Title: Digital camera recording image frame and printing information files on a recording medium
Abstract: An image file imaged by a digital camera is stored in a memory card, and the digital camera sets the number of prints for each image file according to the digital print order format (DPOF) standard and records the number as a printing information file in the memory card. When the number of prints is set, an image file in which at least one frame is designated for printing is determined to have a read-only file property in order to prevent the image file from being erased against the designation for printing. There is provided a mode for collectively designating all frames for printing.
Patent Number: 6,850,273 Issued on 02/01/2005 to Yoshida, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Yoshida; Masanori (Asaka, JP);
Tanaka; Hiroshi (Asaka, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
497120 |
| Filed:
|
February 3, 2000 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Feb 03, 1999[JP] | 11-026605 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
348/231.3; 348/207.2 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H04N 005/76; H04N005/262 |
| Field of Search: |
348/207.99,207.2,231.99-231.9
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 6094217 | Jul., 2000 | Nishimura.
| |
| 6188431 | Feb., 2001 | Oie | 348/211.
|
| 6198526 | Mar., 2001 | Ohtsuka | 355/40.
|
| 6549232 | Apr., 2003 | Taniguchi et al. | 348/231.
|
| 6563542 | May., 2003 | Hatakenaka et al. | 348/333.
|
| 6573927 | Jun., 2003 | Parulski et al. | 348/32.
|
Other References
Kodak Professional Digital Camera System (DCS 100) User's Manual
(excerpts). Eastman Kodak Company, 1991, 1992.
|
Primary Examiner: Ho; Tuan
Assistant Examiner: Henn; Timothy J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera which records images of frames captured by an imaging
device as image files in a recording medium, said digital camera
comprising:
a printing information producing device that produces printing information
for each frame, referred to when said images recorded in said recording
medium are printed;
a printing information recording device that records said printing
information of each frame, produced by said printing information producing
device, as one printing information file in said recording medium; and
a property changing device that changes properties of image files of frames
designated for printing for which at least one print is designated, from
normal file properties in which images can be erased and changed, to
read-only file properties in which images can be only read.
2. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a property setting device that arbitrarily sets the property of each image
file of each frame image recorded in said recording medium to one of said
normal file property and said read-only file property,
wherein the properties of the image files of the frames designated for
printing in accordance with printing information recorded in said
recording medium cannot be changed to said normal files by said property
setting device.
3. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, wherein if a frame is
designated for printing in accordance with the printing information
recorded in said recording medium and then the designation for printing is
cancelled, the property of the image file of said frame is changed to said
normal file property.
4. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, wherein even if a frame is
designated for printing in accordance with the printing information
recorded in said recording medium and then the designation for printing is
cancelled, the property of the image file of said frame is never changed
to said normal file property.
5. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, wherein if a frame is
designated for printing in accordance with the printing information
recorded in said recording medium and then the designation for printing is
cancelled, it is possible to decide whether to change the property of the
image file of said frame to said normal file property.
6. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a display to display frame images stored in said recording medium; and
a regenerating device for regenerating for display only images for which at
least one print is designated to be produced in accordance with said
printing information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital camera. More particularly, this
invention relates to a digital camera that is capable of producing and
recording printing information, e.g., numbers of prints to be produced, of
photographed images.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, a digital image photographed by a digital camera is generally
recorded in a recording medium (a removable medium) such as a detachable
memory card and a magnetic disk. The image recorded in the recording
medium is not only displayed on a monitor but also printed with a personal
printer for domestic use or the like. In recent years, the image can be
printed at a laboratory in response to an order in the same way as that on
a film.
In the future, the images are expected to be printed more with the personal
printer and at the laboratory with the spread of digital cameras.
Accordingly, a standard called the digital print order format (DPOF) has
been made public recently.
According to the DPOF standard, electronic printing information such as the
number of prints and trimming is produced and is stored together with
image files in the recording medium. Recording formats for recording the
image files and the printing information are standardized. In particular,
a file (which is called a DPOF file but will hereafter be referred to as a
printing information file) for containing the printing information is
written in a text file format, and is recorded in the recording medium
independently of the image file.
The storage of the printing information and the image files in the
recording medium by the digital camera or a related equipment according to
the DPOF standard eliminates the necessity of determining numbers of
prints to be produced from which images, how the images are trimmed for
printing, and the like when the images are printed with the personal
printer or at the order to the laboratory for printing. Even if the
printer does not have an image regenerating function, desired numbers of
prints can be produced from desired images. Moreover, there is no
necessity of providing the printer with the image regenerating function.
