JP2005100147A - Image output device and method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device or the like with increased degrees of freedom of operation by making a variety of settings changeable and enhanced operability. <P>SOLUTION: A terminal device 102 creates settings data 400 and inputs the settings data 400 to an image output device 101. The settings data 400 are, e.g., use of EXIF information, the subject of instructions for the operation of a batch button, tax rate, tax system, the display of tax amount, and the like. The image output device 101 performs settings such as initial settings, operation settings, or equipment settings according to the settings data or converts the format of the setting data to a usable format to retain the data in a hard disk device or the like. Based on the settings already set or the setting data retained, a variety of processes are executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output device capable of synthesizing, editing, and printing an image photographed by a digital camera, an image read by a scanner, image data recorded on a recording medium brought by the user, an image previously stored in the device, and the like. Etc.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image output devices (digital photo print devices and the like) have been installed and used in stores and streets as street terminals (KIOSK terminals). This image output device reads an image captured by a digital camera or the like, image data recorded on a recording medium, and performs image editing, image composition, print output, and the like (for example, [Patent Document 1], [Non-Patent Document 1] (See Patent Document 1].)

  The image output device is installed at an ID photo corner in front of the station, an amusement facility such as a game center, etc., and the user brings a recording medium on which image data captured by his digital camera is recorded and is read by the image output device. Alternatively, it is possible to shoot on the spot, perform image editing processing if necessary, specify the output size, the number of output sheets, etc., output a high-definition color print, and take it home as it is.

  As for image display, image selection, and the like in the image output apparatus, when a recording medium on which an image is stored is inserted into a media reader, the image output apparatus generally displays an image list including a plurality of thumbnail images and the like. The user selects an image to be printed out from this image list.

JP 2002-46324 A Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., “Digital Camera Print Recommendation”, [online], [December 1, 2002 search], Internet <URL: http: // www. digitalamates. com / susume / index. html>

  However, as described above, the conventional image output apparatus can perform a wide variety of processes. However, on the other hand, it is difficult to change the setting, and the user (user, operator, etc.) operates. There is a problem that discomfort and inconvenience cannot be forbidden above.

  In addition, when a user performs editing processing, synthesis processing, etc. on image data, the user performs operations such as enlargement, reduction, movement, rotation, and reversal of the image data. There is a problem that the operability is poor. For example, (1) the image can be moved even if the entire image protrudes from a predetermined frame indicating the print output area, or can only be moved to about half of the image, (2) rotation, inversion, enlargement, reduction, etc. There are problems that the origin is fixed, and (3) as a result of rotation, inversion, and reduction, the entire image remains in the same position even if it is out of the frame.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image output device and the like that can switch various settings to increase the degree of freedom of operation and improve operability. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention sets an input means for inputting image data, an output means for printing out the image data, and whether to use attribute information of the image data. An image output apparatus comprising: setting means;

The image output apparatus of the first invention sets whether or not the attribute information included in the image data is used, and displays image data, prints out, and the like based on the setting.
In the case of setting using the attribute information, the arrangement order of the image data is determined based on the date / time information included in the attribute information, and in the case of setting not using the attribute information, the creation date / time or update of the image data The arrangement order of the image data may be determined based on the date and time.
Note that the attribute information can be EXIF information when the image format of the image data is an EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) format.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus comprising: input means for inputting image data; output means for printing out the image data; and setting means for setting a batch instruction target. It is.

The image output apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention sets a batch instruction target, and prints out image data based on the setting.
In addition, when the batch instruction is related to increase / decrease / clear of the number of printed sheets, the target of the batch instruction is only the displayed image data or all the image data so that the batch instruction is reflected on them. May be.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus comprising: input means for inputting image data; output means for printing out the image data; and setting means for setting billing display. .

An image output apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention performs settings for billing display, and prints out image data based on the settings.
The setting for the billing display may include at least one of a tax rate, a taxation method, and whether or not to display a tax amount.

