JP2005038308A - Index image creation method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create an index print matched to a user's need. <P>SOLUTION: Templates corresponding to a plurality of formats of index print are displayed on a format selection screen 67. In each format, the frame number, the size of thumbnail image and image accessory information regulate the size of a printing area, a paper size or the like. The image accessory information to be printed to the index print is designated through an accessory information selection screen 76. The image accessory information includes a file name, a shooting date and time, a shooting condition, print order information, and the like. The format or image accessory information according to the user's desire is designated through these screens. According to this designation, an index image is generated, and outputted as the index print. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an index image creation method and apparatus for creating an index image in which a plurality of frame images are arranged.

  There is known a photo data writing service for writing frame image data to a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD so that frame image data taken with a digital camera or the like can be stored. As an additional service of this photo data writing service, there is a service that generates an index image in which thumbnail images (reduced images) of a plurality of frame images written on a storage medium are arranged in a screen and provides an index print obtained by printing the index image. It has been. Since the index print can be used as a table of contents of the frame images stored in the storage medium, it is very convenient for the customer. As is well known, index printing has been widely used as an additional service for photo print services. However, unlike a photo print, an image cannot be confirmed without a player on a storage medium. Therefore, it is particularly useful to provide an index print to the storage medium in a photo data writing service.

In order to enhance the convenience of this index print, various improvements have been added such as printing the image supplementary information of each frame image in addition to each frame image, and outputting the index image by shooting date. (For example, see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 below). The image supplementary information includes shooting date, image data file name, shooting conditions such as shutter speed and use of strobe, identification number of each frame, and the like.
JP-A-5-11353 JP-A-8-50336 JP 2001-312015 A

  As a result of investigating user needs related to index printing, there are users who demand a large amount of image supplementary information even at the expense of the size of thumbnail images. It turns out that needs vary from user to user. However, in the conventional index print, the image supplementary information to be printed on the index print is determined in advance, and thus it cannot meet such various needs.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an index image creation method and apparatus capable of creating an index image that meets the needs of a user.

  The index image creating method of the present invention is an index image creating method for creating an index image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged. A format for specifying the number of frames and the size of the reduced image by a specifying means, and an incidental to each reduced image. The content of information is designated, and the index image is created according to the designated content.

  The index image creation device of the present invention is an index image creation device that creates an index image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged. The format that defines the number of frames and the size of the reduced image and the contents of the incidental information of each reduced image It is characterized by comprising a designation means for designating.

  In the present invention, the format of the index image and the contents of the supplementary information of the reduced image constituting the index image are designated by the designating means, and the index image is created according to the designated contents, so that the user's needs are met. An index image can be provided.

  A digital imaging terminal apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 captures frame image data that has been photographed by a digital camera and recorded as digital data in a memory card 11, and writes the image data to a CD medium that is a removable storage medium. The photo data writing process for creating the image data is performed, the frame image to be printed is designated, and the image data designated for printing is transferred to the photo printer 13. The digital imaging terminal device 10 generates an index image of a frame designated to be written on the CD medium or a frame designated to be printed, and prints the index image on a sheet to create an index print 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an image folder is generated in the memory card 11, and image data of each photographed frame is stored in this image folder. The image data is recorded as an image file 16 in the well-known Exif format. The image file 16 is obtained by adding an Exif tag storing image supplementary information such as a shooting date and shooting conditions in addition to the image data. The shooting conditions include shutter speed, F value, presence / absence of strobe light emission, and the like. In addition to the shooting conditions, the Exif tag defines an area for storing various data such as shooting location information indicating the location of the shooting location and camera model information, and can be used arbitrarily by the manufacturer. A Maker Note area is reserved.

  For example, the image data is compressed in the JPEG format. For example, a file name in which the extension “JPG” in JPEG format is added to “DSCFnnn” is given to the image file 16. Here, “nnnn” is a serial number given in the order of writing to the memory card 11.

  The index print 14 is provided to the customer together with the photo CD 12 and the photo print output by the photo printer 13. When the photo CD 12 is provided together with the photo CD 12, for example, a square paper suitable for the size of the media case 18 is used as the paper for the index print 14 so as to be accommodated in the media case 18.

