JP2001350467A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to observe the whole display area of an operation screen at the same time, and magnify the display area easily when necessary. SOLUTION: The operation screen 35 is composed of a main display area 37, a 1st sub-display area 38, a 2nd sub-display area 39, a main operation command area 40, a picture quality adjustment display area 41, a message display area 42, and a menu selection display area 43. These display areas 35-43 are fixed in size and position for display so as not to overlap each other. On the boundary between the main display area 37 and the 1st sub-display area 38 and on the boundary between the main display area 37 and the 2nd sub-display area 39, a 1st display replacement button 82 and a 2nd display replacement button 83 are arranged, by which display contents are replaced with each other between the adjoining display areas. When the display contents are to be replaced, the display contents are magnified or reduced in size according to the display areas for replacement.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus in which the position of an image is switched between a plurality of display areas on a screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming system which captures an image from various media as image data, performs image processing such as image quality correction and synthesis with a template image on the captured image data, and prints the image data. This image forming system records image data taken by a reflective original scanner that reads an image from a reflective original such as a printed photograph, an instant photograph, or a printed matter, a film scanner that reads an image from a negative film or a positive film, or an electronic still camera. An image input device such as a card reader for inputting image data from a memory card, a computer that performs image processing such as image quality correction and synthesis with a template image on the input image data, and prints image processed image data. And a printer.

The image forming system installs image processing software on a computer, and controls each peripheral device by the image processing software. The image processing software displays an operation screen on a monitor connected to a computer, and performs various image processing while observing an image displayed in the operation screen.

[0004]

The operation screen of a conventional image forming system uses a floating multi-window type in which a plurality of display areas are displayed in an overlapping manner. In this floating multi-window type operation screen, it is necessary to switch windows when viewing the lower layer windows. To view all windows at the same time, adjust the size and position of each window and rearrange it. The operation was not good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of observing all display areas simultaneously and enlarging and observing the display area when necessary. I do.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of display areas arranged so as not to overlap each other, and a display content is displayed between the respective display areas. It is a thing which can be exchanged.

Further, the plurality of display areas have different display areas, and when the display contents are switched, the display contents are enlarged or reduced in accordance with the display area to be replaced.

Further, an operation unit for instructing replacement of display contents between adjacent display areas is provided on a boundary between adjacent display areas among the plurality of display areas.

Further, at least two of the plurality of display areas are a print preview display area and an image editing display area.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system embodying the present invention. The image forming system 10 includes a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) 12, a monitor 11 serving as a display unit connected to the personal computer 12, a card reader 13 serving as an image input device, a reflection original scanner 14, and a film scanner. And a printer 16 for recording on a recording sheet an image which is taken in from each of the image input devices 13 to 15 and processed by the personal computer 12. As the printer 16, for example, a photothermographic material type printer is used.

The personal computer 12 has a CPU 18, a ROM 1
9, RAM 20, hard disk drive (HDD) 2
1, a file reading device 22 including, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, and an image data conversion unit 2
3, an image synthesizing unit 24. The file reading device 22 may read image data recorded on a floppy disk. In this case, the file reading device 22 is used as an image input device.

A keyboard 2 is provided outside the personal computer 12.
6, a mouse 27 and an operation panel 28 are connected. The keyboard 26 is used when performing software installation, various settings, maintenance, and the like on the personal computer 12. In the image forming process, a mouse 27 and an operation panel 28 having operation buttons specialized for operating the image forming system 10 are used.

Card reader 13, reflective original scanner 1
4, the film scanner 15 uses the SCSI interface 30 provided on the personal computer 12 to
2 in cascade. Various memory cards are set in the card reader 13 and read out image data captured and recorded by an electronic still camera.

The reflection original scanner 14 reads an image from a reflection original such as a print photograph, an instant photograph, or a printed matter. For example, the reflection original scanner 14 scans a reflection original placed on a reading stage with a line sensor to scan the reflection original. A flat bed type that reads the entire image is used. The film scanner 15 is a transmission type scanner that reads an image from a negative film or a positive film. In the case of a negative film, the read image is converted into a positive image and input to the personal computer 12.

