JP2006060662A - Image output device, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device, etc. which discriminates and displays thumbnail images according to types of image data read from recording media. <P>SOLUTION: The image output device 101 reads the image data from the recording media 123, when the thumbnail image 702 of the image data is displayed, adds, displays discrimination marks such as a data mark 703 photographed with a digital camera and a data mark 704 photographed with a cellular phone with camera with the thumbnail image 702 according to the types of image data on a thumbnail display screen 700 based on image management information read accompanying the image data and performs list display by the types of image data by a "digital camera image list display" button 711 and a "cellular phone with camera image list display" button 712, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image print system that can synthesize and edit image data recorded on a recording medium brought by the user, an image stored in advance in an apparatus, and the like, and relates to a thumbnail display function for displaying thumbnail images.

  Images taken with a digital camera or the like can be printed at home using a personal computer, a printer, or the like, instead of bringing a film into a photo shop for printing as in the past. In addition, a photograph that has already been printed can be read by a scanner or the like, reprinted, stretched, and the like.

  However, while there is a demand for more beautifully processed images and processing them with various ingenuity, electronic devices such as digital cameras, personal computers, printers, and scanners are making rapid progress. Since it is sold, it is difficult for individuals to always make the highest quality prints, and there are limits to what sub-images such as frame images to be combined with captured images can be used by individuals.

  Therefore, a digital photo print device, which is an image output device installed in a store such as a camera store, which can be installed in a relatively small space, records a recording medium on which an image has been recorded or a photograph that has already been printed. There is a method of bringing in and synthesizing frame images and printing (digital photo print system, for example, see [Patent Document 1] and [Non-Patent Document 1]).

  In recent years, mobile phones with cameras have become widespread, and there are some recording media that can be shared by digital cameras and cameras attached to mobile phones, and the types of image input means and recording media are diversified.

JP 2002-46324 A (paragraph number [0145] on page 18, FIG. 5 to FIG. 10) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-1899 Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., “Digital Camera Print Recommendation”, [online], [December 1, 2002 Search], Internet <URL: http: // www. digitalamates. com / susume / index. html>

  However, in a conventional digital photo printing apparatus, a user generally inserts a recording medium in which captured images are stored into a reader and displays a plurality of thumbnails of the images. When a plurality of types of image data captured by a camera or the like are stored on the same recording medium, a plurality of types of image data are displayed in a mixed manner in the same thumbnail. The resolution of the captured image data differs between the camera-equipped mobile phone and the digital camera, but the thumbnail display that displays in a reduced size does not know the resolution. There was a problem that it was not possible to judge whether or not, and the user was confused. Furthermore, if printing is performed while the images are mixed, there is a problem in that there is a difference in the finished product between the camera-equipped mobile phone and the image data captured by the digital camera.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image output device and the like that can display a thumbnail image by determining according to the type of image data read from a recording medium. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention is an image input means for inputting image data, a thumbnail display means for displaying a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image data, and a print output means for printing the image data. The image input means inputs image data by reading the image data from a recording medium, and the thumbnail display means selects a thumbnail according to the type of the image data. An image output apparatus that distinguishes and displays an image.

The discrimination display preferably displays a discrimination mark of the type of the image data together with the thumbnail image.
Further, it is preferable that the discrimination display displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the specified type of the image data.
The image input means preferably includes recording medium reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium.
The image input means preferably further inputs image management information corresponding to each of the image data.
Further, it is preferable that the thumbnail display means discriminates the type of the image data according to the image management information.

  In the first invention, the image output apparatus reads the image data from the recording medium, inputs the image data, and discriminates and displays the thumbnail image according to the type of the image data.

“Thumbnail images” are reduced images of image data read from a recording medium, and a plurality of “thumbnail images” are arranged on the monitor screen.
“Image management information” is information associated with each image data read from the recording medium, and includes shooting date / time, file name, folder name, manufacturer information, and the like.
The “type of image data” is any one of image data captured by a digital camera, image data captured by a mobile phone with a camera, image data edited by a personal computer, and the like. Also, the type is based on any one of image size, resolution, camera type, and the like.
“Distinction display” displays a thumbnail image, a discrimination mark which is a discrimination mark of the type of image data, a frame color, a frame shape, or the like, or a thumbnail image corresponding to the specified type of image data. List only.
The “discrimination mark” is indicated by any one of a discrimination mark, a discrimination mark color, a frame color, a frame shape, and the like according to the type of the image data.

