JP2002118734A - Image processing method and unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing method and unit that can arbitrarily set the layout of images placed on each page and freely change the size of each page. SOLUTION: A plurality of image data are stored, and a photo layout description section 204 stores a size 203 of a page on which images are laid out and the layout of the photo images on the page. The photo layout description section 204 stores a name 205 and a position 206 of each photo image as the layout description of each page. The size of the page is decided, according to the page size stored in the page size 203, and the layout of the photo image on the page is decided according to the positional information 206 of each photo image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for taking in an image or the like stored in an image input device such as a communication line or a scanner or a digital camera or a storage medium and editing the image. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called electronic album apparatus has been known in which image data input from a digital camera, a scanner, or the like is electronically pasted on a page (mount) and stored. In such an apparatus, the layout of the photographic image on each page (mount) is fixed, and the maximum value of the number of photographs pasted on each page is also a predetermined number. Also, the shape of the mount was constant. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a layout display example of the photographic images 180 to 183 laid out on the mount 185.

[0003]

Therefore, conventionally, it has not been possible to perform a layout in which a photograph (image) can be freely attached to an arbitrary position on a mount. For example, even if the electronic album is composed of a plurality of pages, FIG.
As shown in the figure, all pages had the same layout.

Further, since the size of each page, that is, the size of the mount is the same, even if it is desired to paste photos of the same category within the same page, the layout is uniform. The number of photos attached could be reduced but not increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and has as its object to provide an image processing method and apparatus capable of arbitrarily setting a layout of an image arranged for each page.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method and apparatus capable of freely setting the size of each page to which an image is pasted.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.
That is, an image storage unit for storing a plurality of image data, a page size storage unit for storing a size of a page on which the image is arranged, and an image selected from the image data stored in the image storage unit. Allocating means for allocating to an arbitrary position, and position storing means for storing positional information on the page of the image allocated to the page by the allocating means.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the image processing method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, an allocating step of allocating an image selected from a memory storing a plurality of image data to an arbitrary position on a page, and storing position information on the page of the image allocated to the page in the allocating step. And a position storage step.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire system, and 101 denotes an input device. In this embodiment, the input device includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. Reference numeral 102 denotes a storage device having a storage device such as a hard disk or a CD-ROM, and a RAM which is executed by the CPU 100 and stores a control program for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus and data necessary for performing various controls. And the like. It also stores the data shown in FIG. 2 (these will be described later). 1
A display device 03 displays various data and laid-out image data (photographs), for example, a liquid crystal display or a CRT.

In the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
20 can be freely set, the length of the mount 194 in the horizontal direction can be increased (shortened) as shown in FIG. 20, or the length of the mount 195 in the vertical direction can be increased as shown in FIG. (Short) and the layout of the photo arrangement can be set freely.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining page layout data stored in the storage device 102 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a default page layout description area that stores predetermined (default) layout data. A page layout description unit 201 stores a layout description for each page corresponding to each page. The page layout description section 201 has one packet data (page layout description) 202 for each page. In other words, when there are ten pages, the page layout description section 201 has a maximum of ten types of page layout descriptions.

Reference numeral 202 denotes the contents of the page layout description of each page, and 203 stores data of each page size. The page size is, for example, the size of the display screen by default, but the user can arbitrarily change the size. Reference numeral 204 denotes a photo layout description unit that describes the layout of image data (photo data in this embodiment) existing on the page. This photo layout description section 204
Contains photo layout description data as many as the number of photos existing on this page.
If there are five photos, there are five photo layout description data.

Reference numerals 205 and 206 denote the data structure of each photo layout description unit 204, 205 denotes a name for specifying the photo, and 206 denotes a display position of the photo on the page. The photo layout description data is fixed-length data.

In the present embodiment, the maximum number of the photo layout description sections 204 stored in the page layout description 201 is “20” (maximum 20 pages), and the photo layout description section 204 that does not include a photo has its name. By inserting name data that cannot be normally used as 205, it is possible to determine whether or not the photo layout description unit 204 actually includes a photo.

The actual photographic data is stored in the storage device 102.
The name 205 of the photograph data and the address stored in the storage device 102 of the photograph data are stored in association with each other, for example, as the table 112. When displaying the photograph data, the storage device 10 refers to the table 112 (FIG. 1) based on the name 205 described in the photograph layout description section 204.
An address at which the corresponding photo data is stored is obtained, and the corresponding photo data is read from the address and displayed on the display device 103.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a display process of each page in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment.
2 is stored in the program area. In this process, when a page number to be displayed is specified, layout information of the designated page is read, and photograph data laid out on the page is read and displayed.

