JP2003323241A - Image area specification and image adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration of an image at trimming, rotation, and zooming, and to improve operationality. <P>SOLUTION: Trimming is conducted on a screen, where an original image is displayed, using a tool for area specification TL. The tool for area specification TL is composed of a circle C1, a rectangle C2 inscribed in the circle C1, and a straight line C3 sticks out radially from the circle C1. The tool for area specification TL is rotated if a drag-and-drop input is conducted by a mouse in a state that a mouse pointer indicated by the mouse is moved to a small circle which is prepared for the straight line C3 of the tool for area specification TL. The tool for area specification TL is zoomed in or zoomed out if the drag-and-drop input is conducted by the mouse in a state that the mouse pointer is moved to a small circle which is prepared at corners of the rectangle C2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique of designating a rectangular area on an image displayed on a display device and a technique of image correction using the technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a computer, if image processing software is used, the captured image data can be processed and
Easy to edit. These processings include trimming (cutout), rotation, and zoom (enlargement). These processes display the image represented by the image data on the display and select "Trimming" from the processing menu.
It is performed by selecting the operation of "rotation" or "zoom". When the "trimming" operation is selected, the operator specifies the cutout size or position of the image by dragging the rectangular area displayed on the screen with the mouse. The image determined by the cutout size and position is cut out.

When the "rotation" work is selected, "+90 degrees", "-90 degrees", "180" displayed on the screen.
Specify the rotation angle of the image by clicking each button of "degree" with the mouse. The image rotates by this rotation angle. When the "zoom" operation is selected, the slider bar displayed on the screen is operated with the mouse to specify the enlargement ratio of the image. The image is enlarged (or reduced) by this enlargement ratio.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above conventional technique,
If you tried to perform all the trimming, rotation, and zoom processing on an image, first trimming the image, then rotating the cropped image, and then rotating it. It was necessary to perform each work independently, such as enlarging the image. Since each work involves deterioration of the image quality little by little, the problem that the image quality is greatly deteriorated finally occurs. Further, since it is necessary to select a menu for each work, there is a problem that workability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to prevent deterioration of image quality when trimming, rotating, and zooming are collectively performed, and to improve workability.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect] As a means for solving at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the following constitution is adopted.

The image area designating apparatus of the present invention is an image area designating apparatus for designating a rectangular area on an image displayed on a display device, which designates a position on the image and which is specified by an operator. A signal receiving unit that receives a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to an operation, a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a predetermined shape located outside the circle. A sign portion display means for displaying the sign portion on the display device,
When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the handle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the sign portion is rotated based on the subsequent position indicated by the pointing device. When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently indicated by the pointing device, the marking unit The sign portion deforming means for enlarging or reducing the area, the area determination determining means for determining whether or not the area is determined in response to a specific operation by the operator, and the area determination determining means for determining that the area is determined. Position on the image of the rectangle provided in the sign part when It is characterized by comprising position information output means for outputting a broadcast.

According to the image area designating apparatus having this structure, when the position designated by the pointing device is on the handle of the sign portion and a specific signal is received from the pointing device, the pointing device is designated thereafter. Based on the position, the sign is rotated. When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle of the sign part, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the sign part is enlarged or reduced based on the position indicated by the subsequent pointing device. To be done. After that, when the area determination determination means determines that the area is determined in response to a specific operation by the operator, the position information on the image of the rectangle provided in the sign portion is output by the position information output means. It

Therefore, by rotating or enlarging or reducing the sign portion on the image, it is possible to specify a rectangular area having an arbitrary inclination on the image. For this reason, rotation, enlargement or reduction, and acquisition of position information for trimming can be performed with one menu, so that the workability is excellent.

Here, the rectangle means a rectangle or a square. In this specification, rectangles have the same meaning in other places.

In the image area designating device having the above-mentioned structure, the marking portion deforming means further receives the specific signal from the pointing device when the position designated by the pointing device is inside the circle. At this time, the marking portion may be moved based on the position subsequently pointed to by the pointing device.

According to this structure, the rectangular area can be designated at an arbitrary position on the image by moving the marker portion on the image. Therefore, in addition to rotation, enlargement or reduction, and acquisition of position information for trimming, movement can be performed with one menu.
The effect is that the workability is even better.

In the image area designating device having the above structure, the handle may be a mark provided at the tip of a straight line extending in the radial direction of the circle.

With this configuration, it is possible to clearly inform the operator which part should be designated when performing the rotation work. In addition, the rotation can inform the operator whether the sign portion is not inverted or how much the sign portion is tilted. Therefore, the work is easy.

In the image area designating apparatus having the above structure, when the position designated by the pointing device is the circumference of the circle, which is a condition for enlarging or reducing the marker portion, the circle and the circle are defined. The configuration can be limited to the case where there are four contact points with the rectangle.

With this configuration, it is possible to clearly inform the operator which part should be designated when performing the enlargement or reduction work.

In the image area designating device having the above-mentioned structure, the sign portion displaying means may be provided with means for displaying marks as handles for enlarging / reducing at four contact points of the circle and the rectangle. .

According to this structure, the operator can clearly inform the operator of the designated position for rotation and enlargement or reduction by the mark. Therefore, the work is easy.

In the image area designating apparatus in which the mark is drawn, one of the marks displayed at the four contact points of the circle and the rectangle is drawn in a color different from the color of the sign portion. Can be

With this configuration, the mark drawn in another color can clearly inform the operator whether or not the marking portion is inverted during the rotation work. Therefore, the work is easy.

In the image area designating apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, the sign portion display means may be provided with means for displaying a dividing line for dividing the rectangle inside the rectangle.

One of the techniques for determining the composition in photography is called the three-division method. The three-division method is a method of imagining a line that divides the screen into three parts vertically and horizontally, and arranging a point (for example, an eye in the case of a person) at a position where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect, and Lines such as pillars 1 /
By arranging it on the dividing line at the position of 3, it is intended to obtain a stable and well-balanced photograph. According to the image area designating apparatus having the means for displaying the dividing lines, the operator can determine the composition based on various dividing lines represented by the three dividing lines, and therefore, the image excellent in composition is obtained. The area of can be easily specified. That is, according to this image area specifying device, there is an effect that the workability of specifying the area is excellent and the composition of the image can be easily determined.

In the image area designating device configured to display the dividing line, the dividing line may be a line that divides the rectangle into three equal parts vertically and horizontally. With this configuration, it is possible to easily determine the composition based on the above three-division method.

