JP2004228993A - Image editor, image trimming method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image editor which automatically trims a noticed area in an image to simply and easily trim the image. <P>SOLUTION: The image editor for image trimming is provided with; a template storage means for storing a plurality of templates which are candidates for determining a trimming range of the image; a noticed area calculation means for calculating a noticed area of the image being a trimming object; a noticed area error calculation means for calculating an extent of inclusion in each template being a candidate, of the noticed area; a template selection means for selecting a template for use in image trimming from the plurality of templates on the basis of the calculation result of the noticed area error calculation means; and a trimming means for performing trimming processing of the image being the object by the template selected by the template selection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus, an image trimming method, and a program that automatically perform trimming (cutting out or cutting out a part of an image) of a digital image (also simply referred to as “image”) captured by a digital camera or the like. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread, and it has become possible to easily capture digital images captured in a personal computer (PC), edit the digital images, and print the digital images. For example, it has become possible to edit a digital image taken by a digital camera at a travel destination and easily create a travel album or the like.
When editing these digital images, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, there are many cases where it is desired to edit a part of the image (a region of interest in the image) by trimming.
[0003]
Conventionally, such trimming has been performed manually by manipulating a mouse or the like so as to cut (cut out) a region of interest (conspicuous region) in a digital image.
This manual trimming does not take much trouble when the number of digital images is small, but when trimming a large number of digital images and editing them as an album, manual trimming work is quite sufficient. This is an annoying task.
In addition, with the spread of digital cameras, the range of users has expanded, and some users are not accustomed to PC operation. Therefore, it has been desired to provide a device that can easily perform digital image trimming.
[0004]
As a prior art regarding such digital image trimming, for example, there is Patent Document 1 “Image Combining Apparatus”.
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an image synthesizing apparatus for easily creating a synthesized image in which a main image is superimposed on a background image. In the overlay composition in this image composition device, an outer frame and an inner frame located inside the outer frame are displayed in the sub-display area. Then, the captured background image is displayed in the main display area. In the main display area, a trimming frame corresponding to the outer frame of the sub display area is displayed, and the trimming frame is moved to specify a range to be synthesized. When the paste operation is performed, the background image is pasted in the outer frame in the sub display area. Next, another image (main image) is fetched and displayed in the main display area. In this main display area, a trimming frame corresponding to the inner frame of the sub display area is displayed, a portion specified by this trimming frame is fitted into the inner frame of the sub display area, and the main image is superimposed on the background image. The obtained composite image is completed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-10056
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an invention in which a user himself manually cuts out (crops) a trimming range of each image to be trimmed, and synthesizes the images. That is, in the present invention, it is necessary for the user to perform the work of cutting out (cutting out) the attention area while visually checking the attention area (conspicuous area) in each image to be trimmed. For this reason, when editing a large number of images by trimming, the work load becomes large, and a large amount of work time is required, which is a cumbersome work.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to automatically trim a region of interest in an image, so that the image can be trimmed more easily and effectively. An image editing apparatus, an image trimming method, and a program are provided.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an image editing apparatus of the present invention is an image editing apparatus that performs image trimming, and includes a plurality of candidates for determining an image trimming range. Template storage means for storing a template, attention area calculation means for calculating an attention area of an image to be trimmed, and attention area error calculation means for calculating the degree of inclusion of the attention area in each of the candidate templates A template selection unit for selecting a template to be used for image trimming from the plurality of templates based on a calculation result of the attention region error calculation unit; and a template selected by the template selection unit. Trimming means for performing trimming processing of an image to be
[0009]
With such a configuration, the attention area of the image to be trimmed is obtained by the attention area calculation means, and templates serving as candidates for determining the trimming range are sequentially read from the template storage means. Then, the attention area error calculation means calculates the degree (area) in which the attention area of the image to be trimmed is included in each of the candidate templates. Then, a template having the largest degree (area) of including the region of interest is selected by the template selecting means, and the image is trimmed by the trimming means using the template.
Thereby, the trimming of the image can be performed automatically. Further, it is possible to calculate an attention area according to human visual characteristics, automatically select a template to be trimmed, and perform trimming.
