JP2006309323A - Image editing method and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image editing method and an image formation apparatus for combining an arbitrary image with an arbitrary image without performing any complicated operation using a PC or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A designated background pattern and a composite pattern are outputted as a reference print, and after an image for composition and a composite position are designated using the reference print, and the image for composition and composition position are extracted by reading the reference print, and a composite image is prepared by using the original image of the pattern using extracted information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image formation in a printer, a print system, and the like, and in particular, an image editing method and an image forming apparatus capable of creating a composite image by combining favorite images without performing complicated operations using a personal computer or the like. About.

With the spread of personal computers (PCs), digital cameras, mobile phones with photographing functions, etc., general users can synthesize a plurality of images such as images taken by themselves or images acquired from communication networks such as the Internet, New year cards are being created.
However, such image composition is performed by taking an image into a PC and using software (application) for composition. Therefore, in order to perform free and arbitrary image composition, a certain amount of technology and knowledge are required, and not everyone can easily create a composite image according to preference.

On the other hand, as long as it is a handwritten message, a method is known in which a message can be easily combined with a photo print image or the like.
For example, in Patent Document 1, for example, a print reference image obtained by photographing an image of a photographic print is obtained, a message is recorded by handwriting on the print reference image, and the print reference image is read by a scanner or the like. It is disclosed to output a print in which a handwritten message is combined by extracting a recording position and combining the message with the image (image data) of the photographic print according to the extracted message and the recording position and printing it. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-260482

According to this method, an image (photo print) in which a handwritten message is synthesized can be easily created without performing a complicated operation such as a PC.
However, this method can synthesize only handwritten messages, and is not sufficient in terms of entertainment. In other words, the current situation is that a complex operation of a PC is necessary for the synthesis of images.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and an arbitrary image can be synthesized with an arbitrary image without performing a complicated operation using a PC or the like, which is highly entertaining. An object of the present invention is to provide an image editing method that makes it possible to easily create a composite image, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a printing system that uses this image editing method.

  To achieve the above object, the image editing method of the present invention outputs a designated background pattern and composite pattern as a reference print, records a composite position of an image in the background pattern of the reference print, and the reference print The composite image in the composite pattern is recorded, and then the reference print is read and the image is analyzed to extract the composite position and the composite image. According to the extraction result, the original image of the background pattern is extracted. An image editing method is characterized in that an output image is created by synthesizing a synthesis image cut out from an original image of a synthesis pattern at the synthesis position.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores an original image, a first printing unit, a scanner, an image analysis unit that analyzes an image read by the scanner, and a second printing unit. A reference print reproduced from the background pattern and composite pattern designated from the original image is output by the first printing means, and the composite image on the composite pattern is the composite position on the background pattern. Each of the recorded reference prints is read by a scanner, the image read by the scanner is analyzed by an image analysis unit, and a synthesis position designated on the background pattern and a synthesis designated on the synthesis pattern The image for the image is extracted, and the image for synthesis is cut out from the original image of the composite pattern in accordance with this extraction, and the background pattern is extracted. Generates an output image synthesized in the synthesis position of the original image, an image forming apparatus and outputs a print reproducing the output image by the second printer.

In such an image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the storage unit, the first print unit, the scanner, the image analysis unit, and the second print unit are integrally configured, or the storage unit Preferably, at least one of the first printing unit, the scanner, the image analysis unit, and the second printing unit is a separate unit, and each is connected by a communication unit.
Further, as a print creation mode, a normal mode for creating a normal print, an image composition mode for creating a print in which the composition image is synthesized at a composition position, and a print for writing for handwriting input are the first print. And a handwriting mode for extracting a message input by handwriting and extracting a message input by handwriting and creating a print in which this message is combined with the original image of the writing print. preferable.