The image correction apparatus of the present invention comprises image input means for inputting original image data, display control means for displaying an image represented by the original image data on a display device,
In an image correction apparatus comprising image area designating means for designating a rectangular area on the image and trimming means for trimming the image on the designated rectangular area, the image area designating means is a position on the image. And a signal receiving means that receives a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to a specific operation by an operator, a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a position around the outside of the circle. When a position indicated by the pointing device is on the handle, the specific signal from the pointing device is displayed when the position indicated by the pointing device is displayed on the display device. When receiving, the marker is rotated based on the position subsequently pointed to by the pointing device. Along with the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when receiving the specific signal from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently indicated by the pointing device, The sign portion deforming means for enlarging or reducing the sign portion, the area determination determining means for determining whether or not the area is determined in response to a specific operation by the operator, and the area determined by the area determination determining means. When it is determined that the position information output means for outputting the position information on the rectangular image provided in the sign portion, the trimming means is based on the position information output from the position information output means. It is characterized in that the image is trimmed in a rectangular area defined by

According to the image area designating means of the image correcting apparatus of this structure, when the position designated by the pointing device is on the handle of the sign portion and a specific signal is received from the pointing device, the pointing device thereafter. The sign portion is rotated based on the position indicated by. When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle of the sign part, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the sign part is enlarged or reduced based on the position indicated by the subsequent pointing device. To be done. After that, when the area determination determination means determines that the area is determined in response to a specific operation by the operator, the position information on the image of the rectangle provided in the sign portion is output by the position information output means. It

Therefore, according to the image area designating means,
By rotating or enlarging or reducing the sign portion on the image, a rectangular area having an arbitrary inclination can be designated on the image. Then, the specified rectangular area is trimmed by the trimming means from the image represented by the original image data. For this reason, the operations of rotation, enlargement or reduction, and trimming can be performed with one menu, so that the workability is excellent.

In the above image correcting apparatus, the sign portion deforming means further receives the specific signal from the pointing device when the position designated by the pointing device is inside the circle,
The sign portion may be moved based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device.

According to this structure, the rectangular area can be designated at an arbitrary position on the image by moving the marker portion on the image. For this reason, in addition to rotation, enlargement or reduction, and trimming, movement can be performed with one menu, so that the workability is further improved.

In the image correction apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, based on an output size input means for inputting a vertical and horizontal size of an image to be output based on an operation command from an operator, and an aspect ratio obtained from the input vertical and horizontal sizes. Rectangle size determining means for determining the shape of a rectangle included in the sign portion, and an image size for enlarging or reducing the image trimmed by the trimming means to fit the vertical and horizontal sizes input by the output size inputting means. And a changing unit.

With this configuration, it is possible to cut out an arbitrary rectangular area from the original image data and match the cut out image with the output size. For this reason, it is possible to obtain an image to be output only by performing a single process from the original image data, instead of individually performing the trimming (cutting), rotating, and zooming operations individually. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality.

The image area designating method of the present invention is an image area designating method of designating a rectangular area on an image displayed on a display device, and (a) indicates a position on the image and an operator. A step of receiving a signal from a pointing device which sends a specific signal in response to a specific operation by (b), a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a figure of a predetermined shape located around the outside of the circle. A step of displaying a sign portion including a handle on the display device;
(C) When the position designated by the pointing device is on the handle and the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the marker is moved to the position based on the subsequent position designated by the pointing device. While rotating, when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when receiving the specific signal from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently indicated by the pointing device, A step of enlarging or reducing the sign portion; (d) a step of receiving a specific operation by an operator to determine whether or not the area has been decided; When it is determined that the position information on the image of the rectangle provided in the sign portion It is characterized in that it comprises a step of outputting.

A first computer program of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of correcting an image represented by image data, and (a) indicates a position on the image and ,
A function that receives a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to a specific operation by an operator,
(B) a function of displaying, on the display device, a sign portion including a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a predetermined shape located around the outside of the circle, and (c) the pointing When the position indicated by the device is on the handle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently indicated by the pointing device, the sign portion is rotated, and When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the marker portion is enlarged based on the position subsequently indicated by the pointing device. Or, whether or not the area is determined by the function of reducing and (d) the specific operation by the operator. And (e) a function of outputting position information on the image of a rectangle provided in the sign portion when it is determined that the area is determined by the function (d). I am trying.

The image area designating method and the first computer program having the above-described configuration have the same operation and effect as the image area designating apparatus described above, and include position information for rotation, enlargement or reduction, and trimming. Since the acquisition and acquisition can be done with one menu, the workability is excellent.

The image correction method of the present invention includes (a) a step for inputting original image data, (b) a step of displaying an image represented by the original image data on a display device, and (c) the image. In the image correction method, which comprises the step of designating a rectangular area above and (d) the step of trimming the image to the designated rectangular area, the step (c) includes (c-1) on the image. The step of receiving a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to an operation of a specific button by the operator, (c-2) a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and A step of displaying, on the display device, a sign portion composed of a handle having a predetermined shape protruding from a circle, and (c-3) being instructed by the pointing device. When receiving the specific signal from the pointing device when the apparatus is on the handle, the sign portion is rotated based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device and is instructed by the pointing device. When the position is on the circumference of the circle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the step of enlarging or reducing the sign portion based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device, ,
(C-4) a step of determining whether or not the area has been determined in response to a specific operation by the operator, and (c-5) a case of determining that the area has been determined by the step (c-4). Outputting the position information on the image of a rectangle provided in the sign portion, the step (d)
Is characterized in that the image is trimmed to a rectangular area determined based on the position information output from the position information output means.

A second computer program of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of correcting an image, wherein (a) a function for inputting original image data, and (b) the original A function of displaying an image represented by image data on a display device, and (c)
While realizing the function of designating a rectangular area on the image and (d) the function of trimming the image on the designated rectangular area, the function (c) is (c-1) on the image. And a function of receiving a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to an operation of a specific button by the operator, (c-2)
A display function of displaying, on the display device, a marker portion including a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a graphic having a predetermined shape protruding from the circle; and (c-3) the pointing device. When the specified position is on the handle and when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently specified by the pointing device, the labeling unit is rotated and the pointing device is rotated. When the position indicated by is on the circumference of the circle, when receiving the specific signal from the pointing device,
After that, based on the position designated by the pointing device, a function of enlarging or reducing the sign portion and (c-4) receiving a specific operation by the operator, it is determined whether or not the area is determined. A function and (c-5) a function of outputting position information on the image of a rectangle provided in the sign portion when it is determined that the area is determined by the function (c-4). (D) is characterized in that the image is trimmed to a rectangular area determined based on the position information output from the position information output means.

The image correction method and the second computer program having the above-mentioned configuration have the same operations and effects as those of the image correction apparatus, and the operations of rotating, enlarging or reducing, and trimming can be performed with one menu. Since it can be done, it is excellent in workability.

The recording medium of the present invention is characterized by a computer-readable recording medium recording the first or second computer program of the present invention. This recording medium has the same operations and effects as the computer programs of the present invention.

[0038]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention also includes the following other embodiments. A first aspect thereof is an aspect as a program supply device for supplying the first or second computer program of the present invention via a communication path. In the first aspect, the computer program is placed in a server or the like on a computer network, the necessary program is downloaded to a computer via a communication path, and the computer is executed to realize the above-described device or method. You can

[0039]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. This embodiment will be described in the following order. A. Device Configuration: B. Computer processing: B-1. Overall processing: B-2. Correction process: B-2-1. Image region designation processing: C. Action / Effect D. Other embodiments:

A. Device configuration: FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system 10 to which the embodiment of FIG. The computer system 10 mainly includes a so-called personal computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a computer), and has a CRT display 12, a printer 13 and a digital camera 14 in the periphery thereof. The computer includes a computer main body 16, a keyboard 18, and a mouse 20. It should be noted that the computer main body 16 includes a CD-RO.
A CD drive 24 for reading the contents of M22 is mounted.

