JP2001333270A - 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 an album mount or special recording paper sheet for business card preparation. 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 showing a paper size. By designating the displayed icons 56a, 56b..., the template is selected. A template 61 for confirmation corresponding to the selected template is displayed. When a frame to fit an image is designated, on the template 61 for confirmation, this frame is inverted and displayed as a fitting scheduled frame. When images to be composited are designated, thumbnail images reducing these 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] There are various types of recording paper depending on the application, such as recording paper for creating business cards and recording paper for album mounts. For example, a recording paper for creating a business card has perforations or the like in advance in a business card size, and a recording paper for an album mount has a hole for binding so that the binding paper can be spelled as it is in a binder. . In these special recording papers, the size of the frame on which the image is to be recorded and the layout of the frame are predetermined, and the magnification and the recording position of the image are adjusted to match the determined frame size and layout. A plurality of images are synthesized by designating.

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 apparatus for confirming image composition which can simplify printing on special recording paper.

[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 designated frame as a frame to be fitted so that it can be identified as a frame to be fitted.
(F) a step of specifying an image to be inserted and combined with the specified template from at least one image displayed on the display means; and (G) inserting the specified image into a frame to be inserted of the confirmation template. (H) By repeating the steps (D) to (G), the image is inserted into the frame of the confirmation template, so that the composite state when the image is inserted and composited using the template can be confirmed. It is characterized by having.

[0010] Claim 2 image synthesizing confirmation method according the embodiment of the image synthesis difference, it is characterized in that by the frame number difference in the number of the to be printed on one sheet of recording paper.

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 forms of image synthesizing 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: a means for designating a frame into which an image to be combined is to be fitted from among the frames in the confirmation template; and a frame to be fitted with at least one designated frame Means for displaying the image as identifiable as at least one image from at least one image displayed on the display means. Means for designating an image to be provided, and means for fitting the specified image into the frame to be fitted with the confirmation template, so that the composite state when the image is fitted and composited using the template can be confirmed. It is a feature.

[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.

In the "mounting paste mode", for example, recording is performed in a form in which a plurality of images are pasted on the recording paper using a recording paper for an album mount having holes for binding formed therein. An album can be formed as it is by spelling the printed recording paper. 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.

There are various types of recording paper as a backing paper depending on the application. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a recording paper for creating a business card having a business card size with a perforation 34a is provided. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 (B), as a recording paper for making so-called Purikura (registered trademark), which has become popular in recent years, a seal 35a coated with an adhesive on the back surface and capable of recording an image on the front surface is a sheet 35b. There is a recording paper 35 pasted thereon. In addition, as shown in FIG.
There is a recording paper 36 for an album mount in which binding holes 36a such as holes and 26 holes are formed.

In such special recording paper, the size of the recording paper, the size of the frame into which the image is to be fitted, the number of frames, the layout of the frames, and the like are predetermined.
In the image synthesis software, templates corresponding to these recording sheets are prepared.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a template for pasting the backing paper. Templates 38a, 38c, 38d, 38
In e, the size of the recording paper is “A5 size”, and the template 38b is set to “A4 size”. The template 38a has one frame of “200 mm × 138.5 mm”, and the template 38b has “287 m”.
One frame having a size of “mx 200 mm” is set. The template 38c is a template for creating a business card, in which five frames of the size of a business card are set. The template 38d is “89 mm × 127 mm”
2 frames of size are set. The template 38e is a template for creating a print club, and “26m
30 frames with a size of “m × 20 mm” are set. Various templates are registered in addition to the templates shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows a screen displayed on the monitor 11 when the image fitting mode is selected. In the image fitting mode, the screen is divided into 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 38a, 3
8b, 38c... Corresponding to the icons 56a, 56
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 the enlarged view, the icon 56d is composed of a graphic 57 and character information 58 indicating the type of the template 38d.
The graphic 57 represents a graphic in which frames are arranged on recording paper, and schematically represents the template 38d. The graphic 57 allows the user to visually check the relative size of the frame in which the image is to be fitted to the recording paper, the number of frames, and the layout of the frames. As the character information 58,
The size information (“A5”) of the recording paper is displayed.
In addition, the character information 58 may display a purpose, an image size, the number of frames, and the like according to the type of the template. 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.

Since the graphic 57 is displayed together with the character information 58, the size of the recording paper can be checked, and the number of frames of the template and the layout of the frames can be easily checked. Easy to select.

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 38d corresponding to the designated 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 38d 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.

The first sub-area 42 includes an icon 56d
The confirmation template 61 corresponding to the template 38d selected by the user is displayed. The confirmation template 61 is a schematic representation of the template 38d, as in the case of the graphic 57. Each frame 61a, 61b of the confirmation template 61 has a thumbnail image (FIG. 4) obtained by reducing the image to be combined. (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
a, 61b, which frame can be specified. This designation is performed by clicking a frame to be fitted with the mouse 32. The designated frame is displayed in reverse video as a frame to be fitted into which the image is to be fitted so as to be distinguishable from the other frame. On the diagram,
Since the frame 61a is designated, the frame 61a is highlighted so as to be distinguishable from the frame 61b. If the selected template has only one frame, the frame is automatically highlighted when the icon is selected. The user checks the frame that is highlighted and selects an image to be fitted therein. In addition to the reverse display, the display may be grayed or colored.