According to the DPOF standard, the printing information is not added to
the image files but is recorded in the text file format as printing
information files independently of the image files. This enables the
erasure of the image files and the printing information files
independently of one another. If the image files are erased freely, the
image files may be erased carelessly. In this case, there is such a
possibility that the image file designated for printing (which is
designated for producing one or more prints) in the printing information
does not exist.
To solve this problem, it can be considered that the printing information
is corrected at the same time as the erasure of the image file. In this
method, however, it is necessary to confirm and correct the printing
information every time the image file is erased, and this makes the
process of the digital camera difficult and decreases the processing speed
of the digital camera.
In another method, whether the image file is designated for printing or not
is written in tag information of the image file, and the image file is
erased with reference to the tag information without referring to the
printing information. This method, however, is ineffective for a camera
that has no rules of the use of the tag information. Moreover, the image
files as well as the printing information files include the printing
information, and the information in the recording medium is redundant.
If the frames are designated for printing only on a frame-by-frame basis in
the case where the digital camera has the function of designating frames
for printing as described above, it is complicated to designate all frames
for printing. Since many users would like one print from each of all
frames as is the case with prints with photographic film processing, the
users of the digital camera needs to have one print from each of all
frames easily as is the case with the prints with photographic film
processing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a digital
camera, which properly prevents the erasure of an image file designated
for printing and properly designates frames for printing without reducing
the convenience of the DPOF standard.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital
camera which records images of frames captured by an imaging device as
image files in a recording medium, said digital camera comprising: a
printing information producing device that produces printing information
for each frame, referred to when said images recorded in said recording
medium are printed; a printing information recording device that records
said printing information of each frame, produced by said printing
information producing device, as one printing information file in said
recording medium; and a property changing device that changes properties
of image files of frames designated for printing for which at least one
print is designated, from normal file properties in which images can be
erased and changed, to read-only file properties in which images can be
only read.
According to the present invention, the properties of the image files of
the frames designated for printing is automatically changed to the
read-only file properties, and this surely prevents the careless erasure
of the image files designated for printing.
The present invention also provides a digital camera that records an image
of each frame captured by an imaging device and information of number of
prints to be produced from each frame in a recording medium, said
information being referred to when said image is printed, that has a
display to display said image, and that has regenerating function of
displaying only images for which at least one print is designated to be
produced in accordance with said information relating of the number of
prints on said display.
According to the present invention, the images of the frames designated for
printing can be confirmed quickly.
The present invention also provides a digital camera which records an image
of each frame captured by an imaging device and information of number of
prints to be produced from each frame in a recording medium, said
information being referred to when said image is printed, said digital
camera comprising: an all-frame print number setting device that
collectively sets the numbers of prints for the images of all the frames
recorded in said recording medium.
According to the present invention, all the frames are easily designated
for printing, and the user can have one print from each of all frames
easily as is the case with the prints with photographic film processing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages
thereof, will be explained in the following with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the
same or similar parts throughout the figures and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the exterior of a digital camera according
to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the exterior of the digital camera according
to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a back view showing the exterior of the digital camera according
to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital camera
according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a regeneration menu picture;
FIGS. 6(A), 6(B), 6(C) and 6(D) are views showing a print menu picture, a
print number setting picture in one-frame printing designation, a print
number setting picture after the number of prints is changed, and a
confirmation picture after the number of prints is fixed, respectively;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure in the one-frame printing
designation;
FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are views showing a print number setting picture in
all-frame printing designation, and a confirmation picture after the
number of prints is fixed, respectively;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure in the all-frame printing
designation;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a second embodiment of the procedure in the
all-frame printing designation;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a third embodiment of the procedure in the
all-frame printing designation;
FIG. 12(A) is a view showing a picture displayed in the case that the
designation for printing is confirmed/canceled, and FIG. 12(B) is a view
showing a confirmation picture after the designation for printing is
canceled;
FIG. 13(A) is a view showing a picture displayed in an all-frame printing
designation cancel mode and FIG. 13(B) is a view showing a confirmation
picture after designation of all the frames for printing is cancelled;
FIG. 14(A) is a view showing a protect menu picture and FIG. 14(B) is a
view showing a confirmation picture after one frame is designated for
protection;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the procedure for designating one frame for
protection;
FIG. 16 is a view showing a confirmation picture for all-frame protection;
and
FIG. 17 is a view showing a confirmation picture after designation of all
the frames for protection is cancelled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
This invention will be described in further detail by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1-3 are a front view, a plan view and a back view, respectively,
showing the exterior of a digital camera 10 according to the present
invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a taking lens 12, a finder window 14, a strobe 16, a
strobe light control sensor 18 are provided at the front of the digital
camera 10. A CCD (an imaging device) is arranged behind the taking lens
12.
