JP2001096837A - Image recording method, image recorder, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data, e.g. voice, on a print medium, e.g. a paper, using a printer such that the voice can be reproduced surely by means of a reader. SOLUTION: When a visually readable image and an optically readable encoded image are recorded on the same print medium, information of a printer for printing the encoded image readably through a reader, is prestored at an auxiliary storing section. A CPU prohibits printing of the encoded image (step SA12) when a decision is made (step SA03), based on the prestored information, that a printer actually used can not print the encoded image readably through a reader.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a readable image which can be read visually, such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and data obtained by encoding data such as voice. An image recording method and an image recording apparatus for printing and recording an optically readable encoded image on a print medium such as paper, and instructions for causing a computer to execute the operation of such an image recording apparatus The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium storing a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, human-readable images such as characters, symbols, figures, patterns, pictures, photographic images, and computer graphic images, which can be directly read by human eyes, voices, images, and other data that can be handled by a computer. One-dimensional or two-dimensional data obtained by encoding various data such as
Various image recording methods and image recording apparatuses for printing and recording an optically readable encoded image including a two-dimensional barcode on a sheet-like print medium such as paper or film have been proposed.

For example, JP-A-60-244146, JP-A-6-231466, and 7-18160
No. 6, No. 10-51645, and the like.

According to the technology disclosed in these publications, audio is printed and recorded on paper, so that the readable image and audio can be integrated on the paper, and the encoded image can be converted by a dedicated reading device. By reading, the sound can be easily heard on the spot while viewing the readable image.

[0005] Above all, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In JP-A-31466, JP-A-7-181606, and JP-A-10-51645, data such as sound is converted into a dot code as an encoded image that can be easily optically read by manual scanning. It is disclosed that an encoding process is performed and printed together with a readable image on a sheet-like print medium such as paper.

FIG. 32 shows a physical format configuration of the dot code.

That is, the dot code 1 is constituted by a plurality of blocks 2 arranged two-dimensionally adjacently.
Each block 2 is composed of a black dot or a white dot (actually, a print medium) corresponding to the value “1” or “0” of the data divided for each block of data such as audio to be recorded. Is often read as it is as a background color.) The data dot pattern portion 3 existing in a predetermined two-dimensional array as a dot image and the dots (data dots 4) in the data dot pattern portion 3 are A marker 5 having a constant number of continuous blacks arranged at the four corners of each block used to find a reference point for reading, and a marker 5 arranged between the markers so that the plurality of different blocks can be identified at the time of reading. And a block address pattern 6 including an error detection or error correction code.

According to the dot code 1, even if the entire size is larger than the imaging field of view 7 of the reading device, in other words, the dot code 1 can be imaged by the reading device in one shot. Even if this is not possible, as long as each address given to each block 2 can be detected in block units together with the data dots 4 included in the block, the entire original data is reconstructed from the data included in each block. It becomes possible.

[0009] Accordingly, since data such as voice on a paper surface can be practically recorded, and the data can be easily read even by manual scanning, expectations for the future are increasing.

When actually recording such an encoded image, such as a dot code, on paper or the like, data such as audio is encoded on a computer to create a target encoded image. After laying out and editing the encoded image on the computer screen,
Printing and recording using a general printer may be considered.

[0011]

However, it has been found that there is a new problem when the encoded image such as the dot code described above is actually printed and recorded by using the printer.

That is, there are various types of printers, such as an ink jet system, a thermal transfer system, and a thermal sublimation system, depending on the recording system. Among the ink jet systems, a piezoelectric element is used as a driving source for ink ejection. There are various types such as a type utilizing a displacement force and a type utilizing an expansion force due to bubble generation due to heating.

Therefore, the print recording characteristics cannot be expected uniformly, and in addition, even if the recording method is the same, the printing resolution may be different for each model.
After all, when the above-mentioned encoded image is printed and recorded by using these printers, it is expected that the print recording quality will surely vary.

The disadvantage due to the variation in the print recording quality of the encoded image is much greater than the disadvantage due to the variation in the print recording quality of the readable image. And the like cannot be reproduced and output.

This problem is particularly important when, for example, an encoded image is basically formed of a pattern of fine dots having a size of about 60 μm to 80 μm like the dot code 1 described above. Come.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and uses a printer to print an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as voice using a printer. An image recording method and an image recording apparatus which print and record such that sound and the like can be reliably reproduced and output by a reading apparatus when printing and recording on the apparatus, and a command for causing a computer to execute the operation of such an image recording apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium that stores a program including the program.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the image recording method according to the present invention is to visually check characters, symbols, figures, pictures, photographic images, computer graphic images, or the like. An image recording method for printing and recording, on the same print medium, a readable image that can be read by a computer and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as sound. In advance, information regarding a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device is stored in advance, and based on the information stored in advance, a printer actually used allows the encoded image to be read by the reading device. When it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer that can print and record in a readable manner, print recording of the encoded image is prohibited.

That is, when printing is performed using a printer that does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable encoded image, the difference cannot be discerned by human eyes, but the reading device causes a reading error and generates a voice. Etc. cannot be reproduced. When such a situation occurs, the operator cannot determine whether the reading device is bad or the printed encoded image is bad, and the operator is confused.

According to the first aspect of the image recording method of the present invention, such a situation can be prevented beforehand by prohibiting the output of the encoded image when using the printer which does not correspond to the above. .

In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the image recording method according to the present invention is that a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, a computer graphic image, or the like can be visually read. Readable image and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio, when printing and recording on the same print medium, the readable image and the encoded image An image recording method for displaying a layout screen that defines each print recording area on a print medium,
Information on a printer that can print and record the encoded image readable by a reading device is stored in advance,
Based on the information stored in advance, when it is determined that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image readable by a reading device, the encoded image on the layout screen is Display of a print recording area for the display is prohibited.

That is, according to the second aspect of the image recording method of the present invention, if the printer cannot print and record an optically readable encoded image, the printing for the encoded image is already performed on the layout screen. By not displaying a recording area, it is possible to confirm in advance that printing cannot be performed, and unnecessary layout work can be omitted.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the image recording method according to the present invention is that a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, a computer graphic image, or the like can be visually read. An image recording method for printing and recording a readable image and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio on the same print medium, comprising: Specific prerequisites for printing and recording the data such as audio on a print medium as the encoded image, which is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording an image readable by a reading device, are stored in advance, and the code After the user selects the printer to print and record a coded image, the predetermined preconditions corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to the user. .

That is, even if an attempt is made to print and record an encoded image on a print medium using a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable encoded image, the attributes (for example, recording mechanism, Depending on differences in attributes such as recording methods, etc., preconditions (conditions regarding the layout arrangement of the encoded image, conditions regarding the print recording color of the encoded image, Alternatively, the conditions regarding the parameters for generating the encoded image differ.

According to the third aspect of the image recording method of the present invention, after the user selects a printer to print and record an encoded image, the user is notified of the preconditions corresponding to the selected printer. Since it was made possible to display it,
The user can prevent a failure at the time of printing and recording an encoded image which occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is capable of visually reading a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, a computer graphic image, or the like. An image recording apparatus for printing and recording a readable image and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio on the same print medium, the encoding method comprising: A storage unit that stores in advance information about a printer that can print and record an image so that the image can be read by a reading device, and a printer that is actually used reads the encoded image by the reading device based on the information stored in the storage unit. Control means for controlling so as to prohibit print recording of the encoded image when it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer capable of print recording as possible. And it features.

That is, when printing is performed using a printer that does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable coded image, the difference cannot be discerned by human eyes, but the reading device causes a reading error and generates a voice. Etc. cannot be reproduced. When such a situation occurs, the operator cannot determine whether the reading device is bad or the printed encoded image is bad, and the operator is confused.

According to the first aspect of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, such a situation can be prevented beforehand by prohibiting the output of the encoded image when using the printer which does not correspond to the above. .

In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is capable of visually reading characters, symbols, graphics, pictures, photographic images, computer graphic images, and the like. Readable image and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio, when printing and recording on the same print medium, the readable image and the encoded image An image recording apparatus configured to display a layout screen that defines respective print recording areas on a print medium,
Storage means for storing in advance information relating to a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device; and a printer actually used reads the encoded image based on the information stored in the storage means. Display control means for controlling so as to prohibit display of a print recording area for the encoded image on the layout screen when it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording readable by the apparatus. It is characterized by.

That is, according to the second aspect of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, if the printer cannot print and record an optically readable encoded image, the printing for the encoded image is already performed on the layout screen. By not displaying the recording area, it is possible to confirm beforehand that printing cannot be performed, and unnecessary layout work can be omitted.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is capable of visually reading characters, symbols, graphics, pictures, photographic images, computer graphic images, and the like. An image recording apparatus for printing and recording a readable image and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio on the same print medium, the encoding method comprising: Storage means for storing in advance predetermined preconditions when printing and recording data such as voice on a print medium as the encoded image, which is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording an image readable by a reading device, After the user selects the printer to print and record an encoded image, predetermined preconditions stored in the storage unit corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to the user. Characterized by comprising control means for controlling so as to, a.

That is, even if an attempt is made to print and record the encoded image on a print medium by using a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable encoded image, the attributes (for example, recording mechanism, Depending on differences in attributes such as recording methods, etc., preconditions (conditions regarding the layout arrangement of the encoded image, conditions regarding the print recording color of the encoded image, Alternatively, the conditions regarding the parameters for generating the encoded image differ.

According to the third aspect of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, after the user selects a printer to print and record an encoded image, the user is notified of the preconditions corresponding to the selected printer. Since it was made possible to display it,
The user can prevent a failure at the time of printing and recording an encoded image which occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

In order to achieve the above object, a first computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is provided.
Is a readable image that can be read visually, such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. A process of storing in advance information about a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device when printing and recording the encoded image on the same print medium; and When it is determined that the printer actually used does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image readable by a reading device, a process of prohibiting print recording of the encoded image. And a program containing instructions to be executed.

That is, when printing is performed using a printer that does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable coded image, the difference cannot be discerned by human eyes, but the reading device causes a reading error and generates a voice. Etc. cannot be reproduced. When such a situation occurs, the operator cannot determine whether the reading device is bad or the printed encoded image is bad, and the operator is confused.

