JP2001157150A - Device and method for image processing, device and method for printing, system and method for image printing, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing setting in a detailed manner and to perform printing, even if it is a device connected by an interface conforming to IEEE 1394. SOLUTION: This system is provided with an MPEG processing part 16, which applies image processing to an externally inputted image signal and generates image data, a CPU 23 which generates printing control information including at least one piece of information among matter to be printed type information, matter to be printed size information, printing color information, printing quality information, printing position information and printing layout information and a data converting part 13, which includes the image data and the printing control information in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, outputs the packet to a printer 5 and also controls the image data included in the outputted packet to be printed according to the printing control information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, IEEE
(The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engin
eers) Image processing apparatus and method, printing apparatus and method, image printing system and method, and image processing and printing suitable for use in a system for printing images by a printer connected via an interface conforming to the 1394 standard The present invention relates to a recording medium storing a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art IEEE (The Institute of Electrica)
l and Electronics Engineers) The 1394 standard defines physical standards, electrical standards, and the like of connectors provided in each device by interconnecting. Each device having such an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is physically connected so that high-speed transmission / reception of digital data and automatic connection setting between devices are performed.
ot Plug and Play can be realized, and the IEEE 1394 standard is widely used as an industry standard serial interface standard.

The IEEE 1394 interface has been widely used not only in the computer field but also as an interface for connecting AV devices. Specifically, for example, when an STB (set top box) for receiving a satellite broadcast and displaying it on a television device and a printer device for printing an image are connected by an IEEE 1394 interface, the STB uses an FCP (Function Con
The printer device is controlled by using the control protocol and the AV / C protocol. Here, the STB and the printer device implement the FCP and AV / C protocols,
It operates according to the FCP command and the AV / C command.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The conventional IEEE139
In an image printing system provided with a printer device mounted with the FCP and AV / C protocols connected by four interfaces and a controller for controlling the printer device, when printing a still image, information for making print settings is used. The indicated operation mode (operation_mode
_parameters) is specified on the controller side and stored in an asynchronous packet, and the printer device performs printing. At this time, the controller performs print settings according to the user's request. Such print settings are described, for example, in the document "1394 TRADE ASSOCIATION TA Docucu.
ment XXXXXXX AV / C Printer Subunit Specification Ve
rsion 1.0 Draft 0.5: 145 ".

More specifically, when controlling the printing of the printer by the controller, information (si) for setting the size relationship between the image and the printing paper in three stages, large, medium, and small.
zing), information (orientat) for setting the printing direction of printing paper
ions), information (posx, pos) for setting the print position of the image
y), information indicating how many identical images are to be printed on printing paper (multiple_tiled), information indicating how many images are to be printed on one page (number_of_pics), and information indicating how many sheets are to be printed (number_of_copies). Set by the user,
Printing is performed by sending the packet to the printer device in an asynchronous packet.

Conventionally, in a printer connected to a computer, an image quality priority mode in which fine resolution image data is created and sent to the printer by a device driver installed in the computer, and the amount of data is reduced. Various modes such as a speed priority mode for creating an image and sending it to a printer have been set and printing has been performed. However, in the method of setting the mode by such a device driver, an image required for printing must be created on the computer that sends out the image, which places a heavy burden on the computer. Also, when transmitting an image from a television receiver such as a set-top box to a printer device, a heavy load is similarly placed on the television receiver. In recent years, personal computers and the like that can view television broadcasts have appeared, but the same applies to such personal computers.

As a printing protocol of IEEE 1394, DPP (Direct Printing Protocol) has already been used.
ol), the DPP also exchanges the quality of the image received by the printer and the quality of the image that can be transmitted by the computer, and determines the image to be transmitted and received. Even with this DPP, a heavy burden was imposed on the computer and the set-top box.

[0008] As described above, conventionally, an image output from a set-top box or a television receiver is transmitted to the IEEE1.
When an image is printed by transmitting it to a printer device using the 394 interface, a heavy load is imposed on a controller such as a set-top box or a television receiver.

Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and is connected to a printing apparatus by an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, thereby simplifying a preparation process for printing and imposing a burden. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that can respond to various print requests without any need.

Further, the present invention is connected to an image processing apparatus by an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, simplifies a preparation process for printing, and can respond to various printing requests without burdening the image processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that can perform the printing.

According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus and a printing apparatus are connected to each other by an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, thereby simplifying a preparation process for printing and applying various processing without burdening the image processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing system and method capable of responding to a print request.

Further, the present invention is applied to an interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, which simplifies a preparation process for printing, and can respond to various printing requests without burdening a controller. It is an object to provide a recording medium in which a program and a printing program are stored.

The applicant of the present invention is an IEEE 1394 T
The contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 11-233253 and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-261276, which form the basis of the priority claim of the present application, are proposed to the Trade Association as needed for standardization. IEEE 1394 Trade Associate as draft below
Ion was released.・ AV / C Printer Subunit Specification Version 1.0
Draft 0.97: 60 (2Q00 AVWG Off-Cycle Meeting on May 2
4-25,2000) AV / C Printer Subunit Specification Version 1.0
Draft 0.7: 5 (1Q00 TA QMAV-WG on Jan 18,2000) ・ AV / C Printer Subunit Specification Version 1.0
Draft 0.5: 145 (3Q99 TAQM AVWG Meeting on July 28-3
(0,1999)

[0014]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes image processing means for generating desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, and print control information for controlling a printing apparatus. Print control information generating means for generating the still image data and the still image data generated by the image processing means.
ics Engineers) The print control information generated by the print control information generating means is output to the printing apparatus while being included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard, and the AV / C command according to the FCP (Function Control Protocol) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. And output means for outputting the print control information to the printing apparatus, and then outputting the still image data after the print control information is output to the printing apparatus.

According to the image processing method of the present invention, desired still image data is generated based on image data input from the outside, print control information for controlling a printing apparatus is generated, and the generated print control information is generated. The still image data defined above is defined by an AV / C command set according to the FCP (Function Control Protocol) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, output to a printing apparatus, and the generated still image data is converted to an IEEE (The Inst.
itute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1
It is characterized in that it is included in a packet conforming to the 394 standard and output to a printing device.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention is based on IEEE (Th
e Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer
s) Still image data included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard and FCP conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard
An input unit for inputting print control information defined by an AV / C command set in accordance with a (Function Control Protocol); and a printing unit for printing still image data input to the input unit. In this method, after the print control information is input, still image data is input, and the printing unit prints the still image data according to the print control information.

The printing method according to the present invention is based on IEEE13
FCP (Function Control Protocol)
l) Input the print control information defined by the AV / C command set according to the IEEE (The Institute of Elect)
(rical and Electronics Engineers) The still image data included in the packet conforming to the 1394 standard is input, and the still image data is printed according to the input print control information.

An image printing system according to the present invention comprises: an image processing means for generating desired still image data based on image data input from the outside; and a print control information generation for generating print control information for controlling a printing apparatus. Means and the still image data generated by the image processing means are converted to IEEE (Th
e Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer
s) The print control information generated by the print control information generating means is output to a printing apparatus while being included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard,
AV / C according to CP (Function Control Protocol)
Output means for outputting to the printing apparatus defined by a command set, wherein the output means outputs the print control information to the printing apparatus, and then outputs the still image data; and The image processing apparatus further includes an input unit that receives the still image data and the print control information from the processing device, and a printing unit that prints the still image data input to the input unit in accordance with the print control information.

In the image printing method according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus generates desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, generates print control information for controlling the printing apparatus, and generates the print control information. The above print control information is
FCP (Function Contr) conforming to the EEE1394 standard
The protocol is defined by an AV / C command set according to the IP protocol and transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the generated still image data is generated by the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electron
ics Engineers) and transmits the packet to the printing apparatus in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard. The printing apparatus receives the print control information transmitted from the image processing apparatus, and transmits the still image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus. The still image data is printed according to the received print control information.

A recording medium according to the present invention generates desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, generates print control information for controlling a printing apparatus,
The generated print control information is defined by an AV / C command set in accordance with the FCP (Function Control Protocol) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, and output to a printing apparatus.
The generated still image data is transferred to IEEE (The Institut
e of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 139
An image processing program for storing the image processing program in a packet conforming to the four standards and outputting the packet to the printing apparatus is stored.

The recording medium according to the present invention is an IEEE 13
FCP (Function Control Protocol)
l) Input the print control information defined by the AV / C command set according to the IEEE (The Institute of Elect)
and a printing program for printing the still image data in accordance with the input print control information.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

An image printing system to which the present invention is applied is configured, for example, as shown in FIG.

The image printing system 1 includes an antenna 2 for receiving a moving image being broadcast using a communication satellite, for example.
ST for performing predetermined signal processing on the received moving image data
B (Set Top Box) 3, a television device 4 for displaying moving images and still images, and a printer device 5 for printing and outputting images.

The antenna 2 receives a video signal indicating a moving image and outputs it to the STB 3. The video signal received by the antenna 2 is formed by superimposing a multi-channel video signal.
xperts Group) and encrypted by a predetermined encryption method.

The television apparatus 4 displays a moving image by receiving moving image data of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) system via the STB 3. When the TV device 4 is an HDTV, the moving image data is displayed by receiving moving image data conforming to the HD (High Definition) standard from the STB 3. In addition, the display state of the television device 4 is controlled by the STB 3, and also displays a still image, other character information, and the like.

The STB 3 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a demodulation unit 11 for demodulating a video signal received by the antenna 2,
A descrambling unit 12 for performing decryption processing on moving image data, a data conversion unit 13 for performing data conversion processing and the like in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard, and a demultiplexer unit 14 for performing processing and the like for extracting moving image data in a predetermined channel An image memory 15, an MPEG processing unit 16 for performing a decoding process, a decoding memory 17,
An NTSC processing unit 18 that converts the data into data to be displayed on the screen by the television device 4, a display control unit 19, a display memory 20, an operation input unit 21 to which an instruction from a user is input, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) ) 22 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23 that controls each unit.

The STB 3 includes a demodulation unit 11, a descrambling unit 12, a data conversion unit 13, and a demultiplexer unit 1.
4, MPEG processing unit 16, operation input unit 21, RAM2
2. The CPU 23 is connected to the bus, and the CPU 23 controls the processing operation of each unit via the bus.