As shown in FIG. 2, a shutter release button 22 and a power switch 24 are
provided at the top of the digital camera 10. The shutter release button
22 is half and fully pressed. When the shutter release button 22 is half
pressed, an automatic focusing (AF) function and an automatic exposure
control (AE) function operate to lock a focus and an exposure. The
photographing is executed when the shutter release button 22 is fully
pressed.
As shown in FIG. 3, a character display liquid crystal display (LCD) panel
26, an LCD monitor 28, a mode switch 30, a cross cursor button (up, down,
left and right keys) 32, a finder 34 and the like are provided at the back
of the digital camera 10.
The character display LCD panel 26 displays information relating to the
state of the camera, photographing modes and the like. For example, the
character display LCD panel 26 displays the residual amount of a battery,
the number of frames that may be exposed, a frame number of a regenerated
image, whether the strobe should be flashed or not, a macro mode, the
quality of a recorded image, and the number of pixels.
A strobe button 36 and a macro button 38 are arranged at the side of the
character display LCD panel 26. The strobe button 36 is operated in order
to flash the strobe and prohibit the flash of the strobe according to
photographic circumstances. The macro button 38 is operated to set a
close-range (macro) photographing mode.
The LCD monitor 28 displays images photographed through the CCD,
regenerated images read from a memory card (a smart medium) mounted in the
camera. The LCD monitor 28 is used to set printing information which will
be described later. A shift button 40, a display button 42, a cancel
button 44 and a menu/execution button 46 are arranged above the LCD
monitor 28.
The mode switch 30 and the cross cursor button 32 are composed of a central
button member and a ring member arranged at the circumference thereof. The
mode switch 30 is capable of rotating clockwise and counterclockwise.
The mode switch 30 is used to change the functions (modes) of the camera,
and the rotation of the mode switch 30 selects the mode; e.g., a
photographing mode for performing the photographing and a regeneration
mode for regenerating the photographed image and setting a variety of
matters.
The cross cursor button 32 is tilted by pressing the top, bottom, right or
left edge thereof to enter an command corresponding to one of four
direction (up, down, right and left). The cross cursor button 32 is used
as a control button to select and change an item from a variety of setting
items such as the modes, and is used as a means for giving instructions to
adjust the magnification of an electric zoom, move the center of zooming
and regenerate the last or next image.
Although not illustrated in the drawings, a holder in which the memory card
is mounted is provided at one side of the digital camera 10. For example,
the smart medium is used as the memory card. A PC card, a flash memory
card, an IC card, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical (MO) disk, and the like
may also be used as the recording medium.
The memory card contains the images photographed by the CCD. According to
the DPOF (digital print order format) standard, the digital camera 10
records the image data of each frame photographed by the CCD as an image
file and records printing information relating to each frame image as a
printing information file (a DPOF file). The image recorded in the memory
card is printed with reference to the printing information. The printing
information is, for example, the number of prints to be produced and the
trimming of the image. The printing information relating to each frame is
written in a text file format in one printing information file. In the
present embodiment, the number of prints can be set as the printing
information.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital camera 10.
The digital camera 10 is comprised mainly of the taking lens 12, a
diaphragm 50, the solid state imaging device (the CCD) 52, an analog
signal processing circuit 54, a digital signal processing circuit 58, a
memory (DRAM) 60, a compression/expansion circuit 62, the memory card 64,
the LCD monitor 28 and a central processing unit (CPU) 66.
The CPU 66 controls the circuits according to signals from switches 68 such
as the shutter release button 22, the mode switch 30 and the cross cursor
button 32. When the power switch 24 is turned on, the CPU 66 gives a
command to a power supply control circuit 70 to supply power to each part
of the camera from a primary or secondary battery 72 through the power
supply control circuit 70 in order to activate each circuit.
