JP5121182B2 - Recording apparatus and recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method, and more particularly to a margin recording process when an image having a margin is recorded.

  Digital cameras are becoming popular as devices for taking photographs as digital images. This digital camera can be equipped with a removable non-volatile memory generally called a memory card, and can convert a photographed image into a digital file and store it in the memory card. A user can also view an image taken with a digital camera via a digital device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). Furthermore, the image on the PC can be recorded on a recording medium such as paper by a recording device such as a printer connected to the PC. Furthermore, an increasing number of printers can directly attach memory cards and record the contents without using a digital device such as a PC. Users can easily get the desired photos. Is becoming possible.

  The digital image data as described above is basically free from image deterioration unlike those stored in a recorded form such as a silver halide photograph, and the same image is obtained based on the image data even after the years have passed. You can see and record. However, for example, some users who prefer silver halide photography prefer photographs with a so-called nostalgic atmosphere, such as old images over time.

  In view of this, there has been proposed a method for forcibly fading a digital image and creating a digital image like a silver salt photograph in which fading appears according to the elapsed time (see Patent Document 1). This method refers to the shooting date / time information held in the digital image data, and performs a fading process on the image by converting the gradation characteristics based on the information. According to Patent Document 1, this gradation characteristic conversion process is performed based on at least one of a histogram of image gradation characteristics, a cumulative histogram, an average value, a median, a mode, a standard deviation, and a variance. It is considered preferable.

JP 2001-331781 A

  By the way, as an element that brings out the atmosphere in which a silver salt photograph drifts, there is discoloration of a blank portion existing around the photographic image in addition to fading of the photographic image itself. Silver salt photographs before the 1980's almost always have a white margin, and the margin changes due to chemical changes in the photographic paper over time, sunburn due to sunlight, and the like.

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, no particular processing is performed on the blank portion. That is, the color fading process is performed on the digital image data itself. However, when this digital image is recorded on the recording medium, the color of the recording medium remains as it is because the fading process is not performed on the created blank portion. For this reason, there was a risk of halving the nostalgic atmosphere desired by the user.

  As described above, the presence / absence of color processing on the margin part is not only a color change with the passage of time but also a factor that greatly affects the impression of the recorded image.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method capable of coloring a blank portion of a recorded matter.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium based on input image data, the input is performed in the image recording area of the recording medium based on recording setting information for image recording. Margin setting means for setting a margin part other than an area for recording an image based on the image data, and margin data corresponding to an area including at least the set margin part and colored by fading processing Margin data creating means, and recording means for recording an image including a margin colored by the fading process based on the created margin data and the input image data on the recording medium in a marginless recording mode It is characterized by comprising.

Further, in a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium based on input image data, the input image in the image recording area of the recording medium based on recording setting information for image recording A margin setting step for setting a margin portion other than an area for recording an image based on the data, and a margin for creating margin data colored by fading processing corresponding to an area including at least the set margin portion; A data creating step, and a recording step of recording an image including a margin colored by the fading process based on the created margin data and the input image data on the recording medium in a marginless recording mode ; It is characterized by having.

  According to the above configuration, margin data for recording the margin portion set for the recording medium is created. Accordingly, for example, the margin portion can be colored with a color corresponding to the image to be recorded. In addition, for example, an elapsed time after obtaining image data is obtained, and margin data is processed according to the elapsed time, so that an output result similar to a silver salt photograph that has been output since the output is obtained. It becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to obtain a photograph closer to a photograph having a nostalgic atmosphere desired by the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer 1000 that is a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 1000 is a device having the following functions.

  It has a function of receiving and recording recording data from a host computer (not shown), and a copying function of reading a document using the scanner 1004 provided and recording the read data. Further, the image data is received from the memory card inserted in the card insertion slot 1003, and the received data is subjected to image processing and recorded, and the read data is sent to the host computer connected to read the paper document. A PC scan function for saving is provided.