  The image output apparatus according to the first to third aspects of the present invention is configured to use / not use attribute information, set a collective button according to the wishes of the administrator, installer, operator, user, etc., system environment, etc. Since setting of the operation instruction target, tax display, tax calculation, and the like can be performed, the degree of freedom of operation of the image output apparatus can be increased and the operability can be improved.

  The fourth invention is an input means for inputting image data, an output means for printing out the image data, a processing means for processing the image data, an origin of rotation processing of the image data, an origin of inversion processing, An image output apparatus comprising: an origin setting unit configured to set at least one of an origin of enlargement processing and an origin of reduction processing.

  The image output apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention sets the origin of image rotation processing, inversion processing, enlargement processing, reduction processing, and the like (for example, image center, image side, image vertex, etc.) in the image data processing.

  A fifth invention comprises input means for inputting image data, output means for printing out the image data, and processing means for processing the image data, and at least the image data in a print output area. An image output apparatus characterized in that the image data can be moved within a range where a part of the image data exists.

  The image output apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention enables the image to be moved to a marginal position where the print output area and the image area are circumscribed in the image data processing.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, an input unit that inputs image data, an output unit that prints out the image data, a processing unit that processes the image data, and a case where the entire image data protrudes from the print output area, An image output apparatus comprising: moving means for moving the image data to a position where at least a part of the image data exists in the print output area.

  The image output apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention provides a marginal position where the print output area and the image area are circumscribed when the entire image protrudes from the print output area as a result of image data processing (reduction, rotation, inversion, etc.). Move the image data up to.

  In the image output apparatuses according to the fourth to sixth inventions, the image can move to the edge even when the image protrudes from the frame (printing output area or the like), and the center of rotation / reversal can be set. Yes (for example, image center, upper left, each side, arbitrary point), origin of enlargement / reduction can be set (for example, image center, upper left, each side, arbitrary point), rotation / inversion / reduction, etc. As a result, when the entire image protrudes from the frame, the image can be automatically moved to the frame position, so that the operability of the image operation screen can be improved in image editing processing, composition processing, and processing processing.

A seventh invention is a program that causes a computer to function as the image output device according to any one of the first to sixth inventions.
An eighth invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image output device according to any of the first to sixth inventions is recorded.
The above-mentioned program may be held and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image moving method executed by an image output apparatus for printing out input image data, the processing step for processing the image data, and the entire image data protruding from a print output area. A moving step of moving the image data to a position where at least a part of the image data exists in the print output area.
A ninth aspect of the invention relates to an image moving method executed by the image output apparatus of the sixth aspect of the invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image output device or the like that enables switching of various settings to increase the degree of freedom of operation and improve operability.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image output device and the like according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description will be omitted.

First, the configuration of an image print system 100 (image output apparatus 101) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output apparatus print system 100 (image output apparatus 101).

  The image print system 100 includes an image output device 101, a terminal device 102, and the like. Setting data 400 (described later) created by the terminal apparatus 102 is input to the image output apparatus 101 via the recording medium 103, the network (connection line) 104, or the like. The setting data 400 can also be directly input to the image output apparatus 101 by the input apparatus 105 such as a keyboard and a mouse provided in the image output apparatus 101.

  The image output apparatus 101 includes an image data reading / writing unit 111, an image editing / synthesizing unit 112, a material database 113, a printing unit 114, an order content input unit 115, a charging unit 116, a setting unit 117, and the like.

The image data reading / writing unit 111 captures a subject 121 (user) with an imaging device such as a digital camera, reads a document 122 with a document reading device such as a scanner device, or a recording medium on which image data is recorded in advance. The image data is acquired by reading from 123 (media). The image data read / write unit 111 can also record the image data created by the image output apparatus 101 on the recording medium 123.
The recording medium 123 is, for example, smart media, a compact flash (registered trademark) card (CF card), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a PC card, an optical disk (CD-ROM or the like), and the like.

