JP2006109269A - Image processor, image processing method, image processing program, print control apparatus, print control method, and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and accurately set a rotary angle of an object image. <P>SOLUTION: Since grids G needing less arithmetic load in the rotation processing than that of an object image P are rotated and displayed, the grids G can be updated and displayed in following to dragging by a user. Thus, an indication angle θ can accurately be set, a processing wait is avoided so that a user feels no stress therefrom. In actually rotating the object image P, since the rotation is carried out by using a rotary angle γ resulting from inverting the set indication angle θ so as to be the same angle as a deviation angle Δ, the image P can be rotated to cancel the deviation angle Δ. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program.

Conventionally, as this type of image processing apparatus, an apparatus that superimposes a reference figure on a target image to be rotated is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
According to such a configuration, a plurality of reference figures are prepared in advance, and a reference figure suitable for grasping the inclination of the target image is selected from the plurality of reference figures and superimposed on the target image. Then, the inclination of the selected reference graphic is measured, and the correction angle of the target graphic can be determined based on the measured inclination of the reference graphic.
JP 2002-33900 A

However, the inclination of the target image to be rotated is unspecified, and a suitable reference graphic is not always prepared for grasping the inclination of the target image. Therefore, there is a problem that the inclination of the target image cannot be obtained accurately even if the reference graphic is superimposed. Furthermore, in order to select the optimum reference graphic, it is necessary to repeat the process of re-polymerizing the reference graphic many times, and there is a problem that the efficiency is not good.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, a print control apparatus, and a print control method capable of setting the rotation angle of a target image efficiently and accurately. And a print control program.

Means and actions / effects for solving the problem

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image display means displays the target image on a display device. At that time, the synthesizing unit synthesizes a predetermined reference image with the target image displayed on the display device. Therefore, the display device can compare the target image with the reference image. Further, the input unit receives an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle, and the reference image rotation unit rotates the reference image based on the received instruction angle. Further, the reference image rotated by the reference image rotating means is again synthesized with the target image displayed on the display device by the recombining means. Accordingly, the display device can compare the reference image rotated in accordance with the received instruction angle of the reference image and the target image.

  That is, since the reference image can be rotated to an arbitrary designated angle and compared with the target image, the reference image can be easily compared regardless of the inclination of the target image. Can be combined with the same target image. For example, by accepting the instruction angle for rotating the reference graphic by dragging the mouse in the input means, the reference graphic whose rotation angle varies according to the drag amount can be redrawn. The optimum designated angle can be designated while confirming. By using the reference graphic as simple image data, it is possible to reduce a calculation load when the reference graphic is rotated in accordance with the instruction angle. Accordingly, the processing in the reference image rotating means can be performed at high speed, and the reference image following the user's operation can be recombined.

  Further, the rotation angle setting means sets the angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle for rotating the target image. That is, the target image can be rotated reversely to the reference image. By doing so, for example, when the initial reference graphic is drawn horizontally and the indicated angle is set so that the reference graphic is parallel to the reference graphic included in the target image, It is possible to set the rotation angle of the target image such that the reference graphic included in the target image is horizontal. That is, it is possible to perform rotation so that the inclination of the reference graphic included in the target image becomes the initial inclination of the reference graphic. Accordingly, the initial inclination of the reference graphic is set to be horizontal or vertical, and the instruction angle is set so that the reference graphic and the reference graphic included in the target image are parallel to each other. It is possible to rotate the reference graphic so that the inclination of the reference graphic is horizontal or vertical.

  Here, when the input means accepts an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle, the instruction angle may be directly input as a numerical value, or may be input by dragging the mouse as described above. The actual rotation of the target image is not performed based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting means, and parameter data indicating the rotation angle is stored in association with the target image. You may be made to do. Then, the target image may be rotated according to the parameter data stored in the actual printing stage. Of course, when the rotation angle is set by the rotation angle setting means, the target image may be substantially rotated.

