JP2001268338A - Method and device for synthesizing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently generate a template image. SOLUTION: A template image is decomposed into partial images. Shape information A1-A4..., pattern information B1, B2,..., color information C1-C4..., and size information D1-D3... and the like are selected for the partial images, and they are combined so that the template image can be generated. Thus, it is not necessary to store the data of the template image itself, and it is possible to suppress the storage capacity. The template image is generated by combining each information so that the various kinds of template images can be obtained according to the combination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for synthesizing an image, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for synthesizing a photographic image and a template image recorded on a photographic film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital printing system has been put to practical use in which image information captured on a photographic film is photoelectrically read, converted into digital data, subjected to various image processings, and then digitally exposed to a photosensitive material. I have. FIG.
1 shows a schematic configuration of this digital printing system. This printing system 2 has a line CCD.
It includes a scanner 3, an image processing device 4, a laser printer 5, and a processor 6. And line C
The CD scanner 3 and the image processing device 4 are integrated as an input device 7, and the laser printer 5 and the processor 6 are integrated as an output device 8.

In the digital print system 2, first,
An original image such as a photographic film is read by the scanner 3. The read image data is converted into digital data,
In the image processing device 4, image processing conditions (exposure conditions) are determined from the image data, and various image processes are performed. In the laser printer 5, the photosensitive material is scanned and exposed according to the image data after the image processing, and a latent image is recorded. The processor 6 performs a developing process according to the photosensitive material. As a result, a finished print in which the image photographed on the photo film is reproduced is obtained.

According to such a digital print system 2, the exposure time is short, and rapid exposure is possible. Further, the image information of the finished print can be stored in various recording media, and operations such as additional printing can be easily performed without re-reading the film. Moreover, editing such as image synthesis and image division, and image processing such as color and density adjustment can be performed freely.

[0005] For example, in the printing of a postcard or a calendar having a photographic image, a print with enhanced decorativeness can be obtained by synthesizing the photographic image and the template image.

[0006]

In such image composition, various types of template images are stored, and selected and used, so that various needs of consumers can be met. Therefore, it is necessary to store various template images, and there is a problem that a large-capacity template image storage means is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has an image synthesizing method and apparatus capable of suppressing the capacity of a template image storage means and using a wide variety of template images. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image synthesizing method for synthesizing a photographic image and a template image.
The template image is composed of a plurality of partial images, and each of the partial images shows a plurality of pieces of contour information representing contours of the partial images, a plurality of pieces of decoration information for decorating the partial images, and a layout of each piece of contour information. It is created based on the combination information. It is preferable that the decoration information is constituted by pattern information or color information or pattern information and color information. In addition, the combination information is stored in advance,
Alternatively, it is preferable to input the combination information.
Further, a reference image for creating the template image, the outline information, and decoration information are displayed, and each part in the reference image is designated, and outline information of each designated part is designated.
It is preferable to select decoration information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, for a partial image obtained by dividing a template image into a plurality of pieces, a plurality of pieces of outline information representing the outline of the partial image and a plurality of decorations for decorating the partial image are provided. A partial image information storage unit that stores information and a template image creating unit that creates the template image based on combination information of partial images created by combining the outline information and the decoration information. A display image for displaying the reference image for creating the template image, the outline information, and the decoration information, and selecting the outline information and the decoration information of each specified part by designating each part in the reference image. It is preferred to have a means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a synthesized image synthesized by an image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention. The composite image 10 is obtained by synthesizing the photographic image 11 and the template image 12. This composite image is sent to a digital printer and printed on recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention. The image synthesizing device 15 includes a synthesized data memory 16 and a photographic image memory 17. Various data for creating the template image 12 is written in the composite data memory 16. This image synthesizing apparatus is shown in FIG.
0 is incorporated in the image processing apparatus 4 of the digital print system 2. The photographic image memory 17 stores photographic image data input from the line CCD scanner 3 (see FIG. 10).

FIG. 3 shows an example of various information stored in the composite data memory 16. (A) shows shape information, and the shape information includes peripheral edge shape information A1, A
4, peripheral edge shape information A2, A3, and the like. (B) shows pattern information, such as B1, B2,...
(C) shows color information, C1 (red), C2
(Green), C3 (blue), C4 (pink),... (D) indicates size information, and includes size information D1, D2, D3,... Of various magnifications. (E) shows combination information, and E1, E2, E3,.
·and so on.

In the synthetic data processing section 20, the keyboard 2
The template image 12 is created by combining various types of information selected by the input unit 23 including the mouse 1 and the mouse 22 and displayed on the display 24.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a template image in the composite data processing section 20.
First, a reference template image SPF as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the screen 24a of the display 24. The reference template image SPF is a frame image surrounding the photo image,
It is configured by combining the peripheral edge portion image PF1 and the peripheral edge portion images PF2 and PF3.

