JP2001333269A - Method and device for confirming image composition - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm the state of compositing plural images. SOLUTION: Plural templates to be used for image composition are prepared corresponding to the kinds of certificate photograph. Icons 56a, 56b... corresponding to the respective templates are displayed on a monitor 11. Each of icons 56a, 56b... is composed of a graphic 57 typically expressing the template and character information 58 such as purpose of the certificate graphic or size of a frame. By designating the displayed icons 56a, 56b..., the template is selected. A template 61 for confirmation corresponding to the selected template is displayed. On the template 61 for confirmation, a frame to first fit an image is inverted and displayed as a fitting scheduled frame. When images to be composited are designated, thumbnail images reducing there images are fitted to the fitting scheduled frame inside the template 61 for confirmation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for confirming an image composition state using a template.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Using an image forming system including an input device such as a scanner or an electronic still camera, a personal computer, and a digital printer, a plurality of images captured from the input device are synthesized using a template, and the digital printer is used. It is known to print a composite image on recording paper. As a digital printer, a silver halide photographic type, a thermal recording type, an ink jet type, or the like is used.

[0003] The size and number of ID photos are determined depending on the application, such as a license, a passport, or a national test. Therefore, it is possible to prepare several types of templates according to these uses, and select a desired template to create an identification photograph in which a plurality of images required on one recording sheet are recorded. it can. In the image synthesis using this template, only a plurality of one type of image is recorded, and it is not possible to record a plurality of types of images.

An image forming apparatus is known in which a user can arbitrarily designate the number of types of images to be recorded on one recording sheet and the number (the number of repeats) (Japanese Patent No. No. 2,746,709). This image forming apparatus includes a unit for designating the number of types of images to be copied and a unit for designating the number of copies (the number of repeats) for each designated image. The size of the image to be copied is determined by designating the magnification. These designations are made by inputting an arbitrary number using the numeric keypad.

[0005]

However, when the number of types of images, the number of times of copying, and the magnification are designated by using the numeric keypad, it is necessary for the user to image the paper size, the image size, the layout of the image, and the like. However, it is difficult to obtain a print as expected by the user, and there is a problem that occurrence of a misprint cannot be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image synthesizing confirmation method and apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of a printing error by confirming an image synthesizing state.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for confirming the image composition, in which the layout and the number of images to be composed can be confirmed before the image composition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for confirming the image composition that can simplify the selection and the creation of the ID photograph according to the purpose of use.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image synthesizing confirmation method, comprising the steps of: (A) displaying a plurality of icons respectively corresponding to a plurality of templates having different image synthesizing modes; Displaying on the means;
(B) specifying one template by selecting one icon from a plurality of icons;
(C) displaying on the display means a confirmation template having a plurality of frames laid out in the same manner as the template in order to confirm the state of image composition by the designated template; and (D) in the confirmation template And (E) displaying at least one frame of the at least one image displayed on the display means, wherein at least one frame determined according to the type of the designated template is identified as the frame to be fitted. From among them, a step of specifying an image to be inserted and combined with the specified template; (F) a step of inserting the specified image into a frame to be inserted of the confirmation template; and (G) the steps (D) to (F). ) Is repeated, so that the image is inserted into the frame of the confirmation template, It is characterized in that which enables sure synthesis conditions when fitting synthesized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the difference in the form of image synthesis is caused by the difference in the number of frames to be printed on one recording sheet and the number of frames into which the same image is fitted. It is assumed that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image synthesizing confirmation method, wherein the form of the image synthesizing further depends on the size of the recording paper and the size of each frame.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image synthesizing confirmation device, wherein a display means for confirming a state of image synthesizing, and a plurality of icons respectively corresponding to a plurality of templates having different image synthesizing modes are displayed on the display means. Means for selecting one icon from among a plurality of icons, and a plurality of frames laid out in the same manner as the template in order to check the state of image composition by the template specified via the icon. Means for displaying on the display means a confirmation template having at least one frame in the confirmation template, which is determined according to the type of the designated template can be identified as a frame to be fitted Means for displaying on the display means and at least one image displayed on the display means. Means for specifying the image to be inserted, and means for inserting the specified image into the frame to be inserted in the confirmation template and displaying the next frame to be inserted on the display means so as to be identifiable. In this case, it is possible to confirm the combination state when the image is inserted and combined by using the image.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming system 10 shown in FIG.
Is a personal computer 12 with a monitor 11 and a card reader 1
3. An image input device such as a reflection document scanner 14 and a film scanner 16, and a printer 18 which, as an image output device, synthesizes images taken from the respective image input devices using a template function and then records the images on recording paper. It is composed of The card reader 13, the reflection original scanner 14, and the film scanner 16 are cascaded to the personal computer 12 using a SCSI interface. The card reader 13 reads out image data from the loaded smart media. For example, image data captured by an electronic still camera is written in the smart media.