  Further, when the display means displays the target image on the display device, the target image itself may not be displayed. That is, the feature of the target image may be displayed to some extent and compared with the reference image, and may be displayed while being converted to a resolution suitable for display, or may be converted to a gradation suitable for display. You may display.

  As a preferred example of the reference image, the invention according to claim 2 displays a line by the reference image. Since the line can be expressed by extremely simple image data, the calculation load of the rotation process in the reference image rotation means can be reduced. Further, the angle comparison with the straight line portion included in the target image can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, as a preferred example of the reference image, in the invention according to claim 3, a grid in which a plurality of lines are orthogonal to each other is displayed depending on the reference image. It is possible to easily compare the angle with the straight line portion that is desired to be horizontal. Further, since the grid is also formed of a simple set of lines, it is possible to reduce the calculation load of the rotation processing in the reference image rotation means.

  As an example of a more user-friendly configuration, in the invention according to claim 4, the input unit accepts the input of the rotation center coordinates of the reference image together with the indicated angle, The rotation angle setting means sets so as to perform rotation. Thereby, the said target image can be rotated centering | focusing on a desired coordinate.

  Furthermore, as a configuration for performing substantial processing on the target image, the invention according to claim 5 is configured such that the target image rotating unit is configured to process the target image based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting unit. Rotate. That is, the target image may be actually rotated based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting means.

  Note that the invention is also established as a print control apparatus that executes printing of the target image rotated as described above. That is, when acquiring image data indicating an image and printing the image, the print image can be specified by setting the rotation angle of the target image by the same processing as described above. By the way, the image processing apparatus and the print control apparatus described above may be implemented independently, or may be implemented together with other methods in a state of being incorporated in a certain device. It includes embodiments and can be changed as appropriate. Further, the above-described image processing and print control methods can be applied as methods, and the inventions according to claims 6 and 9 basically have the same operation.

  When trying to implement the present invention, a predetermined program may be executed by an image processing apparatus or a print control apparatus. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented as the program, and the inventions according to claims 7 and 10 basically have the same operation. Of course, it is also possible to make the structure described in claims 2 to 5 correspond to the above method and program. Any storage medium can be used to provide the program. For example, a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium may be used, and any recording medium that will be developed in the future can be considered in the same manner. In addition, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, the idea of the present invention is not completely different, and a part is recorded on a recording medium and is appropriately changed as necessary. It includes a reading form. Furthermore, the same is true for the replication stage such as the primary replica and the secondary replica.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of image processing apparatus and print control apparatus:
(2) Print control processing:
(3) Layout determination processing:
(4) Other embodiments:
(5) Summary:

(1) Configuration of image processing apparatus and print control apparatus:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus and a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus and a print control apparatus are realized by some of the functions of the computer 10. The computer 10 includes a CPU 11 that is the center of arithmetic processing, and the CPU 11 controls the entire computer 10 via a system bus 10a. Connected to the system bus 10a are a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk drive 14, a USB I / F 15, a CRTI / F (not shown), an input device I / F, and the like.

  The hard disk drive 14 stores an operating system (OS) as software, a printing utility 30 for performing image printing, a printer driver (PRTDRV) 31, and the like. These software are appropriately transferred to the RAM 13 by the CPU 11 at the time of execution. Is done. The CPU 11 executes various programs under the control of the OS while appropriately accessing the RAM 13 as a temporary work area.

  A keyboard 16a and a mouse 16b are connected to the input device I / F as operation input devices. A display 17a for display is connected to the CRTI / F. Therefore, the computer 10 can accept the operation contents by the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b, and can display various information on the display 17a. Further, a printer 20 is connected to the USB I / F 15 and an image can be printed based on data output from the computer 10. Of course, the connection I / F with the printer 20 is not limited to the USB I / F, and various connection modes such as a parallel I / F, a serial I / F, and a SCSI connection can be adopted, and any one to be developed in the future. The same applies to the connection mode.

