Patent Publication Number: US-2004041913-A1

Title: Image-printing system, digital camera and printer

Description:
[0001] This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2002-126725 filed in Japan on Apr. 26, 2002, No. 2002-167546 filed in Japan on Jun. 7, 2002 and No. 2002-173321 filed in Japan on Jun. 13, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates to an image printing system (or, simply, printing system) and, in particular, to an image printing system including a digital camera, which is an electronic camera for obtaining electronic image data and for recording the image data in an applicable recording medium, and an image printer for printing an image corresponding to the image data obtained by the digital camera.  
       [0004] 2. Related Art Statement  
       [0005] An image printing system has been already practically used which includes a digital camera for obtaining electronic image data by optoelectronically transducing an optical image and for recording the obtained image data on a predetermined medium as digital data and an image printer for printing an image corresponding to the image data obtained by the digital camera on print paper.  
       [0006] With the conventional image printing system, the image corresponding to the image data obtained by the digital camera can be printed by the image printer generally by following steps mentioned below.  
       [0007] First of all, a user of the digital camera uses the digital camera performs shooting operation on a desired object. By the shooting operation, predetermined image data representing the desired object can be obtained, and the image data is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, which is removably attached to the digital camera.  
       [0008] Next, the user transfers the image data corresponding to the image to be printed of image data having been recorded on the recording medium to an external equipment such as an image processing apparatus comprising a small-sized computer. The data transferring unit may be a unit for taking out the recording medium storing image data, installing the recording medium in a part or apparatus including a predetermined recording medium interface and transferring the image data to an image processing apparatus through the part or apparatus. Alternatively, the data transferring unit may be a unit for performing data transfer by electrically connecting between the digital camera and the image processing apparatus by using a predetermined connection cable.  
       [0009] Therefore, conventionally, both of the digital camera and the image processing apparatus must have parts to which the same recording medium can be attached and have writing and reading functions in the attached recording medium. Alternatively, specific, independent external equipment is required which has a function for reading image data recorded in a recording medium and/or a function for writing predetermined image data in a recording medium.  
       [0010] Alternatively, both of the digital camera and the image processing apparatus must have respective predetermined connection terminals for connecting a predetermined connection cable and respective predetermined communication units for implementing data communication between the digital camera and the image processing apparatus.  
       [0011] This kind of data transfer unit is used to transfer predetermined image data from the digital camera to the image processing apparatus.  
       [0012] In response to this, the image processing apparatus performs predetermined signal processing on the received image data, such as processing for creating image data best suited to printing. Then, the image data is printed by using an image printer connected to the image processing apparatus.  
       [0013] Since, in the conventional image printing system, the use of an external equipment such as an image processing apparatus is assumed, various operations and works required for outputting an image are complicated. Therefore, it is difficult for a general user who is not familiar with operations of an image processing apparatus and the like to use the image processing apparatus easily. This is a problem.  
       [0014] Conventionally, a system has been proposed and been practically used in general, which does not have an image processing apparatus or the like in the image printing system. That is, with the system, the digital camera and the image printer are electrically connected by a connection cable and simple operations are performed in the digital camera or in the image printer to print an image.  
       [0015] However, when the image printing system is used to print an image, the digital camera and the image printer must be connected by a connection cable. Therefore, the operation may be complicated to some users.  
       [0016] On the other hand, conventionally, a digital camera having a small-sized printer has been proposed and been practically used for printing an image corresponding to the image data obtained by the digital camera. However, because of the integral construction, the size of the digital camera having an image printer is naturally increased, and the increase in production cost cannot be avoided. This is another problem.  
       [0017] Accordingly, an image printing system including a digital camera and an image printer separately has been conventionally proposed for electrically connecting the digital camera and the image printer without an external equipment such as a small-sized computer and a connection cable and for printing an image based on the image data having been obtained by the digital camera.  
       [0018] For example, an image printing system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2606340, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-008792 or No. 11-155120 can perform data transfer and printing by using a digital camera and an image printer directly connected without using a connection cable. Furthermore, in the image printing system, a chargeable battery in the digital camera can be charged.  
       [0019] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-191000 proposed by the applicant also discloses an image printing system having the similar form.  
       [0020] In an image printing system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-254764, a digital camera and an image printer can be connected through a connection cable, and a recording medium installing portion is provided. Thus, image data can be read from a digital camera connected thereto through the connection cable or a recording medium installed in the recording medium installing portion to print the image. In this case, when image data is read from a recording medium installed in the recording medium installing portion to print the image, predetermined printer control information (such as printing correcting information) is written in the recording medium afterwards.  
       [0021] Further, an image printing system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-143006 includes a recording medium installing portion in which the same recording medium as the recording medium used in a digital camera can be installed. The recording medium is taken out from the digital camera and is installed in the recording medium installing portion, and image data is read from the recording medium. Then, an image based on the image data can be printed. In this system, when a select button in a cartridge for storing print paper is manipulated, a control circuit refers image information relating to image data recorded in the recording medium, and an image corresponding to the manipulation, that is, an image of full-image data (entire frames) recorded in the recording medium, image data having not-yet-printed information (remaining frames) or image data (latest shot frame) having the latest date information can be selectively printed.  
       [0022] However, all of the image printing systems disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2606340, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-008792 and No. 11-155120, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication no 2002-191000 filed by the applicant aim for the simplification of the system configurations. For example, details of printing and charging operations to be performed when a digital camera and an image printer are connected, especially, a detail of timing for the charging operation are not disclosed or proposed.  
       [0023] Furthermore, the conventional image printing systems disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2606340, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-008792, No. 11-155120, and No. 11-254764 are adjusted to print an image by simple operations. However, a user must set in shot electronic data in advance information on whether the data is to be printed or not after the shooting by using a digital camera. Then, an image to be printed is selected and is printed based on the information.  
       [0024] Therefore, the number of operations to be performed by a user is increased in this case, and the load on the user is increased when images of all of shot image data are desired to print, for example.  
       [0025] In other words, the various operations for printing an image based on the image data shot by a digital camera may be complicated for a user, such as taking out a recording medium from a digital camera and installing the recording medium in an image printer through a connector cable, connecting a digital camera and image printer, selecting desired image data to be printed after a shooting operation by using a digital camera and adding information on whether to be printed or not by a predetermined operation.  
       [0026] The image printing system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-143006 requires the operation for removing a recording medium from the digital camera and installing the recording medium in the image printer. Furthermore, the printing control itself of the image printer is performed independently, which is difficult to use. Additionally, since the image printer is provided as an independent apparatus, further improvements may be required for reducing the production cost.  
       [0027] On the other hand, Japanese unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-108005 discloses a system for performing various forms of printing by connecting a digital camera and a printer without using a personal computer. The publication also discloses a following technology, for example. That is, data for operating the printer is stored in a memory in a printer, and the stored data is sent to the digital camera. Then, images for operating the printer including multiple format selection images are displayed by a display unit of the digital camera. Then, a select unit selects one format from multiple formats (forms of image display) by referring to the operation images and selects a photo image by the digital camera. The photo image is printed in the format based on the selected format image.  
       [0028] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-200850 filed by the applicant before proposes a system including a digital camera and a printer for printing an image shot by the digital camera. In this proposition, an image selected to print is displayed on a display portion of the digital camera so that the image can be checked. Then, the data representing the checked image is sent to the printer. With this construction, the selection and check of the image to be printed and the printing of an intended image can be performed easily and securely.  
       [0029] However, the image printing systems in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-108005 and No. 10-200850 do not propose the optimum allotment, between the digital camera and the printer, of operational steps relating to the selection of an image to be printed and the selection of a print layout in order to improve the usability of the entire system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030] The present invention was made in view of these matters. It is an object of the invention to provide an image printing system for performing printing and charging operations when a digital camera and an image printer are connected for achieving better operability and excellent usability or to provide a digital camera and/or printer to be applied to the system.  
       [0031] It is another object of the invention to provide an image printing system having better operability and achieving the reduction of the production costs by simplifying operations to be performed by a user and allowing printing of a desired image easily and fast based on desired image data shot by a digital camera or to provide a digital camera and/or printer to be applied to the system.  
       [0032] It is another object of the invention to provide an image printing system in which a digital camera and a printer are operatively connected, and in which the division of the responsibility for processing relating to operation functions of steps for selecting an image to be printed, for selecting a print layout and so on is optimized between the digital camera side and the printer side or to provide a digital camera and/or printer to be applied to the system.  
       [0033] In order to achieve these objects, a first image printing system according to the invention includes a digital camera applying a secondary battery as a power source and an image printer, which can be operatively connected to the digital camera. In this case, the digital camera includes a camera controller for entirely controlling functions of the digital camera, a first connecting unit removably connectable to the image printer without using a connection cable, a decompressing unit for decompressing image data recorded in an applied recording medium to an image data for printing compliant with the image data, and a data transfer unit for transferring an output of the decompressing unit to the outside through the first connecting unit. The image printer includes a printer controller for entirely controlling functions of the image printer, a second connecting unit suitable for data exchanges by connecting to the first connecting unit in the digital camera side, a power supply unit for feeding power to the digital camera and for charging the secondary battery, and a print start switch for generating an instruction signal for instructing the start of a printing operation. The print start switch is turned on in the image printer side when the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are connected to each other so that the camera controller and the printer controller in connection with each other can transfer the image data for printing from the data transfer unit in the digital camera side to the image printer side through the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit, cause the image printer side to perform the printing operation on the transferred image data, and cause the power supply unit in the image printer side to start a charging operation for charging the secondary battery in the digital camera side after the completion of the printing operation.  
       [0034] A second image printing system according to the present invention includes an image printer having a first connecting unit which can detachably mount a digital camera without using any connecting cable, a print engine outputting an image print based on data transferred from the digital camera and a print start switch for generating a signal which indicates the start of the printing operation, an image memory provided for storing compressed shot image data and printing history information relating to a fact that image printing processing was performed in the past as attribute information of the image data, a second connecting unit which can be detachably connected to the first connecting unit, a transfer unit for transferring image data recorded in the image memory to the image printer through the second connecting unit and an update unit for updating the printing history information, when the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are operatively connected, and when a printing operation is started in the image printer, the camera controller and the printer controller in connection with each other cause to sequentially print image data having been not printed until the start and to update the corresponding printing history information when the printing of the image data completes.  
       [0035] A third image printing system (or, simply, printing system) according to the invention in which a digital camera and printer including a control unit for controlling operations are operatively connected includes the digital camera including a selecting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting a desired print layout and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for storing print control data corresponding to the operation received by the selecting operation function portion in the information recording carrier under the control of the control unit and the printer including a setting operation function portion for, under the control of the control unit, receiving operations including a number-of-sheets-to-be-printed setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed and a recognition function portion for recognizing the number of sheets to be printed set by the setting operation function portion and print control data created by the digital camera side and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit.  
       [0036] In this construction, the digital camera and the printer may be “operatively connected” by means of radio, wire line or mutual transferring of a recording medium, or other appropriate manner. The radio manner may be infrared ray communication or Bluetooth. The mutual transfer of a recording medium (such as a Smart Media (R) and a Compact Flash (R)) refers to a case where a recording medium is removed from the digital camera side and is inserted to the printer side.  
       [0037] An example of the selecting operation function portion in the digital camera is a print setting indication and an input key or the like corresponding to the indication on a liquid crystal display portion on the back of the digital camera. The term, “receiving” means that the control unit recognizes an operation performed on the operating portion by a user. The same is true in the inventions mentioned below.  
       [0038] The information recording carrier in the digital camera refers to an internal memory and/or applied recording medium in the digital camera.  
       [0039] The print control data storing function portion in the digital camera refers to a function portion for sending an input through an operation key to the internal memory and/or recording medium as data indicating control information under the control of the control unit (system controller). More specifically, the print control data storing function portion may be a circuit such as a drive controller, a driver (such as a card slot) and a wire (bus) also having other functions.  
       [0040] An example of the setting operation function portion in the printer may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion and the type of the touch panel.  
       [0041] According to the third image printing system, the digital camera and the printer are operatively coupled, and the selection of an image to be selected and the setting of the print layout can be performed in the digital camera side while the setting of the number of sheets to be printed is performed in the printer side. That is, the settings are divided between the digital camera side and the printer side.  
       [0042] In this way, the processing relating to the operation functions can be divided between the digital camera side and the printer side. Thus, after images of various scenes are shot by a digital camera during travels, the shot images to be printed and the print layout can be determined and be registered by manipulating the digital camera in a car on the return trip, for example. Then, at home, the digital camera is connected to the printer, and the number of sheets to be printed for the registered print layout images is determined. Then, the print button is simply pressed. In this way, multiple shot images can be categorized and be organized (laid out) through the operation on the digital camera, and a highly useful printing system can be provided.  
       [0043] A digital camera compliant with the third image printing system according to the invention includes a selecting operation function portion for, under the control of the control unit, receiving operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting a desired print layout and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for, under the control of the control unit, storing print control data corresponding to the operation received by the selecting operation function portion in a predetermined information recording carrier in a form identifiable in a printer side compliant with the digital camera.  
       [0044] The selecting operation function portion may include a display portion for displaying the layout selecting operation and an operation key for performing a layout selecting operation corresponding to the display on the display portion. For example, the display portion is a liquid crystal display portion on the back surface, and the display portion displays print layouts and other indications for setting. The operation key may be an input key corresponding to the indications. The “operation key” herein includes an input accouterment such as a touch panel mounted on the front surface of the liquid crystal display portion.  
       [0045] The print control data storing function portion may store the print control data in a memory portion as an information recording carrier built in the digital camera.  
       [0046] Alternatively, the print control data storing function portion may store the print control data in a recording medium as an information recording carrier removably applied to the digital camera.  
       [0047] A printer compliant with the third image printing system according to the invention includes a setting operation function portion for receiving, under the control thereof, operations including a number-of-sheet-to-be-printed setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed, and a recognition function portion for recognizing print control data corresponding to the operation when operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting a desired print layout in a digital camera compliant therewith, and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier are received by a selecting operation function portion of the digital camera and a number of sheets to be printed set from the setting operation function portion and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit.  
       [0048] In this construction, an example of the setting operation function portion in the printer may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion and the type of the touch panel.  
       [0049] A fourth image printing system according to the invention is an image printing system in which a digital camera and printer having respective control unit for controlling operations are operatively connected. The digital camera includes a selecting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting desired print layout and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for storing print control data corresponding to the operation received by the selecting operation function portion in the information recording carrier under the control of the control unit, the selecting operation function portion including a display portion for providing a display for the layout selection operation and an operation key to be used for a layout selecting operation corresponding to the display by the display portion. When the setting by a layout selecting operation and image selecting operation by the selecting operation function portion completes, the control unit controls to store the already set information in an information recording carrier by the print control data storing function portion, and the display portion displays, under the control of the control unit, one indication, which is sequentially selected from prepared multiple kinds of guidance indication every time a required setting completes, as an indication typically representing the current set information within the display screen. The printer includes a setting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including an operation for selecting one of multiple settings stored in an information recording carrier as print control data corresponding to a guidance indication typically representing a setting set in the digital camera side and a number-of-sheet-to-be-printed setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed and a recognition function portion for recognizing a number of sheets to be printed set by an operation by the setting operation function portion and one setting and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit.  
       [0050] In this construction, similarly to the third image printing system the digital camera and the printer may be “operatively connected” in a radio or wired manner, by mutually transferring a recording medium or the like.  
       [0051] The selecting operation function portion, information recording carrier and print control data storing function portion in the digital camera may be the same as those in the third image printing system.  
       [0052] For example, the display portion may be a liquid crystal display portion on the back surface, and the display portion displays print layouts and other indications for setting. The operation key may be an input key corresponding to the indications.  
       [0053] The sequentially selected one indication to be rendered as an indication typically representing the current setting refers to a registration number such as “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” according to one embodiment (see FIGS.  26  and  27 ).  
       [0054] The setting operation function portion in the printer may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion and the type of the touch panel.  
       [0055] In the fourth image printing system (or, simply, printing system) according to the first invention in which the digital camera and the printer are operatively connected, the setting operations are divided such that the selection of an image to be printed and the setting of a print layout can be performed in the camera side while the setting of the number of sheets to be printed can be performed in the printer side. On the other hand, in the fourth image printing system according to the fourth invention in which the digital camera and the printer are operatively connected, multiple combinations of images to be printed and layouts can be set in the camera side while the combination to be used and the number of sheets to be printed can be selected in the printer side.  
       [0056] According to the fourth image printing system, a printing system having higher usability can be established.  
       [0057] A digital camera compliant with the fourth image printing system of the invention includes a selection operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including a layout selection operation for selecting a desired print layout in order to print an image by a printer compliant therewith and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for storing, under the control of the control unit, print control data corresponding to the operation, which is received by the selecting operation function portion, in an information recording carrier. Furthermore, the selecting operation function portion includes a display portion for providing a display for the print layout selecting operation and an operation key used for performing a layout selecting operation corresponding to the display on the display portion. When the setting required by the layout selecting operation and image selecting operation in the selecting operation function portion completes, the control unit controls the print control data storing function portion to store the already set information in an information recording carrier. Furthermore, the display portion displays, under the control of the control unit, one indication, which is sequentially and automatically selected every time the setting completes among prepared multiple kinds of guidance indication, on the display screen as an indication typically indicating the set information.  
       [0058] In this construction, the selecting operation function portion, information recording carrier and print control data storing function portion are the same as those of the third image printing system.  
       [0059] The description, “the setting required by the layout selecting operation and image selecting operation in the selecting operation function portion” refers to one layout and a series of settings (see FIGS. 26 and 27) for determining an image to be displayed in the layout.  
       [0060] A printer compliant with the fourth image printing system of the invention includes a setting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including an operation for selecting data relating to one setting of data, which is set in the digital camera compliant therewith as print control data indicating multiple kinds of setting data relating to combinations between print layouts and corresponding images to be printed and be stored in an information recording carrier, and an operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed, and a recognition function portion for recognizing the setting selected by an operation by the setting operation function portion and the set number of sheets to be printed and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit thereof.  
       [0061] In this construction, any method can be adopted for supplying data set and stored in the digital camera side to the printer side. Therefore, data may be transferred offline by changing the removable recording medium. Alternatively, the digital camera and the printer may be docked at an electric contact so as to transfer data online.  
       [0062] An example of the setting operation function portion in the printer may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion and the type of the touch panel.  