As the printer 18, for example, a silver halide type printer is used. After exposing the photosensitive material with three laser beams, the image receiving material is overlaid on the photosensitive material, and heat is applied thereto to apply a positive image to the image receiving material. Transcribe Finally, a photographic print is obtained by peeling off the image receiving material as the recording paper.

The personal computer 12 has a CPU 21 and a ROM 2
2, RAM 23, hard disk drive (HDD) 2
4, an image correction unit 26, an image synthesis unit 27, and an image data conversion unit 28. The personal computer 12 has a keyboard 3
1, a mouse 32 is connected, and various instructions are given to the personal computer 12 by these. In addition, PC1
2, a file reading device 33 such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive is incorporated, whereby image data is taken in from a recording medium such as a floppy disk on which image data is recorded. Further, the personal computer 12 is connected to a network 33 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and inputs image data via a communication line.

The image correction section 26 performs correction processing such as density correction and color correction on image data taken into the personal computer 12 from each image input device. The image combining unit 27
In order to record the plurality of corrected images on one recording sheet, magnification conversion and synthesis processing of each image are performed.

The image data converter 28 converts the image data taken into the personal computer 12 from each image input device.
Γ conversion considering the spectral characteristics of electronic still cameras, YM
A color conversion process (masking process) to C is performed. The converted image data is written to the RAM 23.

A pre-scan for setting scan conditions and the like and a main scan for printing are executed. In the pre-scan for coarse reading, the image data converter 28 performs γ conversion. However, in the main scan for fine reading, the parameters corrected based on the pre-scanned image are transferred to the image data conversion unit in the film scanner 16. Since processing such as γ conversion is performed on the film scanner 16 side based on these parameters, the image data during the main scan is sent to the RAM 23 bypassing the image data conversion unit 28.

Image composing software for performing image processing and image compositing is installed in the personal computer 12, and the image processing section 26 and the image compositing section 27 operate by activating the image compositing software. When the image synthesizing software is started, various screens of the image synthesizing software are displayed on the monitor 11, and the user gives an instruction to the personal computer 12 according to the guidance on the screen. With this instruction, the image data is transferred from the RAM 23 to the image processing unit 26 and the image synthesizing unit 2.
7 for processing.

The image synthesizing software includes various image forming modes, for example, a "digital camera index mode", a "digital camera simultaneous print mode", and a "backing sheet pasting mode".
And "ID photo creation mode", which can be selected from the basic menu. In these modes, a template (print format) is used to determine an image layout and to perform image composition. The position and size of the frame to be printed on the recording paper are determined depending on the type of the selected template.

In the "digital camera index mode", an index print is created in which all images written on the smart media set in the card reader 13 are reduced and arranged in a matrix. A plurality of templates having different numbers of frames are prepared, and the templates are selected to perform image composition. In this digital camera index mode, there is no repeat recording for putting the same image in a plurality of frames.

In the "digital camera simultaneous print mode", A
A template containing four frames is used for four-size recording paper, and a template containing two frames is used for A5-size recording paper. In addition, there is no repeat recording in the digital camera simultaneous print mode.