Further, in such an image editing method and image forming apparatus of the present invention, by using a specific figure having an image feature amount common to the background pattern and the synthesized pattern, the corresponding synthesized position and the synthesized image can be obtained. In this case, the specific figure is a frame for designating the composition position and the composition image, the shape of the frame, the color of the frame, the line type of the frame, and the thickness of the line forming the frame It is preferable to classify the image feature amount by at least one of the above, and it is preferable that the specific figure is a symbol or a figure accompanying the designation of the image for synthesis and the image synthesis position.
In addition, it is preferable that identification information associated with each original image is recorded corresponding to the background pattern and the composite pattern of the reference print.
Also, the first discrimination information for discriminating the background pattern corresponds to the background pattern of the reference print, and the second discrimination information for discriminating the composite pattern corresponds to the composite pattern of the reference print. In this case, it is preferable that the first determination information and the second determination information are recorded at the time of output of the reference print, or the first determination information and the second determination information are referred to as the reference. It is preferable to record at the time of designating the composition position and the composition image using the print.
Further, a grid line is recorded in the background pattern and the composite pattern of the reference print, and the geometric distortion correction of the background pattern composite position and the composite pattern composite image obtained by reading the reference print using the grid line In addition, a grid line is recorded in the background pattern and the composite pattern of the reference print, and using the grid line, the background pattern composite position and the composite pattern obtained by reading the reference print are used. It is preferable to perform alignment with the image for synthesis, and further, at least one of resolution, density, number of colors for reproducing the image, and cost of the recording medium between the reference print and the print reproduced from the output image. It is preferable that the two are different.

  According to the present invention having the above configuration, an arbitrary image can be combined with this background image based on an arbitrary image without performing a complicated and difficult operation using a PC or the like. Even a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of a child or a PC can easily create a composite image with high entertainment.

  Hereinafter, an image editing method and an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention that implements the image editing method of the present invention.
A printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is related to an image forming apparatus of the present invention. As an example, an operation unit 12, a database 14, an image processing unit 16 that performs image analysis and image synthesis, and a reference print are created. The printer includes a reference printer 18, an output printer 20 that creates an output print to be printed by the printer 10, and a scanner 22.

  The printer 10 in the illustrated example has, as an example, three print modes, that is, a normal mode, a handwriting mode, and a synthesis mode as output print creation modes.

The normal mode is a mode in which a print (hard copy) is normally created. An image (image data) selected using the operation means 12 is read from the database 14 and an output print obtained by reproducing the image is output by the output printer 20. It is a mode to create and output.
The composite mode corresponds to the image editing method of the present invention, and is a mode for creating a print in which the images stored in the database 14 are combined. This synthesis mode will be described in detail later.

The handwriting mode is a mode for creating a print in which a message (handwritten image) written by handwriting is combined with an image.
In the handwriting mode, an image selected using the operation means 12 is read from the database 14 and a print for replaying this image is output by the reference printer 18 to prompt the customer to enter a message. Next, the print for entry in which the message is entered is read by the scanner 22 and analyzed by the image processing means 16 to extract the entered message and position. Further, the image processing means 16 reads out the selected image from the database 14, generates an image obtained by synthesizing the extracted message at the position where the extracted message is extracted, and outputs a print reproducing the synthesized image by the output printer 20. This handwriting mode is described in detail in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-260482).

The operation means 12 performs various operation instructions in the printer 10 such as setting the print mode, specifying an image to be a background pattern and an image to be a composite pattern, and specifying the number of prints.
In the printer 10 of the illustrated example, the operation unit 12 is a known operation unit that is used in various printers and the like, which is a combination of a display (or a touch panel), various operation buttons, numeric keys, and the like.

The database 14 is a known image database that stores a large number of images (image data).
In the printer 10 of the illustrated example, the image stored in the database 14 is a full-color image output by the output printer 20 and having a resolution and image quality corresponding to the output print, for example, an image corresponding to so-called photographic image quality.

In the synthesis mode, the reference printer 18 is a printer that outputs a background pattern reference print that reproduces an image selected as a background pattern, a synthesis pattern reference print that reproduces an image selected as a synthesis pattern, and the like. Further, the reference printer 18 outputs a print for entry during the above-described handwriting mode.
Note that the background pattern is an image that is based on an output image in the synthesis mode in which an image (image for synthesis) cut out from the synthesis pattern is incorporated (synthesized). On the other hand, the synthesis pattern is an image obtained by cutting out a synthesis image for incorporation (synthesis) into a background pattern from an image.
Hereinafter, for convenience, the background pattern reference print is referred to as a background print, the composite pattern reference print is referred to as a composite print, and the background print and the composite print are collectively referred to as a reference print.

