U.S. patent application number 09/789596 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for information processing device, method of controlling information processing device, and recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Nakamura, Shoei, Ohmura, Akira.
Application Number | 20010019656 09/789596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17910381 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010019656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ohmura, Akira ; et
al. |
September 6, 2001 |
Information processing device, method of controlling information
processing device, and recording medium
Abstract
An information processing device converts images to image data
and records the image data to a recording medium. The device
includes a selector, an arrangement adjuster and an output. The
selector selects desired image data to be output to a printing
device from among the image data recorded in the recording medium.
The arrangement adjuster adjusts an arrangement of the image data
when there is image data of more than one image selected by the
selector. The output outputs the plurality of image data arranged
by the arrangement adjuster to the printing device. The plurality
of image data can be, for example, continuously shot image
data.
Inventors: |
Ohmura, Akira;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Nakamura, Shoei;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. Box 19928
Alexandria
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
17910381 |
Appl. No.: |
09/789596 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09789596 |
Feb 22, 2001 |
|
|
|
09184329 |
Nov 2, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/225 ;
386/E5.072 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/907 20130101;
H04N 5/765 20130101; H04N 5/772 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/46 ;
386/117 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/76; H04N
005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 5, 1997 |
JP |
9-302554 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information processing device that converts images to image
data and records the image data to a recording medium, comprising:
a selector that selects desired image data to be output to a
printing device from among the image data recorded in the recording
medium; an arrangement adjustor that adjusts an arrangement of the
image data when there is image data of more than one image selected
by the selector; and an output part that outputs the plurality of
image data arranged by the arrangement adjustor to the printing
device.
2. The information processing device of claim 1, further
comprising: an input part that inputs setting information in order
to set the printing device; an imager that images an object; and a
recorder that records image data shot by the imager.
3. The information processing device of claim 2, wherein the
setting information includes the size of recording paper that is
used in the printing device, and a printing direction.
4. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the
plurality of image data are continuously shot image data.
5. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the
arrangement adjustor refers to the setting information, enlarges or
reduces each of the plurality of image data, and arranges the image
data so that the plurality of image data are printed on one
recording sheet.
6. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the
arrangement adjustor superimposes and arranges the plurality of
image data.
7. The information processing device of claim 1, further
comprising: a changing part that changes a printing mode, and
wherein when the printing mode is changed by the changing part, the
arrangement adjustor arranges the image data so that one image data
is printed on one recording sheet.
8. The information processing device of claim 1, further
comprising: a dividing/display part that divides and displays the
plurality of image data selected by the selector on a display
device; and a designator that designates desired image data from
among the plurality of image data divided and displayed on the
display device by the dividing/display part, and wherein the output
part outputs the image data designated by the designator to the
printing device.
9. A method of controlling an image processing device that records
image data to a recording medium, comprising the steps of:
selecting desired image data to be output to a printing device from
among the image data recorded to the recording medium; adjusting an
arrangement of the image data when image data of more than one
image are selected; and outputting the arranged plurality of image
data to the printing device.
10. A recording medium on which is recorded a control program that
is used in an information processing device that records an image
data to a memory, the control program comprising: a selecting
procedure that selects desired image data to be output to a
printing device from among the image data recorded to the memory;
an adjusting procedure that adjusts an arrangement of the image
data when image data of more than one image are selected; and an
outputting procedure that outputs the arranged plurality of image
data to the printing device.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is
herein incorporated by reference: Japanese Patent Application No.
9-302554, filed Nov. 5, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an information processing device
and method of controlling an information processing device, and to
a recording medium. In particular, it relates to an information
processing device, method of controlling an information processing
device, and a recording medium that converts an optical image of an
object to corresponding image data and stores it to a recording
medium.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In a conventional electronic camera, when printing a
plurality of shot images using a printer or the like, if these
plurality of images are printed on one sheet of recording paper,
the images are arranged on the recording paper and are printed
according to the number of divisions, such as 4 divisions, 9
divisions, or 16 divisions in the conventional electronic
camera.
[0006] However, in the conventional electronic camera, there is the
problem that an arbitrary number of images cannot be printed to one
sheet of recording paper because the number of divisions is
predetermined.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention has been made in consideration of the
above-mentioned conditions. This invention allows the user to
automatically adjust the size of each image, and print according to
the number of images to be printed and the size of the recording
paper.
[0008] The information processing device of this invention
includes: a selector that selects desired image data which is
output to the printing device from among the image data recorded to
the recording medium; an arrangement adjustor that adjusts the
arrangement of a plurality of image data when a plurality of image
data that has been selected by the selector exists; and an
outputting part that outputs the plurality of image data that has
been arranged by the arrangement adjustor to a printing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an electronic camera
according to an embodiment of this invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the FIG. 1 electronic
camera;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the FIG. 1 electronic
camera in a state where an LCD cover is closed;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal structure
of the electronic camera of FIGS. 1-2;
[0013] FIGS. 5A-5C are views showing the relationship between the
position of the LCD cover 14 and the state of the power switch 11
and the LCD switch 25 in the camera;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure
of the internal portion of the electronic camera shown in FIGS.
1-2;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining a thinning processing of the
pixels during the L mode;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining a thinning processing of the
pixels during the H mode;
[0017] FIG. 9 shows an example of the display screen of the
electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1-2;
[0018] FIG. 10 shows the case when the electronic camera shown in
FIG. 1 is connected to a printer 100;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a structural example of the
printer 100 shown in FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flow chart explaining one example of processing
to set a printing mode;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a display example of a screen displayed on the
LCD 6 when the processing of FIG. 12 is executed;
[0022] FIG. 14 is another display example of a screen displayed on
the LCD 6 when the processing of FIG. 12 is executed;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a flow chart explaining one example of the
printing processing;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a display example of a screen displayed on the
LCD 6 when the processing shown in FIG. 15 is executed;
[0025] FIG. 17 is one example of a table that is referenced in the
processing of FIG. 15;
[0026] FIG. 18 is one example of an image to be printed as a result
of the processing shown in FIG. 15;
[0027] FIG. 19 is another example of an image to be printed as a
result of the processing shown in FIG. 15;
[0028] FIG. 20 is another example of an image to be printed as a
result of the processing shown in FIG. 15;
[0029] FIG. 21 is another example of an image to be printed as a
result of the processing shown in FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Hereafter, embodiments of this invention are explained with
reference to the drawings.