Also, the order of frames to be fitted with images is preset as an initial value, and according to the set sequence, the frame to which the image is fitted first at the time of template selection is automatically inverted and displayed. After fitting, the frame to be fitted next may be automatically highlighted. By doing so, the operation of designating the frame into which the image is to be inserted is omitted. Of course, even in this case, regardless of the set order, the user can arbitrarily change the frame into which the image is to be inserted, and when the user specifies a frame, the specified frame is set as the frame to be inserted. It is highlighted. Further, a plurality of frames to be fitted with an image may be designated so that one image can be fitted into a plurality of frames at the same time.

In the second sub-region 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, similarly to the case of the icon selection, the specified image of the displayed plurality of images may be highlighted so as to be distinguished from other images.

As shown in FIG. 5, 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.

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,
A thumbnail image 62a obtained by reducing the designated image is created, and the frame 61 in which the confirmation template 61 is displayed in reverse video is displayed.
a. After the first thumbnail image 62a has been fitted, when the frame 61b into which the next image is fitted is designated, the frame 61b is highlighted as shown in FIG. 4B. This makes it possible to know the frame into which the next image is to be fitted.

The procedure for attaching the backing sheet by the image forming system 10 will be described below 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. On this basic menu screen, select the paste mode. At the time of this mode selection, an image input device is selected. When the pasteboard mode is selected, the basic menu screen is switched to the display shown in FIG. 4, 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 38 with reference to 7 and character information 58. For example, an icon 56d corresponding to the template 38d 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. There is no need to specify the size of the image or the magnification, and the operation is simple.

When the template 38d is selected, the first
The confirmation template 61 corresponding to the selected template 38d is displayed in the sub-region 42 of. Next, of the frames 61a and 61b of the confirmation template 61, the frame to which the image is to be first fitted is designated. For example, top 61
When "a" is designated, the frame 61a is highlighted as the frame to be fitted. 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. For example, the image 63x is selected from the displayed read images 63 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 image 62a of the designated image is fitted into the frame 61a of the confirmation template 61 which is displayed in reverse video. Thereafter, when the frame 62b into which the next image is to be fitted is designated, the frame 61b is displayed in reverse video.
Next, an image to be combined is selected. The thumbnail of the image selected for the second time is the confirmation template 6
It is fitted into the frame 61b, which is displayed in reverse video. In this way, the images are synthesized using the template while checking the frames 61a and 61b 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 38d.
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.

As a mount, a recording sheet 3 for an album mount
6, the recording paper 36 can be spelled in the album as it is. Even when the recording paper for business card creation and the recording paper for print collection 35 are used in addition to the recording paper for album mount 36, if the template corresponding to these is selected from the icons, each recording paper 34, A composite image matching the 35 templates can be easily obtained.

[0045]

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 of the images to be combined can be checked, the occurrence of print errors can be eliminated.

Further, according to the present invention, a template corresponding to a special type of recording paper can be designated only by selecting an icon, so that it is not necessary to input an image size, a layout, etc. Can print on recording paper.

[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 recording papers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing examples of various templates.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a monitor template selection screen.

5A is a diagram illustrating a screen when an image to be combined is selected, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a display example of a confirmation template when an insertion instruction is given and a frame into which the next image is to be inserted is designated; It is.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for attaching a mount.

[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 5E501 F term (Reference) 5B021 AA01 LA03 LB07 QQ04 5B050 AA09 BA11 CA07 EA03 EA12 EA19 FA02 FA03 FA12 FA13 FA15 5B057 AA20 BA02 CA12 CA16 CC03 CD05 CE08 CE09 5C023 AA14 AA18 AA31 AA38 BA11 CA03 CA05 5C076 AA13 AA17 AA21 AA22 BA02 CA02 CB02 5E501 AC15 AC34 BA05 CA03 CB09 DA14 EA11 FA04 EB05 EB05 EB05 EB05

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. Displaying; (D) specifying a frame into which an image to be combined is to be inserted among frames in the confirmation template; and (E) displaying at least one specified frame as a frame to be inserted so as to be identified. And (F) fitting at least one image displayed on the display means with a designated template. A step of specifying a should do images, by repeating the steps of fitting the fitting schedule frames of confirmation template image designated (G), the (H) the step (D) ~ (G),
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 method according to claim 1, wherein the difference in the form of image synthesis is caused by a difference in the number of frames to be printed on one recording sheet. 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, means for designating a frame to be fitted with an image to be combined among the frames in the confirmation template, means for displaying at least one designated frame as a frame to be fitted so as to be identifiable. , From 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 a frame to be inserted of the confirmation template, so that the synthesized state when the image is inserted and synthesized using the template can be confirmed. An image synthesizing confirmation device, characterized in that: