Digital camera and printing system

• US 7,474,839 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 138 East LCD Advancements Limited (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Shiohara, Ryuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/239,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20060072016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 386/38, 386/107, 386/117, 386/124, 386/46, 386/120
• US Class Current: 386/326
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 9/007 Transform coding, e.g. discrete cosine transform
• 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 1/00172 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 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00957 Compiling jobs, e.g. for batch processing H04N1/3208 takes precedence; program code compilation G06F8/41
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• 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 arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus H04N2201/0074; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• 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 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3216 of a job size, e.g. a number of images, pages or copies, size of file, length of message
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• 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 2201/33378 : Type or format of data, e.g. colour or B/W, halftone or binary, computer image file or facsimile data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/10 : for generating image signals from different wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 : the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 : using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 : the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

With a digital camera 100, a photographed image 31 is displayed on a liquid crystal display and the user selects a desired image and specifies print specifications of the number of print sheets, a print paper size, a print color mode, etc., then print image data is prepared. The prepared print image data is transmitted from the digital camera 100 to a color printer of an output unit. An image is printed at the color printer in accordance with the print image data.

Claims

1. An apparatus for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data, the apparatus comprising:

a display portion;

a recording medium which records the image data;

an image data selecting unit which selects desired image data from the recording medium;

a mode selecting unit which selects one of a first output mode for printing a single image on a single sheet and a second output mode for printing plural images on a single sheet; and

an output method specification screen displaying unit, wherein;

the output method specification screen displaying unit causes the display portion to display an output method specification screen; and

the output method specification screen is adapted for use in specifying a print specification, including a number of copies of the single image.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,

the output method specification screen displaying unit causes the display portion to display the number 1 as a default value for the number of copies in the output method specification screen.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for changing the displayed number of copies in the output method specification screen.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switch includes a first button and a second button, and the number of copies increments by one as the first button is depressed, and decrements by one as the second button is depressed.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an image displaying unit which causes the display portion to display images sequentially;

and

a switch for sequentially displaying the images;

wherein

the switch is used for specifying the number of copies.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein:

the displayed output method specification screen contains a plurality of print specification items including the number of copies, and a unit which automatically moves from a first one of the print specification items to a next, second one of the print specification items when the first one of the print specification items has been set.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an outputting unit which outputs the selected one of the first output mode and the second output mode,

wherein:

in the first output mode, the outputting unit outputs the selected image data to a printer to print the selected image data; and

in the second output mode, the outputting unit outputs plural pieces of image data to the printer to print plural images together on a print sheet.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein in the second output mode the outputting unit outputs the plural pieces of the image data each with a respective index.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording medium records reduced image data, and the outputting unit in the second output mode outputs plural pieces of the reduced image data obtained from the recording medium.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reduced image data is thumbnail image data.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the second output mode, the plural images include the images from all of the image data.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a digital camera.

6. An apparatus for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data, the apparatus comprising:

a display portion;

a recording medium which records the image data;

an image data selecting unit which selects desired image data from the recording medium;

a mode selecting unit which selects one of a first output mode for printing a single image on a single sheet and a second output mode for printing plural images on a single sheet; and

an image displaying unit which causes the displaying portion to display images sequentially, wherein the images displayed correspond to reduced image data prepared based on the image data, and the images are sequentially displayed on the display portion in a fast scroll manner.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the images displayed are images enlarged from the reduced image data.

15. A print system comprising:

a photoelectric conversion unit which executes photoelectric conversion of image pickup light;

a display portion;

a recording medium which records the conversion result by the photoelectric conversion unit as the image data;

an image data selecting unit which selects desired image data from the recording medium;

a mode selecting unit which selects one of a first output mode for printing a single image on a single sheet and a second output mode for printing plural images on a single sheet;

an outputting unit which outputs the selected one of the first output mode and the second output mode;

a printing unit which executes printing in accordance with the selected one of the first output mode and the second output mode; and

an output method specification screen displaying unit,

wherein;

the output method specification screen displaying unit causes the display portion an output method specification screen; and

the output method specification screen is adapted for use in specifying a print specification, including a number of copies of the single image.

16. The print system according to claim 15,

the output method specification screen displaying unit causes the display portion to display the number 1 as a default value for the number of copies in the output method specification screen.

17. The print system according to claim 15, further comprising a switch for changing the displayed number of copies in the output method specification screen.

18. The print system according to claim 17, wherein the switch includes a first button and a second button, and the number of copies increments by one as the first button is depressed, and decrements by one as the second button is depressed.

19. The print system according to claim 15, further comprising:

an image displaying unit which causes the display portion to display images sequentially;

and

a switch for sequentially displaying the images;

wherein

the switch is used for specifying the number of copies.

20. The print system according to claim 15, further comprising an image displaying unit which causes the display portion to display images sequentially, wherein the images displayed correspond to reduced image data prepared based on the image data, and the images are sequentially displayed on the display portion in a fast scroll manner.

21. The print system according to claim 20, wherein the images displayed are images enlarged from the reduced image data.