  The image editing / synthesizing unit 112 synthesizes one or more input or selected image data, such as processing such as graffiti or stamp, clipping of image data, scaling, pasting of a clipped image on another image, etc. , An interactive interface means for interactively editing and the like and an image processing program. Material image data, frame image data, etc. existing in the material database 113 can also be used as image data used for processing, composition, and editing.

  The printing unit 114 is a high resolution color printer. Any method such as sublimation type or ink jet type may be used. The printed matter 124 is a printed photo ID photo, a digital camera image, a sticker print, a postcard, or the like.

  The order content input means 115 allows the user to select the order content to be output as necessary. Items to be selected include print mode selection (normal image data output, index print output, postcard print, sticker print, ID photo print, etc. In the case of normal output of actual image data, thumbnail images are displayed, and which image is to be printed when image data for multiple frames is input (thumbnail when outputting a digital camera image) Image monitor display and image selection), and the number of prints and print size are specified. Note that the user can specify, process, synthesize, and edit one or more image data before outputting the image.

As the order content input means 115, for example, a touch panel integrated with a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, and various pointers such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a trackball can be used.
The charging unit 116 validates each function of the image output apparatus 101 in accordance with the amount of money that has been input in advance.

  The setting unit 117 performs initial settings, operation settings, device settings, and the like of the image output apparatus 101. The setting is performed based on the setting data 400.

The terminal device 102 is a computer or the like, and creates a setting data file. For example, the terminal device 102 creates a setting data file by executing an editing program such as a text editor or by executing a support program that supports creation of the setting data.
The recording medium 103 is a medium that can record setting data, and is, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, or the like.

The network (connection line) 104 is a LAN (local area network), a dedicated line, a network such as the Internet, a connection line such as a cable and a bus, and the like, whether wired or wireless. A network (connection line) 104 mediates data exchange between the terminal apparatus 102 and the image output apparatus 101.
The input device 105 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and directly inputs the setting data 400 to the image output device 101.

Next, the external configuration of the image output apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image output apparatus 101.

  A monitor screen 201 such as a monitor with a touch panel is arranged on the upper front of the image output apparatus 101 (main body). The monitor screen 201 functions as display means for displaying operation guidance, operation status, read images, edited images, and the like.

A media insertion slot 202 is installed next to the screen of the monitor screen 201. A scanner surface 203 that reads an image of a printed matter and converts it into digital data is installed in a horizontal portion that divides the upper portion and the lower portion. On the monitor screen 201, a lens window 204 for capturing a subject (such as a user) with an imaging device such as a digital camera is installed.
The media insertion port 202, the scanner surface 203, and the window 204 constitute a part of the image data reading / writing unit 111.

  The media insertion slot 202 is a reception unit for various media (smart media, compact flash (registered trademark) card (CF card), floppy (registered trademark) disk, PC card, optical disk (CD-ROM, etc.), etc.). A (registered trademark) disc insertion slot, a CD-ROM insertion slot, a PC card insertion slot, a smart media insertion slot, a compact flash (registered trademark) insertion slot, and the like are arranged in a lump. In addition, in the main body of the image output apparatus 101, the main body (not shown) of each reading device (media reader) is installed corresponding to the type of each recording medium.

  Each insertion port may be provided with an open / close cover (shutter). In this case, by controlling the opening / closing of the opening / closing door, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being taken out during the processing, or to prevent the recording medium from being taken out until the accounting process and the collection of the fee are completed.

  In the lower part of the image output apparatus 101, a printed matter outlet 205, a speaker 206, and the like are installed. In addition, a charge insertion port (coin insertion port, bill insertion port), a return lever, a return port, a receipt extraction port, maintenance A key, a door opening / closing key, and the like are arranged.

The printed matter outlet 205 constitutes a part of the printing unit 114. The user receives a printed matter discharged from the printed matter outlet 205 after instructing the execution of printing by touching a touch panel button or the like.
The speaker 206 reproduces warning sound, confirmation sound, operation guidance message, voice, BGM, sound effect, etc. during operation or standby.

