JPH11234506A - Printer and method for printing synthesis image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rather easily synthesize an object image with a template image so as to produce an object with a prescribed shape. SOLUTION: Data of a template image expressing a background image for an object image to be synthesized are stored in the synthesis image printer. At least either a perforated line or a folded line is formed to the template image to produce an object with a prescribed shape. The user selects a desired template image and the selected template image is displayed on a screen of a display device of the synthesis image printer. The synthesis image printer reads an object image recorded on a medium brought by the user and the object image is positioned in a synthesis area A of the displayed template image. The printer prints out the synthesized image. An object with a prescribed shape on which the object image is synthesized by assembling a printed matter according to at least either the perforated line or the folded line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for synthesizing a target image with a template image and printing a composite image obtained by synthesizing the target image.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the development of digital technology, it has become possible to read a photograph taken by a user with a scanner and to capture and store the photograph as digital image data in a personal computer. It is also possible to take in a plurality of images into a personal computer and combine those images using a personal computer.

[0003] However, such image synthesis is still difficult to operate for inexperienced or beginners of personal computers. In particular, in order for a user to create a predetermined shape such as a dice or a label, a template image to which a cut line, a folding line, and the like for creating a predetermined shape are added to a template image, and a cut line, a folding line, and the like are added. Attempting to synthesize a target image that the user himself has is troublesome for a user unfamiliar with computer operations.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to relatively easily synthesize a target image with a template image for producing a predetermined shape and print it.

A composite image printing apparatus according to the present invention forms a background image of a target image to be composited, and forms at least one of a cut line and a bending line for producing a predetermined shape and a composite area of the target image. Template image data storage means in which template image data representing a template image is stored in advance, target image data input means for inputting target image data representing the target image, and a target input by the target image data input means A composite image for positioning the target image represented by the image data in the composite area of the template image represented by the template image data stored in the template image data storage means and generating composite image data representing the composite image Data generation means and above Characterized in that it comprises a printing device that prints a composite image represented by the composite image data generated by forming the image data generation unit.

The present invention also provides a composite image printing method suitable for the above composite image printing apparatus. That is, template image data that is a background image of a target image to be combined, and represents a template image in which at least one of a cut line and a bending line for producing a predetermined shape object and a synthesis area of the target image are formed. Is stored in advance, target image data representing the target image is input, the target image represented by the input target image data is positioned in the composite area of the template image, and composite image data representing the composite image is stored. Is generated, and a composite image represented by the generated composite image data is printed.

According to the present invention, the template image data is stored in advance. The template image represented by the template image data and the target image are combined, and a composite image in which the target image is combined is printed in a composite area of the template image. Since at least one of a cut line and a folding line for producing a predetermined shape is formed on the template image, the cut line and the folding line on which the template image is formed are added to the printed composite image. Can be By assembling the printed composite image according to the cutting line and the bending line, a predetermined shape is completed.

By simply positioning the target image in the composite area of the template image, the user can combine the target image and obtain a print of the composite image for producing a predetermined shape.

Preferably, as the template image data, display template image data representing a display template image and print template image data representing a print template image of higher quality than the image quality of the display template image are provided. When the composite image is displayed on the display device, the composite image is displayed using the display template image data. When the composite image is printed, the composite image is printed using the print template image data. The printing of the composite image is performed.

The image quality of the printing template image is as follows.
Since the image quality is higher than the image quality of the display template image, the data amount of the display template image is smaller than the data amount of the print template image data. When the composite image is displayed, the display template image data having a small data amount is used, so that the composite image can be displayed quickly. Further, when printing a composite image, a high-quality composite image can be printed because template image data for printing having a large data amount is used.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a composite image printing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the composite image printing apparatus.

The composite image printing apparatus is an apparatus that combines a target image possessed by a user of the composite image printing apparatus with a template image representing a background image, and prints the composite image. Template image data representing the template image is stored in the composite image printing apparatus in advance.

