JP2005110000A - Photographic image printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic image printing apparatus capable of performing the trimming of various modes without moving or rotating an image in performing the printing processing of the photographic image. <P>SOLUTION: A photographic image to be trimmed is displayed on a CRT or an LCD etc. of a personal computer, and a trimming frame setting means sets a trimming frame in the displayed photographic image. In that case, the trimming frame setting means sets the trimming frame by forming segments at arbitrary positions and allowing the segments to move in an X-axis direction, an Y-axis direction and a rotating direction on a plane with the photographic image to be trimmed fixed in the CRT etc. The trimming frame setting means may also measure a human dimension in longitudinal and lateral directions on the photographic image to set the trimming frame so that the human dimension comes within the frame. A trimming means cuts out a target photographic image displayed by the set trimming frame, and a printer prints the trimmed photographic image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic image printing apparatus that prints analog or digital photographic images taken with a camera or the like, and more particularly to a photographic image printing apparatus that trims and prints a specific portion of a photographic image.

  Conventionally, when printing a photographic image taken with a camera or the like, trimming has been used as means for printing a specific portion of the photographic image. Trimming is to cut out a specific part of a photographic image, and is usually performed by setting a square trimming frame on the photographic image where the photographic image is fixed.

  However, when cropping a photographic image taken at a business photo studio, etc., the photographed image is often printed in various forms such as a postcard, character print, sticker print, telephone card, poster, design album, etc. There may be cases where the needs cannot be answered by simply setting a square cropping frame on the image. In this case, trimming is performed by moving the image in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, or by rotating on the plane.

  However, moving and rotating an image often requires a large amount of information to be moved because image data has a large amount of information, and in many cases time-effective print processing cannot be performed.

In the following Patent Document 1, a pre-scan image is displayed on a monitor screen, reference points are set at a plurality of locations in the pre-scan image, and a trimming frame having a size and an angle corresponding to the position of each set reference point is pre-scanned. Although a technique is disclosed in which re-scanning is set based on a set trimming frame in an image, print processing is not performed.
JP-A-10-190971

  In view of the above facts, the present invention has an object to provide a photographic image printing apparatus capable of performing various forms of trimming without moving or rotating an image when performing photographic image print processing. To do.

The present invention of claim 1 is a photographic image printing apparatus that performs trimming to cut out a part of a photographic image and prints it.
Photographic image display means for displaying a photographic image to be trimmed;
Trimming frame setting means for setting a trimming frame in the displayed photographic image;
Trimming means for cutting out the displayed photographic image with a set trimming frame;
And printing means for printing the trimmed photographic image,
The trimming frame setting means sets the trimming frame by moving the trimming frame to an arbitrary position while the photographic image to be trimmed is fixed in the photographic image display means, and setting the trimming frame. Device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the photographic image to be trimmed is displayed by the photographic image display means, and the trimming frame is set by the trimming frame setting means in the displayed photographic image. At this time, the trimming frame setting unit sets the trimming frame by moving the trimming frame to an arbitrary position while the photographic image display unit fixes the photographic image to be trimmed. The movement to an arbitrary position includes moving the line segment constituting the trimming frame in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the rotational direction on the plane, and moving them to form the trimming frame. Further, the trimming frame setting means can set the trimming frame so that a human dimension can be entered by measuring the vertical and horizontal human dimensions on the photographic image. The trimming means cuts out the target photographic image displayed in the set trimming frame. The printing means prints the trimmed photographic image.

  According to the present invention, the trimming frame is moved to an arbitrary position while the photo image to be trimmed is fixed, so that it is not necessary to move a photo image having a large amount of data at the time of trimming, and the printing process is fast and efficient. Can be.

  Further, when there is a human size designation on the print, if the frame is moved, it is possible to quickly determine the amount of change for image resizing.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode of a photographic image printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, a personal computer and printer for realizing a photographic image printing apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram in which a personal computer 90 and a printer 20 are connected via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 90.

