JP2001325601A - System and device for editing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a device for editing image with which reworking can be easily performed at high speed while suppressing low the capacity for preserving digital image data. SOLUTION: Since this system is provided with first order information (SAVE1) for correspondently storing image data corresponding to candidate images G1, G3 and G6 and information required for editing, second order information (SAVE2) for correspondently storing image data corresponding to the image G1 adopted at the time of editing and the information required for editing, and third order information (SAVE2) for storing image data corresponding to an image GY after editing, each of order information can store image data corresponding to editing stages. Thus, even when re-editing is required, labor for newly picking up image data can be saved and image editing can be more easily performed at high speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image editing system and an image editing apparatus, and more particularly to an image editing system and an image editing apparatus suitable for, for example, printing an edited image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a service of printing an image and providing it to a customer, an image is synthesized and printed as a service with higher added value. One example is printing a picture taken by a family in the form of a New Year's card.

[0003] By the way, in such a service,
In addition to the traditional service in which customers bring silver halide negative film to the lab and request printing, various equipment such as a server computer (hereinafter referred to as an image server) with a scanner, printer, and large-capacity disk at a major collection and delivery lab A new service that converts photos taken by customers into digital image data, stores it in a large-capacity image server, reads from the image server as needed, and edits or prints images. Have been.

[0004]

Assuming that image data corresponding to a high-resolution image is stored in advance in a lab that provides such a service, a user can use a relatively low-resolution image. A print order can be made easily by performing processing and editing.On the other hand, in the lab, a new image is synthesized and output again according to the print order, so that it is easy to obtain high-quality images. is there. However, even though the resolution is low,
It is necessary to read out necessary image data every time processing and editing are performed, and there is a problem that it takes time and effort.

[0005] In particular, when performing image synthesis or the like, some subject images or template images are selected as candidate images to be synthesized. However, when the selected images are synthesized and printed, it is different. The subject image or the template image may have been better. In such a case, if an image that has been taken up as a candidate image but has not been selected has already been deleted, a new image must be searched for, which is troublesome.

Further, if the image data is erased after the image is printed based on the processed and edited image data, if the customer desires reprinting, the image data is newly processed and edited. There is a problem that must be performed. On the other hand, since the processed and edited image data has a relatively large data amount, storing all of the data requires a storage medium having a considerable storage capacity. However, despite having saved it,
It is known that there is a considerable number of image data that will never be used again, and it is very wasteful to prepare such a large-capacity storage medium to enable a small number of reprints. Many.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an image editing system and an image editing apparatus capable of performing rework easily and at high speed while keeping the capacity for storing digital image data low. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides an image editing system for accessing a storage unit storing one or more pieces of image data; Means for selecting an editing candidate image to be used for image editing from image data stored in the image processing system, the image processing system having an image editing function of performing image editing using the selected editing candidate image. When performing image editing, image information corresponding to the editing candidate image, first order information storing an editing method performed using the image data, and the editing candidate image used for editing. The third order information created by the second order information is created according to the image information, the second order information storing the editing method, and the medium to be stored.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image editing apparatus comprising: means for accessing storage means for storing at least one piece of image data; and image data stored in the storage means.
Means for selecting an editing candidate image used for image editing, and, in an image processing system having an image editing function of performing image editing using the selected editing candidate image, when performing image editing, Image information corresponding to an editing candidate image, first order information storing an editing method performed using the image data, image information used for editing among the editing candidate images, and an editing method are stored. The third order information created by the second order information is created according to the second order information and a medium to be stored.

[0010]

The image editing system and the image editing apparatus according to the present invention are used for image editing based on a means for accessing a storage means storing one or more pieces of image data, and image data stored in the storage means. Means for selecting an editing candidate image, and in an image processing system having an image editing function of performing image editing using the selected editing candidate image, when performing image editing, Corresponding image information, first order information for storing an editing method performed using the image data, image information used for editing among the editing candidate images, and second order information for storing an editing method. Since the third order information created by the second order information is created according to the information and the medium to be stored, the image information is converted to the respective order information according to the editing stage. Because you can store, even if the need for re-editing occurs, new image information eliminates the need to pick up more easily and effectively image editing can be performed. The “image editing” includes, but is not limited to, a process of synthesizing a subject image and a template image and a process of forming a panoramic image. The "editing method" includes information necessary for editing, and includes, for example, a customer's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address, but is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, if the order information is provided with a unique identification code for each edit, it is convenient because a file related to a specific image edit can be quickly searched and maintenance can be easily performed.

