Abstract:
An imaging apparatus ( 1 ), including: a recording unit ( 11 ) configured to record as an image file ( 200 ) an image data generated by conversion from an optical image representing a subject to an electrical signal in an imaging device ( 12 ); an interface ( 15 ) for connecting the imaging apparatus ( 1 ) to an external device; an information adding unit ( 10 ) configured to add information to the image file ( 200 ); and an print request unit ( 10 ) configured to issue a request to a printer ( 2 ) to print out only the image file ( 200 ) to which the information is added by the information adding unit ( 10 ) when the image file ( 200 ) is printed out.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of transmitting a photographed picture image without passing through a personal computer and the like to print out the picture image. Specifically, the invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method with which an operation for selecting an image to be printed out can be easily carried out.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     A digital camera is generally known as an imaging apparatus configured to convert a picture image photographed by an imaging device thereof into digital signals and record them on a recording device such as a nonvolatile storage medium. Conventionally, data of a picture image (image file) are transferred to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and the like and image processing are carried out together with processing of control of a printing apparatus (printer) with use of an application program for picture image processing to print out a picture image taken by a digital camera. Currently, for more easy print of a picture image, it has been popularly used a direct print function which allows a digital camera to be directly connected to a printer and transfer picture image information stored in the digital camera thereto to print out the picture image(s).  
         [0005]     In the case a picture image taken by the above-mentioned imaging apparatus and additional information regarding the picture image (e.g. a photographed date of the picture image) are combined and are then printed out, conventionally an operation for determining whether such additional information is to be added to the picture image or not is conducted at the time a user selects the picture image to be printed out. There is known a conventional invention capable of allowing a user to make an appropriate selection more easily to reduce difficulty in selecting an appropriate printer format (print pattern) which is suitable for printing additional information from among various printer formats which vary according to output forms (e.g. JP11-88815A).  
         [0006]     According to the structure of the invention described in JP11-88815A, a selection of a picture image to be printed out can be made by way of visibly confirming a reduced-size image displayed on a display device provided for an imaging apparatus. Thus, a lot of selection operations are required for a user in order to set whether additional information is printed out or not properly, giving rise to trouble in making a simple selection of a desired picture image only.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The present invention has been made in consideration of above mentioned actualities, thus one object of the invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of adding information to a photographed picture image to allow a user to select easily the picture image concerned according to the added information when printing out is carried out.  
         [0008]     One aspect of the present invention is that an imaging apparatus includes: a recording unit configured to record as an image file an image data generated by conversion in an imaging device from an optical image representing a subject to an electrical signal; an interface for connecting the imaging apparatus to an external device; an information adding unit configured to add information to the image file; and an print request unit configured to issue a request to a printer to print out only the image file to which the information is added by the information adding unit when the image file is printed out.  
         [0009]     One aspect of the present invention is that an imaging method, includes: recording as an image file image data generated by conversion from an optical image representing an imaged subject; communicating an external device connected through an communication interface; adding information to the image file; and requesting a printer to print out only the image file to which the information is added in the adding process when the image file is to be printed out.  
         [0010]     In the imaging apparatus/method, a request to print out only an image file to which information including specified information is added may be transmitted to the printer. Further, the imaging apparatus may include an input device for selecting whether only an image file to which information including specified information is added is requested to be printed out or not.  
         [0011]     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  
         [0012]     The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-100783, filed on Mar. 31, 2005 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-304607, filed on Oct. 19, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a control system of a digital camera as one example of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a file type of an image data applicable to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a view showing an example of additional information applicable to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an example of a print process carried out by an imaging apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing another example of a print process carried out by an imaging apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing another example of a print process carried out by an imaging apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing another example of a print process carried out by an imaging apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a view showing an example of description of an information file of print request to be transmitted to a printer from a digital camera, applicable to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a view showing an example of a list table made in a print process carried out by an imaging apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a view showing another example of description of an information file of print request to be transmitted to a printer from a digital camera, applicable to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing another example of a print process carried out by an imaging apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are explanatory views showing an example of screen display of a display device of an imaging device according to the present invention; and  
         [0026]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are views showing a display example of a print-mode setting screen for an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     An 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.  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 1 a  digital camera as an imaging apparatus of the present invention is provided with an external recording unit  11  configured to record information, an imaging unit  12  as an input portion including a CCD, an AD converter, etc., a display unit  13  configured to display various information concerning photographing operations and photographed image settings, a operational table unit  14  as an input device by which operational inputting from outside is carried out, a communication I/F unit  15  configured to control a communication interface to a printer  2 , and an entire control unit  10  configured to control the digital camera  1  entirely.  
