via a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a flexible disk (FD) are installed in the auxiliary storage device 48 and the like, and the programs and data are stored in the main storage. The CPU 40 performs predetermined control and arithmetic processing using various resources in accordance with the program loaded into the device 41 and the program loaded into the main storage device 41, and transmits the processing result (processing data) via the bus 47 to the monitor 50 or the like. The digital image data is output and displayed on the printing mechanism 47, and the input digital image data is appropriately stored and stored (updated) in the storage device 48 or the like, and is processed in a searchable manner.

  Also, the thumbnail in the present invention has the same meaning as a thumbnail (thumbnail) commonly used as a general IT term, and 1, the file size is smaller than the original image data, and a speedy display is possible. The same applies to the features such as: (2) easy creation using the thumbnail function, (3) easy linking of the arbitrarily selected thumbnail image to the original image, and the like.

Next, a flow of image data processing using the multifunction printer 100 of the present invention having such a configuration, functions and effects, and an image data integration processing method using the multifunction printer 100 will be described.
First, FIG. 4 shows the first stage of image data processing by the printer multifunction peripheral 100 of the present invention, in which digital image data is fetched (input) and the thumbnail card C, which is one of the image display media of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow up to creation.

  As shown, when digital image data captured by a digital camera or the like is recorded on a memory card, which is one of the storage media, in step S100, the memory card is transferred to the printer multifunction peripheral 100. It is inserted into a memory slot which is one of the provided digital image input means 12, and the digital image data stored in the memory card is sequentially taken in.

  Next, when a group of digital image data has been read in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S102, which is stored in its own storage by the data storage means 16 as it is, and the process proceeds to the next step 104. After generating an ID, which is the identification code S corresponding to the read digital image data group, the process proceeds to step S106, and thereafter, a thumbnail image list of the read digital image data is combined with the generated ID to generate a predetermined card. The thumbnail card C is created by printing on the paper 300.

Then, by repeating such operations in order, all the digital image data stored in the memory card are taken in, and a plurality of thumbnail cards C corresponding to the number of the digital image data groups are created. In a suitable place, for example, a dedicated pocket newly provided in the housing 200 of the printer multifunction peripheral 100.
As a result, the MFP 100 can function as a storage for digital image data captured by a digital camera or the like, and a thumbnail card C that displays thumbnails of the image data can be created. Just by looking at C, the contents of the image stored in the storage of the printer multifunction peripheral can be easily determined and recognized.

Note that the image displayed as a thumbnail on the thumbnail card C is not limited to digital image data directly read from a memory card or the like, but is read by the analog image input means 10 and converted into digital image data as described above. Of course, analog images to be stored can also be targeted.
Next, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, all the digital image data are taken into the print multifunction peripheral 100 and a plurality of thumbnail cards C corresponding to each digital image data group are created and stored. This is an example of a process of selecting an arbitrary image from digital image data, printing out the image on photographic paper, and outputting it as a printed matter.

  As shown in the drawing, first, when the user selects a thumbnail card C on which a desired image is displayed as a thumbnail from among a plurality of thumbnail cards C, the selected thumbnail is displayed as shown in first steps S200 and S202. The card C is set in the analog image input means 10, and the ID which is the identification code S printed together with the thumbnail image is read to recognize the ID.

  Then, the process proceeds to the next step S204, and the image data search means 20 searches the digital image data group stored in the data storage means 16 for a digital image data group corresponding to this ID. In a case where two or more printer multifunction peripherals 100 having the above-described configuration are connected and used via a network, the printer multifunction peripheral 100 in which image data is stored and a printer multifunction peripheral that reads a thumbnail card are used. In this case, as shown in parentheses in step S204, information specifying the printer MFP 100 is also recorded in the printed ID. An image data group acquisition request is transmitted to the device 100 via the network.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S206. If it is determined in step S206 that the corresponding digital image data group does not exist (No), a message to that effect is sent to the LCD panel or the like as it is or as necessary. After the image is displayed on the monitor or the like of the image display means 22, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the corresponding digital image data group exists (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S208. Then, the digital image data group is read out to the RAM 41, and the digital image data group is displayed as a thumbnail list on the monitor of the image display means 22, and the user is prompted to select an image from the displayed images.