  The reference printer 18 is not particularly limited, and various known printers such as an electrophotographic printer, an ink jet printer, and a thermal printer can be used.

Here, the background print is a print used for designating the position where the composition image is to be incorporated. On the other hand, the composition print is a print used for designating a composition image. That is, the reference printer 18 does not output a print (output print) that is finally output from the printer 10, but outputs a reference print for instructing handwritten image composition. In particular, not so high performance is required.
Therefore, the reference printer 18 may be a printer with lower image quality performance such as a lower resolution than the output printer 20 and / or the output printer 20 such as a monochrome printer or a two-color printer instead of a full-color printer. It may be a printer with fewer colors that reproduces the image and / or a printer with a lower image density of the output image than the output printer 20. In addition, the recording medium serving as the reference print may be a medium having a lower cost than the recording medium serving as the output print. Thereby, cost reduction, ink saving, printing time reduction, and the like can be achieved.

Further, the background pattern and the composite pattern (background print and composite print) may be input before the output of the reference print, and a reference print that has already been determined as a background pattern or a composite pattern may be output. When the reference print is output, it may be output as exactly the same image, and either one may be determined at the time of recording the combining position on the reference print and the combining image by the user. This will be described in detail later.
Further, the background pattern and the composite pattern may be output as two prints such as the background print and the composite print, or a reference print in which the background pattern and the composite pattern are reproduced as one sheet is output. Also good.

The output printer 20 is a printer that creates an output print that is a print that the printer 10 finally outputs.
The output printer 20 is not particularly limited, and an inkjet printer, an electrophotographic printer, a thermal printer, a photosensitive material (photographic paper) is exposed imagewise with recording light to form a latent image, and wet development processing is performed. Digital photographic printers, printers that imagewise expose a recording medium to form a latent image, and transfer the image to an image receiving medium in the presence of an image forming solvent such as water, printers that use a photosensitive heat source image recording medium, etc. Various known printers can be used.
Further, both the output printer 20 and the reference printer 18 may be the same type of printer such as an ink jet printer, or may be different types of printers such as an ink jet printer and an electrophotographic printer.

As described above, since the output print output from the output printer 20 is a print created by the printer 10, a printer capable of outputting a high-quality print is preferably used as the output printer 20.
For example, the output printer 20 is preferably a printer that can output a so-called photographic quality print.

The scanner 22 is a known scanner (image reading device) that reads an image recorded (reproduced) on a print by irradiating the print with read light and photoelectrically reading the reflected light with a CCD sensor or the like. .
Further, the image processing means 16 analyzes the image (image data) read by the scanner 16 to extract a composition image and a composition position of the composition image, which will be described later, and to extract the composition image thus extracted. An output image is generated by combining with a background pattern.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printer 10 will be described to describe the image processing means 16 and the present invention in more detail.

As described above, the printer 10 has three print modes: the normal mode, the handwriting mode, and the composition mode.
When the normal mode is selected using the operation unit 12 and an image to be output is selected from the database 14, the database 14 performs the predetermined image processing as necessary, and selects the selected image (its Image data) is sent to the output printer 20, and the output printer 20 creates and outputs an output print reproducing the image.

When the handwriting mode is selected using the operation unit 12 and an image to be output is selected from the database 14, the database 14 sends the original image of the selected image to the image processing unit 16. The image processing means 16 stores the original image, performs image processing on the original image in accordance with the print for entry, and sends it to the reference printer 18, and the reference printer 18 outputs the entry print for reproducing the image. .
As described above, when a message is recorded on the print for entry and supplied to the scanner 22, the scanner 22 reads the image and supplies it to the image processing means 16. The image processing means 16 analyzes the image and analyzes the message and position. To generate the image (image data), form an image obtained by combining the message with the original image previously supplied from the database 14, and after performing various image processing as necessary To the output printer 20. The output printer 20 creates and outputs an output print that reproduces the composite image.

