Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8139262?dq=patent:5881444
Timestamp: 2013-12-07 16:22:15
Document Index: 455116741

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003', 'application No. 2003']

Patent US8139262 - Image output apparatus and image output method for printing out the ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA terminal 102 creates setting data 400 and inputs setting data 400 into an image output apparatus 101. The image output apparatus 101 sets the initial settings, operation settings, equipment settings, etc. based on the setting data, holds the setting data, and performs various processes based on the...http://www.google.com/patents/US8139262?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8139262 - Image output apparatus and image output method for printing out the photographed image which is captured by a digital cameraPublication numberUS8139262 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/573,334Publication dateMar 20, 2012Filing dateSep 22, 2004Priority dateSep 25, 2003Also published asUS20070136208, WO2005031559A1Publication number10573334, 573334, US 8139262 B2, US 8139262B2, US-B2-8139262, US8139262 B2, US8139262B2InventorsYasuko Deushi, Mitsuhiro Hamashima, Nobuho Mori, Naoji Shibasaki, Jun YoshidaOriginal AssigneeDai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Patent Citations (71), Non-Patent Citations (19), Referenced by (2), Classifications (67), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetImage output apparatus and image output method for printing out the photographed image which is captured by a digital cameraUS 8139262 B2Abstract A terminal 102 creates setting data 400 and inputs setting data 400 into an image output apparatus 101. The image output apparatus 101 sets the initial settings, operation settings, equipment settings, etc. based on the setting data, holds the setting data, and performs various processes based on the set settings and the held setting data. In addition, the image output apparatus 101 performs a media identification process, a media reader switching process, and the like using a media detection means 117, a media reader switching means 118, and the like, and allows only the use of the insertion opening of a predetermined media reader.
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image output apparatus which can print out images photographed with a digital camera, images read by a scanner, image data recorded on a recording medium which has been brought in, image data stored in the apparatus device in advance and the like, as well as images obtained through composition and/or editing of the above described images.
BACKGROUND ART In recent years, image output apparatuses (digital photograph printing devices, etc.) have been placed and used in stores and on streets as street terminals (KIOSK terminals). These image output apparatuses read images shot with a digital camera or the like, image data recorded on a recording medium, and the like, and perform image editing, image composition, printout, etc. (refer to, for example, [Patent Document 1] and [Non-Patent Document 1]).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-46324 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-318421 Non-Patent Document 1: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., �Dejitaru-camera no susume�, [online], [searched on Dec. 1, 2002], http://www.digicamates.com/susume/index.html DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, although the conventional image output apparatus can perform a wide variety of processes as described above, at the same time, it is problematic in that changing of setting is difficult and the user (operator, etc.) experiences annoyance and inconvenience when operating the device.
For example, there is a wide variety of recording media, such as CompactFlash�, SmartMedia, Memory Sticks, SD cards, XD cards, PC cards, Floppy� disks, and optical disks (CD-ROM, etc.) Some users may not be able to differentiate between these types immediately, thus preventing smooth use of the image output apparatus.
Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the foregoing object, a first invention is an image output apparatus comprising input element for inputting an image data; output element for printing out the image data; and setting element for performing setting in relation to whether or not attribute information held by the image data is used.
The recording medium (media) is a recording medium for recording image data; for example, Smart Media, CompactFlash� cards (CF cards), Floppy� disks, PC cards, optical disks (CD-ROM, etc.), and the like.
The �supplementary memory device� is a hard disk built into the image output apparatus.
�Print-related information� is information on whether or not image data to be printed is held, user identification information, password information, and the like.
Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, an image output apparatus and the like which can enhance operational flexibility by enabling switching of various settings, prevent the occurrence of unexpected situations due to false recognition and operational errors, and in addition, improve operability, facilitate smooth use and the like can be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 Block diagram showing a configuration of an image output apparatus printing system 100 and an image output apparatus 101 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 Diagram showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 411 �EXIF information usage�.
FIG. 8 Diagram showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 412 �Subjects of operational instruction by the batch button�.
FIG. 9 Diagram showing the flow of an image output apparatus 101 process for setting item 413 �Tax rate�, setting item 414 �Taxation method�, and setting item 415 �Tax amount display�.
FIG. 10 Diagram showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 416 �Temporary display of EXIF reduced image data�.
FIG. 11 Flowchart showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 418 �Image correction pattern�.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 100: Image printing system
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of an image output apparatus and the like according to the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings. In the explanations and attached drawings, constituent elements having roughly the same functions and constructions are given the same reference numerals. Thus, redundant explanations are omitted.
The recording medium 133 is, for example, Smart Media, Compact Flash� cards (CF card), Floppy� disks, PC cards, optical disks (CD-ROM, etc), and the like.
The recording medium 103 is a medium to which setting data can be recorded; for example, a Floppy� disk or a CD-ROM.
The media reception section 202 is a reception section for various media (such as Smart Media, CompactFlash� cards (CF cards), Floppy� disks, PC cards, and optical disks (CD-ROM, etc.)). A Floppy� disk insertion opening, a CD-ROM insertion opening, a PC card insertion opening, a Smart Media insertion opening, a CompactFlash� insertion opening, and the like are placed collectively in one location. In addition, the respective main units (not shown) of the reading devices (media readers) corresponding to each of the abovementioned recording media types are placed within the main unit of the image output apparatus 101.