  The digital imaging terminal device 10 includes a system controller 21, a card reader 22, an image processing unit 23, a storage device 24, a network interface 26, a display 27, an operation unit 28, an index printer 29, and a recording media drive 31. The system controller 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and comprehensively controls each unit of the digital imaging terminal device 10 based on an instruction from the operation unit 28. The operation unit 28 is an input device that includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like and inputs operation commands to the system controller 21. The display 27 displays an operation screen and a captured image. In addition, you may use the touchscreen type display which combines an operation part and a display.

  The card reader 22 accesses the memory card 11 and reads data. The storage device 24 stores an operating system and various programs, and is also used to store data captured by the card reader 22. As the storage device 24, for example, a hard disk drive is used. The image processing unit 23 executes various types of image processing such as index image generation.

  The network interface 26 is a communication interface for connecting to the photo printer 13 so that data communication is possible, and image data of each frame designated for printing is transferred to the photo printer 13 via the network interface 26. The photographic printer 13 forms a latent image by irradiating the photographic paper with laser light based on the image data of the frame designated for printing, and then performs development processing to output a high-definition photographic print.

  The recordable media drive 31 accesses the CD medium and writes data. The recordable media drive 31 writes the image data designated to be stored on the CD medium to create a photo CD 12.

  The index printer 29 records an index image of a frame designated for printing or a frame designated for saving on a sheet. As the index printer 29, for example, a thermal printer that uses heat-sensitive recording paper as a sheet and records color by heating a thermal head is used. Of course, not only thermal printers, but also ink jet printers that record images by ejecting ink onto recording paper, and electrostatic latent images are formed by irradiating a photosensitive drum with laser light, and the toner attached to the photosensitive drum is removed. Various printers such as a laser printer that transfers to paper may be used.

  FIG. 3 shows a service selection screen 36 that is an operation screen displayed on the display 27. The service selection screen 36 is provided with service selection buttons 36 a and 36 b for selecting respective services of the digital print service and the photo CD creation service provided by the terminal device 10. When the pointer 37 is clicked with each service selection button 36a, 36b, the operation screen is switched to the image selection screen.

  FIG. 4 shows a digital print image selection screen 41. The image selection screen 41 is divided into three areas, a message display area 42, a frame display area 43, and an operation button display area 44 in order from the top. In the frame display area 43, image data stored in the memory card 11 or the storage device 24 is displayed as thumbnails. Each thumbnail image (PIC1 to PICn) is arranged in a matrix and displayed as an index. A scroll bar for scrolling the screen is arranged at the right corner of the frame display area 43.

  Below each frame image, a recording pixel number display area 43a for displaying the number of recording pixels of the image data of each frame is provided. The number of recorded pixels is not a numerical value indicating the number of dots, but is represented by a mark such as a star. The approximate number of recorded pixels can be confirmed by the number of the ★ marks. ★ The number of asterisks is, for example, one star “★” for 1024 × 768 dots (XGA size) or more, and two stars “★★” for 1,600 × 1200 dots (UXGA size), 2048 × 1536 dots (QVGA size) ) The above is a three-star “★★★”, and for less than XGA size, ★ is determined to be zero. As is well known, since the number of recorded pixels affects the print image quality, this ★ mark can be used as a guideline for evaluating the print suitability of each frame image. In addition, expressing the number of recorded pixels by the number of ★ marks makes it easier for the user to understand compared to expressing the number of dots by numbers.

  Designation of the frame to be printed is performed by clicking the pointer 37 in accordance with the desired frame. The designated frame is displayed so that it can be distinguished from an undesignated frame, for example, a frame is displayed around it.

  In the operation button display area 44, a return button 46, an index print button 47, an order button 48, an import button 49, an all frame selection button 51, a folder selection button 52, and a confirmation button 53 for a selected image are arranged. When the return button 46 is clicked, the previous screen is restored. The order button 48 is a button for giving an instruction to execute print order processing for a designated frame. When the order button 48 is clicked, the image data of the designated frame is transferred to the photo printer 13. The index print button 47 is used when creating an index print of a frame designated for printing.

