JP2002358533A - Device and system for generating image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generating device and its system which exchange picture data without a high equipment cost. SOLUTION: The present invention is constituted of computers 1 used by students and a computer 2 used by a teacher. The respective computers 1 and 2 are provided with a background picture storing part 3, a plurality of background picture selecting parts 4, a detail picture storing part 5, a detail image selecting part 6, an image size setting part 7, an image arrangement position setting part 8 and an FDD device 9 for performing control to associate information for identifying background image data with information for identifying detail image data, etc., mutually and store them in a flexible disk 10. The images generated by the students are not stored in the flexible disk 10 as image data itself but information for identifying the kind, size, direction and arrangement coordinates, etc., of the images is stored in the disk 10 so that the amount of image data is drastically reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image generating apparatus and an image generating system for storing generated image data in an image information storage device such as a flexible disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, high-performance computers have been easily available, and computers are used in various fields. Against this background, even in educational sites such as elementary schools, computers have been actively incorporated into classes.

[0003] When teaching a computer-based class to lower elementary school students, it is difficult to use letters and symbols, so it is difficult to use a computer to draw pictures and to select pictures and photographs. Many. Data such as pictures created by students is generally stored and stored on a flexible disk.

[0004] The same application software (eg, image processing software) as the student computer is installed in the computer owned by the teacher. The teacher reads data from the flexible disk provided by the student, Display an image on the screen.

[0005]

However, since the amount of image data is larger than that of character data, a complicated image or an image having a large size may not be stored on one flexible disk.

In order to avoid such a problem, a method of connecting a student's computer and a teacher's computer via a network and transmitting / receiving data via the network is conceivable. However, networking requires equipment cost. It is also likely that students in elementary school lower grades will not be able to use it.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generating apparatus and an image generating system capable of transmitting and receiving image data by a simple method without increasing equipment costs. Is to do.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a background image storing means for storing a plurality of arbitrarily selectable background image data, and one of the plurality of background image data. , A fine image storing means for storing a plurality of fine image data that can be combined with the background image data, and a fine image selecting means for selecting at least one of the plurality of fine image data Image size setting means for setting the size of the selected fine image data, image layout position setting means for setting the layout position of the selected fine image data on the background image data, and the background image selecting means. Information for identifying the selected background image data, information for identifying the fine image data selected by the fine image selecting means, and information set by the image size setting means. Size, and the set position in the image arrangement position setting means, and a storage control means for storing the image information storage unit in association with each other.

According to the present invention, since the data of the background image and the fine image are not stored in the image information storage device but the identification information of the background image and the fine image are stored, the data amount per image is greatly reduced. it can. Therefore, image data can be exchanged at an inexpensive recording medium such as a flexible disk at a school education site or the like.

[0010] If history information indicating a procedure for creating an image is stored in the image information storage device, an image can be generated according to the created procedure, which is particularly useful for education.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image generating apparatus and an image generating system according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an image generation system for school education will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an image generation system according to the present invention. The image generation system shown in FIG. 1 uses a computer (first
Computer) 1 and a computer (second computer) 2 used by the teacher.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the computers 1 and 2 includes a background image storage unit (background image storage means) 3 for storing a plurality of arbitrarily selectable background image data.
A background image selection unit (background image selection means) 4 for selecting any of a plurality of background image data, and a fine image storage unit (fine image storage means) 5 for storing a plurality of fine image data that can be combined with the background image data A fine image selecting section (fine image selecting means) 6 for selecting at least one of a plurality of fine image data; and an image size setting section (image size setting means) 7 for setting the size of the selected fine image data.
An image arrangement position setting unit (image arrangement position setting means) 8 for setting an arrangement position of the selected fine image data on the background image data; and information for identifying the background image data selected by the background image selection unit 4. The information for identifying the specific image data selected by the specific image selection unit 6, the size set by the image size setting unit 7 and the arrangement position set by the image arrangement position setting unit 8 are associated with each other, and a flexible disk (image information And a FDD device (storage control means) 9 for performing control to store data in the storage device 10.

