JP2005080268A - Information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information recording medium from which image data is easily outputted based on photographs taken by a digital camera or a film camera to printers for household use in various forms. <P>SOLUTION: Image data based on the photographs taken by the digital camera or image data resulting from scanning a photographic film and a program for outputting the image data to a printer for household use are recorded on the information recording medium. Further, the program functions a computer as a means for displaying a plurality of images based on multiple image data on a display means so as to input print information for the images or as a means for allowing a printing means to simultaneously print out the plurality of images on the basis of the print information, thereby the image data is easily outputted to the printer for household use. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording medium, and more particularly to an information recording medium on which image data based on a photograph is recorded.

  In recent years, various services related to photography have been provided. For example, when a user takes a picture with a digital camera and brings the digital camera or digital camera media in which the picture data is recorded into a photo shop such as a minilab, an unmanned terminal (kiosk) or store terminal provided in the shop Can be used to write image data recorded on a digital camera or media to an information recording medium such as a CD-R or DVD-R (for example, JP-A-5-182373).

  In addition, when a user takes a picture with a film camera and brings the photographed film to a photo shop such as a minilab, the photo shop develops the photo film, and then reads the image data using a reading device such as a scanner, There is also a service for writing to an information recording medium such as a CD-R or DVD-R and providing it to the user.

  The user then inserted the information recording medium on which the image data was written into a personal computer or the like, and displayed, edited, or processed the image data using an application such as a slide show program installed on the personal computer. The image data can be used by printing the image data.

JP-A-5-182373 (page 4-6, Fig. 3)

  As a method of creating a print using the image data recorded on the information recording medium by the above service, the information recording medium is brought into the photo shop, the order information is written on the print order form, the print order is made, or the photo shop is used. There is a method of inserting an information recording medium in the installed kiosk, inputting order information on the screen and placing a print order, etc., but the method of writing the order information on the print order form takes time and effort to print, The method of inputting order information at the kiosk has a problem that it is not possible to place a print order calmly because image data must be selected, the print size, the number of prints, etc. must be set on the spot.

  On the other hand, in recent years, high-performance and low-cost household printers have been sold, and the number of users who print out image data recorded on information recording media at home has increased. When printing out with a home printer, the image data is usually printed by activating software preinstalled in a personal computer or software provided by a printer manufacturer (hereinafter referred to as a print output program). However, since this type of program is designed to print out various data such as documents and drawings, it is suitable for printing out image data of photographs taken with digital cameras and film cameras. Is not necessarily provided, and there is a problem that it is not easy to use.

  For example, it is good to print out the image data as it is without processing it. However, image processing such as trimming, size conversion, and color correction is applied to the image data, or index printing is performed by arranging multiple image data. Even if you try to create a postcard by creating or inserting image data into a template, the above program cannot generally perform such processing, so print the image data after processing it using another image processing program. There is a problem in that the operation is complicated because the print program must be printed out.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to output image data based on a photograph taken with a digital camera or a film camera in a simple and various form with a home printer. It is to provide an information recording medium that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information recording medium of the present invention is an information recording medium in which a plurality of image data is recorded. A program that functions as means for simultaneously printing out based on print information input to an image is stored.

  The information recording medium of the present invention is an information recording medium on which a plurality of image data is recorded. The computer displays a plurality of images based on the plurality of image data on the display means, and print information for each of the images. A program for causing the input means to display and the printing means function as means for causing the plurality of images to be simultaneously printed out based on the print information is stored.

  In the present invention, the image data is preferably image data based on a photograph taken by a digital camera or image data obtained by scanning a film.

  As described above, the information recording medium of the present invention includes a program for outputting image data to a home printer together with image data based on a photograph taken with a digital camera and image data obtained by scanning a photographic film. Therefore, the user can easily output the image data to the home printer simply by inserting the information recording medium into the personal computer. In addition, the computer includes a means for displaying a list of image data, a means for performing image processing such as trimming, size conversion, and color correction on the image data, a means for creating an index print by arranging a plurality of image data, and image data as a template. By writing a program that can function as a means to create a postcard by inserting, adding a frame or characters into an information recording medium, an image display program or an image processing program can be obtained without preparing a separate image display program. Data can be output to a home printer in various forms.