  The printer 20 used in the present embodiment is an ink jet printer, and uses color inks of a total of four colors, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), during color printing. Can do. Of course, light cyan (lc) or light magenta (lm) can be used to make 6 colors, and dark yellow (DY) can be added to make 7 colors. A laser printer using a plurality of color toners can also be used. In any case, the computer 10 creates print data that can be interpreted by the printer 20 and outputs the print data via the USB I / F 15. The printer 20 prints an image by recording a recording material for each pixel constituting the image based on the print data.

(2) Print control processing:
The computer 10 executes printing by executing the printing utility 30 and the PRTDRV 31 in the above hardware configuration. That is, the print utility 30 has a function of determining a print layout when specifying a print target, and also has a function of transferring print image data indicating the determined layout to the PRTDRV 31. The PRTDRV 31 executes printing based on the print image data.

  FIG. 1 illustrates functional blocks of the print utility 30, and FIG. 2 illustrates a general flowchart of processing executed by the print utility 30 and the PRTDRV 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the print utility 30 includes an image data acquisition unit 30a, a print environment setting unit 30b, a layout determination unit 30c, and a print image data generation unit 30d. Further, the print utility 30 proceeds with processing by displaying a GUI on the display 17a by a display control unit and an operation input receiving unit (not shown) and receiving an operation input by an operation input device such as the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b.

  The image data acquisition unit 30a can read out various types of image data 14a stored in the hard disk drive 14, acquire the image data 14a (step S100), and display it as a print candidate on the display 17a. Further, selection of a print image made by the operation input device is accepted (step S105). In the present embodiment, the layout for printing the target image selected here is determined, and printing is executed.

  Next, the printing environment setting unit 30b sets the printing environment. As the printing environment, the size and type of printing paper and the model of the printing apparatus are input, and these printing conditions input via the operation input apparatus are acquired (step S110). There are various other printing environments such as printing resolution and printing mode (bidirectional printing, etc.). In this embodiment, printing is set in a default environment. Of course, the setting of the printing environment may be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the image, or various environments may be configured to be selectable by the user.

  The layout determining unit 30c determines the layout (step S115). At this time, the layout determining unit 30c displays a UI (to be described later) on the display 17a, and accepts a user instruction according to the operation content input via the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b. In the present embodiment, the layout is specified by specifying the size of the print range in which the target image is printed on the printing paper, its arrangement, the rotation angle, and the like, and the layout is determined according to the specified content. Specifically, each parameter corresponding to the size of the print range for printing the designated target image, its arrangement, rotation angle, and the like is determined. Details of this process will be described later. It is also possible to record the layout data 14b constituted by the parameters determined at this time in the hard disk drive 14. In this case, the same layout can be used by referring to the layout data 14b later.

  The print image data generation unit 30d generates print image data for printing an image according to each parameter of the layout created as described above (step S120). In the present embodiment, the layout of the target image is specified by forming bitmap data in a buffer for one page prepared in advance in the RAM 13. Accordingly, the print image data generation unit 30d generates bitmap data so that the target image having the specified size and angle is arranged at the position specified in the layout, and uses this as print image data. . Of course, the configuration for determining the layout for executing printing is not limited to the configuration for determining the bitmap data in the buffer, and various configurations can be adopted.

  When the print image data generation unit 30d stores one page of print image data in the RAM 13, the PRTDRV 31 is activated. The PRTDRV 31 can perform two-way communication with the printer 20 via the USB I / F 15 and acquires print image data stored in the RAM 13 to execute printing (step S125). That is, the PRTDRV 31 executes color conversion processing for each pixel of the acquired print image data, performs halftone processing, and outputs the result to the printer 20 while rearranging in the order used by the printer 20. As a result, the printer 20 ejects ink so as to form an image indicated by the print image data.

