Abstract:
An image apparatus, including: a recording unit configured to record therein as an image file an image data generated through conversion from an optical image representing a photographed subject into an electrical signal; an interface for connecting the imaging apparatus to an external device; and a displaying unit configured to display an operation screen according to information about a capability processable by the external device transmitted from the external device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-142314, filed on May 16, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of directly transmitting a photographed picture image to an external device to output it without passing through a personal computer, etc. Particularly, the invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of displaying a prescribed operation screen without garble on a setting screen for setting output conditions from the imaging apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    A digital camera is commonly used as an imaging apparatus which converts a picture image taken by an imaging device into digital signals and records the signals on a recording device such as a nonvolatile recording medium. A personal computer is a typical example of an external apparatus capable of being directly connected to a digital camera via communication cable, etc. There are, other than personal computers, function-specialized types of external devices having only specific functions desired by users which are configured to be directly connected to a digital camera and recently the number of such kind of external devices is on the increase. 
         [0004]    A printer is a typical example of the function-specialized types of external devices to which a digital camera is connected. Such printer is configured to be directly connected to a digital camera through a communication cable and read out a data file of a picture image (hereinafter, “image file”) from a recording medium with a build-in digital camera to print out the read-out image file. This print function performed by a digital camera and a printer capable of being directly connected each other is referred to as a direct print function. 
         [0005]    There are a lot of inventions relating to a digital camera having the direct print function (e.g. JP11-88815A, JP11-146311A, JP2000-232617A). Each invention has an improvement in a method of a print process. An example of a picture image print process carried out by a digital camera having a common direct print function is described below referring to a flowchart in  FIG. 14 . In  FIG. 14 , each step is represented by “ 201 ”, “ 202 ” . . . . 
         [0006]    When a digital camera is connected to a printer via a communication cable to be in a state in which communication is enabled (Step  201 ), the digital camera requests the printer to transmit information representing the printer&#39;s capability of performing processes (hereinafter, “printer capability value”) (Step  202 ). In accordance with the request the printer transmits its own printer capability value to the digital camera (Step  203 ). The digital camera receives the printer capability value transmitted from the printer (Step  203 ) and displays available capability items according to the information stored in the received printer capability value on a display device of the digital camera (Step.  205 ). The “capability items” mean information indicating process contents able to be selected with the digital camera and the information visually displayed on the display device allows to a user to select process contents optionally. 
         [0007]    An example of a printer capability value transmitted from the printer to the digital camera and an example of a display of capability items based on the printer capability value are shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , respectively.  FIG. 15A  shows the example of the printer capability value. As shown in  FIG. 15A , the printer capability value is a script file described in accordance with a predetermined format, including an information identifier  30  indicating that the file represents the printer capability value, an item information identifier  31  indicating capability items which are able to be processed by the printer, and capability item group  32  indicating each capability which a user can select. 
         [0008]      FIG. 15B  shows an example of an operational selection screen displayed by the digital camera according to the printer capability value. As shown in  FIG. 15B , the screen  130  is provided with a screen title display portion  103   a  and an operational menu display portion  103   b.  The digital camera previously stores in its internal storage portion data for display in accordance with the capability item group  32  described in the printer capability value. Accordingly, the data for display in accordance with the capability items described in the printer capability value are read out and converted into a screen image in an information format in which the user can easily confirm them and the screen image is displayed. 
         [0009]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the user determines desired picture images after she/he selects a capability item on the operational selection screen (Step  206 ) and then a print request process is carried out through an operation of the digital camera, the digital camera generates and transmits a print request information file to the printer (Step  207 ). The printer which received the print request file requests the digital camera to transmit the image files to be printed out described within the print request information file and the digital camera transmits to the printer the image files requested to be sent (Step  208 ). The printer generates and prints out output data with use of the received image files, and transmits result information whether the print process is completed normally or erroneously to the digital camera. If the result image indicates an erroneous completion of the print process, the digital camera terminates the print process (“No” at Step  209 ). If the print process is completed normally (“Yes” at Step  209 ), the digital camera judges whether the print process for all image files previously selected is completed or not, and if any unprinted image file exists, the process is repeated from Step  207  (“No” at Step  210 ). 
         [0010]    As described, in order to carry out a specific process desired by a user in the above-explained print process, a corresponding operation to the digital camera is required. To carry out such operation a printer capability value transmitted from the printer need be displayed as visible information. In the case where information to which the digital camera side cannot reply is included in information described in the printer capability value due to extended functions of the printer, corresponding items cannot be displayed. 
         [0011]    If an exclusive display data for all printer capability values to which the digital camera cannot reply is set in advance, it can be avoided that nothing is displayed when the digital camera receives such printer capability value. However, according to this setting, a user can hardly understand what kind of process is carried out by an operation. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention has been made in consideration of above mentioned actualities, thus one object of the invention is to provide an imaging apparatus having the direct print function capable of visually displaying a new function added to a printer side on an operation screen for carrying out a necessary setting for a print process and/or capable of allowing a user to select display method for better understanding. 
