JP2000105431A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system by which operability, interest, amusing property, purpose and added value or the like in photographing are enhanced by using an IC memory and a storing medium and a photographic print whose interest property and entertainment property are excellent and whose added value is enhanced is prepared. SOLUTION: A recording medium having a photographing image recording area and an additional information recording area is used, and additional information is recorded at the additional information recording area, so that the additional information is reproduced by a camera 22 at which the recording medium is attached at need. When the image recorded at the photographing image recording area is printed, the additional information recorded at the additional information recording area is automatically or selectively recorded at least on either of the front face and the rear face of a print.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a printing system, and more specifically, to output a high value-added print using a predetermined area of a storage medium such as an IC memory or a floppy disk. It relates to the printing system that has been enabled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photo prints are used for commemorating and recording trips and various events. In recent years, digital (still) cameras have also become widespread. Photos are more advantageous in terms of print quality, but
Images taken with a digital camera can be easily processed by a personal computer or the like, such as combining images and characters, adjusting the color density and scaling, etc. Is advantageous in that it can be created.

[0003] On the other hand, a so-called new photographic system has been proposed as a system capable of producing higher value-added photographic prints.
(Advanced Photo System) has been commercialized. As is well known, this new photographic system forms a magnetic recording medium outside the filming area of the film, and stores photographing information such as the type of the film, the presence or absence of strobe light emission at the time of photographing, and the C type and H type. Various information such as a print format, a shooting date and a shooting time, and a title can be recorded.

The new photographic system uses this magnetic information to develop a film in accordance with the type of the film and the photographing information, and to print and develop a print (photographic paper) to provide a higher quality photograph. Making it possible to create prints. Furthermore, according to the new photo system, 1
Changing the print format after shooting, recording the high-quality shooting date and time by arbitrarily selecting the print front and back, and printing the print front and back, which were impossible or difficult with normal photos using 35 size film etc. It is possible to arbitrarily select and record a title and the like, and it is possible to output a higher-quality and higher-value-added print than before.

However, with the diversification of user preferences, the emergence of a print system capable of outputting higher value-added prints, whether photographic prints or digital camera prints, has recently been desired. I have.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an IC
By effectively using storage media such as memories and floppy disks, the operability, hobbies, entertainment, applications, added value, etc. of photography (including imaging devices such as digital cameras) are further improved, and hobbies are also improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print system capable of creating a print with higher added value, which is excellent in entertainment and entertainment.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording medium having a photographed image recording area and an additional information recording area, and recording additional information in the additional information recording area. When necessary, the additional information is reproduced by a camera equipped with the recording medium, and when the image recorded in the photographed image recording area is printed, the additional information recording area is provided on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the print. A print system for automatically or selectively recording additional information recorded in a print system.

Further, the recording medium is a film cartridge in which an IC memory as an additional information recording area is mounted in a case for storing a photographic film as a photographed image recording area, or an image data area of a photographed image and an additional information. It is preferable that the storage medium is a storage medium which has an area and is added with information for recognizing the address of each area by the camera and / or the additional information recording means, or fixedly has information for recognizing the address of each area. Preferably, the additional information is at least one of information on a shooting location, information on a shooting target, and entertainment information.
Further, it is preferable that the additional information is recorded in the additional information recording area by at least one of recording by a print trader before photographing and recording by a camera equipped with a recording medium.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the concept of an example of the printing system of the present invention. The illustrated print system 10 is an example in which the present invention is applied to a photographic print using a photographic film, and is a case 1 for storing a film F.
A film cartridge 12 (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge 12) having an IC memory 14 mounted on the memory 2a is used. The cartridge 12 and an IC memory 14 provided by a print shop (so-called lab shop or photo shop) 16 are provided.
Reading and reading means 18 and photo printer 20, and IC
And a camera 22 having a recording and reading means 24 of the memory 14.

The recording and reading means 18 of the printing company 16
It reads information recorded in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12 and records necessary information in the IC memory 14. In this embodiment, prior to photographing the cartridge 12 onto the film F, the print shop 16 asks the customer (photographer) for the location where the photograph was taken, and according to the customer's request, information corresponding to the customer's request. 19, and is recorded as additional information in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12 by the recording / reading means 18 (see arrow a).

The database 19 is not limited to the one provided by the print service provider 16. For example, a so-called center system is used in which the database of the manufacturer of the cartridge 12 is accessed by communication means such as computer communication to obtain additional information. There may be.