If the order information is provided with a unique identification code according to the person ordering the editing,
This is convenient because a file related to image editing according to a specific customer's order can be quickly searched and maintenance can be easily performed.

Further, the image information preferably includes coded image information.

It is preferable that the editing method includes information for changing the image information. The information for changing the image data includes, for example, information on adjusting the color and brightness of the image,
Information to delete a part or all of the background is referred to, but is not limited thereto.

Normally, during the editing operation, only the first order information is stored, so that even if the operation is interrupted, it is possible to easily select an image again. It is preferable that the second order information and the third order information are created and stored at the stage when the print instruction is given. Further, if the image information corresponding to the edited image is deleted from the third order information after the image is printed based on the image, and the first order information is deleted after the customer confirms, the large data There is no need to store a large amount of image data, and a storage medium such as a hard disk is preferable because a smaller capacity is sufficient. On the other hand, when reprinting is desired by the customer, the image can be easily edited based on the information stored in the second order information, so that quick printing can be performed to meet the customer's request. .

It is preferable that the storage locations of the first to third order information are different from each other.

Also, the second order information and the third order information
May be automatically created after receiving a signal indicating completion of the image editing work.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. As an embodiment of the image editing system and the image editing apparatus according to the present invention, an image processing terminal will be described below as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an image processing terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The image processing terminal 10 is a CD-R
/ Main body 11 including a CD-ROM drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, a PC card reader, etc., a liquid crystal display 12 capable of displaying images, and an input unit 13 such as a keyboard. ing. Note that the carrier 11 has an interface that enables communication with the print creation device 20 via the server 30 and the network NT. The interface may include a dial-up router for connecting to a WAN such as the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus, that is, a print making apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, a print creation device 20 as an example of an image forming device installed in a lab or the like is described as an example in which a print is created by exposing and developing a color photosensitive material, but is not limited thereto. Any device can be used as long as it can create a print based on information. For example, an ink-jet type or electrophotographic type print making device may be used. In the present invention, a method using a color photosensitive material is particularly preferable.

The print making apparatus 20 of this embodiment
Has a magazine loading section 203 on the left side surface of the main body 202. In the main body 202, there are provided an exposure processing unit 204 for exposing a color photosensitive material as a storage medium, and a print creating unit 205 for developing and drying the exposed color photosensitive material to create a print. The print is discharged to a tray 206 provided on the right side of the main body 202. Further, an exposure processing unit 204 is provided inside the main body 202.
The control unit 207 is provided at a position above.

A CRT 20 is provided on the upper part of the main body 202.
8 are arranged. The CRT 208 constitutes display means for displaying an image of image information to be printed on a screen. On the left side of the CRT 208, a film scanner unit 209 serving as an image reading unit for reading a transparent original is arranged, and on the right side, a reflective original input device 210 is arranged.

Documents read from the film scanner unit 209 and the reflection document input device 210 include photographic light-sensitive materials, such as color negative films, color reversal films, black-and-white negative films, black-and-white reversal films, and the like. Image data captured by the analog camera is stored. The data can be converted into digital information by the film scanner of the film scanner unit 209 and used as image data, that is, image information.
When the photographic material is a color paper, the data can be converted into image data by the flatbed scanner of the reflection document input device 210.

An image transfer section 214 is provided at the position of the control section 207 of the main body 202. Image transfer unit 2
In addition to the removable medium M (PC card) described above, the IC card 213 stores image data.
a and the floppy disk 213b can also be inserted, and the image data and the like of the inserted storage medium are read.

An operation section 211 is arranged in front of the CRT 208, and an information input section 212 is provided on the operation section 211. The information input section 212 is composed of, for example, a touch panel.

Further, the main body 202 is provided with a storage medium writing unit 215 for magnetically storing the image data in the storage medium when outputting image data from a removable medium M or the like having image data and creating a print. Writing means K for writing to media, optical storage media, etc. (FIG. 4)
Is provided.

Specific examples of storage media for storing image data include removable media such as Compact Flash (registered trademark), smart media, multimedia cards, memory sticks, MDs, and CD-ROMs. I can't.

The operation unit 211, the CRT 208, the film scanner unit 209, the reflection document input device 210, the image transfer unit 214, and the storage medium writing unit 215 are provided integrally with the main body 202 to form a device. However, any one or more may be provided separately.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print creating apparatus.