The computer main body 16 has a CPU 31, which is a central processing unit, as a center, and a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a display image memory 33, a mouse interface 34, and a keyboard interface 3 which are mutually connected by a bus.
5, a CDC 36, a HDC 37, a CRTC 38, a printer interface 39, an input / output device interface 40, and an I / O port 41. The ROM 31 is a read-only memory that stores therein various programs and the like. The RAM 32 is a readable / writable memory that stores various data and the like. Display image memory 3
Reference numeral 3 is a memory for storing image data of an image displayed on the CRT display 12.

The mouse interface 34 is used for the mouse 20.
It is an interface that controls the exchange of data and so on.
The keyboard interface 35 is an interface that controls key input from the keyboard 18. CDC36
Is a CD controller that controls the CD drive (CDD) 24. The HDC 37 is a hard disk controller that controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 42. A computer program, which will be described later, and the like are stored in the HDD 42 in advance.

The CRTC 38 is a CRT controller that controls the display of images on the CRT display 12 based on the display image data stored in the display image memory 33. The printer interface 39 is the printer 13
Is an interface that controls the input and output of data to and from.
The input / output device interface 40 is an interface for controlling input / output of data to / from an externally connected input / output device, in this embodiment, the digital camera 14. The I / O port 41 has a serial output port, is connected to a modem 44, and is connected to a public telephone line 46 via the modem 44. Computer body 1
6 is connected to an external network via a modem 44 and can be connected to a specific server 47.

In this computer system 10, the operating system is stored in the HDD 42,
When the computer main body 16 is powered on, the HDD 42
RAM according to the loader written in the boot block of
It is loaded into 32 predetermined areas. Photoretouching software (computer program) for processing a photographic image (color photographic image) taken by the digital camera 14 is stored in the CD-ROM 22 in advance, and a CD drive is started by activating a predetermined installation program. It is installed in the computer main body 16 from 24. The installed computer program is stored in the HDD 42 and is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32 when a predetermined start command is received.

Various constituents of the present invention are realized by the CPU 30 executing some modules (described later) of this computer program. As described above, this computer program is stored in the CD-ROM 22, but instead of this, another portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card. It may be configured to be stored in. Further, the computer program described above can be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 47 connected to an external network and transferring the program data to the RAM 32 or the HDD 42. . The network may be the Internet or a computer program downloaded from a specific home page. Alternatively, it may be a computer program supplied in the form of an email attachment.

The state of control processing according to the photo retouching software by the computer system 10 having the above-described hardware configuration will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of control processing according to the photo retouching software 50 executed by the computer main body 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer main body 16
Software for photo retouching running inside
According to 0, first, the input module 51 performs a process of taking in image data Dpi representing a photographic image from the digital camera 14. Next, the correction module 52 processes the image data (hereinafter referred to as original image data) Dpi captured by the input module 51. The correction module 52 performs trimming (cropping), rotation, and zoom on the photographic image represented by the original image data Dpi, and changes the image brightness, hue / saturation / brightness, and the like. , The image can be modified. The image of this correction process is displayed on the CRT display 1 via the display driver 60.
It is sent to 2 and displayed. The functions of trimming, rotating, and zooming are realized by the image area designating unit 53 and the trimming unit 54 provided in the correction module 52. That is, a rectangular area is designated by the image area designating unit 53 on the image represented by the original image data Dpi input by the input module 51, and image data based on the designated rectangular area is trimmed by the trimming unit 54. To trim.

The image area designating section 53 includes a signal receiving section 53a.
The indicator display unit 53b, the indicator deformation unit 53c, the area determination determination unit 53d, and the position information output unit 53e. A rectangular area can be designated on the image represented by the original image data Dpi by the functions of the respective units 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, and 53e. The image data based on the specified rectangular area is trimmed by the trimming unit 54, and is C as the image data Dpo corrected by the correction module 52 via the display driver 60.
It is sent to the RT display 12 and displayed.

Further, the photo retouching software 50
According to the print module 55, the corrected image data Dpo is sent to the printer 1 via the printer driver 62.
It is sent to 3 and displayed. Further, the output module 56
Thus, the corrected image data Dpo is sent to the external device.

B. Computer processing: B-1. Overall processing: CPU3 of computer body 16
By executing the photo retouching software 50 with 0, the input module 51 and the correction module 5 described above are executed.
2. A print module 55 and an output module 56 are realized. The control process according to the photo retouching software 50 will be described in detail below. Figure 3
It is a flow chart which shows the routine of this control processing.
This routine is started when an instruction to execute the photo retouching software 50 is given.

As shown, when the process is started, C
The PU 30 first performs a process of displaying the application window WD on the CRT display 12 (step S100). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the initial state of the application window WD. As shown in the figure, in the application window WD, "input",
4 types of button BT: "Modify", "Print", "Output"
1, BT2, BT3, BT4 are prepared, and the operator sequentially clicks these buttons BT1 to BT4 with the mouse 20 to photograph images taken by the digital camera 14 on the screen of the CRT display 12. Can be processed and output. That is, as shown in FIG.
After execution of, the operation command for the buttons BT1 to BT4 to be clicked by the mouse 20 is captured, and the input process, the correction process, the print process, and the output process corresponding to the operation command are sequentially executed (steps S200, S300, S400, S
500).

The input process executed in step S200 is to take in image data (original image data) Dpi representing a photographic image from the digital camera 14, and corresponds to the above-mentioned input module 51 (FIG. 2). The operation of fetching the original image data Dpi is performed in response to an operation command of clicking the "file" button BT5 provided on the toolbar BR of the application window WD shown in FIG. In detail,
"External device input" provided in a pull-down menu (not shown) opened from the "File" button BT5 is selected, then the digital camera 14 is selected as an input device, and then a file name is selected. This is performed in response to a series of operation commands from the mouse 20. The original image data Dpi captured in this way is RA
It is stored in a predetermined area of M32, but with it,
Work field FD of application window WD
It is displayed on W (see FIG. 6).

The image data of the photographic image taken by the digital camera 14 is previously stored in the HDD 4 instead of the configuration in which the original image data Dpi is directly fetched from the digital camera 14.
Alternatively, the image data in the HDD 42 may be stored in the HDD 2 and read out. That is, the image data representing a photographic image may be read each time using a digital camera, or may be prepared in advance in a storage unit such as the HDD 42 and read from the storage unit. Further, the image data of the photographic image may be taken in from the outside via the network.

The correction process executed in step S300 is to process the original image data Dpi, and various requirements of the present invention are realized here. The details will be described later. The corrected image data Dp that has been processed here
o is stored in a predetermined holder prepared in the HDD 42. This correction process corresponds to the correction module 52 (FIG. 2) described above.

The printing process executed in step S400 is the modified image data D created in step S300.
It outputs po to the printer driver as a print command. This printing process has a well-known configuration,
Although not described in detail here, the processed photographic image is printed by the printer 13. This printing process corresponds to the printing module 55 (FIG. 2) described above.

