JP2001053953A - Image processing system and printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a direct access to a file that is shown by an icon and also to easily recognize the correspondence between the icon and a code by generating an image by putting a part or all of a code image representing the attribute of a designated icon on a prescribed part of the icon image and then printing out the generated image. SOLUTION: A CPU 11 of a computer 1 generates and prints an image. Receiving the input of instruction from a user operating an operation icon for adding an icon to be outputted, the CPU 11 displays the image of the instructed icon in a window of a display part 4. Then the CPU 11 generates a bar code image representing the information on the place where a file shown by its corresponding icon is stored when a print-out instruction is received and then generates an image by putting the bar code image on a prescribed position of an image of the corresponding icon. The generated image is printed out via a printer 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing system such as a computer and a printed matter on which a code image is printed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet and the like have been widely used, and personal computers have become widespread. An operating system (OS) providing a graphical user interface (GUI) is installed in a recent computer, and a user operates a file by an icon displayed on a screen, executes an application program, and the like. Perform the operating. The user interface with such icon display is different from the one with command display,
Friendly and easy to use.

[0003] On the other hand, barcode technology is known as a technology for recording an encoded code image on a printed material and optically reading the printed material to reproduce digital data. This barcode technology was first popularized with the construction of distribution systems, but is now also used for multimedia information. Specifically, JP-A-6
JP-A-231466, "Dot code and information recording / reproducing system for recording / reproducing the same" records multimedia information such as audio / video in the form of a barcode image and allows the user to read this image. A technique for reproducing multimedia information represented by this image has been disclosed.

Further, IPSJ Research Report 98-HI-76 98-
The technology described on pages 1 to 6 of IM-33,
No. 4389, “Information processing apparatus and information processing method,
And printed matter ", JP-A-10-228468,
Like the technology disclosed in "Document Information Management System",
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a specific file
Or start / execute the corresponding file. As an example of realizing these technologies, an application, a data file, a URL, or the like, which is represented in advance as a two-dimensional barcode image, is read, and the corresponding file or URL is directly accessed, the application is started, or the like. Computers are already on sale.

[0005] In a GUI, in a file system having a hierarchical directory structure, the location of a file may be difficult to understand, and it is difficult to find the file once it is lost. On the other hand, displaying the contents of a plurality of directories (folders) requires a wide screen, which is costly.

Therefore, in order to enable direct access to a file using the code image, an icon representing the file is printed together with a barcode as a code image containing information indicating the location of the icon. A technique called “IconSticker” that optically reads the printed matter and performs processing corresponding to the icon later was announced at the 14th Human Interface Symposium in 1998. In “IconSticker”, an icon, a barcode, and a title are printed out on a sticker, the barcode printed on the sticker is read, and a program corresponding to the icon is executed. The content of this technology is
http://fig.ele.eng.tamagawa.ac.jp/~siio/projects/i
It can be viewed on the web page consticker / his98.html.

Here, the icon generated by the "IconSticker" has a bar code disposed on the right side of the icon image as shown in FIG. At the bottom is the title of the document.

[0008]

However, in this "IconSticker", the shape of the barcode is conspicuous, which is uncomfortable to human eyes. Further, when a plurality of icon information is represented on a sheet of paper, the result is as shown in FIG. 8B, and there is a problem that it is difficult to recognize the corresponding barcode.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-1994 discloses a technique for recording a code so as to be inconspicuous at the outline of an image in order to eliminate a sense of discomfort.
243274, and "Code Recording Apparatus and Method". However, in this case, the position of the code image is difficult to understand, and it is difficult to know where to read.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a bar code capable of clearly displaying the position of a code image, reducing a sense of discomfort as a whole, and easily recognizing the correspondence between icons and codes. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system capable of printing out an image.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing system comprising: a predetermined portion of an image of a specified icon, a code image representing attribute information of the icon; It is characterized by including image generating means for generating an image in which all or a part of the images are superimposed, and printing means for printing out the image generated by the image generating means.

As described above, by superimposing the code image on a predetermined portion of the icon image, it is possible to directly access the file represented by the icon, to reduce the discomfort of the entire image, and to reduce the discomfort of the icon. The correspondence with the code image can be easily understood.

Further, the present invention is connected to a display device,
In an image processing system including a printing unit that prints out a specified part of the image displayed on the display device, it is detected whether an icon image is included in a part of the specified image. Icon detection means, and image generation means for generating, when the icon detection means detects an image of an icon, a part or all of a code image representing attribute information of the icon superimposed on a predetermined part of the image of the icon Wherein the printing means prints out the image generated by the image generating means.

Further, in the image processing system of the present invention,
It is preferable that the attribute information includes at least information indicating a location of a file corresponding to the icon.

Thus, when the code image is read, the location of the corresponding file is recognized, and various processes can be performed.

Further, it is preferable that the image generating means adjusts the size of the code image by an instruction.