22. The print system according to claim 15,

wherein

the displayed output method specification screen contains a plurality of print specification items including the number of copies, and a unit which automatically moves from a first one of the print specification items to a next, second one of the print specification items when the first one of the print specification items has been set.

23. The system according to claim 15, wherein:

in the first output mode, the outputting unit outputs the selected image data to the printing unit to print the selected image data; and

in the second output mode, the outputting unit outputs plural pieces of image data to the printing unit to print plural images together on a print sheet.

24. The print system according to claim 23, wherein, in the second output mode, the outputting unit outputs the plural pieces of the image data each with a respective index.

25. The print system according to claim 24, wherein the recording medium records reduced image data, and the outputting unit in the second output mode outputs plural pieces of the reduced image data obtained from the recording medium.

26. The print system according to claim 25, wherein the reduced image data is thumbnail image data.

27. The print system according to claim 15, wherein, in the second output mode, the plural images include the images from all of the image data.

28. The print system according to claim 15, further comprising a digital camera having the photoelectric conversion unit, the display portion, the recording medium, the image data selecting unit, the mode selecting unit, the outputting unit and the output method specification screen displaying unit.

29. A method, comprising:

selecting desired image data from image data stored in a recording medium;

selecting an output mode from a first output mode for printing a single image on a single sheet and a second output mode for printing plural images on a single sheet;

displaying an output method specification screen; and

using the output method specification screen in specifying a print specification including a number of copies of the single image.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:

displaying the number 1 as a default value for the number of copies in the output method specification screen.

31. The method according to claim 29, further comprising changing the displayed number of copies, in the output method specification screen, by operating a switch.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the switch includes a first button and a second button, and the number of copies increments by one as the first button is depressed, and decrements by one as the second button is depressed.

33. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:

causing a display portion to display images sequentially; and

sequentially displaying the images by operating a switch;

wherein

the switch is used for specifying the number of copies.

36. The method according to claim 29,

wherein

the displayed output method specification screen contains a plurality of print specification items including the number of copies, and a unit which automatically moves from a first one of the print specification items to a next, second one of the print specification items when the first one of the print specification items has been set.

37. The method according to claim 29, wherein:

in the first output mode, the selected image data is output to a printer to print the selected image data; and

in the second output mode, plural pieces of image data are output to the printer to print plural images together on a print sheet.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, in the second output mode, the plural pieces of the image data are outputted each with a respective index.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein reduced image data is recorded in the recording medium, and in the second output mode, plural pieces of the reduced image data obtained from the recording medium are output.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the reduced image data is thumbnail image data.

41. The method according to claim 29, wherein, in the second output mode, the plural images include the images from all of the image data.

34. A method, comprising:

selecting desired image data from image data stored in a recording medium;

selecting an output mode from a first output mode for printing a single image on a single sheet and a second output mode for printing plural images on a single sheet; and

causing a display portion to display images sequentially, wherein the images displayed correspond to reduced image data prepared based on the image data, and the images are sequentially displayed on the display portion in a fast scroll manner.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the images displayed are images enlarged from the reduced image data.

42. An apparatus for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data, the apparatus comprising:

means for displaying;

means for recording the image data;

means for selecting desired image data from the means for recording the image data;

means for selecting an output mode from a first output mode for printing a single image on a single sheet and a second output mode for printing plural images on a single sheet; and

means for displaying an output method specification screen, wherein;

the means for displaying an output method specification screen causes the means for displaying to display an output method specification screen;

the output method specification screen is adapted for use in specifying a print specification, including a number of copies of the single image.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein

the means for displaying an output method specification screen causes the means for displaying to display the number 1 as a default value for the number of copies in the output method specification screen.

44. The apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising a switch for changing the displayed number of copies in the output method specification screen.

45. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the switch includes a first button and a second button, and the number of copies increments by one as the first button is depressed, and decrements by one as the second button is depressed.

46. The apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising:

means for causing the means for displaying to display images sequentially; and

a switch for sequentially displaying the images;

wherein

the switch is used for specifying the number of copies.

47. The apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising means for causing the means for displaying to display images sequentially, wherein the images displayed correspond to reduced image data prepared based on the image data, and the images are sequentially displayed on the means for displaying in a fast scroll manner.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the images displayed are images enlarged from the reduced image data.

49. The apparatus according to claim 42,

wherein:

the displayed output method specification screen contains a plurality of print specification items including the number of copies, and a means for automatically moving from a first one of the print specification items to a next, second one of the print specification items when the first one of the print specification items has been set.

50. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein:

in the first output mode, means for outputting image data outputs the selected image data to a printer to print the selected image data; and

in the second output mode, the means for outputting image data outputs plural pieces of image data to the printer to print plural images together on a print sheet.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein in the second output mode the means for outputting image data outputs the plural pieces of the image data each with a respective index.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the means for recording the image data records reduced image data, and in the second output mode, the means for outputting image data outputs plural pieces of the reduced image data obtained from the recording medium.

53. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the reduced image data is thumbnail image data.

54. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein, in the second output mode, the plural images include the images from all of the image data.

55. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a digital camera.