  The information transmission / reception unit of the personal computer 90 includes transmission / reception means 57 (including the functions of transmission means, reception means, acquisition means, and image acquisition means) that converts data into a predetermined format in order to transmit / receive information wirelessly or by wire. Internet line transmission / reception means 65 for transmitting / receiving information to / from other communication devices via the Internet line 60 is provided. A communication connector 59 that can be connected to an interface such as a USB is connected to the transmission / reception means 57.

  The personal computer 90 includes a display unit 68 such as a CRT or LCD that displays information such as images and characters as necessary, and a display control that outputs an image signal for display to the display unit 68 based on a command from the CPU 80. Means 69 and an I / O that reads various information input by the user via the input means notification means 74 and transmits the information to a CPU 80 to be described later, or outputs a display command to a notification means such as an LED based on an instruction from the CPU 80 O75 is provided.

  In the personal computer 90, a recording medium mounting unit 78 for detachably mounting a recording medium 77 for recording captured images and the like, and a recording medium interface 79 for recording and reading information such as image data to and from the recording medium 77. And are provided. The recording medium 77 is a detachable recording medium typified by a semiconductor such as a memory card, a magnetic recording type typified by MO, an optical recording type, or a video tape.

  The personal computer 90 includes a CPU 80 which is information processing means for controlling the entire personal computer 90, a ROM in which programs for operating the CPU 80 and various constants are recorded, and a RAM which is a work area when the CPU 80 executes processing. A memory 81 configured and a hard disk 86 for recording various constants relating to processing of the personal computer 90, attribute information for communication connection to a communication device on the network, connection information such as an address, and the like are provided. The CPU 80 in the personal computer 90 and each peripheral circuit including the display control means 69, I / O 75, memory 81, and hard disk 86 are connected by a bus 62, and the CPU 80 can control each peripheral circuit. Yes.

  The configuration of the printer 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 20.

  Image data is transmitted from the transmission / reception means 57 of the personal computer 90, and the image data is transmitted from the communication connector 59 to the printer cable interface 22 via a communication cable such as USB, IEEE1394, or SCSI. The image data is sent from the printer cable interface 22 to the memory buffer 26 and temporarily stored in the memory buffer 26. The image data stored in the memory buffer 26 is sent to the reproduction unit 28 and stored therein. The image data stored in the reproduction unit 28 is subjected to image analysis by the image determination unit 30, density processing is performed by the density processing unit 32 based on the analysis result, edge enhancement processing is performed by the edge enhancement processing unit 34, and WB (white balance) is performed. ) White balance correction is performed in the correction processing unit 36. These processes are performed according to commands from the CPU 24.

  When a captured image is displayed and output, the image data that has undergone the above-described density processing and the like is expanded by the reproduction unit 28, converted into an analog signal, output from the print engine 38, and printed.

  The CPU 24 is a control unit that performs overall control of the printer 20. The CPU 24 controls the operation of the corresponding circuit based on input signals received from the power switch and other operation units, and controls the reproduction unit 28, density processing unit 32, edge enhancement processing unit 34, and WB correction processing unit 36. Etc.

  The operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a person is photographed with a film camera (silver film camera), a person image on a developed negative film is captured with a CCD camera, and the captured image is trimmed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the steps from setting a photographed negative film to finishing trimming.

  First, a negative film (not shown) is set on a negative frame (not shown) (step 200).

  Next, the image on the negative film is captured by a CCD camera (not shown), and the captured image is stored in the memory 81 of the personal computer 90 (step 202).

  The captured image is displayed on display means 68 such as a CRT (step 204). FIG. 4 shows a trimming operation screen 130 displayed on the personal computer 90. An image screen 132 displaying a trimming image is formed on the left side of the trimming operation screen 130, and a general print frame 102 and a mount frame 104 of each negative size are displayed on the image screen 132.

In the trimming operation screen 130, various function keys are arranged in the upper part of the screen, and in the upper right part, negative print information such as negative size / print size / number of prints,
Enter key, image status information such as image category, scene, and pose, basic information for trimming such as print size, mount size, minimum magnification, etc., photo showing photographer or photographer's desired items for trimming Information such as the hall comment is displayed.

