Patent Publication Number: US-2007103729-A1

Title: Printing method and printing apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a printing method and a printing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printing method and a printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium having a memory device mounted thereon.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Techniques for managing commodities using small memory devices called RF tag or IC chip are proposed. The memory device has an advantage that it can be mounted inside of a commodity package, since it allows contactless data read/write operation using a radio wave. Various types of memory devices have been developed ranging from those inexpensive and having various shapes to those semipermanently reusable without requiring a battery by obtaining the power from the antenna, and are widely used for various applications, as well as commodity management.  
      For example, an ID photo, which is a face image printed on a printing paper having a memory device like that described above embedded therein, is disclosed as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030136851. In such ID photos, personal identification data for identifying individuals who apply for personal identification documents maybe registered in the memory device. In addition, forgeries of personal identification documents may be prevented by embedding the memory devices in the ID photos.  
      The specific method for performing printing on a printing paper having a memory device like that describe above, however, is not described in the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030136851. Generally, the arrangement accuracy for embedding the memory device in a printing paper is not so high. Therefore, in the ordinary method in which the printing position is determined with reference to the end of the printing paper, it is not necessarily the case in which the image and the memory device are arranged in a desired positional relationship. This causes problems that the memory device locates outside of a predetermined area of the image even if trying to dispose it within the predetermined area, and it may locate in the cutting path or discarded portion of the printing paper when cutting the printing paper with reference to the image.  
      The present invention has been developed in view of the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing method and a printing apparatus capable of arranging a memory device and an image in a desired positional relationship when printing the image on a printing medium having the memory device mounted thereon.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The printing method of the present invention is a method for printing an image on a printing medium having a memory device mounted thereon. The method includes the steps of: detecting the position of the memory device on the printing medium; and setting the position for printing the image on the printing medium based on the detected position of the memory device.  
      The printing apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium having a memory device mounted thereon. The apparatus includes: a detection means for detecting the position of the memory device on the printing medium; and a setting means for setting the position for printing the image on the printing medium based on the detected position of the memory device.  
      The setting means may set the position for printing the image such that the memory device locates in the periphery of the image. If the image is a face image, the setting means may set the position for printing the face image such that the memory device locates within the face of the face image, for example, in the center of the face, or may set the position of the face image such that the memory device locates within the area of the face image other than the face.  
      If the image is a face image, and the memory device has stored therein its own individual identification data, the printing apparatus of the present invention may further includes a linkage means for linking the individual identification data of the memory device, data of the face image, and individual identification data of the subject of the face image.  
      Further, if the image is a face image, the printing apparatus of the present invention may further includes a writing means for writing biological data of the subject of the face image into the memory device.  
      The referent of “memory device” as used herein means is a small data storage device which is mountable on a printing medium. Preferably, the memory device is a wireless chip, which is a contactless memory chip that allows data read/write operation using a radio wave. Specific examples of the memory device include RF (Radio Frequency) tag, ID tag, wireless tag, electronic tag, IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, IC chip, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), transponder, and the like.  
      The referent of “biological data” as used herein means hand-related biological data, such as fingerprint, palm print, palm shape, finger-vein pattern, palm-vein pattern, and the like, or other biological data including voiceprint or the like. The referent of “biological data of the subject of the face image” as used herein means biological data of the subject of the face image other than the face thereof.  
      The printing method and apparatus of the present invention detects the position of a memory device on a printing medium, and sets the position for printing an image on the printing medium based on the detected position of the memory device. Thus, when printing an image on a printing medium having a memory device mounted thereon, the memory device and image may always be arranged in a desired positional relationship. This allows the memory device to be disposed reliably within a desired area of the image. Further, even if the printing medium is cut off with reference to the image, the memory device does not locate in the cutting path or discarded portion of the printing medium after cutting, so that the memory device may be prevented from being separated from the image when the printing medium is cut off.  
