JP2004032247A - Composite image output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid file-outputting of image data representing a composite image using a copyrighted template, when outputting a file of the image data representing the composite image of a photographed image and the template. <P>SOLUTION: A template specifying means 20 specifies the template, and an image specifying means 30 specifies the image. If the template specified by the specifying means 20 is the copyrighted template, and when the file-outputting is specified by an output destination specifying means 12, a combining means 40 extracts image data of an alternative template corresponding to the specified copyrighted template and the image data of the specified image from an image data storage means 80a and combines to create an alternative composite image, and a file output means 60 outputs the file of the image data representing the alternative composite image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a composite image output apparatus, and more particularly, a composite image that outputs image data representing a composite image obtained by combining a captured image and a template to a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) or a CD. The present invention relates to an output device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, services such as creating postcards for New Year's cards with photos using templates made up of characters and illustrations for New Year's cards and blank areas for inserting photos have been provided. In such a post card, for example, a user brings a negative film or the like on which a photographed image is recorded into a photo shop, and the image is converted into image data at the photo shop. It is created by synthesizing the template data to be represented to obtain composite image data, and printing the composite image based on the composite image data.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, digital electronic still cameras (hereinafter referred to as digital cameras) are rapidly spreading. Images taken with a digital camera are recorded as image data in a recording medium such as an internal memory or an IC card provided in the digital camera, and the recorded image data is output by a monitor or printer to display or display the image. Can be printed.
[0004]
In addition, a composite image is created by combining an image based on image data obtained by conversion at a photo store or photographed with a digital camera and a template for creating a postcard, album, calendar, etc. A service has been proposed in which image data representing a created composite image is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD or FD and sold. If this CD or the like is purchased, it is possible to display, edit, print, etc. the created composite image on a personal computer at home.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when implementing a service for recording and selling image data representing a composite image as described above on a recording medium, it was created using a template on which a copyrighted character such as a Disney character is drawn. If the image data of a composite image is recorded on a CD or the like and sold, a template containing a copyrighted character can be freely reused by the purchaser, resulting in a copyright problem. .
[0006]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a composite image using a copyrighted template when outputting image data representing a composite image of a photographed image and a template for recording on a recording medium such as a CD. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite image output apparatus that can prevent image data representing the file from being output as a file.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A composite image output apparatus according to the present invention specifies a template designating unit for designating a desired template from a plurality of templates having an image composition area into which an image acquired by photographing is inserted, and an image to be inserted into the image composition area. A composite image comprising image designating means, image composition means for fitting a designated image into an image composition area and compositing to create a composite image, and file output means for outputting composite image data representing the created composite image as a file In the output device,
An alternative template storage means for storing image data representing an alternative template used in place of a copyright template including copyrighted content among a plurality of templates in association with information indicating the copyright template, and comprising image composition When the copyright designation template is designated by the template designation means, the image data representing the alternative template stored in association with the information indicating the copyright template and the image representing the image designated by the image designation means Based on the data, the substitute template and the image are synthesized to create a substitute composite image, and the file output means outputs the substitute composite image data representing the substitute composite image as a file. .
[0008]
Here, the file output means means means for outputting the composite image data in order to record the composite image data on a recording medium such as a CD or FD .
[0009]
The copyrighted content means, for example, a picture of a Disney character having a copyright.
[0010]
An alternative template means a template with a pattern similar to the copyright template. For example, a template in which the copyrighted content included in the copyright template is painted in black, white, or a background color, Adopting a picture with a name such as “Mickey” filled in with the copyrighted character, or a letter with “copyright problems” in the whole or part of the template can do.
[0011]
Further, the composite image output device according to the present invention includes a composite information storage unit that stores an image composite condition when an alternative composite image is created in association with information indicating the alternative composite image, and an image used for the substitute composite image. The image and the copyright template are associated with information indicating the substitute composite image based on the image data representing the image data representing the copyright template corresponding to the substitute template used for the substitute composite image. The image processing apparatus may further include a recombining unit that generates a recombined image by combining the stored image combining conditions and a print output unit that prints out the generated recombined image.