       [0063] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description below. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF OF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0064]FIG. 1 is an entire perspective showing an overview of an image printing system according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
     [0065]FIG. 2 is a schematic block construction diagram showing a digital camera (electronic camera) in the image printing system in FIG. 1;  
     [0066]FIG. 3 is a schematic block construction diagram showing an image printer in the image printing system in FIG. 1;  
     [0067]FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the digital camera in the image printing system in FIG. 1;  
     [0068]FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of the operation of the digital camera in FIG. 2;  
     [0069]FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to charging processing of the operation of the digital camera in FIG. 2;  
     [0070]FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the image printer in the image printing system in FIG. 1;  
     [0071]FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of the operation of the image printer in FIG. 3;  
     [0072]FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to charging processing of the operation of the image printer in FIG. 3;  
     [0073]FIG. 10 is an entire perspective diagram showing an overview of an image printing system according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
     [0074]FIG. 11 is a schematic block construction diagram showing a digital camera in the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0075]FIG. 12 is a schematic block construction diagram showing an image printer in the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0076]FIG. 13 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the digital camera in the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0077]FIG. 14 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of the operation of the digital camera in FIG. 11;  
     [0078]FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the image printer in the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0079]FIG. 16 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of the operation of the image printer in FIG. 12;  
     [0080]FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a detail of a data file including image data to be recorded in a recording medium used in the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0081]FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a detail of another example of a data file including image data to be recorded in a recording medium used in the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0082]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a display form to be displayed on a display portion of a display apparatus of the digital camera in the process for implementing image printing processing by the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0083]FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of a display form to be displayed on a display portion of a display apparatus of the digital camera in the process for implementing image printing processing by the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0084]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of a display form to be displayed on a display portion of a display apparatus of the digital camera in the process for implementing image printing processing by the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0085]FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another example of a display form to be displayed on a display portion of a display apparatus of the digital camera in the process for implementing image printing processing by the image printing system in FIG. 10;  
     [0086]FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a digital camera in a printing system according to a third embodiment of the invention;  
     [0087]FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a printer in the printing system according to the third embodiment;  
     [0088]FIG. 25 is a back view of the digital camera in FIG.  23 ;  
     [0089]FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an operation function in a print setting mode based on a manipulation on an operating portion shown in FIG. 25;  
     [0090]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an operation function in the print setting mode based on a manipulation on the operating portion shown in FIG. 25; and  
     [0091]FIG. 28 is a plan view showing an operation surface of the operating portion of the printer in FIG. 24. 
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0092] The invention will be described below with reference to shown embodiments.  
     [0093]FIG. 1 is an entire perspective showing an overview of an image printing system according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block construction diagram showing a digital camera (electronic camera) in the image printing system. FIG. 3 is a schematic block construction diagram showing an image printer in the image printing system.  
     [0094] As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing system according to this embodiment includes a digital camera (that is, electronic camera)  10 , and an image printer  50 . The digital camera  10  can obtain a desired object image as electric image signals and can record the image signals as image data in a predetermined form. The image printer  50  can print an image based on the image data obtained and recorded by the digital camera  10 .  
     [0095] A mount portion  50   d  for the digital camera  10  is provided on the top surface of the image printer  50 . The mount portion  50   d  has a printer side connection connector  54  (that is, a second connection unit, not shown in FIG. 1, but see FIG. 3) removably connecting the image printer  50  to the digital camera  10 . Correspondingly, the digital camera  10  has on the bottom surface a camera side connection connector  34  (not shown in FIG. 1 but see FIG. 2) that is a first connection unit for removably connecting the digital camera  10  to the image printer  50 . The first and the second connections operatively connect the electronic camera  10  and the image printer  50 . The electronic camera  10  and the image printer  50  can exchange control signals, images and other data with each other and can control each other, as described in detail later.  
     [0096] The camera side connection connector  34  (first connection unit) and the printer side connection connector  54  (second connection unit) also allow the supply of electric power from the image printer  50  side to the digital camera  10  side.  
     [0097] Thus, only by mounting the digital camera  10  on the mount portion  50   d  of the image printer  50 , both of the apparatus can be electrically connected, which establish an image printing system of this embodiment. Under this condition, the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are controlled by control units, that is, a camera controller  17  and printer controller  51  (which will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3). The camera controller  17  and the printer controller  51  are provided within the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50 , respectively, and can control respective function portions entirely, such as controls over a data transfer operation between the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50 , a printing operation by the image printer  50  and a charging operation onto the digital camera  10 .  
     [0098] Here, main components of the digital camera  10  will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0099] Multiple operating members  25  (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided at predetermined positions on the top surface and back surface of the exterior of the digital camera  10  in the image printing system of this embodiment. Each of the operating members  25  is manipulated by a user of the digital camera  10  for implementing a desired operation. The operating members  25  are used to generate instruction signals for instructing various settings and operations in the digital camera  10  in accordance with the manipulation by an operator. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the operating members  25  include a release button  25 A for instructing the start of a shooting operation, a mode dial  25 B for selecting and switching an operation form of the digital camera  10 , a zoom lever  25 C for varying a scale of a shooting optical system and a camera power source operating member  25 D for switching ON and OFF of the power source. When one of the operating members  25  is manipulated, a predetermined instruction signal is generated from one of the switches  25   a ,  25   b ,  25   c  and  25   d  (not shown in FIG. 1 but see FIG. 2) linking to the manipulated operating member  25 . The instruction signal is transferred to the camera controller  17  through a switch controller (SW)  24 . In response to this, the camera controller  17  implements a predetermined control.  
     [0100] A display apparatus  30 , that is a display unit, is provided at a predetermined position on the back surface of the digital camera  10 . The display surface of the display portion of the display apparatus  30  is exposed to the outside. The display apparatus  30  is a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the image signals obtained by the digital camera  10  and includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example.  
     [0101] A finder portion  40  is provided near the display apparatus  30 . The finder portion  40  is used to observe an object to be shot and assists the setting of the composition for shooting. The finder portion  40  is a general finder including multiple optical lenses, for example.  
     [0102] An information display portion  41  is provided on the top surface of the exterior of the digital camera  10 . The information display portion  41  displays setting items in the digital camera  10  in a visually identifiable form. The information display portion  41  includes a small-sized LCD, for example.  
     [0103]FIG. 2 shows the internal construction of the digital camera  10 . That is, the digital camera  10  includes the camera controller  17 , a shooting optical system  11 , a lens driving portion  18 , a shutter iris portion  12 , a shutter iris driving portion  19 , an image pickup element  13 , an image pickup element driving portion  20 , a timing controller  21 , a preprocess circuit  14 , an A/D converting circuit  15 , a digital processing circuit  16 , a memory controller  22 , a frame memory  23 , a display control circuit  29 , a display apparatus  30 , a recording medium interface  31 , a recording medium  33 , a recording medium installing portion  32 , firmware  28 , a read only memory (RON)  26 , a random access memory (RAM)  27 , a camera side connection connector  34 , a connection interface  35 , a chargeable battery  37 , a charging control portion  36 , a camera side power source circuit  38 , and a strobe light emitting apparatus  40 . The camera controller  17  is a control unit for entirely controlling operations of the digital camera  10  and comprises a central processing unit (CPU) having a system large scale integration (LSI), for example. The shooting optical system  11  comprises multiple optical elements and gathers pencils of light from an object to form an optical object image. The lens driving portion  18  mechanically drives the shooting optical system  11  under the control of the camera controller  17 . The shutter iris portion  12  is provided on a light axis of a pencil of light passing through the shooting optical system  11  and adjusts an amount of light to be irradiated to a photoreceptive surface of the image pickup element  13 , which will be described later. The shutter iris driving portion  19  mechanically drives the shutter iris portion  12  under the control of the camera controller  17 . The image pickup element  13  comprises an optoelectronic transducer, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. The image pickup element driving portion  20  drives the image pickup element  13 . The timing controller  21  sends a synchronous signal to the image pickup element driving portion  20  to control driving timing of the image pickup element  13 . The preprocess circuit  14  performs predetermined signal processing in response to the electric signal corresponding to the object image obtained by the image pickup element  13 . The A/D converting circuit  15  converts an output (analog signal) received from the preprocess circuit  14  to a digital signal. The digital processing circuit  16  performs predetermined digital signal processing on the output (digital signal) received from the A/D converting circuit  15 . The memory controller  22  is a temporary recording unit for temporarily storing image data and various kinds of data. The frame memory  23  temporarily stores image data for printing created under the control of the camera controller  17 . The display control circuit  29  performs various kinds of signal processing relating to the display, such as processing for creating an image signal to be displayed in a form best suited for the image display by the display unit based on the image data obtained by the digital camera  10  or the image data recorded on the recording medium  33  (which will be described later). The display apparatus  30  is a display unit including a display portion for displaying image signals output from the display control circuit  29  as an image. The recording medium interface  31  is provided between the camera controller  17  and the recording medium  33  (which will be described later) and transfers image data for recording. The recording medium  33  comprises a semiconductor memory medium and/or a magnetic or optical recording medium for recording image data for recording obtained by the digital camera  10  and created by predetermined signal processing. The recording medium installing portion  32  is provided between the recording medium  33  and the recording medium interface  31  and electrically connects therebetween. The firmware  28  is a memory in which operation programs for the digital camera  10  are recorded in advance. Basic initial setting values relating to operations of the digital camera  10  are recorded in the ROM  26  and the RAM  27 . The camera side connection connector  34  removably connects the digital camera  10  to the image printer  50 . The connection interface  35  is a circuit in a data transfer unit and is provided between the camera side connection connector  34  and the camera controller  17 . The connection interface  35  is a data transfer unit for transferring image data and/or various instruction signals. The chargeable battery  37  is a main power source of the digital camera  10  and includes a secondary battery. The charging control portion  36  receives a part (DC 2 ) of electric power supplied from a direct-current power source control portion  70  (which will be described later) of the image printer  50  to be connected to the digital camera  10  through the connection connectors  34  and  54  and charges the chargeable battery  37 . The camera side power source circuit  38  controls a part (DC 1 ) of electric power supplied from the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  through the connection connectors  34  and  54  to supply required electric power to the electric circuits of the digital camera  10 . The strobe light emitting apparatus  40  is an auxiliary light source for shooting.  
     [0104] The circuits in the digital camera  10  are electrically connected to the camera controller  17  through a bus line  39 . Thus, the camera controller  17  and each of the components can exchange image data and so on with each other.  
     [0105] As described above, the camera controller  17  is a control unit for entirely controlling the digital camera  10  and can control the entire image printing system when the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected. In this case, the camera controller  17  controls to send various instruction signals and/or predetermined image data to the printer controller  51  (which will be described later) for entirely controlling the image printer  50 .  
     [0106] In the digital camera  10 , the camera controller  17  controls the image pickup element  13  to obtain image signals representing an object image, and controls the preprocess circuit  14 , A/D converting circuit  15  and digital processing circuit  16  to perform various kinds of image signal processing on the image signals to create image data in a predetermined form.  
     [0107] Image signals are obtained by the image pickup element  13 , and predetermined signal processing is performed on the image signals by the preprocess circuit  14 . Then, the imaging signals are converted to digital signals by the A/D converting circuit  15 . Then, the digital processing circuit  16  performs various kinds of signal processing on the image signals, such as signal processing for creating image data for recording in a form best suited to recording (such as compressed image data), for decompressing image data for recording (compressed data) read from the recording medium  33 , which will be described later, and for converting the image data to electric signals in a predetermined form. In other words, the digital processing circuit  16  acts as a unit for compressing image signals and/or decompressing unit for decompressing image data recorded in an applicable recording medium to image data for printing in a form compliant with the image printer.  
     [0108] The created image data in various forms are output to the image printer  50  through the display apparatus  30 , memory controller  22 , recording medium  33 , connection interface  35  and camera side connection connector  34 .  
     [0109] As described above, in the image printing system according to this embodiment, the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected through a predetermined connection unit, that is, the camera side connection connector  34  and the printer side connection connector  54 .  
     [0110] In this case, when the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are directly connected, the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  can exchange various kinds of information, instruction signals, control signals and image data, which have been signal-processed into a predetermined form. Furthermore, electric power can be supplied from the image printer  50  to the digital camera  10 .  
     [0111] When the digital camera  10  operates alone, the charging control portion  36  receives electric power from the chargeable battery  37  and controls a power source system of the digital camera  10  to supply required electric power to circuit units (not shown) of the digital camera  10  (see D2 in FIGS. 2 and 3).  
     [0112] When the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected by both of the connection connectors  34  and  54 , the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  are electrically connected to the camera side power source circuit  38  and charging control portion  36  of the digital camera  10  through both of the connection connectors  34  and  54 .  
     [0113] Under this condition, the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  functions as a power source for supplying electric power to the entire image printing system including both of the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50 .  
     [0114] In other words, when the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected, and when the image printing system operates, the electric power is supplied from the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  to the camera side power source circuit  38  through both of the connection connectors  54  and  34 . Thus, the image printing system can operate. In other words, the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  acts as a main power source in the image printing system according to this embodiment.  
     [0115] Additionally, when the digital camera  10  and he image printer  50  are connected, the chargeable battery  37  can receive electric power from the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  through the charging control portion  36 . That is, the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  50  can charge the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera  10 .  
     [0116] The basic construction of the digital camera  10  has substantially the same functions as those of a conventional general digital camera.  
     [0117] Next, main components in the image printer  50  will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0118] The image printer  50  in the printing system according to this embodiment may adopt a general printing method such as a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method or an ink-jet method. In this embodiment, the image printer  50  adopts a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method including a thermal print head and an ink ribbon.  
     [0119] The image printer  50  has a paper cassette  50   d  removably attached to a body portion  50   a . The paper cassette  50   d  stores multiple pieces of predetermined print paper  100  to be supplied when a printing operation is performed as shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0120] The image printer  50  further includes an ink-ribbon cassette (not especially shown) removably attached at a predetermined position in the body portion  50   a . An ink ribbon on which a dye to be used for printing a desired image on the print paper  100  is wound about the ink-ribbon cassette for storage.  
     [0121] Therefore, the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  50  has a cassette opening  50   b  and an eject opening  50   c  at predetermined positions. The cassette opening  50   b  can accept the paper cassette  50   d . The eject opening  50   c  ejects the print paper  100  (see FIG. 1) on which a desired image has been printed by a printing operation. In addition, the body portion  50   a  has a storage opening, not shown, at a predetermined position. The storage opening is used for storing the ink-ribbon cassette into the body portion  50   b.    
     [0122] Multiple operating members  67  (those of which described are only shown) such as a printer power source operating member  67 A and a print-start operating member  67 B are provided at predetermined positions on the exterior of the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  50 . The printer power source operating member  67 A is an operating member for turning ON and OFF of the main power source. The print-start operating portion  67 B is an operating member for starting a print operation. These multiple operating members are operated by a user when the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  are connected.  
     [0123] A state indicating unit  68  is located at a predetermined position on the exterior of the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  50 . The state indicating unit  68  includes multiple light emitting diodes (LED) for indicating the state of the image printer  50 . The state indicating unit  68  indicates the operational state of the image printer by performing controls like flashing light or changing the color when light is emitted.  
     [0124] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the image printer  50  includes components such as the printer controller  51 , the printer side connection connector  54 , a connection interface  55 , a read only memory (ROM)  52 , a line buffer  53 , a head  63 , a head driving portion  62 , a thermistor  64 , an interface  65 , a ribbon driving portion  56 , an ink ribbon motor  57 , a ribbon sensor  58 , a paper driving portion  59 , a paper-feeding motor  60 , a paper-feeding sensor  61 , a timer  66 , switches, a direct-current power source control portion  70 , and the state indicating unit  68 . The printer controller  51  entirely controls the image printer  50  in connection with the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  10 . The printer side connection connector  54  is a part of the data transfer unit responsible for data transfer between the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  in connection with the camera side connection connector  34  of the digital camera  10  and is a second connection unit also acting as a power source supply unit for supplying electric power from the image printer  50  side to the digital camera  10  side. The connection interface  55  is a circuit of the data transfer unit and is provided between the printer side connection connector  54  and the printer controller  51 . The connection interface  55  transfers image data and various instruction signals. In the RON  52 , basic initial setting values (such as a printer ID and the like) relating to operations of the image printer  50  have been recorded in advance. The line buffer  53  is an internal memory for temporarily recording image data for each line transferred from the digital camera  10  and comprises a semiconductor element, for example. The head  63  is a thermal print head of a print engine including a mechanism for transferring a dye on an ink ribbon (not shown) onto the predetermined print paper  100  in accordance with received image data to print the image. The head driving portion  62  is a part of the print engine. The head driving portion  62  reads image data temporarily recorded in the line buffer  53  line by line, outputs them to the head  63  and drives and controls the head  63 . The thermistor  64  is a measuring unit for detecting a temperature of the head  63  or near the head  63 . The interface  65  converts a resistance value of the thermistor  64  to an electric signal in a predetermined form and transfers the electric signal to the printer controller  51 . The ribbon driving portion  56  controls the feeding of the ink ribbon based on the instruction signal from the printer controller  51 . The ink ribbon motor  57  feed an ink ribbon stored in the ink-ribbon cassette (not shown) as required under the control of the ribbon driving portion  56 . The ribbon sensor  58  monitors the state of the ink ribbon and the ink ribbon cassette within the image printer  50 . The paper driving portion  59  controls the feeding of the print paper  100  based on the instruction signal from the printer controller  51 . The paper-feeding motor  60  feeds the print paper  100  properly at a predetermined time by a predetermined amount at a predetermined speed under the control of the paper driving portion  59 . The paper-feeding sensor  61  monitors the state of the print paper  100  within the image printer  50 . The timer  66  is a time-keeping unit (timer unit) for measuring a predetermined time. The switches are used to generate predetermined instruction signals in connection with the operating members  67  including the printer power source operating member  67 A and the print start operating member  67 B (see FIG. 1). The switches include a power source switch  67   a  and print start switch  67   b  implemented on a circuit unit (not shown) of the image printer  50 . The direct-current power source control portion  70  acts as a power source for receiving electric power supplied from an external power source (AC), converting the electric power to voltage compliant with the circuit units (not shown) of the image printer  50 , controlling the feeding of the voltage, and supplying electric power to the entire image printing system including both of the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  when the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  are connected. The state indicating unit  68  comprises multiple light emitting diodes (LED) for indicating the state of the image printer  50 .  
     [0125] As described above, the image printer  50  does not have various component blocks, which are generally provided in a conventional image printer, such as a data converting block, a decompressing block, an image memory block and an image display block. The data converting block converts image data (RGB data) obtained by the digital camera  10  to image data for printing (CHY data) in a form best suitable for printing. The decompressing block decompresses compressed image data recorded in the recording medium  33 . The image memory block temporarily records one or multiple pieces of image data for printing. The image display block includes a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the image data to be printed and a display control circuit for controlling the display unit.  
     [0126] When the image printer  50  is used to print a desired image, the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  are directly connected. By directly connecting them, the printer controller  51  of the image printer  50  and the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  10  perform control operations in connection with each other. The functions to be implemented by the omitted component blocks are implemented by the corresponding predetermined component blocks of he digital camera  10 .  
     [0127] The image data (CMY data) for printing created by the digital camera  10  is transferred to the image printer  50  line by line or every several lines. The printer controller  51  of the image printer  50  receives the image data for printing and performs a predetermined control thereon to print the image.  
     [0128] Therefore, the image printer  50  applied in the printing system according to this embodiment cannot perform a printing operation alone and can operate only when the image printer  50  is directly connected to the digital camera  10 .  
     [0129] The printer controller  51  acts as a control unit for receiving an instruction signal and/or image data sent from the digital camera  10  through the connection interface  35  and connection connector  34  of the camera and the connection connector  54  and connection interface  55  of the printer and for controlling the printing operation of the image printer  50  based on the received instruction signal and/or image data.  
     [0130] The printer controller  51  monitors various instruction signals in accordance with the switch members corresponding to the operating member  67  on the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  50  and controls a driving circuit corresponding to the operation on the operating member  67  by a user.  