  Here, it is determined whether an image (particularly a person) displayed in the image screen 132 is tilted (step 206). If there is no image inclination or slight inclination, the print frame 102 and the mount so that the top and bottom sides of the print frame 102 and the mount frame 104 are displayed perpendicular to the image on the image screen 132. A frame 104 is displayed (step 210). If the image is tilted, the print frame 102 and the mount frame 104 are rotated by an angle Θ until the top and bottom sides of the print frame 102 and the mount frame 104 are displayed perpendicular to the image (step 208).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic flow from the start of trimming to the test firing position input for a human photographed image. Starting from the start of trimming (106), if the image is tilted, the mount frame 104 or the like is rotated by Θ (108), and the human dimension is input, at this time the trimming frame in the Y direction is determined (110), and the trimming in the X direction is performed. A frame is defined (112), and a test firing position input 114 is performed.

  Steps 208 and 210 in FIG. 10 are divided into several modes. First, the case of inputting two points on the head and feet will be described (first mode). FIG. 6 is a transition diagram of the image screen 132 in the case of inputting two points on the head and feet.

  In this case, the head position is first input (step 212). That is, as shown at 300 in FIG. 6, the head position X-ray 120 is input with a mouse pointer (not shown) at a portion immediately above the head in order to perform trimming so that the head of the person enters. At this time, if the mouse pointer is placed on the intersection of the head position X-ray 120 and the human center Y-line 123 in terms of work efficiency, both lines 120 and 123 can be input. The human center Y line 123 is set to be on the center of the person in the vertical direction. The head position X-ray 120 and the human center Y-line 123 are parallel to the horizontal and vertical sides of the mount frame 104, respectively.

  Next, the position of the foot is input (step 214). As shown by 302 in FIG. 6, a foot position X-ray 122 is input with a mouse pointer (not shown) to a portion immediately below the foot in order to perform trimming so that a person's foot can enter.

  The size of the mount frame 104 changes in accordance with the human size formed by the input head position X-ray 120 and foot position X-ray 122 (step 216). That is, the mount frame 104 is reduced as indicated by 304 in FIG. Adjusting the magnification of the mount frame is referred to as magnification. This ends the magnification, and at the same time, the Θ position and Y position (position in the height direction) of the trimming frame are determined.

  Here, as indicated by reference numeral 306 in FIG. 6, since the trimming frame of the person is too far to the right with respect to the print frame 102, the mount frame 104 is moved left in the X direction with the mouse pointer (step 218). At this time, if the Θ position and the Y position of the trimming frame that have already been fixed are fixed, but they need to be moved, switching is performed by using the f key or the like in the upper part of FIG. 4 to move only the Θ position or only the Y position.

  Up to this point, as shown at 308 in FIG. 6, the mount frame 104 (trimming frame) including the X position is determined.

  Next, two test baked portions are input with reference to the determined mount frame 104 (step 220). As shown at 310 in FIG. 6, when two points are input, a test position input line 118 connecting the two points is drawn on the mount frame 104. Test baking is performed on this input line 118.

  Then, as shown at 312 in FIG. 6, the human size, the magnification, the trimming data, the reception data, etc. are confirmed by looking at the trimming operation screen 130 (step 222). After checking, correct each item as necessary.

  As indicated by reference numeral 314 in FIG. 6, the scaling and trimming procedures are completed.

  In the case of multi-size printing based on the same negative, after the input of the first size is finished, the second size trimming frame is calculated from the numerical value of the first size and displayed on the image screen 132, and the display is the first size. Only correct if different.

  Also, in steps 212 to 216 (300 to 304 in FIG. 6), when two people are shown in the image, not the head position or the foot position, but the left end person's end shoulder (or arm), right end The two end positions of the shoulders (or arms) of the person's end are input. As a result of the input, the Θ position and the X position are determined at the end of magnification. Therefore, the mount frame is moved only in the Y direction (vertical direction) to determine the trimming position. That is, in the case of such a left / right input, only the Y direction is automatically moved.

  Also, if a large set of humans is shown on the sideways negative, rotate the CCD camera 90 ° and input the two end points of the human shoulders (arms) at the left and right ends of many humans, and the magnification of the mount frame Adjust.