      Further, the printing method and apparatus of the present invention may set the position for printing an image such that a memory device reliably locates in the periphery of the image, which is difficult by the conventional method in which the image is printed without detecting the position of the memory device. Thus, the present invention has significantly advantageous effects compared to the conventional method.  
      Still further, if the image is a face image, and the position thereof is set such that the memory device locates in the center of the face of the face image, the forgery of the face image may be prevented, since the memory device needs to be peeled off in order to forge the face image and the restoration thereof is extremely difficult.  
      Further, if the image is a face image, the memory device has stored therein its own individual identification data, and the apparatus further includes a linkage means for linking the individual identification data of the memory device, data of the face image, and individual identification data of the subject of the face image, the created face image with the memory device may be used for personal authentication of the subject of the face image, and may also provide anti-counterfeit effects since the memory device includes individual identification data.  
      Still further, if the image is a face image, and the apparatus further includes a writing means for writing biological data of the subject of the face image into the memory device, the created face image with the memory device may be used for biometric authentication of the subject of the face image. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an external view of the printing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is schematic view of the printer shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a relevant part of the printing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating photographs with a memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating photographs with a memory device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are drawings illustrating photographs with a memory device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are drawings illustrating photographs with a memory device according to further embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Hereinafter, the printing apparatus and a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the printing apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment. The printing apparatus  10  is an apparatus for obtaining a face image and biological data of a user, and printing the obtained face image on a printing paper with a memory device as an ID photo. The apparatus  10  has a cuboid enclosure having a height of approximately 2.0 m with a width of approximately 1.4 m. An external view of the apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 2  as an example.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  includes a imaging compartment  12  having a width of around 75 cm. A user  14  sits on a chair  16  in the imaging compartment  12  to perform imaging.  
      The portion of the imaging apparatus  10  other than the imaging compartment  12  is divided into an upper section  18 , middle section  20 , and bottom section  22  having a desk  21 . A digital camera  24  and a controller  33  are installed in the middle section  20 , and a printer  43  is installed in the bottom section. The controller  33  controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus  10 , including control of the digital camera  24  and printer  43 .  
      The lens field angle α of the digital camera  24  is wide enough to cover the range from around 60 cm to around 170 cm in height on a rear wall  27  of the imaging compartment  12 . Consequently, when the user  14  sits on the chair  16 , at least a head region  15  and a chest region  17  are reliably covered, which allows imaging independent of the height of the body of the user  14 .  
      A lighting unit  25 , a CRT display  26 , and a speaker  29  are installed in the upper section  18 , which are connected to the controller  33 .  
      The CRT display  26  is capable of displaying a motion image and a still image outputted from the controller  33 . The display screen  30  of the display  26  is directed downward, and the display content is projected onto a half mirror  34  in the middle section  20  through a hollow boundary face  32  between the upper section  18  and the middle section  20 .  
      According to the inclined half mirror  34  disposed between the camera  24  and the user  14 , a portion of the light from the display  26  and the user compartment  12  is reflected to each other. A portion of the light from the imaging compartment  12  is transmitted through the mirror  34  and propagates to the camera  24 , but the light from the side of the camera  24  is blocked and does not reach the imaging compartment  12 . Consequently, the user  14  may view the projected content on the half mirror  34  through a glass window  35 , but may not recognize the camera  24 . But the camera  24  may record an image of the user  14  with the light propagated to the camera  24  from the imaging compartment  12  through the half mirror  34 .  
      The lighting unit  25  is installed for illuminating the imaging compartment  12  to provide sufficient luminance for imaging, and the speaker  29  is installed to provide voice operation guidance to the user  14 .  
      A fingerprint obtaining section  40 , an operation touch panel  41 , a printer  43 , and a modem  44  are provided in the bottom section  22 , which are connected to the controller  33 . The fingerprint obtaining section  40  and operation touch panel  41  are accommodated in the desk  21 .  
      The fingerprint obtaining section  40  is a semiconductor fingerprint obtaining section constructed to automatically obtain fingerprint digital data when a predetermined area of the fingerprint obtaining section  40  is touched by a finger.  