     [0131] For example, when a user manipulates the printer power source operating member  67 A, which is one of the operating members  67  of the image printer  50 , the power source switch  67   a  operates in connection thereto. Thus, an instruction signal is generated for instructing the opening or closing (ON or OFF) of the power source of the image printer  50 , and the instruction signal is transferred to the printer controller  51 . In response to this, the printer controller  51  performs a predetermined driving control.  
     [0132] For example, when a user manipulates the print start operating member  67 B, which is one of the operating members  67  of the image printer  50 , the print start switch  67   b  operates in connection thereto. Thus, a predetermined instruction signal for starting the printing operation is generated, and the instruction signal is transferred to the printer controller  51 .  
     [0133] In other words, when a user manipulates a predetermined one of the operating members  67  of the image printer  50 , a predetermined instruction signal is generated from the corresponding switch member. In response to this, the printer controller  51  performs the corresponding control. Thus, the image desired by the user can be printed.  
     [0134] The other basic construction of the image printer  50  is substantially the same as that of the conventional, general dye-sublimation thermal transfer type image printer.  
     [0135] The operation of the printing system according to this embodiment having the construction as described above will be described below.  
     [0136]FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  are flowcharts each showing an operation of the digital camera in the image printing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the digital camera. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of operations of the digital camera. FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to charging processing of operations of the digital camera.  
     [0137]FIGS. 7, 8 and  9  are flowcharts each showing an operation of the image printer in the image printing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the image printer. FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of operations of the image printer. FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to charging processing for charging a secondary battery applied to the digital camera from the printer, the operation belonging to operations of the image printer.  
     [0138] First of all, the flow of the main operation of the digital camera  10  in the image printing system will be described with reference to FIG. 4.  
     [0139] When a user manipulates a camera power source operating member  25 D of the digital camera  10 , the power source state of the digital camera  10  is switched to close (ON). Then, the instruction signal is transferred to the camera controller  17 . In response to this, the camera controller  17  performs predetermined initializing processing in the digital camera  10  at a step S 1  as shown in FIG. 4. When the initializing processing completes, the processing goes to a next step S 2 .  
     [0140] At the step S 2 , the camera controller  17  checks whether or not the digital camera  10  is connected to the image printer  50 . Here, it is checked whether the controllers  17  and  51  of the digital camera  10  and image printer  50  can be communicated through the connection interfaces  34  and  55  by connecting the camera side connection connector  34  and the printer side connection connector  54 . When it is determined that the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected, the processing goes to the next step S 3 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the digital camera  10  is not connected with the image printer  50  and is active alone, the processing goes to a step S 7 . At the step S 7 , the digital camera  10  enters general camera mode processing (step  57 ) in which a shooting operation can be performed.  
     [0141] Then, while the general camera mode processing is being performed at the step S 7 , the digital camera  10  monitors an output signal from the connection interface  35  every predetermined time and repeatedly checks whether the image printer  50  is connected or not. In this case, if it is determined that the image printer  50  is connected to the digital camera  10 , the processing goes to the step S 3  immediately.  
     [0142] At the step S 3 , the camera controller  17  performs predetermined printing processing (processing following a flowchart in FIG. 5 in detail) in the camera side. The detail of the camera side printing processing will be described later. Next, the processing goes to a step S 4 .  
     [0143] At the step S 4 , the camera controller  17  checks whether the predetermined printing processing ends or not. Here, if it is determined that printing processing ends, the processing goes to a step S 5 . If it is determined that the printing processing has not ended yet, the processing returns to the step S 3 , and the step S 3  and the subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0144] At the step S 5 , the camera controller  17  performs the predetermined charging processing (processing following the flowchart in FIG. 6 in detail) in the camera side. The detail of the camera side charging processing will be described later. Then, the processing goes to a step S 6 .  
     [0145] At the step S 6 , the camera controller  17  monitors the charging control portion  36  and checks whether or not the predetermined charging of the chargeable battery  37  has completed. Here, if it is determined that the chargeable battery  37  has been changed completely, the instruction signal indicating the completion of the charging is transferred to the printer controller  51  of the image printer  50 , and the processing including the series of steps ends. If it is determined that the charging has not been completed yet, the processing returns to the step S 5 , and the step S 5  and subsequent steps will be continued until the charging of the chargeable battery  37  has completed.  
     [0146] Next, the detail of the camera side printing processing (the step S 3  in FIG. 4) in the digital camera  10  will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.  
     [0147] As described above, at the step S 2  in FIG. 4, if it is determined that the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected, the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  10  performs the camera side printing processing (the sequence in FIG. 5, that is the step S 3  in FIG. 4).  
     [0148] In the beginning of the camera side printing processing, at a step S 11  in FIG. 5, the camera controller  17  requests a printer ID to the printer controller  51  through both of the connection interfaces  35  and  55  and both of the connection connectors  34  and  54 . In response to this, the printer controller  51  reads a predetermined printer ID from the initial setting value having been recorded in the ROM  52  in advance and sends the predetermined printer ID to the camera controller  17  (see a step S 61  in FIG. 8). Then, the processing goes to a step S 12 .  
     [0149] Here, the term, “printer ID” refers to unique information defined for identifying the kind of the image printer  50  and includes various kinds of information such as a printing resolution (dot/line), a total number of processable lines of image data, color correction data and gamma correction data.  
     [0150] In other words, in the image printing system according to this embodiment, multiple kinds of image printer  50  are connected to one specific digital camera  10  selectively to print an image. Therefore, in order to perform the printing operation, the digital camera  10  must identify the kind of the image printer connected to the digital camera  10  and create image data for printing in accordance with the specification of the image printer.  
     [0151] Therefore, if it is determined that the digital camera  10  is connected to an image printer, the digital camera  10  obtains the printer ID of the image printer  50  connected to the digital camera  10  in the beginning of the printing processing in order to print an image.  
     [0152] Because of this step, the image printing system can include any combination of the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  with no problems, and good printed results can be always obtained.  
     [0153] Next, at the step S 12 , the camera controller  17  searches multiple pieces of image data having recorded in the recording medium  33  installed in the recording medium installing portion  32  through the recording medium interface  31  and obtains information on the total number of pieces of image data, for example. Then, the processing goes to a step S 13 .  
     [0154] At the step S 13 , the camera controller  17  sets a counter, more specifically, a frame counter, for images to be printed, based on the information obtained at the step S 12 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 14 .  
     [0155] At the step S 14 , the camera controller  17  controls the display apparatus  30  through the display control circuit  29 , and the display apparatus  30  is used to display a predetermined printing menu. The printing menu is displayed based on predetermined display information having been recorded in the RON  26  or RAN  27 , for example, in advance. Then, the processing goes to a step S 15 .  
     [0156] At the step S 15 , the camera controller  17  monitors a predetermined instruction signal, that is, an instruction signals for instructing to start printing (called print start instructing signal hereinafter), from the print start switch  67   b  in response to the operation on the print start operating member  67 B of he image printer  50 . Here, the processing waits until the camera controller  17  identifies the print start instructing signal. Once the instructing signal is identified, the processing goes to a step S 16 .  
     [0157] At the step S 16 , the camera controller  17  reads a frame of image data from the recording medium  33  installed in the recording medium installing portion  32  through the recording medium interface  31 . The read image data is temporarily stored in the memory controller  22 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 17 .  
     [0158] At the step S 17 , the camera controller  17  controls the display control circuit  29  to perform predetermined signal processing on the image data read at the step S 16 . The predetermined signal processing is processing for converting the read image data to image data (image data for display) in a form best suitable for displaying the image corresponding to the image data by using the display apparatus  30 . Then, the corresponding image is displayed on the display portion of the display apparatus  30  based on the created image signals. Then, the processing goes to a step S 18 .  
     [0159] At the step S 18 , the camera controller  17  creates image data for printing by performing predetermined signal processing based on the image data having been read at the step S 16  and having been temporarily stored in the memory controller  22 . Then, the image data for printing is temporarily stored in the frame memory  23 . The signal processing to be implemented here is general signal processing for printing an image based on the image data such as data decompressing processing, color converting processing, gamma setting and line length converting processing. Then, the processing goes to a step S 19 .  
     [0160] At the step S 19 , the camera controller  17  performs processing for initializing the set value of a line counter (not shown) in the camera controller  17 . The line counter acts as a counter used for transferring image data to be printed to the image printer  50  line by line. Then, the processing waits an instruction of the request for sending image data for printing (see a step S 62  in FIG. 8, which will be described later) from the printer controller  51 . When the instruction of the request for sending image data for printing is received, the processing goes to a step S 20 .  
     [0161] At the step S 20 , the camera controller  17  reads one line of image data for printing temporarily stored in the frame memory  23  and transfers this (the one line of image data) to the printer controller  51  of the image printer  50  through the connection interface  35  and  55  and the connection connectors  34  and  54 . Here, the printer controller  51  receives the transferred data and temporarily stores the received data in the line buffer  53  (see a step S 63  in FIG. 8, the detail of which will be described later). Then, the processing goes to a step S 21 .  
     [0162] At the step S 21 , the camera controller  17  checks whether the count value of the line counter indicates the last line or not. If it is determined here that the image data transferred at that time is the last line, the processing goes to a step S 23 . If not, the processing goes to a step S 22 . At the step S 22 , subtraction processing is performed on the count value of the line counter, and the processing then returns to the step S 20 . Then, the step S 20  and subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0163] At the step S 23 , the camera controller  17  performs the subtraction processing on the count value of the frame counter. In other words, by subtracting 1 from the count value of the frame counter here, the information indicating the completion of the printing of the image corresponding to the image data of the first frame is obtained. Then, the processing goes to a step S 24 .  
     [0164] At the step S 24 , the camera controller  17  checks the count value of the frame counter in order to determine whether the printed image is of the final frame or not. If it is determined here that the printed image is not of the last frame, the processing returns to the step S 16 . Then, the step S 16  and subsequent steps are repeated until the printing of the last frame has completed. If it is determined here that the printed image is of the last frame, the printing processing having the series of the steps ends, and the processing returns to the sequence in FIG. 4 (return).  
     [0165] Next, the detail of the camera side charging processing (the step S 5  in FIG. 4) in the digital camera  10  will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.  
     [0166] As described above, if it is determined that the predetermined printing processing ends at the step S 4  in FIG. 4, the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  10  performs the camera side charging processing (the step S 5  in FIG. 4, that is the sequence in FIG. 6).  
     [0167] In the beginning of the camera side charging processing at a step S 31  in FIG. 6, the camera controller  17  first of all controls the display apparatus  30  through the display control circuit  29  to finish the display by the display portion. Then, the processing goes to a step S 32 .  
     [0168] At the step S 32 , the camera controller  17  controls to launch a charging circuit of the charging control portion  36 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 33 .  
     [0169] At the step S 33 , the camera controller  17  monitors the charging control portion  36  to monitor a state of charge of the chargeable battery  37  by the charging circuit of the charging control-portion  36 . After the series of steps ends, the processing goes to the step S 6  in FIG. 4 (return).  
     [0170] Then, as described above, the camera controller  17  checks whether the charging to the chargeable battery  37  has been completed or not at the step S 6  (in FIG. 4). If the completion of the changing is determined, the camera controller  17  transfers an instruction signal indicating the completion of the charging to the printer controller  51  of the image printer  50 . Then, this processing ends.  
     [0171] In this way, in the image printing system, after the series of the steps of the printing operation ends, the charging to the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera  10  is automatically performed. Furthermore, when the completion of the charging processing is detected, the power source of the digital camera  10  is switched off.  
     [0172] On the other hand, the flow of the main operation in the image printer  50  will be described with reference to FIG. 7.  
     [0173] When a user manipulates the printer power source operating member  67 A of the image printer  50 , an instruction signal indicating that the power source of the image printer  50  is switched to open (ON) is generated from the power source switch  67   a  in connection thereto. The instruction signal is sent to the printer controller  51 . The printer controller  51  receives the instruction signal and performs predetermined initializing processing in the image printer  50  at a step S 41  in FIG. 7. Once the initializing processing has completed, the processing goes to the next step S 42 .  
     [0174] At the step S 42 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the image printer  50  is connected to the digital camera  10 . The checking is the same processing as that of the step S 2  (see FIG. 4) in the operation sequence of the digital camera. Thus, it is checked whether or not the controllers  17  and  51  of the apparatuses  10  and  50  can communicate through the connection interfaces  34  and  55  by connecting the camera side connection connector  34  and the printer side connection connector  54 . Here, the checking is repeated until it is determined that the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  are connected. If the connection between the apparatuses  10  and  50  is determined, the processing goes to the next step S 43 . The power source of the digital camera  10  can have any state here. In other words, the image printer  50  is controlled to start the printing operation and the charging operation once the connection between the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  is determined, independently from the state of the power source of the digital camera, that is, independently from the switched state of the camera power source operating member  25 D.  
     [0175] At the step S 43 , the printer controller  51  controls the timer  66  to start the time-measuring operation by the timer  66 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 44 .  
     [0176] At the step S 44 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the print start operating member  67 B has been pressed. In this step, the printer controller  51  monitors a print start instructing signal from the print start switch  67   b  in accordance with the manipulation on the print start operating member  67 B to identify the instruction signal. Here, if the printer controller  51  cannot identify the print start instruction signal, the processing goes to a step S 51 .  
     [0177] Then, at the step S 51 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the set time of the timer  66  has passed or not (time-up). If the time is not up here, the processing returns to the step S 44 . Then, the step S 44  and subsequent steps are repeated. If the time-up is determined, it is determined that the printing operation will not be performed. Then, the processing goes to a step S 48 , that is, the charging processing.  
     [0178] In the image printing system, when the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  are connected to each other (step S 42 ), the timer  66  starts to measure time (step S 43 ). In this case, if the timer  66  measures a predetermined set time (time up) without an instruction signal from the print start switch  67   b , the charging processing is controlled to start (step S 48 ).  
     [0179] On the other hand, if the printer controller  51  identifies a predetermined print start instruction signal at the step S 44 , the processing goes to the next step S 45 .  
     [0180] At the step S 45 , the printer controller  51  performs predetermined printing processing (the detail of which are shown in the flowchart in FIG. 8) in the printer side. The detail of the printing processing in the printer will be described later. Next, the processing goes to a step S 46 .  
     [0181] At the step S 46 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the predetermined printing processing has completed or not. Here, if it is determined the completion of the printing processing, the processing goes to the next step S 48 . If it is determined that the printing processing has not been completed, the processing goes to a step S 47 . At the step S 47 , the printer controller  51  restarts the timer  66 , and the processing then returns to the step S 45 . Then, the step S 45  and subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0182] A little longer time than the time required for printing a frame of image, for example, is set as the set time of the timer here.  
     [0183] At the step S 48 , the printer controller  51  performs the charging processing (the detail of which is described in the flowchart in FIG. 9) for charging the secondary battery  37  applied to the digital camera side from the printer side. The detail of the camera side charging processing will be described later. Then, the processing goes to the next step S 49 .  
     [0184] At the step S 49 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the instruction signal indicating the completion of the charging has been transmitted from the camera controller  17 . The printer controller  51  waits until the instruction signal is received. If it is determined from the receipt of the instruction signal that the charging to the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera has completed, the processing goes to the next step S 50 .  
     [0185] At the step S 50 , the printer controller  51  controls the direct-current power source control portion  70  to perform processing for shutting off the main power source of itself (power-source shut-off processing). Then, this processing ends (return).  
     [0186] Next, the detail of the printer side printing processing (the step  645  in FIG. 7) in the image printer  50  will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.  
     [0187] As described above, when the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected, and if it is determined that the print start operating member  67 B has been manipulated at the step S 44  in FIG. 7, the printer controller  51  performs the printer side printing processing (the step S 45  in FIG. 7, that is the sequence in FIG. 8).  
     [0188] In the beginning of the printer side printing processing, at a step S 61  in FIG. 8, the printer controller  51  reads a predetermined printer ID from the RON  52  in response to a request for transmitting the printer ID (see the step S 11  in FIG. 5) from the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  10 . Then, the printer controller  51  sends the predetermined printer ID to the camera controller  17 . Then, the processing goes to the next step S 62 .  
     [0189] At the step S 62 , the printer controller  51  sends an instruction for requesting the transmission of image data for printing of the image to be printed to the camera controller  17 . In response this, the camera controller  17  transfers one line of the image data for printing to the printer controller  51  at the step S 20  in FIG. 5 as described above. Then, the processing goes to a step S 63 .  
     [0190] At the step S 63 , the printer controller  51  receives one line of the image data for printing having been transferred from the digital camera  10 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 64 .  
     [0191] At the step S 64 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not one line of the image data for printing having received at the step S 62  is image data in a normal form, that is, the printer controller  51  performs received-data checking processing on the received one line of image data for printing. Then, the processing goes to a step S 65 .  
     [0192] Then, at the step S 65 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the communication operation between the image printer  50  and the digital camera  10  has an abnormality, that is, the printer controller  51  performs communication-error checking processing. Here, if the communication error is not identified, and if the result of the data checking at the step S 64  is determined as normal, the processing goes to a step S 67 .  
     [0193] On the other hand, if the communication error is identified at the step S 65 , or if it is determined that the received data has an abnormality as a result of the data checking at the step S 64 , the processing goes to a step S 66 . At the step S 66 , the printer controller  51  sends to the camera controller  17  an instruction for requesting to send image data again. Then, the processing returns to the step S 63 , and the step S 63  and subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0194] If the received data has no abnormality and the communication operation does not have an error, and the processing goes to the step S 67 , the printer controller  51  transfers the received one line of image data for printing to the line buffer  53  at the step S 67 . Thus, the received data is temporarily recorded therein. Then, the processing goes to a step S 68 .  
     [0195] At the step S 68 , the printer controller  51  performs processing for setting a count value of a buffer counter (not shown) within the printer controller  51 . The buffer counter is used to count the number of received lines of image data for printing. After that, the processing goes to a step S 69 .  
     [0196] Next, at the step S 69 , the printer controller  51  controls the head  63  through the head driving portion  62  to start current-carrying to the head  63  (head current-carrying ON processing). After that, the processing goes to a step S 70 .  
     [0197] At the step S 70 , the printer controller  51  checks the current-carrying time to the head  63 . After a predetermined time, the processing goes to the next step S 71 .  
     [0198] At the step S 71 , the printer controller  51  controls the head  63  through the head driving portion  62  to stop the current-carrying to the head  63  (that is, the current-carrying-off processing). Then, the processing goes to a step S 72 .  
     [0199] At the step S 72 , the printer controller  51  subtracts 1 from the count value of the buffer counter. Then, the processing goes to a step S 73 .  
     [0200] At the step S 73 , the printer controller  51  controls to drive the ink ribbon motor  57  through the ribbon driving portion  56 . Thus, an amount of ink-ribbon to be supplied corresponding to the one-line of the image data for printing is transported. Then, the processing goes to a step S 74 .  
     [0201] At the step S 74 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the count value of the buffer counter is the count value indicating the last buffer or not. Here, if it is determined that the just printed image data is not the last buffer, the processing goes to a step S 75  for preparation for printing the next one line of image data.  