The mouse pointer 27 is positioned in the area of each of the partial images PF1, PF2, and PF3 on the reference template image SPF and clicked to select and input various information of the partial image corresponding to this area. Appears. FIG. 6 shows an example of a pop-up selection input screen 28, which is displayed when the mouse pointer 26 is positioned in the area of the partial image PF1. The selection input screen 28 includes a main title portion 28a indicating the processing content and a subtitle portion 28b.
And a display selection area 28c. A list of shape information is displayed in the display selection area 28c, and desired shape information is selected from the list. When selected, the corresponding area of the reference template image SPF shown in FIG.
The outline is rewritten with the outline of the selected shape information and is displayed again on the display 24a.

In this embodiment, for example, the shape information A1 is used as the same peripheral corner image at the four corners of the composite image.
When the shape information A1 is selected, the shape information A1 is arranged at a rotation angle suitable for each corner. That is, the contour of the shape information A1 is displayed as it is without rotating the upper left corner. In addition, the shape information A1 rotated clockwise by 90 degrees is displayed in the upper right corner. The shape information A1 rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees is displayed in the lower left corner. In the lower right corner, the shape information A1 rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise is displayed. Similarly, shape information A1, A2, etc. are selected for the areas of the other partial images PF2, PF3. Instead of automatically rotating and combining the shape information A1 in accordance with the symmetrical area in accordance with the position, shape information or the like may be selected for each area.

Next, on the pattern information selection input screen, a list of various pattern information is displayed, and desired pattern information is selected from the list. The pattern information also includes texture information indicating the texture. Similarly, a color information selection input screen, size information selection input screen, and size information selection input screen appear, and the corresponding information is selected on these input screens. These selection input screens are also basically the same as those shown in FIG. 6, and are not shown. Also on these selection input screens, the corresponding partial image of the reference template image SPF is replaced with the newly selected information and displayed on the display. Therefore, the operator can create a unique template image combining various types of information by a selection operation using a mouse.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of template images created in this manner. In the template image 12 of FIG. 7, A1, A2, and A3 are selected as shape information, and Is B1 to A1, A2
B2 is selected for A3, and color information A1, A
2, C3 (blue) is selected for all of A3. Also, D2 is selected as size information, and is reduced by a factor of 0.5. Thus, the combination information E1 indicating the combination of various information is created.

The combination information E1 is PF1: A1, B
1, C3, D2, PF2: A2, B2, C3, D2, P
F3: Stored as A3, B2, D2. The format of the combination information E1 is not limited to the above, and may be appropriately changed.

In the template image 40 of FIG. 8, A4, A2, and A3 are selected as shape information, B1 is selected as pattern information, and C3 (blue) is applied to all of A1, A2, and A3 as color information. ) Is selected and configured. Note that D2 is selected as the size information, and 0.5
Reduced by a factor of two. Thus, the combination information E2 indicating the combination of various information is created. E2 is P
F1: A4, B1, C1, D2, PF2: A2, B1,
C1, D2, PF3: Stored as A3, B1, C1, D2.

As described above, instead of individually selecting various information of each partial image and creating a template image, as shown in FIG. 9, representative combinations E1, E2,. A list of the thumbnail images of the template images may be displayed, and the operator may select the list. In this case, the corresponding combination information E1, E2,... Is read out based on the selected thumbnail image, and a template image is automatically created based on the combination information E1, E2,.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photographic image processing section 25 performs known image processing on the photographic image selected by the input section 23 to process the photographic image. As the image processing, image data selection processing to select the whole or part of the original image, size change processing to change the size of the selected range, rotation processing to rotate the image, blur processing to blur part or all of the image, Sharpening, brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment to sharpen part or all of the image,
There are gamma value adjustment processing and the like. These processes are performed by displaying an image to be processed and a toolbar on a screen and operating the buttons of the corresponding toolbar with a mouse or the like, similarly to known photo retouching software. In addition,
By default, the size change process automatically changes the size of the selected template image to the size of the inner frame. However, in addition to this, the operation is switched to manual operation and the operator operates the same as other processes. You may change the size. The image processing may include a sepia process for finishing in a sepia tone, a pop process for increasing the saturation, and the like.

In the image synthesizing section 26, as shown in FIG.
The photographic image 11 and the template image 12 are combined. The obtained composite image 10 is displayed on the display 24.
The operator operates the composite image 1 displayed on the display 24.
0 is confirmed, and if this is all right, the determined image in the display screen of the display 24 is operated to determine the composite image 10. The composite image data is sent to the laser printer 5 and printed. In addition, if the user wants to check the composite image 10 and make a correction, the user operates the reset button to return to the first process or an arbitrary process and perform the reset.