[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views that show a structural
example of an embodiment of an electronic camera according to this
invention. In the electronic camera of this embodiment, when
shooting an object, the surface facing an object is face X1, and
the surface facing the user is face X2. On the top part of the face
X1 are provided a viewfinder 2 that is used for the confirmation of
the shooting range of the object, a shooting lens 3 that takes-in
the optical image of the object, and a light emission part (strobe)
4 to irradiate light that illuminates the object.
[0032] Additionally, in the face X1 are provided a red-eye
reduction lamp 15, a photometry element 16 and a colorimetry
element 17. The red-eye reduction lamp 15 reduces the red eye
phenomenon by emitting light before the light emission of the
strobe 4 when shooting is to be performed with the strobe 4. The
photometry element 16 performs photometry while the operation of
the CCD 20 (FIG. 4) is stopped. The colorimetry element 17 performs
colorimetry while the operation of the CCD 20 is stopped.
[0033] On the top part of the face X2, opposed to the face X1 (the
position corresponding to the top part of the face X1 in which the
viewfinder 2, the shooting lens 3 and the light emission part 4 are
formed), the above-mentioned viewfinder 2 and a speaker 5 that
outputs sound that is recorded in the electronic camera 1 are
provided. Additionally, an LCD 6 and operation keys 7 are formed on
the face X2 vertically lower than the viewfinder 2, the shooting
lens 3, the light emission part 4 and the speaker 5. On the surface
of the LCD 6, a so-called touch tablet 6A is arranged that outputs
position data corresponding to a position designated by the
touching operation of, e.g., a later-mentioned pen-type designating
device.
[0034] Touch tablet 6A is made from a transparent material such as
glass, resin or the like. Thus, the user can observe, through the
touch tablet 6A, an image that is displayed on the LCD 6 formed
below the touch tablet 6A.
[0035] The operation keys 7 are keys to be operated when
reproducing (replaying) and displaying the recorded data on the LCD
6, or the like. They detect the operation (input) by a user and
supply it to CPU 39. The menu key 7A, among the operation keys 7,
is a key to be operated to display the menu screen on the LCD 6.
The execution key 7B is a key to be operated to reproduce the
recorded information selected by the user. The clear key 7C is a
key to be operated to delete recorded information. The cancel key
7D is a key to be operated to suspend the reproduction processing
of the recorded information. The scroll key 7E is a key to be
operated to scroll the screen in the vertical direction when the
list of the recorded information is displayed on the LCD 6.
[0036] On the face X2, a slidable LCD cover 14 is provided that
protects the LCD 6 when it is not being used. The LCD cover 14
covers the LCD 6 and the touch tablet 6A when it is shifted to the
upper position as shown in FIG. 3. When the LCD cover 14 is shifted
to the lower position, the LCD 6 and the touch tablet 6A appear,
and a power switch 11 (later-mentioned) that is arranged on the
face Y2 is switched to the ON condition by the arm member 14A of
the LCD cover 14.
[0037] On the face Z, which is the top face of the electronic
camera 1, are provided a microphone 8 that collects sound and an
earphone jack 9 to which an earphone, not shown in the figure, is
connected.
[0038] On the left side face Y1 are provided a release switch 10, a
continuous shooting mode switch 13 and a printer connecting
terminal 18. The release switch 10 is operated when shooting the
object. The continuous shooting mode switch 13 is operated when
switching to the continuous shooting mode at the time of shooting.
The printer connecting terminal 18 is for connecting the electronic
camera 1 to an external printer. The release switch 10, continuous
shooting mode switch 13 and printer connecting terminal 18 are
arranged vertically below the viewfinder 2, the shooting lens 3 and
the light emission part 4, provided at the top end of the face
X1.
[0039] On the face Y2 (the right side face) that opposes the face
Y1 are provided a recording switch 12, that is operated when
recording sound, and a power switch 11. The recording switch 12 and
the power switch 11 are arranged vertically below the viewfinder 2,
the shooting lens 3 and the light emission part 4, provided on the
top end of the face X1, in a similar manner as the above-mentioned
release switch 10 and continuous shooting mode switch 13.
Preferably, the recording switch 12 is formed at approximately the
same height as the release switch 10 of the face Y1, and it is
structured so that the user does not sense a difference, no matter
whether he or she holds the camera by the left hand or the right
hand.
[0040] Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the position of the
recording switch 12 so that it is different from the position of
the release switch 10 so that when the user presses one of the
switches, when the user holds the opposite side face of the camera
with a finger in order to cancel the moment induced by this
pressure, the user does not accidentally press the switch that is
provided on the other side face.
[0041] The above-mentioned continuous shooting mode switch 13 is
used when setting whether an object is shot for only one frame
(single shot) or shot for a plurality of frames (continuous
shooting) when the user shoots the object by pressing the release
switch 10. For example, when the indicator of the continuous
shooting mode switch 13 is moved to the position "S" (in other
words, it is switched to the S mode), when the release switch 10 is
pressed, shooting is performed for only one frame. When the
indicator of the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is moved to the
position "L" (in other words, it is switched to the L mode), when
the release switch 10 is pressed, shooting of 8 frames per second
is performed during the period when the release switch 10 is
pressed (in other words, it is placed in a low speed continuous
shooting mode). Furthermore, when the indicator of the continuous
shooting mode switch 13 is moved to the position "H" (in other
words, it is switched to the H mode), when the release switch 10 is
pressed, shooting of 30 frames per second is performed during the
period when the release switch 10 is pressed (in other words, it is
placed in a high speed continuous shooting mode).
[0042] Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera 1 is
explained. FIG. 4 shows a structural example of the inside of the
electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A CCD 20 is provided at
the rear side (face X2 side) of the shooting lens 3. CCD 20 is a
photoelectric converter in that it photoelectrically converts the
optical image of an object that is image-formed via the shooting
lens 3 into an electrical signal.
[0043] An in-finder display element 26 is arranged in the field of
view of the viewfinder 2, and displays the setting conditions of
various kinds of functions to the user viewing an object through
the viewfinder 2.
[0044] Below the LCD 6, four cylinder-shaped batteries (AAA dry
cell batteries) 21 are vertically aligned. The electric power that
is stored in the batteries 21 is supplied to each part of the
camera. Additionally, below the LCD 6 is arranged a condenser 22
that accumulates a charge in order to cause the light emission part
4 to emit light.
[0045] On a circuit board 23, various control circuits are formed
that control each part of the electronic camera 1. Additionally,
between the circuit board 23 and the LCD 6 and batteries 21, a
memory card 24 is detachably provided. Various kinds of information
that are input to the electronic camera 1 are recorded respectively
in predetermined areas of the memory card 24.