The demodulation unit 11 receives, for example, an analog video signal representing a moving image stream from the antenna 2. The demodulation unit 11 performs a demodulation process and an A / D conversion process on the video signal from the antenna 2 and outputs the video signal to the descramble unit 12 as digital video data. The demodulation unit 11 receives a control signal from the CPU 23 via a bus and performs demodulation processing and A / D conversion processing based on the control signal.

The descrambling unit 12 performs a decryption process on the moving image data from the demodulation unit 11. That is, the encrypted moving image data is input to the descrambling unit 12, and the descrambling unit 12 performs a decryption process according to the encryption method of the input moving image data. Then, the descrambling unit 12 outputs the moving image data subjected to the decryption processing to the data conversion unit 13. This descrambling unit 12
A control signal is input from the CPU 23 via the bus, and decryption processing is performed using, for example, encryption key information included in the control signal.

The data converter 13 is, for example, an IEEE 13
It consists of an interface circuit conforming to the 94 standard,
In response to a control signal from U23, the descrambling unit 12
By performing signal processing according to the IEEE 1394 standard on the moving image data from, the processing to include the input moving image data or still image data in a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is performed. Here, the data conversion unit 1
For example, when transmitting temporally continuous data such as moving image data, an isochronous (Isochronous) packet is generated, and static data such as still image data, data for command or connection setting is transmitted. Sometimes Asynchronous as shown in FIG.
A process for generating the packet 100 is performed.

The asynchronous packet 100 shown in FIG.
Is a header section 101 conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.
And a data section 102.

In the header section 101, the packet receiving side I
D, ie, the receiving side ID indicating the ID of the printer device 5
(Destination_ID), destination label (tl: transaction l
abel), retransmission code (rt: retry code), transfer code (t
code: transaction code), priority (pri: priority),
The ID of the packet transmitting side, that is, the transmitting side ID (source_ID) indicating the ID of the STB3, the destination_offset indicating the memory address of the packet receiving side, the data field length (data_length), and the extended transfer code (entended_tcode: en)
tender transaction code), a header CRC (header_CRC: CRC of header) indicating a CRC for the header section 101
field) is stored.

The data section 102 has an FCP (Func
data control field for storing data in accordance with an AV / C protocol and a data CRC indicating a CRC for the header section 102
(Data_CRC) is stored.

As shown in FIG. 4, the data field contains CTS (Command Transcript) as information according to FCP.
saction Set) and Command type
, A subunit type (subunit_type) indicating the type of the subunit on the packet receiving side, and a subunit ID (subunit_I) indicating the ID of the subunit on the packet receiving side.
D) are stored. Here, the sub-unit on the packet receiving side corresponds to the data input unit 31 of the printer device 5,
The type of the subunit on the packet receiving side is the printer device 5.
Is represented by “00010”.

In the data field, following the subunit ID, still image data (data) to be transmitted to the printer 5 and a command (co
mmand) is stored. Here, the command stored in the data field is AV /
This is a command included in a command set called a C command. Here, the CTS classifies the type of FCP. For example, when the transmitted packet is a command and its value is 0000, the data field contains I
AV / C DigitalInterface Command of EEE1394
The AV / C command defined by Set is stored in the data section 102.

When outputting the isochronous packet to the outside, the data converter 13 transmits the isochronous packet at regular intervals.

When transmitting the asynchronous packet 100 together with the still image data to be printed by the printer device 5, the data converter 13 transmits the asynchronous packet 100 to the asynchronous packet 100 as shown in FIG.
Asynchronous packet 1 with microsecond cycle period
Send 00. Here, the data conversion unit 13 first
A cycle start packet 111, which is an asynchronous packet 100 including a header section 101, including cycle time data (cycle_time_data) indicating a cycle start (Cycle_start) is transmitted, and capture indicating that still image data is transmitted through a gap of a predetermined time ( capt
ure) A command packet 112 including a command in the data section 102 is transmitted. Next, the data conversion unit 13 transmits the data packet 1 in which the still image data is stored in the data unit 102 to the printer 5 that has received the capture command.
13 is transmitted every cycle period.

At this time, when outputting the still image data to the printer 5, the data conversion unit 13 follows the asynchronous arbitration (Asynchronous Arbitration). That is, when outputting the still image data to the printer 5, the data converter 13 outputs each asynchronous packet 100 including the still image data according to the response from the printer 5.

Specifically, the data conversion unit 13
Under serial bus management according to the EEE1394 standard,
Performs processing in the transaction layer, link layer, and physical layer. Thereby, the data conversion unit 13
Under the control of the CPU 23, the connection relationship with the printer device 5 is set, and the asynchronous packet 100 including the still image data and the overhead as control information is generated, and the printer device connected according to the IEEE 1394 standard is generated. 5 to transmit time-division control by transmitting the asynchronous packet 100 every cycle period.

Further, the data conversion unit 13 has the STB3
The video data received by the television device 4
When the image data is displayed without performing the processing according to the IEEE 1394 standard, the moving image data from the descrambling unit 12 is output to the demultiplexer unit 14 based on the control signal from the CPU 23.

The demultiplexer 14 performs a channel selection process of selecting a channel specified by the CPU 23 from a plurality of channels superimposed on the moving image data from the data converter 13, and a moving image indicating the specified channel. Only the image data is output to the MPEG processing unit 16.

Further, the demultiplexer unit 14
Under the control of the PU 23, the still image data including the luminance information and the color difference information is input from the MPEG processing unit 16, and the still image data is stored in the image memory 15,
The data is output to the data conversion unit 13 according to the control from the CPU 23.

The MPEG processing unit 16 performs a decoding process based on the MPEG standard on the moving image data from the demultiplexer unit 14 based on a control signal from the CPU 23, thereby converting the NTSC processing unit 18 into uncompressed moving image data. Output to Thereby, the MPEG processing unit 16
Is an image composed of pixel data including luminance information (Y), chrominance information, and (Cr, Cb) (hereinafter, referred to as a YCC image). At this time, MP
The EG processing unit 16 uses the moving image data of a plurality of frames to be decoded, as a work area, while storing the moving image data in the MPEG memory 17 as needed.

Here, the MPEG processing section 16 sets the ratio of the sampling frequency of the luminance information Y, the color difference information Cr and the color difference information Cb to 4: 2: 2, that is, the color information C to the luminance information Y.
A YCC image in a pixel format in which r and Cb are reduced by half in the vertical or horizontal direction is generated. Also, this M
The PEG processing section 16 converts the luminance information Y into the color difference information C
r and Cb are reduced by half in the vertical and horizontal directions,
A YCC image having a pixel format of 4: 2: 0 is generated. Here, in the pixel format of 4: 2: 0, for example, the odd lines have the sampling frequency ratio of 4: 2: 0 without including the color difference information Cb, and the even lines have the color difference information Cb.
The sampling frequency ratio is 4: 0: 2 without including r.
One of them is represented as 4: 2: 0. Also, this M
The PEG processing unit 16 may generate not only the 4: 2: 2 or 4: 2: 0 pixel format, but also a 4: 4: 4 pixel format YCC image that does not reduce the color difference information Cr and Cb.

The MPEG processing unit 16 is provided with a CPU 23
The video data from the NTSC processing unit 18 is subjected to an encoding process in accordance with the MPEG standard based on a control signal indicating a compression ratio and the like from the video data, thereby compressing the video data in the time axis direction and the spatial direction and demultiplexing the video data. Part 14
Output to At this time, the MPEG processing unit 16
A process of storing moving image data of a plurality of frames to be encoded in the G memory 17 is performed.

The NTSC processing section 18 is the MPEG processing section 1
The moving image data input from the
Performs an encoding process so that the moving image data can be displayed on a screen in the NTSC system, and outputs the moving image data to the television device 4.

The display control section 19 causes the NTSC processing section 18 to transmit the moving image data of the NTSC system to the television device 4.
Perform the processing for displaying in. At this time, the display control unit 1
Reference numeral 9 stores data to be processed in the display memory 20 as needed.

More specifically, the display control unit 19 sets the image size when displaying on the television device 4 in units of frames constituting moving image data according to the television device 4, for example, 720 pixels × NTSC format. 480 pixels or HD (High Definition) type 1920 horizontal pixels x 1 vertical
A process for controlling the image to be 080 pixels is performed. At this time, when generating the data of one pixel, the display control unit 19 uses the ratio of the sampling frequency of the luminance signal Y, the color difference signal Cr, and the color difference signal Cb to 16 bits using the 4: 2: 2 pixel format. The television apparatus 4 using the information of the luminance signal Y and the information of the sampling frequency ratio of the color difference signal Cr and the color difference signal Cb used in the pixel format of 4: 2: 0.
Perform processing to output to.

Further, the display control section 19 not only outputs the image data to the television apparatus 4 in the above-described manner, but also displays the image size (pixel_x, pixel_x) as shown in FIG.
y), scanning method (interlaced / progressive), pixel format (pixel format), screen aspect ratio (screen aspec
t ratio), pixel aspect ratio, and image type that defines the data size (image size)
Type) image may be generated. In FIG. 6, for example, pixel_y is 720 pixels, and the pixel format is 4:
An image type having a screen aspect ratio of 2: 2 and a screen aspect ratio of 16: 9 is called 720_422_16 × 9. Here, the display control unit 19 is a digital TV broadcasting image type 720_422 used in the United States.
_16 × 9 and 720_420_16 × 9 images can also be generated. Further, this display control unit 19
576_422_4 × 3 and 522_420, which are image types of the AL (Phase Alternation by Line) system
_4 × 3 images can also be generated.

The operation input section 21 generates an operation input signal and outputs it to the CPU 23 when a user operates an operation button or the like provided on the STB 3, for example. Specifically, the operation input unit 21 generates an operation input signal indicating that the moving image displayed on the television device 4 by the user is temporarily stopped and the printer device 5 prints a still image, for example.

The operation input unit 21 is provided for the printer device 5.
For example, when an operation input signal for printing a still image is generated, a print paper type setting, a print paper size setting, a print quality setting, and a print color setting are made according to a print setting screen displayed on the television device 4, for example. , And generates an operation input signal for designating the position offset setting and the layout setting, and outputs the operation input signal to the CPU 23.

The CPU 23 generates a control signal for controlling each of the above-mentioned components constituting the STB 3 based on, for example, an operation input signal from the operation input unit 21.