[0012]
The image composition condition means information relating to image editing performed at the time of image composition (information relating to trimming, information indicating the contents of image processing performed on an image to be inserted, and the like) .
[0013]
The print output means means means for printing a recombined image on a postcard, paper of various sizes, and the like for output.
[0014]
The second composite image output apparatus according to the present invention includes a template designating unit for designating a desired template from a plurality of templates having an image composition area into which an image acquired by photographing is inserted, and a fit in the image composition area. Image designating means for designating an image to be inserted, image synthesizing means for creating a synthesized image by fitting the designated image into an image synthesis area, and file output means for outputting synthesized image data representing the created synthesized image as a file In a composite image output device comprising:
Each template is given information indicating whether or not a composite image using the template can be output. With reference to the information indicating whether or not the file can be output, the template designating unit determines whether or not the template cannot be output. It is characterized by comprising output control means for controlling so that a composite image using the designated template is not outputted by the file output means when designated.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
According to the composite image output apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, when the copyright template is designated by the template designating means, the substitute template and the image are synthesized instead of the copyright template, and the substitute composite image is obtained. Since the created image data representing the alternative composite image is output to the file by the file output means, the composite image using the copyrighted template can be prevented from being output to the file. That is, it is possible to avoid a copyright problem that occurs when a copyrighted content is output as a file.
[0016]
Note that the image composition condition when the substitute composite image is created is stored, and using the stored image composition condition, the image used for the substitute composite image and the substitute template used for the substitute composite image are stored. If you create a re-synthesized image by compositing with the corresponding copyright template and print out the re-synthesized image, the image data of the composite image using the alternative template is output to a file, and then the copyright template is used. When there is a request to print out a composite image, the composite image can be created and printed efficiently and quickly.
[0017]
Further, according to the second composite image output device of the present invention configured as described above, with reference to the information that is given to each template and indicates whether the composite image using the template can be output, When a template that cannot be output by a file is specified by the template specification means, it is equipped with output control means for controlling the composite image using this template not to be output to a file. By giving the information indicating the impossibility, a composite image using a copyrighted template can be prevented from being output as a file.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a composite image output apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image composition output system including a composite image output apparatus according to the present invention.
[0019]
The image composition output system of the present embodiment includes an instruction input unit 11 for inputting a composite image creation command and order information, and a template designation unit 20 for designating a template when an initial order is input by the instruction input unit 11; And an image designation means 30 for designating an image to be inserted, a synthesis means (image synthesis means) 40 for synthesizing the template and the image to create a synthesized image, and an output destination designation means for designating the output destination of the created synthesized image 12, a display means 50 for displaying the created composite image, a file output means 60 for outputting image data of the composite image, a print output means 70 for printing out the composite image, and a template or an image to be inserted. Image data storage means 80a storing image data to be represented, and templates stored in the image data storage means 80a. A supplementary information storage unit 80b for storing bets supplementary information is constructed by a synthesizing information storage unit 90 for storing the composite information during the file output.
[0020]
The image data storage unit 80a stores a large number of image data of templates and images for fitting. Among the templates, copyright templates including copyrighted content are prepared as alternative templates with similar patterns and stored in the image data storage unit 80a in a state associated with each copyright template. That is, the image data storage unit 80a includes an alternative template storage unit.
[0021]
The copyright template is a template that includes copyrighted content such as a Disney character. As an alternative template, a template in which a copyrighted content portion is filled is prepared. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combined image obtained by combining an image with an alternative template. A landscape photo P is inserted in the alternative templates T1 and T2 of the copyright template including the picture of the Disney character “Mickey”. The substitute template T1 used for the composite image in FIG. 9A is created by painting Mickey C black, and the substitute template T2 used for the composite image in FIG. It was created by painting the Mickey portion with the background color.
[0022]
In the incidental information storage unit 80b, information indicating whether or not it is a copyright template is stored in association with each template as incidental information given to each template stored in the image data storage unit 80a. Has been.
