JP2007128148A - Layout printing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique highly flexibly to set items and allow a user to easily create a desired album. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of options concerning each of three items of layout, a background image and an image effect of an image on an album sheet are displayed on a display unit so as to allow them to be arbitrarily selected. When the user selects the options, a plurality of images are printed on the album sheet in accordance with the options selected from a first to a third options. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for printing an album sheet in which a plurality of images are laid out.

  Conventionally, various devices for easily creating an album have been made (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-127354

  However, conventionally, setting items for album such as image layout are not very flexible, and it has been difficult to create an album that satisfies the user.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that allows a user to easily create a favorite album with high setting flexibility.

A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus for printing an album,
A plurality of first options for selecting a layout of a plurality of images arranged on the album sheet; a plurality of second options for selecting a background image to be printed on the album sheet; A plurality of third options for selecting an image effect to be applied to the image, and an option setting unit that displays each of the third options on the display unit so as to be arbitrarily selectable,
Print data for receiving the first to third options selected by the user and creating print data for printing the plurality of images on the album sheet according to the selected first to third options. A generator,
A printing mechanism for performing printing according to the print data;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to this printing apparatus, an album sheet can be printed simply by selecting a desired option from among a plurality of options for the three items of image layout, background, and image effect. Can easily create a favorite album.

The print data generation unit
Receiving two or more options for one or more items from the three items of the layout, background image, and image effect;
When generating print data for a multi-page album sheet, a plurality of combinations of options related to the three items of the layout, background image, and image effect are periodically selected one by one and applied to each page. May be.

  In this application method, a combination of options is regularly applied over a plurality of pages, so that an orderly impression can be given.

Alternatively, the print data generation unit
Receiving two or more options for one or more items from the three items of the layout, background image, and image effect;
When generating print data of a multi-page album sheet, one combination is randomly selected from a plurality of combinations of the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect and applied to each page. It may be.

  In this application method, since a combination of options is applied to the ram dam, it can give a varied impression.

  The print data creation unit may execute a process of making the background image inconspicuous by increasing the brightness of the entire background image.

  According to this configuration, since the background is a light image, it is possible to prevent a plurality of images arranged on the background from being excessively difficult to see in the background.

  The option setting unit may display an option for allowing the user to select a background image from images stored in the data storage medium.

  According to this configuration, since the background image and the plurality of images arranged on the album sheet are associated with each other, it is possible to create an album in which both are harmonized.

  The print data creation unit may form the background image by repeatedly arranging the pattern for the background image designated by the third option on the album sheet.

  According to this configuration, the memory capacity for storing the background image pattern can be reduced.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, a printing method and a printing apparatus, a printing control method and a printing control apparatus, an album created by these methods or apparatuses, and those methods or apparatuses. The present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program for realizing the above functions, a recording medium storing the computer program, a data signal including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, and the like.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Example:
B. Modified example

A. Example:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction machine 100 as an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 100 has functions of a printer and a scanner, and can scan and print an image without being connected to an external computer. The multifunction machine 100 includes an auto seed feeder 110 for supplying printing paper, a paper discharge tray 120 for receiving printing paper on which an image is printed, a liquid crystal display 130, and buttons for performing various operations. An operation panel 140 and a card reader 150 for reading data from the memory card are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100. The multi-function device 100 includes a CPU 200, a memory 210 including RAM and ROM, a USB device interface 230, a PC card interface 240, an operation panel control unit 250, a display control unit 260, a disk drive unit 270, and a scanner engine. 280 and a print engine 290. The USB device interface 230 can be connected to a USB host such as a personal computer via the USB connector 232.

  The disk drive unit 270 is a mechanism that drives various disks such as a DVD and a CD. When a writable disc such as a DVD-RAM or CD-R is inserted as a disc, the disc drive unit 270 can write data on the disc. The scanner engine 280 is a mechanism that scans an image and generates image data. The print engine 290 is a printing mechanism that executes printing in accordance with given print data.