For example, when displaying a video signal received by the antenna 2 on the television device 4, the CPU 23
The above-described demodulation unit 11, descrambling unit 12, data conversion unit 13, demultiplexer unit 14, MPEG processing unit 1
6 by outputting a control signal to the video data, demodulation, decryption processing, channel selection processing, MPE
Control is performed so that decoding processing conforming to the G standard is performed.

The CPU 23 includes an operation input unit 21
When capturing a still image in frame units among the moving images displayed on the television device 4 by the operation input signal from the CPU, the still image in frame units stored in the display memory 20 at the time when the operation input signal is input A control signal is generated so that data is read into the image memory 15.

Further, the CPU 23 is provided with the operation input unit 21
When the operation input signal for performing the print setting is input from the display control unit 19, the display control unit 19 is controlled so that the print setting screen is displayed on the television device 4, and the operation input signal corresponding to the various print settings described above is transmitted to the data. Control is performed so as to output to the conversion unit 13.

Further, the CPU 23 controls the demultiplexer unit 14 and the data conversion unit 13 when an operation input signal to print the image for which the still image data is generated by the printer device 5 is input, thereby controlling the image. A YCC image, which is still image data in frame units and stored in the memory 15 and includes luminance information Y and color difference information Cr and Cb, is converted into a printer device via a data converter 13 which is an interface circuit conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. 5 is output.

At this time, the data conversion unit 13
When the still image data is transmitted to the printer device 5 under the control of the printer device 3, the asynchronous packet 100 storing the capture command shown in FIG. 7 is transmitted following the subunit ID shown in FIG. 5, a capture command for receiving still image data is transmitted.

The capture command shown in FIG.
Capture as de (operation code) (CA
PTURE) command is stored is represented by XX ₁₆ hexadecimal. Subsequently, a subfunction is stored as operand [0], and source_subunit_t is stored in upper 5 bits as operand [1].
ype, source_subunit_ID is stored in lower 3 bits, op
source_plug is stored as erand [2], status is stored as operand [3], and dest_plug is stored as operand [4]. Next, the capture command includes opera
print_job_ID is stored as d [5] to operand [16], and ope
data_size is stored as rand [17] to operand [20], and op
image_size_x is stored as erand [21] to operand [22], image_size_y is stored as operand [23] to operand [24], image_format_specifier is stored as operand [25], and operand [27] to operand [29] are stored. is reserved, Next_pic is stored as operand [30], and operand [3
Next_page is stored as [1] to operand [32].

Here, the source_subunit_type is S
This information indicates the type of subunit that transmits the asynchronous packet 100 on the TB3 side.
It_ID is the ID of the subunit transmitting the asynchronous packet 100, the source_plug is the plug number of the subunit transmitting the asynchronous packet 100, and the dest_plug is the plug number of the subunit receiving the asynchronous packet 100. The print_job_ID is an ID of a process (job) for printing one still image, and the data_size is an amount of data to be transmitted from the STB 3 to the printer 5 when the printer 5 prints a still image. The image_size_x is the number of pixels in the x direction corresponding to the image type shown in FIG. 6, the image_size_y is the number of pixels in the y direction corresponding to the image type, and the image_format_specifi
er is the name of the image type. Also, the above re
The served is composed of an arbitrary number of bits, and is provided to make the number of bits of the entire capture command a multiple of four. By providing this reserved, the number of bits suitable for a data unit when transmitting a packet conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is set.

In the image_format_specifier, as shown in FIG. 8, the name of the image type is a hexadecimal value (Va
lue). In FIG. 8, “chunky” in the name of the image type indicates a dot-sequential still image transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 to the printer device 5, and “liner” indicates line-sequential data from the data conversion unit 13. This indicates that the image is a still image transmitted to the printer device 5.

The above image_format_specifier includes:
As shown in FIG. 9, not only when the name of the image type is described as shown in FIG. 8, but also as a hexadecimal value (Valu
e, Sub-value), and may store the name of an image type that does not include information on the number of pixels unlike the image type shown in FIG. At this time, the printer 5
The number of pixels to be printed in the capture command shown in FIG.
image_size_x, ope described in operand [21] to [22]
It is defined by image_size_y described in rand [23] to [24].

For example, ms of the above image_format_specifier
When “b” is described in hexadecimal as 00 (Meaning: sRGBraw), it indicates that the image data is transmitted to the printer device 5 as RGB data. Furthermore, the above image_form
00 is described in hexadecimal notation in msb of at_specifier, and l
When sb is described as 00 (Type: sRGB raw) in hexadecimal, RGB data is converted to R, G, B, R, G, B,
... and send to lsb 01 (Type: sRGB raw, qu
adlet), R, G, B, 0,
Are transmitted in the order of R, G, B, 0,. That is, m
When 00 is described in sb, 0 is inserted between B and R.
By transmitting data, R, G, B, and 0 are converted into one unit of 4
Transmit as byte data.

Also, ms of the above image_format_specifier
When “b” is described as 01 (Meaning: YCCraw) in hexadecimal, it indicates that image data is transmitted to the printer device 5 as YCC data. Furthermore, the above image_form
Hexadecimal number 01 is described in msb of at_specifier, and l
0x in hexadecimal notation for sb (X is an indefinite number) (Type: YCC4: 2: 2
When it is described as (raw / pixel), luminance information and color difference information are transmitted in dot-sequential (chunky) data in a pixel format of 4: 2: 2, and 1X (Type: YCC 4: 2: 2 ra) is transmitted to lsb.
w / line), 4: 2: 2 pixel format data is transmitted line-sequentially (liner), and ls
When b is described as 8X (Type: YCC4: 2: 2 raw / chunky) in hexadecimal, luminance information and color difference information are 4: 2: 0.
Is transmitted in a dot-sequential manner (chunky), and when 9X (Type: YCC4: 2: 0 raw / line) is described in lsb, the data in the 4: 2: 0 pixel format is line-sequentially transmitted. liner).

Also, ms of the above image_format_specifier
Hexadecimal number 01 (Meaning: YCCraw) is described in b, l
When hexadecimal numbers X0 to XC are described in sb, the pixel ratio (Pixel ratio 1.00 × 1.00, Pixel ratio 1.
19 × 1.00 or Pixel ratio 0.89 × 1.00), color space specification (ITU-R (International Telecommunications Union-Ra
diocommunication Sector) BT.709-2, ITU-R BT.601-4
Or ITU-R BT.1203), dot sequential (chunky) or line sequential (l
iner) is specified and data is transmitted. Further, when hexadecimal numbers X0 to X4 are described in lsb, it indicates that an interlaced image is to be transmitted.
Indicates that a progressive image is to be transmitted. Furthermore, X0 to X2 and X8
To XA are described, ITU-R BT. 7
X3 indicates transmission of data conforming to 09-2.
And XB are described in ITU-R BT.
X indicates transmission of data conforming to 601-4.
4 and XC are described, ITU-R B
T. Indicates that data compliant with the 1203 (PAL system) is transmitted.

Further, ms of the above image_format_specifier
When 10 (Meaning: DCFObject) is described as a hexadecimal number in b, the image data is converted into a format (DCF: Design rule for Came
ra format) to the printer device 5 side. Furthermore, 1 is added to msb of the above image_format_specifier.
It is described as 10 in hexadecimal, and 00 (Ty
pe: Exif2.1) when the image part is JP
This indicates that Exif format data to which a header in which a shooting situation, conditions, and the like are recorded in EG format are added. Also, lsb is 01 in hexadecimal (Type: JFIF (JPEG File In
terplay Format)) when JFIF
Lsb is 02 (Ty
When described as pe: TIFF (Tag Image File Format), it indicates that data in TIFF format is to be transmitted.
F and (Type: JPEG (joint photographic coding experts
group)) indicates that the image data is transmitted to the printer device 5 in the JPEG format.

Furthermore, when the hexadecimal number 80 to 8F is described in the msb of the image_format_specifier, it indicates that the data is transmitted in a format according to another format, and is further specified by 00 to FF described in the lsb. Data in the specified format.

Further, in the image_format_specifier, FE (Mean
ing: Special meaning) and lsb is 00 (Type: Un
it Plug defined) and 01 (Don't care) can be set.

The data converter 13 transmits the asynchronous packet 100 storing the capture command,
After receiving an ACK (acknowledge) from the printer device 5, an asynchronous packet 100 including still image data is transmitted to the printer device 5.

The transmission rules for still image data are as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 10 shows the transmission order of pixel data when still image data in the pixel format of YCC 4: 2: 2 is transmitted to the printer device 5 in a dot-sequential manner (chunky).

FIG. 11 shows the transmission order of pixel data when still image data in the YCC 4: 2: 0 pixel format is transmitted to the printer device 5 in a dot-sequential manner (chunky).

FIG. 12 shows the transmission order of pixel data when still image data in the YCC 4: 2: 2 pixel format is transmitted to the printer device 5 in a line-sequential manner (liner).

FIG. 13 shows the transmission order of pixel data when still image data in the pixel format of YCC 4: 2: 0 is transmitted to the printer device 5 in a line-sequential manner (liner).

In FIGS. 10 to 13, Y
_i (L _j ) indicates the luminance information Y of the pixel number i included in the line number j. I used when designating the pixel of the luminance information Y is an integer value from 1 to N, and j is an integer value from 1 to M. Cb _i (L _j ) indicates the color difference information Cb of the pixel number i included in the line number j. Color difference information Cb
I used when designating the pixel of 1, 3, 5,.
N becomes the value of N-1, and j becomes an integer value from 1 to M in the case of YCC 4: 2: 2, and 1, 3, 5,... N-1 in the case of YCC 4: 2: 0. Value. Cr _i (L _j )
Is the color difference information Cr of the pixel number i included in the line number j.
Is shown. I used when designating the pixel of the color difference information Cr is a value of 1, 3, 5,... N−1, and j is YC
In the case of C4: 2: 2, it is an integer value from 1 to M, and Y
In the case of CC4: 2: 0, the values are 1, 3, 5... N-1. N indicates the total number of pixels in one line.
M indicates the total number of lines in one screen.

The data conversion unit 13 determines that the image type shown in FIG. 8 is 480_422_4 × 3,
Pixel numbers 1 to 720 are assigned in the directions, and y
When the still image data is transmitted to the printer device 5 in a dot-sequential manner (chunky) by including pixels with line numbers 1 to 480 in the direction and including the still image in the asynchronous packet 100, as shown in FIG. Transmit pixel data.