The second invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the image output device of the first invention.
A third invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus of the first invention is recorded.

  The above-described program may be distributed by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  The present invention can provide an image output device and the like that can display a thumbnail image by determining according to the type of image data read from a recording medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image printing system 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 the image print system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image print system 100.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an image print system. As shown in FIG. 1, the image print system 100 is realized by an image output device 101 or the like.
The image output apparatus 101 includes an image data reading / writing unit 111, an image editing / synthesizing unit 112, a material database (material DB) 113, a printing unit 114, an order content input unit 115, a charging unit 116, and the like.

The image data reading / writing unit 111 captures an image of the subject 121 with an imaging device such as a digital camera, reads a document 122 with a document reading device such as a scanner device, or reads from a recording medium 123 on which image data is recorded in advance. Thus, the image data is acquired, and thumbnails are displayed according to the type of the image data. Further, the image data reading / writing unit 111 can 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, compact flash (registered trademark) card (CF card), SD card, mini SD card, memory stick, floppy (registered trademark) disk, PC card, CD-ROM, or the like. An SD card, a mini-SD card, and the like are recording media that can be shared and used by a digital camera and a camera-equipped mobile phone.

  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. It comprises interactive interface means for interactive editing and image processing programs. Material image data, frame image data, etc. existing in the material database 113 can also be used as image data used for processing and composite 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 photo, a seal 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 printed when image data for multiple frames is input (when digital camera images are output) Thumbnail image display and image selection), the number of prints and the print size are specified. Note that the user can specify one or more pieces of image data to be processed and combined and edited 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.

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 in front of the upper part of the image output apparatus 101. 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 below 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 with an imaging device such as a digital camera is installed. The media insertion port 202, the scanner surface 203, and the lens window 204 constitute a part of the image data reading / writing unit 111.

  The media insertion slot 202 is an insertion slot for various media (smart media, compact flash (registered trademark) card (CF card), SD card, mini SD card, floppy (registered trademark) disk, PC card, CD-ROM, etc.). Yes, a floppy (registered trademark) disk 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 at one position.

  Further, the main body of each reading / writing device is installed in the housing of the image output device 101 corresponding to the insertion port of each recording medium. Each insertion slot may be provided with a shutter (not shown) so that the recording medium cannot be taken out until data reading is completed.

  In the lower part of the image output apparatus 101, there are a charge insertion port (coin insertion port 205, bill insertion port 206), a return lever 207, a return port 208, a receipt outlet 209, a printed matter outlet 210, a speaker 211, and a maintenance key 212. The door opening / closing key 213 and the like are respectively arranged.

The charge insertion slot (coin insertion slot 205, bill insertion slot 206), return lever 207, return slot 208, and receipt outlet 209 constitute a part of the charging means 116.
The customer pays a fee by inserting a coin into the coin insertion slot 205 or inserting a banknote into the banknote insertion slot 206. When there is a change, it is discharged from the return port 208, so that it can be received. Further, when the order is canceled or when coins are jammed, the coin return lever 207 is turned to release it from the return port 208 so that it can be received.
After collecting the fee, a receipt printed with the amount collected and the details of the order is released from the receipt outlet 209.

The printed matter outlet 210 constitutes a part of the printing means 114. The user receives the printed matter 124 discharged from the printed matter outlet 210 after instructing the execution of printing by touching the touch panel button or the like.
The speaker 211 reproduces voice, BGM, sound effects and the like during standby or during operation.

  The maintenance key 212 is a key for switching between a normal operation mode in which a user can be accepted and a management mode in which the administrator performs setting and maintenance of the image print system.

