JP2003141556A - Image data generator, image output system, image data generating method, image output method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the input or selection of an object (letter contained in an image or the like) by presenting a user with information related to the user's position and/or time in generating image data. SOLUTION: A position information acquiring part 143 acquires information about the current position of an image data generator 101, that is, the user's current position. A time information acquiring part 145 acquires information about the current time. A related information database 169 stores related information (e.g. the name of a theme park in the vicinity of a certain position) related to the position information and time information. A related information acquiring part 141 fetches from the related information database 169 the related information related to the position information acquired by the position information acquiring part 143 and the time information acquired by the time information acquiring part 145. The related information fetched is presented to the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data generation device, an image output system, an image data generation method, an image output method, a program and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional image data generation, a user inputs or selects an object (characters, images, etc. to be included in an image), and an image data generation device arranges and decorates the object to generate an image. I was taking the procedure.

[0003]

However, the user may not be able to input or select an object that he or she actually wants to input or select.

Therefore, if the user can be presented with information relating to the position and time (time etc.) of the user, it is considered useful for inputting or selecting an object.

It is an object of the present invention to present the user with information relating to the position and / or time of the user in image data generation, and facilitate the input or selection of an object.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image data generating device according to the present invention is an image data generating device for generating image data, the information relating to position and / or the information relating to time. To the information relating to the position and / or the information relating to the time acquired from the information obtaining means from the storing means. Related information output means for extracting and outputting related information, object data acquisition means for acquiring object data, and image data generation means for generating image data including an object of the object data acquired by the object data acquisition means. With.

[0007] Here, the information acquisition means acquires information about a position and / or information about a time by communicating with the terminal, and the related information output means acquires information about a position acquired by the information acquisition means. and/
Alternatively, information related to time information may be transmitted to the terminal, and the object data acquisition means may receive or input object data by communicating with the terminal.

Here, the image data generating device further comprises a style data acquisition means for acquiring style data.
The image data generating means may generate image data that reflects the style.

[0009] Here, the style data acquisition means may receive or input style data by communicating with a terminal.

Here, the style data acquisition means may acquire style data from the object data acquired by the object data acquisition means.

An image output system according to the present invention comprises the image data generating device and an image output device for outputting an image based on the image data generated by the image data generating device.

Another image output system according to the present invention provides position information and / or time information by communicating with the image data generating device and the image data generating device to generate the image data. A terminal for inputting or selecting object data by receiving information related to the provided position information and / or time information from a device and communicating with the image data generation device, and the image data generation device. An image output device that receives image data generated by the device and outputs an image based on the image data.

An image data generating method according to the present invention is an image data generating method for generating image data, which comprises an information acquiring step of acquiring information regarding position and / or time, and information regarding position and / or time. From the storage means for storing information related to the information about
Related information output step of extracting and outputting information related to position information and / or time information acquired in the information acquisition step, object data acquisition step of acquiring object data, and acquisition in the object data acquisition step Image data generating step of generating image data including an object of the object data.

An image output method according to the present invention is an image output method in an image output system including an image data generation device and an image output device, wherein the image data generation device relates to position information and / or time information. The information acquisition step of acquiring information, and the image data generation device, from the storage means for storing information related to position information and / or time information, the position information and / or time acquired in the information acquisition step. Related information output step of extracting and outputting information related to information related to the information, object data acquisition step of acquiring object data in the image data generation device, and acquisition in the object data acquisition step of the image data generation device Object Comprising an image data generation step of generating data of an image including an object data, in the image output apparatus, and outputting an image based on image data that is generated.

Another image output method according to the present invention is an image output method in an image output system including a terminal, an image data generation device, and an image output device, wherein the image data generation device communicates with the terminal. By performing an information acquisition step of acquiring information about a position and / or information about a time, and in the image data generating device, from the storage means for storing information related to the information about a position and / or the information about a time, By extracting information related to the position-related information and / or time-related information acquired in the information acquisition step, and transmitting the related information to the terminal, in the image data generation device, by communicating with the terminal,
An object data acquisition step of receiving input or selection of object data; an image data generation step of generating image data including an object of the object data acquired in the object data acquisition step in the image data generation device; An image data transmission step of transmitting the generated image data from the generation apparatus to the image output apparatus, and a step of outputting an image based on the generated image data in the image output apparatus.

