JP2005111843A - Printing apparatus, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of reprinting a processed image easily. <P>SOLUTION: An SPC multifunction apparatus 1 comprises a printer 3 for printing an image on a medium based on an image file read out from a memory card 28. An image to be printed is displayed on a liquid crystal display 16 and the printer 3 prints an image trimmed based on the displayed image. The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 stores the file of a processed image on the memory card 28 while associating with the file of an original image at the time of printing the processed image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program for processing an original image and printing the processed image.

  Conventionally, printers (stand-alone printers) that can read image data directly from a memory card and print an image corresponding to the data have been widely used. Some printers are equipped with a liquid crystal display for image display. The display displays a print image set by the user on the operation panel on the preview screen, and the user can check the print image in advance before printing without looking at the screen without a personal computer. Furthermore, in recent years, a printer that prints a processed image in which an unnecessary part is deleted by checking the preview screen and trimming an image has been put into practical use.

  By the way, in the stand-alone printer, the processed image data subjected to trimming or the like is erased from the memory at the end of a series of printing processes. It is necessary to repeat the operation to obtain That is, the user needs to perform an operation of trimming the image after operating the operation panel to redisplay the original image on the preview screen of the liquid crystal display.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program capable of easily reprinting a processed image.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a printer unit for printing an image on a medium based on an image file read from a memory, and displays an image to be printed on an image display unit. A printing apparatus that prints a processed image processed based on the image, and stores the image file of the processed processed image in the memory when the processed image is printed.

  According to this, the file of the image to be printed is read from the memory, and the image is displayed on the image display unit. Then, the print image is processed by the user who has confirmed the image, and the processed image is printed by the printer unit. At the time of printing, the processed image file is stored in the memory. Therefore, the processed image can be easily reprinted using the processed image file.

In this printing apparatus, the processed image file is stored in a memory in association with the original image file before processing.
According to this, when the processed image is reprinted, the original image before the processing can be easily searched, and the original image can be easily printed in addition to the reprinting of the processed image.

In this printing apparatus, a script file defining information for associating the files is generated, and the script file is stored in the memory.
According to this, the script file stored in the memory is referred to, and the file search of the original image can be easily performed based on the association information defined in the file.

  In this printing apparatus, after printing the processed image based on the image file read from the memory, the image file of the original image corresponding to the processed image is searched based on the definition information of the script file, and the searched image file The original image is printed based on the above.

According to this, when the processed image is reprinted, the original image before the processing can be easily searched, and the original image can be easily printed in addition to the reprinting of the processed image.
In this printing apparatus, the definition information of the script file is address information indicating a storage destination of the image file of the original image.

According to this, the image file of the original image can be accurately read from the memory by referring to the address information defined in the script file.
In this printing apparatus, the processed image is an image obtained by cutting out a necessary part from the original image, and includes an operation button operated to set a trimming area for the original image displayed on the image display unit.

  According to this, when the operation button is operated, a trimming region in the original image displayed on the image display unit is set, and an image obtained by cutting out a necessary part from the original image is printed. Further, since the cut-out image file is stored in the memory at the time of printing, the cut-out image can be easily reprinted by using the file.

The printing apparatus includes a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and stores an image file read by the scanner unit in the memory.
According to this, since the image file of the image read by the scanner unit is stored in the memory, the processed image can be reprinted without rereading the original image by the scanner unit.

  The present invention also provides a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium based on an image file read from a memory, displays an image to be printed on an image display unit, and prints a processed image processed based on the image. When printing the processed image, an image file of the processed processed image is stored in the memory.

According to this, since the image file of the processed image is saved in the memory when the processed image is printed, the processed image can be easily reprinted using the image file.
The present invention also provides a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium based on an image file read from a memory, displays an image to be printed on an image display unit, and prints a processed image processed based on the image. A program for executing a printing process, comprising: a step of storing an image file of the processed image in the memory when the processed image is printed.