That is, the data conversion unit 13 sets the luminance information Y1 (L1) for the pixel number 1 included in the line number 1 following the address offset (address_offset),
The luminance information Y2 (L1), the color difference information Cb1 (L1), and the color difference information Cr1 (L1) are transmitted. Then, the data conversion unit 13 transmits the luminance information and the color difference information of the next line number 2 and subsequent pixels after the pixel data up to the pixel number 720 included in the line number 1, and transmits the pixel number 720 included in the line number 480. The transmission of the still image data indicating one still image is completed by transmitting the pixel data up to.

For example, when the image type is 480_420_4 × 3,
As shown in FIG. 15, the address offset (address_of
fset), luminance information Y1 (L1), luminance information Y2 (L1), and luminance information for pixel number 1 included in line number 1.
After transmitting the luminance information Y1 (L2) and the luminance information Y2 (L2), the color difference information C included in the pixel data of the pixel number 1 is transmitted.
b1 (L1), color difference information Cr1 (L1), luminance information Y3
(L1), and transmits the luminance information Y4 (L1). And
The data conversion unit 13 ends transmission of the still image data indicating one still image by transmitting the pixel data up to the pixel number 720 included in the line number 480.

Further, when transmitting the still image data of which image type is 480_422_4 × 3 in the asynchronous packet 100 in a line-sequential manner (line), for example, as shown in FIG. (Address_offset), luminance information Y1 (L1) and luminance information Y2 for line number 1
(L1), luminance information Y3 (L1), luminance information Y4 (L
1),..., After transmitting the luminance information Y720 (L1), the color difference information Cb1 (L
1), color difference information Cr1 (L1),..., Color difference information Cb
720 (L1) and the color difference information Cr 720 (L1), and subsequently, the luminance information and the color difference information of the line number 2 and thereafter are transmitted, and the color difference information Cr 720 (L4
The transmission of the still image data is terminated by transmitting (80).

Further, the data conversion unit 13 is, for example,
When the still image data whose image type is 480_420_4 × 3 is included in the asynchronous packet 100 and transmitted in a line-sequential manner (line), as shown in FIG.
First, luminance information Y1 (L1) to luminance information Y of line number 1
720 (L1), and subsequently, luminance information Y1 (L2) to luminance information Y720 (L2) of line number 2 are transmitted,
Subsequently, the color difference information Cb1 (L1), the color difference information Cr1 (L1) to the color difference information Cb720 (L1), and the color difference information Cr719 (L1) of the line number 1 are transmitted, and the pixel data of the line number 1 and the line number 12 are transmitted. Then, the luminance information and the color difference information of the line number 3 and thereafter are transmitted, and the color difference information Cb719 (L479) and the color difference information Cr719 (L4
The transmission of the still image data is completed by transmitting the data up to 79).

Further, the data conversion section 13 sets a print paper type, a print paper size, a print quality, a print color in accordance with an operation input signal from the operation input section 21.
When the print setting is performed by designating the position offset setting and the layout setting, FIG. 18 is different from operation_mode_parameters (hereinafter, referred to as operation mode 1 parameter) already proposed in the IEEE 1394 standard.
Operation mode 2 (OPERATION MODE2) parameter included in the operation mode 2 command shown below (hereinafter referred to as operation mode 2 parameter).
Is stored in the command packet.

Here, the operation mode 1 parameter is information (sizing) for setting the size relationship between the image and the printing paper in three stages of large, medium, and small, and information for setting the printing direction of the printing paper. (Orientations), information for setting the print position of the image (posx, posy), information indicating how many identical images are to be printed on the printing paper (multiple_tiled),
Information indicating how many images are printed on one page (numb
er_of_pics), information indicating how many sheets to print (number_of_
copies).

In the operation mode 2 command shown in FIG. 18, information indicating an operation mode 2 (OPERATION MODE 2) command is stored as an opcode (operation code) expressed as "51" in hexadecimal. Subsequently, a subfunction is stored as operand [0], status is stored as operand [1], and operand [2] to
reserved is stored as operand [4]. Then, oper
print_job_ID is stored as and [5] to operand [16], and o
Operation_mo indicating specific print setting contents of the operation mode 2 command as perand [17] to operand [31]
de2_parameters (Operation mode 2 parameters)
Is stored.

As shown in FIG. 19, the subfunction includes information represented by hexadecimal 01 and referred to as "get", information represented by hexadecimal 02 and referred to as "set", or hexadecimal 03, and information called “query” is stored.

The data converter 13 stores “get” in the subfunction when acquiring the operation mode 2 parameter indicating the print setting information of the printer 5, and sets “set” when setting the operation mode 2 parameter of the printer 5. Is stored, and "query" is stored when the user wants to know the settable range of the operation mode 2 parameter of the printer device 5. The above 16
If the information is represented by a value other than 01, 02, and 03 in base, the subfunction is Reserved.

When responding to the operation mode 2 command from the data conversion unit 13, the data input unit 31 described later generates an asynchronous packet in which the contents of the subfunction are changed.

As shown in FIG. 20, the Operation_mode2_parameters includes printing paper type information (media_type),
Print paper size information (Media_size), reserved area (reserv
ed), print quality information (Print_quality), print color information (M
ono_color), print offset position information (offset), and layout setting information (Layout_type).

The printing paper type information (media_type) is
As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, one bit is assigned to each setting item, and a plurality of setting items are arranged in order. That is, device_dependent, Plain_pape
r (plain paper), Bond_paper (seal), Special_paper
(Special paper), Photo_paper (photo paper), Transparenc
y_film (OHP film) is arranged in order, and the bits for each setting item are
3 or by being set up by the data input unit 31, the type of printing paper is designated. The print paper type information includes device_depende when the user selects the optimum print paper type on the printer device 5 side without specifying the print paper.
A bit about nt is set.

The above printing paper size information (Media_size)
Is device_dependen as shown in FIGS.
t, A5 (ISO and JIS A5), A4 (ISO an
d JIS A5), B5 (JIS B5), Executive
(US Executive), Letter (US Letter), Legal
(US Legal), Reserved, Hagaki, Oufuku
_hagaki (round trip postcard), A6 (ISO and JIS A)
6 Card), Index_4 × 6 (US Index Card 4 "× 6"), In
dex_5 × 8 (US Index Card 5 "× 3"), A3 (ISOA
3), B4, Lagel_11 × 17, Commercial10_portrait
(US Commercial # 10 (portrait)), Commercial10_lan
dscape (US Commercial # 10 (landscape)), DL (Inter
national DL), C6 (International C6), A2 (USA
2), Custom (Custom paper) is stored. The print paper size information specifies the size of the print paper by setting bits for each setting item by the data conversion unit 13 or the data input unit 31.

The print paper size information (Media_si
As another example of ze), as shown in FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, “develce_dependent” and “other” are stored, and then standardized letter (North American letter si)
ze), legal (North American legal size), na_10x1
3_envelope (North American 10 × 13 envelope), na_9
× 12_envelope (North American 9 × 12 envelope), na
_number_10_envelope (North American 10 business en
velope), na_7x9_envelope (North American 7x
9), na_9x11_envelope (North American 9x11), na
_10 × 14_envelope (North American 10 × 14 envelop
e), na_6 × 9_envelope (North American 6 × 9 envelop
e), na_10 × 15_envelope (North American 10 × 15 env
elope), a (engineering A), b (engineering B), c
(Engineering C), d (engineering D), iso a0 (ISO
A0), iso a1 (ISO A1), iso a2 (ISO A2), iso a3
(ISO A3), iso a4 (ISO A4), iso a5 (ISO A5), is
o a6 (ISO A6), iso a7 (ISO A7), iso a8 (ISO A
8), iso a9 (ISO A9), iso a10 (ISO A10), iso b0
(ISOB0), iso b1 (ISO B1), iso b2 (ISO B2), iso
b3 (ISO B3), iso b4 (ISOB4), iso b5 (ISO B5),
iso b6 (ISO B6), iso b7 (ISO B7), iso b8 (ISOB
8), iso b9 (ISO B9), iso b10 (ISO B10), iso c0
(ISO C0), iso c1 (ISO C1), iso c2 (ISO C2), is
o c3 (ISO C3), iso c4 (ISO C4), iso c5 (ISO C4)
5), iso c6 (ISO C6), iso c7 (ISO C7), iso c8 (I
SO C8), iso designated (ISO Designated Long), ji
s b0 (JIS B0), jis b1 (JIS B1), jis b2 (JIS B
2), jis b3 (JIS B3), jis b4 (JIS B4), jis b5 (J
IS B5), jis b6 (JIS B6), jis b7 (JIS B7), jis b
8 (JIS B8), jis b9 (JIS B9), jis b10 (JIS B1
0), index_4x6 (North American Index Card 4 "x
6 "), index_5x8 (North American Index Card 5" x
8 "), japanese_hagaki (Japanese Hagaki Postcar
d), japanese_ouhuku_hagaki (Japanese Ouhuku-Hagak
i Postcard) are stored in order, and the bit for each setting item is set by the data conversion unit 13 or the data input unit 31 to specify the size of the printing paper.

The print quality information (Print_quality) is
As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, device_dependent, ec
onomy (speed priority), normal (normal), and Best (image quality priority) are stored. In the print quality information, the bits for each setting item are stored in the data conversion unit 13 or the data input
1 designates the print quality.

The print color information (Mono_color) is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 31, device_dependent, mono (monochrome printing), and color (color printing) are stored. The print color information specifies a print color by setting bits for each setting item by the data conversion unit 13 or the data input unit 31.

As another example of the print color information (Mono_color), as shown in FIGS.
_dependent, black_white (black and white printing), mono (black and white (gray scale) printing), and color (color printing) are stored.

The print offset position information (offset)
Are Offset_top, Offs, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35.
et_left is stored. Offset_top and Offset_left
Is represented between hexadecimal numbers X000 to X999, and B
The offset position is specified by 2 bytes using a CD (binary coded decimal: binary coded decimal system). Here, when the X is 0 in hexadecimal, it indicates a print start position in the inner direction (plus) of the print paper, and when 8 is 8, it indicates a print start position in the outer direction (minus) of the print paper. Two of the digits represent an integer and the remaining one represents the decimal part. Thereby, the origin position of the upper left of the printing paper is 00.0 m in width from the top (left) and the left (left) paper edge.
The print start position is designated by designating within the range of m to 99.9 mm. The print offset position information becomes device_dependent when expressed as hexadecimal FFFF. Further, the print offset position information is stored in the subfunctio
When n is a qualy for inquiring the settable range of the operation mode 2 parameter, the settable maximum value is stored.