The information corresponding to the shooting location is not particularly limited, and various types of information are exemplified. For example, when a customer takes a photograph on a sightseeing trip, information relating to the sights and famous places of the destination, such as the height of the mountain at the destination and the date of construction of the building, may be recorded. . Further, when a customer takes a picture at a theme park, information about characters and attractions in the theme park may be recorded. Alternatively, when the customer uses the cartridge 12 for watching sports such as baseball and soccer, information on the participating players such as player profiles and information on the stadium may be recorded. In addition, such information according to the destination includes the season,
It may be information in which seasonal items such as an event such as a month, a new year, and Christmas are added or combined.

The customer receives the cartridge 12 in which information is recorded in the IC memory 14 from the printing company 16 and
Recording and reading means 2 for reading information recorded in the IC memory 14 and recording necessary information in the IC memory 14
This cartridge 12 is loaded into a camera 22 having a built-in unit 4 and an input unit 25 for the IC memory 14 (arrow b).
) And take a picture.

The camera 22 has a preferable mode.
In addition to the recording and reading means 24 and the like, it has at least one of a display means 26 for displaying information read by the recording and reading means 24 and a reproducing means 28 for reproducing the information as audio. Various known display means such as a liquid crystal display can be used as the display means 26. In addition, the display means may be a character or an image (still image and / or moving image).
Both may be used.

[0016] Therefore, the customer can use the camera 2 if necessary.
By driving the recording / reading means 24, the display means 26, and the like, it is possible to obtain information corresponding to the imaging target. In other words, according to this aspect, it is possible to provide local detailed information corresponding to a shooting location (or surrounding area) of a customer, and it is possible to greatly improve the taste and amusement of the camera. In addition, since the customer can obtain the information of the shooting location in advance and can shoot while obtaining the information, the shooting point can be appropriately selected, and the shooting omission can be eliminated or greatly reduced.

In addition, the customer selects additional information to be reproduced in the photo print P (hereinafter, referred to as print P) from the additional information displayed and / or reproduced on the camera 22 as necessary at the time of photographing. Or, furthermore, the input position 25 of the additional information in the print P (the position of the front / back, top and bottom, etc.) is input by the input means 25 of the camera 22,
The data is stored in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12. Note that this instruction may be requested verbally or by filling in a form at the time of requesting the print creation of an image photographed on the cartridge 12.

Here, in the present embodiment, the camera 22
In the case of a camera having a built-in PS (Global Positioning System), position information such as latitude and longitude is also recorded in the IC memory 14 as additional information, and when a customer approaches a specific point suitable for shooting. Alternatively, the additional information may be automatically displayed on the display means 26 or reproduced by the reproducing means 28 to prompt the photographing. Also, if the camera 22 is a GPS
In a mode in which the camera 22 is built in,
The subject is detected from the photographing magnification, and the data is displayed on the finder or the display means 26 or the reproduction means 28 is displayed.
May be played back.

When the photographing of the cartridge 12 onto the film F is completed, the customer hands over the photographed cartridge 12 to a printing service as shown by an arrow c, and requests the photo printer 20 to create a print P.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the photo printer 20. The photo printer 20 shown in FIG. 2 photoelectrically reads an image photographed on the film F with a CCD sensor or the like, converts the image into digital image data, performs image processing by processing the image data, and outputs an image for output. This is a digital photo printer that obtains data, that is, exposure conditions, and scans and exposes a photosensitive material (printing paper) with recording light modulated according to the obtained image data to print an image.
In the printing system of the present invention, the photo printer for producing a print is not limited to a digital photo printer as shown in the figure, but is a photo printer by ordinary direct exposure in which a photosensitive material is exposed by light projected on a film F. Although a printer can be suitably used, a digital photo printer as shown in the figure is preferable in that the additional information can be easily synthesized not only on the back print but also on the print surface.

The photo printer 20 basically includes a scanner 40 that photoelectrically reads an image photographed on the film F.
And an image processing device 42 that performs image processing and the like of the read image data, and an image processing device 42 (hereinafter, a processing device 42
And a printer 44 for exposing the photosensitive material with a light beam modulated in accordance with the image data output from the printer and developing and printing the photosensitive material. The processing device 42 includes an operation system 46 having a keyboard 46a and a mouse 46b for inputting various processing selections and instructions, and a display 48 for displaying images read by the scanner 12, operation instructions, and the like. Connected.

