JP2751224B2 - Document creation device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document creation device capable of editing an image.

2. Description of the Related Art With the advancement of workstations and word processors, image information is often read by an image sensor or the read image information is edited and used. Along with such advances in image processing, multi-window type display devices for displaying images are increasing. In a multi-window type device, a plurality of windows can be set on the display surface to display different information for each. Therefore, it is possible to perform image processing in one window and create a document in another window in parallel.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In a multi-window type apparatus, independent processing and display are performed for each window. Therefore, in order to enable advanced image processing for each window, it is necessary to be able to perform processing operations such as reading, enlarging, reducing, and partially extracting an image for each window. For this reason, for example, if an image is to be imported into a part of the document to be created, a window having a function for creating or editing the document must have a function that enables various processing of the image. However, many duplicated functions are required in the entire apparatus, which is not efficient. In addition, there is also a problem that the cost of the apparatus itself increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a document creating apparatus that can use an image created in a predetermined window even outside the window.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the invention described in claim 1, (a) a bitmap display for displaying an image and (b) a multi-display for displaying a plurality of windows on the bitmap display. Window display means, (c) copy work instruction means for instructing copy work of an image contained in any of the windows displayed by the multi-window display means, and (d) when copy work is instructed Copy range specifying means for specifying a range to be copied in an image displayed in one window on the bitmap display; (e) storage means for storing an image in the range specified by the copy range specifying means;
(F) copy destination instructing means for instructing the copy destination of the image stored in the storage means, and (g) when the target of the instruction by the copy destination storage means is a print instruction section, the storage means The document creating apparatus is provided with print output means for performing a process of printing out the stored image.

According to the invention described in claim 2, (a) a bitmap display for displaying an image, (b) multi-window display means for displaying a plurality of windows on the bitmap display, A copy operation instructing unit for instructing a copy operation of an image contained in any of the windows displayed by the multi-window display unit; and (d) a single window on the bitmap display when the copy operation is instructed. Copy range specifying means for specifying a range to be copied in the displayed image; and (e) storage means for storing an image in the range specified by the copy range specifying means.
(F) copy destination instructing means for instructing a copy destination of the image stored in the storage means, and (g) the storage means when the instruction by the copy destination instructing means is a medium storage instructing unit. And a medium storage unit for performing processing for storing the image stored in the storage medium in the storage medium associated with the medium storage instruction unit.

According to the invention described in claim 3, (a) a bitmap display for displaying an image, (b) multi-window display means for displaying a plurality of windows on the bitmap display, A copy operation instructing unit for instructing a copy operation of an image contained in any of the windows displayed by the multi-window display unit; and (d) a single window on the bitmap display when the copy operation is instructed. Copy range specifying means for specifying a range to be copied in the displayed image; and (e) storage means for storing an image in the range specified by the copy range specifying means.
(F) copy destination instructing means for instructing a copy destination of the image stored in the storage means, and (g) an instruction target of the copy destination instructing means is in an area other than the window on the bitmap display. In the case where the document is a desktop, the document creation apparatus is provided with a desktop storage unit for performing a process of storing the image stored in the storage unit in another predetermined storage area. Here, the copy operation instructing means may be a “copy key” arranged on a keyboard, or an icon or the like indicating “copy” is displayed on a display, and is displayed by a pointing device such as a mouse. A copy operation may be instructed by designating.

As described above, in the present invention, for example, by copying an image created in another window into a window having a document creation function, image processing work in the former window can be simplified.

In the present invention, not only an image is simply copied to another window, but also a copy to a desktop or an external storage device or a printer is possible.
Copying to a printer means that the image information is copied, that is, printed by designating the copy destination of the image information on a printer icon, for example.

"Example" Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

FIG. 1 shows a main part of a circuit configuration of a document creating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This document creation device is equipped with a CPU (central processing unit) 11, and is connected to the following units via a bus 12 such as a data bus.

(I) Memory 13: A large-capacity RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing a control program, image data, and the like for the apparatus.

(Ii) External storage control unit 14: This is a unit that controls the external storage device 15 such as a magnetic drum or a hard disk. The external storage device 15 stores the above-described control program and image data to be stored.

(Iii) CRT control unit 16: This is a unit that controls the display of the CRT 17 as a bitmap display.

(Iv) Keyboard control section 18: This section receives data supplied from the keyboard 19 and the mouse 21, converts them into code information and the like, and transfers them to the bus 12. Various keys are arranged on the keyboard 19, and one of these keys is a copy key (not shown). When the operator presses the copy key, a copy request is generated as described later.

(V) Printer control unit 22: a printer such as a laser printer or a wire dot printer
This is the part that performs 23 print control. In this embodiment, the printer
Use a laser printer as 23.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of control when an image copying operation is performed by the document creating apparatus having the above configuration.