  The information recording medium of the present invention has the following effects.

  The first effect of the present invention is that a user can easily print out image data recorded on an information recording medium to a home printer.

  This is because not only image data but also a program having a function suitable for printing out the image data to a home printer is recorded on the information recording medium.

  The second effect of the present invention is that the user does not separately prepare an image display program, an image processing program, etc., and the image data recorded on the information recording medium can be used in various forms according to the user's preference. This means that it can be printed out to a printer.

  The reason is that the program recorded in the information recording medium is a means for causing the computer to display a list of image data so that print information can be input, a means for simultaneously printing out a plurality of images based on the image data, This is because it can function as a means for performing various image processing on the image data, a means for creating an index print, a postcard, and the like.

  As shown in the prior art, a service for writing image data based on a photograph taken with a digital camera or a film camera to an information recording medium such as a CD-R is widespread, and a user browses the image data using a personal computer. Image data can be printed out on a home printer using a print output program installed in advance on a personal computer or a print output program provided by a printer manufacturer. Since it was created to print out a wide range of data such as drawings, it is not always suitable for displaying or printing out image data based on photographs. It was not possible to print out in the form.

  Also, print output programs that can display image data, perform image processing on image data, and create various prints are commercially available, but it is cumbersome for users to prepare such programs themselves. In addition, a commercially available program does not necessarily have a function suitable for processing image data written by the CD-R writing service, and is not easy to use.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a program having a function suitable for printing out the image data on a home printer is written on an information recording medium on which the image data is written by the above service, and is provided to the user. Can be printed out easily and in various forms.

  First, an information recording medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information recording medium creation system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main means of the information recording device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an information recording medium creation procedure, and FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a data area of the information recording medium. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the home print program, and FIGS. 6 to 11 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display means by the home print program.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information recording medium creating system 1 of this embodiment uses a device (hereinafter, referred to as a digital camera 5) having a camera function such as a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone to take a photograph. It comprises a user 2 for photographing and a photo shop 9 such as a minilab. The photo store 9 includes a digital camera 5 and an information recording medium for the digital camera (for example, compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, multimedia card, SD memory card, etc.). CD-R, DVD-R, etc. together with a program (hereinafter referred to as a home print program) having a function suitable for reading image data from a medium 6) and printing out the image data with a home printer. The information recording apparatus 10 for writing on the disc type information recording medium (hereinafter referred to as the information recording medium 8) is provided, and the user 2 browses the image data on the information recording medium 8 and prints the personal computer 3 and the home printer. 4.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an unmanned terminal (kiosk) that can perform a series of processing such as order reception, image data reading, image data and home print program writing, etc. will be described as the information recording apparatus 10. However, for example, the order is accepted at the order acceptance terminal, and the image data is read / written by the information recording device 10, or the clerk at the photo shop 9 places an order, and the clerk uses the terminal in the store. It may be configured to read / write image data by operating. FIG. 1 shows the case where the user 2 brings the digital camera 5 and the media 6 to the photo store 9, but these are brought into an order store such as a convenience store, and information is received at the photo store 9 via the order store. The recording medium 8 may be created.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information recording apparatus 10 has a data input means 12 for reading image data recorded by connecting a digital camera 5 or mounting a medium 6, and input of order information and selection of image data. Operating means 13 and display means 14 for performing operations such as, a program storage means 16 for storing the home print program, a data recording means 15 for recording the read image data and the home print program in the information recording medium 8, At least.

  A procedure until the information recording medium 8 on which the image data and the home print program are recorded is created using the information recording medium creation system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, the user 2 takes a photograph using the digital camera 5, and brings the digital camera 5 or the medium 6 on which the image data of the photograph is recorded into the photo shop 9. In step S102, the information recording medium 8 displayed on a display shelf or the like in the photo shop 9 is purchased.