As described above, the synthesis mode is a mode corresponding to the image editing method of the present invention.
Hereinafter, an example of the synthesis mode (the image editing method of the present invention) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, first, a reference print in which a designated image is recorded is output, and then it is instructed whether the image is a background pattern or a composite pattern.

In this example, first, the operation unit 12 is used to set the composition mode, and then an image to be a background pattern and a composition pattern is selected from the images stored in the database 14. Note that the composite pattern may be a plurality of images, and therefore, two or more images may be selected. In this example, it is assumed that two images are selected.
At the time of this image selection, there is no need to set which is the background pattern and which is the composite pattern. The image may be selected by a known method performed by various printers or computers.

  Information input using the operation means 12 is supplied to the database 14, which associates the original image (image data) of the selected image with the image identification ID (identification information), The image is sent to the image processing means 16. The identification ID of the image may be a known symbol such as various symbols, barcodes, and character strings.

  The image processing means 16 stores the supplied original image (original image) and the image identification ID in association with each other, performs necessary image processing corresponding to the reference print on the original image, and adds the identification ID. To the reference printer 18.

The reference printer 18 outputs two reference prints each recording the supplied image and the image identification ID. Note that the reference print may have lower image quality and medium quality than the output print, and may be a monochrome image or the like as described above.
The image identification ID may be recorded within the image or outside the image, may be recorded as a visible image, or may be a digital watermark that is not visible to the human but readable by the scanner 22. Good.

The reference print is provided with a column for recording a mark (discrimination information for background print or composite print) for determining whether it is a background pattern or a composite pattern at a predetermined position. This predetermined position may be inside or outside the image.
Whether the background print or the composite print is determined is based on whether or not a predetermined mark (or a predetermined position) is to be painted, a method in which a predetermined mark is painted in a predetermined color, and a determination mark in a predetermined column. Various known discrimination methods such as a recording method can be used.

When the reference print is output, the user selects which image is a background pattern (background print) and which image is a composite pattern (composite print), and enters the mark recording field for the determination. Corresponding records are made.
Next, the user uses the background print to instruct a position (compositing position) where the image for synthesis is to be incorporated in the background pattern. In addition, the composition print is used to designate a region (composition image) in the composition pattern to be incorporated into the background pattern.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the combination position and the combination image are designated by recording a handwritten frame in a corresponding area.
In FIG. 3, (A) is a background pattern (background print), and (B) is a composite pattern (composite print). Also, the lattice shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is recorded as a preferred embodiment. This will be described in detail later.

Here, when there are a plurality of combining positions and combining images, it is necessary to associate which combining image is to be combined (embedded) with which combining position.
Although there is no particular limitation on the method of this association, as a preferable example, a specific figure having the same image feature amount is used, and a combination position and a combination image designated to be incorporated in the combination position are as follows: By using the same specific figure, a method of associating both is exemplified.

As an example of the association method using a specific figure, by using a frame for specifying a synthesis position and a synthesis image, the shape of the frame (for example, circular / ellipse / n-square), the difference in the line of the frame (color) / Line type (solid line, dotted line, broken line, n-dot chain line, etc.) / Line thickness), etc., assuming various frames, composition image and composition image specified to be incorporated into the composition position And a method for associating the two by using the same frame.
In FIG. 3, as an example, the dotted line and the solid line are used to associate the combining position with the combining image.

Also, the same number, characters, symbols, etc. (which can be combined) in the frame (or in the vicinity of the frame) in the composition position and the composition image designated to be incorporated in the composition position A method of associating both of them by entering them as specific figures is also suitable.
Furthermore, a combination of a frame position and a method based on a number or the like may be used to associate a combining position with a combining image.

When the user finishes designating the background pattern and composite pattern (background print and composite print) and the composite position and composite image are written, the scanner 22 performs background print and composite print according to the set by the user. read.
In the printer 10, for example, the display by the operation unit 12 is used to prompt the user to enter the discrimination information whether it is a background pattern or a composite pattern, specify the composite image and composite position, and read by the scanner 22. Good.