  According to this, since the image file of the processed image is saved in the memory when the processed image is printed, the processed image can be easily reprinted using the image file.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an SPC composite having a plurality of functions such as a network scan function (Scanner) for issuing a scan instruction from a personal computer (PC), a network printer function (Printer) for issuing a print instruction from a PC, and a local copy function (Copy). Device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 with the document table cover opened.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 2 for reading an image of a document and inputting it as image data, and a printer unit for printing an image on a medium such as paper based on the image data. 3 and an operation panel unit 4 for a user to operate. In the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, the image data read by the scanner unit 2 is transmitted to the printer unit 3, converted into print data by an internal processing circuit, and an image based on the print data is printed on paper, thereby enabling a local copy function. Realized.

  The scanner unit 2 is disposed on the printer unit 3, and an A4 platen glass plate 6 for placing a document to be read is placed on the scanner unit 2, and when the document is read or not used. A document table cover 7 covering the document table glass 6 is provided. The document table cover 7 is formed to be openable and closable, and has a function of pressing a document placed on the document table glass 6 toward the document table glass 6 when the document table cover 7 is closed.

  Further, a paper supply unit 11 for supplying paper to the printer unit 3 is provided on the back side of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and the paper supply unit 11 includes a paper feed tray 12 that holds cut paper (not shown). Is provided. A paper discharge unit 13 that discharges the paper printed by the printer unit 3 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, and the paper discharge unit 13 can block a paper discharge port when not in use. A paper discharge tray 14 is provided. Further, an operation panel unit 4 is provided above the paper discharge unit 13. In the present embodiment, the A4 plate is described as an example of the maximum sheet size of the cut sheet, but this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  A liquid crystal display 16 is provided almost at the center of the operation panel unit 4. The liquid crystal display 16 can display setting items, setting states, operation states, and the like in characters, and can also display images read by the scanner unit 2. On the left side of the liquid crystal display 16, a power button 17, a scan button 18, a setting display button 19, and a clear button 20 are provided.

  The power button 17 is a button for turning on / off the power of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The scan button 18 is a button for starting reading of a document by the scanner unit 2. The setting display button 19 is a button for causing the liquid crystal display 16 to display a setting state for the copy function set by the user. The clear button 20 is a button for clearing the setting for the copy function and changing each setting item to a default value.

  On the right side of the liquid crystal display 16, a color copy button 21, a monochrome copy button 22, a stop button 23, a cross key 24, and an enter button 25 are provided. The color copy button 21 is a button for starting color copy, and the monochrome copy button 22 is a button for starting monochrome copy. Accordingly, these copy buttons 21 and 22 serve as both a copy operation start instruction and a selection means for selecting whether the image to be output is color or monochrome. The stop button 23 is a button for stopping the copy operation once started.

  The cross key 24 is composed of four buttons, up, down, left, and right, and one of the up, down, left, and right buttons is operated depending on the position where the cross key 24 is pressed. The cross key 24 is operated when moving the cursor for selecting items of the print setting condition or increasing / decreasing a numerical value being input (numerical values such as the number of copies and the copy magnification). The cross key 24 is operated to specify a trimming area when trimming a print image. The determination button 25 is a button for determining a print setting condition, a trimming region, or the like selected using the cross key 24.

  A menu button 26 for switching setting items displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 is provided on the front side of the liquid crystal display 16. The menu button 26 is composed of two buttons arranged on the left and right, and a left-pointing arrow or a right-pointing arrow is shown respectively. Each time the left or right menu button 26 is pressed, the setting items to be displayed are sequentially switched in the determined order, and when the display is completed, the first setting item is displayed. The left and right arrows are for changing the order in which the setting items are displayed. Both buttons 26 display the setting items in the reverse order of the display order when the other buttons are pressed.

  A memory card slot 27 is provided on the right side of the paper discharge unit 13. The memory card slot 27 conforms to, for example, the PCMCIA standard, and a memory card 28 conforming to such a standard is configured to be detachable. The memory card 28 includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and image data read by the scanner unit 2 is stored in the memory card 28.