         [0013]    One aspect of the present invention is that an imaging apparatus may comprise: a recording unit which records therein as an image file an image data generated through conversion from an optical image representing a photographed subject into an electrical signal; and an interface for connecting the imaging apparatus to an external device; wherein the imaging apparatus receives information about a capability able to be processed (i.e. “processable”) by the external device and further includes a displaying unit which displays an operation screen according to the received information. 
         [0014]    The operation screen displayed by the display unit may be displayed according to information for display generated by using a character string included in the information transmitted from the external device. The information for display may be generated after the character string is converted to a character code which the displaying unit can display. The information for display may be generated by using image information received together with the information transmitted from the external device. The image information may be generated by combining a plurality of image data after the image data are received. 
       EFFECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    According to the present invention, in a process for displaying an operation screen of an imaging apparatus if information itself transmitted from an external device cannot be displayed by the imaging apparatus, an operation screen with high visibility can be generated by converting the received original information to a displayable character code. Such operation screen may be generated by using icon information and/or image information. Thus, a user can carry out a selection operation easily. 
         [0016]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated upon reading of the description of the invention when in conjunction with the attached drawings, with the understanding that some modifications, variations and changes of the invention could be easily made by the skilled person in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims 
         [0017]    The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-142314, filed on May 16, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a control system of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing an example of a display process of an operation menu carried out by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view showing an example of description of a printer capability value file transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen display of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing another example of a display process of an operation menu carried out by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a view showing an example of description of a printer capability value file transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a view showing an example of icon files transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen display of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a view showing an example of description of a printer capability value file transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a view showing an example of image files to be backgrounds transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an explanatory view showing an image, which is to be stored in a recording device, of a printer of image files to be backgrounds transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an example of description of a printer capability value file transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen display of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing an example of print process carried out by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 15A  is an explanatory view showing a printer capability value file transmitted to a digital camera from a printer applicable to the present invention and  FIG. 15B  is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen display of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention with use of the printer capability value file. 
       
    
    
     EXPLANATION OF NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 : Digital camera 
           2 : Printer 
           3 : Communication means 
           30 : Information identifier 
           31 : Item information identifier 
           32 : Capability item group 
           33 : Capability item 
           34 : Character code information 
           35 : Displaying order information 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    One embodiment of the present invention will be described below referring to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram showing an example of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 1 , the digital camera is provided with an external recording unit  11  for recording an image file of a photographed picture image, an imaging device  12  as an input portion of imaging information such as a CCD and an AD converter, a display device  13  configured to display various information relating to a photographing image setting, various information concerning photographing operations and the like, an operational table  14  with which an input operation from the outside can be carried out, a communication I/F  15  configured to control a communication interface to a printer  2 , and an entire control unit  10  configured to control the digital camera entirely. 
         [0045]    The external recording unit  11  includes a recording medium as typified by a flash memory, etc. and a driver unit for controlling operations of writing in/readout from the recording medium. The entire control unit  10  can be composed of a conventionally-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input/output port (I/O port), bus lines which connect therebetween and the like. 
         [0046]    The digital camera  1  can be connected to the external device  2  through a communication means  3  connected to the communication I/F  15  to be able to communicate with the external device  2 . Either wire transmission or wireless transmission can be used for the communication means  3 . A USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be a typical example for wire transmission. A short-range wireless communication system such as Bluetooth, Wi-fi (wireless LAN standards), IrDA, etc. is commonly and widely used as a wireless transmission method. A USB is popularly used as a communication device. 
         [0047]    A storage portion composed of the ROM and the RAM may be provided with nonvolatile memories (e.g. flash memories) in which processing procedures for the CPU (i.e. programs) are stored. Processes for displaying an operation selection screen according to the present invention can be embodied by such programs stored in the storage portion. When a print process program is executed, the storage portion records various parameters used by the program and functions as a work area used by the CPU and as a buffer memory while image files are transmitted to the printer  2 . 
       First Embodiment  
       [0048]    An embodiment of a process for displaying an operation selection screen according to an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described below referring to the flowchart in  FIG. 2 . Each step in  FIG. 2  is designated by “ 301 ”, “ 302 ” . . . . 
         [0049]    When the digital camera as the imaging apparatus is connected to the printer  2  via the communication I/F  15  to be able to communicate thereto (Step  301 ), the CPU as a control portion of the digital camera requests the printer  2  to sent a printer capability value to receive the printer capability value (Step  302 ). Then a process for judging whether the digital camera  1  has all data for display (hereinafter “data for display” is designated as “display data”) corresponding to all capability items included in the received printer capability value or not is carried out (Step  303 ). If a result of the judgment process indicates that no display data corresponding to the printer capability value exists (“NO” at Step  303 ), a conversion process for generating displayable display data is carried out (Step  304 ). An operation selection screen is displayed on the display device with use of the display data generated in the conversion process. 
         [0050]    A user makes a desired selection from capability selection operations on the operation selection screen displayed as a result of the process by way of using the operation table  14 . After this process, the same processes described above are carried out (Step  205  in  FIG. 14 ). 