  Various processing modules are mounted on the memory 210. The album creation module 300 is a module that executes various processes for creating an album, which will be described later, and includes an option setting module 330, a layout module 332, a background adjustment module 334, an image effect addition module 336, and print data. Creation module 338. Details of the functions of these modules will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating an album. In step S <b> 100, the user inserts a memory card storing image data into the multifunction device 100. In step S110, the user uses the operation panel 140 (FIG. 1) to instruct execution of the album print mode. At this time, various print modes including an album print mode are displayed in a selectable manner on the liquid crystal display 130, and the user can select a desired mode in accordance with the print mode. Instead of manually selecting the album print mode by the user, the album print mode may be automatically selected and started when the memory card is inserted in step S100. In this case, step S110 is unnecessary.

  The processing from step S120 to step S160 is executed under the control of the album creation module 300 (FIG. 2). In step S <b> 120, the option setting module 330 displays a plurality of options for selecting an image layout on the album sheet on the liquid crystal display 130.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of layout options. Here, four layouts 401 to 404 are illustrated. These layouts are stored in advance in a non-volatile memory in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen for layout options displayed on the liquid crystal display 130. The liquid crystal display 130 displays a line figure including a plurality of image frames 420 arranged on the album sheet 410 as an image layout. In the example of FIG. 5, no image is displayed in the image frame 420, but a reduced image of the image stored in the memory card may be displayed in the image frame 420 as shown in FIG. 4. Good. In FIG. 5, when the cross key 142 on the side of the liquid crystal display 130 is pressed, the layout displayed on the liquid crystal display 130 is sequentially switched to the next layout. The user can select the layout by pressing the “OK” button while the preferred layout is displayed. When printing a multi-page album sheet, it is also possible to select two or more layouts (that is, layout options) by repeatedly selecting the layout. One layout may be applied to a plurality of pages in common.

  When the selection of the layout is completed, the option setting module 330 displays a plurality of options for selecting the background on the album sheet on the liquid crystal display 130 in step S130 of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of background options. Here, two background patterns 501 and 502 and three backgrounds 511 to 513 diverted from a photograph are shown. FIG. 7A shows an example of an album sheet 601 using a background pattern. In this example, the background pattern 501 shown in FIG. 6A is repeatedly arranged on the album sheet 601. As can be understood from this description, the background patterns 501 and 502 are sufficiently smaller than the size of the album sheet and have a size that can be repeatedly arranged on the album sheet. The background patterns 501 and 502 preferably have the same width as the print medium. If a background pattern sufficiently smaller than the album sheet is used, there is an advantage that the memory capacity for storing the background pattern can be reduced.

  FIG. 7B shows an example of an album sheet 602 using a background obtained by diverting a photograph. In this example, one image 512 of the three photographic images shown in FIG. 6C is used as the background, and is repeatedly arranged on the album sheet 601. Options for a photographic image to be transferred to the background include (1) any image in the memory card selected by the user, (2) the first image placed on the same page, (3) on the same page It is preferable that options such as an image randomly selected from a plurality of images to be arranged and (4) an image used on the previous page are prepared. In the case of using a photo diversion background, instead of repeatedly arranging the same image on the album sheet, an image enlarged to include the album sheet may be used as the background. If a photographic image is diverted as a background, the contents of the background and a plurality of images arranged on the album sheet are related, so that an album in which the two are harmonized can be created.

  The display of the background options and the state of selection by the user are almost the same as in the case of the layout options (FIG. 5), and therefore the details are omitted. As for the background options, it is possible to select two or more options. Among the plurality of background options, an option “no background” is preferably included.

  When the selection of the background is completed, the option setting module 330 displays a plurality of options for selecting an image effect to be added to the image on the liquid crystal display 130 in step S140 of FIG. As the image effect, shadowing or blurring can be selected.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image effect options. In the shadowing shown in FIG. 8A, a shadow is given to the lower right of the frame of each image. In the blur shown in FIG. 8B, the periphery of each image is blurred and thinned. Any image effect other than these may be provided as an option. For example, an image frame (cutout to a heart shape or a round shape), a border decoration, or the like may be provided as an image effect option.

  The display of the image effect options and the state of selection by the user are almost the same as in the case of the layout options (FIG. 5), and the details are omitted. As for the image effect options, two or more options can be selected. The image effect may be selected for each individual image. Further, it is preferable that an option “no image effect” is included in the plurality of options of the image effect.