[0046] An LCD switch 25 that is arranged adjacent to the power
switch 11 is a switch that is placed in the ON condition only while
its plunger is pressed. This occurs when the LCD cover 14 is
shifted downward, as shown in FIG. 5A. LCD switch 25 is switched to
the ON condition along with the power switch 11 by the arm member
14A of the LCD cover 14.
[0047] When the LCD cover 14 is positioned in the upper position,
the power switch 11 can be operated by the user independent of the
LCD switch 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the LCD cover
14 is closed and the electronic camera 1 is not being used, the
power switch 11 and the LCD switch 25 are in the OFF condition. In
this condition, when the user switches the power switch 11 to the
ON condition as shown in FIG. 5C, the power switch 11 is placed in
the ON condition, however the LCD switch 25 stays in the OFF
condition. Meanwhile, when the power switch 11 and the LCD switch
25 are in the OFF condition as shown in FIG. 5B, when the LCD cover
14 is open, as shown in FIG. 5A, the power switch 11 and the LCD
switch 25 are placed in the ON condition. Then, after this, when
the LCD cover 14 is closed, only the LCD switch 25 is placed in the
OFF condition as shown in FIG. 5C.
[0048] In this embodiment, the memory card 24 is detachable.
However, it is also acceptable to provide a memory on the circuit
board 23 and it is possible to record various kinds of information
in that memory. Additionally, it is acceptable to output various
kinds of information recorded in the memory (memory card 24) to an
external personal computer via an interface 48 (not shown).
[0049] Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera 1 of
this embodiment is explained with reference to the block diagram of
FIG. 6. The CCD 20, which includes a plurality of pixels,
photoelectrically converts an optical image that is image-formed on
each pixel into an image signal (electrical signal). The digital
signal processor (hereafter DSP) 33 supplies a CCD horizontal
driving pulse to the CCD 20, controls the CCD driving circuit (CCD
driver) 34, and also supplies a CCD vertical driving pulse to the
CCD 20.
[0050] An image processor 31 is controlled by the CPU 39, and
samples the image signal that is photoelectrically converted by the
CCD 20 at a predetermined timing, and amplifies the sampled signal
to a specified level. The analog/digital converting circuit
(hereafter A/D converter) 32 digitizes the image signal that is
sampled at the image processor 31, and supplies it to the DSP
33.
[0051] The DSP 33 controls a data bus that is connected to the
buffer memory 36 and to the memory card 24. After temporarily
storing the image data that is supplied from the A/D converter 32
to the buffer memory 36, the DSP 33 reads out image data stored in
the buffer memory 36 and records the image data to the memory card
24. Additionally, the DSP 33 stores the image data that is supplied
from the A/D converter 32 in the frame memory 35, displays it on
the LCD 6, and reads out the shot image data from the memory card
24. After decompressing the shot image data, the DSP 33 stores the
decompressed image data in the frame memory 35 and displays it on
the LCD 6.
[0052] When the electronic camera 1 is active, the DSP 33
repeatedly operates the CCD 20 while adjusting the exposure time
(exposure value) until the exposure level of the CCD 20 reaches an
appropriate value. At this time, it is also acceptable for the DSP
33 to operate the photometry circuit 51 at first, and to calculate
the initial value of the exposure time of the CCD 20 according to
the light receiving level that is detected by the photometry
element 16. By doing this, the adjustment of the exposure time of
the CCD 20 can be performed in a short period.
[0053] In addition to these operations, the DSP 33 performs timing
control of data input/output when recording to the memory card 24,
when storing decompressed image data in the buffer memory 36, and
the like.
[0054] The buffer memory 36 is used to accommodate the difference
between the speed of data input/output of the memory card 24 and
the processing speed of the CPU 39 and the DSP 33.
[0055] The microphone 8 inputs sound information (collects sound)
and supplies that sound information to the AID and D/A converter
42. The AID and D/A converter 42, after converting the analog
signal that corresponds to the sound detected by the microphone 8
into a digital signal, outputs the digital signal to the CPU 39.
The A/D and D/A converter 42 also analyzes digital sound data that
is supplied from the CPU 39 and outputs an analog sound signal to
the speaker 5.
[0056] The photometry element 16 measures the light amount of the
object and its surroundings, and outputs the measurement result to
the photometry circuit 51. The photometry circuit 51, after
performing a specified processing to the analog signal that is the
photometric result supplied from the photometry element 16,
converts it into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to
the CPU 39.
[0057] The colorimetry element 17 measures the color temperature of
the object and its surroundings, and outputs the measurement result
to the colorimetry circuit 52. The colorimetry circuit 52, after
performing a specified processing to the analog signal that is the
calorimetric result supplied from the colorimetry element 17,
converts it into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to
the CPU 39.
[0058] The timer 45 has a built-in clock circuit, and outputs data
that corresponds to the current time to the CPU 39.
[0059] A stop driver 53 sets the aperture diameter of the stop 54
to a specified value. The stop 54 is arranged between the shooting
lens 3 and the CCD 20, and changes the aperture of the incident
light from the shooting lens 3 to the CCD 20.
[0060] The CPU 39 stops the operation of the photometry circuit 51
and the colorimetry circuit 52 when the LCD cover 14 is opened in
response to the signal from the LCD switch 25, and, when the LCD
cover 14 is closed, operates the photometry circuit 51 and the
colorimetry circuit 52 and also stops the operation of the CCD 20
(for example, the electronic shutter operation) until the release
switch 10 is placed in the half-pressed condition (the condition in
which a first operation is performed). The CPU 39 controls the
photometry circuit 51 and the colorimetry circuit 52 when the
operation of the CCD 20 is stopped, and receives the photometric
result of the photometry element 16 and also receives the
colorimetric result of the colorimetry element 17. Then, the CPU 39
calculates the white balance adjustment value that corresponds to
the color temperature supplied from the colorimetry circuit 52 with
reference to a specified table, and supplies the white balance
adjustment value to the image processor 31. In other words, when
the LCD cover 14 is closed, the LCD 6 is not used as an electronic
viewfinder and therefore the operation of the CCD 20 is stopped.
The CCD 20 consumes a large amount of electric power. Therefore,
electric power of the batteries 21 can be saved by suspending the
operation of the CCD 20 as described above.