In the present embodiment, without storing the template image 12 as image data as it is, these are decomposed into partial images PF1, PF2, PF3,. ·Also,
Patterns and colors are stored as decomposed decoration information.
Therefore, in addition to requiring a small storage capacity, a variety of template images can be obtained because template images are created from these combinations.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of a frame image has been described as the template images 12 and 40. However, the template image may be any image that can be synthesized with a photographic image, such as a background image, a foreground image, and a character. It may be an image or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the standard type template image SPF is displayed and each of the partial images PF1 to PF1 is displayed.
Although various types of information are selected for each PF3, a template image may be created without displaying a standard type template image. In this case, a pop-up image or a toolbar for inputting various information is displayed, and these are operated to individually select various information to create a template image. For example, the shape information is dragged to the synthesis screen area using a mouse and dropped at a predetermined position, thereby inputting the designation of the shape information and its position.

In the above embodiment, the partial images PF1 to PF
Although the template image is divided into three, the division method and the number of divisions may be appropriately changed. Alternatively, a template image may be created based on one piece of outline information without being divided into partial images. In this case, a plurality of outline information of the entire template image is prepared, and pattern information, color information, size information, and the like are selected for one selected outline information. Also in this case, it is not necessary to individually store the template images themselves, and it is possible to provide various template images without increasing the storage capacity.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital print system. However, the present invention may be applied to other systems as long as it is an apparatus for synthesizing images using a template image.

[0029]

According to the present invention, a template image is composed of a plurality of partial images, and each of the partial images is provided with a plurality of pieces of outline information representing the outlines of the partial images and a plurality of decorations for decorating the partial images. Since the template image is created based on the information and the combination information indicating the layout of each contour information, it is not necessary to store the template image as it is. Therefore, the capacity of the storage unit for the template image can be reduced. In addition, since a template image is created by combining the pieces of information, a wide variety of template images can be obtained.

Further, a reference image for creating a template image and the outline information and decoration information are displayed, each part in the reference image is designated, and the outline information and decoration information of each designated part are selected. By doing so, a template image can be easily created.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a photographic image synthesized by an image synthesis device of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a template image and a composite image.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an image composition device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing various types of information of a partial image.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a template image.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a reference template image.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selection input screen for inputting shape information of a partial image.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a template image.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of another template image.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to another embodiment for displaying a list of thumbnail images and selecting a template image.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a digital print system using an image synthesizing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Synthetic image 11 Photo image 12, 40 Template image 15 Image synthesizing device A1, A4 Peripheral corner shape information A2, A3 Peripheral edge shape information B1, B2 Pattern information C1-C4 Color information D1-D3 Size information E1-E3 Combination Information 24 Display SPF Reference template image PF1 Perimeter image PF2, PF3 Perimeter image 28 Selection input screen

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/76 G09G 5/36 520M 5C076 5/91 H04N 5/91 H 5C082 F term (Reference) 5B050 AA09 BA06 BA12 BA15 BA18 CA07 EA19 FA02 FA03 FA09 FA13 GA08 5B057 AA20 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC03 CE08 CF00 5C023 AA02 AA03 AA11 AA38 AA40 CA01 CA05 DA04 5C052 AA12 DD04 FA03 FA04 FB01 FC03 A03 A03 A03 A03 A03 A03 A03 CA02 5C082 AA01 AA13 AA17 AA22 AA32 BA12 BA34 BA35 BB15 BB42 BB44 CA56 CB05 DA42 DA51 MM09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image synthesizing method for synthesizing a photo image and a template image, wherein the template image is composed of a plurality of partial images, and each of the partial images is provided with a plurality of pieces of outline information representing the outline of the partial images. An image synthesizing method based on a plurality of pieces of decoration information for decorating a partial image and combination information indicating a layout of each outline information. 2. The image synthesizing method according to claim 1, wherein said decoration information comprises pattern information or color information. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the combination information is stored in advance, or the combination information is input. 4. A reference image for creating the template image, the outline information, and the decoration information are displayed, and each part in the reference image is specified, and the outline information and the decoration information of each specified part are displayed. 4. The image synthesizing method according to claim 1, wherein the method is selected. 5. An image synthesizing apparatus for synthesizing a photographic image and a template image, comprising: a plurality of pieces of contour information representing the outline of the partial image obtained by dividing the template image into a plurality of pieces; Partial image information storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of decoration information for decorating an image; template image creation means for creating the template image based on combination information of partial images created by combining the outline information and the decoration information; An image synthesizing apparatus comprising: 6. A reference image for creating the template image, the outline information, and decoration information are displayed, and by specifying each part in the reference image, outline information and decoration information of each specified part are selected. 6. The image synthesizing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a display selection unit that performs the operation.