     [0202] Then, at the step S 75 , the printer controller  51  controls to drive the paper-feeding motor  60  through the paper driving portion  59  and performs paper-feeding processing for moving the print paper  100  by an amount corresponding to one line. Then, the processing returns to the step S 62 , and an instruction to request for transferring the next one line of image data to the camera controller  17  at the step S 62 . Then, the subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0203] On the other hand, if it is determined that the just printed image data is the last buffer at the step S 74 , it is determined that the printing processing on one predetermined image has completed by this printing processing for one line. Then, the processing goes to a step S 76 .  
     [0204] Then, at the step S 76 , the printer controller  51  controls to drive the paper-feeding motor  60  through the paper driving portion  59  and performs paper-ejecting processing for ejecting the print paper  100  to the outside of the image printer  50 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 77 .  
     [0205] Next, at the step S 77 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the just printed image data is the image data of the last frame or not. Here, if it is determined that it is not the image data of the last frame, the processing returns to the step S 62 . At the step S 62 , the printer controller sends to the camera controller  17  an instruction for requesting to transfer image data of the frame to be printed next. Then, the subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0206] At the step S 77 , if it is determined that the just printed image data is the image data of the last frame, this processing ends (return).  
     [0207] Next, the detail of the printer side charging processing the step (S 48  in FIG. 7) in the image printer  50  will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.  
     [0208] As described above, if the completion of the predetermined printing processing is determined at the step S 46  in FIG. 7, the printer controller  51  of the image printer  50  performs printer side charging processing (the step S 48  in FIG. 7, that is the sequence in FIG. 9).  
     [0209] In the beginning of the printer side charging processing, at a step S 81  in FIG. 9, the printer controller  51  controls the direct-current power source control portion  70  to activate a power source (DC 2 ) for charging, which is one of two outputs of the direct-current power source control portion  70 . Then, the charging processing ends (return). After that, the processing goes to the step S 49  shown in FIG. 7.  
     [0210] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  can connect to each other directly without a connection cable. When both of the apparatus  10  and  50  are connected, the print start operating member  67 B of the image printer  50  is only manipulated to start a printing operation. Then, recorded image data is automatically read out from the recording medium  33  attached to the digital camera  10 , and an image corresponding to the image data can be printed.  
     [0211] After the completion of the printing operation by the image printer  50 , the chargeable battery  37  (secondary battery) of the digital camera  10  is charged. Thus, the chargeable battery  37 , which is a main power source of the digital camera  10 , can be always charged. Therefore, when the digital camera  10  is not used, the digital camera  10  may be mounted at a predetermined position, that is, at the mount portion  50   d  of the image printer  50  so that the digital camera  10  can be used anytime.  
     [0212] Furthermore, when the digital camera  10  and the image printer  50  are connected, and if no instructions from the print start switch  67   b  are received for a predetermined period of time, a charging operation is controlled to automatically start. The charging operation terminates at a fully-charged state. Thus, the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera  10  can be maintained in a fully-charged condition.  
     [0213] As described above, in the image printing system according to this embodiment, the control is performed in consideration of the implementation timing of the operation for printing an image corresponding to the image data obtained by the digital camera  10  and the operation for charging the digital camera  10 . Thus, the image printing system with better operability and excellent usability can be provided.  
     [0214] While the recording medium  33  is removable in the above-described embodiment, the same effect can be obtained even when the recording medium  33  is a recording medium built in the camera. Furthermore, the chargeable battery  37  may be removable or a chargeable battery built in the camera.  
     [0215] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the invention, an image printing system for performing a printing operation and a charging operation when the digital camera and the image printer are connected can be provided which has better operability and excellent usability.  
     [0216] Next, an image printing system according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described.  
     [0217]FIG. 10 is an entire perspective showing an overview of an image printing system according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic block construction diagram showing a digital camera (electronic camera) in the image printing system. FIG. 12 is a schematic block construction diagram showing an image printer in the image printing system.  
     [0218] As shown in FIG. 10, the image printing system according to this embodiment includes two apparatuses of a digital camera (that is, electronic camera)  110 , and an image printer  150 . The digital camera  110  can obtain a desired object image as electric image signals and can record the image signals as image data in a predetermined form. The image printer  150  can print an image based on the image data obtained and recorded by the digital camera  110 .  
     [0219] The components of the digital camera  110  and image printer  150  in the image printing system according to this embodiment include the same components as those of the first embodiments, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the description below.  
     [0220] A mount portion  50   d  for the digital camera  110  is provided on the top surface of the image printer  150 . The mount portion  50   d  has a printer side connection connector  54  (that is, a second connection unit, not shown in FIG. 10, but see FIG. 12) removably connecting the image printer  150  to the digital camera  110 . Correspondingly, the digital camera  110  has on the bottom surface a camera side connection connector  34  (not shown in FIG. 10 but see FIG. 11) that is a first connection unit for removably connecting the digital camera  110  to the image printer  150 .  
     [0221] The camera side connection connector  34  (first connection unit) and the printer side connection connector  54  (second connection unit) are parts of a data transfer unit allowing both of the apparatuses to perform data communication with each other and act as a power supply unit allowing the supply of electric power from the image printer  150  side to the digital camera  110  side.  
     [0222] Thus, by mounting the digital camera  110  on the mount portion  50   d  of the image printer  150 , both of the apparatuses can be electrically connected by the first connection unit  34  and the second connection unit  54 . Thus, an image printing system of this embodiment can be obtained. Under this condition, both of the apparatuses are controlled by included control units, that is, a camera controller  17  and the printer controller  51  in connection with each other (which will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12). The camera controller  17  and the printer controller  51  can control a data transfer operation between both of the apparatuses, a printing operation by the image printer  150  and a charging operation onto the digital camera  110 .  
     [0223] Here, main components of the digital camera  110  will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.  
     [0224] Multiple operating members  25  (see FIGS. 10 and 11) are provided at predetermined positions on the top surface and back surface of the exterior of the digital camera  110  in the image printing system of this embodiment. Each of the operating members  25  is manipulated by a user of the digital camera  110  for implementing a desired operation. The operating members  25  are used to generate instruction signals for instructing various settings and operations. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the operating members  25  include  
     [0225] a release button  25 A for instructing the start of a shooting operation,  
     [0226] a mode dial  25 B for selecting and switching an operation form of the digital camera  110 ,  
     [0227] a zoom lever  25 C for varying a scale of a shooting optical system,  
     [0228] a camera power source operating member  25 D, which is an operating member for switching ON and OFF of the power source, and  
     [0229] a re-print button  25 E to be manipulated for instructing a re-printing operation. When one of the operating members  25  is manipulated, a predetermined instruction signal is generated from one of the switches  25   a ,  25   b ,  25   c ,  25   d  and  25   e  (not shown in FIG. 10 but see FIG. 11) linking to the manipulated operating member  25 . The instruction signal is transferred to the camera controller  17  through a switch controller (SW)  24  shown in FIG. 11. In response to this, the camera controller  17  implements a predetermined control.  
     [0230] The camera controller  17  functions to generally control components of the digital camera  110  and to control operations of the image printing system of the invention in connection with the printer controller  51 .  
     [0231] A display apparatus  30 , that is an image display unit, is provided at a predetermined position on the back surface of the digital camera  110 . The display surface of the display portion of the display apparatus  30  is exposed to the outside. The display apparatus  30  is a image display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the image signals obtained by the digital camera  110  and includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example.  
     [0232] A finder portion  40  is provided near the display apparatus  30 . The finder portion  40  is used to observe an object to be shot and to assist the setting of the composition for shooting. The finder  40  is a general finder including multiple optical lenses, for example.  
     [0233] An information display portion  41  is provided on the top surface of the exterior of the digital camera  110 . The information display portion  41  displays setting items in the digital camera  110  in a visually identifiable form. The information display portion  41  comprises a small-sized LCD, for example. The information display portion  41  is not shown in FIG. 11.  
     [0234]FIG. 11 shows the internal construction of the digital camera  110 . That is, the digital camera  110  includes the camera controller  17 , a shooting optical system  11 , a lens driving portion  18 , a shutter iris portion  12 , a shutter iris driving portion  19 , an image pickup element  13 , an image pickup element driving portion  20 , a timing controller  21 , a preprocess circuit  14 , an A/D converting circuit  15 , a digital processing circuit  16 , a memory controller  22 , a frame memory  23 , a display control circuit  29 , a display apparatus  30 , a recording medium interface  31 , a recording medium  33 , a recording medium installing portion  32 , firmware  28 , a read only memory (ROM)  26 , a random access memory (RAM)  27 , a camera side connection connector  34 , a connection interface  35 , a chargeable battery  37 , a charging control portion  36 , a camera side power source circuit  38 , and a strobe light emitting apparatus  40 . The camera controller  17  is a control unit for entirely controlling operations of the digital camera  110  and includes a central processing unit (CPU) having a system large scale integration (LSI), for example. The shooting optical system  11  includes multiple optical elements and gathers pencils of light from an object to form an optical object image. The lens driving portion  18  mechanically drives the shooting optical system  11  under the control of the camera controller  17 . The shutter iris portion  12  is provided on a light axis of a pencil of light passing through the shooting optical system  11  and adjusts an amount of light to be irradiated to a photoreceptive surface of the image pickup element  13 , which will be described later. The shutter iris driving portion  19  mechanically drives the shutter iris portion  12  under the control of the camera controller  17 . The image pickup element  13  comprises an optoelectronic transducer, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. The image pickup element driving portion  20  drives the image pickup element  13 . The timing controller  21  sends a synchronous signal to the image pickup element driving portion  20  to control driving timing of the image pickup element  13 . The preprocess circuit  14  performs predetermined signal processing in response to the electric signal corresponding to the object image obtained by the image pickup element  13 . The A/D converting circuit  15  converts an output (analog signal) received from the preprocess circuit  14  to a digital signal. The digital processing circuit  16  performs predetermined digital signal processing on the output (digital signal) received from the A/D converting circuit  15 . The memory controller  22  is a temporary recording unit for temporarily storing image data and various kinds of data. The frame memory  23  temporarily stores image data for printing created under the control of the camera controller  17 . The display control circuit  29  performs various kinds of signal processing relating to the display, such as processing for creating an image signal to be displayed in a form best suited for the image display by the image-display unit based on the image data obtained by the digital camera  110  or the image data recorded in the recording medium  33  (which will be described later). The display apparatus  30  is an image-display unit including a display portion for displaying image signals output from the display control circuit  29  as an image. The recording medium interface  31  is provided between the camera controller  17  and the recording medium  33  (which will be described later) and exchanges image data for recording. The recording medium  33  is a recording memory including a semiconductor memory and/or a magnetic or optical recording medium for recording image data for recording obtained by the digital camera  110  and created by predetermined signal processing. The recording medium installing portion  32  is provided between the recording medium  33  and the recording medium interface  31  and electrically connects therebetween. The firmware  28  is a memory in which operation programs for the digital camera  110  are recorded in advance. Basic initial setting values relating to operations of the digital camera  110  are recorded in the RON  26  and the RAK  27 . The camera side connection connector  34  removably connects the digital camera  110  to the image printer  150 . The connection interface  35  is a circuit in a data transfer unit and is provided between the camera side connection connector  34  and the camera controller  17 . The connection interface  35  is a data transfer unit for transferring image data and/or various instruction signals. The chargeable battery  37  is a main power source of the digital camera  110  and comprises a secondary battery. The charging control portion  36  receives a part (DC 2 ) of electric power supplied from a direct-current power source control portion  70  (which will be described later with reference to FIG. 12) of the image printer  150  to be connected to the digital camera  110  through the connection connectors  34  and  54  and charges the chargeable battery  37 . The camera side power source circuit  38  controls a part (DC 1 ) of electric power supplied from the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  150  through the connection connectors  34  and  54  to supply required electric power to the electric circuits of the digital camera  110 . The strobe light emitting apparatus  40  is an auxiliary light source for shooting.  
     [0235] The circuits in the digital camera  110  are electrically connected to the camera controller  17  through a bus line  39 . Thus, the camera controller  17  and each of the components can exchange image data and so on with each other.  
     [0236] As described above, the camera controller  17  is a control unit for entirely controlling the digital camera  110  and can control the entire image printing system when the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected. In this case, the camera controller  17  controls to send various instruction signals and/or predetermined image data to the printer controller  51  (which will be described later) for entirely control the image printer  150 .  
     [0237] In the digital camera  110 , the camera controller  17  controls the image pickup element  13  to obtain image signals representing an object image, and controls the preprocess circuit  14 , A/D converting circuit  15  and digital processing circuit  16  to perform various kinds of image signal processing on the image signals obtained by the image pickup element  13  to create image data in a predetermined form.  
     [0238] Image signals are obtained by the image pickup element  13 , and predetermined signal processing is performed on the image signals by the preprocess circuit  14 . Then, the imaging signals are converted to digital signals by the A/D converting circuit  15 . Then, the digital processing circuit  16  performs various kinds of signal processing on the image signals, such as signal processing for creating image data for recording in a form best suited to recording (such as compressed image data), for decompressing image data for recording (compressed data) read from the recording medium  33 , which will be described later, and converting the image data to electric signals in a predetermined form. In other words, the digital processing circuit  16  acts as units for compressing and/or decompressing image signals.  
     [0239] The image data in various forms, which are created in the digital processing circuit  16 , are output to predetermined components such as the display apparatus  30 , memory controller  22  and recording medium interface  31  through the display control circuit  29 , and the recording medium  33  through the recording medium installing portion  32 , and are output to the image printer  150  through the connection interface  35  and camera side connection connector  34 .  
     [0240] As described above, in the image printing system according to this embodiment, the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected through a predetermined connection unit, that is, the camera side connection connector  34  and the printer side connection connector  54 .  
     [0241] In this case, when the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are directly connected, the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  can exchange various kinds of information, instruction signals, control signals and image data signal-processed into a predetermined form. Furthermore, electric power can be supplied from the image printer  150  to the digital camera  110 .  
     [0242] When the digital camera  110  operates alone, the charging control portion  36  receives electric power from the chargeable battery  37  and controls a power source system of the digital camera  110  to supply required electric power to circuit units (not shown) of the digital camera  110  (see DC 2  in FIGS. 11 and 12).  
     [0243] When the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected by both of the connection connectors  34  and  54 , the direct-current power source control portion  70  of he image printer  150  electrically connected to the camera side power source circuit  38  and charging control portion  36  of the digital camera  110  through both of the connection connectors  34  and  54 .  
     [0244] Under this condition, the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  150  functions as a power source for supplying electric power to the entire image printing system including both of the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150 .  
     [0245] In other words, when the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected, and when the image printing system operates, the electric power is supplied from the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  150  to the camera side power source circuit  38  through both of the connection connectors  54  and  34 . Thus, the image printing system can operate. In other words, the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  150  acts as a main power source in the image printing system according to this embodiment.  
     [0246] Additionally, when the digital camera  110  and he image printer  150  are connected, the chargeable battery  37  can receive electric power from the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  150  through the charging control portion  36 . That is, the direct-current power source control portion  70  of the image printer  150  can charge the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera  110 .  
     [0247] Next, main components in the image printer  150  will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 12.  
     [0248] The image printer  150  in the printing system according to this embodiment may adopt a general printing method such as a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method or an ink-jet method. In this embodiment, the image printer  150  adopts a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method including a thermal print head and an ink ribbon.  
     [0249] The image printer  150  has a paper cassette  50   d  removably attached to a body portion  50   a . The paper cassette  50   d  stores multiple pieces of predetermined print paper  100  to be supplied when a printing operation is performed as shown in FIG. 10.  
     [0250] The image printer  150  further includes an ink-ribbon cassette (not especially shown) removably attached at a predetermined position in the body portion  50   a . An ink ribbon on which a dye to be used for printing a desired image on the print paper  100  is wound about the ink-ribbon cassette for storage.  
     [0251] Therefore, the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  150  has a cassette opening  50   b  and an eject opening  50   c  at predetermined positions. The cassette opening  50   b  can accept the paper cassette  50   d . The eject opening  50   c  ejects the print paper  100  (see FIG. 10) on which a desired image has been printed by a printing operation. In addition, the body portion  50   a  has a storage opening, not shown, at a predetermined position. The storage opening is used for storing the ink-ribbon cassette into the body portion  50   b.    
     [0252] Multiple operating members  67  (see FIG. 12, those of which described are only shown in FIG. 10 and  12 ) such as a printer power source operating member  67 A and a print-start operating member  67 B are provided at predetermined positions on the exterior of the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  150 . The printer power source operating member  67 A is an operating member for operating ON and OFF of the main power source. The print-start operating portion  67 B is an operating member for starting a print operation. These multiple operating members  67  are operated by a user when the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  are connected.  
     [0253] A state indicating unit  68  is located at a predetermined position on the exterior of the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  150 . The state indicating unit  68  includes multiple light emitting diodes (LED) for indicating the state of the image printer  150 . The state indicating unit  68  indicates the operation state of the image printer by performing controls like flashing light or changing the color when light is emitted.  
     [0254] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the image printer  150  includes components such as the printer controller  51 , the printer side connection connector  54 , a connection interface  55 , a read only memory (ROM)  52 , a line buffer  53 , a head  63 , a head driving portion  62 , a thermistor  64 , an interface  65 , a ribbon driving portion  56 , an ink ribbon motor  57 , a ribbon sensor  58 , a paper driving portion  59 , a paper-feeding motor  60 , a paper-feeding sensor  61 , a timer  66 , switches, a direct-current power source control portion  70 , and the state indicating unit  68 . The printer controller  51  entirely controls the image printer  150  in connection with the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  110 . The printer side connection connector  54  is a part of the data transfer unit responsible for data transfer between the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  in connection with the camera side connection connector  34  of the digital camera  110  and is a second connection unit also acting as a power source supply unit for supplying electric power from the image printer  150  side to the digital camera  110  side. The connection interface  55  is a circuit of the data transfer unit and is provided between the printer side connection connector  54  and the printer controller  51 . The connection interface  55  transfers image data and various instruction signals. In the ROM  52 , basic initial setting values (such as a printer ID) relating to operations of the image printer  150  have been recorded in advance. The line buffer  53  is an internal memory for temporarily recording image data for each line transferred from the digital camera  110  and comprises a semiconductor element, for example. The head  63  is a thermal print head of a print engine including a mechanism for transferring a dye on an ink ribbon (not shown) onto the predetermined print paper  100  in accordance with received image data to print the image. The head driving portion  62  is a part of the print engine. The head driving portion  62  reads image data temporarily recorded in the line buffer  53  line by line, outputs them to the head  63  and drives and controls the head  63 . The thermistor  64  is a measuring unit for detecting a temperature of the head  63  or near the head  63 . The interface  65  converts a resistance value of the thermistor  64  to an electric signal in a predetermined form and transfers the electric signal to the printer controller  51 . The ribbon driving portion  56  controls the feeding of the ink ribbon based on the instruction signal from the printer controller  51 . The ink ribbon motor  57  feed an ink ribbon stored in the ink-ribbon cassette (not shown) as required under the control of the ribbon driving portion  56 . The ribbon sensor  58  monitors the state of the ink ribbon and the ink ribbon cassette within the image printer  150 . The paper driving portion  59  controls the feeding of the print paper  100  based on the instruction signal from the printer controller  51 . The paper-feeding motor  60  feeds the print paper  100  properly at a predetermined time by a predetermined amount at a predetermined speed under the control of the paper driving portion  59 . The paper-feeding sensor  61  monitors the state of the print paper  100  within the image printer  150 . The timer  66  is a time-keeping unit (timer unit) for measuring a predetermined time. The switches are used to generate predetermined instruction signals in connection with the operating members  67  including the printer power source operating member  67 A and the print start operating member  67 B (see FIG. 10). The switches include a power source switch  67   a  and a print start switch  67   b  implemented on a circuit unit (not shown) of the image printer  150 . The direct-current power source control portion  70  acts as a power source for receiving electric power supplied from an external power source (AC), converting the electric power to voltage compliant with the circuit units (not shown) of the image printer  150 , controls the feeding of the voltage, and supplies electric power to the entire image printing system including both of the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  when the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  are connected. The state indicating unit  68  includes multiple light emitting diodes (LED) for indicating the state of the image printer  150 .  