The scanner 40 is a device that photoelectrically reads an image photographed on a film F or the like one frame at a time.
A variable aperture 52, a diffusion box 54 for making the reading light incident on the film F uniform in the surface direction of the film F, an imaging lens unit 56, R (red), G (green), and B
An image sensor 58 having a line CCD sensor corresponding to each image reading of (blue), an amplifier (amplifier) 60,
An A / D (analog / digital) converter 62 is provided.

The photo printer 20 is provided with a dedicated carrier that can be mounted on the main body of the scanner 40 in accordance with the new photographic system and the types and sizes of films such as 135 size. Filmed on film F,
An image (frame) to be used for print creation is conveyed to a predetermined reading position by this carrier. In the illustrated example, the carrier 64 corresponds to the cartridge 12 having the IC memory 14 described above.

When reading an image photographed on the film F in such a scanner 40, the reading light emitted from the light source 50 and the light amount of which is adjusted by the variable aperture 52 is moved to a predetermined reading position by the carrier 64. By entering the transmitted film F and transmitting the same, projection light carrying an image photographed on the film F is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the carrier 6
4 is a pair of transport rollers 64a and 64b for transporting the film F in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction (main scanning direction) of the line CCD sensor of the image sensor 58 while the film F is positioned at a predetermined reading position; A mask 66 having a slit 66a extending in the main scanning direction and located in correspondence with the reading position, which regulates the projection light of the film F into a slit shape.
And The film F is irradiated with the reading light while being transported in the sub-scanning direction while being positioned at the reading position by the carrier 64. As a result, the film F is two-dimensionally slit-scanned by the slit 66a extending in the main scanning direction, and the image of each frame captured on the film F is read.

As described above, the carrier 64 corresponds to the cartridge 12, and the cartridge 1
Record reading means (not shown) for reading information recorded in the second IC memory 14 and for recording necessary information is arranged. When the cartridge 12 is loaded at a predetermined position of the carrier 64, the recording and reading means reads information from the IC memory 14, sends necessary information to a predetermined portion of the image processing device 42, the printer 44, or the like. Record the required information.

As described above, the reading light passes through the film F held by the carrier 64 to become projection light for carrying an image, and is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 58 by the imaging lens unit 56. As shown in FIG. 2B, the image sensor 58 has a line C for reading an R image.
This is a three-line color CCD sensor having a CD sensor 58R, a line CCD sensor 58G for reading a G image, and a line CCD sensor 58B for reading a B image. The projection light of the film F is separated into three primary colors of R, G and B by the image sensor 58 and read photoelectrically. The output signal of the image sensor 58 is amplified by the amplifier 60, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 62, and sent to the image processing device 42.

The image processing device 42 performs a correction such as a shading correction according to the characteristics of the scanner 40 on the image data read by the scanner 40, and then converts the image data into digital image (density) data to obtain color / density data. After performing predetermined image processing such as adjustment and gradation adjustment, the printer 44
, And output image data corresponding to image recording on the display and display of an image on the display 48.

Here, when the frame to be printed is a frame for which an instruction to record the above-described additional information of the photographing location on the print surface has been received (that is, recorded in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12). Is sent from the recording and reading device of the carrier 64 to the processing device 42, where the additional information according to the customer's instruction is combined or incorporated into the image to be printed. The method of combining and incorporating images is not limited, and any known means such as a method using an overlay memory or a method of combining image data of additional information with image data of a print may be used.

The printer 44 exposes a photosensitive material (printing paper) in accordance with the supplied image data to record a latent image, and a printer (printing device) that performs a predetermined process on the exposed photosensitive material to perform printing. And a processor (developing device) that outputs P.

In the printer 44, for example, after the photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length corresponding to the print, a back print (back print) is recorded by a back print unit such as a dot impact printer or an ink ribbon printer. Next, three types of light beams of R exposure, G exposure and B exposure according to the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive material are modulated in accordance with the image data output from the processing device 42 and deflected in the main scanning direction. By transporting the photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam to record a latent image and supply the latent image to a processor.

Here, if the frame for which the print is to be made is a frame for which the above-described instruction to record the additional information corresponding to the visit destination of the customer on the back of the print has been received, the carrier 6
The instruction is sent from the recording / reading device 4 to the back print means of the printer 44, and in addition to the items normally recorded as the back print, such as the frame number, additional information corresponding to the customer's instruction is also recorded as the back print. You.

The processor that has received the photosensitive material performs a predetermined wet developing process such as color development, bleach-fixing, and washing with water.
The print P is dried, sorted into a predetermined unit such as one film, and accumulated. As described above, this print P
According to the preference of the customer, the information of the photographing place is recorded as additional information, and the print is a high value-added print having high entertainment and hobby.