  Thereafter, in the next determination step S210, it is determined whether or not any of the thumbnail images displayed on the monitor is selected by the user, and if it is determined that there is no selection for a predetermined time (No), the process is terminated as it is. However, if it is determined that at least one or more selections have been made (Yes), the process moves to the next step S212, and the digital image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is selected using the printing unit 24. The printing process is executed in order or in a predetermined order.

As a result, the user can easily search for any image data stored only in the MFP 100 without preparing a PC or the like, and can easily print out a desired photograph from the image data. .
Next, FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the printer multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the printer multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment includes the analog image input unit 10, the digital image input unit 12, the identification code adding unit 14, and the analog image input unit 10 described in the first embodiment. In addition to the data storage unit 16, the image display medium creation unit 18, the image data search unit 20, the image display unit 22, and the printing unit 24, the data association unit 26 is also integrally provided in one case 200. It is a thing.

  The data associating means 26 has a function of associating data of the analog image read (input) by the analog image input means 10 with any one of the thumbnail image data arbitrarily selected from the thumbnail cards C and storing the data. To provide. The data associating means 26 associates an arbitrary analog image as digital image data with the already-stored arbitrary digital image data, stores the digital image data in the data storage unit 16, and reads out the associated thumbnail image. Thus, this analog image can be read out at the same time.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, of the digital image data group to which the ID “SPCA-001” is assigned, the analog image input unit 10 reads “B001.jpg” for the image file “B001.jpg”. If the analog image data “Pamphlet.jpg” is associated with the analog image data “B002.jpg” and the analog image data “comment.jpg” is associated with the image file “B002.jpg”, the image file “B003.jpg” Is selected, only the image file “B003.jpg” is printed out. However, if the image file “B001.jpg” is selected, the image “Pamplet.jpg” is printed. If the image file “B002.jpg” is selected, So that the cement .jpg "refers image is printed out at the same time, respectively.

  8 is the same. When the image file “Y003.jpg” is selected from the digital image data group to which the ID “SPCB-001” is assigned, only “Y003.jpg” is printed out. That is, when the image files “Y001.jpg” and “Y002.jpg” are selected, the images “Letter.jpg” and “illustration.jpg” are printed out at the same time.

  In this way, by associating digital image data captured by a digital camera with data of an analog image captured by a scanner (analog image input means 10), for example, when a user goes on a trip, it is possible to store in a shop The photos of the scenery, the related comments and the pamphlets etc. obtained at that time can be linked as digital data, saved and managed, and edited and printed freely at any time. It becomes.

FIG. 9 shows the flow of the processing according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the drawing, first, in a first step S300, a thumbnail card C on which a thumbnail image to be associated with data of an analog image to be read is printed is selected, and this thumbnail card C is read by a scanner portion. After proceeding to S302, after recognizing the ID printed on the thumbnail card C, the digital image data group corresponding to the recognized ID is searched to determine whether or not it exists (step S304).

As a result, when it is determined that the corresponding digital image data group does not exist (No), the processing is terminated as it is, but when it is determined that the corresponding digital image data group exists (Yes), the process shifts to step S306 and the digital The image data group is displayed as a thumbnail list on the monitor of the image display means 22 composed of an LCD panel or the like, and waits for the user to select an image.
Then, the flow shifts to the next step S308, where it is determined whether or not one or more thumbnail images to be associated have been selected, and if it is determined that no selection has been made even after a predetermined time has elapsed (No), the processing is terminated as it is. However, if it is determined that a selection has been made (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S310 to acquire the attributes of the selected image, and then proceeds to the next step S312, where the analog image is scanned by the scanner. And sets the attribute value of the selected image as the attribute value of the analog image data.

That is, for example, when the selected thumbnail image is stored in the “jpg format”, the analog image associated therewith is also stored in the same “jpg format”.
Then, in the next step S316, the selected thumbnail image (and the read image data group) is associated with the analog image and stored in the storage of the printer MFP 100.

  In addition, if another analog image is further stored in association with the analog image stored in association (as digital image data) in this way, only one thumbnail image is selected, and the related thumbnail image is stored. It is also possible to read out a plurality of analog images in a potable manner. As a method of associating digital image data with data of an analog image, in addition to a method of associating both data using table data as in the present embodiment, an ID of an analog image is stored in digital image data. Alternatively, the analog image data itself may be stored.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the printer multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.
That is, as shown in the figure, the printer multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment includes an analog image input unit 10, a digital image input unit 12, and an identification code assigning unit used in the first and second embodiments. 14, a data storage means 16, an image display medium creation means 18, an image data search means 20, an image display means 22, and a printing means 24, and a layout means 28 which is also integrated in one casing 200. In preparation for.