     [0255] As described above, the image printer  150  does not have various component blocks, which are generally provided in a conventional image printer, such as a data converting block, a decompressing block, an image memory block and an image display block. The data converting block converts image data (RGB data) obtained by the digital camera  110  to image data for printing (CMY data) in a form best suitable for printing. The decompressing block decompresses compressed image data recorded in the recording medium  33 . The image memory block temporarily records one or multiple pieces of image data for printing. The image display block includes an image display unit for displaying an image corresponding to the image data to be printed and a display control circuit for controlling the display unit.  
     [0256] When the image printer  150  is used to print a desired image, the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  are connected. Under this condition, the printer controller  51  of the image printer  150  and the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  110  perform control operations in connection with each other.  
     [0257] The image data (CMY data) for printing created by the digital camera  110  is transferred to the image printer  150  line by line or every several lines. The printer controller  51  of the image printer  150  receives the image data for printing and performs a predetermined control thereon to print the image.  
     [0258] Therefore, the image printer  150  applied in the printing system according to this embodiment can operate when the image printer  150  is connected to the digital camera  110 .  
     [0259] The printer controller  51  acts as a control unit for receiving an instruction signal and/or image data sent from the digital camera  110  through the connection interface  35  and connection connector  34  of the camera and the connection connector  54  and the connection interface  55  of the printer and controlling the printing operation by the image printer  150  based on the received instruction signal and/or image data.  
     [0260] The printer controller  51  monitors various instruction signals in accordance with the switch members corresponding to the operating member  67  (such as  67 A and  67 B) on the body portion  50   a  of the image printer  150  and controls a driving circuit corresponding to the operation on the operating member  67  by a user.  
     [0261] For example, when a user manipulates the printer power source operating member  67 A, which is one of the operating member  67  of the image printer  150 , the power source switch  67   a  operates in connection thereto. Thus, an instruction signal is generated for instructing ON or OFF of the power source of the image printer  150 , and the instruction signal is transferred to the printer controller  51 . In response to this, the printer controller  51  performs a predetermined driving control.  
     [0262] For example, when a user manipulates the print start operating member  67 B, which is one of the operating members  67  of the image printer  150 , the print start switch  67   b  operates in connection thereto. Thus, a predetermined instruction signal for starting the printing operation is generated, and the instruction signal is transferred to the printer controller  51 .  
     [0263] In other words, when a user manipulates a predetermined one of the operating members  67  of the image printer  150 , a predetermined instruction signal is generated from the corresponding switch member. In response to this, the printer controller  51  performs the corresponding control. Thus, the image desired by the user can be printed.  
     [0264] The operations in the printing system according to this embodiment having the above-described construction will be described below.  
     [0265]FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts each showing an operation of the digital camera in the image printing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the digital camera. FIG. 14 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of operations of the digital camera.  
     [0266]FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts each showing an operation of the image printer in the image printing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of a main operation of the image printer. FIG. 16 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation relating to printing processing of operations of the image printer.  
     [0267] First of all, the flow of the main operation of the digital camera  110  in the image printing system will be described with reference to FIG. 13.  
     [0268] When a user manipulates a camera power source operating member  25 D of the digital camera  110 , the power source state of the digital camera  110  is switched to close (ON). Then, the instruction signal is transferred to the camera controller  17  through the switch  25   d  and the switch controller (SW)  24 . In response to this, the camera controller  17  performs predetermined initializing processing in the digital camera  110  at a step S 101  as shown in FIG. 13. When the initializing processing completes, the processing goes to the next step S 102 .  
     [0269] At the step S 102 , the camera controller  17  checks whether or not the digital camera  110  is connected to the image printer  150 . Here, it is checked whether the controllers  17  and  51  of the digital camera  110  and image printer  150  can communicate through the connection interfaces  34  and  55  by connecting the camera side connection connector  34  and the printer side connection connector  54 .  
     [0270] When it is determined that the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected, the processing goes to the next step S 103 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the digital camera  110  is not connected with the image printer  150  and is active alone, the processing goes to a step S 107 . At the step S 107 , the digital camera  110  enters general camera mode processing (step S 107 ) in which a shooting operation can be operated.  
     [0271] Then, while the general camera mode processing is being performed at the step S 107 , the digital camera  110  monitors an output signal from the connection interface  35  every predetermined time and repeatedly checks whether the image printer  150  is connected or not. In this case, if it is determined that the image printer  150  is connected to the digital camera  110 , the processing goes to the step S 103  immediately.  
     [0272] At the step S 103 , the camera controller  17  performs predetermined printing processing (processing following a flowchart in FIG. 14) in the camera side. The detail of the camera side printing processing will be described later. Next, the processing goes to a step S 104 .  
     [0273] At the step S 104 , the camera controller  17  checks whether the predetermined printing processing ends or not. Here, if it is determined that printing processing ends, the processing goes to a step S 105 . If it is determined that the printing processing has not ended yet, the processing returns to the step S 103  described above, and the subsequent processing is repeated.  
     [0274] At a step S 105 , the camera controller  17  performs the predetermined charging processing in the camera side. The camera side charging processing is general processing in a conventional digital camera, and the detail is omitted herein. Then, the processing goes to a step S 106 .  
     [0275] At the step S 106 , the camera controller  17  monitors the charging control portion  36  and checks whether or not the predetermined charging of the chargeable battery  37  has completed. Here, if it is determined that the chargeable battery  37  has been changed completely, the instruction signal indicating the completion of the charging is transferred to the printer controller  51  of the image printer  150 , and the processing including the series of steps ends. If it is determined that the charging has not been completed yet, the processing returns to the step S 105 , and the following steps will be continued until the charging of the chargeable battery  37  has completed.  
     [0276] Next, the detail of the camera side printing processing (the step S 103  in FIG. 13) in the digital camera  110  will be described below with reference to FIG. 14.  
     [0277] As described above., at the step S 102  in FIG. 13, if it is determined that the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected, the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  110  performs the camera side printing processing (the sequence in FIG. 14, that is the step S 103  in FIG. 13).  
     [0278] In the beginning of the camera side printing processing, at a step S 111  in FIG. 14, the camera controller  17  requests a printer ID to the printer controller  51  through both of the connection interfaces  35  and  55  and both of the connection connectors  34  and  54 . In response to this, the printer controller  51  reads a predetermined printer ID from the initial setting value having been recorded in the RON  52  in advance and sends the predetermined printer ID to the camera controller  17  (see a step S 161  in FIG. 16). Then, the processing goes to a step S 112 .  
     [0279] Here, the term, “printer ID” refers to unique information determined so as to identify the kind of the image printer  150  and includes various kinds of information such as a printing resolution (dot/line), a total number of processable lines of image data, color correction data and gamma correction data.  
     [0280] In other words, in the image printing system according to this embodiment, multiple kinds of image printer  150  are connected to a specific digital camera  110  selectively to print an image. Therefore, in order to perform the printing operation, the digital camera  110  must identify the kind of the image printer  150  connected to the digital camera  110  and create image data for printing in accordance with the specification of the image printer  150 .  
     [0281] Therefore, when it is determined that the digital camera  110  is connected to an image printer  150 , the digital camera  110  obtains the printer ID of the image printer  150  connected to the digital camera  110  in the beginning of the printing processing in order to print an image.  
     [0282] Since this processing is performed, the image printing system can include any combination of the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  with no problems, and good printed results can be always obtained.  
     [0283] Next, at the step S 112 , the camera controller  17  searches multiple pieces of image data having recorded in the recording medium  33  installed in the recording medium installing portion  32  through the recording medium interface  31  and obtains information such as information on the total number of pieces of image data and print history information relating to each piece of image data. Then, the processing goes to a step S 113 .  
     [0284] Here, the term, “print history information” refers to information regarding the print history, that is, information relating to the past condition of use of image data, such as “Printed” information indicating whether given image data was printed by the image printer  150  in the past or not, “Printed Date” information and “Number of Times of Printing” information if the image data was printed, “Re-printing Instruction” information for the case where reprinting is instructed. The print history information is attribute information associated with each image data.  
     [0285]FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a detail of a data file including image data to be recorded in a recording medium used in the image printing system according to this embodiment.  
     [0286] The recording medium used in the image printing system according to this embodiment stores multiple data files including image data as indicated by (A) in FIG. 17. As indicated by (B) in FIG. 17, each data file has a header portion, a thumbnail image data portion, image data portion, and End-Of-File (EOF) portion. The header portion stores information indicating the beginning of the data file. The thumbnail image data portion stores data of a reduced image of an image represented by the image data included in the data file. The image data portion stores the body of the image data. The EOF portion stores information indicating the end of the data file.  
     [0287] As indicated by (C) in FIG. 17, the header portion stores, in an encoded form, various kinds of information compliant with DPOF standard, for example, including the name of the manufacturer (maker) of the camera and the data when the file was created and also stores unique information such as the print history information.  
     [0288] On the other hand, FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a detail of another example of the data file including image data to be recorded in the recording medium used in the image printing system according to this embodiment.  
     [0289] In this example, the print history information is stored in the recording medium as another data file than the data file including multiple pieces of image data as a single data file (see (A) in FIG. 18). The print history information corresponding to the multiple data file recorded in the recording medium are listed in the single print history information file all together (see (B) in FIG. 18).  
     [0290] The print history information corresponding to each image data is stored in the recording medium when the image data is recorded therein as a data file simultaneously. Every time the image printer prints predetermined image data, the corresponding print history information is updated by the recording medium interface  31  controlled by the camera controller  17 . Therefore, in this case, the recording medium interface  31  acts as an update unit for updating print history information.  
     [0291] Referring back to FIG. 14, at the step S 113 , the camera controller  17  performs setting for specifying an image to be printed based on the information obtained at the step S 112 . The setting may be for sequentially printing an image, which is not printed at least before the print starting time. Then, the processing goes to a step S 114 .  
     [0292] At the step S 114 , the camera controller  17  controls the display apparatus  30  through the display control circuit  29 , and the display apparatus  30  is used to display a predetermined printing menu. The printing menu is displayed based on predetermined display information having been recorded in the RON  26  or RAN  27 , for example, in advance, and is a display of a guide message prompting an operation for starting printing or conditions set for the printing. For example, the display may be “Press Print Start button” and/or “Image with frame number N will be printed”. Then, the processing goes to a step S 115 .  
     [0293] Referring back to FIG. 14, at the step S 115 , the camera controller  17  monitors a predetermined instruction signal, that is, an instruction signals for instructing to start printing (called print start instructing signal hereinafter), from the print start switch  67   b  in response to the operation on the print start operating member  67 B of the image printer  150 . Here, the processing waits until the camera controller  17  identifies the print start instructing signal. Once the instructing signal is identified, the processing goes to a step S 116 .  
     [0294] At the step S 116 , the camera controller  17  reads a frame of image data from the recording medium  33  installed in the recording medium installing portion  32  through the recording medium interface  31 . The read image data is temporarily stored in the memory controller  22 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 117 .  
     [0295] At the step S 117 , the camera controller  17  controls the display control circuit  29  to perform predetermined signal processing on the image data read at the step S 116 . The predetermined signal processing is processing for converting the read image data to image data (image data for display) in a form best suitable for displaying the image corresponding to the image data by using the display apparatus  30 . Then, the corresponding image is displayed on the display portion of the display apparatus  30  based on the created image signals. Then, the processing goes to a step S 118 .  
     [0296] In the image display herein, a predetermined symbol or the like based on print history information relating to a given image is displayed on the image corresponding to image data. FIGS.  19  to  22  illustrate the display forms in this case.  
     [0297] In FIG. 19, a predetermined image is only displayed on the display portion of the display apparatus  30 . The display form indicates that the print history information corresponding to given image data has “Printed” information indicating that the image data underwent a printing operation in the past.  
     [0298] In FIG. 20, a predetermined image is displayed on the display portion of the display apparatus  30 . In this case, a symbol  101  (star in FIG. 20) indicating “Not-Printed” is displayed at a predetermined position on the predetermined image within the screen. The display form indicates that the print history information corresponding to the image data includes “Not-Printed” information indicating that no printing operations have been performed in the past.  
     [0299] In FIG. 21, a predetermined image is displayed on the display portion of the display apparatus  30 . In this case, a symbol  102  (reference numeral [ 3 ] in FIG. 21) indicating “the number of times of printing” is displayed at a predetermined position on the predetermined image within the screen. The display form indicates that the print history information corresponding to the image data includes “the number of times of printing” information indicating the number of times of printing operations in the past. The “number of times of printing” information is indicated by using a number. In the example in FIG. 21, the printing processing has been performed three times in the past.  
     [0300] In FIG. 22, a predetermined image is displayed on the display portion of the display apparatus  30 . In this case, a symbol  102  (reference numeral [ 3 ] in FIG. 22) indicating “the number of times of printing” and a frame symbol  103  around the “number of times of printing” symbol  102  are displayed at a predetermined position on the predetermined image within the screen. The display form indicates that the print history information corresponding to the image data includes “the number of times of printing” information indicating that the printing operation has performed three times in the past and information indicating that the printing is desired in accordance with the manipulation of the re-print button  25 E of the operating members  25  of the digital camera  110  by a user (that is, so-called print reservation information). When the re-printing of given image data is instructed through the re-print button  25 E, which is a manual operating unit, the image data is printed under the control of the camera controller  17  and the print controller  51  like the other image data which have not been printed before the instruction is given.  
     [0301] Referring back to FIG. 14, at the step S 118 , the camera controller  17  creates image data for printing by performing predetermined signal processing based on the image data having been read at the step S 116  and having been temporarily stored in the memory controller  22 . Then, the image data for printing is temporarily stored in the frame memory  23 . The signal processing to be implemented here is general signal processing for printing an image based on the image data such as data decompressing processing, color converting processing, gamma setting and line length converting processing. Then, the processing goes to a step S 119 .  
     [0302] At the step S 119 , the camera controller  17  performs processing for initializing the set value of a line counter (not shown) in the camera controller  17  itself. The line counter acts as a counter used for transferring image data to be printed to the image printer  150  line by line. Then, the processing waits for an instruction of the request for sending image data for printing (see a step S 162  in FIG. 16, which will be described later) from the printer controller  51 . When the instruction of the request for sending image data for printing is received, the processing goes to a step S 120 .  
     [0303] At the step S 120 , the camera controller  17  reads one line of image data for printing temporarily stored in the frame memory  23  and transfers the one line of image data to the printer controller  51  of the image printer  150  through the connection interface  35  and  55  and the connection connectors  34  and  54 . Here, the printer controller  51  receives the transferred data and temporarily stores the received data in the line buffer  53  (see a step S 163  in FIG. 16, the detail of which will be described later). Then, the processing goes to a step S 121 .  
     [0304] At the step S 121 , the camera controller  17  checks whether the count value of the line counter indicates the final line or not. If it is determined here that the image data transferred at that time is the final line, the processing goers to a step S 123 . If not, the processing goes to a step S 122 . At the step S 122 , subtraction processing is performed on the count value of the line counter, and the processing then returns to the step S 120 . Then subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0305] At the step S 123 , the camera controller  17  performs the subtraction processing on the count value of the frame counter. In other words, by subtracting 1 from the count value of the frame counter here, the information indicating the completion of the printing of the image corresponding to the image data of the first frame is obtained. Then, the processing goes to a step S 124 .  
     [0306] At the step S 124 , the camera controller  17  controls the recording medium interface  31  to perform update processing on the print history information in the recording medium  33  installed in the recording medium installing portion  32 . After that, the processing goes to the next step S 125 .  
     [0307] At the step S 125 , the camera controller  17  checks he count value of the frame counter in order to determine whether the printed image is of the final frame or not. If it is determined here that the printed image is not of the final frame, the processing returns to the step S 116 . Then, the subsequent steps are repeated until the printing of he final frame has completed. If it is determined here that he printed image is of the final frame, the printing processing having the series of the steps ends, and the processing returns to the sequence in FIG. 13 (return).  
     [0308] As described above, in the image printing system, the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera  110  is automatically charged after the completion of the printing operation including the series of steps. When the completion of the charging is detected, the power source of the digital camera  110  is controlled to switch off.  
     [0309] Next, the flow of the main operation in the image printer  150  will be described with reference to FIG. 15.  
     [0310] When a user manipulates the printer power source operating member  67 A of the image printer  150 , an instruction signal indicating that the power source of the image printer  150  is switched to open (ON) from the power source switch  67   a  in connection thereto. The instruction signal is sent to the printer controller  51 . The printer controller  51  receives the instruction signal and performs predetermining initializing processing in the image printer  150  at a step S 141  in FIG. 15. Once the initializing processing has completed, the processing goes to the next step S 142 .  
     [0311] At the step S 142 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the image printer  150  is connected to the digital camera  110 . The checking is the same processing as that of the step S 112  (see FIG. 13) in the operation sequence of the digital camera. Thus, it is checked whether or not the controllers  17  and  51  of the apparatuses  10  and  50  can communicate through the connection interfaces  34  and  55  by connecting the camera side connection connector  34  and the printer side connection connector  54 . Here, the checking is repeated until it is determined that the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  are connected. If the connection between the apparatuses  10  and  50  is determined, the processing goes to the next step S 143 .  
     [0312] The power source of the digital camera  110  can have any state here. In other words, the image printer  150  is controlled to start the printing operation and the charging operation once the connection between the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  is determined, independently from the state of the power source of the digital camera, that is, independently from the switched state of the camera power source operating member  25 D.  
     [0313] At the step S 143 , the printer controller  51  controls the timer  66  to start the time-measuring operation by the timer  66 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 144 .  
     [0314] At the step S 144 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the print start operating member  67 B has been pressed. In this step, the printer controller  51  monitors a print start instructing signal from the print start switch  67   b  in accordance with the manipulation on the print start operating member  67 B to identify the instruction signal. Here, if the printer controller  51  cannot identify the print start instruction signal, the processing goes to a step S 151 .  
     [0315] Then, at the step S 151 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the set time of the timer  66  has passed or not (time-up). If the time is not up here, the processing returns to the step S 144 . Then, the subsequent steps are repeated. If the time-up is determined, it is determined that the printing operation will not be performed. Then, the processing goes to a step S 148  that is the charging processing.  