[0010]
Further, the image editing apparatus according to the present invention is further characterized by further comprising a unit for centering the center of the region of interest and the center of the template.
With such a configuration, after the center of the region of interest is aligned with the center of the trimming range or the template, the degree of inclusion of the region of interest in the template is calculated by the region of interest error calculation means.
Thereby, the calculation by the attention area error calculating means can be appropriately performed. Further, the attention area can be appropriately fitted in the template.
[0011]
Further, the image editing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a center of the attention area is an intersection of diagonals of a rectangle surrounding the attention area, and a center of the template is an intersection of diagonals of a rectangle surrounding the template. I do.
With such a configuration, the attention area is surrounded by a rectangle, and the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rectangle is set as the center of the attention area. Also, a template that is a candidate is surrounded by a rectangle, and the intersection of diagonal lines of the rectangle is set as the center of the template.
Thus, the center of the attention area and the center of the template can be easily obtained.
[0012]
Further, when the attention area is calculated by the attention area calculating means, the image editing apparatus of the present invention determines a threshold based on the area having the highest degree of attention, and determines an area having the threshold or more as the attention area. It is characterized by further comprising an attention area threshold means.
With such a configuration, the attention area threshold means determines a threshold value such as an area having the highest attraction degree or only an area higher than one half of the highest attraction degree, among the obtained attention areas. Cut out (cut out) the attention area.
Thereby, trimming can be performed by designating the degree of attention of the attention area to be trimmed.
[0013]
Also, the image trimming method of the present invention is a method for trimming an image in an image editing apparatus for trimming an image, the method comprising: storing a plurality of templates as candidates for determining an image trimming range; An attention area calculation procedure for calculating an attention area of an image to be trimmed, an attention area error calculation procedure for calculating a degree of the attention area included in each of the candidate templates, and an attention area error calculation procedure Based on the calculation result, a template selection procedure for selecting a template to be used for image trimming from the plurality of templates, and the target image trimming process is performed using the template selected by the template selection procedure. And a trimming procedure.
[0014]
In such a procedure, the attention area of the image to be trimmed is obtained by the attention area calculation procedure, and templates that are candidates for determining the trimming range are sequentially read out from the template storage procedure. Then, the degree (area) in which the attention area of the image to be trimmed is included in each candidate template is calculated by the attention area error calculation procedure. Then, a template having the largest degree (area) of the region of interest included in the template is selected by the template selection procedure, and the image is trimmed by the trimming procedure using the template.
Thereby, the trimming of the image can be performed automatically. Further, it is possible to calculate an attention area according to human visual characteristics, automatically select a template to be trimmed, and perform trimming.
[0015]
Further, the computer program of the present invention is a template storage procedure for storing a plurality of templates that are candidates for determining an image trimming range in a computer in an image editing apparatus that performs image trimming, and is a target of trimming. An attention area calculation procedure for calculating an attention area of an image, an attention area error calculation procedure for calculating a degree of the attention area included in each of the candidate templates, and a calculation result of the attention area error calculation procedure Executing a template selection procedure for selecting a template to be used for image trimming from the plurality of templates, and a trimming procedure for trimming the target image using the template selected by the template selecting procedure. It is a program for.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a unit included in the image editing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. Each unit provided in the image editing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 performs the following processing.
(1) Image selection means 101
The image selection unit 101 is a unit for selecting an image to be trimmed from the image storage unit 110.
(2) Image reading means 102
The image reading unit 102 is a unit for reading a value (RGB value or the like) for each pixel constituting an image.
[0018]
(3) Attention area calculation means 103
The attention area calculation means 103 is a means for calculating the attention area of the image to be trimmed, and divides the image into a plurality of areas, and sets the degree of attention to two or more levels for each of the separated areas. Classify. For the calculation of the attention area, for example, the “attraction degree” disclosed in “Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-126070 (attention area extraction apparatus and automatic composition determination apparatus using the attention area extraction apparatus)” can be used. Regarding the degree, an outline will be described in the item of “Supplementary explanation on the degree of attraction” described later.)