  Although not shown in the figure, the image output apparatus 101 includes a personal computer including a control unit for controlling each component, a power supply box for voltage conversion, a CPU of the control unit, a hard disk, etc. An uninterruptible power supply to prevent damage will be installed.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image output apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image output apparatus 101.

  The image output apparatus 101 includes a control unit 301, a storage unit 302, an input / output unit 303, a digital camera 304, a scanner 305, various media reading / writing units 306 (1 to n), a monitor 307 (with a touch panel), a coin mech 308, A bill validator 309, a receipt journal processing unit 310, a printer 311, a communication control unit 312, and the like are connected via a system bus 313.

  The control unit 301 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and drives and controls each device connected via the system bus 313 according to a program stored in a storage unit 302 that is a hard disk as a large-capacity storage medium. .

  In the storage unit 302, in addition to a program for driving and controlling each component, for example, a reading / writing program corresponding to each recording medium, a charging program, and the like, an image input or selected as a part of the image editing / combining unit 112 is stored. An image processing program for editing and processing, an image processing program for creating index data by creating thinned-out data, and an interactive menu as part of the order content input means 115 are displayed on the monitor 307 and the printing means 114 is informed of the printing conditions. , A material database 113 storing image data such as a frame used for image synthesis, a background image, a line drawing illustration image for coloring, and various setting data are stored. .

These program codes are read by the control unit 301 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read to the CPU, and executed as various means.
In addition, the memory or storage unit 302 of the control unit 301 can temporarily hold information such as data and image data necessary for processing.

  The input / output unit 303 (CD-ROM drive device, keyboard, mouse, etc.) upgrades the programs and information stored in the ROM of the control unit 301 and the storage unit 302, or sets the operation settings and device settings of the image print system The main unit is switched to the management mode with the maintenance key, and a CD-ROM for upgrading is inserted into the input / output unit 303 to rewrite data or input setting data. To set.

  The digital camera 304, the scanner 305, and the various media reading / writing units 306 (1 to n) acquire and input image data. These correspond to the image data reading / writing means 111.

  By selecting and touching the touch panel button displayed on the monitor 307 according to the operation guide displayed on the monitor 307, from the selection of the print mode and reading of the original image data to the processing, composition, editing, and output of the printed matter. A series of operations can be performed. The monitor 307 corresponds to the display unit.

The coin mech 308, the bill burr 309, and the receipt journal processing unit 310 correspond to the billing unit 116, and accept coin insertion, bill insertion, and issue a receipt.
The printer 311 corresponds to the printing unit 114 and performs an image printout process.

The communication control unit 312 is a communication control device, a communication port, or the like, and performs communication control between the image output device 101 and the terminal device 102.
The system bus 313 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between each unit and each device.

Next, the setting data will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of the setting data 400.

  The setting data 400 indicates information about operation settings, device settings, and the like of processing (device control, image processing, print output processing, etc.) executed by the image print system 100 and the image output device 101.

  The setting data 400 records this information in a text format or the like. When the setting data 400 is input, the image output apparatus 101 performs initial setting based on the setting data, holds the setting data in a hard disk device or the like, and executes various processes to set values, parameters, and the like. Or as a reference.

The setting data 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes fields such as a setting item 401 and setting contents 402 (setting variables, setting values, etc.).
A setting item 401 indicates setting items such as initial setting, operation setting, and device setting, and a setting content 402 indicates setting content for the setting item, and holds setting variables, setting values, and the like.

  The setting item 401 includes, for example, an item 411 “use of EXIF information”, an item 412 “object of a batch button operation instruction”, an item 413 “tax rate”, an item 414 “taxation method”, an item 415 “tax amount display”, and the like. is there.