[0061] Additionally, the CPU 39 controls the image processor 31
when the LCD cover 14 is closed so that the image processor 31 does
not perform various kinds of processing until the release switch 10
is operated (until the release switch 10 is placed in the
half-pressed condition). Additionally, the CPU 39 controls the stop
driver 53 when the LCD cover 14 is closed so that the stop driver
53 does not perform the operation of the change in the aperture
diameter of the stop 54 or the like until the release switch 10 is
operated (until the release switch 10 is placed in the half-pressed
condition).
[0062] The CPU 39 controls the red-eye reduction lamp driver 38 and
makes the red-eye reduction lamp 15 emit the appropriate amount of
light before the strobe 4 is emitted. The CPU 39 also controls the
strobe driving circuit 37 and makes the strobe 4 emit the
appropriate amount of light. Additionally, when the LCD cover 14 is
opened (in other words, when the electronic viewfinder is used) the
CPU 39 makes the strobe 4 not emit light. By doing this, the object
can be shot in the condition of the image displayed in the
electronic viewfinder.
[0063] The CPU 39 records the shooting date as header information
of the image data in the shooting image recording area of the
memory card 24 in accordance with the date data supplied from the
timer 45. In other words, the data of the shooting date is attached
to (associated with) the shot image data recorded in the shooting
image recording area of the memory card 24. Additionally, the CPU
39, after compressing the digitized sound information, stores the
digitized and compressed sound data temporarily in the buffer
memory 36, and then records it in a specified area (sound recording
area) of the memory card 24. Additionally, at this time, the data
of the recording date is recorded as header information of the
sound data in the sound recording area of the memory card 24.
[0064] The CPU 39 performs the auto-focus operation by controlling
the lens driving circuit (lens driver) 30 and shifting the shooting
lens 3. The CPU 39 also controls the stop driver 53 and changes the
aperture diameter of the stop 54 arranged between the shooting lens
3 and the CCD 20. Furthermore, the CPU 39 controls the in-finder
display circuit 40 and makes the in-finder display element 26
display the settings of the various operations or the like.
[0065] The CPU 39 performs sending and receiving of specified data
to/from a specified external device (not shown) via the interface
(I/F) 48. Additionally, the CPU 39 receives signals from the
operation keys 7 and appropriately processes them.
[0066] When a specified position of the touch tablet 6A is pressed
by a pen (pen-type designating member) 41 that is operated by the
user, the CPU 39 reads out the X-Y coordinates of the pressed
position of the touch tablet 6A, and accumulates the coordinate
data (later-mentioned line drawing information) into the buffer
memory 36. Additionally, the CPU 39 records the line drawing
information stored in the buffer memory 36 into the line drawing
information memory of the memory card 24 along with header
information of the line drawing information input date.
[0067] Next, various operations of the electronic camera 1 of this
embodiment are explained. First, the electronic viewfinder
operation of the LCD 6 of this device is explained. When the user
half-presses the release switch 10, the DSP 33 determines whether
the LCD cover 14 is opened from the value of the signal that
corresponds to the condition of the LCD switch 25 supplied from the
CPU 39. When it determines that the LCD cover 14 is closed, DSP 33
does not perform the electronic viewfinder operation. In this case,
the DSP 33 suspends processing until the release switch 10 is
operated.
[0068] Additionally, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, since the
electronic viewfinder operation is not performed, the CPU 39
suspends operation of the CCD 20, the image processor 31 and the
stop driver 53. Then, the CPU 39 operates the photometry circuit 51
and the colorimetry circuit 52 instead of operating the CCD 20, and
supplies these measurement results to the image processor 31. The
image processor 31 uses the values of these measurement results
when performing the white balance control and control of the
luminance value. When the release switch 10 is operated, the CPU 39
performs the operation of the CCD 20 and the stop driver 53.
[0069] On the other hand, when the LCD cover 14 is opened, the CCD
20 performs the electronic shutter operation at a specified
exposure amount per specified time period, photoelectrically
converts the optical image of the object that is light collected by
the shooting lens 3, and outputs the image signal obtained by the
operation to the image processor 31. The image processor 31
performs the white balance control and control of the luminance
value, and after performing a specified processing to the image
signal, outputs the image signal to the A/D converter 32.
Additionally, when the CCD 20 is operated, the image processor 31
uses an adjustment value that is used for the white balance control
and the luminance value control calculated by the CPU 39 using the
output of the CCD 20. Then, the AID converter 32 converts the image
signal (an analog signal) into image data (a digital signal), and
outputs the image data to the DSP 33. The DSP 33 outputs the image
data to the frame memory 35, and displays the image that
corresponds to the image data on the LCD 6.
[0070] Thus, when the LCD cover 14 is opened, the CCD 20 performs
the electronic shutter operation at a specified time interval,
converts the signal output from the CCD 20 each time into image
data, outputs the image data to the frame memory 35, and displays
the image of the object constantly on the LCD 6. The electronic
viewfinder operation is thus performed in the electronic camera 1.
Additionally, as described above, when the LCD cover 14 is closed,
the electronic viewfinder operation is not performed, the operation
of the CCD 20, the image processor 31 and the stop driver 53 are
suspended, and the consumption of electric power is saved.
[0071] Next, the shooting of an object by this device is explained.
First, the case is explained in which the continuous shooting mode
switch 13 provided on the face Y1 is switched to the S mode (the
mode that performs shooting for only one frame). First, the power
of the electronic camera 1 is turned on by switching the power
switch 11 shown in FIG. 1 to the side at which ON is printed. The
object is confirmed by the user in the viewfinder 2, the release
switch 10 provided on the face Y1 is pressed, and the shooting
processing of the object is started.
[0072] Additionally, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39
restarts the operation of the CCD 20, the image processor 31 and
the stop driver 53 when the release switch 10 is placed in the
half-pressed condition, and starts the shooting processing of the
object when the release switch 10 is placed in the full-pressed
condition (the condition in which a second operation is
performed).
[0073] The optical image of the object observed by the viewfinder 2
is light collected by the shooting lens 3, and is image-formed on
the CCD 20, which includes a plurality of pixels. The optical image
of the object that is image-formed on the CCD 20 is
photoelectrically converted into an image signal at each pixel, and
sampled by the image processor 31. The image signal sampled by the
image processor 31 is supplied to the A/D converter 32, digitized
and output to the DSP 33.
[0074] The DSP 33, after temporarily outputting the image data to
the buffer memory 36, reads out the image data from the buffer
memory 36, compresses it in accordance with, e.g., the JPEG (Joint
Photographic Experts Group) method, which is a combination of
discrete cosine transformation, quantization and Huffman encoding,
and records it in the shot image recording area of the memory card
24. At this time, in the shot image recording area of the memory
card 24, the data of the shooting date also is recorded as header
information of the shot image data.