         [0051]    The conversion process will be described below. When the digital camera  1  receives printer capability value as shown in  FIG. 2  and if the digital camera does not have display data corresponding to a capability item groups  32  included in the printer capability value, digital camera  1  carries out a display process for displaying an operation selection screen with use of a character string(s) included in the capability item groups  32 . In an example of a printer capability value shown in  FIG. 3 , a capability item  33  includes the capability item groups  32 , character code information  34  and displaying order information  35 . 
         [0052]    In the case the character code type which the digital camera is capable of displaying is only “US-ASCII”, when the digital camera receives the printer capability value shown in  FIG. 3  display data capable of being displayed (i.e. “displayable”) on the operation selection screen are “1 UP” and “INDEX”, and display data are generated so that “1 UP” and “INDEX” respectively as first and second items of the operation selection screen corresponding to &lt;Layouts&gt; designated by the item information identifier  31  are displayed. 
         [0053]    An example of the operation selection screen displayed according to the conversion process is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0054]    As described above, if a function is added to the printer side so that a capability item included in a printer capability value is added, displayable display data can be generated with use of information included in the received printer capability value. Thus, all operationally selectable items corresponding to the received printer capability value can be displayed the operation selection screen. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0055]    Another embodiment of the display process of the operation selection screen according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5  each step is designated by “ 501 ”, “ 502 ” . . . . 
         [0056]    When the digital camera  1  as the imaging apparatus is connected to the printer  2  through the communication I/F  15  so that the status thereof becomes the one where the digital camera  1  is able to communicate with the printer (Step  501 ), the digital camera  1  requests the printer  2  to send a printer capability value. A printer capability value from the printer  2  is received (Step  502 ), and after it is received whether (an) icon files corresponding to the printer capability value are received or not is judged (Step  503 ). If (an) icon files are received in the receiving process (“YES” at Step  503 ), a process for generating display data is carried out with use of the printer capability value and the icon files (Step  504 ) to display an operation selection screen according to the generated display data. 
         [0057]    Examples of the printer capability value and the icon files transmitted from the printer  2  to the digital camera  1  are shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  for the above-mentioned embodiment. The same numerals which are used for the already-described printer capability value are applied to equivalent capability values in  FIG. 6 . A capability item group  32  included in the printer capability value is provided with selectable four capability items: &lt;lineFormatA&gt;; &lt;lineFormatB&gt;; &lt;lineFormatC&gt;; and &lt;lineFormatD&gt;. The four capability items are layout capabilities. Here, the “icon files” means files including a plurality of icons for displaying capabilities corresponding to the printer capability value with figure images. Such icon files are a sort of image information in bitmap format and the like. An example of the icon files are shown if  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 7 , file names each corresponding to capability items included in the printer capability value are allotted to the icon files, respectively. 
         [0058]    Display data are generated with use of the icon files and the display data corresponding to the capability item group  32  and are displayed on the display apparatus  11 . An example of the operation selection screen is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 8  the operation selection screen is provided with a title  80 , selection items  81 , a setting operation expression  82  and icons  83 . 
         [0060]    By way of operating the operational table  14  to select and set one of the selection items, an image file can be printed with use of the set layout capability. 
         [0061]    In the display data generating process, if a printer capability value received by the digital camera  1  includes a display generating rule  35  as shown in  FIG. 9  rather than assigns icon files corresponding to the capability item group  32 , display icons each corresponding to capability items can be generated according to information about the number of frames &lt;listLayoutKomaNum&gt; and information about existence/nonexistence of a ruled line &lt;listLayoutLine&gt;. The operation selection screen shown in  FIG. 8  can be displayed in accordance with the generated display icons and the capability items of the capability item group  32 . 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0062]    Another embodiment of the operation selection screen according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described below. 
         [0063]    The digital camera  1  is connected to the printer  2  through the communication I/F  15  and receives a printer capability value from the printer  2  as well as (an) image files recorded in a storage portion (not shown) of the printer  2 . 
         [0064]    An example of image files transmitted from the printer  2  is shown in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 10 , the four image files are in JPEG format and recorded in the storage portion of the printer  2 . The image files are recorded in a file structure as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0065]    The digital camera  1  executes a reduction process of the received image files and by way of using the reduced image files as substitutes for icons in a display data generating process the operation selection screen as shown in  FIG. 8  can be displayed. 
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0066]    Another embodiment of a display process for displaying the operation selection screen according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described below. 
         [0067]    If the digital camera  1  connected to and capable of communicating with the printer  2  receives a printer capability value as shown in  FIG. 12 , the operation selection screen shown in  FIG. 13  can be displayed according to a character string of &lt;Original&gt; included in the capability item group  32 . 
         [0068]    The example of the display screen in  FIG. 13  is the one where &lt;Original&gt; is converted to “CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPH” to generate display data. As described, display data corresponding to the prescribed capability items may be stored in the storage portion of the digital camera  1  so that a user can voluntarily set display data. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0069]    The present invention is also applicable to a portable telephone with a camera and the like capable of being connected to a printer through USB connection.