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a first image 11 to be subjected to a trimming process, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the degree of attention (attraction degree) of the image 11 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically shown as an image 12. In the pattern image 12 of the attention area shown in FIG. 3, the attention degree (attraction degree) is calculated to be highest in the area A, and is calculated to be lower in the order of the area B and the area C.
[0020]
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second image to be subjected to the trimming process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the calculation of the degree of attention (attraction degree) of the image 21 shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically shown as 22. In the pattern image 22 of the attention area illustrated in FIG. 6, the attention degree (attraction degree) is calculated to be highest in the area A, and is calculated to be lower in the order of the area B and the area C.
[0021]
(4) Attention area threshold means 104
The attention area threshold means 104 outputs only the area having the highest attention degree (attraction degree) or the area higher than half of the highest attention degree (attraction degree) among the attention areas calculated by the attention area calculation means 103. This is a means for determining a threshold value and cutting out (cutting out) a region of interest and putting together the regions. When determining the details of the trimming, for example, when determining the trimming range, the target area subjected to the threshold processing is used.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the region of interest in the pattern image 12 of the region of interest shown in FIG. 3 is cut out at a certain threshold (attraction degree of the region B) or more using the region of interest threshold unit 104. That is, in the pattern image 12 of the attention area shown in FIG. 3, a part of the attention degree (attraction degree) of the area B or more is cut out. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the region B and the region A are cut out, and the region A and the region B are put together, and become the target regions 13a and 13b to be trimmed. Further, the centers of the regions of interest 13a and 13b that have undergone the threshold processing are set as the centers of the rectangular regions 14 surrounding the regions of interest 13a and 13b (intersections a of diagonal lines).
[0023]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the attention area in the pattern image 22 of the attention area shown in FIG. 6 is cut out at a certain threshold (attraction degree of the area B) or more using the attention area threshold means 104. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the region B and the region A of the region of interest illustrated in FIG. 6 are cut out, and the region A and the region B are combined into one, which becomes the region of interest 23a to be trimmed. Further, the center of the region of interest 23a that has undergone the threshold processing is set as the center of the rectangular region 24 surrounding the region of interest 23a (the intersection point a of the diagonal line).
[0024]
(5) Attention area error calculation means 105
The attention area error calculation means 105 is a means for calculating the degree to which the attention area subjected to the threshold processing is hidden or cut by the template used for trimming (the degree to be included in the template). In this case, the attention area is an attention area that has been subjected to the threshold processing obtained by the attention area threshold means 104, and the templates are the respective templates stored as candidates in the template storage means 111.
[0025]
8, 9, and 10 are diagrams illustrating examples of templates 31, 32, and 33 that are candidates to be used for trimming. In the error calculation of the attention area, candidate templates 31, 32, and 33 are used. And using it as follows.
Reading out the templates stored in the template storage unit 111 and used as candidates for trimming sequentially. 8, 9, and 10 show examples of templates 31, 32, and 33 that are candidates for use in trimming.
Next, the regions of interest 13a and 13b that have been subjected to the threshold processing shown in FIG. 4 and the templates 31, 32 and 33 are overlapped with their center positions aligned, and the area of the regions of interest 13a and 13b cut out by the template ( (Area included in the template). Similarly, the region of interest 23a subjected to the threshold processing shown in FIG. 7 and each of the templates 31, 32, and 33 are overlapped with their center positions aligned, and the area where the region of interest 23a is cut out (the area included in the template) ).
Note that the method of obtaining the centers of the templates 31, 32, and 33 is similar to the methods illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, in which the template is surrounded by a rectangle, and the intersection of the diagonal lines is the center of the template.
[0026]
(6) Template selection means 106
The template selecting unit 106 compares the area of the region of interest that has been subjected to the threshold processing with the template, and determines the template with the largest area of the region of interest (the area of the template that includes the region of interest) as the template to be used for trimming. select.
For example, in the case of the images of the attention areas 13a and 13b subjected to the threshold processing shown in FIG. 4, the template 31 shown in FIG. 8 is selected. Similarly, in the case of the image of the attention area 23a subjected to the threshold processing shown in FIG. 7, the template 32 shown in FIG. 9 is selected.
(7) Trimming means 107
The trimming unit 107 is a unit for performing a trimming process on a target image using the template selected by the template selecting unit 106.