  In FIG. 1, a printer 1000 according to this embodiment includes a discharge tray 1001, a scanner document cover 1004, a case 1006, and an exterior member of an access cover 1007 used for accessing a recording apparatus. Further, the case 1006 has a hollow pair structure that houses each mechanism related to the recording operation. One end of the discharge tray 1001 is rotatably held by the case 1006, and the opening formed in the front surface of the case 1006 can be opened and closed by the rotation. For this reason, when performing the recording operation, the recording tray can be discharged from the discharge tray 1001 by opening the opening to the front side, and the discharged recording sheets can be sequentially stacked. ing. One end of the access cover 1007 is rotatably held by the case 1006 so that an opening formed on the upper surface can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 1007, the access cover 1007 is housed inside the main body. The recording head cartridge can be exchanged.

  Further, the operation panel 1002 is provided with a power key and keys for performing various recording settings that can be depressed. A liquid crystal unit that can display recording settings and the like is also provided. Reference numeral 1005 denotes an automatic sheet feeder, which automatically feeds a recording sheet into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a card insertion slot, into which a memory card is inserted, and image data stored in the memory card can be recorded. Examples of the memory card include a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, smart media, and a memory stick.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer 1000 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2001 denotes a power cord insertion port, which is connected to a power source (not shown) built in the printer 1000 and used to supply an alternating current. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a USB insertion port necessary for connecting to the host computer.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the original cover 1004 of the printer 1000 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the description of the same elements as those shown in the above figures is omitted. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 3001 denotes a glass platen, and a contact sensor (not shown) for reading RGB data of the document is mounted inside. Reference numeral 3002 denotes a white reference plate, which is provided on the document cover 1004. It is used to acquire white reference data (calibration) of a contact sensor provided with the document cover 1004 closed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part related to control of the printer 1000 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same elements as those shown in the above figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 4001 denotes a control unit (control board), and this control unit is configured to include the following elements. Reference numeral 4003 denotes an ASIC (dedicated custom LSI), the configuration of which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 4002 denotes a central processing unit (CPU), which executes various controls, operations, and the like including processing described later in FIG. Reference numeral 4004 denotes a memory, which includes a program memory 4004a that stores a control program executed by the CPU 4002, a RAM area that stores a program at the time of execution, and a memory area that functions as a work memory that stores data.

  The processing and operation of the following units are controlled by the control unit 4001 having the above configuration. That is, reference numeral 4005 denotes a recording unit, which performs processing and operations for recording on a recording medium such as paper based on image data. In the present embodiment, serial scan type recording using an inkjet recording head is performed. Reference numeral 4006 denotes a scanner unit, which is used for reading a document written on a sheet. Reference numeral 4010 denotes a memory card, which stores digital data. The memory card 4010 is used by being inserted into the memory card insertion portion 1003 described above. Reference numeral 4007 denotes a power connector. When the power cord 4008 is plugged into a household outlet (not shown), the power source 4009 supplies a DC voltage converted from commercial AC.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the ASIC 4003 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5001 denotes an internal bus (ASIC bus), which connects internal modules. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a CPU interface unit which controls data exchange with the CUP 4002. Reference numeral 5003 denotes a memory card interface unit, which reads image data stored in a memory card 4010 attached, writes data to the memory card 4010, and the like. An operation panel interface unit 5004 inputs various operation signals from various buttons existing on the operation panel 1002 and outputs display data to the display unit. Reference numeral 5005 denotes a scanner-related module, and each module for operating the scanner unit 4006 exists. Reference numeral 5006 denotes a recording-related module, and each module for operating the recording unit 4005 exists. Reference numeral 5007 denotes a USB-related module, which communicates with an external device via a USB cable inserted into the USB insertion port 2002.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the sizes of image data, recording medium, recording area, and the like set in the printer 1000 according to this embodiment. Specifically, the drawing schematically shows area data such as an image, a recording medium, and a recording area in the process of laying out an image on the recording medium.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 6001 denotes area data of the recording medium (hereinafter simply referred to as “recording medium 6001”). The recording medium 6001 is an area corresponding to a sheet used for recording in the printer 1000. Reference numeral 6002 denotes image data, which is an example of a position laid out with respect to the recording medium 6001. That is, it corresponds to the position of the image recorded on the recording medium used for recording.