The above layout setting information (Layout_type)
Has a Layout_type of 4 as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37.
Stored in bytes. This layout setting information is 16
The type of the layout is indicated by being expressed between 00000000 to 0FFFFFFF in radix, and FFFFFFF
When expressed as F, it becomes device_dependent.

The above-mentioned data output unit 13 outputs another example of the command as shown in FIG.
As described above, the operation mode 1 and the operation mode 2 may be output to the printer device 5 as a single command.

As shown in FIG. 38, this operation mode command indicates that the operation command is an operation command in hexadecimal number 41 in the opcode.
tus, next_pic, next_page, print_job_ID, then op
operation_mode_parameters, o corresponding to the above-mentioned operation mode 1 parameters in erand [17] to operand [24]
The operation mode 2 (OPERATION MODE2) parameter (operation_mode2_p) included in the operation mode 2 command of FIG. 18 described above is included in perand [25] to operand [29].
operation_mode_opt corresponding to the print paper type information, print paper size information, print quality information, print color information, print offset position information, and layout setting information
ional_parameters is stored. For such operation commands, the operation_mode_parameters part is set as standard, and the operation_mode_optional_parameters
Is extended and processed between the data conversion unit 13 and the data input unit 31.

As described above, the operation_mode_parameters stores the same information as the content stored in the operation mode 1 command.

The above operation_mode_optional_parameters
As shown in FIG. 39, media_type, which indicates the type of printing paper to be printed by the printer device 5, as in Operation_mode2_parameters shown in FIG. 20 stored in the operation mode 2 command shown in FIG. Media_siz indicating the size of the printing paper to be printed by the device 5
e, pri indicating print quality when printing with the printer device 5
nt_quality, mono_color are stored, and also rendering_in
The tent is stored. The processing using the operation mode command shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 5 has a data input section 31 for inputting still image data from the printer 5, and a ROM (Re
ad Only Memory) 32, a print engine 33 that prints on a printing medium, a RAM 34, and a CPU 35 that controls each component.

The data input unit 31 is, for example, an IEEE13
It consists of an interface circuit conforming to the 94 standard,
In response to the control signal from U35, the STB 3 performs signal processing according to the IEEE 1394 standard on the still image data included in the asynchronous packet 100.

More specifically, the data input unit 31
Under serial bus management according to the EEE1394 standard,
Performs processing in the transaction layer, link layer, and physical layer. Thereby, the data input unit 31
The still image data included in the asynchronous packet 100 is output to the CPU 35.

When the data input unit 31 receives a command packet in which the operation mode 2 parameter is stored from the data conversion unit 13, the data input unit 31 outputs various print setting information to the CPU 35.

The data input section 31 is connected to the subfunct
When it is determined that the get for acquiring the operation mode 2 parameter indicating the print setting information of the printer device 5 is stored as the ion, the print paper type information, the print paper size information, the print quality information, the print color information, the print offset position Among the information and the layout setting information, the STB 3 recognizes the print setting to be acquired. Then, the data input unit 31 returns a packet including the operation mode 2 parameter regarding the recognized print setting to the data conversion unit 13 as a response.

Further, the data input unit 31
When it is determined that a set for setting the operation mode 2 parameter of the printer device 5 is stored, the print paper type information, print paper size information, print quality information, print color information, print offset position information, layout setting information Among them, the STB 3 recognizes the print setting to be set. Then, the data input unit 31 outputs information indicating that to the CPU 35 so as to set the operation mode 2 parameter for the recognized print setting.

Further, the data input section 31 has a subfunct
If it is determined that qualy for inquiring the settable range of the operation mode 2 parameter is stored as ion, the printing paper type information, the printing paper size information,
Print quality information, print color information, print offset position information,
By examining the bits of each setting item in the layout setting information, the print setting inquired by the data conversion unit 13 is recognized. Then, the data input unit 31 returns a packet in which the operation mode 2 parameter settable value for the print setting inquired by the data conversion unit 13 is included in the asynchronous packet 100 to the data conversion unit 13 as a response.

Further, when a bit is set in device_dependent in the print paper type information, print paper size information, print quality information, print color information, print offset position information, and layout setting information, Is output to the CPU 35.

Further, the data input section 31 sets the connection setting for transmitting and receiving the asynchronous packet 100 to and from the printer device 5 when the STB 3 is mechanically connected to the STB 3 via an optical cable or the like. This is performed with the unit 13.

The print engine 33 includes a printing medium holding drive mechanism, a printer head, a printer head driving mechanism, and the like, and is controlled by the CPU 35 to print a still image on the printing medium.

The CPU 35 is connected to the data input unit 31,
A control signal for controlling the print engine 33 is generated.
At this time, the CPU 35 operates according to the print control program stored in the ROM 32 and
The contents are controlled by using the work area 34 as a work area.

Further, the CPU 35 prints the paper type information (media_type), print paper size information (Media_size),
Print quality information (Print_quality), print color information (Mono_co
lor), print offset position information (offset), and layout setting information (Layout_type) are input from the data input unit 31, and the print engine 33 is controlled according to various print settings.

The CPU 35 transmits a packet indicating that a print paper type different from the print paper type specified by the print paper type information from the data input unit 31 is prepared in the print engine 33, for example. The data input unit 31 is controlled to generate the data. Where CP
If the print setting is different from the operation mode 2 parameter, the U35 may perform a process of stopping the print setting using a display mechanism such as a lamp (not shown).

Further, the CPU 35 outputs printing paper type information,
Devi in print paper size information, print quality information, print color information, print offset position information, layout setting information
When a signal indicating that a bit is set to ce_dependent is input from the data input unit 31, printing is performed so that the type of printing paper, printing paper size, print quality, print offset position, or layout position is optimized.

The CPU 35 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 40 according to the print control program.

According to FIG. 40, first, at step ST1
2, the data input unit 31 of the printer device 5 receives a data packet generated according to the IEEE 1394 standard from the data conversion unit 13. At this time, the data input unit 31 performs processing in the transaction layer, the link layer, and the physical layer based on the IEEE 1394 standard to extract still image data as a YCC image including the luminance information Y and the color difference information Cr and Cb. I do. Further, when the command packet includes the operation mode 2 parameter, the data input unit 31 outputs each print setting to the CPU 35.

In the next step ST2, the CPU 35
Performs a screen dump process for printing everything displayed on the entire screen of the television device 4.

In the next step ST3, the CPU 35
Performs raster processing on the still image data on which the screen dump processing has been performed in step ST2 described above. That is, the CPU 35 performs a process of converting the still image data into a dot format for transferring to the print engine 33.

In the next step ST4, the CPU 35
Is based on, for example, print size information for the still image data that has been rasterized in step ST3.
Perform enlargement / reduction processing. That is, the CPU 35
Processing is performed to change the size of the still image when printing, for example, within a range specified by the user.

In the next step ST5, the CPU 35
Is performed on the still image data subjected to the enlargement / reduction processing in step ST4 described above, for example, by performing color adjustment processing in accordance with print color information, thereby converting the still image data including luminance information and color difference information into R (Red), G (Green), B (Blu
e) or print data consisting of white and black.

Note that Y (ITU-R BT.601-
4) The pixel value for which the color space is specified in the format and the RG
The relational expression with the pixel value for which the color space is designated by B is shown. Y ' _601YCC = 0.299 * R' _RGB + 0.587 * G ' _RGB + 0.144 * B' _RGB Cr ' _601YCC = 0.713 * (R' _RGB -Y ' _601YCC ) = 0.500 * R' _RGB -0.
419 * G ' _RGB -0.081 * B' _RGB Cb ' _601YCC = 0.564 * (B' _RGB -Y ' _601YCC ) = -0.169 * R' _RGB -0.
331 * G ' _RGB + 0.500 * B' _{RGB If} this is an 8-bit value, it is as follows. Y ' _{601YCC_8bit} = (219.0 * Y' _601YC ) +16.0 Cb ' _{601YCC_8bit} = (224.0 * Cb' _601YCC ) +128.0 Cr ' _{601YCC_8bit} = (224.0 * Cr' _601YCC ) +128.0 Transmitted to the printer device 5 and in this step ST5,
This 8-bit YCC value is converted to RGB.

In addition, Y (ITU-R BT.709-
2) The pixel value for which the color space is specified in the format and the RG
The relational expression with the pixel value for which the color space is designated by B is shown. Y ' _709YCC = 0.2126 * R' _RGB + 0.7152 * G ' _RGB + 0.0722 * B' _RGB Cb ' _709YCC = 0.5389 * (B' _RGB -Y ' _709YCC ) Cr' _709YCC = 0.6350 * (R ' _RGB -Y' _709YCC ) If this is an 8-bit value, the result is as follows. _{Y'709YCC_8bit} = (219.0 * _Y'709YCC ) +16.0 _{Cb'709YCC_8bit} = (224.0 * _Cb'709YCC ) +128.0 _{Cr'709YCC_8bit} = (224.0 * _Cr'709YCC ) +128.0 These 8-bit values are used as image data from STB3. Transmitted to the printer device 5 and in this step ST5,
This 8-bit YCC value is converted to RGB.

In the next step ST6, the CPU 35
Determines the ratio of cyan, magenta, and yellow in each dot by performing a process of converting color-adjusted print data composed of RGB into cyan, magenta, and yellow colors, and performing dither processing in step ST7. Do.

Then, in step ST8, the CPU
35 outputs the print data obtained by performing the dither processing to the print engine 33,
Is driven to perform a printing process of drawing an image on a printing medium. At this time, the CPU 35 sets the printing paper type, printing paper size, print quality,
The print processing is performed by setting a print color, a print offset position, and a layout setting.

The image printing system 1 configured as described above
The processing of the CPU 23 when printing the image data received by the STB 3 by the printer device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 41, first, in step ST11, the CPU 23 of the STB 3
When the user operates an operation button provided on the STB 3, an operation input signal to freeze a moving image displayed on the television device 4 is input. In response to this, the CPU 23 controls the display control unit 19 so as to stop the output of the moving image data from the NTSC processing unit 18 to the television device 4, whereby the television device 4
To display a still image.