(8) Display means 108
The display unit 108 is a unit for displaying a trimming result.
(9) Printing means 109
The printing unit 109 is a unit for printing a trimming result.
(10) Image storage unit 110
The image storage unit 110 is a unit for storing image data to be trimmed and image data to be trimmed.
(11) Template storage unit 111
This is means for storing a template (candidate template) describing the trimming shape of the image.
[0027]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the image shown in FIG. 2 is fitted into the template 31 shown in FIG. By using the processing units 101 to 107 described above, the image 11 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the template 31 shown in FIG. 8, and becomes the image shown in FIG.
[0028]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which the image shown in FIG. 5 is fitted into the template 32 shown in FIG. The image 21 shown in FIG. 5 is fitted into the template 32 shown in FIG. 9, and becomes the image shown in FIG.
In this manner, the image editing apparatus of the present invention can perform a trimming operation on an image by calculating a region of interest according to human visual characteristics, automatically selecting a template to be trimmed.
[0029]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the image editing apparatus of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting and trimming a template. Hereinafter, the procedure of trimming performed by the image editing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(1) Step S1: The attention level (attraction degree) is calculated by the attention area calculation means 103.
For example, the degree of attention (attraction degree) of the image 11 shown in FIG. 2 is calculated, and the pattern image 12 of the attention area shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. In the pattern image 12 of the attention area illustrated in FIG. 3, the attraction degree is calculated to be highest in the area A, and is calculated to be lower in the order of the area B and the area C.
[0030]
(2) Step S2: The attention area threshold unit 104 generates a pattern image of the attention level (attraction level) subjected to the threshold processing.
For example, the region of interest of the pattern image 12 shown in FIG. 3 is cut out at a certain threshold (attraction degree of the region B) or more. That is, in the pattern image 12 of the attention area shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the attention area of the area B or higher is cut out, the area B and the area A are combined into one, and the attention-processed attention areas 13a and 13a shown in FIG. The pattern image 13 becomes 13b.
[0031]
(3) Step S3: The center position of the region of interest subjected to the threshold processing is obtained.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the centers of the target areas 13a and 13b that have been subjected to the threshold processing are set as the centers of the rectangular areas 14 surrounding the target areas 13a and 13b (intersection points a of diagonal lines).
(4) Step S4: One template is selected from the templates that are stored in the template storage unit 111 and are used for trimming.
The candidate templates stored in the template storage unit 111 are, for example, the templates 31, 32, and 33 shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.
(5) Step S5: After aligning the center position of the template serving as a candidate with the center position of the attention area subjected to the threshold processing, the degree to which the attention area subjected to the threshold processing by the attention area error calculating means 105 is cut off (the attention area is The degree of inclusion in the template).
For example, the regions of interest 13a and 13b that have undergone the threshold processing in the image 13 shown in FIG. 4 and the templates 31, 32, and 33 are overlapped with their center positions aligned, and the regions of interest 13a and 13b are cut out by the template. The degree of the area (the area included in the template) is determined.
(6) Step S6: For all candidate templates, it is checked whether or not the degree to which the threshold-processed region of interest is cut by the template is calculated.
(7) Step S7: The template selecting unit 106 selects a template having the largest area (the area included in the template) where the region of interest is cut by the template.
For example, in the case of the attention areas 13a and 13b subjected to the threshold processing shown in FIG. 4, the template 31 shown in FIG. 8 is selected.
(8) Step S8: Using the obtained template, an image to be processed is inserted into the template or cut out by the template.
For example, the image shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the template 31 shown in FIG. 8, and becomes the image shown in FIG.
(9) Step S9: The trimming result is displayed or printed.
[0032]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image editing apparatus according to the present invention, and shows only parts directly related to the present invention. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 100 denotes an image editing apparatus, 1 denotes a communication network such as the Internet, 114 denotes a communication interface for connecting the image editing apparatus to the communication network 1, 115 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire image editing apparatus, and 120 Indicates a processing program unit. Note that the image editing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized even by using a PC (personal computer).
[0033]
Further, the processing program unit 120 includes the following processing units.
The image selection processing unit 121 is a processing unit for selecting an image to be trimmed from the image database 112.