According to the first aspect of the recording medium of the present invention,
When a printer that does not correspond to the above applies, the output of the encoded image is prohibited, so that such a situation can be prevented.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium according to the second aspect.
Is a readable image that can be read visually, such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. When printing an encoded image on the same print medium, when displaying a layout screen that defines respective print recording areas of the readable image and the encoded image on the print medium, the A process of pre-storing information on a printer capable of printing and recording an image readable by a reading device, and based on the pre-stored information, a printer actually used can read the encoded image by the reading device When it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer that can print and record, the print record for the encoded image on the layout screen is displayed. Storing a program including instructions for executing a process of prohibiting the display of the area, to the computer.

That is, according to the second aspect of the recording medium of the present invention, if the printer cannot print and record an optically readable encoded image, the print recording for the encoded image is already performed on the layout screen. By not displaying an area, it is possible to confirm in advance that printing cannot be performed, and unnecessary layout work can be omitted.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a third computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is provided.
Is a readable image that can be read visually, such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. When the encoded image is printed and recorded on the same print medium, the data such as the voice is printed as the encoded image, which is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so as to be readable by a reading device. A process in which predetermined preconditions for printing and recording on a medium are stored in advance, and after a user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image, the predetermined corresponding to the selected printer is selected. It stores a process for enabling a user to display preconditions and a program including an instruction for causing a computer to execute the process.

That is, even if an attempt is made to print and record an encoded image on a print medium using a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable encoded image, the attributes (for example, recording mechanism and Depending on differences in attributes such as recording methods, etc., preconditions (conditions regarding the layout arrangement of the encoded image, conditions regarding the print recording color of the encoded image, Alternatively, the conditions regarding the parameters for generating the encoded image differ.

According to a third aspect of the recording medium of the present invention,
After the user selects a printer to print and record the encoded image, the prerequisites corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to notify the user, so that the user can set the attributes of each printer. It is possible to prevent a failure at the time of printing and recording an encoded image which occurs based on the above.

[0041]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration when the present embodiment is applied to a personal computer.

That is, the personal computer (PC) 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a CPU 11 that controls the entire system, a RAM 12 that is used when the CPU 11 executes a program, and an auxiliary storage unit 13 such as a hard disk that stores an OS, various programs, and data files. Further, the PC 10 is connected to a data input unit 14 as an interface for connection to data input devices such as a digital camera 21, a microphone 22, and a video camera 23, and to data output devices such as a printer 31, a speaker 32, and a monitor 33. And a pointing device 16 such as a mouse for a user to specify a position on the monitor 33.

The auxiliary storage unit 13 previously stores an operation program for causing the PC 10 to function as an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and printer information 13A supplied together with the operation program. ing. Note that the new printer information 13 is stored via a network (public line) or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.
B is supplied, and the CPU 11
The printer information 13A stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 can be updated with the new printer information 13B via the.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main flowchart of an operation program for causing the PC 10 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 to function as the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

That is, when the program is started, first, the user specifies on a selection screen (not shown) whether to newly create a layout or open an already laid out file. It is determined whether the designation is a new creation (step S1).

Here, when it is determined that the new creation is selected, the printer information 13A stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is automatically taken in, and the user is requested to designate an output printer (step S2). . That is, an output printer selection dialog box 41 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed based on the acquired printer information 13A. In the output printer selection dialog box 41, a list of printer names is displayed as hierarchical information corresponding to each printer maker and its model, and only printer models capable of code printing are displayed.
In other words, the auxiliary storage unit 13 stores, as the printer information 13A, information on a printer capable of code printing. Then, the user operates a pointer 42 of a pointing device (hereinafter, described as a mouse).
Is moved to a desired printer name and selected by performing a mouse click operation, and then an “OK” button 43 is similarly subjected to a mouse click operation to determine an output printer.

When the user does not select an output printer on the output printer selection dialog box 41, that is, when the user clicks the mouse on the "cancel" button 44, for example, the printer is set to "normally used printer". The default printer specified by the user in advance is selected as the output printer.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the selected output printer is a printer capable of code printing (step S3). Here, the code printable printer is a printer having a print resolution capable of printing a dot code which is an encoded image. That is, in the current dot code, since the data dot, which is the minimum recording unit of the dot code, needs to be formed with a size of about 60 μm to 80 μm, the minimum resolution of the printer in that case is as follows.
It becomes 300 dpi or more. The minimum dot size that can be printed by this 300 dpi printer is 85 μm.

If it is determined that the selected printer is a code-printable printer, a layout mount template 45 as shown in FIG. 4A is designated (step S4). If it is determined that the printer is not a code-printable printer, (B) of FIG.
(Step S5).

Here, the layout mount template 45
4 is a mount template including three areas of an image area 47, a text area 48, and an audio area 49, as shown in FIG. In step S4, the user selects and specifies a desired one from a large number of layout mount templates 45 in which one or a plurality of these areas are laid out in advance.

The limited layout mount template 4
Reference numeral 6 denotes a mount template having only two regions, an image region 47 and a text region 48, and having no audio region 49, as shown in FIG. In step S5, the user selects and specifies a desired one from a large number of limited layout mount templates 46 in which one or more of these areas are laid out in advance. Here, in these mount templates, the image area 47, the text area 4
8 and the audio area 49 are displayed in different colors, and area names such as “image area” and “text area” indicating which area the area is in are displayed. If the area can be identified,
It is not limited to this.

Note that step S4 or step S4
In the designation of the mount template in 5, it is possible to select not only a template in which each area is actually laid out in advance, but also a mount template in which nothing is laid out. In this case, the user can arbitrarily create each area by operating the mouse. However, if a printer capable of code printing is selected, the audio area 49 can be created. However, if a printer that is not capable of code printing is selected, the audio area 49 cannot be created. Has become.

When the (limited) layout mount template is thus selected, the main screen 50 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the layout mount is edited (step S6). This is a process of changing the size and position of the image area 47, the text area 48, and the audio area 49, and adding a picture such as wallpaper to the background.

Here, the main screen 50 is a layout display section 51 on which the selected layout board is displayed.
And a file display unit 52 for displaying thumbnails of each object as will be described in detail later. Editing of the layout mount is performed by the layout display unit 51.
This is performed on the layout card displayed above.

In the layout sheet displayed on the layout display section 51, the image area 47, the text area 48, and the audio area 49 are displayed in different colors, and the image area 47 and the text area 48 are displayed in different colors. The area name is displayed, and for the audio area 49,
Instead of the area name, the recordable time of the sound recorded as the encoded image is displayed there.

In the layout board displayed on the layout display section 51, the image area 47 and the text area 48 can be continuously enlarged / reduced or moved by a known mouse operation. But,
Regarding the audio area 49, the unit of enlargement / reduction is limited by the characteristics of the encoded image recorded therein, and the audio area 49 is performed stepwise.

For example, when the audio area 49 is to be enlarged in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 6A, the boundary of the right end of the audio area 49 is dragged rightward with a mouse as is known. In this case, the step of expanding is as shown in FIG. 6B.
It is enlarged by the size of the minimum reading unit (one block unit surrounded by four corners by markers) constituting a dot code which is an encoded image actually recorded. Then, in accordance with the enlargement operation, the available audio recording time as the encoded image displayed in the audio area 49 changes from 5 seconds to 6 seconds as shown in FIG. In this case, the recordable time actually displayed in the audio area 49 can be displayed not in units of seconds but in units of comma seconds. Display may be performed, or fractions may be rounded down and displayed in units of seconds. Further, the display of the recordable time is not limited to the display in the audio area 49, and may be displayed at a position near the audio area 49,
It can be displayed at any position in the layout display section 51. In that case, the display in the audio area 49 is
As shown in FIG. 6B, a block surrounded by a marker may be schematically displayed.

The same applies to the area reduction performed by dragging the right end boundary portion of the audio area 49 leftward with the mouse.

On the other hand, when the sound area 49 is to be enlarged in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 6C, the sound area 49 is enlarged by dragging the upper boundary portion with the mouse in the upward direction. However, the enlargement unit at this time is an audio area unit such that a recordable time of 6 seconds is 12 seconds.

A dot code as an encoded image is one in which sound is reproduced by scanning one continuous area with a reading device, and one dot code is divided into a plurality of dot codes, The code is capable of two types of configurations, one that reproduces a voice by reading the data.

Thus, by enlarging in the vertical direction as described above, a plurality of one continuous encoded image can be laid out. In this case, the latter plural consecutive encoded images are successively arranged. It becomes possible to generate a code that reproduces a sound by reading by the reading device. In FIG. 6C, a circle mark newly automatically displayed on the left side of the audio area when the image is enlarged is used to indicate that such divided encoded images are one group. Things.

As shown in FIG. 6D, the horizontal and vertical directions can be simultaneously enlarged / reduced.
This is performed by dragging the upper right corner of the audio area 49 with the mouse in the upper right / lower left direction.

In the vertical direction, FIG.
Of course, as shown in FIG.

When a high compression ratio with a high compression ratio other than the standard compression can be selected as a compression method when creating an encoded image, the compression ratio of the compression ratio is determined in this layout board editing subroutine. Selection may be performed, and in accordance with the selection result, as shown in FIG. 7A, identification display such as changing the display color of the audio area 49 may be performed.

As described above, after the user performs the editing processing of the desired layout board, the user specifies the pasted object (step S7). This is a process of pasting one object (photograph or sound as an image) to each area on the layout board displayed on the layout display unit 51, as shown in FIG. The user pastes a desired object by dragging the mouse from a plurality of objects displayed on the file display unit 52 displayed on the right side of the layout display unit 51 on the main screen 50. The object is pasted to the area by a so-called drag and drop (D & D) operation of bringing the object to the area and dropping it there.

The file display section 52 displays the objects stored in one folder (directory) of the auxiliary storage section 13, and the image side is linked to the image and the sound is identified by the image side. Is displayed. Of course, the voice side may be identified and displayed, or both may be identified and displayed. Further, for example, when a plurality of link objects exist in one object such as “photograph 9” linked to “audio 9a”, “audio 9b”, and “audio 9c”, one link object It is preferable to further display the identification so that it can be distinguished from those which only exist. Note that in the present embodiment, the color of the outer frame is changed as the identification display, but any type of mark such as a picture of a speaker may be used.

Here, the link between the image and the sound is performed as follows. For example, the image file format standard "Exif (Exchangeab) which is a JEIDA (Japan Electronic Industry Development Association) standard and is also certified as an ISO standard.
le Image File Format) defines a format for embedding link information in a JPEG file which is a general image file and a WAVE file which is a general audio file. Therefore, by describing the file name of the audio file or image file to be linked as this link information, the image file and the audio file can be linked.

Then, the user-desired image (photograph) can be pasted in the image area 47 by the D & D operation as described above, and similarly, the user-desired voice can be pasted in the audio area by the D & D operation. Although the image and the sound can be pasted by the D & D operation as described above, by using the above-mentioned link information, when one of them is pasted, the other linked thereto is automatically placed in the corresponding area. It is also possible to paste it on.