In the template image, at least one of a cut line and a bent line for producing a predetermined shape is formed. A composite image in which the target image of the template image is composited is printed, and a predetermined shape in which the target image is composited can be produced by assembling according to at least one of the cut line and the bending line formed in the printed material. .

A template image, a target image to be combined, a combined image,
There is provided a display device 11 for displaying other upper portions. On the right side of the display device 11, there is a speaker 30 for outputting operation guidance to the user of the composite image printing device.
Is arranged.

The composite image printing apparatus includes an FD drive 13, a memory card reader 14,
New photographic film (film used in new system capable of recording shooting information such as shooting conditions) and scanner 15
And a flat bed scanner 16. An FD drive insertion slot 13 for inserting an FD (floppy disk) into the FD drive 13 is provided below the display device 11. The FD drive insertion slot 33
A memory card insertion slot 34 is provided below the memory card. Further, a flat bed scanner 16 having a flat bed provided horizontally is disposed substantially at the center of the front surface of the composite image printing apparatus. Further, on the right side of the flat bed scanner 16, an insertion port 35 for a new photographic film is formed.

Below the flat bed scanner 16, there is a coin slot 26A for the user to pay a fee for use of the composite image printing apparatus, and a return operated when returning coins inserted into the coin slot 26A. A knob 26B is formed. The returned coin is discharged from a coin return slot 27 formed below the composite image printing apparatus.

Printer outlets 23 and 24 are formed on the lower right side of the composite image printing apparatus. These printers
From 23 and 24, the printed matter of the synthesized image is discharged. This composite image printing apparatus includes two printers, and can simultaneously print a composite image on two sheets and discharge the composite image.

Referring mainly to FIG. 2, the composite image printing apparatus is provided with a template image data storage circuit 28. The template image data storage circuit 28 stores template image data representing a template image serving as a background image of a target image to be combined.

In the template image data storage circuit 28,
A thumbnail image displayed on the display device 11 when a template image is selected.
Template image data, editing template image data representing an editing (display) template image displayed on the display device 11 when the image synthesizing process is performed, and printing template image data used when printing the composite image. One template image data is stored corresponding to one template image. The largest amount of template image data for printing is followed by the largest amount of template image data for editing.
The data amount of the template image data is the smallest. Therefore, the print template image has the highest image quality,
The editing template image has a lower image quality than the printing template image, and the thumbnail template image has a lower image quality than the editing template image.

The template image data stored in the template image data storage and storage circuit 28 is stored in the image processing circuit 10.
Given to.

The composite image printing apparatus has an FD as an input device for a target image (an example of the target image is shown in FIG. 4).
A drive 13, a memory card reader 14, a new photographic film scanner 15, and a flat bed scanner 16 are provided. Image data representing the target image input from these input devices is input to the image processing circuit 10.

The image processing circuit 10 has a function of synthesizing the target image input from any of the input devices with the template image input from the template image data storage circuit 28, and performs color correction of the image and coordinate conversion of the target image. (Adjustment of the synthesis position of the target image), enlargement and reduction processing of the target image, and the like are performed.

On the display screen of the display device 11, a touch panel 12 is provided. Touch panel by user
When the touch panel 12 is touched, a signal indicating that a predetermined area on the touch panel 12 has been touched is output to the image processing circuit 10.
To enter. The user performs an image synthesis processing operation by touching the touch panel 12.

A composite image signal representing an image composited in the image processing circuit 10 is supplied to one or both of the printer 21 and the printer 22, and the composite image is printed.

Further, an image processing circuit of the composite image printing apparatus
10 is connected to a coin machine 25 and a speaker 30 for controlling the insertion of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 26A and the return of inserted coins by operating the coin return knob 26B.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show an example of a template image stored in the template image data storage circuit 28. FIG.

FIG. 3A shows a template image representing a label of a floppy disk. In this template image, a synthesis area A to be synthesized with the target image is defined. Furthermore, the cutout line L1
Are formed. By cutting the printed composite image along the cut line, the label of the floppy disk is completed.