Thus, the user can adjust the size of the code image according to his / her preference so that the size of the code image is not uncomfortable and the size of the code image can be recognized.

Further, it is preferable that the image generating means adjusts a predetermined portion of the code image to be superimposed by an instruction.

Thus, the operability of reading the code image can be improved.

Further, the present invention is a printed matter on which an icon image is displayed, wherein a part or all of a code image representing attribute information of the icon is superimposed and displayed on a predetermined part of the icon image. It is characterized by having.

With such a printed matter, it is possible to directly access the file represented by the icon,
The position of the code image is clearly displayed so that the code image does not give an unnatural feeling as a whole.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a computer 1 as shown in FIG.
, A printer 2, a camera 3, and a display device 4. Here, the printer 2, the camera 3, and the display device 4 are connected to the computer 1, respectively. The computer 1 is connected to the Internet. In FIG. 1, a large number of computer devices and terminals are connected to the Internet in the overall configuration, but are not shown here for the sake of explanation.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the computer 1 comprises a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, a hard disk 14, an interface unit 15, a network interface unit 16, and an external storage drive 17. Are connected to each other by a bus.

The CPU 11 executes a program stored in the ROM 13 or the hard disk 14.
The CPU 11 corresponds to an image generating unit and a printing unit. The specific operation of the CPU 11 will be described later. R
The AM 12 operates as a work memory of the CPU 11. The ROM 13 stores a program module of the CPU 11. A file system is formed on the hard disk 14 and at least one file (a file including a document file and an application program)
Is stored. The interface unit 15 is connected to the external printer 2, the camera 3, and the display device 4. The network interface unit 16 is connected to the Internet. The external storage drive 17 is, for example, a floppy disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, an optical disk drive, or the like. The external storage drive 17 performs recording and reading of information with a recording medium such as a floppy disk, and is stored in various recording media. And the processing by the CPU 11 can be performed.

The printer 2 prints out an image on paper according to an instruction input from the CPU 11 through the interface unit 15. The camera 3 captures an optically read image and outputs it to the CPU 11 via the interface unit 15. Specifically, camera 3
The camera is a D camera, and captures an image represented on a printed matter, and outputs digital data representing the captured image to the CPU 11. Although the camera is used here, an ordinary bar code reader may be used. The display device 4 is a display device or the like.
Receiving the input of the instruction from the device, the image is displayed and output.

Here, the processing performed by the CPU 11 will be described. The CPU 11 executes a process as an OS having a general GUI. Further, the CPU 11 displays and outputs to the display device 4 a window image including icons representing a plurality of files as shown in FIG. 2 as an interface screen of an application program embodying the image processing system of the present embodiment. I have.

In FIG. 2, various operation icons as shown in FIG. 3 are displayed in the part A. FIG.
Specifically, the operation icons indicate respective instructions for newly creating, saving, adding an image of an icon to be printed, printout, enlargement / reduction of display, movement of an image, and selection. Also,
Part B in FIG. 2 is a part for setting parameters,
As shown in FIG. 4, an interface component for inputting parameter settings such as the size of a printed image, an output device (such as a printer or a label printer), a paper size, and a printing direction is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a file name, a type, a storage location, a capacity and the like are displayed and output as the attribute information of the file indicated by the selected icon in a portion C in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the icon image to be printed may be selectable from a plurality of preset candidates. In this way, the image of the icon of the file to be printed together with the code image can be changed to a desired one. FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 are explanatory diagrams in which each part of A, B, and C in FIG. 2 is enlarged.

When the processing is started, the CPU 11 receives an instruction to add an icon to be printed out from the user by operating the operation icon in the part A of FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. The image of the designated icon is displayed and output inside the window (S1). Then, it is determined whether or not the input of the print output instruction has been received (S2). If the input of the print output instruction has not been received (No), the process returns to step S1 to continue the process.

When the CPU 11 receives an input of a print output instruction in the process S2, the CPU 11 stores a file indicated by the corresponding icon for each of the icons designated for the print output in the process S1. Is generated (S3), and an image in which the barcode image is superimposed on a predetermined position of the image of the corresponding icon is generated (S4). Then, the CPU 11 executes the process S4
Is printed out (S5), and the process is terminated. Here, the icon images printed with the barcode images superimposed are arranged as shown in FIG. 7 and are treated as printed matter.

Further, the CPU 11 controls the camera 3
Receiving input of image data obtained by capturing a printed matter in which an image as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, a barcode image is detected and analyzed from the image data, and a storage position of a file represented as the barcode image is obtained. . If the file is an application file, the CPU 11 starts the file. If the file is a document file, the CPU 11 performs a process of opening the document file using the corresponding application.

In the process S1, the CPU 11 may perform processing such as enlargement / reduction of the icon image, or may adjust the size of the barcode image in accordance with the instruction. . Here, the size of the barcode image should be such that the icons are not hidden.