In the next step ST12, the CPU 3
5 is frozen in step ST11 described above,
When an operation input signal indicating that still image data in frame units displayed on the television device 4 is selected and printed by the printer device 5 is input from the operation input unit 21, the frame unit stored in the display memory 20 is displayed. The display control unit 19, the MPEG processing unit 16, and the demultiplexer unit 14 are controlled to read the still image data into the image memory 15. Thus, the CPU 23 stores the still image data including the luminance information Y and the color difference information Cr and Cb in the image memory 15.

In the next step ST13, the CPU 3
5 is an IEEE 13 between the STB 3 and the printer 5.
Data conversion unit 1 so as to make connection settings conforming to the H.94 standard.
3 is controlled. That is, the data conversion unit 13
When a control signal for performing connection setting is input from 23, a command packet is generated to recognize the plug with the data input unit 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 1
Reference numeral 3 indicates that the data input unit 31 of the printer device 5 transmits a command packet storing information indicating the transmission-side plug. Then, the data input unit 31 of the printer device 5 recognizes the information indicating the transmission plug and transmits a command packet storing information indicating the reception plug to be asynchronously connected to the data conversion unit 13. Thereby, the data conversion unit 13
Recognizes the information indicating the receiving-side plug of the data input unit 31 of the printer device 5, and the data input unit 31 recognizes the information indicating the transmitting-side plug of the data conversion unit 13 of the STB 3.

In the next step ST14, the CPU 2
3 generates a command packet for specifying a print paper type, a print paper size, a print quality, a print color, a print offset position or a layout setting when printing a still image on the printer device 5 according to an operation input signal, and inputs the data. The print request is output by outputting the command packet including the capture command to the data input unit 31 while generating the command packet including the capture command.

In the next step ST15, the CPU 2
Numeral 3 includes the still image data stored in the image memory 15 by controlling the demultiplexer unit 14 and the data conversion unit 13 so as to output the still image data to be printed by the printer device 5 to the printer device 5. A data packet is generated and transmitted to the printer device 5.

When the printer device 5 determines that all of the still image data has been received by receiving a plurality of data packets including the information indicating the receiving-side plug, the printer device 5 executes the processing shown in FIG. Performs print processing on the image indicated by the still image data according to the designated print size and the like.

Next, an example of transmitting and receiving the asynchronous packet 100 between the STB 3 and the printer device 5 and printing still image data by the printer device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

According to FIG. 42, before starting the printing process, the data conversion unit 13 transmits a command packet (JOB_QUEUE) S11 to the printer device 5 and there is a job for printing one still image. And a response packet S12 corresponding thereto is obtained.

The data conversion unit 13 operates in an operation mode indicating the type, size, print quality, color (monochrome / color) of the printing process, printing position, and the like when printing with the printer device 5. (OPERATION MODE) or a command packet S13 for specifying operation mode 2 parameters including print paper type information, print paper size information, print quality information, print color information, print offset position information, and layout setting information is transmitted to the printer device 5. , A response packet S14 is obtained. At this time, the data conversion unit 13 determines that the printer device 5
It is determined whether or not the parameter is acceptable.

Then, the data conversion unit 13 sets a plug for transmitting still image data to the data input unit 31. That is, first, the STB 3 transmits the command packet S15 storing the ALLOCATE command to the data input unit 31 so as to set the receiving-side plug, and obtains a response packet S16 corresponding thereto.

The data conversion unit 13 sets a plug for receiving a data packet containing still image data to be printed by the printer device 5 and stores a command packet storing an ATTACH command indicating transmission and reception of the data packet. S17 is transmitted, and a response packet S18 corresponding thereto is obtained.

Next, the data converter 13 transmits a command packet S19 including a capture command. Here, the command packet S19 stores information (source_plug) indicating the transmission plug on the data conversion unit 13 side. As a result, the data input unit 31 is connected to the data conversion unit 1
3 is recognized.

Next, the data input unit 31 outputs the oAPR (ou
A packet S20 including information for setting a tput Asychronous Port Register) is transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. Here, information (dest_plug) indicating the receiving-side plug of the data input unit 31 is stored in the packet S20. At this time, the data input unit 31 transmits the packet S20 with information indicating the transmitting-side plug recognized by receiving the command packet S19. Then, the data conversion unit 13 recognizes the reception side plug of the data input unit 31.

Next, the data converter 13 converts the data
A data packet S21 storing a YCC image and still image data is transmitted to the data input unit 31. Here, the data converter 13 divides the still image data into a predetermined data amount and transmits a plurality of data packets S21.

Then, the data conversion unit 13 sends the iAPR (input As As) of the flow control register of the transmitting plug.
A response packet S22 including information on the “ychronous Port Register” is transmitted to the data input unit 31.

Next, the data input unit 31 transmits to the data conversion unit 13 a command packet S23 indicating that the capture command has been accepted.

In response to this, the data conversion unit 13 transmits a command packet S24 including a DETACH command indicating that the connection with the printer device 5 is released, and obtains a response packet S25 from the data input unit 31.

Next, the data conversion unit 13 transmits a command packet S25 including a RELEASE command to the data input unit 31 of the printer 5, and obtains a response packet S26 from the data input unit 31.

Next, the data conversion unit 13 sends a command packet (JOB_QUEUE) S28 indicating that the sequence indicating the job for printing a still image has been completed to the data input unit 3.
1 and obtains a response packet S29 corresponding thereto.

Next, a case where the data converter 13 transmits and receives a command packet including the operation mode command shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 between the STB 3 and the printer 5 will be described. Here, the STB 3 and the printer device 5 have operation_mode_parameters corresponding to the operation mode 1 parameter set as a standard setting,
Operatio corresponding to operation mode 2 parameter
n_mode_parameters is an extended setting.

First, when the STB 3 and the printer device 5 support only the standard setting, that is, operation_mode
An example in which settings corresponding to only _parameters are performed and image data and asynchronous packets specifying various settings are transmitted and received from the data conversion unit 13 to the data input unit 31 will be described.

When the STB 3 sets operation_mode_parameters, which is the standard setting of the operation mode, in the printer device 5, as shown in FIG.
control command with ion set (CONTROL comman
The command packet including d) is transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 to the data input unit 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 1
3 stores a setting request (requested state) by setting a flag for each parameter (for example, Plain-paper) of each setting item (for example, media_type) specified by the user in operation_mode_parameters.
The hexadecimal 0 is stored in the operand constituting ode_optional_parameters.

When the data input unit 31 is capable of accepting a control command, the data input unit 31 transmits a response packet including an accept response (ACCEPT response) to the data conversion unit 13 when transmitting a response packet for accepting the control command. Send The data input unit 31 includes next_pic and next_p included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13.
The age is changed according to the transmitted command packet, and the operation_mode_parameter
When each parameter requested from the data conversion unit 13 can be set in s, a flag is set and a response packet is generated. Here, since all parameters requested by the control command can be received by the printer device 5, the state (current state) of the printer device 5 and S
The parameter (requested state) requested by the TB 3 will be the same. The status included in the response packet is set to 00 in hexadecimal notation to indicate that there is no error (no error).

On the other hand, when control command acceptance is rejected, if each parameter requested from the data conversion unit 13 can be set, a flag is set for each parameter included in operation_mode_parameters, and a setting item that cannot be set corresponds to an operand that cannot be set. A response packet including a reject response (REJECT response) described as F in hexadecimal is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. For example, med included in operation_mode_parameters
When the setting item of ia_size cannot be set, media_s
Hex is described as hexadecimal FF in operand corresponding to ize. In the status included in the response packet, a value indicating a rejected state (rejected state) and a reason (reason) for the rejected setting item is stored.

When the STB 3 acquires operation_mode_parameters, which is the standard setting of the operation mode, from the printer device 5, as shown in FIG.
Status command with ction as get (STATUS comman
The command packet including d) is transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 to the data input unit 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 1
3 informs the printer device 5 that the standard setting is to store the hexadecimal number F in the operand constituting operation_mode_parameters and obtain it on the STB 3 side.
16 for the operand that constitutes n_mode_optional_parameters
Stores 0 expressed in radix.

When the data input unit 31 is capable of receiving a status command, the data input unit 31 transmits a response packet including a stable response (STABLE response) to the data conversion unit 13 when transmitting a response packet indicating that the status command is to be received. Send a packet. The data input unit 31 includes next_pic and next_pag included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13.
e is changed according to the transmitted command packet, and operation_mode_parameters
A response packet including a stable response in which values (current values) corresponding to the parameters requested to be obtained from the data conversion unit 13 are stored. The status included in the response packet is 00 in hexadecimal.
Indicates that there is no error (no error).

On the other hand, if the status command reception is rejected, a response packet including a reject response (REJECT response) describing the state of the printer 5 according to each parameter included in operation_mode_parameters is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. I do. Also,
The status included in the response packet includes the rejected state (rejected state) and the reason (re
ason) is stored.

Next, STB3 supports only the standard setting,
The case where the printer device 5 supports the standard setting and the extended setting will be described.

When setting operation_mode_parameters, which is the standard setting of the operation mode, on the STB 3 side, as shown in FIG. 45, a command packet including a control command (CONTROL command) with subfunction set is transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 to the data input unit. 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 13
For example, each parameter (eg, Pl) of each setting item (eg, media_type) specified by the user in mode_parameters
ain-paper) setting request (reque
sted state) and operation_mode_optional_para
0 is stored in hexadecimal notation in operand constituting meters.

When data input section 31 is capable of receiving a control command, data input section 31 transmits a response packet including an accept response (ACCEPT response) to the data conversion section 13 when transmitting a response packet for receiving the control command. Send The data input unit 31 includes next_pic and next_p included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13.
The age is changed according to the transmitted command packet, and the operation_mode_parameter
When each parameter requested from the data conversion unit 13 can be set in s, a response packet is generated by setting one bit. Here, since all parameters requested by the control command can be received by the printer device 5, the state of the printer device 5 (current state) and the parameters requested by the STB 3 (requested state)
Will match. In addition, the data input unit 31
operation_mode_optional_parameters to vender_depende
By setting nt, a response packet indicating that printing is possible with the extended setting is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. Status included in the response packet is 1
A value of hexadecimal 00 indicates no error.

On the other hand, if control command acceptance is rejected, a flag is set for each parameter included in operation_mode_parameters, and if each parameter cannot be set, the operand corresponding to each setting item is expressed in hexadecimal notation.
REJECTED respons
A response packet including e) is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. Further, the data input unit 31 operates
By setting n_mode_optional_parameters to vender_dependent, a response packet indicating that printing is possible with the extended setting is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. In the status included in the response packet, a value indicating a rejected state (rejected state) and a reason (reason) for the rejected setting item is stored.