First, in step S1, when a page number to be displayed is specified using the input device 101, the page layout description is retrieved from the page layout description section 201 of the storage device 102. When the page layout description of the designated page number is obtained, step S2 is performed.
To read the size 203 of the specified page from the page layout description of the page to be displayed. Then, in step S3, the value of a counter N for counting the number of photos is set to "1", and a pointer P is set at the head of the photo layout description of the photo layout description unit 204 of the page layout. Next, step S
The process proceeds to step S4, and a background (backing paper 114 (see FIG. 4)) having a size corresponding to the page size read in step S2 is displayed. The pointer P and the counter N are provided in a work area of the storage device 102.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 113 denotes a display screen of the display device 103, and reference numeral 114 denotes a mount, which is displayed on the screen and has a size corresponding to a page size.

Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where data indicating the name 205 of the picture and the display position 206 on the page are read from the picture layout description section 204 pointed to by the pointer P. Then, in a step S6, it is determined whether or not the name 205 of the read photo is correct. As described above, in the present embodiment, a maximum of 20 pictures can be arranged on each page, and the page layout description section 201 of each page can be arranged.
Has an area for a maximum of 20 photo layout descriptions. If there is no photo on the page, a description that is not defined as a name, that is,
(Hexadecimal notation). Therefore, in step S6, it is determined whether the head of the name 205 is FF (hexadecimal notation). Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the effective photo layout description is stored in the photo layout description unit 204 with the head thereof justified. That is, it is assumed that the effective photo layout description is stored from the top of the photo layout description unit 204. Therefore, in step S6, it is determined that there is no valid photograph after the item whose name 205 of the photo layout description of the page starts with FF (hexadecimal notation), and the name 205 of the photo layout description is incorrect ( If it is determined that the head starts with FF (hexadecimal notation), the page display processing ends.

In step S6, if the name 205 is a correct name, the flow advances to step S7 to refer to the table 112 based on the name and to determine the address of the storage device 102 in which the photographic data corresponding to the name is stored. Then, the corresponding photo data is read. Then, the read photo data is displayed in the page based on the position information 206 of the photo layout description read in step S5 (step S7). Then, the process proceeds to a step S8, where the counter N is incremented by +1 in order to display the next photo data.
Then, in step S9, the pointer P is advanced to the head of the next photo layout description. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10, where it is determined whether or not the value of the counter N is larger than the maximum number of photos "20" on the page. If the value is larger, the page display process is terminated. If the value is equal or smaller, the next photo is displayed. It returns to the process of step S5.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show photographs on a new page (backing sheet).
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a process of pasting to.

FIG. 5 shows a display state when a new page (backing sheet) is opened. Here, the backing sheet 114, a read command area 500 for instructing reading of a photograph, and an end instruction area 502 for instructing the end of processing. Is displayed.

In FIG. 5, by moving the mouse cursor 501 to the command area 500 for instructing reading of a photo and clicking on the command area, the reading process of the photo data is started. When instructing the end, the user can move the mouse cursor 501 to the end instruction area 502 and click it to instruct the end of the process.

In FIG. 5, when the read command area 500 is clicked, the screen changes as shown in FIG. 6 in order to read the photograph data already stored in the storage device 102. In FIG. 6, “A” to “D” are storage devices 1
02 shows the name of the photo data stored in the storage area. Reference numerals 510 and 511 are used for scrolling the names of the photo data stored in the storage device 102 when the names are larger than the number of photo data currently displayed in the list. That is, assuming that the photograph data exists from “A” to “H”, the mouse cursor 501 is moved from the state shown in FIG.
When the user moves to 11 and clicks, “E” to “H” are displayed as the names of the photograph data. When scroll button 510 is further clicked in this state, "A" to "D" are displayed again as shown in FIG.

Here, when the mouse cursor 501 is moved to any of the photo data names "A" to "D" and clicked, the photo data indicating the area is displayed in the area of the name "A". In this state, when the mouse cursor 501 is moved to attach the photograph to the mount 114, the photograph image also moves.