FIG. 3B is a template image showing a hanging tag hanging on the door knob. This template image also defines a synthesis area A where the target image is to be synthesized.
A cut line L1 is also formed. By cutting out the composite image printed along this cutout line, a lower tag is completed.

FIG. 3C is a template image showing a die. This template image also defines a combination area A in which the target image is to be displayed. Further, a cutting line L1 and a bending line L2 are also formed. The composite image printed along the cut line L1 is cut out, and the cut composite image is bent along the folding line to assemble the dice on which the target image is synthesized.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of printing a composite image in the composite image printing apparatus. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11 of the composite image printing apparatus, and FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a composited image.

First, the display device of the composite image printing device
A paper selection screen for selecting the type of paper on which the composite image is to be printed is displayed on the display screen 11 (step 41). A5 size paper, A6 size paper, A
And a region for selecting those sheets is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11. The user touches an area representing a corresponding sheet to select a desired sheet. An area for stopping the printing of the composite image is also displayed on the display screen. When stopping the printing of the composite image, the stop area is touched by the user.

When the paper selection is completed, a price corresponding to the selected paper is inserted by the user through the coin insertion slot 26A (step 42). When a fee corresponding to the selected paper is inserted from the coin insertion slot 26A, the thumbnail template image data stored in the template image data storage circuit 28 is read, and the thumbnail template image represented by the thumbnail template image data is read. Is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 (step 43).

From the thumbnail / template image list displayed on the display screen of the display device 11,
The template image is selected by the user touching the template image. When printing of the composite image is stopped, the stop area on the display screen of the display device 11 is touched by the user.

Next, on the display screen of the display device 11,
A screen for selecting a device for inputting the target image is displayed.
The input device selection screen includes an "FD drive input area", a "memory card reader input area", a "new photographic film input area", and a "flat bed scanner input area". The user touches an area corresponding to a desired input device used for inputting a target image from these areas. Thus, the input device is selected (step 45).

The input method of the target image corresponding to the input device designated by the user is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 (steps 46, 49, 52, 55). The user looks at the input method of the target image displayed on the display screen,
A medium (a floppy disk, a memory card, a new photographic film, a photograph, etc.) on which the target image brought by the user is recorded is transferred to a suitable FD drive 13 and a memory
Insert or attach to card reader 14, new photographic film scanner 15, or flatbed scanner 16 (steps 47, 50, 53, 56).

When the user mounts the medium on which the target image is recorded in any of the input devices, the target image recorded on the medium is read, and target image data representing the target image is supplied to the image processing circuit 10. Can be Here, it is assumed that the target image shown in FIG. 4 is synthesized with the template image shown in FIG.

When the target image data representing the target image is input to the image processing circuit 10, a screen for image synthesis shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11. The target image is synthesized with the template image selected by the user while viewing the image synthesis screen (steps 48, 51, 54, 57).

Referring to FIG. 7, the image synthesis screen includes a template image display area AT. In this template image display area AT, an editing template image corresponding to the thumbnail template image selected by the user is displayed. The target image to be combined with the combination area A in the editing template image is positioned.

An adjustment area AS including an area touched by the user when performing adjustment for image synthesis is displayed below the image synthesis screen. In the adjustment area AS, an area A touched by the user when the color of the target image is made to be sepia tone (realized by color correction)
3, a region A4 touched by the user when the target image in sepia tone is restored to the original color, a region A5 touched by the user when the target image is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and a counterclockwise target image An area A6 that is touched by the user when rotated 90 degrees in the direction is included.

Further, when the size of the target image is increased in the adjustment area AS (implemented by pixel interpolation)
A7, which is touched by the user when the size of the target image is reduced by the user (achieved by pixel thinning).
8. Areas A9, A10, A11, and A12 touched by the user when moving the position of the target image up, down, left, and right (realized by coordinate conversion of pixels) are included.

The image composition screen further includes an area A touched by the user when printing of the composite image is stopped.
1 and an area A2 touched by the user at the end of the image synthesis.