An item 411 “use of EXIF information” indicates whether or not to use EXIF information (date information or the like) included in the image data. For example, “use” and “not use” are held as setting contents.
Item 412 “Batch button operation instruction target” indicates whether the instruction to increase / decrease / initialize the number of prints is reflected only for the image data in the display screen when the increase / decrease / initialization of the number of prints is instructed by the batch button. Indicates whether the instruction to increase / decrease the number of prints / initialization is reflected for all image data in the recording medium as well as the image data in the display screen. For example, “display image only”, “all images”, etc. Is held as the setting contents.
The collective buttons include an “all +” button (increase the number of prints), an “all-” button (decrease in the number of prints), an “all 0” button (initialization of the number of prints), and the like.

The item 413 “tax rate” indicates a tax rate such as a consumption tax, and for example, “5%” is held as the setting content.
An item 414 “taxation method” indicates a taxation method, and for example, “internal tax”, “external tax”, and the like are held as setting contents.
The item 415 “tax amount display” indicates whether or not to display the tax amount screen. For example, “display screen” and “do not display screen” are set as the setting contents.

For the setting contents 402, a default value indicating a standard value may be prepared as a setting value.
Further, all or a part of the setting data may be recorded in another data (another file) or the like, and the setting data 400 may describe a reference destination of the data (file) or the like.

Next, the operation of the image print system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operations of the image output apparatus 101 and the terminal apparatus 102 related to the setting process.

The terminal apparatus 102 creates setting data (step 501), and inputs and provides the setting data to the image output apparatus 101 (step 502).
The image output apparatus 101 performs settings based on the setting data, or converts the setting data into a format that can be used and referred to when executing various processes and stores the converted data in a hard disk device or the like (step 503). The image output apparatus 101 executes various processes based on the set operation setting, device setting, or stored setting data (step 504).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus 101 according to step 504 (various processing).

The image output apparatus 101 (control unit 301) displays a menu screen showing service contents, procedures, guidance, and the like, and allows the user to make a selection. (Step 601).
The image output apparatus 101 acquires image data and displays it on the monitor (step 602). When inputting image data, the user can select a method such as reading from a recording medium, reading from a scanner, or imaging a subject by an imaging device (digital camera or the like).

  The image output apparatus 101 processes, edits, combines, and the like of image data based on a user instruction (step 603). Examples of image processing, editing, and composition include synthesis of input image data, frame images, existing images, etc., paint color, character input, movement, enlargement / reduction, and creation of postcard data.

  The image output apparatus 101 performs billing processing and receipt issuance processing according to the user's order contents (output form (photo print, sticker print, index print, postcard print, etc.), number of prints, etc.) (step 604).

The image output apparatus 101 performs image processing such as color correction, resizing, trimming, layout, and character / logo synthesis (step 605), and the image processed image data is held in a memory, a hard disk device, etc., and is ready for output. The image data is transferred to the printer apparatus, and print output processing is performed (step 606).
When the operation of the image printing system 100 is continued (No in Step 607), the image output apparatus 101 repeats the processing from Step 601 to Step 607.

  When performing the processing from step 601 to step 607 and the like, the image output apparatus 101 executes the processing with reference to the set setting or the stored setting data (step 503: FIG. 5) (step 600).

  Through the above process, the image output apparatus 101 performs settings such as initial settings, operation settings, and device settings based on the input setting data, or converts them into a usable format and stores them. Various processes are executed with reference to FIG.

  In this way, setting data is created by collectively describing information related to settings such as initial settings, operation settings, and device settings in a single text file, and the setting data is input to the image output device. Even if there are a wide range of targets, settings can be made in a batch using a unified format, procedure, and method, greatly reducing the labor burden associated with settings such as initial settings, operation settings, and device settings. be able to.

  Note that the setting data created in the terminal apparatus 102 may be input to the image output apparatus 101 via a recording medium or via a connection line such as a network or a cable. Further, instead of creating the setting data in the terminal device 102, it is also possible to input the setting data directly to an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse provided in the image output device 101.