A program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the image data generating method.

A recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the image data generating method.

According to the above configuration, in image data generation, it is possible to present the user with information related to the position and / or time of the user, and to easily input or select an object.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image data generation device 101 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 121,
Memory 122, interface 125, input means 12
6 and display 127, and can take the form of a personal computer, for example.

The CPU 121 can take the form of a microprocessor and performs various controls.

In the memory 122, a user interface 131, a second style data acquisition unit 133, a layout file selection unit 135, a decoration file selection unit 137, an image data generation unit 139, a related information acquisition unit 141, a position information acquisition unit 143, and A program for performing the processing of the hour information acquisition unit 145 is stored. In addition, the memory 122
Are used when performing these processes, and are used to temporarily store the results of these processes. Also, memory 1
22 includes a layout library 151, a font decoration library 153, a character decoration library 155, a color decoration library 157, a background decoration library 159, files in the image decoration library 161, and the layout decoration library 163, and an object first object.
Style database 165, Second style database 167
The data in the related information database 169 is also stored. These programs, files and data may be stored in advance in the memory 122, hard disk or the like, or may be stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM or the like and stored in the memory 122, hard disk or the like before execution. It may be read. In the present embodiment, the user interface 131, the second style data acquisition unit 133, the layout selection unit 135, the decoration file selection unit 137, the image data generation unit 139, the related information acquisition unit 141, the position information acquisition unit 1
The 43 and the hour information acquisition unit 145 are basically realized by software, but all or part of them can be realized by hardware.

The image data generation device 101 outputs the image data to the image output device 102 via the interface 125.
Send to. The image output device 102 can take the form of a printer and outputs an image based on the received image data.

The input means 126 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The display 127 is a device for displaying images and the like, and is used when inputting / outputting data.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing each function of the image data generating apparatus according to this embodiment. The image data generation device 101 according to the present embodiment uses image object data,
And input or selection of image style data.
The image style is also acquired from the input or selected object. Then, the image data including the object, which reflects the input or selected style and the style acquired from the object, is generated. However, the image (data) can be generated without inputting or selecting the style of the image, that is, without considering the style of the image. The image data generation device 101 presents the user with relevant information corresponding to the current position and time as a hint for inputting or selecting object data, which will be described later.

The user uses the first data as the image style data.
The style data can be input to the image data generation device 101. Further, it is possible to input headline data, text data, sender data, and image data as image object data. However, the user
It is not necessary to input all of the first style data, headline data, text data, sender data, and image data, and only what is desired to be reflected in the image may be input.
The first style data and the object data (headline sentence data, text data, sender data, and image data) are input via the user interface 131. The user interface 131 allows the user to easily input the first style data and the object data by using the input means 126 while looking at the display 127. In the present embodiment, the style data input by the user is referred to as first style data, and the style data acquired from the object data input by the user is referred to as the second style data for distinction.

The headline sentence data, the body text data, and the sender data are object data composed of characters.

As the headline data, for example, New Year's headlines such as "Happy New Year", "Kasho", "Yoharu", greeting headlines such as "Moved", "Moved", etc. "○○○ notification" is possible.

[0029] As the text data, for example, "Thank you for your continued support this year.", "Please drop in when you come near us.", "Today is not good .. By the way ..." Conceivable. The number of characters is not limited within the common sense.

The sender data is data indicating the sender's name and the like.

The image data is data in which, for example, photographs, figures, etc. are expressed in the JPEG format, TIFF format, BMP format and the like. Multiple pieces of image data may be input.

As the first style data, for example, in addition to the adjective expressions "cute", "flashy", "happy", etc.
"Insert image of summer flower", "Insert image of animal", "Enlarge picture", etc. can be considered. Plural first style data may be input.

As the object data and the first style data, the data registered in the image data generating device 101 in advance can be selected by the user. It is convenient for the user to register the representative object data and the first style data so that they can be selected. If the object data to be selected and the second style data acquired from the object data are associated in advance, the second style data can be acquired smoothly. In the present embodiment, representative object data and first style data are registered in the object / first style database 165.

Image data generating apparatus 1 in this embodiment
In 01, headline data as object data,
We handle text data, sender data, and image data, but we may be able to handle only part of it.
Other object data may be handled. Further, for example, the text data and the sender data may be collectively handled as one data.