  Further, on the side of the main body of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, connection means for connecting to an external device, for example, a USB port 29 is provided. The USB port 29 connects, for example, the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 and the host computer via a USB cable. By connecting the SPC multifunction apparatus to the host computer, it is possible to capture an image into the host computer using the scanner function and print out using the printer function.

  The scanner unit 2 irradiates light on a document through a document table glass 6 from a light emitting unit (not shown) provided therein, and detects light reflected by the document with a CCD (charge coupled device), thereby placing the document on the document table glass 6. Read the description (image or text) of the placed document.

  The printer unit 3 is configured to output a color image. For example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) color inks are printed on a medium such as printing paper. An ink jet method is employed in which an image is formed by forming dots by discharging the ink upward. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. In FIG. 3, an interface circuit and the like necessary for connecting to a personal computer or the like to function as a printer or a scanner are omitted.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a main board (not shown) that performs overall control in the case of the printer unit 3. A CPU embedded ASIC (Application Specific IC) 41, a program ROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, and a second SDRAM 44 are mounted on the main board.

  The ASIC 41 includes a CPU 45, a scanner input circuit 46, an image processing circuit 47, a memory card input / output circuit 48, a head control unit 49, and a JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50. These are connected to an internal bus 41a on the ASIC 41. ing. The internal bus 41a is connected to a program ROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, and an operation panel unit 4 that are externally attached to the ASIC 41. The program ROM 42 stores a control program executed by the CPU 45 and the like. The first SDRAM 43 temporarily stores image data and print data to be processed by executing the control program.

  The second SDRAM 44 is connected to a scanner input circuit 46 and an image processing circuit 47, and temporarily stores image data and print data before and after processing in the circuits 46 and 47. In the second SDRAM 44, a plurality of memory areas (a line buffer 44a, a microweave buffer 44b, an image buffer 44c, etc.) are secured.

  The scanner unit 2 is connected to the scanner input circuit 46. The scanner unit 2 optically reads a document placed on the platen glass 6 and A / D-converts charges stored in a CCD (charge coupled device) 2a by an A / D conversion circuit 2b. The scanner unit 2 inputs the A / D converted data to the scanner input circuit 46 of the ASIC 41.

  The scanner input circuit 46 temporarily stores each raster line data (RGB multi-tone image data) input from the scanner unit 2 in the line buffer 44 a of the SDRAM 44 under the control of the CPU 45. Then, the scanner input circuit 46 sequentially performs inter-line correction processing on the RGB data fetched into the line buffer 44a and sends it to the image processing circuit 47 as RGB data for the same line. The inter-line correction process is a process for correcting the deviation of the reading position between the R, G, and B linear sensors that occurs due to the structure of the scanner unit 2. More specifically, the CCD 2a included in the scanner unit 2 has a linear sensor of one line for each color for three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Since these three linear sensors are arranged in parallel in the scanning direction of the reading carriage (not shown), they cannot simultaneously receive the reflected light applied to the same line of the document. That is, when reflected light irradiated to the same line of the original is received by each linear sensor, a time shift occurs. For this reason, it is a process for synchronizing the data sent with a delay corresponding to the arrangement of the linear sensors.

  The scanner input circuit 46 also performs resolution conversion processing for converting the RGB data reading resolution [dpi] into the printing resolution [dpi] for printing by the printer unit 3 in parallel with the interline correction processing. That is, when the reading resolution of RGB data is lower than the printing resolution, new data is generated between the adjacent data by performing linear interpolation or the like, and conversely when it is higher than the printing resolution, a certain ratio For example, the resolution of RGB data is made equal to the print resolution by thinning out the data. The same applies to enlargement or reduction copying.

  The image processing circuit 47 takes in image data that has undergone resolution conversion processing, and performs image processing such as color conversion, halftone processing, and microweave processing. The color conversion process is a process of converting RGB multi-tone image data into CMYK four-color multi-tone image data. Halftone processing is processing for converting multi-gradation data into area gradation data. The microweave process is a process of adjusting a dot line forming method in order to prevent stripes (banding) between rows.