         [0029]     The external recording unit  11  includes a recording medium represented 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.  
         [0030]     The communication I/F unit  15  is connected to the printer  2  through a communication device  3  to be able to communicate with the printer  2 . Either wire transmission or wireless transmission can be used for the communication device. 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. can be a typical example for wireless transmission. A USB is popularly used for the communication device.  
         [0031]     The ROM is a semiconductor memory in which a processing procedure for the CPU (program) is stored. The present invention can be embodied by such program stored in the ROM. When the program is carried out the RAM functions not only as a work area used by the CPU but also as a buffer memory during communication with the printer  2 .  
       First Embodiment  
       [0032]     A first embodiment of a print process of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. At first, a structure of an image file to be recorded in the external recording unit  11  of the imaging apparatus will be described, referring to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the structure of the image file. In  FIG. 2  the image file  200  includes an image data portion  203  and an image information portion  202  which is a header portion. A photographed picture image is stored in the image data portion  203 , and information about the picture image is stored in the image information portion  202 . As the information to be stored, there can be an information classification determined by a prescribed standard as well as an information classification originally determined by each maker. Such information originally determined by a maker is stored in a memo information portion  204  provided within the image information portion  202 . In the present invention information stored in the memo information portion  204  is configured to be called “additional information”. An additional information existence judgment data  201  that indicates whether additional information exists in the image file or not is stored in the tip portion of the image information portion  202 .  
         [0034]     A judgment on the additional information with use of the additional information existence judgment data  201  will be explained below. For example, it can be predetermined a regulation that no additional information exists in the image file  200  when the value of the additional information existence judgment data  201  is “00”, whereas additional information exists in the image file  200  when the value of the additional information existence judgment data  201  is other than “00”. A judgment process can be carried out by way of executing a program process in accordance with such predetermined regulation.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a view showing an example of additional information originally determined by a maker, the additional information being configured to be stored in the memo information portion  204 . In  FIG. 3  the additional information is described as a list form in a text format. The text format is based on a predetermined format.  
         [0036]     The image file may be transferred to a personal computer so that the additional information stored in the memo information portion  204  can be made/edited on a personal computer with an exclusive application or a text editor.  
         [0037]     A text file describing the additional information to be stored in the memo information portion  204  may be stored in the external recording unit  11  together with a predetermined file name (e.g. “add_dada.mta”) so that the contents of the text file can be automatically stored in the memo information portion  204  when the image data is stored in the external recording unit  11  in a imaging operation with use of the digital camera  1 .  
         [0038]     According to the example of the additional information shown in  FIG. 3 , “NAME TEXTS” are described between /*ITEM*/ and /*LIST*/. In the example of  FIG. 3 , three texts consisting of “NAME”, “DEPARTMENT” and “POST” are described. The descriptions below “/*LIST*/” compose a list of “CONTENT TEXTS”. According to the example of  FIG. 3 , texts between # 01  and # 02  correspond to the list of the CONTENT TEXT of “NAME”.  
         [0039]     In order to store the above-explained additional information automatically, a setting for “Additional Information Exists” need be set before photographing with the digital camera. Specifically, the mode of the digital camera  1  is changed to a “Setup Mode” and then “Additional Information Exists” is selected from a setting menu displayed on the display unit  13  to be “ON” by way of operating operational keys (not shown) provided for the operational table unit  14  of the digital camera  1 . As stated above, if the setting of the digital camera  1  is “Additional Information Exists”, additional information is stored in every memo information portion  204  of image data taken after the operation for the setting.  
         [0040]     If a setting for “Additional Information to be selected Exists” is set in the “Setup Mode”, an “Additional Information Selection” screen (not shown) can be displayed on the display unit  13  and additional information can be selectively specified from a group of additional information (readout from the text file) displayed on the screen before subsequently-taken picture images are stored in the external recording unit  11 .  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0041]     Next, a batch print process of imaging files to which additional information is added according to an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 4 , each step (process) is designated by a numeral such as “ 301 ”, “ 302 ” . . . .  