  Reference numeral 6003 denotes margin area data (hereinafter simply referred to as “margin 6003”). This indicates a remaining area in the recording medium 6001 when the image data 6002 is arranged. Reference numeral 6004 denotes recording area data (hereinafter simply referred to as “recording area 6004”). This area indicates a recording area when the printer 1000 performs recording on a recording medium. That is, in the present embodiment, so-called borderless recording is performed in which recording is performed up to the entire area of the recording medium or the area 6003A protruding from the area. This borderless recording can be performed by a known method. In the serial type ink jet printer of this embodiment, the scanning of the recording head is performed so as to exceed both ends in the width direction of the recording medium, and in accordance with the recording data in the entire scanning area exceeding the area of the recording medium. Eject ink. Similarly, at each of the front and rear ends in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, scanning is performed at a position where a part of the nozzles of the recording head faces the area beyond the end of the recording medium, and ink corresponding to the recording data in this scanning area. Discharge. Corresponding to the borderless recording, the recording area 6004 is a wider area than the recording medium 6001 in the area relationship shown in FIG. That is, an area that protrudes from the recording medium 6001 becomes a recording area 6004 where ink is discharged to perform recording.

Several embodiments of margin recording executed in a printer having the above-described configuration will be described below.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of creating recording data and recording operation based on it, particularly when the margin is colored in printing with a margin in the printer 1000. When the power cord 4009 of the printer 1000 is inserted into an outlet, predetermined processing such as initial processing in the printer 1000 is started. Then, when the power key arranged on the operation panel 1002 is pressed, the state shifts to a state waiting for input from the user. The image data used in the processing described below is assumed to be stored in the memory card 4011. At the time of recording, the memory card 4011 in which the image data is stored is inserted into the card insertion slot 1003.

  The process shown in FIG. 7 is activated when the user selects desired data and instructs (inputs) to start recording (S7001). First, the control unit 4001 obtains setting information necessary for recording and performs recording setting (S7002). This setting information includes all information necessary for recording such as the size of the recording medium, the type of the recording medium, the recording method and recording speed desired by the user. This recording method includes a margin presence / absence mode and a margin coloring presence / absence mode among margins. Each process shown below is a process executed when this margin coloring mode is set.

  That is, in the next layout determination (S7003), area (size) data 6001 of the recording medium is acquired from the setting information. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, margin area data 6003 having a predetermined width is created at each of the front, rear, left and right ends of the recording medium 6001. Further, a portion excluding the margin 6003 of the recording medium 6001 is defined as an area of the image data 6002. The layout and area of the margin 6003 can be calculated by the above layout setting.

  Next, margin data is created for an area obtained by combining the calculated margin 6003 and an area 6003A that protrudes a predetermined amount from each of these four margin portions (S7004).

  In this embodiment, the margin data is arranged with predetermined color data of a single color corresponding to the content of the image to be recorded. Instead, color shading may be added by calculation using random numbers. As a calculation method, there is a method in which random numbers are used for each element of color-separated CMYK and, for example, a density of 50% to 100% is randomly assigned.

  Also, instead of color data, predetermined margin image data held by the printer can be used.

  As the color of the predetermined color data or the data for the predetermined margin image, yellow, brown, reddish brown, sepia, and the like are given as colors that give the nostalgic atmosphere desired by the user.

  Next, the margin data and the image data 6002 created as described above are arranged in the respective areas according to the layout defined in step S7003. Thereby, recording data is created, and this recording data area becomes the recording area 6004 (S7005). Finally, in step S7005, recording is performed based on the created recording data (S7006). This recording is performed in the borderless recording mode described above. That is, in order to record all the margins 6003 so as to have a predetermined color, for example, the predetermined color is recorded up to the protruding area 6003A.

