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Definition: PictBridge


A standard for printing directly from a digital camera without requiring a computer in between. Users can select photos and options (size, number copies, cropping, etc.), and the camera sends the print job to the printer via USB cable or Wi-Fi. Introduced in 2002, PictBridge is supported in all new digital cameras, photo printers and photo applications as well as Windows, Mac and Linux.

DPS and PTP
Also known as the Direct Print Standard (DPS), PictBridge uses Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) commands to manage the session. PTP supports vendor extension numbers that allow proprietary functions in their products to be activated. PTP-IP maps PTP packets onto TCP, enabling images to be transferred wireless over TCP/IP and Wi-Fi to computers and printers.

PictBridge is officially the "CIPA DC-001" standard from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).




PictBridge Network Stack
The PictBridge software layers run in both the source and destination devices. After DPS Discovery confirms both ends are PictBridge, control is transferred to the DPS app. DPS operations are translated to PTP commands.