The output process executed in step S500 is the modified image data D created in step S300.
It outputs po to an external device. As a result, the corrected image data Dpo representing the processed photographic image is output to the desired external device. This output process corresponds to the output module 56 (FIG. 2) described above.

B-2. Correction processing: The correction processing executed in step S300 will be described in detail below. With this software for photo retouching, a function that gives the image the effect of changing the environment in which the picture was taken (shooting environment function), a function that crops, rotates, and zooms the image (enlargement function), brightness and hue / saturation of the image / Various functions such as a function to change brightness and the like (tool function), a function to give effects such as unsharp mask and blur to an image (filter function) are provided, and these functions are realized by this correction processing. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the routine of this correction processing. When the processing shifts to this routine, the CPU 30
First, processing for changing the application window WD displayed on the CRT display 12 for correction processing is performed (step S302).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an application window WD for modification processing. As shown in the figure, in the toolbar BR of the application window WD for this correction processing, a “shooting environment” button BT21, a “dark room” button BT22, a “tool” button BT22,
A "filter" button BT24 has been added. "Photographing environment" button BT21, "Dark room" button BT2
2. The "tool" button BT22 and the "filter" button BT24 correspond to the above-mentioned photographing environment function, enlargement function, tool function, and filter function, respectively, and are for inputting work instructions for performing each function. is there. A "Restore" button BT25 is provided on the rightmost side of the toolbar BR, and the image corrected by this correction processing can be returned to the original image before correction. Other configurations are the same as those of the application window WD for input processing shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 30 then performs a process of inputting a work instruction with the mouse 20 from the toolbar BR of the application window WD (step S310). Subsequently, CPU 30 performs a process of determining whether the input work instruction is a work instruction for performing a stretching function (step S320). The work instruction for applying the enlargement function is the toolbar B in the application window WD shown in FIG.
Mouse from [R] [dark room]-[enlarger] 2
It is an operation by 0. In other words, clicking the "dark room" button BT22 provided on the toolbar BR and pulling it down from the button BT22 [enlarger]
The operation is to click the option of.

When it is determined in step S320 that the work instruction has not been input, the CPU 30 advances the processing to step S330, and performs the processing corresponding to the work instruction input in step S310, that is, other than the enlargement function. Other functions (such as the photographing environment function, the tool function, and the filter function described above) are performed. After the execution of step S330, the process returns to "return" and the routine of this correction processing is once ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S320 that the work instruction for performing the enlargement function has been input from the mouse 20, the CPU 30 advances the process to step S340. In step S340, the CPU 30 causes the input module 51 to output the application window WD.
The image area designating process for designating a rectangular area on the Dpi photographic image of the original image data displayed in is executed. Less than,
This image area designation processing will be described in detail. This image area designation processing corresponds to the image area designation unit 53 (FIG. 2) described above.

B-2-1. Image area designation processing:
9 is a flowchart showing details of the image area designation processing executed in step S340. As shown in the figure, when the processing shifts to this image area designation processing routine, the CPU
First, the processing 30 displays a dialog box for image area designation processing on the CRT display 12 (step S410). This dialog box is for setting various information necessary for designating the image area in the computer main body 16.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the dialog box DB1 for the image area designation processing. As shown in the figure, the dialog box DB1 is provided with an image display field FD1 for area designation and an image display field FD2 for preview. The image display field FD1 for region designation is for displaying the original image data Dpi to be the subject of region designation together with the region designation tool TL as a marker. The operator operates the area specifying tool TL on the image displayed in the image display field FD1 to specify a rectangular area on the image. The area designation tool TL will be described in detail later. Image display field FD2 for preview
Is for displaying a preview of the image of the area designated by the image display field FD1 for area designation.

Image display field FD2 for preview
Below the, are provided input fields for various operations, buttons, and the like. An input field IF1 for "display magnification", an input field IF2 for "angle designation", an input field IF3 for "aspect ratio of area",
An input field IF4 for "size of long side" is provided.
The "display magnification" input field IF1 is for designating the magnification of the image displayed in the image display field FD1 for area designation, and the magnification can be designated by the slider bar. The "angle designation" input field IF2 is for rotating the image displayed in the image display field FD1 for region designation, and is 0 degrees, +90 degrees, +
It can be rotated counterclockwise by 180 degrees and -90 degrees, and can be rotated counterclockwise by an arbitrary angle by inputting a number.

The input field IF3 of "aspect ratio of area" is for designating the aspect ratio of the output image to be obtained by this correction processing, and "do not convert" is selected from the pull-down menu.
Then, a desired one can be selected and designated from the following ratios registered in advance as the prescribed size. As the prescribed size, "4: 5 = digital camera 1 (1280 x 102
4) ”,“ 3: 4 = digital camera 2 (1280 × 96
0) ”,“ 2: 3 = 35 mm film, APS (C type) ”,“ 9: 16 = APS (H type) ”,“ 1: 3
= Panorama, APS (P type) "and the like are registered. Note that “not converted” means the aspect ratio of the original image.

The "long side size" input field IF4 is for designating the size (number of pixels) of the long side of the output image to be obtained by this correction process. A desired size can be selected and designated from the sizes registered in advance. As the size, "120", "180", etc. are registered. Note that “not converted” means the long side size of the original image.

Both input fields IF3 and IF4 can be constructed so that arbitrary numerical values can be input. Both input fields IF3
The vertical and horizontal sizes (the number of pixels) of the output image are determined by the information input from the IF4. Therefore, instead of inputting "aspect ratio of area" and "size of long side" like this dialog box DB1, "vertical size of output image" and "horizontal size of output image" are directly input. It can also be configured.

Returning to FIG. 7, after the execution of step S410,
The image represented by the original image data Dpi is displayed in the image display field FD1 for specifying the area of the dialog box DB1.
Is displayed (step S420). Next, the CPU 30 performs a process of displaying the area designating tool TL in the image display field FD1 (step S).
430). The process of step S430 corresponds to the above-mentioned sign display unit 53b (FIG. 2).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the area designating tool TL. As shown in the figure, the area designation tool TL is
It is composed of a circle C1, a rectangle C2 inscribed in the circle C1, and a straight line C3 protruding from the circle C1 in the radial direction of the circle C1. The size of the circle C1 is a predetermined size. Rectangle C2
Is inscribed in the circle C1 as described above, but the length of the vertical side and the length of the horizontal side are input from the input field IF3 of "Aspect ratio of area" of the dialog box DB1 for image area specification processing. The length calculated from the aspect ratio. The rectangle C2 has an aspect ratio of “1:” input from the input field IF3.
In the case of "1", it becomes a square, and in the case of other than "1: 1", it becomes a rectangle. The straight line C3 is a line segment extending in the radial direction of the circle C1 from the midpoint of the upper side of the rectangle C2, and projects from the circle C1 by a predetermined length.

Circular marks m1, m2, m3, m4 and m5 are provided at four contact points between the circle C1 and the rectangle C2 (points at the four corners of the rectangle C2) and points outside the straight line C3. ing. The marks m located at both ends of the lower side of the rectangle C2
2, m3 are painted red, and other marks m1,
m4 and m5 are painted black.