As described above, the user inputs or selects the object data. As a hint, the image data generating apparatus 101 presents the user with the current position and related information according to the time.

The position information acquisition unit 143 acquires information about the current position of the image data generating apparatus 101, that is, the current position of the user. For information about the location,
For example, it is conceivable to use GPS (Global Positioning System) information.

The hour information acquisition unit 145 has a clock function and the like, and acquires information regarding the current time. The time information may be, for example, time, date, season, or time.

The related information database 169 stores related information related to position information and time information. The related information may be character data or image data. For example, the name of a theme park in the vicinity of a certain position, an image of the theme park, or the like can be considered.

The related information acquisition unit 141 retrieves from the related information database 169 the related information related to the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 143 and the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 145. The extracted related information is displayed on the display 127, for example, via the user interface 131 and presented to the user. The user can input or select the object data by using the related information presented in this way as a hint.

The second style data acquisition section 133 acquires the second style data from the object data. For the headline sentence data, the body text data, and the sender data, for example, it is checked whether or not a specific keyword (“New Year”, “marriage”, etc.) is included, and if included, that keyword is used as the second style data. can do. In the present embodiment, such a specific keyword is registered in the second style database 167. Regarding the image data, for example, the number of image data, color tone, etc. can be used as the second style data.

The layout file selection section 135 has a first
Based on the style data and the second style data, one layout file is selected (determined) from the layout library 151. The layout file is a file in which data for arranging the object in the image is described. Each layout file includes basic layout data, rearrangement procedure data, and selection index value data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the basic layout data according to this embodiment. The basic layout data includes the positional relationship between objects and the area ratio,
The ratio of the area occupied by all objects to the entire image,
The basic arrangement of the objects in the image is determined by instructing the aspect ratio of each object and vertical writing or horizontal writing when the object is composed of characters. Based on the basic layout data, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the basic layout of the objects (headline, body, sender, and image) is determined. However, the arrangement of the objects may need to be changed depending on the decoration of the objects, and thus the arrangement is not always the basic arrangement determined by the basic layout data.

The rearrangement procedure data is data describing a procedure (instruction) for rearranging an object when it is necessary to change the basic arrangement of the object due to decoration of the object. For example, when the position or size of an object is changed or a new object is added, the data describes how to rearrange other objects. By using the rearrangement procedure data, it is possible to prevent the object from protruding from the image and the object from being displayed in duplicate.

As a rearrangement procedure, for example, when the area of the headline sentence is increased, the headline sentence arrangement area may be expanded vertically and horizontally, or may be expanded only rightward. Also, for example, when increasing the area of the headline,
When trying to keep the area ratio determined by the basic arrangement, the objects may overlap with each other. In that case, for example, a procedure of reducing the area of objects other than the headline sentence while maintaining the area ratio of those objects can be considered. In addition, depending on the design contents, there are objects that should not change the area, objects that should not change the placement position, objects that should change the aspect ratio, etc., so consider the characteristics of those objects. It is possible to decide the procedure. That is, the rearrangement procedure is determined in consideration of what is prioritized and what is concession.

The index value data for selection is data used as an index when the layout file selection unit 135 selects a layout file from the layout library 151 based on the first style data and the second style data. In the index value data for selection of each layout file, for example, the index value is 0 to 100 as "cuteness", the index value is 0 to 100 as "flashiness", and the index value is 0 as "number of images".
-10 (when the maximum number of images that can be input is 10) is included. However, not all the first style data and the second style data include corresponding index values. For example, when "kawaii" is input as the first style data, basically "cuteness" is entered.
A layout file having a high index value of is selected as a file having a high degree of association. Further, for example, when "the number of images: 1" is acquired as the second style data,
Basically, a layout file having an index value of "image number" of 1 is selected as a file having a high degree of association.

When a plurality of style data is input or acquired, a layout file that basically reflects as many styles as possible is selected. For example, for each style data, the style data and the corresponding selection index value data are compared to obtain the degree of association, and the layout file that maximizes the sum of the degree of association of the style data may be selected. Here, the degree of association is weighted, and when specific style data is input or acquired, a layout file related to the style data can be easily selected. In addition, when there are some inconsistencies or inconsistencies among the plurality of first style data inputted by the user, the first style data inputted earlier can be prioritized.