FIG. 7 shows this state. In FIG. 7, 5
03 is a display of the selected photographic image. When the mouse is clicked again after moving the photographic image in this way, the photographic image 503 is displayed as if it was pasted at that position on the mount 114 (then, even if the mouse cursor 501 is moved, the photographic image is displayed). The image 503 does not move).

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow charts showing the processing procedures associated with the mouse operation described above. A control program for executing this processing is stored in the storage device 102.

The processing shown in FIG. 8 is started by a click operation of the mouse. First, in step S21, the position of the mouse cursor 501 at that time is set to the above-described read instruction area 500.
To see if it is. If it is in the reading instruction area 500, the process proceeds to step S23, in which a flag INREAD indicating a mode for reading the photograph data on the mount 114 is set to "1", and it is indicated whether or not the photograph data of the photograph is grasped (clip state). The flag CLIP is set to “0”. Then, the process proceeds to step S24 to display a list of the photograph data stored in the storage device 102 (see FIG. 6). The flags INREAD and CLIP are provided in the work area of the storage device 102.

If the clicked position is not the read instruction area 500 in step S21, the flow advances to step S22 to check whether the clicked position is the end instruction area 502. If so, the process proceeds to step S25, in which both the flag INREAD and the flag CLIP are set to "0", and in step S26, the list display is erased and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S22 that the operation is not a click operation in the end area 502, the process proceeds to step S27, in which the flag INREAD is "1" and the mouse cursor 50
It is checked whether 1 is in the scroll buttons 510 and 511 and the photo list display. If so, steps S28 to S
Go to any of 30. That is, the scroll button 510
If is clicked, the flow advances to step S28 to perform a process for displaying the four photo data names before the list display. If the scroll button 511 has been clicked, the flow advances to step S29 to perform processing for displaying the four photo data names after the list display. These processes are
In the list display processing of step S24, the name of the photograph data is
For example, if a table is created by sorting in alphabetical order, it is only necessary to switch the pointer from which name to display. Here, since this process is not the main process, the description thereof is omitted.

When the mouse cursor 501 is clicked on the photograph data name, the process proceeds to step S30,
The flag CLIP indicating that the clip is being performed is set to “1”,
Then, the process proceeds to step S31, where a photographic image of the designated file is displayed. Then move the mouse cursor,
Alternatively, this processing is exited because the user has a click operation in a state where the mouse cursor is moved on the mount 114.

If the position of the mouse cursor when the click operation is performed is not at any of the above positions, step S
Proceeding to 32, it is determined whether or not the position of the mouse cursor is on the mount 114. If so, proceed to step S33,
It is determined whether or not the flag CLIP is "1", that is, whether or not the photographic image is clipped when clicked. When the flag CLIP is "0", that is, when the photographic image is not clipped, there is no point in clicking on the mount 114, so that no processing is performed, and the process exits from this click processing. When the flag CLIP is "1", the process proceeds to step S34, and it is determined whether or not the clipped photographic image does not protrude from the mount 114 at the clicked position.

This can be easily calculated based on the position of the mouse cursor 501 when clicked and the size of the photograph data. If it does, the process proceeds to step S37 to perform error processing, for example, sounding a warning sound or displaying a warning.

On the other hand, if it does not protrude, the process proceeds to step S35, in which a clipped photographic image is pasted, and the flag CLIP is set to "0". Thus, even if the mouse cursor 501 is moved, the photograph data does not move (exit from the clip state). Thus, the photo layout description section 204 corresponding to the photo image
The name and the position where it is arranged are stored. Thereafter, the processing exits from the clip processing.

In this state, the same or another photographic image can be designated again and attached to a desired position on the mount 114. This process can be repeated until the end instruction area 502 is clicked.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing for moving the mouse cursor 501 in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
2 is stored in the program area. In this mouse movement process, data indicating the amount of movement of the mouse input from the mouse of the input device 101 is sampled and input at predetermined time intervals by, for example, interruption, and the amount and direction of movement of the mouse are determined based on the data. Is determined.

First, in step S41, it is determined whether or not the flag CLIP is "1", that is, whether or not the photographic image is currently clipped (indicating the photographic image). If clipping is performed (CLIP = 1), the process proceeds to step S42, and processing for moving and displaying the currently clipped photographic image in accordance with the movement of the mouse cursor 501 is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S44, in which the moved mouse cursor 501 itself is displayed.