The control unit 207 of the print creation device 20
Based on the command information from the information input unit 212, original information is read from the film scanner unit 209 or the reflective original input device 210, and image information is obtained and displayed on the CRT 208.

The print creation device 20 has a data storage unit 271 and a template storage unit 272. In the data storage means 271, the removable medium M
, And print order information corresponding thereto (information on how many prints are to be created from which frame image, print size information, etc. will be described later in detail) and can be sequentially stored. . From the film scanner unit 209, a frame image from the developed negative film N obtained by developing a negative film captured by an analog camera is input.
From 0, the frame image from the print P, which is obtained by printing the frame image on color photographic paper and developing the same, is input.

The template storage means 272 stores in advance data of at least one template image for setting a background image and a composite area, and data relating to a number corresponding to the template image. A predetermined template image is specified from a plurality of template images stored in the template storage unit 272 in advance by an operator's operation or based on the template image number included in the print order information, and the image data is stored in the selected template image. The images are combined and a print is created based on the combined image data.

The control unit 207 includes an image processing unit 270
The image processing unit 270 performs image processing on the image information to form image information for exposure, and sends the image information to the exposure processing unit 204.
In the exposure processing unit 204, an image is exposed to the color photosensitive material, and the color photosensitive material is sent to the print creating unit 205, and the color photosensitive material exposed in the print creating unit 205 is developed and dried to create a print. I do.

The image transfer unit 2 of the print creation device 20
The reading unit 14 includes a reading unit 230 that reads and transfers image data and the like from the removable medium M and the like, and a communication unit 240 that can communicate with the print accepting device 10.
The reading unit 230 reads the stored image data from the removable medium M inserted into the image transfer unit 214, and controls the control unit 20 including a microcomputer.
7 can be transferred. On the other hand, the communication means 240
It can communicate with the image processing terminal 10 via the network NT or the like and can input image data and the like.

In the print creating apparatus 20, a normal print P1, a file print P2 and an index print P3 are created based on the image data stored in the removable medium M and the print order information stored in association with the image data. It can be carried out.

The normal print P1 is for creating one piece of image data as one print. In the normal print P1, for example, a predetermined synthesis area is set on a background image (template image) having a predetermined pattern, and one frame image is synthesized and stored in the synthesis area, and the normal frame decorated with a photo frame is stored. The print P1 of the print size can be created. By storing one piece of image data in one print P1 in this way, a favorite special print that can be put in, for example, a postcard, a calendar, a wallet, a regular period, or the like according to a customer's order is stored. Can be created.

The file print P2 is for creating a plurality of frame images as one large format file.
Also in the file print P2, for example, a combination area is set at, for example, three to ten places in a background image having a predetermined pattern, and one frame image is combined and stored in each of the three combination areas. You may. Further, in the file print P2, a cutout line may be stored in the background, and a favorite special print that can be easily and neatly cut and put in a wallet, a regular period, or the like with the cutout line can be stored. Can be created. Image synthesis can be performed by the image processing terminal 10 as described later.

The index print P3 is for creating all the images as one print based on image data of a predetermined size so as to be convenient for ordering a print again.

In order to print an image of a developed negative film or a developed reversal film in the print producing apparatus, these are printed by a film scanner unit 20.
After being scanned by a film scanner 9 and converted into digital image data, a print can be similarly created via the control unit 207. Note that the formed digital image data includes full-size image data,
Thumbnail image data with smaller data capacity
The data is stored in a library formed for each customer in the server 30 as a storage medium. It is also assumed that the server 30 stores a plurality of types of full-size image data of image data corresponding to a template image which is a border image such as a New Year's card or a business card, and thumbnail image data having a smaller data capacity.

Next, the operation of the image processing terminal according to this embodiment will be described. The image processing terminal according to the present embodiment may be via a local area network or a wide area network as long as it can refer to a library formed for each customer in the server described above. In other words, it may be inside a LAN where a server or an image output device is installed, or may be externally connected via a dial-up form using a telephone line or ISDN line, or via an Internet connection including CA-TV.

For example, a customer who wants to print a New Year's card can use the image processing terminal 10 installed in a lab or the like to
A unique ID number registered in advance for each customer can be input, whereby a unique order number is automatically generated for the customer and the order.