The image reading processing unit 122 is a processing unit for reading a value (RGB value or the like) for each pixel constituting an image to be trimmed.
The attention area calculation processing section 123 is a processing section for calculating an attention area of an image to be trimmed. The image is divided into a plurality of regions, and the degree of attention is divided into two or more levels for each of the separated regions. For the calculation of the attention area, for example, the “attraction degree” disclosed in “Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-126070 (attention area extraction apparatus and automatic composition determination apparatus using the same)” can be used.
[0034]
The attention area threshold value processing unit 124 determines a threshold value, such as an area having the highest degree of attraction or an area higher than one half of the highest degree of attraction, among the attention areas obtained by the attention area calculation processing unit 123. This is a processing unit that cuts out (cuts out) the attention area and combines the cut out attention areas into one.
The attention area error calculation processing section 125 is a processing section for calculating the degree to which the attention area subjected to the threshold processing is hidden or cut by the template used for trimming (the degree to be included in the template). In this case, the attention area is the attention area obtained by the attention area threshold processing unit 124, and the templates are the respective templates stored as candidates in the template database 113.
[0035]
The template selection processing unit 126 compares the area of the region of interest that has been subjected to the threshold processing with the template, and uses the template with the largest area of the region of interest (the area where the region of interest is included in the template) for trimming. This is a processing unit for selecting a template to be executed.
The trimming processing unit 127 is a processing unit for trimming a target image using the template selected by the template selection processing unit 126.
The display processing unit 128 is a processing unit for displaying the result of the trimming on the display device.
The print processing unit 129 is a processing unit for printing a result of the trimming.
The image database 112 stores image data to be trimmed and image data to be trimmed. The template database 113 stores data of candidate templates.
[0036]
Note that the processing program unit 120 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the processing program unit includes a general-purpose information processing device such as a memory and a CPU (central processing unit). A program (not shown) for realizing the function of the unit may be loaded into a memory and executed to realize the function. It is assumed that an input device, a display device, a printing device, and the like (all not shown) are connected to the image editing device 100 as peripheral devices. Here, the input device refers to an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display device refers to a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display device, or the like. The printing device refers to a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or the like.
[0037]
Also, a program for realizing the functions of the image editing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 14 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into a computer system and executed to execute the program. Processing necessary for the image editing apparatus 100 of the invention may be performed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
The “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or a display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system.
Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a communication line for transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which dynamically holds the program for a short time. In this case, a medium holding a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, is also included.
Further, the above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be a program for realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference file). Program).
[0038]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the image editing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described illustrated example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.
[0039]
[Supplementary explanation on the degree of attraction]
In the embodiment of the present invention, “attraction level” is used as a reference for extracting a region of interest. One example of a method of calculating the “attraction level” is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-126070 (attention region extraction device). And an automatic composition determination device using the same).
Here, only the outline will be described.
To extract a region of interest, the degree of attraction is evaluated according to the physical characteristics of the original image. Here, the degree of attraction means a parameter suitable for human subjectivity. The region of interest is extracted by extracting a region that stands out from the evaluation result as a region of interest. In other words, when the attention area is evaluated, the evaluation is performed in accordance with the human subjectivity according to the physical characteristics, so that the attention area suitable for the human subjectivity can be extracted.
For example, when the physical characteristics include the degree of heterogeneity of color, the degree of attraction can be evaluated based on the difference in color of each region.
In addition, since the physical characteristics further include, in addition to the color heterogeneity, the shape heterogeneity, the area heterogeneity, and the texture (pattern) heterogeneity, the physical heterogeneity is determined based on at least one of the four heterogeneities. By evaluating the degree of eye-catching, the degree of eye-catching can be accurately evaluated according to the characteristics of the original image.
In the case where three color components (hue, saturation, and lightness) are also evaluated, a region close to a prominent color (red) according to human subjectivity can be evaluated as the most prominent region.
Furthermore, by evaluating the spatial frequency and the area of each region in the original image, the evaluation of the most prominent region can be more accurately determined.
[0040]
The evaluation of the degree of attraction is performed according to the following procedure.