     [0316] In the image printing system, when the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  are connected to each other (step S 142 ), the timer  66  starts to measure time (step S 143 ). In this case, if the timer  66  measures a predetermined set time (time up) without an instruction signal from the print start switch  67   b , the charging processing is controlled to start (step S 148 ).  
     [0317] On the other hand, if the printer controller  51  identifies a predetermined print start instruction signal at the step S 144 , the processing goes to the next step S 145 .  
     [0318] At the step S 145 , the printer controller  51  performs predetermined printing processing (the detail of which are shown in the flowchart in FIG. 16) in the printer side. The detail of the printing processing in the printer will be described later. Next, the processing goes to a step S 146 .  
     [0319] At the step S 146 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the predetermined printing processing has completed or not. Here, if the printer controller  51  determines the completion of the printing processing, the processing goes to the next step S 148 . If the printer controller  51  determines that the printing processing has not been completed, the processing goes to a step S 147 . At the step S 147 , the printer controller  51  restarts the timer  66 , and the processing then returns to the step S 145  described above. Then, the step S 145  and subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0320] A little longer time than the time required for printing a frame of image, for example, is set as the set time of the timer here.  
     [0321] At the step S 148 , the printer controller  51  performs predetermined charging processing (the detail of which is omitted here) in the printer side. Then, the processing goes to the next step S 149 .  
     [0322] At the step S 149 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the instruction signal indicating the completion of the charging has been transmitted from the camera controller  17 . The printer controller  51  waits until the instruction signal is received. When the printer controller  51  determines from the receipt of the instruction signal that the charging to the chargeable battery  37  of the digital camera has completed, the processing goes to the next step S 150 .  
     [0323] At the step S 150 , the printer controller  51  controls the direct-current power source control portion  70  to perform processing for shutting off the main power source. Then, the processing having the series of steps ends (return).  
     [0324] Next, the detail of the printer side printing processing (the step S 145  in FIG. 15) in the image printer  150  will be described below with reference to FIG. 16.  
     [0325] As described above, when the digital camera  110  and the image printer  150  are connected, and when the printer controller  51  determines that the print start operating member  67 B has been manipulated at the step S 144  in FIG. 15, the printer controller  51  performs the printer side printing processing (the step S 145  in FIG. 15: the sequence in FIG. 16).  
     [0326] In the beginning of the printer side printing processing, at a step S 161  in FIG. 16, the printer controller  51  reads a predetermined printer ID from the ROM  52  in response to a request for transmitting the printer ID (see the step S 111  in FIG. 14) from the camera controller  17  of the digital camera  110 . Then, the printer controller  51  sends the predetermined printer ID to the camera controller  17 . Then, the processing goes to the next step S 162 .  
     [0327] At the step S 162 , the printer controller  51  sends an instruction for requesting the transmission of image data for printing of the image to be printed to the camera controller  17 . In response this, the camera controller  17  transfers one line of the image data for printing to the printer controller  51  at the step S 120  in FIG. 14 as described above. Then, the processing goes to a step S 163 .  
     [0328] At the step S 163 , the printer controller  51  receives one line of the image data for printing having been transferred from the digital camera  110 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 164 .  
     [0329] At the step S 164 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not one line of the image data for printing having received at the step S 162  is image data in a normal form, that is, the printer controller  51  performs received-data checking processing on the received one line of image data for printing. Then, the processing goes to a step S 165 .  
     [0330] Then, at the step S 165 , the printer controller  51  checks whether or not the communication operation between the image printer  150  and the digital camera  110  has an abnormality, that is, the printer controller  51  performs communication-error checking processing. Here, if the communication error is not identified, and if the result of the data checking at the step S 164  is determined as normal, the processing goes to a step S 167 .  
     [0331] On the other hand, if the communication error is identified at the step S 165 , or if it is determined that the received data has an abnormality as a result of the data checking at the step S 164 , the processing goes to a step S 166 . At the step S 166 , the printer controller  51  sends to the camera controller  17  an instruction for requesting to send image data again. Then, the processing returns to the step S 163 , and the step S 163  and subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0332] If the received data has no abnormality and the communication operation does not have an error, and the processing goes to the step S 167 , the printer controller  51  transfers the received one line of image data for printing to the line buffer  53  at the step S 167 . Thus, the received data is temporarily recorded therein. Then, the processing goes to a step S 168 .  
     [0333] At the step S 168 , the printer controller  51  performs processing for setting a count value of a buffer counter (not shown) within the printer controller  51 . The buffer counter is used to count the number of received lines of image data for printing. After that, the processing goes to a step S 169 .  
     [0334] Next, at the step S 169 , the printer controller  51  controls the head  63  through the head driving portion  62  to start current-carrying to the head  63  (head current-carrying ON processing). After that, the processing goes to a step S 170 .  
     [0335] At the step S 170 , the printer controller  51  checks the current-carrying time to the head  63 . After a predetermined time, the processing goes to the next step S 171 .  
     [0336] At the step S 171 , the printer controller  51  controls the head  63  through the head driving portion  62  to stop the current-carrying to the head  63  (that is, the current-carrying-off processing). Then, the processing goes to a step S 172 .  
     [0337] At the step S 172 , the printer controller  51  subtracts 1 from the count value of the buffer counter. Then, the processing goes to a step S 173 .  
     [0338] At the step S 173 , the printer controller  51  controls to drive the ink-ribbon motor  57  through the ribbon driving portion  56 . Thus, an amount of ink-ribbon corresponding to the one-line of the image data for printing is transported. Then, the processing goes to a step S 174 .  
     [0339] At the step S 174 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the count value of the buffer counter is the count value indicating the last buffer or not. Here, if the printer controller  51  determines that the just printed image data is not the last buffer, the processing goes to a step S 175  in preparation for printing the next one line of image data.  
     [0340] Then, at the step S 175 , the printer controller  51  controls to drive the paper-feeding motor  60  through the paper driving portion  59  and performs paper-feeding processing for moving the print paper  100  by an amount corresponding to one line. Then, the processing returns to the step S 162 , and an instruction to request for transferring the next one line of image data is sent to the camera controller  17  at the step S 162 . Then, the subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0341] On the other hand, if the printer controller  51  determines that the just printed image data is the last buffer at the step S 174 , it is determined that the printing processing on one predetermined image has completed by this printing processing for one line. Then, the processing goes to a step S 176 .  
     [0342] Then, at the step S 176 , the printer controller  51  controls to drive the paper-feeding motor  60  through the paper driving portion  59  and performs paper-ejecting processing for ejecting the print paper  100  to the outside of the image printer  150 . Then, the processing goes to a step S 177 .  
     [0343] Next, at the step S 177 , the printer controller  51  checks whether the just printed image data is the image data of the last frame or not. Here, if the printer controller  51  determines that it is not the image data of the last frame, the processing returns to the step S 162 . At the step S 162 , the printer controller sends to the camera controller  17  an instruction for requesting to transfer image data of the frame to be printed next. Then, the subsequent steps are repeated.  
     [0344] At the step S 177 , if the printer controller  51  determines that the just printed image data is the image data of the last frame, the processing including the series of steps ends (return).  
     [0345] As described above, according to this embodiment, a user does not have to particularly perform time-consuming setting operation, for example, in order to print a desired image. A user only needs to mount the digital camera  110  including he recording medium  33  storing shot image data at a predetermined position, that is, the mount portion  50   d  of the image printer  150  and then to manipulate the print start operating member  67 B of the image printer  150 , which is an extremely simple operation. Thus, the printing result of the desired image can be obtained immediately.  
     [0346] In other words, print history information corresponding to each image data may be recorded. Then, in order to print the image, the printing can be controlled based on the print history information. Thus, the labor for the operation to be performed by a user can be saved. After the printing, the print history information is updated every time. Thus, the latest print history information can be provided together with the corresponding image data. Therefore, when a different kind of image printer is used, printing processing can be always performed based on the latest print history information.  
     [0347] The printing processing is controlled based on various kinds of information recorded in the recording medium  33 . Thus, no additional components and changes are required, and a desired effect can be obtained easily. Therefore, the process in the production does not have to be changed, which contributes to the reduction of the production costs.  
     [0348] In this embodiment, the recording medium  33  is removable, but the same effect can be obtained when the recording medium  33  is built in the camera. Furthermore, the chargeable battery  37  may be removable or may be built in the camera.  
     [0349] As described above, according to the second embodiment of the invention, the operations to be performed by a user are simplified for printing an image based on the image data shot by using a digital camera, and a desired image can be printed based on the desired image data easily and fast. Thus, the image printing system having better operability and allowing the reduction of the production cost can be provided.  
     [0350]FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of a digital camera in a printing system according to a third embodiment of the invention.  
     [0351] In FIG. 23, the digital camera  210  includes a zoom-lens system  211 , an image pickup element  212 , an image pickup circuit  213 , an A/D converter  214 , a RAM  215  as a frame buffer memory, a ROM  216 , a RON  217 , an Application Specified IC (ASIC, which is an IC designed and manufactured for a specific application)  218 , a system controller  219  as a control unit, a lens driving control circuit  220 , a lens driving portion  221 , a drive controller  222  for media such as a disk and a card, a drive  223 , such as a card slot, for various media, a recording medium  224 , an interface (I/F hereinafter)  225 , a printer connecting portion  226 , an I/F  227 , a USB input/output terminal  228 , an I/F  229 , a video input terminal  230 , a video encoder  231  as a video output circuit, a video output terminal  232 , an LCD driver  233 , an image display liquid crystal panel (LCD, hereinafter)  234  as a display portion, a data bus  235 , a strobe light emitting portion  236 , an operating portion  237 , a power source portion  238 , and an external power source input terminal  239 . The ROM  216  stores layout images as display-portion displaying data. The ROM  217  is a memory portion for storing print control data (data corresponding to operation information of a layout selecting operation and image selecting operation by a user). The ASIC  218  is an image processing IC. The recording medium  224  may be a memory disk, a memory card or the like. The I/P  225  exchanges data with a printer (see FIG. 24). The I/F  227  communicates with USB (standing for Universal Serial Bus, which is the serial interface standard)-compliant external equipment. The I/F  229  is used for inputting video signals from an external video equipment. Video signals are input (Video IN) to the video input terminal  230 . Video signals are output (Video Out) from the video output terminal  232 . The data bus  235  connects the system controller  219  and digital circuits within the digital camera. The operating portion  237  is used for performing various operations including a layout selection and image selection. In FIG. 23, the recording medium  224  can be removably attached to the digital camera  210 .  
     [0352] In this construction, a print setting display on the LCD  234  and the operating portion  237  including operating buttons corresponding to the display establish a selection operation function portion. The ROM  217  and/or the recording medium  224  establish an information recording carrier. The drive controller  222  and the drive  223  establish a print control data storage function portion.  
     [0353] The constructions of the components will be described.  
     [0354] The zoom lens system  211  optically enlarges and forms an object image, and the zoom range is controlled by the lens driving portion  221 .  
     [0355] The image pickup element  212  optoelectronically transduces an object image formed on the image pickup surface by the zoom lens system  211  and generates and outputs electric image signals (analog signals).  
     [0356] The image pickup circuit  213  controls the image pickup element  212  and performs and outputs required processing on analog signals output from the image pickup element  212 . The A/D converter  214  converts analog signals output from the image pickup circuit  213  to digital signals.  
     [0357] The RAM  215  temporarily stores image data converted by the A/D converter  214 , temporarily stores image data read from the recording medium  224  or temporarily stores data read from the ROM  216  to be displayed by the display portion.  
     [0358] The ROM  216  stores a laid-out image (layout image) to be printed, which is one of the characteristics of the invention.  
     [0359] The ROM  217  stores print control data corresponding to operation information of the layout selection operation and image selection operation, which is one of the characteristics of the invention. In other words, the ROM  217  stores data indicating which image is located at which position in which layout.  
     [0360] The ASIC  218  for image processing performs various kinds of image processing on image data stored in the RAM  215  under the control of the system controller  219 , which will be described later. The ASIC  218  performs JPEG compression and JPEG decompression on image data to be recorded in and read from the recording medium  224 , respectively, which will be described later.  
     [0361] The lens driving control circuit  220  controls the lens driving portion  221 , which will be described later, for zooming and/or auto-focusing under the control of the system controller  219 . The lens driving portion  211  drives a zoom lens and/or focus lens included in the zoom lens system  211  under the control of the lens driving control circuit  220 .  
     [0362] The drive controller  222  controls to record image data compressed in JPEG by the ASIC  219  in the recording medium  224 , which will be described later, or controls to read image data recorded in the recording medium  224 .  
     [0363] The drive  223  is electrically connected to the recording medium  224  such that the drive  223  can exchange signals with the drive controller  222 .  
     [0364] The recording medium  224  is a non-volatile recording medium in a card form, for example, which is removably connected to the drive  223 . For example, the recording medium  224  may be a flash memory such as a Smart Media (R) and a Compact Flash (R).  
     [0365] The I/F  225  exchanges signals with the printer under the control of the system controller  219 . The printer connecting portion  226  is a contact or a connection cord terminal electrically connecting to the camera connection portion  241  (in FIG. 24). The printer connecting portion  226  is connected with the camera connecting portion  241  in FIG. 24 so as to exchange signals with the printer  240 .  
     [0366] The I/F  227  exchanges signals with a USB-compliant external equipment under the control of the system controller  219 . The input/output terminal  228  is connected to the USB-compliant external equipment through a connection cord, for example, so as to allow the exchanges of signals with the I/F  227 .  
     [0367] The I/F  229  is used to input video signals from an external video equipment having a video output terminal under the control of the system controller  219 . The input terminal  230  is connected to an external video equipment such as a TV receiver and a VTR through a connection cord, for example, so as to allow the input of video signals (Video IN) to the I/F  229 .  
     [0368] The video encoder  231  outputs an image for LCD display in frame based on shot image data stored in the RAN  215  and outputs an image for LCD display in one frame for playing an image after shooting or recording. The video encoder  231  can also output video signals (Video OUT) to external video equipment, not shown, connected to the video output terminal  232 .  
     [0369] The LCD driver  233  supplies an image for LCD display in frame from the video encoder  231  to the LCD  234  together with a clock for proving the display.  
     [0370] The LCD  234  is included in the display portion for receiving an output of the video encoder  231  and displaying an image and/or information relating to the digital camera  210 .  
     [0371] The strobe light emitting portion  236  emits illumination light under the control of the system controller  219  when the intensity of an object is low and/or when an object is back-lighted.  
     [0372] The operating portion  237  includes a power-source ON/OFF unit, light-exposure starting unit (also called release unit or trigger unit), frame advancing unit, image-display ON/OFF unit and further a unit, which is one of the characteristics of the invention, for performing a layout selection operation and an image selection operation (which will be described later) to be manipulated by a user.  
     [0373] The power source portion  238  supplies power sources to components within the digital camera  210 . The external power source input terminal  239  supplies power to the power source portion  238  when the external power source input terminal  239  is connected to an external power source, not shown.  
     [0374] The system controller  219  entirely controls the digital camera  210  including the above-described components. In order to shoot or record, the system controller  219  performs display processing in response to the instruction from the operating portion  237  and controls the ASIC  218 , for example, to perform recording processing. On the other hand, the system controller  219  controls to read out and display image data recorded in the recording medium in the digital camera  210 . Furthermore, the system controller  219  has a layout control program  219   a , which is a characteristic of the invention. In the print setting mode, the system controller  219  outputs print control data corresponding to a layout selection operation and image selection operation to store the print control data in the ROM  217  and/or to store a layout image in the ROM  216 .  
     [0375] The layout control program  219   a  controls the creation, recording, erasing of print control data and the storage of a layout image in accordance with the layout selection operation and image selection operation by a user. Multiple (for example, three) layout can be selected from multiple kinds of layout. In this case, after one layout is selected and an image to be arranged in the layout is selected, the layout and the image to be arranged are registered as “Print 1”. After a second layout is selected and an image to be arranged in the layout is selected, the layout and the image to be arranged are registered as “Print 2”. After a third layout is selected and an image to be arranged in the layout is selected, the layout and the image to be arranged are registered as “Print 3”.  
     [0376] An image file shot by the digital camera  210  has a tag-structure, and information such as the name of file, shooting date, and shooting conditions including the iris and shutter speed are written in the tag when the image is recorded.  
     [0377] The layout control program  219   a  stores the registered data in the header part of the image file. Alternatively, the layout control program  219   a  stores the registered data in a file set for storing this kind of management data in a recording medium or in a memory portion within the camera. The data to be registered in the image file includes (1) a registration number (one of Print 1, 2 and 3), (2) a layout selected from multiple layout samples and (3) a position corresponding to the image file in the selected layout (or positions of images in the layout when multiple images are located separately).  
     [0378] The operating member  237  includes a power source button, a frame-advance button, a display ON/OFF button, a release button for performing a shooting operation, a menu button  341  for displaying a menu relating to the setting of the digital camera  210  on the LCD  234  for image display, a cross button  342  for moving a selectable item within the displayed menu, and a check button (OK button)  343  for confirming a selected item.  
     [0379] Next, a printer operatively connected with the digital camera  210  will be described.  
     [0380]FIG. 24 shows a block diagram of the printer in the printing system according to the third embodiment of the invention.  
     [0381] In FIG. 24, the printer  240  includes a camera connecting portion  241 , a USB port  242 , a parallel port  243 , an interface (I/F hereinafter) for connection ports  241  to  243 , a card connecting portion  245 , an I/F  246  for card connection, a DRAM  247  for storing card data, an ASIC  248  as an image processing IC, a DRAM  249  for storing print data, a print buffer  250 , a print mechanism portion  251 , a system controller  252  as a control unit, an operating portion  253 , and a display portion  254 . In this construction, a setting operation function portion includes a print setting display (that is the indication including a number of sheets to be printed, paper size, type of paper and layout form) and the indication of an input key corresponding to the display, which are manipulated through an input key of the operating portion  253  and/or a touch panel mounted to the display portion  254 . The touch panel is an input apparatus mounted on the front surface of the display such as a liquid crystal panel, and the displayed button can be pressed on the display to input in a dialog manner with the screen.  
     [0382] The constructions of the components will be described.  
     [0383] The camera connecting portion  241  is a contact or connection cord terminal for electrically connecting to the printer connecting portion  226  of the digital camera  210 .  
     [0384] The USB port  242  is used for the USB connection with a USB-compliant equipment, such as a personal computer.  
     [0385] The parallel port  243  is used for the parallel connection with an equipment, such as a personal computer, allowing the parallel transmission such as Centronics, which is a de facto standard as a connection interface for a printer.  
     [0386] The I/F  244  supplies image data received from the digital camera  210  or a personal computer through the camera connecting portion  241 , USB port  242 , or parallel port  243  to the DRAM  249  for print data storage under the control of the system controller  252  and supplies print control data to the system controller.  
     [0387] The recording medium  224  such as a Smart Media (R) and a Compact Flash (R) is inserted to and is electrically connected with the card connecting portion  245 .  
     [0388] The I/F  246  supplies image data (line data) received from the recording medium  224  through the card connecting portion  245  to the DRAM  247  for card data storage under the control of the system controller  252  and supplies print control data to the system controller.  
     [0389] The ASIC  248  for image processing performs various kinds of image processing on image data stored in the DRAM  247  for card data storage under the control of the system controller  252 , which will be described later, and performs processing for compression and decompression and processing for resizing and positioning.  