The layout file may be prepared according to the type and number of objects, or a limited number of layout files may be prepared and input to the objects scheduled in the layout file. If the number of objects is large or small, the rearrangement procedure data may be used.

In this embodiment, a random element is added to the selection of the layout file. That is, determine the relevance of the input or acquired style data and layout file associated high degree of n ₁ piece (n ₁ is an integer of 2 or more) to select one by using a random number from among the layout file I have to. By using the random numbers in this way, the layout file having the highest degree of association, that is, the layout file in which the style is most reflected is not always selected. Accordingly, the image data generation device 101 can generate various image data with different layout files even if the same object data and the same style data are input.

As a method of selecting one from n ₁ layout files having a high degree of association by using a random number, for example, when n ₁ = 4, the layout file having the highest degree of association can be selected. The possibility of selecting the layout file with the highest degree of relevance and the second highest degree of relevance on 3/10
In addition, there is a method of using a random number so that the possibility of selecting a layout file having the third highest degree of association is 2/10 and the possibility of selecting a layout file having the fourth highest degree of association is 1/10. .

In this embodiment, the layout file is selected using random numbers, but it is also possible to always select the layout file having the highest degree of association without using random numbers.

The decoration file selection unit 137, based on the first style data and the second style data, the decoration libraries (font decoration library 153, character decoration library 155, color decoration library 157, background decoration library 159, image decoration library 161 and Select (determine) m decoration files (font decoration file, character decoration file, color decoration file, background decoration file, image decoration file, and layout decoration file) from the layout decoration library 163). . The decoration file is a file in which instructions for decorating the object are described. In the present embodiment, the object is decorated based on the six types of decoration files, but the decoration may be performed based on only a part of it, or the decoration may be performed based on other decoration files. . For example, decoration may be performed based on a decoration file to which a frame (frame line) is added.

In the font decoration file, data (instruction) for decorating the font of an object composed of characters is described. For example, headline text, body text, and sender's character font size, typeface, bold font, etc. Instructions such as whether to do or not are described.

The character decoration file contains instructions for decorating the characters of an object composed of characters. For example, a file with a heart mark behind the word "marriage" or "hand". There is a file that replaces characters with hand shapes.

In the color tone decoration file, instructions for changing and decorating the color tone are described. For example, the color tone of the headline, the text, the sender, the image, and the background are described.

In the background decoration file, instructions for changing and decorating the background (image) are described. For example, the background (image) is decorated with rotation, enlargement, reduction, partial extraction, color mode conversion, color tone correction (for example, sepia colorization), resolution processing (adjustment), blurring processing, mosaic processing, etc. The instructions are given. Also, by superimposing images (overlaying (compositing)),
It is also conceivable to generate a background (image). Also, for example, there are files that make the background arabesque, and files that make the background look like Japanese paper. A file that keeps the background free of patterns may be provided.

The image decoration file includes rotation, enlargement, reduction, partial extraction, color mode conversion, and
Color tone correction (for example, sepia colorization), resolution processing (adjustment), blur processing, mosaic processing, and other decoration instructions, image superimposing instructions, still image extraction instructions from moving images, and image Instructions for additional decoration are described. The still image extracted from the moving image can be used as a background image, for example.
Examples of files that include instructions for adding and decorating images include files that add cat photos, files that add Asahi photos, files that add cherry blossoms, and files that add sunflowers. Is mentioned.

The layout decoration file contains instructions for changing the layout and decorating. For example, a file for enlarging the size of the image or a file for moving the text to the bottom of the objects. There is.

Each decoration file contains index value data for selection. As for the index value data for selection, the decoration file selection unit 137 uses the decoration library (font decoration library 153) based on the first style data and the second style data.
Etc.) is data used as an index when selecting a decoration file (font decoration file, etc.). As the index value data for selection of each decoration file, for example, an index value of 0 to 100 for "cuteness" and 0 to 100 for "flashiness"
0 to 10 (when the maximum number of images that can be input is 10) or the like can be considered as the index value of “,” and the “number of images”. However, not all the first style data and the second style data include corresponding index values.
For example, when "kawaii" is input as the first style data, basically, a decoration file having a high index value of "cuteness" is selected as having a high degree of association.