      The touch panel  41  is a device for outputting signals to the controller  33  according to the operational instruction by the user  14 . The touch panel  41  may switchably display a data entry screen in which the user may enter data and an operational instruction entry screen in which the user may enter operational instructions. A keyboard is displayed on the data entry screen, and an imaging button for giving an instruction to take a face image and a selection button for selecting a face image to be printed by the printer  43  are displayed on the operational instruction entry screen.  
      The printer  43  prints the selected image as a photograph on a printing paper  52  with a memory device  51  mounted thereon, which is a printing medium, and outputs the photograph from an outlet  53 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of the printer  43 . The printer  43  includes: a reader/writer  54  for detecting the position of the memory device  51 , and performing data read/write operation to the memory device  51 ; a printing section  55  for printing an image on the printing paper  52 ; a cutter  56  for cutting the printing paper  52 ; and a roller  57  for feeding the printing paper  52  in roll form.  
      In  FIG. 3 , the memory device  51  is depicted in an enlarged form in which it is protruding from the surface of the printing paper  52  for clarity. In actuality, however, the memory device  51  has a microscopic size, and is embedded in the printing paper  52  in a predetermined density so that one or more memory devices are included in a printed image. The memory device  51  is a wireless chip that allows data read/write operation using a radio wave. For example, an RF tag may be used as the memory device  51 . Each memory device  51  has a unique ID stored therein, which is an own individual identification data written therein during the manufacturing process. The operation of the printer  43  will be described in detail later.  
      The modem  44  is a data transfer means for transferring various data to a predetermined place, for example, a management center  66  through a communication line  62  according to the instruction from the controller  33 .  
      In  FIG. 1 , the inside of the upper section  18 , middle section  20 , and bottom section  22  is shown visible for convenience. In actuality, however, the inside is hidden by a wall and invisible to the user other than the fingerprint obtaining section  40 , touch panel  41 , and outlet  53  of the printer  43 . Further, in actuality, further mechanisms including a coin slot, a payback slot, and the like are also provided in the bottom section  22 , but they are omitted in  FIG. 1  for clarity.  
      A monitoring camera  74  for continuously recording the user  14  is provided on a side wall  71  of the apparatus  10 . The monitoring camera  74  has a wide field angle and may obtain a monitor image that includes both the hand and face of the user recorded at the same time. The monitoring camera  74  is attached to a position on the side wall  71  approximately 10 cm higher than the position corresponding to the side of the finger print obtaining section  40 . Preferably, for example, an infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) camera is used as the camera  74 . The monitor image recorded by the monitoring camera  74  is outputted to the controller  33 .  
       FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of the digital camera  24 , controller  33 , and printer  43  shown in  FIG. 1 . The digital camera  24  includes an optical lens  80 , imaging section  81 , and an A/D converter (Analog/Digital Converter, ADC)  82 . The controller  33  includes a video output section  83 , a memory  84 , a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  85 , a D/A converter (Digital/Analog Converter, DAC)  86 , and a ROM (Read Only Memory)  87 . Although, the CPU  85  has many functions,  FIG. 4  shows only a face detection section  88 , a printing position setting section  89 , and a data linkage section  90 , which are the relevant parts of the present invention. The reader/writer  54  of the printer  43  includes a position detection section  91  and a read/write section  92 .  
      In the digital camera  24 , the optical lens  80  focuses the image of the subject  14  on the light receiving surface of an imaging section  81  by receiving light from the subject  14 . As for the imaging section  81 , for example, CCD (Charge Coupled Device) may be used. Image signals photoelectrically converted by the imaging section  81  are outputted to a video output section  83  of the controller  33 .  
      Generally, the video output section  83  sends the image signals received from the imaging section  81  to the CRT display  26  directly through the output terminal. Thus, the motion image of the user  14  is captured by the camera  24  and outputted, then displayed on the CRT  26 , and finally reflected by the half mirror  34  to return to the user  14 . Hereinafter, the returning of the motion image directly to the user in the manner as described above is referred to as video through. The user  14  may observe self motion image returned by video through in real time prior to imaging.  