While touching a necessary area in the adjustment area AS, the user positions the target image at a desired position in a desired position of the synthesis area A of the editing template image displayed in the template image display area AT. By doing so, image synthesis is performed. The template image for editing in which the target image is synthesized is displayed in the template image display area A.
T will be displayed.

When the area A2 is touched by the user and the synthesis of the target image with the editing template image is completed, the medium mounted on the input device by the user is ejected from the synthetic image printing apparatus (step 58). When the medium is ejected from the composite image printing apparatus, the printing template image data corresponding to the template image selected by the user is read out from the template image data storage circuit 28, and the target image is read using the printing template image data. Are synthesized. As shown in FIG. 8, a template image in which the target image is synthesized in the synthesis area is printed by the printer 21 or 22 (step 59).

Since at least one of the cut line L1 and the bent line L2 for forming a predetermined shape is formed in the printed composite image, the printed material is printed along the cut line L1 and the bent line L2. By assembling, a predetermined shape can be produced. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the label of the floppy disk on which the target image has been synthesized is completed by cutting out the printed material along the cutoff line L1. Label such a floppy
By sticking on the disc, a user-specific floppy disc is created.

When the printing of the composite image is completed, a screen indicating the end of printing is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 (step 60).

In the above-described example, when a composite image is printed, image synthesis is performed using printing template image data representing a high-quality template image, so that a high-quality composite image can be printed. Further, when performing image synthesis on the display screen of the display device 11, the image synthesis is performed using the editing template image data representing the editing template image having a lower image quality than the printing template image. Since the amount of data is smaller than that of template image data, rapid image synthesis can be realized.

Even if three types of image data, that is, print template image data, edit template image data, and thumbnail template image data, are not stored in advance, the print image data is thinned out and the edit template image data and the thumbnail template image data are deleted. Image data may be generated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a composite image printing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the composite image printing apparatus.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show an example of a template image.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a target image.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a composite image print processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a composite image print processing procedure.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a synthesized image.

[Brief description of reference numerals] 10 Image processing circuit 11 Display device 12 Touch panel 13 FD drive 14 Memory card reader 15 New photographic film scanner 16 Flat bed scanner 21, 22 Printer A Synthetic area L1 Cutting line L2 Bending line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G09G 5/00 530 H04N 5/76 E H04N 5/76 G06F 15/66 450

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A background image of a target image to be combined,
A template image data storage unit in which at least one of a cutting line and a bending line for producing a predetermined shape object and template image data representing a template image in which a synthesis area of the target image is formed is stored in advance; Target image data input means for inputting target image data representing the target image; a target image represented by the target image data input by the target image data input means; a template image stored in the template image data storage means; Synthetic image data generating means for positioning the template image represented by the data in the synthetic area and generating synthetic image data representing the synthetic image, and the synthetic image data represented by the synthetic image data generated by the synthetic image data generating means Composite image Composite image printing apparatus having a printing apparatus, for printing. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the template image data storing means stores display template image data representing a display template image, and a print template representing a print template image having a higher image quality than the image quality of the display template image. A composite image display device for storing the composite image, the composite image display device displaying the composite image, the composite image display device displaying the composite image on the composite image display device using the display template image data, and A composite image display control unit that controls the composite image data generation unit, and controls the printing device and the composite image data generation unit to print the composite image by the printing device using the template image data for printing. 2. The composite image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing control unit that performs the printing. 3. A background image of a target image to be synthesized,
In addition, at least one of a cutting line and a bending line for producing a predetermined shape object and template image data representing a template image in which a synthesis area of the target image is formed are stored in advance, and an object representing the target image is stored. Image data is input, a target image represented by the input target image data is positioned in the composite area of the template image, composite image data representing the composite image is generated, and the composite image data is represented by the generated composite image data. A composite image printing method for printing composite images. 4. As the template image data, display template image data representing a display template image and printing template image data representing a printing template image having a higher image quality than the image quality of the display template image are provided. When the composite image is displayed on the display device, the composite image is displayed using the display template image data, and when the composite image is printed, the composite image is printed using the print template image data. The method for printing a composite image according to claim 3, wherein the composite image is printed.