On the other hand, if the flag CLIP is "0" in step S41, the flow advances to step S43. In this case, since it is unrelated to the movement of the photographic image, a process corresponding to the process at that time is performed, and the process proceeds to step S44, where the mouse cursor 501 itself is moved. Then, the mouse moving process is exited.

Next, a process for moving a photographic image pasted on the mount 114 will be described.

When the above-mentioned photo image is read and pasted, or when the layout of the already pasted photo is to be changed, the photograph image itself is clicked.
The mouse cursor 501 is moved to move the photographic image.

In this case, the processing steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 are determined as "NO" in step S33 of FIG.
Add to the processing after. That is, the process shown in FIG. 10 is performed when the user clicks in the area of the mount 114 and the photographic data is not currently clipped.

First, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the position of the mouse cursor 501 when the mouse cursor 501 is clicked on the mount 114 is a place where a photographic image exists. If it is a place where no photographic image exists, the process proceeds to step S52, and since there is no meaning, this process is exited. On the other hand, step S51
If so, the process proceeds to step S52, where the flag CLIP is set to "1" (the photo image is clipped). Then, the process exits.

As a result, when the mouse cursor 501 is next moved and clicked on the mount 114, the process proceeds to steps S32 → S33 → S34 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and the mouse cursor 501 is moved to the position where the mouse cursor 501 was moved. Photo images can be pasted.

Next, a process for changing the size of the mount 114 will be described.

FIGS. 11 to 14 are diagrams for explaining the process of changing the size of the mount 114. FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, when a normal mount is displayed, a size change button 511 for changing the mount size is provided. Therefore, by moving the mouse cursor 501 to this button 511 and clicking,
An instruction to change the mount size can be given.

As a result, as shown in FIG.
The display is changed from the screen displaying “4” to the screen displaying the mount frame 115. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 114 denotes an original mount size, and reference numeral 115 denotes a mount frame for designating the mount size. Immediately after transitioning to the size change mode by instructing the size change button 511,
Since the original mount size is the same as the mount size to be changed, the two display frames are overlapped on the screen of the display device 103. When the mouse is moved rightward in this state, the right end of the mount frame 115 moves rightward, and when the mouse is moved leftward, the right end moves leftward. When it is further moved upward, the lower end of the mount frame 115 becomes shorter,
When moved downward, the lower end moves downward.

When the mouse is moved diagonally, the width and length of the mount frame 115 may be changed simultaneously.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the size of the mount frame 115 is changed to the size indicated by the mount frame 116 by moving the mouse to the right from the state of FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the mouse is moved downward from the state of FIG. 13 to increase the size of the mount 115 in the downward direction.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 117 denotes the changed mount size, and 115 denotes the original mount size.

In this embodiment, in FIGS. 11 to 14, even if the mouse is moved, the position indicated by the mouse cursor 501 does not move but remains at the same position (within the size change button 511). is there. Only the frame indicating the mount frame grows or shrinks according to the movement of the mouse.

To exit the mount size changing mode, the mouse may be clicked again.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing when the mouse cursor 501 is moved into the mount size change button 511 and the mouse is clicked. FIG. 8 shows the processing when the mouse is clicked.
Are included in other processes in step S38 of the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S61, the mouse cursor 5
The position indicated by 01 is the mount size change button 511
Judge whether it is within. If it is not within the change button 511, the process proceeds to step S62, and the other process 2 is executed.

At step S61, the mouse cursor 501
Indicates the inside of the size change button 511, the flow advances to step S63 to determine whether or not the flag CLIP is "1".
That is, it is determined whether or not the photographic image is clipped. When the clip is being made, that is, when CLIP = 1, the process directly exits to prevent the mount size from being changed.

When clipping is not performed in step S63,
That is, when the flag CLIP = 0, the process proceeds to step S64, and it is determined whether or not the current mode is the board size change mode.
This is provided with a flag SIZEC, and when the value of this flag is "1", it is determined that the mode is the mount size change mode,
When it is "0", it is determined that the mode is not the mount size change mode. Note that this flag SIZEC is also provided in the work area of the storage device 102.

If the mode is not the mount size change mode (flag SIZEC = 0), the flow advances to step S65, and the flag SIZEC is set to "1" in order to set the mount size change mode. The current mount size is substituted for (XSIZE, YSIZE) indicating the mount frame size. Note that XSIZE indicates the length of the mount in the left-right direction, and YSIZE indicates the length of the mount in the vertical direction. Specifically, the value stored in the size 203 in FIG. 2 is set. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S66, and FIG.
6 and the mount size changing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is performed, and thereafter, the process exits.