As the index value data for selection of each decoration file, for example, 1 (corresponding) or 0 (not corresponding) as a "summer flower" directly linked to the first style data, "directly linked to the second style data". "Sakura" can be 1 (applicable) or 0 (not applicable). The index value may not be in two stages of 1 and 0, but may be in more stages. For example, if "summer flower" is input as the first style data and the index value of "summer flower" in the image decoration file for adding sunflower flowers is 1, the image decoration file is highly related. become. Further, for example, if “cherry blossom” is acquired as the second style data and the index value of “cherry blossom” in the image decoration file to which cherry blossoms are added is 1, the image decoration file has a high degree of association.

In this embodiment, a random element is added to the decoration file selection. That is, the degree of association between the input or acquired style data and the decoration file is obtained, and m pieces are selected from the n ₂ (n ₂ is an integer of 2 or more) decoration files having a high degree of association using random numbers. I have to. By using the random numbers in this way, the m decoration files having the highest degree of association, that is, the m decoration files in which the style is most reflected are not always selected. Accordingly, the image data generation device 101 can generate various image data by different decoration files even if the same object data and the same style data are input.

In this embodiment, the decoration file is selected using random numbers, but it is also possible to always select the decoration file having the highest degree of relevance without using random numbers.

In the present embodiment, the procedure for rearranging objects that may be necessary for decoration by the decoration file is described in the layout file. However, the procedure for rearranging objects that may be necessary for decoration in the decoration file is described. Can be described, and this can also be used.

The image data generation unit 139 uses the input object data as the layout file selection unit 135.
The image data is generated by arranging it based on the layout file selected in step 1 and performing decoration based on the decoration file selected by the decoration file selection unit 137. Since the layout file and the decoration file are selected based on the first style data and the second style data, the generated image data reflects the first style data and the second style data.

The image data generation unit 139 is an interpreter type execution unit. Therefore, the object data, the layout file, and the decoration file are sent to the image data generation unit in a format according to the grammar of a predetermined description language. In the present embodiment, a page description language for a printer is used as the description language (for example, WPL of Tokyo Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd., or HTML or XML as international standards).
Etc.) is used as an extended language. The image data generation unit 139 optimizes the instructions of the layout file and the decoration file for eliminating duplication.

Here, an example of generating image data using the image data output device 101 will be considered.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of relevant information relating to a certain position. In the example of FIG. 4, the position information acquisition unit 143
As the information related to (the information about) the position obtained in step 1, the name of the theme park, the name of the sports facility, the name of the park, the name of the shrine, etc. near the position are shown.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of related information related at a certain time. In the example of FIG. 5, it is assumed that the hour information acquisition unit 145 acquires, for example, December 15 as the information related to the time, and information about Christmas and New Year near that month is shown.

By presenting the related information as described above to the user, the user can use the related information as it is as object data, or it can be processed and used as object data. Also, if the user
It is conceivable that the user interface 131 has a function of selecting the presented related information and using the selected related information as it is as object data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by the image data generating apparatus according to this embodiment. In the image shown in FIG. 6, “Happy New Year” is used as the headline sentence data, “Thank you for this year” as the text data, and “○ Ta △ husband” as the sender data in the image data output device 101. This is an image (data) obtained by inputting "fun" as the first style data. The headline sentence data “Happy New Year” is adopted by the user after viewing the related information shown in FIG. The user does not input image data. In the image of FIG. 6, the “fun” of the first style data is reflected in the layout of the text (L-shaped layout) in the layout file. In addition, the "fun" of the first style data is reflected in the form of adding the image of Asahi by the layout decoration file. Furthermore, the second work style data “New Year” acquired from the headline sentence data is reflected in the form of adding a piece behind the characters of “New Year” by the character decoration file.

As described above, according to the image data output apparatus 101 of this embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to instruct the placement, decoration, etc. of the object in the image generation, so that the labor is reduced. It is also possible to generate an image that exceeds the user's consciousness.

Further, the user can input or select the object data by using the presented related information as a hint.

In this embodiment, both the related information related to a certain position and the related information related to a certain position are presented, but only one of them may be presented.