[0023]
The composite information storage unit 90 stores composite information when a composite image output by the file output unit 60 is created by the composite unit 40. As a composite image, for example, an ID (identification value) of a used template, image data of an inserted image, and an image composition condition (enlargement ratio or applied) indicating information on image editing performed at the time of image composition. Image processing type and value) are stored in a state associated with information (for example, an order number) specifying a composite image output as a file. Note that the image data of the image fitted stored in the composition information storage means 90 may be stored in the image data storage unit 80 a, but the image data stored in the image data storing means 80 a is Since it is mainly used at the time of the first order and the image data stored in the composite information storage means 90 is used at the time of reordering, it is used for the composite image data for which file output was performed at the time of the first order. The image data of the obtained image may be deleted from the image data storage unit 80a after outputting the file .
The instruction input means 11 is a means for inputting whether the order is a first order or a reorder, the order number at the time of the first order, and the order number at the time of the first order, together with the composite image creation command. This is a means for inputting an instruction by the user pressing a given “first order processing button”, “reorder processing button” or the like and inputting an order number from a keyboard or the like.
[0024]
The template designating unit 20 and the image designating unit 30 call all selectable templates and image data from the image data storage unit 80a to display a list of thumbnail images, and the user selects a desired thumbnail image from the displayed thumbnail images. By selecting a template or an image, a template and an image to be combined are designated.
[0025]
When the first order is placed, the synthesizing unit 40 calls the image data representing the template and the image designated by the template designating unit 20 and the image designating unit 30 from the image data storage unit 80a to create a synthesized image. The image data of the image is output to the display means 50, or output to the file output means 60 and the print output means 70. Further, when the template designated by the template designating unit 20 is a template having a copyright (copyright template) and the file output unit 60 is designated as the output destination by the output destination designating unit 12, it corresponds to the copyright template. An alternative composite image is created based on the image data of the alternative template stored in the image data storage unit 80a in the attached state and the image data of the image specified by the image specifying unit 30, and the image of the alternative composite image Data is output to the file output means 60.
[0026]
Further, when reordering, the synthesizing unit 40 obtains the template ID, the image data of the inserted image, and the image synthesizing condition from the synthesizing information storage unit 90 based on the order number at the time of the first order input from the instruction input unit 11. It also has a function of a recombining unit that searches and calls a template image data from the image data storage unit 80a based on the search result to create a recombined image.
[0027]
The output destination designation unit 12 designates an output destination by pressing a button such as a “file output button” or a “print output button” provided on the screen when the composite image is displayed on the display unit 50. Is.
[0028]
The file output means 60 is means for outputting the composite image data representing the composite image created by the composition means 40 and recording it on a recording medium such as a CD or FD. The print output means 70 is a composite based on the composite image data. It is means for printing an image on a sheet of a predetermined size.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the image composition output system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
[0030]
1. Processing at the time of first order (file output) When an image composition order is received at a photo shop, the user (store side) presses the “first order processing button” and inputs an instruction to start the first order processing by the instruction input means 11. A thumbnail image of a template candidate and a thumbnail image of a candidate image to be inserted are displayed on the display screen. The user selects and designates a desired one from the displayed thumbnail images. That is, a desired template is selected by the template designating unit 20, and a desired image is selected by the image designating unit 30.
[0031]
When the template and the image are designated, the composition unit 40 calls the image data representing the designated template and the image from the image data storage unit 80a and composes them, and the display unit 50 displays the composite image. Note that when a composite image is created, predetermined color correction, sharpness treatment, and the like are automatically performed on the fitting image. In addition, the user can perform editing such as enlarging the cut-in image or cutting out a part while viewing the displayed composite image.