The details of such pasting object designation processing will be described later.

When the object (image, sound, text) has been pasted, the pasted object is edited (step S).
8). By double-clicking the mouse on the area where the object to be edited is pasted, a corresponding editing screen is displayed and the object can be edited. The details of the pasting object editing process will be described later.

Next, the layout between the pasted objects is edited (step S9). That is, the above step S8
As a result of editing individual objects in the above, there is a case where the layout needs to be changed, and such a change is possible here. Details of the layout editing process between the pasted objects will also be described later.

Thereafter, the output printer is changed (step SA). That is, the output printer specified in step S2 can be changed again after the layout. Details of the output printer changing process will be described later.

Then, by the selected printer 31,
A print output process is performed (step SB). The details of this print output process will be described later.

When the output is completed in this way, the layout sheet currently laid out and pasted with the objects displayed on the layout display section 51 is stored in the auxiliary storage section 13 as a file (step SC).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an end operation of the program (step SD). If the end operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S1. Terminates the program.

If it is determined in step S1 that the file is not newly created, that is, that the file is to be opened, the flow immediately proceeds to step S6 without designating the layout board, and the layout board is edited.

Next, a subroutine for designating a pasted object called in step S7 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a mount paste object is selected (step S701). This is, for example, a process of attaching “Photo 7”, which is an image object, from the file display unit 52 on the right side in FIG. 5 to the image area 47 by D & D.

Next, a corresponding object linked to the selected object is searched, and the link information is stored in the RAM.
12 is stored in the temporary area (step S7).
02). For example, a search is made for “sound 7”, which is a corresponding object linked to “photo 7”. This is "Photo 7"
Then, the audio file name described as the link information in the file is read, and it is searched whether the audio file of the file name exists in the same directory. If there is, the file name and the like are stored in a temporary file.

Then, it is determined whether there is a link object (step S703). If there is no link object, the subroutine is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine with only the image attached. There are a case where a file name is not originally described as link information in a file of a pasted object and a case where a link object is not found as a result of the search.

On the other hand, if there is a link object, a paste confirmation display of the link object and object selection are performed (step S704). This displays a confirmation message on the screen, "Are you sure you want to paste the linked sound?"

Also, as shown in "Photo 9" in FIG.
There are cases where a plurality of link objects such as "speech 9a", "speech 9b", and "speech 9c" are present. In such a case, a selection is made as to which of the plurality of link objects is to be pasted. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a dialog box 53 including a message “Please select one from three linked audio files.” And a list of link objects to be selected is displayed. And the user can select a desired sound from the three sounds. In the same figure, the state where the mouse pointer 42 is moved to “audio 9a.wav” and clicked, the audio file is specified, and the identification is displayed (for example, highlighted) in accordance with it. At this time, the link information stored in the temporary area of the RAM 12 is updated to indicate the selected link object.

Then, after selecting one of the plurality of link objects on the paste confirmation display screen of the link object or not, it is determined whether or not the paste OK instruction has been given by the mouse click operation of the "OK" button 54. (Step S705). Here, when the pasting is not OK, that is, when the pasting is canceled, the subroutine ends and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the pasting is OK,
An attachment position is selected (step S706). This is performed only when there are a plurality of pasting positions, and when there is only one pasting position, this step is skipped.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the mount template has a plurality of image areas 47A and 47B and a plurality of sound areas 49A and 49B, for example, the lower image area 47B When "Photo 7" is pasted by mouse D & D operation, the audio regions to which "Audio 7" linked to "Photo 7" should be pasted include audio regions 49A and 49B. Therefore, in such a case,
The two audio regions 49A and 49B are identified (for example, blinking or changing colors) to notify the user that there are two audio regions. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user performs a mouse click operation on a desired audio area (the audio area 49B in the figure) to select and specify the paste position.

When the link object to be pasted and the pasting position are determined, the object is read out from the auxiliary storage unit 13 on the basis of the link information stored in the temporary area of the RAM 12, and is read from the layout board. (Step S707). Then, the subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.

In the description of this subroutine,
Although the description has been made on the assumption that the photograph as the image object is pasted on the image area 47, on the contrary, by pasting the sound object on the sound area 49, the photograph linked thereto is pasted on the image area 47. It is also possible.

When "Photo 9" linked with a plurality of audio files is pasted on one image area 47B, the audio file selected in step S704 is pasted on the audio area selected in step S706. In this case, when one audio region is selected in step S706, one of the remaining two audio files not selected is further added to the other audio region. It is also possible to make a selection such as pasting.

Further, in a state in which the user selects a mount template which is not particularly defined on the layout screen in the area where each object is to be pasted, and does not explicitly create an object pasting area, an image, a sound, and a text are displayed. When the D & D is performed on the mount, the object itself may be pasted together with a paste area of a predetermined size for each object. In this case, the position of the paste of the link object to the mount based on the link information is selected. Is a mouse click at an arbitrary position on the mount. In this case, it can be considered that there are countless pasting areas.

However, there is an exception in the case where a voice object is pasted, and it is important to secure the pasting area so as not to overlap the voice area where the voice object is already pasted. If this is not ensured, a message indicating that pasting is not possible is displayed as a warning dialog to the user to call attention.

The audio pasting area of the predetermined size is an area of the minimum size in which the entire capacity of the audio object can be recorded, operates so as to automatically generate this area, and if the area exceeds a certain upper limit, An audio area having the upper limit size is generated.

This processing can be similarly performed on an image object. That is, a pasting area in which the entire image object fits is automatically generated. At this time, if the pasting area exceeds a certain upper limit size, an image area of the upper limit size is generated. Of course, the same applies to text objects.

[0095] Regarding the specification of the pasted object, a moving image file can be handled as shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 10A shows the main screen 50.
A moving image file is displayed on a file display unit 52 for displaying a thumbnail of the moving image file, and the moving image file is dragged and dropped (D & D) by a mouse onto an image area 47 on a layout board 45 of a layout display unit. .

Here, the moving image file is a file in which a plurality of frame image data and audio data are paired and stored as one file.

When the moving image file 1 is dragged and dropped into the image area 47 by the mouse, a frame image group of the moving image file is pasted on the image area 47, and the first frame is displayed on the image area 47.

When the user selects a desired frame image from the group of pasted frame images, a frame image clip dialog (not shown) is displayed by double-clicking on the image area 47 with a mouse. When the user selects a desired frame in the above, the image displayed on the image area 47 is changed to the frame image selected by the user.

When the moving image file 1 is dragged and dropped into the image area 47, the audio data recorded in the moving image file 1 is extracted, and the extracted audio data is automatically stored in the audio area 49. Pasted.

The above-described operation of pasting the moving image file to the series of layout mounts has been described with an example in which drag and drop is performed on the image area 47. However, drag and drop of the moving image file on the audio area 49 may be performed. Are first extracted from the moving image file and pasted, and then the frame image group in the moving image file is pasted in the image area 47.

Further, when there are a plurality of audio regions and image regions, the user can determine in which region the image file and the related audio file are to be pasted in the same manner as in the above-described operation when pasting the photo file and the related audio file to the layout board. It is possible to select with the mouse.

As described above, it is also possible to easily extract each object data from a group of object data in which an image and a sound, which are a moving image file, are more closely related to each other on a layout board, and paste the object data in each layout area.

Next, the pasting object editing subroutine called in step S8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, object editing is selected (step S801). This is a process in which the user selects the audio area 49 or the image area 47 on the layout display unit 51 that has already been pasted, and is selected by, for example, double-clicking the area to be edited with the mouse.

Then, the selected area is the audio area 4
9 is determined (step S802), and if it is a voice area, a waveform display screen 55 as shown in FIG. 8B is displayed (step S803).

On the waveform display screen 55, the waveform data 56 of the sound corresponding to the sound file pasted on the sound area 49 is displayed.
For example, the part that enters the recordable time in the audio area 49 and the part that does not enter the audio area 49 are identified and displayed by, for example, color-coding. At this time, the part that enters the recordable time is allocated from the head of the audio corresponding to the audio file, and the waveform data 56
Below, a voice recording period bar 57 corresponding to the portion that enters the recordable time is displayed. The recordable time is displayed in the sound recording period bar 57, and the total recording time (link sound time) of the sound corresponding to the sound file is displayed above the waveform data 56. . In this example, the recordable time is 8 seconds, and the total record time is 9.8 seconds. Accordingly, it is shown that, of the 9.8 seconds of audio, 8 seconds from the beginning can be recorded, and the remaining 1.8 seconds are not recorded. Note that triangular play buttons 58 and 59 are displayed near the total recording time and near the recordable time in the audio recording period bar 57, respectively. .8 seconds worth of audio is played, play button 5
By operating the mouse 9 with a mouse, only the recordable audio portion of 8 seconds is reproduced.

A check column 60 is provided below the voice recording period bar 57 together with the description of “enlarge and reduce the audio area”. Each time the check column 60 is clicked with the mouse, a check is made. None is toggled. Here, when the check box 60 is checked, the audio area 49 on the layout screen is enlarged / reduced in conjunction with a mouse drag operation of expanding the audio recording period bar 57 to the right or reducing it to the left. Become like If you uncheck this check box 60,
The voice recording period bar 57 cannot be enlarged, and only the reduction operation can be performed. That is, when the size of the audio area 49 on the layout screen is not changed, but the data to be entered is to be recorded only for 6 seconds out of 8 seconds, the mouse drag operation is performed in a direction to reduce the audio recording period bar 57. By doing so, only the audio data of 6 seconds is recorded in the audio area 49.

[0109] "0 seconds" and "10 seconds" displayed at the lower ends of the audio recording period bar 57 indicate the scale of the time displayed on the waveform display screen 55.

Thus, on such a waveform display screen 55, the user corrects and fixes an area for a printable time (step S804). That is, the above 8
By moving the audio recording period bar 57 for seconds or performing an enlargement / reduction operation, it is possible to record the audio desired by the user.

Here, the moving operation of the voice recording period bar 57 is performed by dragging the mouse on the voice recording period bar 57 and moving it left and right as shown in FIG.
This operation is to move the voice recording period bar 57 in the horizontal direction. By performing such a moving operation,
The user can select which 8 seconds of the 9.8 seconds of audio to take.

