JP2006154887A - Graphic preparing device and method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a graphic preparing device and a method for automatically arranging each graphic image at an expected part without requiring manual operation and efficiently and considerably improving graphic layout processing speed. <P>SOLUTION: A superposition coefficient is assigned as attached data to each graphic image, and each corresponding graphic image is automatically arranged at the predetermined part on a screen based on each attached data by a layout data generating part 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a graphic creation device and method, a recording medium, and a program for arranging (laying out) graphic images as desired.

A conventional graphic layout system employs a method of manually specifying the position of a graphic to be arranged or arranging a graphic at a location designated in advance.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which when drawing a leader line, the start point of the leader line, the insertion start point of the character string, and the direction point indicating the writing direction of the character string are manually specified on the screen. It is disclosed.

JP 2001-118079 A

  In a conventional graphic layout system, when a plurality of graphic images are arranged on one screen, it is necessary for the operator to arrange the contents of each graphic image, that is, the importance, perspective, shape, etc. of each graphic image. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time to arrange each graphic image, and it takes a long time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and enables each graphic image to be automatically arranged at an intended site without requiring manual operation. An object is to provide a graphic creation device and method, a recording medium, and a program that can be improved.

  The graphic creation device of the present invention is based on first storage means for storing data of a plurality of graphic images, second storage means for storing accompanying data assigned to each of the graphic images, and each of the accompanying data. Image placement means for placing each graphic image on a screen.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation device of the present invention, the accompanying data is a superimposition coefficient indicating a degree of superimposition between the graphic images, and the image placement unit is configured to display the graphic images based on the superimposition coefficients. The graphic images are arranged so that the degree of overlap between them is minimized.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation device of the present invention, the superposition coefficient is a numerical value having a virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element.

  One aspect of the graphic creation device of the present invention further includes a superimposition coefficient calculation unit that calculates the superposition coefficient using the virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element, using the image density of each graphic image. .

  In one aspect of the graphic creation device of the present invention, the superposition coefficient having a virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element is defined to be a larger value as the graphic image is a close-up view. Yes.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation device of the present invention, the image arrangement means temporarily arranges the graphic images, and moves the graphic images between the graphic images from the data string of the graphic images while relatively moving the graphic images. The degree of superimposing is calculated, and an arrangement that minimizes the degree of superimposing is determined.

  According to the graphic creation method of the present invention, a predetermined graphic image is read out from a plurality of graphic images each having associated data added thereto, and each graphic image is automatically displayed on the screen based on the accompanying data. Placing.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation method of the present invention, the accompanying data is a superposition coefficient indicating a degree of superposition between the graphic images. In the step of automatically arranging the graphic images, Based on this, the graphic images are arranged so that the degree of superimposition between the graphic images is minimized.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation method of the present invention, the superposition coefficient is a numerical value having the virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element.

  In one embodiment of the graphic creation method of the present invention, the method further includes the step of calculating the superposition coefficient having the virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element using the image density of each graphic image.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation method of the present invention, the superposition coefficient having a virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element is defined to be larger as the graphic image is closer. Yes.

  In one aspect of the graphic creation method of the present invention, in the step of automatically arranging the graphic images, the graphic images are temporarily arranged, and the graphic image data is moved while relatively moving the graphic images. The degree of superimposition between the graphic images is calculated from the column, and an arrangement that minimizes the degree of superimposition is determined.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the graphic creation device.

  The program of the present invention is for causing a computer to function as each means of the graphic creation device.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to realize the steps of the graphic creation method.

