Image output apparatus, image output system, and image output control program

Abstract

Provided are an image output apparatus, an image output system, and an image output control program. Each of the image output apparatus, the image output system, and the image output control program outputs an image based on a video signal generated from data, detects a storage medium having available data stored therein, obtains the data stored in the newly detected storage medium in response to the detection, switches, from an input path of the image to be output to an input path associated with the newly detected storage medium, and outputs a video signal generated from the obtained data after the switching of the input path is complete.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image output apparatus comprising:
 image output circuitry configured to output an image based on a video signal generated from data; 
 storage medium detection circuitry configured to detect a newly connected storage medium having other data stored therein; 
 data obtaining circuitry configured to obtain the other data stored in the newly connected storage medium in response to detection of the newly connected storage medium; 
 input switching circuitry configured to switch from an input path of the image to be output to an other input path associated with the newly connected storage medium; and 
 video signal output circuitry configured to output an other video signal generated from the obtained other data after switching from the input path to the other input path is complete, 
 wherein the data obtaining circuitry is configured to determine whether or not the other video signal is generatable from any of the other data stored in the newly connected storage medium based on projectable data format information that specifies formats used for generating the other video signal, and 
 wherein the input switching circuitry is configured to switch from the input path to the other input path when the other data, from which the other video signal is generatable, is determined to be stored in the newly connected storage medium. 
 
     
     
       2. The image output apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when the video signal generated from the data stored in a storage medium other than the newly connected storage medium is being output, the video signal output circuitry is configured to terminate the video signal that is being output, and 
 the input switching circuitry is configured to start switching from the input path to the other input path after the video signal that is being output is terminated. 
 
     
     
       3. The image output apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when the newly connected storage medium includes a plurality of storage media that are detected within a predetermined time range, the apparatus further comprising storage medium selection circuitry configured to select one storage medium from the plurality of storage media based on a specified priority level stored in each one of the storage media, 
 the data obtaining circuitry is configured to obtain data from the selected storage medium, and 
 the input switching circuitry is configured to switch the input path through which the image to be output runs to another input path associated with the selected storage medium. 
 
     
     
       4. The image output apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the data obtaining circuitry is configured to generate a reference image from the obtained other data before the input path is switched, the reference image being used for checking the other data. 
 
     
     
       5. The image output apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the storage medium detection circuitry is configured to detect that the other data becomes available from the newly connected storage medium by receiving a connection signal generated when connecting operation to the newly connected storage medium is performed. 
 
     
     
       6. The image output apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the storage medium detection circuitry is configured to detect that the other data becomes available from the newly connected storage medium by periodically checking a connection state of the newly connected storage medium. 
 
     
     
       7. An image output system comprising:
 image output circuitry configured to output an image based on a video signal generated from data; 
 storage medium detection circuitry configured to detect a newly connected storage medium having other data stored therein; 
 data obtaining circuitry configured to obtain the other data stored in the newly connected storage medium in response to detection of the newly connected storage medium; 
 input switching circuitry configured to switch from an input path of the image to be output to an other input path associated with the newly connected storage medium; and 
 video signal output circuitry configured to output an other video signal generated from the obtained other data after switching from the input path to the other input path is complete, 
 wherein the data obtaining circuitry is configured to determine whether or not the other video signal is generatable from any of the other data stored in the newly connected storage medium based on projectable data format information that specifies formats used for generating the other video signal, and 
 wherein the input switching circuitry is configured to switch from the input path to the other input path when the other data, from which the other video signal is generatable, is determined to be stored in the newly connected storage medium. 
 
     
     
       8. A computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing an image output control program for causing a computer to execute a method comprising:
 outputting an image based on a video signal generated from data; 
 detecting a newly connected storage medium having other data stored therein; 
 obtaining the other data stored in the newly connected storage medium in response to the detecting the newly connected storage medium; 
 switching from an input path of the image to be output to an other input path associated with the newly connected storage medium; 
 outputting an other video signal generated from the obtained other data after the switching from the input path to the other input path is complete; 
 determining whether or not the other video signal is generatable from any of the other data stored in the newly connected storage medium based on projectable data format information that specifies formats used for generating the other video signal; and 
 switching from the input path to the other input path when the other data, from which the other video signal is generatable, is determined to be stored in the newly connected storage medium.