The image (image data) read by the scanner 22 is sent to the image processing device 16.
The image processing device 16 analyzes the supplied image, and first, from the identification ID of the image recorded on the reference print, which original image has been previously sent from the database 14 corresponds to which image. It is discriminated, and from the discrimination information recorded on the reference print, it is discriminated which image is the background pattern and which image is the composite pattern.
Further, by comparing with the original image using the result of the image analysis, the filled frame is detected, the synthesis position is extracted from the background pattern, and the synthesis image is further extracted from the synthesis pattern. Alternatively, a similar extraction may be performed by storing an image subjected to image processing for reference printing and comparing this with an image read by the scanner 22.

After extracting the synthesis position and the synthesis image, the image processing device 16 cuts out an area corresponding to the extracted synthesis image from the original image of the synthesis pattern. In addition, a region corresponding to the extracted synthesis position in the original image of the background pattern is detected. Next, a synthesized image is generated by synthesizing (incorporating) an area cut out from the original image of the synthesized pattern into the detection area in the original image of the background pattern (see FIG. 3C).
The image processing device 16 performs various kinds of image processing as necessary, supplies the generated composite image to the output printer 20, and the output printer 20 creates, for example, a photo-quality output print by reproducing the composite image. And output.

  In the above example, only the image is specified and the reference print is output without specifying the background pattern and the composite pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the apparatus is prior to outputting the reference print. Either a background pattern or a composite pattern may be input.

This example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this example, whether the background pattern or the composite pattern is determined when the reference print is output, and the processing is basically performed in the same manner as in the previous example except that the discrimination information is recorded.

In this example, first, after the fact that it is a background pattern is set, an image to be a background pattern is selected by the operating means 12 as before. By setting the background pattern, the printer 10 enters the composition mode.
This information is supplied to the database 14 and the image processing means 16, and the database 14 associates the information indicating that the original image of the selected image, the identification ID of the image, and the background pattern with each other. 16

The image processing means 16 associates and stores these pieces of information in the same manner as described above, performs necessary image processing on the original image, and further adds identification ID and discrimination information indicating that the pattern is a background pattern, Send to reference printer 18. The reference printer 18 outputs a background print (background pattern reference print) in which the supplied image, identification ID, and identification information indicating the background pattern are recorded.
Note that the discrimination information indicating the background pattern may use a discrimination mark, symbol, bar code, or the like. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a grid having a different interval is recorded between the background pattern (background print) and the composite pattern (composite print), and the background pattern and the composite pattern are recorded. It is good also as discrimination information. What is necessary is just to perform the synthesis | combination etc. of this grid | lattice by the image processing means 16.

Next, in the same manner, the setting indicating that the image is a composite pattern and the selection of an image are performed, and accordingly, the database 14 stores information indicating the original image, the identification ID, and the composite pattern of the selected image. Are associated with each other and sent to the image processing means 16.
The image processing means 16 stores these in association with each other, performs necessary image processing on the original image, adds an identification ID and composite pattern discrimination information, and sends it to the reference printer. The reference printer 18 outputs a composite print (composite pattern reference print) in which the supplied image, identification ID, and discrimination information are recorded.
Note that a plurality of images to be combined patterns may be selected as in the previous example.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the user designates the composition position of the composition image in the background pattern using the background print, and uses the composition print. The image for composition is specified by a frame from the composition pattern. The association between the synthesis position and the synthesis image may be the same as in the previous example.

  When the user finishes specifying the synthesis position and the synthesis image, the scanner 22 reads the background print and the synthesis print according to the set by the user.

The image read by the scanner 22 is sent to the image processing device 16.
The image processing device 16 analyzes the supplied image, identifies which image corresponds to which original image from the identification ID of the image, and from the discrimination information, which image is the background pattern, It is determined which image is a composite pattern. Next, using the result of the image analysis, the designated frame is detected by comparing with the original image, the synthesis position is extracted from the background pattern, and further, the synthesis image is extracted from the synthesis pattern.