  The capture button 49 is a button for giving a capture instruction. By clicking this button, data reading from the memory card 11 is started, and an index image displayed in the frame display area 43 based on the captured image data is displayed. Generated. As a folder from which image data is read, a predetermined folder in the memory card 11 is set, and loading is performed from that folder unless otherwise specified. The folder selection button 52 is used when a folder different from the default folder is designated. The all frame selection button 51 is used when all the fetched frames are designated for printing collectively. The confirmation button 53 for the selected image is a button for confirming the frame image designated for printing. When this button is clicked, only the frame image designated for printing is displayed in the frame display area 43.

  As in the case where the digital print service is selected on the service selection screen 36, when the photo CD creation service is selected, a screen (not shown) substantially the same as the image selection screen 41 is displayed. The image selection screen of the photo CD creation service is provided with a button that gives instructions to write data to CD media instead of the order button, and there is no display indicating the number of recorded pixels. Since other than that is the same as the image selection screen 41, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows an index print creation screen 56. When the index print button 47 is clicked on the image selection screen, the operation screen is switched to the index print creation screen 56. The index print creation screen 56 is divided into an image display area 58 for displaying an index image 57 and an operation button display area 59 for displaying operation buttons. The index image 57 is created based on frame image data for which print designation or storage designation has been made.

  In the operation button display area 59, a print button 61, a sort button 62, and an output option button 63 are arranged. The print button 61 instructs the index printer 29 to print the index image 57 displayed in the image display area 58.

  The sort button 62 is a button for changing the arrangement order of the thumbnail images (PIC 1 to n) included in the index image 58. As the arrangement order, a file creation date (order of writing to the memory card 11), a photographing date order, and the like can be designated. When an image file is copied between memory cards, the creation date of the image file and the shooting date may not match. In this case, if the frames are arranged in the order of file creation date, the frames with the oldest shooting date are arranged after the newer frames. Since the arrangement order can be changed by the sort button 62, such inconvenience can be avoided.

  The output option button 63 is used to specify a format that defines the number of frames in one screen of the index image 57, the size of the frame image, etc., or to specify the contents of image supplementary information displayed for each frame. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the output option button 63 is clicked, an option menu 66 is popped up. When “select format” is clicked from this option menu 66, a format selection screen 67 for selecting the format of the index image 57 is displayed. When “select additional information” is clicked, additional information selection for specifying the contents of the image additional information is selected. A screen 68 is displayed. The format selection screen 67 displays a plurality of index templates 71 to 74 having different formats. Elements defined by each format include the paper size, the number of frames, the size of each thumbnail image, the size of the accompanying information print area, and the like. In addition to the size that fits in the media case 18, various paper sizes such as a horizontally long paper size are prepared.

  The template 71 is set as a standard template used for index printing for a photo CD, and the paper size is set to fit within the media case 18. In the template 71, for example, the number of frames on one screen is 7 frames vertically × 7 frames horizontally, for a total of 49 frames, and the size of the thumbnail image is set to approximately 6 mm vertically × approximately 15.5 mm horizontally. The incidental information print area is secured below each frame. For example, when creating an index print for 200 frames using this template 71, 4 to 5 index prints are output.

  The templates 72 to 74 are also used for index printing for a photo CD, and the paper size is the same as that of the template 71. The template 72 has a frame number of 8 frames vertically × 7 frames horizontally, for a total of 56 frames, which is secured more than the standard template 71. On the other hand, the size of the thumbnail image and the size of the incidental information print area are slightly smaller than those of the standard template 71.

  Further, the template 73 has a total number of 15 frames of 5 frames × 3 frames in total, and instead of reducing the number of frames extremely than the standard template 71, the size of the thumbnail image is increased, and the accompanying information printing area A lot of is secured. In the template 73, an auxiliary information print area is secured beside each thumbnail image. If this template 73 is used, a lot of incidental information can be printed.

  In the template 74, the size of the thumbnail image is increased instead of reducing the number of frames and the accompanying information printing area. Use of such a template 74 having a large thumbnail image is convenient because the contents of the subject such as the facial expression and composition of the person can be accurately read from the thumbnail image.