  It is possible to use an information recording medium owned by the user 2, but in that case, an information recording medium with a different standard is used or an information recording medium with a small data recording capacity is used. In some cases, it is preferable that the user 2 purchases the information recording medium 8 at the photo shop 9, but the information recording medium 8 purchased at another photo shop is used, or the image data has been previously written. The performed information recording medium 8 can be used again. Here, the information recording medium 8 is purchased before the information recording apparatus 10 is operated. However, in the case of the kiosk type information recording apparatus 10, a CD-R dispenser or the like is provided inside, and the CD-R is automatically operated. In this case, the information recording medium 8 may be ordered as it is without purchasing the information recording medium 8.

  Next, in step S103, the user 2 connects the digital camera 5 to the terminal of the information recording apparatus 10, inserts the medium 6 into the slot, and inserts the purchased information recording medium 8 into a CD-R drive or the like. Then, the data input unit 12 of the information recording apparatus 10 reads image data from the digital camera 5 or the medium 6 automatically or in accordance with an instruction from the user 2.

  Next, in step S104, it is determined whether or not image data to be written to the information recording medium 8 is selected from the image data recorded on the digital camera 5 or the medium 4, and if image data is selected, step S105 is selected. Thus, the desired image data is designated using the operation means 13 from the image data displayed on the display means 14.

  Next, in step S106, the data recording unit 15 reads the home print program from the program storage unit 16, and writes it in the information recording medium 8 together with the image data read from the digital camera 5 or the medium 6. At this time, the read image data may be recorded in the information recording medium 8 as it is, or may be recorded after processing such as data size conversion or file format conversion. In addition, when image data read from a plurality of digital cameras 5 and media 6 are recorded in a discrete manner on the information recording medium 8, it is inconvenient when searching and organizing the image data. A folder with a unique name created using information for specifying the region, store, date and time, information for specifying the user 2 requesting writing, etc. It may be divided and stored in folders.

  In this embodiment, since it is assumed that image data is reproduced using the personal computer 3, the read image data is recorded on the information recording medium 8 as it is or after data size conversion or file format conversion. However, when the information recording medium 8 can be reproduced by an image reproducing device such as a DVD player or a DVD recorder, moving image data is created based on the read image data, or the read image data is converted into an image. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the original image data, the converted image data, and the home print program are written in the information recording medium 8 after being converted into a format that can be read by a playback device. In this case, the image data can be read in any area of the information recording medium 8 in the personal computer, whereas the data seek order (that is, the data reading order) is set in the case of the image reproducing device. Since the image data cannot be read depending on the area where the image data is recorded, the image data for the image reproducing device is a predetermined area (generally, in the case of a disk type recording medium). The recording order is controlled so as to be recorded.

  The information recording medium 8 on which the image data is written by such a method has a structure as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and the data area 8a for the image reproducing device inside the disc type information recording medium 8 is for the image reproducing device. The converted image data is recorded, and the read image data and the home print program are recorded in the outside personal computer data area 8b.

  In step S107, the information recording medium 8 on which the image data has been written is ejected and provided to the user 2, and the series of processing ends.

  In the above description, the home print program is stored in the program storage unit 16 of the information recording apparatus 10 and the image data read by the data recording unit 15 and the home print program are written in the information recording medium 8. The home recording program may be written in advance on the information recording medium 8 displayed in the photo shop 9, and the information recording apparatus 10 may be configured to add only image data. In this case, the information recording apparatus 10 need not include the program storage unit 16.

  As described above, in the information recording medium creating system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user 2 provides the digital camera 5 and the medium 6, the image data is read from these, and the image data and the image data are printed out by the home printer 4. Since the home print program having a function suitable for the recording is recorded on the information recording medium 8 and provided to the user 2, the user 2 can easily print out the image data using the personal computer 3 and the home printer 4. can do.

  Next, a procedure for printing out image data with the home printer 4 using the information recording medium 8 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the screen configuration examples of FIGS.

  Note that the home print program recorded on the information recording medium 8 of the present invention causes the computer to simultaneously transfer the computer to the home printer 4 based on print information in which a plurality of images based on the image data recorded on the information recording medium 8 are input. Any means may be used as long as it can function as a print output unit. In order to increase the value of the information recording medium 8, for example, a computer is used to store image data in groups (digital camera 5, media 6, photographic film 7 or the like). ) For displaying a list on the display means, means for inputting print information for each image, means for performing various image processing such as trimming, size conversion, and color correction on the image data, a plurality of image data A means for creating an index print in which images are arranged. By adding a character which is preferably configured to be able to function as such a means for creating a post card. In the following description, the home print program is described as being capable of causing a computer to function as each of the above-described means, but it is not necessary to cause all of the above-described means to function. You may make it function also as a means to produce.