Further, in the present embodiment, although the objects are arranged and decorated automatically based on the style data, only one of the arrangement and the decoration is automatically performed based on the style data, and the other is instructed by the user. It can also be done according to.

Further, in the present embodiment, both the input first style data and the second style data acquired from the object are used as style data, but it is also possible to use only one.

Further, in the present embodiment, although one image data is generated, two or more layout files are selected, and a plurality of combinations of decoration files are applied to one layout file. It is also possible to generate a plurality of image data by such as.

The image data to be processed by the present invention can be used in various formats such as Postscript and bitmap. Also, image decoration, layout, etc.
It is preferable that the quality of the design does not deteriorate and the difference is not significant. Further, regarding the decoration and layout of the image, it is necessary to fully consider the condition setting and prohibition such as the preparation of the layout according to the quantity and quality of the character information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an application example of the image data generating apparatus according to this embodiment. Image data generation device 10
If 1 is applied as shown in FIG. 7, the user can provide an image based on the object data or the like to a remote friend by inputting the object data or the like at his / her terminal.

Explaining the example in FIG. 7 in detail, first, the terminals (portable personal computer 171 and mobile phone 173) transmit information about the current position of the terminal and information about the current time to the image data generating apparatus 101. In the example of FIG. 7, the terminal is provided with the same functions as the position information acquisition unit 143 and the time information acquisition unit 145.

The image data generating device 101 retrieves information (from the relevant information database 169) relating to the received information relating to the position and the information relating to time, and transmits it to the terminal. The terminal presents (displays) the received related information to the user.

Next, the user refers to the relevant information at the terminal and refers to the object data (headline data, text data, sender data and image data).
And input or select the first style data (it is not necessary to input or select all the data as described above). In the example of FIG. 7, the object data and the like input by the user are sent to the image data generation device 101 by e-mail.
I am trying to send it to you. The user interface 1 described in FIG. 2 is added to the portable personal computer 171.
It is convenient for inputting or selecting data if it has the same function as 31 or the object / first style database 165.

As the user's terminal, the portable terminal, that is, the portable personal computer 171 and the mobile phone 173 is used in the example of FIG. 7, but it may be a single mobile phone having a character input function or the like. Data can be sent from anywhere using a mobile terminal.

The electronic mail including the object data or the like input or selected by the user is sent from the mobile phone 173 to the base station 193. Further, it is sent to the image data generating device 101 via a network 191 such as the Internet or a telephone network. In the example of FIG. 7, an electronic mail is transmitted using the portable personal computer 171 and the mobile phone 173. However, for example, a desktop personal computer (if necessary, a non-portable phone, a modem, etc.) is used. Alternatively, the electronic mail may be transmitted.

Data is exchanged between the user's terminal and the image data generating apparatus 101, for example, by allowing the image data generating apparatus 101 to have a function as a WWW (World Wide Web) server so that the user's terminal and the image can be transmitted. The data generation device 101 and HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
Alternatively, the communication may be performed based on. In that case, the user can input or select object data or the like on the home page of the image data generating apparatus 101.

The image data generating device 101 receives the transmitted electronic mail. Here, it is assumed that the image data generation device 101 is connected to the network via the interface 125 or the like. The image data generation device 101 generates image data based on the object data or the like in the received electronic mail. In this way
The image data generation device 101 can generate image data based on object data or the like input by a user at a remote terminal. The image data generation device 101 does not need to include the user interface 131 as long as the acquisition of object data or the like is performed exclusively through communication.

The image output device 102 outputs an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation device 101. The generated image can be sent to a recipient, such as a friend, by mail, for example. Further, the image data generation device 101 and the image output device 102 can be installed in a convenience store, for example, so that a friend or the like who is the recipient can go to the reception. If the recipient, such as a friend, owns the image data generation device 101 and the image output device 102, mail or
You don't have to go to pick up.