[0032]
When image processing and editing for the fitting image are completed and a desired composite image is created, the user next designates the output destination by the output destination designation means 12. When the user presses the “file output button”, the combining unit 40 refers to the incidental information storage unit 80b to determine whether the template used in the combined image displayed on the display unit 50 is a copyright template. If it is determined that it is not a copyright template, image data representing the displayed composite image is output by the file output means 60 and recorded on a CD or the like. If it is determined that the copyright template is used, the composing unit 40 creates a substitute composite image by replacing the copyright template used in the composite image displayed on the display unit 50 with the substitute template. Image data representing the alternative composite image is output by the file output means 60 and recorded on a CD or the like. At this time, the image composition conditions (final image processing and editing conditions) regarding the substitute composite image data output by the file output means 60, the template ID, and the image data of the inserted image are associated with the order number. It is stored in the composite information storage means 90.
[0033]
2. Processing at the time of reordering When there is a reordering of the substitute composite image output as a file using the substitute template at the time of the first ordering, the user (store side) inputs the order number at the time of the first order by the instruction input means 11 When an instruction to start reorder processing is input by pressing the “reorder processing button”, the composition means 40 refers to the input order number and the template ID when the substitute composite image is created, and the image data of the inserted image The image composition condition is retrieved from the composition information storage means 90, the copyright template is designated based on the retrieved template ID, and the image data of the designated copyright template is called from the image data storage means 80a and retrieved. The copyright template and the inserted image are synthesized under the image synthesis conditions, and a re-synthesized image is created. Further, the generated recombined image can be displayed by the display means 50.
[0034]
Next, when the user designates an output destination by the output destination designation means 12, the composition means 40 determines whether to use a copyright template or an alternative template according to the designated output destination and performs image synthesis. , Output processing. That is, when the file output is designated by the output destination designating unit 12, the synthesizing unit 40 creates a synthesized image using the alternative template, and when the print output is designated, creates a synthesized image using the copyright template. Then, the image data representing the created composite image is output by the file output means 60 or the print output means 70, respectively.
[0035]
According to the image composition output system of the present embodiment configured as described above, as a substitute template for the copyright template, a template that is similar to the image of the copyright template and that eliminates copyright problems is prepared and synthesized. When an image is output to a file, it is automatically replaced with an alternative template and output, so that it is possible to avoid a copyright problem that occurs when a copyrighted content is output to a file.
[0036]
In addition, when an alternative composite image is created, the image composition conditions and the like are stored, so that reordering is possible. In other words, as a photo shop service, there is a possibility that after receiving an order for file output, there is a possibility of receiving a reorder requesting a print output with a regular copyright template, but the image composition conditions and template ID are inserted. If the image data of the image is stored, it can be quickly replaced with a regular copyright template when reordering.
[0037]
In addition to the above-described form, the reordering process stores only the image data of the composite image using the alternative template in association with the order number at the time of the initial order in the composite information storage unit 90, and reorders. Sometimes, only the background part other than the image composition area in the composite image may be replaced with the copyright template. Further, image data of a composite image using the copyright template may be stored in the composite information storage unit 90 .
Next, a specific second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image composition output system including a composite image output apparatus according to the present embodiment. Elements that operate in the same manner as the constituent elements of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof is omitted unless particularly required.
[0038]
The image composition output system according to the present embodiment includes a template designating unit 20 for designating a template, an image designating unit 30 for designating an image to be inserted, a synthesis unit 43 for synthesizing the template and the image, and creating a composite image. Output destination specifying means 12 for specifying the output destination of the synthesized image, display means 50 for displaying the created composite image, file output means 60 for outputting the image data of the composite image, and printing the composite image Print output means 70 for outputting, image data storage means 80a for storing image data representing a template and an image to be fitted, and incidental information for storing auxiliary information for templates stored in the image data storage means 80a Refer to the storage means 80b 'and the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storage means 80b' to output the file. It is constituted by an output control means 65 for controlling the file output by 60.
[0039]
In the incidental information storage unit 80b ', information indicating whether or not a file can be output is stored as incidental information given to each template stored in the image data storage unit 80a. Note that the information indicating whether the file can be output is not equivalent to the information indicating whether the file is a copyright template. That is, disabling file output means not permitting file output using an alternative template.