         [0042]     The digital camera is connected to the printer  2  via the communication device  3  in advance of execution of the print process.  
         [0043]     First, when a user selects “Batch Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (piece by piece)” from a “Determination of Print” screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit  13  by operating the operational table unit  14 , a print process therefor starts. If another option other than “Batch Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (piece by piece)” is selected, a print process therefor ends and the pint process of the selected option starts (“NO” at Step  301 ).  
         [0044]     If “Batch Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (piece by piece)” is selected (“YES” at Step  301 ), only image files to which additional information is added are searched from image files stored in the external recording unit  11  (Step  302 ).  
         [0045]     Such search of image files can be performed by checking the values of the additional information existence judgment data  201  which respectively exist in the image information portions  202  as header portions of the image files. Only (an) image files in which additional information existence judgment data  201  having the predetermined value (e.g. a value other than “00” in the above-mentioned case having the regulation that if the value of the additional information existence judgment data  201  is other than “00”, additional information exists in the image file  200 ) is stored are extracted and temporarily recorded in the RAM of the entire control unit  10 .  
         [0046]     File names of the image files recorded in the RAM according to the process are read out and a print request is generated to carry out a print process only for image files each having additional information. The request is transmitted to the printer  2  (Step  303 ).  
         [0047]     An example of a print request to be transmitted to the printer  2  from the digital camera  1  in the print process is shown in  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 8 , the print request includes an information identifier  81  indicating that the information is a print request (a request for printout), a file identifier  82  for indicating a file name of a image file having additional information to be printed out, and a file name  83  of the image file. The printer  2  which has received the print request requests the digital camera  1  to send thereto image files described in the print request, and the digital camera  1  sends the requested image files to the printer  2 .  
         [0048]     The digital camera  1  receives a result of the print process implemented according to the print request (Step  304 ), and if the print result indicates an error, the print process ends (“NO” at Step  304 ). If the print result indicates a normal completion (“YES” at Step  304 ), the process returns to Step  302  to continue the process until the completion of the print process of all the image files each having additional information as objects to be printed out stored in the external recording unit  11  (Step  305 ).  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0049]     Next, another example of a batch print process of an imaging file to which additional information is added according to an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , each step (process) is designated by a numeral such as “ 351 ”, “ 352 ” . . . .  
         [0050]     The digital camera is connected to the printer  2  via the communication device  3  in advance of execution of the print process.  
         [0051]     First, when a user selects “Batch Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (all together)” from a “Determination of Print” screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit  13  by operating the operational table unit  14 , a print process therefor starts. If another option other than “Batch Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (all together)” is selected, a print process therefor ends and the pint process of the selected option starts (“NO” at Step  351 ).  
         [0052]     If “Batch Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (all together)” is selected (“YES” at Step  351 ), only “Image File(s) to which Additional Information is added” is searched from image files stored in the external recording unit  11  (Step  352 ).  
         [0053]     Such search of image files is performed by check on the values of the additional information existence judgment data  201  which respectively exist in the image information portions  202  as header portions of the image files. Only (an) image files in which additional information existence judgment data  201  having the predetermined value (e.g. a value other than “00” in the above-mentioned case having the regulation that if the value of the additional information existence judgment data  201  is other than “00”, additional information exists in the image file  200 ) is stored are extracted and temporarily recorded in the RAM of the entire control unit  10 .  
         [0054]     Every time an image file is detected in the search process the file name thereof is stored in a list table as shown in  FIG. 9 . The list table is made on the RAM (Step  353 ).  
         [0055]     The search process is continued until all image files concerned in the image files stored in the external recording unit  11  are detected. Specifically, the process flow returns to Step  352  until search of all image files is completed (“NO” at Step  354 ). When the search process for all image files stored in the external recording unit  11  is completed the flow moves to the next process (“YES” at Step  354 ).  
         [0056]     Next, a print request to a printer is generated based on the list table made on the RAM according to the search process. As shown in  FIG. 10  all image file names detected in the search process are described in “image file name(s)” included in the print request to a printer. This print request is transmitted to the printer  2  (Step  355 ).  