When the photographing mode is set by operating the mode switch 30 and then
the shutter release button 22 is pressed, the CPU 66 detects this and
gives a command to a control circuit 74. The control circuit 74 controls
the focus by driving a taking lens driving part 76 with the power supplied
from the power supply control circuit 70, and controls the exposure by
controlling electronic charge accumulation times in the diaphragm 50 and
the CCD 52. The taking lens 12 can be zoomed in response to a zooming
command.
A light of a subject enters a light receiving surface of the CCD 52 through
the taking lens 12 and the diaphragm 50, and is converted into a signal
electronic charge corresponding to the quantity of light entering each
sensor of the CCD 52. The signal electronic charges are sequentially read
as corresponding voltage signals (image signals) according to clock
pulses. The image signals are outputted from the CCD 52 to the analog
signal processing circuit 54. The analog signal processing circuit 54 has
a CDS clamp, a gain control amplifier, and the like, and performs
sampling, white balance adjustment, etc. of the image signals. The image
signals processed by the analog signal processing circuit 54 are converted
into R, G, B digital signals by an A/D converter 56, and are supplied to
the digital signal processing circuit 58.
The digital signal processing circuit 58 includes a gamma correction
circuit, a YC signal producing circuit and the like, and gamma-corrects
and converts the R, G, B digital signals into a YC signal (a luminance
signal Y and a chroma signal C). The YC signal is stored in the memory 60
through a bus. The YC signal stored in the memory 60 is inputted to the
compression/expansion circuit 62 through the bus to be compressed in a
predetermined format at the compression/expansion circuit 62, and then is
recorded in the memory card 64, which may be attached to and detached from
the camera. The memory card 54 contains the image data of each frame as an
image file.
The YC signal generated in the digital signal processing circuit 58 is
outputted from a video output terminal to the outside through a D/A
converter 78, and is outputted to the LCD monitor 28 arranged at the back
of the digital camera 10. Consequently, the image photographed by the CCD
52 is displayed on the LCD monitor 28 in the photographing mode. In the
regeneration mode, the compression/expansion circuit 62 extracts the image
recorded in the memory card 64, and the image is outputted to the LCD
monitor 28. The regenerated image is displayed on the LCD monitor 28.
A description will now be given of the procedure in the case where the
regeneration mode is set by operating the mode switch 30. In the digital
camera 10, the number of prints to be produced is set as the printing
information for the image file of each frame recorded in the memory card
64, and the printing information as well as the image files can be
recorded in the memory card 64. The printing information (e.g., the number
of prints) is produced according to the above-mentioned DPOF standard, and
the printing information relating to each frame is written in the text
file format in one printing information file independently from the image
file. A description will now be given of the procedure for producing the
printing information.
When the regeneration mode is set by operating the mode switch 30, the
regenerated image of the finally exposed frame is displayed on the LCD
monitor 28. If the menu/execution button 46 (hereinafter referred to as an
execution button 46) is pressed in this state, a regeneration menu picture
is displayed over the regenerated image on the LCD monitor 28 as shown in
FIG. 5. FIG. 5 does not describe the display of the regenerated image
(this applies to the following description). Icons representing menus are
displayed in the lower section of the regeneration menu picture. If the
cursor is set at the icon at the right end by operating the cross cursor
button 32 and then the execution button 46 is pressed, a printing
designation mode is set. Therefore, a print menu picture is displayed as
shown in FIG. 6(A).
The print menu picture displays printing designation related items such as
"designate frame", "confirm/cancel", "designate all frames" and "cancel
designation of all frames". A printing designation related mode is set by
selecting one printing designation related item by operating the cross
cursor button 32.
A description will now be given of the case where the "designate frame" is
selected. If the "designate frame" is selected, a one-frame designation
mode is selected. In this mode, the regenerated frame is designated for
printing and the number of prints is designated on the LCD monitor 28. A
print number setting picture in FIG. 6(B) appears over the image of the
regenerated frame on the LCD monitor 28. A number in a rectangular frame
displayed in the center of the picture represents the number of prints to
be produced from the frame regenerated on the LCD monitor 28. The number
of prints can be increased or decreased by operating the up or down key of
the cross cursor button 32. If the number of prints is set to 0, the
printing designation is cancelled. If the number of prints is set to 1 or
more, the number of prints is designated (see FIG. 6(C)). If the execution
button 46 is pressed after the number of prints is set, the number of
prints for the frame being regenerated is fixed. After a confirmation
picture in FIG. 6(D) appears for several seconds, the print menu picture
in FIG. 6(A) appears again.