The setting item 401 is, for example, item 411 �Use of EXIF information�, item 412 �Subjects of operational instruction by the batch button�, item 413 �Tax rate�, item 414 �Taxation method�, item 415 �Tax amount display�, item 416 �Temporary display of EXIF reduced image data�, item 417 �Monitor resolution�, item 418 �Image correction pattern�, and the like.
The item 411 �Use of EXIF information� indicates whether or not EXIF information (date information, etc.) held by the image data is used. For example, �Use�, �Do not use�, or the like is held as setting details.
The item 412 �Subjects of operational instruction by the batch button� indicates whether to apply an instruction to increase/decrease/reset the number of prints only to the image data on the display screen or to apply the instruction to increase/decrease/reset the number of prints to not only the image data on the display screen, but all image data within the recording media as well, when the instruction to increase/decrease/reset the amount of prints is given through the batch button. For example, �Displayed image only�, �All�, or the like is held as setting details.
The batch buttons are �All +� (increase number of prints), �All −� (decrease number of prints), �All 0� (reset number of prints) buttons, and the like.
The item 413 �Tax rate� indicates the tax rate for sales tax. For example, �5%� or the like is held as setting details.
The item 414 �Taxation method� indicates the taxation method for tax. For example, �Tax-inclusive�, �Tax-exclusive�, or the like are held as setting details.
The item 415 �Tax amount display� indicates whether or not to perform screen display of the tax amount. For example, �Display on screen�, �Do not display on screen�, or the like is held as setting details.
The item 416 �Temporary display of EXIF reduced image data� indicates whether or not to enlarge and temporarily display simplified image data (EXIF reduced image data) when transitioning from a simplified image display (reduced image data) to a detailed image display (actual image data and high-quality image), because of long processing time. For example, �Display temporarily�, �Do not display temporarily�, or the like is held as setting details.
The item 417 �Monitor resolution� indicates the resolution of the monitor screen. For example, �1280�1024 (5:4)�, �1024�768 (4:3)�, or the like is held as setting details.
The item 418 �Image correction pattern� indicates the image correction attributes and the like for each image correction pattern. Brightness value, contrast, gamma value, yellow value, magenta value, cyan value, and the like are held as setting details for each image correction pattern.
The image correction patterns are, for example, patterns of shots, scenes, situations, etc., such as �Sunset�, �Night view�, �Portrait�, �Indoors�, and the like.
Next, an operation of the image output apparatus 101 for the setting item 411 �Use of EXIF information� is described with reference to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of a process of the image output apparatus 101 related to the setting item 411 �Use of EXIF information�.
Next, an operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to the setting item 412 �Subjects of operational instruction by the batch button� is described with reference to FIG. 8.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 412 �Subjects of operational instruction by the batch button�.
When the subjects of operational instruction by the batch button 806 (�All + (increase all)�), batch button 807 (�All − (decrease all)�), and batch button 808 (�All 0 (clear all�) are only the displayed image data, the image output apparatus 101 reflects the specification of the number of prints made by batch button 806 to batch button 808 on only the display image data 804, based on the settings (set settings and reference to setting data).
When the subjects of operational instruction by the batch button 806 (�All + (increase all)�), batch button 807 (�All − (decrease all)�), and batch button 808 (�All 0 (clear all�) are all the image data, the image output apparatus 101 reflects the specification of the number of prints made by batch button 806 to batch button 808 on not only the display image data 804, but also on all the image data 803, based on the settings (set settings and reference to setting data).
Next, an operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to setting item 413 �Tax rate�, setting item 414 �Taxation method�, and setting item 415 �Tax amount display� is described with reference to FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 413 �Tax rate�, setting item 414 �Taxation method�, and setting item 415 �Tax amount display�.
The display of the order details 902 in FIG. 9 is that of when the setting item 413 �Tax rate� is �5%�, the setting item 414 �Taxation method� is �Tax-exclusive�, and setting item 415 �Tax amount display� is �Display on screen�. The user can verify the tax amount, the taxation method, the tax rate, etc., by this order details 902 display.
Next, an operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to setting item 416 �Temporary display of EXIF reduced image data� is described with reference to FIG. 10.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a process performed by the image output apparatus 101 in relation to setting item 416 �Temporary display of EXIF reduced image data�.
When the user selects selected image 1003 and touches the button 1004 �detailed display� on the monitor, the image output apparatus 101 displays the detailed image 1009 on the screen 1008 on the monitor.
Next, an operation of the image output apparatus related to setting item 417 �Monitor resolution� is described.
The image output apparatus 101 sets the monitor resolution based on the settings (set settings, reference to setting data, etc.). The monitor resolution is, for example, resolution �1280�1024 (5:4)� or resolution �1024�768 (4:3)�.
Because the height and width ratio of resolution �1280�1024 (5:4)� and resolution �1024�768 (4:3)� differ, the images and text on the screen become distorted when only the monitor resolution of the personal computer is changed. Thus, distortion and changes in the size of images and text can be prevented by providing a monitor resolution setting function in the system.