As described above, when the check box 60 is checked for the enlargement / reduction operation,
In the state where the sound object is pasted on the sound area 49 as shown in FIG. 13A, a mouse drag operation is performed to enlarge the sound recording period bar 57 to the right as shown in FIG. 13B. Accordingly, the audio area 49 on the layout screen can be enlarged in conjunction with the above.
In this case, the display of the recordable time in the audio area 49 is also updated. Similarly, it can be reduced. The display of the recordable time in the audio area 49 is not limited to the update to the new recordable time as described above. For example, the original recordable time is displayed in the denominator such as “10/8 seconds”. It is also possible to display the original recordable time, such as a fractional display of the recordable time updated to the time and numerator.

After the user corrects and confirms the area for the printable time, next, it is determined whether or not the modification and confirmation operation is accompanied by a change in the size of the voice area 49. A determination is made (step S805). If not, the process proceeds to step S807 to be described later. If the operation involves a size change as shown in FIG.
Is corrected (step S806).

After that, the voice editing process is further performed (step S807). This is a process of performing a known audio editing process such as equalizing and changing the pitch on the displayed audio waveform data 56. Alternatively, another audio data may be added by a cut (copy) and paste operation, or unnecessary portions may be deleted.

Then, the user performs an end operation, that is, "O
It is determined whether the “K” button 61 or the “Cancel” button 62 has been operated (step S808). If the end operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S804. On the other hand, when the end operation is performed, the subroutine ends and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S802 that the selected area is not the audio area 49, other objects corresponding to the selected area, ie, the image area 47 or the text area 48 are edited. From (step S809), the process returns to the main routine. The details of other object editing are omitted because they are known, and examples thereof include color change for images and text, and filter processing such as sharpening processing and blurring processing for images.

Next, a layout editing subroutine between the pasted objects called in step S9 is described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not a new voice area 49 has been created by a user operation (step S90).
1). If it is determined that the voice area 49 has been newly added, the coordinates of the newly created voice area 49 are calculated and stored in the temporary area provided in the RAM 12 (step S902).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the audio area 49 is not newly created, it is determined whether or not a user editing operation has been performed on the existing audio area 49 (step S9).
03). Here, when it is determined that the existing audio area 49 has been actually edited, it is further determined whether or not there has been any change due to the editing operation, that is, whether or not the position or the size has been changed (step S1). S904). If it is determined that there has been a change, the above step S
Proceeding to 902, the coordinates of the changed audio area 49 are calculated and stored in a temporary file.

After the calculation and storage of the coordinates of the sound area 49 are completed, an overlap of the periphery of the sound area 49 into the restricted area is calculated (step S905).

Here, the audio area 49 is an area where a dot code as an encoded image is actually printed.
As shown in FIG. 5, a margin area 6 is provided around the audio area 49.
There are three. This blank area 63 is an area where all other objects must not enter. Further, outside the margin area 63, the restriction area 6 which is an area in which only the dot code as the encoded image must not enter.
There are four.

As described above, a dot code as an encoded image is obtained by using a specific regular pattern.
The reading device reads it. If this regular pattern is close to the audio area 49, it will adversely affect the reader. That is, when there are a plurality of regular patterns of the encoded image different from the encoded image to be read in the imaging field of view of the reading device, the dot code positioning process using the regular pattern does not function well. Therefore, the reading device malfunctions and a reading error occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent a regular pattern of another encoded image from entering into one field of view of the reading device, and therefore, a predetermined interval determined according to the field of view of the encoded image is required. The restriction area 64 is provided to open the space.

Therefore, when an operation is performed to overlap another audio area within the restricted area 64, for example, as shown in FIG. If it is attempted to move the 6-second audio area by mouse drag operation, it is necessary to perform a process of preventing further movement at the time of moving to the restriction area 64.

On the other hand, in an ordinary readable image, a regular pattern as seen in an encoded image is very rarely seen. Therefore, even if the distance between the encoded image and the normal readable image is made closer, the reading device does not affect the reading because a periodic pattern is not generated in the reading device. Therefore, as a margin between the coded image and the ordinary readable image, only the margin area 63 needs to be provided.

As a result of the overlap calculation in step S905, it is determined whether or not the newly created or edited voice area overlaps with the restriction area 64 around another voice area (step S906). . Then, when it is determined that they overlap, the state may be set so that they do not overlap as shown in FIG. 15, but in the present embodiment, after the warning is displayed (Step S
907), the coordinates of the newly created or edited audio area are returned to the values immediately before the overlap (step S908). Then, the process returns to the step S901.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, the sound area with a recordable time of 6 seconds is moved to a recordable time of 5 seconds by a mouse drag operation. A warning dialog box 65 is displayed. Then, after the warning dialog box 65 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 16B, the display of the audio area of the recordable time of 6 seconds is returned to a position immediately before overlapping with the audio area of the recordable time of 5 seconds. It is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S906 that the newly created or edited audio area does not overlap the restriction area 64 around another audio area, it is determined whether or not the overlap inhibition object area check has been completed. A determination is made (step S909). That is, it is determined whether the check has been completed for all the audio regions 49 on the layout board. If all the sound areas 49 have not been checked, the process returns to step S905.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the check has been completed for all the audio regions 49, or if it is determined in step S904 that one or the size of the audio regions 49 has not changed. Then, an overlapping process between different types of objects, which will be described in detail later, is performed (step S910). Thereafter, the subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.

When it is determined in step S903 that the audio area 49 has not been edited,
Next, image or text area editing of another object is performed (step S911). Then, the process proceeds to step S910, where an overlapping process between different types of objects is performed.

Before describing the details of the subroutine of the overlap processing between different types of objects called in step 910, display when the areas 47 and 48 of readable image objects such as images and texts and the audio area 49 overlap. (And printing) will be described from an example. At this time, the display and printing are different depending on whether the overlapping of the readable image object areas 47 and 48 and the audio area 49 is permitted or not.

That is, as shown in FIG. 17A, the voice area 49 is moved to the text area 48 having a green background and displaying the text "1999/7/7" in black. Readable image object area 47,
In the case where the overlap between the audio region 48 and the audio region 49 is not permitted,
As shown in FIG. 17B, the readable image of the overlapping portion is not displayed. Also, when actually printing by the printer 31, such an image is output.

On the other hand, the readable image object areas 47 and 4
In the case where the overlapping of the audio area 8 and the audio area 49 is permitted, FIG.
As shown in (A) of FIG. 8, after displaying a warning dialog box 66 such as "The voice area and the text area overlap. The text color will be changed to the specified color." Alternatively, the display on the readable image object area side is changed as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 18B, the background color of the text area 48 is changed to be transparent, and all of the characters “1999/7/7” are displayed in red (in FIG. 18, indicated by white characters). I do. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18C, the overlapping area (in this case, “9 /
7/7 "), the character is changed to red (indicated by white characters in the figure), and the background of that portion is made transparent. Further, the background is fixed to be transparent, but may be another specified color (for example, yellow) different from the character color.

Here, the readable image object area 4
A description will be given of the distinction between the case where the overlap of the sound area 49 and the audio region 49 is not permitted and the case where the overlap is permitted, and the reason for performing the color change.

When the ground color of the recording paper (printing medium) of the printer 31 is white, the reflected light from the printing medium changes from blue (B) at the wavelength of light as shown in FIG. It has almost the same reflection intensity over red (R). Here, the reading device that reads a dot code as an encoded image recorded in the audio area 49 has a built-in light source, illuminates the dot code with light from the light source, and reflects light reflected from the paper surface of the print medium. Is configured to be imaged. When a light source having a wavelength of R as shown by a bright line spectrum 67 in FIG.
Those which have a reflection intensity at the emission line spectrum 67 when read by the reading device are determined to be "white". On the other hand, ink having no reflection intensity is determined to be “black”. In this way, the reading device reads in a binarized state.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 19B, the red ink has a reflection intensity at the illumination wavelength (bright line spectrum 67) of the reader, and
It is determined to be "white". Further, as shown in FIG. 19C, in the case of the yellow ink, although the emission line spectrum 67 of the reading device is slightly deviated, the reflection intensity is still large with respect to the wavelength of the illumination wavelength. The reading device determines that the color is “white”. On the other hand, as shown in (D) and (E) of FIG. 19, in the case of black ink or cyan ink, the reading device does not have a reflection intensity at the illumination wavelength portion of the reading device. Is determined.

Therefore, if the ink color of the image or text to be superimposed on the encoded image is to be overwritten with ink having a reflection intensity, for example, red or yellow, at the position of the bright line spectrum 67 of the illumination light source of the reading device, Since it does not affect the reading of the image, the color is changed to such a color.

Whether overlap is permitted or not is different for each printer. For example, when the color of a character is actually specified to be red on the application software and output to a printer, the color may not be printed in red but may be mixed with a cyan component and printed. As described above, whether to print in red or to include a cyan component differs depending on the printer.
In a printer that prints including a cyan component, the printing is determined to be “black” by the cyan component, even though the reading device specifies printing in red so as to be determined to be “white” as described above. Will be. Therefore, when a printer that prints red containing such a cyan component is selected as an output printer, overlapping is prohibited and a printer that prints red without a cyan component is used. If the printer is selected as an output printer, overlapping is permitted.

Next, the subroutine of the overlap processing between different kinds of objects called in step 910 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, it is determined whether or not any of the object areas of the image area 47, the text area 48, and the audio area 49 has been edited (step S9101).
If none of the regions has been edited, the overlap processing subroutine between different types of objects is terminated, and the process returns to the higher-level routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined that any one of the object areas has been edited, it is further determined whether or not the position or size of the edited area has changed (step S9102). If there is no area change, the overlap processing subroutine between different types of objects is terminated, and the process returns to the higher-level routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the area has changed, the coordinates of the object area are calculated, and the data is stored in a temporary file provided in the RAM 12 (step S9103).

Thereafter, the overlap is calculated (step S91).
04), it is determined whether or not they overlap (step S910)
5). In this case, the overlap between the audio area 49 and the surrounding margin area 63 and other object areas is determined.

Here, if it is determined that they overlap, it is determined whether or not to allow the overlap (step S9).
106). As described above, depending on the printer, as shown in FIG. 18B or 18C, when the text area 48 and the audio area 49 overlap, the character color is changed to overlap the audio area 49, as shown in FIG. 17B, there is a printer in which the audio area 49 is located at the highest position, and other objects can only be hidden by the audio area 49, as shown in FIG. Therefore, for each printer, information indicating whether overlap is permitted or not is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 as the printer information 13A. In step S9106, this information is used to select the current output printer. It is determined whether or not the specified printer prohibits the overlapping of the audio area 49 and other objects.