(1) First, the original image is divided into regions. In this case, the original image is divided into a drawing area and a picture area. The method of this area division is described in W.I. Y. Ma and B. S. A boundary detection method based on "edge flow" described in "Edge Flow: A Framework of Boundary Detection and Image Segmentation" by Manjunath et al. Is applied.
(2) Next, the divided figure region is extracted, and the degree of attraction of the region is evaluated.
The evaluation of the degree of attraction is roughly performed as follows.
First, determine the degree of heterogeneity attraction in each area. In this case, the heterogeneity of the color, the heterogeneity of the texture, the heterogeneity of the shape, and the heterogeneity of the area are respectively obtained, and weighting factors are assigned to each of them to perform linear combination, thereby obtaining the heterogeneous attractiveness of each region.
Next, the feature attractiveness in each area is obtained. In this case, the attraction of color, the attraction of spatial frequency, and the attraction of area are obtained, and weighting factors are assigned to each of them to perform linear combination to obtain the characteristic attraction of each region.
Next, the heterogeneous attractiveness and the feature attractiveness of each area are added to obtain a feature integrated value, and the feature integrated value is evaluated by a predetermined beta function to calculate the attractiveness.
(3) Also, a pattern diagram in which the degree of attraction is evaluated is generated from the original image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a unit included in an image editing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a first image to be trimmed.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a region of interest (attraction level) of the image shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the attention area shown in FIG. 3 is cut out at a certain threshold or more.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a second image to be trimmed.
6 is a diagram schematically showing a region of interest (attraction level) of the image shown in FIG. 5;
7 is a diagram showing an example in which the attention area shown in FIG. 6 is cut out at a certain threshold or more.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a first template used for trimming.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a second template used for trimming.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a third template used for trimming.
11 is a diagram showing an example in which the image of FIG. 2 is fitted into the template of FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which the image of FIG. 5 is fitted into the template of FIG. 9;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the image editing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image editing apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 image editing device, 101 image selection means, 102 image reading means 103 area of interest calculation means, 104 area of interest threshold means 105 area of interest error calculation means, 106 template selection means 107 trimming means, 108 display means, 109 printing means 110 image storage Means, 111 template storage means

Claims (6)

An image editing device for trimming an image,
Template storage means for storing a plurality of templates that are candidates for determining a trimming range of an image,
An attention area calculation unit that calculates an attention area of an image to be trimmed;
A region-of-interest error calculating means for calculating the degree of the region of interest included in each of the candidate templates;
Template selection means for selecting a template to be used for image trimming from the plurality of templates based on the calculation result of the attention area error calculation means;
An image editing apparatus comprising: a trimming unit configured to perform a trimming process on the target image using a template selected by the template selection unit. 2. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit configured to align a center of the attention area with a center of the template. 3. The image editing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the center of the attention area is an intersection of diagonals of a rectangle surrounding the attention area, and the center of the template is an intersection of diagonals of a rectangle surrounding the template. . When calculating the attention area by the attention area calculation means, the apparatus may further include attention area threshold means for determining a threshold on the basis of an area having the highest degree of attention and determining an area equal to or more than the threshold as an attention area. The image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: An image trimming method in an image editing device that performs image trimming,
A template storing procedure for storing a plurality of templates that are candidates for determining a trimming range of an image,
An attention area calculation procedure for calculating an attention area of an image to be trimmed;
An attention area error calculation procedure for calculating a degree of the attention area included in each of the candidate templates;
A template selection procedure for selecting a template to be used for image trimming from the plurality of templates based on the calculation result of the attention area error calculation procedure;
A trimming procedure for performing a trimming process on the target image using a template selected in the template selection procedure. In the computer in the image editing device that performs image trimming,
A template storing procedure for storing a plurality of templates that are candidates for determining a trimming range of an image,
An attention area calculation procedure for calculating an attention area of an image to be trimmed;
An attention area error calculation procedure for calculating a degree of the attention area included in each of the candidate templates;
A template selection procedure for selecting a template to be used for image trimming from the plurality of templates based on the calculation result of the attention area error calculation procedure;
And a trimming procedure for performing a trimming process of the target image by using the template selected in the template selecting procedure.

Images