  When the recording on the recording medium is completed, the present process is terminated (S7007).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, for example, a color that matches the image to be recorded can be added to the margin of the recorded matter, thereby making it possible to change the impression of the image, such as making the recorded image more prominent. .

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the same discoloration as the time-lapse of the silver salt photograph is applied to the margin part.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing steps of recording data creation and recording operation based on the recording data according to the present embodiment. In the present process, the description of the same process as that shown in FIG. 7 is omitted, and different parts are mainly described.

  When this process is started (S8001), first, the control unit 4001 acquires the shooting date and time of image data to be recorded and output (S8002). This acquisition method is not particularly limited. For example, it may be stored inside the image data, or may be other data associated with the image file. Moreover, what the user input via the operation panel 1002 may be used. Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired shooting date / time has been correctly acquired (S8003).

  If it is determined that the shooting date and time could not be acquired correctly, the elapsed time of the image data is created separately (S8006). This elapsed time can be data held in the printer as a fixed value. Or what the user input with the operation panel 1002 may be used.

  If it is determined in step S8003 that the shooting date / time has been acquired correctly, a basic date / time paired with the shooting date / time is acquired (S8004). This basic date and time is generally desirably the date and time when this processing is executed. This acquisition method is not particularly limited, and may be acquired from a real-time clock module or the like installed in the system of the present invention, or may be input by a user via the operation panel 1002.

Next, the elapsed time is calculated from the basic date and time acquired in step S8004 and the shooting date and time acquired in step S8002 (S8005). In the present embodiment, this elapsed time can be obtained by the following equation.
(Basic date and time)-(Shooting date and time) = (Elapsed time)

  Next, recording information setting (S8007), layout determination (S8008), and margin data creation (S8009) are sequentially performed.

  In the margin data creation (S8009), the elapsed time created in step S8005 or S8006 is used when determining the density of the margin data. In general, the blank portion of a silver salt photograph is often discolored due to chemical changes in the photographic paper, tanning by sunlight, etc., and the degree of discoloration becomes more noticeable and darker as the elapsed time increases. From this point, the shade of the color to be added to the margin is determined according to the elapsed time obtained in step S8005 or step S8006. In the present embodiment, the recorded image is also subjected to a fading process corresponding to the elapsed time. This fading process is performed by examining in advance the change in gradation characteristics for each elapsed time of the image and changing the gradation characteristics accordingly. Specifically, it is preferably performed based on at least one of a histogram of change in gradation characteristics of an image, a cumulative histogram, an average value, a median, a mode, a standard deviation, and a variance. For example, the histogram also changes according to aging time. By expressing this change as a coefficient and applying this coefficient to the density, a color change can be provided.

  The density of the margin is determined in the same manner according to the elapsed time obtained in step S8005 or step S8006. It is more effective to add shades of color using a calculation formula such as using random numbers. As a calculation formula, the method described in the first embodiment may be used.

  When the margin data is created as described above, recording data is created (S8010), recording is performed based on this recording data (S8011), and the process ends when recording on the recording medium is completed (S8011). S8012).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the processing for changing the color of the margin is performed according to the elapsed time since the acquisition of the image data, so that the nostalgic photographic image similar to the silver halide photograph can be obtained. Recording can be performed.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus that records an image with a margin based on an image read by a scanner and adds the color described in the second or third embodiment to the margin.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps of recording data creation and recording operation based on the recording data according to the present embodiment. In the present process, the description of the same process as that shown in FIG. 7 is omitted, and different parts are mainly described.

  When the user places an image output on paper such as a photograph on the document table 3001 and instructs to start recording, this processing is started (S9001). First, the control unit 4001 reads a document placed on the document table 3001 (S9002). The image data read in step S9002 is temporarily stored on the memory 4004. Next, a margin part is detected from the stored image data (S9003). For this detection, a known method can be used. For example, edge detection can be used in the color distribution characteristics of an image. Next, it is determined whether or not a margin is detected in the margin detection in step S9003 (S9004). If there is no margin, the process proceeds to recording condition setting (S9006). If there is a margin, image data other than the margin is extracted from the image data read in step S9002 (S9005).