The area designating tool TL having the above configuration is rotated, enlarged, or moved by a mouse input from the mouse 20 described later. The area of the rectangle C2 is the area specified by the area specifying tool TL. Therefore, by operating the area designating tool TL using the mouse 20, a rectangular area having a desired angle, size, and position can be designated on the image displayed in the area designating image display field FD1. it can. Returning to FIG. 7, step S43
In step S440 subsequent to 0, CPU 30 performs a process of displaying the image designated by area designation tool TL as a preview image in preview image display field FD2.

After that, the CPU 30 receives the mouse input by the operator (step S450). The process of step S450 corresponds to the signal reception unit 53a (FIG. 2) described above. Next, with respect to the mouse input accepted in step S450, whether the mouse button has been pressed at any position of the marks m1, m2, m3, m4 provided on the area designating tool TL, It is determined whether the mouse button is pressed at the position of the mark m5 provided on the tool TL or the mouse button is pressed inside the circle C1 provided on the area specifying tool TL ( Step S
460, S470, S480).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing mouse input for rotating the area designating tool TL. As shown in FIG. 10A, when the mouse pointer moves to the mark m5 provided on the straight line C3 of the area designating tool TL, the shape of the mouse pointer becomes a shape in which arrow ends are provided at both ends of the line segment. In this state, if there is a drag-and-drop mouse input as shown in FIG.
L rotates around the center point P of the circle C1. The direction and angle of this rotation are determined by the above drag and drop operation. As shown in the figure, in the case of dragging to the right of the straight line C3, the area designating tool TL rotates clockwise, and the angle of rotation thereof is determined by the dropped position. In step S460, it is determined whether or not there is a mouse input of pressing the first mouse button for the drag and drop for the rotation. If an affirmative decision is made in step S460, the CP
The U30 performs the rotation processing of the area designating tool TL according to the mouse input of the drag and drop described above (step S465). The mark m of the area designation tool TL
Two marks m2, m3 of 1, m2, m3, m4
However, the reason why it is painted in red is that the upper and lower sides can be easily discriminated when the area designating tool TL is reversed by this rotation processing.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a mouse input for enlarging the area designating tool TL. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the mouse pointer is moved to one of the marks m1, m2, m3, m4 provided at the four corners of the rectangle C2 of the area designating tool TL, the shape of the mouse pointer becomes It has a shape with arrowheads at both ends of the line segment. In this state, as shown in FIG. 11B, when there is a mouse input of drag and drop, the area designating tool TL expands around the center point P. This enlargement is determined by the above drag and drop operation. As shown in the figure, when dragged outside the circle C1, the area designating tool T
L is enlarged, and its size is determined by the position where it is dropped. When the area C is dragged and dropped inside, the area designating tool TL is reduced. In step S470, it is determined whether or not there is a mouse input of pressing the first mouse button for the enlargement or reduction drag and drop. Step S470
When a positive determination is made in step S30, the CPU 30 performs the enlargement (reduction) process of the area designating tool TL according to the mouse input of the drag & drop described above (step S47).
5).

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing mouse input for moving the area designating tool TL. As shown in FIG. 12A, when the mouse pointer moves inside the circle C1 of the area designating tool TL, the shape of the mouse pointer is such that the four tips of the cross are provided with arrowheads. In this state, as shown in FIG. 12B, if there is a drag and drop mouse input, the area designating tool TL moves according to the input. In step S480, it is determined whether or not there is a mouse input of pressing the first mouse button for the drag and drop for the above movement. If an affirmative decision is made in step S480,
The CPU 30 performs the moving process of the area designating tool TL according to the mouse input of the drag & drop described above (step S485).

Step S465, S475 or S48
When the process of 5 is finished, the CPU 30 causes the step S440.
Processing to step S465, S475 or S
Area designation tool TL rotated, enlarged, and moved by 485
The image designated by is displayed in the image display field FD2 for preview as a preview image, and the next mouse input by the operator is accepted in step S450.
Note that the processing of steps S460 to S485 corresponds to the above-described marker portion deforming portion 53c (FIG. 2).

On the other hand, if the determinations at steps S460 to S480 are all negative, the CPU 30
The process proceeds to step S490. In step S490, the CPU 30 determines that the mouse input received in step S450 is the dialog box D for the image area designation processing.
It is determined whether or not the [execute] button BT31 provided in B1 is clicked. This is because the rotation, enlargement, or movement processing performed in step S465, S475, or S485 so far is appropriate, that is, the image designated by operating the area designation tool TL (image display field for preview). Whether the image displayed on the FD 2) is proper or not is determined by mouse input from the operator. The process of step S490 corresponds to the area determination determination unit 53d (FIG. 2) described above. Here, if it is determined to be invalid, the CP
The U30 returns the process to step S450 to accept the mouse input by the operator again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S490 that the designated area is operated by operating the area designating tool TL, processing for obtaining position information on the image of the rectangle C of the area designating tool TL. (Step S50
0). The image referred to here is the area designating tool T.
Image display field FD1 for designating an area in which L is displayed
It is an image of the original image data Dpi displayed in, and the position information of the rectangle C is indicated by the coordinate value of the image of the original image data Dpi. That is, a rectangular area is designated on the image of the original image data Dpi. The process of step S500 corresponds to the position information output unit 53e (FIG. 2) described above. After the execution of step S500, the process returns to "return" to temporarily end the routine of this image area designation processing.
After that, the CPU 30 advances the process to step S350 in FIG.

In step S350, the CPU 30 determines, based on the position information on the image obtained in step S500,
The image data in the rectangular area is trimmed from the original image data Dpi. Thereafter, the CPU 30 outputs the image of the trimmed image data from the input area IF3 of "aspect ratio of area" and the input area IF4 of "size of long side" provided in the dialog box DB1 for image area specification processing. A process of adjusting to the size (number of pixels) of the image is performed (step S360). This processing is performed by a known method of performing resizing while maintaining the improvement of image quality by performing image averaging or interpolation such as bicubic method.

After that, the CPU 30 executes step S370.
In step S360, the resized image is displayed in the work field FDW of the application window WD. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the application window WD after step S360. As shown, work field F
An image trimmed from the original image data Dpi is resized and displayed on the DW. This is an example of the display when the area designation tool TL is operated in the state illustrated in FIG. Then, the CPU 30 proceeds to step S38.
The process proceeds to 0, and the image data of the image resized in step S360 is converted into the corrected image data Dp.
As o, a process of storing in a predetermined holder prepared in the HDD 42 is performed. After that, the procedure returns to "return" to end the correction processing routine once.