The personal computer 12 has a LAN (Local Area Net).
work) and the network 33 such as the Internet. Thus, a plurality of image forming systems 10 in a lab can share data to perform cooperative work, or receive and process image data from a customer via a communication line. When transmitting and receiving images on the Internet, encryption is performed so that only a specific person can access. In this encryption, the accessible range is hierarchized in a pyramid shape, and access is granted only to persons at or above the designated hierarchy.

Image data input from each of the image input devices 13 to 15 is input to an image data conversion unit 23. The image data conversion unit 23 includes a color correction circuit and a gradation processing circuit. The color correction circuit applies gamma correction to each of the R, G, and B color signals of the image data using the coefficients corresponding to the image input devices 13 to 15 to obtain spectral characteristics different for each of the image input devices 13 to 15. Set the color balance taking into account.

In the gradation processing circuit, each of the image input devices 13 to
15, the image data is subjected to gradation correction using an LUT prepared in correspondence with the printer 1 of the image forming system 10.
6 so that an appropriate gradation expression can be obtained when printing is performed. After the gradation correction, a color conversion process (masking process) of the image data into YMC is performed and recorded in the RAM 20.

Print photograph, printed matter, color printer,
Reflective documents such as instant photographs have different color materials depending on the type. Therefore, a plurality of LUTs corresponding to the reflection document scanner 14 are prepared for each color material. When an image is input by the reflection document scanner 14, the type of the reflection document to be input is designated, and the gradation characteristics are corrected by an LUT suitable for the color material of the reflection document. The LUT for the film scanner 15
There are also two types, one for negative films and one for positive films.

The film scanner 15 has two types of scan modes, a pre-scan which is performed when an image is input and displayed on the personal computer 12, and a main scan which is performed when printing. At the time of pre-scanning, color correction and gradation correction are performed on the input image data by the image data conversion unit 23, and the correction contents are reflected on the image data displayed on the monitor 11. In the main scan, the correction parameters added to the image data at the time of the pre-scan are transferred to the image data conversion unit in the film scanner 15. Then, γ conversion and gradation correction are performed on the image data in the film scanner 15 based on the correction parameters, and the image data is recorded in the RAM 20 by bypassing the 12 image data conversion unit 23 of the personal computer.

The image synthesizing section 24 performs various types of image processing such as scaling processing, trimming, and synthesizing with the template image of the selected image data.

Image processing software for performing image processing and image synthesis is installed in the personal computer 12. The image data converter 23 and the image synthesizer 24 operate by activating the image processing software. When the image processing software is activated, an operation screen 35 of the image processing software is displayed on the monitor 11 as shown in FIG. The operator operates each function button in the operation screen 35 using the mouse 27 and the operation panel 28 to operate the image forming system 10.

The operation screen 35 of the image processing software includes a graphical user in a plurality of display areas whose positions and sizes are fixed.
This is a fixed multi-window type employing an interface (GUI), and has a largest main display area 37 and a first sub display area 3 located to the right of the main display area 37.
8, second sub display area 39, main operation command display area 4
0, an image quality adjustment display area 41 arranged to the right of these display areas 38 to 40, a message display area 42 and a menu selection display area 43 arranged below the operation screen 35. The mouse 2 is displayed on the operation screen 35.
A cursor 44 for moving on the operation screen 35 is displayed by the operation panel 7 or the operation panel 38.

The main display area 37 contains an image 80 to be synthesized.
Are displayed in an enlarged image editing area in which image processing operations such as image correction, image quality correction, and image synthesis are performed. The first sub-display area 38 is a print preview display area in which image data to be printed is displayed in a reduced size. For example, when a template for printing eight frames of the same image on one sheet of recording paper is selected, the layout image 46 in which the images are synthesized at a predetermined frame position and reduced is reduced to the first sub-display area 38. Is displayed.