     [0390] The DRAM  249  for print data storage stores image data for printing read from the DRAM  247  for card data storage and/or image data for printing received from the digital camera  210  through the I/F  244 .  
     [0391] The print buffer  250  stores and outputs, line by line, image data for printing read from the DRAM  249  for print data storage to the print mechanism portion  251 .  
     [0392] The print mechanism portion  251  includes a head control portion, a head, a paper-carrying control portion and a paper carrying mechanism. The head control portion uses image data stored in the print buffer  250  to control the operation of the head, which will be described later, under the control of the system controller  252 , which will be described later. The head heats each heat-producing element arranged in accordance with one line of pixels and thermally transfers from an ink ribbon, which will be described later, to paper under the control of the head control portion. The paper-carrying control portion controls the paper to be delivered in synchronous with the thermal transfer by the head and with the carrying of the ink ribbon. The paper carrying mechanism comprises a motor and a roller and carries the paper under the control of the paper-carrying control portion. Paper for printing can be refilled in the print mechanism portion  251  as required, and an ink cartridge accommodating an ink-ribbon for transferring image in some colors through the head can be exchangeably attached to the print mechanism portion  251 .  
     [0393] The system controller  252  has a mechanism for controlling the entire printer  240  including the above-described circuits and recognizes operations including a number-of-sheets setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed. Furthermore the system controller  252  recognizes print control data and the set number of sheets to be printed corresponding to the operation recognized by the digital camera, the operation including a layout selection operation for selecting a desired print layout in the compliant digital camera side and an image selecting operation for selecting image data to be printed from image data stored in the applied recording medium. Then, the system controller  252  controls to print the image based on the recognition. In addition to the number of sheets to be printed, the system controller  252  can recognize the paper size, paper type and layout form set in the operating portion  253  in the same manner.  
     [0394] Alternatively, the system controller  252  has a function for controlling the entire printer  240  including the above-described circuits and recognizes operations including an operation for selecting data relating to one settings among data set in the compliant digital camera and stored in the recording medium as print control data and an operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed. The print control data represents multiple types of setting relating to combinations of print layout and respective images to be printed. Furthermore, the system controller recognizes the setting selected by the operation and the set number of sheets to be printed and controls to print an image based on the recognition.  
     [0395] The operating portion  253  is used by a user to implement various operations of the printer  240 . The operating portion  253  includes a number-of-sheets setting button  538  and a print button  531 , which is a print start operating member for instructing the start of the print operation (see FIG. 28). Furthermore, the operating portion  253  has setting buttons for the paper size, paper type, index print and Prints 1, 2 and 3.  
     [0396] The display portion  254  is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays the number of sheets to be printed set by using the number-of-sheets setting button  538  in a dot-matrix number form.  
     [0397] The printer  240  includes a power source portion, not shown, and the power source portion supplies power source to the components in the printer  240 . The power source portion is further connected to an external power source input terminal so as to supply power to the power source portion when the power source portion is connected to an external power source.  
     [0398]FIG. 25 shows a back view of the digital camera  210 . A display surface of the LCD  234  is provided on the back of the camera, and at least the menu button  341 , the cross button  342  and the check button (OK button)  343  are provided near the display surface. The menu button  341  is used for displaying a menu screen. The cross button  342  is used for moving a cursor, for selecting a desired item from the menu screen, vertically and horizontally on the menu screen. The check button  343  is used for confirming the selected item. The other power source button and/or release button are provided on the side of the camera.  
     [0399]FIGS. 26 and 27 show flowcharts of setting operations in a print setting mode, which is a characteristic of the invention, from menu items displayed when the menu button  341  shown in FIG. 25 is pressed. FIGS. 26 and 27 are originally one diagram but are divided into two diagrams because of the limited space of paper.  
     [0400] The items on the menu  260  displayed on the menu screen includes a “print setting mode” item  261  according to the invention and the other various selectable items  262 .  
     [0401] First of all, the “Print setting mode” item  261  is selected by using the cross button  342  from the multiple menu items and is confirmed by using the check button  343 . Then, a list display  263  of print setting modes having multiple (five in the figure) choices as shown in (a) in FIG. 26, a frame indication  263   a , which is a movable cursor for selecting one of the multiple choices, and a bar indication (displayed in black in the figure)  264  including a mark indication (for prompting a selecting operation) indicating a currently selectable operation button are displayed on the screen of the LCD  234 .  
     [0402] The list display  263  of choices includes, for example, five choices such as “LAYOUT”  631 , “PRINT 1”  632 , “PRINT 2”  633 , “PRINT 3”  634  and “CLEAR REGISTRATION”  635 . On the screen shown in (a) in FIG. 26, when the menu button  341  is pressed, the display returns to the menu screen displaying the menu items  261  and  262 .  
     [0403] Next, the frame indication  63   a  as a cursor is moved to “LAYOUT”  631  among multiple choices shown in (a) in FIG. 26 by using the cross button  342 , and the choice is confirmed by using the check button  343 . Then, a list display  265  of multiple (six in the figure) layouts as layout forms indicated by (b) in FIG. 26, a frame indication  265   a  as a movable cursor for selecting one of them, and a bar indication (displayed in black in the figure)  266  including indication “LAYOUT SELECTION” indicating the current state and mark indications as selectable operating button are displayed on the screen of the LCD  234 .  
     [0404] In the layout list display  265 , multiple (six in the figure) layout forms are displayed such as a One-Image-Without-Frame  651 , a One-Image-With-Frame  652 , a Two-Images-Without-Frame  653 , a Two-Images-With-Frame  654 , a Four-Images-Without-Frame  655 , and a Four-Images-With-Frame  656 , for example.  
     [0405] When the list display  265  indicted by (b) in FIG. 26 is displayed, and the frame indication  265   a  as a cursor is set at the Two-Images-With-Frame  654 , for example, among he layout forms by using the cross button  342 , and when the check button  343  is then pressed, the display shows that the layout form, Two-Images-With-Frame  654 , is selected as indicated by (c) in FIG. 26. Then, an item for prompting to select one of “Select Image” and “All Frames” appears on the display. The display includes a screen divided into two. The left side is a screen  67  indicating the two-images layout form  654  while the right side is a screen  268  having the item “Select Image”  681  indicating that a specific one image can be selected for each frame of the two-image layout form and an item “All Frames”  682  allowing the display of multiple two-image layouts combining images of two frames of all shot frames. The reference numeral  268   a  indicates a frame indication as a cursor for selection. In (c) in FIG. 26, the bar indication  269  only includes mark indications (which are marks of the menu button  341 , the up-down key of the cross button  342  and the check button  343 ). (c) in FIG. 26 shows a state where the frame indication  268   a  as a cursor is set at “Select Image” by operating-the cross button  342 .  
     [0406] When the check button  343  is pressed under the condition shown in (c) in FIG. 26, a screen  270  and a bar indication (displayed in black in the Figure)  271  are displayed on the screen of the LCD  234  as shown in (d) in FIG. 26. The screen  270  includes a specific-color indication (shaded in the figure)  270   a  as a cursor for prompting the image selection on the upper frame (position) in the TWO-IMAGE-WITH FRAME  654 . The bar indication  271  includes an indication, “SET LAYOUT” indicating the current screen state and mark indications (for prompting a selection operation) of selectable operation buttons.  
     [0407] When the check button  343  is pressed under the condition shown in (d) in FIG. 26, a screen for image selection shown in (e) in FIG. 27 is displayed for setting the image to be placed on the upper frame (position) indicated by the cursor.  
     [0408] A list display  272 , a frame indication  272   a  and a bar indication (displayed in black in the figure)  273  are displayed on the screen shown in (e) in FIG. 27 of the LCD  234 . The list display  272  includes multiple (six in the figure) images to be selected. The frame indication  272   a  is movable as a cursor for selecting an image on the list display  272 . The bar indication  273  includes an indication “SELECT IMAGE” indicating the current screen state and mark indications of selectable operation buttons.  
     [0409] When the check button  343  is pressed under the condition where the image at the upper left corner is selected in the frame indication  272   a  as shown in (e) in FIG. 27, the screen shown in (f) in FIG. 27 is displayed.  
     [0410] A screen  270  and a bar indication (displayed in black in the Figure)  271  are displayed on the screen shown in (f) in FIG. 27 of the LCD  234 . The screen  270  includes an indication of the selected image on the upper frame (position) in the TWO-IMAGE-WITH FRAME  654  and a specific-color indication (shaded in the figure)  270   a  as a cursor for prompting the image selection to the lower frame (position). The bar indication  271  includes an indication, “SET LAYOUT”, indicating the current screen state and mark indications (for prompting a selection operation) of selectable operation buttons.  
     [0411] When the check button  343  is pressed under the condition shown in (f) in FIG. 27, a screen for image selection shown in (g) in FIG. 27 is displayed for setting the image to be placed on the lower frame (position) indicated by the cursor.  
     [0412] The screen shown in (g) in FIG. 27 is the same as the screen shown in (e) in FIG. 27. A list display  272 , a frame indication  272   a  and a bar indication (displayed in black in the figure)  273  are displayed on the screen shown in (g) in FIG. 27 of the LCD  234 . The list display  272  includes multiple (six in the figure) images to be selected. The frame indication  272   a  is movable as a cursor for selecting an image on the list display  72 . The bar indication  273  includes an indication “SELECT IMAGE” indicating the current screen state and mark indications of selectable operation buttons.  
     [0413] When the check button  343  is pressed under the condition where the image at the upper right corner is selected in the frame indication  272   a  as shown in (g) in FIG. 27, the screen shown in (h) in FIG. 27 is displayed.  
     [0414] A screen  270  and a bar indication (displayed in black in the Figure)  271  are displayed on the screen shown in (h) in FIG. 27 of the LCD  234 . The screen  270  includes a display of the selected image on the upper frame (position) and display of the selected image on the lower frame (position) in the TWO-IMAGE-WITH FRAME  654 . The bar indication  271  includes mark indications (for prompting a selection operation) of selectable operation buttons.  
     [0415] When the check button  343  is pressed on the preview screen on which images are arranged as shown in (h) in FIG. 27, the layout for two-image with a frame like the screen  270  in (h) in FIG. 27 and the arranged images are registered as “Print 1”. At the same time, a message, “Registered in (Print 1)” is displayed on the screen as shown in (j) in FIG. 27.  
     [0416] Alternatively, when the menu button  341  is pressed on the preview screen on which images are arranged as shown in (h) in FIG. 27, the preview screen in (h) in FIG. 27) is cancelled, and the display returns to the selecting operation screen (as shown in (a) in FIG. 26) in the print setting mode.  
     [0417] On the other hand, when the “ALL FRAMES”  682  is selected by using the cross button  342  on the screen  268  as shown in (c) in FIG. 26 in this flow, and when the check button  343  is then pressed, the screen shown in (i) in FIG. 27 is displayed.  
     [0418] Multiple pairs of two of all shot images arranged vertically in a shooting order, for example, are formed for the TWO-IMAGE-WITH-FRAME layout  654  are displayed on the screen shown in (i) in FIG. 27. A screen  274  and a bar indication (displayed in black in the figure)  275  are displayed on the screen of the LCD  234 . The screen  274  includes overlapping multiple pairs of layout images. The bar indication  275  includes mark indications (for prompting a selecting operation) of selectable operation buttons.  
     [0419] When the check button  343  is pressed on the preview screen on which images are arranged as shown in (i) in FIG. 27, the overlapping multiple pairs of layout images for two-image with a frame as shown in (i) in FIG. 27 are registered as “Print 1”. At the same time, a message, “Registered in (Print 1)” is displayed on the screen as shown in (j) in FIG. 27.  
     [0420] Alternatively, when the menu button  341  is pressed on the preview screen on which overlapping multiple pairs of layout images are arranged as shown in (i) in FIG. 27, the preview screen in (i) in FIG. 27 is cancelled, and the display returns to the selecting operation screen (as shown in (a) in FIG. 26) in the print setting mode.  
     [0421] In the flow shown in (a) in FIG. 26 to (i) in FIG. 27, every time the check button  343  is pressed in accordance with the mark indication (for prompting an operation for selecting the check button) shown on the bar indication (displayed in black in the figure) on each of the step screens, the display moves to the next step screen sequentially. In the flow shown in (a) in FIG. 26 to (i) in FIG. 27, every time the menu button  341  is pressed in accordance with the mark indication (for prompting an operation for selecting the menu button) shown on the bar indication (displayed in black in the figure) on each of the screens shown in (b) in FIG. 26 to (d) in FIG. 26, (f) in FIG. 27, (h) in FIG. 27 and (i) in FIG. 27, the display returns to the selecting operation screen in the print setting mode as shown in (a) in FIG. 26. Thus, a consistent operation result can be obtained in accordance with the operation button.  
     [0422] After the display of the message “Registered in (Print 1)” as shown in (j) in FIG. 27, the display returns to the selecting operation screen in the print setting mode in (a) in FIG. 26 after a certain period of time. Then, the subsequent “Print 2” and “Print 3” can be registered sequentially.  
     [0423] Alternatively, after the display of the message “Registered in (Print 1)” as shown in (j) in FIG. 27, and after a certain period of time, the display can return to the normal playback screen, such as (1) the display of one image last and (2) the divisional display of the screen divided into nine boxes showing nine images from the latest image. In this case, in order to register the next “Print 2”, the menu button  341  is pressed to display the menu screen. Then, the processing for the print setting mode shown in FIG. 26 and the subsequent processing must be performed sequentially. After a proper layout and the layout image are registered in each of all registration numbers of “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” or at least one of the registration numbers, the print setting mode can be selected and be confirmed from the menu screen. Thus, the screen in (a) in FIG. 26 is displayed. Then, once one of the “Print 1”, “Print 2” 1  and “Print 3” is selected and is confirmed, the registration information (that is, the layout image” is displayed as shown in (h) in FIG. 27 if the layout and the layout image have been registered. If nothing has been registered, a message, “Nothing has been registered” may be displayed. When “CLEAR REGISTRATION” is selected and is confirmed on the screen in (a) in FIG. 26, the data registered in all of the registration numbers including “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” are cleared (initialized).  
     [0424] In this embodiment, the registration into the “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” are performed on the screen in (a) in FIG. 26. However, the registration into “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “print  3 ” may be performed separately. When the “CLEAR REGISTRATION” is selected and is determined on the screen in (a) shown in FIG. 26, the information registered in “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” is all erased (initialized). However, the information registered in each of “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” may be erased separately.  
     [0425] Next, a case will be described where an image shot in this way and the layout image registered in at least one of “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” are printed.  
     [0426] According to one aspect of this embodiment, the print setting mode is selected from the menu screen on the LCD  234 , which is a display portion in the digital camera  210  side, and one of “Print 1”, “Print 2”, “Print 3” and so on is selected and is confirmed from print setting mode screen. Then, the layout image registered for the selected one can be previewed (for checking before printing). Here, the selection state in the printer side must be synchronized also. In other words, when “Print 2” is selected in the camera, “Print 2” is automatically selected in the printer side. In this aspect, the preview can be displayed in response to an operation on the digital camera  210  side itself. When the print button  531  (see FIG. 28) is pressed in the printer  240  side while the preview is being displayed, the registered layout image is started to print.  
     [0427] According to a second aspect of this embodiment, one, for example, the “Print 1” button, of the “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” buttons provided in the printer  240 , which can exchange signals with the digital camera is pressed, the LCD  234 , which is a display portion of the digital camera  210 , can display the preview of an image in the print layout corresponding to “Print 1” under the control of the system controller  219  in response to the receipt of a signal indicating the selection corresponding to “Print 1” is performed in the digital camera  210  side. In other words, in response to the operation in the printer  240  side, the preview can be displayed on the display portion of the camera  210 . When the print button  531  (see FIG. 28) in the printer  40  side is pressed while the preview is being displayed, the printing using the registered layout image is started.  
     [0428]FIG. 28 is a plan view showing operation buttons  531  to  538  in the operating portion  53  of the printer  240 , an LED for displaying a selection result and an LCD display portion  254 .  
     [0429] The operation surface shown in FIG. 28 has a print button  531 , a paper size selection button  532 , a paper type selection button  533 , an index (list) print button  534 , a print button  535 , a print button  536 , a print button  537 , an up-down button  538 , an LCD display portion  254 , four LED&#39;s for paper size display, and three LED&#39;s for paper type display. The print button  535  is used for printing the registration information of “Print 1”. The print button  536  is used for printing the registration information of “Print 2”. The print button  537  is used for printing the registration information of “Print 3”. The up-down button  538  is used for setting a number of sheets to be printed. The LCD display portion  254  displays a number of sheets to be printed in accordance with the up-down manipulation on the number-of-sheet setting button  538 . Each of the four LED&#39;s for paper size display are provided for each size for sequentially setting and displaying one of multiple (four in the figure) different paper sizes (such as A4, Post Card, L and 2L) every time the paper size selection button  532  is pressed. Each of the three LED&#39;s for paper type display are provided for each size for sequentially setting and displaying one of multiple (three in the figure) different paper types (such as Plain Paper, Fine and Photo Paper) every time the paper type selection button  533  is pressed.  
     [0430] Four buttons including the index (list) print button  534 , Print buttons  535 ,  536  and  537  for “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” and excluding the paper size selection button  532  and the paper type selection button  533  from the paper size selection button  532 , the paper type selection button  533 , the index (list) print button  534 , and the print buttons  535 ,  536  and  537  for “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print  3 ” have LED&#39;s, respectively, for displaying that the buttons are manipulated (pressed) therein.  
     [0431] The shaded part in FIG. 28 indicates a default setting state (that is, initial state on startup). In the default setting (lighting), the print registration is “Print 1”, the paper size is “A4” and the paper type is “Photo Paper”. The LCD display portion  54  for displaying a number of sheets to be printed displays “1” by default, but “2” is set by a user as the number of sheets to be printed in the display example in FIG. 28.  
     [0432] The digital camera  210  is connected to the printer  240 . Then, when the print button  531  is pressed under the condition shown in FIG. 28, two copies of the layout image (such as two image layout with a frame in (h) in FIG. 27) registered as “Print 1” can be printed on photo paper in A4 size.  
     [0433] When the index (list) print button  534  is pressed under the condition shown in FIG. 28, the initially set (lighting) print button  535  to  537  of “Print 1” to “Print 3” can be switched to the index (list) print button  534 . Then, the index (list) print button  534  is set (lighted-up), and the thumbnail index images are created, and the index printing is forcibly performed in response to the manipulation on the print button  531 .  
     [0434] According to the image printing system of the third embodiment, the digital camera and the printer are operatively connected, and the selection of an image to be printed and the setting of the print layout can be performed in the digital camera side while the setting of the number of sheets to be printed is performed in the printer side. That is, the settings are divided between the digital camera side and the printer side. Thus, after images of various scenes were shot by a digital camera during travels or the like, the shot images to be printed and the print layout can be determined and be registered by manipulating the digital camera in a car on the return trip, for example. Then, at hone, the digital camera is connected to the printer, and the number of sheets to be printed for the registered print layout images is determined. Then, the print button is simply pressed. In this way, multiple shot images can be categorized and be organized (laid out) through the operations on the digital camera, and a highly useful printing system can be provided.  