      The image signals outputted from the imaging section  81  may also be outputted to the A/D converter  82 . When a face image is recorded, the image signals, which are analog signals, are converted to digital image signals by the A/D converter  82 , and the digital image signals are stored in the memory  84  of the controller  33  as face image data  93 .  
      The CPU  85  is connected to the A/D converter  82 , memory  84 , and D/A converter  86  to control them. When imaging is performed, the CPU  85  sends a conversion command to the A/D converter  82  to cause it to perform A/D conversion on the motion image on a frame basis. The CPU  85  may fetch the digital image signals digitized and stored in the memory  84  to perform various image processing, and then store them in the memory  84  again.  
      The CPU  85  may output a digital still image after performing image processing to the D/A converter  86  to cause it to perform D/A conversion on the digital still image and to send the analog still image to the video output section  83 . Here, the CPU  85  may control the video output section  83  to output the analog still image instead of the analog motion image returned by video through. In this way, the recorded and image processed still images may be presented to the user. Further, the analog still image signals and motion image signals may be outputted either in color or black-and-white format.  
      The CPU  85  may cause the CRT  26  to display the recorded and processed images by laying out them freely. Further, it may also cause the CRT  26  to display a simple animation by sending a plurality of still images stored in the memory  84  in advance on a frame by frame basis, as well as outputting the recorded image. Still further, it may freely output graphics through the video output section  83 , so that a message directed to the user  14  may be displayed on the CRT  26 .  
      The CPU  85  causes the CRT  26  to display the recorded still face images of the user  14  after image processing is performed thereon, and an indicator for use by the user  14  to select the face image to be printed. The face detection section  88  of the CPU  85  detects the face in the selected face image, and further detects the center of the face.  
      The CPU  85  is also connected to the printer  43 . The position detection section  91  in the reader/writer  54  of the printer  43  is a detection means for detecting the position of the memory device  51  on the printing paper  52 , and sends the detected position to the CPU  85 . The read/write section  92  in the reader/writer  54  of the printer  43  is a section having functions of reading means and writing means. It reads out a unique ID  96  stored in the memory device  51  and sends it to the CPU  85 , or writes data into the memory device  51  according to the instruction from the CPU  85 . The CPU  85  stores the unique ID  96  in the memory  84 .  
      The printing position setting section  89  of the CPU  85  is a setting means for setting the position for printing the face image on the printing paper  52  based on the center of the face detected by the face detection section  88  and the position of the memory device  51  detected by the position detection section  91  of the printer  43 . It sends the settings to the printing section  55  of the printer  43 . The printing section  55  prints the image on the printing paper  52  based on the settings received from the setting means.  
      The CPU  85  is further connected to the finger print obtaining section  40  and touch panel  41 . The CPU  85  determines if the fingerprint data obtained by the fingerprint obtaining section  40  are applicable to fingerprint authentication. If the data are determined to be applicable to fingerprint authentication, it stores the data in the memory  84  as fingerprint authentication data  94 . The CPU  85  also stores personal data  95  of the user  14  inputted from the touch panel  41 .  
      The data linkage section  90  of the CPU  85  is a linking means for linking the face image data  93 , which are the data of the face image of the user  14  obtained by the digital camera  24 , fingerprint authentication data  94 , personal data  95 , and unique ID  96  of the memory device  51 . The CPU  85  sends an instruction to the reader/writer  54  to cause it to write the linked data into the memory device  51 . In addition to the data described above, the CPU  85  may further link the unique identification number of the printing apparatus  10 , date and time data of imaging, and monitor still image data obtained by the monitoring camera  74 . Further, the CPU may send the linked data to the remote management center  66  through the modem  44  and communication line  62 .  
      The linking of the data may be performed by any method. For example, a name maybe given to the face image data using the personal data. Alternatively, text data may be recorded in the header section of the digital image data, and store them in the memory  84  as a unit. By linking personal data to digital image data in the manner as described above, digital data of a face image that self-identifying to whom it belongs may be created.  