The first sub-display area 38 allows the user to always grasp the entire image of the image to be printed, so that the type of the currently selected template is not mistaken. In particular, when different images are fitted into a template having a plurality of frames and combined for printing, it is convenient to immediately check which image has been combined with which frame.

The second sub-display area 39 is a thumbnail display area in which, when a plurality of image data are read, for example, three frames of the image data are arranged vertically as thumbnail images 48. When capturing an image from the reflection document scanner 14, only one thumbnail image is often displayed. However, when capturing an image from the card reader 13, three or more thumbnail images 48 often exist. In this case, a scroll button 49 for sliding vertically below the thumbnail display is used.
Is displayed, and by operating the scroll button 49 with the mouse 27 or the like, a plurality of read images can be continuously confirmed.

When reading image data from a memory card, a recording disk, or the like in which a large number of image data are recorded, it is necessary to read all the image data before displaying a thumbnail image in the second sub-display area 39. Instead, the file number and file name of the image data are designated, and only the designated image data is displayed in the second sub-display area 39 as a thumbnail image. As a result, the time required for displaying the thumbnail image can be reduced.

In the main operation command display area 40, a selection button 51, a paste button 52, and a print button 53 are provided. The selection button 51 is used when selecting an image to be used for image synthesis from the thumbnail images 48 displayed in the second sub display area 39. When no image is read, the selection button 51 is displayed as “read”, and is operated when reading an image from the card reader 13, the reflection document scanner 14, and the film scanner 15. In the case of the reflection original scanner 14, since one captured image is usually used,
It is convenient if the selection is automatically made without operating the selection button 51. The print button 53 is operated when the printer 16 prints an image on which image processing such as image quality adjustment and composition has been completed.

The image quality adjustment display area 41 has a density correction 5
5, operation buttons and operation bars for manually performing image quality adjustment such as color correction 56, sharpness 57, soft focus 58, and moiré adjustment 59 are provided. The operation button can be selected by operating the mouse 27 to place the cursor 44 on the operation button and pressing (clicking) the button of the mouse 27. The operation bar can be set by sucking a small knob on the scale with the mouse 27 and moving it to an arbitrary position on the scale.

Below the image quality adjustment display area 41,
An image quality adjustment reset button 60 for resetting the set image quality adjustment, a registration button 61 for registering the set image quality adjustment contents, a setting call button 62 for calling the registered setting conditions, and the like are provided. This makes it possible to repeatedly use the image quality adjustment conditions that have been set once, thereby improving work efficiency.

Below the operation buttons related to the image quality adjustment setting, 9 images displayed in the main display area 37 are displayed.
An image rotation button 64 for rotating the image by 0 degrees, an image inversion button 65 for inverting the image in the left-right direction, a free trimming button 66 for arbitrarily changing the aspect ratio of a trimming frame described later, and a frame rotation for rotating the trimming frame by 90 degrees. A button 67, a reset button 68 for canceling the range designation by the trimming frame, and the like are provided.

The menu selection display area 43 is provided with six operation buttons of a menu 70, an input selection 71, an input size 72, a print size 73, a zoom 74, and the number of prints 75. For example, when the menu button 70 is clicked with the mouse 27, a plurality of menu names are displayed in a list following the menu button 70. By operating the mouse 27 and selecting one of the displayed menus in a state where the menu names are displayed in a list, the image processing software is switched to a work mode suitable for the selected menu.

The modes that can be selected with the menu button 70 include, for example, a digital camera index mode, a digital camera simultaneous print mode, a board paste mode, and an ID photo creation mode.

In the digital camera index mode, all the images written on the memory card set in the card reader 13 are reduced to create an index print arranged in a matrix. A plurality of types of templates having different numbers of frames are prepared for this mode, and an index print can be created by selecting a template having an arbitrary number of frames. 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, different templates are prepared according to the size of the recording paper. When the recording paper size is A4 size, a template in which four frames are formed is used. When the recording paper size is A5 size, a template in which two frames are provided is used. In addition, there is no repeat recording in the digital camera simultaneous print mode.