Subsequently, the customer sends the network NT from the CPU 16 of the image processing terminal 10 as an access means.
By using the keyboard 13 and a mouse (not shown) as means for accessing the server 30 via the
An appropriate subject image and a template image can be selected as candidate images. As for the subject image, a target image may be searched from the image data stored in the server 30 based on its title name, shooting date and time, and the like. Of the image data selected as candidate images, thumbnail image data is read from the server 30 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 of the image processing terminal 10 (see FIG. 4). When a customer designates one of the displayed subject images with a mouse or a keyboard, the subject image is selected as an adopted image. Instead of reading the subject image from the server 30, the customer can cause the CPU 16 of the image processing terminal 10 as an access unit to read the image data stored in the removable medium C brought.

Here, the customer, in the displayed image,
If color and brightness are not desired, chromaticity and brightness correction
The processing can be performed by the image processing terminal 10. In such a case, the corrected image is newly displayed on the display screen 11. After confirming the correction, the customer clicks the “NEXT” button (see FIG. 4).
By pressing, editing information (editing method) on how much correction is performed on the original subject image is created.

On the other hand, for the template image, for example, by inputting “New Year card” from the image processing terminal 10, the thumbnail image data of the template image relating to the New Year card is transferred from the server 30 to the image processing terminal 10 (or the image processing terminal 10). ) And is displayed on the display 12. When the customer designates one of the displayed template images with a mouse or the like, the image is selected and the color of the frame is changed. The customer says "NEX
By pressing the "T" button (see FIG. 4), the adopted image GY is determined. In such a case, the data corresponding to the adopted image GY is not image data but a predetermined template number. If necessary, the image data of the illustration image stored in the server 30 may be read.

Further, the customer, as information about himself,
The name, address, age, telephone number, e-mail address, and the like of the customer can be input from the keyboard 13 of the image processing terminal 10.

In this manner, the images G1 and GY adopted for the subject image and the template image are determined, and when information necessary for editing, such as editing information and information on the customer, is input, the customer operates the image processing terminal 10. Based on these, images are synthesized as an editing operation. The synthesized image (edited image) GX is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12. After checking the synthesized image GX, the operator
By pressing the “NEXT” button (see FIG. 5),
Image data corresponding to the synthesized image GX is transmitted to the server 30 via the network NT, and printing is performed by the print creation device 20.

By the way, when the image is created in this way, it is preferable to save the backup data at various timings, since the rework can be easily performed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the timing of saving data.

In FIG. 6, the customer selects the subject images G1, G3, and G6 from the library of the server 30 as candidate images, inputs the template number 1 by adopting the template image GY, and further edits the template image during editing. Character data to be combined with an image may be coded and stored, and when such coded information I1 and editing information I2 are input, these are converted to the image processing terminal 30.
Is stored in the memory. Here, when the customer wants to save the work or when a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed since the work was interrupted, the image processing terminal 10 stores the images G1, G3, G6 and the template number. 1 and
The information I1 and I2 are created on the hard disk of the image processing terminal in a folder having a unique name using customer information, an order number, a date, and the like, and the first order information (SAV) is stored therein.
Save as E1).

The image data stored here is such as a template or the like that is supplied from the laboratory as a standard code number and a thumbnail image indicating the data, and an image prepared by the customer is stored as high-resolution data. Is done.

Further, when the customer finishes the editing work and prepares a print, when the corresponding instruction button is pressed, first, the first
Is stored in the hard disk, and only the data used for editing is recorded as second order information (SAVE2) in a unique folder different from SAVE1. Subsequently, an image in a recording format that can be directly output by the printer or a format that can be easily handled by the printer, for example, Windows (Micros
The data GX, which is converted to the bitmap format of OS of OS oft Inc., and converted to the third format in a form easily recognizable from the printer.
As order information (SAVE3). This S
The AVE3 can be easily printed out by creating all of the plurality of orders in the same folder that can be monitored for output from the printer.

Here, as a result of the customer confirming the composite image GX on the display screen or by actually printing the image, the user may think that a different subject image is good. Also in such a case, since the images G3 and G6 selected and not adopted as the candidate images are stored in the first order information, by calling one of the images,
New editing can be easily performed without searching the library of the server 30.

Finally, if the customer performs a confirmation operation, the image data relating to the composite image GX is transferred from the image processing terminal 10 to the server 30, and the composite image GX is printed by the print creation device 20. . Here, at the stage where the customer's confirmation operation also serving as a print instruction is performed by the customer (or when a notification that the printing is completed is received from the print creating apparatus 20), the image processing terminal 10
Deletes the image data corresponding to the composite image GX. This is because the image data relating to the composite image GX has a relatively large data amount, and if the composite image GX must be stored, a large-capacity storage location is required. on the other hand,
When the customer desires to reorder the composite image GX, the composite image GX can be easily formed from the data stored in the second order information, and there is no particular problem in reprinting.