The student creates image data using image processing software installed in the computer 1 and stores the created image data on the flexible disk 10. The same type of image processing software is also installed in the teacher's computer 2, and the teacher can read the image data in the flexible disk 10 provided by the student and display the image created by the student on the screen of the teacher's computer. Like that.

The bitmap image data has a larger amount of data at each stage than the character data, and thus may not be able to fit on one flexible disk 10. In such a case, it is conceivable to divide the image data into a plurality of files and store them on a plurality of flexible disks 10, but the operation is difficult for elementary school students.

In this embodiment, instead of storing the image data itself on the flexible disk 10, information for identifying the image data is stored to reduce the amount of information related to the image.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored on the flexible disk 10. As shown in the figure, the flexible disk 10 stores, for each image created by the student, the identification number of the background image, the identification number, size, color, direction and arrangement coordinates of the stamp material image, the operation history information of the student, and the like. , Creation date, and so on.

However, there is no limitation on the information stored in the flexible disk 10, and in addition to the above information, for example, class content, student names, evaluation records, and the like may be stored.

In this embodiment, a plurality of background images and stamp material images are prepared in advance, and each background image and each stamp material image are managed by identification numbers. When the student selects the background image and the stamp material image, only the identification number is stored on the flexible disk 10, and the image data itself is not stored.

As will be described later, the stamp material image can be arbitrarily set and changed in size, color, orientation and arrangement coordinates, and the changed information is stored in the flexible disk 10. For example, about size,
One of medium and small is stored, one of the nine colors is stored for the color, one of the right and left is stored for the direction, and the two-dimensional coordinates of the stamp material are stored for the arrangement coordinates.

In FIG. 3, only the size, color and direction of the stamp material image can be changed, but the size, color and direction of the background image may also be changeable. For example, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the color of the background image can be changed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating an image by a student. First, the student selects a background image (step S1). Although the type of the background image is not particularly limited, for example, as shown in FIG. ")). FIG. 6 shows an example in which “drawing” is selected. A plurality of images also exist in “drawing”, and any of them can be arbitrarily selected.

Next, the student selects a stamp material (step S2). The type of stamp material is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to change the contents of the stamp material according to the background image selected by the student. For example, if the student selects “Yasai” as the background image, as shown in FIG.
Provide "Yasai" type as stamp material. When the student selects "Obento" as the background image, the side dish of "Obento" is provided as a stamp material.

Next, the student asks for the size of the stamp material,
The color, orientation, and arrangement coordinates are set (step S3).
As for the size, as shown in FIG. 8, one of large, medium, and small can be selected.
(A) As shown in FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c), it is possible to select left-right inversion and rotation in units of 90 degrees. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the density (luminance) of the stamp material
May be selectable.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which the arrangement coordinates and the direction of the stamp material image representing the green onion are changed as compared with FIG.

When the image is completed, the student stores the image on the flexible disk 10 (step S4). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the image data itself is not stored, but information for identifying the type of the image data is stored.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of types of frames displayed on the edge of the background image may be provided so that any one of them can be selected. If the student selects any frame, the flexible disk 10
Only the number for identifying the frame is stored.

Further, a function that can be drawn by the student himself may be provided separately from the stamp material image. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of pens having different thicknesses and types may be prepared so that any of the pens can be arbitrarily selected. Also, an image drawn with a pen may be displayed in reverse video as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15, an image filter may be applied to a background image or a stamp material image. FIG. 15A shows an example of a filter that enhances the brightness, FIG. 15B shows an example of a filter that curves the periphery as viewed from a glass, and FIG. 15C shows an example of a filter that reproduces a scene reflected on the water surface. Is shown. The type of filter is not particularly limited.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a shape for trimming the periphery of the background image may be made selectable. For example, FIG. 16A shows an example in which a heart shape is trimmed, FIG. 16B shows an example in which an oval shape is trimmed, and FIG. 16C shows an example in which a star shape is trimmed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, a calendar may be created using images created by students. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, a plurality of types of calendars may be prepared and any one of them may be selected. Also in this case, the flexible disk 10 stores a number for identifying the type of the selected calendar.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, an image created by a student may be printed. At this time, it may be possible to select whether to print one image on one sheet of paper or to print a plurality of images on one sheet of paper. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, one image may be printed on one surface of the die, that is, so-called dice printing may be performed.