(3) Layout determination processing:
Next, the layout determination process in step S115 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the layout determination process, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a UI used when the layout determination process is executed. In this embodiment, when determining the arrangement and size of the printing range on the printing paper, the image can be enlarged, reduced, moved, and rotated. By this processing, printing should be performed within the printing range. It is possible to determine the actual image.

  In the present embodiment, the layout is specified by the orientation direction of the printing paper and the arrangement and size of the printing range. That is, the printing paper and the printing range in the present embodiment are rectangular, and the size of the printing paper is determined by the printing environment setting in step S110. Therefore, by specifying the diagonal vertex coordinates in the printing range, Placement and size can be specified at the same time. Further, the orientation direction of the printing paper is specified depending on whether the long side of the rectangular printing paper is oriented vertically or horizontally.

  In the layout determination process, the rotation angle of the target image acquired in step S100 can be set as one of parameters for determining the layout. In addition, as parameters for determining the layout, for example, parameters for determining the shape of a frame surrounding the target image, parameters for defining the enlargement / reduction ratio of the target image, parameters for specifying coordinates for arranging the target image, and the like are set. Is possible. In addition to those related to the layout, parameters for applying corrections such as sharpness and color tone to the target image may also be set. Initial values are set in advance for the parameters as described above. In step S200, each parameter is set to an initial value. For example, the rotation angle is set to 0 degrees, and the enlargement / reduction ratio is set to 100%. However, the layout data 14b stored in advance in the hard disk drive 14 may be read and set as an initial value.

  In step S205, a UI as shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the display 17a based on the set parameters. In FIG. 4, a tab T for selecting either the frame adjustment mode or the photo adjustment mode is provided at the upper left of the UI. The frame adjustment mode is mainly used to set parameters that specify the shape of the frame surrounding the target image, and the photo adjustment mode mainly sets parameters that determine the rotation angle, enlargement / reduction ratio, and arrangement coordinates of the target image. It is provided for. Hereinafter, the photo adjustment mode will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 shows a UI in the photo adjustment mode. A rectangular frame F is prepared on the left side of the UI, and the target image P is displayed inside the frame F (step S205). Since the target image P is displayed on the display 17a as a display device by being incorporated in the UI, the UI and the display 17a constitute display means of the present invention. In step S205, when the layout determination unit 30c displays the target image P on the UI, the target image is displayed while being processed based on each parameter initialized in step S200 in advance. For example, in the initial state, the rotation angle is set to 0 degree, and the enlargement / reduction ratio is set to 100%. Therefore, the target image P is displayed on the UI without rotating and enlarging / reducing the target image. In displaying the target image P on the UI, the resolution and gradation of the target image may be adjusted to appropriate values.

  In step S210, the grid G as the reference image of the present invention is combined with the target image P in the UI. The combined grid G is formed in an orthogonal lattice shape in which a plurality of straight lines having a width of several pixels are periodically orthogonal, and is displayed while being combined with the target image P. The horizontal line of the grid G in the initial state is drawn horizontally, and the vertical line is drawn vertically, and each is parallel or perpendicular to the frame line constituting the frame F. In this way, since the figure included in the target image P and the grid G can be compared, the user can recognize the angular deviation of the target image P during printing. The grid G is stored in advance as image data and is read and used as appropriate. In synthesizing the target image P and the grid G, the gradation of the target image P and the grid G may be superimposed on each pixel, or the pixel level of the target image P whose coordinates coincide with the pixels of the grid G. The key may be replaced with the gradation of the grid G. The CPU 11 and the RAM 13 that perform the synthesis process of the target image P and the grid G correspond to the synthesis unit of the present invention.

  When the UI is displayed, the layout determining unit 30c receives an input from the keyboard 16a or the mouse 16b (step S215). That is, it is monitored whether or not a button displayed as “Save Settings” on the UI is clicked. If the button is clicked, step 255 is executed. In step 255, each parameter is saved. In step S260, a print instruction is accepted, the layout determination process is terminated with the print instruction, and step S120 and subsequent steps are executed. That is, when the user is satisfied with the target image P and the frame mode displayed on the current UI, each parameter is determined, and print data based on the parameter is generated.