The CPU 11 shown in FIG. 1 monitors whether a copy request is generated by pressing the copy key on the keyboard 19 (step). If there is another request other than termination at the time when there is no copy request (step; Y), processing for this request is performed (step). On the other hand, if there is a termination request (step; Y), the work is terminated (end).

When a copy request is generated by the operation of the operator (step; Y), the CPU 11 determines whether or not a range to be copied in the image area is specified by the operator (step). In this case, the operator uses the mouse 21 to specify a copy range. When the copy range is specified (Step; Y), CP
U11 saves the information of the image in the specified range (step). Here, the image information is information representing the position and size (size) of the image.

After the copy range is specified in this way, the operator waits for the determination of the copy destination (step). The determination of the copy destination is performed by, for example, moving the mouse to a corresponding portion or a corresponding icon and clicking the button. The corresponding location may be another window outside the window where the image exists. When the copy destination is determined, copy processing is performed (step). When the copying process is performed, the process returns to the step again, and the image copying operation can be repeated unless “end” is selected in the step.

 Next, the actual copying operation will be described.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are for explaining the progress of the image copying operation in the same window for reference. FIG. 3 shows an image displayed in a window before copying. An image is drawn in the left half of CRT17. For convenience,
First image 31 consisting of illustrations of English and female drawings 31
And a second image 32 consisting of katakana. Here, an operation of copying the second image 32 into the same window 33 is performed.

In this case, first, the range of the image to be processed, that is, the range of the second image 32 is specified using the mouse 21. In this case, the above operation is completed by moving the cursor 34 to the lower right corner of the second image 32. Next, the operator presses the copy key on the keyboard 19, and informs the apparatus that this range is the range to be copied. At this stage, the CPU 11 stores information on the position and size of the second image in the memory 13 as described in the step of FIG. In this embodiment, if the image is copied at the same magnification, the size of the image will be stored as “1 ×”. The image itself is stored in the external storage device 15 when the copy key is pressed. However, in this example, since the copy destination is in the same window 33, the storage in the external storage device 15 is eventually unnecessary, and it is determined that the stored image is to be copied in the window 33. It will be erased at the point of time.

When the operator presses the copy key, the frame displaying the outline of the area to be copied is deleted, and the shape of the cursor 34 changes to another shape (not shown). In this state, the operator moves the mouse 21 and the cursor 34 moves to the second position.
Is positioned so as to be at the upper left position of the position where the image 32 is copied. Then, the button of the mouse 21 is clicked. As a result, the position information after the movement is determined, and the contents are stored in the area of the memory 13 described above. CPU11
Adds the second image 32 to the bitmap information display storage area in the memory 13 based on the information stored in the memory 13. The CRT control unit 14 converts the image stored in the bitmap information display storage area into a CRT1
7, the copied second image 35 is added to the window 33 as shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 2 step).

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are used to explain how to copy an image to a different window.

As shown in Fig. 5, two windows 3 on CRT17
6, 37 are displayed. The first of these 36
Is a window for creating or editing an image, and the second window 37 is a window for creating a document. Here, it is assumed that the image 38 obtained by combining the first and second images 31 and 32 is slightly enlarged and copied. In this case, first the area of the image 38 to be copied is determined using the mouse 21 and the keyboard
The copy key on 19 is pressed. Along with this, Image 38
Is stored in the external storage device 15, and information indicating the size of the image is stored in the memory 13.

After this, the operator moves the cursor to the second window 37
Move the mouse to the position after copying
Click the 21 button. As a result, information indicating the position to be copied is stored in the memory 13. Thereafter, the image 38 stored in the external storage device 15 is read, and the image 38 is enlarged at the designated magnification starting from the designated position and expanded in the above-described bitmap information display storage area. As a result, an image 39 is displayed in the second window 37 for the document as shown in FIG. At this time, characters, graphics, and the like, which are not shown, but are being created are also displayed in the second window 37. Note that the image 39 can be deleted or moved in the second window 37, for example. When moving within the second window 37, it is sufficient to simply change the information indicating the position of the image 39, and no complicated program is required.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 are views for explaining the manner in which the image is copied to the desktop.

Several icons are displayed on the CRT 17 as shown in FIG. In this example, the printer icon 41,
First image information icon 42, second image information icon 43, document icon 44, floppy icon
45 and a basic icon 46 in which some basic icons are put together. In this example, since the window 47 for the first image information is opened on the CRT 17,
The first image information icon 42 is displayed in such a manner that the first image information icon 42 is empty.