[0075] Additionally, when the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is
switched to the S mode, shooting of only one frame is performed,
and even if the release switch 10 is continuously pressed (i.e.,
held down continuously), no shooting is performed after one frame.
When the release switch 10 is continuously pressed, the shot image
is displayed on the LCD 6 when the LCD cover 14 is open. Next, the
case will be described in which the continuous shooting mode switch
13 is switched to the L mode (the mode that performs continuous
shooting of 8 frames per second). When the power switch 11 is
switched to the side on which is printed ON and the release switch
10 provided on the face Y1 is pressed, the shooting processing of
the object is started. Additionally, when the LCD cover 14 is
closed, the CPU 39 restarts the operation of the CCD 20, the image
processor 31 and the stop driver 53 when the release switch 10 is
placed in the half-pressed condition, and the shooting processing
of the object is started when the release switch 10 is placed in
the full-pressed condition.
[0076] The optical image of the object observed by the user in the
viewfinder 2 is light collected by the shooting lens 3, and
image-formed on the CCD 20, which comprises a plurality of pixels.
The optical image of the object that is image-formed on the CCD 20
is photoelectrically converted into an image signal at each pixel
of the CCD 20, and sampled at a rate of 8 times per second by the
image processor 31. Additionally, at this time, the image processor
31 thins out 3/4 of the pixels among the image electrical signals
of all the pixels of the CCD 20.
[0077] In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, the image processor 31
divides the pixels of the CCD 20 that are arranged in a matrix
shape into areas each having 2.times.2 pixels (4 pixels), samples
the image signal of one pixel arranged in a specified position from
each area, and thins out the remaining three pixels. For example,
at the first sampling cycle (first frame), the pixel "a" at the top
left corner of each area is sampled, and the other pixels "b", "c"
and "d" are thinned out. At the second sampling cycle (second
frame), the pixel "b" at the top right corner of each area is
sampled, and the other pixels "a", "c" and "d" are thinned out.
Thereafter, at the third, fourth, and following sampling cycles,
the pixel "c" at the bottom left and the pixel "d" at the bottom
right are sampled, respectively, and the other pixels are thinned
out. In other words, each pixel is sampled once for every four
frames.
[0078] The image signals sampled by the image processor 31 (the
image signals of 1/4 of all the pixels of the CCD 20) are supplied
to the A/D converter 32, digitized and output to the DSP 33. The
DSP 33 reads out the image signals after temporarily outputting the
digitized image signal to the buffer memory 36, and after
compressing it in accordance with the JPEG method, for example,
records the shot image data that is digitized and compressed to the
shot image recording area of the memory card 24. At this time, in
the shot image recording area of the memory card 24, the data of
the shooting date also is recorded as header information of the
shot image data.
[0079] The case is now described in which the continuous shooting
mode switch 13 is switched to the H mode (a mode that performs
continuous shooting of 30 frames per second). When the power of the
electronic camera 1 is turned on by switching the power switch 11
to the side printed ON and the release switch 10 provided in the
face Y1 is pressed, the shooting processing of the object is
started.
[0080] Additionally, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39
restarts the operation of the CCD 20, the image processor 31 and
stop driver 53 when the release switch 10 is placed in the
half-pressed condition, and the shooting processing of the object
is started when the release switch 10 is placed in the full-pressed
condition.
[0081] The optical image of the object observed by the user in the
viewfinder 2 is light collected by the shooting lens 3 and
image-formed on the CCD 20. The optical image of the object that is
image-formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an
image signal at each pixel of the CCD 20, and is sampled at the
rate of 30 times per second by the image processor 31.
Additionally, at this time, the image processor 31 thins out
{fraction (8/9)} of pixels among the image electrical signal of all
the pixels of the CCD 20.
[0082] In other words, the image processor 31, as shown in FIG. 8,
divides the pixels of the CCD 20, that are arranged in a matrix
shape, into areas each having 3.times.3 pixels (9 pixels), and the
image electrical signal of one pixel arranged in a specified
position in each area is sampled at a rate of 30 times per second,
and the remaining 8 pixels are thinned out.
[0083] For example, in the first sampling cycle (first frame),
pixel "a" at the left top of each area is sampled, and the other
pixels "b" through "i" are thinned out. At the second sampling
cycle (second frame), the pixel "b" arranged to the right of the
pixel "a" is sampled and the other pixels "a" and "c" through "i"
are thinned out. Thereafter, at the third and following sampling
cycles, pixel "c", pixel "d" . . . are sampled, respectively, and
the other pixels are thinned out. In other words, each pixel is
sampled once every 9 frames.
[0084] The image signals that are sampled by the image processor 31
(the image signals of {fraction (1/9)} of all the pixels of the CCD
20) are supplied to the A/D converter 32, and there digitized and
output to the DSP 33. The DSP 33 reads out the image signal after
temporarily outputting the digitized image signal to the buffer
memory 36, and after the image signal is compressed in accordance
with the JPEG method, the shot image data that is digitized and
compressed is recorded in the shot image recording area of the
memory card 24 with header information of the shooting date
attached.
[0085] Additionally, depending on the necessity, it is possible to
operate the strobe 4 and irradiate light onto the object. However,
when the LCD cover 14 is open, in other words, when the LCD 6 is
performing the electronic viewfinder operation, the CPU 39
preferably controls the strobe 4 to not emit light.
[0086] Next, the operation is described in which two-dimensional
information (pen input information) is input by the touch tablet
6A. When the touch tablet 6A is pressed with tip of the pen 41, the
X-Y coordinates of the point where the pen contacted is input to
the CPU 39. These X-Y coordinates are stored in the buffer memory
36. Additionally, it is possible to write the data corresponding to
each point of the above-mentioned X-Y coordinates in the frame
memory 35, to display line drawings that correspond to the contact
of the pen 41 on the above-mentioned X-Y coordinates on the LCD
6.
[0087] As described above, since the touch tablet 6A is a
transparent member, the user can observe the point displayed on the
LCD 6 (the point of the position pressed by the tip of the pen 41),
and can feel as if he or she were performing a direct pen input on
the LCD 6. Additionally, when the pen 41 is shifted on the touch
tablet 6A, a line is displayed on the LCD 6 in accordance with the
movement of the pen 41. Furthermore, when the pen 41 is
intermittently shifted on the touch tablet 6A, a broken line that
follows the movement of the pen 41 is displayed on the LCD 6. As
described above, the user inputs line drawing information of
desired characters, drawings or the like on the touch tablet 6A
(LCD 6).