  In the state where the UI is displayed on the display 17a and the input from the keyboard 16a, the mouse 16b or the like is accepted, the change or input of each input box set on the UI is constantly monitored. In step S220, a change or input of an input box or the like corresponding to each parameter set on the UI is accepted. In step S225, it is determined whether the input received in step S220 without clicking the button displayed as “Save setting” corresponds to the drag operation of the grid G. For example, when a numerical value is input to the input box S indicated as “enlarged / reduced”, since the grid G is not dragged, step S230 is executed. Similarly, when a numerical value is input in the input box R indicated as “rotation angle” or when the right / left / up / down movement button is clicked, the grid G is not dragged, and therefore step S230 is executed. The When the mouse pointer Po is moved over each pixel of the grid G and a click is detected in this state, it can be determined that the grid G is being dragged.

  In step S230, parameters corresponding to the input accepted in step S220 are set. For example, a numerical value input in the input box S indicated as “enlargement / reduction” is set as a parameter indicating the enlargement / reduction ratio. In addition, the numerical value input in the input box R indicated as “Rotation angle” is set as a parameter indicating the rotation angle as it is. In this way, each parameter is set based on the user input, and step S205 and subsequent steps are executed again. Here, since the target image P is drawn according to each parameter reflecting the input accepted in step S220, the target image P in accordance with the user's intention is more likely to be displayed than the previous time. For example, by inputting “50” in the input box S, the target image P reduced in half can be drawn, and a layout in accordance with the user's intention can be formed.

  If the user is satisfied with the layout of the target image P at this point, it is confirmed in step S215 that the button labeled “Save settings” has been clicked, and printing is performed based on the current parameters. . On the other hand, if the user is still not satisfied with the target image P, it is not confirmed in step S215 that the button displayed as “Save Settings” has been clicked, and items corresponding to each parameter are continuously input. Will be accepted. By repeating the above processing, it is possible to gradually determine a layout that matches the user's intention. On the other hand, when dragging of the grid G is confirmed in step S225, the grid G is rotated in step S235.

  FIG. 5 shows how the grid G rotates. In rotation of the grid G, a straight line connecting the coordinate A of the mouse pointer Po at the start of dragging and the rotation center coordinate B of the rotation, and the coordinate C of the mouse pointer being dragged and the rotation center coordinate B of the rotation are connected. An instruction angle θ around the rotation center coordinate B formed by the straight line is calculated, and the position of each pixel constituting the grid G is rotationally converted by the instruction angle θ. Specifically, the coordinates D (x, y) of each pixel constituting the grid G are expressed by the polar coordinate system (rconα, rsinα) around the center coordinate, and the designated angle θ is set to the coordinates D (rconα, rsinα). The added coordinates D ′ {x ′ = rcon (α + θ), y ′ = rsin (α + θ)} are calculated by matrix transformation. By calculating the coordinates D ′ (x ′, y ′) for all the pixels constituting the grid G and replacing them with the original coordinates D (x, y), the grid G rotated by the indicated angle θ is obtained. Image data can be obtained. The CPU 11 and the RAM 13 that perform the calculation in the above procedure correspond to the reference image rotation means of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the center coordinate of rotation is the center inside the frame F.

  In step S240, the grid G rotated in step S235 is combined with the UI and displayed (recombining means). That is, an image in which the rotated grid G is superimposed on the target image P is drawn inside the frame F. A specific synthesis method is the same as the above-described synthesis means. During the dragging of the grid G, steps S235 and S240 are continuously executed. For example, the coordinates C of the mouse pointer that is currently dragged at every predetermined period during the dragging are updated and input, and the grid corresponding to each coordinate C is input. G rotation and synthesis are repeated. For example, the coordinate C of the mouse pointer that is currently being dragged can be acquired every 1/10 second, and the indicated angle θ of the grid G can be updated every 1/10 second. Of course, the period may be determined based on a predetermined number of clocks.