     [0435] As described above, according to the third embodiment of the invention, an image printing system with better operability and excellent usability can be provided for performing a printing operation, a charging operation and so on when the digital camera and the image printer are connected.  
     [0436] In this embodiment, the recording medium  224  is removable, but the same effects can be obtained even when the recording medium  224  is built in the camera. Furthermore, the power source portion  238  may be a removable and chargeable battery or a chargeable battery built in the camera or may be connected to an external power source.  
     [0437] Next, (1) the construction of the image printing system, established by operatively coupling a digital camera and a printer as described above, (2) the construction of the digital camera and (3) construction of the printer compliant with the system will be functionally described.  
     [0438] (1) First of all, the construction of the image printing system, established by operatively connecting a digital camera and a printer as described above, will be described functionally.  
     [0439] (1-1) The image printing system in which a digital camera and printer including a control unit for controlling operations are operatively connected includes the digital camera including a selecting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting a desired print layout and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for storing print control data corresponding to the operation received by the selecting operation function portion in the information recording carrier under the control of the control unit and the printer including a setting operation function portion for, under the control of the control unit, receiving operations including a number-of-sheets-to-be-printed setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed and a recognition function portion for recognizing the number of sheets to be printed set by the setting operation function portion and print control data created by the digital camera side and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit.  
     [0440] In the system in which the digital camera and the printer are operatively connected, the setting operations are divided such that the selection of an image to be printed and the setting of a print layout can be performed in the camera side while the setting of the number of sheets to be printed can be performed in the printer side. The digital camera and the printer may be “operatively connected” in a radio or wired manner, by mutually transferring a recording medium or the like. The radio manner may be infrared ray communication or Bluetooth. The wired manner is communication through wires. The transfer of a medium refers to a case where a recording medium, such as a memory card, storing image data shot by the digital camera and laid out and control data is removed from the digital camera side and is inserted to the printer side so as to transfer the image data and control data to the printer.  
     [0441] The selecting operation function portion is a print setting indication and an input key or the like corresponding to the indication on a liquid crystal display portion  234  on the back of the digital camera. The term, “receiving” means that the control unit  219  recognizes a layout selecting operation and image selecting operation performed on the operating portion  237  by a user.  
     [0442] The information recording carrier refers to an internal memory (such as the ROM  217 ) and/or applied recording medium (such as a memory card).  
     [0443] The print control data is data corresponding operation information of a layout selecting operation and image selecting operation by a user and refers to data indicating the layout data to be used for actual printing, and the place and image data to be pasted in the layout.  
     [0444] The print control data storing function portion in the digital camera refers to a function portion for sending print control data to the internal memory and/or recording medium in the digital camera as data indicating control information under the control of the control unit (system controller  219 ). More specifically, the print control data storing function portion may be a circuit such as a drive controller  222 , a driver (such as a card slot) and a wire (bus) also having other functions.  
     [0445] The setting operation function portion may be print sheet(s) setting indications and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion  253  in the printer and the type of the touch panel.  
     [0446] (2) Next, the construction of the above-described digital camera will be described functionally.  
     [0447] (2-1) The digital camera includes a selecting operation function portion for, under the control of the control unit, receiving operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting a desired print layout and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for, under the control of the control unit, storing print control data corresponding to the operation received by the selecting operation function portion in a predetermined information recording carrier in a form identifiable in a printer side compliant with the digital camera.  
     [0448] (2-2) The selecting operation function portion may include a display portion for displaying the layout selecting operation and an operation key for performing a layout selecting operation corresponding to the display on the display portion.  
     [0449] This is the construction of the digital camera compliant with the above-described printer system.  
     [0450] (2-3) The print control data storing function portion may store the print control data in a memory portion as an information recording carrier built in the digital camera.  
     [0451] (2-4) Alternatively, the print control data storing function portion may store the print control data in a recording medium as an information recording carrier removably applied to the digital camera.  
     [0452] (2-5) Under the control of the control unit, the display portion may display an indication indicating a mode for performing the layout selecting operation and indications indicating other items within one display screen at the same time.  
     [0453] (2-6) Alternatively, when an operation for selecting the mode corresponding to the indication indicating the mode for performing the layout selecting operation on the selecting operation function portion, the display portion may, under the control of the control portion, then display a layout menu indication indicating a list of candidates of multiple kinds of print layout within the display screen.  
     [0454] (2-7) When an operation for selecting one print layout based on the layout menu indication is performed on the selecting operation function portion, the display portion may display, under the control of the control unit, an indication indicating the mode for operating an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be displayed in accordance with the print layout within the display screen.  
     [0455] (2-8) The display portion may display, under the control of the control unit, an indication pattern (such as “All Frames”) for indicating the selection of all images held by the digital camera and an indication pattern (such as “Select Image”) indicating the selection of a specific image from the all images as an indication indicating the mode for performing the image selecting operation within one display screen.  
     [0456] (2-9) Alternatively, the display portion may display, under the control of the control unit, an indication pattern for indicating the selection of all images held by the digital camera, an indication pattern [the right side of the screen in (c) in FIG. 26] indicating the selection of a specific image from the all images, and an indication pattern [the left side of the screen in (c) in FIG. 26] indicating one print layout selected based on the layout menu indication within one display screen at the same time.  
     [0457] (2-10) When an operation for selecting all of the images corresponding to an indication pattern indicating the selection of all images held by the digital camera is performed on the selecting operation function portion, the display portion may, under the control of the control portion, then display an indication indicating a state where all of the images are aligned sequentially at positions to be assigned on print sheets in accordance with one print layout selected based on the layout menu indication within the display screen.  
     [0458] More specifically, the indication refers to the indication (in (i) in FIG. 26) for the step following the selection of “All Frames” on the screen in (c) in FIG. 26).  
     [0459] (2-11) Alternatively, when an operation for selecting a specific image corresponding to an indication pattern indicating the selection of the specific image from all images held by the digital camera is performed on the selecting operation function portion, the display portion may display, under the control of the control unit, an indication indicating at which position of an image to be assigned on each print sheet in accordance with the print layout selected based on the layout menu indication one of the specific image is displayed within the display screen.  
     [0460] More specifically, the indication refers to the indication (in (d) in FIG. 26) for the step following the selection of “Select Image” on the screen in (c) in FIG. 26).  
     [0461] (2-12) When an operation for the mapping based on the indication indicating at which one of the positions in an arrangement of an image assigned in accordance with the selected print sheet one of the specific image is displayed is performed on the selecting operation function portion, the display portion then displays, under the control of the control unit, an image menu indication indicating a list of multiple images, which are candidate images to be arranged at one position in the display, is displayed within the display screen. [Note: Only one candidate image is applicable if the image can correspond to multiple sheets].  
     [0462] More specifically, the indication refers to the indication [in (e) in FIG. 26] for the step following the display of the arrangement in the print layout on the screen in (d) in FIG. 26).  
     [0463] (2-13) When the settings required for a layout selecting operation and image selecting operation in the selecting operation function portion completes, the control means may control the print control data storing function portion to store the completed settings in an information recording carrier and may control the display portion to display a guidance indication for typically representing the stored settings.  
     [0464] More specifically, the indication refers to the message, ‘Registered in “Print 1”’ as shown in (j) in FIG. 26.  
     [0465] (2-14) The display portion may display one indication, which is sequentially selected from prepared multiple kinds of the guidance indication every time the setting completes, within the display screen as the current indication under the control of the control unit.  
     [0466] More specifically, the indication refers to the indication, such as ‘Registered in “Print 1”’ in the beginning and ‘Registered in “Print 2”’ and ‘Registered in “Print 3”’ every time the storage setting ends, indicating the registration in one of multiple registering areas such as “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3”.  
     [0467] (2-15) The print control data storing function portion may store, under the control of the control unit, the already set information in a memory portion as a recording carrier built in the digital camera.  
     [0468] More specifically, this represents an aspect in which the registration information of “Print 1” shown in (j) in FIG. 26 is stored in the internal memory (such as the ROM  217  in the digital camera).  
     [0469] (2-16) Alternatively, the print control data storing function portion may store, under the control of the control unit, the already set information in a recording medium as an information recording carrier removably applied to the digital camera. More specifically, this represents an aspect in which the registration information of “Print 1” shown in (j) in FIG. 26 is stored in the recording medium  224  such as a memory card.  
     [0470] (3) Next, the construction of the above-described printer will be described functionally.  
     [0471] (3-1) The printer includes a setting operation function portion for receiving, under the control thereof, operations including a number-of-sheet-to-be-printed setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed, and a recognition function portion for recognizing print control data corresponding to the operation when operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting a desired print layout in a digital camera compliant therewith, and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier are received by a selecting operation function portion of the digital camera and a number of sheets to be printed set from the setting operation function portion and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit.  
     [0472] This represents the construction of the printer compliant with the image printer system described in the section (1-1).  
     [0473] An example of the setting operation function portion may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion  253  and the type of the touch panel mounted on the display portion  254 .  
     [0474] (3-2) The setting operation function portion may further receive operations including an operation for setting a print size under the control of the control unit.  
     [0475] (3-3) The setting operation function portion may further receive operations including an operation for setting Index Print under the control of the control unit.  
     [0476] The “Index Print” can be set through print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion  253  and the type of the touch panel mounted on the display portion  254 . The term, “Index Print” refers to the printing of a list of all images, which have been shot by the digital camera and been recorded, in a thumbnail (reduced image) form.  
     [0477] (3-4) The setting operation function portion may further receive operations including an operation for setting a type of print paper under the control of the control unit.  
     [0478] The “Paper Type” can be set through print setting indications and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion  253  and the type of the touch panel mounted on the display portion  254 .  
     [0479] Next, (4) the construction of the printing system in which a digital camera and a printer are operatively connected as described above, (5) the construction of the digital camera compliant with the system and (6) the construction of the printer compliant with the system will be described functionally.  
     [0480] (4) First of all, the construction of the image printing system in which a digital camera and a printer are operatively connected as described above will be described functionally and more specifically.  
     [0481] (4-1) In an image printing system in which a digital camera and printer having respective control unit for controlling operations are operatively connected, the digital camera include a selecting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including a layout selecting operation for selecting desired print layout and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for storing print control data corresponding to the operation received by the selecting operation function portion in the information recording carrier under the control of the control unit, the selecting operation function portion including a display portion for providing a display for the layout selection operation and an operation key to be used for a layout selecting operation corresponding to the display by the display portion. When the setting by a layout selecting operation and image selecting operation by the selecting operation function portion completes, the control unit controls to store the already set information in an information recording carrier by the print control data storing function portion, and the display portion displays, under the control of the control unit, one indication, which is sequentially selected from prepared multiple kinds of guidance indication every time a required setting completes, as an indication typically representing the current set information within the display screen. The printer includes a setting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including an operation for selecting one of multiple settings stored in an information recording carrier as print control data corresponding to a guidance indication typically representing a setting set in the digital camera side and a number-of-sheet-to-be-printed setting operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed and a recognition function portion for recognizing a number of sheets to be printed set by an operation by the setting operation function and one setting and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit.  
     [0482] The system in which the setting operations are divided such that the selection of an image to be printed and the setting of a print layout can be performed in the camera side while the setting of the number of sheets to be printed can be performed in the printer side is the basic type of the system described in Section (1-1), the digital camera and the printer are operatively connected. The basic system is further specifically limited to the system in which multiple combinations of images to be printed and layouts are set in the digital camera side like Print 1, Print 2 and Print 3 (which are synonymous with Registration 1 Registration 2 and Registration 3) and the combination (that is, the registration pattern) to be used for printing and the number of sheets to be printed are selected in the printer side from the multiple settings.  
     [0483] The digital camera and the printer may be “operatively connected” in a radio or wired manner, by mutually transferring a recording medium or the like, as described above. The selecting operation function portion, print control data storing function portion and information recording carrier are applied as described above.  
     [0484] For example, the display portion may be a liquid crystal display portion on the back surface (and the display portion displays print layouts and other indications for setting). The operation key may be an input key corresponding to the indications.  
     [0485] For example, the description, “the display portion displays, one indication, which is sequentially selected from prepared multiple kinds of guidance indication every time a required setting completes, as an indication typically representing the current set information within the display screen” may refer to a case where one of “Print 1”, “Print 2”, “Print 3” and so on is displayed according to one embodiment.  
     [0486] For example, the setting operation function portion may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion  253  and the type of the touch panel.  
     [0487] (5) Next, the construction of the above-described digital camera will be described functionally.  
     [0488] (5-1) The digital camera includes a selection operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including a layout selection operation for selecting a desired print layout in order to print an image by a printer compliant therewith and an image selecting operation for selecting an image to be printed from images stored in an applied information recording carrier, and a print control data storing function portion for storing, under the control of the control unit, print control data corresponding to the operation, which is received by the selecting operation function portion, in an information recording carrier. The selecting operation function portion includes a display portion for providing a display for the print layout selecting operation and an operation key used for performing a layout selecting operation corresponding to the display on the display portion. When the setting required by the layout selecting operation and image selecting operation in the selecting operation function portion completes, the control unit controls the print control data storing function portion to store the already set information in an information recording carrier. The display portion displays, under the control of the control unit, one indication, which is sequentially and automatically selected every time the setting completes among prepared multiple kinds of guidance indication, on the display screen as an indication typically indicating the set information.  
     [0489] This is a digital camera compliant with the image printing system described in Section (4-1). The selecting operation function portion, information recording carrier and print control data storing function portion are applied as described above.  
     [0490] For example, the display portion may be a liquid crystal display portion on the back surface (and the display portion displays print layouts and other indications for setting). The operation key may be an input key corresponding to the indications.  
     [0491] The description, “the setting required by the layout selecting operation and image selecting operation” refers to a series of settings for determining a layout and an image to be displayed in the layout. More specifically, the setting refers to the series of settings as shown in (a) to (i) in FIG. 26.  
     [0492] (5-2) In response to the selection of one of the multiple kinds of guidance indication on the display portion by the selecting operation function portion under the control of the control unit, and based on setting data stored in an information recording carrier by the print control data storing function portion, the display portion can provide the preview of the image in a print layout corresponding to the selected guidance indication.  
     [0493] In this aspect, when, in the digital camera side, one print setting mode is selected on the menu screen and one of “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” and so on is selected on the print setting mode screen, the preview of the respectively registered layout image can be displayed (in order to check before printing). In other words, the preview can be displayed in response to an operation in the digital camera side itself. When the print button  531  is pressed while the preview is being displayed, the registered layout image is started to print.  
     [0494] (5-3) Alternatively, in response to the receipt of a signal indicating the selection of one of the multiple kinds of guidance indication from a printer side, which can exchange signals with the digital camera, and based on setting data stored in an information recording carrier by the print control data storing function portion, the display portion may provide, under the control of the control unit, an applicable image in a print layout corresponding to the selected guidance indication.  
     [0495] In this aspect, the digital camera operatively connects to the printer, and the preview can be displayed in response to an operation in the printer side. This function is applicable to the type that the digital camera and the printer are docked.  
     [0496] The description, “a printer side, which can exchange signals with the digital camera” assumes that the digital camera and the printer are docked, for example. It also includes the case where the digital camera and the printer are connected through a wire (cable).  
     [0497] (6) Next, the construction of the above-described printer will be described functionally.  
     [0498] (6-1) The printer includes a setting operation function portion for receiving, under the control of the control unit, operations including an operation for selecting data relating to one setting of data, which is set in the digital camera compliant therewith as print control data indicating multiple kinds of setting data relating to combinations between print layouts and corresponding images to be printed and be stored in an information recording carrier, and an operation for setting a desired number of sheets to be printed, and a recognition function portion for recognizing the setting selected by an operation by the setting operation function portion and the set number of sheets to be printed and for printing an image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit thereof.  
     [0499] This is a printer compliant with the printing system described in Section (4-1).  
     [0500] The description, “operations including an operation for selecting data relating to one setting of data, which is set in the digital camera . . . and is stored in an information recording carrier” refers to a manipulation of one button of buttons “print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” provided in the printer side. Here, any method can be adopted for supplying data set and stored in the digital camera side to the printer side. Therefore, data may be transferred offline by changing the removable recording medium. Alternatively, the camera and the printer may be docked at an electric contact so as to transfer data online.  
     [0501] The setting operation function portion may be print setting indications (such as indications for a number of sheets to be printed, a paper size, a paper type and a layout form) and the input key indications corresponding to these indications in accordance with the input keys in the operating portion  253  and the type of the touch panel.  
     [0502] (6-2) One indication, which is sequentially selected from multiple kinds of guidance indication prepared in the digital camera side every time required setting completes, can be identified on the display within a display screen of the digital camera as an indication typically indicating the currently set information, and the print control data may include data relating to the association between the indication and the set information typically indicated by the indication. The setting operation function portion may further include a print form selecting function portion having operating portion, which is provided by corresponding to the multiple kinds of guidance indication, for selecting one of the combinations of the print layouts and corresponding images to be printed based on an operation thereon. When the print control data is supplied, the recognition function portion may recognize the combination of a print layout corresponding to an operated one of the operating portions of the print form selecting function portion and a corresponding images to be printed and the set number of sheets to be printed and prints the image based on the recognition under the control of the control unit thereof.  
     [0503] This aspect is applicable to the printer having buttons for selecting a layout and image in accordance with “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3”.  
     [0504] In this aspect, any method can be adopted for supplying data set and stored in the digital camera side to the printer side. Therefore, data may be transferred offline by changing the removable recording medium. Alternatively, the camera and the printer may be docked at an electric contact so as to transfer data online.  
     [0505] (6-3) In the print form selecting function portion, a specific one of the operating portions of the print form selecting function portion may be selected by default.  
     [0506] The example of this aspect is applicable to the printer in which “Print 1” is selected by default from “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3”, for example. Here, the term, “default” refers to an initial setting in software and/or hardware and especially refers to an initial setting in an item, which can be set by a user.  
     [0507] (6-4) In the print form selecting function portion, the specific one of the operating portions of the print form selecting function portion may be in a predetermined active state by default, and the other operating portions are in a predetermined inactive state.  
     [0508] The example of this aspect is applicable to a printer in which, by default, “Print 1” is selected and the light is on. The predetermined active state refers to a state where the light is on or blinks while the predetermined inactive state refers to a state where the light is off or on.  
     [0509] (6-5) Under the control of the control unit of the printer side, the print form selecting function portion may create a signal indicating the selection of one of the multiple kinds of guidance indication and supply the signal to the digital camera side. In response to the receipt of the supply of the signal, the digital camera side can provide, under the control of the control unit thereof, the preview of an applicable image in a print layout corresponding to the selected guidance indication based on setting data stored in an information recording carrier by the print control data storing function portion.  
     [0510] In this aspect, the digital camera side is caused to provide the preview display in response to an operation performed on a guidance indication such as “Print 1”, “Print 2” and “Print 3” of the printer side itself. This function assumes the case where the digital camera and the printer are docked.  
     [0511] As described above, according to the third embodiment of the invention, an image printing system can be provided in which a digital camera and a printer are operatively connected, and in which the division of the responsibility for processing relating to operation functions of steps for selecting an image to be printed for selecting a print layout and so on is optimized between the digital camera side and the printer side.