The mount paste mode is for recording a form in which a plurality of images are attached to the mount of an album, for example, and the printed recording paper is spelled to form the album as it is. Four images of the same size, one large-size image and two small-size images on one sheet of recording paper
Several templates are prepared, for example, three (a total of three) and two large-size images. In the ID photo creation mode, ID photos used for attachment to various official application documents can be created.

The input selection button 71 is used to select a device for inputting image data. When the input selection button 71 is operated with the mouse 27, an input device list is displayed following the input selection button 71. The input device that can be selected by the input selection button 71 is an image input device connected to the image forming system 10.
3. File reading device 2 such as reflective original scanner 14, film scanner 15, floppy disk drive, etc.
2 can be selected.

When the reflection document scanner 14 or the film scanner 15 is selected by the input selection button 71, the type of the document to be scanned is displayed in a list. The displayed types are a print photograph, a printed matter, a color printer, an instant photograph, a negative film, a positive film, and the like. The mouse 27 is operated to select a corresponding document type from these. Then, at the time of image input, the above-described color correction circuit and gradation processing circuit of the image data conversion unit 23 perform correction appropriate for the color material of the selected document. The type of the document can be registered as appropriate in addition to the above.

The input size button 72 is used to input the size of a reflection original when the reflection original is input using the reflection original scanner 14. As with the other operation buttons, the input size button 72 displays a list of document sizes by clicking with the mouse 27, and selects an appropriate document size from the list to scan with the reflection document scanner 14. A range can be specified.

The print size button 73 is
The operation is performed when the size of the recording paper to be printed in step 6 or the template is selected. This print size button 73
Also, by clicking with the mouse 27, a list of recording paper sizes and templates is displayed, and the user can arbitrarily select from the list.

Since there are many types of templates recorded in the image forming system 10, the templates displayed in a list by the print size button 73 are switched according to the mode selected by the menu button 70. For example, when the digital camera index mode is selected, templates with a large number of frames used for index printing are displayed in a list, and when the identification photograph creation mode is selected, templates for a car license, a passport, and the like are displayed. Is displayed in a list.

The template is a print size button 7
In addition to the selection in the list display by No. 3, as shown in FIG. 3, icons 77a to 77d on which images obtained by reducing the template are pasted are displayed in the main display area 37.
You can also select more visually. Main display area 3
7, four icons 77 are displayed. When there are four or more types of templates in the selected mode, page feed buttons 78a and 78b are provided at the bottom of the main display area 37.
Is displayed. By operating the page feed buttons 78a and 78b with the mouse 27 and scrolling the main display area 37, all templates can be checked in order.

The zoom button 74 is moved to the main display area 37
Is used when the image data displayed on the screen is enlarged or reduced. The print number button 75 is used to specify the number of prints. The display of these operation buttons 70 to 75 is divided into upper and lower parts, a menu name is displayed below, and the currently selected content is displayed above.

In the message display area 42, various messages such as a message for the currently performed operation or work, the content of the next executable operation or work, and a hint thereof are displayed. In addition, when there is an operation error or the like, an error message is displayed.

Main display area 37 and first sub display area 3
8, the main display area 37 and the second sub display area 3
9, a first display switching button 82 and a second display switching button 83 on which arrows pointing in opposite directions are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the composition target image 80 is displayed in the main display area 37 and the layout image 46 is displayed in the first sub display area 38, the first display switching button 82 is operated. 4, the compositing target image 80 in the main display area 37 is reduced and displayed in the first sub display area 38, and the layout image 46 displayed in the first sub display area 38 is enlarged. Is displayed in the main display area 37.

Similarly, when the second display exchange button 83 is operated, the display contents are exchanged between the main display area 37 and the second sub display area 39 as shown in FIG. When the image of the second sub display area 39 is displayed on the main display area 37, the main display area 37
Of the thumbnail image in the second sub-display area 39 using the size of the display range of
8a to 48f are displayed in six frames. When there are six or more thumbnail images, a page feed button 85 is displayed below the main display area 37. As described above, the first display change button 82 and the second display change button 83 can easily enlarge and display the display images of the first sub display area 38 and the second sub display area 39 with small displays. It is very convenient for checking details.