In the above embodiment, the information on the photographing place is recorded in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12 as the additional information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various additional information is recorded in the IC memory 14. be able to.

As a preferred example, information on a photographing object (subject) is exemplified. In this embodiment, prior to photographing the cartridge 12 onto the film F, the printing
Asks the customer what is to be photographed, that is, what is to be photographed (subject), reads out various information corresponding to the subject from the database 19 according to the customer's request, and records and reads out the information.
The information of the subject is recorded as additional information in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12 by using.

Examples of the subject include flowers, animals, insects, and buildings. Also, as information according to the subject,
One or more of subject description data such as a subject name and characteristics, subject image feature amount data, subject image data, and the like are exemplified. Preferably, in addition to these, a program for subject recognition such as pattern matching is also recorded in the IC memory 14.

As in the previous embodiment, the customer loads the camera 12 with the cartridge 12 in which the information of the subject is recorded in the IC memory 14 as additional information. Here, in this embodiment, the camera 22 preferably has an image sensor such as a CCD sensor.

When the customer points the camera 22 at the subject, the image sensor of the camera 22 reads the subject, and the recording / reading means 24 reads information from the IC memory 14,
From the image data of the subject, the subject is recognized using the read image feature amount, image data, and the like, and the information and the image are displayed on the display unit 26 and / or reproduced by the reproduction unit 28 as sound. In this case, the recognition of the subject may be performed by using a program for recognizing the subject, or may be performed by matching between image feature amounts. In addition, it is preferable that the recognition system can be improved by setting a subject recognition area on the display unit 26.

When the customer has taken an image, the recording / reading means 24 of the camera 22 stores information for linking the frame (image) with information on the subject in the cartridge 12.
In the IC memory 14. In addition, if necessary,
The customer inputs an instruction to record the information of the subject on the print P or further inputs a recording position or the like in the print P by the input means 25 and causes the IC memory 14 to record the information.

That is, according to this aspect, when photographing an unknown subject, for example, an unknown flower at a travel destination, the customer can perform photographing after confirming the name and characteristics of the flower, and furthermore, if desired. Accordingly, the name of the flower and the like can be recorded on the print P. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to shoot while enjoying encyclopedia information,
It is possible to improve the entertainment of the camera 22 and to create a print P with high entertainment and added value in which information such as the name of the subject is recorded.

The IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12
Various types of entertainment information are also suitable as additional information to be recorded in the. In this embodiment, entertainment information as a service according to the total number of print creation requests of the customer, for example,
Prepare service data such as entertainment information such as music, paintings, photographs, new movies and the like, commercial information, game programs and the like, record them in the database 19, and, according to the customer's preference, according to the total number of requests. The service data is recorded in the IC memory 14 by the recording and reading means 18 and the cartridge 12 is delivered to the customer.

When the customer loads the cartridge 12 into the camera 22, the service data recorded in the IC memory 14 is displayed on the display means 26, or the service data is reproduced as sound by the reproduction means 28, or the display means 26 And a game using the reproducing means 28 is ready to be executed.

Also, by utilizing the recording in the IC memory 14 by the camera 22, when the next cartridge 12 is provided,
Information recorded in the IC memory 14 may be reflected. For example, the progress of the provided game may be recorded, and the continuation of the game may be recorded in the IC memory 14 next time. Alternatively, a purchase request corresponding to the provided commercial information may be recorded, and the product may be provided next time.

According to this aspect, the customer can receive a higher service in accordance with the number of print creation requests.
Can be promoted. In addition, the time vacant in a travel destination or the like can be filled with the camera 22, so that the use of the camera 22 can be expanded and the recreational performance can be greatly improved.

The IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12
As the additional information to be recorded in the, a scene shot by a customer in the past is also preferably exemplified. Also in this embodiment, prior to photographing of the cartridge 12 onto the film F, the print contractor 16 reads out information on scenes photographed by the customer in the past from the database 19 and uses the recording / reading means 18 according to the customer's request. Then, it is recorded as additional information in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12.

The scene information includes the photographed image itself, a reduced image of the photographed image, the classification of the photographed scene (person, flower, landscape, classification number by customer, etc.), the comment related to the scene, For example, information of a camera is exemplified.