[0040]
The synthesizing unit 43 calls the image data representing the template and the image designated by the template designating unit 20 and the image designating unit 30 from the image data storage unit 80a, creates a synthesized image, and generates image data of the created synthesized image. The data is output to the display unit 50 or output to the file output unit 60 or the print output unit 70.
[0041]
The output control means 65 searches the supplementary information storage means 80b 'for the supplementary information of the template used in the composite image created by the composite means 43 and refers to it, and the template for which file output is disabled is used. When the output destination is specified by the output destination specifying means 12, control is performed so that the file output cannot be selected. Specifically, the “file output button” cannot be selected from the “file output button” and “print output button” provided on the screen when the composite image is displayed by the display unit 50. Thus, display control is performed.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the image composition output system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
[0043]
When a template is designated by the template designating unit 20, an image is designated by the image designating unit 30, and a synthesized image is created by the synthesizing unit 43, image data representing the created synthesized image is displayed on the display unit 50. Here, the output control means 65 retrieves the supplementary information of the template used in this composite image from the supplementary information storage means 80b ', and when a template that is not allowed to output a file is used, the "file output" The display by the display means 50 is controlled so that the “button” cannot be selected.
[0044]
According to the image composition output system of the present embodiment configured as described above, information indicating whether file output is possible is given to each template and stored in the auxiliary information storage unit 80b '. Since the output can be controlled so as not to be output, it is possible to avoid the copyright problem that occurs when the template including the copyrighted content is output as a file. Moreover, it is possible to cope with the case where it is not desired to permit file output using an alternative template according to the intention of the content provider.
[0045]
Note that the output control means 65 is not limited to the form for controlling the display by the display means 50, and performs control so that file output is not performed when a template incapable of file output is used. Anything is possible as long as it is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image composition output system including a composite image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a composite image using an alternative template. A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image composition output system including a composite image output apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
20 Template designation means 30 Image designation means 40 Composition means 60 File output means 65 Output control means 70 Print output means 80a Image data storage means 90 Composition information storage means

Claims (3)

A template designating unit for designating a desired template from a plurality of templates having an image composition area into which an image obtained by shooting is inserted;
Image designating means for designating an image to be inserted into the image composition area;
Image synthesizing means for fitting the designated image into the image synthesizing region and synthesizing the image to create a synthesized image;
In a composite image output device comprising file output means for outputting the composite image data representing the created composite image as a file,
An alternative template storage means for storing image data representing an alternative template used in place of a copyright template including a copyrighted content among the plurality of templates in association with information indicating the copyright template;
When the copyright template is designated by the template designating means, the image composition means designates image data representing an alternative template stored in association with information indicating the copyright template, and designated by the image designating means. The substitute template and the image are synthesized based on the image data representing the created image to create a substitute composite image, and the file output means outputs the substitute composite image data representing the substitute composite image as a file A composite image output device characterized by the above. Synthesis information storage means for storing an image synthesis condition when the alternative composite image is created in association with information indicating the alternative composite image;
Based on image data representing the image used for the substitute composite image and image data representing a copyright template corresponding to the substitute template used for the substitute composite image, the image and the copyright template are Re-synthesizing means for synthesizing according to the image synthesizing conditions stored in association with information indicating the alternative synthesized image, and creating a re-synthesized image;
2. The composite image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising print output means for printing out the generated recombined image. A template designating unit for designating a desired template from a plurality of templates having an image composition area into which an image obtained by shooting is inserted;
Image designating means for designating an image to be inserted into the image composition area;
Image synthesizing means for fitting the designated image into the image synthesizing region and synthesizing to create a synthesized image;
In a composite image output device comprising file output means for outputting the composite image data representing the created composite image as a file,
Each of the templates is given information indicating whether or not a composite image using the template can be output,
With reference to the information indicating whether or not the file can be output, when the template that is not allowed to output a file is specified by the template specifying unit, the composite image using the specified template is output by the file output unit. A composite image output device comprising output control means for controlling so as not to output.

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