C. Operation / Effect According to the computer system of this embodiment configured as described above, a rectangular area is specified on the screen on which the original image data Dpi is displayed, using the area specifying tool TL. The mouse pointer designated by the mouse 20 is a mark m5 provided on the straight line C3 of the area designating tool TL.
When there is a mouse input of drag & drop in the state of moving to, the area designating tool TL is rotated. The mouse pointers are marks m1 and m provided at the four corners of the rectangle C2.
When there is a drag and drop mouse input in a state where the area designation tool TL has been moved to any one of 2, m3 and m4, the area designation tool TL is enlarged or reduced. After that, the [Execute] button BT31 provided in the dialog box DB1
When the signal of clicking is input, the area of the rectangle C of the area specifying tool TL determined by the mouse operation is regarded as appropriate, and the image of the rectangle C (the original image data D
The position information on the image represented by pi) is output.

Therefore, according to this computer system, the rectangular area having an arbitrary inclination can be specified on the image by rotating or enlarging or reducing the area specifying tool TL on the image. it can. For this reason, rotation, enlargement or reduction, and acquisition of position information for trimming can be performed with one menu, so that the workability is excellent.

If the mouse pointer designated by the mouse 20 is moved to the inside of the circle C1 and there is a drag-and-drop mouse input, the area designating tool T
L is moved. Therefore, in addition to rotation, enlargement or reduction, and acquisition of position information for trimming, movement can be performed with one menu.
Excellent workability.

Further, according to this computer system, the designated rectangular area is trimmed, and the image of the trimmed image data is resized to the size of the output image input from the dialog box DB1 in advance. For this reason, it is possible to obtain an image to be output only by processing the original image data once instead of individually performing the trimming, rotating, and zooming operations individually. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality.

In this computer system, since the handles designated by the mouse pointer for rotation, enlargement or reduction are displayed by the marks m1 to m5, the designated position for rotation and enlargement or reduction can be clearly defined. The operator can be notified. Therefore, the operator can easily perform the work.

Further, of the marks m1 to m4 provided at the four corners of the rectangle C2 of the area designating tool TL, the marks m2 and m3 at both ends of the lower side are painted in red and the other marks m1, m4 and m5. Has a different color from. For this reason, it is possible to clearly inform the operator whether or not the area designating tool TL has been inverted during the rotation work. Therefore, the operator can work more easily.

D. Other Embodiments: Other embodiments of the present invention will be described next. (1) In the above embodiment, the straight line C3 is prepared as the handle for rotating the area designating tool TL, but the handle need not be limited to a straight line shape, and may be another shape such as a quadrangle or a triangle. . The handle is circle C1.
Need not be connected to the circle C1 and may be separated from the circle C1 as long as it is located around the outside of the circle C1. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the handle. As shown in the drawing, the handle H may be formed in a shape of “x” and separated from the circle C1X. According to this mobile phone, the area designating tool TLX can be rotated by dragging and dropping the handle H.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the marks m1 to m5 as the handles designated by the mouse pointer for rotation, enlargement or reduction have a circular shape, but instead of this, a hexagon, Other predetermined shapes such as a square, a rhombus, and an X mark may be used.

(3) In the above embodiment, the circle C1 and the rectangle C2
Mark m1 as a handle for enlargement / reduction on the contact point of
Although ~ m4 is provided, the handle may be provided at another position on the circumference of the circle C1 instead of this. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the mark indicating the rotation instruction position. As shown, circle C1Y
The marks mY1, mY2, mY3 may be provided on the circumference of the circle at positions apart from the contact point with the rectangle C2Y. According to this aspect, the marks mY1, mY
The area designation tool TLX can be rotated by dragging and dropping 2, mY3. Also, the circle C
The entire circumference of 1 can be used as a handle for enlarging / reducing.

(4) Of the marks m1 to m4 provided at the four corners of the rectangle C2, the marks m2 and m3 at both ends of the lower side are painted in red, but instead of this, other marks such as blue and green are used. It can also be color. In short, the area designation tool TL
Any other color different from the color drawing X may be used.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, when the signal of clicking the [Execute] button BT31 provided in the dialog box DB1 is input, the rectangle C of the area designating tool TL determined by the mouse operation is input. The area of is said to be appropriate, but instead of this, the keyboard 18
Key input (for example, [Alt] +
If there is [M], the area of the rectangle C of the area designating tool TL determined by the mouse operation can be regarded as valid.

(6) In the above embodiment, the mouse was used as the pointing device, but instead of this, a trackball, a light pen, a touch screen,
A configuration using a joystick, digitizer, tablet or the like may be used.

(7) In the above embodiment, the original image data Dp
Although i is taken by a digital camera, it may be replaced by image data such as a silver halide photograph or a color gravure obtained by using a color scanner or the like. Further, it may be prepared in advance in a storage device such as the HDD 42. Further, the image data need not necessarily be color image data, and can be applied to monochrome image data.

Still another embodiment will be described as a second example. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the dialog box for image area designation processing and the area designation tool as a marker portion displayed in this dialog box, and other The configuration is the same.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the dialog box DB2 for image area designation processing used in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the dialog box DB2 for the image area designation processing of the second embodiment
Has almost the same configuration as the dialog box DB1 of the first embodiment, and is different from the dialog box DB1 of the first embodiment.
It is only provided with two buttons BT41, BT42 and BT43. The letters “division into three”, “diagonal line”, and “center line” are shown on the buttons BT41, BT42, and BT43, respectively. In the second embodiment, the area designating tool as the marker portion is immediately displayed when the display of the dialog box DB2 is started. The area designating tool at this time is the area designating tool TL1 of the first embodiment. It has the same shape. That is, as shown in the figure, the area designation tool includes a circle C1 and a rectangle C2 inscribed in the circle C1.
The configuration includes a straight line C3 protruding from the circle C1 in the radial direction of the circle C1. Then, by the operator, the button BT41,
When any one of BT42 and BT43 is clicked using the mouse 20, the button BT41, BT42, BT
A grid corresponding to 43 is added in the area designating tool.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the area designating tool TL2 in the second embodiment. This area designating tool TL2 is provided with a "division into three" button BT41.
This is what is displayed when is clicked. As shown in the figure, the area designating tool TL2 is provided inside the rectangle C2 in addition to the circle C1, the rectangle C2, and the straight line C3 described above.
This is a configuration in which four dividing lines C4 that divide the rectangle C2 vertically and horizontally into three equal parts are provided. The area designating tool TL2 having this configuration is operated by the same operation as in the first embodiment.
Although it rotates, enlarges, and moves, the division line C4 in the area designating tool TL2 also rotates, enlarges, and moves with the rotation, enlargement, and movement. That is, the dividing line C4 is always the rectangle C2 even when the area designating tool TL2 is rotated, enlarged, or moved.
Is located inside the rectangle, and the rectangle C2 is 3 vertically and horizontally.
Divide into equal parts.