  Further, similarly to the above, the image processing device 16 cuts out an area corresponding to the image for synthesis from the original image of the composite pattern, and combines this area at a position corresponding to the composite position of the original image of the background pattern. Generate an image. Next, the image processing device 16 performs various types of image processing as necessary, and then supplies the generated composite image to the output printer 20, and the output printer 20 reproduces the composite image, for example, a photographic image quality output print. Is created and output.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), when a grid is recorded on the background print and the composite print, the image processing means 16 uses this grid to read it with the scanner 22. The geometric distortion of the image may be corrected. Further, by using this grid, it may be used for determining the position where the image for synthesis is to be incorporated into the background pattern.
Such a grid utilization method can also be used in the aspect shown in FIG. 2A, in which the identification information of the background pattern or the composite pattern is recorded after the reference print is output.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, an arbitrary image is used as a background pattern (base) without performing a complicated and difficult operation using a PC or the like. Since a synthesized image can be formed by synthesizing the cut-out synthesis image, even a user who is not familiar with the operation of a child or a PC can easily create a highly entertaining synthesized image.

In the above example, the background print and the composite print are output as separate prints. As described above, the corresponding identification ID is recorded corresponding to the image, and the background pattern and the composite pattern are recorded. You may output to one reference print.
When a plurality of composite patterns are selected, the corresponding identification IDs may be recorded in the corresponding images, and the plurality of composite patterns may be output on one reference print.

Further, the composition image is cut out from the composition print (composition pattern) using a scissors or the like, pasted on the background print (background pattern), and the background print on which the composition image is pasted is scanned by the scanner 22. May be extracted to extract the synthesis position and the synthesis image.
In this case, it is preferable to form a grid as described above on the reference print and extract the synthesis position and the synthesis image using this grid.

Further, in the above example, the image selected as the background pattern and the composite pattern is identified by the identification ID. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Image analysis of the supplied original image and the image read by the scanner may be performed, and the image selected as the background pattern and the composite pattern may be identified using an image feature amount or the like.
Further, instead of supplying the original image from the database 14 to the image processing unit 16 at the time of selecting an image, the image processing unit 16 uses the information (identification ID, image feature amount, etc.) of the image read by the scanner 22 to 14 may be retrieved to obtain a corresponding image. Alternatively, an image stored in the database 14 using the same information may be searched and an original image corresponding to the image processing means may be supplied.

  In the printer 10 of the present invention, the following processing can also be performed as processing suitable for letters such as New Year's cards.

In this case, first, the reference printer 18 outputs the image reference print obtained by reproducing the image selected by the operation means 12 and the destination reference print obtained by reproducing the destination list input in advance. Then, one or more messages are recorded in different colors on the image reference print. In addition, according to the message recorded in the image reference print, a mark of the same color as the message to be sent to the destination is attached to each destination of the destination reference print.
The image reference print and the destination reference print are read by the scanner 22 and analyzed by the image processing means 16 to extract the color of the mark attached to the destination, the content of the message and the color, and make it an original image of the image reference print. A composite image is generated by combining the messages, and the destination is associated with a composite image in which a message of the same color as the color of the mark attached to the destination is associated, and sent to the output printer 20. The output printer 20 records a name addressed to one side and creates and outputs a print in which a composite image associated with the other side is recorded.
According to this method, it is not necessary to input a message for each destination, and a postcard or the like in which a desired message and a destination are recorded can be easily created for a desired person.

The illustrated printer 10 is a single printer in which all the components such as the database 14, the image processing means 16, the reference printer 18, the output printer 20, and the scanner 22 are integrated. The apparatus is not limited to this, and may be a printing system in which one or more components are separated and connected via a communication network or the like.
For example, a print system having a configuration in which only an output printer 20 that requires a high-quality output image is separately provided and connected via a communication network, a database 14 that preferably stores as many images as possible, and an output printer 20 The print system may have a configuration in which other components are separated and connected via a communication network.