The "backing sheet pasting mode" is for recording a form in which a plurality of images are pasted on recording paper for the backing sheet of an album, for example. Can be. Several templates are prepared, such as four images of the same size, one large-size image and two small-size images (three in total), and two large-size images on one sheet of recording paper. ing.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a template for an ID photograph. Each of the templates 36a to 36e has a recording paper size of “A5 size”, and the template 36a of the “disaster prevention manager” shown in FIG. 2A has a size of one frame of “5.6 cm × 3. 6 cm ", the number of types of images that can be combined is" 2 ", and the number of frames for each type is" 4 "(4 frames of 2 types)
Is set to In the templates 36b and 36c shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the number of types of images that can be combined is set to "1" and the number of frames is set to "4" (4 frames per type). The image size is different.

The template 36 shown in FIG.
d is set to two types and three frames, and among three frames into which the same type of image is fitted, one frame is set to a different size from the other two frames. The template 36e shown in FIG. 2E is set to eight frames of one type. Note that FIG.
Various templates are registered in addition to the templates (A) to (E). Also, A5 wide recording paper can be used, and several templates for A5 wide are prepared.

FIG. 3 shows a screen displayed on the monitor 11 when the ID photograph creation mode is selected. In the ID photo creation mode, the screen is divided into three parts: a main area 41, a first sub area 42, and a second sub area 43. Also,
In addition to the areas 41, 42, and 43, a message display section 46 for displaying commands input from the keyboard 31 and various messages from the personal computer 12 is provided below the screen.
And a template selection button, an image load button, an image fit button, a basic menu return button, an image rotation button, an image correction button for density correction and color correction,
An instruction button display section 47 for displaying buttons for giving instructions to the personal computer 12, such as a print number designation button and a print instruction button, is provided.

In the main area 41, first, a template selection screen for selecting a template is displayed.
Each template 36a, 3
Each icon 56a, 56 corresponding to 6b, 36c,.
are displayed, for example, four at a time on one screen. By operating the page forward button 52a and the page return button 52b with the mouse 32 and the keyboard 31,
All icons registered in advance can be checked.

Taking the icon 56d as an example, as shown in an enlarged view, the icon 56d is composed of a graphic 57 and character information 58 indicating the type of the template 36d.
The figure 57 represents a figure in which frames are arranged on recording paper, and schematically shows the template 36d. The figure 57 allows the number of frames and the layout of the frames to be visually confirmed. The character information 58 includes an identification photograph use 58a, the number of types of images that can be combined, the number of frames 58b of the image for each type, the size 58c of the images, and the size 58d of the recording paper. The user searches for the icon corresponding to the desired template while checking the graphic 57 and the character information 58, and selects the template.

The character information 58 includes various usages of the identification photograph 5
Since No. 8 is described, even if the size of the image is not known, there is no possibility that the template selection is lost or the template selection is mistaken. Character information 5
8 includes the number of types of images that can be combined and the number of frames for each type, so that a template can be conveniently selected according to the number of types of required images and the required number of images. Further, by displaying the graphic 57 together with the character information 58, the number of frames and the layout of the frames can be easily confirmed.

The selection of a template is performed with the mouse 32 or the keyboard 31. For example, when using the mouse 32, first, a desired icon 56d is clicked and designated. When the icon 56d is clicked, the cursor moves to the icon 56d, and the icon 56d is highlighted. Thus, the specified icon 56d can be distinguished from the other icons 56a, 56b, 56c. Clicking again in this state changes the template to the template 36d corresponding to the specified icon. In the case of using the keyboard 31, the cursor is moved by the arrow keys to specify the icon 56d. When the return key is pressed in this state, the template 36d is selected. The icon 56d may be changed from the other icons by changing the color or the density of the icon 56d other than the reverse display.

In the first sub area 42, an icon 56d
The confirmation template 61 corresponding to the template 36d selected by the user is displayed. The confirmation template 61 is a schematic representation of the template 36d, similarly to the graphic 57. Each frame 61a to 61d of the confirmation template 61 has a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image to be combined (FIG. 4). (See reference numeral 62).
With this confirmation template 61, the state of image composition can be confirmed.