In the image processing software of the conventional image forming system, a floating multi-window type operation screen in which a plurality of display areas are displayed in an overlapping manner has been used. In this floating multi-window type operation screen, it is necessary to switch windows when viewing the lower layer windows. To view all windows at the same time, adjust the size and position of each window with the mouse and arrange them. It had to be fixed and the operability was not good. However, the fixed multi-window type operation screen 35 adopted by the image processing software of the present embodiment
Since the positions of the display areas 37 to 43 are fixed, all the display areas can always be seen without performing a troublesome operation. Also, the first display change button 8
By employing the second and the second display switching buttons 83, the display area can be enlarged and reduced in size more easily than the floating multi-window type operation screen.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a template that can be selected in the “certification photo creation mode”. Each of the templates 88 to 93 has a recording paper size of “A”.
5 edition ". In the disaster prevention manager template 88 shown in FIG. 9A, the size of one frame 88a is “5.6c”.
m × 3.6 cm ”, the number of types of images that can be combined is“ 2 ”, and the number of frames for each type is set to“ 4 ”(two types of four frames). In both the resume / national public service examination template 89 and the auto mechanic license template 90 shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the number of types of images that can be combined is “1” and the number of frames is “ 4 (one type of four frames), and the size of each of the frames 89a and 90a is "5.6c".
m × 4.6 cm ”and“ 6.1 cm × 4.6 cm ”.

The visa / vehicle license template 91 shown in FIG. 6D is set to two types and three frames.
Of the 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 size of the frames 91a and 91b of the template 91 is “5.4c
m × 5.4 cm ”and“ 3.5 cm × 3.0 cm ”.
Further, a first-class architect template 92 shown in FIG.
Is a type of 8 frames, and the size of the frame 92a is "4.5c
mx 3.5 cm ".

The passport template 93 shown in FIG. 6 (F) has eight frames of one kind, and the size of the frame 93a is set to “5.0 cm × 4.0 cm”. The external dimensions of the actual passport ID photo are "4.5 cm x
3.5 cm ", but when cutting each frame from the recording paper, the template is printed one size larger so as not to cut inside the print portion and create a margin around the ID photo.

A large number of templates are recorded in the personal computer 12 in addition to the templates (A) to (F). Also, A5 which is slightly wider than A5
It is also possible to use wide recording paper.
There are also some templates for the wide case.

In a conventional image forming system, it is very difficult to combine an image of a designated size in an appropriate position in a template of a passport ID photo, and it requires skill and a few trials of the work. And the work efficiency was poor. However, in the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, the passport ID picture 95 in which the size of the subject and the position of the top of the head are strictly defined can be easily created.

As described above, the print size button 7
Manipulate 3 to get a passport ID photo template 93
Is selected, the main display area 37 is displayed as shown in FIG.
Rectangular trimming frame 9 used for designating the synthesis range within
8 is displayed. The trimming frame 98 includes an outer frame 98a having a shape similar to the outer shape of the passport ID photograph, and two horizontal lines 98b and 98 used to designate the head of the subject.
c, an inner frame 98d, a reference point 98e provided at the center of the upper side of the inner frame 98d, and a reference line 98f used to check the inclination of the head of the subject.

Next, when an image to be used for the ID photo is selected from the second sub-display area 39, the selected image 80 to be synthesized is displayed large in the main display area 37. The trimming frame 98 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the image 80 to be combined.

The operator operates the mouse 27 to place the cursor 44 on the reference point 98e of the trimming frame 98, and keeps the button of the mouse 44 pressed. Then, the trimming frame 98 is attracted to the cursor 44, and the trimming frame 98 moves on the operation screen 35 as the mouse 27 moves. By operating the mouse 27, the reference point 9 of the trimming frame 98
8e is a person image 100 displayed in the compositing target image 80.
When the button of the mouse 27 is depressed in this state, the reference point 98e of the trimming frame 98 is arranged at the top of the human image 100.