      Further, the CPU  85  receives operational instructions from the touch panel  41 , and performs the processes according to the instructions given by the user  14 . The CPU  85  is also connected to the speaker  29 , and may output voice signals provided in advance to give appropriate operational guidance to the user  14  in speech for each operation step.  
      The CPU  85  is further connected to the ROM  87 . The ROM  87  stores at least a plurality of image processing programs and requirement specifications of ID photos. The requirement specifications include data related at least to the size of the photograph to be printed, the size and location of the head in the photograph, positional relationship between the memory device  51  and image to be printed. The CPU  85  accesses the ROM  87  to read the programs and requirement specifications of ID photos as required, and performs processing on the still image fetched from the memory  84  in order to provide a photograph that conforms to the requirement specifications.  
      The operation of the printing apparatus  10  of the present invention constructed in the manner as described above will now be described. A flowchart for explaining the process of the printing apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Most of the steps to be described hereinafter are prompted by the voice message from the speaker  29 . First, the user  14  drops in a coin (Step  101 ). This activates the printing apparatus  10 . Thereafter, the personal data  95  including the user name, resident resister code number or a passport number, and the like are inputted from the touch panel  41  on which the data entry screen (keyboard) is displayed (Step  102 ). The personal data  95  is used as individual identification data.  
      Then, in the fingerprint obtaining section  40 , fingerprint digital data are obtained from the right and left forefingers of the user (Step  103 ). The controller  33  extracts minutia points from these fingerprint data, and determines if sufficient minutia points required for the fingerprint authentication are obtained, i.e., if these fingerprint data are applicable to the fingerprint authentication (Step  104 ). If these fingerprint data are determined not to be applicable to the fingerprint authentication, the process returns to the Step  103 , and prompts the user to obtain the digital fingerprint data again. If the fingerprint data are determined to be applicable to the fingerprint authentication, the process proceeds to Step  105 , and these fingerprint data are stored in the memory  84  of the controller  33  as fingerprint authentication data (Step  105 ).  
      Thereafter, a motion face image of the user performing imaging using the digital camera  24  is displayed on the CRT display  26  by video through (Step  106 ). Here, the touch panel  41  is switched to the operation entry screen. By observing the own face image displayed on the CRT display  26 , the user touches the imaging button at a desired timing (Step  107 ). Through the imaging instruction, a still image of the face is obtained by the digital camera  24  and stored in the memory  84  of the controller  33  as the face image data  93  (Step  108 ).  
      Then, a determination is made if three face images are stored in the memory  84  (Step  109 ). If the determination result is negative, the process returns to Step  107  to prompt the user to touch the imaging button again, and if the determination result is positive, the three face images are displayed on the CRT display  26  (Step  110 ). The user selects preferred face image data through the selection button (Step  111 ).  
      The face detection section  88  of the controller  33  detects the face in the selected face image, and further detects the center of the face (Step  112 ). The detection of the center of the face may be performed by detecting the contour of the face using any known method such as edge detection or the like, and determining the center, or by detecting the positions of the parts of the face, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and the like, by any known image recognition method, and determining the center with reference to the positions of the parts.  
      In parallel to the process in Step  112 , the position detection section  91  in the reader/writer  54  of the printer  43  detects the position of each memory device  51  in the printing paper  52  (Step  113 ), and sends the detected position to the CPU  85  of the controller  33 . The printing position setting section  89  of the CPU  85  sets the printing position of the face image (Step  114 ), and gives instruction to the printing section  55  of the printer  43 .  
      The read/write section  92  of the reader/writer  54  reads out the unique ID  96  of the memory device  91  located in the area where the face image is to be printed (Step  115 ), and sends it to the CPU  85  of the controller  33 . The data linkage section  90  of the CPU  85  links the personal data  95  inputted in Step  102 , fingerprint authentication data  94  stored in Step  105 , face image data  93  selected in Step  111 , and unique ID  96  of the memory device  51  read out in Step  115  to each other (Step  116 ).  