  In the image processing circuit 47, the data subjected to the microweave process is stored in the microweave buffer 44b. Further, the image processing circuit 47 reads out the data stored in the buffer 44b for each predetermined size and rearranges the data based on various information (for example, the number of nozzles for each color, the number of head scans, etc.), and then the image buffer 44c. Forward to. As a result of this data transfer, the image buffer 44c stores head drive data for ejecting ink to each nozzle for each scan of a writing carriage (not shown) provided in the printer unit 3.

  The head drive data (print data) for each scan stored in the image buffer 44 c is read by the CPU 45 and transferred to the head control unit 49. The head control unit 49 drives the printer head 51 based on the head drive data under the control of the CPU 45, and controls whether or not ink droplets are ejected and the amount of ink droplets to be ejected. As a result, printing of the image read by the scanner unit 2 is realized.

  The memory card input / output circuit 48 functions as an interface circuit when the memory card 28 is inserted into the memory card slot 27. The CPU 45 writes and reads data to and from the memory card 28 via the memory card input / output circuit 48.

  Under the control of the CPU 45, the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50 takes in image data from the scanner input circuit 46, compresses the data by performing an encoding process, and corresponds to the original image read by the scanner unit 2. An image file in JPEG format is generated. The image file is stored in the SDRAM 43 and then stored in the memory card 28 via the memory card input / output circuit 48.

  Further, the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50 decompresses (decodes) the image file by performing a decoding process on the image file in the JPEG format read from the memory card 28, and obtains the multiple images obtained thereby. The gradation image data is stored in the SDRAM 43. The image data is transferred to the image processing circuit 47 under the control of the CPU 45, and converted into print data by the image processing described above. Then, by driving the printer head 51 based on the print data, an image corresponding to the image file on the memory card 28 is printed.

  In addition to the image file of the image read by the scanner unit 2, the memory card 28 stores an image file taken with a digital camera (not shown), an image file edited with a personal computer, and the like.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of printing an image (trimming image) obtained by cutting out only a necessary portion of an original image (original image) read from the memory card 28, and also stores a file of the cut-out image It has a function of saving in the memory card 28.

Processing for printing / saving the cut-out image will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the user operates the menu button 26 of the operation panel unit 4 to print the cut-out image, selects the menu item of the trimming function displayed on the menu screen of the liquid crystal display 16, and then turns on the enter button 25. To do. Then, a detailed menu is displayed on the display 16, and the user who has confirmed it operates the cross key 24 and the enter button 25 of the operation panel unit 4 to set printing conditions such as paper size, image quality, and number of copies. At the same time, an original image (original image) desired to be printed is selected. At this time, the CPU 45 determines various printing conditions based on the operation signal notified from the operation panel unit 4 and stores data of the printing conditions, and then starts the process of FIG.

  That is, in step 100, the CPU 45 reads out the image file of the selected original image from the memory card 28, and transfers the image file to the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50. In the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50, after the image file is decoded into RGB image data corresponding to the original image, the image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 43. The CPU 45 causes the liquid crystal display 16 to display a preview screen of the original image by sending display data corresponding to the image data to the operation panel unit 4.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example of a preview screen displaying the original image P1. Here, the user confirms the preview screen and operates the cross key 24 to set the trimming region R1 to cut out the image. At this time, a trimming frame indicated by a broken line is drawn on the preview screen, and an area surrounded by the trimming frame is determined as the trimming area R1. As an operation method for setting the trimming region R1, first, the cross key 24 is operated to designate the upper left base point X1 in the trimming frame, and then the decision button 25 is turned on. Similarly, after operating the cross key 24 to designate the lower right base point X2 in the trimming frame, the determination button 25 is turned on. By this button operation, the trimming region R1 is set.