  First, in step S201, the user 2 inserts the information recording medium 8 of this embodiment into the personal computer 3 and starts the home print program (or the home print program automatically starts when the information recording medium 8 is inserted into the personal computer 3). A menu screen 17 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The menu screen 17 includes, for example, an image display field 17a for displaying a list of image data for each digital camera 5, media 6, and film 7, and a process selection field provided with a switch that clearly indicates the process to be performed on the image data. 17b is displayed.

  Here, in the print output program preinstalled in the personal computer 3 or the print output program provided by the printer manufacturer, it is generally not possible to display a list of image data, and the user 2 separately provides an image display program. It is necessary to prepare or check the image data on a preview screen or the like, and the image data to be printed out cannot be easily selected. On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the home print program has a function for displaying a list of image data, so that operations from selection of image data to print output can be performed consistently. Can be significantly improved.

  Next, in step S202, the user 2 selects a desired process from the process selection field 17b. For example, when image data is selected from the image display field 17a and “image processing” is selected, the selected image data is enlarged and displayed, and adjustment of color, brightness, contrast, image size conversion, image data Image processing such as rotation, trimming, red eye correction, etc. can be performed. By providing such a function, it is not necessary to separately prepare a program for image processing, and image data can be easily converted into data suitable for print output.

  Further, when “collective printing” is selected in step S202, an image selection screen 18 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, for example. User 2 selects image data to be printed out in step 203, and selects the selected image data. Enter the number of sheets to be printed out. When the print setting button is pressed, for example, a print setting screen 19 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. On this print setting screen 19, it is possible to set the print size, specify bordered / not bordered, presence / absence of date printing, designation of printer and paper (information on these prints is called print information), etc. When the print button is pressed after setting these items in S204, a print screen 20 as shown in FIG. 9, for example, is displayed. This print screen 20 is provided with a column for setting a print range and the number of copies, a fine adjustment of a print position, and a column for displaying a print image of image data. These items are set in step S205. Thereafter, when the print execution button is pressed, the selected image data is printed out to the home printer 4 under the set conditions.

  If “index print” is selected in step S202, an image selection screen 18 similar to that shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. When image data to be printed is selected in step 206 and the print setting button is pressed, FIG. A print setting screen 21 as shown is displayed. On this print setting screen 21, it is possible to select the layout of the image data, specify the presence / absence of a frame, the presence / absence of date printing, the designation of the printer and paper, etc. When the button is pressed, a print screen 20 similar to that shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. When the print execution button is pressed after setting the print range and number of copies and finely adjusting the print position, the image data selected in step S208 is printed out to the home printer 4 with the specified layout. By making it possible to create such an index print, it is possible to easily confirm what kind of image data is recorded on the information recording medium 8, so that it is possible to easily search for image data.

  If “postcard” is selected in step S202, an image selection screen 18 similar to that shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. When image data to be printed is selected in step 209 and the print setting button is pressed, for example, FIG. A print setting screen 22 as shown in FIG. On this print setting screen 22, it is possible to select the layout of image data and characters, specify the printer, etc., and after selecting these items in step S210, a layout screen (not shown) is displayed when the layout button is pressed. Is done. In step S211, the position and size of the image and text are adjusted, and the frame is set. When the print button is pressed, a print screen 20 similar to that shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and the print range and number of copies are set. When the print execution button is pressed after the fine adjustment is performed, the image data selected in step S212 is printed out to the home printer 4 with the designated layout.

  As described above, the home print program recorded on the information recording medium 8 not only causes the computer to function as a means for simultaneously printing out a plurality of images based on the image data, but also allows image data to be input. By displaying the image data as a list, functioning as image data trimming, size conversion, color correction, or the like, or creating index prints or postcards based on the image data, the user 2 can simply display the image. Not only can the data be printed out, it is also possible to output various forms of prints according to the preferences of the user 2.