If it is determined that the printer permits the overlap, a warning is displayed by a warning dialog box 66 as shown in FIG. 18A (step S9107). Then, the display form of the overlapped object is changed, and the change information is stored in the temporary file of the RAM 12 (step S9108). That is, the display form is changed as shown in FIG. 18B or FIG. 18C, and the change information is stored. When printing is actually performed by the printer 31, printing is performed in the color indicated by the stored change information.

If it is determined in step S9106 that a printer for which overlapping is not permitted is selected, as shown in FIG. Are not displayed, and the information is stored in a temporary file in the RAM 12 (step S9109). Here, the voice area 4
In the case of overlapping between regions other than 9, only information on which is located higher is provided.
The data at the top of the overlap is valid.

If the display mode has been changed and stored in step S9108 or step S9109, it is determined whether the check has been completed for all object areas (step S910).
A) If not, the process returns to step S9104. Then, when it is determined that the check has been completed for all object areas, the overlapping processing subroutine between different kinds of objects is terminated, and the routine returns to the higher-level routine.

Although not particularly described in the flowchart of FIG. 20, before performing the warning display in step S9107, the color of the object overlapping the audio area 49 is determined, and the If the color is a color that is allowed to overlap, such as yellow or yellow, step S91
07 and step S9108 may be skipped and the process may proceed to step S910A.

Further, two types of display modes changed in step S9108 as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C are given, but only one of them is predetermined. May be used, or may be arbitrarily selected by the user. Further, after the warning dialog box 66 for warning the overlap is displayed, FIG.
(D) may be displayed to allow the user to make a selection. In this case, of course, in the color selection dialog box 68, only the colors which do not cause a problem even if they overlap as described above are displayed as selection candidates. When the output paper size is changed after the layout editing and the automatic layout change is performed, it goes without saying that the processing for the overlap between the pasted objects is performed. In particular, since the layout of the audio area is automatically changed so as to fit within the sheet size, the dot code cut off in the middle is not printed out, so that the reading device can surely read and reproduce it.

Next, the output printer change subroutine called in step SA will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not the output printer change operation is to be performed (step SA01). If the output printer change operation is not to be performed, the output printer change subroutine is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine. Return.

On the other hand, when the operation of changing the output printer is performed, the output printer is re-selected by the user (step SA02), and whether or not the re-selected output printer is a code printable printer is determined. Is determined (step SA03).

If a printer capable of code printing is selected again, it is determined whether or not the resolution after the change is different from the previously selected resolution (step S).
A04). If the resolutions are the same, the output printer change subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if the resolutions are different, a user warning is issued (step SA05). In this case, there are the following two types of user warnings.

The first pattern is to change the layout of the audio area 49 without changing the recording time of the audio area 49, as shown in FIG.
That is, as shown on the left side of the figure, a warning dialog box 69 is displayed, stating that "the layout of the audio area will be changed because the print resolution is different." A mouse click operation (press operation) is performed. Then, when the user enters "O
When the “K” button 70 is clicked, an audio region 49 having a size corresponding to the recording time of 6 seconds at the original resolution is obtained.
As shown on the right side of the figure, the size is changed (enlarged in this case) according to the changed resolution without changing the 6-second audio recording time. When the “Cancel” button 71 is clicked, the change of the output printer is canceled, and the output printer remains unchanged.

In the second pattern, as shown in FIG. 22B, without changing the layout of the audio area 49,
That is, the recording time of the audio area 49 is changed.
That is, as shown on the left side of the figure, a warning dialog box 72 is displayed indicating that "the recording resolution is changed to 5 seconds because the printing resolution is different," and the user clicks the "OK" button 73. If the recording is performed, an audio area 49 having a size corresponding to a recording time of 6 seconds at the original resolution is recorded in accordance with the changed resolution without changing its size, as shown on the right side of FIG. Change to time (in this case shorter)
I do. That is, for example, when the printing resolution is changed from a 720 dpi printer to a 600 dpi printer, the recording time is reduced if the size of the audio area is the same, so that the recording time of 6 seconds is reduced to 5 seconds as in this example. Be changed. In other words, what is recorded is 5 seconds from the beginning of the original 6-second sound, and the remaining 1 second is deleted. Therefore, in this case, as described above, the user double-clicks the changed audio area 49 to open the waveform display screen 55 and edit the audio data so as to fit in the area reduced to 5 seconds. It is necessary. If the user clicks on the "cancel" button 74, the change of the output printer is canceled and the output printer remains unchanged.

The user warning at step SA05 is
In the present embodiment, the above warning dialog boxes 69 and 72 are alternatively displayed. Alternatively, for example, a selection such as "Do you want to modify the layout or change the recording time?" May be displayed to allow the user to make a selection. Of course, one of the warning dialog boxes 69 and 72 may be displayed as a default or by a user's selection in advance.

Then, it is determined whether or not the user has been confirmed (step SA06). If the “cancel” button is clicked with a mouse, the process returns to step SA01.

On the other hand, if the "OK" button is clicked with the mouse after making a selection by mouse operation, it is determined whether or not the selected item is a layout change (step SA07). If the layout is changed, the layout is corrected (step SA0).
8) If the layout is not changed, the recording amount is corrected (step SA09). When the layout is corrected or the recording amount is corrected in this manner, the overlapping process between the pasted objects is performed (step SA13), and the output printer change subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine. The overlapping process between the pasted objects is the same as the process shown in the layout editing between the pasted objects.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SA03 that the printer capable of code printing has not been selected, a user warning such as "The voice area is not printed." Is displayed (step SA1).
0). At this time, the display of the audio area on the layout sheet may be erased at the same time.

Then, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a confirmation operation (for example, an "OK" button mouse click operation) in response to the user warning (step SA11).
If the user confirmation operation has not been performed, that is, if the mouse click operation of the “cancel” button has been performed, the process returns to step SA01. When a user confirmation operation is performed, an internal flag indicating a display of a predetermined area (audio area) and a print disabled state is set, and a message "printing of audio area is not performed" is displayed. After that (step SA12), the output printer change subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.

Next, the print output processing subroutine called in step SB will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, a search is made as to whether or not there is an audio area 49 on the laid back board (step SB01), and it is determined whether or not the audio area 49 is present as a result of the search (step SB02). Here, if there is an audio area 49, it is further determined whether or not the currently selected output printer is a printer capable of code printing (step SB03). Displays a dialog box 75 indicating that printing is performed twice, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 24 (step SB).
04). Then, in response to the display of this dialog box 75, whether or not the user has given an instruction for the first printing,
That is, it is determined whether the “OK” button 76 has been clicked with the mouse (step SB05).

When the mouse click operation of the "OK" button 76 is performed, a coded image is generated for the audio area and the progress of the processing is displayed (step SB06). That is, since a certain amount of processing time is required to generate an encoded image, the progress of the processing is displayed. Then, the generated encoded image (if there are a plurality of them, all of them) is output to the printer 31 in accordance with the layout (step SB07).
Thus, printing is started, and only the encoded image 78 is printed on the printing paper (printing medium) 77 as shown by a) in FIG.

Thereafter, as shown by b) in FIG.
A confirmation dialog box 79 such as "Print the second time. Please set paper again without mistake in the direction" is displayed (step SB0).
8). Here, before the user clicks the “OK” button 80 with the mouse, it is necessary to set the printing paper 77 on which only the encoded image 78 is printed in the first printing to the printer 31 again. Some printers have a function to automatically return the printing paper 77 once printed to the home position. In such a printer, the printing paper 77 can be returned to the home position and printed. Is displayed, the confirmation dialog box 79 is displayed. Therefore, there is no problem even if the "OK" button 80 is immediately clicked with the mouse. Of course, in such an automatic return to the home position, the confirmation display itself can be skipped.

If the mouse click operation of the "OK" button 80 is performed, all the objects (images, texts, etc.) other than the laid-out audio area are operated.
Is output to the printer (step SB09). That is, in the second printing, the printing as shown by b) in FIG. 24 is performed. However, since the encoded image 78 is already printed on the printing paper 77 as in a), the printing is performed as a result. , A print result as shown in the upper part of FIG. 24 is obtained. When the printing is completed in this way, the print output processing subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.

As described above, the encoded image is printed first,
Thereafter, when the readable image is printed, even if the readable image “1999.7.8 photographed” is printed over the encoded image 78, the encoded image 78 is not easily peeled. , Does not hinder subsequent reading. At this time, the ink colors of the readable image take into account the relationship described with reference to FIG.

If it is determined in step SB03 that the printer is not a code-printable printer,
After a warning that the audio area cannot be printed is displayed (step SB10), the flow advances to step SB09 to print an object other than the audio area, that is, perform only the second printing.

If it is determined in step SB02 that there is no audio area, the process proceeds to step SB02.
In step 09, only the object other than the audio area is printed.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the present invention. .

For example, in the pasting object editing subroutine called in step S8, the waveform display screen 55 is displayed and the audio to be recorded in the audio area 49 is edited as in the above embodiment. Can be edited in various ways.

That is, in the pasting object editing subroutine, the sound area 49 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E is edited as described in the layout board editing in step S6. You can edit attached objects.

Also, as shown in FIG. 25A, a sound object, here a 3-second sound file, is pasted from the file display section 52 to a sound area 49 having a recordable time of 6 seconds by D & D operation. In this case, as shown in (B) of FIG. 25, the display unit identifies and identifies how much of the recordable time the attached sound object has consumed. Of course, in this case, 3 seconds actually correspond to the sound area 49.
It may be displayed inside. In the editing of the pasted object, as shown in FIG. 25 (C), the sound area 49 (actually, the marginal area 63) is dragged leftward with the mouse to move the sound. Area 4
9 can be reduced. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25 (D), when the audio object has already been pasted for 3 seconds, it cannot be reduced further, that is, it does not move. I do.

When the user clicks on the audio area 49 as shown in FIG. 26A with a mouse, the audio area 49 is enlarged / reduced as shown in FIG. 26B. At this time, a guide point 81 indicating a position where the mouse pointer 42 is set is displayed, and the sound area 49 is displayed.
A play button 82, a stop button 83, and a record button 84 may be displayed adjacent to the lower side. When the play button 82 is clicked with a mouse, the sound file attached to the sound area 49 is reproduced. In this case, the sound compression is performed so that the actually recorded sound can be confirmed. Processing is performed, and data for confirming recorded voice is created by expanding the compressed voice, and the data is reproduced. Accordingly, in this case, since it takes a very long time to compress / decompress the audio, a progress display dialog box 85 indicating that the recording audio confirmation data is being created is displayed as shown in FIG. . Note that the recorded voice confirmation data created in this way is stored in a temporary file in the RAM 12, so that it can be reproduced and output immediately without displaying such a progress display dialog box 85 during the second and subsequent reproductions. Of course, every time the attached sound is edited, such as when the sound area 49 is enlarged / reduced or when the sound of the recording button 84 is clicked with a mouse click, the recorded sound confirmation data is created.

As shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the mouse pointer 42 is moved to the desired printer name from among a plurality of registered output printer names listed in the output printer selection dialog box 41. After moving to the name and selecting it by a mouse click operation, a mouse click operation is performed on an “OK” button 43 to determine an output printer, and the display of the layout display unit 51 at that time is selected by the selection. It can be changed depending on the determined output printer name.

That is, in FIG. 27A, when the user selects a new layout after starting the program, the printer information 13A recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is automatically fetched and the output printer is designated. In particular, FIG. 9 shows an output printer selection dialog 41 displayed upon requesting the user, and in particular, selects a desired printer “AAA-YYYY” from registered printer names displayed in a list in this dialog, and After confirmation,
3 shows a display example of a layout board 45 displayed on a layout display unit 51. FIG.

The characteristic feature is a boundary line 100 of the audio area layable range.

This voice area layout possible range boundary line 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes an area inside the size of the layout sheet 45, and an area inside the boundary line is an area where the printing quality of the printer can be sufficiently ensured. It means an area with a sufficiently readable quality.

In FIG. 27B, similarly to FIG. 27A, a desired printer "BBB-NNNN" is displayed in an output printer selection dialog 41 displayed upon requesting the user to specify an output printer. Is selected, and the output printer is determined. In this example, the audio area layable range boundary 100 on the layout board 45 displayed on the layout display unit 51 is the same as the area shown in FIG. Are displayed in different places.

This is due to the fact that the area in which the print quality is sufficiently ensured differs depending on the attributes of the printing method and the printing mechanism of each printer.

The above-mentioned sound area layout possible range boundary line 1
As shown in FIG. 28, the information necessary for displaying 00 is the printer information 13 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13.
A, so that the application can read this information as needed.

Further, the display of the audio area layout possible range boundary line 100 may be always displayed on the layout mount, may be displayed only while the audio area is selected, or may be further displayed. The region may be displayed only while the mouse is being dragged.

As described above, according to the selection result of the printer that records the dot code, the boundary line of the possible layout of the audio area (condition relating to the layout arrangement of the encoded image) 100
By changing the display position of the dot code and notifying the user of the change at the time of the layout operation, failure of the dot code layout operation can be prevented beforehand.

As shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the display of the color list that can be selected in the color designation dialog of the selected audio area laid out on the layout board 45 is performed by the selection. It can be changed depending on the determined output printer name.

That is, in FIG. 29A, when the user selects a new layout after starting the program, the printer information 13A recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is automatically taken in, and the output printer is designated. In particular, FIG. 9 shows an output printer selection dialog 41 displayed upon requesting the user, and in particular, selects a desired printer “AAA-YYYY” from registered printer names displayed in a list in this dialog, and After confirmation,
The color list display of the audio area color specification dialog 101 displayed by selecting a menu for specifying the color of the selected audio area laid out on the layout board 45 displayed on the layout display section 51
This indicates that “black”, “cyan”, “purple”, and “green” can be selected.

On the other hand, in FIG. 29B, similarly to FIG. 29A, a desired printer “BBB” is displayed in an output printer selection dialog 41 displayed upon requesting the user to specify an output printer. -NNNN "is selected, and an output printer is determined. An audio area laid out on the layout board 45 displayed on the layout display section 51 is selected, and the color of the selected audio area is selected. The color list display of the audio area color specification dialog 101 displayed by selecting the menu for specifying
This indicates that “black” and “cyan” can be selected.

This is because the color that can sufficiently secure the print quality of the dot code differs depending on the attributes of the recording method and the recording mechanism of each printer (for example, the variation of the dot landing position of each ink of YMCK). Is caused by that.

As shown in FIG. 28, the color list information necessary for displaying the voice area color designation dialog 101 is the printer information 13 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13.
A, so that the application can read this information as needed.

As described above, depending on the selection result of the printer that records the dot code, the voice area color designation dialog 10
By changing the color selection display content (1) (the condition relating to the print recording color of the coded image) and informing the user of the change at the time of the layout operation, failure of the dot code layout operation can be prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, when a property dialog is displayed for a selected audio area laid out on the layout board 45, the audio area is displayed. The parameter information display required to generate the dot code can be changed depending on the selected output printer name.

That is, in FIG. 30A, when the user selects a new layout after starting the program, the printer information 13A recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is automatically fetched and the output printer is designated. In particular, FIG. 9 shows an output printer selection dialog 41 displayed upon requesting the user, and in particular, selects a desired printer “AAA-YYYY” from registered printer names displayed in a list in this dialog, and After confirmation,
FIG. 9 shows audio area generation parameters of a property dialog 102 displayed by selecting a property display menu of a selected audio area, which is laid out on a layout board 45 displayed on the layout display section 51. FIG.

Here, as the generation parameters of the audio area, for example, “minimum inter-dot distance of dot code”,
Items such as “error correction level”, “recording modulation type”, and “interleave range” are included.

On the other hand, FIG. 30B shows the output printer selection dialog 41 displayed upon requesting the user to specify the output printer, as in FIG. -NNNN "is selected, and an output printer is determined. An audio area laid out on the layout board 45 displayed on the layout display section 51 is selected, and properties of the selected audio area are selected. This shows that the value for the item of the audio area generation parameter in the property dialog 102 displayed by selecting the display menu is different from that in FIG.

This is attributable to the fact that the printing quality differs due to differences in attributes such as the mechanical accuracy and recording method of each printer.

The parameter information required to display the property dialog 102 is as shown in FIG.
It is included in the printer information 13A stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13, so that the application can read this information as needed.

As described above, according to the selection result of the printer that records the dot code, the dot code generation parameters (conditions regarding the parameters for generating the encoded image) are changed. It becomes possible to record an optimal dot code that is readable by the device and has a higher recording density. At the same time, the user can clearly recognize that the dot code size changes depending on the printer resolution or the like.

In the present invention, a printer connected to a computer network can be used as a printer for recording dot codes.

That is, FIG. 10B shows an output printer selection dialog box 104 provided with a switch 103 for performing a larger output printer classification than the output printer selection dialog box 41 of FIG. is there.

Here, the switch 103 determines whether the printer is a local printer (including a local network printer connected via a LAN or the like) or a printing machine (including a DPE laboratory machine or a business printer) owned by a printing company on the Internet. Switch.

By switching this switch, a list of printer names or printing machine names displayed thereunder is changed.

Therefore, in the configuration diagram of FIG.
The printer 31 connected to 5 does not need to be directly connected to a personal computer by a cable, and may be a printing machine owned by a printing company on the Internet.

In the case of using the Internet, it is necessary for a trader to send order information necessary for a printing agency together with a layout file.

At this time, the layout file includes audio area generation parameters (for example, “minimum dot code distance between dots”, “dot shape”, “error correction level”, This is a content that takes into account information such as “type of recording modulation” and “interleave range”), selectable colors of the audio area, and information on the audio area layout possible range.

The information for the printing machine on the Internet may be included in the printer information 13A recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 13 in which the content already recorded on the CD-ROM is copied, Information may be sequentially acquired (downloaded) from a printing company via the Internet and added to the printer information 13A, and an application can read this information as needed.

As described above, even when the user does not have a printer capable of recording dot codes, the dot codes can be recorded (printed or printed) using, for example, an output printer on the Internet. In this case, a layout failure at that time can be prevented.

FIG. 31A shows an example of printing and recording data for retrieving a photographic image, which is a readable image, as an encoded image.

That is, in this figure, as the encoded image, audio data linked to the photograph image is not printed and recorded, but the position where the image data of this photograph image is actually stored (path name (Web name)). Then the UR
L)) and various related information required for searching for image data of a photographic image stored in the computer, such as a date and time stored in the computer, a file name, a search application, etc., as an encoded image. In this case, the layout screen is shown.

The relevant information linked to each of the photographic images is stored on the layout sheet 45 displayed on the layout display section 51 when the image data of the photographic image is pasted into the image area 47 by the D & D operation. The information is automatically stored in a related information recording area 86 provided below the image area (photo image area) 47.

Thereafter, the relevant information is converted into an encoded image, and is printed and recorded by the printer together with the photographic image laid out on the layout board 45 in accordance with a user's print instruction.

Of course, if the user has not selected a printer capable of printing the encoded image, the encoded image of the related information is not printed and recorded, and the related information recording area 86 itself is also placed on the layout mount. Are not displayed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment which has been described with reference to print recording of audio data.

Further, the coded image can be laid out so as to be superimposed on characters and the like, as in the case of the above-described embodiment using audio data. In this case, the coded image and the characters and the like can be laid out. This is the same as the above-described embodiment in that the layout data needs to be separately printed and recorded.

FIG. 31 (B) shows an encoded image printed at the lower part of each photographic image printed and recorded as described above, and stores the image data of the photographic image stored in the computer. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which is searched for and displayed on a computer screen.

[0212] In the figure, an album 8 containing a plurality of photo images is shown.
7, an encoded image corresponding to the related information printed and recorded below the photographic image 89 is optically read by a dedicated reader 88, and the encoded image is decoded into the related information in the reader 88. It is configured to send to a computer.

The decoding process here is performed by the reader 88
It is not necessary that the decoding process be performed in the computer, and a part of the decoding process may be performed in the computer. In this case, intermediate data in the middle of the decoding process (for example, image data or data immediately before error correction) is sent from the reader 88 to the computer.

[0214] Then, a search application is activated in the computer based on each related information related to each of the above-mentioned photographic images, and a search process is performed. The image data of the searched photographic images is stored on the above-mentioned search application. Is displayed.

The search process will be described first.
Check whether there is a file based on the file storage location (path name or URL name) and file name,
If the corresponding file does not exist at that position, a dialog box for instructing which drive and which folder (or which Web site) to search based on the recording date and time and the file name is displayed.

When a file is found at another position designated by the user, a link information file for linking the position with the related information is stored at a predetermined position in the computer so that the search application can access the file. I do.

Here, if the search application is the same as that used for printing the photo image album 87, the image data of the search photo image is newly used, and the newly laid-out album is used. Needless to say, it can be created more easily.