  In step 110, the CPU 45 acquires the operation signal from the operation panel unit 4, and determines the trimming region R1 (the coordinates of the upper left and lower right base points X1 and X2) in the original image P1 based on the operation signal. Then, the CPU 45 acquires the image data of the trimming region R1 from the SDRAM 43, and sends display data corresponding to the data to the operation panel unit 4, thereby displaying a preview screen of the cutout image P2 on the liquid crystal display 16 ( (See FIG. 5).

  In step 120, the CPU 45 prints the cutout image P2 based on the image data in the trimming area R1. Specifically, the image data of the trimming region R1 is extracted from the data of the original image P1 stored in the SDRAM 43 and transferred to the image processing circuit 47, and a print request signal is notified to the image processing circuit 47. As a result, the image processing circuit 47 performs image processing such as color conversion, halftone processing, and microweave processing, and converts the R, G, and B color image data into print data. The CPU 45 sends the print data to the head control unit 49, and drives the printer head 51 based on the print data, thereby printing the cut-out image P2 on paper.

  After printing the image P2, the CPU 45 sends predetermined display data to the operation panel unit 4 and displays a selection screen on the liquid crystal display 16 for allowing the user to select whether or not to save the clipped image P2. It should be noted that selection items “Yes” and “No” are displayed on the selection screen, and after any item is selected by the button operation of the cross key 24, the decision button 25 is turned on.

  In step 130, the CPU 45 determines whether or not to save the cutout image P2 based on a button operation by the user. Here, when the item “No” is selected by the user, the present process is terminated without saving the cut-out image P2. On the other hand, if the user selects the “Yes” item, the process proceeds to step 140 and the image data of the cut-out image P2 is written in the memory card 28. Specifically, the CPU 45 transfers the image data of the trimming region R1 extracted from the data of the original image P1 to the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50, thereby generating a JPEG format image file corresponding to the cut-out image P2, The image file is written into the memory card 28.

  In subsequent step 150, the CPU 45 creates a script file for associating each file of the original image P <b> 1 and the cut-out image P <b> 2, saves it in the memory card 28, and then ends this process.

  FIG. 6 shows each file stored in the memory card 28. That is, in the memory card 28, each file of the original image P1 photographed by a digital camera or the like is stored in the form of “¥ (root directory) ¥ DCIM ¥ 100EPSON ¥ file name”. Each file of the cutout image P2 is saved in the form of “¥¥ EPTRMIMG ¥ 100EPSON ¥ file name”. Further, the script file is stored in the form of “¥¥ EPTRMIMG ¥ ORGIMG ¥ file name”, and address information indicating the storage destination of the original file (ORG FILE) is defined in the script file.

  Specifically, for the original image file “EPSN0001.jpg” stored in the folder “¥ DCIM ¥ 100EPSON”, the processed image file “ETRM0001.jpg” is stored in the folder “¥ EPTMRMMG ¥ 100EPSON”. Further, the script file “ETRM0001.trm” is stored in a folder of ¥¥ EPTRMIMG ¥ ORGIMG. Here, each file is identified as a file corresponding to the original image (EPSN0001.jpg) by a numerical value (file number = 0001) included in the file names. Further, the script file has the same file name and the same extension as the cutout image P2 corresponding to the script file. Therefore, it is possible to identify the script file corresponding to the file of the cutout image P2 based on the file name.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a print mode in which the cut-out image P2 is reprinted using the image file stored in the memory card 28. Further, at the time of the reprinting, the script file stored in the memory card 28 is read, the original image P1 corresponding to the cutout image P2 is searched, and the original image P1 is printed.

  Next, a process for reprinting the cutout image P2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the copy button 21 is turned on after the menu button 26 is operated by the user to set the print mode of the clipped image P2.

  First, in step 210, the CPU 45 refers to the folder (¥¥ EPTRMIMG ¥ 100EPSON) of the cutout image P2 of the memory card 28, and registers the file name of each image file of the cutout image P2 in the print file list. This print file list is created in the SDRAM 43, for example. In subsequent step 220, the CPU 45 displays a selection screen for selecting each cutout image P <b> 2 on the liquid crystal display 16 using the created print file list. Specifically, the file name of the cutout image P2 is displayed as a list on the selection screen. Then, when the user operates the cross key 24 to move the cursor to the file name of the clipped image P2 desired to be printed, the determination button 25 is turned on. At this time, the CPU 45 captures an operation signal corresponding to the button operation from the operation panel unit 4 and determines the cut-out image P2 to be printed.