The barcode image generated in the processing S3 of the CPU 11 is not only a one-dimensional barcode but also a QRcode image.
Alternatively, a two-dimensional barcode image such as CyberCode (trademark) may be used. Further, in the process S3, when generating the barcode image, the CPU 11 stores the reference information extracted from the entity of the file corresponding to the designated icon (hereinafter referred to as “entity file”) in a predetermined position on the hard disk 14. It may be stored. Specifically, in an OS such as MacOS (trademark), by accessing a file called an alias file extracted from the file entity, even if the entity file is moved from its original location, the corresponding file is selected. And can be opened. Therefore, for the alias stored at a predetermined position, the storage location of the alias is expressed as a barcode image, and the actual file is moved to another location by printing it overlaid on the icon image of the corresponding real file. Can also access the entity file. Further, if the reference information for the entity file and the above-mentioned alias in the process S3 is set as a URL, it is possible to access the entity file via the Internet.

In the process of superimposing images performed in the process S4 of the CPU 11, it is preferable to perform a process in consideration of operability when reading a barcode. Specifically, if the icon image is not visible behind the hand, the possibility of reading the wrong barcode increases, so adjust the position where the barcode is superimposed,
For example, as a left-handed option, processing such as changing the position where the barcode is superimposed to the left is performed. further,
The degree of superposition (such as the degree of protrusion of the barcode) may be adjusted to the user's preference.

Further, in step S4, the name of the file corresponding to the vicinity of the icon and the barcode may be displayed as a character string and printed. In this way, it is possible to easily understand which file is the target represented by the icon.

As described above, according to the image processing system of the present embodiment, the barcode image representing the attribute information including the storage location of the file is superimposed on the icon image representing the corresponding file. By printing and outputting as a printed matter, it is possible to provide a barcode image in which the position of the code image is clearly displayed, the overall discomfort is reduced, and the correspondence between the icon and the code can be easily recognized.

Although the operation in the application window has been described here, as the operation of the OS itself, the contents of the hard disk 14 are stored in the window, as is widely seen in an OS employing a GUI. When displaying the icon, the CPU 11 receives the designation of the window, performs a process as an icon detecting unit for detecting an icon displayed inside the window, and performs the above-described process on the detected icon. It may be that.

[0037]

According to the present invention, by superimposing a code image on a predetermined portion of an icon image, it is possible to directly access a file represented by the icon and to reduce a sense of discomfort of the entire image. Even if there are a plurality of icons, it is possible to easily understand the correspondence between each icon and the code image and to access the file without error.

Further, according to the present invention, the code image includes information indicating the location of the file corresponding to the icon, and when the code image is read, the location of the corresponding file can be recognized, and various processes can be performed. Is possible.

Further, according to the present invention, the size of the code image and the position where the code image is superimposed are adjusted by the instruction, and the size of the code image can be adjusted according to the user's preference without giving a sense of discomfort. In addition, the size of the code image can be adjusted to a recognizable size, and the operability of reading the code image can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to directly access the file represented by the icon by using a printed matter obtained by printing out an image in which a code image is superimposed on a predetermined portion of the icon image, and the code image is displayed. The position of the code image can be clearly displayed so as not to give a sense of incongruity as a whole.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a window display of an application program for realizing the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram in which a part of a window is enlarged.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in which a part of a window is enlarged.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram in which a part of a window is enlarged.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a CPU 11;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter printed out by the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of conventional barcode printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 computer, 2 printers, 3 cameras, 4 display devices, 11 CPU, 12 RAM, 13 ROM,
14 hard disk, 15 interface, 16
Network interface unit, 17 external storage drive.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B035 AA00 BB00 BB01 BB08 BB11 BC00 5C076 AA12 AA14 5E501 AA01 AA06 BA03 CB14 CC03 EB05 FA01 FA04 FB04

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image generating unit configured to generate an image in which a part or all of a code image representing attribute information of the icon is superimposed on a predetermined part of an image of a designated icon, and an image generated by the image generating unit. And a printing unit that prints out the image. 2. An image processing system connected to a display device and comprising a printing unit for printing and outputting a specified part of an image displayed on the display device, wherein an icon is provided on a part of the specified image. Icon detection means for detecting whether or not the image of the icon is included, When the icon detection means detects the image of the icon,
Image generating means for generating an image in which a part or all of a code image representing attribute information of the icon is superimposed on a predetermined part of the image of the icon, wherein the printing means is generated by the image generating means. An image processing system for printing out an image. 3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information includes at least information indicating a location of a file corresponding to the icon. 4. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit adjusts the size of the code image by an instruction. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit adjusts a predetermined part of the code image to be superimposed by an instruction. 6. A printed matter on which an icon image is displayed, wherein a part or all of a code image representing attribute information of the icon is displayed so as to be superimposed on a predetermined part of the icon image. Printed matter.