Next, the lower side 98c of the inner frame 98d of the trimming frame 98 is sucked by the mouse 27 and moved vertically.
The person 100 is moved to the position of the jaw. This allows
The vertical direction of the inner frame 98 d is adjusted to the head length of the human image 100.

When the lower side 98c of the inner frame 98d is aligned with the position of the chin of the human image 100, the outer frame 98a of the trimming frame 98 is formed.
Is the inner frame 98 while maintaining the ratio to the inner frame 98d.
Enlarge or reduce in conjunction with the scaling of d. This allows
On the compositing target image 80 in the main display area 37, a trimming frame 98 having a similar shape to the passport ID photograph 95 and a human image 100 of an appropriate size arranged at an appropriate position inside is displayed.

When the paste button 52 of the main operation command display area 40 is operated after the trimming area 98 is completely specified by the trimming frame 98, the image 80 to be synthesized, the image of the trimming frame 98, and the image data of the template 93 are combined by the image synthesizing unit. 24. The image synthesizing unit 24 extracts a range surrounded by the trimming frame 98 of the synthesis target image 80 and image data having a constant width on the outer periphery of the trimming frame 98. This extracted image data is stored in the template image 110
Is scaled up or down according to the size of the frame 111,
The image is inserted into the template image 110 and synthesized. In addition,
Since the fixed width of the outer periphery of the trimming frame 98 was also extracted at the time of the image extraction, the template image 110 includes "5c
A top 111 of “mx 4 cm” is formed.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power of the image forming system 10 is turned on, the image processing software is automatically started on the personal computer 12. In the operation screen 35 of the image processing software immediately after activation, no image is displayed in any of the main display area 37, the first sub-display area 38, and the second sub-display area 39.

The operator operates the mouse 27 and the operation panel 2
8, the cursor 44 on the operation screen 35 is moved, and the menu button 70 in the menu selection display area 43 is clicked. Then, one of the menus, for example, the ID photo creation mode, is selected from the menu displayed at the time of the click according to the work content. The menu button 70 displays the selected mode name.

Next, the input selection button 71 in the menu selection display area 43 is clicked, and the image input device to be used is selected from the image input devices displayed in the list. For example, when the reflection document scanner 14 is selected as the image input device, a document type list (color material list) for selecting the type of the reflection document is displayed following the list of the image input devices. The operator selects from the displayed document type list
A reflection original to be input, for example, a print photograph is selected.

When the reflection original scanner 14 is selected by the input selection button 71, the input size button 72 becomes operable. With this input size button 72, the size of the reflection original to be read by the reflection original scanner 14, that is, the reading range is designated.

The print size button 73 in the menu selection display area 43 is used to select a print size and a template. Print size button 73
Is clicked with the mouse 27, the size of the recording paper to be printed and a list of available templates are displayed. This list can be displayed as an icon in the main display area 37 of the operation screen 35 as shown in FIG. 3, which is convenient when the image of the template cannot be grasped only by characters.

When the template to be used is determined, the cursor 44 is moved with the mouse 27 and the icon of the determined template, for example, 77a is clicked.
Then, the clicked icon 77a is highlighted and clarified that it is currently selected. When the inverted icon 77a is clicked again, the use of the template of the icon 77a is determined, and the layout image 46 of the template is displayed in the first sub-display area 38. If another icon is clicked while the icon 77a is highlighted, the inverted display of the initially selected icon 77a is canceled and the newly selected icon is highlighted.

In the template layout image 46,
First, the frame into which the image is to be fitted is highlighted. If the selected template is a template in which the same image is fitted to all frames, all the frames are highlighted.

When the template selection is completed,
In the main display area 37, a trimming frame 98 having a shape similar to the outer shape of the ID photo created by the selected template, for example, a passport ID photo, is displayed.

After the setting for image input on the operation screen 35 is completed, a reflection original is set on the reflection original scanner 14 which is an image input device to be used. Since the reflection original scanner 14 is of a flat bed type, first, the cover which covers the stage is opened, and the reflection original is positioned and placed on the stage. Then, by closing the cover so that the reflection original does not move, preparation for reading by the reflection original scanner 14 is completed.