  The program of the present invention is for causing a computer to realize each step of the graphic creation method.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically arrange each graphic image at a desired site without requiring manual operation, and the processing speed of graphic layout can be improved greatly and efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
-First embodiment-
(Configuration of graphic creation device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a graphic creating apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The graphic creation apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main body 101 such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk of a computer, an image data storage unit 102 that stores a plurality of graphic image data, and each graphic stored in the image data storage unit 102. An accompanying data storage unit 103 for storing accompanying data assigned to the image, an arrangement data generating unit 104 for arranging each corresponding graphic image on the screen based on each accompanying data, and external input / output of various data A data input / output unit 105, a display device 106 such as a monitor for confirming each arranged graphic image on the screen, an input device 107 for various data such as a keyboard, a mouse, and voice input means, and an arrangement And a printer 108 for outputting an image made up of each graphic image.

Here, the main body 101 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of the entire apparatus.
Each graphic image is a pattern composed of a set of several line drawings on the screen, for example, as shown in FIG. In the image data storage unit 102, a plurality of graphic images created in advance as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, are stored as a set of bit data (here, 2 bits) consisting of “0” and “1”. Yes.

  Each accompanying data is assigned to each graphic image, and is a superposition coefficient indicating the degree of superposition between the graphic images. As the superposition coefficient, for example, in the case of 2-bit data, as shown in FIG. 2B, it is data expressed so as to fill the inside of the graphic pattern of FIG. 2A (for example, “1”). When arranging a plurality of graphic images on one screen, the arrangement data generating unit 104 determines that this filled portion (for example, a portion set to “1”) is a portion where other graphic images are not superimposed. As described in the second embodiment, in consideration of the perspective of each graphic image, in order to express this perspective, the superimposition coefficient is a numerical value having a virtual depth direction distance as an element, and the superposition coefficient (and graphic The image) may be a set of multi-value bits of 3 bits or more.

(Figure creation method)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a graphic creation method using the graphic creation device of FIG. 1 in order of steps.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a case where two graphic images are laid out in one image in the graphic creating method of the present embodiment.
First, in step 301, a superposition coefficient is created as accompanying data to be assigned to each of a plurality of graphic image data. Here, the superposition coefficient is, for example, 2-bit data. Accordingly, the graphic images to which the superposition coefficient is given are, for example, graphic images 402 and 403 in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

  In step 302, the main body 1 determines whether graphic image data is stored in the image data storage unit 102. If graphic image data is stored, the process proceeds to step 303, and the main body 1 reads the desired graphic image data. On the other hand, if the graphic image data is not stored, the process proceeds to step 309 to end the graphic creation process and obtain the final graphic.

  Subsequently, in step 304, the arrangement data generation unit 104 temporarily arranges the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403 on the image 401 in FIG. As a part to be temporarily arranged, for example, a central part in the image 401 may be set. The temporarily arranged state is shown as a temporarily arranged state 404 in FIG.

  Subsequently, in step 305, the arrangement data generation unit 104 calculates the degree of superimposition of the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403 in the entire image 401 based on each superposition coefficient. As a calculation method, for example, a difference value between a value obtained by adding the superposition coefficients of the graphic images 402 and 403 and a bit data value of the entire graphic image in the temporary arrangement state is calculated.

  Subsequently, in step 306, the arrangement data generation unit 104 determines whether there is a superposition between the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403 based on the calculation result of the degree of superposition in step 305, that is, the difference value is 0 here. It is determined whether or not. If the difference value is 0, there is no overlap between the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403, and the temporary arrangement state is an appropriate arrangement state, so the process proceeds to step 307. In step 307, the arrangement data generation unit 104 determines that the temporary arrangement state is a normal arrangement state.

  On the other hand, if the difference value is not 0, there is a superimposed portion between the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403, and the process proceeds to step 308. In step 308, the arrangement data generation unit 104 prevents the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403 from overlapping as much as possible, that is, the graphic image 402 and the graphic image so that the difference value becomes the minimum value (ideally 0). 403 is moved relatively. The state at this time is shown in a moving state 405 (moved up, down, left and right within the plane of the screen) in FIG.