  In addition, although it cannot be clearly recognized from the appearance, a personal computer including a control unit for controlling each component of the post-type image output device 101 or voltage conversion is performed in the casing of the post-type image output device 101. A power supply box, an uninterruptible power supply that prevents damage to the CPU and hard disk of the control unit in the event of a power failure are installed.

Next, a schematic 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 hard disk 302, an input / output unit 303 (CD-ROM drive device, keyboard, mouse, etc.), a digital camera 305, a scanner 306, various media reading / writing units 307 (1 to n), A shutter 308 (1 to n), a monitor 309 (with a touch panel), a coin mech 310, a bill burr 311, a receipt journal processing unit 312, a printer 313, and the like are connected via a bus 316.

  The control unit 301 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and drives and controls each device connected via the bus 316 according to a program stored in the hard disk 302 as a large-capacity storage medium.

  The hard disk 302 is input as a part of the image editing / synthesizing unit 112 in addition to a program for driving and controlling each component, for example, a reading / writing program corresponding to each recording medium 123, a shutter opening / closing control program, a charging program, and the like. Alternatively, an image processing program for editing and processing the selected image, an image processing program for creating index data by creating thinned data, and an interactive menu as part of the order content input means 115 are displayed on the monitor 309, and printing means A program for setting print conditions to 114 and instructing the start of printing, and a material database 113 storing image data such as frames, background images, and line drawing illustration images for coloring are stored. ing.

  Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 301 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read by the CPU, and executed as various means.

  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 hard disk 302, or sets the operation of the image print system, device settings, etc. The main unit is switched to the management mode with the maintenance key, the CD-ROM for upgrading is inserted into the input / output unit 303, the data is rewritten, or the setting data is input. Set up.

The digital camera 305, the scanner 306, and various media reading / writing units 307 (1 to n) correspond to the image data reading / writing unit 111.
The shutter 308 is provided at the recording medium insertion port, and opens and closes the recording medium insertion port so that the recording medium cannot be removed during the reading process or the recording medium cannot be removed until the accounting process is completed. be able to.

  By selecting and touching the touch panel button displayed on the monitor 309 in accordance with the operation guide displayed on the monitor 309, from the selection of the print mode and reading of the original image data to processing, composition editing, and output of the printed matter 124. A series of operations can be performed.

The coin mech 310, the bill validator 311 and the receipt journal processing unit 312 correspond to the charging unit 116, and accept coin insertion and bill insertion, and issue receipts.
The printer 313 corresponds to the printing unit 114 and performs image printout processing.

Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus 101.

  The control unit 301 of the image output apparatus 101 displays a menu screen indicating service contents, procedures, guidance, and the like on the monitor screen 201 of the monitor 309 and allows the user to select a function. (Step 401).

  The control unit 301 acquires image data via any of the various media 307, the scanner 306, the digital camera 305, and the like (step 402). When inputting image data, the user selects a method such as reading from the recording medium 123, reading from a scanner, or imaging of a subject by an imaging device (such as a digital camera).

  The control unit 301 (image processing program) performs image processing, editing, composition, and the like based on a user instruction (step 403). 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 control unit 301 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 404).

  The control unit 301 (image processing program) performs image processing such as color correction, resizing, trimming, layout, and character / logo synthesis (step 405), and holds the image processed image data in the hard disk 302 (step 406). The image data is transferred to the printer apparatus in the output enabled state, and printing processing is performed (step 407).

  When the operation of the image printing system 100 is continued (No in Step 408), the control unit 301 repeats the processing from Step 401 to Step 408.

  Next, image acquisition processing (step 402) when reading an image from the recording medium 123 will be described in detail. When reading image data from a recording medium 123 that records an image taken with a digital camera, a mobile phone with a camera, etc., or an image edited with a personal computer, and performing normal output of actual image data, a plurality of read images Thumbnail images with reduced data are displayed, image selection is performed from these thumbnail images, and print designation is performed. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing image acquisition processing when an image is read from the recording medium 123.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 301 reads image data and image management information associated therewith from the recording medium 123 inserted into the media insertion slot (step 501). The image management information includes shooting date / time, file name, folder name, manufacturer information, and the like. The manufacturer information is manufacturer information of a photographed camera, for example, a digital camera manufacturer name, a camera-equipped mobile phone manufacturer name, and the like.