Next, an operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to setting item 418 �Image correction pattern� is described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flowchart of an operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to setting item 418 �Image correction pattern�.
When the user designates an image correction pattern (scene) by touching the button 1203 on the monitor (Step 1101), the image output apparatus 101 retrieves the image correction values corresponding to the designated image correction pattern (scene) from the setting data in the memory section 302 (Step 1102). Then, the image output apparatus 101 creates corrected image data by performing image correction on the original image data based on the image correction values, and displays the corrected image 1204 on the screen 1201 of the monitor (Step 1103). The user checks the corrected image 1204 and completes the scene-specific image correction by touching the button 1205 �Set� on the monitor.
For example, when the user selects �Sunset� as the image correction pattern (scene), the image output apparatus 101 performs an image correction to give the original image an overall redness and creates the corrected image. In addition, image quality conversions to sepia, monochrome, etc. can be performed.
The image output apparatus 101 calculates the color difference between the reference pixel data and the achromatic pixel data (Step 1302) after the reference pixel 1404 which is to be achromatic (gray) is designated by the pointer 1403 and a white-balance adjustment execution instruction is received from the button 1405 �Set� (Step 1301). Then, the image output apparatus performs white-balance adjustment of the entire original image data based on the calculated color difference, and the adjusted image 1407 is displayed with the original image 1408 on the white-balance adjustment screen 1406 (post-adjustment) on the monitor (Step 1303).
The image output apparatus 101 can rotate (90� rotation to the right, etc.) the original image 1801 with the image center 1805 used as the center (point of origin) (Step 1803), rotate the image with the corner of the image (upper left apex 1806, etc.) used as the point of origin (Step 1804), and display this with the frame 1802.
The selection and setting of the media type can be selected by the user himself on the monitor screen 201 (Step 3302). For example, when the user touches the button 3401 �CD-ROM� on the touch-panel monitor screen 201, �CD-ROM� is selected and set as the input media. Furthermore, the selected and set media can be displayed on the monitor screen or indicated by voice.
In addition, the selection and setting of the media type can be made based on the shape of the user's media (outer image) or the barcode information attached to the media (Step 3303). In this case, when the user places the media near the scanner surface 203, the lens window 204, or the media detection sensor 207 and touches the button 3402 �Automatic identification� on the touch-panel monitor screen 201, the image output apparatus 101-2 (control section 301) acquires the shape of the media (outer image) or the barcode information and identifies the media type based on the media identification data (data for relating the media type with the media shape or barcode information) held in the memory section 302. Furthermore, the identified media can be displayed on the monitor screen or indicated by voice.
Furthermore, the selection and setting of the media type can be made by the specification of the model of the device which created the media (a digital camera owned by the user, etc.) or the like (Step 3304). For example, when the user touches the button 3403 �Digital camera model� on the touch-panel monitor screen 201, the image output apparatus 101-2 (control section 301) displays a list of digital camera models (not shown). When the user specifies a digital camera model, the image output apparatus 101-2 (control section 301) identifies the media type based on the media identification data (data corresponding the media type with the digital camera model) held in the memory section 302. Furthermore, the identified media can be displayed on the monitor screen or indicated by voice.
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No. 10/576,232.19 *Shibazaki Naoji, Management System for Image Data, Sep. 29, 2000, Patent Abstracts of Japan, Publication No. 2000-270149.* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8384953 *Apr 16, 2010Feb 26, 2013Ricoh Company, LimitedImage forming apparatus, information registration method, and computer program productUS20100271669 *Apr 16, 2010Oct 28, 2010Hiroshi YamaguchiImage forming apparatus, information registration method, and computer program product* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification358/1.9, 382/216, 358/1.15, 382/171, 358/1.12, 396/239, 396/216, 396/570, 396/46, 348/77, 355/40, 396/562, 355/122, 358/1.6, 358/1.13, 382/112, 358/1.16, 396/2, 396/1, 396/38, 348/64, 396/228, 396/243, 396/568, 348/143, 348/333.01, 358/1.18, 348/158, 396/116, 396/128, 355/35, 382/166, 355/126, 348/376, 355/93, 382/130, 382/164, 348/335, 358/1.17, 348/211.8, 348/373, 358/1.14, 382/144, 396/118, 358/487, 358/1.11International ClassificationG06F15/00, H04N5/44, B41J11/00, H04N1/387, B41J29/02, B41J3/44, B41J29/393Cooperative ClassificationB41J29/02, B41J29/026, B41J11/009, B41J29/393, B41J3/44, B41J11/003, H04N1/387European ClassificationB41J29/02S, B41J29/393, B41J29/02, B41J3/44, B41J11/00D1, B41J11/00U, H04N1/387Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 2, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD., JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HAMASHIMA, MITSUHIRO;YOSHIDA, JUN;SHIBASAKI, NAOJI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:017840/0148;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060320 TO 20060404Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HAMASHIMA, MITSUHIRO;YOSHIDA, JUN;SHIBASAKI, NAOJI;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060320 TO 20060404;REEL/FRAME:017840/0148RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google