On the other hand, if the cancel button 44 is pressed before the number of
prints is fixed, the setting on the print number setting picture is
cancelled. The print menu picture in FIG. 6(A) appears again with the
previously-set number of prints maintained.
The frames to be regenerated on the LCD monitor 28 can be changed by
operating the left or right key of the cross cursor button 32. Each frame
can be designated for printing by changing the frames to be regenerated
and executing the above-described processing. Pressing the display button
42 switches the display on the LCD monitor 28 between a one-frame display
and a multiple-frame display showing multiple frames collectively. In the
multiple-frame display, a frame to be designated for printing is selected
by operating the cross cursor button 32. The selected frame can be easily
distinguished from the other frames since it is enclosed by, for example,
a bold frame.
When the number of prints to be produced from the regenerated frame image
is fixed, the CPU 66 adds the designation of the regenerated frame image
for printing and the number of prints to the printing information file,
and records the printing information file in the memory card 64.
The CPU 66 also automatically changes an image file of a frame whose number
of prints to be generated is 1 or more, that is a frame that is designated
for printing, to a read-only file which is prohibited from being erased or
changed. This prevents the erasure of the image file of the frame
designated for printing.
The property of each image file is recorded in a predetermined management
area in the memory card 64. The image file can be erased by selecting an
icon at the left end of the regeneration menu picture in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of the one-frame printing
designation. If the "designate frame" is selected on the print menu
picture in FIG. 6(A) and the one-frame printing designation is started,
the CPU 66 displays the print number selection picture in FIG. 6(B) on the
LCD monitor 28. A user decides whether to designate the regenerated frame
for printing with reference to the frame image currently regenerated on
the LCD monitor 28 (step S10). If NO, the user decides whether to change
frames to be regenerated (step S12). If NO, in other words, if no frame is
designated for printing, the cancel button 44 is pressed to finish the
one-frame printing designation.
On the other hand, if YES at the step S12, in other words, if frames to be
regenerated are changed, the last or next frame image is displayed by
operating the left or right key of the cross cursor button 32 (step S14).
Then, the process in the steps S10-S14 is repeated to display a
regenerated frame of a desired frame on the LCD monitor 28.
If YES at the step S10, the number of prints is increased or decreased to
set the number of prints to be produced from the regenerated frame image
by operating the up or down key of the cross cursor button 32 (step S16).
Then, it is determined whether the set number of prints is a desired one
or not (step S18). If NO, the process at the steps S16 and S18 is repeated
until the number of prints reaches the desired number. If the desired
number is reached, the user fixes the number of prints by pressing the
execution button 46.
If the number of prints to be produced from the regenerated frame image is
fixed, the CPU 66 adds the fixed number of prints in the printing
information file and records the printing information file in the memory
card 64 (step S20).
The CPU 66 confirms the property of the image file of the frame designated
for printing according to the property data in the management area in the
memory card 64 (step S22). If the image file can be erased and changed
(the property of a normal file), the image file is changed to an image
file that is prohibited to be erased and changed, that is a read-only file
(step S24). If the image file is originally a read-only file, the property
of the image file is unchanged. In a later-described protect mode, the
user can change the file property under fixed conditions.
If the above procedure is completed, the CPU 66 displays the print menu
picture in FIG. 6(A) after displaying the confirmation picture in FIG.
6(D) for several seconds on the LCD monitor 28. That completes the
one-frame printing designation.
A description will now be given of the case where the "designate all
frames" is selected on the print menu picture in FIG. 6(A). If the
"designate all frames" is selected, an all-frame printing designation is
set. In the all-frame printing designation, one print is designated for
each of all the frames in the memory card 64. Therefore, the user can
easily have one print from each of all frames as is the case with the
prints with photographic film processing.
If the all-frame printing designation is set, the LCD monitor 28 displays a
setting picture as shown in FIG. 8(A). Whether the all-frame printing
designation is fixed or cancelled is only set on the setting picture. When
the execution button 46 is pressed on the setting picture, the all-frame
printing designation is fixed and a confirmation picture in FIG. 8(B) is
displayed for several seconds. Then, the print menu picture in FIG. 6(A)
is displayed again. On the other hand, when the cancel button 44 is
pressed on the setting picture in FIG. 8(A), the all-frame printing
designation is cancelled.