If the mode is the board size change mode in step S64 (SIZE = 1), the process proceeds to step S67, and the flag S is set to end the board size change mode.
IZEC is set to “0” and the page size information (FIG. 2)
203), the values of XSIZE and YSIZE are set. Then, the process proceeds to step S68 to return to the display before the mount size changing mode. This can be achieved by simply executing the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, when the mount size changing mode is set, the mouse cursor 501 does not move, so that the process inevitably exits the mount size changing mode when the mouse is clicked next (steps S67 and S68). Will be executed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a mouse moving process in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A program for executing this process is stored in the program area of the storage device 102. This process is executed before step S41 in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S71, the flag SIZEC
Is "1", that is, whether the mode is the mount size change mode. When the mode is not the mount size changing mode, the process shifts to the above-described process of step S41 (FIG. 9) (normal mouse moving process).

If the flag SIZEC is "1" in step S71, the flow advances to step S72 to change the size of the backing paper. First, in a step S72, it is determined whether or not the moving direction of the mouse is rightward. If so, the flow proceeds to step S73, and XSIZE indicating the horizontal length of the backing sheet.
Is incremented by 1 and then, in step S74, the XSIZE
Indicates the maximum length of the mount in the horizontal direction.
It is checked whether it is equal to or greater than "X", and if so, the value of XSIZE is set to the maximum length "XSIZEMAX".
If the value of XSIZE is equal to or smaller than "XSIZEMAX", this process ends.

If it is determined in step S72 that the mouse is not moving rightward, the flow advances to step S76 to determine whether the mouse is moving leftward or not. If so, proceed to step S77,
The value of XSIZE indicating the length of the mount in the horizontal direction is decremented by -1 (to be shortened). Next, in step S78, the value of XSIZE is set to "XSIZEMIN" indicating the minimum length of the mount in the horizontal direction.
It is checked whether it is equal to or greater than. If it is less than this, the process proceeds to step S79, and the value of XSIZE is set to the minimum length "XSIZEMIN". If the value of XSIZE is equal to or larger than "XSIZEMIN", this process ends.

If it is determined in step S76 that the mouse is not moving leftward, the flow advances to step S80 to determine whether the mouse is moving upward. If so, the process proceeds to step S81, in which the value of YSIZE indicating the length of the mount in the vertical direction is reduced by 1 (to be shortened). Then, in step S82, the value of YSIZE indicates the minimum length of the mount in the vertical direction. "YSIZEMI"
It is checked whether it is equal to or greater than "N". If it is less than N, the process proceeds to step S83, and the value of YSIZE is set to "YSIZEMIN". If the value of YSIZE is equal to or larger than "YSIZEMIN", this process ends.

Further, if it is determined in step S80 that the movement is not upward, the process proceeds to step S84, where it is determined that the moving direction of the mouse is downward. Then, the value of YSIZE indicating the length of the mount in the vertical direction is incremented by 1 (increased), and then in step S85, the value of YSIZE is equal to "YSIZEMAX" indicating the maximum length of the mount in the vertical direction, or Is checked to see if it is less than or equal to it. Otherwise, the value of YSIZE is set to “YSIZEMAX”. If the value of YSIZE is equal to or smaller than "YSIZEMAX", this process ends.

Although the processing in FIG. 16 does not consider the movement of the mouse in the oblique direction, the processing in FIG.
By executing the rightward movement processing, the leftward movement processing, then the upward movement processing, and the downward movement processing in series, when the mouse is moved in an oblique direction, both XSIZE and YSIZE can be updated simultaneously. . Thus, the mouse can be moved in an oblique direction to change the length of the mount size in the horizontal and vertical directions at the same time.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the process of changing the size of the backing sheet according to the present embodiment. The program for executing this process is stored in the program area of the storage device 102.

First, in step S91, the display area of the maximum settable area is cleared. This is because the area in which the photograph data is displayed is used in the mount size changing mode. Next, the process proceeds to step S92, where XSIZ
A mount frame indicated by E, YSIZE is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S93, and the current mount frame (frame indicating the current mount size) is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step S94,
With mouse state change. When a mouse state change occurs, the process exits from this process. Here, the mouse state change is
It means mouse movement and mouse click.