As in the previous embodiment, the customer loads the cartridge 12 in which past photographing information is recorded as additional information in the IC memory 14 into the camera 22 and, if necessary, uses the recording and reading means 24 by the recording and reading means 24 during photographing. The past photographing information recorded in the memory 14 is read and displayed on the display means 26,
Alternatively, the reproduction means 28 reproduces the sound. That is, according to this aspect, the customer can perform shooting while checking a previously shot scene (image), so that re-shooting of the same scene or a similar scene can be prevented, and shooting omission can be prevented. Can be planned. Further, when the photographing has failed in the past, the photographing can be performed with reference to the image.

Further, if desired, an image photographed in the past and a newly photographed image may be combined and displayed on the display means 26, or output as a print P.

In the print system of the present invention, in addition to the above-described various information, various external information is recorded in the IC memory 14 of the cartridge 12 as additional information, and the additional information is displayed on the display means 26 or the like. Alternatively, printing can be performed by the printer 20.

For example, in an amusement park or a theme park,
When information related to a character or an attraction is transmitted by radio waves or infrared rays, this is received by the camera 22,
The recording and reading means 24 of the camera 22 causes the cartridge 1
2 may be recorded in the IC memory 14 and displayed on the display means 26 or reproduced by the reproducing means 28, or may be recorded on the print P by the printer 20. In addition, the aforementioned GPS
If the camera has a function, the movement path is stored in the IC memory 1
4, and the print agent 16 may combine it with the map to create a print showing the travel route.

In addition to this, a fax signal is received,
It may be recorded in the IC memory 14 and output as a print P. Also, specific scenes of digital cameras, televisions and videos, image data of personal computers, documents and image data of personal computers, word processors and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are recorded in the IC memory 14 and output as prints P. Good. Further, the audio data may be received by the camera 22 and output as a print P similarly.

That is, according to the present invention, in addition to the usual print creation, various information other than the photographed image can be output as the print P, and the use of the camera 22 and the photograph can be greatly expanded. . Note that, in this mode, these pieces of information may be combined with the photographed image.
Of course. Further, a header may be added to the additional information according to the type of information or the like.

In the above example, the print system of the present invention is used for producing a photographic print using the (film) cartridge 12 having the IC memory 14. However, the print system of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be suitably used for printing an image photographed using a camera (imaging device) such as a digital camera or a digital video camera.

In this example, a storage medium for recording image data of an image captured by an imaging device such as a digital camera is divided into a storage area for image data and a storage area for additional information. , The IC memory 1
Use the same as 4. The storage area of the image data and the storage area of the additional information in the storage medium are provided by an imaging device such as a digital camera or the recording / reading unit 1 of the printing company 16.
8, information for recognizing the address of each area may be added, or information for recognizing the address of each area may be fixed.

The storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be a floppy disk, a magnetic recording medium such as a removable hard disk such as Zip or Jaz, or an MD (mini disk).
Various known types such as a magneto-optical recording medium such as an optical disc and an MO, and a card memory such as an IC card and a smart media can be used.

Although the printing system of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[0057]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to expand the hobby, entertainment, and use of the camera, and to add various kinds of information to the camera.
High-quality prints with high added value can be created, and the uses of the prints can be greatly expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the concept of a print system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital photo printer used in the printing system shown in FIG.

3A is a schematic perspective view for explaining a carrier mounted on the digital photo printer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram of an image sensor of the digital photo printer shown in FIG. is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 print system 12 (film) cartridge 14 IC memory 16 print trader 18, 24 record / read means 19 database 20 photo printer 22 camera 25 input means 26 display means 28 reproduction means 40 scanner 42 (image) processing device 44 printer 46 operation system 48 Display 50 Light source 52 Variable stop 54 Diffusion box 56 Imaging lens unit 58 Image sensor 60 Amplifier 62 A / D converter 64 Carrier

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium having a photographed image recording area and an additional information recording area, the additional information being recorded in the additional information recording area, and the additional information being recorded by a camera equipped with the recording medium as necessary. When reproducing and printing the image recorded in the photographed image recording area, the additional information recorded in the additional information recording area is automatically or selectively recorded on at least one of the front side and the back side of the print. A print system characterized by the following. 2. A film cartridge in which an IC memory as an additional information recording area is mounted in a case where the recording medium stores a photographic film as a photographed image recording area, or an image data area of a photographed image and additional information. Information having an area for recognizing an address of each area by the camera and / or additional information recording means,
2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is a storage medium having information for recognizing an address of each area fixedly. 3. The additional information includes information on a shooting location,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is at least one of information on a photographing target and entertainment information. 4. The additional information recording area according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is recorded in the additional information recording area by at least one of recording by a print trader prior to photographing and recording by a camera equipped with a recording medium. Printing system.