If the all-frame printing designation is fixed, the CPU 66 cancels the
number of prints for each frame currently recorded in the printing
information file, and adds a one-print designation for each frame image to
each printing information file. Then, the printing information files are
recorded in the memory card 64. The CPU 66 changes the image files of all
the frames to read-only files, and prohibits the erasure of all the image
files.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the above-mentioned procedure. If the
"designate all frames" is selected on the menu picture in FIG. 6(A) and
the all-frame printing designation is started, the CPU 66 displays the
setting picture in FIG. 8(A) on the LCD monitor 28. On the setting
picture, the user decides whether to designate all the frames for printing
(step S30). If NO, the cancel button 44 is pressed to end the all-frame
printing designation.
If YES, the execution button 46 is pressed. Therefore, the CPU 66 starts
searching for the image files of all the frames recorded in the memory
card 64 (step S32). A command to produce one print from each frame image
in the order of the searched image files is added to the printing
information file (step S34).
The CPU 66 also checks the property of the searched image files according
to the property data in the management area of the memory card 64 (step
S36). If the property of the image file is normal, the CPU 66 changes the
image file to the read-only file (step S38). If YES, the process goes to
the next step.
Then, the CPU 66 determines whether or not there are any image files of
frames which are not designated for printing (step S40). If YES, the CPU
66 searches for the image files of the frames that are not designated for
printing (step S42), and repeats the process from the step S34. If NO at
the step S40, the CPU 66 records the produced printing information files
in the memory card 64 and displays the confirmation picture in FIG. 8(B)
for several seconds on the LCD monitor 28 and then displays the print menu
picture in FIG. 6(A) again to end the all-frame printing designation.
Consequently, one print is designated for each of all the frames.
A description will now be given of another embodiment of the above-stated
all-frame printing designation. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the second
embodiment of the process for designating all the frames for printing. In
the designation of all the frames for printing according to the second
embodiment, one print is designated for each of undesignated frames. If
the "designate all frames" is selected on the menu picture in FIG. 6(A) to
start the all-frame printing designation, the CPU 66 displays the setting
picture in FIG. 8(A) on the LCD monitor 28. On the setting picture, the
user decides whether to designate all the frames for printing (step S50).
If NO, the cancel button 44 is pressed to end the all-frame printing
designation.
If YES, the execution button 46 is pressed. Consequently, the CPU 66
searches for image files of undesignated frames among the image files of
all the frames in the memory card 64 (step S52). The CPU 66 adds a command
to produce one print from each searched image file to the printing
information file (step S54).
The CPU 66 checks the property of the searched image files according to the
property data in the management area of the memory card 64 (step S56). If
the property of the image file is normal, the CPU 66 changes the image
file to a read-only file (step S58). If YES, the process goes to the next
step.
Then, the CPU 66 determines whether there are any image files that are not
designated for printing (step S60). If YES, the CPU 66 repeats the process
from the step S52. If NO at the step S60, the CPU 66 records the produced
printing information files in the memory card 64 and displays the
confirmation picture in FIG. 8(B) for several seconds on the LCD monitor
28. Then, the CPU 66 displays the print menu picture in FIG. 6(A) again to
end the all-frame printing designation.
Therefore, the numbers of prints are unchanged for the designated frames,
and one print is designated for each of undesignated frames.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the third embodiment of the all-frames
printing designation. According to the third embodiment, the numbers of
prints are increased by one for all the frames. When the "designate all
frames" is selected on the menu picture in FIG. 6(A) to start the
all-frame printing designation, the CPU 66 displays the setting picture in
FIG. 8(A) on the LCD monitor 28. With reference to the setting picture,
the user decides whether to designate all the frames for printing (step
S70). If NO, the cancel button 44 is pressed to end the all-frame printing
designation.
If YES, the execution button 46 is pressed. Accordingly, the CPU 66 starts
searching for the image files of all the frames in the memory card 64
(step S72). The CPU 66 adds some information to the printing information
file in such a manner as to increase the present number of prints by one
in the order of searched image files (step S74).
The CPU 66 also checks the property of the searched image file according to
the property data in the management area of the memory card 64 (step S76).
If the property of the image file is normal, the image file is changed to
a read-only file (step S78). If YES, the process goes to the next step.