  After steps 307 and 308, the process returns to step 302, and the main body 1 again determines whether or not other graphic image data is stored in the image data storage unit 102, and is stored in the image data storage unit 102. The subsequent steps are repeatedly executed until there is no more graphic image data, and the final graphic is obtained in step 309.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically arrange each graphic image at an intended site without requiring manual operation, and to greatly improve the processing speed of graphic layout efficiently. Can do.

-Second Embodiment-
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the graphic creation apparatus and the graphic creation method are disclosed as in the first embodiment, but the graphic layout processing is performed in consideration of the perspective of each graphic image. In addition, about the component of the figure production apparatus demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is described and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The figure creating apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured similarly to the configuration of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, in consideration of the perspective of each graphic image, the superposition coefficient that is accompanying data of each graphic image is a numerical value having the virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element. When a superimposed part is generated between a graphic image with a larger superposition coefficient and a graphic image with a smaller superposition coefficient, the former graphic image shields the latter graphic image with the superimposed part. The former graphic image is arranged in front of the latter graphic image.

  In the present embodiment, the superposition coefficient having the depth direction distance as an element may be automatically calculated from the color density like a photographic image. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the graphic creation device includes a main body 101, an image data storage unit 102, an accompanying data storage unit 103, an arrangement data generation unit 104, a data input / output unit 105, and a display device 106 as in FIG. 1. , An input device 107, and a printer 108. In addition to these, in order to virtually represent a three-dimensional space with a two-dimensional image, the virtual depth of each graphic image is obtained using the image density of each graphic image. A superposition coefficient calculation unit 110 that calculates a superposition coefficient having the direction distance as an element is provided.

  In order to create a figure using the figure creating apparatus of this embodiment, the final figure is obtained through steps 301 to 309 in FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment. The present embodiment is mainly characterized in step 308 in which the graphic image is moved so that the graphic images are not superimposed as much as possible.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a case where two graphic images are laid out in one image in the graphic creating method of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the graphic creation method of this embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 301, as in the first embodiment, a superimposition coefficient is created in advance as accompanying data to be assigned to each of a plurality of graphic image data, or an image of each graphic image is generated by the superimposition coefficient calculation unit 110. A superposition coefficient having a virtual depth direction distance as an element is calculated from the density and stored in the accompanying data storage unit 103. In this case, weighting is performed by a superposition coefficient (multi-value bit data of 3 bits or more) having a virtual depth direction distance as an element, and a foreground is associated with a high image density and a distant view is associated with a low image density. The larger the superposition coefficient, the smaller the superposition coefficient. The graphic images to which the superposition coefficient is added are, for example, graphic images 502 and 503 in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Here, in the graphic image 502, the most recent scene 502a is the graphic image portion with the highest image density, and the superposition coefficient is the largest value. A graphic image portion 502b, which is a distant view from the graphic image portion 502a, has the next highest image density. A figure 502c which is a distant view from the figure image part 502b is a figure image part having the lowest image density, and the superposition coefficient is set to the smallest value. Further, the graphic image 503 shows a graphic image having the highest image density (the largest superposition coefficient) that is the same distance as the most recent scene 502a.

  In step 302, the main body 1 determines whether graphic image data is stored in the image data storage unit 102. If graphic image data is stored, the process proceeds to step 303, and the main body 1 reads the desired graphic image data. On the other hand, if the graphic image data is not stored, the process proceeds to step 309 to end the graphic creation process and obtain the final graphic.

  Subsequently, in step 304, the arrangement data generation unit 104 temporarily arranges the graphic image 502 and the graphic image 503 on the image 501 in FIG. As a part to be temporarily arranged, for example, a central part in the image 501 may be set. The temporarily arranged state is shown as a temporarily arranged state 504 in FIG.

  Subsequently, in step 305, the arrangement data generation unit 104 calculates the degree of superimposition of the graphic image 502 and the graphic image 503 in the entire image 501 based on each superposition coefficient. As a calculation method, for example, a difference value between a value obtained by adding the superposition coefficients of the graphic images 502 and 503 and the bit data value of the entire graphic image in the temporary arrangement state is calculated.