  Thereafter, the CPU 45 proceeds to step 230 to print the selected cutout image (selected image) P2. That is, the CPU 45 reads an image file corresponding to the selected image from the memory card 28 and transfers it to the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50. Thereafter, the CPU 45 sends the image data decoded from the image file in the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50 to the image processing circuit 47 and notifies the image processing circuit 47 of a print request signal. As a result, the image processing circuit 47 performs image processing such as color conversion, halftone processing, and microweave processing to convert the image data into print data. The CPU 45 sends the print data to the head control unit 49, and drives the printer head 51 based on the print data, thereby printing the cut-out image P2 on paper.

  After printing the image P2, the CPU 45 sends predetermined display data to the operation panel unit 4 and displays on the liquid crystal display 16 a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to print the original image P1. It should be noted that selection items “Yes” and “No” are displayed on the selection screen, and after any item is selected by the button operation of the cross key 24, the decision button 25 is turned on.

  In step 240, the CPU 45 determines whether or not to print the original image P1 based on the button operation by the user. Here, if the item “No” is selected by the user, the process is terminated without printing the original image P1. On the other hand, when the item “Yes” is selected by the user, the process proceeds to step 250 where the script file corresponding to the cut-out image P2 is read and script analysis is performed. As a result of the analysis, the original image P1 file defined in the script file is read from the memory card 28 and transferred to the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50.

  In step 260, the CPU 45 sends the image data decoded by the JPEG decompression / compression circuit 50 to the image processing circuit 47 and notifies the image processing circuit 47 of a print request signal. Thus, image processing is performed in the image processing circuit 47 and converted from image data to print data. The CPU 45 sends the print data to the head control unit 49 and drives the printer head 51 based on the print data, thereby printing the original image P1 on a sheet.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the cut-out image P2 as a processed image is printed, the image file is stored in the memory card 28. Therefore, by using the image file, the cut-out image P2 desired by the user can be easily reprinted.

  (2) With reference to the script file stored in the memory card 28, the file search of the original image P1 can be easily performed based on the address information of the original file defined in the file. As a result, in addition to printing the cutout image P2, the original image P1 can be easily printed.

  (3) The document image file read by the scanner unit 2 is stored in the memory card 28. Further, when the processed image is printed by reading the file, the processed image file is stored in the memory card 28, so that the processed image can be easily reprinted without rereading by the scanner unit 2. it can.

  (4) Since the file numbers included in the file names are the same for the image files of the original image P1 and the cut-out image P2, it is practically preferable for identifying each image file.

In addition, you may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus is embodied in the SPC multifunction apparatus 1, but may be embodied in a printer 61 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The printer 61 has a card slot 62 in its main body 61a, and by setting the memory card 63 in the card slot 62, the image data is read from the memory card 63 and, for example, an image taken by a digital camera is read by the host computer. Can be printed without passing. In other words, the printer 61 is a stand-alone printer, and the CPU 45, the image processing circuit 47, the memory card input / output circuit 48, the head control unit 49, the JPEG decompression / compression circuit are provided on the main board as in the above embodiment. An ASIC with a built-in 50 is mounted. An operation panel unit 64 is provided on the upper right side of the main body 61a. The operation panel unit 64 includes a liquid crystal display 65 that displays setting items, setting states, operation states, and the like in characters, and a plurality of operation buttons (copy button 21, cross key 24, determination button 25, and the like). . Further, a liquid crystal display 66 for displaying an image read from the memory card 63 in color is attached to the upper portion of the main body 61 a of the printer 61. A preview image of an image read from the memory card 63 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 66, and a trimming area can be designated on the preview image or a print image can be confirmed in advance. In the printer 61, the original image P1 and the cutout image P2 are associated with each other and stored in the memory card 28, so that the cutout image P2 can be easily reprinted and the cutout image P2 is displayed. The corresponding original image P1 can be easily printed.