  The layout unit 28 automatically combines the digital image data corresponding to a plurality of arbitrarily selected thumbnail images on a single sheet of printing paper by the printing unit 24 according to a predetermined template. This allows the user to select a thumbnail image and an arbitrary template and print it on a single sheet of paper with the layout laid out according to that template. Has become.

  For example, in a case where a plurality of analog images (photos and the like) are laid out at predetermined positions on a contact glass of a scanner using a conventional printer multifunction peripheral and then obtained as one image, conventionally, the image shown in FIG. As described above, the user has to arrange each photograph at a predetermined position in the paper frame indicating the size of the printing paper on the surface of the contact glass K of the scanner. In addition, since the scanning of the analog image is performed from the lower side of the contact glass K, the layout must be executed in an inverted state, and a layout mistake frequently occurs.

  On the other hand, according to the printer multifunction peripheral 100 of the present invention including the above-described layout means 18, a plurality of templates in which image layouts are set in advance are stored together with image data, and as shown in FIG. By simply selecting one of the templates P and a plurality of thumbnail images G to be laid out, a printed matter in which the images are laid out according to the layout of the template P can be obtained.

  Here, as the template P, a method of storing some templates in advance as described above and specifying one of them by using the operation panel 49 can be considered. Similar to the thumbnail card C, a template card showing a layout for each template P may be created, and the template card itself may be scanned and read to specify a predetermined layout.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the present embodiment in consideration of such a layout.
As shown in the drawing, first, in a first step S400, a plurality of thumbnail images are selected on the monitor, and the process proceeds to the next step S402 to select an arbitrary template. Here, the plurality of thumbnail images selected in the first step S400 may be selected from only one thumbnail card C, or may be selected several by one from the plurality of thumbnail cards C.

This is because, for example, when image data of a certain person is managed over a plurality of thumbnail cards C, there is a case where only the image data of the certain person is selected.
Next, when a plurality of thumbnail images and an arbitrary template for laying out the plurality of thumbnail images are selected in this manner, the process proceeds to the next step S404 to start searching for digital image data and template data corresponding to the selected images. Then, it is determined whether or not all of the data exists.

In this case, as described above, there are some other printer multifunction peripherals 100 having the same function as the printer multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention, and these printer multifunction peripherals 100 and the printer multifunction peripheral 100 mutually exchange information via a network. If communication is possible, the data storage unit 16 of the printer MFP 100 is also searched.
When it is determined in the determination step S404 that any of the data does not exist (No), the processing is terminated as it is, but when it is determined that all the data exists ( (Yes), the process moves to the next step S406 to acquire all the data, and moves to the next step S408.

In step S408, since the layout processing is automatically performed on the digital image data acquired thereafter in accordance with the template P, the images laid out in the last step S410 are printed to divide a plurality of images into a predetermined layout. As a result, a single printed matter having a desired layout according to the template is obtained.
Thus, by simply selecting a predetermined layout template P together with a plurality of thumbnail images G to be laid out, a high-quality printed matter in which images are laid out according to the layout of the template P can be easily obtained. As described above, the inconvenience of frequent layout errors can be avoided.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show examples in which analog images are arranged in accordance with image display frames defined in a predetermined layout template P. FIG.
FIG. 14 shows an example of the layout template P, and three analog images A, B, and C of 300 × 300 pixels used in the layout template P. FIG. 15 shows the analog images A, B , C, one of the masks M for determining the display frame. FIG. 16 shows a layout definition of the layout template P.