[0088] Additionally, when a shot image is displayed on the LCD 6,
when line drawing information is input by the pen 41, this line
drawing information is combined with the shot image information in
the frame memory 35 and simultaneously displayed on the LCD 6.
[0089] Additionally, the user can select the color of the line
drawing displayed on the LCD 6 from among black, white, red, blue
or the like by operating a color selection switch, not shown in the
figures.
[0090] After inputting line drawing information to the touch tablet
6A by the pen 41, when the execution key 7B of the operation keys 7
is pressed, the line drawing information that is accumulated in the
buffer memory 36 is supplied to the memory card 24 along with
header information of the input date, and is recorded in the line
drawing information recording area of the memory card 24.
[0091] Additionally, the line drawing information recorded in the
memory card 24 is information to which compression processing has
been performed. Since the line drawing information input by the
touch tablet 6A contains much information having a high spatial
frequency component, if the compression processing is performed by
the JPEG method, used for compression of the above-mentioned shot
image, the compression efficiency is poor, the information amount
is not reduced, and the time that is necessary for the compression
and decompression becomes long. Additionally, compression by the
JPEG method is non-reversible (lossy) compression, and therefore is
not suitable for the compression of line drawing information, which
has a small information amount (because gathering and smearing are
emphasized in accordance with the lack of information when it is
decompressed and displayed on the LCD 6).
[0092] Therefore, in this embodiment, the line drawing information
preferably is compressed by the run-length method, which is used
for fax machines or the like. The run-length method is a method
used to compress line drawing information by scanning the line
drawing screen in a horizontal direction and encoding the length
over which the information (dots) of each color of black, white,
red, blue or the like continues, and the length over which
non-information (the portions at which there is no pen input)
continues. By using this run-length method, the line drawing
information can be compressed to a minimum amount. Additionally,
even when the compressed line drawing information is decompressed,
information deficiencies can be suppressed. Additionally, it is
also possible to not compress the line drawing information when its
information amount is relatively small.
[0093] Furthermore, as described above, when the shot image is
displayed on the LCD 6, if pen input is performed, the shot image
data and the line drawing information of the pen input are combined
in the frame memory 35 and the combined image of the shot image and
line drawing is displayed on the LCD 6. Meanwhile, in the memory
card 24, the shot image data is recorded in the shot image
recording area, and the line drawing information is recorded in the
line drawing information recording area. Because two pieces of
information are thus recorded in their respective areas, the user
can delete either of the images (e.g., the line drawing) from the
combined image of the shot image and the line drawing, and can also
compress the respective image information by individual (different)
compression methods.
[0094] When data is recorded in the sound recording area, the shot
image recording area, or the line drawing information recording
area of the memory card 24, as shown in FIG. 9, a specified message
is displayed on the LCD 6. On the display screen of the LCD 6 shown
in FIG. 9, the recording date on which the information is recorded
(recording date) is displayed at the base of the screen (in this
case, Aug. 25, 1995). The recording times of the information
recorded on the recording date are displayed at the far left on the
screen.
[0095] To the right of the recording times, thumbnail images are
displayed when there is shot image information. The thumbnail
images are created by thinning out (reducing) the bit map data of
each image data of the shot image data recorded on the memory card
24. An entry with this kind of display is an entry including shot
image information. That is, the information recorded (input) at
"10:16" and "10:21" contains shot image information, and the
information recorded at "10:05", "10:28", "10:54" and "13:10" does
not contain shot image information. Furthermore, the memo symbol
"*" indicates that a specified memo is recorded as line drawing
information. To the right of the thumbnail image display area, a
sound information bar is displayed. The length of the bar (line)
corresponds to the length of the recording time (when no sound
information is input, no line is displayed).
[0096] The user presses any part of the display line of the desired
information on the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 9 with the tip of the pen 41
to designate the information to be reproduced. By pressing the
execution key 7B shown in FIG. 2 with the tip of the pen 41, the
designated information is selected and then reproduced. For
example, when the line on which "10:05" shown in FIG. 9 is
displayed is pressed by the pen 41 (and then the key 7B is
pressed), CPU 39 reads the sound data corresponding to the selected
recording time and date (10:05) from the memory card 24. After the
sound data is decompressed, it is supplied to the A/D and D/A
converter 42. After the supplied sound data is converted to analog
data in the A/D and D/A converter 42, the data is reproduced
through the speaker 5.
[0097] When the shot image data that has been recorded in the
memory card 24 is to be reproduced, the user can designate the
information by pressing the desired thumbnail image with the tip of
the pen 41 and pressing the execution key 7B to select the
designated information to be reproduced. CPU 39 instructs DSP 33 to
read out the shot image data corresponding to the selected shooting
time and date from the memory card 24. DSP 33 decompresses the shot
image data (compressed shot image data) read from the memory card
24, stores this shot image data in the frame memory as bit map
data, and displays it on the LCD 6.
[0098] An image that has been shot in the S mode is displayed as a
still image on the LCD 6. Needless to say, this still image is an
image in which the image signals of all the pixels of the CCD 20
are reproduced. An image that was shot in the L mode is continually
displayed (e.g., as a moving picture) at the rate of 8 frames per
second on the LCD 6. At this time, the number of pixels that are
displayed in each frame is 1/4 of the number of all the pixels of
the CCD 20. Usually, human eyes sensitively respond to the
deterioration of the resolution of the still image, so the user
will perceive the image as being deteriorated in image quality if
the pixels of the still image are thinned out. However, when the
continuous shooting speed is increased by shooting 8 frames per
second in the L mode, and the image is reproduced at the rate of 8
frames per second, the number of pixels per frame becomes 1/4 of
the number of pixels of the CCD 20. However, because human eyes
observe 8 frames of images per second, the amount of information
that enters the human eyes per second becomes double compared to
the case of the still image.
[0099] That is, when the number of pixels of one frame of the image
that has been shot in the S mode is 1, the number of pixels of one
frame of the image that has been shot in the L mode is 1/4. When
the image (still image) that has been shot in the S mode is
displayed on the LCD 6, the information amount that enters the
human eyes per second is 1(=(number of pixels 1).times.(number of
frames 1)). Meanwhile, when the image that has been shot by the L
mode is displayed on the LCD 6, the information amount that enters
the human eyes per second is 2(=(number of pixels
1/4).times.(number of frames 8)). That is, double the amount of
information of the still image enters the human eyes. Therefore,
even if the number of pixels in one frame is 1/4, the user can
observe the reproduced image without noticing deterioration of the
image quality during the reproduction.