  Next, the case of inputting two points at the head and the bottom will be described (second mode). FIG. 7 is a transition diagram of the image screen 132 in the case of inputting two points at the top and bottom and top and bottom.

  First, the head position is input (400 in FIG. 7). This is the same as 300 in FIG. A human center Y line 123 is also entered in the same manner as 300 in FIG.

  Next, the position of the lower end of the image is input (402 in FIG. 7). Since there are many cases where the whole body of a person is included at the position of the lower end of the image, an aspect of inputting the position of the lower end of the image is included. In order to perform trimming so that the lower end of the image enters, an image lower end X-ray 422 is input to the lower end portion of the image with a mouse pointer (not shown).

  The size of the mount frame 104 changes in accordance with the human size formed by the input head position X-ray 120 and image lower end X-ray 422 (404 in FIG. 7). That is, the mount frame 104 is reduced as indicated by 404 in FIG. Adjusting the magnification of the mount frame is referred to as magnification. This ends the magnification, and at the same time, the Θ position and Y position of the trimming frame are determined.

  Here, since the person's trimming frame is too far to the right with respect to the print frame 102 as in 306 of FIG. 6, the mount frame 104 is moved to the left in the X direction with the mouse pointer. At this time, if the Θ position and the Y position of the trimming frame that have already been fixed are fixed, but they need to be moved, switching is performed by using the f key or the like in the upper part of FIG. 4 to move only the Θ position or only the Y position.

  Up to this point, as in 308 in FIG. 6, the mount frame 104 (trimming frame) including the X position is determined (408 in FIG. 7).

  Next, as in 310 of FIG. 6, two test print portions are input with reference to the determined mount frame 104 (410 in FIG. 7). As indicated by 410 in FIG. 7, when two points are input, a test position input line 118 is drawn on the mount frame 104. Test baking is performed on this input line 118.

  Then, as shown at 412 in FIG. 7, the human size, the magnification, the trimming data, the reception data, and the like are confirmed on the trimming operation screen 130. After checking, correct each item as necessary.

  As shown at 414 in FIG. 7, the scaling and trimming procedures are completed.

  Next, the case of four-point input of the head, foot, left end, and right end will be described (third mode). This is mainly applied in the case of a family group photo of 4 to 5 people. FIG. 8 is a transition diagram of the image screen 132 in the case of four-point input of the head, foot, left end, and right end.

  First, the head position is input (500 in FIG. 8). This is the same as 300 in FIG. A human center Y line 123 is also entered in the same manner as 300 in FIG.

  Next, the position of the foot is input (502 in FIG. 8). As indicated by 502 in FIG. 8, a foot position X-ray 122 is input with a mouse pointer (not shown) to a portion immediately below the foot in order to perform trimming so that a person's foot enters.

  Next, the left end position is input so that the shoulder or arm of the left end person shown in the group photo enters (504 in FIG. 8). As shown at 504 in FIG. 8, the left end position Y line 124 is input with a mouse pointer (not shown) to the left part of the shoulder or arm in order to perform trimming so that the shoulder or arm of the left end person enters. Here, a center line 116 that is equidistant from the head position X-ray 120 and the foot position X-ray 122 and parallel to both the X-rays 120 and 122 is displayed on the image screen 132, and both the X-rays 120 and 122 and the center line are displayed. On the line 116, the left end position Y line 124 is determined only in the X direction.

  Next, the right end position is input so that the shoulder or arm of the right end person shown in the group photo enters (506 in FIG. 8). As shown at 506 in FIG. 8, in order to perform trimming so that the shoulder or arm of the rightmost person enters, the right end position Y line 126 is input to the right-hand portion of the shoulder or arm with a mouse pointer (not shown). Again, the middle line 116 is displayed on the image screen 132. The right end position Y line 126 is determined only in the X direction on both the X-rays 120 and 122 and the middle line 116.