Therefore, these three analog images A, B, and C are laid out according to the layout definition as shown in FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 16, in the first analog image A, the upper left corner of the rectangular frame is arranged at a position of 10 (cm) in the X-axis direction and 20 (cm) in the Y direction, and , 5 (cm) height and 10 (cm) width, the rotation angle at the time of arrangement is 0 °, the aspect ratio maintains the original state, and the mask M is not used. It is shown that. In the second analog image B, the upper left corner of the rectangular frame is located at a position of 40 (cm) in the X-axis direction and 5 (cm) in the Y direction, and has a length of 10 (cm). The size is set to 5 cm in width, the rotation angle at the time of arrangement is 90 °, the aspect ratio changes the original state, and a mask M of the type “mask2.gif” is used. It indicates that you want to. Further, in the third analog image C, the upper left corner of the rectangular frame is arranged at a position of 10 (cm) in the X-axis direction and 40 (cm) in the Y direction, and has a length of 15 (cm). Use a mask M of the type "mask3.gif", which is set to a size of 15 cm (horizontal), the rotation angle at the time of arrangement is 0 [deg.], The aspect ratio maintains the original state, and "mask3.gif". Is shown.

Next, FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the image data integration processing system 400 of the present invention.
That is, since the functions of the printer multifunction peripheral 100 described in each of the above embodiments can be realized by using dedicated devices that are separately produced and sold, the image data integration processing system 400 of the present invention is used. In this example, various dedicated devices are prepared, and these devices are connected to each other via a network N and are appropriately combined to realize the present invention.

As shown, the image data integration processing system 400 includes an analog image data input device 100A, a printing device 100B, an image display / control device 100C, a digital image data input device 100D, and And a server 100E for managing and controlling the server 100E.
The analog image data input device 100A provides a function of reading an analog image and obtaining it as digital image data as represented by the above-described scanner or the like. , A use permission ID storage means 32 and a communication means 30. The use permission ID storage unit 32 holds the ID of the device or server to which the function is provided, and causes the analog image input unit 10 to execute upon receiving a function execution request from the device or server having the ID. Such a function is provided. The communication means 30 provides a communication function between the device 100A and another device or server via the network N according to a predetermined communication protocol.

  The printing device 100B provides a printing function for actually printing an image on printing paper using toner or ink. In addition to the printing unit 24 as described above, a use permission ID storage unit 32 , Communication means 30. Specifically, it is constituted by a general-purpose printing device such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer. Similarly to the analog image data input device 100A, the print device 100B holds a use-permitted ID storage unit 32 for holding an ID of a device or a server to which a function is provided and executing the function. Communication means 30 for providing a communication function with another device or server is provided.

  The image display device / control device 100C displays digital image data on a monitor such as an LCD panel, as typified by an image viewer, and provides a function for a user to operate the device and the server. In addition to the above-described image display means 22, an operation panel (not shown) is provided. In addition to the communication means 30 for providing a communication function with another device or server, the image display device / control device 100C issues a use permission ID to the device or server to which the function is provided. There is provided a use permission ID issuing means 34 for executing a function to perform the function.

  The digital image data input device 100D is provided with the digital image input means 12 as described above, and reads and stores a storage medium such as a memory card, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM which stores digital image data. A function to capture (input) digital image data is provided. More specifically, the storage medium differs depending on the type of the storage medium. However, if the storage medium is a removable memory card such as a digital camera, a memory slot is used. If the storage medium is a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM is used. A ROM drive and a DVD-ROM drive are equivalent. In the case where digital image data is transmitted via the network N, a data circuit terminating device (DCE) such as a modem or a DSU corresponds to the data line terminating device (DCE). Note that, similarly to the analog image data input device 100A, the digital image data input device 100D holds the ID of the device or server to which the function is provided, and stores a usage permission ID for executing the function. Means 32 and communication means 30 for providing a communication function with another device or server are provided.

The server 100E that manages and controls each of these devices via the network N includes the above-described identification code providing unit 14, data storage unit 16, image display medium creation unit 18, image data search unit 20, and A communication unit 30 and a use permission ID storage unit 32 are provided, and provide respective functions as described above.
The processing in the image data integration processing system 400 of the present invention having such a configuration is basically the same as that in the case of the printer multifunction peripheral 100. However, each of the devices 100A to 100D and the server E is independent. Since it is connected to the network N, in order to construct one image data integration processing system 400 by combining these devices 100A to 100D and the server E, it is necessary to recognize and use each other on the network. Need to be realized.

  For this purpose, in the present invention, the concept of an ID (usage permission ID) for managing a group of devices and servers constituting the image data integrated processing system 400 is introduced, and each device or server holds an ID to which use is permitted. Thus, when using the function of the partner device (server), a function request is issued with a use permission ID, and after confirming that the ID matches the held ID, each operation is executed. It is intended to be.

  Therefore, in order for the image data integration processing system 400 of the present invention to obtain the same operations and effects as those of the printer multifunction peripheral 100, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 22, the devices 100A to 100D and the server E The process of registering the use permission ID, the process of updating the use permission ID, the process of obtaining the use permission of the control devices that control the devices 100A to 100D and the server E, and the process of preparing the use thereof are required.

FIG. 18 shows a flow of the use permission ID registration processing on each of the devices 100A to 100D and the server E side.
First, each of the devices 100A to 100D and the server E determine whether or not a use permission request has been received from the control device via the network N in the first step S500. When it is determined that the request has been received (Yes), The process proceeds to step S502 to acquire the ID of the control device that has transmitted the use permission request, and then proceeds to the next determination step S504.

  In step S504, it is determined whether or not a use permission ID which can be said to be a qualification to participate in the system already exists. If it is determined that the use permission ID does not exist (No), the process proceeds to step S510 to disable use. The permission message is returned to the control device of the transmission source, and the processing is terminated. If it is determined that the use permission ID exists (Yes), the ID existing in step S506 is used as the use permission ID storage unit 32. After that, the process moves to the next step S508 to return a use permission message to the source control device.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S500 that the use permission request has not been received (No), the process proceeds to step S512 to determine whether a function request has been received and to determine that a function request has not been received ( No), the process is terminated as it is. However, when it is determined that the function request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S514 to acquire the ID of the control device of the transmission source, and then proceeds to the next step S514. It moves to step S516.

  In step S516, it is determined whether or not the use permission ID stored by itself matches the acquired ID. If it is determined that they do not match (No), the process proceeds to step S522 to use the function. The process is terminated by returning a non-permission message to the transmission source, but if it is determined that they match (Yes), the process proceeds to step S518 to execute the requested function and then execute the next function. Then, the process returns to step S520, and the execution result is returned to the transmission source, and the process ends.

Next, FIG. 19 shows the flow of the use permission ID update processing of each of the devices 100A to 100D and the server E that operates in parallel with the flow of FIG.
In this update of the use permission ID, first, in the first step S600, the time at which the use permission ID is registered is subtracted from the current time, and it is determined whether or not the period is shorter than the specified time. For example, the current time is 12:00 PM on April 1, 2004, the usage permission ID registration time is 12:00 PM on January 1, 2004, and the specified time is 90 days (2160 hours). If it is determined in step S600 that the period obtained by subtracting the use permission ID registration time from the current time is smaller than the specified time (Yes), the state in which the use permission ID is registered is maintained, but the use permission is maintained from the current time. If it is determined that the period obtained by subtracting the permission ID registration time is longer than the specified time (No), the process proceeds to the next step S602, where the stored use permission ID is deleted, and the process ends. This makes it possible to utilize a predetermined device for a limited period.

Next, FIG. 20 shows a control device for controlling the devices 100A to 100D and the server E, that is, a control device (for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) or the like) for utilizing the functions provided in the devices 100A to 100D and the server E. 3 shows the flow of the use permission acquisition process of the first embodiment.
First, in a first step S700, a use permission request is transmitted together with a use permission ID to a device (including a server, the same applies hereinafter) that constructs (uses) the present system, and a response from the transmitted device is awaited. Next, the process proceeds to step S702 to determine whether or not there is a response from the transmitted device. If it is determined that a response has been received (No), the process proceeds to the next step S704 and the device that has responded It is determined whether or not use permission has been received from.

When it is determined in step S704 that the use permission has not been received (No), the process is terminated as it is, but when it is determined that the use permission has been received (Yes), the next step is performed. The process proceeds to S706 to determine whether or not the specified time has elapsed before the use permission is received.
As a result of this determination processing, when it is determined that the specified time has not elapsed (Yes), the process stands by, but when it is determined that the specified time has elapsed (No), the process proceeds to the next step S708. The process proceeds to determine whether or not the use continuation flag is set.

  As a result of this determination processing, when it is determined that the use continuation flag is not set (No), the processing is terminated as it is, but when it is determined that the use continuation flag is set, the process proceeds to the next step S710. Then, the use permission request is transmitted to the device together with the use permission ID, and the processing from step S706 is repeated again. This makes it possible to determine whether or not each device has a use permission.