When the operation_mode_parameters, which is the standard setting of the operation mode, is acquired on the STB 3 side, as shown in FIG. 46, a command packet including a status command (STATUS command) in which the subfunction is get is transmitted from the data converter 13 to the data input unit. 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 13
_parameters stores the hexadecimal F in the operand and informs the printer device 5 that the STB 3 obtains the standard setting and obtains the operation_mode_optional_para.
Store 0 represented by hexadecimal notation in the operand constituting meters.

When the data input unit 31 is capable of accepting a status command, the data input unit 31 transmits a stable response (STAB) when transmitting a response packet for accepting the status command to the data conversion unit 13.
Send a response packet containing the LE response).
The data input unit 31 changes next_pic and next_page included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 in accordance with the transmitted command packet, and sends an operation request from the data conversion unit 13 to operation_mode_parameters according to the state of the printer device 5. In addition to storing the values (current values) corresponding to each parameter, the operation_mo
In de_optional_parameters, set the value (cu
Generate a response packet containing a stable response that stores the rrent values. The status included in the response packet is set to 00 in hexadecimal notation to indicate that there is no error (no error).

On the other hand, if the status command is rejected, the operation_mode_param
A response including a rejected response (REJECTED response) in which values (current values) corresponding to each parameter requested to be acquired from the data conversion unit 13 are stored in eters, and values (current values) corresponding to each parameter are stored in operation_mode_optional_parameters. A packet is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. Also,
The status included in the response packet includes the rejected state (rejected state) and the reason (re
ason) is stored.

Next, the case where the STB 3 supports the standard setting and the extended setting, and the printer device 5 supports only the standard setting will be described.

When the STB 3 sets operation_mode_parameters and operation_mode_optional_parameters, which are the standard setting and the extended setting of the operation mode, as shown in FIG. 47, a command packet including a control command (CONTROL command) with a subfunction set is used as a data conversion unit. 13 to the data input unit 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 13
mode_parameters and operation_mode_optional_paramet
Each parameter (for example, Plain-paper) of each setting item (for example, media_type) specified by the user in ers
Requested stat flagged configuration request
e) is stored. On the other hand, since the printer device 5 only supports the standard setting, the data input unit 31 generates a response packet indicating that the extension setting cannot be performed (NOT IMPLEMENTED). The data input unit 31 changes next_pic and next_page included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 according to the transmitted command packet, and
When each parameter requested from the data conversion unit 13 can be set in operation_mode_parameters, 1 bit is set according to the state of operation_mode_optional_parameters.
A response packet in which hexadecimal 0 is stored in ters is generated.

When the STB 3 acquires operation_mode_parameters, which is the standard setting of the operation mode, as shown in FIG. 48, a command packet including a status command (STATUS command) with a subfunction of get is sent from the data conversion unit 13 to the data input unit. 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 13
_parameters and operation_mode_optional_parameters
Hexadecimal F is stored in the operand constituting STB3
The printer device 5 informs the user that the standard setting is to be acquired by the
Inform the side. On the other hand, since the printer device 5 only supports the standard setting, the data input unit 3
1 generates a response packet indicating that the extension setting is not executable (NOT IMPLEMENTED). The data input unit 31 changes next_pic and next_page included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 according to the transmitted command packet, and obtains operation_mode_parameters from the data conversion unit 13 according to the state of the printer device 5. Value corresponding to each requested parameter (curr
ent values) and operation_mode_opt
A response packet in which hexadecimal 0 is stored in ional_parameters is generated.

Next, a case where the STB 3 and the printer device 5 support the standard setting and the extended setting will be described.

When the STB 3 sets operation_mode_parameters and operation_mode_optional_parameters which are the standard setting and the extended setting of the operation mode, as shown in FIG. 49, a command packet including a control command (CONTROL command) with the subfunction set is used as a data conversion unit. 13 to the data input unit 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 13
mode_parameters and operation_mode_optional_paramet
ers, for example, a setting request (requeste) in which a flag is set for each parameter of each setting item specified by the user.
d state).

When the data input unit 31 is capable of accepting a control command, the data input unit 31 transmits a response packet including an accept response (ACCEPT response) to the data conversion unit 13 when transmitting a response packet for accepting the control command. Send The data input unit 31 includes next_pic and next_p included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13.
The age is changed according to the transmitted command packet, and the operation_mode_parameter
When each parameter requested from the data conversion unit 13 can be set in s and operation_mode_optional_parameters, a response packet is generated by setting 1 bit.
Here, since all the parameters requested by the control command can be received by the printer device 5, the state (current state) of the printer device 5 matches the parameter (requested state) requested by the STB 3 side. Further, the data input unit 31 stores the operation_mo
By setting de_optional_parameters to vender_dependent, a response packet indicating that printing is possible with the extended setting is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. Also,
Status included in the response packet is 00 in hexadecimal
Indicates that there is no error (no error).

On the other hand, if control command acceptance is rejected, operation_mode_parameters and operation_mod
A flag is set for each parameter included in e_optional_parameters, and when each parameter cannot be set, a response packet including a reject response (REJECTED response) in which the operand corresponding to each setting item is described in hexadecimal as F is generated to perform data conversion. Transmit to the unit 13. Further, the data input unit 31 performs operation_mode_optio
nal_parameters and operation_mode_optional_paramete
By setting rs to vender_dependent, a response packet indicating that printing is possible with the extended setting is generated and transmitted to the data conversion unit 13. In the status included in the response packet, a value indicating a rejected state (rejected state) and a reason (reason) for the rejected setting item is stored.

When the STB 3 acquires operation_mode_parameters and operation_mode_optional_parameters, which are the standard setting and the extended setting of the operation mode, as shown in FIG. 50, a command packet including a status command (STATUS command) in which the subfunction is get is converted into a data conversion unit 13 to the data input unit 31. At this time, the data conversion unit 13
_parameters and operation_mode_optional_parameters
Hexadecimal F is stored in the operand constituting STB3
The printer device 5 informs the printer device 5 that it acquires the standard setting and the extended setting.

When data input unit 31 is capable of accepting a status command, data input unit 31 transmits a stable response (STAB) when transmitting a response packet for accepting the status command to data conversion unit 13.
Send a response packet containing the LE response).
The data input unit 31 changes next_pic and next_page included in the command packet transmitted from the data conversion unit 13 according to the transmitted command packet, and changes operation_mode_parameters and operator according to the state of the printer device 5.
In the option_mode_optional_parameters, a value corresponding to each parameter requested to be acquired from the data conversion unit 13 (current va
lues). The status included in the response packet is set to 00 in hexadecimal notation to indicate that there is no error (no error).

On the other hand, if the status command is rejected, the operation_mode_param
A response packet is generated in which values (current values) corresponding to each parameter requested to be acquired from the data conversion unit 13 are stored in eters and operation_mode_optional_parameters. Also, the status included in the response packet
Indicates the rejected status (rejected s
tate) and a value indicating the reason.

Therefore, according to the image printing system 1 described above, the STB3 is used in accordance with the IEEE1394 standard.
And the printer device 5 are connected, printing paper type information, printing paper size information, printing quality information, printing color information,
The print offset position information and the layout setting information are included in the asynchronous packet 100 and transmitted to the printer device 5, so that detailed print settings according to the user's request can be performed.

That is, according to the image printing system 1, the user can generate an operation input signal requesting print quality, printing speed, and the like, and cause the printer device 5 to perform a printing process according to the operation input signal. it can.

Further, according to the image printing system 1,
Even for printing paper that cannot be printed at an accurate position unless the printing position is precisely specified, such as a sticker with a notch formed, a command packet containing printing paper type information, print offset position information, etc. Data converter 13
To the data input unit 31 to cause the printer device 5 to perform an accurate printing process.

Further, according to the image printing system 1, the origin position of the upper left of the printing paper is set to 0 by the width from the top (left) and the left (left) paper edge based on the printing offset position information.
Since the printing start position can be specified within the range of 0.0 mm to 99.9 mm and specified by the offset position information, the minute printing start position can be controlled.

Here, the printing position within the effective printing range is specified by layout setting information and the like. However, there are cases where the effective printing range slightly shifts due to a difference in the paper feeding method using manual feed or a cassette. is there. in this way,
Even when the mechanical accuracy of paper feeding changes due to the use condition of the printer device 5 depending on the user, the aging of the printer device 5, the thickness of the printing paper, the surface condition of the printing paper, the size of the printing paper, etc. The print start position can be minutely set based on the print offset position information, and printing can be performed at an accurate position.

According to such an image printing system 1, the STB 3 can perform optimal printing according to the type of paper. More specifically, according to the image printing system 1, for example, when a sticker is used as printing paper, printing is performed at a lower speed than when printing plain paper.
The printing speed can be adjusted according to the type of printing paper.

Furthermore, such an image printing system 1
According to this, even when the printer device 5 is set in a state different from the user's request, the CPU 35 of the printer device 5 sends a command packet indicating that from the data input unit 31 to the data conversion unit 13. By controlling to transmit, it can be presented to the user.

In the above description of the image printing system 1, an example has been described in which the STB 3 transmits uncompressed still image data to the printer device 5 in the asynchronous packet 100.
The still image data may be transmitted and received by performing the compression processing by the JPEG method in the asynchronous packet 100. According to such an image printing system 1, since the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced, higher-speed data transfer and print processing can be realized.

In the above description of the image printing system 1, the STB 3 and the printer 5
Although an example has been described in which the data conversion unit 13 and the data input unit 31 are interface circuits conforming to the EEE1394 standard, other interface circuits such as USB may be used. That is, according to the image printing system 1 including the STB 3 having the USB and the printer 5, packets can be transmitted and received between the STB 3 and the printer 5 in a digital manner, and a fine image is printed on the printer 5. Can be done.

[0178]

According to the image processing apparatus and method of the present invention, desired still image data is generated based on image data input from the outside, print control information for controlling a printing apparatus is generated, and the generated still image data is generated. IEEE1 print control information
FCP (Function Control Proto
col) according to the AV / C command set and output to the printing device.
(The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engi
neers) By including the packet in the packet conforming to the 1394 standard and outputting it to the printing apparatus, it is possible to simplify the preparation process for printing and to respond to various printing requests without imposing a burden.

In the printing apparatus and method according to the present invention, the FCP (Function) according to the IEEE 1394 standard is used.
Input print control information defined by an AV / C command set in accordance with the IEEE (The In Protocol)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Still image data included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard is input, and according to the input print control information,
By printing the still image data, the preparation process for printing can be simplified, and various print requests can be handled without imposing a load on the image processing apparatus.

In the image printing system and method according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus generates desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, and print control information for controlling the printing apparatus. Generates the print control information and transmits the generated print control information to an FC compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard.
The still image data defined above is defined by an AV / C command set in accordance with P (Function Control Protocol) and transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the generated still image data is transmitted by IEEE (The Institute of Elect).
rical and Electronics Engineers) to the printing apparatus in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard, the printing apparatus receives the print control information transmitted from the image processing apparatus, and the still image transmitted from the image processing apparatus. Receiving data and printing the still image data according to the received print control information. This simplifies the preparation process for printing and can respond to various printing requests without imposing a burden on the image processing apparatus.

In the recording medium according to the present invention, desired still image data is generated based on image data input from the outside, print control information for controlling the printing apparatus is generated,
The generated print control information is defined by an AV / C command set in accordance with the FCP (Function Control Protocol) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, and output to a printing apparatus.
The generated still image data is transferred to IEEE (The Institut
e of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 139
By storing an image processing program to be output to a printing apparatus in a packet conforming to the 4 standards, preparation processing for printing is simplified, and it is possible to respond to various printing requests without burdening. it can.

In the recording medium according to the present invention, IEEE13
FCP (Function Control Protocol)
l) Input the print control information defined by the AV / C command set according to the IEEE (The Institute of Elect)
rical and Electronics Engineers) By inputting still image data included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard and storing a printing program for printing the still image data in accordance with the input print control information, printing is performed. Can be simplified and various print requests can be handled without placing a burden on the image processing apparatus side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image printing system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an STB and a printer that constitute an image printing system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an asynchronous packet transmitted and received between an STB and a printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a data portion of an asynchronous packet.

FIG. 5 is a time chart when an asynchronous packet is transmitted from a data conversion unit to a data input unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an image type of a still image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an asynchronous packet including a capture command.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing names of image types stored in image_format_specifier.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing another example of an image type stored in image_format_specifier.

FIG. 10 illustrates a case where still image data in a YCC 4: 2: 2 pixel format is transmitted to a printer in a dot-sequential manner.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transmission order of pixel data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case where still image data in a pixel format of YCC 4: 2: 0 is transmitted to a printer in a dot-sequential manner.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transmission order of pixel data.

FIG. 12 illustrates a case where still image data in a YCC 4: 2: 2 pixel format is transmitted to a printer device in a line-sequential manner.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transmission order of pixel data.

FIG. 13 illustrates a case where still image data in a pixel format of YCC 4: 2: 0 is transmitted to a printer in a line-sequential manner.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transmission order of pixel data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining that a still image having an image type of 480 — 422 — 4 × 3 is transmitted in dot sequence.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining that a still image having an image type of 480 — 420 — 4 × 3 is transmitted in dot sequence.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining that a still image having an image type of 480_422_4 × 3 is transmitted in a line-sequential manner.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing that a still image having an image type of 480 — 420 — 4 × 3 is transmitted in a line-sequential manner.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an asynchronous packet including an operation mode 2 command.

FIG. 19 is included in the operation mode 2 command.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the contents of a subfunction.

FIG. 20 is included in operation mode 2 command
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the contents of Oparation_mode2_parameters.

FIG. 21: medi included in Operation_mode2_parameters
It is a figure for explaining the content of a_type.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for describing the meaning of each setting item included in media_type.

FIG. 23: medi included in Operation_mode2_parameters
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the contents of a_size.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing the meaning of each setting item included in media_size.

FIG. 25: medi included in Operation_mode2_parameters
FIG. 29 is a diagram for describing another example of the content of a_size.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another example of the meaning of each setting item included in media_size.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for describing another example of the meaning of each setting item included in media_size.

FIG. 28: prin included in Operation_mode2_parameters
It is a figure for explaining the content of t_quality.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for describing the meaning of each setting item included in print_quality.

FIG. 30: mono included in Operation_mode2_parameters
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the contents of _color.

FIG. 31 is a diagram for describing the meaning of each setting item included in mono_color.

FIG. 32: mono included in Operation_mode2_parameters
FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing another example of the content of _color.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating another example of the meaning of each setting item included in mono_color.

FIG. 34: offs included in Operation_mode2_parameters
It is a figure for explaining the contents of et.

FIG. 35 is a diagram for describing the meaning of each setting item included in offset.

FIG. 36: layu included in Operation_mode2_parameters
It is a figure for explaining contents of ot_type.

[Fig. 37] Fig. 37 is a diagram for describing the meaning content of layout_type.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for describing another example of a command packet including an operation mode command.

FIG. 39 is a diagram for describing the meaning of each setting item included in a command packet including an operation mode command.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure of a printing process performed by a printer constituting an image printing system to which the present invention has been applied;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure of a CPU of an STB when an image displayed on a television device is printed by a printer device.

FIG. 42 is a diagram for describing processing for transmitting and receiving asynchronous packets between the STB and the printer device and printing still image data by the printer device.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a command packet including a control command when the STB and the printer support only the standard setting, and a response packet to the control command.

FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining a command packet including a status command when the STB and the printer support only the standard setting, and a response packet to the status command.

FIG. 45 is a diagram for describing a command packet including a control command and a response packet to the control command when the STB supports only the standard setting and the printer device supports the standard setting and the extended setting.

FIG. 46 is a diagram for describing a command packet including a status command and a response packet to the status command when the STB supports only the standard setting and the printer device supports the standard setting and the extended setting.

FIG. 47 is a diagram for describing a command packet including a control command and a response packet to the control command when the STB supports the standard setting and the extended setting and the printer device supports only the standard setting.

FIG. 48 is a diagram for describing a command packet including a status command and a response packet to the status command when the STB supports the standard setting and the extended setting and the printer device supports only the standard setting.

FIG. 49 is a diagram for describing a command packet including a control command when the STB and the printer support the standard setting and the extended setting, and a response packet to the control command.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a command packet including a status command and a response packet to the status command when the STB and the printer support the standard setting and the extended setting.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image printing system, 3 STB, 4 television device, 5 printer device, 13 data conversion unit, 14
Demultiplexer unit, 23 CPU, 31 data input unit, 32 ROM, 33 print engine

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/44 H04L 11/00 310D 5/91 H04N 5/91 H

Claims (14)

[Claims] An image processing unit that generates desired still image data based on image data input from the outside; a print control information generation unit that generates print control information for controlling a printing apparatus; The still image data generated by IEEE
(The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engi
neers) The print control information generated by the print control information generating means is output to the printing apparatus while being included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard, and the AV control according to the FCP (Function Control Protocol) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.
Output means for outputting the print control information to the printing apparatus, the output means outputting the still image data after outputting the print control information to the printing apparatus. Image processing device. 2. The print control information includes print medium type information, print medium size information, print color information, print quality information,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information includes at least one of print position information and print layout information. 3. Generating desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, generating print control information for controlling a printing apparatus, and using the generated print control information as an FCP (compliant with IEEE 1394 standard). The image data is defined by an AV / C command set according to the Function Control Protocol and output to a printing device.
e of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394
An image processing method characterized in that it is included in a packet conforming to the standard and output to a printing device. 4. The print control information includes print medium type information, print medium size information, print color information, print quality information,
4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein at least one of print position information and print layout information is included. 5. The IEEE (The Institute of Electrica)
l and Electronics Engineers) Still image data included in packets conforming to the 1394 standard and IEEE13
FCP (Function Control Protocol)
l) input means for inputting print control information defined by an AV / C command set in accordance with l), and printing means for printing still image data input to the input means, wherein the input means includes: A printing apparatus, wherein after the print control information is input, still image data is input, and the printing unit prints the still image data according to the print control information. 6. The print control information includes print medium type information, print medium size information, print color information, print quality information,
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one of print position information and print layout information is included. 7. An FCP conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard
The print control information defined by the AV / C command set in accordance with the (Function Control Protocol) is input, and the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electron
ics Engineers) A printing method characterized by inputting still image data included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard, and printing the still image data according to the input print control information. 8. The print control information includes print medium type information, print medium size information, print color information, print quality information,
8. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of print position information and print layout information is included. 9. An image processing unit for generating desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, a print control information generating unit for generating print control information for controlling a printing apparatus, and the image processing unit Still image data generated by IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and El
(Electronics Engineers) The print control information generated by the print control information generating means is output to the printing apparatus while being included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard, and the IEEE139
FCP (Function Control Protocol)
l) output means for outputting to the printing apparatus defined by the AV / C command set according to l), wherein the output means outputs the still image data after outputting the print control information to the printing apparatus. An image processing apparatus, an input unit to which the still image data and the print control information are input from the image processing device, and a printing unit to print the still image data input to the input unit in accordance with the print control information Printing system. 10. The print control information includes at least one of print type information, print size information, print color information, print quality information, print position information, and print layout information. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein
Image printing system as described. 11. The image processing apparatus generates desired still image data based on image data input from the outside,
Print control information for controlling a printing apparatus is generated, and the generated print control information is transmitted to an AV (Fast Function Control Protocol) according to the FCP (Function Control Protocol) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.
/ C command set and transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the generated still image data is transferred to the IEEE (The Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard and transmitted to the printing device. The printing device receives the print control information transmitted from the image processing device, and the still image transmitted from the image processing device. An image printing method comprising: receiving data; and printing the still image data in accordance with the received print control information. 12. The print control information includes at least one of print type information, print size information, print color information, print quality information, print position information, and print layout information. Claim 1 characterized by the following:
2. The image printing method according to 1. 13. Generating desired still image data based on image data input from the outside, generating print control information for controlling a printing apparatus, and using the generated print control information as an FCP (compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard). The image data is defined by an AV / C command set according to the Function Control Protocol and output to a printing device.
e of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394
A recording medium storing an image processing program characterized in that the image processing program is output to a printing device while being included in a packet conforming to the standard. 14. An FC compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard
Print control information defined by an AV / C command set according to P (Function Control Protocol) is input, and IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electron
ics Engineers) A recording medium storing a print program for inputting still image data included in a packet conforming to the 1394 standard and printing the still image data in accordance with the input print control information.