      Then, the CPU  85  gives an instruction to the read/write section  92  of the reader/writer  54  to cause it to write these linked data into the memory device  51  (Step  117 ). In the mean time, when the user drops in a coin in Step  101 , the recording of the monitor image by the monitoring camera  74  is initiated, and the monitor image is outputted to the controller  33 . Thus, the monitor still image when the finger print data was obtained, unique identification number of the printing apparatus  10 , and the date and time of imaging may also be linked in addition to the data described above. Further, the CPU  85  may store the linked data in the memory  84  for a predetermined period, send them to a predetermined place, for example, the remote management center  66  through the modem  44  and communication line  62 , or print out. The data to be linked or written into the memory device  51  are not limited to these data described above, and any type of data may be selected for this purpose.  
      The management center  66  retains the monitor images which may be observed on a monitor in real time. Alternatively, the monitor images may be analyzed by a computer or the like, and an alert may be issued or operation of the printing apparatus  10  may be automatically terminated if something wrong happens in the monitor image. The monitor still image data may include an entire image and an enlarged portion thereof where the hand is imaged. When monitoring the monitor images in the management center  66  in the manner as described above, monitor images in animation may also be monitored.  
      When the processes in Step  114  and Step  117  are completed, the printing section  55  of the printer  43  prints the face image on the instructed position (Step  118 ), the printing paper  52  is cut off by the cutter  56  at a predetermined position, and the face photograph with a memory device  51  is outputted from the outlet  53 .  
       FIG. 7  illustrates examples of face photographs  97  with a memory device  51  created in the manner as described above. These face photograph examples are obtained by printing the face images on the printing paper  52  with memory devices  51  mounted in the center thereof in the width direction at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the paper  52  such that each of the memory devices  51  is arranged at the center of each of the face image. Even when the arrangement accuracy of the memory devices  51  is not so high, and the distance of the three memory devices  51  from the right or left edge of the printing paper  52  differs with each other, each of the memory devices  51  may always be arranged in the center of each of the three face photographs  97  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
      As is evident from the description above, in the printing apparatus and printing method of the present embodiment, the position of a memory device  51  in a printing paper  52  is detected, and the face image is printed thereon based on the detected position. Thus, a face photograph with a memory device, in which the memory device and the face image are arranged in a desired positional relationship, maybe created reliably. This ensures that a memory device is arranged within a desired area of an image, which may prevent the case in which the memory device locates in the cutting path or discarded portion of the printing paper and separated from the image. Here, when the memory device is disposed in the face, the memory device needs to be peeled off in order to forge the face photograph and the restoration thereof is extremely difficult so that such forgery may be prevented.  
      Further, personal data, fingerprint authentication data, and face image data of a user, unique ID of a memory device  51  and the like are stored in the memory device  51 , so that the created face photograph with the memory device may be used for personal authentication, and forgery of the photograph may be prevented since the memory device  51  includes individual identification data. Further, the created face photograph may be used for biometric authentication since the memory device includes fingerprint authentication data.  
      Still further, when obtaining fingerprint data of a user  14 , a monitor image that includes both the face and hand of the user  14  recorded at the same time is obtained, so that counterfeiting switching of the user  14  and fraudulent acquisition of hand-related biological data may be prevented.  
      Further, if the recorded monitor images are retained for a predetermined period, they may be observed as required. If an enlarged image of the hand of a user is obtained, fraudulent acquisition of fingerprint data may be detected by observing the monitor images, so that fraudulent acquisition of fingerprint data may be prevent even more reliably.  