  A viewer for recording and displaying an image taken with a digital camera may be connected to the printing apparatus, and the processed image processed using the viewer may be associated with the original image and stored in the memory card. In this way, in addition to the processed image, the original image can be easily printed.

  In the above embodiment, the cut-out image P2 file trimmed from the original image P1 is stored in the memory card 28 in association with the original image P1 file. In addition to this trimming, a processed image file subjected to a retouching process for adjusting image brightness, contrast, color balance, etc. may be stored in the memory card 28 in association with the original image P1 file. In this case, the retouched clipped image file may be stored in the memory card 28, or the retouch information is described in a script file, and the clipped image file before the retouching process is stored in the memory card 28. You may save it.

  In the above embodiment, the original image P1 and the cutout image P2 are associated with each other based on the script file, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the folder for saving each file of the original image P1 and the folder for saving each file of the cut-out image P2 have the same folder name “100EPSON”, and the folder name and the file number of each image file. And may be associated with each other.

  In the above embodiment, when the cutout image P2 is reprinted, the image file of the original image P1 is read out and printed based on the address information defined in the script file. It is not limited. That is, when the original image P1 is printed, the processed image file may be read and the processed image may be printed.

  In the above embodiment, the JPEG format file is stored in the memory card 28 as the image file to be printed. In addition, for example, the Exif format, the TIFF format, which are image file formats for digital still cameras, An image file such as a bitmap format may be saved.

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the file number included in each file name is the same for the original image file and the processed image file.

(2) The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein retouch information of the processed image is described in the script file.
(3) The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the scanner unit and the printer unit are integrated, and have a plurality of functions of a scanner function, a printer function, and a copy function.

The perspective view showing the SPC compound device of one embodiment. The perspective view which shows the SPC composite apparatus of the state which opened the cover of the scanner part. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a SPC compound apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating cut-out image printing and storage processing. Explanatory drawing which shows an original image and a cut-out image. Explanatory drawing which shows each file preserve | saved at a memory card. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a reprint process of a cutout image. The perspective view which shows the printer of another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... SPC compound apparatus as a printing apparatus, 2 ... Scanner part, 3 ... Printer part, 16, 66 ... Liquid crystal display as an image display part, 24 ... Cross key as an operation button, 25 ... Decision button as an operation button, 28: Memory card as memory, 61: Printer as printing device, P1: Original image as original image, P2: Cut-out image as processed image, R1: Trimming area.

Claims (9)

A printer unit for printing an image on a medium based on an image file read from a memory is displayed, an image to be printed is displayed on an image display unit, and the printer unit is a processed image processed based on the image A printing device for printing
When printing the processed image, an image file of the processed image is stored in the memory. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processed image file is stored in a memory in association with an original image file before processing. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a script file defining information for associating the files is generated, and the script file is stored in the memory. After printing the processed image based on the image file read from the memory, the image file of the original image corresponding to the processed image is searched based on the definition information of the script file, and the original image based on the searched image file The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein printing is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the definition information of the script file is address information indicating a storage destination of the image file of the original image. The processed image is an image obtained by cutting out a necessary part from an original image, and includes an operation button operated to set a trimming region for the original image displayed on the image display unit. Item 6. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a scanner unit for reading an image of a document, and storing an image file of an image read by the scanner unit in the memory. In a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium based on an image file read from a memory, the printing method displays an image to be printed on an image display unit and prints a processed image processed based on the image. ,
When printing the processed image, an image file of the processed image is stored in the memory. In a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium based on an image file read from a memory, an image to be printed is displayed on an image display unit, and a printing process for printing a processed image processed based on the image is executed. A program for
A program comprising: a step of storing an image file of the processed image in the memory when the processed image is printed.

Images