  The setting data 400 is recorded in a text file format or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the format and form are not limited as long as the image output apparatus 101 can recognize the setting data 400. In addition to creating the setting data 400 simply by inputting text, the setting data 400 may be created by using an interface provided by the program using a program or the like that supports the creation of the setting data 400. Good. This support program can be introduced into either the image output apparatus 101 or the terminal apparatus 102.

  In FIG. 6, the image output apparatus has been described as executing the process with reference to the set setting or the held setting data. However, when setting based on the setting data (step 503: FIG. 5), The setting may be directly incorporated into a processing program for specifying the operation of the image output apparatus. In this case, when the processing program is executed, the image output apparatus 101 can execute processing based on the automatically incorporated setting.

  In addition, the image output apparatus may be configured such that each means (FIG. 1 and the like) and each apparatus (FIG. 3 and the like) are integrated, or a part of them may be separated and a connection line (cable or the like, wired wireless) may be used. No.), a network (a dedicated line, a LAN, the Internet, etc., wired wireless) may be used.

Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to the setting item 411 “use of EXIF information” will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the image output apparatus 101 according to the setting item 411 “use of EXIF information”.

The image data 701 is an image data file in an image format of EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) format.
Each of the image data 701 includes file information 702 that can be recognized by an OS (operation system), EXIF data 703 that can be recognized by a predetermined application, and the like.

The file information 702 includes a file name, a file creation date, a file update date, a file capacity, and the like.
The EXIF data 703 includes EXIF actual image data, EXIF reduced image data (EXIF thumbnail image), EXIF information 705, and the like.
The EXIF information 705 includes date information, manufacturer information, shooting condition information (shutter speed, aperture value, presence / absence of flash emission, etc.), and the like.

When the image output apparatus 101 uses the EXIF information based on the setting (set setting, reference of setting data, etc.), the image output arrangement 101 refers to the date information 706 of the EXIF information 705 and arranges the image data in the order 708 (date order ( Old order or new order) is determined, and a list is displayed on the screen 707 (S71).
The image output apparatus 101 refers to the file creation date or the file update date 704 of the file information 702 when the EXIF information is not used based on the setting (setting already set, setting data reference, etc.). 708 (date order (old order or new order)) is determined, and a list is displayed on the screen 707 (S72).

When the EXIF information is used, the image output apparatus 101 reads not only the date information but also other information, so that the information regarding the image data can be acquired in detail.
On the other hand, when the EXIF information is not used, the image output apparatus 101 can read only the file creation date or the file update date, so that the image data list can be quickly displayed in order of date.

  As described above, the image output apparatus 101 can set whether to use or not use the EXIF information according to the wishes of the administrator, the installer, the operator, the user, the system environment, and the like. The degree of freedom of operation of the apparatus 101 can be increased and the operability can be improved.

Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 101 related to the setting item 412 “target for batch button operation instruction” will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of the image output apparatus 101 according to the setting item 412 “target for batch button operation instruction”.

The image output apparatus 101 extracts display image data 804 to be displayed on the screen from all the image data 803 held by the recording medium 802, and displays it on the screen 801 (S81).
The user can specify the number of prints 805 and print out each image displayed on the list screen 801.

The image output apparatus 101 uses a collective button 806 (“all + (increase all)”), a collective button 807 “all-(decrease all)”, collective, based on settings (settings already set, reference to setting data, etc.). When only the display image data is the target of the operation instruction of the button 808 “all 0 (all clear)”, the designation of the number of prints by the collective button 806 to the collective button 808 is reflected only on the display image data 804.
The image output apparatus 101 uses a collective button 806 (“all + (increase all)”), a collective button 807 “all-(decrease all)”, collective, based on settings (settings already set, reference to setting data, etc.). When all the image data is the target of the operation instruction of the button 808 “all 0 (clear all)”, the number of prints is designated by the collective button 806 to the collective button 808 for all the image data 803 as well as the display image data 804. reflect.