  When the setting of the three items is completed in this way, in step S150 of FIG. 3, the option setting module 330 displays a screen for inquiring the user whether the setting has been completed on the liquid crystal display 130. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of this inquiry screen. Here, five options 701 to 705 are shown. The first option 701 is an option for ending printing and executing printing without registering the setting contents. The second option 702 is an option for ending the setting, registering the setting content in the multifunction peripheral 100, and executing printing. The other three options 703 to 705 are options for returning to steps S120, S130, and S140 in FIG. In the second option 702, “register the setting contents in the multifunction device 100” means that the setting contents are stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) in the multifunction device 100. Since the multifunction peripheral 100 can register the setting contents for album printing, it is also possible to print an album sheet using the registered setting contents at a later opportunity. When setting contents registered at a later opportunity are selected, steps S120, S130, and S140 in FIG. 3 are omitted.

  When the setting is thus completed, the album sheet is printed in step S160. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S160. In step S210, the background adjustment module 334 executes tone correction processing that brightens the background image.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing the contents of tone correction (brightness increase processing) of the background image. The horizontal axis indicates the image data value before correction, and the vertical axis indicates the image data value after correction. For example, when the image data is RGB data, the tone correction is applied to the R, G, and B components. FIG. 11 shows a default characteristic CV0 (initial setting) and two adjusted characteristics CV1 and CV2. In the default characteristic CV0, the tone correction is linearly performed so that the 0% value (darkest value) of the pre-correction image data is corrected to 50% and the 100% value (brightest value) is maintained. Is done. If such tone correction is performed, the background becomes a light image, so that it is possible to prevent a plurality of images arranged on the background from being excessively difficult to see in the background.

  The starting point P0 of the default characteristic CV0 can be moved up and down according to the user setting. The two post-adjustment characteristics CV1 and CV2 show examples when the starting point P0 is moved downward and upward, respectively. When the starting point P0 is moved downward, the background becomes slightly dark and easily noticeable, and when the starting point P0 is moved upward, the background becomes slightly bright and difficult to stand out. A screen for performing such adjustment can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 130 in step S130 of FIG. 3, for example. When the user gives an instruction to adjust the brightness of the background, the brightness of the background image (background pattern or photo transfer background) displayed on the liquid crystal display 130 as an option may be changed accordingly. preferable.

  In step S220, the layout module 332 acquires image data from the memory card, and executes image layout in step S230. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an image in which a plurality of images are laid out on the background is obtained. In step S240, the image effect applying module 336 applies image effects to a plurality of images (see FIG. 8). Thus, a plurality of images are arranged on the album sheet, and an album sheet image in which the background and the image effect are set as necessary is completed. In the next step S250, the print data creation module 338 creates print data for printing this album sheet image. At this time, the print data creation module 338 executes processing such as color conversion and halftone processing. The print data creation module 338 executes printing by supplying the print data created in this way to the print engine 290.

  If there is a next page (album sheet) in step S260, the process returns to step S210 and the above-described processing is repeated. When only one option is selected for each of the three items of layout, background image, and image effect, the combination of the three options is commonly applied to a plurality of pages.

On the other hand, when two or more options are selected for one or more items among the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect, a method for determining a combination of options to be applied to a plurality of pages is as follows. Can be adopted.
(1) A plurality of combinations that can be configured with options relating to three items are periodically and sequentially applied to each page.
(2) One combination is randomly selected from a plurality of combinations that can be configured with options relating to the three items and applied to each page.

  In the application method (1), the combination of options is regularly applied over a plurality of pages, so that an orderly impression can be given. In addition, in the application method (2), since the combination of options is applied to the ram dam, an impression rich in change can be given. The determination method applied at the time of actual printing may be selected by the user, or one of them may be selected as a default (initial setting).

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of options are displayed on the liquid crystal display 130 of the multi-function peripheral 100 for each of the three items of image layout, background, and image effect, and the user selects these options. A preferred album can be printed easily. Further, if various options are prepared in advance for each item, it is possible to provide album printing with high flexibility.

B. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

B1. Modification 1:
As setting items for album printing, items other than the three items of image layout, background, and image effect may be set. However, it is preferable to present a plurality of options prepared in advance to the user for at least three items of image layout, background, and image effect.