When the reading button 51 in the main operation command display area 40 is operated after setting the reflection original, the reflection original scanner 14 is driven from the personal computer 12, and the set reflection original is read. Image data generated by reading a reflection original by the reflection original scanner 14 is a SCSI
The data is input to the personal computer 12 via the interface 30 and is input to the image data input unit 23 having a color correction circuit and a gradation processing circuit.

In the image data input section 23, the color correction circuit applies γ correction to the R, G, and B color signals of the image data using the coefficients corresponding to the reflection original scanner 14, and changes the spectral characteristics of the reflection original scanner 14. Set the color balance taking into account. The gradation processing circuit performs gradation correction of the image data using an LUT prepared for each color material read by the reflection document scanner 14. As a result, an appropriate gradation expression can be obtained when printing is performed by the printer 16. After the gradation correction, the image data is subjected to a color conversion process to YMC, and the converted data is recorded in the RAM 20.

The image data read by the reflection document scanner 14 and converted by the image data conversion unit 23 is displayed as a thumbnail in the second sub-display area 39 of the operation screen 35. When a large number of reflection originals are read by the reflection original scanner 14 or a plurality of image data is input from a memory card, three thumbnail images are arranged side by side in the second sub-display area 39. . An arrow button 49 is displayed below the second sub-display area 39. By operating the arrow button 49 to scroll and display the inside of the second sub-display area 39, all thumbnail images can be confirmed. .

The main display area 37 of the operation screen 35
By operating the second display switching button 83 arranged between the second display area 39 and the second sub display area 39, the display contents of the main display area 37 and the second sub display area 39 are switched as shown in FIG. . Thus, in the main display area 37, six thumbnail images larger than the second sub-display area 39 can be viewed simultaneously.

When selecting image data to be used for combining with the template from the input image data, the thumbnail image displayed in the main display area 37 or the second sub-display area 39 is selected by the mouse 27. Click with. Then, the peripheral portion of the clicked thumbnail image is highlighted, so that it is easy to understand that the thumbnail image is being selected. When the selection button 51 in the main operation command display area 40 is operated in this state, the thumbnail image, which has been displayed in reverse, is enlarged and displayed as the synthesis target image 80 in the main display area 37, and the previously displayed trimming image is displayed. The frame 98 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the synthesis target image 80.

The operator operates the mouse 27 to suck the reference point 98e of the trimming frame 98 with the cursor 44,
The image is moved so as to overlap the top of the person image 100 of the synthesis target image 80. Next, the lower side 98c of the inner frame 98d of the trimming frame 98 is sucked by the mouse 27 and moved vertically.
The person 100 is moved to the position of the jaw. This allows
The vertical direction of the inner frame 98 d is adjusted to the head length of the human image 100.

The outer frame 98a of the trimming frame 98 is
While maintaining the ratio with respect to 8d, the image is enlarged or reduced in conjunction with the enlargement or reduction of the inner frame 98d. As shown in FIG. 2, the human image 100 of the synthesis target image 80 in the main display area 37 has an appropriate position and an appropriate size. Is surrounded by a trimming frame 98. As described above, the trimming range for the template can be determined very easily as compared with the conventional image forming system.

After trimming is completed, the paste button 52 in the main operation command display area 40 is operated. Then
The image 80 of the synthesis target, the image of the trimming frame 98, and the image data of the image 110 corresponding to the template 93 are input to the image synthesis unit 24. The image synthesizing unit 24 extracts a range surrounded by the trimming frame 98 of the synthesis target image 80 and image data having a constant width on the outer periphery of the trimming frame 98. The extracted image data is enlarged or reduced according to the size of the frame 111 of the template image 110, and is fitted to the frame 111 of the template image 110 and synthesized. As a result, the template image 110 has the outer size “4.5 cm × 3.
A top 111 of “5 cm × 4 cm” which is slightly larger than “5 cm” is formed.

