Digital imaging system

• US 20050219559A1
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theta Chip LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Haruo Yamashita, Masanori Ito, Michiharu Uematsu, Shigeo Sakaue, Tsumoru Fukushima
• Inventors: Ito, Masanori, Uematsu, Michiharu, Yamashita, Haruo, Sakaue, Shigeo, Fukushima, Tsumoru
• Granted Patent: US 7,271,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00161 Viewing or previewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00167 Processing or editing H04N1/00196 - H04N1/00201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00196 Creation of a photo-montage, e.g. photoalbum H04N1/0019 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00453 arranged in a two dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00461 marking or otherwise tagging one or more displayed image, e.g. for selective reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0013 Arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 : for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera

Abstract

When a shutter button of a digital camera is pressed, a picture signal fetched from a CCD is converted to a digital signal and compressed and written into a nonvolatile memory means like a flash memory card as a picture file which can be identified uniquely. A user can produce a control file for controlling print processing, display processing, transmission processing and the like for the picture file by selecting a particular picture file using an operation key. If multi-screen print is carried out on a printer unit, a vertical direction of each picture is unified. Further, upon reprint operation for multiple order persons, sorting work after the print is facilitated by providing with an identification means for identifying each order person.

Claims

1. A printer unit comprising:

a removable nonvolatile memory;

multi-print means for printing picture information stored in said memory;

print control information obtaining means for obtaining print control information relating to at least processing of information to be printed and a rotation angle of a picture stored in said memory;

print order adjusting means for adjusting a print order so as to include picture information of the same rotation angle for a plurality of pictures; and

print control means for specifying a print order to the multi-print means.

2. A printer unit comprising:

a removable nonvolatile memory;

print means for printing picture information stored in said memory;

print control information obtaining means for obtaining information about a picture to be printed and a print order person stored in said memory;

print order adjusting means for determining a print order according to said print control information;

frame specifying means for selectively instructing the print control means to input a different color, a different shape or a different thickness of frame line; and

print control means for specifying a print order and a frame kind to the print means.

3. The printer unit according to claim 2 wherein said print control information obtaining means obtains print control information corresponding to the order person also, said printer unit further comprising:

order person list forming means for instructing the print control information to be printed using a frame line specified by the frame specifying means.

4. The printer unit according to claim 2 further comprising:

a marking specifying means for instructing the print control means to enter a different mark into a print result if the different print order person asks to print a different picture, wherein said print control means specifies a print order and mark to the print means.

5. The printer unit according to claim 4 wherein said print control information obtaining means obtains print control information corresponding to the order person, said printer unit further comprising:

an order person list forming means for instructing printing of a picture corresponding to the order person using a mark specified by the marking specifying means.

6. The printer unit according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said print control information obtaining means obtains print control information about a picture to be printed and a rotation angle of the picture and said print order adjusting means regards pictures having the same rotation angle as the same group and adjusts and determines a print order so that picture information of a different group is not printed together on a single paper.

7. A printer unit comprising:

a connector for connecting a memory storing pictures;

card control means for controlling said memory through said connector;

file control means for reading a file in said memory;

picture conversion means for converting the file read by said file control means to a predetermined picture data type;

picture processing means for converting the picture data obtained by said conversion to a printable data type;

print control means for inputting the data obtained by said picture processing means; and

print control means for determining one or more pictures to be printed in a predetermined procedure and instructing at least said file control means.

8. The printer unit according to claim 7 wherein said memory has print control information stored at a predetermined position;

said print control means reads said print control information using said file control means and if said print control information exists, determines one or more pictures to be printed according to said print control information.

9. The printer unit according to claim 7 further comprising:

a frame memory for displaying a picture on a monitor; and

file retrieval means for retrieving a file having a predetermined format stored in said memory,

wherein said print control means retrieves said file in a predetermined order from a predetermined position of said memory, reads the retrieved file, converts the file to picture data, stores the converted data in said frame memory and displays on a monitor,

said printer unit printing a picture selected by a user from the displayed pictures.

10. The printer unit according to claim 7 further comprising:

a frame memory for displaying a picture on a monitor;

file retrieval means for retrieving a picture file having a predetermined format stored in said memory,

said picture conversion means having for converting picture data to reduced picture data,

said print control means retrieving said picture file in a predetermined order from a position of said memory, reading the retrieved picture file, storing the reduced picture data repeatedly and displaying multiple reduced pictures,

said printer unit printing one or more pictures selected by a user from said multiple pictures.

11. The printer unit according to claim 9 wherein said file retrieval means retrieves all files having a predetermined format in said memory by starting retrieval from a predetermined file path in said memory.

12. The printer unit according to claim 8 wherein said file retrieval means retrieves all files having a predetermined format in said memory by starting retrieval from a predetermined file path in said memory.

13. The printer unit according to claim 7 wherein said picture conversion means comprises:

means for analyzing a beginning portion of a picture file read from said memory to extract numbers of horizontal and vertical picture elements and a predetermined parameter corresponding to expansion of a compressed picture;

means for enlarging the compressed picture to a bit image picture using said parameter; and

magnification means for enlarging and reducing the enlarged bit image picture.

14. The printer unit according to claim 8 wherein said picture conversion means comprises:

means for analyzing a beginning portion of a picture file read from said memory to extract numbers of horizontal and vertical picture elements and a predetermined parameter corresponding to expansion of a compressed picture;

means for enlarging the compressed picture to a bit image picture using said parameter; and

magnification means for enlarging and reducing the enlarged bit image picture.

15. The printer unit according to claim 9 wherein said picture conversion means comprises:

means for analyzing a beginning portion of a picture file read from said memory to extract numbers of horizontal and vertical picture elements and a predetermined parameter corresponding to expansion of a compressed picture;

means for enlarging the compressed picture to a bit image picture using said parameter; and

magnification means for enlarging and reducing the enlarged bit image picture.

16. The printer unit according to claim 10 wherein said picture conversion means comprises:

means for analyzing a beginning portion of a picture file read from said memory to extract numbers of horizontal and vertical picture elements and a predetermined parameter corresponding to expansion of a compressed picture;

means for enlarging the compressed picture to a bit image picture using said parameter; and

magnification means for enlarging and reducing the enlarged bit image picture.

17. The printer unit according to claim 11 wherein said picture conversion means comprises:

means for analyzing a beginning portion of a picture file read from said memory to extract numbers of horizontal and vertical picture elements and a predetermined parameter corresponding to expansion of a compressed picture;

means for enlarging the compressed picture to a bit image picture using said parameter; and

magnification means for enlarging and reducing the enlarged bit image picture.

18. The printer unit according to claim 12 wherein said picture conversion means comprises:

means for analyzing a beginning portion of a picture file read from said memory to extract numbers of horizontal and vertical picture elements and a predetermined parameter corresponding to expansion of a compressed picture;

means for enlarging the compressed picture to a bit image picture using said parameter; and

magnification means for enlarging and reducing the enlarged bit image picture.

19. The printer unit according to claim 7 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

20. The printer unit according to claim 8 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

21. The printer unit according to claim 9 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

22. The printer unit according to claim 10 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

23. The printer unit according to claim 11 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

24. The printer unit according to claim 12 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

25. The printer unit according to claim 13 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

26. The printer unit according to claim 14 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

27. The printer unit according to claim 15 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

28. The printer unit according to claim 16 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

29. The printer unit according to claim 17 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.

30. The printer unit according to claim 18 further comprising:

video signal processing means for processing an analog video signal so as to carry out writing into the frame memory and display of the processed data,

said printer unit capturing said analog video signal processed by said video signal processing means in said frame memory and writing the picture captured in the frame memory into said memory.