Alternatively, a communication terminal with an imaging function such as a camera-equipped mobile phone may be used to capture the reference print with the communication terminal and transfer it to the image processing means 16.
Further, instead of the operation means 12, a communication terminal may be used to specify a background pattern or composite pattern, mode setting, etc., or both operation by the operation means 12 and operation by the communication terminal are possible. It may be.
When using the communication terminal in this way, it is preferable to transmit an image obtained by combining the image for synthesis to the background pattern to the communication terminal so that the output image can be confirmed.

  Although the image editing method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course it is good.

1 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. (A) And (B) is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the image editing method of this invention. (A) is an example of a background print, (B) is an example of a composition print, and (C) is a diagram conceptually showing an example of a composite image by the image editing method of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 12 Operation means 14 Database 16 Image processing means 18 Reference printer 20 Output printer 22 Scanner

Claims (15)

The specified background pattern and composite pattern are output as a reference print.
After recording the composite position of the image in the background pattern of the reference print and recording the composite image in the composite pattern of the reference print, the composite position and the composite position by reading the reference print and analyzing the image Extract the image for composition,
An image editing method comprising: generating an output image by combining a synthesis image cut out from an original image of a synthesized pattern at a synthesis position of an original image of a background pattern according to the extraction result.   2. The image editing method according to claim 1, wherein, by using a specific figure having an image feature amount common to the background pattern and the composite pattern, the corresponding composite position and the composite image are associated with each other.   The specific figure is a frame for designating a composition position and a composition image, and the image feature amount is classified by at least one of the shape of the frame, the color of the frame, the line type of the frame, and the thickness of the line forming the frame. The image editing method according to claim 2.   The image editing method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the specific figure is a symbol or a figure associated with designation of an image for synthesis and an image synthesis position.   The image editing method according to claim 1, wherein identification information associated with each original image is recorded in correspondence with the background pattern and the composite pattern of the reference print.   First discrimination information for discriminating a background pattern is recorded corresponding to the background pattern of the reference print, and second discrimination information for discriminating that it is a composite pattern is recorded corresponding to the composite pattern of the reference print. The image editing method according to claim 1.   The image editing method according to claim 6, wherein the first discrimination information and the second discrimination information are recorded when the reference print is output.   The image editing method according to claim 6, wherein the first discrimination information and the second discrimination information are recorded at the time of designating a synthesis position and a synthesis image using the reference print.   A grid line is recorded in the background pattern and the composite pattern of the reference print, and a geometric position of the background pattern obtained by reading the reference print and a geometric distortion correction of the composite pattern are obtained using the grid line. The image editing method according to claim 1.   A grid line is recorded in the background pattern and the composite pattern of the reference print, and using this grid line, the position of the background pattern obtained by reading the reference print is aligned with the composite image of the composite pattern. The image editing method according to claim 1, wherein the image editing method is performed.   The image editing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of resolution, density, number of colors for reproducing an image, and cost of a recording medium differs between the reference print and a print obtained by reproducing an output image. Method. Storage means for storing an original image, first printing means, a scanner, image analysis means for analyzing an image read by the scanner, and second printing means,
A reference print that reproduces a background pattern and a composite pattern designated from the original image is output by the first printing means,
A reference print on which the synthesis position on the background pattern and the synthesis image on the synthesis pattern are recorded is read by a scanner,
An image read by the scanner is analyzed by an image analysis unit, and a synthesis position designated on the background pattern and a synthesis image designated on the synthesis pattern are extracted, and according to this extraction, Cut out the image for composition from the original image of the composite pattern, generate an output image that is composited at the composite position of the original image of the background pattern,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a print obtained by reproducing the output image is output by the second printer.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the storage unit, the first printing unit, the scanner, the image analysis unit, and the second printing unit are integrally configured.   13. The storage unit according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the storage unit, the first printing unit, the scanner, the image analysis unit, and the second printing unit is a separate unit and each is connected by a communication unit. Image forming apparatus.   As the print creation mode, a normal mode for creating a normal print, an image composition mode for creating a print in which the image for composition is composed at a composition position, and a print for writing for handwriting input are used in the first printing means. 13. A handwriting mode for outputting, reading the entry print, performing image analysis to extract a handwritten input message, and creating a print in which the message is combined with the original image of the entry print. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.

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