Incidentally, regarding the first order information, in order to cope with a situation in which after printing the customer wants to redo the image because a different image is better, the stage in which the print is delivered to the customer, one week, or If it is a photo postcard for a coin, it is preferable to delete it at the end of the year. In addition, if there is a problem with the capacity, a problem such as incapability of saving occurs, so it is preferable to delete the data as early as possible.

It is considered that the second order information may be deleted at the same timing as the first order information in a post card or the like. However, in the case of a business card or the like, the second order information needs to be stored for a long time. . However, since the editing information can store target images, template images, illustrations, characters, layout information, image processing information, and the like as text information (binary conversion is also possible), the second order information is the third order information. Since the data amount is relatively smaller than the information, it can be said that there is little possibility that the disk capacity will be insufficient even after long-term storage.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the customer operates the image processing terminal 10 in the lab has been described, but the lab operator may perform this operation. Further, if a general-purpose personal computer owned by a customer instead of the image processing terminal 10 is connected to the server 30 via a network such as the Internet, similar editing work can be performed using the personal computer. Further, the first to third order information may be formed in the server 30 or may be formed in the WWW server. In this case, the server 30 or WWW
The server constitutes storage means.

[0056]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image editing system and an image editing apparatus which can perform rework easily and at high speed while keeping the capacity for storing digital image data low.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an image processing terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print creating apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print creation apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when an image is edited on a liquid crystal display 12 as a display screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another display mode of the liquid crystal display 12.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing data storage timing.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image editing system of the present invention configured using a network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing terminal 11 Main body 12 Liquid crystal display 20 Image forming device (print creation device) C Removable media M Removable media NT Network

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B050 AA09 BA06 BA10 BA15 CA07 CA08 EA14 EA19 GA08 5C053 FA14 FA15 FA23 FA27 KA04 KA05 KA08 KA24 5C076 AA14 AA26 AA40 BA03 BA04 BA06

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A means for accessing storage means storing one or more pieces of image data, and means for selecting an editing candidate image to be used for image editing from the image data stored in the storage means. In an image processing system having an image editing function of performing image editing using the selected editing candidate image, when performing image editing, image information corresponding to the editing candidate image and the image data First order information for storing an editing method performed using the image information, image information used for editing among the editing candidate images,
An image editing system comprising: second order information for storing an editing method; and third order information created based on the second order information in accordance with a medium to be stored. 2. The image editing system according to claim 1, wherein the order information is provided with a unique identification code for each edit. 3. The image editing system according to claim 1, wherein a unique identification code is attached to the order information according to a person who orders the editing. 4. The image editing system according to claim 1, wherein said image information includes coded image information. 5. The image editing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing method includes information for changing the edit candidate image. 6. The image information corresponding to the edited image,
The image editing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image is deleted from the third order information after the image is printed based on the image. 7. The image editing system according to claim 1, wherein storage locations of the first to third order information are different from each other. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second order information and the third order information are automatically created after receiving a signal indicating completion of an image editing operation. An image editing system according to Crab. 9. A means for accessing storage means storing one or more pieces of image data, and means for selecting an editing candidate image to be used for image editing from the image data stored in the storage means. In an image processing system having an image editing function of performing image editing using the selected editing candidate image, when performing image editing, image information corresponding to the editing candidate image and the image data First order information for storing an editing method performed using the image information, image information used for editing among the editing candidate images,
An image editing apparatus, wherein second order information for storing an editing method and third order information created based on the second order information are created in accordance with a medium to be stored. 10. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the order information is provided with a unique identification code for each edit. 11. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a unique identification code is added to the order information according to a person who orders editing. 12. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said image information includes coded image information. 13. The editing method according to claim 9, wherein the editing method includes information for changing the editing candidate image.
An image editing device according to any one of the above. 14. The image information corresponding to the edited image is the third information after the image is printed based on the image information.
14. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image editing apparatus deletes the order information from the order information. 15. The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein storage locations of the first to third order information are different from each other. 16. The second order information and the third order information
10. The order information is automatically created after receiving a signal indicating completion of the image editing work.
16. The image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 15.