When a part of the image displayed in the window 47 is to be copied on the desktop, an image 48 in a range to be copied is designated using the mouse 21 first. Then, after pressing the copy key, move the cursor to window 47.
Take it to the outside of the icon group and click the mouse 21 button. At this stage, the image 48 already stored in the external storage device 15 is positioned as icon data on the desktop, and a new icon 49 is displayed as shown in FIG. The title (name) of this icon 49 is the same as the first image information icon 42 for the time being. When the operator needs a new title for this, for example, a new window for changing the title may be newly opened and a desired title may be input.

Of course, the contents of the icon 49 provided in this manner can be displayed in the window.
FIG. 9 shows an example in which an icon 49 is designated and its contents are displayed in a new window 51. In this figure, since the title of the icon 49 is not changed from that of the first icon 42 for image information, both have the same name.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are for explaining the case where an image is copied to the printer icon. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the first image information icon 42 is specified and the window 53 is opened. When the operator designates the image 54 of the range to be copied and presses the copy key as described above, the operator positions the cursor on the printer icon 41 and clicks the mouse 21 button. Then, the display color of the printer icon 41 changes as shown in FIG. 11, and it is displayed that the print data has been stored in the storage area of the printer 23 to be printed. Then, when the printer 23 is not performing the printing operation, the printing of the image 54 is started immediately. When the printer 23 is performing a printing operation, the printing of the image 54 is started after the printing operation currently being performed is completed.

FIG. 12 shows an example of printing by the printer 23. It can be seen that the portion of the image 54 was printed alone. As described above, printing by the printer 23 can be performed simply by specifying the printer icon 41, thereby simplifying the operation. The image can be stored in the floppy icon 45 only by the same simple designation operation.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a print instruction unit, for example, a printer icon, is designated as a copy destination of an image, the image printing operation is stopped. This can be omitted, and there is an advantage that not only printing operation is facilitated but also printing errors are prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a medium storage instructing unit, for example, a floppy icon is designated as a copy destination of an image, an operation of storing the image in a recording medium such as a floppy disk is omitted. This has the advantage of not only facilitating the operation for storing the image but also preventing occurrence of a storage error.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3,
Since the image can be copied to the desktop in an area other than the window, there is an advantage that image processing is simplified and office efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The drawings are for describing an embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the document creating apparatus. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation for copying an image by the document creating apparatus. FIGS. 3 and 4 are shown in the same window for reference. Top view of the CRT showing the process of copying the image, FIGS. 5 and 6 are top views of the CRT showing the process of copying the image to different windows, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the image on the desktop. 9 is a plan view of the CRT showing the progress of the copying operation, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the CRT showing a state in which a window for icons provided by the operation shown in FIG. 8 is opened, FIG. 10 and FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a CRT showing a state where an image is copied to a printer icon, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an output example of a printer when an image is copied to a printer icon. 11… CPU, 13… Memory, 15… External storage device, 17… CRT, 19… Keyboard, 21… Mouse.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G09G 5/00 550 G09G 5/14 Z 5/14 G06F 15/62 320A

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bitmap display for displaying an image, multi-window display means for displaying a plurality of windows on the bitmap display, and one of the windows displayed by the multi-window display means Copy operation instructing means for instructing an image copy operation; copy area specifying means for specifying an area to be copied in the image displayed in one window on the bitmap display when the copy operation is instructed; A storage unit for storing an image in the range specified by the copy range specifying unit; a copy destination specifying unit for specifying a copy destination of the image stored in the storage unit; If it is a print instruction section, the image stored in the storage Document creating apparatus characterized by comprising a print output means for processing for printing out. 2. A bit map display for displaying an image, multi-window display means for displaying a plurality of windows on the bit map display, and one of the windows displayed by the multi-window display means. Copy operation instructing means for instructing an image copy operation; copy area specifying means for specifying an area to be copied in the image displayed in one window on the bitmap display when the copy operation is instructed; A storage unit for storing an image in the range specified by the copy range specifying unit; a copy destination specifying unit for specifying a copy destination of the image stored in the storage unit; If it is the medium storage instruction section, the image stored in the storage means Document creating apparatus characterized by comprising a medium storing means for performing a process of storing over di to the recording medium associated with the the medium storage instruction section. 3. A bitmap display for displaying an image, multi-window display means for displaying a plurality of windows on the bitmap display, and one of the windows displayed by the multi-window display means. Copy operation instructing means for instructing an image copy operation; copy area specifying means for specifying an area to be copied in the image displayed in one window on the bitmap display when the copy operation is instructed; A storage unit for storing an image in the range specified by the copy range specifying unit; a copy destination specifying unit for specifying a copy destination of the image stored in the storage unit; In the area other than the window on the bitmap display That when was desktop document creating apparatus characterized by comprising a desktop storage means for performing a process of storing in the other storage area defined on the images stored in the storage means in advance.