When the image output apparatus 101 reflects the designation of the number of prints by the collective button 806 to the collective button 808 only on the display image data 804, the change in the number of prints can be confirmed on the screen, thereby preventing misidentification of the user. can do.
On the other hand, the image output apparatus 101 needs to display all the images on the screen in order to specify the number of prints for all the images when the designation of the number of prints by the collective button 806 to the collective button 808 is reflected in all the image data 803. Since there is no, a user's quick operation can be realized.

  As described above, the image output apparatus 101 can set the target of the operation instruction of the collective button according to the wishes of the administrator, the installer, the operator, the user, the system environment, and the like. The degree of freedom of operation of the apparatus 101 can be increased and the operability can be improved.

Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 101 relating to the setting item 413 “tax rate”, the setting item 414 “taxing method”, and the setting item 415 “tax amount display” will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the image output apparatus 101 regarding the setting item 413 “tax rate”, the setting item 414 “taxing method”, and the setting item 415 “tax amount display”.

The image output apparatus 101 displays the order contents 902 of the user on the screen 901 (image printing / print number designation screen) based on the settings (settings already set, reference of setting data, etc.).
The display of the order contents 902 in FIG. 9 includes a setting item 413 “tax rate” = “5%”, a setting item 414 “taxation method” = “external tax”, a setting item 415 “tax amount display” = “display on screen”, This is the case. The user can confirm the tax amount, taxation method, tax rate, etc. by displaying the order contents 902.

  As described above, the image output apparatus 101 can perform settings such as tax display and tax calculation according to the wishes of the administrator, installer, operator, user, etc., the system environment, etc. It is possible to improve the operability as well as increase the degree of freedom of operation of 101.

  Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 101 in the image processing (FIG. 6: step 603) will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus 101 in the image processing.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of an image processing screen 1101 displayed by the image output apparatus 101.

  The image output apparatus 101 (control unit 301) displays an image processing screen 1101 on the monitor (step 1001). The image processing screen 1101 includes a print area, a frame 1102 indicating the print area, a processed image 1103, an original image 1104, buttons 1105 for operating instructions, a palette for designating colors, patterns, pen thicknesses, and the like. 1106, an enlargement / reduction button 1107, a move button 1108, a rotation button 1109, a center setting button 1110, and the like are displayed.

  The image output apparatus 101 performs enlargement / reduction, movement, rotation, inversion, composition, editing, and the like of the image based on the user's instruction and displays the image together with the frame 1102 (step 1002). The user processes the original image on the processing screen 1101 to print and print. Note that the portion of the processed image that protrudes outside the frame may not be displayed or may be displayed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of image movement processing.
The image output apparatus 101 can move the image to the edge of the image even if the original image 1201 protrudes from the frame 1202 during the movement.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of image rotation processing.
The image output apparatus 101 rotates the original image 1301 around the image center 1305 (origin of 90 degrees) (step 1303) or rotates the corner of the image (upper left vertex 1306, etc.) as the center. (Step 1304), and can be displayed together with the frame 1302.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of image enlargement / reduction processing.
The image output apparatus 101 enlarges / reduces the original image 1401 with the image center 1405 as the origin (step 1403), and enlarges / reduces the corner (upper left vertex 1406, etc.) of the image with the origin (step 1404). Can be displayed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the flow of processing when the entire image is completely out of the frame.
The image output apparatus 101 performs processing (rotation, etc.) on the original image 1501 (step 1503). When the entire image completely protrudes from the frame 1502, the image is automatically moved to the frame position (step 1504). ). As illustrated in FIG. 15, for example, the image output apparatus 101 automatically moves the protruding image 1505 to a position where the edge of the frame 1502 and the edge of the image are circumscribed.