The operator can operate the area designation tool TL2 to trim the area designated by the rectangle C2. At this time, the division line C4 provided in the rectangle C2 is used. , Determine the composition of the image to be trimmed.
The dividing line C4 is for achieving the above-described three-division method. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image whose composition has been modified by the area designating tool TL2. As shown in the figure, at a portion of the castle tower, which is a point in the image displayed in the image display field FD1, a place where vertical and horizontal dividing lines C4 intersect (in the example of the figure, an upper right intersecting place) GP is arranged. Area designation tool TL2
The position of is determined. In this state, the operator clicks [Execute].
By clicking the button BT31 of, the image of the excellent composition surrounded by the rectangle C2 can be trimmed.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the area designating tool TL2-1 when the "diagonal" button BT42 is clicked. As shown in the figure, the area designating tool TL2-1 has the above-mentioned circle C1, rectangle C2, and straight line C3.
In addition to this, two division lines C5, which are diagonal lines of the rectangle C2, are provided inside the rectangle C2.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the area designating tool TL2-2 when the "center line" button BT43 is clicked. As shown in the figure, the area designating tool TL2-2 includes the circle C1, the rectangle C2, and the straight line C3 described above.
In addition to this, two dividing lines C6 are provided inside the rectangle C2 to divide the rectangle C2 into two in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. Instead of this configuration, only one of the two dividing lines C6 (for example, the dividing line C6 in the horizontal direction) may be displayed.

The "diagonal" button BT4 is selected by the operator.
When 2 is clicked, the area designating tool TL2 ′ having the diagonal dividing line C5 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed in the image display field FD1. In addition, when the operator clicks the "center line" button BT43, FIG.
The area specifying tool TL2-2 having the dividing line C6 which is the center line shown in 0 is displayed in the image display field FD1. The operator can also determine the composition of the image by using these dividing lines C5 and C6.

The buttons BT41, BT42, and BT43 for displaying the grid are configured to be switched on / off with each click, and the buttons BT41, BT42, and BT43 are independent of each other. It does not prevent that the above is repeatedly turned on. Figure 21
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the area designating tool TL2-3 when the “division into three” button BT41 and the “diagonal” button BT42 are both clicked and turned on. As shown in the drawing, inside the rectangle C2, there are four dividing lines C4, which are equally divided vertically and horizontally, as shown in FIG.
Two dividing lines C5 which are diagonal lines shown in 9 are provided.

In the second embodiment configured as described above, trimming can be performed with good workability as in the first embodiment, and the composition of the trimmed image can be determined easily. There is an effect that can be carried out.

A modified example of the second embodiment will be described below. In the second embodiment, the dividing line C4 divides the length and width of the rectangle into three equal parts so that the composition is determined by the three-part dividing method, but instead of this, the golden dividing method is used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a dividing line having a predetermined division ratio is provided so that the composition can be determined. Further, the other embodiments shown in the above (1) to (7) may be applied as a modification to the second embodiment as they are.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above.
The present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system 10 to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of control processing according to the photo retouching software 50 executed by the computer main body 16.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control processing routine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an initial state of an application window WD.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a routine of a correction process.

FIG. 6 is an application window WD for correction processing
FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of image area designation processing executed in step S340.

FIG. 8 is a dialog box DB for image area designation processing.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of 1.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an area designating tool TL.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing mouse input for rotating the area designating tool TL.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing mouse input for enlarging the area specifying tool TL.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing mouse input for moving the area designating tool TL.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an application window WD after trimming.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the handle.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a mark indicating a rotation instruction position.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a dialog box DB2 for image area designation processing used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an area designating tool TL2 when a “division into three” button BT41 is clicked.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image whose composition has been modified by the area designating tool TL2.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a region designating tool TL2-1 when a “diagonal” button BT42 is clicked.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a region designating tool TL2-2 when a “center line” button BT43 is clicked.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the area designating tools TL2-3 when the “division into three” button BT41 and the “diagonal” button BT42 are both clicked.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Computer system 13 ... Printer 14 ... Digital camera 16 ... Computer body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 33 ... Display image memory 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard interface 39 ... Printer interface 40 ... I / O interface 42 ... Hard disk drive 44 ... Modem 46 ... Public telephone line 47 ... Server 50 ... Photo retouching software 51 ... Input module 52 ... Correction module 53 ... Image area designation section 53a ... Signal reception section 53b ... Signal display section 53c ... Signal transformation section 53d ... Area Decision determination unit 53e ... Position information output unit 54 ... Trimming unit 55 ... Printing module 56 ... Output module 60 ... Display driver 62 ... Printer driver WD ... Application window DB1 ... Image area finger Processing dialog box TL ... Area designation tool C1 ... Circle C2 ... Rectangle C3 ... Straight line mark ... m1, m2, m3, m4, m5 DB2 ... Image area designation processing dialog box BT41, BT42, BT43 ... Button TL2 tl2-1, TL2-2, TL2-3 ... Area designation tools C4, C5, C6 ... Dividing lines

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tomohiro Ozawa             2-27 Chuo 2-chome, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture             Within iSoft Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B050 AA09 BA06 BA15 CA08 DA02                       DA04 EA19 FA02 FA03 FA05                       FA09 FA13                 5E501 AA02 AC15 AC34 BA05 CA02                       CB02 CB09 EB06 FA02 FA14                       FB04 FB22 FB24