As described above, data to be printed and recorded as an encoded image has been described using search data required for searching for a photographic image as an example. However, other data such as MIDI data or text data to be associated with the photographic image may be used. Of course, data that can be handled by a computer, or image data of a photographic image itself may be printed and recorded as an encoded image in association with the photographic image.

A recording medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. Of course, this can be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention. become. As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. are used. be able to.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It is a matter of course that the present invention includes a case in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing.

Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Here, the gist of the present invention is summarized as follows.

(1) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as voice. A possible encoded image, and an image recording method for printing and recording on the same print medium, wherein information on a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image readable by a reading device is stored in advance, When it is determined based on the pre-stored information that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image readable by the reading device, the printing recording of the encoded image is prohibited. An image recording method.

That is, when printing is performed using a printer that does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable coded image, the difference cannot be discerned by human eyes, but the reading device causes a reading error and generates a voice. Etc. cannot be reproduced. When such a situation occurs, the operator cannot determine whether the reading device is bad or the printed encoded image is bad, and the operator is confused.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, when the above-described printer is not used (step SA03), the output of the coded image is prohibited (step SA12), so that such a situation can be prevented. It becomes possible.

(2) The image recording method according to (1), wherein, when print recording of the encoded image is prohibited, the operator is further warned to that effect.

That is, if the operator attempts to print layout data including an encoded image on a printer that does not correspond to the layout data, a warning message is displayed (step SA10).
The operator can confirm immediately before printing that a printed material with a desired layout is not output, so that useless printing is not performed.

(3) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a graphic, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as voice. In printing a possible encoded image on the same print medium, an image configured to display a layout screen defining a print recording area of the readable image and the encoded image on the print medium, respectively. A recording method, wherein information on a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device is stored in advance, and based on the pre-stored information, a printer actually used is configured to encode the encoded image. When it is determined that the image does not correspond to a printer that can print and record an image readable by the reading device, An image recording method, wherein display of a print recording area for the encoded image is prohibited.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the printer cannot print and record an optically readable coded image (step S3), the coded image is already displayed on the layout screen (layout display section 51). By not displaying the print recording area (audio area 49) (step S5), it is possible to confirm in advance that printing cannot be performed, and unnecessary layout work can be omitted.

(4) The image recording method according to (1) or (3), wherein the information on the printer is printer identification information that enables the printer to be identified for each printer maker and its model.

That is, when confirming whether or not the printer owned by the operator is a printer capable of printing and recording an encoded image, the identification information is hierarchized as shown in FIG. , Searchability is improved.

(5) The image recording method according to (1) or (3), wherein information on the printer can be additionally stored.

That is, each time a new model of printer is released, the number of types of printers capable of printing and recording optically readable coded images increases, but the content of the entire program is updated each time. It is not efficient. Instead, as shown in FIG. 2, the structure is such that only the printer information is sequentially updated and the other parts are kept as they are, so that the information can be efficiently replaced with the latest information with few changes. Can minimize the cost burden on the elderly.

(6) The image recording method according to (1) or (3), wherein a printing resolution of a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so as to be readable by a reading device is not less than a predetermined value.

That is, since the printer has a printing resolution higher than a predetermined value necessary to form at least a minimum dot of a predetermined size constituting an encoded image, printing is performed without affecting the reading performance of the reading device. It is possible to read the encoded image that has been encoded.

(7) When it is determined based on the pre-stored information that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the coded image readable by a reading device, the layout screen The image recording method according to (3), wherein display of a print recording area for the readable image is also prohibited.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the display of the print recording area for the readable image as well as the print recording area for the encoded image is prohibited, so that the printer which can be read by the reading device is used. It is possible for the operator to clearly recognize that a printer that does not correspond to the above is used.

(8) The layout screen displays a print recording area for the readable image and a print recording area for the encoded image so that the operator can identify them. The image recording method according to (3).

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the print recording area is displayed on the layout screen so as to be distinguished from the readable image and the encoded image, so that the operator can perform the layout. The layout of the readable image and the encoded image can be easily performed by looking at the screen.

(9) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. An image recording apparatus for printing and recording a possible encoded image on the same print medium, and storage means for preliminarily storing information on a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reader. Based on the information stored in the storage means, when it is determined that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image readable by a reading device, the printing of the encoded image An image recording apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling recording to be prohibited.

That is, when printing is performed using a printer which does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable coded image, the difference cannot be discerned by human eyes, but the reading device causes a reading error and generates a voice. Etc. cannot be reproduced. When such a situation occurs, the operator cannot determine whether the reading device is bad or the printed encoded image is bad, and the operator is confused.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, when the above-mentioned printer is not used (step SA03), the output of the coded image is prohibited (step SA12) to prevent such a situation from occurring. It becomes possible.

(10) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. In printing a possible encoded image on the same print medium, an image configured to display a layout screen defining a print recording area of the readable image and the encoded image on the print medium, respectively. A recording device, wherein a storage unit that stores in advance information about a printer that can print and record the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device, and a printer that is actually used based on the information stored in the storage unit. When it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer that can print and record the encoded image so that the reader can read the encoded image, the layout A display control means for controlling display of the print recording area for the encoded image on the display screen to be prohibited.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the printer cannot print and record an optically readable encoded image (step S3), the encoded image is already displayed on the layout screen (layout display section 51). By not displaying the print recording area (audio area 49) (step S5), it is possible to confirm in advance that printing cannot be performed, and unnecessary layout work can be omitted.

(11) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. A process of storing in advance information on a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device when printing and recording the encoded image on the same print medium; and Based on the information, when it is determined that the printer actually used does not correspond to a printer that can print and record the encoded image readable by a reading device, processing to prohibit print recording of the encoded image, And a computer-readable recording medium storing a program including instructions for causing a computer to execute the program.

That is, when printing is performed using a printer that does not correspond to a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable coded image, the difference cannot be discerned by human eyes, but the reading device causes a reading error and generates a voice. Etc. cannot be reproduced. When such a situation occurs, the operator cannot determine whether the reading device is bad or the printed encoded image is bad, and the operator is confused.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, when the printer which does not correspond to the above is used (step SA03), the output of the coded image is prohibited (step SA12), thereby preventing such a situation from occurring. It becomes possible.

(12) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. Possible coded images and, on printing and recording on the same print medium, when displaying a layout screen that defines the respective print recording areas of the readable image and the coded image on the print medium, Based on a process of storing in advance information about a printer capable of printing and recording an encoded image readable by a reading device, based on this pre-stored information,
When it is determined that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by the reading device, display of a print recording area for the encoded image on the layout screen is prohibited. And a computer-readable recording medium storing a program including instructions for causing a computer to execute the process.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the printer cannot print and record an optically readable coded image (step S3), the coded image is already displayed on the layout screen (layout display section 51). By not displaying the print recording area (audio area 49) (step S5), it is possible to confirm in advance that printing cannot be performed, and unnecessary layout work can be omitted.

(13) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as voice. A possible coded image and an image recording method for printing and recording on the same print medium, wherein the coded image is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording readable by a reading device, such as the audio and the like. Predetermined preconditions for printing and recording data on a print medium as the encoded image are stored in advance, and after the user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image, the selected printer is An image recording method, wherein the predetermined precondition corresponding to the above is displayed to a user.

That is, even if an attempt is made to print and record the encoded image on a print medium by using a printer capable of printing and recording an encoded image that can be read optically, the attributes (for example, recording mechanism, Depending on differences in attributes such as recording methods, etc., preconditions (conditions regarding the layout arrangement of the encoded image, conditions regarding the print recording color of the encoded image, Alternatively, the conditions regarding the parameters for generating the encoded image differ.

According to this configuration, after the user selects a printer to print and record an encoded image, the prerequisites corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to inform the user. The user can prevent a failure at the time of printing and recording an encoded image which occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

(14) The image recording method according to (13), wherein the predetermined precondition includes a condition relating to a layout arrangement of the encoded image on the print medium.

That is, after the user selects a printer to print and record the encoded image, the user can be notified of the condition relating to the layout arrangement of the encoded image on the print medium corresponding to the selected printer. Thus, the user can prevent a failure related to the layout arrangement of the encoded image which occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

(15) The image recording method according to (13), wherein the predetermined precondition includes a condition relating to a print recording color of the encoded image on the print medium.

That is, after the user selects a printer to print and record the encoded image, the user can be notified of the condition relating to the print recording color of the encoded image on the print medium corresponding to the selected printer. With this configuration, the user can prevent a failure related to the print recording color of the encoded image that occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

(16) The image recording method according to (13), wherein the predetermined precondition includes a condition relating to a parameter for generating the encoded image.

That is, after a user selects a printer to print and record an encoded image, it is possible to display a condition for a parameter for generating an encoded image corresponding to the selected printer so as to notify the user. Accordingly, the user can prevent a failure related to the generation of an encoded image that occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

(17) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. A possible encoded image, an image recording apparatus for printing and recording on the same print medium, wherein the encoded image is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording readable by a reading device, such as the audio Storage means for storing in advance predetermined preconditions when printing and recording data on a print medium as the encoded image,
After the user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image, control means for controlling the user so that predetermined preconditions stored in the storage means corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to the user. An image recording apparatus comprising:

That is, even if an attempt is made to print and record an encoded image on a print medium by using a printer capable of printing and recording an encoded image that can be read optically, the attributes (for example, recording mechanism and Depending on differences in attributes such as recording methods, etc., preconditions (conditions regarding the layout arrangement of the encoded image, conditions regarding the print recording color of the encoded image, Alternatively, conditions regarding parameters for generating an encoded image) differ.

According to this configuration, after the user selects a printer to print and record an encoded image, the prerequisites corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to notify the user. The user can prevent a failure at the time of printing and recording an encoded image which occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

(18) A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. When a possible coded image is printed and recorded on the same print medium, the data such as the voice, etc., which is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording the coded image so as to be readable by a reading device, is stored in the coded image A process for storing in advance predetermined preconditions for printing and recording on a print medium, and after a user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image, the process corresponding to the selected printer is performed. A process that enables a user to display predetermined preconditions; and a computer-readable record that stores a program including an instruction to cause the computer to execute the process. Recording medium.

That is, even if an attempt is made to print and record an encoded image on a print medium using a printer capable of printing and recording an optically readable encoded image, the attributes (for example, recording mechanism, Depending on differences in attributes such as recording methods, etc., preconditions (conditions regarding the layout arrangement of the encoded image, conditions regarding the print recording color of the encoded image, Alternatively, the conditions regarding the parameters for generating the encoded image differ.

According to this configuration, after the user selects a printer to print and record an encoded image, the prerequisites corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to inform the user. The user can prevent a failure at the time of printing and recording an encoded image which occurs based on the attribute of each printer.