  Subsequently, in step 306, the arrangement data generation unit 104 determines whether there is an overlap between the graphic image 502 and the graphic image 503 based on the calculation result of the degree of overlap in step 305, that is, the difference value is 0 here. It is determined whether or not. If the difference value is 0, there is no overlap between the graphic image 502 and the graphic image 503, and the temporary arrangement state is an appropriate arrangement state, so the process proceeds to step 307. In step 307, the arrangement data generation unit 104 determines that the temporary arrangement state is a normal arrangement state.

  On the other hand, if the difference value is not 0, there is a superimposed portion between the graphic image 502 and the graphic image 503, and the process proceeds to step 308. In step 308, the arrangement data generation unit 104 causes the graphic image 502 and the graphic image so that the graphic image 402 and the graphic image 403 are not superimposed as much as possible, that is, the difference value is the minimum value (ideally 0). 503 is moved relatively. At this time, it is moved up, down, left and right within the plane of the screen as in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the superimposition coefficient of the graphic image 503 is greater than the superposition coefficient of the graphic image portions 502b and 502c so that the graphic image 503 that is the most recent view is positioned forward of the graphic image portions 502b and 502c that are distant views. Therefore, for example, in the overlapping portion of the graphic image 503 and the graphic image portion 502b, the data of the graphic image 503 having a smaller difference value is selected, and as a result, the graphic image 503 is the image of the graphic image 502b. Expressed to be in front.

  Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, step 308 is taken as an example in which the graphic image 503 is moved in the horizontal direction with respect to the graphic image 502, and the result of examining the degree of superposition in the horizontal direction is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the movement distance in the right direction in the figure of the graphic image 503 with respect to the graphic image 502 shown in the superposition state 505 of FIG. 6 is represented as x, and the degree of superimposition (the difference value) is represented as a function of x. From the figure, it can be seen that the degree of superposition is the minimum value at x1, and the graphic images 502 and 503 may be arranged at the position where the movement distance of the graphic image 503 relative to the graphic image 502 in the right direction in the drawing is x1. .

  After steps 307 and 308, the process returns to step 302, and the main body 1 again determines whether or not other graphic image data is stored in the image data storage unit 102, and is stored in the image data storage unit 102. The subsequent steps are repeatedly executed until there is no more graphic image data, and the final graphic is obtained in step 309.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, each figure image is automatically assigned without requiring manual operation in consideration of expressing that the near-field figure image is positioned in front of the far-field figure image. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently arrange the graphic layout processing speed.

-Other embodiments-
In addition, the graphic image and the accompanying data stored in the image storage unit 102 and the image information storage unit 103 according to the first or second embodiment described above are read and displayed from an external device as necessary via a network or the like. There may be. For example, when the graphic image 1 and the accompanying data 1 are read from the external device 1, the graphic image 2 and the accompanying data 2 are read from the external device 2, and the two graphic images are displayed, the processing of the above-described embodiment is performed. If done, each graphic image can be automatically placed at the desired site. In addition, since they are arranged so as not to overlap as much as possible, it is possible to easily operate the operator after that when the operator wants to correct a fine position.

  Each component (the image data storage unit 102, the accompanying data storage unit 103, the arrangement data generation unit 104, the data input / output unit 105, and the superimposition coefficient calculation unit 110) constituting the graphic creation apparatus shown in FIGS. The functions and the steps constituting the graphic creation method according to the present invention shown in FIG. 3 can be realized by the operation of a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Specifically, the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or provided to a computer via various transmission media. As a recording medium for recording the program, besides a CD-ROM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used. On the other hand, as the transmission medium of the program, a communication medium (wired line such as an optical fiber, etc.) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying program information as a carrier wave A wireless line or the like.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing a program supplied by a computer, and the program is used in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. When the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, or when all or part of the processing of the supplied program is performed by a function expansion board or a function expansion unit of the computer, the function of the above-described embodiment is realized. Such a program is included in the embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a general personal user terminal device. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1200 denotes a computer PC. The PC 1200 includes a CPU 1201 and executes device control software stored in a ROM 1202 or a hard disk (HD) 1211 or supplied from a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FD) 1212 and connected to the system bus 1204. Control the device as a whole.