The CPU 66 determines whether or not there are any image files of frames
that are undesignated for printing (step S80). If YES, the CPU 66 searches
for the image files of the frames undesignated for printing (step S82) and
repeats the process from the step S74. If NO at the step S80, the CPU 66
records the produced printing information files in the memory card 64 and
displays the confirmation picture in FIG. 8(B) for several seconds on the
LCD monitor 28. Then, the CPU 66 displays the printing menu picture in
FIG. 6(A) to finish the all-frame printing designation.
Thus, the number of prints can be increased by one for each of all the
frame images collectively.
In the above method, the numbers of prints are set for all the frame images
recorded in the memory card 64 collectively, but this invention should not
be restricted to this. For example, a plurality of frames to be designated
for printing is selected on a multiple-image picture or the like, and
then, the numbers of prints are set only for the selected frames
collectively.
A description will now be given of the case where the "confirm/cancel" is
selected on the menu picture in FIG. 6(A). If the "confirm/cancel" is
selected, a one-frame printing cancellation mode is set. In this mode, the
regeneration or designation for image files of designated frames is
canceled. On the LCD monitor 28, a word "OK?" is displayed over a
regenerated image of a frame designated for printing in order to make sure
whether to cancel the designation for the displayed image as shown in FIG.
12(A).
Operating the left or right key of the cross cursor button 32 displays
another frame image designated for printing. This enables the selection of
a frame, of which the designation for printing will be cancelled. It is
possible to confirm the frame images designated for printing only by
operating the left or right key of the cross cursor button 32.
Turning on the display button 42 displays images of frames designated for
printing in a multiple-image display, and the frame image to be erased is
enclosed by a bold frame on the multiple display.
The user confirms the frame images designated for printing by operating the
left and right key of the cross cursor button 32 in a predetermined
manner. If the frame image, for which the designation for printing is to
be canceled, is displayed on the LCD monitor 28, the execution button 46
is pressed to cancel the designation for the frame image. After the
execution button 46 is pressed, a confirmation picture in FIG. 12(B) is
displayed for several seconds, and then, the menu display picture in FIG.
6(A) appears. If the cancel button 44 is pressed before the execution
button 46 is pressed on the display picture in FIG. 12(A), the menu
display picture in FIG. 6(A) appears.
If the designation for printing is canceled in the above-mentioned manner,
the CPU 66 adds some information to the printing information file so that
the number of prints can be 0. Then, the CPU 66 records the printing
information file in the memory card 64.
A description will now be given of the case where the "cancel designation
of all frames" on the menu picture in FIG. 6(A). If the "cancel
designation of all frames" is selected, an all-frame printing designation
cancellation mode is set. In this mode, the designation of all the frames
is canceled collectively, and a word "OK?" is displayed on the LCD monitor
28 in order to make sure whether to cancel the designation of all the
frames as shown in FIG. 13(A).
The user presses the execution button 46 in order to cancel the designation
of all the frames. This cancels the designation of all the frames. After a
confirmation picture is displayed as shown in FIG. 13(B), the menu display
picture in FIG. 6(A) appears again. If the cancel button 44 is pressed
before the execution button 46 is pressed, the setting becomes ineffective
and the menu picture in FIG. 6(A) appears again.
If the command to print is canceled in the above-mentioned manner, the CPU
66 adds some information to the printing information files so that the
numbers of prints can be 0 for all the frames. Then, the CPU 66 records
the printing information files in the memory card 64.
A description will now be given of the case where an icon "protect" is
selected on the regeneration menu picture in FIG. 5. If the icon "protect"
is selected on the regeneration menu picture, a protect mode is set. A
protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A) is displayed. In the protect mode, the
image file is changed to a normal file that can be erased/changed or a
read-only file that is prohibited to be erased/changed. A protected image
file is set to be the read-only file, and a protection-canceled image file
is set to be the normal file.
Related items such as "protect one frame", "protect all frames" and "cancel
protection of all frames" are shown on the protect menu picture as shown
in FIG. 14(A). Each item is selected and executed by operating the cross
cursor button 32.
A description will now be given of the case where the "protect one frame"
is selected. When the "protect one frame" is selected by operating the
cross cursor button 32 on the protect menu picture and the execution
button 46 is pressed, the protection state of the frame image regenerated
on the LCD monitor 28 is changed. More specifically, the protection state
of the frame image is toggled between the protected state and the
unprotected state. When the execution button 46 is pressed, a confirmation
picture is displayed as shown in FIG. 14(B).