         [0057]     Next, a result of the print process according to the print request from the printer  2  is received (Step  356 ). If the print result indicates an error, the print process ends (“NO” at Step  357 ). If the print result indicates a normal completion (“YES” at Step  357 ), it is judged whether the print result of all image files included in the print request is received or not. In the case such print result of all image files is not received, the process flow moves to Step  356 . In the case such print result of all image files is received, the print process ends (Step  358 ).  
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0058]     Another example of a batch print process of an imaging file to which additional information is added according to an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described below.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  are views showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit  13  when a user sets image files to be printed out. Thumbnails  121  are displayed on the screen  120  in  FIG. 12A . A thumbnail  121  corresponding to an image file having additional information is displayed together with an additional information mark (“A-Info”)  122  attached thereto. When the user selects a thumbnail  121  displayed on the screen  120  for printout by operating the operational table unit  14 , the selected thumbnail  121  is displayed together with a printout mark (“Print”)  123  attached thereto as shown in  FIG. 12B . As described above, in the case a user explicitly selects an image file(s) having additional information for printout, such selection may be made by selecting an image having thereon an additional information mark  122  displayed on the screen  120  of the display unit  13 .  
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0059]     Another embodiment of a print process of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6 , each step (process) is designated by a numeral such as “ 401 ”, “ 402 ” . . . .  
         [0060]     The digital camera is connected to the printer  2  via the communication device  3  in advance of execution of the print process.  
         [0061]     First, when a user selects “Specifying Character String Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (piece by piece)” from a “Determination of Print” screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit  13  by operating the operational table unit  14 , a print process therefor starts (“YES” at Step  401 ). If another option other than “Specifying Character String Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (piece by piece)” is selected, a print process therefor ends and the pint process of the selected option starts (“NO” at Step  401 ).  
         [0062]     It is displayed on the display unit  13  a “screen for specifying character string(s)” (not shown) which displays a list of description contents of text files describing additional information, which are stored in the external recording unit  11 . The user can select a search keyword on the screen for specifying character string(s) by operating the operational table unit  14 .  
         [0063]     A method for specifying a search keyword in this embodiment is not limited to the above-described method. For example, a character string as a search condition may be inputted by a user with use of a software keyboard screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit  13 . When a search keyword is specified, only image files satisfying the imputed search condition are retrieved among the image files recorded in the external recording unit  11  (Step  402 ).  
         [0064]     Also, all texts described in the additional information files stored in the external recording unit  11  may be retrieved and displayed as a list on the display unit  13  so that a user can select a search keyword from the displayed list.  
         [0065]     As described above, when a search condition is specified image files stored in the external recording unit  11  of the digital camera  1  are searched (Step  402 ).  
         [0066]     In an image file having additional information, the additional information is stored in text format in the image information portion  202  as the header portion of the image file. Thus, if the ASCII code of the character string specified by the appointment of the search condition is consistent with the ASCII code stored in additional information of an image file, such image file is the image file to be printed out. A print request including file names of the image files whose ASCII codes correspond to the ASCII code of the specified character string in the above-described process is transmitted to the printer  2  (Step  403 ).  
         [0067]      FIG. 8  is a view showing an example of the print request to be transmitted to the printer  2  from the digital camera  1  in the print process. In  FIG. 8 , the print request includes an information identifier  81  indicating that the information is a print request, a file identifier  82  for indicating a file name of a image file having additional information to be printed out, and a file name  83  of the image file. The printer  2  which has received the print request requests the digital camera  1  to send thereto image files described in the print request, and the digital camera  1  sends the requested image files to the printer  2  (Step  404 ).  
         [0068]     The digital camera  1  receives from the printer  2  a result of the print process implemented according to the print request (Step  405 ). If the print result indicates an error (“NO” at Step  405 ), the print process ends. If the print result indicates a normal completion (“YES” at Step  405 ), the process returns to Step  402  to continue the process until the completion of the print process of all the image files having additional information as objects to be printed out stored in the external recording unit  11  (Step  406 ).  
       Sixth Embodiment  
       [0069]     For use in the search process of the fifth embodiment a print process in which all retrieved image files are transmitted all together to a printer will be described below, rather than a print process in which a retrieved image files are individually processed for printout.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a print process according to this embodiment. In  FIG. 7  each step (process) is designated by a numeral such as “ 451 ”, “ 452 ” . . . .  