If the computer 1 used by the student has a printing function, it is likely to cause trouble. Therefore, only the computer 2 used by the teacher may have the printing function.

As described above, in this embodiment, the image created by the student is stored in the flexible disk
Instead of storing in 0, the image type, size, orientation,
The information for identifying the arrangement coordinates and the like is stored in the flexible disk 10.
, The amount of image data can be greatly reduced.
Therefore, when exchanging images between the student and the teacher at the site of school education, the flexible disk 10 is sufficient and the equipment cost can be reduced.

Further, since the flexible disk also stores history information indicating the operation procedure of the student, the teacher can grasp the procedure in which the student created the image, and provide detailed guidance to the student. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, an image generation system used in school education has been described.
It is applicable to various technical fields. The recording medium for exchanging image data is not necessarily limited to the flexible disk 10. For example, even when a CD-ROM is used, a large amount of images can be stored on one CD-ROM by applying the present invention.

[0037]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the background image data and the fine image data are not stored in the image information storage device as they are, but the identification information of each data is stored. The data amount of one image can be greatly reduced, and a plurality of images can be stored even if the storage capacity of the image information storage device is small. Therefore, at the school education site, the image created by the student can be stored on an inexpensive flexible disk and given to the teacher, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an image generation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the internal configuration of a computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored on a flexible disk.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the color of a background image can be changed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which a student creates an image.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a display example of a screen for selecting a background image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen when “Yasai” is selected as a background image.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining size selection of a stamp material.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining selection of the orientation of a stamp material.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining selection of the density of a stamp material.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the arrangement coordinates and the direction of the stamp material image representing the green onion are changed as compared with FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a display example of a screen for selecting a frame type.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of pens having different thicknesses and types are prepared, and one of the pens is selected.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which an image drawn with a pen is displayed in reverse.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which an image filter is applied to a background image and a stamp material image.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining selection of a shape for trimming the periphery of a background image.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing how a calendar is created using images created by students.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating selection of a calendar type.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating printing of an image created by a student.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating dice printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Computer 3 Background image storage unit 4 Background image selection unit 5 Fine image storage unit 6 Fine image selection unit 7 Image size selection unit 8 Image arrangement position selection unit 9 FDD device 10 Flexible disk

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yamazaki Saki Sanae 1-3-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba F-term in Ichikawa Soft Laboratory Co., Ltd. 2C028 AA10 BA01 BA02 BB04 BC04 BC05 BD02 CA06 5B050 AA07 BA06 BA10 CA07 DA10 EA12 EA13 EA19 FA19

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Background image storage means for storing a plurality of arbitrarily selectable background image data; background image selection means for selecting any of the plurality of background image data; A fine image storing means for storing a plurality of fine image data; a fine image selecting means for selecting at least one of the plurality of fine image data; and an image size setting means for setting a size of the selected fine image data Image arrangement position setting means for setting the arrangement position of the selected fine image data on the background image data; information for identifying the background image data selected by the background image selecting means; Information for identifying the selected sub-image data, the size set by the image size setting means, and the information set by the image arrangement position setting means. The location position, the image generation apparatus characterized by comprising: a storage control means for storing the image information storage unit in association with each other. 2. The image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage control means stores at least one of selected background image data and fine image data in said image information storage device. . 3. The storage control unit stores history information of selection / setting by the background image selection unit, the fine image selection unit, the image size setting unit, and the image arrangement position setting unit in the image information storage device. 3. The image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage control means stores information on rotation of the selected fine image data in said image information storage device. 5. The image generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image information storage device is a flexible disk. 6. The background image storing means according to claim 1, wherein said background image selecting means, said fine image storing means, said fine image selecting means, and said image size setting means. A first computer comprising: the image arrangement position setting means; and the storage control means for reading / writing data from / to the removable image information storage device; and the first computer storing the image information. An image generation system, comprising: a second computer capable of displaying an image generated by the first computer on a display device based on data stored in the device.