  The examples of these templates 71 to 74 are only one example. In addition, the shape and size of the paper, the size of the thumbnail image, the size of the incidental information print area, the number of frames, Various templates in which various elements of the format are changed can be used, such as changing the layout of the frames so that the frames are arranged in a staggered manner for each column.

  On the incidental information selection screen 68, various items that can be printed in the incidental information print area are displayed, and a check box 76 is provided beside these items. The information to be printed is designated by placing the check box 76 in the check box 76 and clicking with the mouse to place a check mark. The types of information items include, for example, file names, shooting dates, shooting conditions, print order information, and the like. In the file name item, the presence or absence of an extension can be specified. In addition, in the shooting date, for example, a format that specifies whether the date is separated by a dot “.”, A slash “/”, the year is displayed in four digits, or the last two digits are displayed. Can be specified. Furthermore, in the shooting date, it can be specified whether or not to print the shooting time. In the shooting conditions, it is possible to individually specify whether to print the shutter speed, the F value, and the presence or absence of flash emission. The print order information is information indicating whether or not each frame image has been ordered for printing. In the standard settings, the shooting date and file name are specified.

  As described above, the shooting date and shooting condition data are stored in the Exiftag in the image file, and this data is read and used for the index image. As the print order information, for example, the designation information of each frame stored in the storage device 24 at the time of print designation is used. Of course, the print designation information may be stored in the image file 16 in the memory card 11 and the data may be used for the index image. If the print designation information is stored in the image file 16, it is convenient because it is possible to identify whether or not printing has already been performed based on the data at the next print order.

  The index print 81 shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which a file name and a shooting date are specified as the items of incidental information. In this index print 81, the file name extension is not specified. As for the shooting date, a format in which the year, month, and day are separated by a slash is specified, and printing is specified up to the shooting time. As the color of the auxiliary information, for example, black is used, but other colors may be used as a matter of course. Further, the supplementary information itself may be printed in white so that the supplementary information is more noticeable by coloring the background of the supplementary information printing area. Further, the print color of such incidental information may be designated.

  Further, the index print 82 shown in FIG. 8 is an example in which print order information is designated in addition to the file name and the shooting date as the items of supplementary information. In this example, the file name is specified up to the extension. The shooting date is specified as a format separated by dots, and the shooting time is not specified. The print order information is displayed as a frame 83 surrounding the accompanying information. A frame on which this frame 83 is printed indicates that an order has been designated. As the color of the frame 83, a conspicuous primary color system such as red or pink is used. Of course, the color of the frame 83 is not limited to these colors, and other colors may be used.

  The display order of the print order information may be other than the frame. For example, “P” which is the initial letter of the print may be used, and various marks such as a diamond “◆” and a star “★” may be used. May be used.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operator sets the memory card 11 deposited from the customer in the card reader 22 and selects a digital print service or a photo CD creation service according to the order. Then, after selecting a frame image on the image selection screen, an instruction to execute print order processing or photo CD creation processing is given. When outputting an index print, the index print button 47 is clicked to display the index creation screen 56. At this time, an index image 57 generated based on the standard setting by the image processing unit 23 is displayed on the index creation screen 56. If the index image 57 is acceptable, the print button 61 is clicked. Thereby, the print processing of the index image 57 is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to change the format or the type of the accompanying information item, the output option button 63 is clicked to specify the format or the accompanying information. The image processing unit 23 generates an index image in response to this designation. When the print button 61 is clicked after the designation is completed, the index image print process is executed. As described above, the index image format and incidental information items can be changed according to the designation, so that an index image can be generated according to the customer's request.

  The operation screen of the above embodiment is an example, and various changes can be made. In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the operator manually specifies the format of the index image according to the user's request. For example, when the number of recorded pixels of the image data is large, the frame size is When a large format is selected and the number of recording pixels is small, a format with a small frame size is selected, so that the format is automatically selected according to image data or Exiftag data. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the file name, shooting date, shooting conditions, and print order information have been described as incidental information items. However, there are various other incidental information items. You may use them suitably. In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the incidental information print area is provided in the vicinity of the thumbnail image and the incidental information is printed in the area. However, the thumbnail image is not provided without an independent incidental information print area. It may be recorded on top of each other.