         [0070]     The digital camera is connected to the printer  2  via the communication device  3  in advance of execution of the print process.  
         [0071]     First, when a user selects “Specifying Character String Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (all together)” from a “Determination of Print” screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit  13  by operating the operational table unit  14 , a print process therefor starts (“YES” at Step  451 ). If another option other than “Specifying Character String Print of ‘Image File to which Additional Information is added’ (all together)” is selected, a print process therefor ends and the pint process of the selected option starts (“NO” at Step  451 ).  
         [0072]     Next, a search condition is specified by a user. A character string as the search condition is appointed on the “screen for specifying character string(s)” displayed on the display unit  13  through handling of the operational table unit  14  by the user. In order to determine whether any image file corresponding to the specified search condition exists or not a search based on the search condition is performed on memo information portions  204  of the image files corresponding to the image file names temporarily recorded in the RAM in the above-described process (Step  453 ).  
         [0073]     As a result of the search process, if no information consistent with the search result exists in any memo information portions of the image files having the image file names read out from the RAM (“NO” at Step  453 ), the process flow moves to Step  455 .  
         [0074]     As a result of the search process, if information consistent with the search result exists in any memo information portions of the image files having the image file names read out from the RAM (“YES” at Step  453 ), the image file names of such image files are added to a list table (Step  454 ). This list table is generated on the RAM.  
         [0075]     Next, if the search process for all image files corresponding to the image file names which exist on the RAM is not completed (“NO” at Step  455 ), the process flow moves to Step  452  to perform the process repeatedly.  
         [0076]     An example of a list table generated in the above-described process is shown in  FIG. 9 . According to  FIG. 9 , file names of image files detected by the search process are described in series in the list file. A print request is made with use of the file names described in the list file and is transmitted to a printer (Step  456 ).  
         [0077]     Then the digital camera  1  receives from the printer a result of the print process implemented according to the print request (Step  457 ). If the print result indicates an error (“NO” at Step  458 ), the print process ends. If the print result indicates a normal completion (“YES” at Step  458 ), the process returns to Step  457  to continue the process until the completion of the print process of all the image files having additional information as objects to be printed out stored in the external recording unit  11  (Step  459 ).  
       Seventh Embodiment  
       [0078]     Another embodiment of a print process of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 11 , steps are designated by numerals: “ 501 ”; “ 502 ”; and “ 503 ”.  
         [0079]     The power of the digital camera  1  is turned on to start the operation of the digital camera  1 . If a SETUP MODE is selected by way of handling of the operational table unit  14 , a SETUP MENU is displayed on the display unit  13  (Step  501 )  
         [0080]     An example of a screen for the SETUP MENU displayed on the display unit  13  is shown if  FIGS. 13A and 13B . In  FIG. 13A , setting items  131  and setting information  132  are displayed and a scroll bar for indicating whether or not further setting items exist above/below the setting items  131  currently displayed on the screen. A user may mate a cursor  134  with a desired setting item  131  and press a button (not shown) by operating the operational table unit  14  to make necessary settings.  
         [0081]     If the cursor  134  is mated with the setting item “PRINT MODE” in  FIG. 13A  and the button (not shown) is pressed, setting options  135  are displayed as shown in  FIG. 13B  (Step  502 ). A value selected in the setting options  135  is set as a set value of “PRINT MODE” (Step  503 ).  
         [0082]     If “NORMAL” is selected in the SETUP MENU screen and the imaging apparatus is connected to a printer, the imaging apparatus works in accordance with a normal mode in which printout is performed after an image(s) is selected. Alternatively, if “AUTO” is selected and the imaging apparatus is connected to a printer, a print process for all image files to which image information is added is automatically carried out.  
         [0083]     The present invention can be also applied to an information device such as a portable telephone having an imaging apparatus or a portable information terminal device having an imaging apparatus, which may be connected to a printer, e.g., with a USB connection.  
         [0084]     As described above, according to the present invention, since a print process only for image files each including additional information is automatically carried out, all image files each including additional information can be printed out easily. Further, image files each including specified information can be easily extracted from image files each including additional information and be easily print-processed according to the present invention.