Next, FIG. 21 shows a flow of a use preparation process of a control device for controlling and controlling the devices 100A to 100D and the server E as in FIG. The definition frame of the flow in FIG. 21 shows the flow of the use permission acquisition process for each device in FIG. 20, and is executed when the flow in FIG. 21 ends.
As shown in the figure, the control device issues a new use permission ID in the first step S800, shifts to the next steps S802 and S804 sequentially, and obtains a use permission request from the scanner. A process for setting a use permission flag is performed. Next, in the next steps S806 to S812, the control device performs a process of acquiring a use permission request from the printer and the digital input device, and setting a printer and digital input device use permission flag. Then, lastly, in the next steps S814 and S816, the control device obtains a use permission request from the server and sets the use permission flag of the server similarly to these devices, and then ends the processing. As a result, the devices 100A to 100D and the server E for constructing the image data integration processing system 400 of the present invention can be prepared.

  FIG. 22 shows the flow of the use termination processing by the control device. In steps S900 to S906, a scanner, a printer, and a digital input device constituting the image data integrated processing system 400 of the present invention are respectively shown. By defeating each use permission flag of the server, each device or server can be released and used for other processing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a printer multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction printer. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a thumbnail card (image display medium). FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a thumbnail card creation process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing from reading of a thumbnail card to printing out a predetermined image. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the printer multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image file and analog data associated with the image file. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image file and analog data associated with the image file. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process relating to association between an image file and analog data. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the printer multifunction peripheral of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a conventional layout method. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a layout processing result according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process until a printed material is obtained along a layout template. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of one layout template and an image laid out on the layout template. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask used when performing a layout process. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a layout definition of the layout template of FIG. 14. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image data integration processing system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of use permission ID registration processing of each device (server). It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of use permission ID update processing of each device (server). It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of use permission acquisition processing of a control device. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of use preparation processing of a control device. It is a figure showing the flow of the end processing of use by a control device.

Explanation of reference numerals

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Analog image input means, 12 ... Digital image input means, 14 ... Identification code provision means, 16 ... Data storage means, 18 ... Image display medium creation means, 20 ... Image data search means, 22 ... Image display means, 24 ... Printing means, 26 data association means, 28 layout means, 30 communication means, 32 use permission ID storage means, 34 use permission ID issuing means, 40 CPU, 41 RAM, 42 ROM, 43 analog Image input mechanism, 44 Digital image input mechanism, 45 Bus, 46 Interface, 47 Printing mechanism, 48 Storage device, 49 Operation panel, 50 Monitor, 100 multifunction printer, 100A Analog image data input Device, 100B: printing device, 100C: image display and control device, 100D: digital image data Input device, 100E: server, 200: housing, 300: card paper, 400: image data integrated processing system, C: thumbnail card (image display medium), G: thumbnail image, S: identification code, P: layout template, N: Network.

Claims (15)

An analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capture unit that captures the converted digital image Image input means;
Digital image input means for inputting digital image data;
An identification code providing unit that applies an identification code to each digital image data group input by the analog image input unit and the digital image input unit,
A data storage unit for storing a digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit,
Image display medium creating means for creating a list of image display media that can be input by the analog image input means and displayed as a list from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code assigning means;
An image data search unit for searching a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage unit based on the identification code of the specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation unit; Means,
Image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to the respective digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means on the display unit,
And a printing unit for printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display unit. The printer multifunction peripheral according to claim 1,
A multifunction peripheral, further comprising a data association unit that associates and stores digital image data of the analog image input by the analog image input unit with a specific image on the image display medium. The printer multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein
A printer multi-function peripheral further comprising a layout unit for laying out a plurality of pieces of image information of the image display medium according to a predetermined layout template. The printer multifunction peripheral according to claim 1,
The multifunction printer according to claim 1, wherein the image display medium is configured to arrange reduced images corresponding to respective digital image data of the digital image data group on printing paper. The printer multifunction peripheral according to claim 1,
When the printer multifunction peripheral is connected to another printer multifunction peripheral via a network, the data storage unit also stores the input digital image data in the data storage unit of the other printer multifunction peripheral. Printer multifunction machine characterized by the above-mentioned. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:
The image data search means, when the printer MFP is connected to another printer MFP via a network, also searches data storage means of the other printer MFP. Multifunction machine. The printer multifunction peripheral according to claim 1,
The analog image input means, the digital image input means, the identification code assigning means, the data storage means, the image display medium creating means, the image data search means, the image display means, and the printing means are provided in one housing. A multifunction printer, which is housed in the body. An analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capture unit that captures the converted digital image Image input means;
Digital image input means for inputting digital image data;
An identification code providing unit that applies an identification code to each digital image data group input by the analog image input unit and the digital image input unit,
A data storage unit for storing a digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit,
Image display medium creating means for creating a list of image display media that can be input by the analog image input means and displayed as a list from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code assigning means;
An image data search unit for searching a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage unit based on the identification code of the specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation unit; Means,
Image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to the respective digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means on the display unit,
A printing unit that prints and outputs digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display unit. An image data integrated processing system in which an analog image data input device, a digital image data input device, an image display device, a control device, a printing device, and a server are connected via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other. ,
The analog image data input device,
An analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capture unit that captures the converted digital image Having image input means,
The digital image data input device,
Having digital image input means for inputting digital image data,
The server comprises:
Identification code assigning means for assigning an identification code to each digital image data group input by the analog image input means and the digital image input means, and storing the digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assigning means An image display medium for creating a list of image display media that can be input by the analog image input means and displayed as a list from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code providing means. A medium creation unit, and from the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation unit, a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code based on the identification code of the specific image display medium from the data storage unit. Image data search means for searching,
The image display device,
Image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means of the server on a display unit,
The printing device includes:
An image data integration processing system comprising a printing unit that prints and outputs digital image data corresponding to a specific image in an image list displayed by an image display unit of the image display device. The image data integration processing system according to claim 9, wherein
The analog image data input device, the digital image data input device, the image display device, the printing device, and the server each have a use permission ID storage unit that stores a use permission ID for specifying a device constituting the system and the server. Along with
The image data integrated processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a use permission ID issuing unit that issues the use permission ID. Computer
An analog image reading unit that reads an analog image, a digital image conversion unit that converts the analog image read by the analog image reading unit into a digital image, and a digital image capture unit that captures the converted digital image Image input means;
Digital image input means for inputting digital image data;
An identification code providing unit that applies an identification code to each digital image data group input by the analog image input unit and the digital image input unit,
A data storage unit for storing a digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment unit,
Image display medium creating means for creating a list of image display media that can be input by the analog image input means and displayed as a list from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code assigning means;
An image data search unit for searching a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage unit based on the identification code of the specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created by the image display medium creation unit; Means,
Image display means for displaying a list of images corresponding to the respective digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search by the image data search means on the display unit,
An image data integration processing program functioning as printing means for printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in an image list displayed by the image display means. The image data integration processing program according to claim 11,
Said computer,
Analog image input means for converting an analog image into digital image data for input, digital image input means for inputting digital image data, and corresponding to digital image data input by the analog image input means and the digital image input means A multifunction peripheral computer having an image display means for displaying an image to be printed and a printing means for printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the image list displayed by the image display means. An image data integration processing program characterized by the following. An analog image input step of converting an analog image into digital image data and inputting the same;
A digital image input step for inputting digital image data;
An identification code providing step of providing an identification code for each digital image data group input in the analog image input step and the digital image input step,
A data saving step of saving a digital image data group to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assigning means,
An image display medium for creating an image display medium in which an analog image that can be input in the analog image input step is generated and displayed as a list from each digital image data of the digital image data group to which the identification code has been added in the identification code providing step Creation steps;
Image data search for searching a digital image data group corresponding to the identification code from the data storage step based on the identification code of a specific image display medium from among the plurality of image display media created in the image display medium creation step Steps and
An image display step of displaying a list of images corresponding to each digital image data of the digital image data group targeted by the search in the image data search step on a display unit;
A print processing step of printing and outputting digital image data corresponding to a specific image in the list of images displayed in the image display step. The image data integration processing method according to claim 13,
An image data integration processing method, further comprising a data association step of saving digital image data of an analog image input in the analog image input step in association with a specific image on the image display medium. The image data integration processing method according to claim 13 or 14,
A layout step of laying out a plurality of pieces of image information of the image display medium according to a predetermined layout template.

Images