  The control unit 301 displays the thumbnail image 702 on the list display unit screen 701 of the thumbnail display screen 700 on the monitor screen 201 from the read image data (step 502).

The control unit 301 determines the type of the image data based on the manufacturer information of the image management information (step 503).
When the image data is digital camera shooting data (Yes in step 503), that is, when the manufacturer information of the image management information is identification information of the digital camera manufacturer, the control unit 301 displays the digital camera shooting data mark 703 as the thumbnail. It is displayed on the image 702 (step 504).
When the image data is camera-capable mobile phone photographing data (No in step 503), that is, when the manufacturer information of the image management information is identification information of the camera-equipped mobile phone manufacturer, the control unit 301 captures the camera-equipped mobile phone The data mark 704 is displayed on the thumbnail image 702 (step 505).

  Until the thumbnail image 702 is displayed on the list display screen 701 (No in Step 506), the control unit 301 repeats the thumbnail image display in Step 502 to Step 506 and the discrimination mark display processing corresponding to the type of image data.

  When the thumbnail image 702 is appropriately arranged on the thumbnail display screen 700 and the thumbnail image 702 is displayed (Yes in step 506), the control unit 301 displays the display image type selection screen 710 of the thumbnail display screen 700, other control buttons, a control menu, and the like. It is displayed (step 507). FIG. 7 shows a thumbnail display screen 700.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the thumbnail display screen 700, thumbnail images 702 are appropriately arranged on the list display screen 701. A discrimination mark indicating the type of image data is displayed on the thumbnail image 702. The discrimination mark indicating the type of image data includes a digital camera shooting data mark 703 indicating image data captured by a digital camera, a camera-equipped mobile phone shooting data mark 704 indicating image data acquired by a camera-mounted mobile phone. When the number of thumbnail images 702 is too large to fit on one screen, all thumbnail images 702 are listed in a plurality of pages. A “previous page” button 721 and a “next page” button 722 move the displayed page forward and backward.

The display image type selection screen 710 includes a “digital camera image list display” button 711, a “camera-attached portable image list display” button 712, a “display all image list” button 714, and the like. The “digital camera image list display” button 711 displays only the thumbnail image 702 of the image data captured by the digital camera on the list display screen 701. The “camera-with-camera image list display” button 712 displays only the thumbnail image 702 of the image data captured by the camera-equipped mobile phone on the list display screen 701. The “display all image list” button 714 displays thumbnail images 702 of all image data on the list display screen 701 together with a discrimination mark corresponding to the type of image data. In this embodiment, as a default value of the thumbnail display screen 700, thumbnail images of all images are displayed as a list.
At the bottom of the thumbnail display screen 700, a “stop” button 723, a “return to previous screen” button 724, and a “decision” button 725 are provided.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the “digital camera image list display” button 711 is pressed (Yes in step 601), the control unit 301 determines that the read image data is digital camera shooting data ( If the manufacturer information of the image management information is a digital camera manufacturer, the control unit 301 displays the thumbnail image 702 of the image data on the list display screen 701 (step 603).
Until the thumbnail image 702 is displayed on the list display screen 701 (No in Step 604), the control unit 301 repeats the thumbnail image display from Step 602 to Step 604. When the thumbnail images 702 are displayed on the list display screen 701 as appropriate (Yes in Step 604), the process proceeds to Step 601.

When the “camera image list with camera” button 712 is pressed (Yes in step 605), the control unit 301 determines that the read image data is the camera-captured cell phone image data (Yes in step 606). That is, if the manufacturer information of the image management information is a camera-equipped mobile phone manufacturer, the control unit 301 displays the thumbnail image 702 of the image data on the list display screen 701 (step 607).
Until the thumbnail image 702 is displayed on the list display screen 701 (No in Step 608), the control unit 301 repeats the thumbnail image display from Step 606 to Step 608. When the thumbnail images 702 are displayed on the list display screen 701 as appropriate (Yes in Step 608), the process proceeds to Step 601.