  The functions stored in the CPU 1201 of the PC 1200, the ROM 1202, or the hard disk (HD) 1211 realize the functions of the respective means such as the means 1 to 5 in the present embodiment and the procedures such as steps 1 to 5.

  A RAM 1203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 1205 controls instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 1209, a device not shown, or the like.

  Reference numeral 1206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 1210. A disk controller (DKC) 1207 is a hard disk (boot program (start program: a program that starts execution (operation) of personal computer hardware and software)), a plurality of applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, and the like. HD) 1211 and floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 1212 are controlled.

  Reference numeral 1208 denotes a network interface card (NIC) that exchanges data bidirectionally with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 1220.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the figure creation apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of a figure image. It is a flowchart which shows the figure preparation method using the figure preparation apparatus of FIG. 1 in order of a step. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the case where two figure images are laid out in one image in the figure creation method of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the figure creation apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the case where two figure images are laid out in one image in the figure preparation method of 2nd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the degree of superimposition of a graphic image as a function of the relative movement distance to the horizontal direction of a graphic image. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of a personal user terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Main body 102 Image data storage part 103 Accompanying data storage part 104 Arrangement data generation part 105 Data input / output part 106 Display apparatus 107 Input apparatus 108 Printer

Claims (16)

First storage means for storing data of a plurality of graphic images;
Second storage means for storing associated data assigned to each graphic image;
An image arrangement device comprising: image arrangement means for arranging each graphic image on a screen based on each associated data. The accompanying data is a superposition coefficient indicating a degree of superposition between the graphic images.
2. The graphic creation according to claim 1, wherein the image arranging means arranges the graphic images so that the degree of superimposition between the graphic images is minimized based on the superposition coefficients. apparatus.   The figure creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the superposition coefficient is a numerical value having a virtual depth direction distance of each figure image as an element.   4. The superimposition coefficient calculating means for calculating the superposition coefficient using the virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element using the image density of each graphic image. Graphic creation device.   5. The superimposition coefficient having a virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element is defined so as to be a larger value as the graphic image is closer. Graphics creation device.   The image arrangement means temporarily arranges the graphic images, calculates the degree of superimposition between the graphic images from the data string of the graphic images while relatively moving the graphic images, The figure creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement with a minimum degree is determined. A step of reading a predetermined graphic image out of a plurality of graphic images each having an accompanying data added thereto;
And automatically arranging each graphic image on a screen on the basis of the accompanying data. The accompanying data is a superposition coefficient indicating a degree of superposition between the graphic images.
The step of automatically arranging the graphic images arranges the graphic images so that the degree of superimposition between the graphic images is minimized based on the superposition coefficients. Item 8. A method for creating a graphic according to Item 7.   9. The figure creation method according to claim 8, wherein the superposition coefficient is a numerical value having a virtual depth direction distance of each figure image as an element.   10. The graphic creation method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of calculating the superposition coefficient having a virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element using the image density of each graphic image. .   11. The superposition coefficient having a virtual depth direction distance of each graphic image as an element is defined so as to become a larger value as the graphic image is closer. How to create a figure.   In the step of automatically arranging the respective graphic images, the degree of superimposition between the respective graphic images from the data string of each of the graphic images while temporarily arranging the respective graphic images and relatively moving the respective graphic images The figure creating method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein an arrangement in which the degree of superposition is minimized is determined.   A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the graphic creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is recorded.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the figure production apparatus of any one of Claims 1-6.   A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to realize each step of the graphic creating method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve each step of the figure preparation method of any one of Claims 7-12.

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