  Next, an information recording medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information recording medium creation system according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating an information recording medium.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case where the user 2 provides image data of a photograph taken with the digital camera 5 is shown. However, a photographic film such as a negative film or a positive film on which a photograph taken with a film camera is recorded. 7 may be provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, means for developing the photographic film 7 in the photo shop 9, means for scanning the developed photographic film 7 and reading it as image data, information on the read image data and the home print program An information recording device 10 having means for writing to the recording medium 8 and an order receiving terminal 11 are provided.

  As in the first embodiment, it may be configured to place an order with respect to the clerk of the photo shop 9, and FIG. 12 shows a case where the user 2 brings the photographic film 7 into the photo shop 9. However, these may be brought into an order store such as a convenience store, and the information recording medium 8 may be created in the photo store 9 via the order store.

  A procedure until the information recording medium 8 on which the image data and the home print program are recorded is created using the information recording medium creation system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S301, the user 2 takes a picture using a film camera, and brings the photographic film 7 on which the photographic image is recorded to the photo shop 9. Next, in step S302, it is determined whether or not image data to be written to the information recording medium 8 is selected from the frame images of the photographic film 7. If the image data is selected, the order receiving terminal 11 is selected in step S303. (Or fill in an order form) to specify a desired frame.

  Next, in step S304, the photo shop 9 develops the photographic film 7 using the information recording device 10, and in step S305, the developed photographic film 7 is scanned using a scanner or the like to read image data.

  Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the data recording unit 15 reads the home print program from the storage unit 16 and writes it in the information recording medium 8 together with the image data (step S306). At that time, a folder with a predetermined name may be created in advance, and the image data may be divided into groups and stored in folders, or moving image data may be created based on the read image data. Alternatively, the read image data may be converted into a format that can be read by the image reproducing device, and the original image data, the converted image data, and the home print program may be written in the information recording medium 8. In step S307, the information recording medium 8 on which the image data has been written is ejected and provided to the user 2, and the series of processing ends.

  As described above, in the information recording medium creating system 1 of this embodiment, when the user 2 provides the photographic film 7, the image data is read from the photographic film 7, and the image data and the image data are printed as various prints by the home printer 4. Since the home print program having a function suitable for output is recorded on the information recording medium 8 and provided to the user 2, the user 2 can easily use the home print program having a function suitable for the information recording medium 8. Various forms of prints can be output.

  In the above embodiment, only the image data and the home print program are recorded on the information recording medium 8. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the image data is displayed as a slide show with music. Other data such as programs and music data, applications, etc. can be recorded together.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the information recording medium production system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main means of the information recording device based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the preparation procedure of the information recording medium based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the data area of the information recording medium based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the print output procedure using the information recording medium based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (menu screen) of the home print program which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (image selection screen) of the home print program which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting screen) of the home print program which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print screen) of the home print program which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting screen) of the home print program which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting screen) of the home print program which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the information recording medium production system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the preparation procedure of the information recording medium based on 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information recording medium creation system 2 User 3 Personal computer 4 Household printer 5 Digital camera 6 Media 7 Photo film 8 Information recording medium 9 Photo shop 10 Information recording apparatus 11 Order reception terminal 12 Data input means 13 Operation means 14 Display means 15 Data recording Means 16 Program storage means 17 Menu screen 17a Image display field 17b Process selection field 18 Image selection screen 19, 21, 22 Print setting screen 20 Print screen

Claims (3)

In an information recording medium on which a plurality of image data is recorded,
Computer
A program that causes the printing unit to function as a unit for causing a plurality of images based on the plurality of image data to be simultaneously printed out based on print information input to each of the images is stored. Information recording medium. In an information recording medium on which a plurality of image data is recorded,
Computer
Means for causing the display means to display a plurality of images based on the plurality of image data so that print information for each of the images can be input;
An information recording medium storing a program for causing a printing unit to function as a unit for simultaneously printing out the plurality of images based on the printing information.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the image data is image data based on a photograph taken by a digital camera or image data obtained by scanning a film.

Images