      The positional relationship between the memory device and face image is not limited to the example shown in  FIG. 7 , and may be set arbitrarily. For example, a method for setting the memory device  51  within a face regardless of the position within the face, or a method for setting the memory device  51  at the region other than the face may also be feasible. Further, the memory device  51  may locate in the periphery within the image, or the periphery outside of the image.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example case in which each of the memory devices  51  is arranged at a corner section of each of the face images. The illustrated example indicates the case in which face photographs  197  are obtained by printing the face images using the printing method of the present invention on the printing paper  152  with memory devices  51  mounted in the position adjacent to the left end of the paper at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction thereof such that each of the memory devices  51  is arranged at the upper left of each of the face images  197 . Even when the arrangement accuracy of the memory devices  51  is not so high, and the distance of the three memory devices  51  from the left edge of the printing paper  52  differs with each other, each of the memory devices  51  may be arranged at the upper left corner of each of the three face photographs  197  as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
      Use of the printing method of the present invention, in which an image is printed after the position of the image is set based on the position of the memory device, allows the memory device and the image to be arranged in desired positional relationship, and the arrangement accuracy of the memory devices on the printing paper to be relaxed. In the conventional method, the memory devices greater in number than the images are arranged in shorter intervals than the images in order to ensure that one or more memory devices locate invariably within a single image, taking into account of the misalignment between the memory device and image. This has resulted in unused memory devices. On the other hand, in the printing method of the present invention, one memory device may be invariably disposed within a single image with a number of memory devices corresponding to the number of images, so that no memory device is wasted.  
      Further, even in a case where a plurality of sizes is used for photographs to be printed, use of the printing method of the present invention allows photographs with a plurality of different sizes may be created using the same type of printing paper. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9A, 9B ,  10 A and  10 B.  
       FIG. 9A and 9B  illustrate an example case in which a printing paper  252  having memory devices  51  mounted thereon at intervals corresponding to the size of the largest photograph  297  is used. Although, the size of the photographs  297  shown in  FIG. 9A  differs from the size of the photographs  298  shown in  FIG. 9B , photographs, each having a memory device  51  in the upper left may be created by the application of the printing method of the present invention. In this example, the memory devices  51  are mounted at intervals according to the size of the largest photograph  297 , so that only the number of memory devices corresponding to the number of the photographs is required.  
       FIG. 10A and 10B  illustrate an example case in which a printing paper  352 , on which four large photographs  397  or six small photographs  398  are printed within a predetermined length with memory devices mounted thereon such that one or more memory devices are disposed in each photograph, is used. Although, the size of the photographs  397  shown in  FIG. 10A  differs from the size of the photographs  398  shown in  FIG. 10B , one or more memory devices  51  may be disposed in each photograph, and at the same time the blank space of the printing paper  352  may be minimized by the application of the printing method of the present invention.  
      In the present embodiment described above, the image position is set for printing based on the position of the memory device. But the image orientation as well as the image position for printing may be set based on the position of the memory device. For example, if the position where the memory device is to be positioned is predetermined, for example, in the center, upper left, upper right, bottom left, or bottom right of the image, or the like, the image orientation and position may be set such that the memory device is disposed at a desired position after detecting the position of the memory device. If the subject is a person, the position of the eyes and mouth may be known by any known image recognition method, so that the vertical of the image may be detected and the orientation of the image may be set for printing.  
      In the present embodiment, the description of the present invention has been made with reference to a printing apparatus including an imaging compartment and a digital camera, which obtains a face image and biological data of a user, and prints the obtained face image, as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The printing apparatus of the present invention may be a printing apparatus without the means for obtaining image or biological data.  
      In the present embodiment, the description has been made of a case in which the image is a face image. But, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to images of different subjects. Further, the position of the memory device on the printing paper, positional relationship between the image and memory device, and the number of memory devices included in the image are not limited to the example described above, and may be set arbitrarily. Still further, the data written into the memory device are not limited to the example described above, and any data may be written therein, or not necessarily be written therein.  
      In the present embodiment, the description has been made of a case in which a printing paper in roll form is used, but the paper form is not limited to the roll form, and a cut form of a predetermined size may also be used. The printing medium that may be used in the present invention is not limited to the printing paper, and any medium may be used as long as it is printable, such as stationery paper, cloth, or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the description has been made with reference to a printing apparatus that prints an image as a photograph, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to an apparatus that uses a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or the like.