  The mount frame 104 has a vertical reduction magnification and a horizontal reduction magnification according to the human dimensions formed from the input head position X-ray 120, foot position X-ray 122, left end position Y line 124, and right end position Y line 126. The lower magnification is automatically selected to change the size (508 in FIG. 8). That is, the mount frame 104 is reduced as indicated by 508 in FIG. Adjusting the magnification of the mount frame is referred to as magnification. This ends the magnification, and at the same time, the Θ position, Y position, and X position of the trimming frame are determined. Thus, the mount frame 104 (trimming frame) is determined.

  Next, two test baked portions are input based on the determined mount frame 104 (510 in FIG. 8). As indicated by 510 in FIG. 8, when two points are input, a test position input line 118 is drawn on the mount frame 104. Test baking is performed on this input line 118.

  Then, as shown at 512 in FIG. 8, the human size, magnification, trimming data, reception data, and the like are confirmed by looking at the trimming operation screen 130. After checking, correct each item as necessary.

  As shown at 514 in FIG. 8, the scaling and trimming procedures are completed.

  Although the above-described three modes of trimming position input and magnification have been described, there are various other position input and magnification modes depending on the object to be photographed, as shown in FIG. These are subjected to position input and magnification in accordance with the above three modes.

  According to this embodiment, since the trimming frame is rotated or moved left and right while the image is fixed, the amount of information to be moved can be reduced, and fast and efficient trimming processing can be performed. In addition, since the trimming process can be performed as standard as compared with the case where the person adjusts the trimming details for each case, the amount of trimming process can be increased.

  In this embodiment, an example in which an image developed on a photographic film is captured by a CCD camera and trimmed is shown, but an image photographed by a digital camera can be digitally trimmed.

The figure which connected the personal computer and the printer via interfaces, such as USB. The block diagram which showed the structure of the personal computer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. The figure which showed the trimming operation screen displayed on the personal computer. The figure which showed the general | schematic flow from a trimming start to test firing position input with respect to a person picked-up image. The transition figure of the image screen in the case of two-point input of head and foot. The transition figure of an image screen in the case of two-point input of the top and bottom. The transition figure of the image screen in the case of four-point input of head, foot, left end, and right end. The figure which showed the aspect of various position input and magnification according to imaging | photography object. The flowchart which showed the process from setting a photographed negative film to finishing trimming.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Printer, 22 ... Printer cable I / F, 24 ... CPU, 26 ... Memory buffer, 28 ... Playback part, 38 ... Print engine, 57 ... Transmission / reception means, 59 ... Communication connector, 68 ... Display means, 69 ... Display control Means 74: Input means notification means 80 ... CPU 81 ... Memory 86 ... HDD 100 ... Negative image 102 ... Print frame 104 ... Mount frame 120 ... Head position X-ray 122 ... Foot position X-ray 124 ... Left end position Y line, 126 ... Right end position Y line, 130 ... Trimming operation screen, 132 ... Image screen, 422 ... Image lower end X-ray

Claims (6)

A photographic image printing apparatus that performs trimming to cut out a part of a photographic image and prints it.
Photographic image display means for displaying a photographic image to be trimmed;
Trimming frame setting means for setting a trimming frame in the displayed photographic image;
Trimming means for cutting out the displayed photographic image with a set trimming frame;
And printing means for printing the trimmed photographic image,
The trimming frame setting means sets the trimming frame by moving the trimming frame to an arbitrary position while the photographic image to be trimmed is fixed in the photographic image display means, and setting the trimming frame. apparatus.   2. The photographic image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the trimming frame to an arbitrary position includes a movement of rotating the trimming frame on a plane.   2. The photographic image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trimming frame setting means sets at least one of the vertical and horizontal dimensions on the photographic image and sets the trimming frame so that the human dimension is included.   4. The photographic image printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trimming frame setting means sets the trimming frame at a position surrounding the head position and foot position in response to input of information on a person's head position and foot position on the photographic image.   4. The photographic image printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trimming frame setting means sets the trimming frame at a position including the head position and the lower end position in response to input of information on a person's head position and lower end position on the photographic image.   4. The photographic image printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trimming frame setting means sets the trimming frame at a position surrounding the left and right end portions in response to input of information on the left and right end portions of the person on the photographic image.

Images