Each frame of the template layout image 46 in the first sub-display area 38 of the operation screen 35 is combined with the previously selected image and displayed. In order to check the layout image by enlarging it, the first display change button 82 is operated with the mouse 27. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the main display area 37 and the first sub display area 38
The display image is switched between the main display area 37
The template layout image 46 is enlarged and displayed.

When the synthesized contents are confirmed and no correction is necessary, printing can be performed so as to be displayed in the message display area 42 in FIG. To perform printing, first, the number of prints button 75 in the menu selection display area 43 is operated to specify the number of prints. The number of prints may be specified by selecting a number displayed in the list with the mouse 27 or by inputting it from the operation panel 28. Next, the print button 53 in the main operation command display area 40 is operated. Then, the image data recorded in the RAM 20 is converted into print data, input to the printer 16, and printed. This printer 16
Is a heat-developable photosensitive material type, the template image 11 already synthesized on the photosensitive material by three laser beams
0 is recorded. A positive image is formed on the image receiving material by superimposing and heating the image receiving material to which water has been added after recording. Finally, the photosensitive material is peeled off and discharged from the printer 16 as an identification photograph 114.

In the above embodiment, the display contents can be exchanged only between the main display area and the first sub display area and between the main display area and the second sub display area. The display contents may be switched between the first sub display area and the second sub display area, and between other display areas such as the image quality adjustment display area and the main operation command display area.

Although the creation of a passport ID photograph has been described as an example, the present invention can also be used for synthesizing a template image of another ID photo or a template image other than the ID photo.

As a file reading device, in addition to a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive and an M
A large capacity data storage device such as an O disk drive may be used.

Further, as the printer, a general silver halide photosensitive material digital printer, an ink jet printer, a color thermal printer, an electrophotographic printer or the like can be used in addition to the heat developing photosensitive material printer.

[0081]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the display areas are arranged so as not to overlap each other, so that all display areas can be displayed without any troublesome operation. You can always observe. Further, since the display contents can be exchanged between the display areas, necessary display contents can be immediately enlarged or reduced by changing the size of each display area.

Further, since the operation unit for instructing the exchange of the display contents is provided on the boundary between the adjacent display areas, the operation of switching the display contents can be performed intuitively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an operation screen of image processing software.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when a template is selected on an operation screen.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation screen showing a state when the display is switched between a main display area and a first sub display area.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation screen showing a state when a display is switched between a main display area and a second sub display area.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an ID photo template.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating an identification photograph.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image forming system 11 monitor 12 personal computer 35 operation screen 37 main display area 38 first sub-display area 39 second sub-display area 46 layout image 80 image to be synthesized 110 template image 111 frames 114 ID photograph

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G09G 5/14 H04N 1/387 5E501 H04N 1/387 1/393 1/393 G09G 5/36 520N F term (reference) 2C087 AB01 AC05 AC07 AC08 BA03 BA07 BA12 BB02 BB10 BD36 CB20 DA01 5B050 CA07 DA06 EA12 EA19 FA02 FA03 FA12 FA13 5B057 BA26 CA01 CB01 CD02 CD05 CE08 CH18 5C076 AA02 AA13 AA17 AA21 AA22 CA02 CB02 AA23 A27 AA22 AA22 AA23 AA23 CA59 CA64 CB05 DA86 MM09 MM10 5E501 AA02 AC15 AC34 BA03 CA02 CB02 CB03 CB09 EA05 EA07 EA10 EA11 EA17 EB05 FA02 FA05 FA06 FA14 FA23 FB03 FB04 FB22 FB32

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for displaying an image on an operation screen and performing various image processing on image data while observing the image, wherein the operation screen has a plurality of display areas arranged so as not to overlap each other. An image forming apparatus characterized in that display contents can be exchanged between display areas. 2. The display area according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display areas have different display areas, and when the display contents are switched, the display contents are enlarged or reduced in accordance with the display area of the replacement destination. Image forming device. 3. An operation unit for instructing replacement of display contents between adjacent display areas is provided on a boundary between adjacent display areas among the plurality of display areas. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of display areas include a print preview display area and an image editing display area.