  For the subsequent processing, the same processing as that described with reference to FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is performed using the image data having no margin or the image data excluding the margin.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an image having a margin can be recorded and a color or the like can be added to the margin even for an image read by a scanner or the like.

(Other embodiments)
In Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 described above, the present invention is applied when acquiring image data from the memory card 4010. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A data storage area such as a hard disk may be provided in the main body to store and use the image data, or may be used by connecting the USB or network and communicating the image data and date information. Further, an image pickup apparatus such as a camera may be directly connected to the printer to acquire and use image data and date information.

  Note that the present invention can also be realized by a program code that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments and that realizes the procedures of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, or a storage medium storing the program code. . It can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer performs an actual process based on the instruction of the program code. Part or all may be performed.

  Further, after the program code is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU or the like may perform part of the actual processing or based on the instruction of the program code. You may do everything.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the back. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state where a document cover 1004 of the printer shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part concerning the control of the said printer. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the ASIC shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship in size of image data, a recording medium, a recording area, and the like set in the printer. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of creating recording data and recording operation based on the recording data when coloring a margin in a recording with a margin according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of recording data preparation and recording operation based on it based on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of recording data preparation and recording operation based on it based on 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1000 Printer 1002 Operation Panel 1003 Card Insertion Port 3001 Document Stand 4001 Control Unit 4002 CPU
4003 ASIC (dedicated custom LSI)
4004 Memory 4004a Program memory 4005 Recording unit 4006 Scanner unit 4010 Memory card 6001 Recording medium 6002 Image data (area)
6003 Margin data area 6004 Recording data area

Claims (9)

In a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium based on input image data,
Margin setting means for setting a margin part other than an area for recording an image based on the input image data in an image recording area of the recording medium based on information of a recording setting for recording an image;
Margin data creating means for creating margin data corresponding to an area including at least the set margin portion and colored by fading processing ;
Recording means for recording an image including a margin colored by the fading process based on the created margin data and the input image data on the recording medium in a marginless recording mode ;
A recording apparatus characterized by comprising: Acquisition means for acquiring date and time information relating to the input image data ;
Means for performing a fading process on the input image data with a color corresponding to an elapsed time from a date based on the acquired date information to a date when recording is performed by the recording unit;
Further comprising
The margin data creation unit creates margin data colored in a color corresponding to an elapsed time from a date based on the acquired date information to a date when recording is performed by the recording unit. The recording device described.   The margin data creating means creates margin data including an area that protrudes outside the image recording area, and the recording means records an image including a margin based on the margin data and the image data. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image data is image data read from a storage medium. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image data is image data obtained by reading an image by an image reading unit.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image data is image data received by communicating with an external device. In a recording method for recording an image on a recording medium based on input image data,
A margin setting step for setting a margin part other than an area for recording an image based on the input image data in an image recording area of the recording medium based on information of a recording setting for recording an image;
Margin data creating step for creating margin data corresponding to an area including at least the set margin portion and colored by fading processing ;
A recording step of recording an image including a margin colored by the fading process based on the created margin data and the input image data on the recording medium in a marginless recording mode ;
A recording method characterized by comprising: An elapsed time acquisition step of acquiring date and time information relating to the input image data;
A step of performing color fading process on the input image data in a color corresponding to the elapsed time from the date and time based on the acquired date information to date to perform recording by the recording step,
Further comprising
The margin data creation step creates margin data colored in a color corresponding to an elapsed time from a date based on the acquired date information to a date when recording is performed in the recording step. The recording method described.   The margin data creation step creates margin data including an area that protrudes outside the image recording region, and the recording step records an image including a margin based on the margin data and the image data. The recording method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that

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