[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the pixels that
vary depending upon each frame are sampled and the sampled pixels
are displayed on the LCD 6, the residual image effect occurs in the
human eyes. Even if 3/4 of the pixels per frame are thinned out,
the user can observe the image that has been shot in the L mode
displayed on the LCD 6 without noticing deterioration of the image
quality.
[0101] Additionally, an image that has been shot in the H mode is
continually displayed at the rate of 30 frames per second on the
LCD 6. At this time, the number of pixels that are displayed per
frame is {fraction (1/9)} of the number of the pixels of the CCD
20, but the user can observe the image that has been shot by the H
mode displayed on the LCD 6 without noticing deterioration of the
image quality because of the same reason as for the L mode.
[0102] In this embodiment, when objects are shot in the L mode and
the H mode, the image processor 31 thins out pixels of the CCD 20
to a degree where the user does not notice deterioration of the
image quality during the reproduction, so the load of the DSP 33
can be decreased and the DSP 33 can be operated at low speed and
low power. Furthermore, because of this, low cost and low power
consumption of the device are possible.
[0103] The electronic camera 1 of this embodiment can be connected
to the external printer 100 by the cable 200 via the printer
connecting terminal 18 as shown in FIG. 10, and the shot image can
be printed on recording paper.
[0104] FIG. 11 is a block diagram which shows a structural example
of the printer 100 which is shown in FIG. 10. In this figure, CPU
102 performs various kinds of processing in accordance with a
program which is stored in ROM 103. RAM 104 stores data and
programs or the like during calculations when CPU 102 is performing
specified processing. IF 106 converts the format of the data as
needed when the CPU 102 exchanges data with an external machine.
Bus 105 mutually connects the CPU 102, the ROM 103, the RAM 104 and
the IF 106, and transfers data between these devices.
[0105] An external electronic camera 1 and a printing part 107 are
connected to IF 106.
[0106] The printing part 107 prints image data, which is
transmitted from the electronic camera 1 and to which specified
processing is performed by CPU 102, on recording paper.
[0107] Next, the setting processing and the printing processing of
the printer 100 when the printer 100 is connected to the electronic
camera 1 of this embodiment is explained below.
[0108] FIG. 12 is a flowchart which explains one example of the
setting processing of the printing mode of the printer 100. This
processing is executed when the selection item "setting of the
printing mode" is selected on a menu screen (not shown in the
figure) which is displayed when the menu key 7A is pressed.
[0109] When this processing is executed, the CPU 39 of the
electronic camera 1 displays the setting screen which is shown in
FIG. 13 on the LCD 6 in step S1. Then, it receives the input of the
printing mode.
[0110] A title "mode setting" is displayed at the top of the screen
in the display example which is shown in FIG. 13. Underneath the
title, the selection items "plurality of frames/one sheet print
mode", "plurality of frames combined/one sheet print mode" and "one
frame/one sheet print mode" are displayed. At the left side of each
selection item, a box is displayed that is checked when the item is
selected.
[0111] The selection item "plurality of frames/one sheet print
mode" is to print a plurality of frames (shot images) on one
recording paper. The "plurality of frames combined/one sheet print
mode" is to superimpose a plurality of frames and record them as
one image. The "one frame/one sheet print mode" is to print one
image on one respective recording paper.
[0112] In step S1, when any one of the aforementioned three
selection items is selected (when any one of the three boxes is
checked), the CPU 39 stores information which shows the selected
mode into a setting of information recording area of the memory
card 24, and proceeds to step S2.
[0113] In step S2, the CPU 39 displays the setting screen which is
shown in FIG. 14 on the LCD 6 and receives the setting of the
recording paper.
[0114] In this display example, the selection items "paper size"
and "printing direction" are displayed underneath the title
"recording paper setting". To the right of each setting item, a
window is arranged in which the setting content is displayed. The
setting content which is displayed in this window can be set by the
user to select a desired item among the selection items that are
listed on a pull-down menu (not shown in the figure) which is
displayed by pressing the window with a pen 41. In this example,
"A4" is selected as the paper size, and "vertical" is selected as
the paper direction. The content which is thus set is stored in the
setting information recording area of the memory card 24.
[0115] When the processing of step S2 is completed, the CPU 39
completes the print mode setting processing (END).
[0116] According to the above processing, the setting of the
printing mode of the printer 100 can be performed.
[0117] Next, printing processing is explained which performs
printing according to the content which is set by the above
processing.
[0118] FIG. 15 is a flow chart which explains one example of
printing processing. This processing is executed when the selection
item "printing" is selected on a menu screen (not shown in the
figure) which is displayed when the menu key 7A is pressed.
[0119] When this processing is executed, in step SIO, the CPU 39
displays recorded information such as a shot image which is
recorded in the memory card 24, for example, on the LCD 6 as shown
in FIG. 9. Then, the program proceeds to step S11.
[0120] In step S11, after the thumbnail image which is the subject
of printing is selected, the CPU 39 evaluates whether the execution
key 7B is pressed. As a result, when it is evaluated that a
thumbnail image is not selected, or that the execution key 7B is
not pressed (NO), the program returns to step S11 and repeats the
same processing as mentioned above. When it is evaluated that the
execution key 7B is pressed (YES) after a thumbnail image is
selected, the program proceeds to step S12.
[0121] In step S12, the CPU 39 evaluates whether there is more than
one selected thumbnail image in step S11. As a result, when it is
evaluated that only one thumbnail image is selected (NO), the
program proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the CPU 39 reads out the
shot image which corresponds to the selected thumbnail image from
the memory card 24, and displays it on the LCD 6 after performing
decompression processing. Then, the program proceeds to step
S23.
[0122] When it is evaluated in step S12 that a plurality of
thumbnail images are selected (YES), the program proceeds to step
S13. In step S13, the CPU 39 reads out the shot images which
correspond to the selected thumbnail images from the memory card
24, performs decompression processing, and then reduces each image
(for example, thins out pixels) according to the number of images,
and multi-list displays the obtained images as shown in FIG. 16. In
the display example which is shown in FIG. 16, images which were
continuously shot (images of a sunrise that was shot) are displayed
such that the screen is divided into 9 parts. Then, the program
proceeds to step S15.
[0123] In the display example which is shown in FIG. 16, since 9
images are selected, it is possible to display the images on an
equally divided screen. However, for example, when 7 images are
selected, it is acceptable to display 4.times.2 frames including
one empty space, or to display 3.times.3 frames including two empty
spaces.