  The closer the time when the user moves the mouse and the time when the image with the grid G rotated corresponding to the moved mouse position is closer, the more the user can drag as intended. Yes, you can prevent the user from feeling stressed. That is, it is desirable to perform update display of the grid G in synchronization with the user's mouse movement operation, and it is preferable that the cycle of updating the rotation angle of the grid G displayed on the UI is short. In rotating the grid G in step S235, coordinate conversion and rotation conversion processing must be performed for each pixel constituting the grid G. The grid G is a grid composed of lines with a thickness of several pixels. Therefore, the number of constituent pixels is small, and the number of calculations is small. Therefore, the rotation angle of the grid G can be updated at a cycle that does not cause the user to feel stress.

  As shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the target image P includes a horizontal line H and is inclined by a deviation angle Δ with respect to the upper and lower frame lines of the frame F. As described above, the horizontal line H or the like included in the target image P is often not parallel to the upper and lower frame lines of the frame F due to a photographing deviation of the digital still camera or a document deviation of the scanner. Further, it is desirable that the subject image P is rotated before printing because an object such as the horizontal line H looks better when it is parallel to the side of the printing paper. Therefore, the user drags the grid G until the horizontal line of the grid G becomes parallel to the horizontal line H. That is, dragging is continued until (deviation angle Δ) = (indicated angle θ). While the grid G is being dragged, the UI corresponding to the designated angle θ of the grid G is immediately updated, so that the drag can be released in a state where the horizontal line of the grid G is exactly parallel to the horizontal line H.

  If the release of the drag is confirmed in step S245, in step S250, the instruction angle θ at that time is determined, and the angle obtained by inverting the instruction angle θ is calculated as the rotation angle γ. That is, the rotation angle γ is calculated by γ = (− θ). Then, the calculated rotation angle γ is set as one of the parameters. Here, since the angle obtained by inverting the command angle θ is set as the rotation angle γ, the CPU 11 and the RAM 13 performing the above processing correspond to the rotation angle setting means of the present invention. The UI shown in FIG. 4 is provided with an input box R in which the rotation angle γ can be directly input, and the rotation angle γ can also be set by inputting a numerical value in the input box R. . In this case, in step S225, dragging of the grid G is not confirmed, and a value corresponding to the input value is set as the parameter value in the same manner as other parameters. For example, if the target image P is clearly displayed with an inclination of 90 degrees, “90” can be entered in the input box R.

  As described above, when the rotation angle γ is set in step S250 or step S230, the target image is rotated according to the rotation angle γ in step S205, which is executed again. Specifically, the coordinates E (X, Y) of each pixel constituting the target image P are expressed by a polar coordinate system (tcon β, tsin β) around the rotation center coordinates, and the rotation angle is represented by the coordinates E (tcon β, tsin β). The coordinates E ′ {X ′ = tcon (β + γ), Y ′ = rsin (β + γ)} obtained by adding γ are calculated. The target image rotated by the rotation angle γ by calculating the coordinates E ′ (X ′, Y ′) for all the pixels constituting the target image P and replacing them with the original coordinates D (X, Y), respectively. P image data can be obtained. Since the actual target image P is rotated here, the CPU 11 and the RAM 13 that perform the above processing correspond to the target image rotating means of the present invention.

  As described above, the user drags the grid G until the horizontal line of the grid G becomes parallel to the horizontal line H, and the indicated angle θ is equal to the deviation angle Δ. Therefore, the rotation angle γ = (− θ) = (− Δ) holds, and in step S205, rotation conversion that cancels the shift angle Δ can be performed. That is, the target image P can be rotated so that the horizontal line H is inclined in a direction parallel to the frame line of the frame F, which is the initial state of the horizontal line of the grid G. Therefore, it is possible to form a print image having a good appearance. In the above-described example, the instruction angle θ is set with reference to the horizontal line of the grid G. However, the instruction angle θ can be set with reference to the vertical line of the grid G. For example, it can be said that it is suitable for adjusting the rotation angle γ of the target image P including a vertically built building or the like.