Each frame 61 of the confirmation template 61
Among the frames a to 61d, the frame into which the image is first fitted is
It is highlighted so that it can be distinguished from other frames. In the figure, since the template 36d of “two types and three frames” is selected, the three frames 61b and 61d are first displayed in reverse video. If the selected template has only one type of image that can be combined, all frames are displayed in reverse video. The user confirms the frame that has been highlighted and selects an image to be fitted therein. In addition to the reverse display, the display may be grayed or colored.

In the second sub area 43, the read image 6
3 is displayed. A scroll bar 64 is provided in the second sub-region 43. By operating the scroll bar 64, all images are confirmed while scrolling the read image 63. Selection of an image to be synthesized is performed by clicking a desired image with the mouse 32.
Note that, in the case of this image selection as well, as in the case of the template selection by the icon, the specified image of the displayed plurality of images may be highlighted so as to be distinguished from other images.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when one image 63x is selected from the read images 63, the image 63x is enlarged and displayed as an enlarged image 66 in the main area 41. This enlarged display facilitates correction of density, color, and the like. This correction is performed by the instruction button unit 47.
Are operated by using the mouse 32 with the various correction buttons. In the enlarged image 66, trimming lines 68 are displayed in the horizontal and vertical directions. The trimming line 68 is moved by, for example, operating the arrow keys or the mouse 32. Depending on the type of ID photo, the distance from the top of the image to the head of the main subject, etc., is specified.In such a case, the interval is checked to confirm the specified distance. The trimming position may be easily specified by displaying two opened horizontal trimming lines.

The insertion and synthesis of the image displayed as the enlarged image 66 is performed by clicking the insertion button of the instruction button display section 47 with the mouse 32. Upon receiving the insertion instruction, the personal computer 12 inserts an image of a predetermined size into the template. In order to display this inset composite state,
Thumbnail images 62a, 62 obtained by reducing the designated image
b is created and fitted into the three inverted frames 61b and 61d of the confirmation template 61. When the first thumbnail images 62a and 62b are fitted, the frames 61a and 61c into which the next image is fitted are highlighted. This makes it possible to know the frame into which the next image is to be fitted.

Hereinafter, the procedure for creating an identification photograph by the image forming system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When you start the image composition software,
A basic menu screen is displayed on the monitor 11. Select the ID photo creation mode on this basic menu screen. At the time of this mode selection, an image input device is selected. When the ID photo creation mode is selected, the basic menu screen is switched to the display shown in FIG. 3 and a template selection screen is displayed in the main area 41. Figure 5 of the displayed icon 56
An icon corresponding to a desired template is searched for from the plurality of templates 36 with reference to 7 and character information 58. For example, the icon 56d corresponding to the template 36d is clicked with the mouse 32.

This template can be selected simply by searching for a desired icon from the registered icons 56 based on the character information 58 and the graphic 57 and clicking on the icon. It is not necessary to specify the number, the number of repeats, the size of the image or the magnification, and the operation is simple.

When the template 36d is selected, the first
The confirmation template 61 corresponding to the selected template 36d is displayed in the sub-region 42 of. At this time, the frames 61b and 61d into which the thumbnail images are fitted first.
Is highlighted. Next, an image reading button is clicked to read image data from the designated image input device. At the time of reading the image data, the image data is converted as necessary, and the image data is read into the personal computer 12.

When the image data is read, the read image 63 is displayed in the second sub area 43. From the displayed read images 63, for example, an image 63x to be combined
Is selected with the mouse 32 or the like. When the image 63x is selected, the image 63x is enlarged and displayed on the main area 41. Various correction amounts, such as a trimming position, density, and color, are set as necessary while viewing the enlarged image 66. The enlarged image 66 subjected to the image processing is displayed again in the main area 41 according to the correction amount.

After confirming the finished state of the enlarged image 66 displayed on the monitor 11, the user clicks the fitting button to instruct the fitting of the enlarged image 66. As a result, the specified image is synthesized with the template. At the same time, the thumbnail images 62a and 62b of the specified image are fitted into the frames 61b and 61d of the confirmation template 61 which are displayed in reverse video. When the thumbnail images 62a, 62b are fitted, the frames 61a, 61c to be fitted next are highlighted. Next, an image to be combined is selected. The thumbnail image of the image selected for the second time is fitted into the inverted frames 61a and 61c of the confirmation template 61. In this way, the images are synthesized using the template while checking the frames 61a to 61d of the check template 61.