  The index print 86 shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by printing frame identification information 87 as an incidental information item in addition to a file name, a shooting date, and shooting conditions. As the frame identification information 87, for example, a number assigned in a sequential number from 1 to all frames included in one order is used. If such a number is assigned, the next print order is convenient because it is possible to specify a print frame with an easy-to-understand frame identification number without specifying a file name. In order to clearly understand that this number is a frame identification number, it is preferable to use a font different from other information, or to enclose it in a frame as shown in the figure. Further, the frame identification information may not be a number, and may use characters such as “Ah ...”, “A, B, C, D ...”. Furthermore, a combination of letters and numbers may be used.

  In addition, the index print 88 shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which the number of recorded pixels indicating print suitability is indicated by a asterisk (*) as in the case of the image selection screen 41 in FIG. Of course, other marks may be used in place of the ★ marks, and the number of recorded pixels may be printed as numbers.

  The index print 89 shown in FIG. 12 groups each frame included in the index image for each event such as “travel” or “athletic meet”, and provides a heading 91 for each group. The heading 91 is printed using, for example, a recording area for one thumbnail image. The grouping and heading information for such frames may be manually input by the operator based on the declaration from the customer at the time of reception, or the grouping information is previously assigned to the image data by the customer. It is also possible to automatically input by taking in from the card reader 22. Alternatively, a blank frame may be secured for each event, an index print may be created, and a user can write arbitrary heading information on the blank frame with a pen. In addition to grouping for each event, grouping may be performed according to various standards such as for each predetermined shooting period and for each camera shooting model.

  Further, as an example of the paper used for index printing, an index image for one screen is printed on one paper. However, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of screens are printed on one print paper. A sheet 93 on which an index image can be printed may be used. In this way, for example, an index image covering a plurality of screens, such as an index image for one order, can be recorded on one sheet. The paper 93 can be folded to a size that fits into the case size by forming a plurality of media case size papers in a continuous shape.

  Further, the created index image may not be printed out, may be output only to a display as in the above-described image selection screen, or may be output to removable media as index image data.

  Although the digital imaging terminal device used by the print company has been described as an example, the present invention may be realized in the form of an index image creation program, which may be installed and used in an end user's personal computer.

  Further, the frame image data used for generating the index image may not be a frame image captured by a digital camera, but may be image data downloaded from the net. Alternatively, an index image may be created based on digitized frame image data by reading a frame recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film with a scanner. Further, it is not limited to still images, and may be moving image data. In the case of moving image data, a representative frame representing the moving image such as the first frame of the moving image is used as a thumbnail image constituting the index image. When moving image data is used, the reproduction time of the moving image may be used as supplementary information.

  The type of removable media is not limited to CD media such as CD-R and CD-RW, and various media such as DVD media such as DVD ± R, DVD ± RW, and DVD-RAM, and MO media can be used. .

It is a block diagram of a digital imaging terminal device. It is explanatory drawing of the image file recorded on a memory card. It is explanatory drawing of a service menu selection screen. It is explanatory drawing of an image selection screen. It is explanatory drawing of an index print creation screen. It is explanatory drawing of a format selection screen and incidental information designation | designated screen. It is an example of an index print. It is an example of the index print which printed the print order information. It is a flowchart which shows an operation procedure. It is an example of the index print which printed frame identification information. It is an example of the index print which printed the mark which shows the number of recording pixels. It is an example of the index print which printed the heading for every event. It is an example of the paper which can print the index over multiple screens.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital Imaging Terminal Device 11 Memory Card 12 Photo CD
14, 81, 82, 86, 88, 89 Index print 23 Image processing unit 28 Operation unit 29 Index printer 56 Index print creation screen 63 Output option button 66 Option menu 67 Format selection screen 68 Additional information selection screen

Claims (2)

In an index image creation method for creating an index image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged,
An index image creation method for designating a format for defining the number of frames and the size of the reduced image and a content of auxiliary information of each reduced image by a designation means, and creating the index image according to the designated content. In an index image creation device that creates an index image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged,
An index image creating apparatus comprising: a format for specifying the number of frames and the size of the reduced image, and a specifying means for specifying the contents of the supplementary information of each reduced image.

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