The image data generated by the image data generating device 101 can be transmitted to another terminal (personal computer 181 in the example of FIG. 7). The personal computer 181 outputs the received image data to the image output device 182. In other words, the image output device 1
Reference numeral 82 receives the image data via the personal computer 181. The image output device 182 outputs an image based on the image data. In this way, a terminal remote from the image data generating device 101 (personal computer 1
If the image data is transmitted to 81), even if the friend or the like who is the recipient does not own the image data generating device 101, the image data is received by the terminal at hand and the image is output by the image output device at hand. Can be output.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In generating image data, information related to the user's position and / or time can be presented to the user to facilitate the input or selection of objects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing each function of the image data generation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the contents of basic layout data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of related information related to a certain position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of related information related at a certain time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by the image data generation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an application example of an image data generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 image data generation device 102, 182 image output device 121 CPU 122 memory 125 interface 126 Input means 127 display 131 User Interface 133 2nd style data acquisition unit 135 Layout file selection section 137 Decoration file selection section 139 Image data generator 141 Related Information Acquisition Department 143 Position information acquisition unit 145 o'clock information acquisition section 151 Layout Library 153 Font decoration library 155 character decoration library 157 color decoration library 159 background decoration library 161 Image decoration library 163 Layout decoration library 165 objects, first style database 167 Second Style Database 169 Related Information Database 171 Portable Personal Computer 173 mobile phone 181 personal computer 191 network 193 base station

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image data generation device for generating image data, comprising: storage means for storing information related to position information and / or time information; and position information and / or time information. Information acquisition means, related information output means for extracting and outputting information related to position information and / or time information acquired by the information acquisition means from the storage means, and object data acquisition for acquiring object data An image data generating device comprising: a means and an image data generating means for generating image data including an object of the object data acquired by the object data acquiring means. 2. The image data generation device according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires position information and / or time information by communicating with a terminal, and outputs the related information. The means transmits information related to the position information and / or time information acquired by the information acquisition means to the terminal, and the object data acquisition means communicates with the terminal to input object data. Alternatively, an image data generation device characterized by receiving a selection. 3. The image data generation device according to claim 1, further comprising: style data acquisition means for acquiring style data, wherein the image data generation means includes image data reflecting the style. An image data generating device characterized by generating. 4. The image data generation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the style data acquisition means receives input or selection of style data by communicating with a terminal. apparatus. 5. The image data generation device according to claim 3, wherein the style data acquisition unit acquires style data from the object data acquired by the object data acquisition unit. Data generator. 6. The image data generating device according to claim 1, and an image output device for outputting an image based on the image data generated by the image data generating device. Image output system. 7. An image data generating device according to claim 1, and by communicating with the image data generating device, providing information about a position and / or information about a time,
A terminal that receives information related to the provided position and / or information related to time from the image data generation device and communicates with the image data generation device to input or select object data, An image output system comprising: an image output device that receives image data generated by the image data generation device and outputs an image based on the image data. 8. An image data generation method for generating image data, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring position-related information and / or time-related information; and information related to position-related information and / or time-related information. A related information output step of extracting and outputting information related to the position-related information and / or time-related information acquired in the information acquisition step from the storage means, an object data acquisition step of acquiring object data, and the object An image data generation step of generating image data including an object of the object data acquired in the data acquisition step. 9. An image output method in an image output system including an image data generation device and an image output device, wherein the image data generation device acquires information about a position and / or information about a time. And, in the image data generation device, the information related to the position and / or the information related to the time acquired in the information acquisition step from the storage unit that stores the information related to the position related information and / or the time related information. A related information output step of extracting and outputting, an object data acquisition step of acquiring object data in the image data generation device, and an object of the object data acquired in the object data acquisition step in the image data generation device, An image data generation step of generating data of an image, in the image output apparatus, an image output method characterized by comprising the step of outputting an image based on image data that is generated. 10. An image output method in an image output system including a terminal, an image data generation device, and an image output device, wherein the image data generation device communicates with the terminal to obtain information about a position and Information acquisition step of acquiring information about time and / or information about position acquired at the step of acquiring information from a storage unit that stores information about position and / or information about time in the image data generating device. And / or a related information transmitting step of extracting information related to time-related information and transmitting the information to the terminal, and an object receiving or selecting object data by communicating with the terminal in the image data generation device. Data acquisition step, and the image data generation An image data generating step of generating image data including an object of the object data acquired in the object data acquiring step; and transmitting the generated image data from the image data generating device to the image output device. An image output method comprising: an image data transmitting step; and the image output apparatus outputting an image based on the generated image data. 11. A program for causing a computer to execute the image data generating method according to claim 8. 12. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the image data generating method according to claim 8.