B2. Modification 2:
In each of the above embodiments, a memory card is used as a data storage medium for storing image data. Instead, a disk such as a CD or DVD, or another data storage medium such as a hard disk or flash memory may be used. good. The hard disk and the flash memory may take a form mounted in the multi-function peripheral or a form detachable from the multi-function peripheral.

B3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, a multi-function machine having the functions of a printer and a scanner is used. However, the scanner can be omitted. Further, for example, an album creating apparatus having the same function as that of the multifunction machine can be configured by connecting a printer and a computer.

B4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware.

1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction machine as an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which produces an album. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the choice of a layout. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of options displayed on the liquid crystal display 130. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the choice of a background. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the album sheet | seat using the album sheet | seat using a background pattern, and a photograph diversion background. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the option of an image effect. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the inquiry screen at the time of a setting end. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of step S160. It is a graph which shows the content of the tone correction (brightness increase process) of a background image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Multifunction machine 110 ... Auto seed feeder 120 ... Paper discharge tray 130 ... Liquid crystal display 140 ... Operation panel 142 ... Cross key 150 ... Card reader 200 ... CPU
210 ... Memory 230 ... USB device interface 232 ... USB connector 240 ... PC card interface 250 ... Operation panel control unit 260 ... Display control unit 270 ... Disk drive unit 280 ... Scanner engine 290 ... Print engine 300 ... Album creation module 330 ... Option setting Module 332 ... Layout module 334 ... Background adjustment module 336 ... Image effect imparting module 338 ... Print data creation modules 401 to 404 ... Layout 410 ... Album sheet 420 ... Image frame 501, 502 ... Background pattern 511 to 513 ... Diverted from photograph Background 601, 602 ... Album sheet 701-705 ... Options at the end of setting

Claims (12)

A method for printing an album,
A plurality of first options for selecting a layout of a plurality of images arranged on the album sheet; a plurality of second options for selecting a background image to be printed on the album sheet; A plurality of third options for selecting an image effect to be applied to the image of the image, and a step of displaying them on the display unit so as to be arbitrarily selectable,
Receiving the first to third options selected by a user;
Creating print data for printing the plurality of images on an album sheet according to the selected first to third options;
Executing printing according to the print data;
A method comprising the steps of: The method of claim 1, comprising:
In the receiving step, two or more options are received for one or more items from the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect;
In the print data creation step, when generating print data of a multi-page album sheet, a plurality of combinations of options relating to the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect are sequentially and sequentially selected one by one. The method to apply to each page. The method of claim 1, comprising:
In the receiving step, two or more options are received for one or more items from the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect;
In the print data creation step, when generating print data of a multi-page album sheet, one combination is randomly selected from a plurality of combinations of the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect. To apply to each page. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The print data creation step includes a step of executing a process of making the background image inconspicuous by increasing the brightness of the entire background image. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The option display step includes a step of displaying an option for allowing a user to select a background image from images stored in a data storage medium. A method according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising
The print data creation step includes a step of forming the background image by repeatedly arranging a pattern for background image designated by the third option on the album sheet. A printing device for printing an album,
A plurality of first options for selecting a layout of a plurality of images arranged on the album sheet; a plurality of second options for selecting a background image to be printed on the album sheet; A plurality of third options for selecting an image effect to be applied to the image, and an option setting unit that displays each of the third options on the display unit so as to be arbitrarily selectable,
Print data for receiving the first to third options selected by the user and creating print data for printing the plurality of images on the album sheet according to the selected first to third options. A generator,
A printing mechanism for performing printing according to the print data;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The print data generation unit
Receiving two or more options for one or more items from the three items of the layout, background image, and image effect;
When generating print data for a multi-page album sheet, printing is performed by sequentially selecting a plurality of combinations of options regarding the three items of the layout, background image, and image effect one by one and applying them to each page. apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The print data generation unit
Receiving two or more options for one or more items from the three items of the layout, background image, and image effect;
When generating print data of a multi-page album sheet, one combination is randomly selected from a plurality of combinations of the three items of the layout, the background image, and the image effect, and applied to each page. Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print data creation unit executes a process of making the background image inconspicuous by increasing the brightness of the entire background image. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The option setting unit is a printing apparatus that displays an option for allowing a user to select a background image from images stored in a data storage medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print data creation unit forms the background image by repeatedly arranging a background image pattern designated by the third option on the album sheet.

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