[0266]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
When an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio is printed and recorded on a print medium such as paper using a printer, the audio can be reliably reproduced and output by a reading device. It is possible to provide an image recording method and an image recording apparatus adapted to print and record as described above, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program including instructions for causing a computer to execute the operation of such an image recording apparatus. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main flowchart of an operation program for causing a personal computer to function as an image recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration when an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an output printer selection dialog box.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a layout mount template and a limited layout mount template, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a main screen.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining enlargement editing in a horizontal direction of an audio region, respectively, and FIGS. 6C and 7D are diagrams for explaining enlargement editing in a vertical direction; FIGS. (E) is a diagram for explaining simultaneous enlargement editing in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively.

7A is a diagram for explaining a display mode of a sound area according to a compression ratio, and FIG. 7B is a flowchart of a pasting object designation subroutine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining a dialog box for selecting a plurality of audio objects linked to one image object, and FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining a waveform display screen; .

FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining identification display of a sound area when a pasting operation is performed on one image area when a plurality of image areas and a sound area are present on the layout mount; FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining an operation of designating one voice region.

10A is a diagram for explaining a case where a pasting object is a moving image file, and FIG. 10B is a diagram for performing a larger output printer classification on an output printer selection dialog box shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an output printer selection dialog box provided with a switch.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a pasting object editing subroutine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a moving operation of a voice recording period bar.

13A is a diagram illustrating a display state of a sound area to which a sound object is pasted, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating expansion of the sound area in conjunction with an operation of expanding a sound recording period bar; It is.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a layout editing subroutine between pasted objects in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a sound area, a margin area, and a regulation area.

16A is a diagram for explaining a warning dialog box when a moving operation in which voice regions overlap with each other is performed, and FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating a state after the voice region is moved at that time; FIG. FIG.

17A is a diagram for explaining an operation of moving an audio area onto a readable image object area, and FIG. 17B is a view showing a display result when overlapping of the readable image object area and the audio area is not permitted; FIG.

18A is a view for explaining a warning dialog box displayed when the overlap between the readable image object area and the audio area is permitted, and FIGS. 18B and 18C are display results in that case, respectively. FIG.
(D) is a diagram for explaining a color selection dialog box.

FIGS. 19A to 19E show a case where overlapping of a readable image object area and an audio area is not permitted, and FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a wavelength distribution of reflection intensity in each color, which is used for explaining the case of performing the color change and the reason for performing the color change.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of an overlap processing subroutine between different types of objects in FIG. 14;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an output printer change subroutine in FIG. 1;

22A is a diagram for explaining a transition of display when changing the layout of the audio area without changing the recording time of the audio area, and FIG. 22B is a diagram for changing the layout of the audio area. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a transition of display when changing the recording time of the audio area without changing the recording time.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a print output processing subroutine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating twice printing.

FIG. 25A is a diagram for explaining an operation of attaching a 3-second audio object to an audio region having a recordable time of 6 seconds, and FIG. 25B shows a display state after the application. FIGS. 8C and 8D are diagrams for explaining the reduction operation.

26A is a diagram illustrating another display example of a sound area to which a sound object is pasted, and FIG. 26B is a view illustrating a display state when the user clicks the sound area of FIG. (C) is a diagram for explaining a progress display dialog box.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams showing a display state of a sound area layout possible range boundary line on a layout display unit when different output printers are selected and determined.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating printer information stored in an auxiliary storage unit.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams showing a display state of a color list display of an audio area color designation dialog on the layout display unit when different output printers are selected and determined.

FIGS. 30A and 30B are diagrams illustrating a display state of a sound area generation parameter of a property dialog on a layout display unit when different output printers are selected and determined.

FIG. 31A is a diagram for explaining an example of printing and recording data for searching for a readable photographic image as an encoded image, and FIG. 31B is a diagram for explaining the photographic image of each photographic image printed and recorded. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which an encoded image printed at the bottom is read, image data of the photographic image stored in the computer is searched, and the image data is displayed on a computer screen.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a physical format configuration of a dot code as an encoded image.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 dot code 10 personal computer (PC) 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 auxiliary storage unit 13A printer information 13B new printer information 14 data input unit 15 output unit 16 pointing device 21 digital camera 22 microphone 23 video camera 31 printer 32 speaker 33 monitor 41 output Printer selection dialog box 42 Mouse pointer 43, 54, 61, 70, 73, 76, 80
"K" button 44, 62, 71, 74 "Cancel" button 45 Layout mount template 46 Limited layout mount template 47, 47A, 47B Image area 48 Text area 49, 49A, 49B Audio area 50 Main screen 51 Layout display section 52 File display Part 53, 75 Dialog box 55 Waveform display screen 56 Audio waveform data 57 Audio recording period bar 58, 59, 82 Play button 60 Check column 63 Margin area 64 Restricted area 65, 66, 69, 72 Warning dialog box 67 Bright line spectrum 68 Color Selection dialog box 77 Print paper (print medium) 78 Encoded image 79 Confirmation dialog box 81 Guide point 83 Stop button 84 Record button 85 Progress display dialog box 86 Related information Recording region 87 photos pictorial album 88 reader 89 image 100 audio area layout range boundary 101 audio area color designation dialog 102 Properties Dialog 103 switch 104 outputs the printer selection dialog box

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Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a graphic, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as voice. An image recording method for printing and recording a coded image on the same print medium, wherein information on a printer capable of printing and recording the coded image readable by a reading device is stored in advance, When it is determined based on the information stored in advance that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image in a manner readable by a reading device, print recording of the encoded image is prohibited. An image recording method, comprising: 2. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein, when print recording of the encoded image is prohibited, an operator is further warned of the prohibition. 3. A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. When printing a coded image on the same print medium, the readable image and the coded image are displayed on a layout screen that defines a print recording area of the coded image on the print medium. A method, wherein information on a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device is stored in advance, and based on the pre-stored information, a printer actually used is used to determine whether the encoded image is When it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer that can print and record the data readable by the reading device, Image recording method characterized by prohibiting the display of the print recording area for Goka image. 4. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the information on the printer is printer identification information that enables the printer to be identified for each printer maker and its model. 5. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein information on the printer can be additionally stored. 6. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein a printing resolution of a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so as to be readable by a reading device is equal to or more than a predetermined value. 7. When it is determined based on the pre-stored information that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that it can be read by a reading device, 4. The image recording method according to claim 3, wherein display of a print recording area for the readable image is also prohibited. 8. The layout screen according to claim 1, wherein a print recording area for the readable image and a print recording area for the encoded image are displayed so that an operator can identify them. Item 4. The image recording method according to Item 3. 9. A visually readable image such as a character, a symbol, a figure, a picture, a photographic image, or a computer graphic image, and an optically readable image obtained by encoding data such as sound. A coded image, and an image recording apparatus for printing and recording on the same print medium, a storage means for storing in advance information about a printer capable of printing and recording the coded image readable by a reading device, Based on the information stored in the storage unit, when it is determined that the printer actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image in a readable manner by a reading device, print recording of the encoded image is performed. Control means for controlling so as to prohibit the image recording apparatus. 10. Characters, symbols, figures, patterns, photographic images,
Alternatively, a visually readable image such as a computer graphic image or the like and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio are printed and recorded on the same print medium. An image recording apparatus configured to display a layout screen that defines a print recording area of the readable image and the encoded image on the print medium, wherein the encoded image is readable by a reader. A storage unit that stores information about a printer that can print and record in advance; and a printer that can print and record the encoded image so that the coded image can be read by a reading device based on the information stored in the storage unit. When it is determined not to perform printing, a table of a print recording area for the encoded image on the layout screen is displayed. The image recording apparatus characterized by comprising a display control means for controlling so as to prohibit. 11. Characters, symbols, figures, patterns, photographic images,
Alternatively, a visually readable image such as a computer graphic image or the like and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio are printed and recorded on the same print medium. At this time, a process for storing in advance information relating to a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that the encoded image can be read by a reading device, and based on the information stored in advance, the printer actually used is When it is determined that the printer does not correspond to a printer that can print and record the data readable by the reading device, a process including prohibiting the print recording of the encoded image, and a program including an instruction for causing the computer to execute Recording medium. 12. Characters, symbols, figures, patterns, photographic images,
Alternatively, a visually readable image such as a computer graphic image or the like and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio are printed and recorded on the same print medium. In displaying a layout screen that defines respective print recording areas of the readable image and the encoded image on the print medium, information on a printer that can print and record the encoded image so that it can be read by a reading device is displayed. When it is determined that the printer to be actually used is not a printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image readable by a reading device based on the information stored in advance and the information stored in advance, Processing for prohibiting display of a print recording area for the encoded image on a layout screen; Recording medium storing a program, readable computer comprising instructions to be executed by the. 13. Characters, symbols, figures, patterns, photographic images,
Alternatively, a visually readable image such as a computer graphic image or the like and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio are printed and recorded on the same print medium. An image recording method for printing a data such as sound, which is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording the coded image readable by a reading device, as the coded image on a print medium. Is stored in advance, and after the user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image, the predetermined precondition corresponding to the selected printer can be displayed to the user. An image recording method, comprising: 14. The image recording method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined precondition includes a condition relating to a layout arrangement of the encoded image on the print medium. 15. The image recording method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined precondition includes a condition regarding a print recording color of the encoded image on the print medium. 16. The image recording method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined precondition includes a condition regarding a parameter for generating the encoded image. 17. Characters, symbols, figures, patterns, photographic images,
Alternatively, a visually readable image such as a computer graphic image or the like and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio are printed and recorded on the same print medium. An image recording apparatus for printing, on a print medium, the data, such as the voice, unique to each printer capable of printing and recording the coded image readable by a reading device as the coded image. Storage means for storing preconditions in advance, and after the user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image, the user stores the predetermined preconditions stored in the storage means corresponding to the selected printer. An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform control so that the image can be displayed. 18. Characters, symbols, figures, patterns, photographic images,
Alternatively, a visually readable image such as a computer graphic image or the like and an optically readable encoded image obtained by encoding data such as audio are printed and recorded on the same print medium. At this time, predetermined prerequisites for printing and recording data such as the voice on the print medium as the encoded image, which is unique to each printer capable of printing and recording the encoded image so that it can be read by a reading device, are stored in advance. And a process of allowing the user to display the predetermined preconditions corresponding to the selected printer after the user selects the printer to print and record the encoded image. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program including instructions to be executed by a computer.