In the above embodiment, only the current mount frame is displayed when the size of the mount is enlarged or reduced. However, these photos are reduced and displayed so that the photos already pasted on the mount can be seen. Alternatively, it may be displayed in a simplified manner so as to be understood. By doing this,
It is a measure of how large the mount should be or how small it should be. This can be easily realized by adding not only the display of the mount frame but also a process of reducing or displaying a photograph in the process of step S93 in FIG.

When displaying a photographic image at the position pointed by the mouse cursor 501 in step S42 in FIG. 9 described above, the photographic image is not displayed in a complete form, but is simply displayed or a simple figure or frame. May be displayed. As a result, the load of image movement on the device can be reduced.

The storage device 102 according to the present embodiment
May be detachable. As a result, the storage device 102 storing the photo layout and the mount is mounted on another image processing apparatus, and the photographic image and the mount stored therein are read out and displayed on the display device of the image processing apparatus. You can also.

In addition to displaying the album thus created, a desired photograph or the like may be printed by a color printer or the like.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but it can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile) Device).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, photographic images can be freely arranged on a mount instead of an electronic album including photographic images arranged on the mount with a fixed layout as in the related art. Can provide electronic albums.

Also, since the size of the mount can be freely changed, the number of pictures to be pasted on one page can be increased. For example, pictures of the same category (for example, athletic meet) can be pasted on the same page. There is an effect that an electronic album that can be easily arranged can be provided.

Although the image has been described as a photographic image in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, image data input from a storage medium such as a scanner or a photo CD may be used, or image data input from a communication line or another device may be used.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the layout of an image to be arranged for each page can be arbitrarily set.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the size of each page to which an image is pasted can be freely set.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of page layout description data of an electronic album in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating page display processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an initial display of a mount in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen in a page display process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example after an instruction to read a photographic image has been given;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where a list-displayed image is designated and pasted on a mount.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a mouse is clicked in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a mouse is moved in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a photograph image is moved on a mount by designating the photograph image.
9 is a flowchart showing a process added to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen of a process of changing a mount size in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display immediately after a mount size changing process is instructed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the mouse is moved rightward in the mount size changing mode.

14 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the mouse is moved downward from the state of FIG. 13 in the mount size changing mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another example of processing executed in step S38 of FIG. 8 to enter the mount size changing mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating additional processing when the mouse is moved in the mount size changing mode in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process of changing the size of the mount.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a conventional mount and photo layout.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a mount and a photograph in the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a mount and a photograph according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a mount and a photograph in the present embodiment.

Claims (14)

[Claims] An image storage unit configured to store a plurality of image data; a page size storage unit configured to store a size of a page on which the image is arranged; and an image selected from the image data stored in the image storage unit. Allocating means for allocating an arbitrary position on the page, and position storage means for storing positional information on the page of the image allocated to the page by the allocating means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a page size changing unit for changing a size of the page. 3. The image processing apparatus further comprises storage means for storing position information of the image stored in the position storage means on the page and storage positions of image data corresponding to the image in the image storage means in association with each other. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the allocating unit displays a list of a plurality of images stored in the image storage unit, and an image selected from the plurality of images displayed on the list display unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a takeout unit that takes out an image; and a unit that assigns an image taken out by the takeout unit to a position on a designated page. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the page size storage unit stores respective sizes of a plurality of pages. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a change unit that indicates an image allocated to the page and changes a position of the image on the page. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that warns of an error when an image assigned to the page runs off the page. 8. An allocating step of allocating an image selected from a memory storing a plurality of image data to an arbitrary position on a page, and positional information on the page of the image allocated to the page in the allocating step. And a position storing step of storing the image data. 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a page size changing step of storing the size of the page and changing the size of the page. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the position information on the page of the image stored in the position storing step and the storage position of the image data corresponding to the image in the memory in association with each other. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein: 11. In the allocating step, a list displaying step of displaying a list of a plurality of images stored in the memory, and extracting an image selected from the plurality of images displayed in the list displaying step The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising: a fetching step; and allocating an image fetched in the fetching step to a position on a designated page. 12. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the size of the page is stored as the size of each of a plurality of pages. 13. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a change step of designating an image allocated to the page and changing a position of the image on the page. 14. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of giving a warning as an error when an image assigned to the page runs off the page.