The frames to be protected or unprotected can be changed by displaying a
desired frame on the LCD monitor 28 by operating the left and right key of
the cross cursor button 32 as is the case with the designation for
printing. Thus, each frame can be protected or unprotected.
When the protection of a frame designated for printing in the printing
information file is going to be canceled, a warning is displayed on the
LCD monitor 28 in order to prohibit the cancellation of the protection.
This prevents the erasure of the image file of the frame designated for
printing in the printing information file to eliminates such a
disadvantage that there is no image file of the frame designated for
printing.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the above procedure. With reference to the
protect menu picture in FIG. 14, the user decides whether to change the
protection state of the frame image currently regenerated on the LCD
monitor 28 (step S90). In order to change the protection state, the
"protect one frame" is selected, and the execution button 46 is pressed.
If the protection state of the frame image does not need to be changed,
the process is finished without pressing the execution button 46.
When the execution button 46 is pressed, the CPU 66 checks whether the
frame image regenerated on the LCD monitor 28 is designated for printing
or not with reference to the printing information file (step S92). If the
frame image is undesignated for printing, the property of the image file
thereof is changed (step S94). If the image file has the normal file
property, the property thereof is changed to the read-only file property.
If the image file has the read-only file property, the property thereof is
changed to the normal file property.
On the other hand, if the regenerated frame image is designated for
printing, a warning is displayed on the LCD, monitor 28 in order to
prohibit the file property thereof from changing to the normal file
property (step S96).
Thereafter, the protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A) appears again.
This prohibits the protection of the image file designated for printing
from being cancelled, and surely prevents the image file designated for
printing from being erased carelessly.
A description will now be given of the case where an item other than the
"protect one frame" is selected on the protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A).
If the "protect all frames" is selected and the execution button 46 is
pressed, an all-frame protection confirmation picture is displayed as
shown in FIG. 16. If the execution button 46 is pressed in this state, the
image files of all frames are changed to the read-only files collectively,
and the protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A) appears again. On the other
hand, if the cancel button 44 is pressed, the protect menu picture appears
again without changing the file properties.
If the "cancel protection of all frames" is selected and the execution
button 46 is pressed, an all-frame cancellation confirmation picture is
displayed as shown in FIG. 17. If the execution button 46 is pressed in
this state, the CPU 66 checks whether there are any frame images
designated for printing or not with reference to the printing information
files recorded in the memory card 64. If no frame image is designated for
printing, the image files of all frames are changed to the normal files,
and the protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A) appears again. On the other
hand, if some frame images are designated for printing, a warning is
displayed on the LCD monitor 28 to prohibit the change in the file
properties, and the protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A) appears again. This
prevents the image file of the frame designated for printing from being
erased. It is possible to cancel the protection only for the frames
undesignated for printing. If the cancel button 44 is pressed on the
all-frame cancellation confirmation picture in FIG. 17, the cancellation
of the protection is stopped and the protect menu picture in FIG. 14(A)
appears again.
As stated above, the cancellation of the protection for the image files of
the frames designated for printing prevents the image files from being
erased.
In this embodiment, if a frame is designated for printing and then the
designation is cancelled, the image file thereof is maintained in the
protected state. This invention, however, should not be restricted to
this. For example, if the designation for printing is cancelled, the
protection may also be cancelled at the same time. Alternatively, if the
designation for printing is cancelled, the user may decide whether to
cancel the protection.
In this embodiment, the image file of the frame designated for printing is
automatically protected, but the image file of the protected frame may be
automatically designated for printing.
In this embodiment, one print is designated for each frame image in the
all-frame printing designation, but this invention should not be
restricted to this. The number of prints may be determined arbitrarily.
In this embodiment, only the number of prints is set as the information in
the printing information file, but this invention should not be restricted
to this. It is also possible to set other information determined in the
DPOF standard, such as trimming.
According to the present invention, the image file of the frame designated
for printing is automatically changed to the read-only file. This prevents
the image file of the frame designated for printing from being erased
carelessly to eliminate such a disadvantage that there is no image file
corresponding to the frame designated for printing.
Moreover, all the frames are easily designated for printing collectively,
and this makes the setting for having the prints from all the frames as is
the case with the prints with photographic film processing easier.
It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the
invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the
invention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions and
equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as
expressed in the appended claims.
*