  Since each parameter including the rotation angle γ set as described above is set and saved (step S215) when the user is satisfied, in step S125, printing can be performed with the layout as intended by the user. Further, since each parameter optimized in accordance with the user's intention is stored in the hard disk drive 14 as layout data 14b, it is possible to save the setting work using the layout data 14b thereafter.

(4) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for realizing an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program according to the present invention, and other configurations can of course be employed. . In the above example, the layout is determined by the general-purpose computer and the print control is performed, but it is needless to say that the image processing and the print control need not be performed by one computer, and are incorporated in the printing apparatus. These processes may be performed by a computer.

  Further, the layout may be determined or the print control may be performed by a computer that provides an image to be printed to the printing apparatus, such as a digital still camera or a mobile phone. Furthermore, the processor responsible for processing is not limited to a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, but may be a custom IC. The printer is not necessarily a single printing apparatus, and may be a multifunction machine or a copier incorporating a plurality of functions such as a scanner and a fax machine.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the layout is determined by writing bitmap data to the buffer for one page prepared in the RAM 13, but the layout determination is not limited to such a method. . For example, a configuration in which a layout determined by the UI is described in a page description language and the page description language is written in data to be transferred to PRTDRV or a printer may be employed. Of course, as the page description language, various languages such as Postscript (Postscript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems), ESC / P (ESC / P is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation) can be adopted.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the print utility is provided as a single program. However, it can be provided as a function of PRTDRV, or can be provided as a function of an application program such as image retouching software. Further, the rotation center coordinates B when rotating the target image P may be set by the user. By doing so, it is possible to perform a rotation process more in line with the user's intention.

  FIG. 6 shows a UI for realizing the setting of the rotation center coordinate B. In the drawing, a cross “+” indicating the rotation center coordinate B is shown on the target image P, and this cross “+” can be moved by dragging. The designated rotation center coordinate B is set in step S230 in the same manner as other parameters. On the other hand, when the grid G is dragged after the rotation center coordinate B is designated, the above-described calculation is performed using the rotation center coordinate B designated and set in advance in step S235. That is, the grid G can be rotated around the designated rotation center coordinate B. Further, when the rotation angle γ is calculated in step S250, or when the rotation angle γ is directly input in step S220, the rotation center coordinate B designated in advance is executed in step S205 executed thereafter. Can be used to rotate the target image in accordance with the rotation angle γ.

  By the way, although an example in which a grid-like grid is displayed as the reference image is illustrated, other figures may be displayed. That is, it is sufficient that the number of pixels is smaller than that of the target image. For example, a straight line, a curve, a polygon or the like may be applied as the reference image. Furthermore, the reference image is not necessarily limited to that expressed as pixel data, and may be expressed as object data expressed by graphic position and angle data. Since the reference image is a simple figure, it can be easily expressed as object data. Furthermore, according to the object data, since the rotation process can be realized by adding the instruction angle θ to the originally described angle, the calculation burden can be further reduced.

(5) Summary:
As described above, according to the present invention, since the grid G having a smaller calculation load than the target image P is rotated and displayed, the updated display of the grid G following the user's drag is performed. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to set the instruction angle θ accurately, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling stressed by waiting for processing. When the target image P is actually rotated, the rotation is performed using the rotation angle γ obtained by reversing the designated angle θ set to be the same as the deviation angle Δ, so that the deviation angle Δ is canceled out. Such rotation can be performed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus and a print control apparatus. 3 is a general flowchart of print control processing. It is a flowchart of a layout determination process. It is a figure which shows UI at the time of performing a layout determination process. It is a figure which shows UI at the time of rotation of a reference | standard image. It is a figure which shows UI for implement | achieving the setting of the rotation center coordinate B. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 10a ... System bus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Hard disk drive, 14a ... Image data, 14b ... Layout data, 16a ... Keyboard, 16b ... Mouse, 17a ... Display, 20 ... Printer, 30 ... print utility, 30a ... image data acquisition unit, 30b ... print environment setting unit, 30c ... layout determination unit, 30d ... print image data generation unit, 31 ... PRTDRV