After the thumbnail images have been fitted into all the frames of the confirmation template 61, the number of prints is designated and a print instruction is issued. When a print instruction is given,
The image data is sent from the RAM 23 to the image synthesizing unit 27 to perform the image synthesizing process, and the print settings are made according to the selected template 36d.
8 is output. The printer 18 records an image on a recording sheet according to the print settings. As a result, a print image as displayed on the confirmation template 61 is obtained.

In the above example, a description has been given of an example in which two types of three-frame templates are selected and two types of images are synthesized with the templates. However, it is not necessary to select two types of images.
The type of image may be specified twice. In this case, it is the same as a template of one type and six frames.

[0043]

As described in detail above, the present invention provides
Since the image composition state is displayed using the confirmation template image, it is possible to prevent unnecessary images from being printed. Further, since the size, the number, and the layout position of the images to be synthesized can be confirmed, it is possible to eliminate print errors.

Further, according to the present invention, only the icon corresponding to the type of ID photo is selected, and it is not necessary to input the number of types of images and the number of repeats of each image. You can create photos.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating examples of various templates.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a monitor template selection screen.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a screen when an image to be combined is selected, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a display example of a confirmation template when an insertion is instructed;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating an identification photograph.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Image Forming System 11 Monitor 12 Personal Computer 18 Printer 26 Image Correction Unit 27 Image Synthesis Unit 36 Template 56 Icon 61 Confirmation Template

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/265 H04N 5/265 F term (Reference) 5B050 AA09 BA12 CA07 EA03 EA12 EA19 FA02 FA03 FA09 FA12 FA13 FA15 5B057 AA20 BA02 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC03 CD05 CE08 CE09 CH16 5C023 AA02 AA03 AA14 AA16 AA18 AA31 AA38 BA11 CA01 CA05 5C076 AA02 AA13 AA17 AA21 AA22 CA02 CB02 5E501 AC15 AC34 BA05 CA14 CB09 DA14 EA09

Claims (4)

[Claims] (A) displaying a plurality of icons respectively corresponding to a plurality of templates having different forms of image synthesis on a display means; and (B) selecting one icon from the plurality of icons. And (C) displaying a confirmation template having a plurality of frames laid out in the same manner as the template on the display means in order to confirm the state of image composition using the designated template. (E) displaying at least one frame in the confirmation template that is determined according to the type of the designated template so as to be identifiable as a frame to be inserted; ) From at least one image displayed on the display means, an image to be inserted and synthesized with the specified template; (G) repeating the steps (D) to (F) by repeating the steps (D) to (F);
An image synthesis confirming method, wherein an image is fitted into a frame of a confirmation template so that a composite state when the image is fitted and composited using the template can be confirmed. 2. The image synthesizing method according to claim 1, wherein the difference in the form of image synthesizing is caused by the difference in the number of frames to be printed on one recording sheet and the number of frames into which the same image is fitted. Confirmation method. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the form of the image composition further depends on the size of the recording paper and the size of each frame. 4. A display unit for confirming a state of image synthesis, a unit for displaying a plurality of icons respectively corresponding to a plurality of templates having different forms of image synthesis on the display unit, A means for selecting one icon from among them, and a confirmation template having a plurality of frames laid out in the same manner as the template for confirming the state of image composition by the template designated via the icon, Means for displaying, and at least one frame in the confirmation template,
A means for displaying a frame determined according to the type of the designated template as a frame to be fitted so that it can be identified; and at least one image displayed on the display means.
Means for specifying an image to be inserted and synthesized, and means for inserting the specified image into the frame to be inserted of the confirmation template and displaying the next frame to be inserted on the display means so as to be identifiable, the template An image composition checking device, wherein a composition state at the time of fitting and compositing an image can be confirmed using the image composition.