[0124] In step S15, after the specified image or images is/are
selected from among the images that are multi-list displayed on the
LCD 6 in step S13, it is evaluated whether the execution key 7B is
pressed. In other words, the CPU 39 evaluates whether a specified
image or images is/are selected from among the images that are
displayed on LCD 6 with reference to the output from the touch
tablet 6A, and also evaluates whether the execution key 7B is
pressed. As a result, when it is evaluated that a specified image
or images is/are not selected, or that the execution key 7B is not
pressed (NO), the program returns to step S15, and the same
processing as mentioned above is repeated. After a specified image
or images is/are selected, when it is evaluated that the execution
key 7B is pressed (YES), the program proceeds to step S16.
[0125] In step S16, the CPU 39 evaluates whether more than one
image was designated in step S15. As a result, when it is evaluated
that one image was designated in step S15 (NO), the selected image
is stored in a specified area of the memory card 24 (printing
waiting image storing area) and the program proceeds to step S23.
When it is evaluated that a plurality of images were selected
(YES), the program proceeds to step S17.
[0126] In step S17, it is evaluated whether "plurality of frames
combined/one sheet print mode" (hereafter combining mode) is
selected at the setting screen which is shown in FIG. 13. In other
words, the CPU 39 reads out the setting information from the
setting information recording area of the memory card 24, and
evaluates whether the combining mode is selected. As a result, when
it is evaluated that the combining mode is selected (YES), the
program proceeds to the processing of step S19. When it is
evaluated that the combining mode is not selected (NO), the program
proceeds to the processing of step S18.
[0127] In step S18, it is evaluated whether "plurality of
frames/one sheet print mode" is selected at the setting screen of
FIG. 13. In other words, the CPU 39 reads out the setting
information from the setting information recording area of the
memory card 24, and evaluates whether the plurality of frames/one
sheet print mode is set. As a result, when it is evaluated that the
plurality of frames/one sheet print mode is not set, the selected
plurality of images are stored to the printing waiting image
storing area of the memory card 24 separately one by one, and the
program proceeds to the processing of step S23. When it is
evaluated that the plurality of frames/one sheet print mode is set
(YES), the program proceeds to step S20.
[0128] In step S20, the content which is set at the setting screen
of FIG. 14 is read out. In other words, the CPU 39 reads out the
setting information from the setting information recording area of
the memory card 24, and obtains the setting content of the
recording paper. Then, the program proceeds to step S21.
[0129] In step S21, reducing processing (for example, thinning-out
processing of pixels) corresponding to the setting content of the
recording paper which was obtained at step S20, is performed to
each image that was selected in step S15.
[0130] In step S22, the CPU 39 refers to the number of selected
images, the size of recording paper, and the printing direction of
the recording paper, and decides the arrangement of the images to
which the reducing processing has been performed. Then, according
to the decided arrangement, the reduced images are combined, and
the obtained image is stored as one image in the printing waiting
image storing area of the memory card 24.
[0131] Incidentally, in order to execute the processing of steps
S21 and S22, it is acceptable to prepare a table (see FIG. 17) that
shows the relationship of the arrangement to setting content of the
recording paper, the number of selected images, and the size of the
image which is going to be printed, and to appropriately compress
each image and decide its arrangement in accordance with this
table.
[0132] The table shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to the case of
printing on A4 size recording paper in the vertical orientation. In
this example, the sizes of one image and the conditions of the
arrangement of the image when printing 2-9 images are shown. For
example, when two images are printed, images of 30 mm.times.190 mm
are arranged so that the recording paper is divided vertically in
two.
[0133] Additionally, in the table shown in FIG. 17,
vertical-to-horizontal ratio of the image is ignored, and the
vertical and horizontal length is decided such that the recording
area of the recording paper of A4 size is fully used, and the
images are compressed. However, depending on the image, it may be
desirable to fix the vertical and horizontal ratio of the image and
reduce it. This can be done by fixing the vertical-to-horizontal
ratio so that it fits into one of the image sizes which are shown
in the table, and then reducing it.
[0134] Additionally, the content of this kind of table can be
appropriately changed by the user.
[0135] Returning to FIG. 15, in the processing of step S17, when it
is evaluated that the combining mode is selected (YES), the program
proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the combining processing of the
images is executed. In other words, processing is performed to
superimpose the selected plurality of images, then they are
combined into one image (the details are later mentioned). Then,
the program proceeds to step S23.
[0136] In step S23, the CPU 39 reads out the image which is stored
in the printing waiting image storage area of the memory card 24,
and outputs it to the printer 100 via the interface 48. When a
plurality of images exist in the printing waiting image storing
area, these images are output to the printer 100 in specified
order.
[0137] As a result, the CPU 102 of printer 100 receives the image
data which is output from the electronic camera 1 via the IF 106,
temporarily stores it in the RAM 104, then supplies the image data
to the printing part 107 and prints it on recording paper.
[0138] Now, if there are two images that were selected in step S15
(for example, the images at the upper left and bottom center of
FIG. 16 are selected), and if the plurality of frames/one sheet
print mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 18, two images are
displayed such that the top and bottom of A4 recording paper is
divided in two.
[0139] Additionally, if the four images at the upper left, second
level center, bottom center, and bottom right of FIG. 16 are
selected in step S15, and if the combining mode is selected, the
selected four images are superimposed and printed as one image as
shown in FIG. 19.
[0140] When the processing of step S23 is completed, the CPU 39
completes the printer processing (END). When the selected images
are superimposed and printed as one image, it is also acceptable,
as shown in FIG. 20, to print so that the changing part in each
image can be noticed at a glance by gradually changing the print
density of the changing portion (the moon in FIG. 20) of each
selected image.
[0141] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 21, the shooting time of the
changing portion in each image can be conveniently known by
simultaneously printing the shooting time or the like near the
characteristic portion of each selected image.
[0142] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, when printing a
plurality of images on one recording paper, since the size and
arrangement of the images are automatically decided according to
the size of the recording paper, the printing direction and the
number of images that are going to be printed, it is possible to
improve the flexibility of printing.
[0143] Additionally, the control program which is shown in FIGS. 12
and 15 is stored in the memory card 24. This program can be
provided to the user in the condition of being prestored in memory
card 24, or can be provided to the user in the condition of being
stored on a CD ROM (compact disk ROM) so that it can be copied to
the memory card 24.
* * * * *