Claims (10)

In an image processing apparatus for setting a rotation angle when rotating a target image,
Image display means for displaying the target image on a display device;
Combining means for combining and displaying a predetermined reference image on the target image displayed on the display device;
Input means for accepting an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle;
Reference image rotation means for rotating the reference image based on the received instruction angle;
Recombining means for combining and displaying the reference image rotated by the reference image rotating means with the target image displayed on the display device;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a rotation angle setting unit configured to set an angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is an image for displaying a line.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is an image that displays a grid in which a plurality of lines are orthogonal to each other. The input means receives an input of the rotation center coordinates of the reference image together with the indicated angle,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle setting unit sets the rotation center coordinate together with the rotation angle.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a target image rotating unit that rotates the target image based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting unit. . In an image processing method for setting a rotation angle when rotating a target image,
An image display step of displaying the target image on a display device;
A synthesis step of synthesizing and displaying a predetermined reference image on the target image displayed on the display device;
An input step of accepting an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle;
A reference image rotation step of rotating the reference image based on the received instruction angle;
A re-synthesizing step of synthesizing and displaying the reference image rotated in the reference image rotating step with the target image displayed on the display device;
A rotation angle setting step of setting an angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle. In the image processing program for setting the rotation angle when rotating the target image,
An image display function for displaying the target image on a display device;
A combining function for combining and displaying a predetermined reference image on the target image displayed on the display device;
An input function for accepting an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle;
A reference image rotation function for rotating the reference image based on the received instruction angle;
A recombination function for combining and displaying the reference image rotated by the reference image rotation function with the target image displayed on the display device;
An image processing program for causing a computer to realize a rotation angle setting function for setting an angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle. A printing control device for controlling a printing device,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data to be printed as a target image;
Image display means for displaying the target image on a display device;
Combining means for combining and displaying a predetermined reference image on the target image displayed on the display device;
Input means for accepting an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle;
Reference image rotation means for rotating the reference image based on the received instruction angle;
Recombining means for combining and displaying the reference image rotated by the reference image rotating means with the target image displayed on the display device;
Rotation angle setting means for setting an angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle; target image rotation means for rotating the target image based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting means;
And a printing unit that prints the target image rotated by the target image rotating unit. A printing control method for controlling a printing apparatus,
An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data to be printed as a target image;
Image display means for displaying the target image on a display device;
Combining means for combining and displaying a predetermined reference image on the target image displayed on the display device;
Input means for accepting an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle;
Reference image rotation means for rotating the reference image based on the received instruction angle;
Recombining means for combining and displaying the reference image rotated by the reference image rotating means with the target image displayed on the display device;
Rotation angle setting means for setting an angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle; target image rotation means for rotating the target image based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting means;
A printing control method comprising: printing means for printing the target image rotated by the target image rotating means. A print control program for controlling a printing apparatus,
An image data acquisition function for acquiring image data to be printed as a target image;
An image display function for displaying the target image on a display device;
A combining function for combining and displaying a predetermined reference image on the target image displayed on the display device;
An input function for accepting an angle for rotating the reference image as an instruction angle;
A reference image rotation function for rotating the reference image based on the received instruction angle;
A recombination function for combining and displaying the reference image rotated by the reference image rotation function with the target image displayed on the display device;
A rotation angle setting function for setting an angle obtained by inverting the indicated angle as the rotation angle; a target image rotation function for rotating the target image based on the rotation angle set by the rotation angle setting function;
A print control program for causing a computer to realize a print function for printing the target image rotated by the target image rotation function.

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