  Thus, the image output apparatus can move to the edge even when the image protrudes from the frame during movement, and can set the center of rotation / inversion, the reference, etc. (for example, the image center, upper left, (Each side, arbitrary point), the origin of enlargement / reduction can be set (for example, the center of the image, upper left, arbitrary point), and if the whole image protrudes from the frame as a result of rotation / inversion / reduction, the image Since it can be automatically moved to the frame position, it is possible to improve the operability of the image operation screen in image editing processing, composition processing, and processing processing.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image output apparatus can perform various settings according to the wishes of the administrator, the installer, the operator, the user, the system environment, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of operation of the image output apparatus and improve operability. In addition, the image output device can perform detailed settings related to image movement, rotation, inversion, enlargement / reduction, etc. in the image editing process, composition process, and processing process. Can be improved.

  The image output apparatus displays a list of image data based on simple image data (thumbnail image data, reduced image data) in the image data file, and displays detailed images in the image data file (normal image data). Display based on actual image data). In this case, as the format format of the image data file, for example, an EXIF format in which simple image data and actual image data are held in one file can be used.

  Also, a program for performing the processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 15 may be distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  The preferred embodiments of the image output apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the image output apparatus print system 100 (image output apparatus 101) External perspective view of image output apparatus 101 Hardware configuration diagram of the image output apparatus 101 The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the setting data 400 A flowchart showing operations of the image output apparatus 101 and the terminal apparatus 102 related to the setting process. A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus 101 The figure which shows the flow of a process of the image output device 101 regarding the setting item 411 "use of EXIF information". The figure which shows the flow of a process of the image output device 101 regarding the setting item 412 "target of the operation instruction of a batch button." The figure which shows the flow of a process of the image output device 101 regarding the setting item 413 "tax rate", the setting item 414 "taxation method", and the setting item 415 "tax amount display". A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus 101 in image processing. The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the image processing screen 1101 which the image output apparatus 101 displays. The figure which shows the flow of the movement processing of the image Diagram showing the flow of image rotation processing Diagram showing the flow of image scaling processing Diagram showing the flow of processing when the entire image is completely out of the frame

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ......... Image printing system 101 ......... Image output device 111 ......... Image data reading / writing means 112 ......... Image editing composition means 113 ......... Material database 114 ......... Print means 115 ......... Contents of order Input means 116... Billing means 117... Setting means 201... Monitor screen 202... Media insertion port 301 ... Control section 302 ... Storage section 306 ... Various media reading / writing sections ( 1-n)
307 ......... Monitor 400 ......... Setting data 705 ......... EXIF information 806, 807, 808 ...... Batch button 902 ......... Order contents 1101 ......... Image processing screen 1102 ......... Frame 1103 ......... Process image

Claims (12)

Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for printing out the image data;
Setting means for setting whether to use attribute information included in the image data;
An image output apparatus comprising:   In the case of setting using the attribute information, the arrangement order of the image data is determined based on the date / time information included in the attribute information, and in the setting not using the attribute information, the creation date / update date / time of the image data is set. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement order of the image data is determined based on the image data. Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for printing out the image data;
A setting means for setting the target of collective instruction;
An image output apparatus comprising:   The image output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the batch instruction target is only displayed image data or all image data. Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for printing out the image data;
A setting means for setting the billing display;
An image output apparatus comprising:   The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the setting for the billing display includes at least one of a tax rate, a taxation method, and presence / absence of a tax amount display. Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for printing out the image data;
Processing means for processing the image data;
Origin setting means for setting at least one of an origin of rotation processing of image data, an origin of inversion processing, an origin of enlargement processing, and an origin of reduction processing;
An image output apparatus comprising: Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for printing out the image data;
Processing means for processing the image data;
Comprising
An image output apparatus characterized in that the image data can be moved within a range in which at least a part of the image data exists in a print output area. Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for printing out the image data;
Processing means for processing the image data;
Moving means for moving the image data to a position where at least a part of the image data exists in the print output area when the entire image data protrudes from the print output area;
An image output apparatus comprising:   A program that causes a computer to function as the image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is recorded. An image moving method executed by an image output apparatus that prints out input image data,
A processing step of processing the image data;
A moving step of moving the image data to a position where at least a part of the image data exists in the print output area when the entire image data protrudes from the print output area;
An image moving method comprising:

Images