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An image region designating device for designating a rectangular region on an image displayed on a display device, which designates a position on the image and receives a specific signal in response to a specific operation by an operator. From a pointing device that sends a signal, a sign portion including a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a predetermined shape located around the outside of the circle,
When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the handle and the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the sign portion display means for displaying on the display device is instructed by the pointing device thereafter. While rotating the sign portion based on the position, when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the pointing device thereafter. A sign portion deforming means for enlarging or reducing the sign portion based on a position designated by, a region determination determining means for determining whether or not a region is determined in response to a specific operation by an operator, When it is determined by the area determination determination means that the area is determined, Position information and outputs the position information on the image of the rectangular provided to the label portion output means and the image area specifying device comprising a. 2. The sign deforming means further receives the specific signal from the pointing device when the position indicated by the pointing device is inside the circle, and the pointing device thereafter. The image area designating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking portion is moved based on a position designated by. 3. The image area designating device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is a mark provided at a tip of a straight line extending in a radial direction of the circle. 4. When the position designated by the pointing device is the circumference of the circle, which is a condition for enlarging or reducing the sign portion, is at four contact points of the circle and the rectangle. The image area designating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image area designating apparatus has a configuration that is limited at times. 5. The image area designating device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display means has marks at four contact points of the circle and the rectangle as handles for enlarging / reducing. An image area designation device having means for displaying each. 6. The image according to claim 5, wherein any one of the marks displayed at the four contact points of the circle and the rectangle is drawn in another color different from the color of the sign portion. Area designation device. 7. The image area designating device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator display means includes means for displaying a dividing line that divides the rectangle inside the rectangle. Image area designation device. 8. The image area designating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dividing line is a line that divides the rectangle into three equal parts vertically and horizontally. 9. An image input unit for inputting original image data, a display control unit for displaying an image represented by the original image data on a display device, and an image region designation for designating a rectangular region on the image. In an image correction device comprising means and trimming means for trimming the image in the designated rectangular area, the image area designation means indicates a position on the image and receives a specific operation by an operator. A sign unit including a signal receiving unit that receives a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal, a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle with a predetermined shape located outside the circle. ,
When the position indicated by the pointing device is on the handle and the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the sign portion display means for displaying on the display device is instructed by the pointing device thereafter. While rotating the sign portion based on the position, when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the pointing device thereafter. A sign portion deforming means for enlarging or reducing the sign portion based on a position designated by, a region determination determining means for determining whether or not a region is determined in response to a specific operation by an operator, When it is determined by the area determination determination means that the area is determined, Position information output means for outputting position information on the image of the rectangle provided in the sign portion, the trimming means, in the rectangular area determined based on the position information output from the position information output means An image correction device configured to trim an image. 10. The sign deforming means further receives the specific signal from the pointing device when the position indicated by the pointing device is inside the circle, and the pointing device thereafter. 10. The configuration is such that the sign portion is moved based on the position designated by the pointing device and the position subsequently designated by the pointing device.
The image correction device described in 1. 11. The image correction device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein output size input means for inputting vertical and horizontal sizes of an image to be output based on an operation command from an operator, and the input vertical and horizontal sizes. Based on the aspect ratio obtained from the size of the rectangular shape, the rectangle determining means for determining the shape of the rectangle provided in the sign portion, and the image trimmed by the trimming means is enlarged or reduced, and input by the output size input means. And an image size changing means for adjusting the size to the vertical and horizontal sizes. 12. An image area designating method for designating a rectangular area on an image displayed on a display device, comprising: (a) designating a position on the image and receiving a specific operation by an operator. A step of receiving a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal, (b) a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a sign portion having a predetermined shape handle located around the outside of the circle. A step of displaying on the display device, and (c) when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the handle, when the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the pointing device then indicates. Based on the position, the sign portion is rotated, and the position indicated by the pointing device is the circle of the circle. When the specific signal is received from the pointing device while in the circumference, the step of enlarging or reducing the sign portion based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device, and (d) depending on the operator A step of determining whether or not the area has been determined in response to a specific operation, and (e) a step of (d) determining that the area has been determined. And outputting the position information of the image area. 13. The step (c) further comprises: when the specific signal is received from the pointing device when the position indicated by the pointing device is inside the circle, then the pointing device. 2. The configuration is such that the sign portion is moved based on the position designated by the pointing device and the position subsequently designated by the pointing device.
The image area designation method described in 2. 14. The image area specifying method according to claim 12, wherein the step (b) includes a step of displaying a dividing line dividing the rectangle inside the rectangle. Method. 15. (a) a step for inputting original image data, (b) a step of displaying an image represented by the original image data on a display device, and (c) a rectangular area on the image. An image correction method comprising: a step of specifying and (d) a step of trimming the image in the specified rectangular area, wherein the step (c) includes (c-1) indicating a position on the image. , From a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to the operation of a specific button by the operator,
A step of receiving a signal; and a step of displaying on the display device a (c-2) circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a graphic having a predetermined shape protruding from the circle. , (C-3) when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the handle,
When receiving the specific signal from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device, while rotating the sign portion, the position instructed by the pointing device is the circumference of the circle. At one time, when receiving the specific signal from the pointing device, the step of enlarging or reducing the sign portion based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device,
(C-4) a step of determining whether or not the area has been determined in response to a specific operation by the operator, and (c-5) a case of determining that the area has been determined by the step (c-4). A step of outputting position information on the image of a rectangle provided in the sign portion, wherein the step (d) is performed in a rectangular area determined based on the position information output from the position information output means. An image correction method, which is configured to trim the image. 16. A computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of correcting an image represented by image data, comprising: (a) instructing a position on the image and performing a specific operation by an operator. A marker having a function of receiving a signal from a pointing device that receives and transmits a specific signal, (b) a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a predetermined shape located around the outside of the circle. A function of displaying a part on the display device,
(C) When the position designated by the pointing device is on the handle and the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the marker is moved to the position based on the subsequent position designated by the pointing device. While rotating, when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, when receiving the specific signal from the pointing device, based on the position subsequently indicated by the pointing device, A function of enlarging or reducing the sign portion, and (d) a function of receiving a specific operation by the operator to determine whether or not the area has been determined,
(E) A computer program that realizes a function of outputting position information on the image of a rectangle provided in the marker when it is determined that the area is determined by the function (d). 17. The function (c) further comprises: when the specific signal is received from the pointing device when the position indicated by the pointing device is inside the circle, and then the pointing device. The computer program according to claim 16, wherein the marking unit is moved based on a position designated by the pointing device and a position subsequently designated by the pointing device. 18. The computer program according to claim 16, wherein the handle is a mark provided on the tip of a straight line extending in the radial direction of the circle. 19. When the position designated by the pointing device is the circumference of the circle, which is a condition for enlarging or reducing the sign portion, is at four contact points of the circle and the rectangle. The computer program according to any one of claims 16 to 18, which has a limited structure. 20. The computer program according to claim 16, wherein the function (b) displays marks at four contact points of the circle and the rectangle as handles for enlargement / reduction. A computer program having a function to perform. 21. The computer according to claim 20, wherein any one of the marks displayed at the four contact points of the circle and the rectangle is drawn in another color different from the color of the sign portion. program. 22. The computer program according to claim 16, wherein the function (b) has a function of displaying a dividing line that divides the rectangle inside the rectangle. . 23. The computer program according to claim 22, wherein the dividing line is a line that divides the rectangle into three equal parts vertically and horizontally. 24. A computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of correcting an image,
(A) a function for inputting original image data, (b) a function for displaying an image represented by the original image data on a display device, and (c) a function for designating a rectangular area on the image ( d) The function of trimming the image in the designated rectangular area is realized, and the function (c) indicates (c-1) the position on the image, and a specific button operated by the operator. The function of receiving a signal from a pointing device that sends a specific signal in response to the operation of (c-2), a circle, a rectangle inscribed in the circle, and a handle of a predetermined shape protruding from the circle. A display function of displaying the marked portion on the display device, and (c-3) when the position designated by the pointing device is on the handle, the specific portion is displayed from the pointing device. When you receive a signal,
Based on the position indicated by the subsequent pointing device, while rotating the indicator portion, when the position indicated by the pointing device is on the circumference of the circle, the specific signal from the pointing device. When received, whether or not the area is determined by the function of enlarging or reducing the sign portion based on the position subsequently instructed by the pointing device, and (c-4) receiving a specific operation by the operator. And a function of (c-5) outputting the position information on the image of the rectangle provided in the sign portion when it is determined that the area is determined by the function (c-4). The function (d) includes trimming the image in a rectangular area determined based on the position information output from the position information output unit. Configuration and is a computer program that. 25. The function (c) further includes: when the position indicated by the pointing device is inside the circle and the specific signal is received from the pointing device, the pointing device thereafter. 25. The computer program according to claim 24, which is configured to move the marking portion based on a position designated by. 26. The computer program according to claim 24, further comprising: (e) a function of inputting vertical and horizontal sizes of an image to be output based on an operation command from an operator, and (f) the input. The function of determining the shape of the rectangle provided in the sign portion based on the aspect ratio obtained from the vertical and horizontal sizes, and (g) enlarging or reducing the image trimmed by the function (d) to obtain the output size. A computer program that realizes the function of adjusting to the vertical and horizontal sizes input by the input means. 27. A computer-readable recording medium in which the computer program according to any one of claims 16 to 26 is recorded.