  When the “display all image list” button 714 is pressed (Yes in Step 609), the control unit 301 proceeds to Step 502 and displays a list of thumbnail images 702 of the image data together with a discrimination mark corresponding to the type of the image data. Displayed on the display screen 701.

  The user selects an image to be printed from the thumbnail images 702 displayed in a list, designates the number of prints, clicks a “decision” button 725, selects an image to be used as a main image, and issues a print instruction. (Steps 610 and 611).

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 301 of the image output apparatus 101 uses the thumbnail image 702 together with image data taken by a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone based on image management information attached to the read image data. Depending on the type of image data such as image data, a display is added with a discrimination mark, or a list is displayed for each type of image data by using the “digital camera image list display” button 711, the “camera with camera list display” button 712, etc. However, the image data by personal computer editing is discriminated based on the image management information and displayed by adding the discrimination mark of the personal computer editing data mark, or the “personal computer editing image list display” button is displayed. Add to the selection screen 710, personal computer Only the image data by the may be listed.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the image output apparatus 101 reads image data from the recording medium 123 and displays the thumbnail image 702 of the image data, the image output apparatus 101 accompanies the read image data. Based on the image management information to be displayed, the thumbnail image 702 is displayed together with a discrimination mark according to the type of image data (image data taken by a digital camera, image data taken by a mobile phone with a camera, etc.) A list is displayed for each type of image data by a “camera image list display” button 711, a “camera-with-camera image list display” button 712, and the like.

  This makes it possible to determine whether a plurality of types of images recorded on the recording medium 123 are thumbnail-displayed images taken by a camera-equipped mobile phone / images taken by a digital camera / images edited by a personal computer. This makes it easy to select an image to be printed and shortens the operation time for printing. In addition, according to print instructions for different image types such as resolution and image size, a printed matter according to the image type can be easily provided.

  In this embodiment, the image data type is determined as image data captured by a digital camera, image data captured by a camera-equipped mobile phone, etc., but is further determined according to the image size, resolution, camera model, etc. The color and shape of the mark may be changed for display.

  In this embodiment, as a method for discriminating image data, a discrimination mark is added and displayed. However, not only the discrimination mark but also the color and shape of the frame of the thumbnail image are displayed according to the type of image. May be.

  The preferred embodiments of the image printing system 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 printing system 100 External perspective view of image output apparatus 101 Hardware configuration diagram of the image output apparatus 101 A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus 101 A flowchart showing image acquisition processing when an image is read from the recording medium 123 A flowchart showing image acquisition processing when an image is read from the recording medium 123 The figure which shows the thumbnail display screen 700

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 123... Recording medium 301... Control unit 302... Hard disk 702... Thumbnail image 703 ... Digital camera shooting data mark 704. Mark 711 ……… “Digital camera image list display” button 712 ……… “Camera image list with camera” button

Claims (12)

Image input means for inputting image data;
Thumbnail display means for displaying thumbnail images obtained by reducing the image data;
Print output means for printing the image data;
An image output device comprising:
The image input means inputs the image data by reading the image data from a recording medium,
The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail display means discriminates and displays a thumbnail image according to the type of the image data. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the image data is at least one of image data captured by a digital camera, image data captured by a mobile phone with a camera, and image data edited by a personal computer. . 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the image data is based on any one of image size, resolution, camera type, and the like. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination display displays a determination mark of the type of the image data together with the thumbnail image. 5. The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the discrimination mark is indicated by any one of a discrimination mark, a discrimination mark color, a frame color, a frame shape, and the like according to the type of the image data. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination display displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the specified type of the image data. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit includes a recording medium reading unit that reads the image data from a recording medium. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit further inputs image management information corresponding to each of the image data. The thumbnail display means includes
9. The image output apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the type of the image data is determined according to the image management information. The image output apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image management information includes manufacturer information. A program causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 11. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus according to claim 1 is recorded.

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